Goals have never intimidated Shay Millheiser. The Kuper Sotheby's International Realty agent was drawn to Austin with an offer to play women's soccer for the University of Texas, and she knew immediately that Austin possessed the sort of approachable vibe she wanted in the place she would eventually call home.
"It's the most open and welcoming city that I've ever been to, and I love it so much for this," she says.
It was during her college years that she began renovating houses, and like most successful business prodigies, it was Millheiser's combination of insane drive, fearless risk-taking, and impeccable timing that transformed her passion for design into a thriving real estate career.
"I was young and dumb, but very diligent about working harder than anyone else and surrounding myself with great mentors," she says. "I took risks — some paid off and others didn't — but every single outcome was a learning opportunity."
Now with eight years of renovation and design experience transforming more than 100 fixer-uppers into stunning — and easily sellable — homes, Millheiser is a sought-after industry expert who has been featured on HGTV and has spoken in front of thousands at the Real Estate Wealth Expo with Tony Robbins. But what drives her every day is translating this invaluable expertise into successful transactions for the buyers and sellers she represents right here in Austin.
"I get joy out of setting goals for myself and exceeding them, and in real estate I've got the opportunity to do this with every single client," says Millheiser. "My goals are to find my buyers the best deals, sell my sellers' properties for absolute top dollar, and to provide the best customer service experience that I can from start to finish."
Her expertise also extends to helping buyers understand the often-murky process of purchasing a home, from deciphering mortgage options to making sure they don't pass up a diamond in the rough. Each of her real estate clients gets unlimited access to her consultation skills during the design and renovation process, as well as access to her industry partners. Her Instagram also serves as an invaluable guide to the world on home renovation, where she dishes out tips and tricks on everything from simple fixes to major upgrades.
"I like to tell people to combine patience with possibility," she says. "Patience because our market inventory is thin right now, and sometimes it takes a little while for a home that checks 95 percent of the boxes to present itself. But once it comes, be prepared for it. Possibility because I sometimes find that people looking for the 100-percent turn-key, perfect home will pass over homes that could become a house with 110 percent of what they want with a little elbow grease. Don’t be afraid to move a wall, re-do a closet, re-tile a shower, or repaint. Sometimes the perfect home can be found for even cheaper than your original budget — if you've got a little patience to make it perfect."
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Follow Shay Millheiser on Instagram to learn insider tips and tricks about home design and renovation. Click here to see her current listings or to contact her directly.
Millheiser has renovated over 100 homes.
