SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 10-18-21

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

BEYOND

CLEANING AND DECLUTTERING: What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense?

Uncommon Contact:

CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

FEATURED AGENTS

TIFFANY BAGALINI JEWELS FARMER VIOLET SCHMID HUNG TRINH

CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU COVER STORY

BARBARA & BREANNA LEGG

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

TIFFANY BAGALINI HUNG TRINHFARMERVIOLET SCHMID JEWELS

Magazine, and in flyers Jewels sh With over fifteen years in real estate, Jewels Owner of Julian in assists them in moving on people.

7 Realty, located 16career pass notable milestones.

22 states comeperson 25 ferent to Violet that Schmid for fellow equestrians 27 during horse-s has seen her her honesty, worktoethic, customer right, bu San Diego County, California, their next care, adventure andhorse making thewere son. When shows can HerTiffany service and sales have garnered awards and the nearly fifty years of experience calls yo Bagalini is on a mission to bring andof 2020 Reader’s Poll she process as stress free as it possibly can to Covid-19, Jewels pivoted to di likejoy a Best in Inland has in the industry. They stay with their lif marketing to reach those same Magazine, Expertise Awards for excitement back into the oftenEmpire complex be.

Buying and selling a home can be her for all of the above—and, if they’re kept me At the heart that of her Riverside County Agent in 2019 andchance to lucky, the hear a story from the buyers. howmar ma and stressful real estate process.Best “Buying extremely stressful but alleviating life Agent of one of the most interesting people Jewel’s eye-catching personal who bra we 2020, and a 2021 Best Real Estate or selling a house should be enjoyable, stress for my clients is something I pride them, ‘ they’ll ever the years she has developed a t Award from the Norco Area Chamber of meet. especially in Southern California where After twenty-six years in the US myself on.” have to approach detailed down to her hors Commerce.

A child of Egyptian parents, Violet was it’s such a huge accomplishment. think,Jewels was considering her next photo, name logo, and color sche AirIForce, born in Khartoum, Sudan and grew up That wa what people see, they know life chapter.

She had a long-time interest in BARBARA & HUNG TRINH TIFFANY BAGALINI JEWELS FARMER VIOLET SCHMID oftentimes, the stress of the situation In her free time, Tiffany likes to focus BARBARA & in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where her matter more th talking about.” houses, and after seeing friends struggle to BREANNA LEGG father had been commissioned to teach hobby: real estate. tiator m BREANNA LEGG undermine the joy can unfortunately on her favorite find a good agent, she decided to the explore the and business Emperor his entourage how to o and excitement. I hope when clients are “Unfortunately for my husband, real value English aboutco 30 As aViolet REALTOR® who cares about her for herself. Upon retiring, she madespeak the leap to a without fulltimean accent. working with us, we’re able to realty infusecareer, the helping clients find their isJewels my job like do a repeat herself speaks fiveestate languages.

She worked as a what model aI rewarded with has and cultivated local to following thr dream home ever for a bridal shop and as a flight attendant for Ethiopian cent or better—with som process with both excitement and in “I my spare time as well,” she jokes, involvement.

Volunteering at for Norco’s annu since,peace and closing thirty to forty transactions a year.

Airlines before marrying a US Marine and moving to her for 47 years! What o Week,killed Jewels is renovating in charge of localregards ranch tours.

H like helping people achieve their goals, whatever and those of mind clients deserve to experience.” adds, like Warrenton, Virginia.

Sadly, he was“I in a car acciVioletspaces as mat series, “Where to go in Norco,” streams interv might be,” Jewels says. dent two later. fact that him she agoes and homes. purchased Realtor he’dWe met,recently who encouraged to abov get Hung Trinh knows first hand how important it isyears the CONTENTS local business owners and restaurateurs back,” she jokes. on into the industry.

HungWhen got hisprocess license of in 2019 to have someone your side that is both knowlTiffany’s enthusiasm for working inon real new home and we’re inher the and YouTube. with she’s not working, Jew in Today, Jewels is a REALTOR® with SheKeller movedWilliams to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and joined that Realtor’s team. edgeable caring when it comes to buying a estate stems from her passionand for homes, doing a complete renovation.”

Aside secondof husband, Gerry, where they startedhorses a construcViolet’s se and shows and loves to passion travel for with Norco, California, where ninety percent her business tion company and opened up four travel agencies She’s given generously home.

He got his first with the market interior5) design, and remodeling.

“I got started when from real estate, Tiffany enjoys time with whom she spending met in theinher military.

Looking to th derives fromexperience repeat and referral clients.

Her military WHY in DELEGATING IShis THE 18) BEYOND Pennsylvania and Maryland, CLEANING while raising two building a homeless sh recently andmanages her referral Jewels with superb problem-solving After onlyJewels aallyear and aturned half, sixty Hung a 2018 helping equips parents, whose English I was looking to return towhile thebackground workforce after being her family. children.

AfterDECLUTTERING: a bad experience with anotherWHAT agent, along with a thrift shop KEY TO LONG-LASTING SUCCESS AND continues to be strong.

She has begun mento skills and a steady confidence that creates immediate team oflicense 15 agents withhandle eHomes, representing waswith not my sufficient to Ithe she gotofher Realtor’s so she could tragedy strikes a family a stay-at-home mom daughter. wascomplex fortu- process ® REALTORS trust with her were clientsfirst-time as she helps them to navigate their and , helping train them tothem learn IMPROVEMENT EXPENSES their property investments, eventually opening two that allow to the col buyers sellers all over California’s Orange buying a home.

“They homebuynate enough to have the opportunity to choose what Goinginforward, Tiffany plans to continue growing her transactions.

Jewels is well established her tightknit a transaction, empowering them to a level ofVio e Century21 offices. she’s not working, 13) UNCOMMON MAKE THE MOST SENSE? Inthatthe short he’s gardening, been ancooking, agent,de ers,I’ve andalways many people were not keen helping I wanted to do, and loved everything to on business.

“I County. would towill hire a time assistant community, especially among horse enthusiasts, mar- like leave amarketing lasting legacy.

CONNECTING already built angoing impressive business, because they coming in with a lower She’s now®.licensed in California, Pennsylvania, andtake butmy her favorite is to jus do withCONTACT: homes so them I figured this would be the and additional agents, but I’m to timehaving keting herwere brand as perfect an equine REALTOR “Ihe’s started Maryland, and after successful stints with several WITH CLIENTELE THROUGH 23) MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA down payment,” Hung explains. small doing business here in my community,” Jewels choice.” Her instinct was right, and after she hit the and make sure we have quality people taking care of real estate companies—including the two Century21 As for the future of he remembers.

She process brings her local expertise to bear “So spearheaded MEDIA MARKETING YOUR groundSOCIAL running, she wasI able to quicklythat build a wonour clients.

The goal isn’t to be the biggest brokerage, offices she owned for over 27 years—has settled in keep doing what she’s b whether she’s a home the best price for clients. them, and ended up selling meeting a for but Beverly Hills, possible where she specializes in Luxury Real taking care of the peopl CALLING CARD derful base of referral the best one.” or pairing a homebuyer’s needs with the with rightRodeo property.

Estate Realty, and has helped train their a big investment, and so Realtor who enjoyed his work and She maintains open and ongoing agents communication, for the last tenletyears. Throughout all those years, ious about the process, found option that worked for she’s us. there all businesses, and acrossWAYS those several states, my knowledge, and hol 26) CREATIVE TO SAY Tiffany’s high level of an customer service ting clients knowcombined that forthose them.

“So many That experience started me thinkViolet never lostphone, sight of what was most important to be able to do that.” people tell me, ‘Thank you for answering your with her savvy marketing strategies ensure that her THANK YOU ing about real estate as a possible nobody does anymore.’” clients always get the best results. “Our marketing Contact Violet at 310-497-0098 or email VioletSchmid@ where I us would get to help strategy is another career facet that sets apart from other When it comes to marketing, Jewels utilizes a varipeople directly.” brokerages. We market in a variety of different ways ety of methods to reach the right buyer. She engages a To learn more about Jewels robust digital rollout with Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 everything from print ads in publications as well aslistings across a wide range please call 951-634-9814, He finished of hissocial college degree first, media platforms to put her listings right at a having a strong online presence.” email jewelsfarmer@gmail mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com and worked buyer’s in customer service fingertips.

Her for larger equine properties appear or visit jewelsfarmer.com in publications like Horse Trader, and Homes & Land a while.

But real estate kept callNo portion of thisto issue may betoreproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Her natural ability connect clients and guide them ing him, and so he reached outAlthough to Magazine is published

by Feature Publications GA, Inc. precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published through the at dauntingcannot transaction process, is materials, Toptimes Agent Magazine be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

Copyright Top Agent M To learn more about Tiffany Bagalini whatTomakes Tiffany so address, good atsend what sheto does.

“We subscribe or change inquiry mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine are aPublished small boutique please call (858) 375-5306 in the U.S. brokerage, and we cater to our clients’ every need. I love helping people find their email tiffanybagalini@gmail.com, forever home, or if they’re selling, I enjoy being the or visit julianrealty.com Homebuyers and sellers from three dif-

to her a

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www.

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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 6

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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BARBARA & BREANNA LEGG

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“We just have fun. Buying or selling a house can be very stressful. There are so many moving pieces to it.

As agents, we have to be the orchestrator in a sense.”

For Barbara Legg, real estate runs in the family. “My mom was a broker, and my grandpa was in real estate as well,” she explains. “I decided to get my license in 2004, and my daughter, Breanna, joined me six years ago. We are loving it.”

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Together they serve the greater San Diego region and always put their clients’ needs first. This has resulted in their business being largely referral-based. “We are really good about staying in touch with them, we’re always ready to serve them,” Top Agent Magazine

Barbara says. Completing between 20 and 30 transactions on average each year, they have developed a reputation for providing superior customer service in their region.

“We just have fun,” Barbara says.

“Buying or selling a house can be very stressful. There are so many moving pieces to it. As agents, we have to be the orchestrator in a sense.” It is Barbara and Top Agent Magazine

Breanna’s goal to alleviate the pressure from their clients, allowing them to enjoy the experience. “At the end of the day, we want our buyers to find the right home, and our sellers to be able to start the next chapter in life. No two people or transactions are the same, so we always take the time to understand them and cater to their needs.” For their buyers, they are patient and take them through every step of the process, preparing them for what to 9

expect and negotiating so they can obtain the best deal possible. At the same time, their sellers enjoy thorough marketing of their listing, with it being posted on the MLS, social media, and to their database of potential buyers and agents.

Once the transaction is complete, clients love to tell others about their experience with Barbara and Breanna. One recently said, “Barbara and Breanna Legg have represented us in the sale of two homes and the purchase of one. In each instance they rose to all challenges 10

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presented and guided us to successful sales and purchases. They can always be counted on to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal and provide the needed guidance and support. And they are fun to be around and always calm and professional. You would be lucky to have them representing you.”

Recognizing that community is the foundation for their life and business, Barbara and Breanna love to get involved in various fundraisers, charities and events.

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Barbara is on the board of directors for her homeowner’s association. She also started an educational foundation when her kids were in elementary school. “I saw that our schools were lacking technology, so I went to the developer and suggested we start helping our local schools. So far, we have donated close to $2 million.” During any free time, they are enjoying the outdoors or spending time with family.

As the years go by, Barbara and Breanna want to continue expanding their team.

“We just brought on a new agent, Nicole, to help us out with buyers,” Barbara says. In the meantime, they are loving every minute of their current path. “We love learning, the industry is constantly changing, so we really enjoy taking classes and doing anything that will help us better serve our clients.”

For more information about Barbara & Breanna Legg, please call 619-572-1144 or email Barbara@teamlegg.com

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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, 14

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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HUNG TRINH

Hung Trinh knows first hand how important it is to have someone on your side that is both knowledgeable and caring when it comes to buying a home. He got his first experience with the market in 2018 while helping his parents, whose English was not sufficient to the complex process of buying a home. “They were first-time homebuyers, and many people were not keen on helping them because they were coming in with a lower down payment,” Hung explains.

“So I spearheaded that process for them, and ended up meeting a Realtor who enjoyed his work and found an option that worked for us.

That experience started me thinking about real estate as a possible career where I would get to help people directly.”

the Realtor he’d met, who encouraged him to get into the industry. Hung got his license in 2019 and joined that Realtor’s team.

After only a year and a half, Hung manages a team of 15 agents with eHomes, representing buyers and sellers all over California’s Orange County. In the short time he’s been an agent, he’s already built an impressive business, having

He finished his college degree first, and worked in customer service for a while. But real estate kept calling him, and so he reached out to 16

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closed a total of 83 transactions. In 2021, 70 percent of that volume came from referrals, a tribute to Hung’s commitment to a personalized service that removes the stress from the process and gains his clients the best possible value on their investment. “My parents taught me to treat others the way I wanted to be treated, and I provide the kind of service I’d want for them. This process is complex, and it’s likely the biggest financial decision of most people’s lives, so it can feel scary, particularly for first-time homebuyers. But I hold their hand from our first meeting to the closing table, and if any problems emerge during the transaction, I work with my team to come up with solutions.”

Hung stays in touch with clients after the closing too, sending them gifts on their move-in day and on special occasions. He also checks in quarterly just to see if they need anything.

That sort of attention produces added benefits that have nothing to do with real estate. “I’ve been to weddings, baby showers, children’s birthdays,” says Hung. “Many former clients are now my friends.”

When not working, Hung volunteers with and donates to his local community, a practice of giving back instilled in him by his parents.

Leisure time is for fishing, or Thursday evening basketball and trivia with friends.

Going forward, Hung wants to keep exploring creative ways to make the process easier for first-time homebuyers. One idea is to create an online educational tool that approaches the process as if it were a game, leading the learner through each step they will need to take, routing them in different directions depending on their situation and the decisions they make. “It was very gratifying to help my parents achieve their American Dream. Now I want to keep doing that for others.”

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Contact Hung at 714-487-7920 or email hung@ehomesteam.com

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Beyond Cleaning and Decluttering: What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense?

Decluttering open spaces, emptying cabinets and drawers and removing knick-knacks might seem like obvious – and free – ways to improve a home’s presentability. Unfortunately, however, not all sellers or agents are willing to do much more than decluttering and cleaning.

Think of the listing as a reflection on yourself. If you didn’t comb your hair, shine your shoes, dress 18

neatly and drive a clean car, people would think you don’t care about yourself. They may wonder, “If he doesn’t care about how he presents himself, how is he going to present my house?” Likewise, not prepare a house for its most beautiful presentation might cast doubt on how the overall marketing will go. And, while not all changes will be immediately noticeable, chances are that what isn’t changed will be noticed.

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Ashley Aguilera, REALTOR®, broker and owner of The Aguilera Team in California’s Murrieta Valley and Temecula, says that after every consultation, her team formulates a game-plan. “We want to set their property apart from everything else on the market, but also fall within the comfort zone of the seller’s lifestyle,” she says. Changes may run the gamut from minor repairs and moving furniture for better flow, to adding accent pieces to harmonize the home’s look or create a “wow” factor before professional photography.

Many agents recommend conducting a professional inspection prior to listing; some will even hire the inspector at their own expense. Of course, any necessary repairs found during inspection and not repaired before listing must be formally disclosed. But wouldn’t it be nice to have no surprises during the buyer’s formal inspection?

In general, some improvements are required, others are low-cost and others pay for themselves

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with lower time on the market, competing offers or higher sale price.

Landscaping & Exterior First impressions begin outside. Be sure to mow and edge the lawn regularly; prune back overgrown trees and hedges; hire a professional to repair uneven pavement (especially if it’s a hazard); remove or replace dying annuals; and clean or repair porches or railings. Are there dry or dead patches of lawn? An inexpensive repair to the irrigation system might be the solution.

While painting an entire house can be extreme, a wise investment is to paint trim, porches, steps or railings that may look tired or have too many colors; choosing a single, neutral color for trim can create a bright, cohesive look. Finally, check the roof, gutters and windows, looking for spots to caulk, shingles to replace, or debris to remove.

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Paint is extremely important if the home has faded or dirty walls, holes or chips on paint or plaster. If an entire paint job is not feasible, at least consider cleaning repairing the obvious and adding a fresh coat of semi-gloss to baseboards, moldings, windowsills, doors, banisters balustrades and built-ins. Don’t overlook the ceilings!

A long-ago leak from a second-floor bathroom may have been completely repaired and moisture abated, but a patched-up ceiling is a red-flag.

Kitchens and baths

Walls, carpets, ceilings and trim Next, it’s time for agent and seller to open up to one another about the interior. Janelle Holte, who leads Seller’s Edge Home Team in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, loves walking into a home knowing that her team will be the driving force behind selling it.

“I like seeing how owners took care of it and raised their family in it,” she says. “But I won’t sugar-coat anything, so I tell them not to shoot the messenger!” She gives it to them straight, explaining what needs to be done to stage it to present well from a buyer’s perspective.

Those changes often include repainting at least the primarily living areas and replacing carpet, especially worn carpet or carpet that has faded or stained beyond what professional carpet cleaning could remedy. Sometimes, all that’s needed is professional carpet stretching to remove any buckling prior to cleaning.

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Most agents agree that the easiest costs to recoup in home improvements prior to selling are those spent in bathroom and kitchen updates. Complete remodels are unwise; you can’t anticipate the style preferences of their buyer. But refinishing, touching-ug up or painting cabinets can create a great impact, while also forcing the seller to remove unwanted or overstocked items from cabinets and drawers. Don’t forget the cabinet pulls – shiny, new nobs look nice.

Lee Ritchie of Ritchie Realty Group in Columbus, Ohio, gives a reminder to discuss any and all issues up front. “People need to be able rely on the professional who’s presenting, pricing and marketing their home,” she says. An honest and diligent agent will be an open book about the current market conditions, the quality of comparable listings and the potential return-on-investment for improvements.

Some agents, like Debra Dobbs of @properties in Chicago, even roll up their sleeves to help with decluttering and repairs. While not at all required or expected, doing so sure lets sellers see the investment their agent is willing to make for them.

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TIFFANY BAGALINI Owner of Julian Realty, located in San Diego County, California, Tiffany Bagalini is on a mission to bring joy and excitement back into the often complex and stressful real estate process. “Buying or selling a house should be enjoyable, especially in Southern California where it’s such a huge accomplishment. I think, oftentimes, the stress of the situation can unfortunately undermine the joy and excitement. I hope when clients are working with us, we’re able to infuse the process with both excitement and peace of mind clients deserve to experience.”

Tiffany’s enthusiasm for working in real estate stems from her passion for homes, interior design, and remodeling. “I got started when I was looking to return to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom with my daughter. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to choose what I wanted to do, and I’ve always loved everything to do with homes so I figured this would be the perfect choice.” Her instinct was right, and after she hit the ground running, she was able to quickly build a wonderful base of referral clients.

person that assists them in moving on to their next adventure and making the process as stress free as it possibly can be. Buying and selling a home can be extremely stressful but alleviating that stress for my clients is something I pride myself on.”

In her free time, Tiffany likes to focus on her favorite hobby: real estate.

“Unfortunately for my husband, real estate is my job and what I like to do in my spare time as well,” she jokes, and adds, “I like renovating spaces and homes. We recently purchased a new home and we’re in the process of doing a complete renovation.” Aside from real estate, Tiffany enjoys spending her time with her family.

Going forward, Tiffany plans to continue growing her business. “I would like to hire a marketing assistant and additional agents, but I’m going to take my time and make sure we have quality people taking care of our clients. The goal isn’t to be the biggest brokerage, but the best one.”

Tiffany’s high level of customer service combined with her savvy marketing strategies ensure that her clients always get the best results. “Our marketing strategy is another facet that sets us apart from other brokerages. We market in a variety of different ways everything from print ads in publications as well as having a strong online presence.”

Her natural ability to connect to clients and guide them through the at times daunting transaction process, is what makes Tiffany so good at what she does. “We are a small boutique brokerage, and we cater to our clients’ every need. I love helping people find their forever home, or if they’re selling, I enjoy being the 22

To learn more about Tiffany Bagalini please call (858) 375-5306 email tiffanybagalini@gmail.com, or visit julianrealty.com www.

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Make Social Media Marketing Your Calling Card These days, it’s no secret that buyers begin their home search online. As the industry continues to take a digital turn, Realtors in the know must learn to utilize a whole new range of tools available to them—and for good reason. Social media is a dynamic hybrid of personal contact and targeted marketing. To make the most of this new medium, agents can’t settle for the occasional post and expect results.

Instead, let’s consider a few techniques that will make your social media presence Top Agent Magazine

interactive, unmissable, and effective in generating business.

Your Profile is a Portal Ideally, you’ll have profiles across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and otherwise—but no matter what portal you’re utilizing, make sure your profile page is up-todate, well-curated, and easily navigated.

Consider your profile a landing page.

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Your photo, location, contact information, homepage, and a brief bio should all be readily visible so that potential clients can get an immediate sense for who you are and what your voice is. If a client wants to connect with you, it should be obvious how to do so. You might also incorporate a few savvier tools that make your profile more engaging—like hashtags. These searchable tags can help you lure potential clientele and give your audience a chance to explore deeper. #DreamHome #JustListed and #HomeInspiration are popular, existing tags to choose from, but you can cultivate your own hashtag by consistently tagging posts, which gives clients an extensive thread to comb through.

Interacting with Your Audience Posting regularly is great way to appear in feeds, but engaging with your audience is just as important—and it helps you reach a new audience in the process. It’s a positive start to like your audience’s posts, pictures, and statuses, but commenting takes your engagement a step further and separates you from typical respondents. It’s also important that you diversify your engagements. In other words, don’t center every communication around your business, propositioning your services, or trying to sell. If applicable, present your value-add, but otherwise steer your engagement towards the personal. Let your clients know that you’re there, you’re human, and 24

ready to work at their pace. Which leads us to our next point...

Blending the Professional with the Personal Engaging with your audience is one thing, but what about generating original content?

How do you strike the right balance between a Call to Action, industry updates, and a personal touch? Think of it this way: any post you create should provide a point of connection for your audience.

Sometimes, you might be sharing a family photo, or commenting on some unifying current event—like the Super Bowl! Other times, you may be sharing a Coming Soon listing, or providing tips to spruce up a home for spring. Regardless, you should focus on quality. Is your copywriting engaging? Does it express your unique voice and personality, while maintaining clarity? Are you giving your audience something to connect with, even if you are sharing property photos or advertising an open house? Instill some fun and some personalization to every piece of content you make, so that clients can picture the voice and person behind the post.

Things are always changing on the social media frontier, but some rules never shift.

Adding clarity, consistency, and personality to your online presence are three surefire ways to grow your business and make social media second nature.

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Top Agent Magazine

JEWELS FARMER With over fifteen years in real estate, Jewels has seen her career pass notable milestones.

Her service and sales have garnered awards like a Best of 2020 Reader’s Poll in Inland Empire Magazine, Expertise Awards for Best Riverside County Agent in 2019 and 2020, and a 2021 Best Real Estate Agent Award from the Norco Area Chamber of Commerce. After twenty-six years in the US Air Force, Jewels was considering her next life chapter. She had a long-time interest in houses, and after seeing friends struggle to find a good agent, she decided to explore the business for herself. Upon retiring, she made the leap to a fulltime realty career, helping clients find their dream home ever since, and closing thirty to forty transactions a year. “I like helping people achieve their goals, whatever those might be,” Jewels says.

Today, Jewels is a REALTOR® with Keller Williams in Norco, California, where ninety percent of her business derives from repeat and referral clients. Her military background equips Jewels with superb problem-solving skills and a steady confidence that creates immediate trust with her clients as she helps them to navigate their transactions. Jewels is well established in her tightknit community, especially among horse enthusiasts, marketing her brand as an equine REALTOR®. “I started small doing business here in my community,” Jewels remembers. She brings her local expertise to bear whether she’s selling a home for the best price possible or pairing a homebuyer’s needs with the right property.

She maintains open and ongoing communication, letting clients know that she’s there for them. “So many people tell me, ‘Thank you for answering your phone, nobody does anymore.’”

When it comes to marketing, Jewels utilizes a variety of methods to reach the right buyer. She engages a robust digital rollout with listings across a wide range of social media platforms to put her listings right at a buyer’s fingertips. Her larger equine properties appear in publications like Horse Trader, and Homes & Land Top Agent Magazine

Magazine, and in flyers Jewels shares with fellow equestrians during horse-show season. When horse shows were canceled due to Covid-19, Jewels pivoted to direct-mail marketing to reach those same potential buyers. At the heart of her marketing is Jewel’s eye-catching personal brand. Over the years she has developed a three-step approach detailed down to her horse-themed photo, name logo, and color schemes. “No matter what people see, they know who it’s talking about.”

As a REALTOR® who cares about her community, Jewels has cultivated a local following through her involvement. Volunteering at for Norco’s annual Horse Week, Jewels is in charge of local ranch tours. Her video series, “Where to go in Norco,” streams interviews with local business owners and restaurateurs on Facebook and YouTube. When she’s not working, Jewels raises and shows horses and loves to travel with husband whom she met in the military. Looking to the future, Jewels recently turned sixty and her referral business continues to be strong. She has begun mentoring new REALTORS®, helping train them to learn the ropes of a transaction, empowering them to a level of excellence that will leave a lasting legacy.

To learn more about Jewels please call 951-634-9814, email jewelsfarmer@gmail.com, or visit jewelsfarmer.com www.

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Creative Ways to Say Thank You

Most top real estate agents find ways to welcome their clients to their new home. A common theme is a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for that first post-threshold toast, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up that empty living space until the furniture arrives.

But are you truly being as creative as you can with your appreciation? Here are some innovative gift ideas that will truly keep you front of mind with your valued customers and assure their gratitude and repeat business, not to mention a slew of referrals.

1. How about a streaming video device, like a Roku

or Amazon Fire Stick? There’s a good chance your clients will not have their cable service up and running for a few days, and this is an excellent way for them to enjoy their television before they get that connection going. Bundle it up in a basket with some DVD’s for the kids, and don’t forget all necessary cables.

2. Matching bathrobes and Bath kits: Fleece or ter-

rycloth bathrobes and a basket filled with highend his and her body scrubs, bubble bath and other luxurious pampering items can make the first night in a new home feel like a check-in at a fabulous resort and make the memory of that first night one to cherish. Again, don’t forget the kids!

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3. Arrange a catered meal from a local vendor. As-

certain in advance dietary preferences and restrictions, and have a wonderful, healthy meal delivered on move-in night. To complete the magic, provide brand new plates, silverware and glassware to serve it all on.

4. For homes with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, a

stack of fluffy pool towels is always appreciated and will be used by family and friends for years to come. Additionally, acrylic stemware for celebrating safely can be provided alongside them.

5. If it’s winter time and the home has a fireplace, make sure there’s plenty of wood to burn. Some fireplace accessories and a log holder will certainly make your clients appreciate you on every chilly night to come.

So when it comes to gifting your buyers, the trick is to be creative. A bottle of wine lasts one night, and the flowers wilt in a few days. Try coming up with something a little more creative that will remain with your clients in their day-to-day lives and remind them of you consistently. The little bit extra you spend to show your gratitude can reap huge dividends when it comes time for your client to purchase a second home or refer a friend.

Top Agent Magazine

VIOLET SCHMID Homebuyers and sellers from three different states come to Violet Schmid for her honesty, work ethic, customer care, and the nearly fifty years of experience she has in the industry. They stay with her for all of the above—and, if they’re lucky, the chance to hear a story from the life of one of the most interesting people they’ll ever meet.

A child of Egyptian parents, Violet was born in Khartoum, Sudan and grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where her father had been commissioned to teach the Emperor and his entourage how to speak English without an accent. Violet herself speaks five languages. She worked as a model for a bridal shop and as a flight attendant for Ethiopian Airlines before marrying a US Marine and moving to Warrenton, Virginia. Sadly, he was killed in a car accident two years later.

She moved to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania with her second husband, Gerry, where they started a construction company and opened up four travel agencies in Pennsylvania and Maryland, all while raising two children. After a bad experience with another agent, she got her Realtor’s license so she could handle their property investments, eventually opening two Century21 offices.

She’s now licensed in California, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and after successful stints with several real estate companies—including the two Century21 offices she owned for over 27 years—has settled in Beverly Hills, where she specializes in Luxury Real Estate with Rodeo Realty, and has helped train their agents for the last ten years. Throughout all those years, all those businesses, and across those several states, Violet never lost sight of what was most important

to her about her work: “I love helping people. It’s hard work, if you’re doing it right, but it feels worth it when someone calls you and tells you that you changed their life. That’s the sort of thing that’s kept me in it for so long. I can’t tell you how many real estate agents I’ve met who were just in it for the money. I tell them, ‘You won’t last.’ Because you have to care about people.”

That warmth isn’t lost on her clients, any more than Violet’s reputation as a negotiator most likely to get them the best value on their investment. Averaging about 30 transactions a year, she’s been rewarded with a repeat client and referral rate of 90 percent or better—with some of those clients sticking with her for 47 years! What others see as exceptional service, Violet regards as matter-of-course, downplaying the fact that she goes above and beyond. “I call my clients back,” she jokes.

Violet’s passion for service doesn’t end with the job.

She’s given generously to her communities, including building a homeless shelter with her husband, Gerry, along with a thrift shop that allows others to donate. If tragedy strikes a family, the shop sends them vouchers that allow them to collect whatever they need. When she’s not working, Violet has many hobbies, such as gardening, cooking, decorating homes, and traveling, but her favorite is to just hang out with her family.

As for the future of her business, Violet just wants to keep doing what she’s been doing for most of her life— taking care of the people that come to her for help. “It’s a big investment, and so people are understandably anxious about the process, and the risk. I’m there to share my knowledge, and hold their hand. I feel very blessed to be able to do that.”

Contact Violet at 310-497-0098 or email VioletSchmid@gmail.com

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