SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 11-5-18

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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TIPS TO MAKE NEW HIRES A LONG-LASTING SUCCESS

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker

FEATURED AGENTS

TODD ARMSTRONG CHRISTIAN FUENTES COVER STORY

Cristal Clarke

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

TODD ARMSTRONG

Even before Todd Armstrong was working with 7 was elebrities and selling high end properties, he making big deals. “I got started back in 1999, while I was still in the Navy, so I was part time,” he recalls.

I was lucky enough to get started in the high-end market of Rancho Santa Fe and after eight months f hard work, endless weekend and evening hours, I inally sold my first home for just under four million ollars. That’s what got me hooked on real estate.”

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friends of mine,” Todd says. “I get to watch their 23 ‘buy up.’ I have clients kids grow up and watch them that started with a $650,000 condo and now they’re on their eighth house, which cost almost $3 million.

For Christian Fue I create relationships that last a lifetime by staying has been a lifelo in touch.” got his start 22 y

CHRISTIA

he was just 21 y

Todd and his partner love to travel,working “I’ll workaswithan clients in New York, Miami, Chicago, San Franreceived his licen cisco or any other major city around the world,” ground running.

But Todd’s business isn’t all fancy celebs and huge he explains. “I’ve got deals going on right now in different teams f ales, even as the ExecutiveCRISTAL Director of Pacific Sothe- TODD ARMSTRONG Miami, and we’ve got one going on overseas in Italy.

CLARKE CHRISTIAN FUENTES to gain experienc y’s International Realty’s Sports and Entertainment In today’s market, to become hugely successful, you set in out his own Division, where he does a lot of work with Roc Nation, which is need to be a global Realtor®, networking everywhere theonworld.”

MAX Top Produ he world’s preeminent entertainment company owned by Shawn has loves now Jay-Z) Carter Enterprises, Inc. Todd also loves being involved in his community. which “Our team offices in Diamo supporting The San Diego LGBT Center,” he says. “We just did CONTENTS Calif You know what my favorite thing is in real estate? It’s not a a big charity event with them a couple weekendsand ago.”Brea, He goes his also teamspearheads (The Dream San RealGabrie 20,000,000 house that we sell for a celebrity,” he says. “My on to say, “Our team the Team) Pacific serve Sotheby’s Orange County and the Inland Empire.

His bus avorite transaction 4) is the first time buyer, especially a military ty’s ‘Agents of Change’ initiative.

We all donate a portion of the PLAYING THE REAL 17) EVERY PLAYER IS off referrals, which likely$300,000 due to irst time home buyer.

It’s stillMATCHMAKER— the bread and butter of my busi- commission from based eachHOW closing with goal of israising ESTATE VALUABLE: TO the BOOST ess. A common myth associated with my team is that we only do in the next twelve communication months to fund the building of homes in Salvatskills and extensive experience FOLLOW THESE 8 DATING YOUR TEAM’S MORALE igh-end million dollar deals but nothing can be further from the ierra community in West Tijuana, Mexico.”

RULES TO ENSURE YOU ruth; we love to work in all price points and we offer the exact “They are working with someone who knows MATCH YOUR CLIENT WITH ame level of commitment and service.”

Just as20) Todd5helps hisTO clients grow and stepofup, been“Isetting TIPS MAKE NEW Christian says, speaking hishe’s clients. know h his sights higher.

“As my network grows, so do the types of propTHE PERFECT HOME issues and give great customer service at t HIRES A of LONG-LASTING Whatever the price point, brings integrity and honesty to all erties SUCCESS I sell,” he explains. some that of my attention to FOR Todd THEM Christian“I’m also turning understands buying a house is transactions. More than that, he keeps the lines of communi- hotel sales and acquisitions I’mtoinvolved with the biggest stress, andsince he aims reduce or eliminate that ation open with his clients at all times. “I am always updating deal of my lifetime right now.

I’ll slowly start turning over most be dramatic but it doesn’t have to be that way.

13)“I 4answer REASONS my clients,” he says. texts andWHY phone calls within of the residential business to my team. I try to help as many people to take care of the client, and never bring a pr CAN minutes, even if it’sMULTITASKING late at night. I listen to what ACTUALLY our clients are as I can get to their goals. I love mentoring new agents and sharing We only bring solutions.” One way they do t ooking for and I work to deliver on that.DAY I like to underpromise ideas. I sit down with new agents from many other companies all DERAIL YOUR above and beyond when it comes to commun nd overdeliver.” the time, talk about the business and what they need to do to be step of the way, clients can expect a phone call o successful. That’s the key — if you’re helping people and not he can update them on the That communication leads to relationships that last years and expecting anythingChristian in return,soyour success goes through theprocess roof.

Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068 ciated by all who work with him and results i rings more business. “Most of my clients become really good It’s the law of attraction.”

becoming friends. mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent When it comes to selling, Christian and his tea Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published marketing plan, which ensures homes s materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed ordetailed facts supplied by its authors. less. “It’s a 12 point marketing plan with profe To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. video, complimentary house cleaning, professio Published in the U.S.

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complimentary carpet cleaning, complimentar access to in house contracts and handymen, as w system which captures millions of buyers,” he 3 also advertise all listings on social media and on

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities 4

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt Top Agent Magazine

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with 6

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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Cristal Clarke

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1188 E. Mountain Drive $16,250,000

Cristal Clarke After studying art history and architecture at UCLA, Cristal Clarke developed a profound appreciation for homes and estates. “It was just a natural progression for me to be in real estate,” she explains. Today, she works with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices® in Montecito, California. Serving the entire Santa Barbara/Montecito area, she has a team of people working with her, including another agent, a licensed assistant, a professional 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

writer, photographer, videographer and social media assistants. For Cristal, it is all about going the extra mile for her clients. “I try to stay on top of my game,” she says. This has resulted in the majority of her business being built off of referrals from past clients.

“I give great service, and I really take great pride in my work,” Cristal says. “I am just a type A personality, I really like to get things Top Agent Magazine

888 Cold Springs Road $12,750,000

done and get them done properly and on time.

My clients really appreciate that.” Cristal takes the time to stay in contact with her clients, keeping them updated every step of the way. “They hear from me, not from someone else. I pick up the phone, contact them and make sure everything is on track.” This applies even after the transaction, as Cristal feels her job is not complete just because a deal is closed. “I am still available, and they Top Agent Magazine

know it. If they have any questions or need help, they know they can call me and I will be there for them.”

Going above and beyond expectations, it is no surprise that many of Cristal’s clients become lifelong friends. She stays in touch with them frequently throughout the year, and often joins them for dinner. They also leave glowing reviews about her, one Copyright Top Agent Magazine 9

1570 E. Valley Road $7,495,000

“Passionate about real estate, you can count on Cristal to give her full attention to every detail. Professionally and personally, Cristal is a person you can always count on. Her knowledge of the local Santa Barbara market is unrivaled.

I wholeheartedly give Cristal my endorsement!”—Testimonial recently saying, “Cristal Clarke listed and sold our Montecito home. She has been in this area for 30 years. Her expertise and diplomatic skills are a refreshing approach to real estate. She is polite yet assertive she 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

handles her clients in a very timely manner and is sensitive to the needs of her clients.

Her strengths are tailoring the needs of the property and the client while still giving the client realistic and accurate information Top Agent Magazine

568 Toro Canyon Park Road $17,500,000

about the property. She executes this with friendliness and graceful elegance.” And another raved, “For over twenty five years Cristal has been my trusted and loyal real estate expert. She treats every person and every transaction with honesty and integrity. Passionate about real estate, you can count on Cristal to give her full attention to Top Agent Magazine

every detail. Professionally and personally, Cristal is a person you can always count on.

Her knowledge of the local Santa Barbara market is unrivaled. I wholeheartedly give Cristal my endorsement!”

During any free time, Cristal is giving back to the community, as she has lived in the Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

571 Sand Point Road $26,500,000

Santa Barbara area for most of her life. “I am a big supporter of rescuing dogs, I also attend fundraisers and help in anyway I can so I can give back to the community and the place I love to live.” Cristal also enjoys staying active, going on morning swims and practicing yoga.

As she looks towards the future, she is eager to continue growing and exploring new technologies that can help her business. And no matter what, she will love every step of the journey.

“What I like most about this career is giving my clients a smooth, enjoyable process and seeing my clients happy.”

For more information about Cristal Clarke, please call 805 - 886 - 9378, email Cristal@montecito-estate.com or visit Montecito-Estate.com www.

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4 Reasons Why Multitasking Can Actually Derail Your Day Common wisdom dictates that a master multitasker is likely to garner the most success. After all, doesn’t juggling multiple projects at once mean you’ll work faster than if you took each one as it came? While multitasking is often cited as a desirable skill—and surely serves its purpose now and again—studies show that a mere 2% of individuals can actually multitask effectively. Meanwhile, the remaining 98% might be doing more harm than good by trying Top Agent Magazine

to tackle too much at once. Take a look below at some little-known facts about the risky side of waging a routine built on multitasking.

1. Multitasking decreases productivity While multitasking gives us the illusion of completing two tasks at once, it actually means

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our focus and productivity is split. In other words, switching back and forth between two activities doesn’t mean they’ll each be completed sooner; it means that you’re getting half-as-much complete as you would if you focused on a singular task. Multitasking fatigues your brain, elicits stress, and make you less efficient in retaining new information.

2. Multitasking is actually addictive While watching TV or taking a walk, have you ever noticed the impulse to check your smartphone or scroll through your social media feed? Even though we think about multitasking as a workplace skill, it’s also an addictive form of mental stimulation. By satiating our need for distraction with constant check-ins online, we become accustomed to frequent breaks in our focus, training us to crave updates, messages, and push notifications—we even hit refresh when we’ve checked in five minutes prior! This negative habit-building makes it difficult to complete sustained bouts of concentration.

3. Multitasking has negative physical side effects Studies show that those who juggle multiple focus-intensive activities actually show spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone. Likewise, frequent multitaskers display symptoms of sleep deprivation: fatigue, disorientation, and lack of focus. Studies in Europe have recently 14

discovered that those who consistently multitask may actually show decreases in empathy and emotional control. What’s more, a constant sense of anticipation—readying to switch from one task to another, or persistently checking for e-mail updates—can potentially cause a decrease in overall IQ.

4. Multitasking breeds mistakes When our attention is split between tasks, it’s difficult to perceive and retain detail-oriented information. Because of this, mistakes—typos, clerical errors, mislabeled documents, and the like—occur with greater frequency. We’re in such a hurry to complete a portion of a task and switch to the next project that we lose sight of prompts, deadlines, and tying up loose ends. This means multitaskers are far more likely to overlook a glaring error than an individual who is devoting 100% of their attention to the task at hand.

Now that we understand some of the dangers of multitasking, what can we do about it? While our tech-driven day-to-day might make focusing on a singular task a difficult endeavor, it’s the surest way to produce efficient, error-free work—while cutting down on stress, fatigue, and miscommunication.

Try approaching your tasks for the day with a clear-cut schedule, moving one task at a time down your to-do list. This approach can eliminate some of the inefficiency inherent in multitasking and make for your most productive work routine yet.

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TODD ARMSTRONG Even before Todd Armstrong was working with celebrities and selling high end properties, he was making big deals. “I got started back in 1999, while I was still in the Navy, so I was part time,” he recalls.

“I was lucky enough to get started in the high-end market of Rancho Santa Fe and after eight months of hard work, endless weekend and evening hours, I finally sold my first home for just under four million dollars. That’s what got me hooked on real estate.”

But Todd’s business isn’t all fancy celebs and huge sales, even as the Executive Director of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty’s Sports and Entertainment Division, where he does a lot of work with Roc Nation, which is the world’s preeminent entertainment company owned by Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter Enterprises, Inc. “You know what my favorite thing is in real estate? It’s not a $20,000,000 house that we sell for a celebrity,” he says. “My favorite transaction is the first time buyer, especially a military first time home buyer. It’s still the bread and butter of my business. A common myth associated with my team is that we only do high-end million dollar deals but nothing can be further from the truth; we love to work in all price points and we offer the exact same level of commitment and service.”

Whatever the price point, Todd brings integrity and honesty to all his transactions. More than that, he keeps the lines of communication open with his clients at all times. “I am always updating my clients,” he says. “I answer texts and phone calls within minutes, even if it’s late at night. I listen to what our clients are looking for and I work to deliver on that. I like to underpromise and overdeliver.”

That communication leads to relationships that last years and brings more business. “Most of my clients become really good

friends of mine,” Todd says. “I get to watch their kids grow up and watch them ‘buy up.’ I have clients that started with a $650,000 condo and now they’re on their eighth house, which cost almost $3 million.

I create relationships that last a lifetime by staying in touch.”

Todd and his partner love to travel, “I’ll work with clients in New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco or any other major city around the world,” he explains. “I’ve got deals going on right now in Miami, and we’ve got one going on overseas in Italy.

In today’s market, to become hugely successful, you need to be a global Realtor®, networking everywhere in the world.”

Todd also loves being involved in his community. “Our team loves supporting The San Diego LGBT Center,” he says. “We just did a big charity event with them a couple weekends ago.” He goes on to say, “Our team also spearheads the Pacific Sotheby’s Realty’s ‘Agents of Change’ initiative. We all donate a portion of the commission from each closing with the goal of raising $300,000 in the next twelve months to fund the building of homes in Salvatierra community in West Tijuana, Mexico.”

Just as Todd helps his clients grow and step up, he’s been setting his sights higher. “As my network grows, so do the types of properties I sell,” he explains. “I’m turning some of my attention to hotel sales and acquisitions since I’m involved with the biggest deal of my lifetime right now. I’ll slowly start turning over most of the residential business to my team. I try to help as many people as I can get to their goals. I love mentoring new agents and sharing ideas. I sit down with new agents from many other companies all the time, talk about the business and what they need to do to be successful. That’s the key — if you’re helping people and not expecting anything in return, your success goes through the roof.

It’s the law of attraction.”

To find out more about Todd Armstrong, visit his website at ArmstrongEstates.com, call 858 - 229 - 8752 or email todd.armstrong@sir.com www.

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

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Every Player is Valuable: How to Boost Your Team’s Morale In the fast-paced world of real estate, it can be easy to overlook the contributions of those lower-level employees who are instrumental in our success, yet are overlooked when it comes to recognizing the important roles they play in keeping our business operating smoothly.

Even a task that seems simple, such as answering phones, can be overwhelming at Top Agent Magazine

times. Letting these employees know that they are appreciated is something that often goes overlooked at busier companies, and can often result in impaired morale overall, as employee dissatisfaction tends to be contagious.

Here are some things that you can do to increase morale and productivity in your workplace: 17

While it’s important to point out when an employee is doing something wrong, it is equally – if not more – important to acknowledge when that employee is doing something right.

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While it’s important to point out when an employee is doing something wrong, and sometimes to reprimand, it is equally – if not more – important to acknowledge when that employee is doing something right. Even a simple compliment can go a long, long way towards building that employee’s morale, and therefore their willingness to go the extra mile for your team.

An example: “Sally, I just heard you on the phone with that client. You sounded very professional and I really appreciate your representing our business that way.”

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Determine what all of your employee’s goals are, and what their expectations for growth might be. There may be lower level employees who are perfectly content doing what they’re doing, and who have absolutely no expectations for growth in your business. Others, however, may have an interest in moving up the ladder. Make it your business to determine this early on, and try to take a personal interest in your employee’s growth with your company. Knowing there is room to grow is an important factor in employee satisfaction, and knowing who wants to grow and who

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doesn’t is something you should be aware of. Groom from within, and your employees will be grateful and work harder.

3

If your workplace is highly stratified, with multiple levels of employees (agents, senior agents, loan processers, assistants, etc.,) make an effort to ensure that everyone feels valued as part of the team regardless of what they earn. Various team building exercises that encourage trust and a sense of familiarity can go a long way towards fostering an environment that is less unnecessarily competitive and more productive and cooperative. A quick web search for “Trust Building Exercises” will help you locate many good ways to achieve a newfound level of camaraderie amongst your team. Many of them are quite a bit of fun, too.

Hopefully these tips will assist you in creating a better-functioning, higher-achieving team of motivated, caring employees.

Remember, a chain is only as strong as the weakest link, so be sure to keep everyone feeling appreciated, supported and valued, and your company will only benefit.

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5 Tips to Make New Hires

a Long-lasting Success Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making 20

a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

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1. Be honest about the scope of the role

2. Build in some perks

Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles.

If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

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While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team.

Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

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3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision.

That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another?

Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience.

Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

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CHRISTIAN FUENTES For Christian Fuentes, real estate has been a lifelong pursuit. He got his start 22 years ago, when he was just 21 years old. After working as an assistant, he received his license and hit the ground running. Working for different teams for a few years to gain experience, he eventually set out on his own, starting a RE/ MAX Top Producers franchise which has now grown to three offices in Diamond Bar, Chino, and Brea, California. He and his team (The Dream Team) serve San Gabriel Valley, North Orange County and the Inland Empire. His business is largely based off referrals, which is likely due to his exceptional communication skills and extensive experience.

tions to what I didn’t even consider initially! A+ service. His office team provides outstanding service as well. I’d absolutely recommend Christian and his team to all of our friends and our community.” Another read, “Christian and Candi made the difficult process of selling and buying our home as smooth as possible. Christian was quick to respond to all of our questions and concerns. When we encountered a termite issue at the new home, he was quick to respond and act. Overall, he is professional, courteous and reliable. We felt that Christian really wanted us to be happy with our new home and that it was more than ‘just a sale’ for him. We highly recommend him and his team!”

“They are working with someone who knows the business,” Christian says, speaking of his clients. “I know how to take care of issues and give great customer service at the same time.”

Christian also understands that buying a house can come with stress, and he aims to reduce or eliminate that entirely. “It can be dramatic but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our first job is to take care of the client, and never bring a problem to them.

We only bring solutions.” One way they do this is by going above and beyond when it comes to communicating. Every step of the way, clients can expect a phone call or meeting with Christian so he can update them on the process. This is appreciated by all who work with him and results in many clients becoming friends.

As Christian looks towards the future, he is eager to continue building his business. “We want to bring more agents onto the team, and I also want to become the number one Realtor in Chino Hills.” There’s no doubt he will reach these goals and more, as his love for the industry is palpable. “I like helping people and seeing them achieve a dream, whether it’s homeownership or selling.

During any free time, Christian is relaxing with his wife and business partner Jeannette, and their two children Alexa and Liam. He also gives back to the community through a fellowship for the local high school, and raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Miracle Network.

When it comes to selling, Christian and his team implement a detailed marketing plan, which ensures homes sell in 60 days or less. “It’s a 12 point marketing plan with professional photos, video, complimentary house cleaning, professional landscapers, complimentary carpet cleaning, complimentary light staging, access to in house contracts and handymen, as well as an MLS system which captures millions of buyers,” he explains. They also advertise all listings on social media and online.

After the transaction is over, clients love to leave glowing reviews about their time together. One recently said, “I’ve known Christian Fuentes for many years. He helped me purchase my first home, and was extremely attentive, knowledgeable and responsive. He took the time to understand what I wanted and also used his experience to make new suggesTop Agent Magazine

To learn more about

CHRISTIAN FUENTES, call 626 - 625-9037 or email christian@christianfuentes.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 23

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