The True Team, from left: Michelle Starkey, Jen True, Gretchen Sadaka and Vickie Foix.
True to her dreams Jen True builds on team concept in realty By Marie Wood | Photos by John Cross
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s a solo real estate agent for more than 10 years, Jen True built a solid reputation, survived the recession, and made top agent in 2011, her first full year at RE/MAX Dynamic Agents in Mankato. But success is sweeter and life is better since forming The True Team in 2012. “I decided to form a team because quite honestly as a single parent, it was a challenge to be in so many places at one time. I feel like we can have a life. I do feel married to this business, but it gives me a little more flexibility,” said True. A Realtor since 2001, True joined RE/MAX Dynamic Agents in 2010. True enjoys working with the brokers, agents and administrative staff at there. “I felt like I found my home. I like the brand. You have instant credibility with the RE/MAX brand,” said True. “It’s like I’m a small business within a company.” True started her team with listing coordinator, Michelle Starkey. Starkey follows every transaction from listing to
closing. She manages every detail: measures the rooms, writes and designs the spec sheets, processes closings, and schedules advertising. “Michelle has a huge role. She gets a lot of credit for our results. Michelle keeps us in line when we’re running in all different directions. She’s my right hand,” said True. In February 2013, Gretchen Sadaka, a Realtor with six years experience, and Vickie Foix, a Realtor with 13 years experience, joined the team as buyer agents. Foix and Sadaka work closely with the buyers to sell homes, but True works with all her past clients and personal referrals directly. Teams are common in the real estate business, but relatively new to the Mankato market. In Minnesota, RE/ MAX has 146 teams and in July of 2013, The True Team was ranked 19th in the state. And The True Team is just getting started.
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20 • october 2013 • MN Valley Business