FLORIDA 12-3-18

FLORIDA EDITION

1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should be Active on Facebook

How to Make Your Commute Productive 8 Things Successful People Never Do

FEATURED AGENTS

ALISSA CAPUTO ALEXIS HANSEN TEO PALMIERI COVER STORY

Sankar Thayver

FLORIDA EDITION

ALEXIS HANSEN Nearly 13 years ago, just months before her first 7 15 daughter’s birth, Alexis Hansen decided it was time to pursue the career path that had always fascinated her. “My mother was in real estate in New Jersey and I knew it would be a good career that would offer some flexibility while my children were younger,” she says. At the time, Alexis had been living in South Florida for 17 years; considering her knowledge and passion for the area, she thrived immediately as a part-time agent when she first started.

is worth. I would never want a seller to be unh 23 with the selling price of their home because may have had an unrealistic expectation up fro Top aAgent In fact, she would rather turn down listingT ker at will Elitesel O lead someone to believe their home more than what it will. Next, Alexis pro Beach,uses Florid sional photography for every listing, recordregardles of succ price. She then incorporates dronebuyers photography and se 3D Matterport images. “I also doachieve print fliers, their r houses and heavy social mediasive marketing,” market k says. “Each property gets its own individual ethical and hw “I started with a smaller company and grew to full site and exposure through Re/Max to hundred cement his sta SANKAR THAYVER ALISSA CAPUTO ALEXIS HANSEN TEO PALMIERI time, working my way up,” says Alexis. “Since joinreal estate websites.” sional and a t ing Re/Max two years ago, my numbers have almost his many satis doubled year-over year.” An independent Re/Max agent, she rep- Other characteristics that distinguish Alexis are her attentio resents buyers and sellers across Fort Myers, Naples, Lehigh detail and her dedication to of clients’ goals needs.his“Rela A native Rome, Italyand – where prev Acres and surrounding communities. And while she gives credit ships are the best part of real estate,” she says, officer – Teo relocated to thenoting Unitedtha St to the tools available to her through Re/Max, it’s the personal- nurtures those relationships after each a brief career in thetransaction restaurant through industry,p ized approach that she brings to each client relationship that helps calls, cards, and checking in to see if her clients need anythin real estate.

Licensed in 2004, he worked Alexis earn more than 70% of her business from referrals. have been fortunate to build great rapport with my clients w mately opening his own brokerage in 2 we work together, a lot of times it becomes a friendship.” She a roster of two hundred equally professi “I’m known for being available,” she explains. “I get back to enjoys the negotiation aspect of real estate and she would n are members of his personal team. Teo’ everyone right away when they call me; I’ve heard that’s not avoid tackling a problem. “There are ups and downs in e Italian and Spanish languages has also al always the case in real estate.” Her sellers and buyers, however, transaction, and I love the feeling of overcoming any obs larger customer base than much of his c hear from Alexis regularly. In fact, she contacts her sellers at least that is encountered along the way so we can move forward weekly with activity updates on the property as well as market smooth closing.”

The majority of Teo’s business comes fr condition reports. Plus, as resident of South Florida for 30 years, he istheproviding anthat impressive of in cu Alexis not only has great passion for the region, but an excel- Alexis is grateful for flexibility full-timelevel work come back to me and refer other peopl lent understanding of its seasonal real estate cycles. “a top agent beloved community offers her. “I love time at the beach, fish they count onwith me,”my hetwo explains. “ understands the diverse market in South Florida; We remain busy going out on the boat andcan having time daughter give honest information to my clients. with snowbirds in winter months, and Summer months are typi- well as family and friends,” she adds. “And through my office property with is worth a million dollarsNetwor if it’s cally filled with families that are on the move” Re/Max, I’m very involved Children’s Miracle thousand dollars.

I work hard to get th well as other local nonprofits.” Meanwhile, she will be ear arise will of do building whatevera itteam take Alexis values communication and honesty above all. This is par- her broker’s licenseproblems soon, with theIgoal ticularly important when it comes to pricing. “If a seller thinks buyers’ agents, listing agents and transaction coordinators. A cherishes the relationships he form their property is worth more than I’ve suggested, I am open with agent whose clients Teo praise her for going above and beyond the hardmentor to maintain nourish th them; I give them details on exactly what the market it showing it of duty, Alexis will works be an ideal for herand team. and employing multiple methods to stay have a CRM that we use to keep in touc we send out emails frequently. I will al Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068 and just say hello, see how they’re doing mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com clients on important dates, particularly home purchase.

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

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Published in the U.S.

TEO PA

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CONTENTS

4) 1 BILLION-PLUS REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE ACTIVE ON FACEBOOK

17) 5 SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES REAL ESTATE AGENTS MUST AVOID

13) HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE

21) 8 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE NEVER DO

To learn more about Alexis Hansen, visit alexissells.com or go to her Facebook page, email alexis.c.hansen@gmail.com or call 863.673.6027

https://www.facebook.com/Alexis-Hansen-ReMax-Destination-Realty-601994350145876

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1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should Be Active on Facebook

By Bubba Mills

The number is staggering and potentially career ending for REALTORS® who ignore it: 1,440,000,000. That’s the total number of monthly active users on the social medium Facebook.

That number alone is reason enough to use it regularly in your real estate business. But Facebook can also help turn you into the expert in your community. Just by sharing knowledge and relevant events about the community you can become the go-to source for all things local – a perfect way to capture the attention of prospective buyers.

Plus, Facebook advertising also gives you tons of targeting layers like age, location, recent life events and interests. Plus, it constantly adds new targeting filters and functions that help you reach even more niche prospects who closely meet your customer criteria. Talk about pinpointing a target audience.

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Another Facebook real estate ad tool is Website Custom Audiences that lets you create Facebook ads that target users who have visited your website.

And several apps specifically for Facebook have emerged. Consider these: • Heyo.com: Helps you host contests, showcase promotions and high-

light special offers.

• Woobox.com: Let’s you easily create quizzes and other fun tools for engaging content.

• Pagemodo.com: Helps you make your Facebook business page both sleek and stylish and tabs allow for easy lead capture.

But the latest offering is just as cool. It’s called Facebook Live and it lets you stream live video on the internet. I recently wrote about Periscope, another live video streaming app, but when you use Facebook Live you’re automatically featured at the top of Facebook users’ news feed. What’s more, statistics show that live video is viewed more than recorded video.

How can REALTORS® use Facebook Live?

Open Houses: Broadcast a walk-through of a new listing

and highlight all the great features.

Webinars: Host live webinars targeted to buyers and sellers. They can sub-

mit questions just like a real-life seminar.

Real Estate Talk Show: Offer the latest news in the industry plus share lo-

cal events and your newest listings. In short, become the Lester Holt or Diane Sawyer of real estate in your town with your own “TV” show!

Facebook offers these tips for using Facebook Live: Promote: Tease upcoming Facebook Live broadcasts for more viewers.

Plan better: Take time to plan what you want to do in the video, whether

it’s a few key talking points or to have a few questions ready ahead of time in a Q&A, in case incoming comments slow down.

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Invest in some equipment: A shaky live stream turns off viewers so con-

sider a tripod or other stabilizing tools, especially if you’re taking viewers on a tour of an open house. And check the shot before going live.

Get the lighting right: If you’re indoors be sure you have plenty of good

lighting and avoid a lot of light directly behind you because it’ll wash you out.

Sound good: A common mistake for beginners is overlooking sound.

Consider an external microphone to make sure your viewers can actually hear you.

And if the live option makes you a little nervous, you can also stream pre-recorded videos. Hey, that has worked like a charm for TV for decades. Some businesses promote their web series to “air” on Facebook Live at a certain time like TV shows. After they are streamed, Facebook Live videos function as normal Facebook videos. Some business owners believe videos may perform better if they begin as live ones.

NowThis, a news company that publishes entirely on social platforms, experimented by streaming a 38-minute compilation of its favorite viral videos via Facebook Live. The stream received over 20,000 views and over 500 comments, according to Facebook’s counters.

Yes, all the new-fangled internet tools, apps and options for REALTORS® can be a bit overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time and you’ll slowly be right there in the business-winning mix. E-mail me today at Article@CorcoranCoaching.com and I’ll send you more free information about how technology can help your real estate business.

Copyright©, Bubba Mills. All rights reserved.

Bubba Mills is the CEO of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an international Real Estate, Mortgage, and Small Business coaching company committed to helping clients balance success in business, while building value in life. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage companies. To find out more about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 or visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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Sankar Thayver

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Sankar Thayver When Sankar Thayver moved to Florida from the Bay Area in 2003 for his career in tech, he and his wife purchased their first home with very little understanding of the process. A year or so later, they began purchasing investment properties. They quickly learned, however, that they were not advised by their agents as well as they should have been. “After a few months, I realized those were not investments; I paid way too much and was losing money.” Sankar saw that any agent could show and sell properties, but that genuine skill lies in teaching buyers how to properly evaluate an investment. He began studying up, eventually earning his license more than a decade ago.

“Then the market fell through the roof,” he says with a laugh. While still working his tech job, Sankar became busy with real estate, learning during the toughest of times and making very little on each transaction.

“People saw how hard I was working and, by 2010, I was doing $7 million in sales.” He soon convinced his wife to get her license.

Sankar serves as the primary lead on each client engagement and his wife takes over come contract time.

Trust sits at the foundation of every relationship. “If someone comes to me saying they want to buy an investment property and I don’t think it’s good timing, I’ll say, ‘No. Come back to me in a year or two,’” he says.

“I educate them to make the right decision.”

The same goes for residential purchases. Sankar discourages buyers from purchasing as much house as they qualify to buy. “Agents 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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make more money if the buyer spends more, but that’s what happened to me when I first purchased.” Instead, Sankar explains every detail, ensuring that clients know how to avoid becoming house-poor. “You don’t want to feel so broke that you can’t spend money on living!”

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Alongside his work in residential and investment sales, Sankar and his wife, Sudha, own and operate Lifestyles Rentals Property Management, which has 600 properties, six property managers and $2 million in annual revenue.

Lifestyles Rentals was born out of necessity, as Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

Alongside his work in residential and investment sales, Sankar and his wife, Sudha, own and operate Lifestyles Rentals Property Management, which has 600 properties, six property managers and $2 million in annual revenue. many customers insisted that they manage their investments rather than handing that work over to someone else. “And on the sales side, I also own a minority interest in the Better Homes & Gardens brokerage.”

Success, clearly, comes to those who care. By working hard, learning the industry, and sharing all his knowledge to create well-informed, well-prepared clients, Sankar helps everyone who works with him to succeed. “I buy zero leads, I don’t really do any relocation work and at least 90% of my business is referrals,” he says. “By the time people come to me, they’ve done their homework; they know I will do what’s right for my buyer and my seller. It’s really not about me.”

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First-time homebuyers, for instance, learn from Sankar exactly what it takes to purchase a home.

And his sellers get a top-tier effort that includes the best professional photography in the area; connection with a stager if necessary and agreed upon; and online and print advertising through Better Homes & Gardens. “I recently sold a $1.2 million condo that was featured in the Wall Top Agent Magazine

Street Journal,” he explains. “Being a part of helping someone make money or make the purchase of a lifetime gives me a thrill.”

Sankar is an early adopter of any new technology that can advance success for his clients and his business. In fact, after seeing a need to revolutionize the rental marketplace, his latest Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

venture, Trintals.com, went live in 2018. “Trintals is already making the rental marketplace so much more efficient for property owners, property managers and renters,” he says, noting that Trintals.com quickly gained 1,000 users. Having debuted Trintals.com exclusively in Florida, Sankar expects to expand the service to markets across the country by 2019. “I hope to turn it into the Zillow or the Airbnb of long-term rentals!”

Clearly, Sankar is no stranger to ambition. “Consider the name, Trintals,” he adds. “It stands for a ‘trillion rentals.’ That’s a big number, but I said, ‘Why not?’”

None of this effort means anything without Sankar’s efforts to be an active, contributing community member. His outreach includes donations and volunteering with schools, the Boy Scouts, his temple and various cultural organizations.

And if helping people make money while supporting his community isn’t enough, Sankar is also an IronMan-in-training. “I love to run, bike and swim and I’ve signed up for two IronMan events!” he admits. He is also very social. “I just like getting out there and being part of things; I want to be part of changing things in real estate for the future.”

To learn more about Sankar Thayver, visit BHGLifestylesRealty.com or Trintals.com, go to his Facebook page, email sthayver@gmail.com or call 904.327.3329 www.

https://www.facebook.com/bebetterjax

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How to Make Your Commute Productive The highest caliber business owners and entrepreneurs utilize every minute of their day.

Though this may be a lofty goal, there are certainly ways to make our daily routines more efficient and productive. Consider the morning and evening commute—time blocks that are accounted for every day. For some of us, daily commutes may mean a lengthy drive through gridlock traffic, or perhaps just a quick fifteen-minute crosstown excursion. However short or long your commute may be, there are ways to maximize this component of your daily routine and reap the rewards.

With that in mind, take a look at some ideas below to inject some energy and productivity into your daily commute.

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Listen to the latest industry-centric podcasts or audiobooks Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transportation, a commute is the perfect time to tune into an industry-oriented podcast or audiobook as a way of building your skills or getting into the zone for the day. Instead of letting your commute time be passive, you can process insights from leading industry professionals, or develop your skillset on a topic you haven’t yet made time for. Perhaps you’d like to develop your social media presence, or maybe you’d like to tap into the millennial homebuyer market—whatever the case may be, there is audio material out there suited to your interests. What’s more, podcasts are free and easy to incorporate on your smartphone or

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tablet, and there are ample audiobook subscription services out there that make regular listenership cost effective.

Create a mental to-do list to get a head-start on your day, or to prepare for tomorrow Getting your thoughts in order with a straightforward to-do list can help you dive in once you make it to your desk, or serve as a conclusive mental routine to end your work day.

If you drive to and from work and don’t have your hands free, don’t fret. Speaking your to-do list aloud can help you detangle your thoughts and tasks by vocalizing them. You can also try breaking down your to-do list by verbalizing the day’s goals, the week’s goals, and the month’s goals as a way of structuring priorities. If your commute is hands-free, you can incorporate a variety of apps that serve as custom-made todo lists that’ll organizationally map your duties for the day. In either case, use your commute window to identify and name the tasks ahead of you, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running when the time comes to perform.

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Tend to your personal commitments and planning A productive commute can boost your professional performance, but it can also serve your personal growth and out-of-the-office responsibilities, as well. Perhaps you can think out and plan your meals for the week so that you don’t come home burnt out and with nothing in mind for dinner. Maybe you check in with a relative or partner and catch up for a spare twenty minutes.

Not only does this eliminate a few items off of your personal to-do list, it can actually give you a more focused mind at the office. If your personal life is in good order, you’ll be able to devote your full attention to work tasks.

As the old saying goes, there are only so many hours in a day. If you added up all the minutes spent commuting around town, how many hours would amount? Though the trek to and from the office is an engrained part of professional life, it doesn’t have to be a drag. Account for those spare commute windows in productive ways, and in only a month you’ll have devoted a significant portion of your time to bettering yourself as a person and a professional.

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ALISSA CAPUTO A talent for real estate runs in Alissa Caputo’s family. Her father worked as an agent after he retired from a previous career, and encouraged Alissa to get her real estate license. Although she had a job in the fine jewelry industry, she had a feeling she would find success and satisfaction as a real estate agent. After earning her license in 2016, she hit the ground running.

Today she works solo at Future Home Realty in the Tampa Bay Area. Serving Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, her business has continued to grow, and she is excited to see what the future holds. Around 75% of her business is based of referrals, likely due to her people-oriented attitude and determination to deliver superior service.

“What sets me apart from others is the level of service I provide,” she explains. “I am so motivated by giving people the best possible service. I am patient and understanding.

I know buying a house can be a scary process, things are always changing, so it is worth it to show my clients kindness.” This has resulted in many of her clients becoming friends, and there’s not one client who would pass up or on an opportunity to meet her for coffee or dinner to catch up.

“I can sit down and chat with anyone I’ve done business with over the past two years,” she says.

For Alissa, being an agent is also about being generous, helping her clients with anything they need even after the transaction is complete. “If they need to know a good restaurant in the area, or need a referral to someone, really anything, I have a big network of people and tell my clients if it’s not someone I haven’t used myself, then I wouldn’t

refer them.” Alissa’s clients love knowing they can turn to her for advice, and they appreciate her extensive knowledge about the area.

After the transaction is over, they do not hesitate to leave glowing reviews. One recently said, “Alissa Caputo just sold my mother’s home in Port Richey. Alissa is the consummate professional: knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, honest, organized, responsive, reassuring, and always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the process went as fast, efficient and smoothly as possible. I highly recommend her to anyone in the greater Tampa/St. Pete metro area who needs a realtor. Thanks again, Alissa, you are truly one in a million.”

As Alissa’s career continues to grow, she is looking forward to someday having her own team or brokerage. For now, she is focused on reaching her clients’ goals, even if they can be difficult. “Sometimes I work with complicated files, or things that seem like they could fall apart. But I am not a quitter. I enjoy getting to the finish line with people and seeing their dreams come true. Whether it’s a buyer or a seller.”

She has learned there is no secret to success, but it’s worth it to prioritize communication and keep a positive attitude.

“We talk a lot as agents, but it is important to listen. I’m also so grateful for everything I have. I start the day with a positive mindset, and I think that has been a big reason for my growth.”

(Profile photo by Tamera)

For more information about Alissa Caputo, please call 727-409-5916 or email alissa@alissacaputo.com 16

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SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES

Real Estate Agents Must Avoid There is perhaps no greater marketing tool for agents these days than having a large presence on social media, but there is more to social media marketing than just opening an account and gaining followers. A lot of agents forget the social part of social media. It’s all about engagement, but it needs to be the right kind of engagement. This can often be the first impression potential clients or industry peers have of you, so make it count. There is no second chance to make a first impression, and that is especially true for real estate agents. Here’s just a few things you want to avoid.

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1 Using it to Vent

Social Media is a great place to complain and commiserate about things, but save that for your personal page. A real estate transaction is already a stressful ordeal, the last thing anyone wants is someone who seems like they’ll bring a negative energy to the process. Even worse?

Bad mouthing other Realtors® or listings. You’re selling yourself and your skills, so don’t sell anything that shows you in a bad light. Much like marketing a property, everything you put out should be professional and inviting.

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Lack of Consistent Branding

Yes, social media is about social engagement, but it’s also about creating brand recognition. While you don’t want it to be purely promotional, you are running a business, so create a consistent branding across all social media platforms. If you can afford a professional graphic designer to help you out with this, that’s great. But at the very least, have the same profile pic, cover image and highly visible contact information, across the board. And don’t forget to share links to your other accounts, some people prefer different social media applications.

3Not Posting Enough

It’s good to create a schedule of how many times you’ll be posting per day and to pick times when you might have the most engagement.

Don’t over do it, but three posts a day at the right time, tends to be a good goal. There are numerous tools on Facebook, for example, that

can let you see when interactions are the highest.

Stick to your schedule and adjust accordingly.

It’s also important to not just post your listings.

Be a resource for people who follow your page.

Post community events, or other informative articles that are relevant to home ownership.

Be a page they want to follow even when they aren’t buying or selling a property. They’ll remember you when the time comes.

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Not interacting With Your Followers

It’s called social media for a reason. The more you engage with your followers, the more they see you as a real person, and not just a marketing tool. Not only do you get to know your past clients and potential clients, on Facebook, engagement actually will make your posts seen by more people. So it’s a win/win.

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Not Sharing or Linking to Others

It might not seem like a good idea to not promote the blogs, pages or listings of other people, but it’s not only an excellent way to build goodwill, it will also increase your own presence when they reciprocate. So make a point to share posts and links for local businesses and even the blogs of your peers, if it’s a post that offers valuable insight into an expertise you don’t have. That will encourage them to share your posts and even your listings, which will increase your potential buyer pool. This is another incentive to create your own blog. Unique informative content is always of value, and more likely to be shared than promotional links.

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ALEXIS HANSEN Nearly 13 years ago, just months before her first daughter’s birth, Alexis Hansen decided it was time to pursue the career path that had always fascinated her. “My mother was in real estate in New Jersey and I knew it would be a good career that would offer some flexibility while my children were younger,” she says. At the time, Alexis had been living in South Florida for 17 years; considering her knowledge and passion for the area, she thrived immediately as a part-time agent when she first started.

“I started with a smaller company and grew to full time, working my way up,” says Alexis. “Since joining Re/Max two years ago, my numbers have almost doubled year-over year.” An independent Re/Max agent, she represents buyers and sellers across Fort Myers, Naples, Lehigh Acres and surrounding communities. And while she gives credit to the tools available to her through Re/Max, it’s the personalized approach that she brings to each client relationship that helps Alexis earn more than 70% of her business from referrals.

“I’m known for being available,” she explains. “I get back to everyone right away when they call me; I’ve heard that’s not always the case in real estate.” Her sellers and buyers, however, hear from Alexis regularly. In fact, she contacts her sellers at least weekly with activity updates on the property as well as market condition reports. Plus, as resident of South Florida for 30 years, Alexis not only has great passion for the region, but an excellent understanding of its seasonal real estate cycles. “a top agent understands the diverse market in South Florida; We remain busy with snowbirds in winter months, and Summer months are typically filled with families that are on the move” Alexis values communication and honesty above all. This is particularly important when it comes to pricing. “If a seller thinks their property is worth more than I’ve suggested, I am open with them; I give them details on exactly what the market it showing it

is worth. I would never want a seller to be unhappy with the selling price of their home because they may have had an unrealistic expectation up front”.

In fact, she would rather turn down a listing than lead someone to believe their home will sell for more than what it will. Next, Alexis uses professional photography for every listing, regardless of price. She then incorporates drone photography and 3D Matterport images. “I also do print fliers, open houses and heavy social media marketing,” she says. “Each property gets its own individual website and exposure through Re/Max to hundreds of real estate websites.”

Other characteristics that distinguish Alexis are her attention to detail and her dedication to clients’ goals and needs. “Relationships are the best part of real estate,” she says, noting that she nurtures those relationships after each transaction through phone calls, cards, and checking in to see if her clients need anything. “I have been fortunate to build great rapport with my clients while we work together, a lot of times it becomes a friendship.” She also enjoys the negotiation aspect of real estate and she would never avoid tackling a problem. “There are ups and downs in every transaction, and I love the feeling of overcoming any obstacle that is encountered along the way so we can move forward to a smooth closing.”

Alexis is grateful for the flexibility that full-time work in her beloved community offers her. “I love time at the beach, fishing, going out on the boat and having time with my two daughters, as well as family and friends,” she adds. “And through my office and Re/Max, I’m very involved with Children’s Miracle Network as well as other local nonprofits.” Meanwhile, she will be earning her broker’s license soon, with the goal of building a team with buyers’ agents, listing agents and transaction coordinators. As an agent whose clients praise her for going above and beyond the call of duty, Alexis will be an ideal mentor for her team.

To learn more about Alexis Hansen, visit alexissells.com or go to her Facebook page, email alexis.c.hansen@gmail.com or call 863.673.6027

https://www.facebook.com/Alexis-Hansen-ReMax-Destination-Realty-601994350145876

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Things Successful People Never Do

There always seems to be people around you who find success with ease, but trust me, that is NOT the case. Although luck can often times play a role in someone’s success, most of the time it’s due to hard work and avoiding bad habits.

The best way to find your own success is to implement some of qualities you see in people you admire into your own life. The hard work part is still up to you, but by shifting your perspective a bit, and NOT doing some of the following

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things, that success might happen a little quicker.

1

DON’T JUST WING IT

Successful people plan everything. Not only do they have yearly goals, but weekly and sometimes daily ones as well. By giving your time a purpose, and a clearly defined goal, you’ll eliminate the time you spend haphazardly doing things that might not be a priority. It will also make you feel less scattered, which is always a good thing.

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2

THEY DON’T TAKE ON MORE THAN THEY CAN ACHIEVE

Successful people take on what they can do well, and no more. That all starts with a daily ‘do to’ list. They always make sure their list is manageable and then they don’t sleep until that list is completed. If you find yourself not finishing your list, assess whether it was too much or if you slacked off. You’ll be surprised at the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you finish your list. Not finishing will bring you down, so make sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew.

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THEY DON’T WORK HARDER, THEY WORK SMARTER

Yes, having a strong work ethic is key, but that doesn’t mean you should waste time on things that will have less of an impact on your success. Focus on the things that will give you the most bang for your buck. Better to spend the majority of your time there, than spread yourself thin on numerous tasks.

4

THEY DON’T TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

This might seem like a bad call in business, but successful people know when to cut your loses and move forward. Anything or anyone, that frustration into your life, is never a good thing.

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REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES

Similar to not trying to please everyone, successful people are also diligent about accepting when something isn’t working 22

and moving on from mistakes. Yes, you learn from them, but don’t repeat them. Part of being innovative is trying new things, that will keep you fresh and energized, but learning how to let go is an equally important part of the equation.

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GO FOR THE SHORT RUN SOLUTION

Successful people are in it for the long haul and therefore thinking long term. When you have a plan for success and the patience to see it through, while you might have a slow start, you’re establishing a foundation for long term success. Going for the easy fix, usually doesn’t pay off.

7

PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAYSAYERS

Lets face it, we all have people in our lives who might be a little more pessimistic than is healthy to be around. You can’t change them, all you can do is not let them drag you down into their ‘glass half full’ mentality. Have your plans and goals, be confident about them. When you’re insecure, that’s when you’re most vulnerable to those types of people.

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THEY NEVER QUIT

That doesn’t mean letting go of things that aren’t working. It means having an end goal.

Whatever obstacles or challenges come up, you take them on, always with that end goal in sight. Successful people know that adversity and overcoming those challenges, is how you grow, and will ultimately make you a better business person.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

TEO PALMIERI Top Agent Teo Palmieri - Owner/Broker at Elite Ocean View Realty in Miami Beach, Florida – has a fourteen-year track record of success when it comes to helping buyers and sellers in The Sunshine State achieve their real estate dreams. His extensive market knowledge, coupled with his ethical and honest approach have helped cement his status as a consummate professional and a truly dedicated advocate for his many satisfied buyers and sellers.

To fully appreciate the gratitude Teo’s clients feel for him, one needs to look no further than Zillow.com, on which site he is a Premier Agent with a perfect overall five-star rating, comprised of dozens of glowing testimonials. Among them is this one, which perfectly illustrates Teo’s commitment to his clients: “Teo is one of the most responsive, respectful and considerate professionals I’ve worked with. He understood exactly what we were looking for and immediately followed up as soon as opportunities arose that fit our criteria. Because of that work ethic we were able to buy our home.

He provided excellent additional resources, great advice and the help needed overcoming any challenges along the way.”

A native of Rome, Italy – where his previous careers included police officer – Teo relocated to the United States two decades ago. After a brief career in the restaurant industry, he decided to try his hand at real estate. Licensed in 2004, he worked solo for a while before ultimately opening his own brokerage in 2012, where he now oversees a roster of two hundred equally professional agents, fifteen of which are members of his personal team. Teo’s proficiency in the English, Italian and Spanish languages has also allowed him to service a much larger customer base than much of his competition.

While many agents would point to their paychecks as their favorite part of being a real estate agent, Teo’s job satisfaction is rooted in the more personal side of the industry. “I love helping clients achieve their goals, whether it’s finding the right property or selling their home. Getting them to the closing table feels great.” Teo also appreciates the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the job. “Every day is a new challenge,” he says.

The majority of Teo’s business comes from referrals, a sure sign that he is providing an impressive level of customer service. “My clients come back to me and refer other people to me because they know they can count on me,” he explains. “I stay on top of things, and give honest information to my clients. I don’t tell them that their property is worth a million dollars if it’s actually worth eight hundred thousand dollars. I work hard to get the best deal for them, and if problems arise I will do whatever it takes to save the deal.”

Teo cherishes the relationships he forms with his many clients, and works hard to maintain and nourish them, reaching out frequently and employing multiple methods to stay top of mind with them. “We have a CRM that we use to keep in touch with them,” he says, “and we send out emails frequently. I will also pick up the phone to call and just say hello, see how they’re doing.” Teo also reaches out to his clients on important dates, particularly on the anniversaries of their home purchase.

When he’s not working, Teo – who has traveled extensively, including trips to East Asia and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – enjoys nothing more than spending quiet time with his family. He also enjoys sky-diving and biking. Philanthropy is also important to him, and he is an ardent supporter of Operation Underground Railroad, a non-profit dedicated to eradicating child sex trafficking, and Emergency, an organization that provides free, high-quality healthcare to victims of war, poverty and landmines, alongside building hospitals and training local medical staff. Teo is also the author of the upcoming book “Keep it Real in Real Estate,” which is written for and directed at agents to help them begin their careers with the right mindset, and to be successful in their real estate careers.

As for the future, Teo’s plan is to continue growing his business and adding more agents, all in order to provide more clients with his incomparable, trustworthy, and dedicated customer service. “I want my agents to be happy and successful, and I want that for my clients, too,” says Teo.

For more information about Teo Palmieri, please call 786-380-0581 or email Teo@EliteOceanViewRealty.com Top Agent Magazine

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