Goodhart,  Khawar Provide Tips About Getting Ahead, and Staying On Top

Born and raised in Alexandria, Allison Goodhart of McEnearney Associates in Alexandria first entered the real estate world through her family’s company. As a college student, Goodhart obtained her real estate license. Then she gained experience interning for Barbara Corcoran, New York’s self-proclaimed “Queen of Real Estate” and TV personality on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. 

After college, Goodhart remained in her family’s business, doing everything from answering phones and stuffing letters, to showing property and negotiating contracts. Now a manager, she is one of her firm’s leading agents. 

Goodhart advises all beginning agents to “connect with an experienced and successful agent” and to meet with a real estate coach. 

New agents need to be reminded to keep perspective, she advises. ”Take it seriously,” she says, “but make friends and enjoy the experience.”

Saliq Khawar of Keller Williams Realty in Falls Church has conquered adversity to attain success at an early age. As a first-generation Pakistani-American, Khawar worked full-time at as a teenager to help provide for his family. He experienced the trauma of being held up at gun point as a child. Despite these and other trying life events, Khawar never gave up on his goal to create a name for himself in the field of real estate. 

By working as an unpaid intern for five months when he most needed the money, Khawar demonstrated his dedication, strong will and passion. Instead of college, he worked to support his younger siblings and assist his mother. He obtained his real estate license to be able to achieve the American Dream—buy property to and create a home for his own family.

At his Keller Williams office, Khawar is in charge of streamlining the buying and selling process using technology. He takes pride in taking distressed homes and redeveloping them into something brand new to sell.

Khawar believes that “home ownership is the root of a free society.” 

He echoes Goodhart’s advice about seeking a mentor or coach. It’s important to have someone readily available to ask for help when needed, he explained. 

Angel White is a George Mason University Senior and guest freelance writer.