NEW YORK 5-3-21

NEW YORK EDITION

FEATURED AGENTS

RENEE MCLAUGHLIN LORI ANN HARRINGTON CHRISTIAN JACKSON HILLEL FRIED JANEEN BOLENDER

TURN OPEN HOUSES INTO DESTINATIONS

Creative Ways To Say

Thank You

EMBRACING SMART HOMES: DOES NEW TECHNOLOGY REALLY INCREASE HOME VALUE? DAILY HABITS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH COVER STORY

JOHN LAJARA

NEW YORK EDITION

CHRISTIAN JACKSON A lifelong resident of Staten Island,

7 Christian Jackson started out as 15 a special

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he has earned a trem throughout Staten Isl by his rapidly growin ents and referrals, an on pace to double his previous year, he stil on what matters mos not looking to gain a onto the next one. build that lasting rela tect their interests—l

education teacher for the Department of Education, but through it all, he’d always harbored an interest in real estate. So he reached out to Joseph Tsomik and Gary Papirov, top producers at Homes R Us Realty. Looking to get more involved with the industry, Christian offered to work for them, free of charge, just to LORI ANN HARRINGTON JOHN LAJARA CHRISTIAN JACKSON learn the business from the ground up, and while assisting Tsomik and Papirov, to get another above give threehonest home inspectors. “We’ve With her passion for people and helping he wasbest sooninterests inspired to pursueall. his “I own Outside closed his career, 20 22 Originally from Massachusetts, Renee best experience Fried,others, associate advice to my buyers and sellers.

My license.

Sure enough, he’s been going exercising deals at midnight, because my team or is spendin so real estate has been a natural fit for 24 McLaughlin relocated to New York problem, I work e Hillel Team at first and foremost concern is that my strong ever since. friends and family.

A reliable,” Janeen says.

Janeen Bolender, who has built a remarkable he has bold solution ambition with her husband after living in Ireland different an see through clients make the best decision regarding business over only two years. She began Today, Christian is a largest member of the Josephof Tsomik he maintains feel when they one ofhunting the theirand his business. Asnavigate years.

While for a purchases new anyhis situs Committed to giving back to the community, her journey in the industryfor as a12transaction Gary Papirov Team, powered by Homes R Us Realty, he intends on building out his team esentation, and lives. I keep® my center. If she clients becameat theJaneen housetowith her where he services clients throughout all of Staten is Island. work with philanthropist, investment properties an avidhisfundraiser, coordinator, earning her license help theREALTOR n clients refer Ithe feel that a of dealreal isn’t good for for helping them and fascinated with world estate Outside of wor ® There, he has combined his passion others But no matter what, he will continue andhesitate volunteer. A survivor of breast cancer, Realtor ’s clients while she was on vaca-doesn’t suit their needs, I won’t nds and family withtohis acute her knowledge of his city to assist buyers service throughout his beloved hometi and decided obtain license.

She being involved gives regularly to hospice organizations. absolutely loved it,” Janeen says.to tell them to drop it. On she ice, tion. from “I A-Z, the and independent sellers of all kinds.

“Most people have other a dream homeownership ishosts a key aspect of the A works as an agent and is an annual HILLEL FRIED JANEEN BOLENDER She also sponsors sports teams for young “I loved being in the field, helping people, etails forgotten, hand,a home,” when Ihesuggest thatresponsibility they pursue of owning says. “My is toMCLAUGHLIN he says. “There’s nothing more fulfi RENEE affiliated with Real Estate ERA, local community kids, and serves a volunteer getting to know them and their stories, andHunt make that experience as pleasant as possible being partas of that process andhockey seeing peop t deal possible. something aggressively, they knowby that serving buyers andconsistent, sellers primarily in manager. During children’s s available, and professional.” end of the day.

You can’t put a team price on the pandemic, Janeen making their dreams come true.” . It’s about the I have their best interests in mind.

HILLEL FRIED JANEEN BOLENDER RENEE McLAUGHLIN

ost any time of

Saratoga County and CONTENTS Albany County. free sanitizer, time, she lo LORI ANN HARRINGTON organized a mass send-out of hand

When listing a property, Christian offers his clients make memories an experienced agent, and broker Luxe Estate Advisors put sanitizer stations in Janeen has built a thriving business on theAs principle of Starting comprehensive strategy. out, Real heand supplies them 4) EMBRACING SMART 21) CREATIVE WAYS TO Renee’s recipe for success and fostering two kids.

Hillel is dedicated togrocery the and long-term local stores.

“I’m always trying to give back,” being of service. “For me, it’s not about with a the suitemoney,” of professional photography videography strong relationships with her clients is HOMES: DOES NEW SAY THANK YOU l estate industry success of his clients.

“My motto is: I’m services.

After that, he shares their listings over a wide Janeen says. “I maybe do not make as much money as Janeen says. “People ask me, ‘What’s your secret?’ My communication.

“It’s pretty simple, but variety of targeted digital and social media campaigns. . After spending time living in not here for the race, I’m here for the marathon,” he TECHNOLOGY REALLY mottoforward is: If R goals are very different. My goals are never money. other people, but I’m good with that. MyGoing But Christian is just as thorough when aiding buyers, communication isreturn thewas foundation of23) any educating herself n theThe fine first jewelry andIdiamond says. HisThe clients and out to him again,his even HABITS you do theofDAILY right thing, good thingsTHAT will follow.” house sold was $80,000. buyer soreach INCREASE HOME VALUE? leaning on his in-depth understanding the local sphere was time to because make a change. years after their transactions sure good A got large part closed. of myHe makes happy, he had a“Ihome forrelationship. his todaughter. to have INCREASE YOUR ness while help help find Ithe right home forWILL their needs.

“When I’m in real estate,” he says. “Real day thatconsists the most modern technologies and social media of picking up the phone when mythem clients navigate the intricate New Yor shopping around with buyers, IMENTAL try is to make feelthe as future and what it holds. She Janeen excited for help him put aTURN roof overOPEN her head.HOUSES I put that experience 13) STRENGTH gardless of economic swings. I call networks are used to the advantage of his clients. and listening their specific needs sonever that trying Iactive canto in looking to serveto my clients w comfortable possible,” he says. plans to“I’m stay very the community, continue at the center of my vision board, because it’s to notas about INTO DESTINATIONS selltowards them a house.

Instead, I’m tryingoutcome. to guide them and and a hard work ethic. This is guide them the best possible This to give back,part andoftohis expand her business. She also plans how much I make, it’s aboutGetting who I can help.” tohelp know Hillel’s favorite thempeople make transaction a is very important decision.” is the most significant they will make in the I’m to be she a part of it a to continue tosofocus on partshonored of real estate finds est Side, Hillel and his team their chosen profession.

“I like getting to know many lifetime, soJaneen I takehowever, it very seriously.

Whether theyare the theirsense perfect home or sell their fulfilling, which of service and the Now a part-owner of Luxe different Real Estate, is in love For Christian, themost transaction is never finished; To learn more about Christi n and Brooklyn.

“I’ve done types of people and hearing their stories,” Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 are a first-time homebuyer or relationships. an experienced invesis christianhomesrus@g to be better than I inlicense. fact, he prefers remain in touch with his“My clients well is My email heart withgoal people whose lifelong the neighborhood process of earning Broker’s Serving h every in theseher he says. “Every day is a to new adventure.

I utilize my expertise andthey resources helpand always work to getting keep disco after closing towww.topagentmagazine.com ensure are fully satisfied thriv- willvisit zillow.com/profile/Christi mag@topagentmagazine.com | Janeen dream is totoown athem home,” Janeen says.

“I love New and thetor, surrounding areas, llel Buffalo, runs a team ofYork, carefully ing in their new homes.

Since getting started in 2018, or call (718) 702-99 achieve alltowards ofdreams, their real estate goals.”

Renee staysI want in to of build myself.” to putwithout them there. anAgent empire, and my consistently centers herhe clients and their goals, grew pretty organically,” Looking Hillel intends onprior expanding No portion of this issue may be reproduced in the any future, manner whatsoever consent of the publisher.

Top Magazine herourcurrent and past clients, and published

by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken tonot ensure the accuracy published materials,else.”

Top at theand top needs. of hisismind.

“Slowly, his business to with include new realempire estate isdevelopments. about me, it’sofabout everyone “This past yearcommunication with Covid, we asked Copyright To Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. many of them become her close friends.

She also puts o works well‘How with can you we andhelp is people “I’m always looking for new agents, but I carefully selves, who might be losing To subscribe or changeaaddress, inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. strongsend emphasis on team,” creative marketing, iggest challenge inright building a choose the ones on my he says.

So manyinvesting people their homes Published in now?’” the U.S. Janeen says. “We started in professional photography, drone shots, and to compromise my as reputation the process of buying/ want doing listings low as 2%.dread It’s never about that one selling a home. I virtual tours.

Thanks to her hard work, she ended 2020 with an ongoing project to find the them to enjoy the process, and I am happy to share my sale. It’s about what’s happening after that sale.” extensive knowledge and experience them. $9,000,000 in sales volume, and is a with regular in That’s the top 2 Top Agent Magazine what I’m aiming for, and that’s my passion, for them 10% ofskilled, agents the in the whole of the Capital District.

Attentive, ethical, and highly majority www.

te his attention to detail. Over

to make the right decision based on knowledge rather

of Janeen’s business stems from repeat clients and

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Embracing Smart Homes:

Does New Technology Really Increase Home Value?

Technology and innovation move at a lightning-fast clip, so it can be hard to keep up with all the smart-home trends sweeping the market at a given time. From smart thermostats to security systems accessed through an app on your phone—there are endless options to customize and update your home for the modern era. But which, if any, of these smart home products add 4

value to property in a significant, worthwhile capacity? Especially with new generations of the same products released in quick succession, it can be hard to determine whether it’s worth it to take the plunge. With that in mind, we’ve conducted a deep-dive into the smart home options out there that make the most sense for your bottom line and real estate investments.

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Smart home amenities range in price and return.

There are certain smart home products that won’t break the bank while still adding lovely touches and time-saving features to your space. For instance, a smart thermostat may not run more than a few hundred dollars, but it can take so much of the guesswork and analog nuisance out of programming your home’s internal environment. That said, buyers selling properties with mid-range amenities like this can’t expect a windfall in return. While smart home features can certainly lure buyers and give the sense that a home is attractively modern (and thus move-in ready), it doesn’t mean that you’ll be reaping a sizable monetary reward for your foresight. Conversely, this reality doesn’t mean those smart options

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are without value entirely; it just means that the value of smart home options may be apparent in a different capacity, like luring a particular buyer or creating a desirable, sleek image for a property headed to market.

On the other hand, larger scale smart home amenities that are being left behind for the buyer—like a smart refrigerator or wired sound throughout the property—may be able to lure particular buyers who value high-end details. While it can be difficult to state definitively the value of smart home options, the rule tends to be that the more you put in, the higher the likelihood you’ll reap the investment you sow. Focus your smart home options on home appliances first, then work your way toward security, thermostat, and entertainment options.

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Smart home amenities capture the attention of buyers

Agents must know how to pitch the value of smart home options

Even if you have mostly opted for small or mid-range smart home options, you can still benefit from their presence in a property—even if they don’t inflate your bottom line as a result. Smart home amenities have the power to focus the attention of buyers, sending a clear signal that the previous owners were tech-forward and made an effort to upgrade the property for the contemporary era. Millennial or Gen Z buyers especially value these up-to-date modifications, and the presence of these desirable gadgets can create added interest and drive up value naturally. Likewise, featuring these options in listing photography can also drive interest from younger or high-end buyers looking for move-in ready spaces.

Remember that smart home features are relatively fresh to the market. While some new construction properties are equipped with these smart amenities, just as many homes on the market don’t offer these upgrades and modern flairs. This means that many buyers, of all ages even, aren’t familiar with the benefits and perks of these options, let alone how they’re operated. Before you can derive value from a smart home or smart home features, you’ll need to understand a product’s proper usage, cost, and benefits. Do your homework regarding what smart home features can offer in terms time or cost savings, and be able to show prospective buyers how easy these objects are to use, as well. Do both, and you’ll be in proper command of what smart home features can offer buyers and pitch them accordingly.

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JOHN LAJARA

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JOHN LAJARA With ten years in the business, John Lajara has established himself as a sought-after Realtor® in New York, recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Realtors® by REAL Trends in 2020.

After persevering through the initial struggle of starting a career in real estate during the economic downturn of the late 2000s, John has 8

seen his business grow tremendously over the past decade on the back of his familiarity with his community and the strength of his work ethic, and he hopes to continue down that path well into the future.

One of John’s greatest assets as a Realtor® is his Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent John Lajara has established himself as the Top 10 Realtors in New York, #1 Hispanic Realtor in the Bronx/Westchester and Top 20 Hispanic Realtors in the country. ability to connect with the people he meets and works with on a personal level, and to quickly and thoroughly understand and meet their specific needs. He makes a concerted effort to keep in touch with his clients past and present, calling them on birthdays and following them on social media while keeping himself available for calls Top Agent Magazine

and texts throughout the week. “This work is more about building relationships than it is about focusing on the transaction,” John says. “Your network is your worth, your value, and I keep that in mind every time I meet with a potential client.” John’s excellent customer service has translated into a strong referral network, and as 9

of now, John gets 90% of his business through referrals from satisfied clients.

John’s team offers a great deal of services to their clients through networking and diversifying their expertise. He has constructed his business on the basis of minimizing margin of error and enabling himself to overcome any obstacle that may arise. “My business right now is all systemized. I have a lead manager, transaction coordinator, and marketing assistant. All of this contributes to our excellent customer service.

We are very organized and on point,” John says. John has mastered the residential side of real estate and is learning about short sales, and hopes to delve further into commercial in the future. All of this is to bolster the amount

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One of John’s greatest assets as a Realtor® is his ability to connect with the people he meets and works with on a personal level, and to quickly and thoroughly understand and meet their specific needs. of expertise he can offer to his clients, and help them in the most efficient way possible.

John takes great pride in his presentation and that of his online presence. He puts a lot of work into his listings to make them look pristine. Through a combination of drone videography, professional photography, and social media know-how, John pushes his listings to as many people as possible and always sells at top dollar.

Recently John partnered up with eXP Realty in order to start scaling his team globally. eXP Realty is one of the world’s fastest growing real estate brokerages in the world, with more than 50,000 agents worldwide across 13 different countries. Last year the company sold over $70,000,0000 and is ranked #1 for Top Independents on the Top Agent Magazine

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REAL Trends 500 List for closed transaction sides. John Lajara sees himself as more than a local real estate agent serving his community.

He is a worldwide advisor, consulting others in real estate matters globally. With the ability to grow his brand through social media and the support of a cloud-based brokerage rapidly expanding into new territory, John is in a position to completely redefine the meaning of “Success” in Real Estate.

When John isn’t working on his real estate career, he spends a great deal of time on his other business, MAKRO, a fitness and nutrition company. MAKRO provides fitness counseling to busy professionals who struggle in this area due to lack of free time within their careers.

John hopes to grow both businesses in the years to come, and to hire more staff to his office, as the volume of sales that his business does each year is steadily increasing.

For more about John Lajara, please call (917) 848-4655, email john25lajara@gmail.com or visit zillow.com/profile/JohnCLajara 12

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Turn Open Houses into Destinations People are busy. Even those who are actively looking to buy a house or want to learn about the market for a future purpose have busy schedules. But with bit of added time, creativity and investment in making open house into destinations, you’ll see greater turnout. And we all know that greater turnout increases the likelihood of offers.

There are several creative ways to hold an open house with a mindset of hospitality and with the goal of providing something of value to each person who attends.

The neighbors-only open house Some agents embrace the “nosy neighbor” concept as a benefit, not an eye-rolling challenge. With his client’s permission, Wesley Peters, a Keller Williams broker in the Baltimore Metro Area, often gets the neighbors together before a home hits the market. “We invite other brokers, too, but we include as many neighbors as we can,” he says, explaining that he schedules these events for a Thursday or Friday evening, happy hour-style, rather than midday on a Sunday. They get a better turnout at 5:00 pm than midday on a weekend when the neighbors are busy with their lives. In a relaxed setting, conversations flow, neighbors can mingle and catch up, and the buzz begins before the home is listed. In advance, prepare invitations and hand-deliver them to homes on the streets you and your client agree are best to include. The destination is the event; the value each attendee receives is the social interaction and the removal of any awkwardness over visiting their neighbor’s house. Your client’s benefit is the buzz.

A turnkey block party any time of year Once a property is listed, some agents take on the role of party planners. Certain streets or neighborhoods, they find, are perfect for low-key social occasions. In some place, such as neighborhoods with many young families, a bounce-house or games may even ramp up the fun factor.

But the idea of a seemingly spontaneous block party during an open house can be easy to pull off, whether you’re serving lemonade and cookies or coffee and pastries. The Top Agent Magazine

chance to meet prospective neighbors turns the event into a destination for both buyers and the neighbors; the value comes in buyers’ ability to see how the neighbors interact.

Your seller’s benefit is that the grapevine will be filled with happy stories about their home. Tips: By keeping basic supplies in storage, you’ll be ready for a pop-up block party any time. Promote this type of event with targeted social media marketing and fliers or postcards to communities within a short distance of your listing.

Invite other professionals It’s common mortgage lenders to attend open houses. But why not provide even more value to people who attend?

Chances are, you have more than a handful of professional partners who welcome an opportunity to join you at your open house. Consider inviting an interior designer, a contractor, a gardener, even a gardener or a painter. Invite them to your broker’s open in advance or give them time to view the property before the open house begins. Then encourage them to stroll the property during the open house or to sit with you. When visitors ask about needs or concerns they may have about the house – such as loan questions, the cost of improvements or upgrades or even remodeling – you’ll be able to introduce them to an expert on the spot. For that matter, your invited pros don’t even necessarily have to be in home-related businesses! Prospective buyers always want to know about the community when visiting open houses. Consider inviting representatives of community organizations, like youth sports group or owners of mom-and-pop retailers to help your visitors get a feel for the neighborhood or town.

For this type of open-house, prepare a flyer or card with your community contacts on it so visitors can leave with resources as well as information.

Open house should be about the buzz. They’re about creating a conversation about your listing and making the home memorable to visitors. By giving people a unique experience they won’t forget, you’ll show your sellers how creative you are in meeting their needs.

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Laughs!

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LORI ANN HARRINGTON Top Agent Magazine

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LORI ANN HARRINGTON

Lori Harrington will tell you that the joy of real estate isn’t about property—it’s about people, and her clients would agree. “When people imagine getting into this business, what they’re often attracted to is the idea of making a lot of money or a flexible schedule or getting to look at beautiful houses all day. And those can all be true. But what I love is the opportunity to get to know my clients and their families, being able to help them by anticipating needs they may not have even thought about.”

After an early career working crazy hours in the hospitality industry, Lori wanted to make a change that would allow her to strike a balance between work and family, while still drawing upon the people skills that, for her, came naturally.

After discussing this dilemma with a friend who is in the real estate business, it was suggested that she consider becoming a real estate agent.

After much thought, Lori realized this career move could offer her more time with her family, while carrying out her life mission… helping others.

Eighteen years later, she still enjoys helping people find that dream home or negotiate a great offer for the home 16

they’re trying to sell. From her hometown of Camillus in upstate New York, she serves clients in and around the Syracuse area with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, averaging a sales volume of between five and ten million a year as a solo agent. Lori has won the National Sales Excellence Award for four years running, an honor given to only the top five percent of sales associates in the country. An enviable seventy-five percent of her business comes from referrals or repeat clients, who praise her personable nature, market knowledge, and thoughtfulness about providing the resources they need through every stage of the process.

Even beyond.

“I’m about becoming a friend by the end of it,” Lori explains. “I’m trying to build a relationship as opposed to just closing a transaction. I’m outgoing and I love getting to know people. I can’t imagine doing anything different!” She stays in touch with all those new friends the same way everyone does, through social media and frequent phone calls or texts. For a time that can be extremely difficult and stressful for clients, Lori’s can-do, positive, infectious demeanor makes the buying and/or selling process seamless, with a guarantee that with every interaction there Copyright Top Agent Magazine

will be laughs. The client testimonial below explains just that: “Just from our first meeting with Lori, we knew we chose the perfect agent to help us sell our house and find our dream home. She made what could have been a long and frustrating process so easy and enjoyable. She stood by us every step of the way, offering her knowledge and advice on all subject matters, and even provided additional contacts to help get our house ready to sell. Lori was very patient with us throughout the process and answered all questions we had, always making herself available when needed. We never felt pressured into making a quick decision as she made sure to point out certain details of the houses we viewed knowing that the smallest detail could have a major impact on our decision. We are now living in our dream home, all thanks to Lori. At first, she was our real estate agent but now she is a lifelong friend.”

As for marketing her listings, Lori is flexible, changing her strategy to meet the needs of the moment. “It’s very different today than it was even three or four years ago. Because inventory is so low, we often sell houses even before they hit the market. If it does go live, we’ll get twenty offers immediately. But typically you reach out to your client base, post the listings to your website and social media platforms, host open houses, and send flyers to the other homes in the neighborhood. The properties are selling too fast for us to do all of those things right now, but we’ll return to them when the market warrants it again.” It isn’t only the connections you make with clients, but also other agents, which in this competitive market makes all the difference. Having the most up-to-date intel on houses through word-of-mouth amongst agents, helps clients receive a “sneak peek” on what’s to come, especially when offers are being made before houses hit the market.

When not working, Lori is active in her community, sponsoring the Geddes Little League and she served as the PTA president for her daughter’s middle school. In honor of her father, who died from amyloidosis, Lori actively participates in fundraising for the Amyloidosis Foundation, including organizing local races in his honor. Leisure time is spent mostly with her children, her greatest accomplishments, but she also enjoys reading and vacationing. Most of her friends will tell you, during the summer when she isn’t putting up “sold” signs, you can find Lori sitting by her pool, soaking up the sun while listening to country music.

Going forward, she simply wants to continue doing what she loves and maintain the balance she’s found between work and family. “I don’t really want to retire. I see myself doing this for the next twenty years at least. After that, we’ll see.”

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Contact Lori at 315-727-3406 or her office at 315-487-0040.

Email loriharrington@howardhanna.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 17

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CHRISTIAN JACKSON A lifelong resident of Staten Island, Christian Jackson started out as a special education teacher for the Department of Education, but through it all, he’d always harbored an interest in real estate. So he reached out to Joseph Tsomik and Gary Papirov, top producers at Homes R Us Realty. Looking to get more involved with the industry, Christian offered to work for them, free of charge, just to learn the business from the ground up, and while assisting Tsomik and Papirov, he was soon inspired to pursue his own license. Sure enough, he’s been going strong ever since.

Today, Christian is a member of the Joseph Tsomik and Gary Papirov Team, powered by Homes R Us Realty, where he services clients throughout all of Staten Island.

There, he has combined his passion for helping others with his acute knowledge of his city to assist buyers and sellers of all kinds. “Most people have a dream of owning a home,” he says. “My responsibility is to make that experience as pleasant as possible by being available, consistent, and professional.”

he has earned a tremendous reputation throughout Staten Island, as evidenced by his rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals, and while currently on pace to double his volume from the previous year, he still remains focused on what matters most: the people. “I’m not looking to gain a client and move onto the next one. Rather, I want to build that lasting relationship and protect their interests—long-term.”

Outside his career, Christian enjoys exercising or spending quality time with friends and family. And looking ahead, he has bold ambitions for the future of his business. As he maintains his steady momentum, he intends on building out his team while expanding his work with investment properties and renovations.

But no matter what, he will continue raising the bar of service throughout his beloved hometown. “As they say, homeownership is a key aspect of the American Dream,” he says. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than being a part of that process and seeing people so happy at the end of the day. You can’t put a price on that experience.”

When listing a property, Christian offers his clients comprehensive strategy. Starting out, he supplies them with a suite of professional photography and videography services. After that, he shares their listings over a wide variety of targeted digital and social media campaigns.

But Christian is just as thorough when aiding his buyers, leaning on his in-depth understanding of the local sphere to help find the right home for their needs. “When I’m shopping around with buyers, I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible,” he says. “I’m never trying to sell them a house. Instead, I’m trying to guide them and help them make a very important decision.”

For Christian, however, the transaction is never finished; in fact, he prefers to remain in touch with his clients well after closing to ensure they are fully satisfied and thriving in their new homes. Since getting started in 2018, Top Agent Magazine

To learn more about Christian Jackson email christianhomesrus@gmail.com, visit zillow.com/profile/ChristianHomesRUs or call (718) 702-9948 www.

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HILLEL FRIED “I’m not just looking to get another deal done,” says Hillel Fried, associate broker and founder of the Hillel Team at LG Fairmont. “People can see through others. They know and feel when they are getting excellent representation, and when they’re not. When clients refer me, they know their friends and family will get top notch service, from A-Z, creative solutions, no details forgotten, and they will get the best deal possible.

It’s really not about me. It’s about the service I provide, at almost any time of the day or night.”

Hillel has been in the real estate industry for the past seven years. After spending time living in Australia and working in the fine jewelry and diamond business, he decided it was time to make a change. “I always knew I’d end up in real estate,” he says. “Real estate is here forever, regardless of economic swings. I truly believe in it.

Based in the Upper West Side, Hillel and his team specialize in Manhattan and Brooklyn. “I’ve done sale deals in pretty much every neighborhood in these boroughs,” he says. Hillel runs a team of carefully cultivated agents. “We grew pretty organically,” he says. Quality is always at the top of his mind. “Slowly, with time, you see who works well with you and is a better fit. That’s the biggest challenge in building a team. I am not willing to compromise my reputation or service, therefore, it’s an ongoing project to find the right matches.”

Hillel’s clients appreciate his attention to detail. Over 70% of his business comes from repeat and referral business. He credits this to the trust that he builds between himself and his clients, considering their

best interests above all. “I give honest advice to my buyers and sellers. My first and foremost concern is that my clients make the best decision regarding one of the largest purchases of their lives. I keep my clients at the center. If I feel that a deal isn’t good for them and doesn’t suit their needs, I won’t hesitate to tell them to drop it. On the other hand, when I suggest that they pursue something aggressively, they know that I have their best interests in mind.

As an experienced broker and agent, Hillel is dedicated to the long-term success of his clients. “My motto is: I’m not here for the race, I’m here for the marathon,” he says. His clients return and reach out to him again, even years after their transactions have closed. He makes sure that the most modern technologies and social media networks are used to the advantage of his clients.

Getting to know people is Hillel’s favorite part of his chosen profession. “I like getting to know so many different types of people and love hearing their stories,” he says. “Every day is a new adventure.

Looking towards the future, Hillel intends on expanding his business to include new real estate developments.

“I’m always looking for new agents, but I carefully choose the ones on my team,” he says. So many people dread the process of buying/ selling a home. I want them to enjoy the process, and I am happy to share my extensive knowledge and experience with them. That’s what I’m aiming for, and that’s my passion, for them to make the right decision based on knowledge rather than on speculation. Things are ever changing, they move so swiftly, and I’m always on the go, doing what I love to do.”

For more about Hillel Fried and The Hillel Team, call 929-444-5554, email hfried@lgfairmont.com, or visit hillelteam.com www.

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Creative Ways to Say Thank You

Most top real estate agents find ways to welcome their clients to their new home. A common theme is a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for that first post-threshold toast, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up that empty living space until the furniture arrives.

But are you truly being as creative as you can with your appreciation? Here are some innovative gift ideas that will truly keep you front of mind with your valued customers and assure their gratitude and repeat business, not to mention a slew of referrals.

1. How about a streaming video device, like a Roku

or Amazon Fire Stick? There’s a good chance your clients will not have their cable service up and running for a few days, and this is an excellent way for them to enjoy their television before they get that connection going. Bundle it up in a basket with some DVD’s for the kids, and don’t forget all necessary cables.

2. Matching bathrobes and Bath kits: Fleece or ter-

rycloth bathrobes and a basket filled with highend his and her body scrubs, bubble bath and other luxurious pampering items can make the first night in a new home feel like a check-in at a fabulous resort and make the memory of that first night one to cherish. Again, don’t forget the kids!

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3. Arrange a catered meal from a local vendor. As-

certain in advance dietary preferences and restrictions, and have a wonderful, healthy meal delivered on move-in night. To complete the magic, provide brand new plates, silverware and glassware to serve it all on.

4. For homes with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, a

stack of fluffy pool towels is always appreciated and will be used by family and friends for years to come. Additionally, acrylic stemware for celebrating safely can be provided alongside them.

5. If it’s winter time and the home has a fireplace, make sure there’s plenty of wood to burn. Some fireplace accessories and a log holder will certainly make your clients appreciate you on every chilly night to come.

So when it comes to gifting your buyers, the trick is to be creative. A bottle of wine lasts one night, and the flowers wilt in a few days. Try coming up with something a little more creative that will remain with your clients in their day-to-day lives and remind them of you consistently. The little bit extra you spend to show your gratitude can reap huge dividends when it comes time for your client to purchase a second home or refer a friend.

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JANEEN BOLENDER With her passion for people and helping others, real estate has been a natural fit for Janeen Bolender, who has built a remarkable business over only two years. She began her journey in the industry as a transaction coordinator, earning her license to help the Realtor®’s clients while she was on vacation. “I absolutely loved it,” Janeen says.

“I loved being in the field, helping people, getting to know them and their stories, and making their dreams come true.”

Janeen has built a thriving business on the principle of being of service. “For me, it’s not about the money,” Janeen says. “People ask me, ‘What’s your secret?’ My goals are very different. My goals are never money.

The first house I sold was $80,000. The buyer was so happy, because he had a home for his daughter. I got to help him put a roof over her head. I put that experience at the center of my vision board, because it’s not about how much I make, it’s about who I can help.”

Now a part-owner of Luxe Real Estate, Janeen is in the process of earning her Broker’s license. Serving Buffalo, New York, and the surrounding areas, Janeen consistently centers her clients and their dreams, goals, and needs. “This past year with Covid, we asked ourselves, ‘How can we help people who might be losing their homes right now?’” Janeen says. “We started doing listings as low as 2%. It’s never about that one sale. It’s about what’s happening after that sale.”

three home inspectors. “We’ve closed deals at midnight, because my team is so reliable,” Janeen says.

Committed to giving back to the community, Janeen is an avid fundraiser, philanthropist, and volunteer. A survivor of breast cancer, she gives regularly to hospice organizations.

She also sponsors sports teams for young kids, and serves as a volunteer hockey manager. During the pandemic, Janeen organized a mass send-out of hand sanitizer, and Luxe Real Estate Advisors put sanitizer stations in local grocery stores. “I’m always trying to give back,” Janeen says. “I maybe do not make as much money as other people, but I’m good with that. My motto is: If you do the right thing, good things will follow.”

Janeen is excited for the future and what it holds. She plans to stay very active in the community, to continue to give back, and to expand her business. She also plans to continue to focus on the parts of real estate she finds most fulfilling, which are the sense of service and the relationships. “My heart is with people whose lifelong dream is to own a home,” Janeen says. “I love getting to put them there. I want to build an empire, and my empire is not about me, it’s about everyone else.”

Attentive, ethical, and highly skilled, the majority of Janeen’s business stems from repeat clients and referrals. “My clients know that if they need to call me in the middle of the night, they can call me,” Janeen says. “For me, it’s all about the community, and choosing the right thing, always.”

To market her listings, Janeen provides broad coverage across social media platforms, as well as targeted “market blasts” that identify likely buyers. Janeen’s team includes three loan officers, three attorneys, and 22

To find out more about Janeen Bolender please call 716-777-1787, email NCRLUXE@gmail.com or visit luxerealestateadvisors.com Top Agent Magazine

Daily Habits That Will Increase Your Mental Strength When it comes to building physical strength, the solutions are obvious, but keeping up your mental strength isn’t as easy as going to the gym. Although physical exercise does help clear your head and relieve stress, there are other things you can do daily that will help your mind be as strong and flexible as your body after a workout. Here’s just a few things you can do to help clear your head and make you more productive.

DON’T WASTE YOUR BRAIN POWER That might seem obvious, but think about how much mental energy you might use up worrying about negativity or things you have no control over. Instead of focusing on problems, focus on solutions. This actually take a lot of effort, we’re all conditioned to let worry paralyze us sometimes.

Try and catch yourself when you’re wasting time thinking about about past mistakes or current dilemmas you don’t have the power to stop. You really only have so much mental energy, and if you have kids and an especially stressful work situation, that might be even less than normal. Start treating your brain like the precious resource it is.

You don’t want to be running on empty when it really matters.

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE A lot of mental energy can go to dealing with anxiety. One way to deal with that is by forcing yourself to try new things and take on new challenges, that you might normally avoid because they make you feel unsure or scared. Challenge yourself daily, even with small things.

This is definitely something that becomes easier with practice. Start small, and in no time you’ll be taking on things you never thought were possible.

The simple task of trying something new every day will have you feeling energized and put you on the path to self-growth.

BE SELF-AWARE Your emotions affect everything you do, even if they’re not at the surface. Recognizing and labeling them is key. A lot of the above exercises require self-reflection. It’s okay to have the emotions you have, understanding why and where those emotions come from allows you to focus on dealing with them rather than just wallowing in them.

Being self-aware is also about self-care. Know the things that help relax and rejuvenate you. That way you can handle everyday stresses and remain calm even during the most turbulent times.

BE MORE POSITIVE

BE WILLING TO LEARN

Eliminating negative thoughts is essential to increasing your mental strength. Carrying around negativity is like swimming with all of your clothes on. You might be okay at first, but eventually you’ll feel like you can barely stay afloat. Don’t drown in negativity, use positive thoughts as a lifesaver.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore things you need to improve, just approach them with solutions rather than beating yourself up. Constant monitoring of this is important since it’s really easy to slide back into negative thinking.

A lot of people are still hung up on the idea that learning is a boring and tedious process, but you aren’t in junior high anymore. You can find something you’re actually interested in and immerse yourself in it, which engages your mind like nothing else. Whether it’s learning a new technology that will improve your business or something that will make you a more well-rounded person, the learning process keeps you engaged and open to new ideas. A curiosity about the world and new things is something that all mentally strong people have in common.

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RENEE McLAUGHLIN best experience possible. “If there is a problem, I work tirelessly to introduce different solutions and help my clients navigate any situation with confidence.”

Originally from Massachusetts, Renee McLaughlin relocated to New York with her husband after living in Ireland for 12 years. While hunting for a new house with her REALTOR® she became fascinated with the world of real estate and decided to obtain her license. She works as an independent agent and is affiliated with Hunt Real Estate ERA, serving buyers and sellers primarily in Saratoga County and Albany County.

Renee’s recipe for success and fostering strong relationships with her clients is communication. “It’s pretty simple, but communication is the foundation of any good relationship. A large part of my day consists of picking up the phone when my clients call and listening to their specific needs so that I can guide them towards the best possible outcome. This is the most significant transaction they will make in their lifetime, so I take it very seriously. Whether they are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, I utilize my expertise and resources to help them achieve all of their real estate goals.” Renee stays in communication with her current and past clients, and many of them become her close friends. She also puts a strong emphasis on creative marketing, investing in professional photography, drone shots, and virtual tours. Thanks to her hard work, she ended 2020 with $9,000,000 in sales volume, and is a regular in the top 10% of agents in the whole of the Capital District.

A natural people person, Renee’s favorite part of her job are the daily interactions she has with a wide variety of individuals. “I love meeting new people and getting to know their stories,” she explains, adding that having full control over her schedule is another perk of working in real estate that she enjoys.

She also goes out of her way to make sure that every transaction is seamless, and that she takes the stress out of the process so that her clients can have the 24

Outside of work Renee spends time being involved in her community. She hosts an annual food drive to help the local community and participates in her children’s team sports programs. In her free time, she loves to sing, cook, and make memories with her husband and two kids.

Going forward Renee strives to continue educating herself and growing her business while helping buyers and sellers navigate the intricate New York market. “I’m always looking to serve my clients with honesty, integrity and a hard work ethic. This is a special process, and I’m honored to be a part of it and help my clients find their perfect home or sell their property for top price.

My goal is to be better than I was the year before. I will always work to keep discovering the best version of myself.”

To learn more about Renee McLaughlin email reneemclaughlinhomes@gmail.com, visit zillow.com/profile/reneemclaughlinhomes, or call (518) 316–1959 www.

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