TEXAS 1-11-21

TEXAS EDITION

Are You Doing Business As You on Facebook?

COVER STORY

DENISE BODMAN FEATURED AGENTS

MELISA FITCHETT SUSY SALDIVAR NATASHA SIMON

5 STEPS TO ACHIEVE LONG TERM SUCCESS AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT

MILLENNIAL BUYERS:

Where They Are & What to Know

TEXAS EDITION

acy Mutual Mortgage is proud to congratulate

MELISA FITCHETT

SUSY SALDIVAR

Susy Saldivar – Broker/Owner of Susy 13 Saldivar6 Real Estate in the Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding area – is a consummate professional who brings to the table decades of experience in the real estate industry. Hardworking and honest, Susy also approaches every transaction with both empathy and integrity, and she works hard to help both her clients and agents reach their goals. Susy’s business has been built on a solid foundation of deep industry knowledge and trueDENISE concernBODMAN for her clients, MELISA FITCHETT on being featured for the State of Texas and she has more than earned her stellar in Top Agent reputation Magazine! as a trusted real estate advocate.

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foreclosures, understands the trauma tho 23face, and she sa who are being displaced the hardest part of her job is telling re 12.5 dents that their property has For been throu the foreclosure process. “I try my besta worked help them find a new place tohowever, live, even it’s just a rental,” says Susy, her comp career w sion obvious.

NATA

and leave Takit There are of course, othernity. factors have played a role in Susy’s success sto a success chief among them being expert negotiat SUSY SALDIVAR NATASHA SIMON to obtain skills and a thorough, intelligent approa dive into to marketing, both of which contribute to fast sales she was top dollar, to mention happy clients. closed o Susy learned the ins and outs of the sales world at a very young age. “When I was around eight years old,” When she’s notShe working, Susy enjoys spending ti sets herself a part from th she recalls, “my father had a fruit and vegetable stand, with her very large extended family. ab closing the deal, not “I justhave contra

and he would take me to work with him to help him twenty-six nieces and nephews,” she says, “and CONTENTS out”. |ItNMLS wasn’t hard labor or anything like that, but I have a lot of musicians in the family. We love stand JEREMY DEAN | Sr. Loan Officer ID# 1841865 Today, Natasha is the Lead of th did learn how to sell and gained confidence in talking around the piano, singing and playing music.” office: 210.870.1406 | mobile: 210.778.4452 Generation, where she assists c to people.”

Susy began her career as a licensed agent in eremy.Dean@legacymutual.com | legacymutual.com 4) 5 STEPS TO ACHIEVE 19) EASY BLOG TOPICS the surrounding B 1994 Susy’s plans forand the future of FOR her businessareas. do inclu 3503 Paesanos Pkwy, San Antonio,after TX 78231consulting with her brother about getting her real estate license, himself a real estate broker.

“It was growth, but not at the expense of the excellent custom personality and unmatched at LONG TERM SUCCESS AS YOUR REAL ESTATE BLOG scary at first, going to a commission-only career, but it service she andher her elite team team provide. love seeing can“Ifacilitate ev A REALhasESTATE AGENT turned out to be a huge blessing for me.” excitement on the faces of my clients when they “Sometimes, you have to ruffle 22) ARE YOU the keys to their new home,” she says. “It’s incredi done,” Since then, Susy has achieved impressive success with rewarding.”

9) MILLENNIAL BUYERS: DOING BUSINESS ASshe says with a laugh clients and guide them to the r her small woman-owned business, and she currently has WHERE THEY ARE & WHAT YOU ON FACEBOOK? twenty agents who share her client-first business ethos.

TO KNOW Nearly the entirety of Susy’s client base is comprised of When listing a home, Natasha repeat clients and referrals; an accurate a barometer of to maximize her sellers’ poten the excellent customer service she is providing.

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of sharing their property over gives them a nationwide reac “I believe my clients trust me and know that I am Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 looking out for their best interest,” says Susy, when and social media campaigns. asked how she manages to inspire so much loyalty mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com on her extensive professional amongst those she works with. “My goal is to give with prospective buyer. “ No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of theits publisher.

Top excellent service and to guide my clients throughout Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy some tremendous connections the transaction, from beginning to end.” Another factor For or more Saldivar, of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed facts about suppliedSusy

by I have she says.

“Usually, a bu would be heroraforementioned Susy, who does call 817-846-3584 or its authors. To subscribe change address,empathy. send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. listingSusy@SusySaldivar.com goes live. After all, it’s significant amount of business selling REOs and email Published inathe U.S. home; it’s about selling your return on investment.”

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Elsewhere, Natasha is a st

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

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5 Steps to Achieve Long Term Success as a Real Estate Agent Real Estate can have a reputation as an industry with a high turnover as far as agents go. Being a ‘people person’ with an entrepreneurial spirit is a great start, but what some fail to realize when starting out is that this is a business.

So if you’re in it for the long haul, you need to treat it that way. Here are some key steps you need to take to have your own successful real estate business.

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FIND A MENTOR

Once you get your license and hang your sign at a Brokerage, you’ll find that you’re pretty much on your own. That’s why it’s a good idea for new agents to find a large Brokerage that offers in-house training and mentorship or a boutique brokerage that has more seasoned agents who are eager to take a new agent under their wing. Being able to shadow a more experienced agent is invaluable and allows you to mirror what you’ve seen and run through the numerous scenarios that will arise when you are representing a client.

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CONTINUOUS TRAINING

This is a business that is constantly changing, so it’s smart to always stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technological innovations and systems. There are even numerous online resources, where you can keep up on your trade, such as blogs by top producing agents that are a treasure trove of information. A confident agent with an in-depth knowledge of the business is one that easily earns the trust of their client, leading to repeat and referral business, which will be the bread and butter of your business.

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BUILD A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

Yes, referrals are the basis of your business, but building a strong online presence and marketing yourself to new clients is also important, especially before you’ve built up a strong referral base. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media tools are great way to get leads both for your listings and for yourself. It’s even a good idea to buy several domain names when you start, so that when you’re ready to build a website, you can ensure you have the names you want. Obviously the internet is also a great resource to find leads. Before you find a niche for yourself, it’s important to take advantage of every avenue there is. A lot of successful agents started off doing things no one else wanted to take on like foreclosures, expired listings or lower priced homes. But as you’ll find out, helping those who need it most is a great way to build a loyal client base, that will not only come back to you when they are ready to sell or buy again, but will be your biggest cheerleaders when it comes to referring you to friends and family.

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BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION

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SET GOALS

One thing you’ll find in this business is that doing a lot of work up top, will lead to a more successful outcome down the road. That goes for marketing plans for your listings, as well as your business as a whole. It might not be the fun part, but it will allow you to one day focus on what you do best, dealing with your clients. Set up your CRM and the other systems you want to use from the get go. Getting these things established before you’re hopefully a busy agent is the best time to really learn them and decide what’s best for you.

Once you build a strong foundation and are establishing your client base, it’s important to continually set goals that help you implement your business strategy.

You can even invest in a real estate coach if you need someone to hold you accountable. It’s also important to constantly reevaluate what you’re doing. Set up a monthly audit, where you go over what is and what isn’t working. As we mentioned above, this is a fluid business and things are constantly changing, the same can be said of your business. What worked a year ago, might be losing you money as your business grows.

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MELISA FITCHETT Top Agent Melisa Fitchett – of Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® in San Antonio, Texas – may be relatively new to the real estate industry, but she has quickly proven herself a dynamic, powerhouse agent who has already achieved a level of success that is the envy of many of her peers with much more longevity in the business. Honest, intelligent and possessing an indomitable work ethic, Melisa has built a thriving business based on integrity and best business practices, and she has more than earned her stellar reputation as a trusted real estate advocate for her many grateful buyers and sellers.

Melisa began her career in real estate following a long and illustrious career in corporate America, working for high profile companies that include AT&T, Petco and Best Buy. Excelling at each position, Melisa unfortunately found her job eliminated, and decided to search out a new career. Misfortune turned to fortune when she decided to give real estate a shot in 2018, and she was named Rookie of the Year right out of the gate after signing up with Coldwell Banker. “I was nervous at first about the commission-only aspect of real estate,” recalls Melisa, who was pulling down a steady six-figure salary including bonuses, “but my husband told me to go for it, that working for someone else was no longer my path. I enjoyed the brands I worked for, and their reputations, and I feel I’ve found that same prestige with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®.”

Currently, a significant portion of Melisa’s business is based upon positive word of mouth and her sphere of influence, an impressive achievement in the highly competitive world of real estate. “It’s about providing the best experience, resources and counsel for my clients,” says Melisa, when asked how she manages to engender such impressive loyalty amongst her clients.

“It’s all about finding them the best home for them, and also keeping the entire process as stress-free as possible for them.”

Melisa, a native Texan, works hard to continually educate herself about the industry in which she works, and has earned a multitude of certifications and designations, including the ABR® (Accredited Buyers Representative), SRES® (Senior Real Estate Specialist), and the MRP (Military Relocation Professional). She is also a graduate of the REALTOR® Institute (GRI). As a veteran’s wife, daughter and granddaughter, Melisa holds a special passion for working with military service members.

There are many factors that come into play when assessing Melisa’s ever-growing success story, and chief among them would be her expert negotiation skills and her incredibly comprehensive approach to marketing her listings, which leaves no stone unturned and translates into fast sales for top dollar, not to mention happy clients. Proof of this can be found on Zillow.com, on which site she holds a perfect five-star overall rating comprised of scores of glowing testimonials.

When she’s not working, which is rare, Melisa enjoys nothing more than spending time with her husband, their four sons and grandchildren. She is also an ardent philanthropist who supports multiple charities through her work with the San Antonio Junior League, among other selfless efforts.

Melisa’s plans for the future of her business include continued growth, but not at the expense of the top-ofthe-line, unparalleled customer service that has rapidly become synonymous with her name.

For more information about Melisa Fitchett, please call 210-931-5631 or email MFitchett@CBHarper.com 6

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Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper REALTORSŽ is proud to congratulate

Melisa Fitchett On being featured as a Top Agent in Texas!

Melisa Fitchett is a native Texan and proud! Born and raised in Corpus Christi, she has lived in San Antonio since relocating here with her family in 2006.

Melisa is happy to provide detailed information about each of the wonderful neighborhoods throughout San Antonio and its surrounding communities including Bulverde, Spring Branch, Boerne, and the Hill Country. Her professional background in sales, marketing, and operations totaled 22 years before she shifted her focus to real estate, and now benefits each of her clients, along with her outstanding customer service and eye for details.

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Legacy Mutual Mortgage is proud to congratulate

MELISA FITCHETT

on being featured for the State of Texas in Top Agent Magazine!

JEREMY DEAN | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS ID# 1841865 office: 210.870.1406 | mobile: 210.778.4452 Jeremy.Dean@legacymutual.com | legacymutual.com 3503 Paesanos Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78231

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Millennial Buyers: Where They Are & What to Know Homebuyers and sellers come from all walks of life. If you’ve been an agent for long, you’ve likely worked alongside a wide variety of folks—from first-timer homeowners and down-sizers, to second home searchers and those finally hunting for their dream home. While there is hardly a shortage of diversity in the housing market, there Top Agent Magazine

is one generation that is making big strides in homeownership these days: Millennials.

Millennials can be loosely defined as those between the ages of twenty-two to thirtyseven. As you can see, this constitutes a wide swathe of the population. If you’re an agent who stands to learn a bit more about

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a demographic whose influence and homeownership goals are rapidly evolving, tune in below for a few pointers that can help you expand a segment of your clientele in the process.

Where do Millennials prefer to buy?

Many Millennials came of age during or immediately following the Great Recession, and as such, many of them relocated or returned to mid-size cities and smaller communities where the cost of living was most affordable. Of course, there are countless Millennials that call the U.S.’s major cities home—especially those in the

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tech industry. The good news is that you can court Millennial clientele no matter where you service area is located. That said, community amenities are of great importance to this generation. They value public transportation, green space, and entertainment—from coffee shops and topnotch restaurants to farmer’s markets and boutiques. Emphasizing those attributes will be key in selling to Millennials and locating neighborhoods they’re most interested in.

What sort of communication do Millennials prefer?

Most Millennials are digital natives, or close to. That means they grew up learning

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how to navigate digital spaces, and prefer to communicate through mediums like email, text, and social media. This isn’t to say that Millennials aren’t good communicators, but they’re often on the go, and have learned to research and shop online. To accommodate this, it’s best to build a presence across the most popular listing portals and social media platforms. Although, it’s not enough to establish a site and wait for the calls to come in. Responsiveness is a key factor for Millennials, who expect speedy response times. Make sure you’re checking your inbox frequently, responding accordingly, and engaging with your audience online. This will let Millennials know

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that you’re savvy, available, and understand the value of their preferred method of communication.

Are Millennials ready to buy?

It’s a common misconception that Millennials are uninterested in the rite of passage of purchasing a home. While Millennials maybe waiting a bit longer than their parents did to buy a home, there are good reasons to explain this phenomenon. For starters, Millennials entered the job market during the downturn, which means they are more conservative when making big purchases, and have to play catch-up to reach a sound

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financial position. Likewise, student loan debt has proved a major financial inhabitation for Millennials. Instead of socking away a few hundred a month to save for a home, they’re forking over that cash to pay down their educational loans. How does a Realtor compete with this reality? For starters, a bit of understanding goes a long way. Work with your mortgage partners to find financing possibilities that cater to this younger demographic. Recognize that Millennials—like most buyers—have some trepidations when buying a home.

Also consider fielding Millennial clientele with the long view in mind. You might be 12

courting them for months or more until they’re ready to take the plunge, but they’re also famous for their reviews. When a job is done well, Millennials shout it from the rooftops—or at least share it a dozen time from their phone.

As time passes, Millennials will continue to dominate the marketplace when it comes to buying and selling homes. A little self-education on this powerful demographic can go a long way. If you know your clients and your audience, you’ll be in a far better position to serve their interests and make a customer for life.

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DENISE BODMAN

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As VP of Sales for Prospect Real Estate, Denise is focused on the urban core of Austin and their exclusive listings for new construction business primarily located in Downtown and the East Side.

Denise Bodman began her real estate career over 20 years ago working in property management in California. After moving her family back to Texas, she made a name for herself in the downtown Austin market as the lead sales agent for 360 Condominiums.

“The building was the first high-rise of its size in downtown Austin,” Denise recalls, “and it became the fastest-selling building 14 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

for the developer, as well as the fastest-selling in Austin.” The building sold out in four months, catapulting Denise’s career in Austin, Texas.

As VP of Sales for Prospect Real Estate, Denise is focused on the urban core of Austin and their exclusive listings for new construction business primarily located in Downtown Top Agent Magazine

and the East Side. Her retail sales encompass the greater urban core of Central, South Austin, Southwest Austin, and the Dripping Springs area.

An incredible 90% of Denise’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, a feat that speaks to the loyalty and trust she inspires. “Clients value my relationship and Top Agent Magazine

communication,” she explains. “It’s important for me to communicate with my clients before anyone else can, and to keep them insulated from any challenges that may arise. I try to keep them happy and comfortable through the entire process, and always present a solution rather than a problem. My approach and accessibility are what make my clients want to work with me again.”

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“It’s important for me to communicate with my clients before anyone else can, and to keep them insulated from any challenges that may arise. I try to keep them happy and comfortable through the entire process, and always present a solution rather than a problem.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Denise does not hold back and pulls out all the stops. She uses two different MLS systems, “just to make sure that there are more eyeballs on the property.” She markets to area Realtors®, targeting local top agents and finds creative and unique ways to market her listings: recently she was listing an exclusive property and invited top downtown brokers to a Zoom meeting. “The morning of the meeting, we Copyright Top Agent Magazine 16

had mini bottles of champagne and chocolates delivered to each broker, so it was like they were having mimosas with us,” said Denise.

It’s this dedication to going above and beyond that nets results for her and her clients.

Community involvement plays an immensely important role for Denise and her team, and they’re always looking for ways to give back.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Top Agent Magazine

with restaurants closed, her company purchased food from a farm-to-table supplier that normally sells to restaurants, and donated it to the Central Texas Food Bank to not only assist the farmers suffering but those in need.

She also participates in fundraisers for Caring for Cambodia.

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When she is not selling real estate or giving back to the community, Denise loves exercising and spending time with her family—two pursuits that, for Denise, go together. “Health and fitness is a huge part of our family and our lifestyle,” she says. “I own CrossFit 737 gym with my husband, and our three daughters Copyright Top Agent Magazine 17

are involved in fitness or sports, so that’s where you’ll find us outside of work and on the weekends.”

service to her clients while helping them achieve their real estate goals. “I love working with people and bringing positivity, motivation, and happiness to others,” Denise says. “That’s something you can do in real estate, since it’s one of the biggest transactions for most people. It’s rewarding to be part of such a major life moment and decision and know that my clients are happy.”

The future is bright and Denise looks forward to expanding Prospect’s business, her developments and her resale book of business. Above all, she wants to continue providing exceptional

To find out more about Denise Bodman, call 512.903.5129, email denise@prospectrealestate.com or find her online at PROSPECTREALESTATE.COM WWW.

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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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SUSY SALDIVAR Susy Saldivar – Broker/Owner of Susy Saldivar Real Estate in the Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding area – is a consummate professional who brings to the table decades of experience in the real estate industry. Hardworking and honest, Susy also approaches every transaction with both empathy and integrity, and she works hard to help both her clients and agents reach their goals. Susy’s business has been built on a solid foundation of deep industry knowledge and true concern for her clients, and she has more than earned her stellar reputation as a trusted real estate advocate.

Susy learned the ins and outs of the sales world at a very young age. “When I was around eight years old,” she recalls, “my father had a fruit and vegetable stand, and he would take me to work with him to help him out”. It wasn’t hard labor or anything like that, but I did learn how to sell and gained confidence in talking to people.” Susy began her career as a licensed agent in 1994 after consulting with her brother about getting her real estate license, himself a real estate broker. “It was scary at first, going to a commission-only career, but it has turned out to be a huge blessing for me.”

Since then, Susy has achieved impressive success with her small woman-owned business, and she currently has twenty agents who share her client-first business ethos.

Nearly the entirety of Susy’s client base is comprised of repeat clients and referrals; an accurate a barometer of the excellent customer service she is providing.

“I believe my clients trust me and know that I am looking out for their best interest,” says Susy, when asked how she manages to inspire so much loyalty amongst those she works with. “My goal is to give excellent service and to guide my clients throughout the transaction, from beginning to end.” Another factor would be her aforementioned empathy. Susy, who does a significant amount of business selling REOs and Top Agent Magazine

foreclosures, understands the trauma those who are being displaced face, and she says the hardest part of her job is telling residents that their property has been through the foreclosure process. “I try my best to help them find a new place to live, even if it’s just a rental,” says Susy, her compassion obvious.

There are of course, other factors that have played a role in Susy’s success story, chief among them being expert negotiation skills and a thorough, intelligent approach to marketing, both of which contribute to fast sales for top dollar, to mention happy clients.

When she’s not working, Susy enjoys spending time with her very large extended family. “I have about twenty-six nieces and nephews,” she says, “and we have a lot of musicians in the family. We love standing around the piano, singing and playing music.”

Susy’s plans for the future of her business do include growth, but not at the expense of the excellent customer service she and her team provide. “I love seeing the excitement on the faces of my clients when they get the keys to their new home,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding.”

For more about Susy Saldivar, call 817-846-3584 or email Susy@SusySaldivar.com 21 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Are You Doing Business As YOU On Facebook?

Are you ‘Doing Business As YOU’ on your personal Facebook page? In other words, are you posting your business content from your personal page?

Yesterday a REALTOR® asked us, “Why should I bother with a company Facebook page? Can’t I just post everything from my profile page?”

The answer lies in what we call division of content. As you may be aware, social media began as just that… social. It was never truly intended for business use.

Over time, as businesses began to see the potential in reaching the masses in a new way, they began to intrude on this communication. Today, it is widely accepted that business will be conducted on all social platforms, but the manner in which we do so (and in which we are received) is still a touchy subject at times.

We believe it’s important to be transparent on social media. Draw the line between communicating as the Person and the Professional. Not only does this help you keep your content separate and appropriate, it also gives the control to your network of family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and customers.

They get to decide whether to ‘like’ or ‘follow’ your company page. They get to decide whether they want to see your business related posts. User control is the #1 reason you need a business page if you’re conducting business on Facebook. Wouldn’t you rather have a willing and engaged audience over a forced, potentially reluctant one? We have personally eliminated many of the ‘DBA’ offenders from our news feeds and you have likely done the same.

As in all controversial social media topics, there is some gray area. And that gray area is often subjective, so consider this post food for thought and decide for yourself. We try our best to keep professional content on our business pages, with a couple of exceptions: 1. Philanthropic Promotion: We’re in favor of posting anything that will help an organization in need on both your personal and business pages. Nonprofits often have little to no marketing budget and rely on all of us to promote their good works, so we believe that’s a good line to cross (as long as it’s about the organization, and not you).

2. Recognition Tagging: Facebook does not allow you to tag an individual on your business page. Yes, there are some tricky work-arounds, but they are inconsistent at best. So when it’s truly important for us to recognize and tag an individual, especially someone who has done something nice for us (inviting us as guests on their radio show or podcast, for instance), we will generally post that on the business page first, then share it from our personal pages, along with a comment recognizing and tagging the individual(s) or business who helped us.

Either way (personal or business), remember to be true to the social aspect. Our participation on social media should be about giving, helping, recognizing and connecting…especially when it comes to your business.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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NATASHA SIMON For 12.5 years, Natasha Simon worked as an engineer in Houston; however, she had always sought a career where she could help others and leave an impact on her community. Taking a cue from her husband, a successful loan officer, she decided to obtain her real estate license and dive into the industry. Sure enough, she was a natural having sold and closed over 500 homes to date She sets herself a part from the typical agent by actually closing the deal, not just contracting the client.

Today, Natasha is the Lead of the Money Team at RE/Max Generation, where she assists clients throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. By applying her outgoing personality and unmatched attention to detail, she and her elite team can facilitate even the trickiest transaction.

“Sometimes, you have to ruffle some feathers to get a deal done,” she says with a laugh. “But it’s all to serve my clients and guide them to the right decisions.”

When listing a home, Natasha uses cutting edge resources to maximize her sellers’ potential on the market. On top of sharing their property over the HAR website, she also gives them a nationwide reach through targeted digital and social media campaigns. Meanwhile, Natasha leans on her extensive professional network to match a house with its prospective buyer. “Over the years, I’ve built some tremendous connections around the Houston area,” she says. “Usually, I have a buyer or two in mind before a listing goes live. After all, it’s not just about selling your home; it’s about selling your home quickly for the best return on investment.”

Elsewhere, Natasha is a steadfast advocate for her buyers, applying her Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Information Systems and her Master’s of Science in Computer Science to systematize the process and make sure the transaction runs smoothly. As an investor around Houston, she also possesses an acute understanding of her region. “Real estate is traditionally seen as a right-brained industry,” she says. “But I prefer left-brained approaches—a mix of innovative strategies and well-crafted plans.”

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For her down to Earth style and lasting commitment, Natasha has won an outstanding reputation around Houston, with the vast majority of her volume coming from either repeat clients or referrals. But she’s more than satisfied with the relationships forged along the way. “There’s no better feeling in the world than handing a client the keys to their dream home that they never thought they could have. That sense of fulfilment drives me every day.”

Outside of her career, Natasha values giving back to her community and those she cares about most. She and her husband are a part of Buying Back Trinity Garden, a local initiative focused on raising the standard of living in the inner city. Meanwhile, her team at RE/Max Generation largely consists of close friends and family.

“My career path has provided me with an opportunity to help the cherished people in my life,” she says. “We’re all working together to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren.”

Going forward, Natasha has strong ambitions for the future. As her volume continues to grow, so will her team. But along the way, she will continue doing what she does best: looking out for the little guy and protecting her clients’ best interests. “We’re called the Money Team because I spend my clients’ money as if it were my own,” Natasha says. “No matter what, I’m looking out for them and making sure they find the perfect deal for their needs.”

To learn more about Natasha Simon email natasha.simonre@gmail.com or natasha.the.txrealtor@gmail.com or call (281) 804-1720 23 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Magazine