CANADA 12-21-20

CANADA EDITION

INCORPORATING CHARITABLE GIVING IN YOUR REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

Uncommon Contact: Connecting With Clientele Through Social Media

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HOW TO MAKE GOOGLE DO THE WORK FOR YOU

FEATURED AGENTS

SCARLETT BARBER JULIO BORSELLINO PETER JOUDAKI KAREN MacDONALD DEVIN NEWMAN TERENCE TAIT JEFF USHER

COVER STORY

DUANE RITTER

CANADA EDITION

JULIO BORSELLINO

Top Agent Julio Borsellino – of Keller buyers to visit th 17 Prestige in Quebec, Canada – 29 Williams their own home, a is a hardworking, multilingual, deeply virtual reality he knowledgeable real estate advocate who strategies like usi works hard to ensure that each of his many raphy and video buyers and sellers reach their real estate is shown in its ve goals. Exhibiting impressive professioncombines to transl alism, coupled with a highly personable dollar, not to ment demeanor, Julio has built a thriving busi23 and ness on a solid foundation of honesty When he’s not wor the utmost integrity.

Having earned ing time with his w PETER JOUDAKI his DUANE ac RITTER SCARLETT BARBER PETER JOUDAKI JULIO JEFFBORSELLINO USHER ANGELL HASMAN & ASSOCIATES stellar reputation during the course of his is also a fan of spo almost-decade long career in real estate, found playing bas Topbeen Agentknown Devin Newman – of Coldwell door locktoatassisting eight o’clock at night,” ong She finds there it Aincredibly gratifying to have longtime entrepreneur, Jeff Usher first and are few better suited buyers sellers heboarding.accessibility He also giveswhen back th 30 33 an interest 34 indus37 By providing them w Realty in Leduc, Alberta recalls with smile, I’m always took in the real with whatthat might possibly be athe largest“and investment or both Keller William’s famous R ed Banker agents Haida in York her own business allows her toestate help is a helped truly dedicated real estate profesavailable for anything they might need.”a portion rience, try in when he acquired The House hesale can toensure purchase of their lives. of every Mon ed -and her her community.

“I1992, love my work.

I couldn’t Finder, a private company. home investment that sional who cares about the wellbeing of He sale alsoconsulting delivers gifts to past and currentthe homeless. r real estate needs have done it Quickly, for thirty years ifthe I didn’t love the Born and raised interests. in the “Everyone Yukon, business Julio began he hislearned career in real estate from back in 2011, pumpkin while his many grateful clients. With a focus clients on holidays, including sult of the caring, it,” she says.

“Asstill aup single mom of professional three,up his Terence and built robust Shelley and myself has been infuture sales he ground was at University finishing bachelor’s Tait Julio’s plans for the ofdirh on providing top-of-the-line customer pies onaThanksgiving. network throughout the region. clients can reach ides with calming it was really important to me that I could degree in Economics. “I always wanted to be own life. helping and family tousin hismywhole Atfriends the start of his service, Devin has built a thriving a question or need I figured that real estate wasand a great vehicle a second business venture head h sive ninety-five create my boss, own and schedule and work around business on a foundation of honesty, Honesty, integrity a career, fierce to work he was theoftop Ready to take the next step, Jeff sold The are salesman done.” build a legacy,” says Julio. “From that point on, I made a coaching deals newer, less-seaso omes from repeat my family.

I’m just an entrepreneur at heart. integrity and sheer hard work. ethic are just a few the reasons behind for his local General House Finder andfull-time joined Grape Vineof Home and manager commitment to go intofurther real estate.” putting together an equally-d found if you love I work hard, and so I get results.”stellar To Devin’s success story. Otherwho shareInhishisclient-first Marketing Consultants (now Grapevine decades of pro busine Motors Dealership; however, heou KAREN acDONALD DEVIN NEWMAN TERENCE TAIT JEFFnegoUSHER e of them, you’re give back to the community, Karen sponRealty Inc.), where he currently collaboJeff has earned an Devin began his journey in M real estate in factors would be his exceptional Since becoming licensed, Julio – who is multilingual however, is his unstated, overa rates with antiation elite team, his Shelley, throughout with overw came to take an Ottawa, interest inthereal 2018, following skills comprehensive, alty,” Karen says. a long stint as Owner sors Markham Stouffville Hospital, asand wellhis (English, French, Italian) –including has built his wife business that providing his many clients wit to assist clients throughout Ottawa.

In his thirty years his volume coming from either re of a construction unturned approach toserviceathat estate through friend’s is basedteams. almostleave-no-stone entirely upon repeat clients, referrals has long recombeen his c their needs and company. “Real estate as local sporting She provides meals in the business, he has truly seen it all as he morrals.

But through it all, he mostly CONTENTS positive word of mouth, anlistings, impressive feat by any is something that I always wanted to marketing his which combined omise.” to the less and fortunate Scott Mission, Most offostered all, Terence phed fromthrough a For Sale

By Owner consultantmendation. to a full relationships along the w measure, but more so in the highly fickle, competido,” he recalls, “so I decided to get my license.”

Since translate into fast sales for top dollar, not to mention and through Century 21 service she donates Easter “Because Seals. Inof the amount Broker to of Record. of with clients, be them repeat new was drawn to the industry fororthe tive world of real estate.

“I GOOGLE think it could be about my 4) 3 MENTAL TRICKS THAT WILL TAKE 20) ADWORDS: HOW then, Devin has quickly ascended to the top of his new happy – and returning and referring – customers. time we’ve been operating, we’ve been able to build a career, I’ve had the privilege of h ith real estate all her life. “I her cherished free time, she loves to travel, read, andasked attention to detail,” says Julio, when how heofDO hascommunications way ithe balanced histrust love with his YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL TO MAKE GOOGLE THE WORK profession, based in large part on his sincere desire legacy in our city,” says.

“Our clients that they listings, but the people are always bought, sold, and renovated escape to her cabin up north with her family.

“I don’ttrust and loyalty inspire such impressive for serving inhishis hometown community.

“So I can come topassion usactively for hands-on approach, personalized to In this business, no two transactio to help his many buyers and sellers achieve their real managed Devin is toalso involved with community, FOR YOU We spent our Sundays going get there as often as Iamongst would like hebut I love andmy it professionalism those works with,it“and their needs.” estate goals. Going above and beyond is the hallmark and and he has spent two years sitting on the committee 6) INCORPORATING CHARITABLE to HOW stop selling vehicles start selling houses,” theIway I decided communicate with my clients.

I try to go and I’ve always liked décor and places provides the rechargingforthat need.”

26) TO RECOGNIZE TRUE Outside of his career, Jeff is con of Devin’s approach, andINwhat him squarely theand non-profit charity Teen Challenge, which raises GIVING YOUR REAL ESTATE above beyond for them to ensure that every transacheasays.

“The rest history.”

When listing home, Jeff and his is team deliver a opportunities to give back to h hing I always knew I wanted LUXURY PROPERTIES head and shoulders above much of his competition. money to helpand change people’s lives by estate providing a PRACTICE tion is seamless stress-free.

For to me, real has recently, wealth of resources and strategies their clients. On for example, he convert my real estate career until I For the future, Karen will continue providing the same Christian based addiction rehabilitation program. always been about creating strong relationships.” top of providing widespread exposure through their bus bench 31) CREATIVE MEDITATION FORadvertising to messag

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KAREN M

DEVIN NEWMAN DONALD

TERENCE TAIT

little bit more life experience to herToday, clients,Terence giving them is ESTATE theover Broker andline part Owner of the hisCovid ownc Serving a market that extends high for quality, aCONTACT: large boutique radius service 15) UNCOMMON MLS systems, they also share a property targeted workers during THE REAL PROFESSIONAL her full attention so she can help them make their real n to the U.S. with small chilThere are many other factors that have played a large around the city of Edmonton, Devin’s professionalism When Devin isn’t working or giving back his time, he CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE digital and RE/MAX franchise, where supervises a growing social media campaigns.

Moreover, theyhe with clients, he can be found fis role in Julio’s continuing and4 ever-growing success story, For more Ju estate dreams uable that SOCIAL haspersonal translatedexperience into a business that is based in come large true. enjoys nothing more than spending time with his wife generate even more buzz around the house through with his three teenage children or THROUGH MEDIA 35) WAYS TO WIN THE BATTLE team towould assist clients throughout Whitehorse about and the and chief among them be his embrace of new professional signage and word of PROCRASTINATION mouth fishing, campaigns his twoplease golden retrievers. uponassist returning clients and referrals, a significant and kids, enjoying weekend getaways; hiking e topart better clients going call his offic AGAINST surrounding In hiswho ten years of professional expeparticularly in the areas. marketing arena, which to camping the surrounding neighbourhoods.

But beachievement in not the on highly competitive world of real technology, and are particular passions ofJeff, the family. business is based transor forward, email him directly includes scans of each property that allows potential lieves in providing a competitive commission for his Going has three strong rience, he has seen it all, ranking among theJefftop estate. she “Forbuilds me, it’swith all about ionships her the customer service,” home sellers, also offers a special DIY service, which of his business. As his volume Phone 310-734-1440 310-734-1440 when asked how he manages| Fax to achieve Devin’s plans for the future his business are fairly Realtors in hisofterritory in each ofgrowth, the past five years. e tosays getDevin, to know them, so that empowers his clients to undertake the sale on their he intends on expanding Copyr such impressive levels of trust and loyalty.

“I always straightforward and in keeping with his client-first own with support from the brokerage, and even con- in the Brockville/Kingston area and help them achieve their mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com put myself in my clients’ shoes, because it’s not like business to continue growing his busiduct theirphilosophy: own open houses. the Hawkesbury east of Otta at the deal, I’m focused on the When listing a home, Terence utilizes his elitearea marketing No portion issueevery may beday, reproduced in anyness manner whatsoever without consent of the customer publisher.

Top Agent someone buys or sellsofathis house and they while sacrificing noneprior of the incredible though, he is more than satisfied w process—it takes as long as it team to give his clients a nationwide and international is published Feature my Publications Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy published Elsewhere, Jeffbecome values open communication and andofcareer he has forged in the to have many Magazine questions.

I alwaysbyanswer phone GA,service that has synonymous with his name. ovewhen and my clients know this.” materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. reach. After providing his sellers with professional they call.”

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

“I truly lovephotography real estate and people,” says Devin, hishe proceeds to share and videography, sincerity obvious. “I get to wake To uplearn everymore day about and Jeff Usher theiremail properties via targeted digital andorsocial media jeff@grapevine.ca, call (613) 291-3272 visit grapevine.

Published in the U.S. andDevin professional approach also works hard to to maintain the relationships es ahemarketing company called forms with his clients, ones that far transcend the help create buzz about closing “I’ve beeneach known to help a client fix a 2table. at photographs, create single sh it out to all the important

help people achieve their goals and dreams. That’s campaigns across more than thirty Meanwhile, pretty exciting.”

Topwebsites.

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his carefully constructed listing strategies are sure to Copyrigh maximize the value of any home.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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3 Mental Tricks That Will Take Your Business to the Next Level It’s no secret that running a successful business requires careful planning and a tireless work ethic. Beyond those obvious ideals, it also takes the right mindset in order to capitalize on professional opportunity. In the world of real estate and mortgage lending, mental fortitude is a major component to reaching the next 4

level and achieving longevity in a sector that requires so much self-discipline. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few key mental tricks you can employ to reinvigorate your working philosophy. Incorporate these techniques into your daily mindfulness routine and your business will surely benefit.

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Visualization helps you work efficiently and keep your cool.

This may sound like one of the oldest tricks in the book, but there’s a reason why Olympic athletes and those serving in first-responder positions use visualization as a time-honored mental technique. Not only does visualizing your daily tasks help you organize your mind, but it amps up your ability to focus on what’s important. Visualization also helps reduce stress in the moment, since you’ve already created a mental expectation of the task ahead. Whether you’re preparing for a negotiation or a pitch to new a client—visualization primes your brain and affords you an extra sense of control as you tackle your day.

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Distill concepts into their simplest terms for ultimate understanding.

As an agent or loan officer, you’re likely juggling numerous clients and commitments on any given day. That’s why it helps to distill your responsibilities in clear, definitive terms. Let’s say you have a meeting set with a client to outline a marketing approach for their property. You may understand the broad strokes, but beforehand, try verbalizing the exact takeaways you’d like to impart to your client.

This may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to clarify your communication and ensure your com-

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plete understanding of a subject is to explain it aloud in its simplest terms. This crystallizes your main point and can come in handy if you drift off-topic or need to double-down on your message.

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Accept that mistakes will be made.

While it’s natural to fear failure, sometimes the dread of making an error can overwhelm your ability to perform. As the saying goes: don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

If you accept in advance that set-backs will occur, challenges will come, and things won’t always go accordingly to plan—you’ll be less confounded when hurdles do arise. What matters is keeping an even keel as you sort through unexpected delays or mishaps. Accepting that mistakes will happen allows you to shift your focus towards a solution or contingency plan. In other words, don’t spend your energy trying to achieve perfection. Aim high and work hard, but be in touch with reality: upsets are bound to occur. Accept this and you’ll be ready when they do.

The path to lasting success is ongoing, and there are bound to be challenges along the way. It takes mental fortitude to make it to the top, so keep these tricks in mind as you continue to grow as a person and a professional. Seeing situations in a new light can make all the difference as you adapt, evolve, and take your business to the next level.

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Incorporating Charitable Giving in Your Real Estate Practice

As real estate professionals, taking part in the community and serving others is central to a long-lasting practice. After all, agents are in the business of homeownership, building a financial future, and helping their clients begin new and fruitful chapters. With that in 6

mind, how might an agent deliver that spirit of service in a broader sphere?

The truth is, charitable giving offers nothing but upsides. Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it

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Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network.

also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network. If charitable giving is an idea you’ve toyed with, or a practice you’ve engaged in only now and again, here are a few ways to make it a foundational element of your business and a win-win for all.

Find causes that speak to you.

Donating funds or resources can feel anonymous if you’re divorced from the organization you’re working with. While national and international charitable organizations are certainly effective and worthwhile, you might consider partnering with local chapters of those organizations, or identifying hyper-local organizations that address need in your state, county, town, or even your own neighborhood. The first step to establishing a charitable relationship is to find a cause that you genuinely care about. For many, animal rescue is a tangible cause where resources and volunteership are always welcome. For others, children’s health and advocacy is a calling. Regardless Top Agent Magazine

of your personal passion, participation can be big or small. From sponsoring a local youth sports league to partnering with an area animal shelter for their annual spay-athon event—there are all sorts of ways to make a difference.

Unite your team for the common good.

One way to make charitable giving a staple is to do it in arm and arm with others. Supporting a local cause is a great way to bring your team together in a unifying capacity. Hosting coat drives in winter, blanket drives for local animal shelters, or backpack drives for needy students at the start of the new school year— all are straightforward and highly useful, direct ways to give to your community as a team. It’s also important to set collective goals as a way of keeping people motivated and accountable over time. Offices are productive, but often hectic spaces.

Injecting a collective goal with a positive, tangible result can create an ambiance of goodwill and generosity—both of which are worthwhile attributes to cultivate as

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the leader of your team. Lastly, consider timely giving as a way of connecting your team to their community. Natural disasters, local fundraising drives, and improvement funds are all direct ways your team can contribute, while they themselves reap the benefit in the community.

Include clients in the process.

You’ve likely heard of charitable donations made in the name of your client as an alternative to the classic closing gift, but there are a few ways you might update this method of giving. For starters, consider including your clients in the selection process. Do they have a special cause that’s close to their hearts? Likewise, you might

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consider making regular, consistent giving a part of your routine post-closing. Instead of following up with your yearly poinsettia plant or pumpkin, you might find a cause in their neighborhood or township that you can support in their name. It’s wise to choose something apolitical, but a cause that’s hyperlocal to their area demonstrates unique thoughtfulness.

There are plenty of ways in which society as a whole can benefit from charitable causes that build goodwill in the world, support those less fortunate, and bolster a positive future. Incorporating charitable giving in your business model is a generous way to make this mentality a central tenet of your team and a defining characteristic for your clients to remember.

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DUANE RITTER Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Duane Ritter is consistently ranked in the top five of agents in the Edmonton area. He has also been recognized as one of RE/MAX Top 100 Agents World Wide.

While working in construction with his father and brother, Duane quickly developed his strong work ethic. In 1984, he decided to shift his focus to a career in real estate. Although he missed watching homes being built through the construction process, he was pleased to replace this with seeing a real estate transaction through completion from start to finish.

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Duane is one of the top real estate agents in Edmonton, and is consistently ranked in the top five of agents in the area. He has also been recognized as one of RE/MAX Top 100 Agents World Wide.

Duane looks after all of his own business and is “hands-on� from the start to finish of each transaction. He primarily focuses Top Agent Magazine

on corporate sales including lender’s solicitors and other professionals. When Duane works for a client he is proactive and efficient; clients do not have to ask him to do anything, he is always “client-focused.” “I Top Agent Magazine

really try to service my clients, they know if they give me the opportunity, it will be done promptly and efficiently!” His clients definitely note that he always goes the extra mile to maintain the efficiency of a transaction 11 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Duane’s clients definitely note that he always goes the extra mile to maintain the efficiency of a transaction and provide a stress-free environment. and provide a stress-free environment for his clients which has led to plenty of repeat and referral business.

Duane is extremely goal-orientated; he likes to get things completed accurately and efficiently! One way in which he consistently meets his goal of having successful transactions that best suit the client is through the marketing of his properties. He recognizes that in today’s market, online advertising is crucial, so in addition to traditional Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

techniques such as placing signage and posting properties on MLSÂŽ, Duane will hire a professional photographer and utilizes his personal website, www.ritterhomes.com, and social media platforms such as Twitter to increase the number of views on a property. The same processes, systems, and attention to detail does not change from a $40,000 condo to million dollar homes.

Duane loves his job, even when it sometimes feels like he is constantly working.

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But as he says about real estate, “it’s not my life.” Duane is involved with a number of charities including the Kidney Transplant Association, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Additionally, he supports the Stollery Children’s Hospital and is consistently recognized as one of the top ten RE/MAX donors, giving him the title of “Stollery Top Agent Magazine

Kids Agent.” Duane enjoys spending any free time working on old cars and spending time with his wife, family and friends at their cabin at the lake and taking part in outdoor activities such as fishing and boating.

In the future, Duane intends to continue pursuing his career in real estate and expanding his business as long as he has the support Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

from his clients. Even after 36 years, “I still enjoy it,” he explains. Without a doubt, Duane has committed much of his life to his business, but he also recognizes the importance of time well-spent with family and

friends. After all, it was the family business that taught him to be a dedicated worker in the first place. “It is crucial to try to maintain balance in your life,” Duane stresses to all real estate agents.

For more information about Duane Ritter, call 780.940.0202 or email ritter@telus.net RE/MAX Real Estate

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Uncommon Contact:

Connecting with Clientele Through Social Media Social media is one of the newest and most powerful tools in an agent or mortgage professional’s arsenal. With just a few keystrokes, you can stay top-of-mind with buyers, sellers, and borrowers near and far, past and present. The key is knowing how to use these mediums to your advantage, working smarter instead of harder to keep the thread of professional relationships intact. With that in mind, here are a few ways you can maximize the pull and power of social media by shifting just a few of your ideas and practices for the better.

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Not everything has to be about business.

While your relationship with a client or fellow vendor began over the course of business, your relationship going forward doesn’t have to be limited. One of the great things about social media is that’s it’s social. Not every comment, post, or communication has to revolve around your business, its metrics, or turning a sale. In fact, you should do your best to branch out and curate a brand and online identity that’s about who you are and

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the lifestyle you’re authentically interested in living. In that vein, consider interacting with clients in an organically-driven way, encouraging them during life’s milestones, reaching out with a local event, restaurant, or news item that’s relevant to their interests or neighborhood. The goal is to be a persistent presence in their lives without feeling like a talking head. Engage as you would like to be engaged with, as a human being with interests and needs and boundaries. Keep that personal thread in mind and your dynamic will shift from past business contact to present resource.

Expand your medium.

Many Realtors are comfortable on Facebook as an interactive meeting to connect with clients, but there are several other mediums where you can connect with clients both past and present, as well as future. Particularly when courting Millennial clientele, the fastest-growing segment of the buying market, a presence on Instagram and Snapchat are key to finding new faces, demonstrating hot properties, and creating an interactive brand as an agent. Not only does this help when you’re listing a property and seeking potential buyers, but it also serves as a perusable portfolio of your work and real estate prowess. You can also use these mediums to interact with clients on an outlet they might feel most comfortable in. Liking pictures, commenting, streaming Instagram Live home tours and Stories are all ways you can build engagement by simply spreading your social media presence around. Likewise, 16

these photo and video driven mediums are popular for home design ideas, and before and after renovation pictures. When you expand from Facebook into these new platforms, you’ll already have plenty of visual content ready to be transferred and consumed by an expanded audience.

Don’t just react.

Create your own content.

It’s easy enough to post a link to a new listing, or retweet a helpful article on real estate news. Creating your own organic content is a different story, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to luring engagement, ranking higher in search fields, and overall crafting an interactive presence for yourself and your business online—which is where more than 90% of homebuyers and sellers begin their process. Creating your own content can seem risky, or else like no one is listening in a digital world already crowded with information. However, original content is sure to boost personal engagement with your social media pages, guaranteed.

Instead of recycling content, consider posting a video with a Q+A theme for first-time homebuyers, or perhaps posting a live tour of a new listing will perk up your clientele surfing at home.

No matter how you decide to expand your social media presence when it comes to interacting with clients, consistency is key.

Find the ways that work best for you and stick to them, and you’ll watch your audience and business grow in tandem.

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SCARLETT BARBER

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SCARLETT BARBER

Top Agent Scarlett Barber* – of RE/MAX Orchard Country located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia – is an award-winning, hardworking Realtor who is committed to providing her many grateful buyers and sellers with top-of-the-line customer service.

Scarlett, who has been ranked among the top three agents in her market, is that rare breed of agent who truly cares about achieving – and often exceeding – her clients’ real estate goals.

Scarlett - who holds a diploma in Criminal & Social Justice from Okanagan College and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Political Science from the University of Alberta - continually strives to better her industry knowledge. She has earned many prestigious industry designations, including the RSPS (Resort & Second-Home Specialist), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), CNHS (Certified New Home Specialist), RCC (Residential Construction Certified), the RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert), the SRCC (Socially Responsible Children’s Champion), and the CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist). All of this has contributed heavily to her being recognized among the Best of South Okanagan Top 3 Winner in 2020, membership in her company’s 100% Club in 2018 and 2019, and Newcomer of the Year Award for 2018.

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Scarlett – born in San Diego and holding dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada - began her journey in real estate in 2016, following an internship in United States politics. “I was looking for a career, and figured I needed to do something in the meantime,” she recalls. “Real estate was always a passion of mine, even when I was younger. I have been involved with rentals and flipping homes long before I became an agent.”

Since then, Scarlett has built a thriving business on a foundation of honesty, integrity and host of other factors that have fueled her ascent in the industry. Currently, a significant portion of her considerable business is based on returning clients, referrals and positive word of mouth,

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a remarkable achievement in the highly competitive world of real estate. “I think that’s because I always try to help people look at a purchase as a long-term investment, not just short-term, and I work with them to build their real estate portfolio,” says Scarlett, when asked how she has managed to achieve such impressive loyalty amongst those she works with.

“Also,” she continues, “something I’ve heard from my clients is that I’m incredibly flexible. “If a client needs me at nine in the morning or at nine in the evening, my clients know I’m always there for them. It’s not a problem for me as I enjoy what I love.”

There are other factors that have contributed to Scarlett’s ever-growing success story, and chief among them would be her impressive negotiation skills and her leave-no-stone-unturned, intelligent approach to marketing her listings. Combined, these talents translate into quick sales for top dollar, not to mention happy – and returning and referring – clients.

Scarlett, who is also ranked among the top three agents at her brokerage, is a solo agent whose commitment to personally shepherding each transaction through from beginning to end, sells above average sales compared to many of her peers in the industry with equal longevity.

“I’m involved in the transaction from start to finish,” she explains. “If a client asks me a question, I have the answer for them. I don’t have to rely on anyone else, and I think that they appreciate that. You call, email, or text me and you’ll always get myself.”

When she’s not busy making clients happy, Scarlett enjoys traveling, hiking, boating and skiing, among other outdoor activities. She is also an ardent philanthropist who supports multiple organizations, including The Children’s Miracle Network and the animal rescue charities Humane Canada and Angel’s Animal Rescue.

Scarlett, who prides herself on continuing to educate herself about the real estate industry in order to provide more value to her clients, has fairly straightforward plans for her business: to continue growing, and above all, to keep providing the unparalleled customer service that has become her calling card. Anyone looking to buy or sell in Scarlett’s market could do no better than to engage the services of this compassionate and talented real estate professional. *Personal Real Estate Corporation Top Agent Magazine

To reach out to Scarlett Barber* Cell: 778.215.0445 Email: scarlettbarber@remax.net Social Media: @sellwithscarlett Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

Google AdWords:

How To Make Google Do the Work for You There is no denying that the internet is the first place a buyer begins looking for a new home in this digital age. Knowing how to put the powerful tools available on the internet to work for you can give you a decided advantage when it comes to attracting prospective buyers to your listings, as well as you as an agent. Google is easily one of the major superpowers of the internet, and they have one of the most powerful advertising tools available. Knowing how to utilize Google AdWords in the correct manner can make your internet advertising immensely powerful and possibly your best way to reach prospective buyers.

Google AdWords is also extremely cost-effective. This multifaceted tool gives you much more control over your advertising campaign than other more traditional methods. You can target specific audiences, choose the specific search terms, also known as keywords, that will bring up your ad in someone’s search results, and you can set a budget for each campaign that will dictate it’s reach and how long the campaign will run. Here are some tips for how to put Google AdWords to work for you.

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ent websites. You want to set yourself apart from every other real estate website users are viewing in their search for a house.

MAKE SURE YOUR ADS ARE GOING TO SEND USERS TO A SITE THAT WILL CAPTURE THEIR ATTENTION

You can spend an infinite amount of money on Google advertising campaigns, but if those ads don’t send users to a site that will capture and hold their interest, then you’ve just wasted all that money. Don’t put your cart before the horse. Make sure you are considering exactly where these ads are going to send users. To set up your website for success, at the very least you want to make sure users are greeted by clear call-to-action, such as a message that will encourage them to sign up for your newsletter or subscribe to your blog. You want to set up your website to maximize and capture the leads the ad campaign sends your way.

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BUILD CUSTOMIZED OR CUSTOM-MADE WEBSITES RATHER THAN TEMPLATE WEBSITES It is easy and tempting to use template websites, or to offer your agents template websites if you are a real estate manager or broker. While this offers a cost-effective solution to providing every agent with a website, it does little to set you or your agents apart and capture the attention of users that are used to seeing a wealth of differ-

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MAKE SURE YOU ARE OFFERING VALUE ON YOUR WEBSITE

Don’t simply use your website as a kind of brag sheet. Let users know what makes your particular services valuable to them. Highlight your expertise in a certain location through tools such as blog posts, providing market updates, or giving pertinent information on a unique type of property. This will ensure that your online advertising campaigns are much more successful.

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LOCATION IS EVERYTHING!

Location is everything in real estate, and the same holds true for Google AdWords. You can target specific locations in your ad campaign. While one approach is to focus on the area around your location, a more advanced approach would be to link AdWords campaigns to your Google My Business account. This is a Google service that includes your address in the ad, allowing people to then click on it and see exactly where you are located on a map.

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USE GOOGLE ADWORDS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS IN GENERAL

Focus an AdWords campaign on expanding your business by incorporating specific zip codes and neighborhoods that will help you establish a presence in an area where you would like to increase your real estate business. Making sure that your ad appears in search results that are related to the real estate in a specific area will help shape the image and brand of your business as well as bring in new leads.

HARNESS THE POWER OF DATA

When you run a Google AdWords campaign Google Analytics captures a wealth of information about your target client demographic.

You can gain real insight into your online visitors, such as when they visit, what they do and look at on your site once they get there, and what search terms they use. You can use all of this information to grow your business. Use Google Analytics to determine which users (location, gender, age) are utilizing specific aspects of your site, such as looking at multiple listings, reading your blog, etc. You can then use this information to target these specific demographics in your AdWord campaigns, Gmail ads, the Google Display Network, and other advertising.

Using the internet to help advertise your business and your listings is one of the smartest moves you can make as an agent in this modern age. However, you don’t want to simply go into the process blind or you’re wasting a lot of potential resources and data that could make all the difference. To reap the benefits of Google AdWords, you must apply an intelligent strategy to using these campaigns.

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PETER JOUDAKI ANGELL HASMAN & ASSOCIATES

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PETER JOUDAKI

When working in sales at a tech company left him feeling unfulfilled, Peter Joudaki knew he needed to make a change. At the age of 23 he decided to join the real estate industry. Although it seemed like a risky move at first, he learned the ropes quickly and made some decent income in his first year. Peter’s been in the business 14 years now, and is Principal and Partner of the Progressive Vancouver Team with his longtime friend and business partner Marc Burrows, serving clients throughout the North Shore and Vancouver.

Part of Peter’s success is attributed to his extensive customer service. The Progressive Team offers clients a white glove service utilizing their established connections throughout the city to produce results and provide the highest level of customer service, attention to detail, courtesy and discretion. So it’s no surprise that Peter and Marc have a great network of repeat and referral customers. “I love the variety of people we meet in this business. I’ve actually become good friends with many of our clients.” And Peter’s friendships extend past the transaction. His team sends out thoughtful gifts on client’s birthdays as well as their first year anniversary of the purchase of their home. The team also hosts client appreciation events and even treats many of them to nice dinners and lunches. A competitive spirit is a great characteristic to have in the real estate industry, and Peter has plenty of it.

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“I’m constantly looking to achieve more. I’m never satisfied with the status quo. We’re always working to be different, stand out amongst the competition and set new standards as we continue to build the business.”

Part of that process is their top tier comprehensive marketing package, which includes digital marketing through social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube, as well as their own professional website with high quality photography and videos. Their properties have been featured in many major publications including The Daily Mail UK, Vancouver Luxury Living, Real Estate Weekly, and the Vancouver Sun. Peter also utilizes his large international network of

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real estate professionals and investors to help market some of his incredible properties to a global audience. All the efforts have paid off in the end as last year The Progressive Team attained a $100 million in sales and were ranked among the Top Agents in Greater Vancouver.

Although Peter appreciates being able to make a nice living, he’s far more concerned with his ability to decide what he does with each of his days. “I love the freedom of having my own schedule. I essentially get to hang out and help my friends for a living,” he says. And he’s happy that his career gives him the ability to help others, which is why every year his business partner and him host a large event to raise money for a variety of charities. Peter also recently got involved in a mentoring program for at-risk youth, where he spends time talking to kids who lack male role models. And when he’s not working or volunteering, he loves to play golf, ride his road bike and snowboard. He also enjoys traveling the world, with Europe, Turkey and Mexico being amongst some of his favorite destinations.

In the future Peter looks forward to growing the business, but he’s also interested in becoming a mentor and helping others become successful. When he started out, he made a list of all the big agents he knew of and called them one by one, wanting to learn everything from them. Although many of his calls went unanswered and ignored, it only took one “Yes” for him to be able to learn and gain the necessary experience to attain the success he has now. His message to other young agents is: “Success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to learn how to overcome rejection and disappointment. I’ve had many failures, and so have many of the most successful people I know personally. It’s important to believe in yourself and know deep down that you can do it. You must learn from your mistakes. If you’re in this for the money, you will miss out on the most important and rewarding part of this business: the human connection.”

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To learn more about Peter Joudaki and his team please call (604) 779–6306, email pj@progressivevancouver.com, or visit ProgressiveVancouver.com www.

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How to Recognize True Luxury Properties What to Consider Other Than Location When luxury home buyers are looking for a new abode, they are often advised to pay most of their attention to location, location, location. And it’s true that good locations often have better properties, but if you’re only looking at location then you might be forgetting what it is in a luxury property that makes it luxury. You could view a property in a great location, and because you completely ignored any of the other factors that make a property high end, you might find that once you move in, you aren’t as pleased with the actual house itself as you thought you would be. Here are the other things you should look out for when purchasing a luxury home: • Architectural Uniqueness: The simple fact is that good

architecture retains its value. Do your homework on architects and find the ones that have a good track record of designing beautiful, but practical homes. Don’t simply pay attention to how the building looks today. Consider how it will look in a few decades. Keep an eye out for the “bones” of the building, and decide whether they will stand the test of time or not. Things such as a solid foundation, high-grade materials, unusual details, and artistic components are good aspects to consider.

Will the structure hold up well or will it degrade and crumble without constant upkeep? That funky molding may look artistic today, but in ten years will it be considered artistic or just plain weird?

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• Practical Layout: Make sure you have enough room to live

in comfort. As a buyer of luxury property, you probably have quite a busy social schedule. You want to make sure that the layout will lend itself to helping you maintain clear separation between your social areas and private ones. You don’t want guests having to go back into your bedroom to use the bathroom. Look out for places with stairwells, awkward columns, long hallways, and other wastes of space.

• Unobstructed Views and Light: You want to live in

a home that gives you lots of natural light, such as one that is open to the outdoors. That natural light will improve your mood, as well as the resale value. The openness of a space filled with natural light will make you feel more comfortable and happy in your new home. What about the view? Do you see a Do you park, a bridge, a river, or a skyline? Is the see a park, fantastic view out your window protected? a bridge, You’ll need to understand the surrounding air a river, or a rights and zoning allowances of neighboring buildings to understand the possible risks. skyline?

• Windows: Windows are the primary source of losing heat and

cooling. Make sure they are double-paned with good insulation that will protect your home against weather and noise. Unless the windows are already like this, it is unlikely that the condo or co-op board will allow you to install your own.

• Ceiling Height: Consider the cubic footage of the property.

You want to look for high ceilings that increase the openness of a room.

Of course, you don’t want to go too high. Above 14 feet will get you diminished marginal returns.

• Storage: If you’re a woman, you will understand this one. We need

lots of closets and additional storage room to fit all of our clothes, shoes, jackets, hats, purses, etc. However, lucky for you, your potential home’s existing closet square footage will not limit you from putting in more storage space. Custom closet companies can create any kind of storage

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space you desire. You will have to, however, make sure that your new home does have an area that you can turn into this storage space.

• In-Unit Laundry: In-unit laundry has become necessary for

any luxury home or apartment. Do you really want to have to trek down flights of stairs to use the basement laundry? If you still consider it wasted space, you can convert it into more closet space.

• The Gym: Having a fitness area nearby is an amenity that is especially

important, particularly in winter when you don’t feel like walking to the gym a few blocks down.

One thing to consider is the Do you really want of the gym in relation to have to trek down size to the size of the building in flights of stairs? light of common area fees.

• Move-In Ready: I’d advise against buying time-consuming and

frustrating fixer-uppers no matter how much you want to add custom kitchens, finishes, fixtures, and other characteristics. Choose a property that already has all of these amenities taken care of. These properties have already had the same designers you would hire fashion the house at a fraction of the cost you would pay to have them do it after you move in. In this light, it is worthwhile to pay a little extra for the move-in ready home.

• Reputation: Pay attention to the reputation of the building. A

property that has a good reputation tends to retain its value. You can easily find this out online on posts, and established locals are likely to have an opinion.

If you want to buy luxury property that is really worth it’s price, then I would suggest adding these points to your list of things your new home must have.

If you want to get a high quality home that is a true luxury, you’ll want to watch out for these aspects as well as the location. Some properties might claim to be luxury based on their location, but when compared against this list, they don’t make the cut. So, don’t be fooled by imposters, and make sure you find a true high-end property.

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JULIO BORSELLINO Top Agent Julio Borsellino – of Keller Williams Prestige in Quebec, Canada – is a hardworking, multilingual, deeply knowledgeable real estate advocate who works hard to ensure that each of his many buyers and sellers reach their real estate goals. Exhibiting impressive professionalism, coupled with a highly personable demeanor, Julio has built a thriving business on a solid foundation of honesty and the utmost integrity. Having earned his stellar reputation during the course of his almost-decade long career in real estate, there are few better suited to assisting buyers and sellers with what might possibly be the largest investment or purchase of their lives.

Julio began his career in real estate back in 2011, while he was still at University finishing up his bachelor’s degree in Economics. “I always wanted to be my own boss, and I figured that real estate was a great vehicle to build a legacy,” says Julio. “From that point on, I made a commitment to go full-time into real estate.”

Since becoming licensed, Julio – who is multilingual (English, French, Italian) – has built his business that is based almost entirely upon repeat clients, referrals and positive word of mouth, an impressive feat by any measure, but more so in the highly fickle, competitive world of real estate. “I think it could be about my attention to detail,” says Julio, when asked how he has managed to inspire such impressive trust and loyalty amongst those he works with, “and my professionalism and the way I communicate with my clients. I try to go above and beyond for them to ensure that every transaction is seamless and stress-free. For me, real estate has always been about creating strong relationships.”

There are many other factors that have played a large role in Julio’s continuing and ever-growing success story, and chief among them would be his embrace of new technology, particularly in the marketing arena, which includes scans of each property that allows potential Top Agent Magazine

buyers to visit the home without leaving their own home, and can even be used with virtual reality headsets. Of course, other strategies like using professional photography and video ensure that each listing is shown in its very best light. All of this combines to translate into fast sales for top dollar, not to mention happy clients.

When he’s not working, Julio enjoys spending time with his wife and their son, and he is also a fan of sports who can frequently be found playing basketball, soccer or snowboarding. He also gives back to his community through both Keller William’s famous Red Day, and by donating a portion of every sale to Montreal charities benefiting the homeless.

Julio’s plans for the future of his business are threefold: helping friends and family to invest in real estate through a second business venture he has created, continuing his coaching of newer, less-seasoned agents; and finally, putting together an equally-dedicated team of agents who share his client-first business ethos. Most important, however, is his unstated, overarching goal: to continue providing his many clients with the excellent customer service that has long been his calling card.

For more about Julio Borsellino, please call his office 514-426-0047 or email him directly Juliob@kw.com 29 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

KAREN MacDONALD Karen MacDonald has long been known as one of the most trusted agents in York region where she has lived and helped her fellow residents with their real estate needs for three decades. As a result of the caring, attentive service she provides with calming relatability, an impressive ninety-five percent of her business comes from repeat and referral clients. “I’ve found if you love your clients and take care of them, you’re rewarded with their loyalty,” Karen says.

“You need to anticipate their needs and deliver more than you promise.”

She’s been fascinated with real estate all her life. “I grew up in a family that bought, sold, and renovated houses,” she explains. “We spent our Sundays going to open houses together. I’ve always liked décor and design. So it was something I always knew I wanted to do. I waited to launch my real estate career until I was in my thirties with a little bit more life experience including a job relocation to the U.S. with small children. This too was a valuable personal experience that I could bring to the table to better assist clients going through transitions.” Her business is based not on transactions, but on the relationships she builds with her clients. She takes the time to get to know them, so that she can fully understand and help them achieve their goals. ““I’m not looking at the deal, I’m focused on the people. I never hurry the process—it takes as long as it takes to make the right move and my clients know this.”

Karen takes a thorough and professional approach to marketing listings. She uses a marketing company called Spotlight/Homeania to help create buzz about each property. “They take great photographs, create single listing websites, and push it out to all the important online portals,” she explains. Karen also conducts a thorough campaign for each listing on social media.

She usually closes over twenty transactions a year and is proud to have earned the prestigious Centurion Award for twenty-one consecutive years while with Century 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. 30

She finds it incredibly gratifying to have her own business that allows her to help her community. “I love my work. I couldn’t have done it for thirty years if I didn’t love it,” she says. “As a single mom of three, it was really important to me that I could create my own schedule and work around my family. I’m just an entrepreneur at heart.

I work hard, and so I get results.” To further give back to the community, Karen sponsors Markham Stouffville Hospital, as well as local sporting teams. She provides meals to the less fortunate through Scott Mission, and through Century 21 she donates to Easter Seals. In her cherished free time, she loves to travel, read, and escape to her cabin up north with her family. “I don’t get there as often as I would like but I love it and it provides the recharging that I need.”

For the future, Karen will continue providing the same high quality, boutique service to her clients, giving them her full attention so she can help them make their real estate dreams come true.

For more about Karen MacDonald, please call 905-471-2121, email karen@karenmacdonald.ca, or visit karenmacdonald.ca www.

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Creative Meditation

for the Real Estate Professional The real estate world can be an industry of intense emotional and psychological pressure. Deadlines, meetings, employee needs, client needs and a hundred other items on which one needs to focus on a daily basis can create an environment that is not only not conducive to mental well-being, but can be outright detrimental.

Learning to quiet the mind has been the focus of meditation for millennia. While those not familiar with the concept of meditation may instinctively think of yoga mats, incense, and chanting when the word “meditation” arises, there are in fact, many forms of meditation that can integrate quite Top Agent Magazine

easily into the daily hustle & bustle world of the busy real estate agent.

First, think about when you are alone each day. Here are some possible times to practice mediation during the work day: • When driving to the office in the morning • When driving to a showing or to meet a client • Before your open house begins • After the open house • Driving home in the evening 31

Repeating a mantra can be very calming, particularly when you are trying to rid yourself of negative, self-defeating thoughts.

These are just five examples of times when you can take advantage of meditation techniques to quiet your mind and, by extension, increase productivity. A calm mind is a more thoughtful, better tuned instrument.

Here are some examples of meditations you can try:

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For when you’re driving, download and listen to any number of audio Guided Meditations available on the internet. YouTube has a generous selection of these, many of which are geared towards success in business.

2 Repeating a mantra can be very calm-

ing, particularly when you are trying to rid yourself of negative, self-defeating thoughts. It doesn’t matter what words you choose, as long as you feel good about your choice. “I am a success” or “I will approach all of my clients with love today” are two examples. Whatever works for you and gets you into the desired mindset.

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3 Something as simple as listening to pleasant music in your car can be considered meditation, provided it brings you to a place of comfort as opposed to one of spiritual discordance.

4 The most important thing, however, is to take time to find gratitude in everything you do. Count your blessings, be grateful the exciting career in real estate you have built for yourself.

Once you’ve mastered some of these techniques at quieting your mind, you can attempt to find some that work even better for you. Walking, plain silence, or even exercise can have meditative qualities and benefits if practiced on a regular basis.

When you’re truly feeling calm, your clients can sense this. And with this comes the feeling that you can be relied upon to stay focused and calm in any unforeseen circumstances. And in the world of real estate, that’s a highly prized commodity.

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DEVIN NEWMAN Top Agent Devin Newman – of Coldwell Banker Haida Realty in Leduc, Alberta - is a truly dedicated real estate professional who cares about the wellbeing of his many grateful clients. With a focus on providing top-of-the-line customer service, Devin has built a thriving business on a foundation of honesty, integrity and sheer hard work.

Devin began his journey in real estate in 2018, following a long stint as Owner of a construction company. “Real estate is something that I always wanted to do,” he recalls, “so I decided to get my license.” Since then, Devin has quickly ascended to the top of his new profession, based in large part on his sincere desire to help his many buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. Going above and beyond is the hallmark of Devin’s approach, and what places him squarely head and shoulders above much of his competition.

Serving a market that extends for a large radius around the city of Edmonton, Devin’s professionalism has translated into a business that is based in large part upon returning clients and referrals, a significant achievement in the highly competitive world of real estate. “For me, it’s all about the customer service,” says Devin, when asked how he manages to achieve such impressive levels of trust and loyalty. “I always put myself in my clients’ shoes, because it’s not like someone buys or sells a house every day, and they have many questions. I always answer my phone when they call.”

Devin also works hard to maintain the relationships he forms with his clients, ones that far transcend the closing table. “I’ve been known to help a client fix a

door lock at eight o’clock at night,” he recalls with a smile, “and I’m always available for anything they might need.”

He also delivers gifts to past and current clients on holidays, including pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving.

Honesty, integrity and a fierce work ethic are just a few of the reasons behind Devin’s stellar success story. Other factors would be his exceptional negotiation skills and his comprehensive, leave-no-stone unturned approach to marketing his listings, which combined translate into fast sales for top dollar, not to mention happy – and returning and referring – customers.

Devin is also actively involved with his community, and he has spent two years sitting on the committee for the non-profit charity Teen Challenge, which raises money to help change people’s lives by providing a Christian based addiction rehabilitation program.

When Devin isn’t working or giving back his time, he enjoys nothing more than spending time with his wife and kids, enjoying weekend getaways; fishing, hiking and camping are particular passions of the family.

Devin’s plans for the future of his business are fairly straightforward and in keeping with his client-first business philosophy: to continue growing his business while sacrificing none of the incredible customer service that has become synonymous with his name.

“I truly love real estate and people,” says Devin, his sincerity obvious. “I get to wake up every day and help people achieve their goals and dreams. That’s pretty exciting.”

For more information about Devin Newman, call 780-335-0112 or email Devin.Newman@HaidaRealty.com Top Agent Magazine

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TERENCE TAIT Born and raised in the Yukon, Terence Tait has been in sales his whole life. At the start of his career, he was the top salesman and manager for his local General Motors Dealership; however, he came to take an interest in real estate through a friend’s recommendation. Most of all, Terence was drawn to the industry for the way it balanced his love of communications with his passion for serving in his hometown community. “So I decided to stop selling vehicles and start selling houses,” he says. “The rest is history.”

Today, Terence is the Broker and part Owner of his own RE/MAX franchise, where he supervises a growing team to assist clients throughout Whitehorse and the surrounding areas. In his ten years of professional experience, he has seen it all, ranking among the top three Realtors in his territory in each of the past five years.

When listing a home, Terence utilizes his elite marketing team to give his clients a nationwide and international reach. After providing his sellers with professional photography and videography, he proceeds to share their properties via targeted digital and social media campaigns across more than thirty websites. Meanwhile, his carefully constructed listing strategies are sure to maximize the value of any home.

Elsewhere, Terence is there for his buyers as a guide and advocate throughout the transaction. A lifelong resident of the Yukon area, he offers his clients unmatched insight into the region. Through it all, though, he values honesty and open communication—even once the transaction has ended. “I believe in being direct with people,” he says.

“Above all, it’s my responsibility to keep everyone calm, keep my clients informed and keep the deal moving as smoothly as possible.”

Over the past decade, Terence has earned a terrific reputation throughout the Yukon, as evidenced by his 34

outstanding rate of repeat clients and referrals. While he enjoys all aspects of the real estate industry—from developing a marketing plan to working with first time homebuyers—he takes the most joy from serving his hometown. “I truly care about my community and people,” he says. “Because of that, I’m driven to ensure that my clients are treated properly and everything is on the up and up.”

Outside of his career, Terence’ company is a part of the local Boys and Girls Club. Elsewhere, he contributes to the Whitehorse Firefighter Charitable Foundation and TELUS Ride for Dad foundation, which raises funds to support prostate cancer research. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found spending time in the great outdoors—hunting, fishing or snowmobiling.

Going forward, Terence has strong plans for his business. As he deepens his work with investment properties, he will be looking to bring in more agents while mentoring the up and coming members of his team. But most importantly of all, he will continue serving the community he loves. “It’s not about the transaction; it’s about the person,” he says. “When you’re a Realtor, you’re sometimes balancing fifteen or twenty different transactions, but your client is just doing one. It’s crucial to see things from their perspective and take care of them during the most important deal of their life.”

To learn more about Terence Tait please call (867) 334-6801, email terence@terencetait.ca, or visit terencetait.ca www.

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4 Ways to Win the Battle Against Procrastination One of the most common professional afflictions is procrastination. The funny thing is, everyone knows that procrastination is negative—it’s a waste of time, a creator of stress, and is entirely a problem of our own making.

Still, knowing all of this doesn’t necessarily decrease our odds of procrastination. There are plenty of explanations we give when putting Top Agent Magazine

work off until the last minute. Perhaps you convince yourself that you work best under pressure, but it’s truer that you’re used to working under pressure by necessity. Maybe you’re a perfectionist and the fear of getting it all wrong puts you off from the task. Whatever the justification may be, overcoming procrastination requires some willpower and technique. With

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that in mind, take a look at a few tricks below to jumpstart your motivation and nix the lastminute time crunch. After all, you owe it to yourself and your business to operate like a procrastination-free professional.

1. Make Your Intentions Known As realtors and mortgage professionals, you may serve as your own boss. So, when the time comes to complete a task and you put it off—perhaps you’re only disappointing yourself. This is easily remedied by making a new promise to try again tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s much harder to break promises and commitments to others. Try verbalizing your intent and commitment to your team, or to an assistant who can hold you accountable, or better yet—to a business partner or to a client.

Make a hard deadline public and you’re likely to perform for fear of embarrassment or losing face. In a way, this puts the pressure of expectation on you, instead of the pressure of the ticking clock.

2. Take a Baby Step When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your 36

list can inspire you to continue on to the next item in the spirit of productivity.

3. Work in Windows If work is the last thing you want to do and you can’t seem to self-motivate, make a compromise with yourself. Agree to work just fifteen minutes, and mean it. This tiny window of time is easy enough to complete, isn’t overwhelming, and you’ve already agreed to move on once time is up. The truth? Odds are that just fifteen minutes of active work will inspire you to keep going. After all, the most difficult part of procrastination is getting started. By putting in those fifteen minutes, you’ll trick yourself into diving into the action.

4. Switch Up Your Environment If you’re stuck in rut when it comes to procrastination and productivity, try changing your surroundings. If the office feels stale and stressful, take your work to the nearest coffee shop and try to tackle your tasks there. Perhaps the quiet, studious ambiance of a library can make you focus, or a picnic table outside the office can stimulate the senses. Sometimes changing your scenery can breathe new life into your routine and give you the extra push you need to get work done.

There’s no one way to overcome procrastination.

In fact, it’s likely a lifelong process of building discipline, finding techniques that work for you, and simply prioritizing your time more effectively. Don’t lose hope—remember these tricks and winning the war will be possible, even if you lose a few battles along the way.

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JEFF USHER A longtime entrepreneur, Jeff Usher first took an interest in the real estate industry in 1992, when he acquired The House Finder, a private sale consulting company.

Quickly, he learned the business from the ground up and built a robust professional network throughout the region.

Ready to take the next step, Jeff sold The House Finder and joined Grape Vine Home Marketing Consultants (now Grapevine Realty Inc.), where he currently collaborates with an elite team, including his wife Shelley, to assist clients throughout Ottawa. In his thirty years in the business, he has truly seen it all as he morphed from a For Sale By Owner consultant to a full service Broker of Record. “Because of the amount of time we’ve been operating, we’ve been able to build a legacy in our city,” he says. “Our clients trust that they can come to us for hands-on approach, personalized to their needs.”

When listing a home, Jeff and his team deliver a wealth of resources and strategies to their clients. On top of providing widespread exposure through their MLS systems, they also share a property over targeted digital and social media campaigns. Moreover, they generate even more buzz around the house through professional signage and word of mouth campaigns to the surrounding neighbourhoods. But Jeff, who believes in providing a competitive commission for his home sellers, also offers a special DIY service, which empowers his clients to undertake the sale on their own with support from the brokerage, and even conduct their own open houses.

Elsewhere, Jeff values open communication and

accessibility when helping his buyers.

By providing them with a boutique experience, he can ensure they find the right home investment that speaks to their best interests. “Everyone gets to work with Shelley and myself directly,” he says. “Our clients can reach us whenever they have a question or need advice—even after the deals are done.”

In his decades of professional experience, Jeff has earned an outstanding reputation throughout Ottawa, with the overwhelming majority of his volume coming from either repeat clients or referrals. But through it all, he mostly appreciates the client relationships fostered along the way. “I love meeting with clients, be them repeat or new,” he says. “Over my career, I’ve had the privilege of handling thousands of listings, but the people are always unique to each one.

In this business, no two transactions are alike.”

Outside of his career, Jeff is constantly searching for opportunities to give back to his community. Most recently, for example, he converted all of Grapevine’s bus bench advertising to messages supporting front line workers during the Covid crisis. When he’s not with clients, he can be found fishing, spending time with his three teenage children or playing around with his two golden retrievers.

Going forward, Jeff has strong plans for the future of his business. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he intends on expanding to offer his services in the Brockville/Kingston area south of Ottawa and the Hawkesbury area east of Ottawa. In the meantime, though, he is more than satisfied with the fulfilling life and career he has forged in the town he loves.

To learn more about Jeff Usher email jeff@grapevine.ca, call (613) 291-3272 or visit grapevine.ca.

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