When a door closes, another opens – sometimes in a bigger, better way. When COVID hit, Arizona’s Sean Normoyle was laid off, like so many others. After an impressive 17-year career at Boeing, he took a chance on a stint at a startup, but as the newest hire, he was the first to go when the pandemic turned everything upside down.

Unemployed for six months, he turned to real estate – a profession he always wanted to do – joining eXp Realty in October 2020. Relying on his project management skills, he quickly found success, becoming an ICON agent in his second year and ending the year as the No. 2 agent for individual sales in Arizona.

“I’ve always had a passion for real estate,” said Sean, who is currently No. 9 overall in production on eXp Realty’s leaderboard.

Sean is on the verge of ICONing again in his third year at eXp, attributing his quick success to the skills he acquired at Boeing in Seattle, with a degree in business management, a masters project management certification from Stanford and a masters certificate in supply chain operations from Michigan State at his back.

“With those two skills, it helped my real estate career tremendously. When I do these flips, it’s project management skills all day long. Within a week of getting my license, I bought my first flip and within four weeks, I had it back on the market.”

Sean’s Seattle Network Provides Pipeline of Leads

When Sean moved back to Scottsdale, he found a pipeline of leads via his Seattle connections who were looking for a second home. He also works with investors who are repeat clients. Plus, he is plugging into everything he can to generate leads – playing golf, attending events and even hitting happy hours at local hotel bars.

“I created a rule for myself to put myself out there and network. As a matter of fact, I got paired up with a guy (playing golf) who’s responsible for about five deals that I’ve had in the last two years,” said Sean, who recently sealed an $11 million deal in Paradise Valley – his biggest transaction to date.

Sean also attributes eXp’s ICON program and other aspirational elements as driving his success.

“I think going from a low of getting laid off and being unemployed to being at the top of a profession a year later still blows my mind. eXp’s ICON program helps a lot because I’m very career-driven. I need those aspirations. I need those rewards. So I’m thankful that eXp has that.”

Learn More About Sean Normoyle:

Years in real estate: Since 2020

Gross sales and transactions in 2022: $27 million and 34 units sold including a few non-MLS transactions.

Brokerage history:

eXp Realty (October 2020 – present)

Main territory: Scottsdale, Arizona

Main focus: Investor flips, short-term rentals, luxury.

Accolades, accomplishments & awards:

ICON agent in 2022 and looking to repeat for 2023!

Why did you choose eXp? Who introduced you?

“(eXp Realty agent) Scott Marlow. I would buy real estate here and there from him. And then he called me out of the blue and said, ‘You know, you should be selling real estate.’ He explained eXp to me and then I just kind of did some internet research and realized ‘why wouldn’t I choose a company that has an interest in me?’ Because honestly, clients don’t really care what broker you’re with. So, why not choose a broker that cares about you?’