When COVID hit and lockdown began, I felt inspired to start a brand-new career, refusing to let fears about my age hold me back.

 

It’s never too late to chase your dreams, and my career has been a testament to that mentality. I was born and raised in Indiana, and by high school, I was set on becoming an architectural designer. However, my dad unfortunately passed away, and college was no longer an option. Life took a different course—I met my ex-husband, got married, and had Nicole. At a young age, I was already a mom.

 

To support my family, I started working for an automotive manufacturing supplier, a company that provided parts to brands like Ford and Chrysler. I stayed there for 13 years, conducting audits, training employees, and helping launch new products into the market. Eventually, I transitioned into orthopedics, doing a similar job—internal audits, product evaluations, and traveling internationally to launch new products and audit material suppliers.

 

But something kept tugging at me. The desire to earn a college degree never went away. I’ve always believed that growing your education can never hurt you. I was in my early-50s, and I wanted a degree in marketing—but how?

 

I kept my full-time job during the day while attending school at night, driving an hour just to get to work each day, for several years. I graduated with a 3.7 GPA, with honors. To this day, earning that degree remains one of my proudest achievements.

 

While my professional life was advancing, my personal life was shifting as well. My then-husband and I divorced, which is never an easy process. I didn’t intend to enter another relationship, which is why Archie took me completely by surprise.

 

We met through mutual friends, and from the start, I felt at ease with him. What began as a comfortable friendship quickly turned into something more—something I didn’t expect or even think I wanted. Looking back, I believe a higher power had a hand in it because if it had been up to me, I would have dismissed the relationship altogether. But the connection was undeniable. We had both been through divorces, knew what we wanted, and when Archie proposed, of course, I said yes.

 

We’ve now been married for almost 6 years, and it was Archie who first suggested I go into real estate. It happened during COVID. I was working from home, which, frankly, is not for me. I missed the energy of an office and just wasn’t enjoying my job anymore.

 

“Why don’t you get into a career you love?” Archie asked one day. “Like real estate.”

 

At first, I wasn’t sure. At 55, maybe I was too old to start over. Or maybe not. I got my real estate license in 2022, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. My analytical yet social personality, combined with my background in audits and training, made for a natural fit. I understand complex regulations and why they exist. I’ve trained many people before, and now, I get to thoroughly educate my clients, empowering them to become experts in their own transactions. If I can help someone grow, I will, and that’s what I do as a REALTOR®. 

 

I find pleasure in work, but in my free time, I love spending time with Archie and my grandchildren. I enjoy camping, playing with my dogs, and reading, especially inspirational and educational books.

 

I also believe in giving back. I volunteer my time to help build homes for those in need and participate in fundraising efforts, including organizing a golf outing to support children’s charities. Through both my career and community involvement, I get to make a real difference.

 

I love guiding people through the home-buying process, especially first-time buyers, breaking down each step to ensure they feel confident and informed. I’m meticulous about regulations and requirements, proactively addressing potential issues to prevent surprises.

 

For sellers, I provide a full-service approach, including complimentary staging consulting with a professional stager, a cleaning consultation, and high-quality photography showcasing their homes in the best light. With my background in appraisal courses and market analysis, I focus on pricing homes accurately from the start. I personally evaluate pricing for both buyers and sellers to ensure fairness and maximize value. I also maintain direct communication with appraisers to prevent confusion or bias, often securing the price my sellers expect.

 

My support doesn’t end at closing, through a post-purchase asset management meeting with a lender a year later to explore ways in which my clients can save money. I also connect clients with a trusted network of contractors for discounted home maintenance services. Specializing in land, residential, and investment properties, I help clients make informed decisions and build long-term value in their real estate investments.

 

Sincerely,

 

Billie Shively

REALTOR®, Broker Associate

574.527.1533

billie.shively@exprealty.com

www.warsawlakerealty.com