TEXAS 5-31-21

TEXAS EDITION

6 WAYS TO GET YOUR CLIENT TO TRUST YOU THINKING OF LISTING? NINE WAYS TO GET READY FEATURED AGENTS

7 REASONS WHY YOUR PROSPECTS AREN'T TURNING INTO CLIENTS

4 WAYS TO WIN MIRIAH ZUNIGA THE BATTLE AGAINST DEBA DOUGLAS PROCRASTINATION JEFF GEORGE LILIANA PADILLA COVER STORY SANDY RAUSHENBERGER TAMI DAVIS

GREGG KLAR

TEXAS EDITION

IRIAH ZUNIGA 7

JEFF GEORGE

Jeff George started career in marketing, averaging make memories and do his something new 11 18 20 he managed his own printing and DEBA DOUGLAS key to all that they’rewhere proud of,” she says. advertising company; however, through it estate bo

all, he had always harbored an interest in With a background insays.Not “W education and experiencedream also real estate.

Seeking a change, he decided ho When she isn’t working hard for her in investing, Deba has grea to switch paths and become a full-time I want the clients, Miriah is active in her community. agent—only to discover that his strong both the people skills and reac righ She is a member ofinthe Navarro County foundations advertising went hand-in- financial knowledge nec-Outside essary to carve a path for with his new®.career.

In TAMI the twenty activemem w Through theDAVIS Board of hand REALTORS LILIANA PADILLA as an elite Realtor®on the lear MIRIAH ZUNIGA GREGGtwo KLAR DEBA DOUGLAS GEORGE SANDY RAUSHENBERGER years since becoming a Realtor®, Jeff herselfJEFF M she hasn’t helps support, educate, and WorthCreek back.

Today, he leads the in the Dallas-Fort C Topboard, Agent Tami Davis looked –toof eXp Realty’s the questions weDeb did iana Padilla started outRaushenberger in averaging more than thirty transactions When she is not working, Sandy is loves to Sandy began her real estate area.

Dallas a competitive them 23 24 27 lift up other agents in her area.

Miriah SOLD by George Team through Keller Chairman managing an apartment per year, she has not lost sight of the The Escalante Group in Midlothian, gave us helpful tips dance and loves spending time her hasn’t career a little over 6 years ago. “My best market, butwithand that hopC g on her tenants, friends, time tested values that have anchored ® Texas Williams Realty, where he supervises an elite staff and Scout Hunting – is a hardworking, dedicated She always respond 30gives years, a portion of her commission family. She is a wife, mother and grandfriend was a Realtor for about also stopped Deba from making a name for herself early on esta would proceedand to she’d build been trying toRealtor her accomplished career from dayand one.she enjoys to assist clients throughout Houston, Galveston, or giving back, he ca talk me ®into it foris agents mother, taking herour family who truly committed to going requests to go lo from each closing to a charity of her in her career as an agent clients can depend on to work ugh those in her sphere, “I just love being there for people,” at least 10,” Sandy recalls.

Sandy decided on vacation and getting together all year and all of Eastern Texas.

Specializing in both residenfamily, hunting, fishi above and beyondshe forsays. her many buyers and and her communicat ewfound career “At the hard, end of thelong. day, there’s provide personalized service, and get results. Deb to around take the leap into real estate, and the “My family are my an inspiration tial and commercial properties, he has cultivated client’s choosing.

Additionally, she hosts sellers. Tami, whonothing has built a thriving was always quick.

I’ for client service.

Sure more rewarding than helping my She’s busibeen incheer thethe business forstep a year and a half now, com rest is history. By providing excellent accomplished and medemands on every of the way,” workflow to meet of any Jeff also has solid pl a Hometown Heroes program to assist ness on a solid foundation of honesty and Tami to anyone lookin kly discoveredservice that real clients find their dream home.” and dedication, Sandy helps her transaction.

Sandy says. and has built a reputation herself as a Realtor® thatcontinue her He also serves on the Agentfor Leadership his volume fect compliment to her has more than earned her stellar won’tefficiently be disappointed clients achieve their realintegrity, estate goals. can communicate extremely well and work high firefighters,Council policemen, teachers, nurses, for his KWasoffice, the Bay Area Commercial maintaining the same ality, acute attention to But Liliana is just passionate about In the future, Sandy plans to continue reputation as a trusted real estate advocate to help buy their or sellthe a home. clud LILIANA PADILLA SANDY RAUSHENBERGER TAMI DAVIS Real Estate Network is member of Bay Areaopened him succes ions, but spirit—and other servants in buying orandpeople selling epreneurial giving back to her industry.

In afact, she Withand Amazing Realty,public Sandy serves Waco growing herisbusiness.

“I just ansoI much who provides some of the very best customer “What like most In ha Houston Economic Partnership. looks strong tremendously enthusiastic about mentoand homes. the surrounding areas.

90% give investment side of my business, and I forward to th had ever hersince.

“Anyservice wayOver Iavailable can back,” Miriah says, “I am in The Lone Star State. estate is the fact n In her first fullofwent year as a contract licensedforRealtor®, Deba husb in thethat com of her business comes from repeat and ring the up-and-coming recently mythat sec-await members her under Douglas was honored as the Rookie of the Year for dom says Tami.

“I get to meet interest a career absolutely there.” feat that When clients, an impressive investment of 2021.Williams, My hough, Lilianareferral decided teamCONTENTS and sharingaher processond with theprefers next selling property, Jeff aproperty diversified our motto her broker, and closed 35 transactions for $4 million her began journey in the world of real estate in I get to tour some beautiful and speaks to the trust andTami confidence sheher inspires.

Often husband, a 26 year veteran of the United State Air k to the next level and generation of Realtors.

“I enjoy coaching Leaning on his in-house marketing expert, as that order,” he–says current Sandy even gets referrals from other agents atstrategy. no referral Force, is my partner in the investment business,” Sandy worth of volume.

People know her as a Realtor® who main a Padilla Realty Group, my team members on the in-and-outs offor July of 2018. “Previously,” she recalls, “I worked –hehomes single day. also well as his own professional background, broad-every easy, but if we Iput G leap intoshe Outside of they work, Miriah’s favorite thing to do is spend fee.

“That’s because know I’ll treat their friends or says.

“I’m hoping to expand in that area, because I’ve bird, where currently oversees an the business,” she says.

“I’m always available to them, genuinely cares about the well-being of her clients, and cust 4) 7 REASONS WHY 21) 6 WAYS TO GET YOUR a pediatric dentist forhiseighteen years.

Ultimately, it and make my ownelse schedule. may casts listings over both the local MLS a blend will fall Iinto plaw family well,” Sandy explains.

“I Igo above and beyondin their found thatthe I really like it and I’m really good at it.” vice San Antonio and have truly invested success.” goes extra mile to support and guide them through Dall andclients full throughout time with her husband of eight years and their two became very depressing to constantly work an eightI did with my eight-to-five job, b of targeted social media campaigns, a worldYOUR PROSPECTS AREN'T CLIENT TOreaching TRUST YOU for myshared clients.” ding areas. Having her clientthe challenging process of a real estate transaction. get i wide audience.

Meanwhile, he where applies histhein-depth to-five job. Icamping was finally at aLiliana point inSandy mycompleted life potential for income depends Above all, says, “I love helping people.

My degree children.

They and recently INTO CLIENTS th those in herTURNING team, she has fostered a enjoy When she’s not with clients, can be found travelunderstanding the market buyers, kids older, andtime I felt Ilocal could take to theaid his how hard you’re Sandy’s honesty and my communication set her apart. isof inlike Homeland Security/Emergency Management, andwilling to work 25) THINKING OF LISTING? around integrity, open communication, ing orwere spending quality with her husband; however, construction on a new family home.

The family loves to Deba’s primary goal when working with clients is “I’m always honest and upfront,” she says.

“I’ll tell my that was my career for a while.

While real estate isn’t carefully guiding them to their dream home while riskWIN and get has mystrong license.

I joined theNINE Escalante Group, TO GET READY compassion. “My clients are neverTO just she also plans for the future of her WAYS business.

9) 4 WAYS building and making them comfortable.

She clients from the beginning: hire me tokeeping be honest, necessarily antrust emergency situation, it istoafeel lifetime trans-working, yshetosays.go get outside whenever best interests in mind.

“The keys this “Rather, when I assist them, Withjust herpossible. volume and their referral base maintaining their and You it’s been amazing.”

Thus began Tami’s rapid When she’s not Tami is always responsive to their questions and consistent not to tell you what you want to hear.

I’m going to give formation for people.

It’s a very good feeling to be able BATTLE business areon quality ofspending the ping membersTHE of my own family.” AGAINST steady growth, she intends adding of ontocare her and team knowledge in ascendancy in the real estate industry. than time with her fami majority you the honest answer, no matter what it ahead. is. TheyInreally to help people realize their dream ofshe owning a home.” in the her follow-up, and when doesn’t have the anthe months the says. meantime, though, she’s more area,” he “In commercial realm, you always PROCRASTINATION sons.

“My basically appreciate that.” to the future, Miriah plans to referrals, Looking continue providswer, she is more than to go outlife andisfind it. “I base me, Liliana provides her clients with an than satisfied with the fulfilling life and career she has willing want to be on top of what’s developing next, which Currently, a significant portion of time Tami’s personal sheclients says and wryly. toone consult with . After helping them fully prepare their established in actually the to community shetake loves. helpsand with residential realof estate asmy well.

After give them all y.

She is When ing her high-quality service each every her it comes to marketing her listings, Sandy uses the business is based upon repeat and referral clients, a arket, she broadcasts her listings over the where necessary information so they feel confident and all,exposure. residential goes the businesses go.” full range of social media to ensure maximum she says, clients.

“I don’t really have a dollar sign or a volume sure sign of the excellent customer service she has give them an extensive reach throughempowered, and know they’re in good hands,” Deba Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 She maintains pages across all the major platforms, he also keeps things lighthearted along been providing since day one.

“I think it’s because I says.

“I close lovethat my job because enjoy connecting with overed in including that IFacebook, chase,”YouTube, she says.

“It’s all about staying go-to Pinterest, LinkedIn, But also remains in contact with hisI clients mag@topagentmagazine.com | Jeff www.topagentmagazine.com hooting any issues thatand may arise and make myself available to my clients,” says Tami, when people from all walks of life.

I my Twitter, Instagram.

She also invests in promotion after deals are done Itochange ensure they are treat fullyevery one of ople feel person and continuing toinwell see howthe many lives out of the transaction.

Meanwhile, she To learn mo No portion of this issue may be reproduced any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine with Lands of Texas. asked how she has clientssuch family.”

Deba is aOver people who aims managed inspire impressive satisfied andtothriving inlike new homes. theperson e when collaborating with her buyers, is through published

by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken totheir ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top buying, selling, and making an impact in my to make her clients’ lifereputation as easy asallpossible, and sheemail j levels of trust and loyalty amongst those she works years, he expressed has earned ansupplied outstanding Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts by its authors. to cultivate a Community relationship with them visit soldb involvement is important to Sandy. She is with.

“Isend pretty much work seven consistently days a week.meets I alsotheir try needs through her excellent Tocommunity.” subscribe address, to mag@topagentmagazine.com. throughout for their needs—from start ortochange finish. actively involved in a domestic abuseinquiry support group in Texas, with the vast majority of his volume or ca communication and her willingness Published in the U.S. of to put myself in my clients’ and see their side of and everages her depth of knowledge coming fromshoes repeat clients and referrals, his teamto go above and op 8% of the community.

As a domestic abuse survivor herself, beyond call as of duty area to carefully guide eachadvice clientand to things apositiveduring each transaction, and justthe work hardfor them. This is why Deba and Sandy gives encouragement to peoethat Best of her team more 95%Raushenberger, of their business through speaks tople their best interests.

To find outget more about Sandy coming out of tough believe thatachieve you assituations.

I can to“Ihelp them their goals and justthan be 2 Top Agent Magazine referrals from satisfied clients. please call 254-640-1957, either let things make you or break you,”and Sandy says, the entire way.” super-involved helpful

GREGG KLAR

rs, this knowledgeable approach hasmake me, because I’m not going “and I chose to have this

www.

email sandyrealtor2015@gmail.com, or visit

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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7 Reasons Why Your Prospects Aren’t Turning Into Clients Real estate experts suggest prospecting daily so that your sales pipeline never runs dry.

But sometimes all that effort doesn’t translate into results. If your prospects aren’t becoming clients, there’s a reason, which is better than it sounds because that means you can fix the problem.

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1. You’re Too Slow The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials estimates that there are about 2 million active real estate licensees in the United States alone. Of course, not all these individuals are working in the same markets. Nonetheless, that

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If your prospects aren’t becoming clients, there’s a reason, which is better than it sounds because that means you can fix the problem.

means that realtors face a lot of competition. If you are slow to respond to messages from prospective clients, someone else is sure to beat you to it. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to return calls and emails within 24 hours.

If you’re too busy working with active clients to return the phone calls and emails of prospective clients, consider hiring a real estate assistant who can help take administrative or marketing tasks off your plate.

2. They Don’t Trust You There are different reasons why a client might not trust you, some of which overlap with others on this list. When a client asks you a question, do you answer it directly or do you sidestep it?

Do you have testimonials and reviews from happy clients publicly available? Do you have an online presence? Social proof of your skills and knowledge is key.

3. You Don’t Seem Knowledgeable Enough Is your client constantly coming to you with new listings or marketing ideas rather than the Top Agent Magazine

other way around? Do they mention real estate and finance terms you’ve never heard of or ask you questions you’ve never thought to ask yourself? Every agent starts somewhere, but if this seems to be a pattern, it’s one clients will pick up on too.

Your clients want to know that you will add value to their home buying or selling experience, and part of that value is your expertise and passion.

4. You Have No Web Presence It’s not enough to be on Zillow or have a Facebook page. There are clients who don’t use these platforms, and at the end of the day, you don’t own the content or your access to it. Both platforms could suddenly go out of business and any following you’ve gained could be lost.

It doesn’t cost much to create and maintain a website today. If customization matters little to you, sometimes you can even get up and running for free. At the very least, it’s a good idea to invest in a domain name because yourwebsite. wordpress.com looks a lot less professional than yourwebsite.com.

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5. You Don’t Seem to Care When clients don’t think you care, it usually means they don’t feel like you are listening.

You may have systems, processes, and a proven marketing strategy. You may like to get right down to business, but to your client, this isn’t just business—it’s their life and their family’s livelihood.

When your client tells you what’s important to them, they want to make sure that you really hear them. Make sure your body language conveys that. Slow down. Shut your office door.

Make eye contact, nod your head, and pause before you speak so that they understand that you’ve put thought into your words—that they aren’t simply lines from a script.

6. You Use Too Much Jargon Remember that your clients don’t speak real estate. At most, they might buy or sell a home once every few years. They hired you to be their advocate and may even expect you to be a bit of a teacher too. Use layman’s terms so that your

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client fully understands how the two of you will work together.

7. Your Target Audience Is Everyone Your clients are home buyers and sellers, yes, but who is your ideal client? Some specialties you might consider are college students and recent graduates, working professionals, military families, seniors, CEOs, or other high-profile clients.

As a newer agent, your target audience might be anyone who will hire you, but over time, you might find that you click more with certain clients, that their lifestyle is similar to yours, or that their goals align with your mission. Whatever the reason, marketing your business to this “ideal client” rather than every potential client will make selling your services easier.

Remember: It’s within your power to alleviate your client’s concerns, but understanding why your prospects aren’t turning into clients is a good start.

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MIRIAH ZUNIGA “Since I first started, I’ve always based everything on relationships,” says Miriah Zuniga, a top agent with Premier Realty in Texas. “It’s never just a deal and we’re done. My service goes far beyond the closing table. My clients really become my friends after the transaction, and I do everything I can to keep up with those relationships.”

Miriah first got involved in the real estate industry after spending several years in healthcare. “I’ve always wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how I wanted to do it,” she says. She tried out various positions, but none of them felt exactly right. When Miriah had her first child in 2016, she decided it was time for a career change. After some encouragement from her current broker and mentor, Miriah decided to make the leap into real estate. She says, “I went in, guns blazing and full time, as a real estate agent.”

Servicing Navarro County, Miriah is happy to go wherever her clients want to be in the area. The majority of her business comes from repeat and referrals, something that Miriah credits to her authenticity. She is always one hundred percent herself. Laughing, she says, “I’m the only agent here in my county that is covered in tattoos. It makes me stand apart, and it makes people feel more comfortable with me.”

Her authenticity pays off. Miriah ranked in the top 8% of REALTORS® and was voted the People’s Choice Best of the Best REALTOR® in Navarro County.

Miriah specializes in working with first-time homebuyers, and one of her favorite parts of her chosen profession is helping those clients establish themselves in the next phase of their lives. “This year with COVID really gave me a whole new meaning to why I do what I do,” explains Miriah. She found herself working with people who had recently lost family members and were looking for a fresh beginning. “It’s an opportunity for them to Top Agent Magazine

make memories and do something new that they’re proud of,” she says.

When she isn’t working hard for her clients, Miriah is active in her community.

She is a member of the Navarro County Board of REALTORS®. Through the board, she helps to support, educate, and lift up other agents in her area. Miriah also gives a portion of her commission from each closing to a charity of her client’s choosing. Additionally, she hosts a Hometown Heroes program to assist firefighters, policemen, teachers, nurses, and other public servants in buying or selling their homes. “Any way I can give back,” Miriah says, “I am absolutely there.”

Outside of work, Miriah’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband of eight years and their two children. They enjoy camping and recently completed construction on a new family home. The family loves to get outside whenever possible.

Looking to the future, Miriah plans to continue providing her high-quality service to each and every one of her clients. “I don’t really have a dollar sign or a volume that I chase,” she says. “It’s all about staying that go-to person and continuing to see how many lives I change through buying, selling, and making an impact in my community.”

To learn more about Miriah Zuniga, call 469-570-5553, visit miriahzuniga-realtor.com or email miriah@txpremierrealty.com www.realtor.ca/agent/1671979/stacey-campbell-15-scurfield-boulevard-winnipeg-manitoba-r3y1g3 www.

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Lowell Dunn & Staff are proud to congratulate

MIRIAH ZUNIGA

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

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LOWELL DUNN, ATTORNEY AT LAW 903.872.5111 | 903.872.7610 (Fax) lowell@dunnlawtx.com 319 W. 3rd Avenue, P.O. Box 507, Corsicana, Texas 75151 8

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4 Ways to Win the Battle Against Procrastination One of the most common professional afflictions is procrastination. The funny thing is, everyone knows that procrastination is negative—it’s a waste of time, a creator of stress, and is entirely a problem of our own making.

Still, knowing all of this doesn’t necessarily decrease our odds of procrastination. There are plenty of explanations we give when putting Top Agent Magazine

work off until the last minute. Perhaps you convince yourself that you work best under pressure, but it’s truer that you’re used to working under pressure by necessity. Maybe you’re a perfectionist and the fear of getting it all wrong puts you off from the task. Whatever the justification may be, overcoming procrastination requires some willpower and technique. With

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that in mind, take a look at a few tricks below to jumpstart your motivation and nix the lastminute time crunch. After all, you owe it to yourself and your business to operate like a procrastination-free professional.

1. Make Your Intentions Known As realtors and mortgage professionals, you may serve as your own boss. So, when the time comes to complete a task and you put it off—perhaps you’re only disappointing yourself. This is easily remedied by making a new promise to try again tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s much harder to break promises and commitments to others. Try verbalizing your intent and commitment to your team, or to an assistant who can hold you accountable, or better yet—to a business partner or to a client.

Make a hard deadline public and you’re likely to perform for fear of embarrassment or losing face. In a way, this puts the pressure of expectation on you, instead of the pressure of the ticking clock.

2. Take a Baby Step When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your 10

list can inspire you to continue on to the next item in the spirit of productivity.

3. Work in Windows If work is the last thing you want to do and you can’t seem to self-motivate, make a compromise with yourself. Agree to work just fifteen minutes, and mean it. This tiny window of time is easy enough to complete, isn’t overwhelming, and you’ve already agreed to move on once time is up. The truth? Odds are that just fifteen minutes of active work will inspire you to keep going. After all, the most difficult part of procrastination is getting started. By putting in those fifteen minutes, you’ll trick yourself into diving into the action.

4. Switch Up Your Environment If you’re stuck in rut when it comes to procrastination and productivity, try changing your surroundings. If the office feels stale and stressful, take your work to the nearest coffee shop and try to tackle your tasks there. Perhaps the quiet, studious ambiance of a library can make you focus, or a picnic table outside the office can stimulate the senses. Sometimes changing your scenery can breathe new life into your routine and give you the extra push you need to get work done.

There’s no one way to overcome procrastination.

In fact, it’s likely a lifelong process of building discipline, finding techniques that work for you, and simply prioritizing your time more effectively. Don’t lose hope—remember these tricks and winning the war will be possible, even if you lose a few battles along the way.

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GREGG KLAR Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Gregg Klar leads Gregg’s Team at Keller Williams Luxury Division and serves clients throughout the Austin, Texas area.

In the real estate business since 1998, Gregg Klar uses his expertise and wealth of experience to help buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. He was inspired to start in the business by his great aunt who worked as an agent for many years and left him the business upon retiring. He now leads Gregg’s Team at Keller Williams Luxury Division and serves clients throughout Austin, Texas.

The foundation of Gregg’s success is focusing on creating enduring relationships with his clients, thanks to which the majority of his business now consists of referral and repeat sources. “One thing clients admire about my team is 12 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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that we stay in close contact with them.

We host client events throughout the year to show them our appreciation for trusting us,” Gregg says, and adds that aside from a monthly newsletter and emails he also personally reached out to past clients at the beginning of the pandemic. “When Covid first started I called every single person in my database—which was about 1,900 people—to check in on them, make sure they’re doing alright and let them know we’re here for them. We don’t treat Top Agent Magazine

people like a one-time transaction, we want to be their agents for life.”

As a veteran in the real estate business, Gregg has weathered every market scenario and helped his clients successfully reach their dream outcome. “In the time frame that I’ve been in the business I’ve seen the market go up and come down. I’ve been through just about every market condition and have been able to seamlessly navigate my clients and make 13 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

“I enjoy helping families achieve both short term and long-term goals. I’ve now been in the business so long that I’m getting to see my clients’ kids come into the market and they’re using me to buy their first home.” the transaction process an enjoyable experience for them.”

One of the best parts of Gregg’s job is getting to work with second generation clients. “I enjoy helping families achieve Copyright Top Agent Magazine 14

both short term and long-term goals. I’ve now been in the business so long that I’m getting to see my clients’ kids come into the market and they’re using me to buy their first home. Guiding them through all those years to make sure that they have a lasting Top Agent Magazine

legacy and build long term wealth through real estate is very rewarding for me.”

Committed to the community he serves, Gregg is deeply involved in contributing to local organizations. He is a board member Top Agent Magazine

for the local Police foundation and a member of Habitat of Humanity. He is also a chairperson for KW Cares, a charity created to support Keller Williams associates. When he’s not busy giving back, he enjoys traveling as well as working in his garden.

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Going forward Gregg is looking to pass some of his knowledge to other agents.

He is currently hosting virtual lessons for Keller Williams agents around the country, teaching them how to break into the

business and become experts in the luxury market. “I love helping other agents by sharing things I’ve learned over the years, and I hope I will be able to mentor them in person very soon.”

To learn more about Gregg Klar email greggklar@gmail.com, visit GreggsTeam.com, or call (512) 653–0488 www.

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DEBA DOUGLAS With a background in education and experience in investing, Deba has both the people skills and financial knowledge necessary to carve a path for herself as an elite Realtor® in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dallas is a competitive market, but that hasn’t stopped Deba from making a name for herself early on in her career as an agent clients can depend on to work hard, provide personalized service, and get results.

She’s been in the business for a year and a half now, and has built a reputation for herself as a Realtor® that can communicate extremely well and work efficiently to help people buy or sell a home.

In her first full year as a licensed Realtor®, Deba Douglas was honored as the Rookie of the Year for her broker, and closed 35 transactions for $4 million worth of volume. People know her as a Realtor® who genuinely cares about the well-being of her clients, and goes the extra mile to support and guide them through the challenging process of a real estate transaction.

Deba’s primary goal when working with clients is building trust and making them feel comfortable. She is always responsive to their questions and consistent in her follow-up, and when she doesn’t have the answer, she is more than willing to go out and find it. “I take time to consult with my clients and give them all the necessary information so they feel confident and empowered, and know they’re in good hands,” Deba says. “I love my job because I enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life. I treat every one of my clients like family.” Deba is a people person who aims to make her clients’ life as easy as possible, and she consistently meets their needs through her excellent communication and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for them. This is why Deba and her team get more than 95% of their business through referrals from satisfied clients.

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Not only is Deba an advocate for her clients; she is also a leader of a team of eight members, and finds great fulfillment in educating and inspiring them to reach their full potential as Realtors® in their own right. Deba says, “My purpose is empowering my team members to be successful, using the skills that I’ve learned when it comes to buying and selling homes.”

Deba is confident in her team’s abilities and promotes them through an active social media presence, and she hopes to see her team become the go-to brand for real estate service in their area.

Deba finds it important to be fully engaged with her community. She fosters a consistent relationship with her sphere through social media and email, and is highly involved with several local organizations, including the Shoreline City Church and the Food Pantry.

In her free time, she loves exploring the city with her husband and two boys. For the future, Deba hopes to dominate Dallas real estate with her team, and to push her brand to as large an audience as possible while maintaining the standard of excellence she holds for her customer service. If you’re looking for a Realtor® in Dallas who is efficient and who cares about her clients, get in touch with Deba Douglas today!

To learn more about Deba Douglas, please call (469) 360-8869, email realtordeba@yahoo.com or visit debadouglasgroup.com Top Agent Magazine

Laughs!

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JEFF GEORGE Jeff George started his career in marketing, where he managed his own printing and advertising company; however, through it all, he had always harbored an interest in real estate. Seeking a change, he decided to switch paths and become a full-time agent—only to discover that his strong foundations in advertising went hand-inhand with his new career. In the twenty two years since becoming a Realtor®, Jeff hasn’t looked back. Today, he leads the SOLD by George Team through Keller Williams Realty, where he supervises an elite staff and agents to assist clients throughout Houston, Galveston, and all of Eastern Texas. Specializing in both residential and commercial properties, he has cultivated an accomplished workflow to meet the demands of any transaction. He also serves on the Agent Leadership Council for his KW office, the Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network and is a member of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.

When selling a property, Jeff prefers a diversified strategy. Leaning on his in-house marketing expert, as well as his own professional background, he broadcasts his listings over both the local MLS and a blend of targeted social media campaigns, reaching a worldwide audience. Meanwhile, he applies his in-depth understanding of the local market to aid his buyers, carefully guiding them to their dream home while keeping their best interests in mind. “The keys to this business are quality of care and knowledge of the area,” he says. “In the commercial realm, you always want to be on top of what’s developing next, which actually helps with residential real estate as well. After all, residential goes where the businesses go.”

But Jeff also remains in close contact with his clients well after the deals are done to ensure they are fully satisfied and thriving in their new homes. Over the years, he has earned an outstanding reputation all throughout Texas, with the vast majority of his volume coming from repeat clients and referrals, and his team 20

averaging 150+ transactions per year. The key to all this success? “Everything in real estate boils down to serving people,” Jeff says. “Whether a client is selecting their dream home or starting their own business, I want them to prosper and enjoy their life.”

Outside his career, Jeff is tremendously active within his community. He serves on the Media Technical Team at the Clear Creek Community Church, and is the Chairman for his local Boy Scout Troop and Scout Hunting Crew. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, or scuba diving.

Jeff also has solid plans for the future of his team. As his volume continues its steady growth, he intends on maintaining the same standard of service that has won him so much success. Through it all, though, he most looks forward to the new clients and opportunities that await in the community he loves. “Here at Keller Williams, our motto is ‘God, Family, then Career,’ in that order,” he says. “This business can’t always be easy, but if we put God first, we trust that everything else will fall into place.”

To learn more about Jeff George email jgeorge@kw.com, visit soldbygeorgeteam.com or call (281) 336-3121. www.

Top Agent Magazine

6 Ways to Get Your Client to Trust You The word “REALTOR®” can leave a sour taste in some people’s mouths. Many of today’s home buyers and sellers grew up during the 2009 recession. They are wary of anything Top Agent Magazine

or anyone who comes off as too salesy, and they want to work with individuals who they can trust.

But how do you prove to someone you’ve likely never met that you can be trusted?

Top Agent Magazine ®

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1

Put Testimonials or Case Studies on Your Website

When something goes wrong, own up to your mistakes. Don’t hide bad news from your clients. Be upfront and responsive.

Testimonials and case studies are social proof that you have both the experience and the skills to do the job your clients are hiring you for. People often leave testimonials when they are either incredibly disappointed or extremely happy with the service they were provided, so they’re a good indication to prospective clients of the treatment they’ll receive.

Case studies, which you can post on your blog or website, have much of the same effect, but even more than testimonials, case studies demonstrate your real estate and finance expertise because they explain how you achieved a specific set of results.

2

Be Responsive and Accessible

Can your clients reach you easily? That doesn’t mean you need to be available 24/7, but you should respond to your clients within a few hours of receiving their message. When agents don’t respond to their clients’ calls or emails for days on end or fail to provide them with a direct line of contact, their clients’ experience can quickly become frustrating.

Agents are busy but so are their clients. If you constantly show up late to or reschedule meetings, your clients won’t feel like their time is respected or their business is valued. Make sure you set a realistic schedule for yourself rather than spreading yourself too thin.

3

Be Honest and Transparent

Sometimes you don’t have the answer to a client’s question. Be honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and the limits of your knowledge. A good response might be, “I don’t know, but I can find out.” Be transparent with your clients, and they’ll respect you for it.

You should always act in their best interest.

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4

Go the Extra Mile

If you do the bare minimum, that’s what your clients will remember. Their experience won’t be memorable, and they won’t gush about you in online testimonials or in real life to people they know who could use your services. It’s that simple.

5

Put Yourself in Your Client’s Shoes

Clients understand that you need to earn money, but that doesn’t mean they want to feel like they’re just a dollar sign to you. Be empathetic to your client’s concerns, even if you’ve heard it all before. Your clients should know that you are there for them.

6

Be Consistent

Being responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable shouldn’t be an act. If you “turn on” your personality for clients and then suddenly become a different person when they leave the room, it’s likely that the cracks in your mask will eventually become apparent.

But “faking it till you make it” is so common it’s become a cliché. When we are starting out, we don’t always have the systems or resources in place to create a smooth client journey, from onboarding to closing, so instead we constantly try to reinvent the wheel. Give yourself time to pause, slow down, and reevaluate your workflow. Creating systems creates

consistency, and those systems can and should be constantly updated.

Developing trust between you and your clients will take time, but doing these things can give you a running start.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

LILIANA PADILLA Six years ago, Liliana Padilla started out in real estate while managing an apartment complex. Leaning on her tenants, friends, and family, she would proceed to build her business through those in her sphere, anchoring her newfound career around a natural instinct for client service. Sure enough, she quickly discovered that real estate was a perfect compliment to her outgoing personality, acute attention to detail, and entrepreneurial spirit—and she’s been going strong ever since.

Most recently, though, Liliana decided to take her work to the next level and launch the Liliana Padilla Realty Group, powered by Redbird, where she currently oversees an elite team to service clients throughout San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Having shared her clientfirst approach with those in her team, she has fostered a boutique culture around integrity, open communication, and, most of all, compassion. “My clients are never just a number to me,” she says. “Rather, when I assist them, I feel like I’m helping members of my own family.”

When listing a home, Liliana provides her clients with an effective strategy. After helping them fully prepare their house for the market, she broadcasts her listings over social media to give them an extensive reach throughout the region. She also keeps things lighthearted along the way, troubleshooting any issues that may arise and taking any stress out of the transaction. Meanwhile, she is just as attentive when collaborating with her buyers, taking the time to cultivate a relationship with them and advocating for their needs—from start to finish.

Moreover, she leverages her depth of knowledge of the San Antonio area to carefully guide each client to a sound investment that speaks to their best interests.

Through the years, this knowledgeable approach has earned Liliana and her team an outstanding reputation throughout Texas, with the vast majority of her volume coming from repeat clients and referrals. And despite Top Agent Magazine

averaging more than thirty transactions per year, she has not lost sight of the time tested values that have anchored her accomplished career from day one.

“I just love being there for people,” she says. “At the end of the day, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping my clients find their dream home.”

But Liliana is just as passionate about giving back to her industry. In fact, she is tremendously enthusiastic about mentoring the up-and-coming members of her team and sharing her process with the next generation of Realtors. “I enjoy coaching my team members on the in-and-outs of the business,” she says. “I’m always available to them, and I have truly invested in their success.”

When she’s not with clients, Liliana can be found traveling or spending quality time with her husband; however, she also has strong plans for the future of her business.

With her volume and referral base maintaining their steady growth, she intends on adding onto her team in the months ahead. In the meantime, though, she’s more than satisfied with the fulfilling life and career she has established in the community she loves.

To learn more about Liliana Padilla email lilianapadilla.realtor@gmail.com or call (210) 415-2657 Copyright Top Agent Magazine 23

SANDY RAUSHENBERGER Sandy Raushenberger began her real estate career a little over 6 years ago. “My best friend was a Realtor® for about 30 years, and she’d been trying to talk me into it for at least 10,” Sandy recalls. Sandy decided to take the leap into real estate, and the rest is history. By providing excellent service and dedication, Sandy helps her clients achieve their real estate goals.

With Amazing Realty, Sandy serves Waco and the surrounding areas. Over 90% of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence she inspires. Often Sandy even gets referrals from other agents at no referral fee. “That’s because they know I’ll treat their friends or family well,” Sandy explains. “I go above and beyond for my clients.”

Sandy’s honesty and communication set her apart.

“I’m always honest and upfront,” she says. “I’ll tell my clients from the beginning: You hire me to be honest, not to tell you what you want to hear. I’m going to give you the honest answer, no matter what it is. They really appreciate that.”

When she is not working, Sandy loves to dance and loves spending time with her family. She is a wife, mother and grandmother, and she enjoys taking her family on vacation and getting together all year long. “My family are my inspiration and cheer me on every step of the way,” Sandy says.

In the future, Sandy plans to continue growing her business. “I just opened an investment side of my business, and I recently went under contract for my second investment property of 2021. My husband, a 26 year veteran of the United State Air Force, is my partner in the investment business,” Sandy says. “I’m hoping to expand in that area, because I’ve found that I really like it and I’m really good at it.”

Above all, Sandy says, “I love helping people. My degree is in Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and that was my career for a while. While real estate isn’t necessarily an emergency situation, it is a lifetime transformation for people. It’s a very good feeling to be able to help people realize their dream of owning a home.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Sandy uses the full range of social media to ensure maximum exposure.

She maintains pages across all the major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. She also invests in promotion with Lands of Texas.

Community involvement is important to Sandy. She is actively involved in a domestic abuse support group in the community. As a domestic abuse survivor herself, Sandy gives advice and positive encouragement to people coming out of tough situations. “I believe that you either let things make you or break you,” Sandy says, “and I chose to have this make me, because I’m not going to have anybody tell me that I cannot be successful.”

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To find out more about Sandy Raushenberger, please call 254-640-1957, email sandyrealtor2015@gmail.com, or visit landandfarm.com/BrokerDirectory/Sandy_Raushenberger-8191

www.

Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

Thinking of Listing?

Nine Ways to Get Ready The less time a home spends on the market, the more likely it is to sell at or above list price. That’s why our Top Agents recommend getting a property ready for marketing well before listing. Anyone who is even just starting to think about listing will benefit from some basic upkeep and pre-staging work. Even if you decide now is not the time to list, you’ll enjoy these simple improvements around the home.

With the right local resources, most pre-listing preparations take less than a week and will make the formal staging process simpler for all involved.

Ask Top Agents in your area for referrals of local pros to hire. Once you’ve selected your Top Agent, keep yourself open to his or her opinion on other TLC to help decrease your home’s market time.

1. Inspection: The last thing a seller or buyer wants is a surprise at

inspection. That’s why a complete inspection before listing is so valuable.

Many necessary fixes, such as minor roof or appliance repairs, can be discovered and repaired in less than a week. If inspection uncovers a major issue, any Top Agent will tell you that this knowledge is power; disclosing and expecting to take responsibility will increase buyers’ trust without affecting market time.

2. De-Clutter: Take a little time to pack away surplus furniture items and

extra knick-knacks, papers, books or occasional-use items throughout your house. Remember this may require boxing away video game supplies or packing up comfy throw pillows and blankets. Move these items temporarily into closets, the garage or attic with the assumption of possibly renting a storage unit just before listing.

3. Paint: Whole-house painting is likely not necessary, but consider touching

up baseboard moldings and doorways and open wall spaces in high-use areas Top Agent Magazine

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such as bathrooms, the office, family room and indoor recreation spaces.

Also consider a little varnish on the front door or banister.

4. Artwork and Decor: Take a neutral look at your décor. Better yet, ask a

Top Agent to do so. Buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your home. While your Top Agent may not advise you to appear generic, you’ll likely need to thin out any shrine-like displays to family, hobbies or cultural interests.

5. Deep-Clean Housekeeping: After you’ve de-cluttered and touched up

the paint, request a deep cleaning from your housekeeping service and weekly cleanings thereafter. Make sure they pay attention to details like dusting or vacuuming window treatments and lampshades or wiping smudges off door jams and baseboard moldings.

6. Carpets and Rugs: Bring in the pros, but don’t just clean the carpets.

Because the cleaners will be moving furniture anyway, ask them stretch and tighten any buckled areas of carpeting. Doing so now saves the trouble of having to credit your buyer for this following final walk-through. Also consider removing small area rugs to let the beauty of your hardwood floors shine.

7. Look at the Loo: Buyers may not notice a brand-new toilet seat, but they

will turn up their noses at the one with the broken hinges. Freshly replaced toilet seats, faucets or doorknobs in heavily trafficked bathrooms can go a long way in first impressions.

8. “Mow & Blow”: Consider buyers as guests you want to feel welcome

as they ascend the front walk. If you don’t already have one, hire a weekly gardening service to keep up with the mowing, weeding, pruning and basic maintenance outside so you can focus on other things.

9. Staging: Once you’ve selected a staging professional for the finishing

touches, ask them and your Top Agent for final recommendations on day-today upkeep, storage options and what-to-do (or what not to do) while your house is on the market.

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Top Agent Magazine

TAMI DAVIS Top Agent Tami Davis – of eXp Realty’s The Escalante Group in Midlothian, Texas – is a hardworking, dedicated Realtor® who is truly committed to going above and beyond for her many buyers and sellers. Tami, who has built a thriving business on a solid foundation of honesty and integrity, has more than earned her stellar reputation as a trusted real estate advocate who provides some of the very best customer service available in The Lone Star State.

Tami began her journey in the world of real estate in July of 2018. “Previously,” she recalls, “I worked for a pediatric dentist for eighteen years. Ultimately, it became very depressing to constantly work an eightto-five job. I was finally at a point in my life where my kids were older, and I felt like I could take the risk and get my license. I joined the Escalante Group, and it’s just been amazing.” Thus began Tami’s rapid ascendancy in the real estate industry.

Currently, a significant portion of Tami’s personal business is based upon repeat and referral clients, a sure sign of the excellent customer service she has been providing since day one. “I think it’s because I make myself available to my clients,” says Tami, when asked how she has managed to inspire such impressive levels of trust and loyalty amongst those she works with. “I pretty much work seven days a week. I also try to put myself in my clients’ shoes and see their side of things during each transaction, and just work as hard as I can to help them achieve their goals and just be super-involved and helpful the entire way.”

As further proof of Tami’s commitment to top-of-theline customer service, one needs to look no further than Zillow.com, on which site she holds a perfect, fivestar overall review comprised of dozens of glowing testimonials. Reads just one of these: “Tami is the best Realtor® around. She sold our house in record time while making the process extremely easy for us. While searching for our new home she asked the builder all Top Agent Magazine

the questions we didn’t know to ask. She gave us helpful tips on different builders.

She always responded extremely fast to our requests to go look at different houses and her communication with the builders was always quick. I’d highly recommend Tami to anyone looking for a Realtor®. You won’t be disappointed.”

“What I like most about working in real estate is the fact that no two days are alike,” says Tami. “I get to meet interesting people every day.

I get to tour some beautiful – and some not so beautiful – homes every single day. I also love the freedom to make my own schedule. I may work more hours than I did with my eight-to-five job, but it’s flexible. Also, the potential for income depends on nothing more than how hard you’re willing to work.”

When she’s not working, Tami enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family which includes two sons. “My life is basically baseball and real estate,” she says wryly.

For more information about Tami Davis, please call 817-456-8068 or email Tami@TheEscalanteGroup.com 27

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Top Agent Magazine