A hunger for meaningful work pushed me to change the direction of my career.
I was shadowing a real estate agent I felt skeptical about, but word had gotten to me that he was successful. So there I was, watching him work and trying to learn. I drove with him to meet a seller and a buyer. When I saw the joy in the clients’ eyes at the prospect of selling or buying a home, I fell in love with the job. There was a real purpose behind it.
For a while, I thought my purpose was to be a musician. After high school, I felt clueless about what direction to take, and to top it off, my parents were finalizing a divorce. The mentorship wasn’t there—not that I blame them—and I thought music was my thing.
I started doing grunt work, mostly to fund my guitars and amps. I loaded trailers for FedEx and worked in warehouses doing shipping and fulfillment. I married my wife, Tiffany, at 22—and soon after, we were expecting our first child, Elijah.
As the years went by and we also welcomed Lydia, I realized I needed more money. I asked my boss for a raise. “You’re not even worth what I’m paying you now,” he told me. That comment lit a fire in me—I was determined to prove him wrong.
Around that time, my mom reached out. She’d been working at a title company for a while and mentioned a real estate agent who generated a lot of business. "I think you'd be a good REALTOR®," she told me.
Funny enough, I knew the guy—let’s just call him Realtor X—and I wasn't convinced. So, I kept putting off the idea of trying real estate, but the financial pressure was mounting.
One day, my mom called me. “Put on some nice clothes and wash your hair. I asked Realtor X to introduce you to some of his clients. He’s meeting them tonight.” That was the beginning of a new life.
Watching Realtor X work that evening completely shifted my mindset. My warehouse job felt mindless and unfulfilling. Meanwhile, Realtor X was meaningfully helping people take the next step in their lives—and they trusted him. It was the kind of meaningful work I'd been looking for. "And if he can do it," I thought, "so can I."
That same night, I listed some of my music gear for sale to pay for real estate school—that was in 2013. Tiffany gave me an ultimatum: “You have two months to make it work. Otherwise, I need you to find a regular job.”
I joined RANLIFE Real Estate and closed my first deal within two months. Now, 12 years later, I’m a top-producing agent and the branch broker. I’m among the top 500 producing agents in Salt Lake City, and part of a great team of motivated, down-to-earth colleagues. My kids—Elijah, Lydia, and Atlas—are getting older now. They’re 15, 12, and 9, respectively. Our two goldendoodles are also part of the family. In my free time, I play golf and cheer for the Utah Jazz.
Looking back, I feel proud—proud that I believed in myself, that I trusted I could be a great REALTOR®, and that I didn’t buy into the low self-worth narrative someone else tried to put on me. I found a purpose in helping people, and I’m glad I listened to that spark that told me I could do it.
I’m definitely a relational REALTOR® who values long-term connections over quick transactions. My goal is to become a lifelong adviser for my clients—someone they can always count on. There are no dumb questions, and I always have my clients’ backs.
When we work together, I start by listening closely to understand their goals and needs. The real estate market can be overwhelming, but I help keep clients focused, on track, and moving in the right direction. I approach homes with a clear, non-emotional eye—pointing out structural issues, pricing concerns, and long-term resale potential.
I’m honest, communicative, and always looking out for my clients’ best interests. I never push for a sale; we’ll keep looking until we find the right home for you.
Sincerely,
Michael Carter
Associate Broker
801-349-9095
michaelc@ranlife.com
homeauthentic.co