IF IT'S GOOD FOR

If it’s good for the soul, IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

Visibility, name recognition and knowing you’re supporting the community that makes your success possible are good reasons to take part in community service. But how is it that some people seem to be able to give time to charities while running their own businesses, managing their own families and households, exercising regularly, attending sporting events and concerts, eating well and sleeping seven or eight hours a night?

The truth is, not all agents are able to do everything so easily. But more important is the fact that no one needs to do everything all of the time. The trick is to make sure that, whatever you do holds meaning. REALTORS® and mortgage professionals who seem the most gregarious in their community outreach are those whose giving seems to fill their own souls. When their volunteer efforts or donations directly impact causes they or their clients care deeply about, “giving back” becomes energizing.

Jason O’Quinn of Prime Lending in Dallas Texas, for instance, says that his family’s ongoing work building homes for some of the poorest families in Honduras fills him immeasurably. “It rejuvenates me,” he says. “There’s quite a dichotomy between the houses we build there and the houses we finance here,” he says. “It refocuses me, going from financing $1 million homes in Dallas to physically laying cinderblock for $10,000 homes in Honduras. Everything has more meaning when we sacrificially give of our time, talent and treasure.”

The longtime “big picture” for Colorado REALTOR® and property manager, Linda

Todd, for instance, has included giving back to the community, whether serving as a lead carpenter for Habitat for Humanity, making deliveries for Meals on Wheels, or pitching in for the sake of baseball. And through her lifelong passion for baseball, she harmoniously blended her personal interests, her work and her community service. For many years, she was so involved Little League the local league named a new field after her. “I cried for 3 days after they told me that!” She and her husband also started a scholarship fund for junior college baseball players and serve as a host family for the rookie league of the Colorado Rockies, putting up newly drafted players in their home.

For Florida REALTOR® and property manager, Mario Gonzalez, neither his business nor his primary community outreach would exist without the other. A retired U.S. Navy pilot, Mario formed his brokerage, Navy to Navy Homes, when he saw a need for military personnel to find affordable homes to purchase. “We got into it to help, but that led to a full-blown real estate business.” Besides providing opportunities for investment and homeownership, the company donates 35% of every commission to Homes for Heroes, veterans’ groups, or organizations benefiting fire, police, medical organizations, churches and homeless shelters. “We’re small, but we give so much back that we were the top Homes for Heroes company in Florida and top-five nationwide.” But he does none of this for the attention. His friends may call him the “Humble Hero of Heroes,” but helping is Mario’s passion. “To be such a small business and be the top Homes for Heroes affiliate is mind boggling!”

Like Mario, for many, the best service takes place in simple and quiet ways. Illinois REALTOR®, Susie Scheuber, for example, takes a humble approach to giving back. Although she donates a portion of every commission check to the Children’s Miracle Network, she doesn’t discuss this with clients unless they happen to ask. “I do it because I want to and because, to me, giving back is the right thing to do when you’ve been fortunate in business and life,” says Susie.

We all know how inertia works; the more energized we get by certain behaviors, the more likely we are to continue those behaviors. For some top agents, community outreach has become such a natural routine of their daily lives that they never find it burdensome. A good way to add community service into your life, therefore, is through the causes that mean the most to you. For starters, consider giving a small donation after closing to the charity of your client’s choosing. Learning the different causes that they care about just might foster a new mission for you.

If you have a unique story to share about how your community outreach has impacted your life and your business or inspired others, click here for consideration in our magazines: www.topagentmagazine.com/nominate-a-real-estate-agent-to-be-featured

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SHANNON FENTON

SHANNON FENTON

With her extensive experience in the corporate world, Shannon Fenton knows how to keep her real estate clients happy. She started in the industry over ten years ago, after working as a project manager for several home renovations. “When I made the leap, it was a no-brainer to transfer all the skills I’d gained from the corporate world,” Shannon says. “I’ve been going strong in the business ever since.”

Now a team leader for the Fenton Team at Compass, Shannon works with other dedicated professionals, including her husband. A longtime resident of Los Angeles’s Eastside, Shannon has an on-the-ground knowledge of the local market that her clients love. She serves clients across Los Angeles, including in the South Bay, Eastside, and Westside.

With her focus on customer service, her versatile skill set, and her renovation expertise, it is no surprise that Shannon’s clients continue to seek her services again and again, as well as refer her to their friends and family. Her high repeat client and referral rate is a testament to the excellent customer care she gives each of her clients. “I reach out all the time,” Shannon says. “I do as much as I can for my clients. One client called me the other day for a repair, and I helped them get that done. My clients know I am there for them, and that I have the knowledge to provide them with great counsel.”

Shannon has broad experience with home renovations, which sets her apart. Additionally, her husband used to work as a general contractor, giving their team a knowledge base that is invaluable to their clients. “Our clients appreciate that we can tell them what to renovate to increase their home value, and provide an accurate price estimate so they can make an informed decision,” Shannon says.

To market her clients’ listings, Shannon develops a comprehensive advertising strategy that provides both targeted outreach as well as broad visibility to attract competitive offers. Leveraging both her network and social media, Shannon also spreads the word through mailers and local newsletters. “As much as we can do, we do it,” Shannon says. This past year, they completed $38 million in sales. “Every year, we’ve increased,” Shannon says. “It’s not about the money, but our sales volume is a good indication we are doing something right.”

For Shannon, she loves real estate because of the people and the relationships. “A client just reached out to me because they did the renovations I asked them to do,” Shannon says. “Clients appreciate that I know how to restore and do renovations, and I get a lot of gratification from that. I love being part of that process with them, and using my expertise to help them reach their goals.”

A dedicated philanthropist, Shannon supports numerous organizations and local schools, sponsoring fundraising events. When she is not busy helping clients, she loves to walk, bike, hike, and spend time with her husband and children.

With plans to grow and expand, Shannon is excited about the future and what it has in store. “I’m looking forward to many more great years,” Shannon says. “As we grow, it is my priority to make sure we still deliver the highest quality of customer service. As long as we can serve our clients and make them happy, we’ll be successful, and our clients will be, too.” For more about Shannon Fenton, please call 310.365.6118, email shannon@fentonla.com or visit FentonLA.com