6 minute read
INCORPORATING
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.
MARGUERITA CASTANERA
MARGUERITA CASTANERA
Marguerita Castanera’s journey into real estate was inspired by her husband, a General Contractor who encouraged her to get a real estate license so that she could sell the homes he built. But when she discovered a true passion for helping clients, she decided to leave her job at Book Passage, where she ran writers’ conferences and author events, to pursue a fulltime real estate career. Marguerita currently works as a solo agent at Century 21 Wine Country and serves clients throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Approaching all transactions with the intention of building long term relationships has helped Marguerita acquire a large network
of repeat and referral business. “When I work with people my main motivation is for it to be a collaboration and a partnership. My clients value that they’re always included in everything, and they also appreciate my infectious optimism and can-do attitude. I’m very sincere, honest, and listen carefully to their needs. This isn’t just a transaction for me, I go to bat for my clients.” In order to nurture those relationships, she surprises
Property photos by Darren Loveland
clients with thoughtful gifts and often makes time to see them for coffee or to go on walks.
When working with Marguerita sellers can always count on her to do everything in her power to market their listings. “COVID-19 has definitely complicated things in terms of marketing, because you can’t do open houses, so online presence has become really critical. I always invest in professional photos, videos, and heavy social media marketing to ensure that my clients’ homes get the maximum exposure. It’s been a tough year for everyone, but in business it’s important to learn how to pivot, adjust to changes, and still make it a positive experience for your clients.”
Thanks to her hard work Marguerita is the number one agent at Century 21 Alliance offices and is in the top 1% of all the Century 21 agents in the state. She has won numerous awards, including REALTOR® of The Year, Top Producer for Century 21 Wine Country annually, as well as earning the Centurion and President’s Awards and the prestigious Quality Service Pinnacle Award. Outside of work Marguerita is deeply involved in her local community. She is currently the Chair of the Sonoma Valley Chapter of REALTORS® and volunteers to run a local golf fundraiser that raises college scholarship money for local high school seniors. She is also excited to launch a new foundation called “Peace of Wood”, that will be tasked with replanting areas that were affected by
Property photos by Darren Loveland
the recent disastrous wildfire. Marguerita also maintains her passion program through Book Passage called “Cooks with Books”, dedicated to promoting cookbooks by celebrity chefs with restaurants around the Bay Area. In her spare time, she likes to cook, spend time with her kids, garden and hike. Going forward she hopes to continue growing her business and is currently focused on expanding her social media presence and continuing to earn additional real estate designations so that she can best serve her clients.
To learn more about Marguerita Castanera call (707) 738–1713, email margueritac21@comcast.net, visit www.marguerita.c21.com,
Department of Real Estate License Number DRE#01773670
