TEXAS 6-28-21

TEXAS EDITION

5 TIPS TO GET NEW CLIENTS 3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS

TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

FEATURED AGENTS

SHEELA RODRIGUES KELSEY DAVIS SANDRA MARCONI TATIANA MCKEEN AMANDA RICKMAN

CONCIERGE CARE: Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation COVER STORY

SEAN SIEGEL

TEXAS EDITION

KELSEY DAVIS

SHEELA RODRIGUES

professional photograph As a former social media strategist, Kelsey 7® 17 23 blasts across her person is a REALTOR for our times, combining Instagram, as well as h a digital-native expertise, with small-town and the Elsie Halbert Re personability in a people-focused approach She’s currently explorin to the industry. In fact, it was her boss at reach on TikTok. She als the company where she worked as a social her listings by calling a media strategist who introduced her to a to fellow agents workin career in real estate. “He told me I was such given area. Kelsey has an SEAN extravert that I needed to get out from TATIANA MCKEEN AMANDA SIEGEL SHEELA RODRIGUES KELSEYRICKMAN DAVIS SANDRA MARCONI each year since starting h behind a chair and into Sheela theRodrigues public,” Kelsey Austin market began her real estate career almost Her in-depth knowledge of the local sets Sheela apart. “I know mygroups area for very well,” shelocal by accident, she says. had a®negativeand experience business is a people business,” says and French.

She hosts to helpover Amanda Rickman takes a “We personal the Chamber o arconi delivers the“This highest-quality strategies, both digitally in print year closed forty tra remembers.

“I became a REALTOR a says, “and I know exactly what’s going on. I work with with a real estate agent when27 we were buying our first 24 29Spanish Tatiana McKeen, a top agent with Walzel participants practice or French, approach to real estate and treats all her and is on the board of a Y here in Austin,” Sheela recalls, “and that made multiple service to her real estate clients by to attract likely buyers and builders, because Austin has a lot of new concouple months later publications, andhome I’ve loved it ever struction happening right now. I build rapport with all me curious about real estate. I did some research, and Properties in the Dallas-Fortclients Worth like area individuals. of competitive respectively.

She meetings attime local Born and raised spare Amanda enjoys ing connection and professionaloffers.

Innovative technology third-generation K the builders, and Iholds know ahead of timeAs what isacoming I saw a huge opportunity where I could add value to since.” soon.aI have all the information my clients need, and clients’Sandra most valuable investment.”

Before real estate, cated to raising theTexas. bar of“I’m honesty and her team to create in Kyle, Amanda possesses a deep is part of a running group. one of those people whoTexas, starts allows restaurants, bars, patios, or cafes.

“I like to Kelsey finds many wa that really sets me apart in the market.” About 30% of Sheela was a Soft Skills Trainer for financial and techSEANpassion SIEGEL rity in the business,aSandra and her with strangers comprehensive marketing Sheela’s clientsbusiness,” come from out of state, many of them companies, was also a strategy. food blogger “Our ® shein-depth for theas community andand an running almost every mo conversation everywhere support the local Tatiana says.

Through involvement with Lea In her seventh year a nology REALTOR , Kelsey is an agent investors, and she does much ofher her business virtually. with a very successful home baking business.

“I have committed to helping their website can identify potential knowledge of the local Working past four I’ve built years.” She also an MBA software inmarket.

Marketing and Advertising, and while I “That’s the amount of trust and credibility I go.

I’mclients always making friends.

Direct County, with Elsie Halbert buyers,” Real Estate insays, Kaufman, Texas, with she says. she helped raise over $68,0 was doing my real estate course, I“which already had clients rice point.

Sandra allows usmy clients,” with getting her team Modern eling,a exploring res contact is always best.

I love to While groupstayslocal in place,” SheelaRoots says. For theRealty last four years, Sheela in Austin, she also began children’s shelter.

She involv covering a wide swath of theupstate.

“I tackleparties.” as far When as it comes to follow with interested to marketing listings, Sheela says, has been steadily building her business while helping This Group, under of Realty ONE called Austin having fun with her two do New In Town which boasts meet people in person, to learn what theythe umbrella achieve their real estate goals.

“I put a whole marketing plan in place for my clients. helping with their children’s ministry.

I can go. If my buyeryear, orclients seller needs me, up and hteen years of experience, Sandra The Marconi TeamI pick set their sales I explain to my clients how much a I will spend in Prosper brokerage, she is dedicated lot of new over 600 members.

She is currently in the breweries an do, without being the pushy Group Realtor®.” media, and I also create a separate landing Sheela serves million, the Austin, Texas area.

Aboutare 90% well of social a versatile skill set and a stellar goal at $30 and they on heart of any community its local b hit the road.” pagestarting for theRICKMAN listing.” also hasour a team area, to come business comesMCKEEN from repeat and referral clients, an of helping buyers her and sellers reach their so is I definitely process aSheela similar group in the SANDRAtoMARCONI TATIANA AMANDA n in Houston, Texas. As Team theirimpressive way to goal. declutter their house ahead of listing, featachieving that speaks to thethat trust and confidence and help clients promotes Kaufman business owners real estate goals. she inspires. “My business is completelyDallas-Fort out.

I also used to voa and once that is done, she stages thethose properties her- and based on Worth Area.

“It’s a nice When itofcomes real eighty estate business, and an active Realtor The to the Over percent of integrity, Kelsey’s business comes self. Then, she says, “I market it even before it goes communication, and market knowledge,”from fun way to and make new friends,” says. shelter, but Tatiana has done it all. Over the past twenty Dedicated as a result I line up buyerslocal beforeshe weanimal even Sheela explains.

“I workback to set to expectations with live, Team through Keller Williams, to giving the community, When she’s working, Kelsey keep repeat and referral clients.

She credits her success to go on the market.”

The results speaknot for themselves: my clients, understand their needs, and maintain PriorRE/MAX, to working in real estate, Amanda because I wanted to bring has worked with Sotheby’s “Hundreds of people are moving to Texas a day.”

While CONTENTS rioritizes the needsyears, of hershe clients Sandra and her family are active in Hope transparency throughout the journey.”

Sheela’s business has grown tremendously in the last caring for thehome! animals on her farm, hu her investment in theofKaufman community where Elsie the owner a Church. cake where Now, this has she been on slowed by the pandemic, Tatiana looksmy husband a International, Banker.

Both as an agentshop, wn professional growth.

“When Iand Coldwell was City They have gone mission to run a family-owned wedding Halbert Real Estate has been a local business for over learned the importance of volunteer client-oriented service her and and we love outsideveo ed this business, aand friend said ‘Always trips across globe to in toorphanages andgoaldogs later as toa me, broker with HomeSmart inthe Scottsdale, forward reaching as things return to taking normal.them 4)“That 5 TIPS TOthirty GET 25) CONCIERGE Cedars.

She and her husband coach th years.

Kelsey on connections the Kaufman Chamber of ning,’” Sandra says. become mygrew tofrom support who are victims of sex trafficking. communication.

“Allagents the I made as a local and CARE: hikes.”

Arizona, a has brokerage that justwomen aserves few The Marconi TeamtoNEW includes one of Sandra’s When Sandra is not busy supporting her clients, she teams, and lovetotocontinue travel, picking a new Commerce and is involved with Leadership Kaufman business owner really helped me hitSERVICES the ground CLIENTS THAT Looking to the running future, TatianaLURE is excited thousands today. in Marconi, who serves as Director of Sales.

A loves to spend time with her husband, children, and and her allowed me toSheyear, In thehoping future, Amanda to continu all plans fifty before the County.when I got my real estate license, growing business. hopes to addto ansee assistant CLIENTS AND TRANSFORM

group, The Marconi Team fosters strong client begrandchildren. loveyear. to take We all enjoy in “We my first Now business is each priclients achieve their goals and mentorin 13)moving 3 EASY AT-HOME to trips. hermy team to help offset the amount of paperwork, After from Arizona tosuccessful Texas, Tatiana found ips through communication, integrity,Her andcommitment other’s company,” Sandra says.

YOUR REPUTATION In 2021, Kelsey is team projected dou to community reflects in the relationmarily all repeat and referral clients.

Communication towards success.

I herself Europe and theINCREASE United States, and she marketing, and mailings that keep Tatiana “My from the partnertoand DIYbetween PROJECTS TO ess. again.

She plans to keep growing her ships Kelsey builds with her clients.

“I love getting to is very high on my list and so is making sure that my team geared towards our agents being s began to list properties in Spain particularly Madrid, part of the business that she truly loves: the people.

For– the future, Sandra has plans to 28) continue toMENTAL grow her PROPERTY VALUE 3 TRICKS THAT on husband form thesmall beginnings know my clients them to our clients theintroducing best customer service,” shecommuexplains. want to keeptoour team and run of it Barcelona, andonthe southern part ofreceive the and country assistant client-centered approach and focus education team.

“I’m looking –forand talent,”“An Sandra says. “Iwill wanthelp to me spend more time with business.

Our plan is to work smarter, n nity,” she says.

“I love that I get to learn about people.

WILL TAKE YOUR BUSINESS people and make new connections,” she says. in Italy.

Her listed or sold properties included a pentclients coming back and referring her to their build this business to leave a legacy for my kids.” Sandra 21) 4 QUALITIES OF Amanda’s marketing strategy puts a strong focus on be there for our clients as well as our age Everyone’s sowell unique.” house right on team’s the Mediterranean as as about a thirteenth nd family. It is no surprise that her repeat is passionate helping her clients, well as giv- LEVEL TO asTHE NEXT online andtosocial media presence. use Tatiana looks forward to EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES century outside of Barcelona. was More than anything, ral rate is 80%. “We care,”country Sandra estate says. “Our ing back the“That future of the industry.“I “Itypically want to raise By closing, Kelsey knows her clients so well, she can social media as my main platform and I find that it’s full service for both her ow they come firstan over everything else. It’s not thesays. level“In of the accountability professionalism in real incredible property,” Tatiana category and continuing her excellent useful because I “I getwant to show myand true colors, andI present them with a says. custom gift-basket personalized making a commission. about the clients and super estate,” Sandra to keep helping people. of a It’s small castle.” buyers sellers. attracts thatclients. want to work me and like ds. It’s about getting the clients into thetoright love supporting my This profession is rewarding add itcharm to people their dream home.

It’s awith practice she’s helping them sell at the right time.” for what and I’m it has so much.” allgiven about.

Social allows you become known for, andme that her media buyersreally and sellers love.to Tatiana’s clientsKnown definitely appreciate her attention te-glove customer service, their transparency, find your tribe.”

Phone Fax 310-734-1440 to detail 310-734-1440 and broad expertise.| Approximately half of consistent support, The Marconi Team setsthe time we get to the closing table, I’ve gained “By her business comes from repeat and referral clients. es apart through their approach. “We reach out As a 4th generation mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com Kyle Amanda’s a new bestto friend,” Kelsey says.

Kelsey followsclients past credits their loyalty her dedication to resident, clients support, notTatiana only for real estate,” Sandra can count on her impeccable knowledge of the area socialall media reaches out regularly with staying inoftouch.

“Iclients use ofany theand tools No portion this issue mayeverything, beon reproduced in manner whatsoever without prior consent of theConnect publisher.

Top Kelsey at 214-5 ’ve delivered meals to our clients who are going with and trust her recommendations.

“Me being a long time at my disposal,” shecards says.and She stays at top sure of mind calls toPublications make they’re happy inprecautions their home.are taken to ensure tough time.” Agent Magazine is published by Feature GA, Inc. Although the accuracy email at Kelsdavis3@gmail.co local of Facebook, our area and being able to talk about all the social media Top likeAgent LinkedIn, and ofthrough published materials, Magazine cannot beInheld responsible for opinions expressed har.com/kelsey-davis/agent_NTRE or facts supplied by changes that our area has gone through is very helpful When itthecomes to send marketing, Kelsey’s fluency with n touch with their growing of past but she hasclients, found most success through itsstagram, authors.list To subscribe or change address, inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. Published in the U.S. www.realtor.ca/agent/1671979/stacey-campbell-15-scurfield-boulevar and elsiehalbert.com/agents/7986 to my clients.

A lot of people real estate haven’t lived social media shines.

Her digital listing-packet features nd her team send monthly communications, as NextDoor.

“That works really, really well for me,” she in here allthat their may irthday cards and phone calls. To market says. However, Tatianatheir maintains thelife, bestand way to not be aware of everything To learn more Magazine about Amanda R as intimately as I am.” andra and her team leverage every tool available 2 Top Agent find out more build a business is through buildingTorelationships andabout Sandra Marconi, Copyright To hrough Keller Williams, including digital and email amandarickman08@gm To learn more about Tatiana McKeen, call 281-935-8265, visit themarconiteam.com making friends. edia platforms. Additionally, they use targeted When she’s not serving her clients, Amanda likescall to 469-631-9258, or email sandra@themarconiteam.com please visit ModernRootsRealtyGroup www.

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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 4

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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3

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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SEAN SIEGEL

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Specializing in new homes and development properties, Top Agent Sean Siegel of Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, assists clients throughout Dallas Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

You might say Sean Siegel grew up in the real estate industry. His family has served in the business his whole life, and coming of age, he had an opportunity to learn the trade from the ground up, gaining an insider’s glimpse into a variety of transactions across many 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

different states. At his father’s encouragement, he later decided to pursue his license in 2020, and sure enough, real estate proved a perfect compliment to his outgoing personality and unmatched work ethic. Currently, Sean is an agent for Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, where he assists clients throughout Dallas Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. Specializing in new homes and development properties, he has cultivated a process around integrity and attentive service, meeting the demands of even the toughest transaction.

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When listing a home, Sean offers his clients a comprehensive strategy. After helping them fully prepare their property for the marketplace, he promotes it not only through his cutting edge Top Agent Magazine

“Every Day Until It’s Sold” program, but also through the many resources available through Coldwell Banker Apex. Moreover, he is there for his clients throughout the process, standing Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“I treat all my clients like family. I’m honest and straightforward while relaying them information, and I always keep their best interests at heart.” as their tireless advocate from start to finish. “I go nonstop for my clients,” he says. “When they need me, I answer the phone, and if they encounter a problem, I’m on top of it right away.”

Elsewhere, Sean is just as hands-on when assisting his buyers, leveraging his Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

in-depth knowledge of the region to guide them to the right property for their needs.

In fact, he even remains in touch well after the deals are done to ensure they are fully satisfied in their new homes. But as his referral base continues to expand, he stays focused on the elite standards that have propelled his career in the first Top Agent Magazine

place. “I treat all my clients like family.

I’m honest and straightforward while relaying them information, and I always keep their best interests at heart.”

But for Sean, real estate is still very much a family business. Working alongside his father and his uncle, both accomplished local developers, he has been able to help even more clients find Top Agent Magazine

their dream home within the Dallas Fort Worth community. Along the way, he has also built an extensive professional network of builders and specialists—all while closing on nearly thirty properties in his first year alone.

When he’s not with clients, Sean enjoys going for a hike in the mountains or visiting his family’s vacation home in Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

Colorado. He also has strong plans for the future of his business. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he intends on deepening his work with new construction and launching his own subdivision project in the area. In the meantime, though, he is

more than happy to introduce new clients to his beloved community. “I truly enjoy the process of meeting new people,” he says. “And at the end of the day, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing one of my clients get exactly what they want.”

To learn more about Sean Siegel, email ss933291@gmail.com, visit ssiegel.cbapex.com or call 682-330-5533 http://

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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 14

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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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SHEELA RODRIGUES Top Agent Magazine

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SHEELA RODRIGUES

Sheela Rodrigues began her real estate career almost by accident, she says. “We had a negative experience with a real estate agent when we were buying our first home here in Austin,” Sheela recalls, “and that made me curious about real estate. I did some research, and I saw a huge opportunity where I could add value to clients’ most valuable investment.” Before real estate, Sheela was a Soft Skills Trainer for financial and technology companies, and she was also a food blogger with a very successful home baking business. “I have an MBA in Marketing and Advertising, and while I was doing my real estate course, I already had clients in place,” Sheela says. For the last four years, Sheela has been steadily building her business while helping clients achieve their real estate goals.

Sheela serves the Austin, Texas area. About 90% of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence she inspires. “My business is completely based on integrity, communication, and market knowledge,” Sheela explains. “I work to set expectations with my clients, understand their needs, and maintain transparency throughout the journey.”

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Her in-depth knowledge of the local Austin market sets Sheela apart. “I know my area very well,” she says, “and I know exactly what’s going on. I work with multiple builders, because Austin has a lot of new construction happening right now. I build rapport with all the builders, and I know ahead of time what is coming soon. I have all the information my clients need, and that really sets me apart in the market.” About 30% of Sheela’s clients come from out of state, many of them investors, and she does much of her business virtually.

“That’s the amount of trust and credibility I’ve built with my clients,” she says.

When it comes to marketing listings, Sheela says, “I put a whole marketing plan in place for my clients.

I explain to my clients how much I will spend in social media, and I also create a separate landing page for the listing.” Sheela also has a team to come and help clients declutter their house ahead of listing, and once that is done, she stages the properties herself. Then, she says, “I market it even before it goes live, and as a result I line up buyers before we even go on the market.” The results speak for themselves: Sheela’s business has grown tremendously in the last Top Agent Magazine

four years, seeing 80% growth every year.

Community involvement is important to Sheela, and she participates in fundraising and volunteering with a number of different organizations. She helps to organize Christmas events in her neighborhood, and she also sponsors kids’ education back in India, as well as sponsoring many local charity events locally in Austin. When she is not working or giving back, Sheela loves cooking, dancing, and spending time with her 10-year-old and her husband.

In the future, Sheela plans to continue building her business and hire a team, while still keeping the personalized service her clients value. “When it comes to working with clients, I want to keep it very personal,” she says. “My main business goal is quality, not quantity.” Above all, Sheela says, “I love helping people. I enjoy meeting people and understanding their needs. Every client is so different, and every day is different. That’s what I love about real estate.”

— TESTIMONIALS — Exceeded Expectations!!! Sheela is easily the best realtor I have worked with so far. Someone who has learnt to provide those qualities you would expect from a realtor which includes honesty, transparency and most of all and mind set to work towards her client needs..! I found her very knowledgeable of Austin neighborhoods and it potentials, which helped me a lot as a remote investor looking for investment options in Austin. I highly recommend Sheela to anyone looking to buy home(own or investment) in Austin! I have to say her services are well complemented by her team starting with Adonai, which makes it a complete package solution for your real estate needs in Austin!

Sheela is a great realtor. We met a lot of other realtors but we really liked that Sheela was always very proactive in finding suitable houses and house-showings. She is very fast in understanding her customer’s needs and likes for their new home.

Great experience. Totally recommend her.

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For more about Sheela Rodrigues, please call 737-701-9081, email Sheelaallcity@gmail.com, or visit zionsestate.com www.

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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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KELSEY DAVIS As a former social media strategist, Kelsey is a REALTOR® for our times, combining a digital-native expertise, with small-town personability in a people-focused approach to the industry. In fact, it was her boss at the company where she worked as a social media strategist who introduced her to a career in real estate. “He told me I was such an extravert that I needed to get out from behind a chair and into the public,” Kelsey remembers. “I became a REALTOR® a couple months later and I’ve loved it ever since.”

In her seventh year as a REALTOR®, Kelsey is an agent with Elsie Halbert Real Estate in Kaufman, Texas, covering a wide swath of the state. “I tackle as far as I can go. If my buyer or seller needs me, I pick up and hit the road.”

Over eighty percent of Kelsey’s business comes from repeat and referral clients. She credits her success to her investment in the Kaufman community where Elsie Halbert Real Estate has been a local business for over thirty years. Kelsey serves on the Kaufman Chamber of Commerce and is involved with Leadership Kaufman County.

Her commitment to community reflects in the relationships Kelsey builds with her clients. “I love getting to know my clients and introducing them to our community,” she says. “I love that I get to learn about people.

Everyone’s so unique.”

professional photography and staging, and blasts across her personal Facebook and Instagram, as well as her REALTOR®’s, and the Elsie Halbert Real Estate profiles.

She’s currently exploring broadening her reach on TikTok. She also spreads word of her listings by calling and sending flyers to fellow agents working in a property’s given area. Kelsey has doubled volume each year since starting her career, and last year closed over forty transactions.

As a third-generation Kaufman resident, Kelsey finds many ways to give back.

Through her involvement with Leadership Kaufman County, she helped raise over $68,000 for the county children’s shelter. She stays involved in her church, helping with their children’s ministry. Kelsey knows the heart of any community is its local businesses, and she promotes Kaufman business owners any way she can.

When she’s not working, Kelsey keeps busy gardening, caring for the animals on her farm, hunting, and helping to run a family-owned wedding venue, A Thousand Cedars. She and her husband coach their boys’ Tee-ball teams, and love to travel, picking a new state to visit each year, hoping to see all fifty before their boys graduate.

In 2021, Kelsey is projected to double volume once again. She plans to keep growing her business, bringing on husband to form the beginnings of her own team.

By closing, Kelsey knows her clients so well, she can present them with a custom gift-basket personalized to add charm to their dream home. It’s a practice she’s become known for, and that her buyers and sellers love.

“By the time we get to the closing table, I’ve gained a new best friend,” Kelsey says. Kelsey follows past clients on social media and reaches out regularly with cards and calls to make sure they’re happy in their home.

When it comes to marketing, Kelsey’s fluency with social media shines. Her digital listing-packet features Top Agent Magazine

Connect with Kelsey at 214-596-8466, email at Kelsdavis3@gmail.com, or visit har.com/kelsey-davis/agent_NTREIS-0654871, www.realtor.ca/agent/1671979/stacey-campbell-15-scurfield-boulevard-winnipeg-manitoba-r3y1g3 and elsiehalbert.com/agents/79865-kelsey-davis www.

www.

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SANDRA MARCONI Sandra Marconi delivers the highest-quality customer service to her real estate clients by emphasizing connection and professionalism. Dedicated to raising the bar of honesty and integrity in the business, Sandra and her team are committed to helping their clients at every price point.

With eighteen years of experience, Sandra has built a versatile skill set and a stellar reputation in Houston, Texas. As Team Leader and an active Realtor of The Marconi Team through Keller Williams, Sandra prioritizes the needs of her clients and her own professional growth. “When I first entered this business, a friend said to me, ‘Always keep learning,’” Sandra says. “That has become my motto.” The Marconi Team includes one of Sandra’s sons, Justin Marconi, who serves as Director of Sales. A tight-knit group, The Marconi Team fosters strong client relationships through communication, integrity, and attentiveness.

Sandra’s client-centered approach and focus on education keeps her clients coming back and referring her to their friends and family. It is no surprise that her team’s repeat and referral rate is 80%. “We care,” Sandra says. “Our clients know they come first over everything else. It’s not about us making a commission. It’s about the clients and their needs. It’s about getting the clients into the right house, or helping them sell at the right time.” Known for their white-glove customer service, their transparency, and their consistent support, The Marconi Team sets themselves apart through their approach. “We reach out and offer clients support, not only for real estate,” Sandra says. “We’ve delivered meals to our clients who are going through a tough time.”

To keep in touch with their growing list of past clients, Sandra and her team send monthly communications, as well as birthday cards and phone calls. To market their listings, Sandra and her team leverage every tool available to them through Keller Williams, including digital and social media platforms. Additionally, they use targeted 24

strategies, both digitally and in print publications, to attract likely buyers and competitive offers. Innovative technology allows Sandra and her team to create a comprehensive marketing strategy. “Our website software can identify potential buyers,” Sandra says, “which allows us to follow up with interested parties.” This year, The Marconi Team set their sales goal at $30 million, and they are well on their way to achieving that goal.

Dedicated to giving back to the community, Sandra and her family are active in Hope City Church. They have gone on mission trips across the globe to volunteer in orphanages and to support women who are victims of sex trafficking.

When Sandra is not busy supporting her clients, she loves to spend time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. “We love to take trips. We all enjoy each other’s company,” Sandra says.

For the future, Sandra has plans to continue to grow her team. “I’m looking for talent,” Sandra says. “I want to build this business to leave a legacy for my kids.” Sandra is passionate about helping her clients, as well as giving back to the future of the industry. “I want to raise the level of accountability and professionalism in real estate,” Sandra says. “I want to keep helping people. I love supporting my clients. This profession is rewarding and it has given me so much.”

To find out more about Sandra Marconi, call 281-935-8265, visit themarconiteam.com or email sandra@themarconiteam.com www.

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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 26

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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TATIANA MCKEEN “This business is a people business,” says Tatiana McKeen, a top agent with Walzel Properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. “I’m one of those people who starts a conversation with strangers everywhere I go. I’m always making friends. Direct contact is always best. I love getting to meet people in person, to learn what they do, without being the pushy Realtor®.”

When it comes to the real estate business, Tatiana has done it all. Over the past twenty years, she has worked with RE/MAX, Sotheby’s International, and Coldwell Banker. Both as an agent and later as a broker with HomeSmart in Scottsdale, Arizona, a brokerage that grew from just a few agents to thousands today.

After moving from Arizona to Texas, Tatiana found herself between Europe and the United States, and she began to list properties in Spain – particularly Madrid, Barcelona, and the southern part of the country – and in Italy. Her listed or sold properties included a penthouse right on the Mediterranean as well as a thirteenth century country estate outside of Barcelona. “That was an incredible property,” Tatiana says. “In the category of a small castle.”

Tatiana’s clients definitely appreciate her attention to detail and broad expertise. Approximately half of her business comes from repeat and referral clients.

Tatiana credits their loyalty to her dedication to staying in touch. “I use everything, all of the tools at my disposal,” she says. She stays at top of mind through social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, but she has found the most success through NextDoor. “That works really, really well for me,” she says. However, Tatiana maintains that the best way to build a business is through building relationships and making friends.

Outside of work, Tatiana is a true community builder.

She speaks three languages: English, Spanish, Top Agent Magazine

and French. She hosts groups to help participants practice Spanish or French, respectively. She holds meetings at local restaurants, bars, patios, or cafes. “I like to support the local business,” Tatiana says.

While in Austin, she also began a group called Austin New In Town which boasts over 600 members. She is currently in the process of starting a similar group in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. “It’s a nice and fun way to make new friends,” she says.

“Hundreds of people are moving to Texas a day.” While this has been slowed by the pandemic, Tatiana looks forward to reaching her goal as things return to normal.

Looking to the future, Tatiana is excited to continue growing her business. She hopes to add an assistant to her team to help offset the amount of paperwork, marketing, and mailings that keep Tatiana from the part of the business that she truly loves: the people.

“An assistant will help me spend more time with people and make new connections,” she says.

More than anything, Tatiana looks forward to continuing her excellent full service for both her buyers and sellers.

To learn more about Tatiana McKeen, please call 469-631-9258, email tatimckeen@gmail.com or visit tatianamckeen.com www.

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3 Mental Tricks That Will Take Your Business to the Next Level It’s no secret that running a successful business requires careful planning and a tireless work ethic.

Beyond those obvious ideals, it also takes the right mindset in order to capitalize on professional opportunity. In the world of real estate and mortgage lending, mental fortitude is a major component to reaching the next level and achieving longevity in a sector that requires so much self-discipline. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few key mental tricks you can employ to reinvigorate your working philosophy. Incorporate these techniques into your daily mindfulness routine and your business will surely benefit.

1

Visualization helps you work efficiently and keep your cool.

This may sound like one of the oldest tricks in the book, but there’s a reason why Olympic athletes and those serving in first-responder positions use visualization as a time-honored mental technique.

Not only does visualizing your daily tasks help you organize your mind, but it amps up your ability to focus on what’s important. Visualization also helps reduce stress in the moment, since you’ve already created a mental expectation of the task ahead.

Whether you’re preparing for a negotiation or a pitch to new a client—visualization primes your brain and affords you an extra sense of control as you tackle your day.

2

Distill concepts into their simplest terms for ultimate understanding.

As an agent or loan officer, you’re likely juggling numerous clients and commitments on any given day. That’s why it helps to distill your responsibil28

ities in clear, definitive terms. Let’s say you have a meeting set with a client to outline a marketing approach for their property. You may understand the broad strokes, but beforehand, try verbalizing the exact takeaways you’d like to impart to your client. This may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to clarify your communication and ensure your complete understanding of a subject is to explain it aloud in its simplest terms. This crystallizes your main point and can come in handy if you drift off-topic or need to double-down on your message.

3

Accept that mistakes will be made.

While it’s natural to fear failure, sometimes the dread of making an error can overwhelm your ability to perform. As the saying goes: don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

If you accept in advance that set-backs will occur, challenges will come, and things won’t always go accordingly to plan—you’ll be less confounded when hurdles do arise. What matters is keeping an even keel as you sort through unexpected delays or mishaps. Accepting that mistakes will happen allows you to shift your focus towards a solution or contingency plan. In other words, don’t spend your energy trying to achieve perfection. Aim high and work hard, but be in touch with reality: upsets are bound to occur. Accept this and you’ll be ready when they do.

The path to lasting success is ongoing, and there are bound to be challenges along the way. It takes mental fortitude to make it to the top, so keep these tricks in mind as you continue to grow as a person and a professional. Seeing situations in a new light can make all the difference as you adapt, evolve, and take your business to the next level.

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AMANDA RICKMAN Amanda Rickman takes a personal approach to real estate and treats all her clients like individuals. Born and raised in Kyle, Texas, Amanda possesses a deep passion for the community and an in-depth knowledge of the local market. Working with her team Modern Roots Realty Group, under the umbrella of Realty ONE Group Prosper brokerage, she is dedicated to helping buyers and sellers reach their real estate goals.

Prior to working in real estate, Amanda was the owner of a cake shop, where she learned the importance of client-oriented service and communication. “All the connections I made as a local business owner really helped me hit the ground running when I got my real estate license, and allowed me to be successful in my first year. Now my business is primarily all repeat and referral clients. Communication is very high on my list and so is making sure that my clients receive the best customer service,” she explains.

Amanda’s marketing strategy puts a strong focus on online and social media presence. “I typically use social media as my main platform and I find that it’s super useful because I get to show my true colors, and it attracts people that want to work with me and like what I’m all about. Social media really allows you to find your tribe.”

As a 4th generation Kyle resident, Amanda’s clients can count on her impeccable knowledge of the area and trust her recommendations. “Me being a long time local of our area and being able to talk about all the changes that our area has gone through is very helpful to my clients. A lot of people in real estate haven’t lived here all their life, and may not be aware of everything as intimately as I am.”

When she’s not serving her clients, Amanda likes to be involved in her community. She’s an ambassador Top Agent Magazine

for the local Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of a YMCA. In her spare time Amanda enjoys running and is part of a running group. “We’ve been running almost every morning for the past four years.” She also enjoys traveling, exploring local restaurants, and having fun with her two dogs. “We have a lot of new breweries and wineries in our area, so I definitely like to check those out. I also used to volunteer at our local animal shelter, but I had to stop because I wanted to bring all the dogs home! Now, my husband and I have two dogs and we love taking them outside on long walks and hikes.”

In the future, Amanda plans to continue helping her clients achieve their goals and mentoring her agents towards success. “My team partner and I have built our team geared towards our agents being successful. We want to keep our team small and run it like a family business. Our plan is to work smarter, not harder, and be there for our clients as well as our agents.”

To learn more about Amanda Rickman email amandarickman08@gmail.com, visit ModernRootsRealtyGroup.com, or call (512) 557–2358 www.

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