GEORGIA 5-18-20

GEORGIA EDITION

MODERN EMAIL ETIQUETTE FOR TODAY’S AGENTS

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker FEATURED AGENTS

CODY CHEMBARS PAM EVANS CAROL ANNE HAZELMAN MORGAN REED

MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Your Calling Card

COVER STORY

KEN COVERS

GEORGIA EDITION

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KEN COVERS

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PAM EVANS

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MORGAN REED

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27 CAR CODY CHEMBAR

Carol A It’s not often that an element profess school teacher decides to beco a real estate agent, butsales that bw transiti the case for Cody Chemb who, after five years ofweddin teach husban decided to try his hand at bein in the i REALTOR®, upon his transiti father CODY CHEMBARS CAROL ANNE law’s suggestion.

Cody agent.

“That’s how I got wor start HAZELMAN to things get his real estate license grew from there.” No taking courses online aswhile has built a reputation an ag teaching. The hard effort paidtransparency, off, and he and realized gence, pers stepped onto the right path and eventually opened Today, Real CarolEstate AnneAdvisors spearhea very own brokerage, Anchor the banner of Keller William 2019. He currently has 13 agents working with him

There, she serves clients acr Metro drives95a busin With a referral and repeat ratearea of and roughly perc ated by repeat and cl it’s apparent that something about thereferral way C alike trust Carol Anne’s base conducts his business deeply resonates 17) CREATIVE MEDITATION FOR with many communication style, and pr his clients.

“My clients know that I’ll go to bat THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL time to get to know my clie them. I’ll battle with them inthem the trenches.

I work warn up front that I’m w g a lot of first-time home buyers, which can be a stres tions, because it’s my job to t 21) 5 REASONS WHY and overwhelming experience for them, but I’m a more I understand their needs YOU toNEED A MENTOR walk them through the process hand inall hand.” them.

I consult with of my Cody, making the process easy and and make understandable process sure everyt 25) MODERN EMAIL ETIQUETTE are set, andtrust people appr key component of why his clients himreally and feel FOR TODAY’S he always hasAGENTS their beststaying interestinintouch mind.with And client ensur naturally, Carol ca that his clients understand every since step of theAnne proces base, in addition to cultivatin equally important. “Real estate is not super diffic the test of time.

“The major almost anyone can sell a house. But for me, it’s ab becoming like friends and fam educating the buyer, or the seller, on the process. I each other’s company, and I r to sit down with my clients and teach the process on in their lives.”

CONTENTS 4) PLAYING THE REAL ESTATE MATCHMAKER— FOLLOW THESE 8 DATING RULES TO ENSURE YOU MATCH YOUR CLIENT WITH THE PERFECT HOME FOR THEM 13) MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING YOUR CALLING CARD

listing a property. I tell them frequently that I work them, not the other wayWhen around, so ultimately wil listing properties,I Caro mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com whatever they want meapproach to do. But at the the same that blends bestti No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior theas publisher.

Top Agent theyconsent hired of me theirtechniques real estatewith professional, s a tech-sav Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published recommend that we at least lookdocumentation at my suggestions premium for al

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440

materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. in addition to email and postc To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. borhood The majority of Cody’s clientsoutreach. becomeLikewise, like fam Published in the U.S.

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acrosssocial the leading lis to him, and with his strong media online presence media Ovew favors Facebook as thesocial best tool to campaigns. stay in touch ness, Carol Anne has earned them and stay involved Top andAgent up to Magazine date with their liv And when he’s not busy working or keeping in to

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities 4

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt Top Agent Magazine

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with 6

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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KEN COVERS Top Agent Magazine

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Ken Covers is a top advisor at Engel & Völkers Atlanta, serving buyers and sellers and specializing in the intown luxury market.

Enthusiastic and passionate about real estate, Ken Covers has become one of the most loved agents in the Atlanta region.

Producing just over $39 million in real estate transactions in 2019 alone, it’s clear he’s doing everything right while enjoying every minute of it. He got his start 20 years ago, when he retired early and moved from the midwest to Georgia. “I was going to 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

garden and become a southern gentleman,” he says. But his active mind soon pushed him to explore the idea of real estate. “My agent said I should go into it, because I know a lot about houses, and I laughed at the time but after 3 weeks of retirement I drove to real estate school and earned my license,” Ken explains. He was a “secret agent” while he honed his skills, but word spread fast and Top Agent Magazine

soon Ken was growing at an exponential rate. Today he is a top advisor at Engel & Völkers Atlanta, serving buyers and sellers and specializing in the intown luxury market. The vast majority of his business derives from repeats and referrals, a testament to his superior service.

“I think my two strongest elements are my service and my market knowledge,” he says. “I become my client’s real estate Top Agent Magazine

expert. They come back to me for results and service, that’s the bottom line.” Ken has established a solid reputation in the region, with clients coming to him knowing he will get the job done while exceeding expectations. For his buyers, he doesn’t stop until they find the home they’ve dreamed of, while also helping them see the potential in properties that don’t check all their boxes. Ken’s sellers get the same guidance throughout, including tips on how to make Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“My two strongest elements are my service and my market knowledge,” Ken says. “I become my client’s real estate expert.” their homes have the best first impression.

“I believe that homes sell within the first couple seconds of walking in, so I labor over the details,” Ken says.

After the transaction, clients love to spread the word about his work. One recently said, “Ken Covers is a man of high integrity, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

with a tremendous professional ‘know how’ which achieves the best results for his clients. I’ve dealt with many fine top rated realtors (17 homes) and have never been so pleased and am very grateful. In the end, I not only bought a wonderful home and sold a lovely townhome with Ken at the helm; I gained a lovely new friend as well.”

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When it comes to staying in touch, Ken often hosts social functions at his home and invites past clients. He also maintains an active presence in the community, getting involved Top Agent Magazine

in many events and charities. “Our company charity is the Special Olympics, and I’m on the board for the Alzheimer’s Association, hosting fundraisers at our house.” Ken was a Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

featured dancer on Dancing Stars of Atlanta, raising $272,000 for charity, the most ever raised in the history of the event.

During any free time, Ken can be found gardening or staying active outside. But he

admits it’s hard to stop working, because real estate truly is one of his favorite things to do.

“It’s the human connection that I love most.

Making a difference in people’s lives is an extraordinary thing.”

For more information about Ken Covers, please call 404-664-8280 or email ken.covers@evatlanta.com

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Make Social Media Marketing Your Calling Card These days, it’s no secret that buyers begin their home search online. As the industry continues to take a digital turn, Realtors in the know must learn to utilize a whole new range of tools available to them—and for good reason. Social media is a dynamic hybrid of personal contact and targeted marketing. To make the most of this new medium, agents can’t settle for the occasional post and expect results.

Instead, let’s consider a few techniques that will make your social media presence Top Agent Magazine

interactive, unmissable, and effective in generating business.

Your Profile is a Portal Ideally, you’ll have profiles across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and otherwise—but no matter what portal you’re utilizing, make sure your profile page is up-todate, well-curated, and easily navigated.

Consider your profile a landing page.

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Your photo, location, contact information, homepage, and a brief bio should all be readily visible so that potential clients can get an immediate sense for who you are and what your voice is. If a client wants to connect with you, it should be obvious how to do so. You might also incorporate a few savvier tools that make your profile more engaging—like hashtags. These searchable tags can help you lure potential clientele and give your audience a chance to explore deeper. #DreamHome #JustListed and #HomeInspiration are popular, existing tags to choose from, but you can cultivate your own hashtag by consistently tagging posts, which gives clients an extensive thread to comb through.

Interacting with Your Audience Posting regularly is great way to appear in feeds, but engaging with your audience is just as important—and it helps you reach a new audience in the process. It’s a positive start to like your audience’s posts, pictures, and statuses, but commenting takes your engagement a step further and separates you from typical respondents. It’s also important that you diversify your engagements. In other words, don’t center every communication around your business, propositioning your services, or trying to sell. If applicable, present your value-add, but otherwise steer your engagement towards the personal. Let your clients know that you’re there, you’re human, and 14

ready to work at their pace. Which leads us to our next point...

Blending the Professional with the Personal Engaging with your audience is one thing, but what about generating original content?

How do you strike the right balance between a Call to Action, industry updates, and a personal touch? Think of it this way: any post you create should provide a point of connection for your audience.

Sometimes, you might be sharing a family photo, or commenting on some unifying current event—like the Super Bowl! Other times, you may be sharing a Coming Soon listing, or providing tips to spruce up a home for spring. Regardless, you should focus on quality. Is your copywriting engaging? Does it express your unique voice and personality, while maintaining clarity? Are you giving your audience something to connect with, even if you are sharing property photos or advertising an open house? Instill some fun and some personalization to every piece of content you make, so that clients can picture the voice and person behind the post.

Things are always changing on the social media frontier, but some rules never shift.

Adding clarity, consistency, and personality to your online presence are three surefire ways to grow your business and make social media second nature.

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PAM EVANS Top Agent Magazine

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PAM EVANS Prior to Real Estate, Pam Evans had a successful career in Marketing for over 20 years. Understanding the elements of strategic marketing is a solid skill to have in many careers and it made her transition into Real Estate feel quite natural. Ten years later she is an Associate Broker/REALTOR® and has built a successful referral-based business.

While some agents may prefer having the safety net of a team behind them, Pam enjoys working solo in order to be able to oversee every aspect of the process from start to finish. “Job satisfaction is everything to me, and I derive great satisfaction from meeting with a client from inception, and working with them all the way through closing, whether they are selling or purchasing or both. If I have to remove any part of that process, or hand it off to someone else, then it becomes less enjoyable of a relationship. Plus I have a great Admin team to help me keep doing what I love.”

it an exciting adventure for her clients as well. “Buying or selling a home is a big project, and we can still make it fun. And I’m in it to win on behalf of my clients.”

As we all try to make sense of our new normal in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pam is thinking of her clients. “I like to check in on my clients regularly.

I’m in the process of calling people now, because it’s a crazy time we’re in and I want to make sure everyone is doing alright.” And as for her, she is shutting off panic and fear, and choosing to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel. “There is a silver lining in every situation, even in this pandemic,” she says.

Her hard work is reflected in her business, of which a high percentage comes from repeat and referral clients.

Pam is proud to admit that she’s never had to buy any leads. “I measure myself against me. I don’t look at other people’s numbers. I just try to do the best by my clients. If you have integrity, commitment and genuine concern for people and generate excellent results, they will gladly refer you to their family and friends.”

A large reason for Pam’s success, and her high referral rate, is her caring and thoughtful approach. “I’m in the people business, not in the housing business. I focus on what’s best for my client, not on calculating my commission. I use proven marketing tools for every single person I work with. At the end of the day, you will earn an income if you do right by your clients and help them accomplish their real estate goals.”

Aside from spending time with family, seeking out live music, and contributing to her local community, Pam derives the most joy from her work in real estate, and the variety that each day brings. “No two days have ever been the same,” she says. And she strives to make 16

To learn more about Pam Evans email hellopamevans@gmail.com, visit pamelaevans.c21results.com, or call 678-778-6551 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 Top Agent Magazine

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 17

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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MORGAN REED Top Agent Magazine

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MORGAN REED Morgan Reed grew up with an entrepreneurial mindset. Whether it be helping grow a fruit stand to a prominent produce market, or selling Christmas trees at the local shopping mall, Morgan has always had a drive for business. His parents were in the real estate industry for many years. After the downturn of 2008, they decided to pursue other work, but Morgan was still enamored with the business he grew up around. He decided to become licensed himself during his senior year of college. He soon showed he had a knack for the industry. He now leads a rapidly growing team consisting of an assistant, a second agent, and his mom—who is his office manager. Together they serve the West Metro Atlanta area including Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, and Douglas counties.

As a result of Morgan’s excellent marketing skills, he is quickly penetrating his local market as an expert in this field. His clients rave that he is honest, straightforward, responsive, and dedicated. “I’m always going to be the hardest worker in the room,” he says. “There is never going to be a time that I will allow someone else to outwork me.

I believe it takes three things to be successful in anything you pursue: Passion, Discipline, and Execution.” He has thorough organizational systems in place to ensure that each transaction goes smoothly and that his clients are educated each step of the way. He realizes he’s not going to be the best at everything so he has team members that our experts in their own right. “I can’t do this, and be the best for my clients without my amazing team.“ To help prepare sellers to list their homes, he advises them on any minor updates, connects them with stagers, and hires professional photographers.When it comes time to spread the word about listings, his digital expertise really shines. He’s able to use his technological savvy to strategically market each listing.

“I’m able to produce results at a high level because I understand how to create demand for homes using digital marketing,” he says. “It’s simple. Price is a factor of supply and demand, so when you can increase 20

demand, price will follow.” His social media posts and property video tours receive thousands of views, and he sends each listing to his wide database, as well as to every top agent in the area. The result is often a quick sale at a very competitive price. This year, he’s on track to close over 60 transactions.

“My mission when I started this team was to positively impact as many lives as I can, professionally, personally, and financially,” he says. “I want to be able to help my clients, not just buy a home, but invest in real estate and create wealth for themselves and their families.” To give back to the community, Morgan donates a percentage of his income on each transaction to three local nonprofit organizations, and he volunteers with each of them as well. He says, “When you put others first, you will never be second!”

In his free time, Morgan also enjoys focusing on health and fitness, spending time with his two German Shepherds, and attending sporting events in Atlanta. “I love my home teams,” he says with a smile. His goal for the next five years is to grow his sales team to be the #1 team in Georgia. “I’m 24 years old right now, so my goal is to do that by the age of 30,” he says. With his incredible work ethic and dedication to his clients and community, he’s sure to make that bold goal a reality!

To find out more about Morgan Reed, you can contact him via email at reedteamsales@gmail.com. You can also check him out online at www.soldbyreedguaranteed.com. and on social media IG - @morgan_reed10, @reedteamsellshomes FB - Thehttps://www.facebook.com/SoldbyReedGuaranteed/ Reed Team - Your Home Sold Guaranteed

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvuTS22ZNnqPyOHylCj6LA?view_as=subscriber YouTube - The Reed Team - Your Home Sold Guaranteed

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5 Reasons Why You Need a Mentor As great as it might feel to start your own business, and be solely responsible for its success, at some point, every entrepreneur reaches the limit of their potential, and needs a boost that only experience can provide.

But how do you get a lifetime of experience when you’re just starting out? Sure you can read countless books, but no book can replace the real life experience and advice of a mentor.

Mentors not only provides valuable insights, but they also have access to valuable connections as well. In fact a majority of the Top Agent Magazine

most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs in the country have said that having a mentor early on was instrumental in their success.

Here are some of the reasons why.

1. They’re able to see where you need improvement, when you can’t When you’re working non-stop to get your business off the ground, you might feel sensitive to any criticism from people who aren’t going through what you are. A good

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mentor knows exactly what you’re going though, and has probably made every mistake. When you’re in the thick of it, you might not be able to see where the problems are. A knowledgeable outsider, who knows exactly where you’re at and has only your best interests at heart is just what you need.

When you have a trusting relationship with someone like that, you will be more willing to listen to that brutal honesty, even if that constructive criticism stings.

energy into it. They can see things in a completely logical way and guide you based on the facts rather than emotion. A good mentor helps you work smarter, not harder. They help you focus on your goals and how to get there, as well as setting boundaries for you so you don’t overextend yourself. They teach you how to say no and help you let go when you need to move on from a setback.

2. They will encourage you to think outside of the box

In addition to expertise, building a strong network is something that can only come with time. A mentor will most likely have that already, giving you access to people and resources that would take others years to gain. These connections will lead to opportunities that might never have happened otherwise. It’s also a great confidence boost knowing that your mentor trusts and believes in you enough to invite you into their inner circle.

Years of experience can give someone a great idea of what works and what doesn’t.

They’ve seen things first hand, not just in theory. At the same time, mentors recognize the importance of taking chances, calculating risks, as well as cutting losses and moving on. A good mentor isn’t trying to encourage you to be a carbon copy of them, they are trying to create the best ‘you’ possible. That includes encouraging you to take chances, and then being there pushing you to keep going forward if it doesn’t work out.

A good mentor knows that even failures can be opportunities.

3. They take the emotion out of decisions and help set boundaries Unlike you, a mentor has no emotional investment in certain business approaches that you might have decided to try. There’s nothing harder than admitting something isn’t working when you’ve put a lot of time and 22

4. Networking

5. Encouragement At the heart or it all, a mentor offers you encouragement and motivation along the way, in good times and in bad. After a failure, it can be hard to get back on track and keep forging ahead. It helps to have someone who has spent year getting back up after being known down and coming out stronger than ever. It’s during those moments, when you feel alone and isolated, that having someone around offering you advice and positive feedback will be a much needed salve. They’re your cheerleader, they want you to succeed, and hopefully, you’ll pay it forward one day when you become as successful as them.

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CODY CHEMBARS It’s not often that an elementary school teacher decides to become a real estate agent, but that was the case for Cody Chembars who, after five years of teaching, decided to try his hand at being a REALTOR®, upon his father-inlaw’s suggestion. Cody worked to get his real estate license by taking courses online while still teaching. The hard effort paid off, and he realized he stepped onto the right path and eventually opened his very own brokerage, Anchor Real Estate Advisors, in 2019. He currently has 13 agents working with him.

With a referral and repeat rate of roughly 95 percent, it’s apparent that something about the way Cody conducts his business deeply resonates with many of his clients. “My clients know that I’ll go to bat for them. I’ll battle with them in the trenches. I work with a lot of first-time home buyers, which can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for them, but I’m able to walk them through the process hand in hand.” For Cody, making the process easy and understandable is a key component of why his clients trust him and feel like he always has their best interest in mind. And ensuring that his clients understand every step of the process is equally important. “Real estate is not super difficult, almost anyone can sell a house. But for me, it’s about educating the buyer, or the seller, on the process. I like to sit down with my clients and teach the process of listing a property. I tell them frequently that I work for them, not the other way around, so ultimately I will do whatever they want me to do. But at the same time, they hired me as their real estate professional, so I recommend that we at least look at my suggestions.”

The majority of Cody’s clients become like family to him, and with his strong social media presence, he favors Facebook as the best tool to stay in touch with them and stay involved and up to date with their lives.

And when he’s not busy working or keeping in touch Top Agent Magazine

with clients, Cody likes to make time for contributing to his community. He helps out at his local church where he is the Connections Coordinator, and assists new church members. Outside of work and community service, he enjoys spending time with his family, as well as his hobbies: riding motorcycles, podcasting, and participating in defensive pistol competitions.

Real estate has proven to be a vocation where Cody gets to meet and serve new people, while avoiding the redundancy of a regular job. Going forward, he dreams of growing his business, but not at the cost of losing quality agents. “I’m not out to build a super large brokerage with just any agents. I believe that God will bring the right people to me. The goal is to continue to grow and expand the Kingdom.”

To learn more about Cody Chembars email cody@anchorhomeadvisors.com, visit anchorhomeadvisors.com, or call (706) 265–0475 www.

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Modern Email Etiquette for Today’s Agents In today’s tech-forward culture, consumers are constantly inundated with promotional emails, alerts, invites, and social media blasts. As a real estate agent or a loan officer, how do you stand apart from the noise? What’s more, how do you stay relevant in a digital landscape that’s constantly changing?

For starters, there are a few timeless techniques you can apply to up your skillset when it comes email and digital communication: asking questions that Top Agent Magazine

inspire conversation, politeness, and following up regularly—to name a few. Likewise, there are surely new tricks you can add to your arsenal to stay ahead of the curve. Let’s outline a few ways you can refine and update your email etiquette to compete in today’s virtual marketplace.

Make your subject line count Too often, we labor over the content of our emails without giving much thought to subject lines.

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Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity.

However, these little headlines can go a long way in luring the consumer to open your email and ultimately click through to your website in search for your services. An enticing subject line should be short and sweet, ideally less than fifty characters.

You might also include the name of the recipient, and be up front (though concise) about the subject matter of your message. Remember: the first thing a client will see is your name and subject line—be sure to make this prime real estate shine.

Think mobile Research tells us that 79% of Americans check their phones within fifteen minutes of waking up. In fact, much of modern day correspondence occurs by smartphone. Accordingly, you’ll want to account for email readability on a mobile phone.

For instance, incorporating paragraph breaks for each new thought allows information to be parceled out in a palatable way for readers utilizing small screens. Also, any sort of graphic flair or links within your email should be shortened and streamlined for mobile consumption. Send yourself an email every now and again and access it from your phone—you’ll be able to double-check that all the elements of your emails are working well on a mobile platform.

Incorporate email tools There are excellent tools out there to enhance your email experience. With just a quick download, 26

you can add spellcheck, a URL address shortening feature, or a delay option that holds emails for thirty seconds before they’re sent. Think about the possibilities! Haven’t you sent an email without including the attachment you intended, or realizing you sent correspondence to the wrong client? If that’s the case, a delay feature can help you save face and build in a window for error— just in case. Regardless of which tools speak to your email habits, there are plenty of add-ons out there that can revamp your digital correspondence style.

Use email to maximize your online presence These days, there are plenty of ways to communicate—email, text, phone, apps, and social media.

When you interact through email, consider it an opportunity to invite your client to follow you elsewhere online. Ensure that your email signature includes unobtrusive, streamlined links to your social media accounts, professional website, or review page. This will build in an opportunity for clients to engage with your brand, and you may even add an online follower for the long term.

Though email is no longer a new-fangled invention, there are certainly ways you can modernize its use and take advantage of its ubiquity. Keep these approaches in mind as you reenergize your email technique and fortify your communication in the digital era.

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Top Agent Magazine

CAROL ANNE HAZELMAN Carol Anne Hazelman had a long professional history in outside sales before making the ultimate transition to real estate. After wedding her mortgage banker husband, she renewed her interest in the industry and soon made the transition to becoming a buyer’s agent. “That’s how I got started,” she remembers, “and things grew from there.” Now, years later, Carol Anne has built a reputation as an agent known for her due diligence, transparency, and personal touch.

Today, Carol Anne spearheads her work solo under the banner of Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners.

There, she serves clients across the greater Savannah Metro area and drives a business almost entirely generated by repeat and referral clientele. Buyers and sellers alike trust Carol Anne’s base of knowledge, amenable communication style, and proven track record. “I take time to get to know my clients,” Carol Anne says. “I warn them up front that I’m going to ask a ton of questions, because it’s my job to take the time to listen. The more I understand their needs, the better I’m able to help them. I consult with all of my clients before we start the process and make sure everything is clear, expectations are set, and people really appreciate that.” What’s more, staying in touch with clients past and present comes naturally, since Carol Anne carefully manages her database, in addition to cultivating relationships that stand the test of time. “The majority of my clients end up becoming like friends and family,” she says. “We enjoy each other’s company, and I really care about what goes on in their lives.”

When listing properties, Carol Anne cites a hybridized approach that blends the best of tried-and true marketing techniques with a tech-savvy spin. This includes premium documentation for all listings headed to market, in addition to email and postcard campaigns, and neighborhood outreach. Likewise, all listings enjoy exposure across the leading online listing platforms and strong social media campaigns. Over the course of doing business, Carol Anne has earned a host of designations and Top Agent Magazine

accolades that underscore her industry staying power.

These include continued induction into the Savannah Area Realtor’s Distinguished Sales Society, receiving the Silver Award for inclusion in the top 15% of all teams and Realtors nationwide in her former brokerage, serving as the 2020 President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, and earning the official real estate designations of SRS, MRP, PMN, and ABR. Beyond the office, Carol Anne stays involved in her community by participating in worthy causes and events and gives back through the Keller Williams’s KW RED Day Initiative, KW Cares, through the Savannah Area Association of Realtors’ support of Lifeline for Children, and through local animal rescue efforts. In her free time, she most enjoys time spent with family and loved ones, traveling, practicing yoga, and hanging out with her own rescue pets.

As for the future, Carol Anne intends to keep progress going steady. “The future of my business is to continue to grow, learn, and give back,” she concludes. “I measure success by how happy my clients are, and as long as I continue to do business the way I’ve been doing it, by always putting clients first, it will keep growing exponentially. If you do the right thing and take care of people, the rest will follow.”

To learn more about Carol Anne Hazelman call 912-441–7550, email CAHazelman@KW.com, or visit carolanne.buysellsavhomes.com http://

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