Shaun Followell received the keys to his apartment in March through a Supportive Services for Veterans and Families grant as part of Multnomah County’s efforts to house every homeless veteran in the area. Since getting inside, he’s been a busy man, selling Street Roots on a daily basis to pay for basic necessities while simultaneously studying to become a real estate agent.
Shaun obtained his real estate license in late July, with the help of Easter Seals. It took him about three months to finish the classes, and he spent a lot of time in the Street Roots vendor computer lab studying the material.
The license “allows me to help people buy or sell real estate,” Shaun said. “I’m currently working out at Realty Direct Northwest in Beaverton.” It’s been a slow start, primarily doing comparison properties for buyers and sellers around the country interested in the Portland market.
He said he chose real estate “partly because as I was looking for an apartment and having a really hard time finding one, I realized what kind of condition the real estate market’s in. I currently am selling newspapers and I thought I’m doing pretty good at sales, so why not find a product that I can sell where I can make a little bit more money than I do here,” Shaun said with a smile.
Many know Shaun because of his dog Scippio. She’s been living with friends while he’s been working toward his license, but she “is doing really well,” Shaun said. “She’s living with her sister out at Overlook Park and lots of people who love her. She gets to run around all day and be a free dog and have a good time.”
Shaun Followell, real estate agent
To contact Shaun about his real estate services, find him online at www.realtydirectnorthwest.com/shaun-followell/, email shaun.followell@realtydirectnw.com, or call 971-222-9938.