ILLINOIS 10-11-21

ILLINOIS EDITION

Turning Your Profession into a PASSION

FEATURED AGENTS

TED BREDEN COURTNEY CARAWAY JULIA CORKEY & VICKIE SCHOENFELD GLORIA ULLOA

COOPERATION, NOT COMPETITION, CREATES MUTUAL SUCCESS FOR AGENTS

5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to

Modernize and Monetize Your Business COVER STORY

BETH KAIM

ILLINOIS EDITION

COURTNEY CARAWAY 7

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GLORIA ULLOA TEDJULIA BREDEN COURTNEY CARAWAY BETH KAIM & VICKIE CORKEY SCHOENFELD

days, Top Agent Living Ted Breden in, is a sort of unspoken certainty and joy likes to give to caus a highly knowledgeable up to their name, TeamGloria Elite With their team,25Julia andalso Vickie 21 Ulloa 22 bes a home as both “a dream and transferred between them.

Excitement of Baird & Warner embodies the bestestate professional who always serve the entire Chicagoland area, population. In homeless real a place where our dreams bloomed in their faces, they faced him of theunfold.” real estate industry and is ato alleviate withataGallery focus onRealty the western suburbs.

Quickly realizing that her w Inc, she enjoys surroundin aims any stressAsofthetheManaging buy- Broker in 1973, he was attempting to see team in Naperville simultaneously, and said yes to the deal. well-established “We go herself pretty much everywhere,” ple, her passion for realrelax esta Courtney Caraway dedicates to fully family and friends, ing and selling and still makelights everyme up 36 wn dreams unfold when applied “That process excitement withheover 16 Years of Real Estate Julia of says.her “We cover and a huge“It’s amount incredibly rewarding t understanding the needs clients inglaymovies. transaction a positive forknowingofI territory, and we know the s real estate license while workingand over $100M years later,” Tedexperience declares, Experience in of their home. Man smoothly“Just guiding them through each real estate someone clients. wasmoment first inspired municipal payroll manager. wasJulia Corkey & her canGloria help at that in someone’s SOLD “I sales.

Vickie the land because we’ve lived in IL ourthat home ownersh believe transaction.

Whetherlife.” she’s working with buyers Schoenfeld say, “We pride ourselves whole lives.” hing for something more exciting,” Gloria’s plan going fort to start in the business after witnessI love helping or sellers, Courtney makes sure her clients have for them, so being ethical alls. Presently, Ted is aon solo agentopen, in honest, and ing When is not the busy ensuring empowering he her mom goTed through ofreal estate of the process every tinue come true.” an process in-depth understanding Realtors® and our clients can rest a house Vickie grew up in the Northern ® go’s Northwest suburbs.

Repeat and dreamswith come true, heofcontributes who guiding them through e buying a REALTOR step the way and to canhis make educated decisions. assured that they are working with Suburbs. She graduated from al clients constitute approximately community.

As a member and former Whenestate it comesprocess to marketin JULIA CORKEY inforTED BREDEN GLORIA ULLOA did not disclose all the necessary real w professionals who care well-being.

After all,organization our Streamwood High she was accepted into the of his clientele. He attributes his success to about his their chairman of a chamber consisting of School, 800real and on having an impressive o Courtney’s interest in estate started out & VICKIE SCHOENFELD mation andofleft her in a difficult spot. World College Program. Vickie graduated “Helping people is my business is built on referrals, over 60% ourhe business Walt Disney s operandi. “I build relationships,” he sums it up. with local businesses, champions business advocacy. thanks to a great business challenge. “My aunt on several real estate websi “That’s when Ibeing started learning about them coming repeatthrough and referralHe clients.”

An impressive featambassador from College Phi Theta Kappa and Dean’s List. don’t After see a myself quittin ing out frequently to clients, Tedfrom connects also enjoys an worked for for Century 21and as an adminthat speaks to the trust and confidence they inspire. long successful career in International Sales and Marketing, real estate and found my passion in I tell my clients that I’ etters, phone calls, reminders, and birthday greet- recruiting new members. A ten-year member of the towards istrator. She was working CONTENTS Vickie decided she needed to make a career change to be helping people achieve their American there whenever they nee “I make those relationships work,” he explains.

Knights of Columbus, Ted takes partherinreal foodestate drives getting license and Many people find the process of buying or selling real estate able to spend quality time with her family and Real Estate is to build a brilliant te dream of homeownership.” and the national Tootsie Roll Drive—both roleshow inspire toldAffiliated our family challenging time-consuming, expensive, exhilarating, and exhausting. was the perfect fit. sets Ted apart from his peers is hisADWORDS: thorough- and delight him.1st TedService, also treasures family time.

“My and it was to pass the exam.

That’s can help more people in the commu with Re/max Gloria serves buyers 4) GOOGLE 23) PRODUCTIVITY KILLERS: But working with the right person can make all the differNotably, he studies, gaining enough knowledge wife and I love to walk, drive, and travel to nearby all I needed to hear.

I’m a comsellers throughout Chicago.

Gloria also urges those who are just ence.

Vickie & Julia areGOOGLE professionals. Sharp, open-minded, Vickie has livedTO and MAKE owned several homes in USE the area HOW TO MAKE 4 WAYS BETTER petitive person by nature so my his clients to determinesensitive, what theand clients want to Wisconsin or Michigan to get away for a while,” he estate toLisle, not and give up on their d sensible. For them, each client is an individincluding Schaumburg, Riverside,real St. Charles, DO THE FOR YOU OF YOUR WORKING HOURS interest was instantly piqued, and I with mplish, ensuring he can offer all WORK relevant informaRecently, he has been studying probate real ual, and every home is unique.reflects.

Plainfield.

Vickie currently resides her husband Recipient of numerous awards, including Outstanding here from Mexicoand when I was 15 year asked myself, ‘How hard could it their free time boating bout the property, community, and surrounding estate and has received certification as ainsenior real 3Latino children Naperville.

They fill ing the language.

You can imagine how Sales Achievement, Top 250 Real Estate Agent, really taking the to aid clients in13) making informed decisions, or PROFESSION estate to meet the be?” needsand of ended maturing TURNING YOUR Aiming for full transparency, Julia specialist, and Vickietrained said they and enjoying Lake up Delavan, golf, bowling, wine, craft the Platinum award, 100% Club, as well as a top listteenager to move to another country w 26) LESSONS SILICON course and5whisky receiving my license.” d puts it, “the right choice.” adds, “It isupfront also and clients.

In the future, Tedofhopes to pass his business set A upHe expectations maintain a high level beer, and tasting, andFROM spending time with friends INTO PASSION ingtoand agent at Re/max, Gloriahisattributes her anybody. All I can tell you is that noth tant to provide information in a way the on hisselling newlyuncomproengaged son,and ensuring clientsMODERNIZE professionalism andclient ethical standards.

With family.

VALLEY TO AND ble if you really want it. If there’s som success diligent work nderstand.” toher receive good help.”ethic and caring approach mising standards of integrity, “continue honesty, to and service, Team 18) Elite COOPERATION, NOT MONETIZE YOUR BUSINESS Copy gives its clients the confidence of knowing Julia grew up in Cicero. Graduating Morton East accomplish in High your life, do it. Work to clients.

“I likethattotheir build lasting relationships with tofrom COMPETITION, CREATES MUTUAL transactions willnumber be completed professionally andsellers. ethically.Theyschool, completing Bachelor’s in Business markets his listings, which annually in my buyers and knowand I’mlater always avail- her and integrity, and you will be success Their work ethic avenues, is based on able solid if principles.

Team Elite Management and Marketing.

Before finding her passion in ens and twenties, through multiple or concerns. I host a SUCCESSinFOR AGENTS they have any questions doing notificabusiness as if your transaction were their Real Estate, Julia worked in the Hospitality Industry, Public ing listing services, believes text messages, lot of client appreciation events so that we can see own media transaction.

Because Relations and Marketing as well as Customer Service. virtual tours, and social websites like of this integrity and dedication, each other and stay in touch.

I also have a radio show clients return his withfree new business and refer their friends and ook and LinkedIn. Often, he spends time Monday through Friday where I get to talk the local associates to Team Elite.

Julia moved fromtoCicero to Naperville to Plainfield and arizing himself with new technologies.

Using now resides in Aurora Phone 310-734-1440 310-734-1440 community, so my clients like to keep up with mewith thather Significant other and her sional photography, Ted showcases each listing| Fax When it comes to marketing their listings, Julia and Vickie three children. Julia fills her free time with working out, way,” she explains. distinct webpage, and he features many listings mag@topagentmagazine.com said they use a comprehensive approach |to www.topagentmagazine.com ensure maxiboating on the river, golf, enjoying time with friends and digital streaming service Roku. mum exposure. “We do everything,” Julia says. “We are family, and mini getaways when possible.

No portion of on thistechnology, issue may and be reproduced inup any whatsoever without priorthe consent of the publisher. Top Agent Always formanner an adventure, Gloria enjoys variety heavy we make sure we’re using every reflecting on Magazine his motivations, Ted recalls a is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure accuracy of published that working in real estate In brings to herTeam life.Elite “I’m a the state-of-the-art feature that is available to us.” This includes the future, plans to grow their business and nt that occurred yearssocial ago.

He was discussing materials, Topmedia Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. very social person so I love that I get to meet new marketing, email blasts, and professional phobuild their team, so that they can get out in the community For more information about Ted Breden ntial new homeTopurchase with aand young married send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. subscribe or change address, Published the tography videography. moretransaction than they already are.U.S. people all please the time,call and773-590-9393, thateven every isindife in his office. As the young couple mulled over email tbreden@kw.com or visit ferent. I’m never doing the same thing every day. I’m definitive decision, Ted beheld them make eye To learn more about Glo tedbreden.kw.com To find out more about Julia Corkey and Vickie Shoenfeld, contact them constantly learning something new,” she says.by phone at 630.286.9777, 2 other. As the young couple leaned Top Agent Magazine ct with each or by email at Info@homesbyteamelite.com. You can find them online at HomesByTeamElite.com. please call (773) 934–2

BETH KAIM

www.

www.

Outside of work, Gloria likes to be involved in her

email gloria.ulloasteam@

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Google AdWords:

How To Make Google Do the Work for You There is no denying that the internet is the first place a buyer begins looking for a new home in this digital age. Knowing how to put the powerful tools available on the internet to work for you can give you a decided advantage when it comes to attracting prospective buyers to your listings, as well as you as an agent. Google is easily one of the major superpowers of the internet, and they have one of the most powerful advertising tools available. Knowing how to utilize Google AdWords in the correct manner can make your internet advertising immensely powerful and possibly your best way to reach prospective buyers.

Google AdWords is also extremely cost-effective. This multifaceted tool gives you much more control over your advertising campaign than other more traditional methods. You can target specific audiences, choose the specific search terms, also known as keywords, that will bring up your ad in someone’s search results, and you can set a budget for each campaign that will dictate it’s reach and how long the campaign will run. Here are some tips for how to put Google AdWords to work for you.

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ent websites. You want to set yourself apart from every other real estate website users are viewing in their search for a house.

MAKE SURE YOUR ADS ARE GOING TO SEND USERS TO A SITE THAT WILL CAPTURE THEIR ATTENTION

You can spend an infinite amount of money on Google advertising campaigns, but if those ads don’t send users to a site that will capture and hold their interest, then you’ve just wasted all that money. Don’t put your cart before the horse. Make sure you are considering exactly where these ads are going to send users. To set up your website for success, at the very least you want to make sure users are greeted by clear call-to-action, such as a message that will encourage them to sign up for your newsletter or subscribe to your blog. You want to set up your website to maximize and capture the leads the ad campaign sends your way.

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BUILD CUSTOMIZED OR CUSTOM-MADE WEBSITES RATHER THAN TEMPLATE WEBSITES It is easy and tempting to use template websites, or to offer your agents template websites if you are a real estate manager or broker. While this offers a cost-effective solution to providing every agent with a website, it does little to set you or your agents apart and capture the attention of users that are used to seeing a wealth of differ-

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MAKE SURE YOU ARE OFFERING VALUE ON YOUR WEBSITE

Don’t simply use your website as a kind of brag sheet. Let users know what makes your particular services valuable to them. Highlight your expertise in a certain location through tools such as blog posts, providing market updates, or giving pertinent information on a unique type of property. This will ensure that your online advertising campaigns are much more successful.

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LOCATION IS EVERYTHING!

Location is everything in real estate, and the same holds true for Google AdWords. You can target specific locations in your ad campaign. While one approach is to focus on the area around your location, a more advanced approach would be to link AdWords campaigns to your Google My Business account. This is a Google service that includes your address in the ad, allowing people to then click on it and see exactly where you are located on a map.

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USE GOOGLE ADWORDS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS IN GENERAL

Focus an AdWords campaign on expanding your business by incorporating specific zip codes and neighborhoods that will help you establish a presence in an area where you would like to increase your real estate business. Making sure that your ad appears in search results that are related to the real estate in a specific area will help shape the image and brand of your business as well as bring in new leads.

HARNESS THE POWER OF DATA

When you run a Google AdWords campaign Google Analytics captures a wealth of information about your target client demographic.

You can gain real insight into your online visitors, such as when they visit, what they do and look at on your site once they get there, and what search terms they use. You can use all of this information to grow your business. Use Google Analytics to determine which users (location, gender, age) are utilizing specific aspects of your site, such as looking at multiple listings, reading your blog, etc. You can then use this information to target these specific demographics in your AdWord campaigns, Gmail ads, the Google Display Network, and other advertising.

Using the internet to help advertise your business and your listings is one of the smartest moves you can make as an agent in this modern age. However, you don’t want to simply go into the process blind or you’re wasting a lot of potential resources and data that could make all the difference. To reap the benefits of Google AdWords, you must apply an intelligent strategy to using these campaigns.

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BETH KAIM Top Agent Magazine

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BETH KAIM Beth is a Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices American Heritage Real Estate in Elk Grove Village where she ranked #2 Realtor® in 2020 for single family houses and is currently #3 for 2021 for all home types.

In today’s competitive market, you want an agent with Beth’s knowledgeability and integrity by your side when it comes time to sell a home. With a passion for learning that has driven her career from the beginning, Beth’s areas of real 8

estate expertise continually expand what she can offer her clients. Her qualified certifications include Pricing Strategy Advisor, Seller Representative Specialist, Staging Certification, and more. Beth even stayed busy during the stay-at-home Top Agent Magazine

COVID shutdown, completing her e-PRO® and Commitment to Excellence Endorsement remotely. “All I do is try to learn as much as I can to better serve my clients,” Beth says.

Six years ago, the start of Beth’s real estate career was a new beginning when she sudTop Agent Magazine

denly found herself divorced after being a stay-at-home mom for over twenty years.

Beth remembers, “I thought, ‘what could I do now to support my family as a stayat-home-mom of twenty years with no degree and two kids in college?” Today, Beth’s real estate business is thriving. She is a Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway 9

HomeServices American Heritage Real Estate in Elk Grove Village where she ranked #2 Realtor® in 2020 for single family houses and is currently #3 for 2021 for all home types with over thirty sales since the beginning of the year.

Beth serves clients across the Northwest suburbs of Chicago where her business derives almost exclusively from repeat and referral clients.

When it comes to marketing, Beth utilizes every resource at her disposal to convert

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Beth’s qualified certifications include Pricing Strategy Advisor, Seller Representative Specialist, Staging Certification, and more.

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a listing to SOLD in a blink. “If I list your property, it is my goal in life to sell it. I’m not pitching a sign and waiting for a buyer’s agent to come over. I’m doing everything I can to sell your home,” she says. “My houses sell pretty quick.” As a solo agent, Beth oversees every step of a full-service checklist for preparing a home, from staging to professional photography and cleaning. Beth continually looks for ways to innovate to showcase each property’s unique character and was the first agent in her office to utilize drone video coverage. When selling locally in Elk Grove Village, Beth shares her listings with friends and neighbors from her booth at the weekly farmers’ market Top Agent Magazine

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on Saturdays. “I’m probably one of the busiest booths at the farmers’ market. I’ve built quite a following there.”

As a Realtor® who cares about her community, Beth has a long history of volunteerism in Elk Grove Village. Her local name-recognition for community involvement helped propel her first referrals when starting out in the industry. She has served as PTO president at two different schools for seven years and four years respectively and was also president of the Elk Grove Village Lion’s Club.

Looking to the future, Beth hopes to grow her business, but only while maintaining the best service possible. “I take pride in the service I give,” Beth concludes. “I will literally facilitate every step of a transaction and work sixteen hours a day to provide that to my clients.”

Find out more at bethkaimrealestate.com.

Connect with Beth via phone at 847-452-1994 and via email at beth@yourpad.com. www.

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Turning Your Profession into a Passion The old adage goes that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

On the other hand, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day worries and responsibilities of your career, even if you generally enjoy what you do. While there’s no guaranteeing that every day on the job will be a picnic, there are a few steps you can take to vastly improve your morale and transform your profession into a passion.

After all, cultivating a passion for what you do will not only add to your quality Top Agent Magazine

of life, but will likely make you more successful in the long run.

BUILD YOUR BASE OF KNOWLEDGE Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence breeds success. A sure way to light a fire in your heart for your daily work is to challenge yourself to learn more and expand your understanding of your field. By doing so, you equip yourself for success, create challenges, and find the most inter-

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esting features of your work—especially those that most appeal to your interests and talents. Try reading the top five books on the topic of your industry, or subscribe to a podcast where thriving professionals offer their two cents. Either way, learning more about your industry is bound to reveal a source of inspiration worth pursuing.

THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE

and excelling in your field, you may find that others’ approaches inspire your own.

Likewise, what you learn from other successful, passionate people in your field can help you shape your own office and work life, in turn creating more opportunities for you to fall in love with what you do, all over again.

TAKE RISKS

CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS

One of the biggest hindrances of professional passion is falling into a rut. Routines are familiar and everyday responsibilities vie for our energy. But the next time you tackle a task the way that you always have, take a moment and try to refresh your perspective—is there a more clever or efficient way you could approach this project?

Even better: why not take the plunge and do the things you’ve always been meaning to—throw that client appreciation event you’ve put off planning, take the continuing education course you keep forgetting to register for, even try a creative activity that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

There’s no better way to inject some passion into your life than by going outside your bubble and taking a risk.

Have you ever chatted with someone who was overflowing with energy for what they do? That sort of passion tends to be infectious—often causing us to beg our own questions about professional engagement.

By participating in local organizations or networking with those who are active

Passion comes from all directions—from your own interior journey and from the world around you. To transform your profession into a passion worth having, invest in yourself and venture into the vast world around you. You’ll surely reap the rewards.

Sometimes reinvigorating your passion for your work is about looking outward, rather than inward. Gain some perspective and consider who your work helps in the long run. As a real estate professional—whether you work as an agent, broker, in mortgages, home inspections, or otherwise—your work positively impacts someone else’s home-sweet-home. You make a difference. While it may seem like just another day at the office, taking a moment to visualize exactly who you are helping in the world at large is a great way to add some motivational fire to your daily tasks.

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COURTNEY CARAWAY

As the Managing Broker at Gallery Realty Inc, Courtney Caraway dedicates herself to fully understanding the needs of her clients and smoothly guiding them through each real estate transaction. Whether she’s working with buyers or sellers, Courtney makes sure her clients have an in-depth understanding of the process every step of the way and can make educated decisions.

Courtney’s interest in real estate started out thanks to a great business challenge. “My aunt worked for Century 21 as an administrator. She was working towards getting her real estate license and told our family how challenging it was to pass the exam. That’s all I needed to hear. I’m a competitive person by nature so my interest was instantly piqued, and I asked myself, ‘How hard could it really be?” and ended up taking the course and receiving my license.”

Quickly realizing that her work was helping people, her passion for real estate continued to grow.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help find someone their home. Many people don’t even believe that home ownership is a feasible goal for them, so I love helping them make that dream come true.”

When it comes to marketing, Courtney focuses on having an impressive online presence. “I’m on several real estate websites and have recently

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joined an amazing referral program that helps first responders and teachers with down payment assistance—so it’s a win-win for both me and the client.”

When she’s not busy helping clients, Courtney partners with her other half on the marketing efforts of their business, Nature’s Emporium - a retail store that specializes in natural skin care and wellness products. She also loves to travel. “Instead of giving my kids gifts for Christmas, I prefer to provide them with an experience that lasts forever.

Admittedly, I’ve been going a little stir crazy.

Due to the pandemic her dream vacation was postponed indefinitely; however, she’s confident she’ll be able to cross Greece off her Bucket List soon. Courtney loves to relax by listening to live concerts, enjoying a deep tissue massage with a peaceful walk along the waterfront.

Courtney’s goal is to continue providing the best buying and selling experiences for her clients and help mentor agents who are new to the business. The Real Estate industry can really change your life for the better. “My mission is to help others achieve their goal in becoming a real estate broker. I come from very humble beginnings so the monetary gain in real estate has been life changing for me. Personal growth and development will always be my major plan, with perfecting excellence in the forefront. My 5-year plan is to expand out of state, and purchase some lucrative real property. With the knowledge I’ve gained I’ll be able to provide a superior support system, giving the mentorship and guidance which is desperately needed in this industry in order to become a successful Real estate broker, and share my experience with others in the industry.”

To learn more about Courtney Caraway please visit galleryrealtyinc.com, email courtney@galleryrealtyinc.com, or call (773) 502–5374 www.

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Cooperation, Not Competition, Creates

Mutual Success for Agents When people get along during a business transaction, everyone comes out happier. And in a service industry like real estate, agents have the power deliver that happiness. By working cooperatively, sharing advice and helping each other help clients, agents not only enhance their own reputations, but that of real estate in general.

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“Bring everyone together” Matt Kobelski, with Credentials Real Estate Group in Massachusetts, points out that providing good service involves more people than the party you’re representing. “I’m not afraid to bring together all the parties in a deal and say, ‘OK, let’s figure out a solution that works best

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Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem

for everyone,” he explains. “My goal is to avoid being adversarial.” Real estate, he believes, should always be a field in which each person can win. “It’s about working toward a mutual goal, shaking hands, and walking away happy that a seller sold, a buyer bought and everyone got what they wanted.”

But Is it that simple? Most agents have experienced the ways conflicting personalities and tension during a transaction can heat up even the most cordial relations. In reality, however, it’s more productive to let down your guard and work with others as a team than it is to allow stress and competition to preside. South Florida REALTOR® and broker associate, Risë V. Siegrist, for instance, has zero interest in competing with other agents. “It’s more important to be professional and associate with competent, caring people,” she says. By serving others with a cooperative spirit, experienced agents like Risë set an excellent example for emerging real estate stars. Risë hopes to be a model for the next generation of agents, training people who may one day become part of her team.

Risë’s position on cooperation inspires more reasons for nurturing relationships with other agents. Over the decades, many agents change brokerages several times. Who knows if that agent across the table will one day work at the Top Agent Magazine

same brokerage you do? Perhaps you’ll even have an opportunity to partner on an exciting, future transaction. Good relations keep doors open to endless possibilities.

Co-listing cooperation Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem. In fact, some agents cleverly capitalize on their collective attributes, rather than competing against one another. South Carolina REALTOR® Kimberly Pannit is a perfect example of the universal benefits of co-listings. Although she has always been an independent agent, Kimberly works hard to form professional alliances that give her business the feel of a cooperative network across brokerages.

This cooperative approach may be nontraditional, but it benefits clients in unique ways. By working closely with agents at other brokerages, she shows how agents can improve client service while helping one another.

Kimberly’s cooperative approach began in her own neighborhood, where an agent friend from a different brokerage also lives. “Several years ago, I approached her because both of us were friends with our neighbors. I asked, ‘Why don’t we give our neighbors superior service and

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co-list together? We both love our area and are passionate about our jobs, the location and schools.’” She also didn’t want to make their mutual friends choose between them when they could work together. “I said, ‘Let’s give them amazing service together!’” With their brokers’ permission, two weeks later the agents co-listed their first home and put extra energy into ensuring uninterrupted client service.

Networking and “Co-opertition” When the ultimate goal is to match a client with the perfect home or create optimal terms of sale for a listings, networking with other agents can facilitate that ideal buyer-seller match.

Nashville REALTOR® and broker/owner Lisa Land embraced every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the real estate industry and to her local market, even before building her own team. “Agents would frequently ask me for help or advice,” she says, noting that she shares, rather than guarding, the methods she uses to get through difficult or confusing transactions. “I was fortunate to have great mentors when I started in real estate, so I’m always

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willing to offer help, even to agents outside of The Luxe Collective.”

Meanwhile, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Janet Leigh Scott describes the climate between agents as relaxed and professional. “While the real estate market is highly competitive, we’re truly a ‘co-opertition’ market; agents work together and a have greater sense of community than you might experience in off-island brokerages,” Janet says. “If I have buyer coming into town, I’ll reach out to agents I’ve done transactions with to ask if they have anything coming up that might not be on the market yet.”

Even in hot, competitive L.A. real estate, independent agents such as Andrej Nagy of The Agency RE knows the importance of receiving and providing professional mentorship.

“My relationships with clients are extremely important,” he says. “But my relationships with agents on the other side of a deal are also important.” For REALTORS® like him, working smoothly with other agents is a privilege.

Doing so builds rewarding relationships while ensuring win-win transactions for everyone at the closing table.

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TED BREDEN These days, Top Agent Ted Breden describes a home as both “a dream and also a place where our dreams unfold.”

Back in 1973, he was attempting to see his own dreams unfold when he applied for his real estate license while working as a municipal payroll manager. “I was searching for something more exciting,” he recalls. Presently, Ted is a solo agent in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs. Repeat and referral clients constitute approximately 80% of his clientele. He attributes his success to his modus operandi. “I build relationships,” he sums it up.

Reaching out frequently to clients, Ted connects through newsletters, phone calls, reminders, and birthday greetings. “I make those relationships work,” he explains.

What sets Ted apart from his peers is his thoroughness. Notably, he studies, gaining enough knowledge about his clients to determine what the clients want to accomplish, ensuring he can offer all relevant information about the property, community, and surrounding areas to aid clients in making informed decisions, or as Ted puts it, “the right choice.” He adds, “It is also important to provide information in a way the client can understand.”

in, a sort of unspoken certainty and joy transferred between them. Excitement bloomed in their faces, they faced him simultaneously, and said yes to the deal.

“That excitement still lights me up 36 years later,” Ted declares, “Just knowing I can help at that moment in someone’s life.”

When Ted is not busy ensuring real estate dreams come true, he contributes to his community. As a member and former chairman of a chamber organization consisting of 800 local businesses, he champions business advocacy.

He also enjoys being an ambassador for them and recruiting new members. A ten-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Ted takes part in food drives and the national Tootsie Roll Drive—both roles inspire and delight him. Ted also treasures family time. “My wife and I love to walk, drive, and travel to nearby Wisconsin or Michigan to get away for a while,” he reflects. Recently, he has been studying probate real estate and has received certification as a senior real estate specialist, trained to meet the needs of maturing clients. In the future, Ted hopes to pass his business on to his newly engaged son, ensuring his clients “continue to receive good help.”

Ted markets his listings, which annually number in the teens and twenties, through multiple avenues, including listing services, text messages, notifications, virtual tours, and social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Often, he spends his free time familiarizing himself with new technologies. Using professional photography, Ted showcases each listing on a distinct webpage, and he features many listings on the digital streaming service Roku.

When reflecting on his motivations, Ted recalls a moment that occurred years ago. He was discussing a potential new home purchase with a young married couple in his office. As the young couple mulled over their definitive decision, Ted beheld them make eye contact with each other. As the young couple leaned Top Agent Magazine

For more information about Ted Breden please call 773-590-9393, email tbreden@kw.com or visit tedbreden.kw.com www.

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JULIA CORKEY & VICKIE SCHOENFELD Living up to their name, Team Elite of Baird & Warner embodies the best of the real estate industry and is a well-established team in Naperville with over 16 Years of Real Estate Experience and over $100M in SOLD sales. Julia Corkey & Vickie Schoenfeld say, “We pride ourselves on being open, honest, and ethical Realtors® and our clients can rest assured that they are working with professionals who care about their well-being. After all, our business is built on referrals, with over 60% of our business coming from repeat and referral clients.” An impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence they inspire.

Many people find the process of buying or selling real estate time-consuming, expensive, exhilarating, and exhausting.

But working with the right person can make all the difference. Vickie & Julia are professionals. Sharp, open-minded, sensitive, and sensible. For them, each client is an individual, and every home is unique.

Aiming for full transparency, Julia and Vickie said they set up expectations upfront and maintain a high level of professionalism and ethical standards. With uncompromising standards of integrity, honesty, and service, Team Elite gives its clients the confidence of knowing that their transactions will be completed professionally and ethically.

Their work ethic is based on solid principles. Team Elite believes in doing business as if your transaction were their own transaction. Because of this integrity and dedication, clients return with new business and refer their friends and associates to Team Elite.

When it comes to marketing their listings, Julia and Vickie said they use a comprehensive approach to ensure maximum exposure. “We do everything,” Julia says. “We are heavy on technology, and we make sure we’re using every state-of-the-art feature that is available to us.” This includes social media marketing, email blasts, and professional photography and videography.

With their team, Julia and Vickie serve the entire Chicagoland area, with a focus on the western suburbs.

“We go pretty much everywhere,” Julia says. “We cover a huge amount of territory, and we know the lay of the land because we’ve lived in IL our whole lives.”

Vickie grew up in the Northern Suburbs. She graduated from Streamwood High School, and she was accepted into the Walt Disney World College Program. Vickie graduated from College Phi Theta Kappa and Dean’s List. After a long successful career in International Sales and Marketing, Vickie decided she needed to make a career change to be able to spend quality time with her family and Real Estate was the perfect fit.

Vickie has lived and owned several homes in the area including Schaumburg, Riverside, St. Charles, Lisle, and Plainfield. Vickie currently resides with her husband and 3 children in Naperville. They fill their free time boating and enjoying Lake Delavan, golf, bowling, wine, craft beer, and whisky tasting, and spending time with friends and family.

Julia grew up in Cicero. Graduating from Morton East High school, and later completing her Bachelor’s in Business Management and Marketing. Before finding her passion in Real Estate, Julia worked in the Hospitality Industry, Public Relations and Marketing as well as Customer Service.

Julia moved from Cicero to Naperville to Plainfield and now resides in Aurora with her Significant other and her three children. Julia fills her free time with working out, boating on the river, golf, enjoying time with friends and family, and mini getaways when possible.

In the future, Team Elite plans to grow their business and build their team, so that they can get out in the community even more than they already are.

To find out more about Julia Corkey and Vickie Shoenfeld, contact them by phone at 630.286.9777, or by email at Info@homesbyteamelite.com. You can find them online at HomesByTeamElite.com. www.

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Productivity Killers: 4 Ways to Make Better Use of Your Working Hours

Even on the busiest of days, it can be hard not to get distracted by social media, smartphones, chatty colleagues, or personal to-do list items. So how do you keep your professional blinders on and power through your tasks with efficiency? Practice these four tips and witness your productivity skyrocket—easing stress and bringing renewed energy to your daily duties.

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1. Create a sense of peace and quiet The office may not be your idea of a tranquil oasis, but for most, focus requires quiet and calm to best lend attention to the task at hand. If you find yourself seated next to talkative coworkers or in the center of a bustling office atrium, consider noise can-

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celing headphones, earplugs, or carving out an empty conference room for your work day. Turning the volume down creates fewer chances for disruption, allowing you to make the best use of your time.

4.Take your smartphone off the table

2. Organize your workspace A messy work area breeds anxiety and distraction, but a clean and organized desk inspires efficiency. If you’ve got a busy day ahead, take fifteen minutes and organize your workspace: gather miscellaneous papers into their proper place, dispose of out-of-date or unnecessary documents, or give your keyboard a dusting. Not only does cleaning and organizing your workspace prepare you for the work ahead, it also helps you transition to a productive, goal-oriented mindset.

3.Create a goal-oriented reward system Coffee breaks, coworker catch-up, and social media check-ins tend to break up our workflow on an hourly basis. Instead of trying to go cold turkey on these workplace routines, reframe them as rewards.

For every to-do list item you complete, allow yourself a fives minute treat, whether that’s a fresh cup of coffee or a walk around the block. Not only will creating a reward 24

system help you stay motivated throughout the day, it will also provide you with much-needed mental breaks that actually boost long-term productivity.

The number one productivity killer in this day and age? Smartphones. With access to endless social media portals, web browsing, text conversations, and games, smartphones are one-stop shops for distractions. While you may not want to delete apps from your phone, try leaving your smartphone in a locked desk drawer until your next break, or safely in your car. By simply putting your smartphone out of your line of sight, the impulse to distract yourself is muted.

Even though technology and the modern office create ample opportunity for distraction, making these few small adjustments can go a long way in safeguarding your productivity. After all, a productive day allows you to enjoy your time at home and outside the office, without the worry of incomplete tasks and looming deadlines darkening your day. Keep these productivity tricks in mind as you mount your daily to-do list and you’ll be thanking yourself tomorrow.

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GLORIA ULLOA Gloria Ulloa is a highly knowledgeable real estate professional who always aims to alleviate any stress of the buying and selling process and make every transaction a positive experience for her clients. Gloria was first inspired to start in the business after witnessing her mom go through the process of buying a house with a REALTOR® who did not disclose all the necessary information and left her in a difficult spot.

“That’s when I started learning about real estate and found my passion in helping people achieve their American dream of homeownership.” Affiliated with Re/max 1st Service, Gloria serves buyers and sellers throughout Chicago.

Recipient of numerous awards, including Outstanding Sales Achievement, Top 250 Latino Real Estate Agent, the Platinum award, 100% Club, as well as a top listing and selling agent at Re/max, Gloria attributes her success to her diligent work ethic and caring approach to clients. “I like to build lasting relationships with my buyers and sellers. They know I’m always available if they have any questions or concerns. I host a lot of client appreciation events so that we can see each other and stay in touch. I also have a radio show Monday through Friday where I get to talk to the local community, so my clients like to keep up with me that way,” she explains.

Always up for an adventure, Gloria enjoys the variety that working in real estate brings to her life. “I’m a very social person so I love that I get to meet new people all the time, and that every transaction is different. I’m never doing the same thing every day. I’m constantly learning something new,” she says.

Outside of work, Gloria likes to be involved in her community and volunteer at the local church. She Top Agent Magazine

also likes to give to causes that help the homeless population. In her free time, she enjoys surrounding herself with family and friends, relaxing, and watching movies.

Gloria’s plan going forward is to continue empowering her clients and guiding them through every step of the real estate process with confidence.

“Helping people is my passion, so I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon.

I tell my clients that I’m going to be there whenever they need me. My goal is to build a brilliant team so that we can help more people in the community,” she says.

Gloria also urges those who are just starting out in real estate to not give up on their dreams. “I came here from Mexico when I was 15 years old not knowing the language. You can imagine how hard it is for a teenager to move to another country without knowing anybody. All I can tell you is that nothing is impossible if you really want it. If there’s something you want to accomplish in your life, do it. Work with your heart and integrity, and you will be successful.”

To learn more about Gloria Ulloa please call (773) 934–2808, email gloria.ulloasteam@gmail.com, www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/gloria-ulloa-orland-park-il/100039588/listings#bio-navigation or visit her website here Copyright Top Agent Magazine 25

5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to Modernize and Monetize Your Business Silicon Valley may be the region for disruptors, tech entrepreneurs, and futurists, but even the most forward-thinking, abstract companies are still businesses that have to keep tabs on their bottom line. There’s much to learn from America’s fastest-growing sector, and even if Silicon 26

Valley seems like a world unto its own, there are key lessons prime for adaption in your own endeavors. Below, consider a few ways to translate the trends and teachings of Silicon Valley for your own business, and reap the rewards in the process.

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1. Diversify your value Real estate is a business built on relationships, but your relationships will go stale if the only thing you communicate is you interest in making a sale. In order to sustain relationships for the long term, you’ve got to remain valuable to your clients beyond the transaction. Serve as a local resource, not just a salesperson or real estate expert. Ensure your marketing materials, social media presence, and communications offer useful, relevant, and original content your clients will benefit from. What’s more, vary your communications so that every time you reach out it’s not just about new business or a referral.

2. Company culture matters Silicon Valley tech giants always emphasize the importance of company culture—not just as a way of drawing and retaining talent, but also as a way to appeal to clientele. What are your company’s values? What do you stand for? How you’re positioned in the marketplace is becoming just as important as what you do and how well you do it. Your company culture is part of your branding, and your brand should feel clear and composed to clients eyeing your services.

3.Think big picture More and more, clients want to have an experience, not just a transaction. When it comes to buying a home, this means they care more about a property’s bedroom and bathroom count. As an agent, consider showcasing properties in terms of lifestyle. What neighborhood amenities are nearby? What opportunities are there for community involvement? How does public Top Agent Magazine

transportation stack up in the area? Before making the purchase of a lifetime, clients want to envision a complete lifestyle.

4. Leverage multiple platforms By now, you probably recognize that social media is not afterthought. Your social media presence should fit your brand and voice, interact across platforms, and actively engage with your audience. In other words, if you want to reap the benefits of social media, it’s not enough to post a few times a month and walk away. Active engagement means responding to comments, interacting with your followers’ profiles, and posting original content beyond a sales pitch.

Likewise, you’ll want to be active across multiple social media platforms and ensure that your profiles are interconnected. That way, you’ll be working from a unified voice and brand.

5. Reputations rule the roost Never underestimate the power of word-ofmouth marketing and testimonials. If you haven’t asked for feedback from past clients, and you aren’t sharing positive testimonials and reviews—you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools at an agent’s disposal. You can pitch the virtues of your working style all day long, but those courting your business want to hear about positive experiences from the client’s perspective.

If you want to take your business to the next level and maximize the twenty-first century values of a company on the rise, look to the lessons of Silicon Valley to get your start. There are always opportunities to innovate, and doing so will help you break from your routine and stand apart from the pack.

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