FLORIDA 4-19-21

FLORIDA EDITION

Connect Beyond Real Estate to Attract Future Clients

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WAYS TO WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST PROCRASTINATION COVER STORY

DEAN SHAFER

3 MENTAL TRICKS THAT WILL TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL FEATURED AGENTS

LIZ & JAMES WILLIAMSON ALEJANDRO SUERO JAY GRANIERI MATT FEENEY

FLORIDA EDITION

ALEJANDRO SUERO JAY GRANIERI Jay Granieri began his real estate career after Alejandro Suero – President/Broker at The 7 15 19 Suero Group in Miami, Floridafor – is a hard- capital company and working a venture working, dedicated real estate professional commuting back and forth between Florida who has built a thriving business on a“The solidtravel was getting to be and New York. foundation of honesty, integrity and deep too much,” Jay recalls, “so when my friend knowledge of the South Florida market.

Jonathan Keith introduced me to the idea of Focusing on residential sales, condo conmy real estate versions and rentals getting in the Sunshine State,license, I jumped right never lookedasback. I’ve been in sales Alejandro has earned in hisand stellar reputation all my life, so I went to help Jonathan a trusted, intelligent and reliable realwhen estate advocate for his manybuild grateful theclients. team, I relied on the experiences

is on local coordinate that move and all the the details thatBoard of 20 23 MA involves.” This level of care and service has Associat Broward-Miami translated into a business that hasinvolved sold over with cau he is Attr 80 million in 2020 alone, Leukemia an incredible featLymphom and flex for a boutique agency.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundatio offe in the local chapter of BN give There are many other factors that come his V served as President and into play when assessing Alejandro and thro nowchief Communications The Suero Group’s success, among Chairman. not them being expert negotiation skills When and a he isyear his thorough, intelligent approach to marketing spending time with his two DEAN SHAFER LIZ & JAMES ALEJANDRO SUERO JAY GRANIERI MATT FEENEY cept these result I’ve had from my sales background to help their many listings. Combined, their sports teams. Jay also WILLIAMSON toda The Suero Group, aexpedite boutiquemy agency that in fast sales for top dollar, not to mention success in selling real estate.” “fitness junkie” and ® has c DEAN enthusiastic Realtor , Matt employs approximately tennow other equally clientstriathlons who continue toSpartan return and Jay is going on his 7th year in the business,happy and he and 10 Races.

SHAFER and determination, all the in dedicated agents plus support staff, has made a name refer. As proof, one needs to look no further than Zillow. loves being able to connect with new people and help and afterAgent livingand in Palm Coa for itself through providing top-notch, concierge service com, on which site Alejandro is a Premier them achieve their real estate goals.

In the future, Jay plans to continue deeply familiar with his loc for its wide variety of clients, including those relocating holds a perfect, five-star overall rating. new challenges.

“You always have Matt’s persistence in the fact from areas including both coasts of the U.S., Europe and in spades –of helife,” isHe an plans elite Rea As the Top Producer of TeamJK / Compass, Jay serves the all next level,” he says. to CONTENTS Latin America.

“I love meeting people from different walks sistently performs at the top Ft. Lauderdale, with the majority says of his sales inwhen the asked a stronger footprint Alejandro, what he enjoys mostlocally about and co Alejandro, who is rapidly approaching in what Victoria he does for a living.

“Buying or selling can northeast side oftwo thedecades city including Park, reliable “go-to guy” forbe hisa clients.

4) CONNECT 13) 3 MENTAL 21) 4 WAYS TObeen Matt has a multimillion the real estate industry,Coral grew Ridge, up in both San Juan, Puerto very stressful process, and I like making it as seamless a Poinsettia, and THAT Wilton Manors. Repeat WIN THE BATTLE BEYOND REAL TRICKS years in a row, focusing prim Rico and Miami, and and is anreferral alumnusclients of Thealready Portsmouth process for them as possible.” make up about 40% of his “I love solving people problems,” ESTATE ATTRACT WILL TAKE YOUR AGAINSTHe sells everything from lu Abbey School TO in Rhode Island, and is also a recipibusiness and growing, an impressive feat that speaks you’re dealing with residential sale loves every minutea of it. He entFUTURE of a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations TO Alejandro, who gives back to his community through CLIENTS BUSINESS THE PROCRASTINATION to the trust and confidence Jay inspires.

Jay sets him- in not only toofthe home also t Corps and thebut self-discip and International Business from BostonNEXT University’s variety of ways – including his support thehas Ronald LEVEL self apart a “go-to guy” forananything home-related, people’s and I love that igate transaction, andasp his College of Arts and Sciences.

Heashas also completed McDonald Children’s House – haslives, fairlyany straightforexemplified in in hisMadrid, taglineSpain.

“Ask Jay.” people sayanthis, but asset for it’s anyone take MBA from the Instituto de Empresa ward plans for the future of his business.

“Adding to really his whotrue, my friends.

It’s been a reall Alejandro began his real estate involvement in 2003, team, growing his businessbecome and increasing his marketing a longtime member of h after a stint working “I’ve at Merrill Lynch. a“My family presence are just a few of Above all, howdeveloped local homehasnetwork of professionals andhisI goals. nowAs have people in my circle onmet making friends andestate main been involved in development andand real estatehefor quite remains commitment to providing I work with refer,” says.

“A lotever, of people usehismeconstant as would have if not forthereal the people he meets every d a while,” he recalls. their “When the economic crisis hit in unparalleled customer service that has become synonygo-to for questions and resources. People know that who truly cares about his 2008, I began buying ifupthey homes in something, foreclosure, they renovatneed can justmous ask with Jay, his he’sname. got a Phone 310-734-1440 310-734-1440 goes out of his way to ma ing them and either renting them or| Fax flipping them.” guy. Even if people don’t end up using me for a sale, they and enjoyable. “Quite hon mag@topagentmagazine.com | to www.topagentmagazine.com know they can call me up ask for resources.”

Currently, almost the entirety of Alejandro’s impresple,” Matt says. “I do my b No portion this issue be reproduced in anyclients, manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent sive business is of based uponmay repeat and referred no matter what.” His genero Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published When it comes to marketing, Jay embraces new techa statistic of which he is justifiably proud. “I believe a following – Matt gets 80% materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. nology to improve his reach and promote his listings. it’s because of the quality of service that we offer,” he repeat clients and referrals.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. explains, when asked how he manages to inspire such “I’m a big fan of video,” Jay says. “I’ve never been a Published in the U.S. impressive levels of trust “We take thegate early with video. It Matt prioritizes service of shy and guy,loyalty. and I came out itoftothe next level for our clients, and we do things for them that He has this message for the put me on the map locally. I was a big early adapter of For more information about Alejandro many other agents won’t. Many of them are coming what Suero, I can do for you tod Facebook Live, and I’m not afraid to get out in front of call 305-401-5669 or email Alejandro@TheSueroGroup.com 2 Top Agent Magazine from Latin America, and they count on us to help them To find out more about Ja Matt’s emphasis on caterin the camera.” As Jay says jokingly, “I’m in my 40s but ents and building relationsh please call 310.713.

LIZ & JAMES WILLIAMSON

I play with tech like I’m in my 20s.”

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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CONNECT BEYOND

REAL ESTATE

to Attract Future Clients What kind of content are you sharing on your blog, website, and social media? Does most of it have something to do with buying or selling a home? While sharing the latest market information or tips on how to qualify for a mortgage, or when someone should buy or sell is important and demonstrates your value as a REALTOR®, it shouldn’t be the only subject you cover. If you only focus on real estate, you’ll be missing the chance to connect with future clients that might not be ready to move just yet. By sharing a lot 4

of industry-heavy content, you are only going to appeal to those who are currently in the market rather than a broad base of potential clients.

To pull in those other future clients you want to provide fresh, interesting content that will appeal to those possible future clients that aren’t quite ready to move yet. However, you also want to still tie this content back into your business goals.

So, how do you share content that will speak to a wider audience, but also still be relevant to your business?

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Talk About Your Philanthropic Activities

The philanthropic work you do to support your community says a great deal about who you are as a person. Many people will be attracted to working with you because of the charitable works you are involved with. While you may be hesitant to share these efforts because you feel it may come across as bragging, you also need to remember that sharing information about the charitable organizations you support will actually help those organizations. Many of them have small marketing budgets, so any free exposure you can give them helps to promote their cause.

In fact, they want and need you to promote them.

And you can promote them without coming across as a braggart. Focus your content entirely on the organization. Talk about why you support them, how they help the community, and how others can also get involved. This turns what could have been bragging into something that benefits everyone. n

Your Local Community

We humans are connected to each other through our community – our local sports teams, parks, churches, schools, and much more. What better way is there to connect with people in your community than to talk about your community? Demonstrate that you are an expert on your community, and bring that community to your followers. Share information about a local event; perhaps even share the actual event through live-stream video. Interview city officials to get the low-down on the latest development project. Share information with your followers about things they didn’t know about their community. Consult with local historians or the historical society to share interesting information about your community that your followers will want to read. You could even turn it into a series of podcasts or videos. n

Use Your Creativity to Connect

Find creative ways to engage your followers on the topic of real estate. Try engaging your followers in an interactive project such as posting photos of interesting front doors. Doors are the entry point into our homes as well as our private lives. The way we adorn our front door can give someone a sense of our style and personality. Ask followers to submit photos and choose one to post each Friday. Make sure to watermark each photo with your logo at the bottom and include an inspirational quote that ties back to the importance of home. You could also ask your followers to provide a little story or caption to go along with the photo that tells something about them and their home. These kinds of projects are interesting and unique, and clearly connect back to your business. n

Share Your Hobbies

Are you an adrenalin junkie who has bungee jumped from some of the tallest bridges in the world? Are you a foodie that grows your own organic vegetables and fruit? Do you have a Top Agent Magazine

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secret passion for photography? Everyone has hobbies that they enjoy outside of work. When you look past the surface people become quite interesting. People also happen to find interesting people interesting, and tend to remember people based on their distinctive traits. We humans love discovering a person’s behind the scenes story, the mind behind the face. While you don’t want to talk too much about yourself, sharing pieces of your personal life and things that interest you can be a great way to connect with followers. By sharing interesting facts about your life, you will find that many followers will feel a strong, personal connection to you based on your hobbies and personal interests. n

Divulge Interesting Experiences

This is somewhat similar to the idea of sharing your hobbies. Sharing some of your more interesting personal experiences such as a fateful conversation with a stranger or an exciting adventure you had while in another country can be a great way to connect with followers as long as it also relates to some kind of life or business lesson. Talk about experiences you’ve had with clients or purchasing your own home. Experiences that relate to your business are great ways to connect with future clients in a manner that goes beyond the world of business. n

What and Who Inspires You

No matter what you’ve chosen to spend your life doing, you didn’t get there alone. You may have had a mentor that made a special impact on your life or someone already in the business that you looked up to and who perhaps inspired you to get into real estate. You may have found inspiration through a love of architecture or design. People want to know why others do the things they do. Sharing who or what influences you in your personal and business life is a great way to connect with followers. Recognizing that you didn’t get to where you are now by yourself shows humility, and talking about those people that had an influence on you shows others that you stay connected to the world and people around you.

Connecting with potential clients is something that is essential to any REALTOR’S® business. If you’re doing the work to create interesting blog posts and make those connections, you want to make sure that you’re sharing the right kind of content to draw in those future clients. It takes a lot more than simply providing the latest market news. To get the most out of what you share, you need to provide a wide array of interesting content 6

that will draw in a broad range of followers.

Providing the right kind of content can make all the difference when it comes to connecting with future clients and building the right kind of relationship with them right from the start. Connecting through your website or social media and sharing more than just real estate advice will help you build confidence and trust with future clients before you even meet them.

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DEAN SHAFER Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Dean Shafer of eXp Realty, serves all of Pinellas County in Florida with one hundred percent of his business coming from repeat and referral clients.

Dean Shafer began his real estate career 31 years ago, when he was just 21. Since then, he has established himself as a hard-working, reliable, and honest guide through the process of buying or selling a home or commercial properties of all types. “I like being able to take the stress off my sellers and buyers,” Dean explains. “I jump in, take the reins, and keep everything moving 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

like a well-oiled machine. People appreciate that, both buyers and sellers.”

As an agent with eXp Realty, Dean serves all of Pinellas County. One hundred percent of his business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the loyalty he inspires. Clients keep coming back Top Agent Magazine

and referring Dean to their family and friends because of the quality service he provides, especially his communication and availability whenever they have a question.

“I work a lot, so I’m always there and always answering my phone,” Dean says. He stays in touch with Top Agent Magazine

past clients mostly through his robust social media presence, as well as mailers and personal follow-up. Dean has also created a “Dean Shafer’s Help Our Heroes Housing Rewards Program” for military veterans and 1st responders including Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“I do a lot of internet marketing and a lot of outside-the-box marketing,” Dean says. “I do whatever I have to do to get a house to sell.”

Fire Fighters, Law Enforcement, Doctors, Nurses and even Teachers. He is personally contributing 25% of his commissions back to his Hero clients in appreciation for all they do for us! He feels that they do not get the respect and pay that they deserve and this is his way of giving back.

In addition to being a great way to keep in touch, Dean’s social media provides a valuable platform for marketing his listings. “I do a lot of internet marketing and a lot of Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

outside-the-box marketing,” Dean says. “I do whatever I have to do to get a house to sell.”

He blasts his listings to multiple real estate websites, as well as targeted marketing on social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

His sellers appreciate that Dean is a straight shooter when it comes to how much money they can realistically get for their home, and they also love his take-charge approach that takes the burden off them. “I list a lot of homes, so when you’re honest about realistic Top Agent Magazine

value, people respect that. When you can sell their house within a timely manner and everything goes smoothly, taking all the worry and stress away from them, they love that.”

The results speak for themselves: Dean closed $20 million in volume last year, with a total of Top Agent Magazine

88 homes and commercial properties, and he is targeting over $30 million in sales for 2021.

“I’m starting to look at building more of a team so that these increased sales numbers will be easier to handle,” Dean says. “My wife just got licensed and she’s learning the ropes right now, and we may hire an additional agent as well.”

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Dean is an active presence in his local community and industry, attending Chamber meetings and networking with other agents.

When he’s not working, Dean loves to travel to tropical destinations and spend time with his family. He’s a proud father of three and grandfather of two.

Dean emphasizes that helping his clients is what really keeps him going. “I love my job,” he says. “I love being able to help people and see smiling faces at the end of the transaction.

Of course I’m motivated by success, but when you can do that while also keeping everybody happy, that’s priceless.”

To find out more about Dean Shafer, please call (727) 410-4040, or email deanshaferrealestate@gmail.com

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Top Agent Magazine

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

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

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1

Visualization helps you work efficiently and keep your cool.

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

2

Distill concepts into their simplest terms for ultimate understanding.

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

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

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

3

Accept that mistakes will be made.

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

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

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

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LIZ & JAMES WILLIAMSON Top Agent Magazine

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LIZ & JAMES WILLIAMSON

While living in Miami, Liz noticed the many vacant houses left in the wake of hurricane Andrew. Those houses spoke to Liz’s fascination with homes that inspired her to get licensed and become an agent shortly before moving from Miami to southwest Florida.

and bilingual family background informs who she is as a Realtor®. “I can mingle with anybody and feel very at home, whether it’s a million-dollar property or a manufactured home, I put myself in that person’s position,” Liz says.

“I can get along with anybody and everybody.”

Now, Liz has been in the real estate business for twenty-one years and works with her husband, James, covering the greater southwest Florida area with MVP Realty Associates. Over fifty percent of Liz and James’s business is derived from repeat and referral clients.

Getting to meet different people from different backgrounds is something Liz looks forward to in each new client. She loves learning something new from their experiences while educating them about the homebuying process and the area where they’re looking to buy a home. “I get to learn as much as I get to educate.”

Liz describes the dynamic duo as polar opposites coming together to make a great team. James’s calm can-do demeanor compliments Liz’s vivacious go-getter personability.

As a mother, stepmother and adoptive mother of children of various ethnicities, Liz’s diverse 16

Liz becomes friends with many of her clients on Facebook and has found it a great way to stay in touch with former clients. The ease of sharing goings-on in each other’s lives often Top Agent Magazine

prompts clients to reach out to her proactively.

Both Liz and James are Premier Agents with Zillow. When it comes to marketing, Liz and James know each property is different and requires tailor-made listings for today’s market, with Facebook adds, direct marketing and Zillow listings featuring heavily in their marketing efforts.

“By the time I put adds on Facebook and the listing shows up on Zillow, we’re in a multiple-offer situation,” Liz says of the highly competitive market in southwest Florida. In a given year, Liz and James close at least fifty transactions.

A lifelong lover of horses, Liz volunteers, along with James, at South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. They often volunteer three days a week or more, helping care for the horses as well as organizing fundraisers, and donating a percentage of commissions to support the organization. Liz and James also donate a percentage of their commissions to St. Jude’s.

With seven grandchildren and one on the way, Liz stays busy even when she’s not working, teaching them horsemanship, going for walks, and enjoying time together as a family.

Looking ahead to the future of their business, Liz and James are continually updating their practices, keeping their terminology and technology current to match an ever-changing market. “Nowadays, people find the house before they find the Realtor®,” Liz explains.

“So, we’re adjusting with that in mind.”

For more information about Liz & James Williamson, please call Liz at 239-728-8313, email Lizjam0724@gmail.com, or call James at 239-699-1471, or email Jameswilliamson101@gmail.com Top Agent Magazine

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

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Top Agent Magazine

ALEJANDRO SUERO Alejandro Suero – President/Broker at The Suero Group in Miami, Florida – is a hardworking, dedicated real estate professional who has built a thriving business on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity and deep knowledge of the South Florida market.

Focusing on residential sales, condo conversions and rentals in the Sunshine State, Alejandro has earned his stellar reputation as a trusted, intelligent and reliable real estate advocate for his many grateful clients.

The Suero Group, a boutique agency that employs approximately ten other equally dedicated agents plus support staff, has made a name for itself through providing top-notch, concierge service for its wide variety of clients, including those relocating from areas including both coasts of the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

Alejandro, who is rapidly approaching two decades in the real estate industry, grew up in both San Juan, Puerto Rico and Miami, and is an alumnus of The Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, and is also a recipient of a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and International Business from Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He has also completed an MBA from the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain.

Alejandro began his real estate involvement in 2003, after a stint working at Merrill Lynch. “My family has been involved in development and real estate for quite a while,” he recalls. “When the economic crisis hit in 2008, I began buying up homes in foreclosure, renovating them and either renting them or flipping them.”

Currently, almost the entirety of Alejandro’s impressive business is based upon repeat and referred clients, a statistic of which he is justifiably proud. “I believe it’s because of the quality of service that we offer,” he explains, when asked how he manages to inspire such impressive levels of trust and loyalty. “We take it to the next level for our clients, and we do things for them that many other agents won’t. Many of them are coming from Latin America, and they count on us to help them Top Agent Magazine

coordinate that move and all the details that involves.” This level of care and service has translated into a business that has sold over 80 million in 2020 alone, an incredible feat for a boutique agency.

There are many other factors that come into play when assessing Alejandro and The Suero Group’s success, chief among them being expert negotiation skills and a thorough, intelligent approach to marketing their many listings. Combined, these result in fast sales for top dollar, not to mention happy clients who continue to return and refer. As proof, one needs to look no further than Zillow. com, on which site Alejandro is a Premier Agent and holds a perfect, five-star overall rating.

“I love meeting people from all different walks of life,” says Alejandro, when asked what he enjoys most about what he does for a living. “Buying or selling can be a very stressful process, and I like making it as seamless a process for them as possible.”

Alejandro, who gives back to his community through a variety of ways – including his support of the Ronald McDonald Children’s House – has fairly straightforward plans for the future of his business. “Adding to his team, growing his business and increasing his marketing presence are just a few of his goals. Above all, however, remains his constant commitment to providing the unparalleled customer service that has become synonymous with his name.

For more information about Alejandro Suero, call 305-401-5669 or email Alejandro@TheSueroGroup.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

JAY GRANIERI Jay Granieri began his real estate career after working for a venture capital company and commuting back and forth between Florida and New York. “The travel was getting to be too much,” Jay recalls, “so when my friend Jonathan Keith introduced me to the idea of getting my real estate license, I jumped right in and never looked back. I’ve been in sales all my life, so when I went to help Jonathan build the team, I relied on the experiences I’ve had from my sales background to help expedite my success in selling real estate.”

Jay is now going on his 7th year in the business, and he loves being able to connect with new people and help them achieve their real estate goals.

As the Top Producer of TeamJK / Compass, Jay serves Ft. Lauderdale, with the majority of his sales in the northeast side of the city including Victoria Park, Coral Ridge, Poinsettia, and Wilton Manors. Repeat and referral clients already make up about 40% of his business and growing, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence Jay inspires. Jay sets himself apart as a “go-to guy” for anything home-related, exemplified in his tagline “Ask Jay.” “I’ve developed a local home network of professionals I work with and refer,” he says. “A lot of people use me as their go-to for questions and resources. People know that if they need something, they can just ask Jay, he’s got a guy. Even if people don’t end up using me for a sale, they know they can call me up to ask for resources.”

When it comes to marketing, Jay embraces new technology to improve his reach and promote his listings.

“I’m a big fan of video,” Jay says. “I’ve never been a shy guy, and I came out of the gate early with video. It put me on the map locally. I was a big early adapter of Facebook Live, and I’m not afraid to get out in front of the camera.” As Jay says jokingly, “I’m in my 40s but I play with tech like I’m in my 20s.”

Being active in his community is important to Jay. He 20

is on the local Board of Governors for the Broward-Miami Association Realtors®, and he is involved with causes including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Jay is also active in the local chapter of BNI Premier, having served as President and Vice President, and now Communications and Recruitment Chairman. When he is not working, Jay loves spending time with his two kids and coaching their sports teams. Jay also is a self-described “fitness junkie” and has competed in a dozen triathlons and 10 Spartan Races.

In the future, Jay plans to continue evolving to meet new challenges. “You always have to push yourself to the next level,” he says. He plans to continue building a stronger footprint locally and continue being that reliable “go-to guy” for his clients.

“I love solving people problems,” Jay says. “When you’re dealing with residential sales, you really dive in not only to the home but also to the minutiae of people’s lives, and I love that aspect of it. A lot of people say this, but it’s really true, my clients tend to become my friends. It’s been a really cool experience, and I now have people in my circle I probably never would have met if not for real estate.”

To find out more about Jay Granieri, please call 310.713.9090, email jay.granieri@compass.com or visit askjaytoday.com Top Agent Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Take a Baby Step When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your 22

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

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

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

There’s no one way to overcome procrastination.

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

Top Agent Magazine®

Top Agent Magazine

MATT FEENEY Attracted by the freedom and flexibility that real estate can offer, Matt Feeney decided to give it a shot in 2005. He got his Florida license, worked through the difficult first few years, and slowly watched his career grow into the exceptional success that it is today. A joyous, grateful, and enthusiastic Realtor®, Matt has learned, through grit and determination, all the ins and outs of real estate, and after living in Palm Coast, FL for 28 years, he is deeply familiar with his locale and its market trends.

Matt’s persistence in the face of adversity has paid off in spades – he is an elite Realtor® in his area, and consistently performs at the top of his field year after year.

Matt has been a multimillion-dollar producer multiple years in a row, focusing primarily in Hammock Beach.

He sells everything from luxury homes to lots, and loves every minute of it. He is a veteran of the Marine Corps and has the self-discipline and willpower to navigate any transaction, and his skills and knowledge are an asset for anyone who takes him on as their Realtor®.

of good will between him and his customer base.

As a member of Coldwell Banker, Matt has access to a lot of resources when it comes to marketing. He uses photo and video to make his listings look pristine, and advertises them on social media and the MLS to ensure they reach as wide of an audience as possible.

“I go the extra mile to ensure my listings get exposure,” Matt says. His commitment to going above and beyond the call of duty has been a huge factor in his continued success.

In his free time, Matt loves going to the park and shooting hoops, working out, going to the gun range, and taking walks on the beach with his family. He hopes to ramp up his business even further in the future, and reinvest his earnings to continue reaching out to a wider and audience and expanding his horizons. If you’re looking for an elite Realtor® in Florida to help you out with your real estate transaction, look no further than Matt Feeney!

As a longtime member of his community, Matt is big on making friends and maintaining relationships with the people he meets every day. He is a social person who truly cares about his clients’ well-being, and goes out of his way to make their experience easy and enjoyable. “Quite honestly, I care about people,” Matt says. “I do my best to be there for them no matter what.” His generous attitude has earned him a following – Matt gets 80% of his business through repeat clients and referrals.

Matt prioritizes service of his clients over all else.

He has this message for them: “My focus is knowing what I can do for you today. I’m at your service.”

Matt’s emphasis on catering to the needs of his clients and building relationships with them makes him wonderful to work with and establishes a great deal Top Agent Magazine

To learn more about Matt Feeney, please call (386) 503-1437 or email matt.feeney@floridamoves.com 23

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Top Agent Magazine