Jim Hastings, President at Hastings Brokerage, Ltd. is a FORCE member and the current Chair of the FORCE Advisory Council. He has been a member of the FORCE for many years, serving on the Advisory Council as a council member, Vice Chair, and Chair.
Jim Hastings, President at Hastings Brokerage, Ltd. is a
1. What drives your commitment to your craft and the REO industry?
I believe in a job well done. This means remaining teachable and humble. I get great satisfaction from a job well done be it in my personal life or career. My Christian faith plays the biggest role in allowing me to genuinely serve others in an industry I love being a part of and keeps the focus outward versus on how the industry can serve me.
2. What are some insights or at least one piece of advice you wish you would have known when you first started in the industry?
I tend to run in a pretty focused “go mode” often. I have learned that I have “gears” and to be sensitive to others around me and to serve them well.
3. What is top of mind for you in your business right now?
One of the biggest industry topics is how Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve will unwind inflation. It is common knowledge now that the Federal Reserve acted late to curb inflation. I feel that they will probably overdo what is needed. They created $9.2T in quantitative easing to make a very artificial real estate market. They plan on lowering this total by approximately $3.2T in the next couple years. I don’t think anyone knows how this will play out, but I will be watching this closely.
4. How has being a member of a trade association like the FORCE resulted in business growth for you?
I have been selling REO for almost 40 years. I have found that I have a passion to be able to help others succeed in handling REO. The Five Star FORCE allows me a platform to do this in a nationwide manor. It is important for those that have been handling REO for a long time to care about others in the industry. If we are all doing this for each other, a very hard job will become easier, more enjoyable and have a much better outcome for everyone.
5. What legacy industry impact would you most desire to be known for?
A few things would be awesome! One is Broker Brain™, an online real estate tracking system that has allowed users to save so much time and have an outstanding product. The other is for REO agents to help others through teaching, one on one mentoring, writing, podcasts, etc. I think we are at our best when we are doing this, and I intend to make it more commonplace for others to do this as well.
