By Maddy Vitale
Lorie Rice found the perfect way for both she and her husband to work outside of the home and still manage to find quality time to raise their children in Ocean City.
Rice quit her job as an art teacher in Atlantic City after 12 years, worked as a wellness coach for a while, and then, in October 2017, she began her journey into the life of real estate, to be alongside her husband Brad Rice. They work for Patrick Halliday Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors, 754 Asbury Ave.
“It has always been my vision to have my life and work intertwined,” Rice, 40, said. “This means that I don’t have to juggle, but that everything blends together.”
The couple lives in the north end of Ocean City with their kids Anna, 8, a third-grader, and Rocco, 7, who is in the first grade.
“My mom lives here in Ocean City and loves to spend time with the kids,” Rice said. “This helps.”
And the fact that they work just seven blocks from their home makes it extremely convenient for family time.
“If one of us has something urgent to take care of, it’s very easy for the other to hold down the fort at home,” Rice said.
There wasn’t a question of where she wanted to work.
“I chose to work with Patrick (Halliday) because of his integrity and work ethic. Patrick does a very high volume of business here on the island,” Rice explained. “He knows the market. He knows what is fair and reasonable. It’s been a pleasure to work with him and learn from him.”
Halliday remarked about Lorie Rice’s background and how it transfers to real estate work very well.
“When working with clients, it is important to understand ever changing market conditions. Lori’s background in education has provided her the tools a knowledge to recognize the changing trends throughout the market,” Halliday said. “Having the ability to educate our clients on future market trends has allowed them to take advantage of opportunities others may not recognize.”
Before Rice made the leap into real estate, she worked in Halliday’s office.
She quickly learned that she could apply her skills and life experience to help others in real estate.
So, the former teacher took steps to begin a new career.
She enrolled in real estate school over the summer and in three months she got her license.
And she was ready to get out there and sell.
“I took the long route. There is one that takes two weeks. I couldn’t wait to start,” Rice said.
The former educator was confident that her skills as an effective communicator who was professional and very organized would add up to a superb agent.
“You have to have very good communication skills to work with children, parents, the administration and run your classroom,” Rice said. “Teaching is a hard job.”
Before long, Rice took a spot next to her husband and she quickly fell in love with her new set of responsibilities.
Whether she is helping a buyer, seller or investor, she likes it all, because she is helping people and there are extra perks – specifically the flexible schedule.
“I never have a problem answering calls or dealing with urgent situations with our buyers and sellers because of the situation we created,” Rice said of working with her spouse.
And there hasn’t been a better time to get into real estate, she remarked.
Calling it an “amazing shore market,” Rice said it is a “fair and unique time in real estate.”
“The market is strong and that is good for buyers and sellers,” Rice said.
Rice enjoys getting to know her clients, discussing the market and helping people understand the true value of their homes.
With the market continuing to rise, it is a great time for investors to purchase a shore home, she said.
“It is a wonderful time for sellers,” Rice said. “I think we have a unique situation going into spring and will see a lot of transactions.”
Rice knows she made the right choice in her change of career for her happiness and the happiness of her entire family.
“Each day is different for us and that is what I like. Brad and I work together as a team in the office and at home,” Rice said of working with her husband. “We work differently, but we each have our strengths. Working as a couple to help our clients is very powerful.”
