ARIZONA 11-15-21

ARIZONA EDITION

MODERN EMAIL ETIQUETTE

FOR TODAY’S AGENTS

FEATURED AGENTS

ANN M. CASSADY CANDICE GALVANE DARIN BRIN

4

REASONS WHY MULTITASKING CAN ACTUALLY DERAIL YOUR DAY

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD: HOW TO LIST HIGH WHEN NEIGHBORS ARE A NUISANCE HOW TO BUILD A TEAM THAT WILL WIN BIG NO

MATTER ITS SIZE

COVER STORY

GARY BRASHER

ARIZONA EDITION

CANDICE GALVANEDARIN BRIN ANN M. CASSADY

part of Ann CassadyBefore wanted beginning to be a Whenothers, marketing her listings, Ann uti- of marketing, Candice Determined and passionate the c her illustrious career to help In terms 7 17 18 21 or long before she even knewestate, there Candice Galvane lizes a comprehensive strategy abouthad realaestate, Darin Brin has become many in real on that online advertising throug uch a career. “When Iprivate was young and includes both social media and print top agent in the greater Phoenix area. He media and the MLS to reach tive, therapy practice in aCalifornia. s would come over for the first time, advertising, especially in The Cochise entered the industry in 2014 after running to wr In a spur of the moment decision, she audience and garner maximum ays had to show them every room in Trading Post, a popular publication areal successful consulting business. sure for each listing. She agent to join estate, internet als ouse,” Ann laughs. “Idecided don’t know if the world of Ready in the area.

Whether they are sellers for a career change, he landed sell ended up thriving. She has been or buyers, all of Ann’s clients enjoy postcards to people in the neight was the beginning, butand I can say that a it was the ideal way to and surrounding area of each wrote working a full-time Realtorinforreal the estate, last as enjoy showing houses.

I alsoaslove seamless process from beginning to utilize his skills while still having entrea hom 16 years, andto currently works primarily end. After the closing, she reaches in an ng new people and finding ways outeffort to generate interest preneurial freedom.

Understanding that My h hem.” in Bullhead City and Fort Mohave, AZ, frequently to see if there’s anything andthey reaches out to her network buying and selling can be a stressful expesituat current for cross-marketing. where she has built a reputation as a Top need, or to update them on the agents rience, Darin makes his clients’ needs his There graduating from Indiana University, state of the market.

Producing agent in the area number and someclosed 79 transactions last one priority. He aims to eliminate handy served as President of Hillmans—a one people love to work with.all worries, creating a smooth and enjoy- hopes to maintain that high step o y operated business Fort Wayne— Ann is always GALVANE looking for ways to give GARY in BRASHER ANN M. CASSADY CANDICE DARINfor BRIN production years to come.

LeadingShe’s the volunteered Discover with to he menting marketing strategies that resulted in a able back transaction. to her community. the Candice has built her philosophy around making sure GARY Team,Rescue Darin Ranch, has consistently grown in ou y 10 percent annualBRASHER sales growth over the 12 years PHX Wildhorse a charity aimed at recuperatare well takenother care of. buying In freeAs time, Candice foremor was there. She went clients on to manage several ingWhen starved andwas abused horses burros. an signs active with eachshe passing year and and is her showing no of loves the first job. and We highly house, she didn’t knowdown. was going scuba divingtoin exotic parts of the world esses before taking aher jobfirst as an underwriter andreally member ofwhat the Junior League, she has worked address slowing supervisor at State Farm.

Sheher moved to Arizona problems inequitiesenjoys within working her community. on, and number one goal various in her work is toand ensure out, riding her bike, towards and spend Looking hi CONTENTS State Farm, and gained experience working part She also volunteers at the Mescal Movie Set, a projher clients never have to deal“We withspecialize that frustrating feelwith dogs. She her local in residential sales,her as family well asand relocawillloves continue expa with several real estateing. brokerages starting ect that will positively impact the of Benson.

“I TO choose not in to2015. have Team because I want to 4land,” nityeconomy and church, andalso frequently donates lo new construction and he says.

“We “Our plan is toto grow HOW BUILD A ation, 19) REASONS WHY 20, with her 24) children grown, she decided to purWhen she’s not working or volunteering her time, Annand also haveofspecialists focus on investment and commerhe will enjoy the jou be with my clients every step the way,”who Candice and clothing drives, sponsors multi al estate full TEAM time. enjoys hanging out with friends, riding horses, orCAN going THAT WILL WIN them MULTITASKING properties.” majority their business consists “What I find the m says. “I really want to help cial and give The them the of dren through Compassion International.

Acco on wine tasting tours.ACTUALLY DERAIL BIG NO MATTER ITS SIZE of repeats and referrals, which stands as a testament have with our clien guidance theyArizona deserve, and I always keep their best Candice, she has God to thank for her many su y Ann represents clients in Southern from to atheir superior service and support.

“WeHim treatinpeople time throug with th YOUR DAY interests in mind.”

Candice is trueforward, advocate her and keeps mind as on-one she moves on to Douglas with Realty Executives, specializing Going Annfor wants to keep building her business well, we’re honest,” Darin “Weand perforkeeps us going.” clients, respectful their time, and aeven pleasant pres- says. work hercontinues life.

If you’re looking for a R se properties.14) In her THERE first year she’s alreadyofearned and offer better customer service ascombine she GOES THE mance and dedication with the best technology and ence throughout the HOW transaction such, whoshe physically, utation for herNEIGHBORHOOD: integrity and excellent customer sertoTO honeprocess. her skillsAs as a22) Realtor.MODERN InArizona a few years, hopes mentally, and spiritua EMAIL marketing tools in the industry.”

Buyers receive stepwhile employing theshe skills shemore developed duringof her to begin building of her own. gets than 75% business froma team repeats care of herself as well as those around her, get LIST HIGH WHEN NEIGHBORS ETIQUETTE FOR by-step guidance, with all their questions answered. ears of experience in and the corporate world to strike referrals, and her rate of customer satisfaction is with Candice Galvane today! to get AGENTS them the best deal deals for her ARE clients. extremely She takes particular A NUISANCE TODAY’S high. pleasure Darin and his team negotiate ping people solve the problems that stand between possible, while also ensuring they are competitive in a and homeownership. multiple offer situation. Meanwhile, his sellers’ listings

Candice is a veteran of the industry, and is incredibly go out to as many people as possible, with Discover knowledgeable when comes to all things real estate. presented a client who had been evicted fromit his PHX Team advertising them online. “We make sure Herfinancial expertise sets her apart, andproperty she leverages Phone 310-734-1440 |due Fax ment after experiencing problems to 310-734-1440 each looks its her best, then we will negotiate the experience to consistently get the best possible results d. When we successfully closed on a piece of propcontract, arrange financing, oversee inspections and mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com he turned to me and asked, ‘This land is “Helping mine? No clients for her clients. find success when he says. Their goal is to handle all paperwork,” of this issue maythe be look reproduced in any mannerthe whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine an kick me off No thisportion property?’

To see of buying or selling a home is at Although the forefront of my mind the highest price possible their sellers in thematerials, Top is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc.obtain precautions are taken to ensurefor the accuracy of published ness on his face when heinrealized thatout,” he was a and day Candice says.amount “I’ve been ablesupplied by its authors. shortest of or time.

Agent day Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed facts rty owner—that’s why love this Money isn’t To subscribe or change address, send inquiry toI meet so job. many people and todomag@topagentmagazine.com. so many interesting Contact Ann at 602-487-8060 drives me. I want to feel like the work I do is makFor more info Published in the U.S. things because of my work, and I want to give back Afterwards, Darin’s past to clients love to spread the word or email ann.cassady.20@gmail.com difference in people’s lives.” and Discove the people who support me asabout muchhim. as I One can.”recently Candicesaid, “Just purchased my 4th Contact Candice darin@discove at 928-303-6080 helps dozens of clients every year, and built property withhas Darin andher couldn’t have done it without Copyright Topemail Agent Magazine visiv candicegalvane@aol.com, in thismaximum crazy sellers market. I was discouraged byAgent Magazine or or business on the foundation ofhim offering value 2 Top candicegalvane.realtyonegrouparizona.com/in to them as their Realtor. http://

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

3

How to Build a Team That Will Win Big No Matter its Size In the real estate world building a team is a goal almost every agent strives towards achieving. Doing business with a team as opposed to solo has numerous advantages. With more agents handling clients as well as other employees specialized in areas such as marketing and administrative support there to assist you; you can greatly increase your business and sales.

4

So, when creating a team, logic would tell us that the bigger it is, the better, right? Wrong. When it comes to real estate teams, size doesn’t matter so much as the players you bring onto that team to work with you. A team doesn’t have to be big to win big, and here are the secrets to building a team that wins big no matter its size.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Hire the Right Team Members

Put Your Team Members in the Right Positions to Win

You’ve probably heard the saying, “you’re only as strong as you’re weakest link.” That idea holds true for any kind of team, including those in real estate. If you have weak members on your team, then it’s not possible to have a strong team. Drawing strong team members to your business is essential.

Finding strong team members is just one part of the equation. As the leader of your team, you now have to assess each member’s strengths and weaknesses and position them appropriately. You want the best player for each role playing that part and catering to their strengths. Choose your team member’s roles wisely, and place each individual in the position where their strengths can shine and they can best contribute to a win for the entire team. Every role is important to the team working smoothly and winning as a whole, so it is important to place each team member in the role most suited to his or her skills.

To better understand what kind of person would make a strong addition to your team, you need to ask yourself what skills and characteristics you want your team members to possess. The strongest members are often ones that share their leader’s values. When you share values with your teammates, you are all running along the same course towards the same goal as one. Your definition of a victory in this case is also your teammates’ definition of it. This helps strengthen even the smallest of numbers because you are all working together toward a common goal.

Another characteristic too look out for in potential team members is a positive attitude. You can teach someone the skills needed in real estate, but you can’t teach someone how to have a positive attitude.

Positive members tend to achieve more due to their optimistic nature, but more importantly, they spread that positive attitude to the rest of the team, which improves every members’ performance.

Top Agent Magazine

Communicating Your Vision to Your Team

Your team members are the key ingredients to ultimate victory, but what recipe do you follow now to lead them to victory? That is what communication is for a winning team; the recipe you will use to

Top Agent Magazine

5

help best utilize each team member and instruct them on how they need to work together to fulfill the recipe that will lead them to be a winning team. Your team members need to know the plan and you must give them the tools to successfully execute it.

It is up to the leader of a team to help your players see your vision and help them understand what a victory looks like. The goal may seem simple and obvious to you, but you must communicate it over and over again to your team members, so they understand it as well as you do. With different personalities coming together to form a unit, you are going to be dealing with numerous challenges such as competing agendas. You will find this on any team. You must keep the goal and at the forefront of your player’s minds in order to encourage them to put aside their own personal desires in order to come together as one cohesive, single-minded unit and push towards the team’s goal.

6

Give Your Team Members the Tools to Help Them Perform at Their Best The final thing all great leaders do is equip their team members with the proper tools and training needed for them to succeed. You have to show them how they can each come together with their different strengths to work as a team towards one unified goal. This involves more than simple skills training, but also endurance, so they can last as a team and win even those matches that seem unending and impossible.

Think of all the challenges that they could possibly face ahead, and clear their path to victory by giving them the necessary training and tools they will need to get past any obstacle. As the leader, you must be prepared to continually communicate the team’s goal and your vision. Use that vision to motivate your team members throughout the journey towards victory.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

GARY BRASHER

Top Agent Magazine

7

A 5th generation Arizonan, Top Agent Gary Brasher— affiliated with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty— serves as the lead of The Brasher Team.

Known for his tireless work ethic and desire to provide each client with an excellent level of service, Gary Brasher makes every real estate transaction seamless and easy. With over three decades of experience, and being a 5th generation Arizonan, his knowledge of the area and the local market is immaculate and allows him to advise buyers and sellers into making the best real estate decisions. Affiliated with 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, he serves as the lead of The Brasher Team.

The strong relationships he’s forged with clients over the years have been the staple of Gary’s success. He also attributes his top agent status to the help of the talented people around him, including his wife and daughter. “We give everybody the white-glove Top Agent Magazine

treatment, regardless of the price of the property. Everyone on our team has different strengths, and we use them to best serve our clients. My wife is brilliant at nurturing relationships, my daughter is extremely skilled at Top Agent Magazine

marketing, and I like to do the contracts and the more logistical side of the transaction.”

Having previously worked for the FBI, Gary is a natural problem solver and a creative Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“There is a lot of new construction taking place in our community and we’ve been able to establish a relationship with a great local builder, so we’re excited to get into the new construction market.” thinker—traits he likes to apply to his work in real estate. “I like to think outside the box when it comes to marketing. Our general concept is to leave no stone unturned. We have boards in front of our office with our current listings so that people can see what’s selling in the neighborhood. We have a TV in our lobby that shows our listings, and they reach a worldwide online audience through Sotheby’s listing network. We also do print marketing in magazines throughout Arizona.”

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

On pace to complete $50,000,000 in sales volume this year, Gary is certainly grateful for his success, but what really makes him enthusiastic about his work is the ability to help others. “For most clients this is the largest and most complex financial decision they will ever make. It’s routine for us, but for someone who only does it once every 10 years, it’s complicated. I find a lot of satisfaction being able to guide them through the intricacies of the transaction process Top Agent Magazine

and help them overcome what they view as big obstacles.”

Outside of work Gary is deeply involved in his community. He has served as the President Top Agent Magazine

of the local Chamber of Commerce as well as President of the Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Groundwater User’s Advisory Board.

When he’s not working or giving back to the Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

community, he loves to spend time with his wife, kids, and grandkids.

Looking ahead, Gary is focused on continuing to build his business and is currently branching

out into a new market. “There is a lot of new construction taking place in our community and we’ve been able to establish a relationship with a great local builder, so we’re excited to get into the new construction market.”

To learn more about Gary Brasher email gary.brasher@russlyon.com, visit Gary-Brasher.com, or call (520) 260–4048 www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

13

There Goes the Neighborhood:

How to List High When Neighbors are a Nuisance Troublesome neighbors are a relatively common issue that agents come across. You can control the image of your client’s property and you can control your listing presentation, but you can’t always control what’s happening on your client’s street. How do you diffuse difficult neighbors that could lower your bottom line or embarrass you in front of prospective buyers?

14

First of all, it takes tact and a gameplan. With that in mind, let’s consider a few ways you can maintain a listing’s viability and competitive edge—even when bothersome neighbors are involved. Here are a few common neighborly scenarios agents encounter and how to diffuse them to your advantage.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

How do you diffuse difficult neighbors that could lower your bottom line or embarrass you in front of prospective buyers? It takes tact and a gameplan.

as a courtesy introduction to the neighborhood.

While it may seem like needless busy work, it can dramatically improve prospective buyers’ perceptions of the area. Plus, you may positively ingratiate yourself with neighbors in the area and demonstrate your above-and-beyond service to your clientele in the process.

Is the neighbor’s landscaping an eyesore?

Here’s your recourse.

Most towns and cities have established ordinances regarding yard upkeep. If any of the properties adjacent to your listing are wildly overgrown, littered with junk, or otherwise in a state of obvious disrepair—take it up with the city. Rather than get directly involved at first glance, you might loop in city officials whose job it is to monitor clean-up efforts on rundown yards and properties. If this doesn’t work, you may have to take a more hands-on approach.

Start by thinking small and operating from a place of authenticity and neighborly service.

You might explain to the neighboring tenant that you’re listing and offer to mow their lawn Top Agent Magazine

Are there foreclosed or abandoned homes on your client’s block?

Do your homework.

It may take a little research and digging to figure out the banking entity that owns a foreclosed home, but it’s well worth the effort. Banks are typically required to maintain foreclosed homes on at least a basic level. If you’re worried about

Top Agent Magazine ®

15

squatters, an unsightly façade, or general disrepair of a neighboring foreclosed property—go to the source. Sometimes banks take their time in hiring a third party to maintain a foreclosed property, but with some proactive prodding on your part, you may be able to speed the process along and resolve eyesores even before prospective buyers come calling. Remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. An improved bottom line will be your reward for those few prodding phone calls and emails.

Noisy, nosy, or annoying neighbors?

Don’t be discouraged.

Obnoxious neighbors can really rain on a seller’s parade, especially the kind of neighbor 16

that takes their less-than-stellar behavior to their porch, front yard, or sidewalk. While this sensitive issue may seem daunting, there are a few official channels you can utilize to thwart the issue before getting personally involved. If the neighborhood in question is governed by an HOA, you might take it up with them. If the troublesome neighbor is harassing passersby or taking to the sidewalk—in other words, public space—then you may be able to involve local authorities in worst-case scenarios. Of course, it’s always possible to talk to troublesome neighbors faceto-face, but do so with caution and with safety as the priority. Always reason gently and empathetically, utilizing I... phrasing, instead of accusatory You... phrasing. After all, some neighbors are clueless about their impact on the neighborhood and may adjust their behavior after being called out. If the issue persists and no third-party authority can help, then you may have to disclose the neighbor’s issues to prospective buyers, depending on the disclosure laws in your region. While this may seem like a blow, you can at least rest easy knowing you pursued all the potential avenues for resolution available. Likewise, your client will likely appreciate your thorough efforts to resolve the issue.

While troublesome neighborhoods can bring down an optimistic mood when listing a property, sometimes being real estate is all about being resourceful. With diligence, digging, and a little follow-up, you just may be able to resolve some of the issues plaguing your neighborly plot.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

ANN M. CASSADY Some part of Ann Cassady wanted to be a Realtor long before she even knew there was such a career. “When I was young and friends would come over for the first time, I always had to show them every room in our house,” Ann laughs. “I don’t know if that was the beginning, but I can say that I still enjoy showing houses. I also love meeting new people and finding ways to help them.”

After graduating from Indiana University, Ann served as President of Hillmans—a family operated business in Fort Wayne— implementing marketing strategies that resulted in a steady 10 percent annual sales growth over the 12 years she was there. She went on to manage several other businesses before taking a job as an underwriter and then supervisor at State Farm. She moved to Arizona with State Farm, and gained experience working part time with several real estate brokerages starting in 2015.

In 2020, with her 2 children grown, she decided to pursue real estate full time.

Today Ann represents clients in Southern Arizona from Benson to Douglas with Realty Executives, specializing in horse properties. In her first year she’s already earned a reputation for her integrity and excellent customer service, while employing the skills she developed during her years of experience in the corporate world to strike great deals for her clients. She takes particular pleasure in helping people solve the problems that stand between them and homeownership.

“I represented a client who had been evicted from his apartment after experiencing financial problems due to Covid. When we successfully closed on a piece of property, he turned to me and asked, ‘This land is mine? No one can kick me off this property?’ To see the look of happiness on his face when he realized that he was a property owner—that’s why I love this job. Money isn’t what drives me. I want to feel like the work I do is making a difference in people’s lives.”

Top Agent Magazine

When marketing her listings, Ann utilizes a comprehensive strategy that includes both social media and print advertising, especially in The Cochise Trading Post, a popular publication in the area. Whether they are sellers or buyers, all of Ann’s clients enjoy a seamless process from beginning to end. After the closing, she reaches out frequently to see if there’s anything they need, or to update them on the current state of the market.

Ann is always looking for ways to give back to her community. She’s volunteered with the Wildhorse Rescue Ranch, a charity aimed at recuperating starved and abused horses and burros. As an active member of the Junior League, she has worked to address various problems and inequities within her community.

She also volunteers at the Mescal Movie Set, a project that will positively impact the economy of Benson.

When she’s not working or volunteering her time, Ann enjoys hanging out with friends, riding horses, or going on wine tasting tours.

Going forward, Ann wants to keep building her business and offer even better customer service as she continues to hone her skills as a Realtor. In a few years, she hopes to begin building a team of her own.

Contact Ann at 602-487-8060 or email ann.cassady.20@gmail.com

Top Agent Magazine ®

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 17

CANDICE GALVANE Before beginning her illustrious career in real estate, Candice Galvane had a private therapy practice in California.

In a spur of the moment decision, she decided to join the world of real estate, and ended up thriving. She has been working as a full-time Realtor for the last 16 years, and currently works primarily in Bullhead City and Fort Mohave, AZ, where she has built a reputation as a Top Producing agent in the area and someone people love to work with.

Candice has built her philosophy around making sure clients are well taken care of. When she was buying her first house, she didn’t really know what was going on, and her number one goal in her work is to ensure her clients never have to deal with that frustrating feeling. “I choose not to have a Team because I want to be with my clients every step of the way,” Candice says. “I really want to help them and give them the guidance they deserve, and I always keep their best interests in mind.” Candice is a true advocate for her clients, respectful of their time, and a pleasant presence throughout the transaction process. As such, she gets more than 75% of her business from repeats and referrals, and her rate of customer satisfaction is extremely high.

Candice is a veteran of the industry, and is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to all things real estate.

Her expertise sets her apart, and she leverages her experience to consistently get the best possible results for her clients. “Helping clients find success when buying or selling a home is at the forefront of my mind day in and day out,” Candice says. “I’ve been able to meet so many people and do so many interesting things because of my work, and I want to give back to the people who support me as much as I can.” Candice helps dozens of clients every year, and has built her business on the foundation of offering maximum value to them as their Realtor.

18

In terms of marketing, Candice focuses on online advertising through social media and the MLS to reach a wide audience and garner maximum exposure for each listing. She also sends postcards to people in the neighborhood and surrounding area of each property in an effort to generate interest locally, and reaches out to her network of other agents for cross-marketing. Candice closed 79 transactions last year, and hopes to maintain that high level of production for years to come.

In her free time, Candice loves first and foremost going scuba diving in exotic parts of the world - she also enjoys working out, riding her bike, and spending time with her family and dogs. She loves her local community and church, and frequently donates to local food and clothing drives, and also sponsors multiple children through Compassion International. According to Candice, she has God to thank for her many successes, and keeps Him in mind as she moves throughout her work and her life. If you’re looking for a Realtor in Arizona who physically, mentally, and spiritually takes care of herself as well as those around her, get in touch with Candice Galvane today!

Contact Candice at 928-303-6080 email candicegalvane@aol.com, or visit candicegalvane.realtyonegrouparizona.com/index.php

http://

Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

4 Reasons Why Multitasking Can Actually Derail Your Day Common wisdom dictates that a master multitasker is likely to garner the most success. After all, doesn’t juggling multiple projects at once mean you’ll work faster than if you took each one as it came? While multitasking is often cited as a desirable skill—and surely serves its purpose now and again—studies show that a mere 2% of individuals can actually multitask effectively. Meanwhile, the remaining 98% might be doing more harm than good by trying Top Agent Magazine

to tackle too much at once. Take a look below at some little-known facts about the risky side of waging a routine built on multitasking.

1. Multitasking decreases productivity While multitasking gives us the illusion of completing two tasks at once, it actually means

Top Agent Magazine

19

our focus and productivity is split. In other words, switching back and forth between two activities doesn’t mean they’ll each be completed sooner; it means that you’re getting half-as-much complete as you would if you focused on a singular task. Multitasking fatigues your brain, elicits stress, and make you less efficient in retaining new information.

2. Multitasking is actually addictive While watching TV or taking a walk, have you ever noticed the impulse to check your smartphone or scroll through your social media feed? Even though we think about multitasking as a workplace skill, it’s also an addictive form of mental stimulation. By satiating our need for distraction with constant check-ins online, we become accustomed to frequent breaks in our focus, training us to crave updates, messages, and push notifications—we even hit refresh when we’ve checked in five minutes prior! This negative habit-building makes it difficult to complete sustained bouts of concentration.

3. Multitasking has negative physical side effects Studies show that those who juggle multiple focus-intensive activities actually show spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone. Likewise, frequent multitaskers display symptoms of sleep deprivation: fatigue, disorientation, and lack of focus. Studies in Europe have recently 20

discovered that those who consistently multitask may actually show decreases in empathy and emotional control. What’s more, a constant sense of anticipation—readying to switch from one task to another, or persistently checking for e-mail updates—can potentially cause a decrease in overall IQ.

4. Multitasking breeds mistakes When our attention is split between tasks, it’s difficult to perceive and retain detail-oriented information. Because of this, mistakes—typos, clerical errors, mislabeled documents, and the like—occur with greater frequency. We’re in such a hurry to complete a portion of a task and switch to the next project that we lose sight of prompts, deadlines, and tying up loose ends. This means multitaskers are far more likely to overlook a glaring error than an individual who is devoting 100% of their attention to the task at hand.

Now that we understand some of the dangers of multitasking, what can we do about it? While our tech-driven day-to-day might make focusing on a singular task a difficult endeavor, it’s the surest way to produce efficient, error-free work—while cutting down on stress, fatigue, and miscommunication.

Try approaching your tasks for the day with a clear-cut schedule, moving one task at a time down your to-do list. This approach can eliminate some of the inefficiency inherent in multitasking and make for your most productive work routine yet.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

DARIN BRIN Determined to help others, and passionate about real estate, Darin Brin has become a top agent in the greater Phoenix area. He entered the industry in 2014 after running a successful internet consulting business.

Ready for a career change, he landed in real estate, as it was the ideal way to utilize his skills while still having entrepreneurial freedom. Understanding that buying and selling can be a stressful experience, Darin makes his clients’ needs his number one priority. He aims to eliminate all worries, creating a smooth and enjoyable transaction. Leading the Discover PHX Team, Darin has consistently grown with each passing year and is showing no signs of slowing down.

“We specialize in residential sales, as well as relocation, new construction and land,” he says. “We also have specialists who focus on investment and commercial properties.” The majority of their business consists of repeats and referrals, which stands as a testament to their superior service and support. “We treat people well, we’re honest,” Darin says. “We combine performance and dedication with the best technology and marketing tools in the industry.” Buyers receive stepby-step guidance, with all their questions answered.

Darin and his team negotiate to get them the best deal possible, while also ensuring they are competitive in a multiple offer situation. Meanwhile, his sellers’ listings go out to as many people as possible, with Discover PHX Team advertising them online. “We make sure each property looks its best, then we will negotiate the contract, arrange financing, oversee inspections and handle all the paperwork,” he says. Their goal is to obtain the highest price possible for their sellers in the shortest amount of time.

Afterwards, Darin’s past clients love to spread the word about him. One recently said, “Just purchased my 4th property with Darin and couldn’t have done it without him in this crazy sellers market. I was discouraged by Top Agent Magazine

the competitive market and ready to quit many times, but Darin remained positive, encouraging, and was always ready to write up the next offer. He’s the only agent I trust and will hire him to help me sell this new place someday.” Another wrote, “It is never easy selling or buying a home even under normal circumstances.

My husband and I had a very challenging situation put on us to sell our sons home.

There were many obstacles that we had to handle and Darin was there for us every step of the way. He went over and beyond to help us get through this difficult time in our lives. He was the perfect person for the job. We highly recommend Darin Brin.”

Looking towards his next chapter, he hopes that his team will continue expanding and reaching great heights.

“Our plan is to grow it tenfold,” he says. Along the way, he will enjoy the journey, as he truly loves what he does.

“What I find the most rewarding is the connections we have with our clients. It’s so important to have that oneon-one time with them, and seeing them happy is what keeps us going.”

For more information about Darin Brin and Discover PHX Team, please email darin@discoverphx.com, call 480-455-2578 or visit discoverphx.com https://

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 21

Modern Email Etiquette for Today’s Agents In today’s tech-forward culture, consumers are constantly inundated with promotional emails, alerts, invites, and social media blasts. As a real estate agent or a loan officer, how do you stand apart from the noise? What’s more, how do you stay relevant in a digital landscape that’s constantly changing?

For starters, there are a few timeless techniques you can apply to up your skillset when it comes email and digital communication: asking questions that 22

inspire conversation, politeness, and following up regularly—to name a few. Likewise, there are surely new tricks you can add to your arsenal to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s outline a few ways you can refine and update your email etiquette to compete in today’s virtual marketplace.

Make your subject line count Too often, we labor over the content of our emails without giving much thought to subject lines.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity.

However, these little headlines can go a long way in luring the consumer to open your email and ultimately click through to your website in search for your services. An enticing subject line should be short and sweet, ideally less than fifty characters.

You might also include the name of the recipient, and be up front (though concise) about the subject matter of your message. Remember: the first thing a client will see is your name and subject line—be sure to make this prime real estate shine.

Think mobile Research tells us that 79% of Americans check their phones within fifteen minutes of waking up. In fact, much of modern day correspondence occurs by smartphone. Accordingly, you’ll want to account for email readability on a mobile phone.

For instance, incorporating paragraph breaks for each new thought allows information to be parceled out in a palatable way for readers utilizing small screens. Also, any sort of graphic flair or links within your email should be shortened and streamlined for mobile consumption. Send yourself an email every now and again and access it from your phone—you’ll be able to double-check that all the elements of your emails are working well on a mobile platform.

Incorporate email tools There are excellent tools out there to enhance your email experience. With just a quick download, Top Agent Magazine

you can add spellcheck, a URL address shortening feature, or a delay option that holds emails for thirty seconds before they’re sent. Think about the possibilities! Haven’t you sent an email without including the attachment you intended, or realizing you sent correspondence to the wrong client? If that’s the case, a delay feature can help you save face and build in a window for error— just in case. Regardless of which tools speak to your email habits, there are plenty of add-ons out there that can revamp your digital correspondence style.

Use email to maximize your online presence These days, there are plenty of ways to communicate—email, text, phone, apps, and social media.

When you interact through email, consider it an opportunity to invite your client to follow you elsewhere online. Ensure that your email signature includes unobtrusive, streamlined links to your social media accounts, professional website, or review page. This will build in an opportunity for clients to engage with your brand, and you may even add an online follower for the long term.

Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity. Keep these approaches in mind as you reenergize your email technique and fortify your communication in the digital era.

Top Agent Magazine ®

23

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine