FLORIDA 5-31-21

FLORIDA EDITION

CREATIVE MEDITATION FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL FEATURED AGENTS

RYAN CRITCH NINA BECKER

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QUALITIES OF EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES

By the Numbers:

Understanding the True Value of SQUARE FOOTAGE

How To Overcome

YOUR WORKPLACE FEARS COVER STORY

MARIA ODDY

FLORIDA EDITION

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MARIA ODDY

RYAN CRITCH

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NINA BECKER

CONTENTS 4) 4 QUALITIES OF EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES 6) HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR WORKPLACE FEARS

MARIA ODDY

Nina got her Realtor’s license in 2015 an assistant to a top producing agent mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com before eventually launching No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine her ow is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top with another team. She became a Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. top producer herself very quickly, Published in the U.S. and has been a full time agent for four years. Now she lives in St. Top Agent Magazine Petersburg and represents clients in the Greater Tampa Bay area with Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440

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14) BY THE NUMBERS: For Nina Becker,THE the real estate in UNDERSTANDING TRUE VALUEfit.

OF“I’m SQUARE a perfect a people person FOOTAGE helping them. I also like the adv all—listening to people’s stories, 20) CREATIVE MEDITATION properties, FORbeautiful THE REAL ESTATEovercoming the we encounter along the way. I work PROFESSIONAL clients, but it doesn’t feel like a job!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How To Overcome Your Workplace Fears Fear is something that can help protect us from danger, but it is also something that can be a hindrance to us in our lives, especially when it keeps us from potentially thriving and growing as a person. This is especially true in the workplace. Here’ a look at some proven ways to overcome common workplace fears.

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ASSESS THE FEELINGS BEHIND THE FEAR

Really owning the emotions that are putting you in a place of fear, is the first step. By just naming it and then talking it out in your head, what exactly you’re feeling and why, it can help deflate the fear. Think of it as releasing some of the fear into the ether. Yes, you’ll still be nervous about your presentation, but a lot of what was holding you back is gone. You’ll feel lighter, and hopefully have just enough butterflies to make your soar.

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TALK ABOUT YOUR FEARS WITH A TRUSTED CO-WORKER

Nothing can make you feel more isolated than going down the path of “This is something that only happens to me.” Trust me, it doesn’t, and you might be surprised to find out that some people have had it even worse. Talking to someone you trust and admire, hearing their own fear horror stories and how they overcame them, will help normalize what you’re feeling. Releasing yourself from the idea that it’s something about you, will be an enormous relief.

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THINK OF THE WORST CASE SCENARIO

Although it might seem counter-productive, truly assessing what the worse outcome of the situation you’re afraid of serves two purposes. It might lead you to realize the worst case scenario isn’t that bad 6

after all. Of course it could also lead you to a really uncomfortable thought, you could lose your job. As bad as that is, it also gives you an opportunity to start focusing on what really matters, and how you might grow from the experience and possibly end up better off. Countless people in their dream jobs now, were once fired and thought it was the end of the world.

Hopefully, that won’t happen to you, but learning to have confidence in your abilities to always find a way, will be a great tool in overcoming fears.

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COMPARTMENTALIZE

If you’re a super-organized type, you might try actually setting aside time in your day to focus on your fears. It might seem odd, but it will let you NOT focus on your fears during the other hours of your day. Think of it as a task, you aren’t just sitting there worrying, you’re taking in your fears and figuring out ways to overcome them.

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START THINKING OF YOUR FEARS AS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Start thinking of fears as challenges. As scary as it might seem to face them, for the most part they are things that can be fixed. A lot of fear is based on inexperience which leads to a lack of confidence.

A common fear is workplace evaluations. Instead of looking at it as hearing everything that is wrong about you, think of it as an opportunity to see where you can improve. Going into it with a positive attitude rather than a defensive posture, will make the whole thing better for both parties.

Overcoming fears is oftentimes about a simple attitude adjustment. Like anything it takes practice, but the results of that practice will lead to a life that you’re able to thrive in both personally and professionally.

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MARIA ODDY Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Maria Oddy of William Raveis Real Estate operates out of Naples, Florida, and takes a highly individualized approach to finding the right property for every person she works with.

“What sets me apart is my level of attention and my obsession with getting the job done.

I’m a perfectionist,” says Maria Oddy, a top REALTOR® with William Raveis Real Estate.

“For example, if it starts to rain on a day that I’ve scheduled a photoshoot, I reschedule that photoshoot. I’m selling sunshine, not water puddles. I always strive to present things at their best.”

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Maria operates out of Naples, Florida, but she doesn’t confine herself to a single area. She goes wherever her customers want to be, and she takes a highly individualized approach to finding the right property for every person she works with. “I start by interviewing my customers,” says Maria. “I find out what their lifestyle is and ask them what their life looks like. I listen to what they say, and I find Top Agent Magazine

them the right community. Then we find the right home.”

A large percentage of Maria’s business comes from repeat and referral customers. She has built a name for herself in Naples. “They’re highly impressed with the cutting-edge technology and marketing tools Raveis offers,” Top Agent Magazine

Maria explains. She utilizes social media, word of mouth, and agent networks to satisfy her buyers and sellers. “I present everything beautifully, and potential customers see how I conduct business.”

She also credits her communication skills with her high success rate. “I’m a people person. I Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“I love how happy and excited people are when they find that home they want, or when they sell, to get to their next property,” Maria says. “This is more than properties. It’s very personal.” care,” says Maria. “It’s very stressful to buy or sell. Oftentimes, buyers and sellers can think something is bigger than it is, so I help them. I walk them through the situation to make it easier and make them feel more comfortable. This is an emotional roller coaster, and I get them back on-track.”

Maria’s favorite part of her profession is finding people what they want and helping them realize their real estate goals. “I love Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

how happy and excited people are when they find that home they want, or when they sell, to get to their next property,” Maria says. “I enjoy the conversations through the journey of buying and selling. This is more than properties. It’s very personal.”

A resident of southern Naples, Maria loves her community. “We’re friends and neighbors. We’re all in this together and help each other out,” she explains. In past Top Agent Magazine

years, Maria has volunteered in the Food & Wine Festival and looks forward to becoming more involved once the pandemic has passed.

Outside of real estate, Maria’s true passion is playing tennis. “Tennis is my heart and soul,” Top Agent Magazine

Maria says. She plays both socially and competitively, and she often organizes events with tennis at her club. Most recently, Maria created the National Tennis Pro Day, which will debut on February 17, 2021, and Maria looks forward to turning that into a charity platform in the future.

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Looking ahead, Maria is excited to grow her business. She has recently brought on a Document Controller to free up more of her time to devote to her customers. Maria also hopes to bring on a buyer’s agent in the coming months, but she is in no hurry and is taking an organic approach to

expanding her business. “When people see my name and contact me, they want to talk to me,” she says. “I want to build, but I don’t want to be out of touch. That’s my job, after all. To find the property my customers are looking for, and to help them find their Naples life.”

To learn more about Maria Oddy, call 239-821-6277, email Maria.Oddy@raveis.com, or visit mariaoddy.raveis.com www.

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By the Numbers:

Understanding the True Value of Square Footage Measuring the square footage of a property may seem like an objective and straightforward task, but you’d be surprised at how many agents and homebuyers misunderstand this pivotal figure.

True square footage provides homebuyers a concrete understanding of their prospective domain, but here’s the problem: the rules to determine a home’s square footage are not always uniform across the board. What’s more, much of 14

a home’s value is determined by its size, so accuracy is certainly important. While many real estate agents have their own systems for determining or confirming a home’s true square footage, it doesn’t hurt to update your practices and become an expert on the subject. After all, you may learn a few techniques that could add value to a listing, or better prepare you in guiding house-hunters on the lookout.

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1. Do your due diligence Most towns and cities have a local records department where floorplans and blueprints are kept on file. It’s worth noting that these records don’t typically include any subsequent additions or remodels on a property, but they still give archive hunters a legal baseline when outlining a property’s square footage. Oftentimes, a straightforward online search of a city or county’s records office can pull the information necessary, or else agents can poke around in person to uncover informative blueprints at the records office. Either way, access to original blueprints or floorplans is a great tool for determining livable square footage. As a bonus,

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original blueprints and floorplans—especially in historic properties—can be intriguing visual aids for prospective buyers, as well.

2. Know the rules While there aren’t universal standards when it comes to measuring square footage, there are general guidelines that can help determine square footage in an authentic way. Per the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), here are the official recommendations for measuring a home’s real square footage: n

Called “below grade spaces,” basements and sunrooms beyond a home’s typical

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living quarters do not count toward a home’s true square footage. According to ANSI, even big draws like finished basements don’t count toward a property’s Gross Living Area. Of course, even below grade spaces have their own desirable value and should be outlined as such on listings. n

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Did you know the space inside closets and on stairways counts toward a home’s square footage? Even if these areas are relatively small, they still add to a property’s calculable square footage.

When recording square footage, ANSI actually suggests performing measurements from a property’s exterior—though this method does not account for the

thickness of exterior walls, which could skew square footage numbers. n

Just like below grade spaces, a garage, a pool house, or even a guest house should not be included in a property’s Gross Living Area. The rationale at work here is this: if you must go outside to access additional living areas, then they are beyond the square footage scope of the primary dwelling and should not be included in a home’s Gross Living Area.

3. Double-check by doing the dirty work Buyers and sellers have or will make a sizable investment in a property, so isn’t it fair to double-check all the relevant facts and figures

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RYAN CRITCH Top Agent Magazine

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RYAN CRITCH

Ryan Critch began his journey in the world of real estate at 24 years old when he began buying/ selling investment properties while working full time in the technology and marketing industry.

Fascinated by the real estate process and bored with sitting all day in an office, he decided to get his Broker’s license and open his own company, Ryan Critch Real Estate. Ryan specializes in serving waterfront and luxury clients from Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton.

Focused on top-notch service to build long-lasting relationships with his clients, Ryan dedicates himself to ensuring that his Buyers and Sellers receive expert care. “I love helping people solve their unique set of circumstances that is leading them to buy or sell. REALTORS® play a vital role in a Buyer’s decision of where to live, how it will affect their family or career, how much it will cost, and much more. The REALTOR® must be experienced and well-qualified to layout those cost/benefit relationships accurately... Also a 18

Homeowner’s decision to sell or not to sell, how much to ask, when is the right time, how long will it take, what should be done to the home in order to sell for as much as possible. Whether it’s a primary home, 2nd home, third home or investment property, each transaction is a major life decision that is very complicated. I use every ounce of market knowledge, training and 20+ years of experience to help them navigate seamlessly through this huge life event.” This spirit of expertise, hard work and dedication

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earned Ryan over $30,000,000 in sales volume last year.

Pages and pages of Buyer and Seller testimonials concur that they trust Ryan. They count on his commitment to them for the best outcome every single time and outline their stories of success and happiness again and again. Ryan’s recipe for success is built on continual growth and education. “I believe that lifelong learning is crucial in every business. I invest 10% of my income to personal development and growth including a world class real estate coach, a life coach, productivity and technology updates, reading strategies from other successful entrepreneurs and businesses outside of real estate. Every process, system and strategy is intended to protect my clients from the landmines and pitfalls that go along with Buying or Selling a home.” Ryan’s care for his customers extends beyond the transaction as he regularly checks in with past clients, sends Thanksgiving cards, informative news articles, and reminds them he’s available for questions anytime.

Ryan answers his phone 18/7 but is also known as an avid golfer, supports various charities and non-profit endeavors, and coaches his boys’ school sports teams. He and his wife, Blair, also a successful business owner and entrepreneur, recently started the Ryan and Blair Critch Foundation to assist in education of children in need. They have two sons, Jeremiah and Noah.

Ryan’s future business goals focus on personal and professional development to expand his services, helping as many people and families as possible reach their real estate dreams.

POR T R A I Ryan T P H OCritch, T O S B Yemail : To learn more about ryan@ Regina Myrick, Love in Color Photography Inc. ryancritch.com , visit www.RyanCritch.com or loveincolorphoto@gmail.com | (828)301-5330 call Ryan at 561-886-7476. loveincolorbyregina.com www.

www.

instagram.com/loveincolorphotography facebook.com/loveincolorphotography

To learn more about Ryan Critch, email ryan@ryancritch.com, visit RyanCritch.com or call Ryan at 561-886-7476. www.

www.

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Creative Meditation

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

Learning to quiet the mind has been the focus of meditation for millennia. While those not familiar with the concept of meditation may instinctively think of yoga mats, incense, and chanting when the word “meditation” arises, there are in fact, many forms of meditation that can integrate quite 20

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

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

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

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

Here are some examples of meditations you can try.

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

2 Repeating a mantra can be very calm-

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

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

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

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

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

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NINA BECKER

For Nina Becker, the real estate industry was a perfect fit. “I’m a people person and I enjoy helping them. I also like the adventure of it all—listening to people’s stories, looking at beautiful properties, overcoming the challenges we encounter along the way. I work hard for my clients, but it doesn’t feel like a job!”

“Whether I’m helping a client buy or sell, I treat that transaction like it’s my own investment at stake. I educate them about the process and give them the information they need to make a good decision. I’m also aware of how stressful this experience can be, so part of my job is to be a calming presence. I think clients appreciate that.”

Nina got her Realtor’s license in 2015, working as an assistant to a top producing agent for a while before eventually launching her own business with another team. She became a top producer herself very quickly, and has been a full time agent for four years. Now she lives in St. Petersburg and represents clients in the Greater Tampa Bay area with MavRealty. She’s been very successful. With $9 million in sales volume last year, she’s already over $6 million for 2021. Eighty percent of that business comes from repeat clients and referrals.

Nina’s relationship with her clients doesn’t end at the closing table. She’s very conscientious about staying in touch with them throughout the

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year, through texts, emails, social media, or pop-by’s. “We’re not necessarily having conversations about real estate,” Nina explains.

“We’ve become friends and I’m available to them for whatever they need, be it a recommendation for a plumber or a dog groomer, or just a friendly chat. They know they can always reach out.” She reaches out herself on holidays and special occasions, and sends gifts to clients every month.

When it comes to marketing her listings, Nina is meticulous in helping her sellers prepare their homes for showing and she loves being hands-on. She creates professional photos and video tours to show the homes to best advantage, posting these to social media, real estate websites, and her local MLS. Her deep knowledge of the area she serves is a boon to buyers looking for their dream home.

When she’s not working, Nina is active in her community, and is especially involved with protecting animals. “I always donate as much as I can to local animal shelters, as well as the one in Clearwater, just because that’s where I adopted my own kitties.” Time off is for enjoying the Florida sunshine. “We’ve just installed a pool, so right now I’m hanging out in my backyard every chance I get.

I also love going for bike rides down by the new St. Pete Pier.”

As for the future of her business, Nina loves selling and searching for homes and plans to keep offering the same exceptional customer service her clients have come to expect. But she’d also like to share with other agents the skills she’s learned from building her career.

“I want to mentor new agents to help them grow their own business. I appreciated the people who helped me along the way, so I look forward to paying that forward to someone else.”

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Contact Nina at 727-366-2737 or email Nina@MavRealty.com

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