FLORIDA 7-1-22

FLORIDA EDITION

The Daily Schedule of a Successful Real Estate Agent

6 Things All Successful Negotiators Do

Welcome Home: WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

FEATURED AGENTS

PHILLIP S. CALLOWAY BILL & CHRISTINA DEVINE VIVIAN FERNANDEZ VALERIE JARNBERG HESTER VAN ROOYEN

HOW TO THROW A CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT NO ONE WILL FORGET

COVER STORY

NOELLE TIETZ

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

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Welcome Home:

Working with Relocators in Transition People stage moves for all sorts of reasons.

From the joyous and pre-planned, to the unfortunate and unexpected, new chapters begin with the help of an agent. When you’re working with buyers from a different region, state, or country, the typical complications of a transaction can be compounded. So, what’s a savvy agent to do?

For starters, envision the big picture. Relocators have extra obstacles between them and 4

their dream home. They don’t necessarily know which neighborhoods are ideal for their lifestyle, what they should budget for utilities, what type of homeowner’s insurance is ideal, or how they can tour, let alone close, on a house from afar. All in all, it’s a tall order, but if you can manage a relocation transaction successfully, you could tap into a sizable pool of clientele. Think of it this way: if you’re the shining star of a relocator’s moving process, their word-of-mouth praise could be

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exponential. Likewise, a winning reputation within that client’s corporate sphere could lead to lucrative, stable referrals and partnerships for years to come. Here are a few key ways to help clients navigate the relocation process with minimal stress and maximum results.

Create a full-scale timeline for you and your client that makes expectations clear.

Moving is already one of life’s biggest stressors, but relocations have a dozen more moving parts that your average deal. Consider creating a master-plan of sorts to help you and your client visualize the steps required to achieve success in the midst of a relocation.

Even from afar, your client will be able to refer to the roadmap you’ve set. Likewise, this makes sure you and your client are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and checklists. Assemble an articulated, overarching gameplan also helps demystify the process and lower stress. Instead of clients wondering what’s next, what’s needed, who to call, and when to be ready—handy guidelines of your own devising will be at their fingertips.

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Attune your communication style so that nothing goes overlooked or miscommunicated.

Establish early on how your client prefers to communicate and which methods should be excluded. Also, make sure to outline what timeframes are ideal to communicate in, and how often they expect to hear from you with status updates or follow-ups. Some clients might prefer a more hands-off approach that lets you manage most details behind the scenes with updates only when progress is made. Most clients in the midst of a serious relocation, however, will prefer to be in touch more frequently. Customizing is key. If they prefer text messages and emails over calls, that’s a helpful detail to know from the outset. If they prefer face-to-face video chats or can only speak after business hours—those are also key parameters to work within. The less mystery and hassle, the better.

Be a local resource with vetted recommendations and vendors on-hand.

Relocating homeowners may not know the best neighborhoods and their amenities, or where the best school districts are, which areas are high-traffic, or where their dollar might stretch a little further. Identifying your clients’ goals can help narrow this field, but you’ll also want to be careful not to overwhelm them with information. After all, they’re taking on a huge life transition and making a move as an outsider. You’ll want to serve as a onestop-shop who can remove some steps and stress from their organizational obligations.

Have a contractor who can get a head-start on home projects while clients make the move?

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Excellent. Or, perhaps you can provide an out-of-state agent referral so that clients can sell their existing property in a timeline that works in conjunction with their new purchase. Make yourself a community expert and a connector, and you’ve won a client— and their referrals—for much longer than a single transaction.

Think outside the box when weighing variables.

Relocations aren’t your typical transaction.

You’ll need to do a bit more planning to avoid pitfalls along the way. For instance, have you considered how you’ll tour homes with clients if they live hundreds of miles away?

Are there time zone differences to factor in?

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If clients are relocating from another country, are there any special visa or naturalization considerations? How will their belongings travel? Are there pets to relocate? There are plenty of questions to ask and plan for, but the key is to be communicative and thorough up front. The more information and planning time you have, the smoother the transition will go.

There are certified real estate agent designations you can pursue that set you apart for your experience when it comes to relocations, but in lieu of those—arm yourself with the planning details and methods that will make your client a raving fan. In the process, you’ll up your game, create a happy client, and hopefully field similar business for years to come.

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NOELLE TIETZ

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Top Agent Noelle Tietz represents homebuyers, sellers, and investors all over Southwest Florida with Realty Rents and Sales, including Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.

Noelle Tietz had built a successful career in the veterinary industry when a friend of the family began urging her to get her Realtor’s license and join her team. “I didn’t think it was for me, at first, because of some bad experiences with agents I’d used in the past,” Noelle recalls. “But she won me over by telling me it would be an opportunity to be the kind of agent I would like to have experienced.”

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Noelle got her license in 2008, launching her business into the teeth of the housing market crash. In her mind, it was one of the best things that could have happened for her. “I got in when a lot of agents were getting out. It proved to be a great learning platform, and I had to hustle to not only find clients, but show them I knew the market and had their best interests at heart.” She began working with a lot of investors who Top Agent Magazine

were renovating homes and then renting them out. Soon she began working with more first-time homebuyers.

Today Noelle represents homebuyers, sellers, and investors all over Southwest

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Florida with Realty Rents and Sales, including Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. Because of the enormous amount of new business coming from people who reach out after reading her reviews, Noelle has maintained a healthy balance of repeat

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client and referral business. One reviewer’s gushing praise is typical: “I highly recommend Noelle to anyone interested in real estate, buying or selling. She is brilliant! Her work ethic is beyond reproach and she backs it up by overseeing every aspect of each transaction personally.

Noelle really goes above and beyond. I

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can honestly say that I never would have been able to purchase my home without her. While I was prepared to give up, she had the knowledge and resources to navigate through any and all red tape and make it happen. Anyone would be fortunate to have her as an agent. I love my new home and I thank her for it!!”

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“I’m very up front and honest,” Noelle explains.

“If I don’t think a deal is right for my client, I will advise them to look for a different opportunity.”

Noelle is there for her clients from start to finish, beginning with a conversation about their goals and expectations.

She then guides them through the entire process, whether that is helping a buyer find a lender, or advising a seller on the preparation and staging of their home.

She’s there for the home inspections and Top Agent Magazine

everything else, giving her clients constant updates along the way, as well as good advice based on her years of experience. “I’m very up front and honest,” Noelle explains. “If I don’t think a deal is right for my client, I will advise them to look for a different opportunity. Eighty percent of my clients are also my good Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

friends at this point in my career, so they know I will treat every transaction as if it is my own money at stake, and they trust me to look out for their interests.”

Community service has always been important to Noelle and her husband, and they

select a charity to support each year. She is also very involved with her children’s school and team sports. As for the future of her business, she is planning to do some rebranding online to emphasize a balance between her work with homebuyers/sellers and investors.

For more information about Noelle Tietz call 239-823-0694 or email mail@noelletietz.com www.instagram.com/sambazzy1/

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The Daily Schedule

of a Successful Real Estate Agent Everything you do should be intentional. A busy schedule isn’t the same thing as a productive schedule. Sometimes people write things like “find clients” on their to-do list, but finding clients isn’t actually a task. It’s a goal. Your daily schedule should be created with your goal in mind if you want to be a successful real estate agent, but a goal is too broad to add to your calendar.

Instead, you can break your goal down into projects, break those projects down into tasks, and schedule time in your calendar to complete each task. You’ll find that some of these projects will have an immediate impact on your business, and that those are the tasks that should be completed first.

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The fact is that as a real estate agent you can set your own schedule—if you’re not productive until 10am, then you don’t have to start your day until then. But having a daily schedule means that every day you have a running start on all those other agents who just “wing it.”

You don’t want to feel burned out and busy but like you’re simultaneously not getting a whole lot done. You can only keep up 70+ hour weeks for so long before your body breaks down and both your performance and income drop as a result.

Since every real estate agent’s operating hours look different, the following daily schedule is broken up by the suggested amount of hours you

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should spend on each task rather than specific times of day. However, certain tasks, like prospecting, appointments, and listing presentations should be performed at times when it’s most convenient for clients. If you’re an agent who likes to end their workday at 5 o’clock, remember that this is also the same time your clients are likely ending their day, meaning you might be unavailable for showings during the only time their schedule allows.

3.5 hours – This is that time of day that you should schedule all your appointments and listing presentations. If you are a newer agent, you might use this time instead to do more prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Spend this time waking up, exercising either at home or at the gym, and eating breakfast.

2 hours – Now it’s time to unwind. Use this time to have dinner and spend time with you family. If you have children, this is usually the time of day when they are wrapping up homework assignments and getting ready for bed.

It’s important that you make time for these moments the same way you make time for your work.

2 hours – Use this time before you head to the office to develop a morning routine, if you haven’t already. You can meditate, journal, practice affirmations, or read personal development books to prepare for the day ahead.

1 hour – Once you’re at the office, spend this time to review the day’s schedule, catch up with your assistant or other colleagues, and check the latest industry news. This is also the time of day that you can role play to prepare for appointments.

1.5 hours – Spend this time prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Now it’s time for a lunch break. If you’re a multitasker, you can also use this time to prepare for the afternoon and any meetings you have scheduled or connect with followers on social media.

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.5 hours – Look over the day’s schedule again and ensure you’ve checked every task off your to-do list. While you’re at it, be sure to review tomorrow’s schedule and goals too.

2 hours – Spend these last couple hours before you fall asleep to have quality time with your spouse or perform your self-care routines.

8 hours – Now it’s time for sleep—getting a full night’s rest is crucial if you want every day to be productive.

As you can tell, there’s still some wiggle room left in this schedule, but the important thing is to block out time every day so you can achieve your goals and help your clients.

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PHILLIP S. CALLOWAY REALTOR® Phillip S. Calloway began his career working in a different type of sales: he was working in the ticket industry, selling tickets for events like the Miami HEAT back when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade played for them. After those star players left, the excitement of the job dwindled and before long, Phillip found himself looking at different industries. He landed on realty, a move that ended up being the right fit for him.

Seven years later, Phillip is the Broker/ Owner of Influencers Realty Group, LLC serving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Palm Beach with almost ten agents underneath him.

“The South Florida area is currently being rebranded as a fashion and tech hub,” he says. “There are a lot of start-ups moving here and we’re seeing young families from the Northeast and California coming in to what were once communities of mainly retirees.”

Phillip not only knows the local landscape really well, but he offers a high level of service that comes from his experience in the industry coupled with his strong communication skills. “I spent ten years in education, so I have the awareness of how to explain complicated concepts in a simple way and translate my knowledge so that clients can make informed decisions about their futures,” he explains.

With around 20% of his business coming from repeat clients and 70% coming from referrals, he doesn’t need to do a lot of marketing to prospect, but he does it regardless. His marketing is split between social media and traditional methods like mailers, postcards, and a virtual assistant who makes phone calls to let people know about listings. With the help of his CRM reminders, he sends out birthday and home anniversary greetings to all his clients. Phillip has a wide sphere of influence and frequently checks in with all his contacts to see who might be interested in buying or selling.

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When he’s not working, Phillip is very involved in his local church as well as his fraternity, who do events in the area.

He serves on the YPN leadership board of the Miami Association of Realtors.

He also sits on the South Florida Board of NAREB, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, as well as on the board of his condo building. Additionally, he’s involved in the crypto community in his area, and is tapping into that new audience for real estate business.

Annually, Phillip has a sales volume of around 20-30 transactions. While he has plans to expand the volume, his goal is to do it by hiring additional agents and serving more as a manager and mentor. This will give him the opportunity to spend more time with his young family while still growing the business. “Whether you’re working with me or one of my agents, we’ll let you know if it’s in your best interest to move somewhere. We provide real, solid information that will help you make the important decisions on home buying and selling.”

For more about Phillip S. Calloway please call 305-926-6706 or email broker@influencersre.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 15

BILL & CHRISTINA DEVINE Providing attentive, personal service and making the real estate experience easy from beginning to end, Bill and Christina DeVine are local experts at helping clients live the fabulous Florida lifestyle.

After the couple moved to Florida from Indiana, Christina got her real estate license in 2005, and Bill joined her in the business in 2009. “We’ve been working together as a team ever since, and we absolutely love it!” Bill says.

Bill previously worked as a financial adviser and in the mortgage business, while Christina’s background is in retail and design, making the DeVines uniquely wellequipped to guide clients through every aspect of the real estate transaction. Together with their full-time assistant and right-hand woman, Macy Ashmore, Bill and Christina have everything covered and ensure a streamlined, stress-free process for their clients.

Bill and Christina live in Palm Harbor and primarily serve Pinellas County, though they will go as far afield as their clients need them. They are effusive in their praise of their adopted home state, and are eager to share that lifestyle with their clients. “We love to emphasize all there is to do here in Florida,” Bill says. “So many people move here from all parts of the world, and specifically from the northeast and some of the larger cities, because they are gravitating toward everything you can do here year-round. Here on the Gulf coast, we have amazing white sandy beaches, and people can take advantage of the water, the beaches, the golf courses, hiking, biking, tennis, and quaint downtowns full of that ‘old Florida’ charm. It truly is a great lifestyle!”

With all the upheaval in the real estate world in the past few years, Bill and Christina have adapted to help their clients thrive in the new environment. “In addition to marketing our listings on social media and focusing on online presentation, we also do a lot of FaceTime and videos for our out-of-state clients,” Christina explains.

“It’s great to be able to offer that personal service to our 16

clients and help them see a house without ever setting foot inside.”

As Bill points out, “Once we build that trust with our clients and really know what they’re looking for, it gives them the comfort level to know that this could be the home for them without even being there.” Plus, he says, “It’s always exciting to be there and witness how much they love the home when they see it for the first time in person!”

In keeping with their enthusiasm for their community, the DeVines love giving back any way they can. They are closely involved with the nonprofit Clothes to Kids, with Christina volunteering at the organization’s Tampa store and Bill serving as a board member. The DeVines also give back to active-duty military and veterans, as well as first responders and teachers, with special discounts at closing.

Looking toward the future, Bill and Christina plan to continue providing the same great service to their clients and keeping that personal touch. “Through real estate we get to know our clients on such a close, intimate basis,” Christina says. “It’s a big deal to help someone buy or sell a home, and we love that they become not just clients, but friends.”

For more about Bill & Christina DeVine, please call 727-741-7779, email Christina@DeVine360.com, or visit them online at devine360.com www.

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6 Things All Successful Negotiators Do If you think about it, you’ve been negotiating your whole life. As a kid you negotiated constantly with your family, your teachers, and your classmates. If you’re a parent, you’re negotiating probably more than you ever have in your life. But it’s one thing to negotiate staying up late on a school night, people oftentimes have trouble translating those real world negotiation skills into the business world. But the truth is there are a lot similarities.

Expert negotiators all have skills and techniques they bring to the table. It’s quite possible you also have them, and don’t even realize Top Agent Magazine

it. Here’s a look at some traits that are common among expert negotiators.

1. They keep emotion out of the process It’s very easy to feel frustrated, angry and defensive during a negotiation process. But when emotions run high, it’s often difficult to respond with logic and reason. This can be especially difficult if the person you’re negotiating with tries to escalate the situation. As the saying goes, keep calm and carry on. You

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have an end goal in mind, and getting heated won’t help you meet it. If things don’t go your way, remember it’s not personal. Best to leave the table with no hard feelings. Hopefully even though you may not have gotten what you’ve wanted this time around, you’ve established a foundation for success at your next try.

2. They’re reasonable If you don’t ask for what you want you’ll never get it, but at the same time, you need to be reasonable about what you’re asking for. Yes, ask for a little more than you want, so you have some wiggle room to compromise. But if you ask for too much too soon, you might shut down the person you’re negotiating with from the start, or even worse offend them. No one wants to feel like they’re being taken advantage of. Ask for what you deserve and you’ll never go wrong. At the very least you might start the conversation on how that might be possible down the line, if it isn’t just yet.

3. They’re well-prepared Part of being reasonable is being well-prepared. One of the biggest mistakes novice negotiators make is showing up over-confident and under prepared. Have the research and facts to back up what you’re asking for. Show your negotiation partner evidence of why what you’re asking for is not only fair, but necessary. Facts are hard to shoot down. This will also give you the confidence to really push for what you want. It’s not just something you think, it’s something that’s undeniable true. If you go in unprepared you’re more likely to flounder, which will damage your credibility going into future negotiations.

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4. They always strive for a win/win solution for everyone Yes, negotiations are about getting what you want, but as the old saying goes, you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Your negotiation partner might also have reasonable requests that you need to consider. Ultimately, successful negotiations are about compromise on both sides, and ending up with an outcome that benefits everyone.

5. They’re creative Problems and conflict are a natural part of any negotiation. One surefire way to impress, is to head off any impending roadblocks, by coming up with creative solutions. It’s easy to point out problems and be negative. Truly expert negotiators think outside the box, and dazzle with innovative concepts and ideas that leave everyone excited about the process.

6. They’re good listeners Listening in order to really understand where your negotiation partner is coming from is important for two reasons: you not only want to make them feel heard, but knowing what they want is invaluable information you can use to get what you want. At the start, you’re gathering information by asking questions and really hearing what they say, which includes picking up on body language and nonverbal cues as well. This is part of being well-prepared, using every possible thing you can to have an advantage.

Being in control of the situation, and then leading everyone to a successful conclusion all around is what great negotiation is all about.

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VIVIAN FERNANDEZ A vibrant nightlife, pristine beaches and perfect weather make the greater Miami area a wonderful place to set down roots.

Top agent Vivian Fernandez has spent over two decades helping buyers and sellers accomplish their real estate goals here. “We get all types of people moving here,” she explains. “Many come to buy second homes, as it’s a fantastic place to spend time in.” Vivian got her start in the industry after working for her parents’ wholesale business. She purchased her first home at age 22, and her passion for real estate was ignited.

“Once my father passed away, I decided I needed to follow what I really love, so I became a licensed agent,” she says. Today she has her own team, including her son, a marketing manager and transaction coordinator.

Vivian loves to work with others, and often teams up with agents in her office when they need someone with extensive knowledge about the beach areas.

Having lived in Miami Beach for 20 years, she knows the region well, and has grown a thriving business based on repeat clients and referrals. “I connect with the people that I work with,” she explains. “So much so that I consider many clients to be my friends. I invite them over for holidays and truly care about them.”

When working with Vivian, buyers and sellers understand that she prioritizes their relationship, relieves stress from the transaction and makes it enjoyable for all involved. She even remains in touch with her very first client, talking to them regularly and keeping up on any life updates. These friendships are what keeps her motivated, and have become one of her favorite things about what she does. “I get to meet people I would have never known if I was in any other field, and we get to connect through our love of real estate.”

Vivian’s buyers love that she takes the time to understand what they are looking for and develops a plan to achieve their goals. She’s patient throughout, never pressuring them to make decisions. At the same time, Top Agent Magazine

Vivian delivers exceptional service to her sellers, making sure their properties are promoted on every platform possible.

“Each one of my listings, whether it’s a condo or an estate on the beach, will have a 3D Matterport tour, drone footage and high quality photographs. My marketing guru pushes all that content out to social media, because the goal is to reach as many potential buyers as we can.”

Community is an important piece of Vivian’s work and life, so she makes giving back a priority. A portion of each commission she earns goes to the Children’s Miracle Network. When she isn’t working, she loves to take photos and travel.

With Vivian’s son currently studying for his master’s in international real estate, a bright future is ahead for her team. “He wants to get into developing, so I am enjoying learning about that aspect and bringing that into what we do.” Vivian can’t wait to see what this city looks like in ten years. “I think Miami is just starting. There’s still so much to do and build, and I am eager to be a part of it.”

Vivian Fernandez at RE/MAX Advance Realty: please call 305-322-1813, visit OceanYes.com or email OceanYesMiami@gmail.com www.

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VALERIE JARNBERG Driven by a steadfast dedication to her clients and a desire to help them succeed, Valerie Jarnberg sets herself apart by serving clients with honesty and compassion. Valerie moved to the US 30 years ago from France after working as a flight attendant on the Concorde, and she embarked on her real estate journey in 2006. She started at Century 21 Champions, and that’s where she still is today, helping clients achieve their real estate goals.

Valerie serves the entire Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Sarasota, Tampa, St Petersburg and Apollo Beach. “This is a thriving and very diverse area,” Valerie says. “We have great beaches and tourism, but we also have a lot of industry coming here.

We have people moving here for work as well as to enjoy the water and the beautiful weather.”

Over 80% of Valerie’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, a sure sign of the trust and confidence she inspires. “My referral business is all from working non-stop with past clients and their family members and friends,” Valerie explains. “Clients appreciate that I’m very honest and I care about people. I also follow up. Even after closing, I will still be there to answer any questions or help them get to know the area. Because of this, my clients usually become my friends.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Valerie says, “We make sure that every listing, no matter the price, has the best videos and pictures possible.” Her son Alex Jarnberg, also a licensed REALTOR®, is a photographer who helps Valerie get great drone footage, photos and video for her listings to ensure that they stand out. Valerie is a Zillow Premier Agent with a 5-star rating, adding to her marketing reach. And with her Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) 20

designation, Valerie markets her listings internationally.

Outside of real estate, Valerie loves to be involved in her community. She holds parties to bring together some of the many French-speaking people in the area, and is active on a Facebook page that helps local French speakers with relevant tips and advice. When she is not working, Valerie enjoys gardening, exercise, and traveling the world with her family.

In the future, Valerie looks forward to continuing to serve her clients and her community. “I love where I work, and I love meeting new people,” she says. “I want to increase my international and national visibility, and make sure people know where I am and who I am. My favorite part of real estate is the relationships I create.”

For more about Valerie Jarnberg, please call 727-793-8111, email valerie.jarnberg@gmail.com, or visit ValerieJarnberg.com www.

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How to Throw a Client Appreciation Event No One Will Forget Clients are the foundation of any flourishing enterprise, and this is particularly true in real estate—an industry where relationships are central. Demonstrating your gratitude to former and current clientele is a winning way to cultivate your network, while upping your potential referrals and creating face-to-face time with the individuals that make your business tick. Keep in mind a few of the tips below as you stage a client event that will positively impact your brand, while conveying your appreciation to those who have driven your business all year.

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Supersize Your Guest List Inviting former clients to your client appreciation bash is only the first step in crafting your guest list. To really expand your sphere of influence, invite neighbors, local business owners and staff, old friends, family, associates, fellow alumni from your alma mater, and the like. Think of your client appreciation event as a celebration of business bringing people together. Expand your guest list and you’ll create a coveted, in-person opportunity to forge relationships and broaden your reach.

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An appreciation event may be geared toward your clients, but if done correctly it can also provide a fun-filled venue for your employees to enjoy a morale boost.

Consider A Sponsor Client appreciation events shouldn’t skimp on the details, but you don’t want to break the bank, either. To defray the cost of a client appreciation event, consider enlisting local businesses as co-sponsors. Not only does this approach ease the price tag of throwing a party, but it also creates an easy partnership between you and other entrepreneurs—widening your database and making for a memorable and generous event.

ship, or the Super Bowl is coming up quick, tailoring client appreciation events to already-established happenings can create an organic tie-in and boost your attendance numbers in the process. Throw a gingerbread house decorating party during the holiday season, or throw a barbeque during the Fourth of July. Capitalizing on a naturally occurring theme creates the opportunity for comradery between you and your guests.

Apply A Personal Touch

Don’t Forget To Reward Your Employees An appreciation event may be geared toward your clients, but if done correctly it can also provide a fun-filled venue for your employees to enjoy a morale boost, as well.

By encouraging your employees to cut loose at this celebratory event—instead of having them run interference all night—your team will feel appreciated and validated, too.

Theme Your Event Whether the area’s high school sports team has made it to the state champion22

Invitations may seem like a small detail, but they shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Consider handwriting some of your invitations for the clients you remember well, or for business associates who you regularly partner with. Personalizing invitations to key players is the surest way to a confirmed RSVP. Cultivating your network of professional connections is an essential part of driving business, and client appreciation events not only create memories between you and your clientele, but also inspire your to step back, reflect, and give thanks to those who keep your business booming.

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HESTER VAN ROOYEN When she’s not selling real estate, Hester Van Rooyen likes to grow orchids. It is not easy work. You have to water them heavily, but let the roots dry out. Don’t keep it too dry, though, because they also need humidity.

They need sunlight, but make sure the temperature stays below 85 degrees.

If the conditions are right then you will be blessed with a beautiful plant that will blossom every year. Much like an orchid, Hester is nurturing her business, providing the right environment for it to blossom. “Definitely be always providing what’s asked for me on time, being punctual. Being straightforward with the clients and honest,” she says. “Definitely not trying to sell something that doesn’t exist.”

The Broward County agent is motivated by more than the sale. Hester aims to make an impression with each client she serves. “I like to get their property under contract as soon as possible, get them the most amount of money in their pocket, and make sure they are satisfied with my service” she says. “It feels good when you hear my client is happy they picked me as their REALTOR®.”

Hester got her start in real estate only two years ago.

The former teacher was working from home during COVID shutdown and decided it was the perfect time to pursue a lifelong interest. The idea was daunting, but Hester would not be deterred. “Starting something in a completely different field is tough. But I did it and managed to pass the test the first time,” she says, “And I love doing this. I love every moment of it.”

Indeed, Hester goes “above and beyond” for her customers, taking on extra responsibilities if the situation calls for it. Once, she even sold a houseful of furniture to make it easier for an overseas client. “(I) do whatever works for them,” she says.

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Hester keeps up with her clients through emails and newsletters, but she says phone calls are her most effective tool.

Not only does it give her an opportunity to touch base with her customers, but they may even have a lead for her.

“I’ve seen that a lot of them are starting to contact me and saying … a friend of mine wants to sell their house, you might go check it out. Or they’ll call me and tell me, there’s a house on our street that is standing empty? Here’s the address, check it out. I always try to stay in touch,” she says. “I make my calls.”

A member of Team JK for Compass, Hester markets her listings on Facebook and Instagram and through open houses. In today’s market, nothing stays listed for too long. “I do open houses nonstop when I have a listing,” she says. “Luckily, at the moment, the market is so great, you only have to do one or two open houses and then the property is under contract.” Looking ahead, Hester plans to keep growing and putting more people in homes. “I want my signs up everywhere in every neighborhood,” she says.

To learn more about Hester Van Rooyen, please call 954.801.7797, visit compass.com/agents/hester-vanrooyen, or email hester.vanrooyen@compass.com www.

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