Today we’d like to introduce you to Malkia Henson.
Hi Malkia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My passion for real estate took root early in my youth. Growing up, I found myself captivated by the aesthetics of architecture and possessed a natural curiosity for the mechanics of real estate investment. This interest transitioned into a hands-on reality in my early twenties when I had the opportunity to take ownership of one of my childhood homes. My mother had served as the landlord for many years, and when she reached a point where she no longer wished to manage the property, I stepped in. Taking over that home sparked a powerful drive within me, fueling a passion that led me to later purchase my own independent investment property, alongside the family home. As an investor, I have remodeled homes and most of my properties were converted to rentals.
Over the years, I became the “go-to” advisor for family members navigating their own home-buying journeys. They sought my guidance on potential pitfalls and frequently asked me to join their walkthroughs and inspections. I consistently found myself identifying critical details or areas of concern that even seasoned inspection professionals occasionally overlooked. My education and experience in Civil Engineering (Morgan State University) added to recognizing those details as well. Recognizing this gap in the support available to homeowners, I felt a calling to do more. I wanted to merge my experience as an investor with a professional commitment to helping clients achieve a seamless, “healthy” buying or selling experience. This desire to deepen my expertise and better serve others is what led me to obtain my Real Estate license.
For me, real estate is a constant pursuit. I often begin and end my day by analyzing market trends, tracking sales, and exploring new investment opportunities. This dedication has allowed me to successfully navigate complex deals, including selling my first home as “For Sale By Owner” and negotiating my own deals – two separate contracts for new construction builds. In one instance, although I had representation, I took the lead in negotiating to secure an additional $23,000 in credits toward the sales price of my home although I already had $70K in credits. By the way, I was not a licensed agent at the time.
Today, as a Part-time agent, that same passion and firsthand experience drive my work as a licensed agent. Although part-time, my commitment to my clients does not waiver. I am deeply committed to my clients’ success, ensuring they are in the best possible position to enjoy a rewarding homeownership journey or, for my sellers, to receive the absolute best value for their home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? No, what I did not mention in my journey was that I started studying for my Real Estate license in my twenties. I was a single mom working full time for a technology company (Verizon). The classes were in person so I attended them after work. I passed my educational course with flying colors BUT I lost the desire to take the state exam. So I talked myself out of pursuing the real estate state license when I lived in MD. But I was still passionate about real estate.
After years passed, I decided to pursue the pre-licensing training online. And it took me several extensions of the class to finally complete it. I almost felt like a professional course taker after a while. However, once I finally took the pre-licensing exam I committed to myself that I was not going to wait to take the state exam. I signed up immediately and passed the Real Estate exam. I immediately connected with a broker recommended by one of my friends, who was a great Real Estate Agent.
Once I became a Real Estate agent with United Real Estate Executives (UREE), things simply flowed. Most challenges I experienced dealt with negotiating deals during COVID. My clients were faced with a market where buyers were willing to pay sometimes above the appraised value and forego an inspection. The one thing I did was to keep encouraging my clients to remain patient and not make rash decisions. If the home was for them, it would work out in their favor. And it eventually did, they got exactly what they wanted. It was not about “quickly” closing a deal for me, it was about ensuring that my client’s needs were met. Simply put, the delay in acquiring a home was not denial overall.
Being a real estate agent comes with ebbs and flows of opportunities to assist either buyers or sellers of real estate. I’m committed to remain readily available to assist clients in the journey to achieve their goals in this process. It’s not always easy but resilience and consistency is key. When you do things right, your clients become your advocates and become advertisers through referrals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I start off by saying that I wear many “hats”. In addition to being a full-time Technology leader at Verizon, I am a licensed realtor in Maryland (UREE) and Pennsylvania (United Real Estate) with goals to expand to Virginia. I am also a recently licensed life and health insurance agent (World System Builder). This combination of experience not only helps to buy or sell their properties but positions them well to learn how to manage asset protection strategies and financial acumen in general. It is important to educate clients in advance about financial wellness which then positions them well to prepare for the home buying journey and protection needed thereafter.
Simply put, I am known for my passion to help people. I have a desire to ensure that people are not only able to purchase a home but also positioned well to maintain the home. My compassion for people to achieve their goals without overextending themselves truly sets me apart from others.
I am most proud of pushing through my journey and seeing the fruit of my labor when people have been able to purchase their dream homes. In addition, helping people with insurance solutions that meet their needs are most rewarding to me. Solutions such as IULs which offer both living (long term care, etc) and death benefits are ones that not many people are aware of but are financial vehicles needed everyday. Fixed Annuities are solutions that are beneficial for those looking for financial growth in preparing for the future.
Throughout my journey in both Real Estate and Finance, I have brought my daughters along the journey to help them understand the industry trends, attend home showings, and ways to manage and grow money. They’ve watched me throughout my journey to see that it’s possible to accomplish anything that they desire in life. I often write my goals in a journal with deadlines to ensure that I don’t lose sight of my targets. I offer myself grace and flexibility, when I don’t hit the deadlines. It’s not always easy to have a full time career and also manage your own personal dreams and goals in parallel but I find a way to make it happen. I pray that it inspires my children and family.
Lastly, I am also a leader at my church – New Vision for Life. I manage the finances of the church and work to ensure that we establish and maintain proper financial tracking and management. I enjoy giving back to the community through Outreach programs hosted by my church.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Podcasts – Bigger Pockets – Real Estate, Coaching for Leaders, AI Business Network
Apps – MLS-Touch, RPR
Books – The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko, Unapologetically Ambitious by Shelleye Archambeau, Becoming Michelle Obama
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malkiahenson.ureexecutives.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malkia_md.realtor/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/malkia-henson-821085135
- Other: https://www.homes.com/real-estate-agents/malkia-henson/f9p3hns/?msockid=125d23683b376f4e29a930393a256e9e
