A MESSAGE from the president
After months of anticipation, we are now seeing the changes that the lawsuits and coinciding settlements have brought about. I’ve scoured every contract, attended every national meeting, and looked over the settlements at great length to ensure both you and Metro Brokers are ready and prepared. Great news: This will NOT change much about how YOU do business!
These new guidelines, updated forms, and terminology changes aren’t gamechangers and shouldn’t be feared. I want you to go out with the mindset of business as usual – providing great service and fantastic experiences to your customers with the confidence that our systems have your back. Systems like your Office Manager, Broker Support, Accounting, Financial, our Law Group, Tech Support, Marketing, the Communications Center, and much more – we are one large team, ready to ensure you continue to be successful no matter what changes occur!
Now is the time to get to work, and that means getting out of your house and getting into the office. I’ve been visiting offices regularly, and I see one common factor – those that were IN the office were the ones WORKING with buyers and sellers. I pride myself on creating an environment of success and hard work, and the ones who are taking advantage of what we’ve crafted are the ones WINNING in today’s market.
Speaking of coming out to the office, more than 400 members of our team visited our in-person Ocusell training in June. This best-in-class tool for listing entry has impressed at every turn, and I’m hearing great reviews from agents everyday who are leveraging Ocusell to streamline their business and impress their sellers.
While Ocusell is our newest technology, don’t forget about leveraging all that we have. Our training, support staff, tools, offices, and technology all create an environment of success – you just need to reach out and grasp it!
Ignore the headlines, work with confidence, and focus on what you’re doing each day to be better and be a leader locally. Let us help you focus on your craft and the sky is the limit!
INDUSTRY NEWS
ATLANTA HOUSING BUDGET BOOM
The Atlanta Housing (AH) Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $533.9 million budget for fiscal year 2025, aligning with their 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This budget supports housing for approximately 21,855 households, including funding the construction of 1,350 new affordable units, the highest in AH’s history. Additionally, it will preserve 1,114 existing units.
Key projects like the Civic Center, Englewood, and Bowen redevelopments are prioritized. AH President Terri M. Lee highlighted the budget’s focus on economic independence and community vibrancy. The budget also allocates $284.1 million for housing assistance and $4.9 million for first-time homebuyer support, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to affordable housing solutions and community development. [Georgia Business Journal]
TRAINING RECAP
BITCOIN MINING ACROSS THE STATE
CleanSpark Inc. announced definitive agreements to acquire five turnkey bitcoin mining facilities in rural Georgia for $25.8 million, expected to close immediately. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in CleanSpark’s growth strategy, aiming for 20 EH/s by mid-year.
CEO Zach Bradford emphasized the sites’ benefits for local load balancing and their role in the company’s sustainable scaling efforts. The five sites, totaling 60 MW, include interruptible-load power purchase agreements, aiding local power grids during peak demand. With this addition, CleanSpark’s Georgia operations will exceed 400 MW, complementing their existing infrastructure in Mississippi, New York, and Wyoming. [Georgia Business Journal]
In June, we introduced Ocusell, a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline your property listing entry and elevate your marketing efforts. Ocusell is now our new listing entry system, offering superior data and photo distribution compared to anything we’ve used in the past.
Hundreds of agents attended the regional, in-class training sessions we held to learn this new platform. These sessions covered initial setup, features, functionalities, and best practices when using the system.
Couldn’t make it to a class? Don’t worry! Training video is available in our On Demand Classes on MetroNet!
Scan here to learn more!
Office Event Hotspot:
CASCADE
In May, our Cascade office hosted the second round of our Family Feud Showdown. The Northside Team – Gwinnett, Hamilton Mill, and Johns Creek –went head-to-head with the Westside Team – Cascade, Douglasville, Paulding, and Villa Rica.
Additionally, in June, the Cascade office hosted a vibrant community event, inviting local residents to mingle with agents and learn about the current real estate market. The event was filled with engaging activities and opportunities to discuss personalized real estate needs. Attendees enjoyed delicious refreshments and had the chance to participate in fun giveaways and win exciting cash prizes. This event was a fantastic opportunity for the community to connect, learn, and have a great time together.
In July, Metro Brokers showed some Metro Strong Spirit at the annual Peachtree Road Race on July 4th. The 10k race through the heart of Atlanta passed right by our Midtown Office and several agents took full advantage of that great opportunity. Agents and their families came to the Midtown office to hand out beverages, snacks and cheer on passing runners.
Simplify Your
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY
The Marketing team has a handy solution to help with your social media presence – a content calendar tailor-made and laid out over a span of 60 days.
We’ve got everything from delicious recipes to practical home maintenance tips, engaging conversation starters, and timely holiday posts. It’s a mix that keeps your feed interesting and your followers engaged.
This calendar offers suggestions on when to post and what to share across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X. It’s packed with ready-to-use photos and captions, saving you time and hassle.
Scan here for the current calendar!
Swipeable Carousel Posts Reels
REFER & EARN
Our preferred vendor, Atlanta Peach Movers, offers unparalleled moving services.
Atlanta Peach Movers caters to both residential and commercial clients, handling local, long-distance, and even international moves. Beyond transporting your boxes and furniture, they also provide packing and storage solutions for your clients’ convenience. Whether it’s a small apartment or a large home, smooth and efficient moving experience is ensured, helping your clients settle into their new dream homes.
Refer and earn while your clients receive top tier service!
As a way to add value to those that support Atlanta Peach Movers, they have enhanced their referral program. Receive a referral fee based on the total cost of the completed move!
1. Visit atlpeachmovers.com and click on the “Realtor Rewards Login” under “Contact” in the navigation
2. Provide the following information
a. Your name, company, phone number, and email
b. Client’s name, phone number, and email
WISELEY & RELO ASSIST CLIENTS from GA to NC
Outbound Referrals are a great opportunity to expand your income and provide great service to clients. Here’s an example of how Jeanie Wiseley of the Ellijay office worked with our Relocation (Relo) Team to assist an outbound referral and gain valuable commission.
On February 2, 2024, Jeanie submitted an outbound referral for her client looking for a property in North Carolina. The Relocation Department promptly found another Metro Brokers agent to assist her clients, assigning Joune Clark of the Blairsville office, who is also licensed in the areas of North Carolina where the clients were interested.
“Although I am licensed in North Carolina, I decided to use the relocation department and have an agent that could serve them better in an area I was not as familiar with,” said Wiseley. “The clients were pleased with the whole process and they were able to close on time!”
“The relocation department reached out to Joune Clark and she was in touch with the clients right away. Within no time they were under contract, closed, and very happy with the process and Joune!”
GRENGA ANNOUNCED AS A 2024 BHGRE Social Maker
Our very own Annemarie Grenga from our East Cobb office has been chosen as one of the 10 finalists for the 2024 BHGRE Social Makers!
Out of hundreds of submissions received, BHGRE recently announced the 10 finalists that were named as the 2024 BHGRE Social Makers! Grenga is now part of the exceptional team of network superstars that will represent Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, creating elevated lifestyle and industry social content that you’ll be able to find on the BHG and BHGRE social feeds starting later this summer.
Grenga and the other Social Makers are tasked with crafting engaging and informative content that reflects the values and aesthetics of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. Their contributions will span various social media platforms, offering fresh perspectives on the latest industry trends, home decor tips, and lifestyle inspiration.
Stay tuned to BHGRE’s social media channels to see the incredible content that Annemarie and the rest of the Social Makers will be sharing.
– Jeanie Wiseley, Ellijay Office
You frequently interact with licensed and experienced agents in your business. These agents are ideal candidates to consider for your JUST ONE referrals.
This could be YOU!
Here are some ways to start the JUST ONE conversation:
Wear your name tag everywhere you go!
Place “Join the Team!” in your email signature.
Speak to Co-Op agents when working your deals, making offers, etc.
Highlight success stories of agents who have thrived after joining Metro Brokers.
The Coach’s Corner Conversation
Ask agents if they’re getting what they want or expect from their current brokerage.
Leverage open houses to share your excitement about Metro Brokers with other agents.
Bring up during social interactions throughout your day as you’re out shopping, exercising, etc.
Share testimonials, informative content, company events, and more on your social channels.
4 TIPS TO THRIVE IN REAL ESTATE
The real estate industry is brimming with opportunities for those ready to seize them. There’s no one-size-fits-all path to success, but you can thrive by embracing the right mindset and strategies.
1. Be a Self-Starter
To truly shine in real estate, you must be driven and proactive. Real estate is a vibrant, on-thego profession. Think of it as launching your own business. Learn on the fly, figure things out independently, and grow from your mistakes. Embrace this entrepreneurial mindset, and you’re already on the road to success! Kevin and I talk in-depth about this in June’s MetroCast.
2. Be an Expert at Knowing Experts
You don’t need to know everything, but you should know who does! Clients will ask you all kinds of questions. Your secret weapon? A solid network of trusted professionals who can provide answers. Building these relationships takes time, but it’s an investment that pays off immensely. Create a list of your top vendor support team, and don’t forget to leverage Metro Brokers Core Services.
3. Honesty is Your Job
Be a truth-teller; don’t just tell clients what they want to hear. Being upfront and candid will earn you respect and trust, making you invaluable to your clients. Remember, your role isn’t just to sell houses; it’s to guide and advise your clients honestly.
4. Embrace Hard Work
The real estate world has transformed over the years, but one thing remains constant: it’s a challenging field that requires dedication. Embrace the grind, and don’t shy away from the challenges. Hard work is your ticket to long-term success and fulfillment in this industry!
NEW NORTH FULTON OFFICE NOW OPEN!
Our new North Fulton office officially opened on April 30! This location has quick access to North Point Mall and Westside Parkway, just minutes from Mansell Road and North Point Parkway. The address is 333 North Point Center East, Suite 125, Alpharetta, GA 30022.
Clients can relax in our cozy lobby while waiting for their appointment, enjoying the warm and inviting atmosphere. The office boasts top-of-the-line amenities, including fully-equipped workstations, professional viewing rooms, and spacious conference rooms designed to facilitate all your real estate needs.
Are you Ready for The Better Retreat?
Registration is now open for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s network-wide conference – The Better Retreat.
The Better Retreat will be held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa from September 11-13, 2024. This exclusive event is open to all agents in the BHGRE network, and it promises to be an unforgettable experience. It will offer valuable insights, networking opportunities, and memorable moments that will enrich your professional journey.
Headline Speaker
KERRI WALSH JENNINGS
3X Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist
President and CEO, Kevin Levent, announced that’s he’s providing a $300 hotel credit, as well as a $250 airline travel credit to all BHGRE Metro Brokers sales associates that attend. The credit will be posted to your agent account following the event.
MARKETING SUPPORT
HOURS
ZOOM
August 23, 2024 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
SURVEY 101: THE LAY OF THE LAND
Gwinnett
September 12, 2024 10:00 am - 1:15 pm 3CE
LICENSE LAW: STAY IN COMPLIANCE
Stockbridge September 25, 2024 10:00 am - 1:15 pm 3CE
Find more upcoming classes here!