CHICAGO 6-1-20

CHICAGO EDITION

5 Ways to

TRANSFORM RENTERS INTO OWNERS FEATURED AGENTS

JULIA CHEREPOVA TRACY DRISCOLL & DIANE CRISP LEYLA JIMENEZ TERE PROCTOR MICHELLE WARD

3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

COVER STORY

LISA WAGNER & KARI ROGERSON

CHICAGO EDITION

TRACY DRISCOLL & DIANE CRISP Tracy Driscoll and Diane Crisp had 7 been successful real estate17agents both when circumstances brought them together. Their kids were going to the same preschool and these two mothers learned they had a lot in common.

“We had the same goals, “ Diane says, “We were both looking to grow our businesses. Teaming up seemed like a LISA WAGNER JULIA CHEREPOVA great way to make that happen.”

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apart from other a to offer their clien estate technology marketing strategi professional stagi digital marketin photography, prin

They are your tru can guide you thr & KARI ROGERSON world of real es “We are your goThat was eleven years ago and The 25 26 29 MICHELLE W LEYLA JIMENEZ Driscoll Crisp team at Platinum Partners Realtors real estate industry. We are r advice to make you has become one of the most successful teams insight andMichelle Ward began For some, working as a real estate to the property. Her team also uses both in servingagent Chicago’s Suburbs.a Together, career three y is justWestern about making virtual openhappen.” houses to estate showcase the specific after 10 years in logis they have been Chicago living, but awarded for Leylathe Jimenez, it’s Magazine each home. andtime, thenTracy staying at enjoy Five Star Agent Award eight years in a row. They In their free a calling.

After having her first raise her 3 children. reading andclients staying involved have helped of found families in thecontact child inhundreds 2007, Leyla thatand her areLeyla’s with her doesn’t end wi talking with a She enjoys top 1%job of agents in theher area. never gave enough time of a transaction.

Her andtraveling her team with use neigh aher com also works at Coldwe to spend with her baby during the phone calls, texts, emails, and Facebook to Diane enjoys biking LEYLA JIMENEZ TERE PROCTOR MICHELLEchildren.

WARD and suggested she try r Around the same eachand of her former are contacted leas teeringclients and spending timeatwith A deepday. understanding of thetime, localhermarket Michelle ended up ge mom’s houseservice was foreclosed on, andevery year. In addition, she has had a lot of s two children. attention to client sets Tracy Diane license and signing on with the company soo

thereby sparking Leyla’s fledgling Dia de la rosca events to form deeper conn can’t say enough things about Coldwell interest in real estate. InspiredCONTENTS by her mother’s difficul- her clients.

“For agood Dia de la rosca I get togeth Michelle says.

Since her start, she has been ties, and hopeful that a career as an agent would give clients for a party where we share a table-si growing business and helping herit.client 4) 5 WAYS TRANSFORM 20) MAKE MEDIA her theTO flexibility to be more involved in her child’s life, SOCIAL bread thather has a toy baby hidden in Eve their real estate goals.

Leyla decided to get her license. slice, and if you expose theCARD baby then the nex RENTERS INTO OWNERS MARKETING YOUR CALLING you have to host a potluck,” Leyla explain Based in the Homer Glen office southwest of LISTING? Six years and hundredsDIY of transactions later,23) LeylaTHINKING is now been OF a great way for me to connect with my 13) 3 EASY AT-HOME Michelle serves Chicago and all the sur the head of a team at RE/MAX Loyalty that last year deeper level.”

NINE WAYS TO GET READY PROJECTS TO INCREASE suburbs. Michelle has a solid referral base, closed over $10 million in transactions. Leyla’s brother PROPERTY VALUE three years is beginning to see more rep 27) QUALITIES OFshe Efren Conde is her team’s buyer specialist, and4it’s no When Leyla isn’t working, she loves to spen ness. People come back to keep doing busi surprise that they work together. “Our beliefs are based her children and give back to her communi EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES Michelle because they appreciate her comm on family values, and our goal is to portray that to our active member of the PTO at her son’s sc and the level of personalization in her service. clients,” Leyla explains. “Efren is a great asset for our heavily involved with the Spanish Coalition.

“I make myself available as much as I can, a team because |we share not only the same culture but the Phone 310-734-1440 Fax 310-734-1440 what I do very seriously. Selling someone’s same why.” Based out of their office in Logan Square, Looking at the future, Leyla is excited to conti To find out more about Diane toCrisp and Tracy very personal them, so getting back Drisc to them mag@topagentmagazine.com Leyla and her team run |a www.topagentmagazine.com thriving book of business her business so that she can help as many peopl is aat priority for me.” visit driscollcrisp.com, call them (630)842-8258 (Diane) or (63 throughout thereproduced Chicago metro area and will gowithout wherever “I love thepublisher. fact thatTop you can build wealth thr No portion of this issue may be in any manner whatsoever prior consent of the Agent or email tracydriscoll78@gmail.com, dianecrisphomes@ their clients need them. ownership.

Being able to educate my clien Magazine is published

by Feature Publications GA, Inc.them Althoughat precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published Staying inbytouch with past clients is imp materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied itsthe authors. them through process brings me a lot of g Michelle’s approach.

She reaches out regula To subscribe or change address, her sendstalwart inquiry to commitment mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Leyla credits to providing her the tools Coldwell Banker providesCopyrigh to help Published in the U.S. clients with world-class service as being the primary driver track of all her contacts. “About once a mon of her success. “I try to build strong, honest relationships thing goes out to my sphere, including my j with my clients from the beginning, and I teach all of our Top Agent Magazine just sold, so people are aware how active I team members to do the same,” Leyla says. “I treat everyone business,” she says. like they are my mom. I don’t focus on volume, or commiswww.

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TRACY DRISCOLL & DIANE CRISP

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Ways to Transform

Renters into Owners Perhaps the largest demographic of untapped business lies in the rental market. From major cities and suburbs to rural communities—renters across generations are opting to rent rather than own. The question is: why? For starters, many Americans are undereducated about the inventory and financing options available that might suit their budget and lifestyle. Secondly, many would-be homeowners have difficulty 4

visualizing the potential investment of purchasing property, and how homeownership can build wealth and security in the long-term.

As an agent, you’re always on the lookout for potential clientele. Now, to guide renters toward the real estate market, keep a few of these strategies in mind as you meet and greet this untapped demographic.

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Show renters that purchasing a home isn’t impossible

Possibly the biggest hurdle for renters is believing homeownership is possible. Beyond saving for a down payment and boosting credit scores, there are dozen more factors to consider: affording utilities, homeowner’s insurance, renovations, property taxes, and more. Besides that, assembling pay stubs, finding an agent, arranging house tours, negotiating a price, and timing the transition are all major considerations to surmount.

One way to combat this thinking is to make the process transparent and demystified. Find examples of past clients who made the leap successfully, or profile the average buyer in your marketplace and see how that renter compares. Provide evidence that it’s been done before and can be done again, then build a game plan from there.

into play. Consider making a checklist, or step-by-step road-map, that guides clients through the process from start to finish. This way, you’ll manage expectations and create a path to ownership that’s specific, instead of abstract. They won’t have to wonder what goes into buying a home when they can look at an interactive site or read a document and see the steps outlined before them, with you there to guide the way.

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Collaborate with mortgage professionals to find the right financing opportunities

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Help would-be homebuyers create a road-map to ownership

It’s no secret that buying a home can feel overwhelming. Compared to signing a yearlong lease on an apartment, taking on the house-hunting process is a daunting affair.

That’s where your expertise as an agent comes Top Agent Magazine

Many renters aren’t aware of the variety of mortgage financing options out there that cater to first-timers, offer low down payments, or down payment assistance. Most buyers believe that the standard 20% down is a hard and fast rule, when in reality, there’s far more flexibility out there to cater to renters where they are. There are even loan options catering to freelance workers, renovation options, and other unconventional routes to ownership.

Work with a mortgage pro and find the route that suits your renter best.

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pay monthly in a mortgage—while building a lasting asset.

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Compare and contrast rental rates with monthly mortgage payments One way to convince renters to make the shift is to demonstrate the savings potential of paying into a monthly mortgage, rather than throwing away rent on a property they don’t own. To do this, draw up the average rental rates in your area, then find some potential listings that would demand a similar amount in monthly mortgage payments. Sometimes placing these numbers and images sideby-side can prove to renters that what they manage to pay monthly in rent, they can

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Paint the big picture

For most, renting isn’t the most sustainable financial option when it comes to housing.

Rents rise, families grow, and retirement looms.

Building a financial future and homeownership go hand-in-hand. When planned appropriately, buying a home can create a path toward retirement and position homeowners in a better place for further investment in the future. A rental has little security or investment returns to offer, while owning a home makes a renter king or queen of the castle.

Prospecting renters as potential homebuyers may seem like a time-intensive way to cultivate new clients, but logic is on your side.

Keep these tips in mind as you broach the conversation with renters in your hometown.

All it takes is clear-cut value proposition and a listening ear.

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LISA WAGNER & KARI ROGERSON Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agents Lisa Wagner and Kari Rogerson are a mother and daughter team with Weichert RealtorsYour Place Realty, where they collaborate to service clients through the Western Suburbs of Chicago.

Lisa Wagner and her daughter, Kari Rogerson are second and third generation real estate women and lifelong residents of the Oswego-Montgomery area. In 2004, Lisa and her husband began purchasing and listing foreclosure properties. After observing their real estate brokerage, Kari realized that 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

the industry might be a strong fit for her mother and her. “I saw how much fun our Realtors were having with their jobs,” Kari says. “Right away, I wanted to become a part of that.”

So Lisa and Kari decided to go into business together. Today, they are a mother Top Agent Magazine

and daughter team with Weichert Realtors-Your Place Realty, where they collaborate to service clients through the Western Suburbs of Chicago.

When listing a home, Lisa and Kari take a personalized approach, guiding Top Agent Magazine

their clients through the entire process.

Starting out, they assist with rearranging the home and staging it for prospective buyers. Then Lisa and Kari provide professional photography, videography, and drone photography to set a house apart.

Once the whole package is wrapped up, Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

Lisa and Kari have earned an excellent reputation in the Chicagoland area, with the vast majority of their volume coming from either repeat clients or referrals. “We’ve spent a grand total of 45 dollars on advertising,” Lisa says with a laugh. they spread the word about a property via open houses and targeted digital marketing campaigns through social media.

“Social is the most effective way to reach a mass audience,” Lisa says. “We know how to get a home ready to go.”

Meanwhile, when working with buyers, Lisa and Kari always go the extra mile.

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“We don’t think our job is to sell our clients a house,” Lisa says. “Instead, we’re here to help them sign, negotiate and purchase their next home.” Because of their caring approach to client relationships, Lisa and Kari have earned an excellent reputation in the Chicagoland area, with the vast majority of their volume coming from either repeat clients Top Agent Magazine

or referrals. “We’ve spent a grand total of 45 dollars on advertising,” Lisa says with a laugh.

have been able to realize their myriad career accomplishments without each other. They are truly a team.

For Lisa and Kari, though, these long standing client relationships are the best aspect of real estate. “We adore the work,” Lisa says. “Sometimes, it can be frustrating and trying and disappointing. But at the end of the day, we get to help people fulfill their dreams.” Of course, the mother and daughter team also takes pride in their family business. Lisa and Kari both love working together and would not

Outside of their careers, Lisa and Kari strive to give back to their community. During the holidays, they assist the local food pantry with raffle giveaways and fundraising. When she’s not working, Lisa loves to travel, garden and spend time with her husband and grandchildren. Meanwhile, Kari enjoys time at home with her husband, two little boys and their new puppy, Charlie.

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Looking ahead to the future, Lisa and Kari have a straightforward plan. “Keep on keepin’ on,” Lisa says. But the mother and daughter team are not without ambition; they also want hope to build on their award

winning service in the Western Suburbs.

“The dynamic of our partnership truly works,” Kari says. “Together, my mother and I can give a tremendous amount of personal care to all of our clients.”

To learn more about Lisa Wagner and Kari Rogerson email Lisa@yourplacerealty.com or rogersonrealestate@yahoo.com, visit thewagnerrogersonteam.com or call (630) 333-6291 www.

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Top Agent Magazine

3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 14

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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JULIA CHEREPOVA Top Agent Magazine

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JULIA CHEREPOVA

Based out of Chicago, Julia runs a solo business with Re/Max and was honored with a prestigious “Top Producer Award” last year.

Becoming a real estate agent was a dream-come-true for Julia Cherepova. Originally from the Ukraine, she came to the U.S. seeking greater opportunities.

“I never thought in a million years I would come to America,” she says. “We were very poor. I had to start working at thirteen years old. My grandma owned a little store in a small village. My job was to sell food and beverages to students. If I did not sell, I was not paid, so it motivated me to learn how to engage with others and to work very hard.”

After graduating university in 2011 with a degree in finance, she passed her interview with the USA Immigration Council and was granted a visa. “I believed in the American Dream since I was a little girl. Now, I just had to get to America for a chance to live my dreams,” she says.

Though she didn’t speak a word of English, a cousin who supported her quest, loaned her $1,000 dollars to travel. “I will always be grateful to him for 18

believing in me,” she says. “Since arriving in this wonderful country, I have never looked back and I truly know that anything is possible if you believe in it hard enough.”

Julia worked several odd jobs before discovering real estate. “When I was thinking about which profession to pursue, I knew that I wanted something that could best suit my outgoing lifestyle and also allow me to use my personal strengths of problem solving and helping others,” she notes. “I saw real estate as an opportunity to be able to do both.

Nothing feels better to me than helping my clients through one of the biggest decision-making processes of their lives and coming out happy about their decisions.”

Julia obtained her license in 2014 and has been on the road to success ever since. Based out of Chicago, Julia runs a solo business with Re/Max and was honored with a prestigious “Top Producer Award” Copyright Top Agent Magazine

last year. “My volume was over $9,500,000 in one year, all while I was pregnant,” she asserts.

Julia’s esteemed work ethic is so valued by her clients that she estimates her business to be 90% repeat and referral. “I love to help people solve problems,” she states. “I get the most satisfaction out of educating them to make the best decisions.” Julia fluently speaks English, Ukrainian, Polish, Russian and German which helps her clients feel comfortable and make their experience more enjoyable.

One client recently wrote about her experience with Julia: “If I were to describe an ideal realtor, I would use Julia as a perfect example. Julia possess exceptional market knowledge, sharp and realistic negotiating skills, and makes the buying process enjoyable by staying on top of everything. If you are in the market for a sharp realtor to get things done, look no further. Julia is the one.

Julia goes above and beyond to make the process smooth and is super easy to work with.

Highly recommend.”

As a single mother, Julia spends most of her free time with her one-year-old son. “I named him after my cousin, Roman, who helped me make my American dream come true,” she says.

“Roman is my new motivation to achieve even more, not only in my career but as a mother.”

When she is able, she loves to travel. “I’ve been to 12 countries and multiple states,” she says. “I also love dancing, skydiving, and going camping.”

As for the future, Julia hopes to expand her business. “For my dream to continue, I want to grow a powerful team and help hundreds of families each year,” she says.

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To learn more about Julia Cherepova’s email julia@cherepovagroup.com, visit cherepovagroup.com, or call 773-663-0422 www.

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Make Social Media Marketing Your Calling Card These days, it’s no secret that buyers begin their home search online. As the industry continues to take a digital turn, Realtors in the know must learn to utilize a whole new range of tools available to them—and for good reason. Social media is a dynamic hybrid of personal contact and targeted marketing. To make the most of this new medium, agents can’t settle for the occasional post and expect results.

Instead, let’s consider a few techniques that will make your social media presence 20

interactive, unmissable, and effective in generating business.

Your Profile is a Portal Ideally, you’ll have profiles across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and otherwise—but no matter what portal you’re utilizing, make sure your profile page is up-todate, well-curated, and easily navigated.

Consider your profile a landing page.

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Your photo, location, contact information, homepage, and a brief bio should all be readily visible so that potential clients can get an immediate sense for who you are and what your voice is. If a client wants to connect with you, it should be obvious how to do so. You might also incorporate a few savvier tools that make your profile more engaging—like hashtags. These searchable tags can help you lure potential clientele and give your audience a chance to explore deeper. #DreamHome #JustListed and #HomeInspiration are popular, existing tags to choose from, but you can cultivate your own hashtag by consistently tagging posts, which gives clients an extensive thread to comb through.

Interacting with Your Audience Posting regularly is great way to appear in feeds, but engaging with your audience is just as important—and it helps you reach a new audience in the process. It’s a positive start to like your audience’s posts, pictures, and statuses, but commenting takes your engagement a step further and separates you from typical respondents. It’s also important that you diversify your engagements. In other words, don’t center every communication around your business, propositioning your services, or trying to sell. If applicable, present your value-add, but otherwise steer your engagement towards the personal. Let your clients know that you’re there, you’re human, and Top Agent Magazine

ready to work at their pace. Which leads us to our next point...

Blending the Professional with the Personal Engaging with your audience is one thing, but what about generating original content?

How do you strike the right balance between a Call to Action, industry updates, and a personal touch? Think of it this way: any post you create should provide a point of connection for your audience.

Sometimes, you might be sharing a family photo, or commenting on some unifying current event—like the Super Bowl! Other times, you may be sharing a Coming Soon listing, or providing tips to spruce up a home for spring. Regardless, you should focus on quality. Is your copywriting engaging? Does it express your unique voice and personality, while maintaining clarity? Are you giving your audience something to connect with, even if you are sharing property photos or advertising an open house? Instill some fun and some personalization to every piece of content you make, so that clients can picture the voice and person behind the post.

Things are always changing on the social media frontier, but some rules never shift.

Adding clarity, consistency, and personality to your online presence are three surefire ways to grow your business and make social media second nature.

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TRACY DRISCOLL & DIANE CRISP Tracy Driscoll and Diane Crisp had both been successful real estate agents when circumstances brought them together. Their kids were going to the same preschool and these two mothers learned they had a lot in common.

“We had the same goals, “ Diane says, “We were both looking to grow our businesses. Teaming up seemed like a great way to make that happen.”

That was eleven years ago and The Driscoll Crisp team at Platinum Partners Realtors has become one of the most successful teams serving Chicago’s Western Suburbs. Together, they have been awarded the Chicago Magazine Five Star Agent Award eight years in a row. They have helped hundreds of families and are in the top 1% of agents in the area.

A deep understanding of the local market and attention to client service sets Tracy and Diane

apart from other agents. They strive to offer their clients the latest in real estate technology and innovative marketing strategies including: free professional staging consultations, digital marketing, professional photography, print media and more.

They are your trusted resource that can guide you through the complex world of real estate. Tracy says, “We are your go-to source for the real estate industry. We are ready to share our insight and advice to make your real estate goals happen.”

In their free time, Tracy enjoys golfing, sailing, reading and staying involved in the community.

She enjoys traveling with her husband and two children. Diane enjoys biking, golfing, volunteering and spending time with her husband and two children.

To find out more about Diane Crisp and Tracy Driscoll, visit driscollcrisp.com, call them at (630)842-8258 (Diane) or (630)674-8320 or email them at tracydriscoll78@gmail.com, dianecrisphomes@gmail.com www.

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Thinking of Listing?

Nine Ways to Get Ready The less time a home spends on the market, the more likely it is to sell at or above list price. That’s why our Top Agents recommend getting a property ready for marketing well before listing. Anyone who is even just starting to think about listing will benefit from some basic upkeep and pre-staging work. Even if you decide now is not the time to list, you’ll enjoy these simple improvements around the home.

With the right local resources, most pre-listing preparations take less than a week and will make the formal staging process simpler for all involved.

Ask Top Agents in your area for referrals of local pros to hire. Once you’ve selected your Top Agent, keep yourself open to his or her opinion on other TLC to help decrease your home’s market time.

1. Inspection: The last thing a seller or buyer wants is a surprise at

inspection. That’s why a complete inspection before listing is so valuable.

Many necessary fixes, such as minor roof or appliance repairs, can be discovered and repaired in less than a week. If inspection uncovers a major issue, any Top Agent will tell you that this knowledge is power; disclosing and expecting to take responsibility will increase buyers’ trust without affecting market time.

2. De-Clutter: Take a little time to pack away surplus furniture items and

extra knick-knacks, papers, books or occasional-use items throughout your house. Remember this may require boxing away video game supplies or packing up comfy throw pillows and blankets. Move these items temporarily into closets, the garage or attic with the assumption of possibly renting a storage unit just before listing.

3. Paint: Whole-house painting is likely not necessary, but consider touching

up baseboard moldings and doorways and open wall spaces in high-use areas Top Agent Magazine

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such as bathrooms, the office, family room and indoor recreation spaces.

Also consider a little varnish on the front door or banister.

4. Artwork and Decor: Take a neutral look at your décor. Better yet, ask a

Top Agent to do so. Buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your home. While your Top Agent may not advise you to appear generic, you’ll likely need to thin out any shrine-like displays to family, hobbies or cultural interests.

5. Deep-Clean Housekeeping: After you’ve de-cluttered and touched up

the paint, request a deep cleaning from your housekeeping service and weekly cleanings thereafter. Make sure they pay attention to details like dusting or vacuuming window treatments and lampshades or wiping smudges off door jams and baseboard moldings.

6. Carpets and Rugs: Bring in the pros, but don’t just clean the carpets.

Because the cleaners will be moving furniture anyway, ask them stretch and tighten any buckled areas of carpeting. Doing so now saves the trouble of having to credit your buyer for this following final walk-through. Also consider removing small area rugs to let the beauty of your hardwood floors shine.

7. Look at the Loo: Buyers may not notice a brand-new toilet seat, but they

will turn up their noses at the one with the broken hinges. Freshly replaced toilet seats, faucets or doorknobs in heavily trafficked bathrooms can go a long way in first impressions.

8. “Mow & Blow”: Consider buyers as guests you want to feel welcome

as they ascend the front walk. If you don’t already have one, hire a weekly gardening service to keep up with the mowing, weeding, pruning and basic maintenance outside so you can focus on other things.

9. Staging: Once you’ve selected a staging professional for the finishing

touches, ask them and your Top Agent for final recommendations on day-today upkeep, storage options and what-to-do (or what not to do) while your house is on the market.

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Top Agent Magazine

LEYLA JIMENEZ For some, working as a real estate agent is just about making a living, but for Leyla Jimenez, it’s a calling. After having her first child in 2007, Leyla found that her job never gave her enough time to spend with her baby during the day. Around the same time, her mom’s house was foreclosed on, thereby sparking Leyla’s fledgling interest in real estate. Inspired by her mother’s difficulties, and hopeful that a career as an agent would give her the flexibility to be more involved in her child’s life, Leyla decided to get her license.

Six years and hundreds of transactions later, Leyla is now the head of a team at RE/MAX Loyalty that last year closed over $10 million in transactions. Leyla’s brother Efren Conde is her team’s buyer specialist, and it’s no surprise that they work together. “Our beliefs are based on family values, and our goal is to portray that to our clients,” Leyla explains. “Efren is a great asset for our team because we share not only the same culture but the same why.” Based out of their office in Logan Square, Leyla and her team run a thriving book of business throughout the Chicago metro area and will go wherever their clients need them.

Leyla credits her stalwart commitment to providing her clients with world-class service as being the primary driver of her success. “I try to build strong, honest relationships with my clients from the beginning, and I teach all of our team members to do the same,” Leyla says. “I treat everyone like they are my mom. I don’t focus on volume, or commissions; my goal is to get in front of as many people as I can and help them achieve their goals.” This approach clearly resonates with people, as over 77% of Leyla’s business in 2019 came from repeat clients and referrals.

When it comes to listing a property, Leyla and her team use professional photos, regardless of the home’s price point.

They then implement a comprehensive online marketing campaign that leverages advertisements across social media, Homesnap, and other websites to drive attention Top Agent Magazine

to the property. Her team also uses both in-person and virtual open houses to showcase the specific attributes of each home.

Leyla’s contact with her clients doesn’t end with the close of a transaction. Her and her team use a combination of phone calls, texts, emails, and Facebook to ensure that each of her former clients are contacted at least eight times every year. In addition, she has had a lot of success using Dia de la rosca events to form deeper connections with her clients. “For a Dia de la rosca I get together with some clients for a party where we share a table-sized piece of bread that has a toy baby hidden in it. Everyone cuts a slice, and if you expose the baby then the next month and you have to host a potluck,” Leyla explains. “This has been a great way for me to connect with my clients on a deeper level.”

When Leyla isn’t working, she loves to spend time with her children and give back to her community. She is an active member of the PTO at her son’s school, and is heavily involved with the Spanish Coalition.

Looking at the future, Leyla is excited to continue growing her business so that she can help as many people as possible.

“I love the fact that you can build wealth through homeownership. Being able to educate my clients and guide them through the process brings me a lot of gratitude.”

For more information about Leyla Jimenez, visit leylajimenez.com, call 773-510-8813 or email leyla.jimenez5658@gmail.com www.

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TERE PROCTOR Tere Proctor got her real estate license in 1976, after moving to Chicago with her husband from NYC. She started with a developer doing conversions of buildings from rentals to condos, a popular practice in the 1970s, and then transitioned to new construction. “The majority of my career has been handling the sales and marketing for developers,” she says. “Currently, my focus is on brokerage, and I handle the resales for many of the same buildings that I’ve delivered over the years, and of course all new construction.”

Tere works mainly by herself, with the help of some administrative support and an assistant. “I’m very much hands-on. That’s a big part of what I deliver for all of my clients, a level of service and expertise that I have honed over the years.” She’s also adamant about maintaining that hands-on approach. “When you hire me, you’re getting Tere Proctor,” she says. “Some brokers have teams of 10 to 30 people. It is a mass market business to them. It is a door opening approach. Not mine! I built my success on one-on-one personal relationships. She works in what she describes as very “defined” areas of the downtown Near North and Lincoln Park, primarily focusing on high-end luxury condos.

Because of her highly focused location and properties, Tere sees a rate of about 95% repeat and referral business and stays in regular contact with past clients via email and social media. “I have a unique knowledge of the market, and …expertise in negotiating. When a developer turns over $400 million worth of real estate to me and says, “Sell this,” it involves strong sales and negotiating skills that not everyone has. I put all of my skills to work for every individual seller or buyer in my portfolio. I love the action on both sides. I have a love for what I do, and I think that comes across to people, quickly.”

Today, Tere has a group with @Properties, a company she describes as “very cutting edge” in the market. “They have the newest avenues available to market property.

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Today’s world is digital, and they are at the forefront.”

She also uses her own sphere of influences and contacts which stretch around the globe.

When it comes to her community, Tere is just as involved, in particular with the Leukemia Foundation, which has a personal resonance for her. When she’s not working or involved in community organizations, she enjoys spending summers with her husband at their Cape Cod, Ma., home as well as skiing in Colorado.

Tere is still looking for ways to grow her business but is mindful of the work-life balance. “I know that with the contacts I have, I could probably double my business, but it’s all about finding a happy medium”. And she continues to enjoy her work every day. “I enjoy the personal contact. Most of my clients become friends, which is a reward in and of itself.”

To learn more about Tere Proctor, please visit @properties or realtor.com, check out her listings, email tproctor109@gmail.com, or call (312) 320-0863 Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

4 Qualities of Exceptional Employees Hiring a new employee is one of the more stressful parts of being a business owner. After all, you’re taking someone on and trusting that they’ll not only be a valuable addition to the team, but won’t do anything to hurt your business’s hard earned reputation.

Sometimes a person comes in and you click right away, and other times you might be blown away by an impressive resume. But there are things you should look for that might not be as obvious at first. Employees that have the following qualities are ones you should seek out, because they will definitely be well worth the time and energy you invest in them.

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1. They have the confidence to be innovative There’s a reason people are drawn to those who think outside the box. Not only do innovations often lead to an extremely profitable business, even when that thinking doesn’t pan out, creative thinking is something that will energize your business and will motivate more employees to start taking chances.

Innovative thinkers also usually have great leadership skills. Ironically, you want an employee who isn’t afraid to speak up to authority and is someone who knows how to bend the rules without breaking them. They know that

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the success of the team and business is what’s most important, as long as it’s done ethically and with respect for everyone involved.

2. They are constantly reviewing their past performance A good employee looks forward, but they also look back. They are always evaluating what worked and what didn’t work in past performances and then adjusting their plans going forward accordingly. If they are coming off a big win, they know how to capitalize on that by using the momentum and cementing in everyone’s minds the value that they add to the team.

If things didn’t go as planned, they assess what they can do better next time, and they don’t get bogged down in insecurity. They take responsibility and they have confidence that they won’t repeat past mistakes. They know that failure is a temporary state, and are able to learn lessons from their mistakes, that will make them a better employee going forward.

While no one wants to fail, having the confidence to try something and fail will one day let you strike gold. Someone who lets failure shut them down, leads to a dead end and will soon make them a dead weight on your team.

3. They value teamwork Even though an exceptional employee might be a rising star, they realize that success is 28

not an individual endeavor, it relies strongly on who you’re working with. Exceptional employees make sure that everyone is contributing and valued for their input. They put the interests of the company above their own, and thrive in an environment where ideas and information are shared freely.

Shared success is the ultimate goal for every project. Exceptional employees have the confidence to know that even when they’re not singled out for praise, they’re an irreplaceable component of a larger machine.

4. They are self-motivated learners A key thing to remember is that while experience is a valuable commodity, intelligence and intellectual curiosity is usually something that can’t be taught. Yes, you might request employees get additional training or attend seminars, but exceptional employees will be seeking out educational opportunities constantly. Even if they don’t have a lot of money for weekend retreats, they will be getting books from the library, downloading audiobooks, and most importantly, taking advantage of one their greatest resources, YOU. Exceptional employees know that the way to stay ahead is to always be at the forefront of new technology and systems. They don’t see educating themselves as a burden, they actually enjoy it. They realize that everything they take in, will one day make them not only an exceptional employee, but an exceptional boss as well.

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MICHELLE WARD Michelle Ward began her real estate career three years ago, after 10 years in logistics sales and then staying at home to raise her 3 children. She was talking with a neighbor who also works at Coldwell Banker and suggested she try real estate.

Michelle ended up getting her license and signing on with the company soon after. “I can’t say enough good things about Coldwell Banker,” Michelle says. Since her start, she has been steadily growing her business and helping her clients achieve their real estate goals.

Based in the Homer Glen office southwest of Chicago, Michelle serves Chicago and all the surrounding suburbs. Michelle has a solid referral base, and after three years she is beginning to see more repeat business. People come back to keep doing business with Michelle because they appreciate her communication and the level of personalization in her service. She says, “I make myself available as much as I can, and I take what I do very seriously. Selling someone’s home is very personal to them, so getting back to them quickly is a priority for me.”

Staying in touch with past clients is important to Michelle’s approach. She reaches out regularly, using the tools Coldwell Banker provides to help her keep track of all her contacts. “About once a month something goes out to my sphere, including my just listed/ just sold, so people are aware how active I am in the business,” she says.

Michelle does most of her marketing through social media, maintaining business pages on Facebook, Instagram and Google where she promotes her listings. “I manage all my own social media and digital marketing,” she says. “I make sure I’m constantly marketing my listings. I also have a policy of always hosting open houses. I have one right after I list a home, Top Agent Magazine

and then I continue to do an open house once a month until the home sells. I see a lot of success from open houses.” Appropriately, one of Michelle’s listings was even showcased on NBC’s show Open House.

In 2019, her second full year in the business, Michelle did over $6 million in volume, and her listings usually range from $400,000 to $650,000 on average. “This year, I hope to surpass last year’s volume while still maintaining a personalized approach,” Michelle says.

Community involvement is also a priority for Michelle.

Coldwell Banker hosts a pet adoption drive every October, and Michelle’s office partners with a local animal shelter to help put on the event. Michelle is also involved in her church. When she is not working or giving back, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband and their three kids. She loves spending time outside, gardening, reading, and going on vacation.

In the future, Michelle plans to continue growing her business. “I would love to keep doing what I’m doing,” she says. “I like staying as a one-person show so that I can give my clients continued personal attention.”

Michelle’s favorite part of working in real estate is getting to make people happy. “I do what I do because I love it. There’s times of the year when I work seven days a week, and I get to do something I truly enjoy.”

To find out more about Michelle Ward, please call 708.903.0445, email wardmichelle97@gmail.com, or visit michellewardrealtor.com www.

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