Fly Fishing to Real Estate Farming

In our latest episode of the Good to Great series, we sat down with Houston-based realtor Ryan Adams to talk about his journey into real estate, the lessons he’s learned, and how his love for community has shaped the way he does business.

Fly Fishing and Real Estate: An Unexpected Connection

Before diving into his career, Ryan shared his passion for fly fishing. For him, fly fishing is more than a hobby—it’s an art form. It requires patience, attention to detail, and constant improvement. As Ryan explained, much like real estate, success in fly fishing comes from preparation, understanding the environment, and fine-tuning your approach until you get results.

That mindset carried over into his career, helping him build a real estate business that’s both sustainable and enjoyable.

From Nonprofit to Realtor

Ryan’s path to real estate wasn’t traditional. He spent over a decade working in the nonprofit sector in California before moving back to Houston with his wife and growing family. With only $65,000 in savings and the urgent need to provide, Ryan jumped into real estate, joining a strong team to learn the ropes.

He quickly mastered transactions, negotiation, and pricing, while experimenting with different lead sources—everything from paid leads and open houses to building a sphere of influence. It wasn’t easy, especially since he didn’t have a big network in Houston at first, but his persistence paid off.

Diversifying Lead Sources

One of Ryan’s biggest lessons is the importance of diversifying lead sources. As he puts it:
“You need some right-now business, but you also need to build long-term business that will eventually be calling you.”

This balance allowed him to grow steadily, and over eight years, he built a team that has never had a down year. Instead of burning out, Ryan structured his business around his strengths and passions, making real estate something he truly enjoys.

Farming the Community

For Ryan, farming isn’t just postcards—it’s about becoming a part of the community. Living in Sienna, a suburb outside of Houston, Ryan and his team host 10–12 community events a year, from mimosa-and-coffee back-to-school mornings to annual crawfish boils that attract hundreds of residents.

These events have nothing to do with selling houses directly—but everything to do with building trust. By showing up, creating memorable experiences, and providing consistent value, Ryan has positioned himself as the go-to agent in his community.

The Power of Market Reports

Another cornerstone of Ryan’s strategy is his monthly video market report. By breaking down local housing trends in an easy-to-understand way, he’s built a following of homeowners who see him as a trusted resource. In fact, one client who had followed his reports for three years called him directly when it was time to sell—without ever engaging on social media.

Lessons for Realtors

Ryan’s story proves that success in real estate isn’t about chasing every lead—it’s about:

• Diversifying your lead sources

• Building long-term trust through consistent value

• Leaning into your strengths and passions

• Treating community involvement as a form of farming

His approach may not be the classic cold-calling or postcard-heavy strategy, but it works. By blending authenticity, persistence, and creativity, Ryan Adams has built a thriving business that grows year after year.