Featured Agent Magazine - June 2017 Pacific

June 2017

Transform your home

into a

summer oasis Why professional photography

is invaluable

Caecillia Hamidjaja also featured: Rick Arvielo Kenny Patton

Should you rent

or buy?

contents

Featured Agent Magazine Phone 888.437.5707 Fax 888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com

Materials and content included in Featured Agent Magazine and on featuredagentmagazine.com are subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any part without prior written consent. Featured Agent Magazine is published

by Times 3 Publishing Group, LLC. Publisher shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error, or omission and makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included.

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professionals 4

Work/life balance — Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming

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Priceless — Why professional photography is invaluable

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Top 10 Ways to keep in touch

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t featured cover agent

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Caecillia Hamidjaja q featured mortgage pro

Rick Arvielo

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q featured agent

buyers&sellers 6

It’s the little things — Tips for moving with kids and pets

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Transform your home into a summer oasis

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Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions

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Kenny Patton

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Work/life balance —

Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming A career as a real estate professional, is by design a bit unconventional. With late nights and weekend work, there’s no disputing that top producing REALTORS® often have a full plate. Trying to balance family life, or a personal life on top of the demands of providing exceptional service, it’s little wonder that most REALTORS® cite the need for balance as a goal year-after-year.

While achieving perfect equilibrium is probably a lofty goal when business is particularly busy, it is still possible to achieve a semblance of balance, or at least a feeling that your life isn’t completely lopsided.

Here’s a look at ways to work towards better work/ life balance, even when your real estate business is booming.

Focus on What Needs to Be Done First No matter how disciplined you are, or how hard you 4

try to stick to a schedule, the reality is that things come up in real estate which are time sensitive. Because every transaction is different, it’s impossible to foresee all challenges that can come up on any given day.

That’s why it’s beneficial to start each day with a list of things that need to be done that day, no matter what. Start with those tasks, so if something comes up later in the day, you will have at least accomplished those to-do items that were necessary.

Block Off Chunks of Time for Specific Tasks Studies are beginning to indicate that multi-tasking can lead to decreased productivity. For this reason, it’s beneficial to focus all attention on a specific task for a set period of time. If you need to make follow-up calls, for example, schedule a block of time when you’ll focus only on that task. Likewise, if you need to work on a listing, schedule a set period of time in which Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

No one said being a busy REALTOR® would be easy. But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better. love what you do. So, make certain to plan to reconnect with friends, enjoy family activities, or otherwise have fun when you have the opportunity to take some time off. It might help to buy tickets in advance to a movie, or schedule reservations at a restaurant, to keep you accountable to your personal obligations.

Put Personal Time in Your Calendar — Schedule time for yourself, or time with your family, and put it in the calendar like you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 30 minutes of reading, relaxing, taking a bath, or walking the dog, it’s important that you honor commitments to yourself like you would commitments to your clients.

you’ll dedicate yourself to working on that task only.

In most cases, when you focus your whole attention on completing a task, you’ll find you’re able to do so faster than if you’re trying to work on multiple projects at once.

Assess Your Lifestyle Habits and Overall Health — If you’re not sleeping enough, chances are you’re not performing at your best, which makes everything feel unbalanced. Monitor your diet, make at least a little bit of exercise a priority, and avoid too many late nights coupled with early mornings. You’re less likely to feel frazzled, overwhelmed, or exhausted if you’re taking good care of your health.

Plan for Fun in Your Free Time — Because real estate can be consuming, it’s important to remember the adage about all work and no play, even when you Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Unplug for a Bit — Technology is great in allowing real estate professionals to work from virtually anywhere, but as is the case with most things in life, there can be too much of a good thing. Try shutting down your phone during lunch meetings. Silence your calls while watching your children play sports. Unplugging from your phone, computer, or tablet is a smart way to set boundaries in your pursuit of balance.

Learn to Delegate — If there are tasks that can be handled by an assistant, a colleague, a family member or a friend when you’re particularly busy; let them handle it. This will help keep you focused on priorities, and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by tasks that need to be done, which are not necessarily the best use of your time.

No one said being a busy REALTOR® would be easy.

But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better.

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It’s the little things —

Tips for moving with kids and pets

Let’s face it, buying or selling a home and moving across the country or even across town is one of the most stressful life events we experience. Throw in a few kids and a pet or two, and you’ve exponentially increased your stress level. However, there are plenty of things you can do to make moving easier on yourself and your family members, including the fourlegged ones.

While most children will adapt easily to the move, especially the younger ones, it’s still a good idea to prepare them well in advance for what lies ahead.

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Pets can be a bit trickier, but having a plan of action in place will alleviate much of the hassle.

For the Kids:

Check Out the Area Ahead of Time — Getting kids excited about starting a new chapter is half the battle. They can feel uneasy or nervous about being the new kid in class and making new friends.

Take a tour of the new school they’ll be attending and set up a meeting to meet the teacher in advance. Look for fun things to do in the area and scope out parks, Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

It’ll also keep them busy and give them a sense of accomplishment once their tasks are completed.

Hire a Babysitter — If you’re just moving across town, ask a relative or friend if the little ones can spend the day with them. You’ll find when you don’t have to keep stopping for lunch, snacks, diaper duty or potty breaks you’ll be much more productive and there will be less stress for everyone involved.

When normal, everyday routines remain the same during the moving process, it’s easier for kids to acclimate to their new surroundings.

For the Pets:

Get Current on Vaccinations — Make sure your pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have plenty of refills on any medications they’re currently taking. On the same note, be sure to get referrals for a new veterinarian before you make the move so you have someone to call in case of an emergency.

Update Your Address — If your pets are microchipped, it’s a good idea to update your information with your new home address and phone number.

Dogs often go into fight-or-flight mode when they’re extremely stressed, so if Fido manages to escape during the commotion of moving, you can be located much quicker if the vet has your current contact information.

restaurants, and libraries so the kids have a couple places to look forward to visiting. You might even want to introduce yourselves to your soon-to-be neighbors so there are familiar faces to greet you when you arrive at your new home.

Assign Jobs to the Kids — Give older kids the task of packing up their belongings and settling into their new rooms along with the responsibility of setting up another shared room in the house. Arranging toiletries in their bathroom or filling bookshelves in the den are smaller projects that contribute in a big way. Moving will go much smoother when everyone has a job to do and knows what’s expected of them.

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Keep them Secure — Kenneling your cats or dogs during a move across town is ideal but if you’re moving across state lines, keep them in a carrier or in a harness during the trip. If your cat has a tendency to be anxious during travel, putting her in a carrier with a few toys or a blanket will help her feel more secure and safe. Harnessing your dog will keep him from bouncing around in excitement, allowing you to stay focused on the road.

Get Comfortable — Be sure to have your pets’ favorite toys, beds or blankets unpacked so they’ll have something familiar to provide comfort on their first night in the new house. As overwhelming as a major move can be for humans, our pets can be affected just as much, if not more. Make sure to give them extra attention and affection as they look to you for reassurance.

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Rick Arvielo

featuredagent

New American Funding

magazine

How does a small family-owned broker shop rise up to become one of the largest lenders in the United States?

New American Funding — the brainchild of Patty and Rick Arvielo — was launched as a 40-employee call center in 2003. Today, with more than 2,400 employees across 19 states, New American Funding has secured its position as the 20th largest lender in the nation, and offers a reputation for excellence and innovation that almost no other company can match.

Perhaps more impressively, this powerhouse firm was initially rooted in a desire to help borrowers who have been grossly underserved. According to CEO Rick Arvielo, the determination to help those who otherwise didn’t feel like they could achieve the American Dream of Homeownership, became his wife Patty Arvielo’s driving motivation.

“Patty has been in lending for more than 30 years and has always been passionate about helping the underserved.

This is a very personal business for her, and for all of us.

Even today as an owner of the business, Patty is in the trenches, originating loans and really working with people who have challenges or obstacles, doing everything that she can to find a way to overcome them,” Rick says proudly.

The overwhelming sense of doing what is right for clients, no matter their unique circumstances, is a way of life at New American Funding, and the Executive Team made sure that respect would reign supreme in their business as they continued to grow. “Years ago, Zappos held a culture boot camp that we attended,” Rick says. The entire event reaffirmed what Patty and Rick had always believed to be the key to success. “It was never about us. We created and introduced the NAF360 to the staff, which focuses on treating every single person we come into contact with, with utter respect. From our colleagues, to our vendor partners, to our clients.”

The decision had an overnight impact, according to Rick.

“Our team was willing to stay later if necessary, and we

were all beginning to work together better, for the collective good. Our productivity increased because we were all working together as a family, respecting one another.”

Concurrent with the newly adapted culture, Rick had been simultaneously throwing himself into technological innovations that have resonated with partners, and particularly young borrowers. With an in-house marketing department that is second to none, the team has produced its own highly professional videos, developed its own mobile apps, and empowered its loan officers to have access to everything they may need to best serve their clients. Through the GoGo LO app, a loan officer has everything right at their fingertips. Even better, everyone from the listing agents, to escrow can been looped into the status of a file in real time.

“Our apps afford for transparency and complete efficiencies. Borrowers can see who has what, at any time, and so can all other parties, so everyone knows exactly what stage of the process the loan is in.”

New American Funding’s emphasis on streamlining the process means that Rick and his team need to remain at the very forefront of what’s to come in lending. “We need to always be thinking months and months in advance, because things change so quickly. If we have an idea we need to launch, we need to launch it quickly so that it is not obsolete by the time it is ready to enter the market.”

With a company culture for respect, and a commitment to making the loan process simple and effective, it’s no wonder New American Funding is so frequently honored for their success and dedication to raising the bar of excellence in mortgage lending. In fact, New American Funding was named the #1 Place to Work in the Orange County Register Top Workplaces for 2016.

So what’s next for New American Funding? “There have been offers to acquire our company, of course. But we’re not interested in selling. We enjoy what we do and who we get to do it with so much. We get to be pioneers, and we get to help clients achieve the American Dream, so we are planning to stay the course by keeping our heads down and continuing to plan for good profitable growth.”

Rick Arvielo

New American Funding | Tustin, CA 800.450.2010 | www.newamericanfunding.com 8

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Transform your home

into a summer oasis

Whether you’re preparing a home for listing during the summer months, or just want your own living space to feel cool, comfortable and seasonally appropriate, there are several things you can do to make that happen. Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway.

Decide to Declutter — Think of your favorite summer beach house or the best hotel room you’ve ever stayed in. Chances are part of the reason you loved it was because it was clean, serene and clutterfree. To achieve that look, pack away a majority of the dust-collecting knick-knacks, framed photos, heavy throws, books, and other clutter. It’s a great first step in opening up rooms to give them a lighter, airy feel.

Your items will feel new again when you bring them back out in the fall; or you may decide you like the look so much that you begin to embrace minimalism.

Change the Layout — Nothing can change the look and feel of a room more quickly than rearranging the furniture. If your current seating arrangement is centered around a fireplace, change it around to focus Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

on a window instead. If living areas are feeling crowded, consider removing extra chairs or end tables and replacing them with large floor cushions in bright fabrics for lounging and watching movies; they can be stacked out of the way in a corner when not in use.

Embrace the Light — Replace dark, heavy curtains with light and airy sheer panels that catch the breeze and let in light. Your room will feel larger and more open when the windows aren’t weighed down with heavy fabrics and dark colors.

The Scents of Summer — We all love the smell of a pumpkin spice or rich, warm vanilla candle, but strong, foody scents can become heavy and overwhelming during the warmer months. Switch your home fragrance to something light, fresh, and clean.

Citrus aromas and green florals are universally pleasing choices, as are scents reminiscent of a day at the beach (especially if you’re landlocked). Instead of candles, which can generate extra heat when they’re burning, switch to scented oil diffusers. They’ll keep a steady, subtle aroma in the air without worrying about whether kids, guests or pets might accidentally knock over a burning candle.

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Add Splashes of Color — Here’s where it

gets really fun! Summer is the time for punchy brights, crisp nautical hues, and All-American red, white, & blue color schemes. Incorporate color into bedrooms and bathrooms with crisp new linens and towels in your favorite summer colors. Add some striped, floral and solid throw pillows to couches and chairs in the family room. Stock up on Turkish towels, which are super-lightweight, dry quickly and come in loads of fun colors. They can serve as pool towels, swim cover-ups, tablecloths or light throws if the AC is cranked a little too high. In the kitchen, add some brightly colored acrylic serving pieces like trays and pitchers to your table settings, and use cloth napkins in a complementary hue.

Bring the Outside In — Fresh flowers are

abundant this time of year — maybe even in your own yard! Take advantage of Mother Nature’s good mood and keep fresh flowers in your home throughout the season. It’s one of the easiest, most beautiful ways to make a home feel summery. Stick with vibrant colors like hot pink, sunny yellow and juicy orange; save the deep, dramatic hues like burgundy and purple for fall and winter. Whether you go for a full-on arrangement 10

Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway. or just a few stems in a simple vase, you’ll smile every time you see them.

Don’t Forget the Floors — Sandy. Wet. Muddy. Grassy. Dusty. Floor coverings take a beating during the summer. Roll up and store wool throw rugs and replace them with inexpensive washable rugs you won’t feel bad about getting rid of at the end of the season. Don’t forget to add a new doormat to every entrance door to catch sand, dirt, and water before they get tracked inside.

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Caecillia Hamidjaja

Caecillia Hamidjaja

Thirty-five years ago, Caecillia Hamidjaja emigrated from a small village in Indonesia to the United States, equipped with a law degree and experience as a business owner. As a single mother to three daughters, she learned well the value of being a self-starter, and after retiring from her successful career as a Biotech project manager in Thousand Oaks, California she decided to move to Las Vegas, in search of a new role to suit her spirit of service. In real estate, Caecillia discovered an industry where she could exert her entrepreneurial spirit and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. She earned her license in 2013, and since then she has forged a brilliant professional path, earning multiple designations, fielding a consistent stream of clientele, and applying her winning personality along the way.

Primarily serving southwest Las Vegas, Henderson, 12

and Summerlin, Caecillia serves clients across a variety of backgrounds, though she has a particular proficiency in the buying and selling of luxury, vacation and investment properties. She has earned designations as a Certified International Property Specialist and Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist. Considering the professional philosophy by which she abides, Caecillia takes a personable approach to guiding her clients, letting her natural charisma and affinity for others create an easy bond with those she serves. With a high rate of repeat and referral business, amounting to an impressive 85% overall, Caecillia’s detail-oriented, stress-free method instills a sense of calm and confidence in her clients.

Likewise, she utilizes her background in law to capably navigate the negotiation and contractual facets of a transaction. “Clients like to work with me because of my charisma, personality, and honesty,�

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she explains. “I always meet the highest standard of professionalism and I listen. I give people 100% of my attention and as a result, I’m good at capturing what they’re really looking for.”

In fact, those she serves are enthusiastic in their praise, with one client saying: “Caecillia was a great REALTOR® to work with. She helped me get the house I wanted. She was there to walk me through the whole process. We went back and forth with the seller and we got a great deal for the house! She was so easy to talk to and get along with. I never felt like I was bothering her or that she was too busy for me.

Hire her as your REALTOR®!” Yet another pleased client had this to say about Caecillia’s memorable service: “Caecillia helped me find a home to rent in the Las Vegas-Summerlin area. Upon meeting her, she gave me a relocation packet with everything I Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

needed to know to learn about the area and my move.

She showed me several houses and was very knowledgeable and patient answering all of my questions.

Caecillia assisted me in the contract agreement process and stayed with me until the deal was done.

I would strongly recommend using Caecillia if you are looking to relocate to Las Vegas for all of your rental or buying needs. She is a true professional.”

A foundational tenet of Caecillia’s business model is about selling a lifestyle, rather than executing traditional business. In that vein, she makes an effort to put herself in her clients’ shoes and imagine the motivation behind a buyer or seller’s homeownership goals. “Maintaining a high ethical standard is very important to me,” she recounts. “I’m also very family-oriented and I always adjust to my clients’ background and goals. Purchasing a home doesn’t 13

“No matter what your background is — your culture, your age — if you believe in yourself and think positive, you can survive and reach your dream.” have to be a stressful thing; it can be about fun and celebrating happiness.” While her track record of success to date serves as evidence of her ability, Caecillia keeps her clients’ well-being and interests squarely in focus. “I enjoy meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds, helping them make their dream come true,” she reflects. “I feel most accomplished when I’m able to hand my clients their keys, see them happy and smiling, and watch a family move into their new home.”

Caecillia stays engaged with her local community through a variety of civic and charitable engagements. As a member of the National Association of REALTORS,® she recently returned from their yearly conference in D.C. She also volunteers at Las Vegas’ annual Healing and Happiness event. In her free hours, Caecillia enjoys crafting fine jewelry, ballroom dancing — an art she once competed in — and traveling to explore new destinations.

As for the future, Caecillia plans to continue her business’ steady growth, with hopes to cultivate new relationships and educate others on the empowering status of being a homeowner. All in all, Caecillia’s second act as a real estate agent is founded on a straightforward yet revolutionary idea — that it’s never too late to follow a dream. “I’ve overcome many obstacles as a single mom. I came here from another country, juggled work, a new culture, and raised three daughters,” she reflects. “No matter what your background is — your culture, your age — if you believe in yourself and think positive, you can survive and reach your dream.”

Caecillia Hamidjaja Simply Vegas Real Estate | Las Vegas, NV 702.908.8715 | chamrealty@gmail.com | www.chamrealty.org 14

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Priceless— Why professional photography is invaluable

Home buyers turn to their phones, tablets and computers when thinking about purchasing their next home. Study after study clearly shows that the days of waiting to look in the newspaper, or for a For Sale sign to pop up are long gone. With nearly everyone beginning their home search online, one thing is clear — they are looking to be wowed online before finding a buyer’s agent or even getting their financing in place.

That means that the photos of your listing need to capture the true beauty of the property, whether it’s a one-bedroom condo in the city center, or a sprawling ranch situated on acres of gorgeous landscaping. After all, you’ve only got a screen in which to showcase all the home has to offer, and all of the potential it may boast. That’s no job for an amateur.

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Even with the best of ideas and intentions about lighting and angles, trying to cut corners and photograph listings on your own just isn’t a smart plan. Consider that in the same way buyers and sellers turn to professional real estate agents to best advocate for their needs, it’s in your best interest to turn to a professional photographer to make sure you’re giving your clients the best opportunity for success in their sale.

Here’s a look at four reasons that professional photography is worth every penny when it comes to securing the best price for your listings.

The Pros Have the Proper Equipment — Professional photographers have invested a great deal into their career, which requires top of the line cameras, 15

lighting and lenses. Moreover, they’re experienced in editing and perfecting the shots, so you receive photos that pack a punch when viewed online.

The Pros Save You Time — Instead of one more hat to wear as a professional real estate agent, and more hours to a day which may already feel too short; allowing the professionals to take this responsibility off your plate saves you valuable time. From shooting the home, to editing and touching up the results, getting the shots that will grab attention online will take time that you likely don’t have to spare.

The Pros Take Care of the Technology — Professional real estate photographers know the formats and file types that various websites and publications require. They understand how to convert, size and curate the photos needed for the sites where you’ll be marketing the home. Many professional real estate photographers will take care of uploading the images for you as well. In addition, they are often skilled at turning images into simulated virtual tours to make your listing even more appealing to potential buyers.

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The Pros Deliver a Premium Product — Professional photographers are in the business of taking and creating beautiful visuals. As such, they are adept at creatively finding the best angles and lighting to make even small, or potentially crowded spaces look spectacular. Some studies have shown that eye-catching photos result in upwards of 130% more clicks when compared to similar listings lacking professional photographs.

With buyer expectations high, coupled with the convenience, efficiency and talent that professional real estate photographers bring to the table, there simply isn’t a good reason to try to cut corners when it comes to photography. It’s important to remember that the final result for your client can be the difference of thousands of dollars when it comes to the sales price. Since it’s your job to secure top-dollar for your client, professional photography is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Fortunately, the investment in professional photography can help you to earn your clients’ loyalty, repeat and referral business for years to come.

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Top 10

Ways to keep in touch

We all know REALTORS® whose client base consists of 100% repeat and referral business. It’s an amazing achievement, and a goal many other real estate professionals aspire to reach. But how do they get there? Are they just lucky? Or maybe they’ve always just been in the right place at the right time? The truth is, they are the ones who understand the value of consistently communicating with clients long after the transaction is over. Whether you choose to do one, two or a combination of the following, check out the Top 10 ways to keep in touch with clients.

Send Anniversary Cards — No, not wedding anniversary (though that would be a nice touch). We mean sending a card to commemorate the date of the closed transaction you had with them.

Keep Clients Informed — If you want clients to think of you as an expert in local real estate, prove that you are by sending informative newsletters. If you don’t have the time or resources to put one together, there are turn-key services that provide standard content with a bit of local customization.

Share a Cup of Coffee — If you have time to meet clients for a cup of coffee and a catch-up, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can still treat them to a cup of joe. Send out Starbuck’s cards or gift cards to a local favorite coffee shop with a note saying “This cup is on me.”

Send Small Gifts — Encourage clients to remember you by sending small, useful gifts, a few times a year.

Set Up Periodic Calls — Make quick phone calls to check in and make sure clients are happy in their new home and see if they need any recommendations for home care professionals.

Send Birthday & Holiday Cards — Birthdays and holidays are the perfect time to let clients know you’re thinking of them. If it seems like too much to keep track of, there are automated services that take care of everything for you.

Host an Event — Love planning parties? Host an annual client appreciation event. Go all out with food and entertainment to make it a truly memorable experience and a must-attend event on clients’ social calendars.

Grab Lunch — You might not have time to do it with all your clients, but taking your very best clients out to lunch a few times a year is the perfect way to cement the relationship.

Make the Holiday Rounds — The holidays are a perfect time to stop in to see clients’ beautifully decorated homes and deliver a thoughtful gift.

Make Social Media Matter — If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count by using it to keep in touch with clients. You’ll develop a stronger connection as you keep up with their daily activities.

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Should you rent or buy?

Ask yourself these 5 questions Any milestone life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, relocating for a new job, or sending adult children out into the world, can put you in the position of having to choose whether to rent or buy your residence. There was a time when conventional wisdom dictated that buying was always the better choice, but the ’08 housing crash changed that.

Now, experts advise that people make the decision to rent or buy based on more than whether or not they can afford a mortgage payment, and take several other factors into account as well. Here are five questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to rent or buy the next place you call home.

How Stable is Your Life? — None of us can predict the future, but before choosing to buy a home, you need to have a general idea of where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you have a good job that you enjoy and plan on keeping? Is your relationship status likely to change? Will you be adding to your family — or will it be shrinking when kids move out?

Are you making plans to travel extensively? The way you answer all these questions will factor into your decision to buy or rent. Bottom line: If your life is reasonably stable and you foresee it staying that way, buying a home may be the way to go. If not, continue to rent until things settle down.

Have You Saved for a Down Payment?

While in some cases it’s possible to purchase a home without a down payment, most financial experts advise against it for a number of reasons. For one, buying a home without a down payment means a higher mortgage payment and will also require private mortgage insurance. Additionally, sellers are more likely to accept an offer that includes a down payment, especially in competitive markets.

Can You Afford the Monthly Costs? — As a renter, monthly housing costs are generally limited to rent, utilities and perhaps, renter’s insurance.

When you buy a home, your monthly costs on top of the mortgage payment can include property taxes, HOA fees, yard maintenance, and higher utility bills 18

You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way. than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling a larger space and using more water. Making sure you’re financially prepared before buying a house will help ensure you get to enjoy your new home and not struggle with being “house poor.”

Are You Prepared to Furnish and Decorate?

Furnishing and decorating a home takes vision, time, effort and, of course, money. Even the most committed minimalist doesn’t want to live in a space that’s devoid of personality (or furniture). And really, at least half the fun of owning a home is making it your own with paint, décor and furnishings. When you’re working out your financials, don’t forget to factor in the cost of decorating the home.

Do You Really Want to Own a Home?

This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth doing some soul searching to figure out if you’re really ready to be a homeowner. Many people buy a home because they feel it’s the logical “next step,” or because friends and family pressure them into making an investment, only to find it wasn’t what they really wanted. Spend some time really thinking about your needs, your goals, and the life you want to live. If you come out of it feeling energized and excited about the prospect of owning your piece of the American Dream, go for it! If not, keep renting until you feel differently.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances. And remember, nothing is forever. You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

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featuredagent Kenny Patton magazine

Maintaining a sense of honesty and integrity is also an important aspect of the way Kenny does business.

“Simply being honest and always being there for my clients when they need me really goes a long way,” he says. Adhering to those values has helped Kenny develop

“Simply being honest and always being there for my clients when they need me really goes a long way.”

When Kenny Patton first pursued a real estate

license, he never expected it would become his successful, full-time career. “I had a few friends who got into real estate and one of them even owned his own company,” Kenny recalls. “I decided to get my license just because I thought it would be good to have.” But after his job in the medical industry wasn’t living up to his expectations, real estate became the next logical choice. “It was kind of unexpected, but was lucky I had it to fall back on.”

Now nearly five years into serving clients throughout the Seattle area in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties, Kenny has carved a unique niche in the business by working with both residential home buyers and sellers, as well as real estate investors. “About 50% of my business is with investors, whether they’re looking for properties to flip or wanting to buy and hold as rental properties,” Kenny explains. But no matter the type of client, they all share one thing in common. “I treat my clients like family, I think that’s one of the main reasons they choose to work with me,” he says. “I approach every transaction as if it were my own and ask myself if it were me, how would I want to spend that money.” And there’s one more, slightly surprising thing that sets Kenny apart in a highly competitive market. “I always answer my phone. You’d be surprised how many agents don’t,” he adds.

a strong base of repeat clients and referrals — he estimates about 70% of his business is a result of them — and he has every reason to believe that number will continue to grow.

Experiencing life in a structured, corporate setting before entering real estate has given Kenny a perspective he’s happy to share with others who might be thinking of making a similar move. “To be successful in real estate, you have to be self-motivated,” he says. “You’re on your own a lot. You have to be organized. And you have to set goals and stick to them or you can get easily distracted.

I know a lot of people who got into the business and are out now because they didn’t have a plan to grow their client base beyond working with friends and family.”

Based on the recognition he has received, it’s safe to say Kenny’s business has stretched far beyond his immediate sphere of influence. For the past two years, he was listed among the Top 10 agents for total transaction in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties. “I’m really proud of that, especially as someone who doesn’t have a team. I’ve closed more than 100 transactions in the past two years.”

Those days of not having team are likely to be shortlived, however. In fact, one of Kenny’s current goals is to begin building his team. “That feels like the next natural step,” he says. “And I want to help other agents grow their businesses and show them a path to be successful in real estate.”

Kenny Patton Caliber Real Estate | Bellevue, WA 425.894.8974 | KennyP@caliberre.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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