Today we’d like to introduce you to MARILOU WONG.
Hi MARILOU, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was working in New York City, life was very different. Then I became pregnant with twins, and everything changed. I was afraid to put my children in daycare. I worried about having to leave work early if they got sick, and I knew my job required me to be there all the time.
So I made the decision to stay home and raise them.
When they turned five, I started thinking seriously about the future. I asked myself, “What if something happened to my husband? How would I support my family?” I knew I needed to do something — something flexible that would allow me to still be present for my children.
My husband works 12 hours a day, and I didn’t have anyone to help watch the kids. I needed a career that worked around my children’s schedule, not against it.
One day, I spoke with another parent who was a real estate agent. He suggested I consider real estate. I asked him, “What do you actually do?” He said, “You help people buy and sell homes.”
That conversation changed my life.
I went to school full-time for one month. It wasn’t easy. My friend helped bring my kids to school and pick them up, and after class, I would go to her house to pick up my daughters. It took sacrifice, support, and faith — but I did it.
And that’s how my journey in real estate began.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having twins taught me one thing very quickly — I had to be organized.
My daughters were always my priority, but I also wanted to grow. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something meaningful and build a career.
After dropping my kids off at school, I would go straight to the office. I sat in meetings and watched experienced agents closely — how they spoke, how they handled transactions, how they negotiated. I treated every day like training.
My broker told me, “You have to be aggressive.”
I knew I had that in me.
He encouraged me to call expired listings, contact For Sale By Owners, and reach out to everyone I knew. So I did exactly that.
I knocked on doors. Some people were kind. Some were not. A few even told me to leave or they would call the police. I wasn’t expecting that. I remember feeling shaken and going back to the office worried. But I didn’t quit.
Instead, I doubled down.
I hosted open houses every weekend to practice approaching people and building confidence. I stayed at the office during floor time to answer phones and capture leads. I reminded everyone I knew — from the library, the gym, friends, acquaintances — that I was now a real estate agent. If they knew anyone buying or selling, please pass my name along.
In my first six months:
A floor call came in looking for a condo in Belleville.
The librarian’s daughter got married and needed a two-family home.
One For Sale By Owner I consistently followed up with finally decided to hire a realtor — and chose me.
There was no GPS back then. I printed directions before every appointment so I wouldn’t get lost.
Sometimes I had to bring my daughters to the office. They would play on the computer or run around while I worked. There were moments I brought them places I normally wouldn’t have — but I was determined to make it work.
Failure was not an option.
I wasn’t just building a career. I was building security for my family.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
With 21 years of experience in real estate, I understand that being a Realtor is not easy — it requires flexibility, patience, understanding, and the ability to truly listen. Every client’s situation is different, and I take the time to explain the process in a way that is clear, simple, and easy to understand.
I am highly motivated and committed to helping my clients from start to finish — from the first showing to closing day and beyond. I make myself available 24/7, even while on vacation, because I believe my clients deserve full support and attention. I strive to make every client feel like they are my only client.
Strong negotiation skills, consistent communication, and detailed follow-up are the foundation of my business. I personally attend home inspections, appraisals, and final walkthroughs to ensure everything runs smoothly and to protect my clients’ best interests.
For me, real estate is not just about transactions — it’s about relationships, trust, and delivering results
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that if it’s not in writing, it doesn’t happen at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mwonreslestate.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantgowrongwithmarilouwong/?ref=pages_you_manage
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/marilouwong
