High Impact Open House Strategies Your Sellers Will Love

If you’re interested in getting the most money for your sellers, you know that how you price the home and how you market it matters. And the way you host open houses can have an impact on the outcome. Ish Ahmed of Palm Beach, Florida and Julie Hess of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania both understand how important it is to have a good strategy around open houses. After all, their purpose is to launch the listing and price it effectively in order to create excitement and increase demand for the home. In their recent sit down, these two stellar agents provided five key pieces of advice for ensuring that open houses get your sellers the biggest bang for their buck.

Become an Investor Magnet with Best Buy Lists

It can be said in any market though it’s especially true in the current one: we have to be purposeful about finding business. Plano, Texas agent Jessica Maddern has taken this message to heart as she’s grown her business through targeting potential investors. In fact, since she’s intentionally targeted these potential clients, she’s both grown her business and increased the share of investor-related business from 6.5 percent to 23 percent.

How did she do this in such a tough market?

Be the Agent of Choice Anywhere & Everywhere with Outbound Referrals

Donna Gilbert has been a successful real estate agent in the Fairfield, Connecticut area for more than two decades. However, she’s always split her time between her two professional loves: pure-bred dogs and real estate. While the pandemic forced her to turn more of her attention to real estate, she learned how to get purposeful about bringing these two unique career paths together in an authentic and profitable way. Donna services the show dog community by via providing them introductions to qualified agents anywhere in the country to serve their needs. And she’s concentrated on this portion of her business so strongly that it has become a true pillar of her business, earning her 16 closed transactions in less than a year.

Design. Build. Live.

Jessica Starr is passionate about investing. So much so that she and team member Doug Hagen created a multi-part course titled Design. Build. Live to help others with their investment journeys. While they are not financial advisors or tax experts (and we all recommend talking to an expert in these areas when making big monetary decisions!), Jess and Doug have taken the things they wish they knew when they started, as well as the mistakes they learned from along the way in order to create lessons everyone can benefit from. They believe that their track record as investors and agents can help people to think a little differently when it comes to investing in real estate.

Start Wealth Building With These Simple Action Steps

Top agent Jessica Starr is passionate about wealth building. So much so that she’s made it her quest to get people excited about the possibilities that real estate investing can create. As a result of her journey into this realm, Jess has created a multi-session course to teach people both inside and outside of the real estate community how to invest and build wealth. In our sit down, she introduces us to her insights around this topic.

Olympian Alexi Pappas' Secrets for Handling Challenges (and they'll work for you too!)

Facing challenges and adversity is something we all experience, no matter our chosen path in life. In fact, it’s safe to say that there will always be things in our professional and personal lives that are outside of our control.

Overcome Seller Objections With These Pro-tips

There’s no doubt that today’s market is a skills-based market. But no matter what market we’re in, knowing how to win listings is essential. That’s where MAPS coaches Emily Baker and Aaron Simons come in. With a tremendous amount of experience with listings between the two of them, Emily and Aaron can provide advice and tactics to help us ease the minds of potential clients and help them make the decisions that best suit their needs.

Agent to Agent Referrals: Being Intentional about Giving and Receiving Referrals

When we get intentional about particular aspects of our business, amazing things can happen. Just ask Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Tulio Peña. Tulio decided to get serious about agent-to-agent referrals about 14 months ago and since making that decision, this category of business has grown to account for about 13% of his business.

Blessing Baskets: Help Your Town Help Others in a Big (and Simple!) Way

If you’re looking to impact the community in a positive way and simultaneously bring people together to help those who need it, Ellie McIntire of the EPIK Home Group has the event for you. While she doesn’t take credit for creating the Blessing Basket idea herself, she has taken the idea and upped the ante, making the charity event her own in her hometown of Catonsville, Maryland.

A Simple System to Grow Your Pipeline

Renae Quigley is a driven Eastern Washington agent who knows what she wants to accomplish. In two years, she went from executive assistant, to solo agent, to rainmaker and never looked back. But like most agents, there have been times when she’s lost her focus on accomplishing the tasks that need to be done to push her business forward.

Be the Creative Solution Your Clients Need

When you’ve been in the real estate business as long as Ft. Lauderdale agent Chris Toomey has, you start to think about the legacy you want to leave. For Chris, it was paramount that he could help his community in ways that could make a difference for individuals trying to get into a house.

Grow Your Database Through Community Garage Sales

There are so many powerful ways to connect with your community. Hosting a garage sale is one of them. You don’t have to be a full-time event planner or community organizer to benefit from this type of wide-scale event. As Nicole Romanik and Natalie Antosh will tell you, it takes time, organization, and a lot of follow-up.

How to Win The Day By Noon

Building a successful business requires intentionality. Rodney Maison of Atlanta, Georgia, knows this from first-hand experience. Since becoming an agent less than four years ago, Rodney has grown an almost $10 million business by getting focused on the activities that bring him the greatest results.

What has he learned?

4 Ways to Get a Grip On Your Budget

One key goal of our businesses is profitability. After all, we can’t exist for the long-term without it. When homes are flying off the proverbial shelves, how we handle our money may not be obvious. However, when the market slows, our skill set around handling money becomes more apparent. We recently sat down with mega agent, Christina Welch, who has spent the better half of the last decade being hyper-focused on her team’s budget.

Build Your Niche Through Untapped Relationships

When it comes our real estate businesses, focusing consistently on a niche can be a beneficial source of business if we dedicate the time into building the relationships and providing the customized value for it. Ask San Diego-based agent Bridget Potterton. In real estate for 20 years, Bridget is a solo agent who attributes a significant and growing amount of business to the niche she concentrates in – divorces.

From Solo to Supercharged: Leverage Systems You Need to Succeed

That solo agents can have a thriving and successful business is an absolute truth. Case in point, Paulina Najbar of Springfield, Missouri. Currently in her fifth year in real estate, Paulina is on track to do 50-60 units this year as a solo agent. She relishes her solo agent status because she’s able to stay in control of every aspect of the transaction. For her, being the point of contact every step of the way for her clients is something she loves. Her secret? Building leverage into her business through systems and people while still remaining an individual agent.

How To Build Out A VIP Program for a Golden Database

As Josie Burke of the Valerie King Team will tell you, knowing who applauds and appreciates your business is key for taking it to new heights. After all, when treated right, repeat and referral business is low-hanging fruit and an ideal lead generation source. And the Valerie King Team prides themselves on connecting with this portion of their database in an elite way. It shows too, with repeat and referral business accounting for almost 85% of their transactions. That’s huge. When you know who sends you business, you can send extra gratitude in their direction. Josie Burke, the Director of Operations and Marketing with the Valerie King Team of Connecticut has mastered a system around tracking who these people are. In her interview with James Shaw, she walks us through how their team reciprocates the love that they feel from their database.

It's Pride Month! Be The Ally You Want to Be

One of our main goals with the Pivot: Shift Ahead community is to make it a welcoming place for everyone. With that in mind, we celebrate Pride month. We recently welcomed Dave Gervase to Pivot: Shift Ahead to talk about how we can become great allies and better business people to the different communities that exist by broadening our businesses and learning how to help those that may be different from us.

Why Juneteenth Matters

We feel like we’ve hit the jackpot whenever Julia Lashay Israel visits our group. As a member of the KW family for many years as an agent, broker and currently as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Julia always brings great insight to any conversation. In this never-before-seen interview from our Pivot: Shift Ahead vault, Julia sat down to talk about Juneteenth and what we can do today in order to make sure that everyone who we are in business with and serve have equal opportunities.

The Mid-Year Mark: Finishing 2023 Strong

Depending upon what your year has felt like to date, the mid-year mark can be invigorating or it can be a little terrifying. But we’re here to tell you that whether you’re ahead, on track, or behind at this point in time, it doesn’t really matter. Just because you may be winning the first half doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to win the game. And just because you feel like the underdog doesn’t mean you don’t have a victory around the corner. No matter where you are versus your goals at this point in time, you can still win the year.

Keep Calm & Close Deals: An Agent's Guide to Managing Anxiety in a High Stress Industry

If you work in the real estate industry, it’s probably no surprise for you to hear that our careers come with a lot of stress and anxiety. With clients, the local and national economy, business building, and lots of other interpersonal relationships to contend with, it’s important to pause and take care of yourself and your own mental well-being.   

Attention, Agents! Find Your Focus with "The ADHD Realtor Coach"

As we continue to put a spotlight on personal well-being for Mental Health Awareness Month, we were honored to get to talk with MAPS coach Tyler Elstrom. Tyler has been a MAPS coach for over 5 years and before that, ran a top-performing team that measured up against the best of the best worldwide for units sold.

Build an Email Marketing Machine (That Works!)

When it comes to email, Mary Cheatham King and her Director of Marketing, Meg Gravley, have found a system that works for their North Carolina-based real estate team. In fact, in a market with a population of roughly 68,000 people, their business has grown 1,119% over the past 7 years. And it’s experienced the most growth in team production between 2019 and 2020, when email became the backbone of their marketing strategy.

The Relationship Advantage: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Marketing Strategy

When it comes to growing our businesses, the database is where the magic happens. By adding people consistently to your database and then connecting with those people, you can grow your business. Real estate broker Mary Cheatham King of North Carolina’s coast had $218 million in volume last year and served 327 families by paying close attention to her database.

Celebrating the Theme of Mental Health Awareness Month, "More Than Enough"

Mental Health Awareness month comes at the perfect time of the year. Almost at the halfway point, it’s a good time to assess where we are and make sure we’re in a good spot mentally. Though observing this month as mental health awareness month has been around since 1949, it’s finally seeming to get more of the attention it deserves. After all, when our mental health isn’t in a good place, other aspects of our life – like our businesses and our relationships – can suffer too.

DISCuss & DISCover: Learn How to Decode the DISC So You Can Get to the "Yes" Every Time

Communicating can be tough. We know what we’re trying to say but all too often, what’s being heard is different. And it’s not surprising, because we’re all different. But what if we told you that it’s possible to improve the way you interact with others? Massachusetts-based agent Marilyn Burke has made it her mission to understand the DISC behavioral assessment and share her lessons learned with you. Read on to learn how interpreting the DISC dimensions in others can help you to better communicate, increase the quality and understanding in your relationships and even improve your business.

Become A Magnet For Sellers With This Annual Real Estate Review

In any relationship-driven business, it’s important to be authentic and to provide value to potential clients without expecting anything in return. If you’re looking for ways to provide value but aren’t sure how, Chris Ruszkiewicz’s Annual Real Estate Review is a great approach to take. Chris provides an annual equity analysis to her sphere of influence and past clients. She builds touches around the information she supplies and shows her contacts how they can use the data to their own benefit, whether or not they are interested in selling.  

Innovative Outreach Tactics That Ensure Results

The most important aspect of any lead generation technique is consistency. After all, time on the task over time produces long-term results. One of the best ways to ensure we can commit to using our key lead generation tactic day in and day out is to not mind doing it. That’s right. Pick lead generation tactics that you don’t try to avoid and actually enjoy.  

Celebrating 10 Years of The One Thing with Jay Papasan

When a big milestone comes around in our community, we like to acknowledge and celebrate it. And this month marks the 10^th anniversary of the publication of The ONE Thing. With just over 3 million copies sold in 42 language translations, this book has had a lasting impact on our Pivot: Shift Ahead community as well as elsewhere throughout the world. To mark this achievement, we talked with co-author Jay Papasan.

Lead Conversion Rules That Actually Work

When the market slows, our ability – or inability – to create as many leads as possible becomes exposed. This is where Mastery Coach Anna Krueger’s expertise comes into play. With 20 years of sales under her belt, 10 years in real estate, and a background in teaching, Anna knows a lot about how to educate, connect and listen to people. As a coach, her goal is to help agents to truly connect with others and understand what their day should look like when lead generating.

Re-Margin Your Business: Expense Management

When KWU’s top-rated trainer, Jordan Sibley, visits our group to teach us about expense management, it’s in all of our best interest to sit up and listen. Money management is important in any market and any industry. And rest assured, every industry experiences shifts, whether it be due to seasonal cyclical, or economic changes. However, when inflation is up and real estate transactions are down, understanding how to maximize our own profit opportunities is critical.

Make Objection Handling Look Like A Breeze

Not too long ago, we were in a speed market. As soon as homes were listed, they were sold, with seemingly little concern for price or even condition. But things have changed. We’re now in a skill market. In other words, the abilities we have or we lack in bringing a home transaction seamlessly across the finish line are totally exposed.

Forge the Path to Success That Feeds Your Soul 

Real estate is an industry where we can get caught up in the stress of achievement. After all, our objectives are very clear – we know we want to take as many listings, close as many transactions, and earn as much commission as possible. Each goal can have almost an addictive quality, as we accomplish more, we want to achieve more as well.

Master Your Expenses for Higher Profitability

A lot of people are intimidated by the state of their finances. After all, we know we should watch what we’re spending, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s where Ashley Miller comes in. As an executive coach for MAPS with her own residential real estate team, she’s invested a lot of time into helping people to maximize their income. She’s highly knowledgeable about how to set up our businesses and personal worlds in order to maximize our bottom lines. When we spoke, she had some simple, yet highly effective advice for how to start taking better care of your financial health.

A Simple Guide to Excel Outside Your Market

Sometimes when we sit down with amazing agents, we are reminded that success isn’t about doing everything, but rather, about focusing on the key things that really make a difference. Erica West really drove this point home when we spoke to her about how she continues to build an impressive business while living thousands of miles away for half of the year. The realizations she’s made about succeeding in business are applicable to anyone looking to succeed at a high level.

Take Your Market Share in 2023 with These Farming Techniques

If you are looking to build your business, two things are certain: you need to grow your database and give it the attention it deserves. While there are many strategies that can help you accomplish these goals, we’re going to focus on one strategy, in particular, today: farming.

How I Went From Zero to Capper in My First Year as a Dual Agent

Starting a real estate business from the ground up is no easy feat. But starting a business from scratch while working full-time? That takes organization, efficiency, and dedication. Gyimah Kyei did just this, capping in his first year in real estate and subsequently growing it to become the number one agent in his market center, all while holding down a full-time job. To succeed as a top-level agent requires clear commitment. Gyimah would call for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) and expireds, schedule appointments, show homes, and take listings after his other job was done for the day and on weekends. We sat down and discussed how his approach to lead generation helped to take his business to the next level.

Not-To-Miss Investment Opportunities for Agents in 2023

We know investing in the real estate market can have a lot of upside to it. But it can be hard to know how to get started. Luckily, long-time agent and coach Heidi Fore is willing to share her experience in this arena with us!

Revive Past Leads Without Becoming Annoying

Reaching out to the people in our database can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve connected with them. We know what you’re thinking – the last thing you want to do is annoy someone and get on their wrong side.

Why You Aren't Meeting Your Goals & How to Change That This Year

If you’ve spent any time with our Pivot: Shift Ahead and Inspire Collective communities, you’ll probably recognize the name Jon Acuff. As a best-selling author and self-proclaimed goals nerd, he’s a friend of these groups and visits us to share his advice on setting and achieving goals for ourselves. Since January is the “Superbowl” of goals for him, what better time than now to have him join us and point us in the right direction for the year ahead?

Your Guide to Building An Active Pipeline For 2023

Having an active pipeline is important in any market, but it’s especially important when sales are declining. It takes a little more work and effort than it has over the past couple of years to be a successful agent in this climate. Consistent lead generation is essential. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

4 Things to Do Everyday to Sell $10M in a Shifting Market

You may be a seasoned agent or just getting your feet wet in the real estate industry. Either way, there’s no question that this market is a tough one. With NAR forecasting another 7 percent decline next year, the market may get even tougher. But that doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish your goals.

Mindset Matters: 5 Steps to Build Your Abundant Life Today

We all want to live lives that we can look back on with smiles on our faces. Lives that are both content and fulfilling. But what’s the trick to living happy and abundant lives?

Key Lessons Learned From Shifting Markets

There are some people in the business who come to mind immediately as people who have a tremendous amount of insight to share. Ron Wexler is one of them. He’s been part of the real estate industry since 1984. That means he’s seen his fair share of changing markets. And as an agent, an investor, and an operating partner, he clearly has a lot of experience.

Make Millions Selling Real Estate...It's Not THAT Hard (For Real)

You may be a long-time agent whose been through a variety of different markets. Or you may be newer to the industry and never experienced a shift before. No matter where your experience lies, you’re not alone if you recently received a jarring reminder of how important the basics of our businesses can be.

Turn Your Sphere Into Superfans

I always get excited when we bring speakers to the Pivot community who can influence your businesses for the better. Brittany Hodak – author, speaker, entrepreneur (and Shark Tank extraordinaire!) – is one of these people.

Brittany’s self-described obsession is teaching people how to create superfans for their businesses. In other words, she wants to show you how to differentiate yourself in a way that inspires your customers to go out and spread the good word about your business to their friends.

Proven Pricing Strategies for Scared Sellers

There’s no doubt about it, the real estate market is different today than it was just a few short months ago. Mortgage rates are up, home prices are down, and while it’s still a seller’s market, buyers feel more empowered to take their time and watch the market. If you’re meeting with potential sellers, chances are that your conversations have a different tone.

Earn 20+ Leads in One Day with an EPIK Bold 100

When you’ve been in the business as long as Maryland luxury agent Ellie McIntyre has, chances are that you’ve put some systems in place to help it grow effectively.

This is exactly what Ellie’s EPIK Bold is, a turnkey system for getting potential clients to reach out and provide information about themselves. Coined EPIK after her team’s name, an acronym that stands for excellence, professionalism, integrity, and knowledge, the EPIK Bold reworks aspects of inbound and outbound calling programs so that they work for Ellie.

Become the Go-To Agent First-Time Home Buyers Need Right Now

On a good day, the market is a scary place for first-time home buyers. But take the market changes of the last few months and it’s enough to have anyone shaking in their boots. Across much of the country, the common sentiment is confusion. After all, the landscape looks a lot different than it did. As real estate agents, this type of market is one where our skills truly matter and we can make a difference by providing perspective to buyers about what’s happening in the market and how to best approach it. But where do we start?

Get a Grip on Mortgage Rates

If you’re trying to help clients buy or sell homes in the current market, you’ve likely run up against some hurdles. It’s been a wild year. Mortgage rates are no longer super low, which can create uncertainty about how to proceed in the market for both buyers and sellers. To help you handle this insecurity, I had a great talk with Loralynne Ball of Keller Mortgage this week about what we should know about the current mortgage landscape.

Convert Buyer Leads to Clients in One Call

Since the spring, the market has definitely been different. No longer is the climate one where buyers will waive inspections, pay gobs over the asking price and go crazy to get the deal. Luckily, when I recently sat down with Brittany Whinery of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s The Wolek Group, she shared some great tips on working with buyers in today’s market.

Unlock Your M.A.G.I.C. to Find Rhythm in Work & Life

I love when I get to share general life wisdom with the Pivot: Shift Ahead and Inspire Collective groups. That’s why I was so excited to chat with Alyce Dailey recently. A businesswoman, wife, mother, and all-around good person, Alyce has learned a lot over the years. After hitting a wall and feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and like she had no margin for error in her life, she made it to the other side. And based on the ideas she’s found to work in her own life, Alyce wrote a book called The M.A.G.I.C Mom.  

MREA Master Class: Pre-Listing Preparation to Save Time & Money

Markets change. And although the fundamentals of real estate remain constant, there are ways to change how we approach our businesses to help us better serve our clients, earn more listings, and protect our time.

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