THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996            TAG: 9602220231
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY       PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

HE'S OFF TO AN EARLY START

William Whitley, 21, a 1992 graduate of Portsmouth Christian High School, is probably one of the youngest licensed Realtors in Virginia. Upon graduating from high school, he opened a small package shipping business, still in existence, next to Hearthside Realty in Portsmouth, a company his mother established in 1987.

``When my mother, who's been in the business more than 20 years, suggested I give real estate a try,'' he says, ``I thought what the heck, I'd give it a shot. By January 1993, I had my real estate license.''

He began working with Hearthside, and last month acquired his broker's license. ``I'm thrilled to get it so early,'' he says. ``It seems that many agents comment how they'd like to get their broker's license eventually, and then procrastinate for 10 years or never get it.''

This enterprising young man credits his alma mater for preparing him. ``The teachers care. There were about 12 to 15 students in my senior classes,'' Whitley says. ``It's a family-like environment; I liked that.''

Hearthside Realty, a small company of four brokers and four agents, employs several family members.

``We specialize in the historical Cradock section of Portsmouth, where my mom has lived most of her life,'' Whitley says. ``Where we lack funds for a lot of advertising, we make up for in personal attention.''

``The down side to real estate sales,'' says Whitley, ``is that you only get paid when you make a sale. The closing process can take a while, so you have to wait for the money. And, sometimes the sale doesn't even go through and you don't make any money.''

And, because it takes a few years to build up clientele, it's a few years before your hard work really starts paying off, he says.

Despite the wait for monetary compensation, Whitley believes it's a good career choice for young people today. ``I think it's best to start in this business when you're young,'' he says. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BETH BERGMAN

William Whitley of Portsmouth is a licensed real estate broker at

age 21.

by CNB