From psychology plans to a market in crisis

Shylia grew up around her parents’ real estate team, helping with flyers, envelopes and listing information as a teenager. She initially planned a different career, studying child psychology and spending time in Brazil through a study-abroad program.

Returning home around the housing downturn, she took a role negotiating short sales. She describes working with banks, distressed homeowners and later bank-owned properties. Getting licensed in 2009 opened the door to becoming a buyer’s agent, a change she welcomed after the difficult circumstances of her early work.

The difficult beginning became useful experience

Short-sale work taught Shylia to communicate with people in very different situations, solve problems and understand the details of a transaction. Those skills carried into her work helping buyers.

She also credits her parents’ mentorship and the reputation they had built. An established family business offered guidance, but she still had to learn how to manage the demands of the job and develop relationships of her own.

Flexibility does not mean fewer demands

As a young mother, Shylia valued being able to spend mornings with her daughter. But moving from an administrative schedule into sales also meant working evenings and weekends when clients were available.

She describes busy weekends filled with showings and appointments, supported by weekday preparation, calls, networking and marketing. The freedom to arrange her time came with the responsibility to adapt it around other people’s schedules.

Stay useful after the transaction

Asked what has sustained her business, Shylia points to keeping in touch with past clients and her wider network. She shares relevant information about their homes and remains available when they need help finding a service provider or understanding their options.

For her, that continued attention is part of the relationship. The conversation also returns to the basic work of earning business: open houses, calls and consistent follow-through still matter when a fast-moving market no longer does as much of the selling.

Understand the person behind the purchase

Shylia describes beginning with a conversation about what a buyer can qualify for and what they actually feel comfortable spending. Those can be different amounts. She sees her role as helping clients understand their choices and priorities before narrowing the search.

She and Jet discuss how preferences around location, size and property type can compete with one another. Shylia explains that she will explore different options with a client, while respecting the goal they ultimately choose. The episode’s market figures and financing examples reflect the time of the conversation.

Her first home was a stepping stone

Shylia shares that family help with a down payment made her first condo purchase possible as a single mother. She later sold that home and used the proceeds toward another purchase, describing the sequence as a series of steps rather than an immediate move into her ideal home.

She presents that experience as part of her own journey. It also informs her interest in helping buyers consider more than one possible path. When Jet asks for advice to new agents, she returns to mentorship, learning the fundamentals and being prepared to do the work of building a client base.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shylia Hernandez?

Shylia is a San Diego real estate agent with The Lewis Team at Real Broker and a second-generation real estate professional.

How did she start in real estate?

After initially studying psychology, she returned home during the housing downturn and worked on short sales and bank-owned properties before becoming a licensed buyer’s agent.

How does motherhood feature in her story?

She discusses valuing flexible mornings with her daughter while also adapting to evening appointments and busy weekends.

What has helped her maintain client relationships?

She emphasizes regular communication, useful information about clients’ homes and remaining available to help after a transaction.

What advice does she give new agents?

Find a strong mentor, learn the fundamentals and expect to put consistent effort into networking, calls and open houses.