Real Producers Magazine Article - Carrie Freeman

OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION MODERN

I have combined a sample of technology I use and mixed it with content & strategies from my financing background. That enables our team to help get valuable information to more buyers or agents who might be passing or thinking about stopping by your Open House.

Use the QR code below to check out the 4-Step process for your next Open House and see an example property site of what the Modern Open House Presentation looks like.

Reach out and lets collaborate on how to incorporate this cutting edge tool into your business.

• Advanced Underwriting Approval Program to close in 10 business days (yes even on Jumbo loans)

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“Ryan is a phenomenal lender. As a real estate broker, I am very selective in which lenders I work with, as it ultimately reflects on me as well, but I am extremely confident in referring Ryan as he is exceptional in his field. In this competitive Seattle market we are in, it’s crucial to have a team on your side who can get things done. Ryan and his team are communicative, professional, and exceed expectations every step of the way. I am always confident my clients are well taken care of with him, and he is truly one of the best in the industry.” ~ Melissa Waller. (Seattle Real Producers. Agent On The Rise)

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EACH PROPERTY HAS ITS OWN STORY and with the market shifting we need to be creative in increasing the affordability to potential buyers in today’s expensive housing market.

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Farmers Insurance (206) 473-2170 agents.farmers.com/wa/ seattle/justin-crozier

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Junkluggers (800) 584-5865 junkluggers.com

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Adrian Webb Mortgage Advisors (425) 658-8600 teamwebbloans.com

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MEET THE SEATTLE REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

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PUBLISHER’S

Welcome to the November edition of Seattle Real Producers!

It is quite obvious that the market has changed drastically over the last six months. Yet, in talking to the more seasoned and consistent agents, there is a silver lining in every situation. This type of market can weed out many of the agents that were looking for easy money during the post-COVID-19 boom. Those who are left are the agents who have the ability to negotiate for their buyers and help them win — the veterans who have been through many different markets

and have stayed consistent with their sphere, their business and their team.

This month we take a look at agents who all do it a little different. Our cover feature, Vlad Popach, has a unique business focusing on new construction and the power of branding. Carrie Freeman has been through multiple markets and knows how to remain calm when others are not. Traci Fischer has family ties to real estate but has built her own business by being dedicated to her craft and doing what ever it takes. Whether it be a luxury listing or a first-time homebuyer, she pours her all into every client.

We have a one-of-a-kind notable home presented by Tom Skepetaris and Rebecca Mitsui of Alchemy. This listing is going to be the site for our Nov. 15 Fall Celebration. Keep a lookout for the invite in your email.

We are truly blessed to bring all of this to you because of our incredible partners. Without them, we would not be able to build such an amazing community of agents and businesses.

Good luck to everyone as fall settles in, and we can’t wait to see you in mid-November!

ABOUT REAL PRODUCERS

Real Producers magazine started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 100 markets across the nation and spreading rapidly. Seattle Real Producers launched in August 2019. Name a large city, and we are there or will be soon! In every market, we take the top 500 agents, based on the MLS production, and build an exclusive magazine around those agents. We share their stories, suc cesses, market trends, upcoming events — really, anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in the monthly publication. We strive to inform and inspire the top-producing real estate agents in the local market and connect them socially. The secondary focus is to provide an avenue for our affiliate partners to create relationships with these top performers on a level that they might not be able to achieve on their own.

Q: Who receives Seattle Real Producers magazine?

A: The top 500 agents in King and Snohomish counties. The list will reset at the end of every year and will continue to update annually.

Q: What is the process for being featured in this magazine?

A: It’s really simple — every feature you see has first been nominated. You can nominate other REALTORS®, affiliates, brokers, owners or even yourself! Office leaders can also nominate REALTORS®. We will consider anyone brought to our attention who is in the Top 500 because we don’t know everyone’s story, so we need your help to learn about them. It could be they have an amazing story that needs to be told, perhaps they overcame extreme obstacles, they are an excep tional leader, have the best customer service, they give back to the community in a big way, etc. The next step is an interview with us to ensure it’s a good fit. If it all works out, then we put the wheels in motion for our writer to conduct an interview to write the article and for our photographers to schedule a photo shoot.

Q: What does it cost a REALTOR®/team to be featured?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-toplay model. We share real stories of real producers. Our goal is to showcase the best and brightest and to collaborate. Elevate. Inspire.

JUSTIN CROZIER

sponsor spotlight

Written by Barbara Pearson

PUTTING HIS

CLIENTS FIRST

“Integrity matters, and everyone is family,” says Justin Crozier, a Farmers Insurance agent and owner of the Crozier Insurance Agency. Specializing in home and auto insurance, Justin works with indi viduals, families and small business, serving Seattle and the surrounding area. “A home investment is probably the most expensive purchase of someone’s life,” Justin explains, “so it is important that you work with an agent who not only understands this but cares about you and your investment so we can protect what matters to you most.”

Justin graduated from Washington State University in 2006 with a degree in advertising through the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. “A family friend got me into the industry,” he continues. “When I first started, my mentor told me to never put the client in a bad position — because an insur ance company can recover from a loss, but the client may never recover.”

“For me, the best part of working in this business is the relationships I build with clients and their families,” Justin explains. “Over the years, I’ve been invited to family functions and services. Happy and sad as some of the moments may be,

that’s when I know I have been involved with more than just a transaction.”

Justin has lived all over the Pacific Northwest and feels that every community has had a personality and something special about it. “We’ve now moved to the South Sound, so our kids are closer to their grandparents and our family,” Justin says. “Every Friday, my dad and I meet for happy hour, and hav ing a glass of beer or wine with him once a week is my favorite activity!”

While he helped to coach both of his children in baseball and soccer, Justin now races with and sponsors Quadcross NW. “I’ve donated to multi ple charities with money and time,” Justin adds, “including doing a yard service clean up for a vet eran’s widow, where we removed three commercial truckloads of yard waste and debris!”

“Always seek an agent,” Justin advises, “because call center employees are just number chasers — their employment is validated solely on how many policies they bind each month.” He contin ues with an example of the experience had by a client who was moving from an insurance carrier (that he represents, although he did not sell her the policy). “We were moving the client from this carrier in 30 days, but she canceled her policy on the wrong day — and had a claim that day. The call center agent claimed that due to Washington state law, her policy could not be rein stated, and her claim was denied. I worked with her not only to get the policy reinstated but to get the claim covered. The agent was not truthful — there is no such law in place. She has now moved to another carrier and was very happy with the help I offered.” A

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The New

Zoo Rocks MOTLEY

Motley Zoo Animal Rescue is not your typical animal rescue. Whether by name or by aesthetic, Motley Zoo just rocks!

This local Redmond, WA, volun teer-powered, foster-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation is a center piece in the community of Redmond and the surrounding area. Founded in 2009 by jme and Bryan Thomas, Motley Zoo was sort of an “accident” discovered when trying to help their own adopted dog, Jasmine, become a “real” dog, one that could be success ful being around other dogs.

After a bit of research, jme decided that fostering another dog could not

only help Jasmine grow and develop into a more well-adjusted pup but it would, in turn, save the life of the fos ter dog they took in. And it worked — with one unexpected side effect. One foster dog led to two, led to three … in the end, jme and Bryan opened their home to 25 dogs before Motley Zoo even became a gleam in their eyes.

jme and Bryan had enjoyed foster ing, but a bigger vision entered their hearts and minds. There were just so many animals to be saved. Never one to sit still or to shy away from a chal lenge, jme set about to create a rescue unlike any other and named it Motley Zoo, true to her and Bryan’s love of music. Branded with a rock and

roll vibe, Motley Zoo stands out in a crowd. Fast forward two years, and in stepped Pate Macdonald. Pate was an experienced rescuer who had recently moved to Washington. She’d always wanted to start a rescue herself, but when she saw the hard rock graphics on Motley Zoo’s business card at a local pet store, she says, “There was no need to reinvent the wheel. Motley Zoo already represented everything I stood for.”

Pate and jme complement each other in the best ways and, together, have seen the organization through its 13th anniversary in 2022, collecting a crew of dedicated volunteers and VIP “tour managers” along the way.

Not only pioneer trendset ters in rescue but, in 2014, Motley Zoo established the first-of-its-kind dog daycare operating as a year-round fundraiser with a facility in downtown Redmond called “Rock Star Treatment.” This is where dogs come for day care, day and group train ing, and boarding, which benefit not only Motley Zoo foster dogs who attend for free but also the communi ty’s dogs who come in for socialization and training. It’s a year-round supplement for Motley Zoo’s average

$15,000 monthly rescue animal veterinary bills.

While it’s only 10-15% of pro ceeds of revenue beyond cost that goes to the mission’s budget (more than 85% of Motley Zoo’s revenue comes from individual donors), this social enterprise has been a significant part of Motley Zoo’s growth and development. This includes the unique fact that 100% of individ uals’ donations go directly to the mission because revenue from services supports overhead and wages entirely.

Not only pioneer trendsetters in rescue but, in 2014, Motley Zoo established the first-ofits-kind dog daycare operating as a yearround fundraiser with a facility in downtown Redmond called “Rock Star Treatment.”

Redmond facility

Nowhere Man

Marshall Betsey

Marshall Kat

nonprofit news

Written by jme Thomas

IS NOW

Besides pioneering new ground, the mission’s most important accom plishment has been saving more than 4,300 animals to date (primarily dogs and cats, but as the name “zoo” implies, this includes other species when resources such as appropriate foster homes are available) — more than 30% of which are special or med ically needy. These special animals receive extensive, and often expen sive, veterinary care to help them become more “adoptable” so they can find loving forever homes.

However, as most animals emerge with a reasonable chance for adop tion, some animals are excluded from this outcome due to challenges such as incontinence, paralysis or other physical disabilities. They have little to no chance for adoption and have no one else to care for them.

But that’s about to change with the next big step for Motley Zoo Animal Rescue,

establishing a sanctuary where special animals can live out their lives with love and dignity indefinitely.

This comes in the form of a newly secured, 5-acre property in Monroe, WA, where Motley Zoo can grow to be not only a rescue but a respite home for animals of all kinds. While their mission is still focused on dogs and cats primarily, the property has a barn, paddocks and fenced-in acreage, which will eventually allow support of other species when the occasion arises.

This is a giant leap for Motley Zoo, and there’s still a lot of work to do to make this vision a reality. While the property is secure, there are many expenses involved in this growth.

As such, Motley Zoo is starting a capital campaign called “Rock Solid,” with a goal of $1.5 million to support the property and build a new home for the permanent animal residents.

This endeavor will ensure all animals can live the rock star life, loved and cared for as they deserve.

Motley Zoo is excited about this amazing opportunity to have the community get involved at the ground level, literally helping build a founda tion for the animals’ future.

For more about Motley Zoo and the “Rock Solid” campaign, check out www.motleyzooanimalrescue.org/ rock-solid so you can join in and start saving lives today!

With great appreciation and, for those about to rock, we salute you!

I started my real-estate photography business back in 2017 and hit the ground running! I haven’t stopped since. am 100% obsessed and in love with what I do. The real estate industry has truly stolen my heart. I love everything about it! I get to meet interesting people, hear great stories, photograph gorgeous homes and do what I love daily.

When 2020 hit, aka the Covid craze, my business kicked into high gear! Everyone wanted every service offered. My average sales doubled! Great news right?! Actually no, in a lot of ways. I was thrown into a whirlwind. Between the Covid rush and buying a photographer’s client list, I was swamped! Some days I worked from 5am-11pm, no joke. did what it took to get the job done, delivered on my promises and did it with a smile. The hard work and determination paid off; I am now the proud owner of FOCUSED Media Collective.

Thank you to everyone who has touched my life in one way or another, your love and support has not gone unnoticed. I would not be where am today without all of you. I’d also like to give an extra loud shout out to Shea Robinson. I partnered with Real Producers almost three years ago now! Wow, how time flies. It has

been nothing short of amazing, enriching, and entertaining to be a part of this publication and community of industry leaders.

With our massive growth over the past few years, new clients have come to expect me as their photographer. Little do they know I have a whole team of five shooters with three in training, an admin, a virtual assistant, an executive assistant, accountant, social media manager and a brand manager all making this beast of a business possible. Because of our growth it was time to get my name off the business and shift the focus to my amazing team. could not be happier with where we are today and I have to tell you, we are just getting started here at FMC. We have so much in store for you!

Our team at FMC is a collective of well-rounded, like-minded, creative, passionate, inspired and driven entrepreneurs with the same common goal of making you look as good as you are! We not only offer real estate photography services, we also offer lifestyle photos and marketing materials. We would love the opportunity to meet you and help you to develop a well-rounded brand.

BOOK ONLINE TODAY!

VISIT US AT F O C USE D M EDI A C OLL E C TI V E. C O M

Store merchandise

Traci

interior feature

Written by Barbara Pearson Photos by Rachael Ann FOCUSED Media Collective

GUIDING, ADVISING AND PROTECTING HER CLIENTS IN A SHIFTING MARKET

family had, what they did and how they helped people,” Traci says, “but I can’t explain exactly what it was that I gravitated towards, other than it just seemed like something that I’d be good at!” She handed in her notice, went to real estate school, obtained her license. As she quips, “I took a leap of faith, and the rest is history!”

“What happened in 2020 and 2021 is not sustainable, and I view this market shift as my time to shine because the core of my business has always been education,” says Traci Fischer, a top broker with Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty. “I have built my business on guid ing, advising and protecting my clients — so this is the perfect opportunity to educate people on what’s happening,” she continues. “I maintain a positive outlook on social media, coming from the educa tional perspective and being authentic.”

Traci grew up in eastern Washington, and her extended family has enjoyed a long involvement in the real estate industry. “I was around the business growing up,” Traci explains, “but decided to go the corporate route, climbing the corporate ladder.”

Traci worked in corporate biotech for about 13 years, until she realized there was some thing more she wanted to do. Newly mar ried, with a 1-year-old daughter she scarcely saw because of her long daily commute, she found herself gravitating toward becoming an entrepreneur. “I saw the success my

“I knew if I wanted to break into luxury real estate, I wanted to be with Sotheby’s,” Traci continues, “because the brand really spoke to me; it’s synonymous with quality, and I identify with the consistent, quality branding.” At around the same time Traci was planning her new career, her cousins joined Sotheby’s Woodinville brokerage, so it was an easy choice for her. “The stars aligned!” she says. Although her family has been generous, Traci creates all her own leads. “I’ve had to work twice, if not three or four times, as hard to prove myself,” she adds.

Traci credits her success as a real estate entrepreneur to a number of factors. She has 13 years of corporate experience and a degree in communication from Washington State University, combined with her goal orientation, her business acumen and her professionalism.

“I love to laugh and have fun (and I have a wicked sense of humor behind the scenes!), but how I run my business and represent my cli ents is always extremely professional; this is the defining backbone of my business,” Traci explains. She loves the thrill and challenge of being an entrepreneur, adding, “I have never been more fulfilled, happy or satisfied. If you are bored for a day in this challenging industry, you are doing it wrong!”

As a solo agent, Traci currently closes around 30 or so transactions a year, with a sales volume of around $30 million. But she aims to build her business in a way that allows her to increase her pro duction while still providing her clients with a very one-toone, hands-on experience.

Traci not only specializes in first-time homebuyers, she has recently been able to break into the luxury market. “I have several clients now who have helped me move into the ultra-lux ury space, and I’m very excited about exploring that,” she contin ues. “While right now I consistently sell in the $1- to $3-million range, I consider $5-million-plus to be ultra-luxury.”

While continuing to increase her presence in the lux ury space, price has never been Traci’s No. 1 focus. “My goal is to provide a luxury experience at every price point,” she confirms. This was most recently demonstrated when she had the opportunity to help a newlywed couple purchase a $269,000 condo. “It was so rewarding that we got them under contract the day before they got married on the first property they viewed,” Traci enthuses.

She is the No. 1 Zillow rep in Woodinville for both zip codes and has come to know Woodinville very well. While she lives in Bothell with her husband and daughter, her office is in Woodinville, her daughter goes to school there, and her mother and in-laws live there. But while Woodinville is her epi center, Traci says, “I’m up and down the Eastside, King and Snohomish counties; East and West cor ridors; Everett to SeaTac and Bothell to Renton; as well as Issaquah, Snoqualmie and North Bend.”

Traci believes that people who love, protect and honor their clients and want nothing but the best for them are going to excel in this shifting market.

“This is the time for us to educate our clients and help them understand what’s truly happening,” she says. “I’m not competitive with other brokers — there’s room for all of us, and I pride myself on playing very well in the sandbox!”

“Typically, my clients become my friends,” Traci concludes, “and knowing that I did my best to protect, guide and advise them means a lot to me.”

MY GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A LUXURY EXPERIENCE AT EVERY PRICE POINT.

NNot many people know what they want to do when they “grow up” — and even fewer follow that dream. For Vlad Popach, real estate was always a draw. From a very young age (and in the days before public MLS listings), Vlad would be the enthu siastic co-pilot whenever his mom went to the grocery store. His excitement wasn’t for the food or beverages they would be taking home; instead, he would collect every Homes and Land and other real estate magazine available, considering these his most prized possessions. He would then go through the listings for hours on end, enjoying the marketing language and photos included inside.

But real estate was just a past-time, right? In college, Vlad studied law, landing an entry-level position with a large firm in Bellevue. He knew, once he got his feet wet in the job, this wasn’t his passion. About a year in, Vlad was at a crossroads — he reflected on his life and what it would mean if he continued down this career path. His moment of clarity came, and he was com mitted to finding something he would love to do every day. As he allowed his mind to wander to what would be possible instead of law, he continually came back to the same idea: land. Homes. Homes and land. It was 2015, and after studying and practicing law for over six years, he hung his license at Sotheby’s.

At first, he had no experience, no clients, no pipeline. But he had a goal: to be the best. He was committed to this lofty vision. With a deep understanding of marketing and how it works, he started creating his own unique fingerprint in real estate, with an emphasis on his expertise at contracts and the law. Before long, he had a ubiquitous brand that positioned him as the industry expert — especially for mid-sized builders looking to partner with the right REALTOR®. Now he partners with the best-in-class builders on the Eastside, working with them from land acquisition to design/development to sales close, adding value by suggesting design trends that are hot with buyers in real-time. His business currently is split two-thirds new build sales, with only one-third resale.

His social media and marketing game is strong, and now he even has new builders contacting him through social platforms. “Exceptional marketing sells the product,” Vlad emphasizes, “and branding is the largest component.” The key to his social media presence is to stay relevant and communicate clearly. His market ing has been so successful that he is now in the process of building out his full team. At the time of printing, he has onboarded an exec utive assistant, transaction coordinator and an additional agent. Vlad is currently mentoring and helping his entire team to grow fast and represent his clients well.

His days are busy, and with a toddler at home, he wants to create

I ENJOY

MYSELF WITH PEOPLE I BOTH ADMIRE AND CAN LEARN FROM.

a team that will allow for a better work-life balance. Working 14-hour days, seven days a week just isn’t viable anymore with his personal responsibilities and family-centric values. He has built in a strict “no work on weekends” policy, enabling him to recharge and connect with his wife and daughter. Instead of phone calls and open houses, Vlad now spends his Saturdays exploring Pike’s Market and the Ferris wheel with his two best girls.

His team in place, Vlad still relies on his day-to-day industry knowledge and commit ment to his clients to help him see trends in the marketplace. He and his wife built their dream home in Snoqualmie, but realized that the house appreciated over 100% in the two years since they moved in. They decided earlier this year to sell and have moved to downtown Seattle while they build their next dream home. He is confident they timed the market perfectly, taking advantage of the hot

EXCEPTIONAL MARKETING SELLS THE PRODUCT AND BRANDING IS THE LARGEST COMPONENT.

Vlad is both hitting his stride and finding his balance, and loving his home and work life every single day.

Modern Masterpiece

notable home in a Magical Setting

10628 162nd Avenue SE, Renton, WA 98059

An impressive black metal entrance gate and a dramatic drive with landscape lighting set the tone for this beyond-luxurious estate home, located where the Newcastle Highlands and the Renton Highlands meet. The complete-to-foundation remodel has been a labor of love for the current owner, with décor and appliances — as well as materials and finishes — researched and sourced from all over the world.

Surrounded by 3.7 acres of trees and old-growth forest, the house is incredibly secluded and private with no visible neighbors, yet sits within the coveted Issaquah School District and a quick jaunt to Newcastle shops and restaurants. An extraordinary 200-plusyear-old tree stump adds to the “wonderland” atmosphere. A creek ripples down one side of the house, adding to the natural ambience.

Designed to flawlessly transition between indoors and out, the huge picture windows present the landscape outside, both day and night, almost as a piece of artwork. The main floor living room features soaring two-story windows, while in the family room off the kitchen, next-generation Westeck GrandView patio door panels slide open to seamlessly allow the outside in. Enjoy multiple outdoor spaces, including private patios adjoining the two lower-level bedrooms and a main-floor deck with iron rail ings and beveled glass for better enjoyment of the astonishing views. Entertain or relax around the cozy fire pit as the care fully-positioned landscape lighting highlights your enchanted woodland setting.

Attention to detail and incredibly high-level specifications are clearly demonstrated in the commercial-quality kitchen at the

heart of the home. The versatile steam/convec tion oven and the Sub-Zero refrigerator are to be expected in such a kitchen — but the stovetop is like none you will have ever seen! Exquisite brass burn ers sourced from Amsterdam are inset directly into the Neolith sintered, heat and stain-resistant stone counter. German-made Leicht kitchen cabinets cre ate clean lines and a minimalist vibe. It’s a stunning blend of commercial quality and effortless beauty.

Continuing the international theme, the sink in the main floor powder room was crafted from one solid piece of marble sourced from Istanbul, Turkey. The gorgeous Watermark feature, pur chased in Brooklyn, NY, is summed up by Rebecca Mitsui, president of Alchemy Real Estate, with one word — “epic!”

Retreat to the privacy of the upper level for the inviting seating area with a floor-to-ceiling fire place, while the breathtaking master suite has warm to soft light choices to create elegance and intimacy. The clean lines continue in the design of closets and storage space, with lights illuminating every shelf.

“It’s chic, it’s cool, it’s minimalist,” Rebecca Mitsui concludes, “while the juxtaposition of a modern house within an old-growth forest is simply magical!”

Submitted by Alchemy Real Estate Photos by Rachael Ann FOCUSED Media Collective

interior feature

Carrie Carrie FREEMAN

LEARNING SOMETHING EVERY DAY IN THE BUSINESS SHE LOVES

“I am so fortunate that I have found the job I am meant to do,” says Carrie Freeman of John L. Scott, Snohomish. “I love what I do every single day — and I think that makes a real difference!”

Written by Barbara Pearson Photos by Pics By Pix Photography

Carrie’s real estate journey began when she was quite young. She owned an interior design company and started staging. “I had no formal training, but I’ve always been good at design,” she explains, “and I landed a project with Mark von der Burg, staging a gorgeous full water view house in Bellevue. I remember watching him — he was great with his clients — and I thought I could do that, as it looked a lot more fun than what I was doing!”

Three years later, Carrie obtained her real estate license and joined Windermere Mill Creek. “From the get-go, I was able to attract clients,” she says. “I was just good at it, and people trusted me,” she continues. When she sold a house at a Murray Franklyn new construction site, she impressed

agent Carolyn Black with her remarkable client service and organizational skills and was invited to work as a site agent at the Murray Franklyn site in Bothell. It was there that she gained invaluable new construction sales experience. “I discovered that sell ing new construction is very different from resales,” Carrie explains, “and I learned to work successfully with many different types of people.”

When the recession hit in 2008, Carrie moved her license to John L. Scott Mill Creek and also joined Sundquist Homes, a local family-owned new home con struction builder, whose management created a new job in internet sales specifically for her. “I survived the recession. I was doing internet sales for Sundquist, which was a fairly new concept in real estate at that time; continuing to sell real estate with John L. Scott; and helping Kristi Sundquist with creating all the inte rior design for Sundquist’s model homes,” Carrie says. “And Larry Sundquist, who is the most intelligent man I’ve ever met, was a really great mentor. He under stood the whole business from every perspective, and although he is not a real estate agent, he taught me so much. He is a wealth of knowledge.”

Just as Carrie was thinking that it was time to return to resale, her pivotal point came when Sundquist sold to a national builder, Century Communities, and she had to make a hard decision to stay with Century Communities and go the secure route or to go back to fulltime residential resale where she knew the opportunities are limit less. It came down to believing in herself and taking that big leap.

“I was a single mom managing every thing on my own, and it was very important to me that my older daugh ter was able to attend college at San Diego State University. She was about to graduate high school, and I had to be able to afford it!” Carrie continues. So she went straight back into sales with John L. Scott. “I had no choice but to sink or swim — so I swam!” she quips. Her explanation for her success? “I had the experi ence, I had the skills, I had the ability, I had the faith in myself. I’m proud of myself for how much I achieved in a short time period, showing my

daughters that you can do whatever you want when you put your mind to it.”

Carrie credits much of her success to the more experienced agents who initially mentored her and whom she looked up to, including Frank Sargent, Darren Munson, Jennifer Reyer, Jennifer Kuhlman and Carolyn Black. “Sometimes, when people are really successful, they have the mindset that there’s nothing new they can learn,” Carrie explains, “but I don’t think that’s true at all. I don’t care how long you’ve been doing this or how successful you are; you can learn something new every day.”

For a long time, Carrie was a solo agent, but she later realized she was way too busy to manage around 12 deals a month on her own. “Although I had systems in place because I am extremely organized, I needed to do something differently because my work was starting to affect the amount of time I was able to spend with my daughters,” she explains. So she added Joann, her transaction coordina tor, and then hired a showing agent and a buyer’s agent. “Having just two to three

people on a team is a really good number for me,’ Carrie says, “as I still always want to have that per sonal touch with all of my clients — this is extremely important to me.”

During COVID-19, not seeing anyone except her immediate family left Carrie feeling somewhat isolated.

“It felt to me that life had almost stopped for two and a half years, although I was busier than ever during that time with my busi ness. I needed a reset, to see people again, and to inter act,” she says. Although it was a difficult decision, she moved to John L. Scott Snohomish, where there are both experienced agents and newer ones too. “I have my own office there, but I love to come out into the main office area,” Carrie explains, “because I want that energy, I love

hearing the newer agents talk and understanding their fresh perspec tives, and I also love helping them.”

Carrie sets personal goals and consis tently hits or exceeds them. “I receive a lot of referrals, do plenty of listings and have a huge buyer side, so with this market shift, I’m not concerned,” she says, “because whatever is going on in the world, there will always be people wanting to buy and sell — and it’s my job to help them and to educate them as much as possible on the market.”

“I adore all my clients, especially my first-time buyers. It’s fun to help people make something they have been dreaming of come true. There is nothing more satisfying than giving someone the keys to their new home. But the best part of my job is that I have the flexibility to balance work and family life,” Carrie concludes, “and spending quality time with my daughters means more to me than anything else.”

I am so fortunate that I have found the job I am meant to do.

Seattle Real Producers

On the latest Seattle Real Producers show, we sit down with our cover agent Vlad Popach and focus on the ever-changing market. He talks about the importance of building a brand, his unique approach to new construction and finding balance being a devoted husband and father. Sit back, relax and enjoy!