6 minute read
INCORPORATING
from IDAHO 4-5-21
As real estate professionals, taking part in the community and serving others is central to a long-lasting practice. After all, agents are in the business of homeownership, building a financial future, and helping their clients begin new and fruitful chapters. With that in mind, how might an agent deliver that spirit of service in a broader sphere?
The truth is, charitable giving offers nothing but upsides. Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it
Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network.
also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network. If charitable giving is an idea you’ve toyed with, or a practice you’ve engaged in only now and again, here are a few ways to make it a foundational element of your business and a win-win for all.
Find causes that speak to you.
Donating funds or resources can feel anonymous if you’re divorced from the organization you’re working with. While national and international charitable organizations are certainly effective and worthwhile, you might consider partnering with local chapters of those organizations, or identifying hyper-local organizations that address need in your state, county, town, or even your own neighborhood. The first step to establishing a charitable relationship is to find a cause that you genuinely care about. For many, animal rescue is a tangible cause where resources and volunteership are always welcome. For others, children’s health and advocacy is a calling. Regardless of your personal passion, participation can be big or small. From sponsoring a local youth sports league to partnering with an area animal shelter for their annual spay-athon event—there are all sorts of ways to make a difference.
Unite your team for the common good.
One way to make charitable giving a staple is to do it in arm and arm with others. Supporting a local cause is a great way to bring your team together in a unifying capacity. Hosting coat drives in winter, blanket drives for local animal shelters, or backpack drives for needy students at the start of the new school year— all are straightforward and highly useful, direct ways to give to your community as a team. It’s also important to set collective goals as a way of keeping people motivated and accountable over time. Offices are productive, but often hectic spaces. Injecting a collective goal with a positive, tangible result can create an ambiance of goodwill and generosity—both of which are worthwhile attributes to cultivate as
the leader of your team. Lastly, consider timely giving as a way of connecting your team to their community. Natural disasters, local fundraising drives, and improvement funds are all direct ways your team can contribute, while they themselves reap the benefit in the community.
Include clients in the process.
You’ve likely heard of charitable donations made in the name of your client as an alternative to the classic closing gift, but there are a few ways you might update this method of giving. For starters, consider including your clients in the selection process. Do they have a special cause that’s close to their hearts? Likewise, you might consider making regular, consistent giving a part of your routine post-closing. Instead of following up with your yearly poinsettia plant or pumpkin, you might find a cause in their neighborhood or township that you can support in their name. It’s wise to choose something apolitical, but a cause that’s hyperlocal to their area demonstrates unique thoughtfulness.
There are plenty of ways in which society as a whole can benefit from charitable causes that build goodwill in the world, support those less fortunate, and bolster a positive future. Incorporating charitable giving in your business model is a generous way to make this mentality a central tenet of your team and a defining characteristic for your clients to remember.
LUKE BROWN
Top Agent Luke Brown—working alongside wife and Co-Lead Georji—has built a staggeringly successful business at Keller Williams’ Team Brown Realty Group in Coeur d Alene, Idaho.
Top Agent Luke Brown – Lead of Keller Williams’ Team Brown Realty Group in Coeur d Alene, Idaho – is a highly competitive, intensely motivated Realtor who consistently places the best interests of his many grateful clients front and center during every transaction. Working alongside wife and Co-Lead Georji, Luke has built a staggeringly successful business on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity and deep local market knowledge, and has more than earned his sterling reputation as a trusted advocate.
Luke, who has over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, currently services a wide swath of Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington state. He also oversees a powerhouse team, all of whom share his client-first business ethos, which includes Director of Operations Lora, Transaction Coordinator
Mandy, and three highly skilled Buyer’s Agents – Chris, Tiffany and Hannah, each working in perfect concert to ensure Team Brown Realty’s clients are receiving the utmost in customer service. Currently, nearly two-thirds of Luke’s business is based upon repeat and referred clients, a significant achievement in his incredibly competitive market. “It’s because we are very organized, and we work hard to make certain
our clients know we appreciate them,” says Luke, when asked how he manages to engender so much trust and loyalty amongst those he works with. “We consider our clients to be our extended family, and we want them to be excited to give us a five-star review at the end of the transaction.” Proof of this goal can be found on Zillow, on which site Luke and his team hold a perfect, five-star overall rating, comprised of over a 130 glowing testimonials as of this writing.
There are many factors that come into play when assessing Luke’s remarkable success story that saw him close over 74 million in volume in 2020 alone, and chief among them would be his expert negotiation skills and comprehensive, intelligent marketing strategies that result in fast sales for top dollar. Another important reason would be Luke’s sincere passion for what he does for a living. “I love feeling the satisfaction of finding a client a home,” he explains. “I also love the challenges this industry presents, and the ability to meet and master those challenges. I also love being able to help my team members achieve high levels of success and create opportunities for higher earning potentials than they might have had in previous careers.”
When he’s not working to help his clients achieve – or frequently exceed – their real estate goals, Luke enjoys nothing more than spending time with Georji and his two grown sons, Beau and Braden, particularly at their second home on Lake Coeur d Alene, engaging in a wide variety of outdoor activities. He also gives back to his community through a local Christian outreach program that supports and provides mentorship to local youth. In addition to continuing to grow his already-phenomenal business, Luke’s plans for the future also include opening expansion offices in warmer regions, including Arizona. Above all, however, remains his unwavering, constant objective: to provide his customers with the unparalleled customer service that has cemented his position as one of the market leaders in his region. “We take great pride in everything we do,” says Luke, his sincerity obvious.
For more information about Luke Brown, please call 208-771-2401 or email info@lukebrownrealtor.com
