Business

The True Meaning of Home

Robert Reffkin

Lesson time 04:36 min

Robert talks about his personal journey and his path to finding a place to call home.

Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars

Topics include: Search for Belonging

Preview

[MUSIC PLAYING] - So I always like the framework of, what does success look like? For me, success would look like that you as a student would watch this class and see opportunity in every interaction in every moment. Opportunity to realize your dreams, your goals. That, because of watching this class, you feel like you could dream bigger. You're not scared to dream bigger, you're excited to dream bigger, and then you get excited by all the challenges and the hardships because that's what makes it fun. That's what success would be like. [MUSIC PLAYING] I've been searching for belonging my entire life, and I think belonging is a fundamental human need that everyone shares, right? A sense that you are valued, you are where you should be, you are accepted for who you are. My background is that I'm Black and Jewish, so I never felt like I really belonged in any category. When I was born, you know, just a few days old, my mom calls her mom and dad and says that she has a baby, and my mother's mom doesn't say, you know, how is he? Is he healthy, is he happy? He just says, what is he? Because she knew my mom had interracial relationships. My mom said that he is Jewish and Black, and then my mom's mom hung up the phone and never talked to her again. And they wrote her-- they wrote my mom a letter saying that she's disowned. You know, it's official. You're disowned, and that I was going to be so confused because I'm mixed, and I share that because not knowing my father, my mom was disowned by her parents-- for having me, it made me feel like I was a mistake in this world. Part of the dream was I was going to create a family that didn't have the baggage of my father or my grandparents. And in this family, it would be great. I would have kids, and Thanksgivings and holiday stuff and security and stability and of kindness. And a home is the culmination of that belonging. And it's so wonderful in that you've created it. You can create your life and change your stars and find your own family and build your own family into a home with stability. That home is the grand finale of your search for that belonging. The family and the home and the unit and the experiences, that's what home is all about. The center of your life, your home base, your shelter from the storm. A place to start your day and a place to return to. A place where you can be yourself surrounded by the people you love. The backdrop and container for so many memories. Real estate is about that key. That key that unlocks your future. It doesn't matter whether it's a 10 bedroom mansion or an RV or a studio apartment. What matters is that it's your home, and if you're not ready to buy just yet, you can still start creating that sense of place and belonging wherever you may be.

About the Instructor

As the CEO and founder of Compass, Robert Reffkin has used modern technology to revolutionize the real estate industry in the U.S. Now he’s demystifying the ins and outs of the American home-buying process and sharing tools that will help you buy or sell a home with confidence. Learn how to approach your search, choose an agent, make an offer, and more. Your future home is waiting—let Robert help you find it.

Featured MasterClass Instructor

Robert Reffkin

Robert Reffkin, the founder and CEO of Compass, helps you get closer to finding your dream home by simplifying and demystifying real estate.

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