TENNESSEE 12-17-18

TENNESSEE EDITION

3 BEYOND-THEOFFICE ACTIVITIES TO INSPIRE A CREATIVE BUSINESS BOOM

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker

EASY BLOG TOPICS

FOR YOUR REAL ESTATE BLOG

Allen Perry COVER STORY

FEATURED AGENTS

LAURA McMILLAN TRAVIS RECER

TENNESSEE EDITION

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21 TRAVIS RE LAURA McMILLAN

Afterforward completing Laura McMillan’s passion for her withhip vice, Travis Recer w native Tennessee led her to her career highlight the be for his next profe in real estate. She knows the Tri-City MLS, her com lenge.She With some area incredibly well and wanted to does addits he settled upon share her love and knowledge of the paper ads, real ope 2003.often “It was answs area with homebuyers and sellers. a quick he remembers.

She studied for her license during the Laura, herNow clie later, he has built a summer after her freshman year in and her dedic vice in his commun East Tennessee State University. After informed buye with a reputation receiving her license, she finished col- yet, I really nu strategy, and empo ALLEN PERRY LAURA McMILLAN lege and taught TRAVIS schoolRECER for three years she explains. and client alike throu before finally pursuing her dream career as an agent. “Real estate was a natural fit for me,” she says. Laura as a solo agent Travis What heads is Laura’ Basednow in works Clarksville, Tennessee, the for Fairway Realty. Licensed in Tennessee and Virginia, she primarpersonal sense Group, comprised of a marketing lead, inbound sa ily serves the Tri-Cities area in Tennessee and southwestassistant.

Virginia.Likewise, ablehis to busines assist i a contract-to-close grow, as he adds new team memberspresent to the and ranksfuta An impressive 42 percent of her business comes from repeat cusTennessee Virg mentoring skills towards up-and-coming real estate tomers, with an additional 22 percent coming from referrals.

“My President and In fact, he also serves as a part-time professional clients keep coming back because ofhismy results industry and tenacity.

I get 2019, she ow firsthand insights.

“One In of the aspects things done and always put their bestIinterests first!” she says.

Laura ship, and she cs enjoy most is teaching,” he says. “I really enjoy 4) PLAYING THE REAL ESTATE 13) EASY BLOG TOPICS FOR is straightforward and never pushy. She provides expert guidance to in fundraising agents in their careers and helping them establish all their options so they make the most in Tenn It’s ESTATE also whatcan I love about helping owners others buy and MATCHMAKER— FOLLOWher clients, giving them YOUR REAL BLOG approach my role as a teacher might, showing my decision possible. “The educator in me enjoys working dil- Realtor Associ THESE 8 DATING RULES TOeducated going in market, and what are theknowledge, best strategies igently to explain everything to my clients sothe they are always in the an 17) 3 BEYOND-THE-OFFICE to repairs, staging, pricing, and more.”

ENSURE YOU MATCH YOUR know through the entire buying or selling process,” she says. Along Director for th friends with herTO clients and, as a result, ACTIVITIES INSPIRE A they uate of the 201 CLIENT WITH THE PERFECTthe way, she becomes Drawing upon his background military, ma feel safe talking with her about their goals and any issues that mayin thethe BristolaCha CREATIVE BUSINESS BOOM HOME FOR THEM of Travis’ business is driven by servicemembers at arise. “I truly love my clients and treat every single one like my own their church—t Campbell, Kentucky base.

“Nearly ments, half of animal our bus family members. I love to serve my clients and witness their dreams tary folks heading in or out of the area,” he says.to 22) 5 REASONS coming true. Nothing is more rewarding to meWHY than knowing that I Laura loves able to help my clients accomplish their goals durinm did the right thing and helped someoneAaccomplish their homebuy- listen to live YOU NEED MENTOR a stressful time of transition.

Especially when work ing or selling dreams!” she says. Her real estate philosophy is: Slow in 2017. For th in the military—they’ve got a lot going on, and the and steady wins the race. license, and be ing shouldn’t be something they have to worry abo about real esta all, we believe in treating people the way we want When it comes to marketing, Laura understands that most of today’s knowing every and a deal never comes before the person.” buyers start their search online, so her marketing campaign is both better practitio Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068 thorough and focused on the internet. She first meets with clients for my clients! mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com to discuss all her marketing strategies with them. She then moves enthusiasm, ex

CONTENTS

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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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Allen Perry Top Agent Magazine

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ALLEN PERRY “We’ve been doing this for a long time, and not only have we sold a lot of homes, but as a company we’ve also invested ourselves. We’ve built spec homes, and we’ve renovated and flipped homes as well. Those things really set us apart.”

Top Agent Allen Perry – of Keller Williams’ Nashville on the Move – is that rare professional who combines extensive industry experience with a firm commitment to providing excellent customer service to each and every one of his many thankful clients. Allen’s 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

focus on integrity, honesty and dedication to doing what is right for his buyers and sellers during the often-convoluted transaction process has resulted in a stellar reputation that has ensured the continued growth of his business year after year.

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Allen began his journey in real estate in 2003. “I started as an investor,” he explains. “I bought a couple of properties, and then I started getting calls from friends who wanted to do the same, and were looking for my help. So I ended up getting my real estate license so I could assist them with their own investments. Eventually, I learned that I really enjoyed working with actual homeowners just as much, if not more.”

Allen, who has been named Best Realtor by Nashville Scene’s “Best of Nashville” Readers Poll – among many, many other accolades – formed Nashville on the Move in 2006, and currently works with team of seven agents and two administrative employees. The team is ideTop Agent Magazine

ally suited to not only work with regular buyers and sellers, but with investors as well. “We’ve been doing this for a long time, and not only have we sold a lot of homes, but as a company we’ve also invested ourselves. We’ve built spec homes, and we’ve renovated and flipped homes as well. Those things really set us apart.”

Ninety percent of Allen’s business is based on repeat and referred clients, perhaps the surest indicator in the real estate industry of a job 9 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

well done. “We really concentrate on making sure that the customer has an amazing experience,” says Allen, “so that when they give us feedback, it’s always positive.” Allen truly cherishes the relationships he forms with his clients, and works hard to maintain and nourish them by sending them items of value, emailing them thirty times each year, and making direct phone calls to them at least once every three months.

Expert and extremely thorough marketing has also played a huge role in Allen’s success story. “In the last couple of years, we’ve devised a 99-point marketing plan for our clients,” he explains. Presenting his listings in their best light is paramount to Allen and his Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

team, and to that end they exclusively utilize professional photography and pay for staging when necessary. Drone videos when warranted and virtual tours are also employed. To ensure his listings are seen by as many potential buyers as possible, they are propagated to, as Allen says, “every website imaginable.” A robust social media presence further enhances their exposure.

“I think our clients remember that we got the deal done for them,” says Allen, when asked what his buyers and sellers might find most memorable about working with him. “I think they appreciate having an experienced Realtor to help them navigate through rough situations like a lender not getting the deal done Top Agent Magazine

or closed on time, or having a bad appraisal.

The process can be a nightmare for them, so it’s always a huge compliment when they tell me that everything proceeded fast and easy.”

When he’s not working, Allen enjoys spending time with his wife and their three young children, enjoying time on the local lakes. He is also an ardent philanthropist, and gives back to his community through a variety of ways, Top Agent Magazine

including an annual “Breakfast with Santa” event for his clients and their children and by donating to multiple non-profit organizations. “There are about fifteen that we give to monthly,” he says.

The future looks just as bright for Allen, and among his goals is to form an investment division of his company, and to continue adding agents who share his client-first ethos.

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“Our team has been wildly successful and we would not be successful without a stellar team of individuals that all work together to make the clients real estate experience exceptional,” says Allen. “The team would not be where it is today without the work of so many great people We all could not do our job without our support from Brittney Darby, our Director of Operations or Suzanne Fletcher, our Marketing Director. We also rely on agent Courtney Shaddox who is heading up our investment division

of the team. And agent Andy Hunt is pivotal in helping us with Training and Recruiting. We are also grateful for the other agents on the team, Shannon Cowart, Tessa Holder, Whitney Cash, and Rachael Santos.”

“I love what I do,” says Allen. “I love every aspect of this business. It’s incredibly rewarding to me to know that I have the knowledge and ability to help others achieve their real estate goals.

For more information about Allen Perry, call 615-738-1550 or email Allen@NashvilleOnTheMove.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog Today, blogging looks a lot different than it did back in 2007, when the platform was just beginning to take off. Successful bloggers don’t choose blog topics on a whim. They think strategically and develop pillar content that their target audience will come back to again and again.

Real estate bloggers should be less concerned with whether the same post already exists (it does) Top Agent Magazine

than with how they can be more informative and helpful than their competition. Your personality is likely the thing that your clients connect with, and your blog is another place where you can let it shine.

Pillar content refers to those evergreen posts that never get old because they are always timely.

Think about those questions that you’ve had to

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answer a hundred, if not thousands of times— that’s your pillar content. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could direct your clients to a blog post or, better yet, they discovered the answer on your website rather than you having to constantly repeat yourself?

Or maybe you helped a client sell their house for much more than they were expecting by conducting a series of small and inexpensive renovations. Tell your readers how you did it.

Evergreen Content

Your clients are likely new to the area. Inform them about upcoming community events or mom-and-pop shops they may have never heard of. Are there hiking trails or parks nearby?

What’s the best place to grab a cup of coffee before work or a beer after? You can spotlight these places regularly as a monthly series.

This should really make up the bulk of your content. The possibilities are endless, and you could easily come up with an entire year’s worth of content with only a few hours of brainstorming.

Here are some examples: You could provide your readers with a list of questions they should ask when interviewing a realtor, the steps to becoming a real estate investor, real estate facts all first-time homeowners should know, steps new parents should take to prepare their home for a baby, recommended vendors for home maintenance, or common real estate terms defined.

You could explain to your readers what they need to know about home staging, which home renovations add the most value to their home, how to research schools or crime rates in specific neighborhoods, what a home association is, or how to start flipping houses and buying foreclosures.

Case Studies Sometimes realtors work with a client for years before they are ready to buy a home. Personal finance blogs are a thing for a reason. People want to see exactly how someone else achieved a shared goal. If you have a close relationship with a client who you helped become a homeowner, consider interviewing this client and writing up a case study that shows exactly how the two of you worked together to achieve this goal.

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Stay Local

There are plenty of real estate news outlets that will be posting about the state of the market—but they won’t be talking about your specific community, and that’s where your blog comes in.

Of course, if you only blog about community functions or properties on the market, then as soon as that event is over or that listing is sold, your content ceases being useful.

The best real estate blogs balance their content by posting a little about all the above. Maintaining a high-quality blog means your prospective clients don’t need to visit several websites to have their questions answered because you’ve done the work for them. It’s a tool that helps you make a great first impression.

If you still need help coming up with blog topics for your real estate blog, consider sending a survey out to your clients. You can send it via email and post it on social media. Ask your clients what real estate problems they need help solving and write your content with their responses in mind.

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LAURA McMILLAN Laura McMillan’s passion for her native Tennessee led her to her career in real estate. She knows the Tri-City area incredibly well and wanted to share her love and knowledge of the area with homebuyers and sellers.

She studied for her license during the summer after her freshman year in East Tennessee State University. After receiving her license, she finished college and taught school for three years before finally pursuing her dream career as an agent. “Real estate was a natural fit for me,” she says. Laura now works as a solo agent for Fairway Realty. Licensed in Tennessee and Virginia, she primarily serves the Tri-Cities area in Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

An impressive 42 percent of her business comes from repeat customers, with an additional 22 percent coming from referrals. “My clients keep coming back because of my results and tenacity. I get things done and always put their best interests first!” she says. Laura is straightforward and never pushy. She provides expert guidance to her clients, giving them all their options so they can make the most educated decision possible. “The educator in me enjoys working diligently to explain everything to my clients so they are always in the know through the entire buying or selling process,” she says. Along the way, she becomes friends with her clients and, as a result, they feel safe talking with her about their goals and any issues that may arise. “I truly love my clients and treat every single one like my own family members. I love to serve my clients and witness their dreams coming true. Nothing is more rewarding to me than knowing that I did the right thing and helped someone accomplish their homebuying or selling dreams!” she says. Her real estate philosophy is: Slow and steady wins the race.

When it comes to marketing, Laura understands that most of today’s buyers start their search online, so her marketing campaign is both thorough and focused on the internet. She first meets with clients to discuss all her marketing strategies with them. She then moves

forward with professional photography. Once she has images that highlight the best features of the property, she posts the listing on the MLS, her company’s website, and all the major real estate websites.

She does additional marketing via social media, direct mail, newspaper ads, open houses and YouTube. The result of this approach is often a quick sale at a very competitive price. After working with Laura, her clients rave about her incredible communication skills and her dedication to educating them so they can be confident, informed buyers and sellers. “Since I don’t have children of my own yet, I really nurture every one of my clients as if they are my own,” she explains.

What is Laura’s favorite part of the job? “Homeownership is such a personal sense of accomplishment for each individual. I love being able to assist in that and witness that with all of my clients, past, present and future!” she says. Laura is very involved in the Bristol Tennessee Virginia Association of Realtors. She is the 2018 BTVAR President and was awarded the 2015 Realtor of the Year Award.

In 2019, she will chair the committee for Education and Leadership, and she serves on many additional committees. She’s active in fundraising activities and fights for the property rights of homeowners in Tennessee and Virginia. “I love being involved with my Realtor Association,” she said. “It provides me with education and knowledge, and it’s a way to help my community!” She’ll be a 2019 Director for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. She’s also a graduate of the 2018 class of Lead Bristol, a leadership program run by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband donate to their church—Central Holston Christian Church, local fire departments, animal shelters, and various other charities. In her free time, Laura loves to spend time with her husband and dogs, travel, and listen to live music. She received her Tennessee broker’s license in 2017. For the future, she plans to receive her Virginia broker’s license, and become a realtor educator so she can continue to learn about real estate and share her knowledge with other agents. “I love knowing everything there is to know about it, because it makes me a better practitioner as well as a better guidance counselor and leader for my clients!” she says. Now those are worthy goals that with her enthusiasm, expertise and determination, she’s sure to accomplish!

To find out more about Laura McMillan, email lauramcmillan31@gmail.com, call (423) 571-1967, or visit fairway-realty.com/agents/laura-mcmillan www.

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3 Beyond-the-Office Activities to Inspire a Creative Business Boom Maintaining motivation year-round is a challenge, especially for those who are several years into a demanding real estate career. It’s easy to burn out, get stuck in a rut, or cycle blindly through a well-worn routine. But those that leave an impact on their industry understand that creativity holds the key to innovation and longevity. To stay ahead of Top Agent Magazine

the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. But where to begin?

To invite change, you’ve got to look outside the box—or in this case, beyond the office. If you’re in need of a professional creative make-

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To stay ahead of the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. over, or at least want to experience a burst of inventive energy, consider some of the activities below. You may just shake up your routine, bend your brain in new ways, and inject some inspiration into your professional path.

Expand your mind through meditation.

You’ve likely heard all about the supposed powers of meditation, and perhaps you’ve long considered it an over-hyped New Age invention. But did you know that some of the foremost entrepreneurs of our era practice this cost-free, mentally restorative routine? From Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs, practitioners of meditation cite its stress-relieving principles, in addition to improvements in concentration, energy, self-awareness, and overall health.

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Even mainstream medicine is beginning to understand the preventative and restorative health benefits that meditation affords. As professional fields go, the mortgage and real estate industries require their fair share of emotional labor—you’re tasked with guiding clients through the investment of a lifetime.

Meditation promotes peace and perspective, while reducing stress, adding a new level of self-awareness, and helping you mentally declutter. When it comes down to it, it only makes sense that taking time to go quiet and center your mind helps professionals find wherewithal amidst a hectic industry. Next time you’re feeling drained, out of ideas, or at your wit’s end—consider just fifteen minutes of meditation to get you started. Like most things, it takes some practice. But, if you commit the time, you’ll be thanking yourself later.

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Learn something new.

If you’re facing burnout, then adding a new responsibility to your plate may seem like the least appetizing self-help solution there is.

However, learning a new skill can reinvigorate your understanding of familiar tasks and dilemmas. Plus, learning a new skill doesn’t have to mean formal classes or time-draining homework. Select something that can even kill two birds with one stone. Want to let off some steam, too? Try a kickboxing class that meets just once-a-week. You’ll have something new to look forward to, meet new people, challenge yourself, and earn some feel-good endorphins, Top Agent Magazine

too. Want to cut loose and have some fun? Join a board game meet-up group, take a cooking class, or try rock-climbing for the first time. A stimulating new activity will light up long-dormant parts of your brain, and your clients and colleagues will surely notice the influx of energy to your outlook. Still don’t think you have enough time to add something new to the mix? Blend your morning commute with an audio language learning service. The point is to shake-up your habits and introduce a new challenge that’s unrelated to work. Doing so can make you look at things in a new light and boost your mood along the way.

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See new sights.

If you can, there’s no better way to break from routine than to physically separate yourself from your surroundings. There’s nothing more inspiring than traveling to new destinations, experiencing new cultures, and getting a sense of the world’s true vastness. If a trip abroad isn’t in the cards, don’t fret. There are bound to be plenty of places relatively close by that you’ve never seen. And these trips don’t have to break the bank, either. Devote just one or two days to visiting a place you’ve never gone before, like a state park, protected forest, or a small seaside village. Perhaps you’re only a few hours from a National Park you’ve been meaning to visit but have never made time for. Or, there’s a lively city one state over that you’ve always wanted to try. Whatever the destination, near or far, you’ll refresh

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your perspective entirely when removed from all your usual routines. New restaurants, traffic patterns, storefronts, weather—whatever the change may be, you’ll be experiencing everything brand new all around you. Taking the time for trips like these isn’t easy. In fact, making yourself devote those free days may be a difficult task itself. But it’s the most direct way to get a breath of truly fresh air, and when you return home you’ll be able to assess familiar surroundings in a totally new light.

However you decide to add creativity to your professional life, don’t wait. Once you take the plunge, you’ll be regretting you hadn’t done it sooner. After all, the key to longevity is regular maintenance, so do your part and break the mold today.

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TRAVIS RECER After completing his military service, Travis Recer was on the hunt for his next professional challenge. With some soul-searching, he settled upon real estate back in 2003. “It was answered prayer,” he remembers. Now, sixteen years later, he has built a legacy of service in his community, complete with a reputation for integrity, strategy, and empowering agents and client alike through education.

When it comes to the listing process, Travis applies his patented strategic approach to ensure no detail is left unaccounted for. All properties headed to market are equipped with professional photography to ensure first impressions are memorable. From there, Travis and his team nail down wide-ranging exposure both locally and online to reach a broad audience. “We apply a systemized way of ensuring we earn big exposure,” he says. “We also offer some unique selling points, including our trade-up program, where we charge no commission on a listing if the client is moving up into a bigger home.” Beyond this value-add, Travis and his team ensure clients are made to feel safe and secure by communicating and being transparent throughout the transactional process.

Based in Clarksville, Tennessee, Travis heads the Recer Home Group, comprised of a marketing lead, inbound sales agent, and a contract-to-close assistant. Likewise, his business continues to grow, as he adds new team members to the ranks and parlays his mentoring skills towards up-and-coming real estate professionals.

In fact, he also serves as a part-time professional coach to share his firsthand industry insights. “One of the aspects of this business I enjoy most is teaching,” he says. “I really enjoy coaching other agents in their careers and helping them establish their business.

It’s also what I love about helping others buy and sell homes. I approach my role as a teacher might, showing my clients what’s going in the market, and what are the best strategies when it comes to repairs, staging, pricing, and more.”

Beyond the office, Travis gives back to his community through his church, where he teaches third, fourth, and fifth graders, as well as through Manna Café, which feeds the area’s homeless. Likewise, Travis serves as a volunteer coach for many of his children’s athletic teams, including wrestling and baseball. In his free hours, Travis most enjoys time spent with wife and six children, writing and playing music, exploring the outdoors, and making the occasional travel getaway with his wife.

Drawing upon his background in the military, a major contingent of Travis’ business is driven by servicemembers at the nearby Fort Campbell, Kentucky base. “Nearly half of our business are military folks heading in or out of the area,” he says. “I enjoy being able to help my clients accomplish their goals during what’s often a stressful time of transition. Especially when working with those in the military—they’ve got a lot going on, and the stress of housing shouldn’t be something they have to worry about, too. All in all, we believe in treating people the way we want to be treated, and a deal never comes before the person.”

As for the future of the Recer Home Group, Travis intends to expand his team further, applying his knack for coaching as he welcomes ambitious agents into his fold. “We want to bring on more partners so that we can help more people and accomplish more through our joint efforts,” he says. “We plan to keep expanding our involvement in the community and grow overall as a team, helping more people buy and sell real estate.”

Finally, with sixteen years of keen insights and experience behind him, Travis Recer reflects on the long journey to and through his chosen field. “I’m an average guy who believes in hard work and focus,” he says. “I grew up on food stamps, with a single mother, and the fact that I’m now able to employ others and close 100 transactions this year is truly a blessing. God creates opportunities, and I wouldn’t be where I am without Him.”

To learn more about Travic Recer, email Tavis@RecerHomeGroup.com, visit RecerHomeGroup.com, or call (931) 245 – 7457 www.

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5 Reasons Why You Need a Mentor As great as it might feel to start your own business, and be solely responsible for its success, at some point, every entrepreneur reaches the limit of their potential, and needs a boost that only experience can provide.

But how do you get a lifetime of experience when you’re just starting out? Sure you can read countless books, but no book can replace the real life experience and advice of a mentor.

Mentors not only provides valuable insights, but they also have access to valuable connections as well. In fact a majority of the 22

most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs in the country have said that having a mentor early on was instrumental in their success.

Here are some of the reasons why.

1. They’re able to see where you need improvement, when you can’t When you’re working non-stop to get your business off the ground, you might feel sensitive to any criticism from people who aren’t going through what you are. A good

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mentor knows exactly what you’re going though, and has probably made every mistake. When you’re in the thick of it, you might not be able to see where the problems are. A knowledgeable outsider, who knows exactly where you’re at and has only your best interests at heart is just what you need.

When you have a trusting relationship with someone like that, you will be more willing to listen to that brutal honesty, even if that constructive criticism stings.

energy into it. They can see things in a completely logical way and guide you based on the facts rather than emotion. A good mentor helps you work smarter, not harder. They help you focus on your goals and how to get there, as well as setting boundaries for you so you don’t overextend yourself. They teach you how to say no and help you let go when you need to move on from a setback.

2. They will encourage you to think outside of the box

In addition to expertise, building a strong network is something that can only come with time. A mentor will most likely have that already, giving you access to people and resources that would take others years to gain. These connections will lead to opportunities that might never have happened otherwise. It’s also a great confidence boost knowing that your mentor trusts and believes in you enough to invite you into their inner circle.

Years of experience can give someone a great idea of what works and what doesn’t.

They’ve seen things first hand, not just in theory. At the same time, mentors recognize the importance of taking chances, calculating risks, as well as cutting losses and moving on. A good mentor isn’t trying to encourage you to be a carbon copy of them, they are trying to create the best ‘you’ possible. That includes encouraging you to take chances, and then being there pushing you to keep going forward if it doesn’t work out.

A good mentor knows that even failures can be opportunities.

3. They take the emotion out of decisions and help set boundaries Unlike you, a mentor has no emotional investment in certain business approaches that you might have decided to try. There’s nothing harder than admitting something isn’t working when you’ve put a lot of time and Top Agent Magazine

4. Networking

5. Encouragement At the heart or it all, a mentor offers you encouragement and motivation along the way, in good times and in bad. After a failure, it can be hard to get back on track and keep forging ahead. It helps to have someone who has spent year getting back up after being known down and coming out stronger than ever. It’s during those moments, when you feel alone and isolated, that having someone around offering you advice and positive feedback will be a much needed salve. They’re your cheerleader, they want you to succeed, and hopefully, you’ll pay it forward one day when you become as successful as them.

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