NORTH CAROLINA 4-20-20

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should be Active on Facebook

Tips on Being a Good Team Leader

8 Things Successful People Never Do

COVER STORY

ALEXIS HUGHES

FEATURED AGENTS

BONNIE BARKER AUTUMN DUBOIS JASON PATE LAURA SZEMERETA

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

BONNIE BARKER

inspectors, roofers, handymen, contracWhen Bonnie Barker graduated from 7 15 tors, attorneys, and lenders.” college with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, working in real estate wasn’t Outside of work, Bonnie was very even on her radar. But after meeting her involved with her children’s high school husband John and moving to Raleigh, activities, is a member of her local North Carolina, she decided to put down chamber of commerce, as well as a busiher roots and find a job that would allow ness women’s group called “Flourish” her to have a flexible schedule. She chose and other various real estate online real estate and got her license shortly communities. She is also the vice presthereafter. After gaining the necessary ALEXIS BONNIE BARKER ident of her family owned apartment experience working for HUGHES a larger company, Bonnie and John decided to branch out on their business in the heart of Williamsburg, Virginia, that n and chat with Autumn teach my agents to treat everyone like theyunits. In her spare time, Bonnie own and The Barker Realty Group, LLC was 16 19born is comprised of 34223 becomes apparent that would their own friends and lovesfamily.” to travel, This exercise, cook, scrapbook and spend in 2007. time with her family. o someone who genuapproach clearly resonates with people, Broker Jason Pateas– of Gordon There are ma Top Agent Laura Szeme Bonnie and her husband make 50% the dream team, Property Group’s elping others. From her nearly of DuBois & Associates Real Estate in to Jason’s ev estate was discovering a with John taking over the administrative duties and For Bonnie, finding real Keller Williams Legacy ng every client like a business comes from repeat North clients Carolina or – iswhat a I ation skills an true passion. “I’ve found North doing love doesn’t Bonnie being out in the field building relationships Sanford, Carolina – is a con ily to the high degree of referrals. real estate professional strategies feel like work,” she says.

In the future, she is hopingbein and finalizing transactions.

And, she’s even been dedicated professional who has ded pment she provides to that passion to one her children, already able to utilize her psychology degree in the process. of to thepass highest caliber; who who always a fast career business to helping allis,of help her out at work.

Bonnie’s motto ors, every aspect of her qualityinthat separates Autumn from “Having a psychology Another degree comes handy, is truly committed to placing his clients. Addit buyers and sellers achi “Built on but she also because DUBOIS I’m able to resolve any communication AUTUMN PATE LAURA SZEMERETA er giving nature. It’s no most JASON brokers is her emphasis onRelationships”, mentorclients’ best interests front and acknowledges a relationship the importance of having a good relationship issues that may arise with a client.

It’s important to real estate goals.with Har Autumn has developed a ship. “My main passion, and during what Ievery love transaction. center closing ta advice tothe young and work with people as individuals, because everyone yourself, which is why her immensely likable, and p the go-to residential real about my job has really become my agents and honest to a fault,in realevery three m agents is, “Succeeding estate takes is different. I prioritize my Hardworking, clients and do myknowledgeable best to upcoming a wealth ofa industry kn community. what webuilt are building together,” Autumn a lot of hard work.

But, so doesofbeingthey’re mom and make everything as stressand free as possible.”

Jason has a thriving business on a foundation doing CONTENTS says. like to view my team a family, sokey.” Laura’s reputation as a tr wife.asBalance is the solid“Iintegrity. estate advisor continues Although Bonnie primarily serves with the area of Wake I provide my agents a lot of customized training to interested in real estate, and interned Jason is also doesn’t exclude otherprofessionally regions. “Our goal year after year. ial real estate whileForest, she shehelp them develop and personally.

When 4)brokerages 1 BILLION-PLUS REASONS 17) 5 SOCIAL MEDIA Jason began his journey in real estate in 2017, after back to his co is to help people, so we work wherever people need ege. After graduating, one ofus.” herThis all is said and done, I want them to feel that they’ve not a career in politics.

“I worked in communications for passionate, h selfless approach hasMISTAKES garnered WHY YOU SHOULDtype BEofACTIVE REAL ESTATE Laura began her real estate career 2014, fo o join a local residential brokerage. only become a better agent, but a better person.”

Lieutenant Governor LeeinCounty A Bonnie a close to 90 percent repeat and referral rate.Walter Dalton of North Carolina,” ON FACEBOOK AGENTS MUST AVOID short stint as a middle school teacher in the r offer and never looked back. “We don’t do a lot of self-promotion.

Mainly our recalls Jason.

“During his tenure, the Lieutenant Awards,” he R NY area.

“My family and I moved Northb business comes word-of-mouth.

When I gethea was Whenfrom it comes to listing a property, Autumn and Governor decided going to runher for Governor. nizingtosmall client, I’m their REALTOR® for life.

I work directly about fourteen ago, and I stopped teachi ndreds of transactions later, Autumn team implement a detailed marketing plan that is Ifully 13) TIPS ON BEING A GOOD 21) 8 didn’t THINGS SUCCESSFUL Long story short, he win, and wasyears out of a job the appearanc with them from the beginning to the end. I don’t pass home with my kids while they were young,” s nd lead broker of DuBois Property customized for each property.

Autumn is a would be.” tryingspecific to figure out what my next steps TEAM LEADER PEOPLE NEVER DO them on to a coordinator or and an assistant.

They get me “When allsoofher them were in school, I was loo residential brokerage firm based in self-described photography and staging fanatic, Relocating from Raleigh Sanford, Jason throughout the whole process.”

After 25 years inthe the Toarea learntomore about Bonnie Jason Barker– who i career, andalways thought about for realplaying estate be hat operates throughout the Raleighteam makes sure to meticulously the presentation business, Bonnie has a great range of decided to connections get his curate agent’snew license.

“I’d loved a email bonniebarkerhomes@gmail.com, that she can offer to her clients.

“I like to connect my always had a passion for it.

So, I took the grow clas l triangle and its surrounding areas. of each property. visit he thebarkerrealtygroup.com, everything to do with real estate,” explains. Hitting continue clients with who they need. I have a great team of working thinking it wouldo ois Property Group just three years or began call (919) 606–2094 the ground running, Jasonlicense quicklyand developed a sterling overarching

AUTUMN DUBOIS

JASON PATE LAURA SZEME

www.

Phone 310-734-1440 310-734-1440 time job, but it took and off his really it’s quickly and mpany already closes around $40 | Fax When she isn’treputation working,asAutumn enjoys spending time a trustworthy real estate advocate, been since Copyright Top Agent Magazine es a year. mag@topagentmagazine.com with friends and family,began and is involved in time her ever“Isince.” doing itimmediately. full business to heavily thrive almost wish clients with | www.topagentmagazine.com community. Every quarter her whole office has a service I’d become an agent twenty years ago,” he says. become synon No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent he has managed to ramp up her busiday when they give back, helping out with anything fromLaura succeeded, she has s Not only has Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published utumn will materials, credit her unique cannot inspecting eggs at a food bank to serving tables at a business soup almost entirety of her con Currently, the lion’s sharespectacularly: Jason’s is the based Topteam’s Agent Magazine be held responsible for opinions expressed orof facts supplied by its authors. process and focus on providing kitchen.

In addition they financially support numerous business is based upon returning clients and To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. upon returning customers, referrals and positive wordas being thePublished primaryindrivers charities such as a diaper perhaps drive, and involved in initiafrom her past clients, and lender the U.S. of their of-mouth, theare most accurate barometer of afriends job ge every transaction like a project tives to promote the local small business community. perhaps the most barometer of a job well done in the highly competitive world ofaccurate real estate. m very type A, so we have put in place in the highly competitive real estate industry. “ “I think it’s simply because I treat everyone the way I Magazine 2 Top Agent es that ensure a clear line of commuLooking to the Autumn says hopes to when eventually because I always put my clients ahead of a p wantfuture, to be treated,” Jason, asked how he has s and our clients,” Autumn explains. expand into other states, while continuing to improve her says Laura,levels whenofasked managed to inspire such impressive trust how and she’s managed t

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should Be Active on Facebook

By Bubba Mills

The number is staggering and potentially career ending for REALTORS® who ignore it: 1,440,000,000. That’s the total number of monthly active users on the social medium Facebook.

That number alone is reason enough to use it regularly in your real estate business. But Facebook can also help turn you into the expert in your community. Just by sharing knowledge and relevant events about the community you can become the go-to source for all things local – a perfect way to capture the attention of prospective buyers.

Plus, Facebook advertising also gives you tons of targeting layers like age, location, recent life events and interests. Plus, it constantly adds new targeting filters and functions that help you reach even more niche prospects who closely meet your customer criteria. Talk about pinpointing a target audience.

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Another Facebook real estate ad tool is Website Custom Audiences that lets you create Facebook ads that target users who have visited your website.

And several apps specifically for Facebook have emerged. Consider these: • Heyo.com: Helps you host contests, showcase promotions and high-

light special offers.

• Woobox.com: Let’s you easily create quizzes and other fun tools for engaging content.

• Pagemodo.com: Helps you make your Facebook business page both sleek and stylish and tabs allow for easy lead capture.

But the latest offering is just as cool. It’s called Facebook Live and it lets you stream live video on the internet. I recently wrote about Periscope, another live video streaming app, but when you use Facebook Live you’re automatically featured at the top of Facebook users’ news feed. What’s more, statistics show that live video is viewed more than recorded video.

How can REALTORS® use Facebook Live?

Open Houses: Broadcast a walk-through of a new listing

and highlight all the great features.

Webinars: Host live webinars targeted to buyers and sellers. They can sub-

mit questions just like a real-life seminar.

Real Estate Talk Show: Offer the latest news in the industry plus share lo-

cal events and your newest listings. In short, become the Lester Holt or Diane Sawyer of real estate in your town with your own “TV” show!

Facebook offers these tips for using Facebook Live: Promote: Tease upcoming Facebook Live broadcasts for more viewers.

Plan better: Take time to plan what you want to do in the video, whether

it’s a few key talking points or to have a few questions ready ahead of time in a Q&A, in case incoming comments slow down.

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Invest in some equipment: A shaky live stream turns off viewers so con-

sider a tripod or other stabilizing tools, especially if you’re taking viewers on a tour of an open house. And check the shot before going live.

Get the lighting right: If you’re indoors be sure you have plenty of good

lighting and avoid a lot of light directly behind you because it’ll wash you out.

Sound good: A common mistake for beginners is overlooking sound.

Consider an external microphone to make sure your viewers can actually hear you.

And if the live option makes you a little nervous, you can also stream pre-recorded videos. Hey, that has worked like a charm for TV for decades. Some businesses promote their web series to “air” on Facebook Live at a certain time like TV shows. After they are streamed, Facebook Live videos function as normal Facebook videos. Some business owners believe videos may perform better if they begin as live ones.

NowThis, a news company that publishes entirely on social platforms, experimented by streaming a 38-minute compilation of its favorite viral videos via Facebook Live. The stream received over 20,000 views and over 500 comments, according to Facebook’s counters.

Yes, all the new-fangled internet tools, apps and options for REALTORS® can be a bit overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time and you’ll slowly be right there in the business-winning mix. E-mail me today at Article@CorcoranCoaching.com and I’ll send you more free information about how technology can help your real estate business.

Copyright©, Bubba Mills. All rights reserved.

Bubba Mills is the CEO of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an international Real Estate, Mortgage, and Small Business coaching company committed to helping clients balance success in business, while building value in life. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage companies. To find out more about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 or visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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ALEXIS HUGHES Top Agent Magazine

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Alexis Hughes is an ICON agent with eXp Realty, a title only given to the top 1% of agents worldwide. She works as a solo agent with a transaction coordinator, serving the greater Charlotte area.

For Alexis Hughes, real estate was the perfect path to engage her people-loving personality and strong work ethic. After a terrible experience with a real estate agent when she was buying her home, she was 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

inspired to earn her license so she could provide a better experience to others. “I expected it to be a slow start, as everyone told me it takes some time to build up,” she explains. But it didn’t take long for her Top Agent Magazine

business to skyrocket, with Alexis closing $1 million within the first month. “It did not go as I planned, but it was a good blessing.” Today she is an ICON agent with eXp Realty, a title only given to the top 1% of agents worldwide. She works as a solo Top Agent Magazine

agent with a transaction coordinator, serving the greater Charlotte area.

With the vast majority of her business consisting of repeat clients and referrals, it’s clear she’s going above and beyond Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“I come from a place of quality versus quantity.

I could have 20 deals going on, but if I cannot give each of those 20 clients quality service, then I choose to refer out what I can’t handle personally.”

For Alexis, providing the highest level of support is the top priority.

expectations. “I have done very well at cultivating relationships with clients,” she explains. “Every client I have gets top notch service as if they were my family.” Alexis is always working with her clients’ best interests in mind, never pushing them to make decisions. “I’m not going to tell them to buy a house just so I can make a commission, I’m going to make sure that it’s a good fit for them.” When working with Alexis, clients know that she is focused on serving them. “I come from a place of quality versus quantity. I could have 20 deals going on, but if I cannot give each of those 20 clients quality service, then I choose to refer out Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

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what I can’t handle personally.” For Alexis, providing the highest level of support is the top priority.

(she listens), to closing. And besides being a great realtor, Alexis is a great person, and we now think of her as a friend.”

After the transaction, clients leave glowing reviews about their time together. One recently said, “Three words to describe Alexis Hughes: capable, trustworthy, warm.

She is a force. When you put your home search and process in her hands, you just know it will work out okay. On top of this, she surrounds herself with other professionals who are the same, the mortgage officer, the closing lawyer, all who are as easy and competent as she is. The whole process was smooth, from finding us the perfect house

When Alexis isn’t working, she’s giving back to the community. She was named 2019 Humanitarian of the Year for eXp Realty due to the many programs she advocates for, including domestic violence, technology in underprivileged schools, PSAP Program (Public Safety Appreciation Package) and more. Alexis donates portions of her commissions to sponsor displaced families and helps cover the cost of closing for first responders through the PSAP Program. During any free time, she’s hanging out with family.

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Looking back on her progress, Alexis credits eXp Realty, a virtual firm, for helping her achieve her goals while being a stay at home mother of three. As Alexis looks ahead, she is hoping to have referral partners in every single state so she can match relocation clients to an amazing agent in their new area. As a certified mentor, it is important for her to pass on knowledge to

newer agents, and she can’t wait to help more people as she grows. She also wants to open up her own eXp Realty branch.

No matter what the future holds, she will enjoy every second of it. “It’s so rewarding to be a part of the community, be able to give back and build relationships with others.”

For more about Alexis Hughes, please call 704-773-2117 or email Alexis.Hughes@exprealty.com

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Tips on Being a Good Team Leader Your business is booming, so much in fact, that you’ve finally made the decision to start a team. You’ve made sure it’s financially feasible, and you’ve found the right people, but there is still one other component of a successful team. And that’s an effective leader. It’s your job to not only generate business, but to motivate your team, which in turn increase productivity. Here are a few simple tips on being a good team leader.

1. Evaluate each team member, making sure to utilize their strengths Hiring the right people is one of the first steps in creating a successful team, but once you have those people it’s really Top Agent Magazine

important to figure out where they best fit into the operation. Having every team member be an ‘expert’ in their part of the process leads to seamless transactions and a business that runs like a well-oiled machine.

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Of course it’s also important to create a supportive atmosphere that allows team members to stretch beyond their comfort zones, under your guidance. It’s to the whole team’s advantage when people take initiatives to up their game by taking additional training or mastering a new and innovative technology that can improve productivity. The key is to constantly evaluate not only your systems but the people running them. It’s your job as a leader to encourage that personal growth while making sure to always protect against any major misfires. Which leads us to…

2. Always reevaluate what is and isn’t working It’s a good idea to have a weekly meeting where the whole team can convene and go over any snags they may have hit in the systems that you developed when starting your team. Your team is in the trenches with you and since everyone probably focuses on a different aspect of the transaction, it’s important to make sure things are working on every level. Make sure copious notes are taken during these meetings so you have a track record of what was suggested, as well as a history of things that may have been tried and the results.

Another good thing to focus on in these meetings is goal setting. Set weekly and monthly goals, and use the meetings to discuss what’s being done or needs to be done to meet them. When goals are met, it’s a great bonding experience for everyone. When they aren’t, it’s a moment to learn how you can do better in the future.

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Don’t forget to always take in what you can do to be a better team leader as well.

3. Stay connected and in communication These are your team members! There’s more to that than just a label. Be connected to them on a daily basis. Clear, open and honest communication is important on a busy team and that’s much easier if you actually like and trust your co-workers.

Sure you want to succeed for yourself, but knowing that other people you respect are counting on you, is an additional motivating factor, that is certain to lead to everyone going above and beyond creating a wildly successful business.

4. Be inspiring and supportive If you’re enthusiastic about what you’re doing, it really will be infectious. Encourage innovation and creativity. Yes, systems and consistency are great but don’t let your team get in a rut either.

Support their individual careers, always encourage them to go for more, let them rely on you for mentorship. If they sense that you want each member to succeed as much as you have, you won’t find more loyal employees. And perhaps most importantly focus on what’s being done right. Don’t be the boss that just points out things they don’t like. Let them know when they’ve done an amazing job and be specific about what it is. Make them feel valued and they will become a valuable asset to you and your business.

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BONNIE BARKER When Bonnie Barker graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, working in real estate wasn’t even on her radar. But after meeting her husband John and moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, she decided to put down her roots and find a job that would allow her to have a flexible schedule. She chose real estate and got her license shortly thereafter. After gaining the necessary experience working for a larger company, Bonnie and John decided to branch out on their own and The Barker Realty Group, LLC was born in 2007.

Bonnie and her husband make the dream team, with John taking over the administrative duties and Bonnie being out in the field building relationships and finalizing transactions. And, she’s even been able to utilize her psychology degree in the process.

“Having a psychology degree comes in handy, because I’m able to resolve any communication issues that may arise with a client. It’s important to work with people as individuals, because everyone is different. I prioritize my clients and do my best to make everything as stress free as possible.”

Although Bonnie primarily serves the area of Wake Forest, she doesn’t exclude other regions. “Our goal is to help people, so we work wherever people need us.” This type of selfless approach has garnered Bonnie a close to 90 percent repeat and referral rate.

“We don’t do a lot of self-promotion. Mainly our business comes from word-of-mouth. When I get a client, I’m their REALTOR® for life. I work directly with them from the beginning to the end. I don’t pass them on to a coordinator or an assistant. They get me throughout the whole process.” After 25 years in the business, Bonnie has a great range of connections that she can offer to her clients. “I like to connect my clients with who they need. I have a great team of Top Agent Magazine

inspectors, roofers, handymen, contractors, attorneys, and lenders.”

Outside of work, Bonnie was very involved with her children’s high school activities, is a member of her local chamber of commerce, as well as a business women’s group called “Flourish” and other various real estate online communities. She is also the vice president of her family owned apartment business in the heart of Williamsburg, Virginia, that is comprised of 342 units. In her spare time, Bonnie loves to travel, exercise, cook, scrapbook and spend time with her family.

For Bonnie, finding real estate was discovering a true passion. “I’ve found doing what I love doesn’t feel like work,” she says. In the future, she is hoping to pass that passion to her children, who already help her out at work. Bonnie’s business motto is, “Built on Relationships”, but she also acknowledges the importance of having a good relationship with yourself, which is why her advice to young and upcoming agents is, “Succeeding in real estate takes a lot of hard work. But, so does being a mom and wife. Balance is the key.”

To learn more about Bonnie Barker email bonniebarkerhomes@gmail.com, visit thebarkerrealtygroup.com, or call (919) 606–2094 www.

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AUTUMN DUBOIS When you sit down and chat with Autumn DuBois, it quickly becomes apparent that you’re speaking to someone who genuinely cares about helping others. From her emphasis on treating every client like a member of her family to the high degree of professional development she provides to the agents she mentors, every aspect of her business reflects her giving nature. It’s no surprise then that Autumn has developed a reputation as one of the go-to residential real estate experts in her community.

Autumn was always interested in real estate, and interned at several commercial real estate brokerages while she was attending college. After graduating, one of her friends invited her to join a local residential brokerage.

Autumn took up her offer and never looked back.

Nine years and hundreds of transactions later, Autumn is now the owner and lead broker of DuBois Property Group, a six-person residential brokerage firm based in downtown Raleigh that operates throughout the RaleighDurham-Chapel Hill triangle and its surrounding areas.

Having started Dubois Property Group just three years ago, Autumn’s company already closes around $40 million in home sales a year.

If you ask her how she has managed to ramp up her business so quickly, Autumn will credit her team’s unique client management process and focus on providing world-class service as being the primary drivers of their success. “We manage every transaction like a project manager would. I’m very type A, so we have put in place a number of processes that ensure a clear line of communication between us and our clients,” Autumn explains.

“But these systems only work if our clients trust us.

Buying a home is often the biggest purchase our clients will make, so it’s crucial to build a meaningful relationship with them founded on trust. To achieve that I always

teach my agents to treat everyone like they would their own friends and family.” This approach clearly resonates with people, as nearly 50% of DuBois Property Group’s business comes from repeat clients or referrals.

Another quality that separates Autumn from most brokers is her emphasis on mentorship. “My main passion, and what I love about my job has really become my agents and what we are building together,” Autumn says. “I like to view my team as a family, so I provide my agents with a lot of customized training to help them develop professionally and personally. When all is said and done, I want them to feel that they’ve not only become a better agent, but a better person.”

When it comes to listing a property, Autumn and her team implement a detailed marketing plan that is fully customized for each specific property. Autumn is a self-described photography and staging fanatic, so her team makes sure to meticulously curate the presentation of each property.

When she isn’t working, Autumn enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is heavily involved in her community. Every quarter her whole office has a service day when they give back, helping out with anything from inspecting eggs at a food bank to serving tables at a soup kitchen. In addition they financially support numerous charities such as a diaper drive, and are involved in initiatives to promote the local small business community.

Looking to the future, Autumn hopes to eventually expand into other states, while continuing to improve her community and the lives of her agents. “I’m excited to continue growing my business, while ensuring that it’s a place where agents know that we care about who they are as people rather than simply as agents.”

For more information about Autumn DuBois, please call 919-247-6063, visit DuBoispropertygroup.com, or email autumn@DuBoispropertygroup.com www.

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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.

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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

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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JASON PATE Broker Jason Pate – of Gordon & Associates Real Estate in Sanford, North Carolina – is a dedicated real estate professional of the highest caliber; one who is truly committed to placing his clients’ best interests front and center during every transaction.

Hardworking, knowledgeable and honest to a fault, Jason has built a thriving business on a foundation of solid integrity.

Jason began his journey in real estate in 2017, after a career in politics. “I worked in communications for Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton of North Carolina,” recalls Jason. “During his tenure, the Lieutenant Governor decided he was going to run for Governor.

Long story short, he didn’t win, and I was out of a job and trying to figure out what my next steps would be.”

Relocating from the Raleigh area to Sanford, Jason decided to get his agent’s license. “I’d always loved everything to do with real estate,” he explains. Hitting the ground running, Jason quickly developed a sterling reputation as a trustworthy real estate advocate, and his business began to thrive almost immediately. “I wish I’d become an agent twenty years ago,” he says.

Currently, the lion’s share of Jason’s business is based upon returning customers, referrals and positive wordof-mouth, perhaps the most accurate barometer of a job well done in the highly competitive world of real estate.

“I think it’s simply because I treat everyone the way I want to be treated,” says Jason, when asked how he has managed to inspire such impressive levels of trust and loyalty amongst those he works with. “I’ve learned that it’s not about me, I’m just the middle-man. I’m here to make sure that my clients are happy and to get us to that closing table in as smooth a manner as possible.

I try to educate my clients about what is probably the biggest purchase or sale they’ll ever make, and I think my honesty and transparency keeps them coming back to me and referring their friends and family.”

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There are many other factors that contribute greatly to Jason’s ever-growing success story: expert negotiation skills and comprehensive, intelligent marketing strategies being chief among them. The result is almost always a fast sale for top dollar, not to mention happy clients. Additionally, Jason works hard to ensure that a relationship is maintained with his clients long after the closing table. “I reach out to past clients at least every three months,” says Jason, “just to see how they’re doing and if they need anything at all.”

Jason is also a committed philanthropist who gives back to his community in a variety of ways. He is most passionate, however, about his involvement with the Lee County Arts Council. “I created the Beautification Awards,” he says, “and we’re going to start recognizing small businesses who have made an impact on the appearance of the community.”

Jason – who is quick to credit his partner Jerry Johnson for playing a large role in his success story – plans to continue growing his already-thriving business. His overarching objective, however, remains the same as it’s been since day one: to continue providing his many clients with the amazing customer service that has become synonymous with his name.

For more information about Jason Pate, please call 919-592-1570 or email JasonPateRealtor@gmail.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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LAURA SZEMERETA Top Agent Laura Szemereta – of Keller Williams Legacy in Apex, North Carolina – is a consummate professional who has dedicated her career to helping all of her many buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. Hardworking, immensely likable, and possessing a wealth of industry knowledge, Laura’s reputation as a trusted real estate advisor continues to grow year after year.

Laura began her real estate career in 2014, following a short stint as a middle school teacher in the Rochester, NY area. “My family and I moved to North Carolina about fourteen years ago, and I stopped teaching to stay home with my kids while they were young,” she recalls.

“When all of them were in school, I was looking for a new career, and thought about real estate because I’d always had a passion for it. So, I took the class, got my license and began working thinking it would be a part time job, but it took off really quickly and I’ve been doing it full time ever since.”

Not only has Laura succeeded, she has succeeded spectacularly: almost the entirety of her considerable business is based upon returning clients and referrals from her past clients, friends and lender partners... perhaps the most accurate barometer of a job well done in the highly competitive real estate industry. “I think it’s because I always put my clients ahead of a paycheck,” says Laura, when asked how she’s managed to achieve so much trust and loyalty among her clientele. “I am honest, hard-working and focus on my clients’ needs.”

There are many other factors that must be considered when assessing Laura’s ascent to Top Agent status.

Chief among them are her expert marketing strategies, which uniformly achieve fast sales for top dollar, not to mention satisfied clients. Open houses are used to great effect, as well as phone calls to potential buyers in the neighborhood and fellow agents. Additionally, Laura Top Agent Magazine

has the significant resources of industry giant Keller Williams to assist her, which makes certain each listing is seen by as many potential buyers as possible on the internet and on multiple social media platforms.

When she’s not working, Laura loves spending time with her family...her husband of almost 20 years, Mike, and three children; Hannah (15), Jillian (13) and Michael (11). Her family is her world! She is very much involved in her community, and she helps out whenever possible at her kid’s schools. She also enjoys spending time at the beach, supporting her kids with their various activities or at home entertaining family and friends.

Laura’s plans for the future of her business is to increase the number of families that she helps each year, while sacrificing none of the unparalleled level of customer service that has become her calling card. She also likes to help newly licensed agents at her office get up and running!

When asked what advice she might have for those contemplating a career in real estate, Laura grows thoughtful for a moment before responding. “The good outweighs the bad in this industry,” she says, “it’s not an easy career, and you’re not going to get rich quick. It’s a lot of work, and it can be incredibly stressful. But in the end, it is incredibly rewarding!”

For more about Laura Szemereta, please call 919.930.4704 or email Laura.Szemereta@gmail.com 23 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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