FLORIDA 10-19-20

FLORIDA EDITION

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TIPS TO MAKE NEW HIRES A LONG-LASTING SUCCESS

ADDING VALUE TO LISTINGS Turn Open Houses Into

DESTINATIONS

COVER STORY

JESSALYN FALCON

FEATURED AGENTS

DEBI BENSON ERIN BUNKE ADRIENNE LORD MARK & SARAH RAUMAKER SARA ROBINSON

FLORIDA EDITION

Staged to Sell Realty is proud to congratulate

DEBI BENSON: #1 IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA ADRIENNE LORD

their goals. In working with b and sellers, Debi stresses the im educating her clients throughou transaction process. She emp clients to make the informed decisions. “I love working wit homebuyers and really teaching homeownership entails. For m Debi has established a superlative team of just handing them the keys a highly qualified professionals that provide good-bye. I think it’s importan with the essential tools required to ADRIENNEher LORD JESSALYN FALCON DEBI BENSON them for everything that goes MARK & SARAH RAUMAKER market her client’s property to the goal of a successful the privilege of owning a home.” Debi on being featured for the State of Top –Agent Sara Robinson –to ofgive Waypoint There are many other videos followers a glimpse ys felt a passion for real Mark and Sarah Raumaker The Leaders go-above-and-beyond business ethos. sale.

The team’s work includes home staging, curb great27 amount of work with “empty-nesters 23 24 Florida in Top Agent Magazine! inenhancement, Crawfordville, Florida – Another Sara’s impressive succes at herprofessional current listings.

“A lotand of not unke decided to get her Home Squad Properties of The at eXp Realty in factor that comes intotheplay appeal photography, been through home sale or purchase when assessing the success of The Home is aahardworking, hardworking, conscientious and her fierce negotiating people are scared to be on camera, early twenties. HerOrlando, career Florida – are home repairs on a “Complimentary” basis. This many years. “The universe changes rapidly a dedicated Realtors dedicated who investment consistently Squad would exceptional, thor- withmarketing or afraid they’ll who mess But I just bemytheir ily put on hold when she real in estate professional exceptional service has rewarded Debi up. with a 100% clients are unfamiliar the speed and place the needs of his clients front and ough and unique marketing strategies.

SUCCESS RATEto inhelping sales her listed properties.

Debi I of today’s hectic don’t payofattention any of that. but she quickly returned is truly committed her manyto translate into fast sales fo and competitive Real Est centerofduring every transaction.

Mark Most as notable would be thethemselves videos theyuneasy and perhaps says, “I approach each and every home listing if I Many find stay true to myself and I want clients ultivating her dream clients in the Tallahassee/Crawfordville to mention happy clients w and Sarah, who oversee a| team of equally produce to showcase their properties.

Broker/Owner were selling their mytoown home”.

“I completely underteam and customers.

I provide our“Sar clie know the real me.

Following that unprepared. Myrefer best REALTOR® in the Kevin Grantmarket achieve real estate goals. dedicated agents haveTO more than earned “As former actors,” says Mark, “wenew are STAGED SELL REALTY stand the emotional and physical aspects of a family’s comfort to move to aten successful tra has helped me tremendously rently works at Coldwell Asas top producer the second largest in forward less than days and their stellar reputations a trusted real formethod able to do really fun and creative listing 904.342.0248 | Kevin@stagedtoselljax.com uprooting and I endeavor to alleviateshe all says. of my And client’s in my business,” her ty and serves estate clients brokerage in her area, she is also ranked videos. Everyone on our team came during our frantic search advocates. from stagedtoselljax.com As if being a full-time Realtor and sole fami pressures creatingnumbers a seamless transition.”

Debi’s caring, back up, as outh Tampa, Florida. aher performing background, so everyone is among the top TMten percent of &certainly Realtors Everything went smooth ERIN BUNKE MARK SARAH in SARA ROBINSON is in notfront enough, Debi finds time to be an acti trustworthiness, and all-encompassing approach to the Withboth Me Andbegan Your Staging Is FREE ” she’s finishing this year with $15 Mark and “List Sarah their jourvery comfortable of the camera.

RAUMAKER her area, Sara has trulyhas earned her stellar because her. Sara of her community.

Sheofdonates herknow time home saleas process endeared her to her clients as neys in real estate following careers of our sellers million of sales volume.A lot Erin alsobusiness comes from ke her brand known Erin reputation as a real estate professional wouldn’t use anyone else, local charities as well as Hadassah, St. Jude evidenced by the tremendous referral network she has actors on Broadway and in Disney World productions. who were impressed by the videos we produce and want likes the to use Facebook for advertising, e a grassroots approach. who consistently places needs of her of many glowing testimo Children’s Miracle Network.

Debi spons built and maintains.

“Weyou moved to Orlando in 2012 to work for Disney, and the same donemarketing for their house.”

Many other methods are butCONTENTS she doesn’t stop her at golfing start any business, and sellers during on which is avid a Pres eventsmedia frequently and she is an we did that for aboutbuyers four years,” recalls front Mark,and “andcenter utilized, including deft exploitation of social plat- site just the digital, she also prospects the ways to differentiate yourDebi’s marketing strategy is a healthy mix of tradiWomen followed and Families transaction. we TURN had the opportunity to jump into real estate a little forms to ensure maximum exposure, by fastin Distress. As par 4) OPENevery HOUSES INTO 20) 5 TIPS TO MAKE NEW HIRES neighborhood personally passes e competition. For me, tional and modern.

“I believesales inand old-fashioned mission statement, believesSara “We make to see if it would be a good fit.

We both got our licenses for top dollar,service not to mention satisfied customers.

When she’s not she working, enjoya DESTINATIONS Atechnology.”

LONG-LASTING SUCCESS outThen, flyers. knocking on doors andif we could make ethics with Debi’s what we get, but we make a life what to see it aand long-term career. amodern Sara, who has coupled an extensive background in property than spending time with herfrom husband esent within my community.

I personally listings are available on a network of cutting-edge bunch of people we were working with in the shows When not working, Mark and Sarah enjoy nothing more management, officially & began her25) career as a real young children.DEBI: She also loves to sew, Contact 954-854-5661 ADDING VALUE TO LISTINGS EVERY PLAYER Outside of work Erin finds it crucial to time be a part of To borhoods looking9) the right property portals, butand shethey also invests in direct marketing atforDisney started buying and selling (andIS a girl on the way!). estateonline agent inhouses, 2014.

“While I than was spending working in with prop-3 boysbeaches, and she is very active in her c E-Mail: Debi@debibenson.net started using us as In our first year, we The couple support and sponsor local theaters, high campaigns including monthly newsletters tolocal her “farm” also always put my clients first so their that Realtors. her community.

She volunteers at thealso school THE ADVANTAGE OF IDENTIFYING VALUABLE: HOW TO BOOST erty management,” she “everyone kept telling soldsomeone twenty-three our second werecalls, sold likes school productions, and artists.member of the local chamber of comm areas, as wellyear, as open-house andspending broker-open events. and church.

She also time with ey’re working with whohomes. has InAMENITIES NEIGHBORHOOD YOUR TEAM’S MORALE me I’d make a great real estate agent, so I finally did.” fifty-three So, in 2018, weefforts beganfriends doingproduced real stays Debi’s have numerous achievement her family, and active while having rest in mind. I don’t focus onhomes. the money, “I truly love my job,” says Sara. “I get Sarawith found quickly, ontrainer herto,intelligence, estate full signed eXpsuccess and began building Their plan for future recognitions including, butbased notand limited membership will organically come ifWHAT youtime, do the righton a personal boxing coach to the keep her of their business is fairly 17) THE FIRST THING The Home Squad.” fierceinwork straightforward – to continue growing (they work every dayalready because I love it so m ethic, and a deep well of knowledge about the ReMax “Hall of Fame”. Debi’s gross property ys. mind right.

YOU DO AFTERherWORK SAYS have agents in Louisville, KY and Long Island, dream job and I’mNY) just grateful that it market.

“I’m$10 a million fifth-generation resident this sales exceed annually which placesofher in Their business has continued to grow exponentially, and to keep on providing the top-of-the-line customer ABOUT YOU the top percentile of Residential Realtors nationwide.

I found it. “ county,” says Sara.

“This is my home and I take great forward Erin wants to continue growing o work in real estate was inspired her Going having built thatbybusiness on a solid foundation of service that has becomeher their team’s calling card. pride in having grown up here with strong, southern, real estate business.

She would love to start a unique tion for being of service to others.

“I love honesty, integrity and indefatigable work ethics.

As For Debi, the best part of her work in Real Estate is down-home roots.” e. If you don’t make this experience about team like-minded proof of 310-734-1440 the exceptional customer service and his agents who are passionate Phone | Faxwith getting to310-734-1440 knowhenew people and helping them attain provide, the entirety their business is offering an elite level of about of helping people and nstead focus on the team clients you’re almost working mag@topagentmagazine.com | share www.topagentmagazine.com Currently, thefeat lion’s business basedin based upon referrals, an impressive in goal the highly service.

“My is toofbeSara’s the number oneisagent get very far in this business.

That’s the Copyright Top Agen competitive world of real estate. on repeat and referred clients, a true testament to ble way to grow. I don’t leave my clients Tampa.” And her advice to junior agents whothe are Following in the footsteps of her family’s 6 11 entrepreneurial spirit, DEBI BENSON decided to carve out her own niche in Southeast Florida’s Residential Real Estate industry. Now, with more than 17 years of experience in the Tri-County area there’s no doubting Debi’s remarkable track record.

ERIN BUNKE

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SARA ROBINSON

www.

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent

exceptional customer service shesound provides.

“Ibut have justPublications starting out “It may cliché, you on as we go to Magazine contract; isI’m there by for published Feature GA,is: Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published “We try to take all the stress of the transaction away from a verycan low-pressure personality,” saysexpressed Sara, when materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts supplied by its authors. do anything you put your mind to.

COVID-19 transaction, helping find contractors and our clients,” says Mark, when asked how he manages to To subscribe or change address, sendshe inquiry tomanaged mag@topagentmagazine.com. asked how to generate such impresn it for the long haul,” she says. didn’t stophasme fromhishaving my best year in the engender such impressive trust and loyalty amongst Published in the U.S. sive levels of loyalty and trust amongst the clients business.

If you work hard, eventually you’ll meet customers. “Buying or selling a home can be incredshe works with.

“My goal is always to gain a client, es to marketing, Erin Instagram to your Andhas remember, sometimes just smiling iblyfinds daunting.

The response from goals. our clients been For more about Mark Raumaker, pretty great.”

Great enough, fact, warrant perfect, , and she 2often does home walk-through someone canAachange their entire day.” not toinatsell atohouse. lot of people in our industry are347-368-9140 Top please call or Agent Magazine five-star overall rating on Zillow.com, comprised personable and friendly, but manyemail of them are only Mark@OrlandoHomeSquad.com of scores of glowingfocused testimonials confirming theira sale. I think that if you onemail trying to make about Erin Bunke, call (419) 509–5358. erin.bunke@floridamoves.com,

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

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Turn Open Houses into Destinations People are busy. Even those who are actively looking to buy a house or want to learn about the market for a future purpose have busy schedules.

But with bit of added time, creativity and investment in making open house into destinations, you’ll see greater turnout. And we all know that greater turnout increases the likelihood of offers.

There are several creative ways to hold an open house with a mindset of hospitality and with the goal of providing something of value to each person who attends.

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The neighbors-only open house Some agents embrace the “nosy neighbor” concept as a benefit, not an eye-rolling challenge.

With his client’s permission, Wesley Peters, a Keller Williams broker in the Baltimore Metro Area, often gets the neighbors together before a home hits the market. “We invite other brokers, too, but we include as many neighbors as we can,” he says, explaining that he schedules these events for a Thursday or Friday evening, happy hour-style, rather than midday on a Sunday. They get a better turnout at 5:00 pm than

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midday on a weekend when the neighbors are busy with their lives. In a relaxed setting, conversations flow, neighbors can mingle and catch up, and the buzz begins before the home is listed.

In advance, prepare invitations and hand-deliver them to homes on the streets you and your client agree are best to include. The destination is the event; the value each attendee receives is the social interaction and the removal of any awkwardness over visiting their neighbor’s house.

Your client’s benefit is the buzz.

A turnkey block party any time of year Once a property is listed, some agents take on the role of party planners. Certain streets or neighborhoods, they find, are perfect for lowkey social occasions. In some place, such as neighborhoods with many young families, a bounce-house or games may even ramp up the fun factor. But the idea of a seemingly spontaneous block party during an open house can be easy to pull off, whether you’re serving lemonade and cookies or coffee and pastries. The chance to meet prospective neighbors turns the event into a destination for both buyers and the neighbors; the value comes in buyers’ ability to see how the neighbors interact. Your seller’s benefit is that the grapevine will be filled with happy stories about their home. Tips: By keeping basic supplies in storage, you’ll be ready for a pop-up block party any time. Promote this type of event with targeted social media marketing and fliers or postcards to communities within a short distance of your listing.

Invite other professionals It’s common mortgage lenders to attend open houses. But why not provide even more value to people who attend? Chances are, you have more than a handful of professional partners who welcome an opportunity to join you at your open house. Consider inviting an interior designer, a contractor, a gardener, even a gardener or a painter. Invite them to your broker’s open in advance or give them time to view the property Top Agent Magazine

before the open house begins. Then encourage them to stroll the property during the open house or to sit with you. When visitors ask about needs or concerns they may have about the house – such as loan questions, the cost of improvements or upgrades or even remodeling – you’ll be able to introduce them to an expert on the spot. For that matter, your invited pros don’t even necessarily have to be in home-related businesses!

Prospective buyers always want to know about the community when visiting open houses.

Consider inviting representatives of community

organizations, like youth sports group or owners of mom-and-pop retailers to help your visitors get a feel for the neighborhood or town. For this type of open-house, prepare a flyer or card with your community contacts on it so visitors can leave with resources as well as information.

Open house should be about the buzz. They’re about creating a conversation about your listing and making the home memorable to visitors. By giving people a unique experience they won’t forget, you’ll show your sellers how creative you are in meeting their needs.

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ADRIENNE LORD Adrienne Lord began her real estate career through her ownership of a staging company. Her clients were Realtors®, and it was only a matter of time before Adrienne decided to get her own license in 2015. Three years later she and her husband Kevin Grant opened their own brokerage, Staged to Sell Realty. Adrienne and Kevin bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help their clients’ listings sell for top dollar.

Adrienne and her team serve all of the Jacksonville and St. Augustine metro area. An impressive 80% of their business comes from repeat and referral clients, a feat that speaks to the brokerage’s high level of client satisfaction. “Clients appreciate the value add that we provide,” Adrienne explains.

“When a home is listed with us, whether it’s occupied or vacant, the staging is included for no extra fee. All of our agents are also designers, so when you buy a house we help you pick the finishes, hang pictures, and decorate. We offer a full turnkey solution.”

That comprehensive service experience has led to exceptional growth. Adrienne points out that in their market, where Realtors® outnumber listings, “If your brokerage is growing, you’re doing something different.”

out, and our clients are happy as a result.

Therefore, they refer more folks to us.”

Community involvement is important to Adrienne and the team, and one major way they like to give back is through their partnership with Presbyterian Social Ministries. The brokerage donates gently used, good-condition furnishings and uses them to fully furnish apartments for individuals who are in recovery for drug and alcohol addiction.

When she is not working, Adrienne loves to watch HGTV and work on decorating projects on her own time. “Whether it’s painting or decorating, there’s always some project I’m working on at home,” she says.

In the future, Adrienne plans to continue growing the business. “We started as a husband and wife team in 2018, and now we have 12 agents,” she says. “We are looking to grow that, and also to add some unique new revenue streams with some offerings that go beyond traditional real estate. That’s a teaser…more to come in 2021!”

When it comes to marketing listings, Adrienne and her colleagues take an exclusively digital approach. They pay for targeted ads on Facebook and Zillow to reach the potential buyers most likely to be interested. The results speak for themselves: Adrienne expects this year to do around $11 million in volume, her biggest year so far.

But perhaps the best measure of the brokerage’s success is their clients’ overall satisfaction with the service they receive. “We don’t just sell your house, we make it beautiful,” Adrienne says. “Our listings really stand 6

To find out more about Adrienne Lord, please call 904.631.7978, email adrienne@stagedtoselljax.com, or visit stagedtoselljax.com www.

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Staged to Sell Realty is proud to congratulate

ADRIENNE LORD

on being featured for the State of Florida in Top Agent Magazine!

Kevin Grant | Broker/Owner STAGED TO SELL REALTY 904.342.0248 | Kevin@stagedtoselljax.com stagedtoselljax.com www.

“List With Me And Your Staging Is FREE TM” Top Agent Magazine

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Golden Dog Title & Trust is proud to congratulate

ADRIENNE LORD

on being featured for the State of Florida in Top Agent Magazine!

Lisa Andrews | Golden Dog Title & Trust 904-503-5170 | Orders@GoldenDogTitle.com www.

facebook.com/Golden-Dog-Title-Trust-Jacksonville-1798957240223662

14701 Philips Highway, Suite 101 Jacksonville Florida 32256

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Top Agent Magazine

Adding Value to Listings & the Advantage of Identifying Neighborhood Amenities Everyone knows the famous real estate phrase: location, location, location. In fact, it is hard to underestimate the pivotal role that a region can play when it comes to determining a home’s value. In today’s competitive market, the littlest things can truly add up—especially when it comes to neighborhood amenities. While most savvy agents know the figures regarding school Top Agent Magazine

district ranking and local property taxes, have you ever considered the under-the-radar amenities that drive buyers and bidding wars? To derive the highest value from a listed home, you need to paint a complete picture of the area in which you’re selling. With that guiding principle in mind, let’s consider a few modern amenities and how they add drastically to your bottom line.

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Walking a fifteen-minute radius of the area or performing a deep-dive into customer review sites or food blogs can help you identify hidden gems or local favorites.

A little can go a long way: restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment

Know thy history: creating a narrative of the neighborhood

Everyone has a favorite take-out spot, coffee shop, or neighborhood watering hole. Identifying the key players in an area—such as restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment hotspots—will create a livable picture that prospective buyers can latch onto. Walking a fifteen-minute radius of the area or performing a deep-dive into customer review sites or food blogs can help you identify hidden gems or local favorites. While a cute coffee shop down the street may seem like a bonus instead of a foundational amenity, you never know what kind of homebuyer you might net if you include the cozy characteristics that make a house a home.

As humans, we’re drawn to narratives. Sales pitches and marketing campaigns hinge on an alluring storyline. That’s why understanding a neighborhood’s history can frame and contextualize a property to great effect. After all, buyers aren’t just drawn to sturdy foundations and bedroom counts; they like to imagine their lives unfolding inside those four walls.

Get a sense of the area’s historical timeline, architectural style, noteworthy community members, and the like. Conveying this intriguing information to buyers helps them connect more personally with a property, while understanding the holistic picture of their potential new home.

From here to there: public transportation and commuter access While this rule may not apply to all properties, considering access to public transportation is a major draw for today’s buyers. Especially amidst the more eco-conscious Millennial segment eager to buy within city limits—knowing public transportation access points and schedules can add serious value to listed properties. Also, think outside the box: do nearby thoroughfares boast dedicated bike lanes? Are there plans to expand rail lines to the area in the future? Deliver a confidant picture of the area’s public transportation access and prospective buyers will trust your expertise.

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While it is always good to cover the basics of school districts and property values, it is even more useful to expand your knowledge base and bring a warm, human element to locational knowledge. Not only will you appeal to a younger demographic of homebuyers who values this strategic information, but you will also broaden your understanding of your service area at large. Think of it this way: a neighborhood is far more than a collection of homes on a block. A neighborhood is about atmosphere, access, and a sense of community. If you authentically appeal to this guiding truth, and buyers will surely rise to the occasion.

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JESSALYN FALCON Top Agent Magazine

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JESSALYN FALCON

Top Agent Jessalyn Falcon and her team at Falcon Empire Realty serve the Miami, Florida area.

Jessalyn Falcon got started in real estate from an early age. “My entire family has always been in real estate, so I grew up hearing about it at the dinner table,” Jessalyn says. “I’ve been doing this practically since birth,” she adds with a laugh. Jessalyn earned her real estate appraisal license at the young age of 12 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

18, and became an agent in 2014. Since then, Jessalyn has continued to grow her business, and two years ago she opened up her own brokerage, Falcon Empire Realty. Jessalyn’s clients value the deep knowledge, hard work, and personal attention she brings to helping them achieve their real estate goals.

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Jessalyn and her team serve the Miami area. A significant portion of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and loyalty she inspires. “I get a lot of referrals and a lot of repeat business,” Top Agent Magazine

Jessalyn says, “especially from buyers I worked with a few years back who are now looking to sell.”

Staying in touch with those clients is important for such a referral-based business, 13 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

“One thing that sets me apart — I’m always able to help out in explaining other portions of the business, whereas a lot of other agents don’t know much about other areas.” and Jessalyn regularly checks in with a phone call to see how past clients are doing.

“I end up becoming personal friends with most of my clients,” she says, “and I get invited to their personal gatherings. I also try to keep in touch with clients who run other kinds of businesses, and I refer them business as well.”

apart is my knowledge of other portions of the business, not just the sales part,” she says. “I understand every part, from lending, to title, to appraisal, and beyond.

I’m always able to help out in explaining other portions of the business, whereas a lot of other agents don’t know much about other areas.”

Clients appreciate the comprehensive knowledge Jessalyn brings from her years of experience. “One thing that sets me

When it comes to marketing her listings, Jessalyn’s personal relationships with past clients prove especially valuable. In

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addition to extensive social media marketing, she says, “I keep track of my client base and I know what areas they’re looking for, so I try to reach out to them first.”

The results speak for themselves: Jessalyn personally does a volume of about $7-8 million a year, while her agents each do about $3-5 million annually. “We’re a Top Agent Magazine

boutique brokerage,” Jessalyn says, “so we work with family and friends, and we try to help each other out.”

Community involvement is important to Jessalyn, and she sponsors community events whenever possible. When she is not working, Jessalyn loves going to new restaurants, and spending time with Copyright Top Agent Magazine 15

her family, getting outside with her two young kids.

In the future, Jessalyn plans to continue growing her brokerage while also still

providing the same quality service her clients enjoy. “I love meeting new people and being able to help them,” Jessalyn says. “The personal relationships are my favorite part of real estate.”

To find out more about Jessalyn Falcon, call (305) 479-5585, visit falconempirerealty.com or email jfalcon@falconempirerealty.com https://

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Top Agent Magazine

What the First Thing You Do After Work Says About You We all have our routines. From that morning cup of coffee to a jog at the gym, it’s common to establish touchstones for our daily lives.

But have you ever considered what these habits tell us about ourselves? Our actions reveal much about our motivations and emotional life, so taking a second look at your first move at the end of the day can be telling.

With that in mind, see how you fare when it comes to post-workday habits...

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Break a Sweat After a long day of work, is your first instinct to strap on your sneakers and take off on a run? Do you stop off at the local yoga studio for an extended stretch? Maybe you head to the weight room to pump some iron. Whatever your exercise pick, if you’re inclined to sweat it out at the end of a long day, you’re likely a routine-oriented profes-

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sional who internalizes work-related stress. Of course, you’ve chosen a healthy release for all that pent-up tension, and you’ve discovered the power of endorphins. Once work hours are over, not everyone finds the motivation to stay active. This means you’re driven by routine, conscious of your emotional and physical health, and prefer to leave your cares at the gym, rather than bring them into your home oasis. However, it’s important to give your body a rest now and again, as recuperation time is not only beneficial for physical health, but can help prevent burnout for the long haul.

Flexibility is a skill, and one just as important to cultivate as rigid commitment. If you find yourself out of sorts if you miss just one day of working out, you might want to pay some attention to your routines and motivations, and rebalance your commitments and fitness routine accordingly.

Round-the-Clock Hustle If you’re the type to bring work home with you, you aren’t alone. While your motivation to work nonstop is admirable, it’s also important to make the mental transition from workplace to home, establishing the time to hustle and the time to relax. Just like those that hit the gym without fail after a long day, sometimes you’ll need to practice saying no. If your work life is indistinguishable from your personal life, it’ll be hard to catch a break and recharge.

This means burnout, frayed nerves, and missed details will soon be on the horizon. Of course, round-the-clock hustle is a strength, too. You’re passionate about your work, care deeply about doing things right, and failure is not an option.

Just make sure that you establish some foundational boundaries so that you maintain an 18

appropriate, healthy balance between your time at work and your time at home with the loved ones and hobbies you cherish. If making way for downtime isn’t easy, try penciling it in the way you would a work engagement. Dinner with a friend, a date night with a significant other, or a solo movie fest can be readily added to your calendar, and thus built in to your regimented schedule.

Turn to Food If your first instinct after work is to eat, it can say a few different things about your routine.

Perhaps you’ve been so on-the-go all the day that you haven’t had time for lunch. In this case, you might need to regiment your schedule with more purpose aimed towards downtime and self-care; food is fuel, after all. If you head home and gorge after an average day, you may be turning to food as a way to relieve stress.

In this case, you may need to reassess some of your post-work habits and find a healthier balance and outlet for your tension. Taking a walk, grabbing fresh ingredients for dinner, hitting the gym, or decompressing by catching up with a friend or a good book—all are healthier, more balanced ways of executing the transition from the office to the home. Pay attention to your consumption post-work. Determine how hungry or satiated you really are before making a grab for the nearest sustenance.

People decompress in all different ways after getting home from the office, but always remember that routines are telling. Don’t take your daily actions and impulses for granted. Examine the root behind your well-worn practices, and you may detect nuances at play beneath the surface that can you help you recalibrate for the better.

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DEBI BENSON: #1 IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Following in the footsteps of her family’s entrepreneurial spirit, DEBI BENSON decided to carve out her own niche in Southeast Florida’s Residential Real Estate industry. Now, with more than 17 years of experience in the Tri-County area there’s no doubting Debi’s remarkable track record.

Debi has established a superlative team of highly qualified professionals that provide her with the essential tools required to market her client’s property to the goal of a successful sale. The team’s work includes home staging, curb appeal enhancement, professional photography, and home repairs on a “Complimentary” basis. This investment in service has rewarded Debi with a 100% SUCCESS RATE in sales of her listed properties. Debi says, “I approach each and every home listing as if I were selling my own home”. “I completely understand the emotional and physical aspects of a family’s uprooting and I endeavor to alleviate all of my client’s pressures creating a seamless transition.” Debi’s caring, trustworthiness, and all-encompassing approach to the home sale process has endeared her to her clients as evidenced by the tremendous referral network she has built and maintains.

Debi’s marketing strategy is a healthy mix of traditional and modern. “I believe in old-fashioned service and ethics coupled with modern technology.” Debi’s listings are available on a network of cutting-edge online portals, but she also invests in direct marketing campaigns including monthly newsletters to her “farm” areas, as well as open-house and broker-open events.

Debi’s efforts have produced numerous achievement recognitions including, but not limited to, membership in the ReMax “Hall of Fame”. Debi’s gross property sales exceed $10 million annually which places her in the top percentile of Residential Realtors nationwide.

their goals. In working with both buyers and sellers, Debi stresses the importance of educating her clients throughout the entire transaction process. She empowers her clients to make the informed and correct decisions. “I love working with 1st Time homebuyers and really teaching them what homeownership entails. For me, it is not just handing them the keys and waving good-bye. I think it’s important to prepare them for everything that goes along with the privilege of owning a home.” Debi also does a great amount of work with “empty-nesters” who have not been through the home sale or purchase process for many years. “The universe changes rapidly and many of my clients are unfamiliar with the speed and intricacies of today’s hectic and competitive Real Estate market.

Many find themselves uneasy and perhaps somewhat unprepared. My team and I provide our clients with the comfort to move forward to a successful transition.”

As if being a full-time Realtor and sole family supporter is not enough, Debi finds time to be an active member of her community. She donates her time to various local charities as well as Hadassah, St. Jude’s, and The Children’s Miracle Network. Debi sponsors charity golfing events frequently and is an avid supporter of Women and Families in Distress. As part of Debi’s mission statement, she believes “We make a living from what we get, but we make a life from what we give”.

To Contact DEBI: 954-854-5661 or E-Mail: Debi@debibenson.net

For Debi, the best part of her work in Real Estate is getting to know new people and helping them attain Top Agent Magazine

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5 Tips to Make New Hires

a Long-lasting Success Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making 20

a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

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1. Be honest about the scope of the role

2. Build in some perks

Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles.

If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

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While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team.

Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

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3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision.

That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another?

Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience.

Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

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ERIN BUNKE Having always felt a passion for real estate Erin Bunke decided to get her license in her early twenties. Her career was temporarily put on hold when she had a baby, but she quickly returned to continue cultivating her dream of becoming the best REALTOR® in the area. Erin currently works at Coldwell Banker Realty and serves clients throughout South Tampa, Florida.

In order to make her brand known Erin chose to take a grassroots approach.

“When you start any business, you have to find ways to differentiate yourself from the competition. For me, that involves knocking on doors and being very present within my community. I personally canvass neighborhoods looking for the right property for clients. I also always put my clients first so that they know they’re working with someone who has their best interest in mind. I don’t focus on the money, because that will organically come if you do the right thing,” she says.

Erin’s drive to work in real estate was inspired by her natural inclination for being of service to others. “I love helping people. If you don’t make this experience about yourself, but instead focus on the clients you’re working with, you will get very far in this business. That’s the only sustainable way to grow. I don’t leave my clients behind as soon as we go to contract; I’m there for them after the transaction, helping find contractors and painters. I’m in it for the long haul,” she says.

When it comes to marketing, Erin finds Instagram to be very useful, and she often does home walk-through

videos to give followers a glimpse at her current listings. “A lot of people are scared to be on camera, or afraid they’ll mess up. But I just don’t pay attention to any of that. I stay true to myself and I want clients to know the real me. Following that method has helped me tremendously in my business,” she says. And her numbers certainly back her up, as she’s finishing this year with $15 million of sales volume. Erin also likes to use Facebook for advertising, but she doesn’t stop her marketing at just the digital, she also prospects the neighborhood and personally passes out flyers.

Outside of work Erin finds it crucial to be a part of her community. She volunteers at the local school and church. She also likes spending time with her family, friends and stays active while having a personal boxing coach and trainer to keep her mind right.

Going forward Erin wants to continue growing her real estate business. She would love to start a unique team with like-minded agents who are passionate about helping people and offering an elite level of service. “My goal is to be the number one agent in Tampa.” And her advice to junior agents who are just starting out is: “It may sound cliché, but you can do anything you put your mind to. COVID-19 didn’t stop me from having my best year in the business. If you work hard, eventually you’ll meet your goals. And remember, sometimes just smiling at someone can change their entire day.”

For more about Erin Bunke, call (419) 509–5358. email erin.bunke@floridamoves.com, visit coldwellbankerhomes.com/fl/tampa/agent/erin-bunke/aid_207217 www.

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MARK & SARAH RAUMAKER Mark and Sarah Raumaker – The Leaders of The Home Squad at eXp Realty in Orlando, Florida – are a hardworking, dedicated Realtors who consistently place the needs of his clients front and center during every transaction. Mark and Sarah, who oversee a team of equally dedicated agents have more than earned their stellar reputations as a trusted real estate advocates.

Mark and Sarah both began their journeys in real estate following careers as actors on Broadway and in Disney World productions.

“We moved to Orlando in 2012 to work for Disney, and we did that for about four years,” recalls Mark, “and we had the opportunity to jump into real estate a little to see if it would be a good fit. We both got our licenses to see if we could make it a long-term career. Then, a bunch of people we were working with in the shows at Disney started buying and selling houses, and they started using us as their Realtors. In our first year, we sold twenty-three homes. In our second year, we sold fifty-three homes. So, in 2018, we began doing real estate full time, signed on with eXp and began building The Home Squad.”

Their business has continued to grow exponentially, having built that business on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity and indefatigable work ethics. As proof of the exceptional customer service he and his team provide, almost the entirety of their business is based upon referrals, an impressive feat in the highly competitive world of real estate.

“We try to take all the stress of the transaction away from our clients,” says Mark, when asked how he manages to engender such impressive trust and loyalty amongst his customers. “Buying or selling a home can be incredibly daunting. The response from our clients has been pretty great.” Great enough, in fact, to warrant a perfect, five-star overall rating on Zillow.com, comprised of scores of glowing testimonials confirming their 24

go-above-and-beyond business ethos.

Another factor that comes into play when assessing the success of The Home Squad would be their exceptional, thorough and unique marketing strategies.

Most notable would be the videos they produce to showcase their properties.

“As former actors,” says Mark, “we are able to do really fun and creative listing videos. Everyone on our team came from a performing background, so everyone is very comfortable in front of the camera.

A lot of our business comes from sellers who were impressed by the videos we produce and want the same done for their house.” Many other methods are utilized, including deft exploitation of social media platforms to ensure maximum exposure, followed by fast sales for top dollar, not to mention satisfied customers.

When not working, Mark and Sarah enjoy nothing more than spending time with 3 boys (and a girl on the way!).

The couple also support and sponsor local theaters, high school productions, and artists.

Their plan for the future of their business is fairly straightforward – to continue growing (they already have agents in Louisville, KY and Long Island, NY) and to keep on providing the top-of-the-line customer service that has become their team’s calling card.

For more about Mark Raumaker, please call 347-368-9140 or email Mark@OrlandoHomeSquad.com Top Agent Magazine Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Every Player is Valuable: How to Boost Your Team’s Morale In the fast-paced world of real estate, it can be easy to overlook the contributions of those lower-level employees who are instrumental in our success, yet are overlooked when it comes to recognizing the important roles they play in keeping our business operating smoothly.

Even a task that seems simple, such as answering phones, can be overwhelming at Top Agent Magazine

times. Letting these employees know that they are appreciated is something that often goes overlooked at busier companies, and can often result in impaired morale overall, as employee dissatisfaction tends to be contagious.

Here are some things that you can do to increase morale and productivity in your workplace: 25

While it’s important to point out when an employee is doing something wrong, it is equally – if not more – important to acknowledge when that employee is doing something right.

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While it’s important to point out when an employee is doing something wrong, and sometimes to reprimand, it is equally – if not more – important to acknowledge when that employee is doing something right. Even a simple compliment can go a long, long way towards building that employee’s morale, and therefore their willingness to go the extra mile for your team.

An example: “Sally, I just heard you on the phone with that client. You sounded very professional and I really appreciate your representing our business that way.”

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Determine what all of your employee’s goals are, and what their expectations for growth might be. There may be lower level employees who are perfectly content doing what they’re doing, and who have absolutely no expectations for growth in your business. Others, however, may have an interest in moving up the ladder. Make it your business to determine this early on, and try to take a personal interest in your employee’s growth with your company. Knowing there is room to grow is an important factor in employee satisfaction, and knowing who wants to grow and who

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doesn’t is something you should be aware of. Groom from within, and your employees will be grateful and work harder.

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If your workplace is highly stratified, with multiple levels of employees (agents, senior agents, loan processers, assistants, etc.,) make an effort to ensure that everyone feels valued as part of the team regardless of what they earn. Various team building exercises that encourage trust and a sense of familiarity can go a long way towards fostering an environment that is less unnecessarily competitive and more productive and cooperative. A quick web search for “Trust Building Exercises” will help you locate many good ways to achieve a newfound level of camaraderie amongst your team. Many of them are quite a bit of fun, too.

Hopefully these tips will assist you in creating a better-functioning, higher-achieving team of motivated, caring employees.

Remember, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link, so be sure to keep everyone feeling appreciated, supported and valued, and your company will only benefit.

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SARA ROBINSON Top Agent Sara Robinson – of Waypoint Properties in Crawfordville, Florida – is a hardworking, conscientious and dedicated real estate professional who is truly committed to helping her many clients in the Tallahassee/Crawfordville market achieve their real estate goals.

As top producer for the second largest brokerage in her area, she is also ranked among the top ten percent of Realtors in her area, Sara has truly earned her stellar reputation as a real estate professional who consistently places the needs of her buyers and sellers front and center during every transaction.

Sara, who has an extensive background in property management, officially began her career as a real estate agent in 2014. “While I was working in property management,” she recalls, “everyone kept telling me I’d make a great real estate agent, so I finally did.”

Sara found success quickly, based on her intelligence, fierce work ethic, and a deep well of knowledge about her market. “I’m a fifth-generation resident of this county,” says Sara. “This is my home and I take great pride in having grown up here with strong, southern, down-home roots.”

Currently, the lion’s share of Sara’s business is based on repeat and referred clients, a true testament to the exceptional customer service she provides. “I have a very low-pressure personality,” says Sara, when asked how she has managed to generate such impressive levels of loyalty and trust amongst the clients she works with. “My goal is always to gain a client, not to sell a house. A lot of people in our industry are personable and friendly, but many of them are only focused on trying to make a sale. I think that if you focus instead on trying to make your clients happy, you’re more likely to be successful. Clients can tell when your primary motivation is to look out for their best interests.”

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There are many other reasons behind Sara’s impressive success story, namely her fierce negotiating skills and her exceptional marketing strategies that translate into fast sales for top dollar, not to mention happy clients who continue to refer new customers. “Sara sold my house in less than ten days and was awesome during our frantic search for a new one.

Everything went smooth and fast, all because of her. Sara knows her stuff and I wouldn’t use anyone else,” reads just one of many glowing testimonials on Zillow, on which site she is a Premier Agent.

When she’s not working, Sara enjoys nothing more than spending time with her husband and their two young children. She also loves to sew, go to the local beaches, and she is very active in her community as a member of the local chamber of commerce.

“I truly love my job,” says Sara. “I get up and come to work every day because I love it so much. This is my dream job and I’m just grateful that it found me, and I found it. “

For more about Sara Robinson, please call 850-556-5606 or email SRobinson@WPTProperties.com 27 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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