Vivian Ho
The Harry Potter Fanatic
Vivian Ho is living proof that when one door closes, another door opens. When her banking job ended, she was approached about being an assistant to a real estate agent. It didn’t take her long to realize that she loved everything the industry had to offer.
Born and raised in Oakland, Vivian graduated from Cal State East Bay with a business administration degree. She worked at a bank while going to school, first as a teller and later in the sectors of compliance and e-banking.
“The bank I worked at was very small, and we got acquired by another bank. I was laid off, but then one of my clients – a Top 5 real estate agent in Alameda – said he was looking for an assistant.”
Vivian worked as his assistant for about two years, and eventually got her own real estate license.
“I’m so happy I became an agent. I love seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces when I hand them the keys to their new home.”
‘I look out for my people’
Those who know Vivian have nicknamed her “Mama Bear,” because she’s usually the most responsible person in any given group of people.
“It’s kind of funny that they call me that, because I don’t actually have kids. But I’m always the one that keeps a tight schedule and makes sure everyone gets where they need to be. I look out for my people, I guess that’s my superpower!”
But perhaps the name “Mama Bear” isn’t so far-fetched. Vivian and her partner Tony are parents to three dogs and two cats.
“I love being with my pets, they always make me feel better if I’ve had a bad day.”
When she’s not hanging out with her furry family members, you can find the self-described “Harry Potter fanatic” playing CATAN or Monopoly, or enjoying a nice dinner with friends.
She also loves to travel, and went on a solo trip to Ireland a few years ago. She hopes to visit Harry Potter World soon, as well as Scotland, Thailand, and the Maldives.
“Scotland reminds me of my experience in Ireland, with so much nature and green surroundings. I love nature, it calms me and recharges me.”
Vivian is also involved in her community as a member of her local Kiwanis chapter, and serves as a board member for the Greater East Bay chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).
‘Always remain trustworthy’
A licensed agent since 2016, Vivian loves working with people every day. She strives to make sure that her clients have a great experience working with her.
“I always tell my clients that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. They can ask me anything. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find the answer.
Vivian works hard to provide as much support as possible for her clients, and is never pushy.
“I want them to trust me. I’m there to guide them, but ultimately the decision is up to them. I would never pressure anyone into making a buying or selling decision that they weren’t ready to make.”
Vivian is there to provide top notch service to each and every client. Her attention to detail is second to none, and she’s delighted to share her skills and knowledge with her colleagues at #TEAMFAST.
“The camaraderie and collaboration at #TEAMFAST are amazing. There’s so much knowledge on the team, we all learn from each other,” says Vivian, who is also a mentor to younger members of the team.
“My biggest piece of advice for someone who is looking to start a career in real estate? Work hard, always be trustworthy and ethical. And know that it’s not as easy as HGTV makes it look!”