December 2020

December 2020

Get SMART

about goal setting

Cold snap—

Tips for winter home listings

Top 10 Ways

to give back

Angie VanEman also featured:

Kelly Comley

contents

professionals 4

Get SMART about goal setting

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Top 10 Ways to give back

­Featured­Agent­Magazine Phone­888.437.5707 Fax­888.849.3663 contact@featuredagentmagazine.com www.featuredagentmagazine.com 2

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t featured cover agent

Angie VanEman

q featured agent

Kelly Comley

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buyers&sellers 7

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A warm welcome — Prepare your home for holiday guests Cold snap — Tips for winter home listings

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Get SMART about goal setting

As the year quickly comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about what you’d like to accomplish in the next year. Setting goals to reach both professional and personal milestones will help you formulate your strategy, stay motivated and achieve success. Take a look at these effective goal-setting tips:

Get SMART — How many times have you set a goal (New Year’s resolutions come to mind) only to give up on it, or forget about it altogether, within a few weeks. Setting goals is more than just committing to doing something, you have to make a plan to get there. That’s why SMART goals make so much sense. SMART goals are:

• Specific • Measurable 4

• Attainable • Relevant • Time-bound

Using these metrics as a guide will help you set and track your goals so you can make meaningful, lasting changes.

Keep it Professional — Conducting your real estate business without setting goals is like taking a road trip without a map. You will end up somewhere, but it probably won’t be where you planned. Professional goals can include the obvious, such as sales goals and prospecting targets, along with things like hiring an assistant, improving your website’s SEO or establishing a team. Because it’s impossible to do everything at once, try breaking up your goals by Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

SMART Goals Ask yourself these questions to determine if your goal is SMART. • Specific — Is the goal precise, clear and concise?

• Measurable — Can you track the progress and measure the results?

• Attainable — Can the goal be accomplished using current resources?

• Relevant — Is the goal meaningful, worthwhile and consistent with your values and other goals?

• Time-Bound — Can you give your goal a clear “accomplish by” date?

quarter. Focus on one large goal and several smaller goals. Anything you don’t accomplish will roll over into the next quarter. If you’re not sure where to start or what to focus on, talk with your managing broker or a more seasoned agent in your office to find out how they approach goal-setting.

Make it Personal — As you’re pursuing your professional goals during the coming year, it’s also important to focus on personal development. Personal goals can include working toward health and fitness milestones, seeking continuing education, networking to expand your sphere of influence and doing volunteer work or donating to a cause that’s important to you. In some instances, such as pursuing specialty designations, your personal and professional goals will overlap, and that’s great. Your goals should be complementary and positively affect the different facets of your life.

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Focus on the Family — While working toward your professional and personal goals, it’s important not to let family take a backseat. Your family goals will differ whether you’re married or single, with kids or child-free, but the important thing is that they help you strengthen the bond with those closest to you. They can be things like eating dinner together a set number of nights per week, attending school events, or getting away for the weekend once a month. If you’re single, make it your goal to reach out to your parents or a sibling on the same day every week, plan a family reunion or preserve old family photos or home movies.

Setting goals for different areas of your life, rather than just your real estate career, will help you maintain balance and not lose sight of what’s truly important to you. Remember that goal setting isn’t a one-time activity; it’s an active process that should change and grow as your career and priorities continue to evolve.

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featuredagent Kelly Comley magazine

“For most of the last 20 years, I’ve been in real estate in one form or another,” says Kelly Comley. From working at a real estate law firm specializing in large commercial loans, to shifting her expertise to the foreclosure market during the downturn, Kelly has earned her stripes from the ground up.

“Having that background is what made me want to become a REALTOR,®” she remembers. “I wanted to take that knowledge from the back-end and put it on the front-end, and I knew that could be extremely helpful for people.” Today, seven years after earning her real estate license, Kelly has earned a sterling reputation for her in-depth knowledge, integrity, and personal touch.

Serving the greater Saint Louis Metro Area, Kelly spearheads her work under the banner of RE/MAX Vision.

By her second year in the business, she clinched the #2 rank in her company, and for the last three years, she has come out on top as a million-dollar agent. Throughout her successes, Kelly’s focus has remained on the individuals and families at the heart of every transaction.

“It’s not about the bottom line for me; it’s about doing the right thing for my clients,” she says. “I never want my clients to be unhappy with a decision they made that I was involved in. It’s extremely important to me to have happy clients and not burn any bridges,” she explains. “That’s why I try to be a diverse base of knowledge for people. Even if I have to deliver bad news, I’m always honest and ethical. That’s what brings my clients back to me over and over, and that’s what allowed me to find success.”

In addition to Kelly’s diverse industry pedigree, she also credits hard work as one of the driving forces behind her success to date. “When it comes to real estate, you are in control of growing your brand and your business, the market doesn’t control you,” she says. “You should always be the captain of your own ship.” Accordingly, 100% of Kelly’s business is driven by repeat and referral clientele who turn to her for her wise counsel and proven track record. “I’m a go-getter. If a client needs something — I’m on it. I don’t like to waste anyone’s time and I like to be efficient with mine.”

“I really love the interactions I’m able to have with so many different types of people from so many different walks of life.”

Beyond the office, Kelly gives back to her community by giving to local causes and organizations, including as a sponsor for the Wentzville Wildcats Youth Football Association, and through her leadership at the Wentzville Professional Leads Group. In her free hours, she most enjoys time spent with family and loved ones and staying active through exercise, as well hanging out with friends and the family dogs.

As for the future, Kelly plans to keep progress moving steadily, with a continued focus on quality over quantity. Now, with seven years of experience and perspective, Kelly considers what she enjoys most about her work, as well as the lessons she has learned along the way. “I really love the interactions I’m able to have with so many different types of people from so many different walks of life. That’s something extremely cool about this business,” she says. “I’m also very passionate about my work. The best career advice I ever received was to get up every day and get out the door. It’s really that simple. You have to do the work.”

Kelly Comley RE/MAX Vision | St. Charles, MO 636.614.6414 | kelly.j.comley@gmail.com 6

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A warm welcome —

Prepare your home for holiday guests ‘Tis the season to open your home to out-of-town guests. Whether they are just passing through for the night or plan to stay several days, you’ll want to treat your guests like the VIPs they are. Here’s how to make every room in your home feel warm and welcoming: Guest Room — The guest room should be a cozy retreat that allows your guests to recharge.

• Make up the bed with high-thread-count linens and provide extra pillows and blankets so they can customize to their liking.

• Set up a tray with a few bottles of water, a fresh box of tissues, lip balm, hand sanitizer and lotion so they can immediately freshen up after a long trip without digging into their bags for the essentials.

• Clear out at least one drawer and make space in the closet; provide empty hangers, a hand-held garment steamer and a lint roller.

• Surprise them with a small gift, such as a bottle of wine from a local winery or fresh cookies from a favorite bakery. A vase of fresh flowers is always an elegant touch.

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Bathroom — Create a spa-like space to leave guests feeling rejuvenated.

• Provide stacks of thick, fluffy towels, the more the better.

• Offer all basic toiletries including body wash, lotion, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant and dental care items.

• Fill a small basket with over-the-counter medications and first-aid items such as pain reliever, antacids, cough drops, Benadryl, Neosporin and Band-Aids.

• Add luxurious hand soap and a scented candle, fragrance diffuser or room spray.

Kitchen — Make sure guests feel welcome in the heart of the home.

• Find out if your guests have any food allergies or dietary restrictions and plan meals accordingly.

• Make sure to provide everything they need for their favorite morning beverage, whether that’s coffee, tea, or smoothies.

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• Fill a basket or bowl with snacks like small bags of nuts, protein bars, crackers and fresh fruit so they can grab something without having to ask you each time.

• Keep the fridge stocked with pitchers of filtered water and be sure there’s plenty of fresh ice.

Living Areas — Whether watching a movie or chatting about old times, it’s all about making guests feel comfortable.

• Add some extra pillows and throw blankets to chairs and couches so guests can snuggle up.

• Provide written instructions for how to use remote controls and access streaming services.

• Have a stack of magazines, books and board games ready to beat boredom.

Outdoor Areas — Extend hospitality outside the home, too.

• In cold climates, keep walkways clear of snow and ice to avoid slips and falls.

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Welcoming guests into your home is one of the most special aspects of the holiday season.

• In warmer climates, make sure outdoor seating areas are clean and inviting.

Little Details — Your guests will appreciate these thoughtful extras.

• Make sure the wi-fi signal is strong in all areas of the house; install extenders to boost weak spots.

• If it’s a rainy season in your area, have extra umbrellas ready by the front door.

• Put fresh batteries in all remote controls – don’t forget the garage door opener.

• If you have a lot of activities planned, provide a written itinerary so guests know what to expect.

Welcoming guests into your home is one of the most special aspects of the holiday season. With a little thought and careful planning, you can turn your home into an oasis that your guests will never want to leave.

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Angie VanEman

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Angie VanEman Angie VanEman got her start in real estate back in college. At the time, she was lending a helping hand as her mother launched her own brokerage.

After she earned a degree in Public Relations, she gained experience at a Twin Cities marketing firm, then explored high-end real estate sales and leasing in New York for two successful years. Ultimately, Angie returned to her native Mankato and launched her journey as a Minnesota agent, and by the end of her debut year, she had earned a coveted spot in REALTOR® magazine’s Top 30 REALTORS® Under 30 feature.

Today, Angie spearheads her work under the banner of American Way Realty, serving clients across the greater Mankato region. There, the majority of her business is driven by repeat and referral clientele Copyright Featured Agent Magazine 10

who trust her forthright communication and homegrown regional knowledge. “It’s all about service,” Angie explains. “My team and I follow-up and are extremely attentive to detail. Our clients know that we appreciate every single one of them and their continued business, and I make it a point to show that appreciation even after the transaction is complete,” she continues. “They can always come to me with anything they possibly need, and I’ll be an advocate for them, even if it’s years later. We treat our clients like they’re part of our family, because they are. My relationships with my clients do not stop at the closing table.”

To Angie, the Golden Rule is paramount in her working style. Over the years, Angie has been celebrated as Best REALTOR® by her local paper five Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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“I love the process of sitting down, communicating, and learning more about my clients’ needs and desires.

It’s also the biggest investment most people make or have, so it’s really rewarding for me when I’m able to help people maximize that process and get them to the next chapter in their lives.” times, an honor voted on by members of her community. “I treat people how I would want to be treated,” she says. “I know what I’m doing, I’m good at what I do, and I’m going to protect my clients and their interests — and try to make it fun along the way.”

Recently, Angie developed a mobile app called The Branded Agent, geared toward agents as they cultivate brand awareness and presence across social media. “It allows agents to create branded content through photos and social media, so they can maintain that presence and notoriety online,” she says.

“It’s branded, seamless, easy, and beautiful.”

Outside of the office, Angie is active in her professional community through her work with her local REALTOR® board, and in fundraising for the local BackPack Food Program supporting area students.

In her free hours, she most enjoys time spent with her two-and-a-half year old son, and getting out to explore the area.

As for the future, Angie intends to keep progress steady as she looks to grow and develop her team in the years to come. Now, with years of foundational experience behind her, Angie VanEman considers what she enjoys most about her chosen path. “I really enjoy the people,” she says. “I love the process of sitting down, communicating, and learning more

about my clients’ needs and desires. It’s also the biggest investment most people make or have, so it’s really rewarding for me when I’m able to help people maximize that process and get them to the next chapter in their lives. Above all, it’s about the friendships.”

Angie VanEman

American Way Realty | Mankato, MN 507.345.4040 | Angie@MankatoRealEstate.com | MankatoRealEstate.com 12

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Top 10

Ways to give back

Giving back to the communities you serve is important throughout the year, and even more so during the holidays. Clients and potential clients take note of your charitable and service activities and like to contribute and get involved if they can. Hosting a special holiday activity will help spread good cheer and positive feelings in the community. Here are the Top 10 ways to give back this holiday season.

Adopt a Family — Work with a local school or nonprofit to identify area families in need, then choose one or more and donate all the trappings of a great holiday, including decorations, gifts, and all the ingredients to cook a special meal.

Put Up a Giving Tree — Partner with a local nonprofit or social services agency to find out what they need, then set up a tree in the office and decorate it with ornaments that list those items. Ask anyone who comes in to choose an ornament and donate the amount of money needed to purchase that item.

Host a Food Drive — Demand at local food banks rises during the holiday season and many rely on the increased giving at the holidays to make up for shortfalls other times of the year. You can help by hosting a month-long non-perishable food drive focused on collecting high-protein foods such as nut butters, canned tuna & chicken, and canned beans.

Decorate Senior Citizens’ Homes — Get the whole team together and spend a Saturday putting up holiday decorations at the homes of senior citizens who wouldn’t otherwise get to enjoy the sights of the holidays.

Have a Toy & Gift Drive — Foster kids often get placed in homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Collect new, unwrapped toys, as well as gifts for teens such as cosmetic or toiletry kits, and donate them to a social service agency responsible for foster care placements.

Visit a Children’s Hospital — Spend an afternoon visiting with kids and their families at a local children’s hospital or Ronald McDonald House. Pass out small gifts such as seasonal story books and tabletop Christmas trees.

Collect Backpacks and School Supplies — Underserved students need supplies year ‘round to do their best in school. Plus, plenty of new students will be starting after the winter break, making this a perfect time to collect backpacks and supplies.

Collect Coats and Warm Clothing — Collect new or gently used coats, sweaters, scarves, hats and gloves in kids’ and adults’ sizes to donate to local schools or homeless shelters.

Host a Santa Open House — Have the jolliest agent in the office play Santa for an afternoon and invite kids from the neighborhood as well as clients’ families. Serve hot chocolate, cider and cookies and have someone in charge of taking digital or instant photos.

Give Out Care Packages for the Homeless — Ask agents and clients to donate travel size toiletries, boxes of protein bars, and cases of bottled water. Make up care packages in resealable bags and give every agent several to keep in their cars to hand out to any homeless people they see while they’re out and about in the community.

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Cold snap —

Tips for winter home listings You’ve probably heard that the winter months are a terrible time of year to sell a home. Early in the season, people are focused on the holidays and out-of-town visitors. Later in the season the weather is dreary and properties, particularly the exteriors, don’t look their best. While all of this may be true, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad time to list a home. People still need to sell and move during the winter and savvy REALTORS® are more than happy to help them do it. The following strategies will help you make the most of selling a home during the winter.

refreshments such as hot chocolate or hot apple cider to help guests warm up. As a bonus, they’ll make the house smell amazing!

Make the house feel welcoming, warm & cozy — Curb appeal can take a hit during the winter, so it’s important that the home’s interior takes center stage. Let in as much natural light as possible and supplement it by turning on lamps to brighten up any dark corners. Keep the house at a comfortable temperature — between 65 and 70 is ideal — and consider offering

Highlight winter-perfect features — If the home has a working fireplace, woodstove, mud room or any other features that offer cold-weather comfort and convenience, be sure to highlight them in the marketing materials and give them special attention during the showing.

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Give the entry extra attention — Just because curb appeal isn’t at its peak, doesn’t mean you get to ignore the entry. Keep the front sidewalk and walkway free of snow, slush, twigs and other debris. Make sure there’s a sturdy doormat at the front door to catch mud and water before it gets tracked inside. And on extragloomy days, keep the porchlight on around-the-clock to cast a warm glow.

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Show photos from other seasons — Find a way to include photos of the home’s exterior during the spring and summer when the leaves are on the trees and flowers are in bloom. Add photos to the online listing and all marketing materials. Additionally, a few framed pictures of the home placed around the interior are a subtle nod to its seasonal beauty.

Have fun with the holidays — If the home is on the market during the holiday season, don’t hesitate to decorate for it. Just be sure to keep holiday decorations traditional and tasteful. You want to add to the ambiance and overall look of the home, but too many decorations can be distracting and obstruct key features you’re looking to emphasize.

Turn up the heat — Prospective buyers will have heating on their minds. Arm yourself with useful information to share with them such as the home’s average Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

heating costs, how much and what type of insulation it has, and the dates of the last HVAC service, along with any upgrades that have been made.

Make the market work for you — There’s usually less inventory this time of year, so take advantage of that fact by highlighting everything the property has going for it, both inside and outside. Don’t forget to include information on the neighborhood, as well as services including schools, shopping, dining and entertainment. If a quick sale is your goal, be sure to price the property appropriately.

Although it can be more challenging to sell a home during the winter, these tips will help make it easier.

With some planning and creativity, there’s no reason homes listed during the winter will spend any more time on the market than they would any other time of year.

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