Agent Spotlight

Meet Sandra Arnold

CR:  Hi Sandra, so great to chat with you. Tell everyone a little about yourself.

SA: My name is Sandra Arnold and I’m originally from Sweden. I came to the US in 1999 to study and got my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from George Mason University. Upon graduation I started working for one of the world’s largest accounting firms and stayed with them for 15 years, working in three different countries. I climbed the corporate ladder but felt more and more that I wanted a change. I wanted more time with my three kids and husband and more freedom in general. I was truly in the rat race. 

After spending 6 years in Sweden we decided to move back to the US in 2020 and since it was in the hype of the pandemic we decided that I would homeschool our kids rather then putting them in virtual school after moving across the world. So I left my corporate job and never looked back. This gave me the opportunity to figure out what I really wanted to do and that is Real Estate. When the kids started in-person school this fall I sat for the exam and joined eXp Realty right before Christmas 2021.

We live outside Richmond, VA and while I’m getting up and running as an agent I’m also managing the building of our own house, which we should close on in mid-March (fingers crossed), and I’m working on building a Real Estate Investing business together with my husband. I love running and try to get up four to five days a week to run before the rest of the family wakes up. The icing on the cake is running races. I love the atmosphere at a race and pushing myself out of my physical comfort zone. While I run I listen to real estate podcasts, it’s the best way to get an hour or two to just pass without even noticing it. 

CR: I love this. I’m so excited you decided to join the Modern Agent and I’m thrilled that we’re able to work together even though you’re out of state. That’s why I love this brokerage. Also, so impressed with your running! I would DEFINITELY notice the passing of time if I tried to run. 😂 So, why did you choose eXp?

SA: I was already following you on Instagram, mostly because of the home design and decorations you were sharing because I was gathering inspiration for our new house, and realized that you were also an agent with eXp. So I started looking into eXp and then reached out to you. After talking with you on Zoom and talking to some other brokerages I could not get eXp out of my head. It felt exciting to be able to be part of such an innovative brokerage and to have more opportunities than just commission as far as income streams. 

After talking with you on Zoom and talking to some other brokerages I could not get eXp out of my head. It felt exciting to be able to be part of such an innovative brokerage and to have more opportunities than just commission as far as income streams. 

Sandra Arnold

CR: Yes! So happy we connected and that you see the value in more than just buying and selling homes. That’s my favorite part, too. The opportunities to work with people across the world and to be able to build that wealth for my family! Now for a fun question, what’s your favorite room in any house? 

SA: The living/family room. That’s where my family sit down and just relax and talk or watch a movie together after a busy day or week. That’s where opening Christmas gifts happens and that’s where my husband and I sit down with a glass of wine after the kids are in bed. There are so many ways to make the living room a cozy space and I’m all about cozy. 

CR: Cozy is the best! With that in mind, how would you define your personal home design style?

SA: I was struggling for a while trying to find my style and when I came across the Modern Farmhouse style. I fell in love. Remember, I’m from Sweden so I got introduced to Joanna and Chip Gaines much later than all of you. Scandinavian design is very modern and minimalistic and I just never felt like that was me. Like I said, I’m all about cozy 😊

CR: That’s so true, Chip and Jo weren’t on your radar for a while, I’m sure! I love that you’ve found your style and can’t wait to see you pull it all together in your new home! Finally, let’s give some folks a little homework. What’s your favorite professional development book? 

SA: I’m going to have to say Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I think that’s a book everyone should read at some point in their life and I wish I had read it in my early twenties. My biggest takeaways from this book is that you don’t have to have a high income W2 in order to build wealth, the importance and power of acquiring assets that make money for you, such as real estate, and that it’s incredibly important to teach our children about money.

CR: Oh my gosh, YES! I think this is a Modern Agent favorite. So many of us love this book, I’m thinking required reading! Sandra, thank you so much for taking the time and I am so excited to watch your business grow. I also can’t wait for that house to be done, I may just have to come up for a visit!