NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 10-19-20

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

WHY DELEGATING IS THE KEY TO LONG-LASTING SUCCESS Uncommon Contact:

CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

7 REASONS WHY

COVER STORY

LANCE KING

YOUR PROSPECTS AREN'T TURNING INTO CLIENTS

FEATURED AGENTS

MELISSA QUADE JON & CAMILLE AHERN SHEMEIKA FOX

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

SHEMEIKA JON & CAMILLE AHERN

FOX

For Jon Ahern, real estate Shemeika is a famthrough all the nuances of a trans As When Fox graduated from son of a successful action. In particular, Jon leans on h 7 ily business. The college 15 27 Sh with a degree in Community Realtor, he grew up around the induslifetime of professional experienc th Studies Education she quickly realtry and spent countless hoursand flipping to help clients make informed dec he although through the latestized MLSthat books with working with youth was sions on their future homes. “Whe his father. Havingpersonally attained his license our buyers are looking at a property m rewarding, it was not the best while attending St.fitMary’s College in we take it apart and inspect its con wi for her business oriented mind. Around Moraga, Jon quickly transitioned back dition from head-to-toe,” he say an that same time her then boyfriend—now into real estate. Along the way, he met “Moments like those are where ou husband—began his future wife, Camille, an accom- to look into purchasing experience and our compassionlis fo 25 m house, inand plished marketinga manager her Shemeika found herself our clients converge.” own right. As theirintrigued volume continued de by the process, and eventually to grow, this power couple decided to For Jon and Camille, that compas LANCE KING MELISSA QUADE & CAMILLE SHEMEIKA FOX ended up pursuing aJON career in real AHERN estate in join forces and launch their own team. sion lasts well after the deals ar Sh 2004. She is currently the leader of The Fox done. The couple remains in con co RealtyareGroup Today, Jon and Camille Leads ofat David Lyng Real Estate, tact with their clients well afte the Ahern Real Estate Group through closing, routinely checking in an coaches youth sp where she works alongside her marketing manager, Coldwell Banker,Sarah, where and they serves serve clients throughout Santa Cruz County. throwing yearly events to celebrat they hosted a ho clients throughout the Greater Bay Area. Alongside buytheir newfound dream homes. Consistently ranked a donations to loca er’s agent Ryan Huerta, the Aherns have raised the bar of Top Producing Agents for the entirety of their caree CONTENTS working she’s cu Withunmatched a large percentage of repeat referralhave clients client service via their attention to detail and and the Aherns wonit’san outstanding reputatio andofdau Shemeika’s ethical relationjoint expertise. “We’re all problem solvers,”approach Jon says ofto business around the and Bay Area, with the husband vast majority the his growing team.ship “Most importantly, we’rethat there for clients volume coming from either repeat or referral theclients outdoors. focused mindset puts at ease and makes 4) 7 REASONS WHY 18) UNCOMMON CONTACT: our clients, and YOUR wethe get transaction things done—no matter what.”

“Servicing people is my mission in life,” Jon say process smooth and positive. “I work “There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing I mad PROSPECTS AREN'T TURNING CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE the future She reallyJonhard to serveguarantee my clients, not sellfor them.

I go and In When listing a home, and Camille that and a difference my buyers sellers.”

INTO CLIENTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA her team, and rem into every transaction wanting to provide the best home their sellers will maximize their value on the market.

After leading thebuying way with professional landscaping, Outside career, and Jon and Camille care aboutma giv with creative and home selling experience for of mytheir clients, 22) 6 HABITS OF HIGHLY painting and staging services, they harness cutting edge ing back to their community.

On top of volunteerin 13) WHY DELEGATING IS marketing so that make sure they are educated along the way and feel tools like Listing Concierge to provide sellers with a to feed the homeless at their local shelter, they hav PRODUCTIVE AGENTS THE KEY TOvariety LONG-LASTING It makes this proc comfortable with the process. It’s never about closing of targeted social media campaigns—ensuring also hosted camps for fire burn victims in the Sant gethelping their desired a deal and getting a paycheck for me, it’s always about SUCCESS a nationwide reach. They also send out promotional Cruz Mountains. clients, thr 26) 5 THINGS YOU When CANthey aren’t making suresurrounding that the client comes first,” can shebesays. postcards to the neighborhoods a listing to Aherns found spending time with their belove

DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR

Phone

generate additional buzz for the property. Meanwhile, children or traveling as a family.

BIGGEST GOALS Camille applies her degree in marketing to give clients The process of purchasing or selling a house can often an added advantage over other sellers. “Camille took Going forward, Jon and Camille have a clear visio prove to be a trying time for many,forthat’s why Shemeika our marketing to another level,” Jon says. “Together, their future. “We’re in growth mode,” he says. “I works hard to make sure her clients can easy we make sure a home is fully prepared to sell.” the monthshave ahead,an we’re looking to leverage our team even more. goal, above all, is to continue bein experience. “I strive to make this process as Our lighthearted 310-734-1440 | Fax Elsewhere, Jon 310-734-1440 andpossible, Camille support buyers the top resourceatfortimes. all our past, present and futur as becausetheir it can be really stressful throughout the process, standing as knowing guides clients.”

There’s| money involved and a lot of hoops to jump mag@topagentmagazine.com www.topagentmagazine.com

through, and today’s market is very competitive for

For more about Jon and Camille No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of Ahern the publisher. Top Agent buyers.

So if I can make it fun and be there to the support email ahern.jon@gmail.com, visit ahernrealestategroup.com or callof(925) 838-9999 Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure accuracy published them the process, that’s or what aim for.” materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be heldthroughout responsible for opinions expressed factsIsupplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Copyright Top Agent Maga Published in the U.S. In order to maintain her relationships Shemeika keeps www.

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in touch with past clients through texts and calls. She sends out gifts on birthdays and housing anniversaries, and provides an updated market analysis so that they can stay informed. She also sends out a weekly newsletter

To learn 3 yours email visit You www.

7 Reasons Why Your Prospects Aren’t Turning Into Clients Real estate experts suggest prospecting daily so that your sales pipeline never runs dry.

But sometimes all that effort doesn’t translate into results. If your prospects aren’t becoming clients, there’s a reason, which is better than it sounds because that means you can fix the problem.

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1. You’re Too Slow The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials estimates that there are about 2 million active real estate licensees in the United States alone. Of course, not all these individuals are working in the same markets. Nonetheless, that

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If your prospects aren’t becoming clients, there’s a reason, which is better than it sounds because that means you can fix the problem.

means that realtors face a lot of competition. If you are slow to respond to messages from prospective clients, someone else is sure to beat you to it. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to return calls and emails within 24 hours.

If you’re too busy working with active clients to return the phone calls and emails of prospective clients, consider hiring a real estate assistant who can help take administrative or marketing tasks off your plate.

2. They Don’t Trust You There are different reasons why a client might not trust you, some of which overlap with others on this list. When a client asks you a question, do you answer it directly or do you sidestep it?

Do you have testimonials and reviews from happy clients publicly available? Do you have an online presence? Social proof of your skills and knowledge is key.

3. You Don’t Seem Knowledgeable Enough Is your client constantly coming to you with new listings or marketing ideas rather than the Top Agent Magazine

other way around? Do they mention real estate and finance terms you’ve never heard of or ask you questions you’ve never thought to ask yourself? Every agent starts somewhere, but if this seems to be a pattern, it’s one clients will pick up on too.

Your clients want to know that you will add value to their home buying or selling experience, and part of that value is your expertise and passion.

4. You Have No Web Presence It’s not enough to be on Zillow or have a Facebook page. There are clients who don’t use these platforms, and at the end of the day, you don’t own the content or your access to it. Both platforms could suddenly go out of business and any following you’ve gained could be lost.

It doesn’t cost much to create and maintain a website today. If customization matters little to you, sometimes you can even get up and running for free. At the very least, it’s a good idea to invest in a domain name because yourwebsite. wordpress.com looks a lot less professional than yourwebsite.com.

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5. You Don’t Seem to Care When clients don’t think you care, it usually means they don’t feel like you are listening.

You may have systems, processes, and a proven marketing strategy. You may like to get right down to business, but to your client, this isn’t just business—it’s their life and their family’s livelihood.

When your client tells you what’s important to them, they want to make sure that you really hear them. Make sure your body language conveys that. Slow down. Shut your office door.

Make eye contact, nod your head, and pause before you speak so that they understand that you’ve put thought into your words—that they aren’t simply lines from a script.

6. You Use Too Much Jargon Remember that your clients don’t speak real estate. At most, they might buy or sell a home once every few years. They hired you to be their advocate and may even expect you to be a bit of a teacher too. Use layman’s terms so that your

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client fully understands how the two of you will work together.

7. Your Target Audience Is Everyone Your clients are home buyers and sellers, yes, but who is your ideal client? Some specialties you might consider are college students and recent graduates, working professionals, military families, seniors, CEOs, or other high-profile clients.

As a newer agent, your target audience might be anyone who will hire you, but over time, you might find that you click more with certain clients, that their lifestyle is similar to yours, or that their goals align with your mission. Whatever the reason, marketing your business to this “ideal client” rather than every potential client will make selling your services easier.

Remember: It’s within your power to alleviate your client’s concerns, but understanding why your prospects aren’t turning into clients is a good start.

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LANCE KING Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Lance King – Founder of King Realty Group in San Francisco – is a hardworking and multiple award-winning real estate professional who truly cares about his clients. Having founded three companies in the real estate and construction fields, few are better suited to provide clients with expert, professional, and thoughtful advocacy for any buyer or seller. Unlike most of his San Francisco counterparts, Lance and his incredible team of equally dedicated agents also cover all the surrounding areas.

This means buyers can look seamlessly wherever they want with a team that prides itself on having helped build a business on a foundation of expertise and integrity.

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Lance has been a sales and marketing professional for over thirty years and was officially licensed as an independent broker in 2005, but his foray into the world of Real Estate brokerage was pure happenstance.

During buyout negotiations with his then partner in a land development business, a friend asked him to sell his condo.

“I never thought I was going to do this as a living. The idea was to do a few deals here and there until I got back to land development. But that one listing led to other buyers and sellers, and other agents wanting to work with me because of our business model.”

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Top Agent Lance King – Founder of King Realty Group in San Francisco is a hardworking and multiple award-winning real estate professional who truly cares about his clients.

Since then Lance has assembled an amazing team of agents who thoroughly share his client-first business ethos, and he has skyrocketed to the top of his profession. Lance has been a top Zillow Premier Agent for some time and one of only 15 out of 17,000+ agents to win the Five Star Professional Award six years in a row. He has also been honored in Top Agent & Forbes Magazines, and King Realty Group has also accumulated over Top Agent Magazine

150 five-star ratings from clients. He and he and his team are equally respected by their peers.

And there are many other factors that have contributed to the exceptional market share for a boutique firm and the stellar reputation of the company. “Buyer or seller, we take very good care of our clients,” says Lance. “The culture of our company is that we give advice based on clients’ needs, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 9

“Buyer or seller, we take very good care of our clients,” says Lance. “The culture of our company is that we give advice based on clients’ needs, not whether it’s good for our bank account. not whether it’s good for our bank account.

Everything else takes care of itself.”

On the buy side they routinely talk people out of properties because the pricing is bad or there are other problems. His background – he used to own a construction supply company and has done a bunch of his own construction projects – allows him to identify structural issues that could cause problems down the road.

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On the sell side many things make King Realty stand out: out of the box thinking, a comprehensive marketing program, professional photography, 3D tours, social media including Facebook live events, and other strategies ensure that each listing is presented in its best light to get maximize exposure. This approach ensures that every property is seen by as many buyers as possible, and fast sales for top dollar are the usual result.

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The arrival of COVID in 2020 changed the business of Real Estate dramatically, but also highlighted why working with a boutique firm is so beneficial. “Acting on the assumption that COVID was coming here, we developed a plan of attack for buyers and Top Agent Magazine

sellers that was firmly in place by the time COVID hit, allowing us to be at the forefront of this reality while continuing to be safe.�

When not working, Lance enjoys spending time with his family, skiing, and biking, and Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

also supports the Save the Children Fund and volunteers at his daughter’s school.

Lance’s plan for the future of his business is straightforward: continue growing his

already thriving business and add a few more like-minded and dedicated agents.

“I can describe our business model in four words,” Lance says. “We’ve got your back.”

For more information about Lance King, please contact him at 415-722-5549 or by email at Lance@King-RealtyGroup.com

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Why Delegating is the Key to Long-lasting Success Delegating isn’t a dirty word. In fact, it’s the secret weapon of some of the most successful real estate leaders out there. Those that want to succeed and lead a business built to last understand that delegating is the key to growth and longevity. While the idea of delegating may sound nice, consider a few ways in which delegating adds professional value that goes far beyond efficiency.

DELEGATING DEVELOPS YOUR MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE Have you ever considered that delegating tasks and responsibilities can help you, as Top Agent Magazine

a leader, develop your managerial skills?

While the main objective of delegation is to distribute work in a balanced, efficient way, it’s also a chance to assign tasks with insight, calibrating your team in the process.

Consider delegation an opportunity to build strengths and address weaknesses on your team by choosing specific tasks for specific employees. You can also work on and expand your communication skills, find ways to streamline your delegation tactics, and create opportunities for collaboration. Don’t just delegate blindly, be thoughtful in how you parcel out the workload and responsibilities. Doing so will allow you to fortify your

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While the idea of delegating may sound nice, consider a few ways in which delegating adds professional value that goes far beyond efficiency.

management skills, in addition to lightening your load for the better.

DELEGATING BUILDS COLLECTIVE CONFIDENCE Another byproduct of delegating is that it builds collective confidence in the ranks of your office. By giving employees the chance to flex their skills and control their own small slice of the pie, you’ll be fostering a sense of responsibility and growth on your talent roster. Not only will your staff benefit from the chance to step out on their own, but the team will also benefit as a whole, as each member will attack their duties with a renewed sense of confidence and competence. This collective aptitude will translate to clients and industry colleagues, who will sense the power of a practiced, well-calibrated team in which each member has the chance to shine.

DELEGATING SHARPENS WEAK SPOTS IN OFFICE COMMUNICATION Proper delegation requires clear communication and the careful outlining of responsibilities, goals, and expectations. By regularly delegating to staff, you’ll be giving the whole office the chance to curtail careless communication habits and establish a new benchmark for quality correspondence. Begin by setting an example by clearly communicating delegated responsibilities, leaving the door open for 14

questions, and by making progress reports the standard. After a while, these good habits will become engrained in your team, and your office will benefit from a uniform and effective communication style, no matter the project.

DELEGATING TURNS ACCOMPLISHMENTS INTO A TEAM WIN The ultimate goal of delegating duties is to get the job done, but when you practice delegation, each team member will have a stake in the outcome. In other words, a job well done can be celebrated by all. Giving your team the chance to invest themselves in an overarching project allows for a big pay-off once success is achieved. Not only does this boost morale and provide meaningful motivation for daily work, but it also builds a sense of comradery among the ranks. What’s more, team members will know they’re taken seriously and considered valuable to the team’s dynamic. And don’t forget: a job well done is a reward in and of itself, but it also doesn’t hurt to demonstrate your gratitude for a team goal accomplished.

Delegating responsibilities isn’t a new idea, but the benefits are more plentiful than most imagine. With that in mind, capitalize on opportunities to delegate and you’ll not only be bolstering your business, but building your team and your own professional profile for the long haul.

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MELISSA QUADE

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MELISSA QUADE

Melissa Quade has always been fascinated by real estate and decided to become licensed in 2015 when she was living in Seattle. She immediately realized she had a knack for the business—her very first sale was a $1.7 million dollar teardown on Lake Washington. “I’d been working so hard and it was such great confirmation for me that I was on the right path,” she says. Three-and-a-half years ago she moved to El Dorado Hills, CA and now serves the Greater Sacramento area and the Highway 50 Corridor to Lake Tahoe. Already an impressive thirty percent of her business comes from repeat and referral clients.

slip through the cracks. I take chaos and turn it into order for people,” she says.

Melissa’s varied professional background has helped her to excel as an agent. Her experience as a professional singer helps her to improvise and adapt quickly to any situation. Her work in law firms has given her expertise in legal language and contracts. After receiving a Master’s in clinical psychology, Melissa worked as a therapist, which helps her manage conflict, negotiate, and guide her clients through challenging emotions

Her clients rave that Melissa takes the time to really get to know them. “I really listen to people so I can help them accomplish their goals with the limitations they have,” she says. She then closely communicates with them throughout the process. Her unparalleled attention to detail takes the stress off of her clients. “I don’t let things 16

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that may arise during the process. During her last career in small business consulting, she honed her sales, marketing, and business skills.

When it comes time to market listings, Melissa works closely with clients to prepare their home, then hires a professional photographer to take high quality photos of the listing. She uses all the avenues available to her through Coldwell Banker to spread the word about the listing, including a spot on Coldwell Banker’s local television show and their YouTube channel. She sends direct mail, posts on social media, and creates video tours of the listings. The result is often a quick sale at a competitive price. This year, Melissa is on track to close $12 million in transactions with an average list price of $600K. “I love everything about my job,” Melissa says with a smile. “It’s something that I was born to do. I truly care about my clients. I do the best I possibly can for them in what is likely the largest investment they’ll ever make.” To give back to the community, Melissa has fostered rescue dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her twelve year old son, cooking with her boyfriend, and traveling. Her boyfriend is a contractor and they plan to flip their first house together soon.

For the future, Melissa wants to keep her boutique business small enough that each one of her clients feels like her only client. “You are not going to find an agent who is more client-focused than I am,” she says. “My agenda is the client’s agenda. And I’m going to work hard to make that happen for them.”

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To find out more about Melissa Quade, please email melissa.quade@cbnorcal.com, call (916) 936-8855, or visit MelissaQuade.com http://

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Uncommon Contact:

Connecting with Clientele Through Social Media Social media is one of the newest and most powerful tools in an agent or mortgage professional’s arsenal. With just a few keystrokes, you can stay top-of-mind with buyers, sellers, and borrowers near and far, past and present. The key is knowing how to use these mediums to your advantage, working smarter instead of harder to keep the thread of professional relationships intact. With that in mind, here are a few ways you can maximize the pull and power of social media by shifting just a few of your ideas and practices for the better.

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Not everything has to be about business.

While your relationship with a client or fellow vendor began over the course of business, your relationship going forward doesn’t have to be limited. One of the great things about social media is that’s it’s social. Not every comment, post, or communication has to revolve around your business, its metrics, or turning a sale. In fact, you should do your best to branch out and curate a brand and online identity that’s about who you are and

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the lifestyle you’re authentically interested in living. In that vein, consider interacting with clients in an organically-driven way, encouraging them during life’s milestones, reaching out with a local event, restaurant, or news item that’s relevant to their interests or neighborhood. The goal is to be a persistent presence in their lives without feeling like a talking head. Engage as you would like to be engaged with, as a human being with interests and needs and boundaries. Keep that personal thread in mind and your dynamic will shift from past business contact to present resource.

Expand your medium.

Many Realtors are comfortable on Facebook as an interactive meeting to connect with clients, but there are several other mediums where you can connect with clients both past and present, as well as future. Particularly when courting Millennial clientele, the fastest-growing segment of the buying market, a presence on Instagram and Snapchat are key to finding new faces, demonstrating hot properties, and creating an interactive brand as an agent. Not only does this help when you’re listing a property and seeking potential buyers, but it also serves as a perusable portfolio of your work and real estate prowess. You can also use these mediums to interact with clients on an outlet they might feel most comfortable in. Liking pictures, commenting, streaming Instagram Live home tours and Stories are all ways you can build engagement by simply spreading your social media presence around. Likewise, Top Agent Magazine

these photo and video driven mediums are popular for home design ideas, and before and after renovation pictures. When you expand from Facebook into these new platforms, you’ll already have plenty of visual content ready to be transferred and consumed by an expanded audience.

Don’t just react.

Create your own content.

It’s easy enough to post a link to a new listing, or retweet a helpful article on real estate news. Creating your own organic content is a different story, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to luring engagement, ranking higher in search fields, and overall crafting an interactive presence for yourself and your business online—which is where more than 90% of homebuyers and sellers begin their process. Creating your own content can seem risky, or else like no one is listening in a digital world already crowded with information. However, original content is sure to boost personal engagement with your social media pages, guaranteed.

Instead of recycling content, consider posting a video with a Q+A theme for first-time homebuyers, or perhaps posting a live tour of a new listing will perk up your clientele surfing at home.

No matter how you decide to expand your social media presence when it comes to interacting with clients, consistency is key.

Find the ways that work best for you and stick to them, and you’ll watch your audience and business grow in tandem.

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

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6 Habits of Highly Productive Agents In a business that can be constant chaos, you’re constantly on the go and dealing with things as they hit you. It can be difficult to take a second and regroup. But there is a better and smarter way to work. If you take the time to create some better habits, in the end, you may end up being more productive. If you want to make better use of your time, as well as have more focus, here’s some habits that you’re going to want to pick up - all common to top-producing agents.

1. Learn how to prioritize Although it might be your instinct to get some of the boring work out of the way first, things 22

that actually generate income (or are time-sensitive!) should be the first thing you focus on when you start your day.

Lists are your friend! Make a list of things you want to accomplish for the day, the week, and even the month. Always list them in the order of priority. If things get cut off when you run out of time at the end of the day, at least it’ll be the things that are not as important or time sensitive. As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list, you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as Top Agent Magazine

well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s and don’t ever waste it.

As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s, and don’t ever waste it.

to accomplish it? Write it out and then incorporate that into your prioritized ‘to do’ list.

You’ll be amazed at how driven you become to reach that goal when you actually write it out with clarity. And, the sense of accomplishment you get upon completing it will carry over to the next day. It’s important to remember to be specific. Once you get into the habit of meeting your goals, exceeding them won’t be far behind.

2. Remove distractions

when you need to focus This is especially hard when you’re a Realtor®. Most are constantly connected to their phones. But, unnecessary distractions can get you off schedule and make you lose your focus instantly. If you can, turn your phone off for the half hour it takes to do a task. Interruptions make everything take twice as long, especially when you take that text and then decide to check Facebook for a second.

We all do it!

Complete your task, then take ten minutes to respond to all texts and messages before you start up the next thing on your list. You can even schedule those ‘text backs’ into your schedule. A concentrated effort is always more effective than going back and forth between things.

3. Set daily goals This is so key. What do you want to accomplish for the day and what do you need to do Top Agent Magazine

4. Don’t make excuses There’s that old saying, “The buck stops here”. Well, take it to heart. This is your business and you are responsible for doing everything you can to make it successful.

Sure, there are reasons for why you didn’t get a listing or why your business is slow, but what are you doing to change things and make them better? Successful Realtors® work harder and come up with innova23

tive ways to stand out when times are tough. They don’t look for excuses, they look for solutions.

5. Be deliberate

about everything you do When you’re making your list, it helps to have a goal in mind for even the smallest task. If you’re calling past clients to touch base, have a specific reason why you’re calling. Are you letting them know some market news?

Thanking them for a referral? When you’re meeting a referral partner for lunch, have a goal in mind for what the outcome of that meeting will be as well. Yes it’s good to socialize and build relationships, but if you have a reason, make sure it isn’t put off until the final moments, when things are wrapping up. Always having a purpose in mind will also help you prioritize your list better.

6. Always look for ways to

get out of your comfort zone Yes, you are prioritizing what is most important or urgent to your business, but it’s also important to make an effort to break out 24

of your routine as much as you’re comfortable doing. Trying out new things or taking some time to learn about new and innovative real estate techniques and technology, can have an energizing effect on your business.

Not only might they lead to things that make you more productive, but it keeps you sharp and engaged. And, ultimately keeping yourself at the top of your game is what it’s all about.

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JON & CAMILLE AHERN For Jon Ahern, real estate is a family business. The son of a successful Realtor, he grew up around the industry and spent countless hours flipping through the latest MLS books with his father. Having attained his license while attending St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Jon quickly transitioned back into real estate. Along the way, he met his future wife, Camille, an accomplished marketing manager in her own right. As their volume continued to grow, this power couple decided to join forces and launch their own team.

through all the nuances of a transaction. In particular, Jon leans on his lifetime of professional experience to help clients make informed decisions on their future homes. “When our buyers are looking at a property, we take it apart and inspect its condition from head-to-toe,” he says.

“Moments like those are where our experience and our compassion for our clients converge.”

Today, Jon and Camille are Leads of the Ahern Real Estate Group through Coldwell Banker, where they serve clients throughout the Greater Bay Area. Alongside buyer’s agent Ryan Huerta, the Aherns have raised the bar of client service via their unmatched attention to detail and joint expertise. “We’re all problem solvers,” Jon says of his growing team. “Most importantly, we’re there for our clients, and we get things done—no matter what.”

When listing a home, Jon and Camille guarantee that their sellers will maximize their value on the market.

After leading the way with professional landscaping, painting and staging services, they harness cutting edge tools like Listing Concierge to provide sellers with a variety of targeted social media campaigns—ensuring a nationwide reach. They also send out promotional postcards to the neighborhoods surrounding a listing to generate additional buzz for the property. Meanwhile, Camille applies her degree in marketing to give clients an added advantage over other sellers. “Camille took our marketing to another level,” Jon says. “Together, we make sure a home is fully prepared to sell.”

Elsewhere, Jon and Camille support their buyers throughout the process, standing as knowing guides

For Jon and Camille, that compassion lasts well after the deals are done. The couple remains in contact with their clients well after closing, routinely checking in and throwing yearly events to celebrate their newfound dream homes. Consistently ranked as Top Producing Agents for the entirety of their career, the Aherns have won an outstanding reputation around the Bay Area, with the vast majority of their volume coming from either repeat clients or referrals.

“Servicing people is my mission in life,” Jon says.

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing I made a difference for my buyers and sellers.”

Outside of their career, Jon and Camille care about giving back to their community. On top of volunteering to feed the homeless at their local shelter, they have also hosted camps for fire burn victims in the Santa Cruz Mountains. When they aren’t helping clients, the Aherns can be found spending time with their beloved children or traveling as a family.

Going forward, Jon and Camille have a clear vision for their future. “We’re in growth mode,” he says. “In the months ahead, we’re looking to leverage our team even more. Our goal, above all, is to continue being the top resource for all our past, present and future clients.”

For more about Jon and Camille Ahern email ahern.jon@gmail.com, visit ahernrealestategroup.com or call (925) 838-9999 www.

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5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success.

Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and consideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one. Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those 26

little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways. Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know.

Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it.

Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation. Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

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SHEMEIKA FOX When Shemeika Fox graduated from college with a degree in Community Studies and Education she quickly realized that although working with youth was personally rewarding, it was not the best fit for her business oriented mind. Around that same time her then boyfriend—now husband—began to look into purchasing a house, and Shemeika found herself intrigued by the process, and eventually ended up pursuing a career in real estate in 2004. She is currently the leader of The Fox Realty Group at David Lyng Real Estate, where she works alongside her marketing manager, Sarah, and serves clients throughout Santa Cruz County.

With a large percentage of repeat and referral clients it’s Shemeika’s ethical approach to business and relationship focused mindset that puts clients at ease and makes the transaction process smooth and positive. “I work really hard to serve my clients, and not sell them. I go into every transaction wanting to provide the best home buying and home selling experience for my clients, and make sure they are educated along the way and feel comfortable with the process. It’s never about closing a deal and getting a paycheck for me, it’s always about making sure that the client comes first,” she says.

As technology continually evolves, Shemeika ensures that she incorporates the newest cutting-edge methods into her marketing. She utilizes her big social media presence for online marketing with professional photos, themed videos, and SEO writing for each individual listing, as well as standard print media marketing with printed flyers and hand delivered invitations to open houses.

Shemeika is passionate about her local community and helping people. She coaches youth sports with her husband, and last year they hosted a holiday event with a fundraiser for gift donations to local families in need. And when she’s not working she’s currently learning how to surf with her husband and daughter. She also loves to hike and enjoy the outdoors.

In the future Shemeika would like to continue to grow her team, and remain on top of cutting-edge technology with creative marketing. “I want to be creative in our marketing so that we always stand out from other agents.

It makes this process a lot of fun and it helps our clients get their desired results faster, so it’s a win-win.”

The process of purchasing or selling a house can often prove to be a trying time for many, that’s why Shemeika works hard to make sure her clients can have an easy experience. “I strive to make this process as lighthearted as possible, because it can be really stressful at times.

There’s money involved and a lot of hoops to jump through, and today’s market is very competitive for buyers. So if I can make it fun and be there to support them throughout the process, that’s what I aim for.”

In order to maintain her relationships Shemeika keeps in touch with past clients through texts and calls. She sends out gifts on birthdays and housing anniversaries, and provides an updated market analysis so that they can stay informed. She also sends out a weekly newsletter about the current state of the market.

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To learn more about Shemeika Fox email yoursantacruzrealestate@gmail.com, visit YourSantaCruzRealEstate.com, or call (831) 588–2334 www.

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