NORTH CAROLINA 10-4-21

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

8 THINGS

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

5

SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES REAL ESTATE AGENTS MUST AVOID

BUSINESS GROWTH HACK: ABSORB YOUR CLIENTS' STRESS! COVER STORY

KELLEY DUBOIS

NEVER DO

FEATURED AGENTS

BRIAN BRENNER KRISTIE HARRISON NANCY LITTLE HUCKS SHERRY HARRIS 4 WAYS MENTORING UP-AND-COMING EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU A BETTER AGENT

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

NANCY LITTLE KRISTIE HARRISON BRIAN BRENNER

HUCKS

coming from repeat clientsNancy and referrals.

A lifelong resident North people has been the theme of In of provide them with direction on what takes a direc the yearCarolina, 2000, Kristie Nancy Little Hucks 7left 16 19 20 Kristie remains focused on what matters most:23 Harrison her start in the manufacturing nner’s career since hegot gradto do next. communicating with h her family restaurant business to the satisfaction gained from helping others. where she served for more than 20 years; m college, field, and he wouldn’t Insp is Ihonest and trustwo selling real estate. had working spent with Brian,“When ny other way.

“I earned my start buyersI and went into real estate, was looking however, through it all, she always sought SheAfter e and broker’s license in a she word about sense of purpose a deeper in my career,” she isedge a platform where make impact importantly, co lot could of time in an sales, and a sellers friendlove toldto spread thefor ever d began working with investheir experience.

One recently said, she says. “But after delving into businessdecisions in her community. an would interest in less,themaking herAfter realtaking estate be a good fit for drea were looking forestate, properties,” “Brian was sensational toand work with. giving it 110%, it has been more fulfilling real she decided to pursue her license, client no matter how her, so she decided to take a leap of two ns. At theand same time, he When we decided to sell our home than I ever could have imagined.” sure enough, the industry proved itself a s a marketing director for a in Cary we wanted to partner with a realS her own bottom line. faith intocompassionate the industry.

After getting her perfect compliment to her perlinic, whichsonality led to him purRealtor that had a proven track record sa Outside her career, Kristie isby deeply involved and managerial background. phone around thein cl master’s degree from UNC license, Nancy hit her strideof early results on, in our neighborhood. unde in her Brian community. As a member of the ill in healthcare administra- having a great was our guy. A few things I appreciated answers, enabling her t first year and finding Jaycees, at various and Broker KRISTIE HARRISON Greenville Today, Kristie is a REALTOR KELLEY DUBOIS BRIAN®BRENNER NANCY LITTLE she volunteers SHERRY HARRIS high r the span of 15 years, Briana simultaneously about working with him: 1. he was terrifically respontions and solve proble lot of HomeServices satisfaction Prime and fulfillment likes toWith empower her c events and holidayHUCKS parades around her and hometown. with Berkshire Hathaway Properties, in medical clinics and worked as a real estate sive. 2. he took great care while he was showing our educated decisions.

Co-ow one of her three sons serving as a USAF Airman, she also where she assists clients throughout all of Eastern North and efficiently. helping her community. y 2002, he decided to focus solely onthe realpeople homein (always taking his shoes off and turning out the with her husban supports military families across NC—along the nation. When Carolina.

Knowntofor her motto, “It’s All About You,our Nothomeproudly owing he had the potential flourish in it. lights).

3. he sold within 2 weeks.

Plus, he She has been working at Lake Norman Hughes—she helps buyers she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found Me,” she has cultivated a boutique process around values of serves The Triangle area of North Carolina, acted with great integrity from offer to closing.”

Nancy finds it essenti Realty for the last 12 years, a company spending quality time at home with her beloved service andbusiness integrityconsisting to supportofany buyer or seller.

Centralfamily.

North Carolina wit vast majority of his sales, and commercial real es a line of communicati she describes as “a great place to be,” nd referrals.

When Brian isn’t assisting clients, he’s working on Going forward, Kristie has strong plans for the future of her When listing a property, Kristie offers her clients a comprebecoming an EMT so he volunteer with local after the deal is close, and to that and relishes the opportunity to meet socan many different business.

Having from by 2020, strategy.

Alongside her expert licensedorganizations. assistant, During Described her clients as p ’s extensivehensive experience, knowledge and guidambulatory any free time,already he can doubled her volume Constant Contact through people through her career.

Through a combination she is most focused on continuing to improve her workflow she helps her sellers fully prepare their home for the markeeps clients coming back. “Now having be found mountain biking, street biking, wakeboarding, Sherry takes the Lake time toNor liste while keeping on the cutting of mail her ever-changing ketfor and33provides them with much awork suite ofand photography n real estate years, I’ve pretty water skiing orservices. hiking. reach edge out by every twotheir months. of hard straightforward honesty, Nancy quently exceeds expectW l,” he says.Once Growing up in Chapel he’sKristie then service industry.

Most ofofall, though, she is excited for themost newappreciate the house is readyHill, to list, shares it over my clients a her assistant, Karman, Nancy also em provides exceptional to a wide variety in the region he serves and loves showing In the coming years, hopes to expand realin North Carolina. that his await “If you enjoy a blend of highly targeted digital and social media cam-Brianopportunities do what I say I’m going to do marketing strategy in order to maxi clients in area ofportfolio North Carolina. verything itpaigns. has to In offer. his buyers, he Piedmont estate investment and possibly into shortwhat you’rego doing, it doesn’t feel like work,” It she says.sound the For meantime, shethe utilizes trusted methods like phone. might silly throughout, preparing postcards them for to each term neighborhoods— vacation rentals. Wherever his I’m pathhelping leads, ahe for herbuylistings, including profession “Whether family their first home or their handwritten the step surrounding pick up when someone calls ing no questions unanswered.

Meanwhile, will no doubt achieve everything hehome, puts his mindknowing to forever I love that property I’ve truly to because all to give her clients an added advantage. for each and strong advertis Nancy’s service is so phenomenal in no small part frombeen otherable agents, it s receive the best possible offers, with Brian and more. make a difference in their lives.” she says, andNancy adds, “ Top Producer, dueis just to the way she prioritizes the well-being of media. As a rare,” ng their listings throughKristie websites, postcards, Elsewhere, as attentive when assisting her that I truly care about them. d open houses.

He carries this same persever$10M in total sales volume each y her clients over communication the transactional ofclient the describes, sale. to As one “From our first contract to closing, buyers.

Leveraging her outstanding skills nature with first-time homebuyers a skillset to his work with flipping properties, Kristie kept up with my texts and recommended a lender and in-depth knowledge of the market, she carefully guides Nancy works hard to find people exactly what they forward to meeting to theirand first helping home. It’seven amaz management and investor clients.

SH

CONTENTS

4) BUSINESS GROWTH HACK: ABSORB YOUR CLIENTS' STRESS!

14) 4 WAYS MENTORING UP-AND-COMING EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU Aeach BETTER them step of the AGENT way, educating them on the nuances

17) 5 SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES REAL ESTATE AGENTS MUST AVOID 21) 8 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE NEVER DO

and inspector who were equally responsive so we could theinexcitement in their eyes.” the future. want, and does everything in her power to meet North Carolina close in a timely manner. She visited many properties on of their transaction and going above and beyond when relationships with his clients is the cornerevery need.

“I with helpa everyone, of guided the me in making the appropriate offer my behalf and needed. “When Itheir go and look at a house client, I’m regardless Brian’s business, so he always makes sure to Sherry’s care for clients ext on says. the property I ultimately purchased. you want some-loves trav searching for anything that could dissuade them In her free Iftime, Nancy point circumstances,” Nancy “I love uch. “We have a database ofprice past clients andorpotentially tion, and they often become h from buying it,” she says.

“After all, it’s not about trying to one who knows their business and is willing to go the extra new clients, so we send outhelping cards throughpoint, and cooking for her family. people, and I devote myself completely to COVID I called every one 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 mile, you can count on Kristie and her assistant.” make aPhone sale; aboutscratch makingoff sure my people are comfortear, and fun things likeit’s lottery were doing, and to check my the clients.”

Nancy has built an extensive sphere of written two cookbooks, entitled Aif able and happy with homes r St. Patty’s Day,” he explains.

During thethey choose. “ mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com for them, cares resiabout her Cooks clients and bestupforgroceries them,” andwhat’s A pick Southern Cottage Kitch she lives, and as a “Kristie long-time he gives away baked goodsinfluence and checks inwhere to For more about Brianwhatsoever Brenner, call 919-210-1356 other errand I could help wit No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine says another.

“We loved working with her when finding our Over the years, Kristie has earned a fantastic reputation hey are doing.

Often, Brian’sdent past clients call keep growing her business in the of North Carolina, she knows the are area likeensure the the to or email brian@trianglerealtyassociates.com isadvice, published by with Feature Publications GA, Inc. precautions taken tohome!” accuracy of published materials, Top North Carolina, vast majority ofAlthough her volume new forever ng for real in estate as they trustthe he can maintain When the high standard of s backcannot of her hand.

With for 90% of her business Agent Magazine be held responsible opinions expressed or factscoming supplied by itsand authors. it comes to marketing To subscribefrom or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

“I actually a bil Copyright Top Agent Magazine has embodiedunturned. throughout thehave course repeat clients and referrals, it’s safe to say that her To learn more Published in the U.S. about Kristie Harrison, email kristieharrisonhomes@gmail.com, listings go out to over 950 we If you’re looking for an experienced level of client satisfaction is consistently excellent. visit kristieharrisonhomes.com or call (252) 902-6850 egy ensures that I’m able to g ® would towithin take acar Realtor who and underlove contract da ethic brings inNancy around $5,000,0 needs, get in touch with Little When it comes to navigating the transaction process, 2 Top Agent Magazine www.

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Business Growth Hack: Absorb Your Clients’ Stress!

Your business coach or a CRM software sales rep has probably described a number of products or services to help you grow your business. But sometimes the easiest way to increase the deals you’re closing is to simply be present for your clients. In doing so, you’ll find have the power to decrease the stress they feel. And when you decrease their stress, you increase your value to them, leading to new referrals and organic growth.

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You may be thinking, “I have enough stress; how can I find the emotional bandwidth for other people’s stress?” But consider this: As their day-to-day point of contact in this life decision, you are already a strong presence in your client’s lives. Why not allow yourself to be the only seemingly calm part of this process? By asking them what’s on their mind, by truly listening, by showing that you truly understand and even by rolling up

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your sleeves to relieve some of their grunt work, you’ll prove yourself invaluable.

Think of yourself as the equivalent of an anti-anxiety pill to your clients. All you have to do is form a few easy habits.

Laura and Raj, their agent and their loan officer soon came to learn that Laura’s 80-year-old mother may eventually move in with the family. This news not only helped the agent best meet Laura’s and Raj’s needs for a new home; it gave both the agent and the loan officer opportunities to go above and beyond for their clients. Their REALTOR® connected Laura with a senior services nonprofit near Laura’s mom’s current home that may be able to assist the family.

And their loan officer outlined various, detailed options to Laura and Raj make smart, long-term financial decisions.

Meanwhile, the agent and loan officer earned the trust of Laura and Raj, who felt less worried about the future.

Listen – really listen – with patience Behind every home purchase or sale is a person or a family with a uniquely complex set of needs, motivations, objectives and priorities. Asking the right questions and truly listening to the answers are the easiest ways to learn how to make clients’ lives easier. In doing so, you not only show that you’re interested in them as people, but you help yourself discover ways to surprise your clients with service.

Take “Laura and Raj,” for instance – a couple in their 30s who wanted a larger home because their family of five outgrew their first home. By patiently getting to know Top Agent Magazine

Empathize Don’t be afraid to describe your own personal experiences as a homebuyer or seller, explaining how you felt at the time; let your client know you “get” it. The agent who is willing to open up and let buyers and

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sellers know that they personally understand their needs and concerns will connect with clients quickly, break down barriers and help the process move smoothly.

Chayan Alavi, Broker/Owner of Alavi Agency in Long Beach, California, challenges himself and his team to ensure that every action of every day serves others. “If we can put ourselves in other people’s shoes with empathy, then we become stellar professionals and great human beings, too,” he says. “I like knowing that we remove the sales pitch from real estate and make it all about the customer.” Chayan and his team focus on customer advocacy and building trust. But they don’t take trust for granted.

Instead, they know trust must be earned and nurtured over time.

Roll up your sleeves “You can’t be afraid to do anything!” says Matthew Todd of d’aprile properties in the Chicago area. “People know there’s nothing I won’t do to get the job done.” He has 6

mowed clients’ lawns, walked dogs and personally cleaned someone’s 8,000-squarefoot, $2 million home for a showing one day after his seller left the house. Two days before another closing, Matthew’s client was unable to move large amounts of unneeded furniture out of the house he sold. No problem! Matthew joined or created five online garage sales; sold or gave away most of the client’s belongings and had the remainder hauled away before cleaning in time for the closing. “The first time I sit with a seller on listing presentation or the first day I take someone on a buyer’s tour, they know I’m ‘all-in.’”

Meanwhile, in the Cincinnati area, Aaron Denton of Summit Funding considers himself and his team members to be concierges for their borrowers. “We’re like personal assistants,” says Aaron. “People are happier when you remove the stress.” Included in their standard services are researching moving quotes; arranging and organizing movein day; scheduling utility transfers; assisting with children’s school registration paperwork; and even connecting buyers with local resources like daycares.

If “rolling up your sleeves” isn’t your strongest skill, then an easy alternative is to get to know professionals in your area who can do these tasks for you. In the end, remember that by listening with patience, empathizing, and being willing to go the extra mile, you have the power to remove the stress your clients would experience without your help.

When clients feel cared for, they remember the agents and partners who helped them.

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KELLEY DUBOIS

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KELLEY DUBOIS “I believe in providing individualized customer service to every buyer or seller. Above all, I strive to make them feel as though they’re my only client, even when they’re not.”

A resident of Central North Carolina since 2010, Kelley Dubois worked for many years in hospitality and marketing, but soon found herself seeking a professional opportunity that balanced her talents for coordinating and planning with her own entrepreneurial spirit. Drawing from this 8

inspiration, she decided to pursue her real estate license in 2018, and in the four years since, she has achieved nearly $50 million in sales.

Today, Kelley is a Realtor for Adcock Real Estate Services, which is a full Top Agent Magazine

service firm offering residential, land, and commercial real estate, where she assists clients throughout Sanford and the surrounding areas of Central North Carolina. As Co-Owner of her firm, she has established a boutique process around openness, integrity, and hands-on service to meet the demands of any transaction.

When listing a home, Kelley leverages her expertise in branding to give her clients an added advantage. After helping fully prepare each property for the market, she generates buzz around it not Top Agent Magazine

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only through targeted digital campaigns, but also through Broker’s open houses and lively events designed to showcase all the home has to offer. Through everything, though, she develops her strategy around the direct needs of her clients, catering her every decision to their best interests. “I believe in providing individualized customer service to every buyer or seller,” she says. “Above all, I strive to make them feel as though they’re my only client, even when they’re not.”

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Elsewhere, Kelley is just as devoted to her buyers, utilizing her in-depth knowledge of the local market to uncover their dream home. In fact, she has earned a fantastic reputation throughout North Carolina, with the vast majority of her volume coming from repeat clients and referrals. As her volume grows exponentially with each passing year, she remains focused on the trusted values that brought her to real estate in the first place. “I love the process of putting the puzzle pieces

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together for my clients. Whether I’m trying to find exactly what my buyers are looking for, or helping my sellers turn to a new chapter of their lives, these deals represent a fresh start for everybody, and it’s so exciting to guide them through the process.”

Outside her career, Kelley is dedicated to her community. On top of being heavily involved in extracurricular activities at her four children’s schools, she serves Top Agent Magazine

on the board for Haven of Lee County, a shelter for victims of domestic violence; the Brick Capital Community Development Corporation, which helps provide affordable housing to those in need; and the Kiwanis Club of Lee County. “Investing in our community is tremendously important to me,” she says. “You have to build a strong local base to have a stable real estate market. After all, you’re not just selling the home, you’re selling the community.”

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When she’s not with clients or giving back, Kelley can be found spending quality time with her family, attending the occasional live event, or supporting local businesses around Sanford. But going forward, she also has strong plans

for the future. In the months ahead, she will be expanding into the different locations surrounding her region, and most of all, she is excited for the new clients and opportunities that await in her beloved hometown.

To learn more about Kelley Dubois, email Househuntwithkelley@gmail.com, visit adcockrealty.com or call (931) 338-6014. www.

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4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent In the world of real estate, there are always new agents joining the ranks. Even if you’ve been practicing for just a few short years, you’ve likely learned your fair share of lesson along the way. As an agent, much of your working philosophy is derived from first-hand experience and your work on the ground. This means that new agents are less prepared for the inevitable curveballs of the industry. That’s where you come in.

While mentorship is often pitched as a relationship that solely benefits the mentee, there is actually plenty to be gained from becoming a mentor. After all, personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth, and becoming a mentor asks agents to thought14

fully explore and demonstrate their own ideologies, practices, and rationale. With that in mind, take a look at some of the benefits of mentorship below, and you’ll get a sense of why counseling new agents can be a boon to your own business.

Teaching lessons to others reinforces your own professional values.

Showing the ropes to young agents is a great way to brush-up on your foundational skills.

Verbalizing and demonstrating processes, or walking through the rationale behind negotiation tactics—all cause mentors to think through their established practices and outline in detail why they’ve chosen this route over an

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alternative. This helps older agents fine-tune their routines, while getting back in touch with the critical thinking that went into constructing those habits.

Mentorships allows you to see the big picture.

surely sharpen your ability as the head of a team. What’s more, you’ll be building skills of empathy, understanding, teaching, and constructive criticism. Working on those skills will better your practice and your ability to lead in your office.

After a lengthy industry tenure, it’s not uncommon for battle-worn agents to lose some steam and begin to burn out. By devoting some time to mentoring up-and-coming agents, you’ll get back in touch with your early days, remembering the excitement, the trials, and the hard lessons gleaned. Spending time with the next generation of real estate professionals can reinvigorate your practice, as seeing the business from the eyes of an eager amateur can inject energy into your working life.

You’ll benefit from seeing things from a new perspective.

Just as working with young agents can help you remember your career’s big picture, you may also benefit from working alongside someone with a new perspective. Young agents bring a different set of skills and awareness to their work, and established agents can benefit from a fresh take. If technology isn’t your strong suit, or you’re interested in tapping the Millennial homebuyer market, working with a younger agent is an excellent way to see through fresh eyes.

Mentoring young agents makes you a better leader.

As a mentor, you’ll often direct the flow of your professional relationship—figuring out which issues to tackle, making an agenda, and imparting lessons in a clear way. These are all characteristics of a leader, and acting in a position of authority as mentor can Top Agent Magazine

While some may balk at the time commitment or energy required to take on a mentee or two, you might consider it an act of ongoing education or professional development. While your mentee will undoubtedly benefit from access to your expertise, there’s certainly much to be gained from taking the time to cultivate tomorrow’s real estate leaders.

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BRIAN BRENNER Helping people has been the theme of Brian Brenner’s career since he graduated from college, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I earned my real estate and broker’s license in 1988, and began working with investors who were looking for properties,” he explains. At the same time, he worked as a marketing director for a medical clinic, which led to him pursuing a master’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill in healthcare administration. Over the span of 15 years, Brian simultaneously managed medical clinics and worked as a real estate agent. By 2002, he decided to focus solely on real estate, knowing he had the potential to flourish in it.

Today he serves The Triangle area of North Carolina, with the vast majority of his business consisting of repeats and referrals.

It’s Brian’s extensive experience, knowledge and guidance that keeps clients coming back. “Now having worked in real estate for 33 years, I’ve pretty much seen it all,” he says. Growing up in Chapel Hill, he’s an expert in the region he serves and loves showing people everything it has to offer. For his buyers, he is patient throughout, preparing them for each step and leaving no questions unanswered. Meanwhile, his sellers receive the best possible offers, with Brian advertising their listings through websites, postcards, flyers, and open houses. He carries this same perseverance and skillset to his work with flipping properties, property management and investor clients.

Building relationships with his clients is the cornerstone of Brian’s business, so he always makes sure to stay in touch. “We have a database of past clients and potential new clients, so we send out cards throughout the year, and fun things like lottery scratch off tickets for St. Patty’s Day,” he explains. During the holidays, he gives away baked goods and checks in to see how they are doing. Often, Brian’s past clients call him looking for real estate advice, as they trust he can 16

provide them with direction on what to do next.

After working with Brian, buyers and sellers love to spread the word about their experience. One recently said, “Brian was sensational to work with.

When we decided to sell our home in Cary we wanted to partner with a Realtor that had a proven track record of results in our neighborhood. Brian was our guy. A few things I appreciated about working with him: 1. he was terrifically responsive. 2. he took great care while he was showing our home (always taking his shoes off and turning out the lights). 3. he sold our home within 2 weeks. Plus, he acted with great integrity from offer to closing.”

When Brian isn’t assisting clients, he’s working on becoming an EMT so he can volunteer with local ambulatory organizations. During any free time, he can be found mountain biking, street biking, wakeboarding, water skiing or hiking.

In the coming years, Brian hopes to expand his real estate investment portfolio and possibly go into shortterm vacation rentals. Wherever his path leads, he will no doubt achieve everything he puts his mind to and more.

For more about Brian Brenner, call 919-210-1356 or email brian@trianglerealtyassociates.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

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SOCIAL MEDIA MISTAKES

Real Estate Agents Must Avoid There is perhaps no greater marketing tool for agents these days than having a large presence on social media, but there is more to social media marketing than just opening an account and gaining followers. A lot of agents forget the social part of social media. It’s all about engagement, but it needs to be the right kind of engagement. This can often be the first impression potential clients or industry peers have of you, so make it count. There is no second chance to make a first impression, and that is especially true for real estate agents. Here’s just a few things you want to avoid.

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1 Using it to Vent

Social Media is a great place to complain and commiserate about things, but save that for your personal page. A real estate transaction is already a stressful ordeal, the last thing anyone wants is someone who seems like they’ll bring a negative energy to the process. Even worse?

Bad mouthing other Realtors® or listings. You’re selling yourself and your skills, so don’t sell anything that shows you in a bad light. Much like marketing a property, everything you put out should be professional and inviting.

2

Lack of Consistent Branding

Yes, social media is about social engagement, but it’s also about creating brand recognition. While you don’t want it to be purely promotional, you are running a business, so create a consistent branding across all social media platforms. If you can afford a professional graphic designer to help you out with this, that’s great. But at the very least, have the same profile pic, cover image and highly visible contact information, across the board. And don’t forget to share links to your other accounts, some people prefer different social media applications.

3Not Posting Enough

It’s good to create a schedule of how many times you’ll be posting per day and to pick times when you might have the most engagement.

Don’t over do it, but three posts a day at the right time, tends to be a good goal. There are numerous tools on Facebook, for example, that 18

can let you see when interactions are the highest.

Stick to your schedule and adjust accordingly.

It’s also important to not just post your listings.

Be a resource for people who follow your page.

Post community events, or other informative articles that are relevant to home ownership.

Be a page they want to follow even when they aren’t buying or selling a property. They’ll remember you when the time comes.

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Not interacting With Your Followers

It’s called social media for a reason. The more you engage with your followers, the more they see you as a real person, and not just a marketing tool. Not only do you get to know your past clients and potential clients, on Facebook, engagement actually will make your posts seen by more people. So it’s a win/win.

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Not Sharing or Linking to Others

It might not seem like a good idea to not promote the blogs, pages or listings of other people, but it’s not only an excellent way to build goodwill, it will also increase your own presence when they reciprocate. So make a point to share posts and links for local businesses and even the blogs of your peers, if it’s a post that offers valuable insight into an expertise you don’t have. That will encourage them to share your posts and even your listings, which will increase your potential buyer pool. This is another incentive to create your own blog. Unique informative content is always of value, and more likely to be shared than promotional links.

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KRISTIE HARRISON A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Kristie Harrison got her start in the manufacturing field, where she served for more than 20 years; however, through it all, she always sought a platform where she could make an impact in her community. After taking an interest in real estate, she decided to pursue her license, and sure enough, the industry proved itself a perfect compliment to her compassionate personality and managerial background.

Today, Kristie is a REALTOR® and Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Prime Properties, where she assists clients throughout all of Eastern North Carolina. Known for her motto, “It’s All About You, Not Me,” she has cultivated a boutique process around values of service and integrity to support any buyer or seller.

When listing a property, Kristie offers her clients a comprehensive strategy. Alongside her expert licensed assistant, she helps her sellers fully prepare their home for the market and provides them with a suite of photography services.

Once the house is ready to list, Kristie then shares it over a blend of highly targeted digital and social media campaigns. In the meantime, she utilizes trusted methods like handwritten postcards to the surrounding neighborhoods— all to give her clients an added advantage.

Elsewhere, Kristie is just as attentive when assisting her buyers. Leveraging her outstanding communication skills and in-depth knowledge of the market, she carefully guides them each step of the way, educating them on the nuances of their transaction and going above and beyond when needed. “When I go and look at a house with a client, I’m searching for anything that could potentially dissuade them from buying it,” she says. “After all, it’s not about trying to make a sale; it’s about making sure my people are comfortable and happy with the homes they choose. “ Over the years, Kristie has earned a fantastic reputation in North Carolina, with the vast majority of her volume

coming from repeat clients and referrals.

Kristie remains focused on what matters most: the satisfaction gained from helping others.

“When I went into real estate, I was looking for a deeper sense of purpose in my career,” she says. “But after delving into the business and giving it 110%, it has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.”

Outside her career, Kristie is deeply involved in her community. As a member of the Greenville Jaycees, she volunteers at various events and holiday parades around her hometown. With one of her three sons serving as a USAF Airman, she also proudly supports military families across the nation. When she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found spending quality time at home with her beloved family.

Going forward, Kristie has strong plans for the future of her business. Having already doubled her volume from 2020, she is most focused on continuing to improve her workflow while keeping on the cutting edge of her ever-changing industry. Most of all, though, she is excited for the new opportunities that await in North Carolina. “If you enjoy what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work,” she says.

“Whether I’m helping a family buy their first home or their forever home, I love knowing that I’ve truly been able to make a difference in their lives.”

As one client describes, “From our first contract to closing, Kristie kept up with my texts and recommended a lender and inspector who were equally responsive so we could close in a timely manner. She visited many properties on my behalf and guided me in making the appropriate offer on the property I ultimately purchased. If you want someone who knows their business and is willing to go the extra mile, you can count on Kristie and her assistant.”

“Kristie cares about her clients and what’s best for them,” says another. “We loved working with her when finding our new forever home!”

To learn more about Kristie Harrison, email kristieharrisonhomes@gmail.com, visit kristieharrisonhomes.com or call (252) 902-6850 www.

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Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

NANCY LITTLE HUCKS In the year 2000, Nancy Little Hucks left her family restaurant business to start selling real estate. She had spent a lot of time in sales, and a friend told her real estate would be a good fit for her, so she decided to take a leap of faith into the industry. After getting her license, Nancy hit her stride early on, having a great first year and finding a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment in helping the people in her community.

She has been working at Lake Norman Realty for the last 12 years, a company she describes as “a great place to be,” and relishes the opportunity to meet so many different people through her career. Through a combination of hard work and straightforward honesty, Nancy provides exceptional service to a wide variety of clients in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.

Nancy’s service is so phenomenal in no small part due to the way she prioritizes the well-being of her clients over the transactional nature of the sale.

Nancy works hard to find people exactly what they want, and does everything in her power to meet their every need. “I help everyone, regardless of the price point or circumstances,” Nancy says. “I love helping people, and I devote myself completely to my clients.” Nancy has built an extensive sphere of influence where she lives, and as a long-time resident of North Carolina, she knows the area like the back of her hand. With 90% of her business coming from repeat clients and referrals, it’s safe to say that her level of client satisfaction is consistently excellent.

When it comes to navigating the transaction process,

Nancy takes a direct approach to communicating with her clients. She is honest and trustworthy, but most importantly, she is completely selfless, making decisions that benefit the client no matter how it might affect her own bottom line. She is available by phone around the clock and always answers, enabling her to answer questions and solve problems proactively and efficiently.

Nancy finds it essential to maintain a line of communication with clients after the deal is close, and to that end, she uses Constant Contact through Lake Norman Realty to reach out by mail every two months. With the help of her assistant, Karman, Nancy also employs a robust marketing strategy in order to maximize exposure for her listings, including professional photography for each property and strong advertising over social media. As a Top Producer, Nancy averages close to $10M in total sales volume each year, and looks forward to meeting and helping even more clients in North Carolina in the future.

In her free time, Nancy loves traveling, needlepoint, and cooking for her family. In fact, she’s written two cookbooks, entitled A Southern Lady Cooks and A Southern Cottage Kitchen! She hopes to keep growing her business in the coming years, and maintain the high standard of service that she has embodied throughout the course of her career.

If you’re looking for an experienced and confident Realtor® who would love to take care of real estate needs, get in touch with Nancy Little Hucks today!

You can contact Nancy at (704) 677-4302 or nancyh@lakenormanrealty.com

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8

Things Successful People Never Do

There always seems to be people around you who find success with ease, but trust me, that is NOT the case. Although luck can often times play a role in someone’s success, most of the time it’s due to hard work and avoiding bad habits.

The best way to find your own success is to implement some of qualities you see in people you admire into your own life. The hard work part is still up to you, but by shifting your perspective a bit, and NOT doing some of the following

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things, that success might happen a little quicker.

1

DON’T JUST WING IT

Successful people plan everything. Not only do they have yearly goals, but weekly and sometimes daily ones as well. By giving your time a purpose, and a clearly defined goal, you’ll eliminate the time you spend haphazardly doing things that might not be a priority. It will also make you feel less scattered, which is always a good thing.

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2

THEY DON’T TAKE ON MORE THAN THEY CAN ACHIEVE

Successful people take on what they can do well, and no more. That all starts with a daily ‘do to’ list. They always make sure their list is manageable and then they don’t sleep until that list is completed. If you find yourself not finishing your list, assess whether it was too much or if you slacked off. You’ll be surprised at the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you finish your list. Not finishing will bring you down, so make sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew.

3

THEY DON’T WORK HARDER, THEY WORK SMARTER

Yes, having a strong work ethic is key, but that doesn’t mean you should waste time on things that will have less of an impact on your success. Focus on the things that will give you the most bang for your buck. Better to spend the majority of your time there, than spread yourself thin on numerous tasks.

4

THEY DON’T TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

This might seem like a bad call in business, but successful people know when to cut your loses and move forward. Anything or anyone, that frustration into your life, is never a good thing.

5

REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES

Similar to not trying to please everyone, successful people are also diligent about accepting when something isn’t working 22

and moving on from mistakes. Yes, you learn from them, but don’t repeat them. Part of being innovative is trying new things, that will keep you fresh and energized, but learning how to let go is an equally important part of the equation.

6

GO FOR THE SHORT RUN SOLUTION

Successful people are in it for the long haul and therefore thinking long term. When you have a plan for success and the patience to see it through, while you might have a slow start, you’re establishing a foundation for long term success. Going for the easy fix, usually doesn’t pay off.

7

PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAYSAYERS

Lets face it, we all have people in our lives who might be a little more pessimistic than is healthy to be around. You can’t change them, all you can do is not let them drag you down into their ‘glass half full’ mentality. Have your plans and goals, be confident about them. When you’re insecure, that’s when you’re most vulnerable to those types of people.

8

THEY NEVER QUIT

That doesn’t mean letting go of things that aren’t working. It means having an end goal.

Whatever obstacles or challenges come up, you take them on, always with that end goal in sight. Successful people know that adversity and overcoming those challenges, is how you grow, and will ultimately make you a better business person.

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SHERRY HARRIS Inspiring, honest, and knowledgeable, Sherry Harris is every real estate client’s dream Realtor®. With over two decades of experience in real estate and a prior career in sales and marketing, Sherry understands the power of high-quality customer service and likes to empower her clients to make the most educated decisions. Co-owner of Top Dog Realty NC—along with her husband Ron and cousin, Donna Hughes—she helps buyers and sellers throughout Central North Carolina with residential sales, land sales, and commercial real estate.

Described by her clients as patient and understanding, Sherry takes the time to listen to their needs and frequently exceeds their expectations. “One of the things my clients most appreciate about me is my honesty. I do what I say I’m going to do, and I always answer the phone. It might sound silly but making sure that you pick up when someone calls can really set you apart from other agents, because it’s becoming increasingly rare,” she says, and adds, “My clients can also feel that I truly care about them. I especially love working with first-time homebuyers and giving them the keys to their first home. It’s amazing being able to witness the excitement in their eyes.”

Outside of work Sherry is passionate about her community involvement. She is on the local Board of Realtors® as well as the Home Builders Association.

She also helps out at the local animal shelter, works with the Red Cross, and is active at her local church.

A cancer survivor, she recently raised funds for other breast cancer survivors and those fighting the disease.

“My dog actually alerted me to my cancer 20 years ago and ended up saving my life. Our other dog detected my husband’s prostate cancer. There’s a reason why dog means God in reverse and why I named our company Top Dog Realty.” When she’s not busy working or giving back, Sherry enjoys traveling and camping with her husband and their beloved dog.

Sherry doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. “The goal is to continue branching out and pushing the business forward. I have a wonderful team that includes closing coordinators, photographers, and appraisers.

Now I’m just getting ready to add more agents into the mix. I’m looking for agents who are going to be just as excited as me about being able to help people accomplish their American dream.”

Sherry’s care for clients extends beyond the transaction, and they often become her good friends. “During COVID I called every one of them to see how they were doing, and to check if they needed me to come pick up groceries for them, go the drug store, or any other errand I could help with.”

When it comes to marketing, Sherry leaves no stone unturned. “I actually have a billboard up right now and my listings go out to over 950 websites. My marketing strategy ensures that I’m able to get the listings out there fast and under contract within a day or so.” Her diligent work ethic brings in around $5,000,000 in annual sales volume.

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To learn more about Sherry Harris, please call (336) 791–3320 email TopDogRealty1@gmail.com or visit topdogrealtync.com www.

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