Page 3 - Jim Seabold

Real Estate Agent OF THE MONTH
Anative of Minnesota, veteran real estate agent Jim Seabold has been a resident of St. Paul his entire life, growing up on the east side not far from his father’s work.
“Our home was in the shadow of 3M,” he says. “In fact, because my father was a 3M en- gineer I believe I have a very di erent perspec- tive in my analysis of real estate.”
Right out of high school, Seabold began working in retail sales at Dayton’s. His engag- ing personality and innate ability to anticipate customer needs, made him successful from the start. Over time, he developed a follow- ing of loyal customers. Many of these regulars were real estate agents and each, at one time or another, told Seabold that he would be great selling real estate.
e suggestion piqued young Seabold’s cu- riosity.
IN THE BEGINNING
“I had an interest in architecture as a kid,” he says. “I also grew up loving Monopoly. en, when I was about 18, I started working in sales. By the time I was 21, I’d decided it was time to explore real estate as a possible career. e more I looked into it, the more excited I be- came.”
Licensed in 1987, Seabold became a liated with Coldwell Banker Burnet and has stayed the course with this high-pro le brokerage ever since. Despite being suited and quali ed, Seabold soon discovered that because of his age and youthful appearance, he had to work twice as hard to win the trust of potential clients.
“Real estate is challenging for anyone, but it certainly didn’t help that I was 21 and looked about15,” he says with a laugh. “I had to deal with questions like, ‘Is your dad coming?’ But that forced me to focus. I made sure I knew the details of every home that was on the market. I’d go out and tour each one, I’d study the MLS books that we used at that time and I knew - nancing inside and out. Consequently, within a couple of years, the veterans were coming to me with questions.”
Although his youth created obstacles early in his career, Seabold believes it gave him a dis- tinct advantage in the long run.
“ at’s one thing I feel is unique about me,” says Seabold. “I began my real estate career fairly young. For most people, it’s a second ca- reer they start in their 30s or 40s. By starting at such a young age, I gained the experience that comes with that focus on one career earlier and still have another 15 or 20 years in the industry.
SEABOLD WITH HIS WIFE, BIANCA