TEXAS 8-23-21

TEXAS EDITION

If it’s Good for the Soul,

How to

SPEED UP FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TRANSACTIONS

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

INCORPORATE CURRENT EVENTS to Your Email Blasts and Stay Relevant

FEATURED AGENTS

RHONDA HENDREN KIM MAHER KELLY ROSS NEIL SHILLIG

COVER STORY

KELLY PEARSON

TEXAS EDITION

RHONDA HENDREN Rhonda Hendren is a dynamic agent who believes that working7 in real estate is all about bringing value to people. As a listing agent primarily serving the Austin, Texas area, she works relentlessly to facilitate each transaction in the most seamless and efficient way.

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so we’re pretty lucky in that way. But I do invest in a market specialist and many of our properties sell before they’re even finished,” she says.

Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys spending her free time with her husband and kids. In the future, her goal is to keep growing her business. “As the “Most of my business comes from one business quickly expands, I am hopbuilder, and in order to get it I had to ing to get my kids on board because show him that I aligned with his vision I believe real estate is a way to freeKELLY ROSS KELLY PEARSON RHONDA HENDREN dom and takes away the confines of and that I could bring value to the table. I needed to know where he saw his company the an country, office job,” says.

Shefarms is currently in the so I she know about One thing you learn growing up You Shillig up There in thehad majority of alltheir With all the demands July 2021, Kim sold million going, andmight how Isay fit Neil intoBy the largergrew picture. process of11.5 building her team to help with the volume and ranches and evaluating those on a farm is patience. The work16 20 23 real estate industry.

His father was a promrepeat clients and referral were tons of agents—and still are tons of agents to overflow of business. ’s important somein volume for the year, surpassed kindswhich of properties.

I’m also a days are long, the obstacles are this inent day—that are reaching out towhile do business with commercial broker his mother though, he is driven by the d person, and a good about a career arise ath, be present, many, and and when problems her 2021 goal 10people-oriented million.

The him,managed but I found a way multi-housing to make myself standof out Rhonda’s advice for trananyone thinking various units and listener. tunities posed by every t I work hard to find people it’s usually up to you to deal with by being proactive and finding off market properties in realjourney estate is to bring value to business, anyone they’re want to do with the scendent quality of her wasn’t apartment complexes throughout Dallas, this every day is d theywith. want.” it yourself. You learn tofor take your him.

I would make calls and write handwritten what working “Whether it’s a client or a builder, the he moment of realiher, she wanted to bring that client is different, and eve andare through them,lost Neilon had an and opportutime and do things right.letters These to see whether someone was willing to sell. best way to form a successful connection is to bring nity to learn the business from the ground different.

I’m not the nd of magic: the light same magic to the all When itshe comes to marketing heriscatch the lessons Kelly Ross If brought to you really want to work with someone and be on people value to thatserved person’s life. If sale you people’s up.

However, before launching his own who enjoys a own listings, Kelly utilizes the her practice when she decided to their team you have to show themthe that you’re going vision and see what they see, it’s so easy to bringcorporate door reveals itself, over Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex career as a top producing agent, he would instead, prefer local MLS, all of out the how socialyou media become a Realtor in 1993. to be competitive and go one step above everyone value. Just figure can helpI and whatthe new For Kim Maher, that withbusiness, the Coldwell Realty Group. first a successful which heBanker negotiations else,” she start explains. you can do tolike makeFacebook the vision come platforms andto life.” with each deal

KIM MAHER

NEIL SHILLIG

Monday morning in people and waslicense born. Instagram, the dedicated real “I like enjoy helping later sold to pursueHer his brand realROSS estate KIM MAHER KELLY NEILand SHILLIG Rhonda’s entrepreneurial spirit and energetic estate websites to draw maximum them overcome whatever stands in 2009. Today, he leads the Shillig Real Outside his career, Neil is d taking a walk. generated $5,000,000 in March and she’s attention to her sellers’ properties. He has been involved in the way of them approach achieving Estate Group, partnered with Keller Williams Heritage, in his community.

“Maher by Magic is about bringing out someon track to close about $7,000,000 July. What SheAntonio also reachesSafety to Team past clients their American Dream,” Kelly where he assists clients throughout all of San for the San Antonio Polic keeps her motivated to work hard is her passion for life,” Kim explains. thing good into people’s lives, whether who might be interested in aresponsible for educat explains. “I worked withandone the DFW metroplex.

With offices located in both where they are the industry helping people. “I truly love particular kind of property, as well couple for two years before we and for wonderful children it’s he related to thereal estate not. and CONTENTS Frisco, possesses insight, integ- or on localIt policies and procedures. In whatSan I do.Antonio I’m a people person, and I get to interact as other agents in her sphere who on the board for hi found what they were looking for. nd, and helped him might someonehe has their andamazing experience needed tomean facilitate any transaction. also served withrity, many people every day.

I also finding love are representing potential buyers.

I’m a very patient person.” a vision home. and seeingItit might through,”mean she says.

Association we share together. But on that walkhavingdream getting another client the and helps organize neighbor 4) HOW TO SPEED When UP FIRST-TIME 17) HOW TO INCORPORATE listing a property, Neil equips his clients with promote businesses. When he’s not rning for a new challenge, one required that equity from theand sale their home.

Or itlocal Kelly herofhusband care deeply for their Building her career a maximum level of patience as well.

When itcomprehensive comes to marketing Rhonda utilizes social HOMEBUYER TRANSACTIONS CURRENT EVENTS TO YOUR a strategy.

After helping them fully giving back, he can be found traveling, pl To active learn capacity more Rhonda Hendren community, and arewhatever very with about their Church, When her children were small, got her license n for helping people.” might mean being there for them media andshe alltheir other online andthe in-person avenues to in prepare home for sale and providing a suite of spending quality at home with his b EMAIL BLASTS AND STAY email rhondahendren@kw.com, contributing time or money to its various ministries.time visit to help increase the family income, but her get her listings soldshifted quickly and for top price.

“To they need me to be.

The real reward is seeing joy in professional photography and videography services, he 13) IF IT’S GOOD FOR har.com/rhonda-hendren/agent_ABORTX-734631, RELEVANT also have ministry of their own. business whenever her be husband’s the oilright and nowThey honest,THE injob thisinSOUL, market I could have a a Facebook shares their to his still extensive of influence.

Going forward, eal estate, a career she’d begun faces.” or call (512) 350–1695 “Jesus issphere definitely a huge part of my life, andNeil I has strong plans fo gas GOOD industry required them topeople’s move to alisting newit town. paper sign out front and would sell right away, IT’S FORin THE BUSINESS From there, he broadcasts each property via both the his volume maintains its steady growth be where I am nowTO without His guidance.”

“Back then I was from always multitasking, working and wouldn’t ng with a marketing degree 21) 3 WAYS MAKE YOUR regional and aI’ve mix ofWhen targeted and social expanding histime business while planting se she’sdigital not working, Kelly loves spending raising my children. Now that they MLS are grown, Copyright Top Agent Magazine oving to Dallas. But we make plans That’s the reward behindhis her community efforts too.

YOUclients, and family campaigns—all to ensure clients inWORK for involves his FOR community, with herWORKSPACE family,stand whichoutvery often some channeled that extra energymedia into my practice.” hey say. Two months later she met hisMaher Magic recently donated $4000 the activity with horses.

“We for like toCarry ride, and go to races highly competitive markets. support of my staff and family, none of t or rodeos. to I actually raise quarter horses, so I spendhea says. “When I look bac The move to license. the Dallas-Fort Wortha area in 2000 dedicated was getting his appraising Load, nonprofit honoring the sacrifices been possible,” lot of timewhen with my horse babies.” provedwhich to be theislast, was finally toas responders.

Elsewhere, Neiland isable just thorough assisting his I know I couldn’t have done it without m isal House in 1997, stilland Kelly of veterans first root her business.

Now an agent with Major League buyers, leveraging his acute knowledge of the local elite team.”

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 years later. Having part As for the future of her business, Kelly has a lot to Realty,done Kelly her serves clientsmarkets all overtothecarefully Metroplex, guide them to the right home for finally gave mag@topagentmagazine.com herself permission to with Going forward, Kim wants to continue bringing Maher | www.topagentmagazine.com look forward to.

In her time with Major League, she specializing in homes acreage.

She’s done their best interests. He remains in touch with his clients has enjoyed recruiting and training new agents, and well, closing between 24 and 50 transactions every Magic to people all over the DFW, and she has many long after closing through regular check-ins andconsent dinners,of the publisher.

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior Top Agent year, with much of that business coming from repeat one day hopes to continue that leadership role as Magazine is published by Featureoften Publications GA,good Inc.in Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published becoming friends with them over the course magic wands order to do so.

She combines her a broker.expressed or facts supplied by its authors. clientsTop and referrals.

“A lot of my past was spent infor opinions materials, Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible of the process.

“It’s never a one and done transaction for rst. I held many open houses, did resources through Coldwell Banker with the expertise To subscribe or change address, me,” send inquiry to “Instead, mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Publishedwith in the U.S. he says.

I’m building a relationship g and handing out fliers. That first she and her husband Dennis developed with Appraisal If youmy would like Kelly’s help buying or selling a home, clients and a partnership for life. That means taking million. But I wasn’t producing House.

She alsoI would works alongside ancare amazing group pleaseat callcare her atthem 469-628-4404, or email her kross@cgmlr.com of the way want to be at taken of.

2 et.” of six it’s women with whom sheorjoined The Live Local Top Agent Magazine Whether a $100,000 transaction a $3 million transaction, the same treatment.”

Group ineveryone 2020. deserves All with unique talents, experiences www.

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

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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How to Speed Up First-Time Homebuyer Transactions Working with first-time homebuyers can be among the most rewarding real estate transactions an agent can embark upon.

Not only are you helping guide newcomers into the housing market, but you’re also witness to the excitement and triumphs along the way, including handing over those keys for the first time. While 4

helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

So, what’s the best way to streamline the homebuying process for first-timers, while maintaining the magic and keeping your sanity along the way?

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While helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

Set expectations upfront and often.

It’s no secret that communication is a cornerstone of a successful real estate practice and client relationship. Amidst a transaction as complex as buying (or selling) a home, it’s important that no wires get crossed, no questions go unanswered, and no information gets lost in translation. To accomplish this, create communication parameters with your clients up front. Inquire about the communication medium they’re most comfortable with—a text, a call, an email, etc.

Then, tailor your outreach accordingly.

Also, consider setting a weekly time to check in, even if no official progress has been made. This helps clients and agents touch base, float questions and concerns, and get ahead of any problems or developments. Another helpful tool is to draft a transaction timeline for your client that outlines the major milestones along the way, what sort of information will need to be gathered, what steps taken, and what outcomes are possible. This might seem like exhaustive work, but in the era of digital research, clients will come to their own conclusions and biases Top Agent Magazine

whether you like it or not. To stay on the same page and timeline, be the foremost resource for your client, and don’t leave their questions up to chance.

Know your first-time homebuyer programs and perks.

There are a variety of national, state, regional, and local grants and programs that aid first-time homebuyers as they pay their down payment, shop for home or mortgage insurance, and otherwise deal with the financial implications of becoming a homeowner. Sometimes these programs are neighborhood-specific in certain cities, with incentives to buy in up and coming areas. In some cases, there are grants that support underrepresented minority communities breaking into homebuying, and these can go a long way in making the burden of a down payment and associated fees doable. In other words, do your research.

The right program or grant could make the difference in nabbing a dream starter home for your client, while setting them up for future financial success.

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Get pre-approved for a mortgage—and shop around for the best rate.

Not all mortgage rates are made equal. As an agent, you likely have good relationships with area lenders that you trust, but it’s still important to complete your due diligence when helping first-time homebuyers find the rate that suits their longterm housing goals. Also remember that first-time homebuyers are new to this process, and while real estate transactions are complex in their own right, the borrowing and lending processes can be alienating in their complexity. As an agent, it’s your job to play intermediary and teacher, ensuring your clients know their options, are prepared to make an educated decision, and

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feel confident that they’ve chosen correctly. Talk with your preferred mortgage partners to best outline options for your clients’ understanding, laying out a framework that’s informative, projected into the future, and allows them to feel empowered by knowledge.

All in all, working with first-time homebuyers can be an exciting and joyous occasion, as long as you’re adequately prepared for some hand-holding and instruction along the way. Aside from the enthusiasm of successful first-timers at the closing table, you’ll also enjoy the lasting benefit of strong referrals to their friends and family, many of whom will be shopping with you for their own first dream homes.

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KELLY PEARSON Top Agent Magazine

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Well-renowned Realtor and Top Agent Kelly Pearson leads Luxe Premier Realty Group, primarily serving North Dallas. She has made a name for herself as an agent who offers a well of knowledge and five-star service to her clients.

In 2010, Kelly Pearson moved to North Texas for her husband’s job. She had spent time both as the manager of a grocery store and as a stay-at-home mom, but when they bought their house, the real estate team that they worked with noticed Kelly’s attention to detail and natural affinity for homes, and they recruited her to learn real estate and become an agent.

She quickly learned the basics and set out on her own path, forming her own team, Luxe Premier Realty Group, in 2019.

Kelly is now a well-renowned Realtor primarily serving North Dallas, and she 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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has made a name for herself as an agent who offers a well of knowledge and fivestar service to her clients.

Kelly’s team puts clients first. They offer service tailored after the Ritz Carlton experience, where they maintain consistent communication with their clients and keep them updated and informed on everything that is happening with their transaction.

Through considerate and thorough guidance, Kelly’s team is able to provide a comfortable and stress-free experience for their clients. “We do our best to ensure our Top Agent Magazine

clients are well taken care of,” Kelly says.

“We reach out to them often and are very responsive, always answering our phones when they need something.” The standard of quality that Kelly’s team maintains in their service is second to none, and has earned them a strong local following - they get 75% of their business through repeats and referrals, and take pride in being pillars of their community.

With more than a decade in the business, Kelly is savvy and experienced with the finer details of real estate, and is capable Copyright Top Agent Magazine 9

“I love seeing first-time homebuyers achieve their goal of home ownership,” Kelly says. “It’s my mission to get people into their home in the best terms possible, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do even in this unique market.” of providing immense value for her clients. She works hard to get top dollar for her sellers, and stays in touch with all of her past clients in order to keep herself top of mind throughout her community. “I love seeing first-time homebuyers achieve their goal of home ownership,” Kelly says. “It’s 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

my mission to get people into their home in the best terms possible, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do even in this unique market.” Kelly truly works for the best interests of her clients, and does everything in her power to get them the best deal while making them feel cared for.

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In terms of marketing, Kelly uses professional photography and videography to highlight the best elements of each home, then reaches out to her network of top agents in the area to gain maximum exposure for each listing. She also uses open houses, online Top Agent Magazine

advertising, and publications such as the Wall Street Journal so that her listings reach a wide audience. Her team closed 77 transactions last year, and Kelly is hoping to see that figure increase even further in the years to come.

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In her free time, Kelly enjoys playing tennis, golfing with her husband, and cooking for her family. Her team works closely with a nonprofit organization called EXPOW designed to help people, particularly women, who have

been financially displaced or abused and are in need of assistance. Kelly’s five year plan for her business includes expanding into other states and continuing to provide excellent service to the community of Northern Dallas.

Contact Kelly at (720) 281-3640, email kelly@luxepremierrealty.com, or visit luxepremierrealty.com www.

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If it’s good for the soul,

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

Visibility, name recognition and knowing you’re supporting the community that makes your success possible are good reasons to take part in community service. But how is it that some people seem to be able to give time to charities while running their own businesses, managing their own families and households, exercising regularly, attending sporting events and concerts, eating well and sleeping seven or eight hours a night?

The truth is, not all agents are able to do everything so easily. But more important is the fact that no one needs to do everything all of the time. The trick is to make sure that, whatever you do holds meaning.

REALTORS® and mortgage professionals who seem the most gregarious in their community outreach are those whose giving seems to fill their own souls. When their Top Agent Magazine

volunteer efforts or donations directly impact causes they or their clients care deeply about, “giving back” becomes energizing.

Jason O’Quinn of Prime Lending in Dallas Texas, for instance, says that his family’s ongoing work building homes for some of the poorest families in Honduras fills him immeasurably. “It rejuvenates me,” he says.

“There’s quite a dichotomy between the houses we build there and the houses we finance here,” he says. “It refocuses me, going from financing $1 million homes in Dallas to physically laying cinderblock for $10,000 homes in Honduras. Everything has more meaning when we sacrificially give of our time, talent and treasure.”

The longtime “big picture” for Colorado REALTOR® and property manager, Linda

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Todd, for instance, has included giving back to the community, whether serving as a lead carpenter for Habitat for Humanity, making deliveries for Meals on Wheels, or pitching in for the sake of baseball. And through her lifelong passion for baseball, she harmoniously blended her personal interests, her work and her community service. For many years, she was so involved Little League the local league named a new field after her. “I cried for 3 days after they told me that!” She and her husband also started a scholarship fund for junior college baseball players and serve as a host family for the rookie league of the Colorado Rockies, putting up newly drafted players in their home.

For Florida REALTOR® and property manager, Mario Gonzalez, neither his business nor his primary community outreach would exist without the other. A retired U.S. Navy pilot, Mario formed his brokerage, Navy to Navy Homes, when he saw a need for military personnel to find affordable homes to purchase. “We got into it to help, but that led to a full-blown real estate business.” Besides providing opportunities for investment and homeownership, the company donates 35% of every commission to Homes for Heroes, veterans’ groups, or organizations benefiting fire, police, medical organizations, churches and homeless shelters. “We’re small, but we give so much back that we were the top Homes for Heroes company in Florida and

top-five nationwide.” But he does none of this for the attention. His friends may call him the “Humble Hero of Heroes,” but helping is Mario’s passion. “To be such a small business and be the top Homes for Heroes affiliate is mind boggling!”

Like Mario, for many, the best service takes place in simple and quiet ways. Illinois REALTOR®, Susie Scheuber, for example, takes a humble approach to giving back. Although she donates a portion of every commission check to the Children’s Miracle Network, she doesn’t discuss this with clients unless they happen to ask. “I do it because I want to and because, to me, giving back is the right thing to do when you’ve been fortunate in business and life,” says Susie.

We all know how inertia works; the more energized we get by certain behaviors, the more likely we are to continue those behaviors. For some top agents, community outreach has become such a natural routine of their daily lives that they never find it burdensome. A good way to add community service into your life, therefore, is through the causes that mean the most to you. For starters, consider giving a small donation after closing to the charity of your client’s choosing. Learning the different causes that they care about just might foster a new mission for you.

If you have a unique story to share about how your community outreach has impacted your life and your business or inspired others, click here for consideration in our magazines: www.topagentmagazine.com/nominate-a-real-estate-agent-to-be-featured 14

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RHONDA HENDREN Rhonda Hendren is a dynamic agent who believes that working in real estate is all about bringing value to people. As a listing agent primarily serving the Austin, Texas area, she works relentlessly to facilitate each transaction in the most seamless and efficient way.

“Most of my business comes from one builder, and in order to get it I had to show him that I aligned with his vision and that I could bring value to the table. I needed to know where he saw his company going, and how I fit into the larger picture. There were tons of agents—and still are tons of agents to this day—that are reaching out to do business with him, but I found a way to make myself stand out by being proactive and finding off market properties for him. I would make calls and write handwritten letters to see whether someone was willing to sell.

If you really want to work with someone and be on their team you have to show them that you’re going to be competitive and go one step above everyone else,” she explains.

so we’re pretty lucky in that way. But I do invest in a market specialist and many of our properties sell before they’re even finished,” she says.

Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys spending her free time with her husband and kids. In the future, her goal is to keep growing her business. “As the business quickly expands, I am hoping to get my kids on board because I believe real estate is a way to freedom and takes away the confines of an office job,” she says. She is currently in the process of building her team to help with all the overflow of business.

Rhonda’s advice for anyone thinking about a career in real estate is to bring value to anyone they’re working with. “Whether it’s a client or a builder, the best way to form a successful connection is to bring value to that person’s life. If you catch people’s vision and see what they see, it’s so easy to bring value. Just figure out how you can help and what you can do to make the vision come to life.”

Rhonda’s entrepreneurial spirit and energetic approach generated $5,000,000 in March and she’s on track to close about $7,000,000 by July. What keeps her motivated to work hard is her passion for the industry and for helping people. “I truly love what I do. I’m a people person, and I get to interact with many amazing people every day. I also love having a vision and seeing it through,” she says.

When it comes to marketing Rhonda utilizes social media and all other online and in-person avenues to get her listings sold quickly and for top price. “To be honest, in this market right now I could have a paper sign out front and it would still sell right away, Top Agent Magazine

To learn more about Rhonda Hendren email rhondahendren@kw.com, visit har.com/rhonda-hendren/agent_ABORTX-734631, or call (512) 350–1695

www.

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KIM MAHER Life happens fast. With all the demands on our attention, it’s important sometimes to take a breath, be present, and reflect on what we want to do with the time we have left. The moment of realization is it’s own kind of magic: the light bulb comes on, the door reveals itself, the genie appears. For Kim Maher, that moment arrived on a Monday morning in 2019 while she was taking a walk.

“I’ve lived a happy life,” Kim explains.

“I had raised three wonderful children with a loving husband, and helped him build the business we share together. But on that walk I realized I was yearning for a new challenge, one that would tap my passion for helping people.”

That passion was real estate, a career she’d begun in 1994 after graduating with a marketing degree from Florida State and moving to Dallas. But we make plans and God laughs, as they say. Two months later she met her husband, who was getting his appraising license.

They started Appraisal House in 1997, which is still thriving twenty-two years later. Having done her part in its success, Kim finally gave herself permission to return to real estate.

“It wasn’t easy at first. I held many open houses, did lots of door knocking and handing out fliers. That first year I did maybe $3 million. But I wasn’t producing at the level I wanted yet.”

Again, her daily walk delivered the answer, this time in the form of graffiti scrawled on a dock along her route.

“It said, ‘Change your heart, change your mind, gain in confidence—unleash your divine.’ Simple, but it made me realize that I still didn’t have my confidence yet. I went back, studied everything about the market and my craft, and came back stronger.”

By July 2021, Kim had sold 11.5 million in volume for the year, which surpassed her 2021 goal of 10 million. The transcendent quality of her journey wasn’t lost on her, and she wanted to bring that same magic to the people she served all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with the Coldwell Banker Realty Group.

Her brand was born.

“Maher Magic is about bringing something good into people’s lives, whether it’s related to real estate or not. It might mean finding someone their dream home. It might mean getting another client the maximum equity from the sale of their home. Or it might mean being there for them in whatever capacity they need me to be. The real reward is seeing joy in people’s faces.”

That’s the reward behind her community efforts too.

Maher Magic recently donated $4000 for Carry the Load, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of veterans and first responders.

Going forward, Kim wants to continue bringing Maher Magic to people all over the DFW, and she has many magic wands in order to do so. She combines her resources through Coldwell Banker with the expertise she and her husband Dennis developed with Appraisal House. She also works alongside an amazing group of six women with whom she joined The Live Local Group in 2020. All with unique talents, experiences and different backgrounds, they came together to ignite kindness while serving others through real estate.

“There are many agents, but only one Maher Magic!

And I have many wands in my pocket,” says Kim, smiling from ear to ear. “Each client is a gift and the journey is truly magical.”

Contact Kim at 972-800-9753 or email Kim@mahermagic.com 16

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How to Incorporate Current Events to Your Email Blasts and Stay Relevant Email marketing is a cost effective and straightforward method of getting your name and services in front of clients with just a few keystrokes. This tried-and-true approach to digital marketing is a favorite of many, and there are countless ways to customize (and maximize) your email blasts to reap superior results. Despite this, many real estate profesTop Agent Magazine

sionals are content to standardize their email advertising and take a broad, one-size-fits-all approach to capturing interest and leads. While an up-front sales pitch certainly has its uses and benefits, it doesn’t hurt to shake up your routine and refresh your email marketing approach by adding specifics that draw renewed interest from your audience.

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One way to accomplish this is by tying in current events and local happenings to your email blasts. After all, your sphere of influence likely receives countless marketing emails per day. To cut through the noise, sharpen your message with a few specifics that separate your communications from the pack. Not every email should be focused on closing a sale, or else your audience will learn to stop listening.

How do you build your brand, stay top of mind, and keep the lines of communication open with your clientele? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

against an old rival? Do they host themed fan days honoring veterans or catering to families? Tailoring your communications to a local sports franchise’s big news or next event can draw intrigue and provide added value for your clients. Remember, not every communication you send should be focused on pitching and closing a sale, otherwise your audience will tune out your emails altogether. Instead, incorporate fun, community-oriented content that lets readers know you’re a resource for much more than real estate.

Sports news makes a splash

Become a one-stop-shop for holiday fun and seasonal ideas.

People love to rally behind the home team.

Is a regional, local university, or professional sports team in your area headed to the playoffs or the championship? Are they facing off

From Mother’s Day to Thanksgiving, anyone can send an email wishing clients a happy holiday. While the sentiment is a good one, you’ll be one of dozens flooding inboxes with

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your well-wishes. Instead, go beyond the traditional greetings and good tidings and become a hyper-specific resource for clients. Create a gift guide for Mother’s Day, outline family-friendly local events occurring in your area around the holidays, or engage in a promotional partnership with a local business who’s offering a holiday special of their own. In other words, don’t settle for just saying hello during certain times of the year. Instead, up the value of your email blast by offering clients curated information that relates to their interests and area.

Doing so makes your emails a must-read, while demonstrating your ability to go the extra mile.

Pop culture serves as a fun and timely tie-in.

Is a new gaming app sweeping the nation? Have your social media feeds been flooded with the same viral video? Is everyone gossiping about the same TV show premiere? Pop culture tie-ins in your email marketing campaigns can be extremely effective, but in order to for

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them to work, you’ll need to move quickly and keep your focus on the phenomenon, rather than your service pitch. The goal behind pop culture marketing tie-ins is communicating the progressiveness and hip factor of your brand, while capturing timely, topical interest that’s at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be in on a running joke or trend, and if you leverage trending pop culture moments in your email marketing, you’ll be able to draw views and clicks from a wide audience.

Plenty of services offer standardized email marketing templates and content for today’s real estate professionals, and while the motivation behind marketing is transactional, your communications don’t have to be. The surest way to make an impact in your clients’ inboxes is to add original value and break apart from the pack. Consider updating some of your routines with these current events oriented techniques and your email audience is sure to take a second look.

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KELLY ROSS One thing you learn growing up on a farm is patience. The workdays are long, the obstacles are many, and when problems arise it’s usually up to you to deal with it yourself. You learn to take your time and do things right. These are the lessons Kelly Ross brought to her practice when she decided to become a Realtor in 1993.

“I like people and enjoy helping them overcome whatever stands in the way of them achieving their American Dream,” Kelly explains. “I worked with one couple for two years before we found what they were looking for.

I’m a very patient person.”

Building her career required a level of patience as well.

When her children were small, she got her license to help increase the family income, but shifted her business whenever her husband’s job in the oil and gas industry required them to move to a new town.

“Back then I was always multitasking, working and raising my children. Now that they are grown, I’ve channeled that extra energy into my practice.”

The move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2000 proved to be the last, and Kelly was finally able to root her business. Now an agent with Major League Realty, Kelly serves clients all over the Metroplex, specializing in homes with acreage. She’s done well, closing between 24 and 50 transactions every year, with much of that business coming from repeat clients and referrals. “A lot of my past was spent in

the country, so I know about farms and ranches and evaluating those kinds of properties. I’m also a people-oriented person, and a good listener. I work hard to find people what they want.”

When it comes to marketing her own listings, Kelly utilizes the local MLS, all of the social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and the dedicated real estate websites to draw maximum attention to her sellers’ properties.

She also reaches out to past clients who might be interested in a particular kind of property, as well as other agents in her sphere who are representing potential buyers.

Kelly and her husband care deeply for their community, and are very active with their Church, contributing time or money to its various ministries.

They also have a Facebook ministry of their own.

“Jesus is definitely a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without His guidance.”

When she’s not working, Kelly loves spending time with her family, which very often involves some activity with horses. “We like to ride, and go to races or rodeos. I actually raise quarter horses, so I spend a lot of time with my horse babies.”

As for the future of her business, Kelly has a lot to look forward to. In her time with Major League, she has enjoyed recruiting and training new agents, and one day hopes to continue that leadership role as a broker.

If you would like Kelly’s help buying or selling a home, please call her at 469-628-4404, or email her at kross@cgmlr.com

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3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You Productivity experts agree that a curated workspace positively impacts productivity and mood, but oftentimes we settle for bland desks and cubicles that lack personalized details or considerations for workflow. Why miss out on the opportunity to optimize your surroundings when it could brighten your day—and boost your performance? Keep in mind some of these tactics to make your workspace your own and reap the benefits along the way.

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DETERMINE YOUR WORKING STYLE AND DECORATE ACCORDINGLY For the creative set, a colorful and art-filled workspace can inspire fresh ideas and reduce stress. Likewise, casual yet aesthetically pleasing furniture, accessories, and décor set an inviting yet functional mood. A pop of color from an office tool—even something as basic as a stapler—can inject a sense of fun and modernism into your daily tasks. For the more analytical, right-brained worker, clean

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lines and zero clutter go a long way. A few well-chosen personal photos in tasteful, unassuming frames can provide a motivating connection to the world beyond the office, while accessories and supplies that are sleek, monochrome, and contemporary inspire a sense of calm efficiency.

BUILD A WORKSPACE WITH YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IN MIND If you find yourself spending hours on the phone per day, or assembling stacks of documents and brochures, or even coming and going from the office with frequency—there are simple adjustments you can make to your workspace that will save you time and energy. If you sit for long hours—responding to e-mails or making calls—try incorporating an ergonomic chair or keyboard wrist-pad to maximize comfort. If you spend a long time assembling presentation materials, then file organizers, trays, and easy-to-pull labels can shave valuable time off your efforts. Lastly, those who step out for frequent meetings can reduce the hassle of being on-the-go by making your space mindfully organized—a coatrack and a dish for your keys by the door, an auto-brew coffeemaker, or an easily edited whiteboard calendar can make jet-setting simpler.

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ADD EASY DETAILS THAT ENRICH YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE While organization and décor can rally productivity and mood, there are also a few extra details you can introduce to your workspace to improve the quality of your working life.

Healthy, easy to grab-and-go snacks—think nuts, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit— can keep your energy up without the sugar crush or guilt. If there’s a window nearby, a hard-to-kill plant like a philodendron or a fern not only cleanse the air around you, but also provide a welcome connection to the natural world. Being prepared in a pinch is another great way to make your workspace work for you: a spare tie, a tube of lip balm, hand sanitizer, or a box of Band-Aids can save you a trip to the store when an unexpected need arises.

While we take great pains to make our homes our sanctuaries—complete with the decorations, furniture, and food we favor—we often overlook our work areas, even though we spend a sizable portion of our week sitting at the same desk. Challenge yourself to add a few of these personalizing, productivity-boosting details to your work area and bring the comfort of home to your working life.

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NEIL SHILLIG You might say Neil Shillig grew up in the real estate industry. His father was a prominent commercial broker while his mother managed various multi-housing units and apartment complexes throughout Dallas, and through them, Neil had an opportunity to learn the business from the ground up. However, before launching his own career as a top producing agent, he would first start a successful business, which he later sold to pursue his real estate license in 2009. Today, he leads the Shillig Real Estate Group, partnered with Keller Williams Heritage, where he assists clients throughout all of San Antonio and the DFW metroplex. With offices located in both San Antonio and Frisco, he possesses the insight, integrity, and experience needed to facilitate any transaction.

When listing a property, Neil equips his clients with a comprehensive strategy. After helping them fully prepare their home for the sale and providing a suite of professional photography and videography services, he shares their listing to his extensive sphere of influence.

From there, he broadcasts each property via both the regional MLS and a mix of targeted digital and social media campaigns—all to ensure his clients stand out in his highly competitive markets.

Elsewhere, Neil is just as thorough when assisting his buyers, leveraging his acute knowledge of the local markets to carefully guide them to the right home for their best interests. He remains in touch with his clients long after closing through regular check-ins and dinners, often becoming good friends with them over the course of the process. “It’s never a one and done transaction for me,” he says. “Instead, I’m building a relationship with my clients and a partnership for life. That means taking care of them the way I would want to be taken care of.

Whether it’s a $100,000 transaction or a $3 million transaction, everyone deserves the same treatment.”

Through the years, Neil and his team have earned a fantastic reputation throughout Texas, with the vast Top Agent Magazine

majority of their volume coming from repeat clients and referrals. Most of all, though, he is driven by the dynamic opportunities posed by every transaction. “In this business, every day is different. Every client is different, and every purchase or sale is different. I’m not the type of person who enjoys a corporate environment; instead, I prefer the new challenges and negotiations with each deal.”

Outside his career, Neil is deeply involved in his community. He has been involved with the Public Safety Team for the San Antonio Police Department, where they are responsible for educating the public on local policies and procedures. In the meantime, he has also served on the board for his Homeowners Association and helps organize neighborhood events to promote local businesses. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found traveling, playing tennis, or spending quality time at home with his beloved family.

Going forward, Neil has strong plans for the future. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he intends on expanding his business while planting seeds of success for his community, clients, and family. “Without the support of my staff and family, none of this would have been possible,” he says. “When I look back at my career, I know I couldn’t have done it without my wife and our elite team.”

To learn more about Neil Shillig, email sreg@kw.com, visit sregsold.com or call (210) 248-8428 www.

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