VoyageUtah Interview

Voyage Utah Magazine reached out to me earlier this year, seeking an interview for their “Most Inspiring Stories in Utah” series. It went live on May 3rd, 2023. My message to all of you is this: Don’t hesitate to put your content out there, my friends—it’s an endeavor worth pursuing! We all have to start somewhere. 😉

I am genuinely interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences. While you can certainly read the interview below, it’s on the VoyageUtah website as well.

Here’s the interview:

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Bates.

Hi Tanya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 20 years old, I dove into the mortgage industry and worked in those “behind the scenes” roles such as Loan Closing Specialist, Processor, and Underwriter. I spent about a year in each of these positions and was a sponge soaking up all the knowledge I could. While working as an underwriter and reviewing appraisals, I remember asking my manager, “What exactly do appraisers do?” She gave me a brief explanation, and at that moment, I knew I would be an appraiser someday. It felt like the perfect balance to me. I would get to go out in the field and see properties, interact with clients and property owners, and then return to the office geeking out on data while writing appraisal reports. So good!

Shortly after realizing I wanted to become an appraiser, I saw an opening pop up within my company for an appraiser position in Utah. I was living in Texas at the time and was stoked to apply! I boarded a plane to Salt Lake City for the interview, which was an incredible experience for me at 23 years old. I was offered the job and my husband and I relocated to Utah. Becoming an appraiser was no joke. If my memory serves me well, I worked 50 – 60 hours a week for two years to become a licensed appraiser. It was tough but I loved every second of it! One of my many hopes is to help recreate my appraisal trainee experience for the benefit of future appraisers as it no longer exists today. It will take a village.

Three months after I became a licensed appraiser I was laid off while on maternity leave with my firstborn son. This was back in 2008. We all got laid off. At the time, it felt meant to be as I received severance pay and was now able to stay home with my baby boy. About a year later, I got a part-time job with a local appraisal firm. It was a perfect opportunity for me to ease back into the profession and reminded me I still had the ability to appraise homes. With mostly appraisal reviews and being able to work from home, I was able to balance my work and take care of two cute boys.

We decided to take advantage of the current market conditions by building a new home in Lehi and renting out our old home in Saratoga Springs, which we were underwater on as so many homeowners were back in 2012. Even with my professional background, this was tough. I had run the numbers countless times and knew this was our best option. I said goodbye to my job as I found myself struggling to juggle the demands of life and couldn’t seem to find a way to fit work into the mix. Not to mention having two adorable sidekicks by my side throughout the build process and a husband who had just taken an awesome career leap.

In 2014 my third, my baby girl, was born. The thought of balancing work and being a mom of three kids seemed daunting, but being a stay-at-home mom didn’t feel right for me either. So, I opted for volunteer work. Initially, I was the Landscape Chair at the HOA we lived in. I loved designing parks and beautifying the landscape, but man, talk about a thankless job. This experience led me to volunteer fortwo amazing mama-centric non-profits: Wild Outsiders Club and Adventure Mamas Initiative. I also served on the school community councils at my kids’ schools. When I was a kid, my parents instilled in me the value of charity and I will always be grateful for that.

I promised myself that I would resume my career when my youngest started 1st grade. Even though I paused my career to be home with my littles, it was never over, which brings us to my daughter’s kindergarten school year. I made it three months into her starting school when I opened my own appraisal business overnight. This was November 2019 and I’m sure you know what’s coming next. I
often joke that my career timing has been “on point”. Well, the world shut down in March 2020. For a hot minute, I was certain it was going to be the 2008 financial crisis all over again but the opposite happened. Chaos and frenzy in the market meant that appraisal requests were pouring in nonstop. My business thrived. As the years went by I craved community within the appraisal industry and began searching for it. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it (again with the impeccable timing!) but gained valuable life experience which ultimately led me to where I am today.

During the recent winter months, I took some time to reflect on my career as an appraiser and whether it was the right path for me. After all of this soul-searching and numerous job interviews, I found myself on a path I had never imagined. In January 2023, I completed 120 hours of classes and passed the required Utah state exam to become a licensed real estate agent. If I was going to do this, I was going to be intentional about it. I interviewed eight different brokerages to find my place in the world of real estate sales. It wasn’t until I met with UNiTY Group Real Estate that everything fell into place. I was at my wits’ end when I walked in their door. Imagine my surprise when the second I walked into their community-centered brokerage mindset, they “Had Me at Hello”.

I am deeply passionate about all things related to real estate. Am I still an appraiser? Definitely. What’s awesome is I’m discovering how much being an appraiser and an agent complement each other, enhancing my skills and knowledge in both professions. You’ve found me at a pivotal point in my life. My youngest is in 3rd grade and my oldest will be graduating high school in three short years. This is the perfect time for me to focus on my craft, explore new ideas, and figure out how I can make a greater impact on the real estate industry. My ultimate goal is to be a driving force for positive change. But even as I chase my dreams, I refuse to forget the importance of balance in life. It’s a constant process that ebbs and flows and is one of the most crucial lessons I try to instill in my kids. I will always be there for them as they continue to grow into the amazing humans they are. After all, my husband is my rock, my family is my joy, and each of them is a huge part of why I strive to be the best version of myself.

Man, time really does fly by. So, check back in with me and see where I’m at in 3 – 5 years; I’m just as curious as you are! I feel more content and at peace with my career path now than ever before. I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and embracing my adventurous side by taking risks and exploring the path less traveled. I’ve realized that the things I least expect in life are the ones I tend to love the most. I dove into the sales side of the real estate world just as other agents are leaving in record numbers. But hey, that’s just me – always on point with my timing!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have definitely been obstacles and challenges along the way. Always! Such is life. I could easily write a book solely on this topic, but here are a few that remain prominent in my mind:

I was surprised to learn that my husband and I were both feeling trapped in our own situations. Through the years as a stay-at-home mom, I often felt stuck and overwhelmed. It turns out my husband was feeling the same way in his career path through those years. Honestly, raising young kids is unbelievably challenging AND unbelievably rewarding. When you are in it, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and feel like this is your life forever, only to find they’ve grown up in the blink of an eye. It took me years to realize I didn’t actively choose to stay home with my kids – the decision was handed to me on a silver platter when I was laid off during my firstborn’s maternity leave. At the time, I was still trying to figure out my next move.

For better or for worse, when I do something, I go all in. Balancing my commitments has always been a challenge for me. As a result, attempting to find balance in all things is a skill that requires constant effort. Which is likely why I frequently talk to my kids about it.

Last but not least, is the feeling of imposter syndrome. I could hypothesize the “whys” behind this struggle to no end. This is another constant in my life I have to acknowledge and confront often. I am feeling it fiercely at the moment as I push myself into exploring new areas for my career and purpose. I am noticing that the more I confront this barrier, the better I get at pushing through. Nowadays, whenever I feel curious about something while it simultaneously terrifies me, I take it as a sign that I’m on to something and begin to explore it further.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The business name represents my dedication to delivering exceptional real estate services that surpass my client’s expectations. My business philosophy centers around the significance of competence and earning one’s place, ensuring that each encounter with me is genuinely “worth” raving about.

As a Real Estate Appraiser and Agent, I presently concentrate on all aspects of residential real estate, though my services may expand in the future. Stay tuned! With my comprehensive understanding of the local Utah markets and unwavering commitment to providing honest guidance every step of the way, I stand out as a Real Estate Agent. I take pride in placing the community at the heart of all my endeavors.

What are your plans for the future?
Have you watched Emilie Wapnick’s TED Talk where she coined the term “multipotentialite”? This concept deeply resonates with me because I often find myself in the dilemma of attempting to pursue numerous interests, only to realize it simply is not possible to do it all. You have to choose. Currently, I have something in the works for the appraisal side of my business, but I am waiting to spill the beans until everything is finalized.

My business’s focus for this year is on consistency and education. I have joined an incredible mastermind and found the supportive community I was seeking at my brokerage to help me accomplish my goals. I am excited to see what the future holds!