TEXAS 4-13-20

TEXAS EDITION

4 COVER STORY

STACEY FELTMAN FEATURED AGENT

MISTY TITTLE TRICIA TURNER

QUALITIES OF EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES

CONCIERGE CARE: Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation 3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

TEXAS EDITION

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STACEY FELTMAN

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MISTY TITTLE

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Misty Tittle – of Keller Williams Realty Rockwall in Rockwall, Texas – is that rare Realtor who truly goes above and beyond for each of her clients, ensuring that their best interests remain paramount during the entire transaction process. Having MISTY TITTLE TURNER built her TRICIA business on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity, and faith, Misty’s personalized and empathetic approach – coupled with her vast reservoir of industry knowledge – has elevated her to Top CONTENTS Agent status.

“I started out as a Transaction Coordinator for a top

4) CONCIERGE CARE: 15) who 3 EASY AT-HOME producing agent then became a Broker,” recalls Misty, whenDIY askedPROJECTS how she began her estate career.

SERVICES THAT LURE TOrealINCREASE “I then became her Compliance Officer for more than CLIENTS AND TRANSFORM PROPERTY VALUE ninety agents. At a certain point I realized that I had YOUR REPUTATION turned over ten transactions in one year to my boss, and 21) 4 QUALITIES OFof influence. that I had developed quite a large sphere 6) 5 TIPS TO GET EMPLOYEES That’s whenEXCEPTIONAL I decided to get my license and strike out on my own.”

NEW CLIENTS Since then, Misty has built a stellar business based on a desire to treat each and every client with respect, and as if they were her only client. This has translated, impresPhone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 sively, into a customer base that is almost entirely the of referrals and positive word of mouth, perhaps mag@topagentmagazine.com | result www.topagentmagazine.com the most accurate barometer of excellent customer No portion of this issue may be reproduced in anyservice manner in whatsoever without prior consent the publisher. the highly competitive realofestate world.Top

Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by “I’m truly a people person,” says Misty, explaining its authors. To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. how she manages to inspire such great levels of trust Published in the U.S.

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and loyalty amongst her buyers and sellers. “”I truly care about others, and I don’t focus on the money part of my job; I’m a firm believer that if I go out and be Top Agent Magazine God’s hands and feet and help my clients to the best of my ability, the business will follow naturally.” In

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Concierge Care: Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation It’s a no-brainer: customer service is central to success in the real estate industry. While properties may be the product, this industry really revolves around people and the relationships you cultivate along the way. With that in mind, how would you describe the service you provide? If solid service is the baseline, then to set yourself apart you must deliver service that’s exceptional. But, how? Returning calls and displaying a friendly face won’t necessarily separate you from the pack. If you really want to take your customer service to the next level and build a reputation for white-glove, concierge-level courtesy, then keep a few of the following tips in mind as you create a professional style that’s completely bespoke.

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Make your communications matter For many agents, communication during and after a transaction are perfunctory affairs, with one-sizefits-all newsletters or promotional postcards that feel mass-produced. To really grab the attention of your clientele, you’ll want to build a recognizable brand. To accomplish this, begin by adding value to your regular communications. Clients are likely to bypass your communications if they think your only intent is to sell them something. Focus instead on creating content that’s compelling and dishes out value to your clientele. Just like a favorite blog you revisit again and again for its quality content, con-

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sider your communications as an extension of your brand and identity. A few popular ideas from which clients can derive value include: local restaurant guides, tax tips for homeowners, reports on home values and the marketplace, or highlighting home décor and landscaping trends. Make your communications readable and useful, and your clients past and present will think twice before skipping past your name.

Showcase the lifestyle Clients remember when you go the extra mile, and that additional effort distinguishes run-of-the-mill agents from high-powered professionals. Whether listing or buying, consider a property’s lifestyle.

First, think about a client’s everyday experience.

Where’s the best breakfast spot nearby? How’s access to public transportation or bike paths? Which outdoor recreational opportunities exist in the area?

Where might your client swing by for coffee?

Neighborhood guides that outline the livability of a home and its area not only boost value and highlight potential, but they also demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and connect on a personal level. After all, a home isn’t just a house; a home is all about the daily experience that unfolds within and beyond those four walls. With that in mind, do your homework and make yourself a local expert.

Your clients will feel they’re in good hands and will better envision their future unfolding, all thanks to your thorough legwork.

Customize your approach to clients As an agent, it’s only natural that you build your own daily routines and practices that keep your business running. While it’s necessary to create positive habitats that streamline your workflow, it’s also important to remain adaptable. For instance, Millennial clients may prefer to chat by text, instant Top Agent Magazine

message, or email, whereas older clientele may prefer face-to-face time or connecting by phone call.

Adapting your communication style is as simple as a brief discussion: ask your client how they prefer to communicate and adapt accordingly. While it may seem like a small matter, it provides clients with a sense of comfort and control. Again, the key here is communication. Talk with your clients about their preferred methodology. Maybe they prefer a marathon house-hunting trek on a weekend day, or perhaps they rather sift through listings online before making in-person visits to a narrowed list. It’s okay to encourage clients or fill them in on industry norms, but it’s important to create an experience that’s tailored to their style and personality.

Authentically seek feedback While it may feel uncomfortable, asking for feedback during and at the end of a transaction can dramatically improve your working style and professional blind-spots. It can also help you adapt your working style to better suit your respective clients.

Of course, it’s important to be open-minded and to quash the need to be defensive. Not all feedback will be useful, but you can incorporate the parts that are. This not only grows your skillset, but it also demonstrates to clients that you are open to constructive criticism and sincerely prioritize a job well done over personal praise. As a bonus, positive feedback can be parlayed into client testimonials, which are incredibly useful tools to boost your business on the whole.

It’s no secret that real estate is a busy, self-determined business. While your client care may feel all accounted for, there is always room to grow. Professionals at the top of their field know this and never stop building out their repertoire. If you want to take your business to the next level and create an imprint that’s synonymous with concierge care, then keep these ideas in mind as you build your relationships and your brand.

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5 Tips to Get New Clients If you’ve been in the industry for a while, you’ve probably built up a healthy percentage of repeat and referral business.

Although it can be tempting to just maintain those relationships rather than generating new business, there’s something to be said for staying on top of 6

your game by never resting on your laurels. Actively pursuing new clients is not only a way to generate more business, but depending on how you do it, it could even lead to a profitable new niche. Here are just a few ways to build up your new client base.

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Become a referral partner with industry peers

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Cold Call Expired and FSBO Listings

Everyone from mortgage lenders, to financial planners, to insurance agents, can be potentially lucrative referral partners for a Realtor®. You may already have great relationships with some that just need to be more formalized. But, you don’t just want to partner with anyone, make sure these are people you also feel completely comfortable referring your clients to - people who share your values and work ethic.

Another avenue to consider is divorce attorneys – yes, you heard that correctly. Helping people go through this difficult period actually requires a very specific skill set.

You need to be able to handle the legal aspects, as well as the emotional ones. There are numerous training courses you can take if you decide to take this route, which could end up being a lucrative and much-needed specialty.

This is a route a lot of agents take when they are just starting out, that usually leads to great success. You probably haven’t cold called since you started out, and this is a great skill to build up again.

It will not only sharpen your sales skills, but could generate a lot more business.

People with For Sale By Owners (FSBOs) and expired listings, are usually very motivated to sell. This is a great chance for you to really hone in on why they need to hire you. Do you offer innovative marketing plans? Access to a large sphere of influence? Expired listing clients are looking for ways to sell a property that seems impossible to move. With FSBOs, you need to show them how you can get them more money in their pocket, even

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with paying you a commission. Pursuing both will really engage your mind to think outside of the box, which will not only get you more business, but make you better at what you do.

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Partner up with a Relocation Company

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Become a Builder’s Realtor® of choice

This is another niche market that you can really capitalize on if you want to pursue a new specialty. But, it is a specialty, so getting educated on the process will help you generate the business you want. It’s a complicated area of real estate, you’ll often

times be helping to facilitate dual transactions, as you try and secure a property at the same time you are helping your relocation client sell their previous home. This specialty is becoming an in-demand skill in areas that have major corporate headquarters.

This can be a real score for any Realtor®.

The competition might be fierce to land a client like this, but there are numerous ways to make yourself stand out from the rest.

Gain certifications and become knowledgeable about the construction process. Be wellversed on what trendy materials, features, and finishes will add value to a property.

Get the builder on board with you by offering to take just a segment of the subdivision then wow them with your marketing skills.

Take on properties they haven’t been able to sell. You can even offer to throw an open

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Create a Website that Offers Real Value to Potential Clients

Perhaps the most useful way of getting contact information for people looking to sell is by adding a home valuation feature to your website. When people are first considering selling their home, finding out how much

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house for them. This is another way to show them the level of service they can expect from you. These clients might be harder to land, but the payoff will be enormous.

it is worth is one of the first questions they want answered. By becoming a resource to potential clients (and current clients!), you just might be the first person that comes to mind when they’re actually looking to sell.

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STACEY FELTMAN

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STACEY FELTMAN Top Agent Stacey Feltman leads an award-winning group of ten agents with a combined 75 years of experience serving the North Dallas area, including Frisco, Prosper, and Plano.

Stacey Feltman started her career as the office manager of a real estate group. She soon found she had a passion for the business and studied for and received her license.

She started as a solo agent at Ebby Halliday 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Realtors, and a year later she began to grow her own team. She now leads an award-winning group of 10 agents with a combined 75 years of experience serving the North Dallas area, including Frisco, Prosper, and Top Agent Magazine

Plano. Although she has received countless awards, Stacey measures her success on the quality of relationships rather than the quantity of transactions.

Stacey’s success comes from her total dedication to customer service. She takes the time to get to know her clients so that she understands their goals and needs, and she responds quickly to their questions and Top Agent Magazine

concerns. She talks them through every step of the process and uses her expertise and strong negotiating skills to advocate on their behalf to reach the closing table. She and her team members’ number one focus is their clients’ happiness and satisfaction with the entire process. Her clients are eager to rave about the excellent service received, and as a result, an impressive 95% of Stacey’s business comes from repeat and referral clients.

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When it comes time to market listings, Stacey understands that in today’s market, most buyers start their search for a home online. She uses AI technologies, as well as traditional marketing methods such as digital print and social media to ensure her listing and brand has a vast reach. The average price of her listings is around $500K and the homes she sells are often under contract within days. To stay in touch with Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

past clients, Stacey reaches out by phone to say hello or wish clients happy birthday, and she drops off holiday gifts. “I am constantly connecting with them so that they know I don’t forget about them after we reach the closing table,” she says.

Stacey loves everything about her job.

“I’m one of the lucky ones!” she says. “My business is my passion and helping my Top Agent Magazine

Stacey loves everything about her job. “I’m one of the lucky ones!” she says. “My business is my passion and helping my clients means the world to me.” clients means the world to me.” Stacey and her team support the Frisco Independent School District and the Frisco YMCA, to give back to the community. Most Friday Top Agent Magazine

evenings, Stacey invites her entire team and their families over to spend time together and celebrate the success within the week. Stacey’s “why” is to support her Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

clients, but also to shape her own children’s futures showing a strong work ethic. “I do this all for them,” she says with a smile.

In the years to come, Stacey plans to grow

her business while keeping her team at its current size so that they can continue to provide the same high quality, boutique level of service.

To find out more about Stacey Feltman, please email staceyfeltman@ebby.com call (214)356-8368, or visit staceyfeltmangroup.com www.

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3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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MISTY TITTLE Misty Tittle – of Keller Williams Realty Rockwall in Rockwall, Texas – is that rare Realtor who truly goes above and beyond for each of her clients, ensuring that their best interests remain paramount during the entire transaction process. Having built her business on a solid foundation of honesty, integrity, and faith, Misty’s personalized and empathetic approach – coupled with her vast reservoir of industry knowledge – has elevated her to Top Agent status.

“I started out as a Transaction Coordinator for a top producing agent who then became a Broker,” recalls Misty, when asked how she began her real estate career.

“I then became her Compliance Officer for more than ninety agents. At a certain point I realized that I had turned over ten transactions in one year to my boss, and that I had developed quite a large sphere of influence.

That’s when I decided to get my license and strike out on my own.”

Since then, Misty has built a stellar business based on a desire to treat each and every client with respect, and as if they were her only client. This has translated, impressively, into a customer base that is almost entirely the result of referrals and positive word of mouth, perhaps the most accurate barometer of excellent customer service in the highly competitive real estate world.

“I’m truly a people person,” says Misty, explaining how she manages to inspire such great levels of trust and loyalty amongst her buyers and sellers. “”I truly care about others, and I don’t focus on the money part of my job; I’m a firm believer that if I go out and be God’s hands and feet and help my clients to the best of my ability, the business will follow naturally.” In addition to faith, empathy has also informed Misty’s approach. “In 2008, during the market crash, my family lost everything,” she says. “I know what it’s like to be Top Agent Magazine

uniformed as a buyer, so I love working with first-time home buyers, and making certain that they are educated about every step of the process, from beginning to end.

I also really enjoy helping people get a second chance at owning a home.”

There are many other factors that have played a role in Misty’s ever-growing success story, and chief among them would be her marketing strategies that are bolstered by Keller Williams’ vast resources, including achieving internet prominence and social media utilization, which result in quick sales for top dollar, not to mention happy clients.

When she’s not working, Misty loves nothing more than spending time with her two children, and is deeply involved with their school sports activities, including sponsorship of both their football and Little League programs. She is also active in her church, helping other women through her bible study group.

Misty’s plans for the future are to grow her business, and to grow a team consisting of like-minded agents who are similarly motivated by the desire to help people, rather than focusing on their paycheck. Above all, however, is her desire to continuing offering the exceptional, personalized and committed customer service that has become synonymous with her name.

For more information about Misty Tittle, please call 903-348-5323 or email mistytittlerealestate@gmail.com 19 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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4 Qualities of Exceptional Employees Hiring a new employee is one of the more stressful parts of being a business owner. After all, you’re taking someone on and trusting that they’ll not only be a valuable addition to the team, but won’t do anything to hurt your business’s hard earned reputation.

Sometimes a person comes in and you click right away, and other times you might be blown away by an impressive resume. But there are things you should look for that might not be as obvious at first. Employees that have the following qualities are ones you should seek out, because they will definitely be well worth the time and energy you invest in them.

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1. They have the confidence to be innovative There’s a reason people are drawn to those who think outside the box. Not only do innovations often lead to an extremely profitable business, even when that thinking doesn’t pan out, creative thinking is something that will energize your business and will motivate more employees to start taking chances.

Innovative thinkers also usually have great leadership skills. Ironically, you want an employee who isn’t afraid to speak up to authority and is someone who knows how to bend the rules without breaking them. They know that

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the success of the team and business is what’s most important, as long as it’s done ethically and with respect for everyone involved.

2. They are constantly reviewing their past performance A good employee looks forward, but they also look back. They are always evaluating what worked and what didn’t work in past performances and then adjusting their plans going forward accordingly. If they are coming off a big win, they know how to capitalize on that by using the momentum and cementing in everyone’s minds the value that they add to the team.

If things didn’t go as planned, they assess what they can do better next time, and they don’t get bogged down in insecurity. They take responsibility and they have confidence that they won’t repeat past mistakes. They know that failure is a temporary state, and are able to learn lessons from their mistakes, that will make them a better employee going forward.

While no one wants to fail, having the confidence to try something and fail will one day let you strike gold. Someone who lets failure shut them down, leads to a dead end and will soon make them a dead weight on your team.

3. They value teamwork Even though an exceptional employee might be a rising star, they realize that success is 22

not an individual endeavor, it relies strongly on who you’re working with. Exceptional employees make sure that everyone is contributing and valued for their input. They put the interests of the company above their own, and thrive in an environment where ideas and information are shared freely.

Shared success is the ultimate goal for every project. Exceptional employees have the confidence to know that even when they’re not singled out for praise, they’re an irreplaceable component of a larger machine.

4. They are self-motivated learners A key thing to remember is that while experience is a valuable commodity, intelligence and intellectual curiosity is usually something that can’t be taught. Yes, you might request employees get additional training or attend seminars, but exceptional employees will be seeking out educational opportunities constantly. Even if they don’t have a lot of money for weekend retreats, they will be getting books from the library, downloading audiobooks, and most importantly, taking advantage of one their greatest resources, YOU. Exceptional employees know that the way to stay ahead is to always be at the forefront of new technology and systems. They don’t see educating themselves as a burden, they actually enjoy it. They realize that everything they take in, will one day make them not only an exceptional employee, but an exceptional boss as well.

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TRICIA TURNER Tricia Turner and her team the TRICIA TURNER PROPERTIES Group with eXp Realty are laser focused on being at the top of their game in the real estate market.

Their slogan is “Driven by passion...

Inspired by People”, and that’s how their organization is run.

Working in real estate since 1992 has given Tricia the deep experience to go along with that passion, and she has built a powerful and successful team that services Fulshear, Katy, and all of the greater Houston areas.

That team, under Tricia’s expert guidance, is looking at hitting a 2020 goal of $75 million in production, with individual transactions ranging anywhere from $250,000 to well into the million dollar price points.

of Directors for the Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.

All of that leaves little time outside of work and service, but what is left is spent with her family either in the backyard at the pool or at the lake.

Tricia and her whole team are looking to grow not only the business but themselves. One value that drives the whole team is integrity. “There are a lot of fake people in real estate,” Tricia says. “That’s not how it is with us. With us, what you see is what you get. We operate with 100 percent transparency. We do the right thing, no matter what.”

Supporting that team is what motivates Tricia day by day. “I love helping my agents live an abundant life,” she tells Top Agent. And those agents in turn help their clients achieve their dreams all over Texas. “We have agents from Austin to Galveston and beyond, so we can serve every market out there, every homeowner out there.”

Serving every homeowner in every market means an aggressive approach to marketing. “We spend a fortune in marketing,” she says. “We do magazines, postcards, TV, social media, open houses, YouTube videos, you name it.”

When not supporting her agents or helping client’s dreams come true, Tricia is deeply invested in giving back to her community. She’s a member of the Brazos River Rotary Club, as well as serving as an ambassador for the child advocates of Fort Bend County.

Tricia also serves on the advisory board for Texana Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides behavioral healthcare, intellectual & developmental disabilities services to over 15,000 adults and children across Fort Bend County. Tricia is also on the Board Top Agent Magazine

To find out more about Tricia Turner, visit triciaturner.work, call 832-563-0916, or email Tricia@TriciaTurnerProperties.com www.

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