NORTH CAROLINA 2-7-22

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

COVER STORY

JUSTIN PORTER

UNTANGLING THE BIDDING WAR:

A BUYER’S & SELLER’S PERSPECTIVES

3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS

TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

SMALL YARD? FEATURED AGENT

DARLY LYNN

BIG STATEMENT:

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

DARLY LYNN Raised in the Cherokee County area of 9 North Carolina, Darly Lynn started her real estate career at eighteen years old, when she accepted a position as an office assistant at a local brokerage. While learning the industry from the ground up through an invaluable network of mentors, she was inspired to pursue her own license in 2020, launching her career as a full-time agent in March of 2021. She’s been going strong ever since.

JUSTIN PORTER

19

to help others,” she says. “ love having the opportunity people into my hometown. the day, who could be more an agent who was born and county you’re moving to?”

Outside her career, Darly is active in her community. On ing as a Youth Leader at her she hosts youth training cla DARLY LYNN unteers at annual Christma ® Today, Darly is a REALTOR and Broker outreach efforts around town with Exit Realty Mountain View Properties, where not with clients or giving back, she enjo she assists clients all throughout the mountains of gym or spending quality time at home wit Western North Carolina. As the youngest agent listed and two adorable dogs.

CONTENTS ® in the Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORS , she has Going forward, Darly has bold ambitions quickly established herself as a rising star in the indusof her business. As her volume and referr equipping her buyers and sellers with a leading 4) 5 try, MORNING HABITS 15) 3 EASY AT-HOME DIY tain their steady growth, she intends o edge vision of service, integrity, and expertise.

TO MAKE YOUR DAY SUPER PROJECTS TOmodel INCREASE boutique of service that brought her PRODUCTIVE PROPERTY VALUE When listing a property, Darly prefers a comprehensive in the first place. But most of all, she loo strategy. After helping her clients fully prepare their showing new clients all the sights and cult home for the market, she shares it both to the local22) MLS UNTANGLING County has to offer.

“I truly enjoy meeting THE 6) SMALL YARD? and a blend of highly targeted digital and social media she says.

“It makes my day when I get to ta BIDDING WAR: A BUYER’S BIG STATEMENT: HOW campaigns. Moreover, she TO generates word of mouth a walkthrough of a gorgeous home with a & SELLER’S PERSPECTIVES MAKE MOST OUT OFof influence, ensuring buzzTHE via her extensive sphere a view. In moments like those, I realize how MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES seamless transaction catered to her client’s needs. to live in one of the most beautiful places i and I love sharing it with other people.”

Elsewhere, Darly is just as helpful when assisting her buyers, leaning on her lifelong knowledge of the Cherokee County communities to uncover the right home for their interests. In fact, keeps in touch long after the Phone best 310-734-1440 | Faxshe 310-734-1440 closing through regular check-ins and postcards, all to mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com cultivate a lasting relationship and ensure they are comNo portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent pletely satisfied in their new homes.

Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

Since her career took off, Darly has earned a fantastic repTo subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Publishedutation in the U.S. throughout her region, as evidenced by her strong

2

rate of referrals from agents not only in North Carolina, but also Georgia and Tennessee. Having completed nine transactions in her first year alone, she remains focused on the proven approach that is setting her apart in the

To learn more about Darly L Agent Magazine emailTop darly@exitmurphy.co visit exitmurphy.com or call (828) www.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

3

5 Morning Habits to Make Your Day Super Productive For many, most mornings begin with a rush—a rush to get dressed, a rush to find something edible for breakfast, a rush out the door and into rush hour. Likely you have heard articles advising you to set your

alarm early to give yourself some flexibility —which is sound advice, of course—but consider a few of these additional tweaks to your morning routine that can set a productive tone for your day at large.

1. Keep Screens Away Until Breakfast Oftentimes, our first instinct upon waking is to check-in on our phones, tablets, or computers, to scope out the latest social media updates and e-mail correspondence. While diving into the action might seem productive, studies show that waylaying screen time until you’re up and dressed, and have had a good breakfast, will actually make your first pass 4

at all things digital more focused, clear, and efficient. Instead of answering a few e-mails, checking out a friend’s photos, and then hurrying to shower and dress, instead make a resolution to keep the online world at bay for the first half-hour to an hour after you rise, then you’ll approach the digital world with fresh eyes, energy, and adeptness.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

2. Meal Prep Sometimes hitting the snooze button is inevitable, but if you make prepping breakfast the night before a part of your routine, then grabbing something healthy on the go will be a snap—and your stomach will thank you for it. Load up your coffee machine ahead of time, so all you have to do

is hit brew. Or, chop up a fruit salad, mix a smoothie, or simply put a granola bar and a grapefruit in your lunch bag, ready to be grabbed on your way out the door. Even if it’s small or basic, keeping yourself fueled will keep distractions, inefficiency, and mood swings at bay.

3. Queue Up a Podcast on Your Commute Whether you’re driving, biking, or taking public transportation into the office, a podcast is a perfect way to brush up on industry knowledge. Try sourcing a podcast relative to your field and narrated by experts.

Not only will it get you thinking about the topics of your industry—while expanding

your professional vocabulary—it will also wake up your brain and get your head in the game as you prepare to launch your day. Use your commute time to bump up your knowledge and conversation points, and you’ll be ahead of the curve before you reach the office.

4. Begin with a To-Do List When work gets busy, sometimes just getting started is an overwhelming prospect.

Before you dive in to your e-mails and projects, take twenty minutes and be thoughtful as you assess your daily and weekly to-do

list items, then map them. By giving yourself a bullet point system of what you need to accomplish and by when, you can undo some of the anxiety that a busy schedule promotes.

5. Walk It Out, Even If You Missed the Gym While we often rely on coffee for our morning buzz, exercise provides a potent burst of energy that can supercharge your day. But, let’s say you’re running behind and skip the gym—all is not lost! Take fifteen minutes in

the early morning to take a walk around the block a few times. The fresh air and aerobic exercise will wake you up, get your blood moving, and provide your morning with a natural injection of motivation.

Everyone’s morning routine varies, but perhaps the first step is identifying aspects of your routine that could be improved, and tackling them from there. From waylaying

screen time distractions to getting in a little blood-pumping exercise, keep these tips in mind as you launch your most productive morning routine ever.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

5

Small Yard? Big Statement: How to Make the Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces When house-hunters compile their lists of musthave home items, a dreamy backyard space is often near the top. After all, who doesn’t want an outdoor oasis of their very own? From summer barbecues to open space for your dog to frolic— everyone has their own aspirations when it comes to creating the perfect backyard paradise. But as homebuyers seek properties deeper within city limits, and Millennials opt for properties with 6

urban amenities and access, home-connected outdoor spaces are becoming a bit smaller in stature.

Of course, size isn’t everything when it comes to outdoor space. Even balconies, rear patios, and ultra-tiny yards can provide homebuyers with the outdoor reprieve they crave—even on a smaller scale. For a few ideas that can help you envision all the possibilities of a micro outdoor space, read on for inspiration.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Think vertically.

When space is at a premium, think up instead of out. In other words, make the most of small spaces by capitalizing on your backyard, balcony, or patio’s overhead height. Mood-setting string lights, hanging pocket or wall gardens, floating shelves, and modern overhead hangings can create a sense of privacy and luxury without cluttering the square footage on the ground.

Soothing sounds set the mood.

Upgrade the look of structural components.

Not in love with your patio pavers? Don’t have the sweetest view off your balcony? Whatever your small backyard living space gripe may be, there’s always a solution if you go back to the basics. Consider the structural components of your outdoor space that you aren’t in love with and there’s likely an affordable, eye-pleasing solution. For instance, plenty of home goods Top Agent Magazine

retailers make a variety of punchy or luxe outdoor rugs that can disguise stained or lackluster outdoor flooring. Power-washing is another great solution for old grime and dirt that’s an eyesore. Don’t have a great view? Planting ivy on bare walls, installing adjustable mood lighting, or hanging planters can create a more inviting ambiance.

While there may not be room for a swimming pool or pond in a micro yard or balcony, you can still bring the calming presence of water to your outdoor oasis. Fountains run the gamut in sizing and price, making this amenity an easy acquisition. What’s more, a running fountain not only adds a soothing sound to your space, but it also helps drown out noise from the street or the neighbors—making your space entirely your own and stress-free.

Top Agent Magazine ®

7

Don’t compromise on your culinary dreams.

If you love to entertain in outdoor spaces or relish the chance to man the grill—small outdoor spaces don’t have to trip you up. Grill options (both propane and charcoal) come in a range of sizes, many of which can be outfitted securely to balcony posts or be tucked away and out of sight when out of use. Consider nesting tables or those with a removable leaf to adjust your seating and dining options depending on company.

8

Another trick? A small, oscillating fan can keep air flow moving in a small space during grill season—and can be easily affixed to walls or posts, as well.

Don’t let yourself or clients be discouraged by spaces with more limited square footage in outdoor areas. Furniture and design trends have already begun shifting toward providing better small-space options, and at the end of the day, a backyard space is all about providing an area for relaxation. With a few well-placed, strategic choices, you can still have it all.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

JUSTIN PORTER

Top Agent Magazine

9

Top Agent Justin Porter of RE/MAX Leading Edge serves the greater Charlotte metro region and he is already seeing his referral business flourish.

Justin Porter began his real estate career in November 2020, after being a minister for 17 years. “I worked with some great Realtors® over the years,” Justin recalls.

“It was time for something different, and I couldn’t think of a better way to continue to make an impact and build relationships than through real estate. In

a way, I’m continuing to do what I’ve always done, which is to serve and connect with people.”

When he decided to take the leap into real estate, Justin knew just who to contact.

“I reached out to Jayne Helms, a veteran Realtor® in Salisbury,” Justin says. “She

Copyright Top Agent Magazine

10

Top Agent Magazine

was my Realtor® 10 years ago when I was a pastor, and helped us get into an old historic downtown church in Salisbury. We built a relationship over the years, and she agreed to bring me into her office and mentor me. I joined her team, and I’ve

been with Jayne at RE/MAX Leading Edge ever since!”

Justin serves the greater Charlotte metro region, and he is already seeing his referral business flourish. “From the very beginning, Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

11

When it comes to marketing, Justin draws on his experience in video and production work to create striking videos for some listings and promote them on social media.

I’ve had a focus on building relationships and not building a transactional business,” Justin explains. “That’s how Jayne has coached me from day one.” About a third of Justin’s business so far has come from referral clients, and he continues to build lasting relationships with satisfied clients.

Justin stays in touch with past clients in a number of ways. He always reaches

out the week after a transaction to check in and see how everything is going. He also pops by at holidays to deliver pies, along with handwritten cards thanking them for their business and their relationships. “I let my clients know that I’m not too busy for their referrals,” Justin says, “and many of those cards have been thanking clients who have already referred their family and friends to me.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine

12

Top Agent Magazine

I love to keep that long-term relationship going, and I’ve become friends with many clients. My goal from the very first moment working with a client is to begin a relationship that goes far beyond the closing.”

When it comes to marketing, Justin draws on his experience in video and production work to create striking videos for some listings and promote them on social media. “That’s been the #1 way I’ve been promoting listings, and it’s been very successful,” Justin says.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

13

Justin believes strongly in giving back and being a positive force in his community. He and his family help give back in the form of food and toy drives at the holidays. “As a real estate agent, I believe we’re influencers in our community,” he says. “We hold the keys, no pun intended, to people’s hopes and dreams, and who knows the community better than a Realtor®?”

Looking toward the future, Justin says, “My goal for 2022 is to reach and serve double the amount of clients that I’ve served this year.

I’m trying to stay laser-focused on helping people, caring for people, and giving people my best. I love taking this journey with people, and I love celebrating with my clients when we make it through together to the closing, especially if it was a challenge. There’s nothing better than that.”

To find out more about Justin Porter, call 704-953-6396, email realtorjfp@gmail.com, or visit him online at JustinPorter.tv www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine

14

Top Agent Magazine

3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

Top Agent Magazine ®

15

Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

Top Agent Magazine ®

17

bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

18

or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

DARLY LYNN Raised in the Cherokee County area of North Carolina, Darly Lynn started her real estate career at eighteen years old, when she accepted a position as an office assistant at a local brokerage. While learning the industry from the ground up through an invaluable network of mentors, she was inspired to pursue her own license in 2020, launching her career as a full-time agent in March of 2021. She’s been going strong ever since.

Today, Darly is a REALTOR® and Broker with Exit Realty Mountain View Properties, where she assists clients all throughout the mountains of Western North Carolina. As the youngest agent listed in the Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORS®, she has quickly established herself as a rising star in the industry, equipping her buyers and sellers with a leading edge vision of service, integrity, and expertise.

When listing a property, Darly prefers a comprehensive strategy. After helping her clients fully prepare their home for the market, she shares it both to the local MLS and a blend of highly targeted digital and social media campaigns. Moreover, she generates word of mouth buzz via her extensive sphere of influence, ensuring a seamless transaction catered to her client’s needs.

Elsewhere, Darly is just as helpful when assisting her buyers, leaning on her lifelong knowledge of the Cherokee County communities to uncover the right home for their best interests. In fact, she keeps in touch long after the closing through regular check-ins and postcards, all to cultivate a lasting relationship and ensure they are completely satisfied in their new homes.

Since her career took off, Darly has earned a fantastic reputation throughout her region, as evidenced by her strong rate of referrals from agents not only in North Carolina, but also Georgia and Tennessee. Having completed nine transactions in her first year alone, she remains focused on the proven approach that is setting her apart in the market. “Throughout my life, I’ve always had a drive Top Agent Magazine

to help others,” she says. “Even more, I love having the opportunity to bring more people into my hometown. At the end of the day, who could be more qualified than an agent who was born and raised in the county you’re moving to?”

Outside her career, Darly is tremendously active in her community. On top of serving as a Youth Leader at her local church, she hosts youth training classes and volunteers at annual Christmas events and outreach efforts around town. When she’s not with clients or giving back, she enjoys hitting the gym or spending quality time at home with her husband and two adorable dogs.

Going forward, Darly has bold ambitions for the future of her business. As her volume and referral base maintain their steady growth, she intends on scaling the boutique model of service that brought her to real estate in the first place. But most of all, she looks forward to showing new clients all the sights and culture Cherokee County has to offer. “I truly enjoy meeting new people,” she says. “It makes my day when I get to take a client on a walkthrough of a gorgeous home with a breathtaking view. In moments like those, I realize how blessed I am to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world— and I love sharing it with other people.”

To learn more about Darly Lynn email darly@exitmurphy.com, visit exitmurphy.com or call (828) 541-1703 www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com

grahamharrop.com 20

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

21

Untangling the Bidding War: A Buyer’s & Seller’s Perspectives In a competitive marketplace, bidding wars become the norm. While this may put sellers in an excellent position to recoup on their investment, it can push buyers beyond their budgets and test their temperaments in the process. As an agent, how do you navigate both sides of the coin? After all, you want to net the best results for your client—regardless of which side of the closing table they’re on. To fortify your approach to a heated bidding war, here are a few ideas and insights to better clue you in on the perspectives of buyers and sellers alike.

22

Buyer’s Perspective: Emotions Running High?

Channel it.

When the market is booming, buyers feel the pressure—especially when affordable inventory is limited. This can create stress, feelings of hopelessness, and impulsivity. As an agent, how do you channel this emotional energy into something positive? Consider asking buyers to put those anxieties and high hopes onto paper. Have buyers outline

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

who they are, why they’re inspired to buy a home at this juncture in their lives, and how they see their lives unfolding once they become a homeowner (or repeat homeowner). Think of it as a letter of intent.

Buyers benefit from taking abstract fears and dreams and articulating them on paper. Likewise, this document can serve as a valuable tool during a bidding war. Letters like these can help sellers with multiple offers make a personal, emotional connection with a particular buyer.

Sellers Perspective: Manage expectations.

When multiple offers are rolling in on a property, it’s easy for sellers to get carried away. Numbers are flying, expectations are heightened, and sellers may become hypnotized by higher and higher offers and ideal outcomes. While it’s good to celebrate prime market positioning, it’s also important to maintain an even keel so that your seller’s mind is clear and they’re thinking rationally through their options.

Sometimes the highest offer isn’t necessarily the sure thing. Manage your clients’ expectations by leading by example, offering a balanced perspective, and talking them through all potential outcomes so that they don’t only hone in on the best-case scenario.

During a bidding war, tensions are running high for seller’s too, who will soon begin their next chapter in another home. Keep a cool head and remind your client to see the big picture, recognize that it’s possible for some offers to fall through, and to sit tight until the closing table has been successfully reached.

Buyer’s Perspective: How do you authentically and convincingly convey your interest?

When ten or so offers are in the mix, it can be hard to differentiate your buyer from the next. While numbers will obviously do a lot of the talking, you’d be surprised how much of a difference a Top Agent Magazine

personal touch can make. Some popular approaches to standing out include personal letters—as mentioned above—tailored to the property. Was the property in question a family home for years? You might have clients detail their dreams of raising a family inside those walls, rather than tear the property down and rebuild something to boost the lot’s value. Including a family photo is also a good tact for personalizing letters in a bidding war. Likewise, little gifts included with your offer can speak volumes about your personality and due diligence as an agent. It may seem a little cheesy, but when sellers are looking at ten near-identical offers, those personal touches can really paint a compelling, personalized picture.

Seller’s Perspective: How powerful is cash?

Data shows that cash offers—typical of investor clientele—double the chances of having an offer accepted. This goes hand in hand with waiving a financing contingency, which also helped boost the probability of an accepted offer, according to research. Cash is king, however, since offers that aren’t completely reliant on comprehensive financing seem to minimize risk for sellers, who are already eager to see a deal go through. Cash deals also tend to go through quickly, freeing sellers up to pursue their next property and move on to new horizons. While not every buyer has the ability to operate in cash, it’s a worthwhile consideration for those in ultra-competitive markets and with liquid capital.

While the bidding process can be stressful for agents and clients alike, it’s important to remember that it’s a time of opportunity, too. If you want to make the most of it as a seller, data shows that a personal touch can endear buyers to their seller counterparts. For sellers navigating a competitive process, it’s important to keep a balanced perspective. For agents, here’s the bottom line: get creative, be resourceful, and use all the tools in your arsenal to achieve the best result for the clients you serve.

Top Agent Magazine ®

23

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine