ONTARIO 1-12-26

ONTARIO EDITION

Agent Strategies To

The Three Most Important Qualities For

GROW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

REAL ESTATE SUCCESS

24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS

5 BUSINESS LESSONS

to Maximize Your Price List

I Learned From My Dog

COVER STORY

STEPHANIE MOLS

ONTARIO EDITION

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STEPHANIE MOLS

CONTENTS

4) The Three Most Important Qualities For Real Estate Success 6) Agent Strategies To Grow Your Social Media Presence

15) 5 Business Lessons I Learned From My Dog 20) 24-Hour Touch-Ups To Maximize Your List Price

STEPHANIE MOLS

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Published in the U.S.

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THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES FOR REAL ESTATE SUCCESS Thinking about going into real estate or new to the business?

This article is for you.

Real estate sales offers almost unlimited income, flexible hours, and the ability to ‘be your own boss’. If it’s so awesome a field, why don’t more people succeed?

(Statistics say about half of agents entering the business in any given year are out of the business in a year…)

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The Success Numbers Having interviewed thousands of would-be agents, I haven’t met one who didn’t want to make six figures their first year in the business. Here’s the truth: The first-year agent, on average, sells 2-3 homes. Depending on the area, that’s nowhere near six figures. So, what’s wrong?

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The Business Doesn’t Guarantee Success I know. You were told you could be successful if you joined a particular company. You thought that was true. Then, you found out success wasn’t nearly as much due to the company as it was due to your own work ethic!

How rude! Yes, it’s true that a good company provides the tools. A caring, coaching manager provides the skills. Good agents around you help you stay motivated. But, agents still fail with great support. Why? They didn’t go to work!

The Three Qualities that Make the Difference I’ve told you the downside. Now, here’s the upside. Agents who have an abundance of these three qualities succeed at a high level:

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Personal initiative—taking charge of their own schedules, organization, and initiating a successful business startup plan from day one. These people don’t need someone baby-sitting them.

They follow the lead of a trusted mentor or coach and are self-directed.

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Tenacity—not giving up. People think they are tenacious and selfdirected until they actually have to be tenacious and self-directed. Most people give up way too soon! These people just keep going until they win. They have a huge tolerance to keep losing as they have their eye on the ball— success. While they are striving, they are constantly getting better at what they do.

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Mental toughness—the ability to take ‘no’ after ‘no’ and keep going to a ‘yes’. These people don’t stop at 3 ‘no’s. They learn from rejection and get more determined to win.

See if you have these qualities. And, better yet, how strong are each of these qualities in your ‘prior life’? Give yourself a grade of 1-5 (5 being really high).

Examples of People Who Prove They Have these Qualities in Abundance Read the biographies of exceptional Olympic performers. Every one has overcome great adversity. They all exhibit extreme tenacity, personal initiative, and mental toughness.

Pretend you’re an Olympic sales performer.

Find those qualities in yourself. Find someone who believes in you. Keep going. Don’t give up if you have the will to succeed!

Managers, an interview tip: Use this list and develop ‘past-based behavioral predictor’ questions to see if that prospective agent exhibits enough of each quality. You can see questions and how to create them in The Complete Recruiter.

Carla Cross, CRB, MA, President of Carla Cross Seminars, Inc. is an international speaker specializing in real estate management with emphasis on creating peak productivity. Her eight internationally published books, including Up and Running in 30 Days, and 20 agent and management programs have helped thousands of real estate professionals to greater productivity and profitability. Her newest book, Launching Right in Real Estate: What They Won’t Teach You in Pre-License School, has won the Axiom business book award for best business book of the year. Reach Carla at 425-392-6914 or https://carla-cross.com.

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AGENT STRATEGIES TO

GROW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE In real estate, where connections and maintaining relationships with clients are crucial, having a strong social media presence is essential for any REALTOR®. A wellcrafted agent profile on social platforms can not only showcase your expertise but 6

also help you connect with a wider audience, build trust, and ultimately grow your business. Here are some comprehensive agent-profile tips to elevate your social media presence and establish a strong online persona:

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CREATE AN ENGAGING AND INFORMATIVE BIO

Your bio should introduce you as a real estate expert and spotlight your specialties, service areas, and what makes you unique. Include relevant keywords so you will rank high in a Google search.

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HAVE A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE IN PROFILE PICTURES

It’s important to have a clear, high-definition photo of yourself. You should look professional, but at the same time approachable.

Wear clothes that align with your brand, and keep the background simple.

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SHOW OFF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Share your professional success, accomplishments, accreditations, and awards. This will enhance your credibility and make you appealing to potential clients. Those who visit your social media site will know you’re an expert.

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MAINTAIN A PERSONAL CONNECTION THROUGH POSTS

Buying and selling real estate is a highly personal experience. It’s vital that you showcase your personality and relatability. Clients want to work with someone who they feel comfortable with. Incorporate your hobbies, personal anecdotes, and interests in your posts.

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HIGHLIGHT YOUR COMMUNITY WORK

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CREATE CONTENT THAT CAPTIVATES

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ENGAGE FOLLOWERS

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KEEP TO A SCHEDULE

Whether you’re sponsoring an event, volunteering, or supporting local businesses, it’s beneficial to show your followers that you care for your community. It will help portray a positive brand image, and demonstrate a dedication to the areas you serve as a REALTOR®.

Produce varied and interesting content, balancing listings with insights into the market, news, and tips for buyers or sellers.

This will keep your followers engaged and help solidify your status as a top expert in the field.

When people comment or message you, it’s important to respond. It’s also great to get conversations going on your social media pages by posing questions with your posts, running polls, or asking for opinions.

Post regularly on social media, at times when your audience is most active. This will ensure your posts are being seen by the largest audience possible. And when your followers know when to expect your posts, they will remember to check it out.

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POST BEHIND THE SCENES INSIGHTS

Offer a look into your everyday life in the real estate world, including preparing for open houses, client meetings, or your office setup. Maintaining an authentic presence will help you connect to your followers.

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DON’T FORGET ABOUT STORIES AND REELS

Take advantage of Instagram and Facebook’s Stories and Reels. This is where you can post more spontaneous and creative content.

Some of the highest engagement on social media happens on these platforms.

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STRATEGIC HASHTAG USE

Use hashtags that are relevant to what you’re posting. You can even create your own hashtag that reflects your brand. When you use a mix of the two, you’ll reach a larger audience.

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COLLABORATE WITH PEERS

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CREATE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

Don’t be afraid to partner up with local businesses, industry influencers, and other professionals. You can cross-promote content and create content together. This will introduce you and your brand to new audiences.

Establish yourself as an expert by sharing knowledge about the real estate market,

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process, or regulatory changes. Educating your audience not only demonstrates your expertise but also provides them with valuable information.

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POST CLIENT FEEDBACK

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QUALITY VISUALS ARE KEY

Feature positive feedback from satisfied clients. Testimonials build trust and provide social proof of your skills and commitment to client satisfaction. Consider creating visually appealing graphics or dedicated posts to showcase these testimonials.

Invest in high-quality visuals for your posts.

Clear and appealing images are crucial in the real estate industry, whether you’re showcasing a property, sharing a personal story, or promoting your services. Professional visuals make a significant impact on social media platforms.

Remember, building a strong social media presence is an ongoing process that requires a blend of creativity, consistency, and genuine engagement. Regularly assess your analytics to understand what resonates with your audience, and adjust your strategy accordingly. By incorporating these agent-profile tips, you can effectively grow your social media presence, establish a meaningful connection with your current and potential clients, and differentiate yourself in the competitive real estate landscape.

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STEPHANIE MOLS

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Top Agent Stephanie Mols operates as a solo agent whose reach extends across a broad 150 kilometer radius surrounding Perth and encompassing Ottawa and the entire Ottawa Valley.

STEPHANIE MOLS CRAFTING EXCEPTIONAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCES ACROSS THE OTTAWA VALLEY 10

Born and raised in Germany, Stephanie Mols moved to Canada in 2003 to follow in the footsteps of her father who had already fallen in love with the country. Settling in Perth, Ontario, Stephanie and her husband built a successful luxury home renovation business specializing in high-end European materials. The work gave her an intimate understanding of what elevates a home — how it is constructed, styled, and lived in.

Designing and renovating homes naturally sparked a deeper interest in real estate, and about nine years ago she obtained her real estate licence.

The transition felt seamless. She could combine her construction and design expertise with her passion for helping people find a place they truly love. Serving the Ottawa Valley community ever since has been one of the most rewarding chapters of her life.

Today, Stephanie operates as a solo agent supported by a highly capable team of five Top Agent Magazine

full-time licenced assistants. Each team member specializes in a key part of the listing or buying process, from producing detailed marketing brochures to handling market updates and social media. This structure allows her to maintain personal oversight on every transaction while ensuring clients receive an elevated, seamless experience.

Stephanie’s reach extends across a broad 150 kilometer radius surrounding Perth and encompassing Ottawa and the entire Ottawa

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Valley. With a strong team behind her, Stephanie is able to cover a large geographic area without compromising the hands-on care and attention her clients value.

Stephanie’s love for the region is one of her greatest motivators. She is drawn to the charm of Perth and the Ottawa Valley — the historic character, the lakes, forests, and genuine warmth woven throughout the local communities. Each small town has its own personality, and helping clients settle

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With a strong team behind her, Stephanie is able to cover a large geographic area without compromising the hands-on care and attention her clients value. into a place that offers such a high quality of life never loses its magic.

Her marketing approach reflects the same high standards she applies to her service.

Every listing, regardless of price, receives premium treatment: professional staging, exceptional photography, and updated seasonal images that ensure the home always looks its best. Stephanie also maintains strong visibility in local newspapers and 12Copyright Top Agent Magazine

embraces creative strategies when they fit the property — even writing a custom song for a listing to give it a unique spotlight.

Her design-trained eye allows her to showcase each home’s strengths in a way buyers immediately appreciate.

When it comes to marketing herself, Stephanie leads with authenticity and consistency. She remains deeply connected to her community, shows up daily for her Top Agent Magazine

clients, and stays ahead of market trends through international contacts, advanced AI tools, and continual research. Her team is known locally for being active at events — even bringing a branded bouncy castle to the celebrations. With strong signage, regular radio features, plus a reputation for

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reliability and results, most of Stephanie’s business continues to come from word of mouth.

Staying connected with past clients is one of Stephanie’s greatest joys. She reaches out simply to check in, often turning clients

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into lifelong friends. If she could return to her earliest days in real estate, she would keep the same passion and client-first mindset that built her career. What she would change is embracing a strong support team sooner, recognizing how collaboration elevates both her business and the client experience.

she also proudly served as the sole sponsor of Kevin Tobin, an inspiring young para-athlete with the Ottawa River Canoe Club. Stephanie celebrated when Kevin returned from the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Hungary with a gold medal, a silver medal, and a team victory!

Supporting the community is central to who Stephanie is. She is active in autism advocacy, conservation efforts, and local initiatives, inspired in part by her son Daniel. This year,

More than half of Stephanie’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals — a testament to the trust, relationships, and consistency that define her work.

To learn more about Stephanie Mols, visit her website at stephaniemols.com see Facebook: facebook.com/stephaniemolsrealtor Instagram: instagram.com/stephaniemols.realtor or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniemols www.

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5 BUSINESS LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY DOG Applying these key lessons to your business can lead to an increase in productivity, creativity, and resilience.

Our furry friends bring immense joy to our lives. Their ability to project love and happiness into the world helps us feel calm. They seem to live entirely in the moment, which is something we Top Agent Magazine

can learn from as humans. We can take it a step further and analyze how their behavior could be emulated in our own lives, particularly when it comes to business.

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While there are certain dog characteristics we don’t want to replicate as humans (you can probably name quite a few), there are several that could lead to an increase in productivity. In this article, we’ve gathered five of the best lessons to be learned from dogs. Each one has its strengths, and applying these lessons to your work will undoubtedly lead to an improved way of doing business.

As we look into the specific lessons dogs teach us, keep in mind how their instinctual behaviors can make us not only better colleagues but also more adaptive and resilient professionals.

other dog is saying, the message rarely gets misconstrued.

We can take this lesson into our business lives by remembering the importance of clear and frequent communication. We have a lot more to say than dogs, so it’s even more vital that we are upfront with what we’re thinking and feeling. We can’t expect a person to respond if we don’t engage. And just like dogs do, we should be prioritizing open communication through both verbal and nonverbal cues to maintain coherence and clarity.

Here are the five valuable lessons dogs have taught us about business:

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CLEAR AND FREQUENT COMMUNICATION

Dogs are always communicating. Though their communication may not be as clear to us if we aren’t familiar with their behavior, their messages come in bright as day to the dogs around them. If you’ve ever taken a dog to a dog park, you will see what we’re saying. A bow towards the ground with a tail wag means, “I’m ready to play!” while a tucked tail, cowering stance and whimpering means, “I’m scared!” The dogs who send these messages are hoping for a response in the dog they’re communicating with, whether it’s to engage in play or leave them alone. The dogs who observe these behaviors instinctively know what they mean. Though they might not always respect what the 16

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outside, even if the weather is bad. A deep breath or two in the outdoors will help you reset. Once you return to work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to be productive.

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FIND THE REWARDS IN LEARNING

Most dogs want to learn because it makes us happy. Some need to be bribed with treats or play time. No matter the dog’s age, though, they are generally receptive to learning new things. Training a dog to do tricks or have manners provides them with enrichment and rewards. Dogs tend to learn quickly, and they never seem to forget the things they’re taught.

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EMBRACE REGULAR OUTDOOR TIME

If you’ve ever tried to work alongside your dog, you know they can be quite demanding when it comes to breaks. Dogs want to spend as much time as possible being outside, and they’ll let you know if it’s been too long since they’ve felt fresh air. Animals crave being outdoors. Let’s not forget that humans are animals, too. It’s quite unnatural for us to sit behind a computer for 8+ hours a day, so we have to remember to take breaks throughout the day.

Set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to get up and stretch. When you have a longer break, take a moment to step Top Agent Magazine

As humans, we can apply this to our own lives by always seeking out learning opportunities. While we might not be rewarded with treats, we will be rewarded with knowledge, and we can use that to improve our business, make more money, and work more efficiently.

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PRIORITIZE MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

Most dogs love humans and other animals.

When they first come across someone they’ve never met before, you’ll see them exhibit quite a variety of positive behaviors in an effort to bond with their new friend.

They might wag their tail and bring them one of their toys, offer a paw to hold, roll over, or give them a thorough, kind sniff.

All of these actions seem to say, “I’m a good dog, you can trust me.”

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People should attempt to say the same thing when they first meet someone, especially when it comes to business. Gaining trust is a key aspect of becoming successful as an entrepreneur, so showing others your open, happy, and accepting side will make a lasting impression. A smile, handshake, and light, positive conversation goes a long way.

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REMAIN ALERT AND ADAPTIVE

The wisdom imparted by our canine friends supplies us with endless inspiration for our professional lives. The lessons they teach us, such as clear communication, the importance of breaks, continuous learning, making positive first impressions, and remaining adaptive, are essential for success in today’s business environment.

By utilizing these principles, we not only enhance our productivity and creativity but also foster an atmosphere of resilience and mutual respect in the workplace.

Though dogs do love socializing and meeting new creatures, they also have a protective nature, meant to keep them and their pack safe. You can see this behavior play out when the doorbell rings or a stranger walks by your house. They will bark loudly, alerting you that something is happening. If you inspect the danger and tell them nothing is wrong, they eventually adapt their behavior, going back to what they were doing prior. When everything seems peaceful, they are always keeping their nose, ears, and eyes on high alert, waiting for anything out of the ordinary to happen.

We can implement this lesson by continually looking out for inconsistencies, and staying in touch with our instincts. If something in your work seems wrong, look into why that is, and adapt accordingly. In business, it’s important to stay in tune to what is happening, so we can keep up with changes and refine our strategies. Change is inevitable, and being open to that will help us reach new levels of growth.

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24-Hour Touch-ups to Maximize Your List Price Sometimes it takes a full-scale overhaul to prepare a house for market. Other times, only a series of small adjustments are required to make a listing’s true potential shine. Whether you’re gearing up for an open house, assessing a list price, or maximizing a property’s appearance prior to photography—the devil is in the details. However, touch-ups and refreshes don’t have to dominate your schedule or break the bank. For a few ideas of where 20

to begin, consider our handy check-list below for quick home projects that will fortify your bottom line.

Refresh grout for a sparkling clean look.

Perhaps the quickest and most cost-effective way to make bathrooms, kitchens, and other tiled areas shine is to refresh grout until it looks

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good as new. Specialty grout stain removers and cleaners are inexpensive and sold at most home improvement stores. Plus, the project only takes a bit of elbow grease and an hour or two for a major makeover effect. Suddenly, dark, stained, and worn-down bathrooms gleam as if tile has just been placed.

Create mood lighting with soothing bulbs and fixtures.

A warm white light from specially chosen LED bulbs creates a welcoming environment when potential buyers come calling.

If outdated fixtures are bringing down a home’s otherwise modern styling, consider more design-neutral replacements that won’t

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detract from the property’s charms. These are inexpensive but highly noticeable and impactful upgrades that shift a home’s ambiance for the better.

Repaint doors for an updated and inviting entryway.

It may sound like a hassle, but repainting doorways with a fresh coat signals a wellkept property—and that’s before prospective buyers even pass through the threshold. You can also change out generic doorknobs and switch-plates to add an updated flare while on a budget. Color-of-the-year trend choices can turn heads, while neutral paint choices signal less hassle for future homeowners.

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scrub, or with the addition of new shelves or styled bulbs.

Make windows shine— both inside and out.

Cleanliness goes a long way in communicating a well-cared for home in which buyers can imagine themselves. Cleaning the inside and outside of windows not only refreshes a room, but it allows light to infuse the space while appealing to the move-in ready crowd.

Closet spaces are not an afterthought.

Every prospective buyer wants storage options, and you’ve surely led a home tour where guests inspect closets and pantries.

Don’t let these hidden spaces go overlooked. Make sure they’re clean, cleared as much as possible, and you can even touch them up with fresh paint, a good

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Remove tough appliance stains with a bit of elbow grease.

If you’re packaging appliances with the sale of a property, you’ll want to make sure those big-ticket items are also in top shape to showcase their value. Stainless steel polish, electric cooktop polish, and stain removing pads for the kitchen sink can make your appliances look five years younger with nothing more than an hour or two’s labor.

Organize garage and basement areas to maximize storage and hint at bonus space.

It may take a labor of love, but organizing and decluttering these special storage spaces

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can add significant value to a property. Instead of telling prospective buyers how much storage space there is—let these areas speak for themselves by giving them a neutral, airy bout of cleansing. That way, craft-lovers, car aficionados, and buyers with interest in renovating basement areas can witness the potential immediately.

Individually, these bit to-do list items might seem like extra work without the promise of Top Agent Magazine

a major return. But combined? These small tasks go a long way in crafting a home’s image and projecting pure potential. After all, prospective buyers imagine their lives unfolding inside those walls. That’s why cobbling together these small-scale projects can have a big payoff in the end. Not only will a home present itself in a cohesive, attractively-packaged form, but it can also translate to higher interest and a significant pay-off—in more ways than one.

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