Frew Tibebu's Blog

My name is Frew Tibebu, and I’m a full time real estate professional serving the city of Tracy as well as the rest of the central valley.  I got into the real estate profession on a whim hoping to save myself from long work commutes.  Prior to this, I held mostly managerial positions in different retail establishments such as restaurants and shoe stores. I was even a sales consultant at Tracy Toyota, which to date, I still bump into clients who recognize me from my one year stint at Toyota.  These chance meetings lead me to believe that I had left some kind of positive impression on them.

I have to admit, I’m not the top producer in my office nor am I the most successful agent with billboard signs and magazine ads claiming to be the territorial leader.  However, I started out alright, and I continuously do well in the real estate business mainly because I made many choices that were rightly suited for my clients, even if it didn’t result in a paycheck at the end of the day

.  I strongly believe, assisting clients to avoid a bad transaction is just as important as closing the perfect deal.  I always place the interests of my clients before mine and followed the ‘golden rule’.  I would rather manage my life with less money than compromise my integrity, my soul, and the overall essence of who I am, thus believing in a win-win situation for everyone involved in a transaction.

January 2004 was when I began my profession in real estate.   After about 3-4 years in the business, I had one of the most euphoric feelings hit me in that I felt contentment and pride in what I do.  Being a real estate agent is an all-American job and I consider myself an entrepreneur at heart.   The real estate profession gave me autonomy, the right kinds of challenges, and a sense of purpose that I didn’t have in the other professions that I had engaged in before.  I truly enjoy what I do, and look ahead each day to stay in contact with the many clients and prospects whom I respect and appreciate, and who have contributed to the quality of life that sustains me today.  I owe my success to all my clients by maintaining a high level of respect, competence, attention to detail,  conducting diligent negotiations on their behalf to anticipating potential problems and finding creative s

olutions.  I also do timely follow-ups and most importantly, I listen and deeply care about what matters most to them.

To better serve my clients with confidence and knowledge, I have earned numerous real estate designations through ongoing education:

e-Pro: (A training course that provides extensive skills to working with internet empowered consumers).

SRES: (Senior Real Estate Specialist – understanding and serving the needs of clients age 50 plus).

HAFA: (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative training and certificate).

SFR: (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource certificate).

BBA: (Bachelors of Business Administration).

I didn’t always live in America.  I was born and raised in and around, Addis Ababa (Ethi

Image via Wikipedia

opia).

In 1974, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was dethroned, and at the time, I was a high school student (General Wingate High School) and active in the student movement.  Soon after the military took over the leadership of the country, I joined a youth resistance movement led by E.P.R.P (Ethiopian People Revolutionary Party).  Our group clandestinely organized and spread anti-government literature, which led to four of us being arrested.  After being jailed for 18 months, I was eventually released.  Three months later, I fled on foot to neighboring Djibouti, and sought political asylum there.

After eighteen months of stay in Djibouti, on September 1980, with the assistance of the U.N.H.C.R, the Catholic Charity, and the U.S. Consul, I immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Washington, DC..  While holding down several part-time jobs, I was also able to attend and eventually graduate with a BBA degree from the University of the District of Columbia in August of 1986.

On September of 1989, I left the DC metro area and moved to Fremont, CA.  Nine years later, I got married to Debbie.  We have three kids (two boys and one girl) – Henre, Carrera, and Paris. We eventually moved to Tracy, CA, and have resided here for almost 14 years.

After almost three decades of absence, I finally took a trip back home with my son, Paris. It was quite an emotional and trans formative moment, seeing again the country I never thought I would see again.  To signify this moment and to contribute in a meaningful way, to the community I left behind, I decided to get involved with ‘Ethiopia Reads’ (a not for profit organization that is striving to connect children with books).  I now serve as one of the volunteer board members for Ethiopia Reads.

Despite the difficult real estate market of 2008 to 2010, my business has remained steady. Thanks to the many referrals from past clients and the relationship and trust that I have established over the years.

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