April 2022 Nationwide

April 2022

THE

Cagney

also featured:

FAMILY

Kimberly Mumma Donna Wheeler

Should you

rent or buy?

How to decide Top 10 Questions

to ask your agent

contents

Featured Agent Magazine Phone 888.437.5707 Fax 888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com

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professionals 6

Work/life balance — Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming

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Fresh start — Spring home staging tips

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Top 10 Ways to keep in touch

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t featured cover agents

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The Cagney Family q featured agent

Kimberly Mumma

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q featured agent

Donna Wheeler

buyers&sellers 4

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Initial investment — 7 Things you need to know before investing in real estate

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Should you rent or buy?

How to decide

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Top 10 Questions to ask your agent

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Initial investment —

7 Things you need to know before investing in real estate

If you’re considering investing in real estate, rest assured you’re in good company. Millions of Americans have successfully done so in the past, and countless others continue to do so each year. However, that’s not to say that being successful with real estate investments is guaranteed. Like all investments, real estate comes with its own set of risks, so it’s not a decision to be made without careful consideration and planning. Here are seven essential factors you need to consider before purchasing your first investment property.

You’ll Need to Do Your Homework — Before you decide to take the plunge into real estate investing,

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spend time talking with other investors, with your financial advisor, asset manager, or CPA. Seek out advice from those who have experience, and learn as much as you can through research. When it comes to investing in real estate, knowledge is power.

Running the Numbers is Necessary — Investing in real estate will require that you have an incredibly solid grasp on your financial status. If you intend to become a landlord, know roughly what rental rates the market will bear. Keep in mind that an investment is only lucrative if you earn money from it, either in the short term or long term. Basing your decision solely on an expectation of rapid appreciation can backfire.

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Investing in real estate is not a decision that is best made spurof-the-moment. Take time to explore your options, research the markets where you are hoping to invest, and ask for help from experts. You’ll find that the time you put into planning a smart investment strategy will prove invaluable over time.

Be Sure You’re Ready to be a Landlord — Being a landlord comes with its own unique set of challenges. Anyone who has been a landlord for at least a few years will confirm that things can and will go awry. Your property may be damaged, or your tenants may be difficult. They may pay rent late, or they may be noisy and disturb neighbors. Consider that these possibilities are very real, and determine whether you want the responsibility of handling these issues if and when they arise. Even if a property management company assumes the bulk of the responsibility for your property, at the end of the day, you are ultimately the owner, which means that you’ll be obligated to make tough decisions from time to time.

Weigh the Pros and Cons of a Live-In Property — For your first investment, it is more than worth considering the possibility of living in the property. You may find a home with apartment units attached, for example. Or you may invest in a duplex or triplex, and choose to live onsite in one of the units.

First-time homebuyers often find this option to make a great deal of financial sense.

Lead with Your Head, Not Your Heart — Unlike buying a first home to live in, or upgrading to your dream home, purchasing investment properties should not be an emotionally driven decision. On the contrary, falling in love with the way a property looks doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right property to Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

purchase as an investment. Remember that real estate investing is by and large a business decision, rather than an emotional decision, and you’ll be more likely to save yourself time and money.

Take an Honest Look at Your Liquidity — As a real estate investor, you need liquid capital on hand.

Appliances break, roofs leak, carpets need replacing, and rooms need to be repainted. You’ll need to make sure you have a reasonable cushion of cash on hand to be able to cover the costs of repairs, maintenance and cleaning of an investment property.

Have Realistic Expectations — Very few people get rich quick from real estate investments, and those who do are typically investors with years of experience.

Furthermore, if you’re hoping to make a lot of money from a real estate investment, but opt for a low downpayment loan, chances are that you won’t see that dream through to fruition for quite some time.

Becoming a real estate investor has proven to be a dream come true for millions of Americans, and there is no reason why it can’t be the same incredible experience for you. However, it is not a decision that is best made spur-of-the-moment. Take time to explore your options, research the markets where you are hoping to invest, and ask for help from experts. You’ll find that the time you put into planning a smart investment strategy will prove invaluable over time.

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Work/life balance —

Tips for setting boundaries when business is booming A career as a real estate professional, is by design a bit unconventional. With late nights and weekend work, there’s no disputing that top producing REALTORS® often have a full plate. Trying to balance family life, or a personal life on top of the demands of providing exceptional service, it’s little wonder that most REALTORS® cite the need for balance as a goal year-after-year.

While achieving perfect equilibrium is probably a lofty goal when business is particularly busy, it is still possible to achieve a semblance of balance, or at least a feeling that your life isn’t completely lopsided.

Here’s a look at ways to work towards better work/ life balance, even when your real estate business is booming.

Focus on What Needs to Be Done First No matter how disciplined you are, or how hard you 6

try to stick to a schedule, the reality is that things come up in real estate which are time sensitive. Because every transaction is different, it’s impossible to foresee all challenges that can come up on any given day.

That’s why it’s beneficial to start each day with a list of things that need to be done that day, no matter what. Start with those tasks, so if something comes up later in the day, you will have at least accomplished those to-do items that were necessary.

Block Off Chunks of Time for Specific Tasks Studies are beginning to indicate that multi-tasking can lead to decreased productivity. For this reason, it’s beneficial to focus all attention on a specific task for a set period of time. If you need to make follow-up calls, for example, schedule a block of time when you’ll focus only on that task. Likewise, if you need to work on a listing, schedule a set period of time in which Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

No one said being a busy REALTOR® would be easy. But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better. love what you do. So, make certain to plan to reconnect with friends, enjoy family activities, or otherwise have fun when you have the opportunity to take some time off. It might help to buy tickets in advance to a movie, or schedule reservations at a restaurant, to keep you accountable to your personal obligations.

Put Personal Time in Your Calendar — Schedule time for yourself, or time with your family, and put it in the calendar like you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 30 minutes of reading, relaxing, taking a bath, or walking the dog, it’s important that you honor commitments to yourself like you would commitments to your clients.

you’ll dedicate yourself to working on that task only.

In most cases, when you focus your whole attention on completing a task, you’ll find you’re able to do so faster than if you’re trying to work on multiple projects at once.

Assess Your Lifestyle Habits and Overall Health — If you’re not sleeping enough, chances are you’re not performing at your best, which makes everything feel unbalanced. Monitor your diet, make at least a little bit of exercise a priority, and avoid too many late nights coupled with early mornings. You’re less likely to feel frazzled, overwhelmed, or exhausted if you’re taking good care of your health.

Plan for Fun in Your Free Time — Because real estate can be consuming, it’s important to remember the adage about all work and no play, even when you Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Unplug for a Bit — Technology is great in allowing real estate professionals to work from virtually anywhere, but as is the case with most things in life, there can be too much of a good thing. Try shutting down your phone during lunch meetings. Silence your calls while watching your children play sports. Unplugging from your phone, computer, or tablet is a smart way to set boundaries in your pursuit of balance.

Learn to Delegate — If there are tasks that can be handled by an assistant, a colleague, a family member or a friend when you’re particularly busy; let them handle it. This will help keep you focused on priorities, and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by tasks that need to be done, which are not necessarily the best use of your time.

No one said being a busy REALTOR® would be easy.

But there’s no doubt the rewards are worth it — as long as you make it a priority to carve out time for your own personal life, in addition to the time you spend making your clients’ lives better.

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featuredagent

Kimberly Mumma

For several years, Kimberly Mumma owned a successful business, and while she found it rewarding and fulfilling, she realized that it was taking over her entire life. After being exposed to the world of real estate through shows on HGTV, Kimberly became fascinated and decided that jumping into the industry would be the next phase of her life. She sold her business and got her license in 2014, and has been busy providing phenomenal service to a variety of clients in Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area ever since.

take the driver’s seat and make their own best decisions.

“I am a firm believer in personal integrity. My goal is to help people. I genuinely do what I do to meet their needs, and I think they can really see that in me,” Kimberly explains. “If I’m worthy of my clients’ trust within the context of our working relationship, then I’m doing my job right.” Client-minded and service-hearted: that’s the way Kimberly conducts her business, and she doesn’t deviate from it even for a second.

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Kimberly is incredibly passionate about her work and has made it her goal to educate her clients and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in real estate.

Having grown up in Arizona, she is intimately familiar with the market landscape, and knows how to bring out its strengths when showing off the area to new residents. These qualities allow her to excel at helping those relocating from out of town, but Kimberly works with a variety of other types of clients, as well.

By working diligently and keeping herself informed, Kimberly has developed a versatile skill set that is a boon to anyone looking to buy or sell a home, especially in the East Valley where she resides. She is happy to report that her sphere of influence has grown as a result.

“I’ve had a lot of clients come back and refer me to their family and friends,” says Kimberly. “I’m truly humbled that people recognize the quality of my service.”

When interacting with clients, Kimberly makes a sincere effort to connect with them on a personal level.

She takes knowledge and education seriously, and while she values those things for herself and her business, she also knows the power that they can have in the hands of her clients. She does her best to keep clients informed and set realistic expectations early on, deftly guiding them towards success while letting them

As has been said, Kimberly is a huge proponent of education, and doesn’t take it lightly when it comes to her own endeavors either. Her certified designations include the GRI, SRS, and ABR, and she also earned her Broker’s License a few years ago to further cement the notion that she really knows her craft. Kimberly’s deep understanding of the inner workings of real estate make her a valuable asset and resource to every one of her clients. “I know how things are meant to be done in this business,” Kimberly says. “I’ve always felt that it’s important for us REALTORS® to apply ourselves to our education so we can be truly great guides for other people.

I don’t lie, I don’t budge, and I do things by the book.”

In her free time, Kimberly loves spending time with her husband, three grown children, and five grandchildren.

She also owns a hair salon, and a lot of her time not spent working on real estate is devoted to that enterprise.

A firm believer in giving back to the community that so consistently supports her, Kimberly frequently donates to a variety of local charitable organizations. She was also a member of the 2020 WeSERV Leadership Team in Arizona, and has been asked to serve on the Grievance Committee for them next year. Kimberly loves the diversity in both the experiences she is offered and the people she gets to meet through her work in real estate.

In addition to continuing to provide stellar service to her clients, in the future, she hopes to form a collaborative group with other REALTORS® in the area to form mutually beneficial working relationships with her peers.

Kimberly Mumma

eXp Realty | Gilbert, AZ 480.353.6236 | Kimberly@Mumma.Realtor 8

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Fresh start —

Spring home staging tips

Even if the weather suggests otherwise, spring is right around the corner (and has already arrived in many places). With this change of season comes a change in the way you stage and present your listings. Spring is all about showing off a space that looks fresh, clean and inviting. Check out these pro-approved home staging tips for spring.

They don’t call it ‘spring cleaning’ for nothing Spring home staging starts with a deep cleaning.

Winter is tough on a home’s interior. There’s been water and dirt tracked in on boots. Dust building up from heated dry air. And clutter accumulating from holidays and other activities. Before you start adding the aesthetic touches, get back to basics and be sure the home is cleaned and freshened from floor to ceiling.

Encourage your sellers to overhaul and purge, rather than just stuffing clutter out of sight in closets. Remember, buyers will check closets for storage space Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

and if they’re overstuffed, it appears there’s not enough room for storage.

Turns out, it’s easy being green — Spring is all about new beginnings. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year — Greenery — is the perfect starting point for adding spring color to the home. The fresh hue is inspired by the color of new leaves, and is surprisingly easy to blend with other colors (Pantone calls it ‘nature’s neutral’). Give the home a fresh, trend-ready look and feel by incorporating the color into throw pillows, bed and bath linens and kitchen towels or placemats. Additional colors that will be hot for the season are blush pink, tan, sage and a spectrum of blues — from delicate robin’s egg to rich lapis.

When in doubt, bring the outside in — Nothing says spring like something in bloom. Fresh flowers placed throughout the home are always an elegant 9

Spring is such a special time of year. Capture that feeling in your listings by staging them to reflect the promise of the season. You’ll attract buyers who will want to make your listings their new beginning. and upscale choice. But if that’s not in the budget, there are plenty of other ways to bring the outside in.

Flowering potted plants are a more affordable and longer-lasting choice. Potted herb gardens are beautiful, fragrant and perfect for a kitchen windowsill. Indoor succulents remain a popular choice and require almost no maintenance. They’re an easy way to add greenery to any room.

From April showers to fresh flowers — While winter is all about scents that evoke cozy warmth — like vanilla and cinnamon — spring’s home scents should be fresh, clean and light. Think of those things that make you take a big deep breath, like laundry drying in the sun, freshly cut grass, or spring’s brightest blooms. Look for candles or oil diffusers in these scents and place them strategically throughout the house for 10

subtle hints of fragrance. Extra points if the candle colors echo the spring color theme.

Don’t forget those finishing touches — Showing homes this time of year is tricky. You might go through two or three weather changes in the same day. But you’ll be ready for them if you keep a fresh welcome mat by the front door, an umbrella holder in the entryway and hang a few Command hooks to hold raincoats or sweaters. Be sure the front walkway stays clean and unobstructed. On cloudy days, turn on lights throughout the house to chase away the gloom.

Spring is such a special time of year. Capture that feeling in your listings by staging them to reflect the promise of the season. You’ll attract buyers who will want to make your listings their new beginning.

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THE

Cagney

FAMILY

THE THE

Cagney

FAMILY

The Cagney Family — a dynamic three-agent family real estate team with members Guy Cagney, Maura Cagney-Tipton, and Patrick Cagney (father, daughter and son, respectively) — have been in the business collectively for more than 80 years. Licensed in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, the team is wholly unique in its setup; rather than taking on specific roles, they prefer to work every aspect of the market together. And this approach has made their practice effective, personal, and rewarding for the agents and their clients alike. No wonder, considering Maura and Patrick have been immersed in the industry since childhood. “We’ve grown up in the business,” says Maura. “We both just kind of fell in love with real estate.”

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In a demonstration of their synergy, the Cagney Family has been in the top 10 Coldwell Banker agents in their area for multiple years, and just recently placed 9th overall in the Coldwell Banker awards, which is an impressive feat for such a small team. They also recently received the International President’s Elite Award for over 200 sales or $1.5 million in commissions. With such a spread of decorations, and a 70% rate of repeat and referral business, the Cagney Family has secured a coveted spot at the top of their market.

What truly sets them apart is the personal, close-knit atmosphere of this family partnership. The Cagney Family is efficient, skilled, and highly focused on each individual

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WHAT TRULY SETS THEM APART IS THE PERSONAL, CLOSE-KNIT ATMOSPHERE OF THIS FAMILY PARTNERSHIP. client’s needs. They know the market intimately — the younger two having learned its nuances from Guy’s vast experience — and this allows them to provide premium service with a personal touch. In addition, the team’s dedication to the business has led them to avoid emphasizing high-end properties, thus cultivating a zest for seeing clients through the many stages of home ownership. As Maura explains, “We love to continue that journey from first-time homebuyer, to the move-up, to building your dream home. We love every single transaction along the way because we’re following you on your journey.”

The Cagney Family prides itself on its relationships with clients, past and present. They hold hugely popular events, among them a breakfast with Santa, and The Cagney’s Countdown to St. Patricks Day, which celebrates their Irish Heritage. Maura has also developed a very strong and active social media presence for the team, and the three maintain contact with clients by being sure to call frequently about new listings, or simply to check in. These practices stem from the conviction Maura and Patrick learned from Guy early on, to never value a transaction in terms of money, but in terms of the good they are able to do for a client. As Patrick says, “That’s how we’ve always done it.”

The Cagney Family derives great joy from helping people, and loves that their role allows them to interact with all walks of life, guiding and assisting all kinds of people through a variety of situations. This passion and care truly has brought the team above and beyond.

In their time outside of work, Guy can be found golfing,

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Maura enjoys exercising and spending time with her kids, and Patrick values family time, especially getting his son involved in sports. The team is involved in multiple ways with their community, including Payton’s Lemonade Stand, a nonprofit organization (of which Maura is president of the board) that contributes to a host of causes in the local area. They take pride in being able to help build their community through their involvement.

As for the future of their business, the Cagney Family places great weight on adaptability, so in fact they don’t feel the need to look too far into the future. As Maura shares, “We never have a specific plan in mind. We’re going to change like chameleons with the market.” The belief in their ability to excel in any conditions by intuition and passion perfectly sums up what makes the Cagney Family so very special in the world of real estate.

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THE BELIEF IN THEIR ABILITY TO EXCEL IN ANY CONDITIONS

BY INTUITION AND PASSION PERFECTLY SUMS UP WHAT MAKES THE CAGNEY FAMILY SO VERY SPECIAL IN THE WORLD OF REAL ESTATE.

THE

Cagney

FAMILY

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY | OHIO, INDIANA, KENTUCKY 513.347.1888 | MAURA@THECAGNEYFAMILY.COM WWW.THECAGNEYFAMILY.COM

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Top 10

Ways to keep in touch

We all know REALTORS® whose client base consists of 100% repeat and referral business. It’s an amazing achievement, and a goal many other real estate professionals aspire to reach. But how do they get there? Are they just lucky? Or maybe they’ve always just been in the right place at the right time? The truth is, they are the ones who understand the value of consistently communicating with clients long after the transaction is over. Whether you choose to do one, two or a combination of the following, check out the Top 10 ways to keep in touch with clients.

Send Anniversary Cards — No, not wedding anniversary (though that would be a nice touch). We mean sending a card to commemorate the date of the closed transaction you had with them.

Keep Clients Informed — If you want clients to think of you as an expert in local real estate, prove that you are by sending informative newsletters. If you don’t have the time or resources to put one together, there are turn-key services that provide standard content with a bit of local customization.

Share a Cup of Coffee — If you have time to meet clients for a cup of coffee and a catch-up, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can still treat them to a cup of joe. Send out Starbuck’s cards or gift cards to a local favorite coffee shop with a note saying “This cup is on me.”

Send Small Gifts — Encourage clients to remember you by sending small, useful gifts, a few times a year.

Set Up Periodic Calls — Make quick phone calls to check in and make sure clients are happy in their new home and see if they need any recommendations for home care professionals.

Send Birthday & Holiday Cards — Birthdays and holidays are the perfect time to let clients know you’re thinking of them. If it seems like too much to keep track of, there are automated services that take care of everything for you.

Host an Event — Love planning parties? Host an annual client appreciation event. Go all out with food and entertainment to make it a truly memorable experience and a must-attend event on clients’ social calendars.

Grab Lunch — You might not have time to do it with all your clients, but taking your very best clients out to lunch a few times a year is the perfect way to cement the relationship.

Make the Holiday Rounds — The holidays are a perfect time to stop in to see clients’ beautifully decorated homes and deliver a thoughtful gift.

Make Social Media Matter — If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count by using it to keep in touch with clients. You’ll develop a stronger connection as you keep up with their daily activities.

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Should you rent or buy?

How to decide

Any milestone life event, such as getting married or divorced, having a baby, relocating for a new job, or sending adult children out into the world, can put you in the position of having to choose whether to rent or buy your residence. There was a time when conventional wisdom dictated that buying was always the better choice, but the ’08 housing crash changed that.

Now, experts advise that people make the decision to rent or buy based on more than whether or not they can afford a mortgage payment, and take several other factors into account as well. Here are five questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to rent or buy the next place you call home.

How Stable is Your Life? — None of us can

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predict the future, but before choosing to buy a home, you need to have a general idea of where you see yourself in the next five years. Do you have a good job that you enjoy and plan on keeping? Is your relationship status likely to change? Will you be adding to your family — or will it be shrinking when kids move out?

Are you making plans to travel extensively? The way you answer all these questions will factor into your decision to buy or rent. Bottom line: If your life is reasonably stable and you foresee it staying that way, buying a home may be the way to go. If not, continue to rent until things settle down.

Have You Saved for a Down Payment?

While in some cases it’s possible to purchase a home Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

a larger space and using more water. Making sure you’re financially prepared before buying a house will help ensure you get to enjoy your new home and not struggle with being “house poor.”

Are You Prepared to Furnish and Decorate?

Furnishing and decorating a home takes vision, time, effort and, of course, money. Even the most committed minimalist doesn’t want to live in a space that’s devoid of personality (or furniture). And really, at least half the fun of owning a home is making it your own with paint, décor and furnishings. When you’re working out your financials, don’t forget to factor in the cost of decorating the home.

without a down payment, most financial experts advise against it for a number of reasons. For one, buying a home without a down payment means a higher mortgage payment and will also require private mortgage insurance. Additionally, sellers are more likely to accept an offer that includes a down payment, especially in competitive markets.

Can You Afford the Monthly Costs? — As a renter, monthly housing costs are generally limited to rent, utilities and perhaps, renter’s insurance.

When you buy a home, your monthly costs on top of the mortgage payment can include property taxes, HOA fees, yard maintenance, and higher utility bills than you’re used to because you’re heating or cooling Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Do You Really Want to Own a Home?

This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth doing some soul searching to figure out if you’re really ready to be a homeowner. Many people buy a home because they feel it’s the logical “next step,” or because friends and family pressure them into making an investment, only to find it wasn’t what they really wanted. Spend some time really thinking about your needs, your goals, and the life you want to live. If you come out of it feeling energized and excited about the prospect of owning your piece of the American Dream, go for it! If not, keep renting until you feel differently.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer for whether anyone should rent or buy their home. It’s a decision entirely based on each person’s unique set of circumstances. And remember, nothing is forever. You may find that as your life changes, you end up being both a renter and homeowner at different points along the way.

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Donna Wheeler, with Keller , is a seasoned agent boasting almost 30 years of experience in real estate. Before becoming a REALTOR,® she developed a strong grounding in finance and customer service through a variety of occupations. But then, she met her former husband, a real estate broker with his own company in San Francisco. After speaking to him about real estate, she wanted to try her hand, and earned her license back in 1992.

Now, with a focus on the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Donna primarily deals with single family properties, condos and townhomes. As for clients, she works mostly with first-time homebuyers and seniors downsizing or moving to retirement homes. At a rate of 85% referral business, it’s clear that she has all the skills necessary to guide such clients, who are usually either unfamiliar with the process or reluctant to leave their longtime homes.

Donna is distinguished in the field by her extensive experience. She has mastered the prevention of issues before they can even come up, thus streamlining the process for her clients. She is also proud of her ability to create a calm and productive space. “I’m good at letting people know that I will take care of them, and they can call me if they’re upset or scared about something.” These qualities are what have garnered Donna Keller Williams’ Culture Award, which is given to agents who exemplify the company’s emphasis on community and beneficial relationships over competition among REALTORS.® She has also been named “Super Real Estate Agent,” a title given to the top 5% of REALTORS® by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine two years in a row.

Donna Wheeler “I’m good at letting people know that I will take care of them, and they can call me if they’re upset or scared about something.”

When asked about the personal values that guide her work, Donna stresses the importance of “being responsible for your own choices, and being honest — especially with yourself — about the choices that you make in life.”

She highly values integrity, and is always honest and forthcoming with her clients whenever difficult situations arise. The other mantra Donna strives to live by, extracted from a piece of advice she received early in her career, is to simply “show up.” All the rest comes after, she says, but the critical thing is to be there, to be present and ready to take on whatever needs doing. She has clearly made a successful career with this philosophy to center her service.

Outside of work, Donna enjoys bowling, and was active in a women’s league before the pandemic. She loves traveling, reading, and watching films, but primarily strives to spend her free time engaged in the community.

She is a member of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, where she serves on the event planning committee for the Chamber’s group Working with Women. Since 2015, she has also been chair of a subcommittee that takes care of the Chamber’s nonprofit activities, as well.

The element of her work Donna enjoys most is the flexibility. “I make my own schedule,” she says. “I’m my own boss.” She has certainly earned this mindset with so many years under her belt, and now the time has come for her to begin the process of preparing to retire.

But she explains, “Part of me says to stay on that train until it gets off the track.” For the future, then, Donna plans to simply continue enjoying her work and providing her inspiring service until she feels ready to call it a day.

Donna Wheeler KW Classic Realty | Minneapolis, Minnesota 763.234.9938 | donnawheeler@kw.com 18

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Top 10 Questions to ask your agent

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions most people will ever be involved in. So it follows that choosing a real estate agent to help reach those goals is an extremely important decision.

Surprisingly, though, many people don’t spend the time they should or ask the right questions of their buyer’s or listing agent. They might say that they prefer to ‘go with their gut’ or just ‘have a good feeling’ about someone. While it’s certainly important to feel a connection and develop a rapport with your agent, there are several pertinent questions you should also ask. This isn’t necessarily the complete list, but will give you a good start.

5 Questions to ask a Listing Agent

Are you a full-time agent? Many agents, especially those new to the business, get started by practicing real estate part time. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, but be aware that agents who aren’t fulltime may not be as focused on your listing as you would like.

Have you worked with homes in this price range? A competent agent should be able to sell a home regardless of listing price. But it’s ideal to have an agent who regularly works with homes in the same range as your home. They will have unique insights into the market and the buyers who are looking for homes just like yours.

How will you market this listing? Your home won’t sell if no one knows about it. Agents today have more marketing options than ever and should be able to answer this question quickly and thoroughly. If they don’t seem to have a concrete plan in place, keep looking.

How do you communicate with clients? This isn’t necessarily a trick question, per se. But the best answer is for the agent to ask back, “How would you like me to communicate with you?” An agent should tailor their communication style and frequency to your preferences.

What is your average days on market? Simply put, days on market means the length of time a listing appears on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) before it sells. While a number of factors affect this, agents with a lower than average number of days are pricing and marketing their listings effectively.

5 Questions to ask a Buyer’s Agent

How often do you work with people like me? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, starting over after divorce or widowhood, upsizing, downsizing or relocating to a new city, every buyer has unique needs. Find a buyer’s agent who has plenty of experience working with people in your situation.

May I speak with some of your past clients? Reading online reviews can shed a lot of light on how an agent’s past clients feel about them, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Even if you don’t actually plan to speak with past clients directly, an agent’s enthusiastic or reluctant answer to this question can tell you a lot.

How many homes have you found in this neighborhood? The more familiar an agent is with the area you want to live, the better chance you have of finding a home you’re going to love. There’s a good chance they’ll know about homes that are about to come on the market but aren’t yet listed.

Do you work with a network of professionals? Connected agents should have a network of professionals ready and waiting — from lenders and title agents to contractors and painters. If they can’t offer solid referrals, keep looking for an agent who can.

How do you win a bidding war? There isn’t a single correct answer to this question; it’s more about how prepared the agent is with an answer and whether or not they have a plan in place to handle this inevitable situation.

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