It's Their Job: Wanda Graham

Name: Wanda Graham

Job: Owner/broker of Kiva Realty

Background: Born and raised in Santa Fe, Graham came to Portales to attend college at Eastern New Mexico University, where she was hired after graduating. She has lived in the Portales area since.

Time on job: Three years

What does your job entail? We get to help people find the home of their dreams or sell their current house, whether they are moving to a different home or to a new city.

What is a typical day like for you? Since the market has slowed down because of the season and the economy, we have not been as busy as we were when we first opened, but we are still being blessed with business. I just had a contract signing and a closing.

Why did you choose this job? I worked at the media services at Eastern New Mexico University for 25 years before retiring, but I never left the area. I like giving tours of the town and helping people find homes, so I thought I would get my real estate license. I say “we get to help people” because I am retired and I do this more for pleasure than as a sustainer, so there is not a lot of pressure to get a home sold.

What type of training is needed for this job? You would need to take classes to obtain a real estate license. I had to also get a brokers license to own my own office, for which I had to pass an exam. I was so relieved to have passed it the first time. I had a lot of people praying for me.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Owning my own business has always been one of my dreams, and this is the proof that God answers prayers. I am glad to be working with the people I work with and meeting and helping people. The Lord has really blessed this business. Whether it is helping a young couple find their first home or an older family looking for an investment, I enjoy the look on their face when I tell them their offer was accepted.

— Compiled by Blake Downs, PNT Correspondent