KICKOFF REPORT 2017/2018
INNOVATE 2018 Welcome to our 2018 Kickoff Event. We are on a mission to redefine the real estate experience for our associates, clients and employees. Our new theme this year is INNOVATE. The world of real estate is changing at a faster pace and that presents a great opportunity. As you will see in our event today, we will be leading our market with a new set of innovations that will give our clients and associates the competitive edge. 2017 was a another record year in virtually every aspect of our business. The charts on the opposite page highlight some of those accomplishments. We are also proud to announce that we raised a record $119, 265 for the Sunshine Kids. The Sunshine Kids is our national charity for children with cancer and we have raised well over $1 million in the last 20 years. Today, we have the honor of recognizing the outstanding performance of our associates in 2017. We have more award winners than ever with incredible success stories and so many lives that were transformed in a positive way. We will announce our Honor Society, Leading Edge, President’s Circle, Chairman’s Circle and Legends winners. On February 15th, we will host a special Elite Associate Event to honor our top performers. This report provides highlights of some of the solutions we launched in 2017. Many of our associates leveraged these to benefit their clients and their business. I encourage you to consider these as you finalize your plans for 2018. For example, text lead notification and acceptance makes it easy to see, accept and respond to your leads. Consumers expect immediate response and this will ensure you have no missed opportunities. We also provide an overview of all our Coaching and Training programs including the new PROPEL Learning Management System powered by Litmos. Now you have instant access to all our training in the palm of your hand! Our Division Highlights for 2017 are included in a special section to highlight more record performances. Our Luxury Division continues to lead the market in growth over the past two years under the leadership of Lori Lane. We are the only real estate company to ever win the prestigious MAX Award. New Homes and City Haus continue to lead our market in closed units for any brokerage. Corporate Relocation is very busy with more companies moving to Metro Atlanta and Property Management continues to grow with properties under management and delivering sales opportunities for our associates. Our Commercial Division had the best year in our 55 year history and is positioned well going into next year. Gino Blefari, CEO of HSF Affiliates is here with us today. Gino leads our team at the franchise organization and will deliver our keynote speech. I have known Gino for many years and he is doing an amazing job leading our franchise teams to deliver more value for our clients and associates. We look forward to seeing Gino again at our Sales Convention in San Antonio in March and hope you can join us. As you drove here today, you may have seen one of our 75 billboards lighting up the skies of Atlanta. We are proud to launch the new real estate skills for Amazon Alexa and Google Home. We have an exclusive partnership with Voiceter for Metro Atlanta and will also be working with Buyside as we further develop these solutions. This is just the beginning of this journey as we bring new innovations to our industry. The future of real estate is here and we are ready! We are excited about the opportunities we see in 2018 and committed to being the best sales, marketing and innovation company in real estate. The future is ours!
Dan Forsman President & CEO
2017 COMPANY PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
SUNSHINE KIDS TM
2017 was an amazing year for Sunshine KidsTM donations. We raised $119,265 this year! We are proud to report that our company has now raised over $1 million in Sunshine KidsTM donations.
Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered your time to help kids with cancer!
TeamBuilder AGENT RECRUITING PROGRAM
We have added record numbers of new associates in 2017. Right now is an excellent opportunity to create income from our TeamBuilder program. Remember to schedule an interview with your Broker!
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
2018 PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Kickoff 2018: The Kickoff 2018 Event is January 24th at the Cobb Galleria. 2017 was another record year and we are so proud of your accomplishments. The theme is INNOVATE which is perfect for the largest and most visually exciting event we have ever hosted. There are 75 digital billboards lighting up the skies across Greater Metro Atlanta with our new Atlanta Real Estate skill on Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Social Media is buzzing with our #CabernetKickoff and #bhhsGAawards hashtags. Our new Tagboard displays are showing real-time posts. Dan Forsman highlights 2017 accomplishments, success stories and announces new innovations for 2018 that will take our performance to a higher level. We are honored to recognize our 2017 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices award winners. Gino Blefari, CEO of HSF Affiliates (our franchise organization) is our Keynote Speaker. Photos, videos, slides and supporting materials from the event will be available on your Agent Intranet. Sales Associate Recognition: We are honored to celebrate your success in 2017. Award Winners will be provided a series of announcement mediums to share with your clients, customers, prospects and loved ones. These included a Digital Award Certificate (email, social media), a Printed Award Certificate suitable for framing, Branch Digital Award Flyers (email, social media) and Print Award Ads in local newspapers. Elite Sales Associate Awards: Our Elite Sales Associate event will be held on February 15th at the Ansley Country Club where we will honor our highest performers. Once again, we will be recognizing our award winners on digital billboards and paid Facebook ads. The combination of these powerful digital mediums are very effective and will create a buzz in our local market!
Sales Convention 2018: Our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices National Sales Convention will be held in San Antonio on March 4-6. We look forward to celebrating our award winners and hearing the franchise programs for 2018. For those that are not able to attend, we will be broadcasting Facebook Live sessions and sending updates to keep you informed. The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network continues to grow both domestically and internationally. 2017 was the best year ever for the entire franchise so there is a lot to celebrate in San Antonio.
CONSUMER’S VOTED BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES WAS RANKED # 1 FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 2017 CONSUMER’S CHOICE AWARD FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
NEW INNOVATIONS LAUNCHED IN 2017 Buyside: This powerful platform includes 3 home value estimates, buyer heat map, real-time buyer activity summary and Featured Buyers. The Buyer Match allows our associates to see potential buyers for new listings. The printable BMA (Buyer Market Analysis) is a great prospecting tool and can be used for listing presentations and open houses. No other brokerage offers Buyside in our local market! Cole Realty Resource: This robust geo-farming database is an excellent source for developing mailing lists plus researching phone numbers and emails. The Retriever feature allows you to load a custom list and match contact data. You can also look up local businesses to expand your referral network or target for prospects by occupation. No other brokerage in our market has the full solution from Cole giving our associates the competitive edge! Juwai - Tencent: We announced a strategic partnership with Juwai.com and the Tencent Network to expose our properties to 900 million potential buyers behind the internet firewall in China. Our China Pro listings are custom translated and leads are qualified by a dedicated Chinese-speaking team. No other brokerage provides such extensive exposure to the growing Chinese market! Global Exposure: In September 2017, we added the Financial Times of London to our website distribution of 40,000+ websites. This venerable destination is respected worldwide and is a great source for potential buyers from Europe and the U.K. All our listings are visible and the agent photo helps our associates stand out. No other brokerage offers such extensive global listing exposure! MEGA Open House Events: We held 14 MEGA Open House events in 2017 and they were a great source of new clients. Our company launched major advertising programs including Zillow Ads, Facebook & Instagram listing ads, digital billboards, print ads, neighbor previews and local neighborhood marketing. Our Spacio Paperless Registration Solution helped register and follow up with over 35,000 visitors. Nobody does open houses like we do MEGA Open Houses! Text Lead Acceptance: It is critical to accept and respond to leads quickly while the prospect is in the right modality. Text is the fastest and most effective method. Our text-based lead notification and lead acceptance puts the power in your hands. Everything is fully integrated to the Reliance Lead Management section of your agent intranet so you can respond and follow up. Respond quickly and take your business to a higher level! Integrated Seller Reports: The new Integrated Seller Reports includes listing traffic from sources like Zillow, Realtor.com, Spacio, Homes.com and our local websites. The new format also includes comparable properties which can be customized to micro-local neighborhoods. The flexible text area allows you to highlight additional property marketing efforts which remind the seller of your unique value. Just set the schedule and let your Integrated Seller Report keep your client informed. Nextdoor: Nextdoor is the social media network for neighborhoods and is a great fit for our geographic farming. We provide a listing feed so our listings automatically display in every neighborhood. Associates can purchase options for Branded Listings and Community Sponsors. Nextdoor allows you to generate more leads by being an active member in your neighborhood. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
2018 COACHING AND TRAINING PROPEL: We are proud to offer our new PROPEL Learning Management System powered by Litmos. PROPEL is the destination for all our training and coaching. The platform includes a variety of learning paths plus easy access to all training modules. We have incorporated many videos including sessions from Tom Ferry, David Knox and others. The Litmos Mobile App puts the power of knowledge in the palm of your hand. It is time to PROPEL your business to a higher level.
Tom Ferry
Brian Buffini
Mike Ferry
David Knox
Coaching Programs: We are partnering with the leading industry coaches to provide access to events and programs with special pricing for many events. Our local experts will also be hosting a range of coaching and training programs, so look for the schedule on the PROPEL calendar.
GOOD TO KNOW CLASS SERIES
Good to Know Classes: When agents join our company, we want to make sure they understand all the solutions, programs and resources that are available to them. We host “Good to Know” classes to provide live training on some of our most popular tools and provide an overview of the resources available. Now that is “Good to Know!” Good to Know Videos: Our Good To Know video series is designed to give you tips and specific training on social media and our industry-leading marketing & technology solutions. These videos will be available for playback on PROPEL and the company Facebook page. Now that is “Good to Know!” Power Lunch: Join us every Friday at noon for Power Lunch. These webinar sessions cover the latest topics for new solutions, success stories and company programs. Our special guests include vendor partners, industry experts, our marketing specialists and spotlights from associate success stories. Power Lunch is recorded and available on PROPEL. SURGE Campaigns: Our SURGE campaigns have been very effective in driving the sales activities that generate more leads for our associates. SURGE campaigns are 3-5 day activity programs with daily videos plus training and special prizes. We began 2018 with our Social Media SURGE. Get ready to SURGE your business to a higher level! Real Estate Redefined Video Series: Our Real Estate Redefined video series has been very popular. In each episode, Dan Forsman provides information, insight and inspiration for real estate pros. The past episodes are available on our Real Estate Redefined blog on the company website. Remember, every day... in every way... you can get better and better!
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
NEW INNOVATIONS FOR 2018 Social Media: Engage 121 is the “easy button” for social media with new local content that can be easily posted to your social media accounts. Our new Engage 121 App puts the power in the palm of your hand. Our new Tagboard allows us to display social media posts at events, in our offices and on our websites. Digimind is a powerful social media analytics tool that allows us to see the latest patterns & trends, benchmark our competition, measure our brand perception and even target lead opportunities.
Social Media Made Easy.
Buyer and Seller Guidebooks: We introduced our new Buyer and Seller Guidebooks in early January. The new designs feature an innovative “debossed quality seal” with many updates on the interior pages and a clean look & feel. The Buyer and Seller Guidebooks are also available in ToolKit CMA which can be completely customized for our associates and personalized for your potential clients. No other company provides such beautiful and professional materials! Artificial Intelligence Chat Bot: We have been testing an innovative new AI Chat Bot that has the potential to radically improve real estate searches and lead management. We call it ReBot and it is getting smarter and smarter. We plan to roll out test pilots for agents to test lead response and lead nurturing. Imagine having an inside sales resource that works 24/7 to answer leads and nurture them until they are ready to buy! The future is here and we are ready!
Designer Website Collection: We are pleased to introduce the new Designer Website Collection. The new designs were developed by an ad-agency creative design team incorporating modern design and the latest consumer experience with improved SEO and lead generation. The “Getting to Know You” section is radically changed to feature larger imagery of the agent or team. The first versions are available now with more coming this spring.
Dynamic Ads for Listings: Your listings are going to get supercharged in 2018 with new Dynamic Ads for Facebook and the Google Display Network. When consumers click on your company listing, we place a cookie on their device and follow them with digital ads of the listing. Dynamic Ads for Facebook and Google will substantially increase views and leads for our listings! The best news is that you do not have to do anything and there is no additional cost!
Real Estate Skills for Alexa and Google Home: We are excited to announce new real estate skill for Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Our Atlanta Real Estate skill allows consumers to check home values, search properties and find a local expert! We have an exclusive partnership with Voiceter for Metro Atlanta and will also be working together with Buyside. “Alexa, ask Atlanta Real Estate to find me a home!” The future is here and we are ready! Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
COMPANY DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS • Luxury Real Estate: The Luxury Division started 2017 with an unprecedented win of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Max Award. Berkshire Hathaway HomesServices Georgia Properties was the first real estate company to win the coveted award and beat out the Atlanta Braves’ and Arby’s campaign. The Luxury Division capped the year with the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate “Best In Print Marketing” award for our beautifully designed soft touch materials. We are proud that our company is being recognized nationally and outside of our industry as innovators in luxury real estate. The Luxury Redefined campaign is designed to elevate our marketing for luxury homes priced at $750,000 and above. With our extensive digital and print marketing, products, standards and guidelines, we continue to redefine the luxury real estate experience.
• New Homes Services: The division ended 2017 with a record setting 38 Greater Atlanta Homebuilders’ Professionalism Awards for excellence in marketing and sales. Awards included Townhome Community of the Year, Social Media Campaign, and Marketing Campaign. As a full-service sales and marketing partner, the division has earned a reputation of helping their clients to grow their business. Representing some of the most respected builders and developers, the New Homes Division continues to set the standard for excellence.
• City Haus: Our Intown Condominium and Townhome team works with builders and developers to determine the viability of a site, provide market studies, strategic project planning and implementation and overall developer services. In 2017, we were instrumental in the design and opening of the Obie Awards Best Sales Center. With projects underway in Midtown, West Side and Old Fourth Ward, CITY HAUS is poised to continue their growth as the Intown Condo Expert.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
• Property Management: The value of property management extends beyond the lease term. It allows us to cultivate relationships with your referred owners that position you for the future listing when the owner is ready to sell the property. Last year, we successfully converted over 137 landlords back to sellers generating additional commission dollars for our associates. In addition, our team helped to process 1200 leases while maintaining approximately 700 managed properties in 2017. We continue to partner with Home Partners of America to monetize tenant leads and provide a high level of service to our rental clients. Finally, we are pleased to announce the rollout of our commercial property management services to further support our associates and their clients.
• Corporate Services: As Atlanta continues to be a popular destination for new and expanding companies, our corporate relocation service team works to keep our company in the forefront of the key relocation companies and corporations. Through our ongoing business development efforts we are building key partnerships and are pleased to announce more business opportunities for our associates with the expansion of our client list with several key Fortune 500 companies. Our Internet Marketing team continues to break records with closed referrals from In-House Realty and other online partners.
• Commercial Real Estate: Our Commercial Real Estate Division finished strong in 2017 with the best year in our 55 year company history. We were also voted by consumers to receive the 2017 Consumer’s Choice Award for commercial real estate. It is clear that commercial real estate has become mainstream for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand with Gino Blefari leading that charge. Look for some exciting announcements this year as commercial continues to grow with new capabilities and more national exposure!
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
FAMILY OF SERVICES Our family of services including mortgage, closing/title, home warranty, insurance and other services, are an important component of our business. Numerous studies confirm that consumers prefer “one-stop shopping� to make their experience simpler and more effective. Our partners provide high-quality services and great value to your clients. Mortgage Services: Prosperity Home Mortgage is a full service mortgage banker specializing in residential and refinance loans. Prosperity Home Mortgage offers a wide range of mortgage products, including fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, jumbo loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, and renovation financing.
Closing & Title Services: Getting your transaction closed can be complicated. Weissman is our partner for title and closing services and has given our associates a real competitive advantage with more successful closings and happier clients.
Home Warranty Services: Did you know that the average home experiences two mechanical failures every year? Hot water heaters, air conditioning units or major appliances do fail and can be very expensive to replace. Fortunately, a home warranty can help your clients avoid these major investments.
Insurance Services: HomeServices Insurance Georgia offers access to a diverse network of top-rated national and regional insurance carriers and a full suite of insurance solutions for home, auto, umbrella, personal liability, and more. Our team is ready to assist employees, associates and our clients.
Lease Purchase: Home Partners of America allows you to find a home that you want to rent initially, but may also like to buy in the next three to five years. There are many households who may be thinking about buying a home, but for whatever reason would like to rent at the current time. You can begin by leasing and then purchase the home during the agreed upon term at a predetermined price.
Natural Gas Services: Georgia Natural Gas is Georgia’s leading provider of Natural Gas with over 500,000 households and businesses as their customers. GNG offers fixed and variable pricing plans plus flexible payment options. For new residents, there are special discounts and lowest price guarantees. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
MEGA INTRODUCING OUR 2018
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
Back Inside Cover 2018 MEGA OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE February 11 | March 4, 18 | April 15, 29 | May 6, 20 | June 10, 24 July 15 | August 19 | September 9, 23 | October 21 | November 4 New MEGA Sweepstakes Prize
AMAZON ALEXA PRIZE PACK ECHO SHOW | ECHO SPOT SMART PLUG 4-PACK Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not endorse any of the products or vendors, referenced on this material. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only.
MAX AWARD WINNER
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Luxury Collection Marketing campaign, “LUXURY IS IN THE DETAILS,” received the prestigious MAX Award (Marketing for Excellence Award).
Marketing Award of Excellence Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties for Luxury Collection Marketing
LuxuryRedefined.com BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a fran-chisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.