January 2017 Midwest

January 2017

Clear the clutter —

Easy home organization tips

Find your

motivation

Katie O’Keefe also featured:

Melissa “Missy” Johnson Mike Lavorato

Fresh start —

Winter home staging

contents

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

Materials and content included in Featured Agent Magazine and on featuredagentmagazine.com are subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced in any part without prior written consent. Featured Agent Magazine is published

by Times 3 Publishing Group, LLC. Publisher shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error, or omission and makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included.

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professionals 4

The great eight — Habits of successful real estate agents

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Fresh start— Winter home staging

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Find your motivation Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

t featured cover agent

Katie O’Keefe q featured agent

Melissa “Missy” Johnson

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q featured agent

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buyers&sellers 7

Clear the clutter — Easy home organization tips

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Get a jump start on organization — Top 10 Things to throw away today

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Get fit — Create the perfect home workout space

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Mike Lavorato

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The great eight —

Habits of successful real estate agents Perhaps you are just getting your start in the real estate business. Or, maybe you’ve been an agent for a while but you’re not experiencing the success you envisioned.

And even if you are enjoying great success, there’s always room to take it to the next level, right? Whatever your current situation, take some time to review the following habits. They are the proven practices highly successful agents we talk to on a daily basis rely on to stay at the top of their game.

Establish a Morning Ritual — One thing we hear time and time again from the most successful agents is how they have an established set of practices they use to start their day. Whether it’s a pre-dawn cup

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of coffee combined with quiet meditation, or sweating it out at the gym (or some of both), starting each morning the same way helps set the stage for a more productive, less stressful day.

Ask for Help & Utilize Resources — Every individual agent is essentially the owner of their own small business. That doesn’t mean you have to go it alone, however. Turn to your managing broker, fellow agents and other professionals, such as mortgage lenders and title agents, to help you learn about the intricacies of different types of transactions. Additionally, start making an effort to utilize assistants and other resources to keep your workload manageable.

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agents make continuing education a priority. They see the value in learning everything they can about the many different aspects of real estate. And they understand that designations add credibility and help them present to clients as a trustworthy authority.

Establish Boundaries — Many agents pride themselves on being available to their clients 24/7.

While it’s certainly advisable to make clients a priority, you can do so without sacrificing every moment of your personal life. Setting up reasonable boundaries on your time, such as not taking calls during your family’s dinner hour, is healthy and allows you to create a more realistic work/life balance.

Schedule Your Days — Most agents we talk to tell us how important it is for them to schedule their time, even when they’re not seeing clients. Setting aside time for essentials tasks, such as lead generation and follow-up, will help ensure you have a steady stream of leads in the pipeline.

While it’s tempting to do everything yourself to retain control, keeping up that pace can lead to burnout.

Develop a Business Plan — Many agents get started in the business with no real road map for where they’re going to go. They get a running start by relying on friends and family for business, but once those transactions come and go, they’re at a loss for what to do next. Savvy agents get started with goals in place that go beyond their immediate sphere of influence.

Continue Education & Pursue Designations Earning your license may feel like the end of a process, but it’s really just the beginning. Successful Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Make Work Enjoyable — Every job has its good days and bad days. But when you make a conscious effort to have a good time every day, the bad days will be few and far between. Successful agents we talk to all make it a point to mention how much they love being in real estate. Some agents love meeting new people, others love staging and marketing listings and we’ve even talked to some agents who are passionate about doing paperwork. Whatever it is you love most about being in real estate, be sure to do as much of it as possible.

Become a Force for Good — Getting involved in the community through volunteering and monetary support serves a number of worthwhile purposes. It creates outstanding networking opportunities and helps you to establish a reputation as someone who cares about the communities that support your business.

Plus, it just feels great to give back!

There is no magic formula for real estate success. But when you combine your own unique personality and skills with these best practices, you’ll find every day is just a little easier, more productive and more enjoyable.

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Melissa (Missy) Johnson actively listening to fully understand their needs. She also lives and works by the Golden Rule, and believes being hardworking, trustworthy and displaying integrity are all factors that contribute to her success and keep her clients coming back and recommending her to others. In fact, Missy is proud to have a client base that consists of more than 50% repeat clients and referrals. “Clients know my work ethic and that when they contact me, I can have them viewing properties within 24-48 hours,” she says. “They can call me any time and I will always call back as soon as possible.”

Because she has excelled in a career where many agents ultimately last only a short time, Missy is often asked how she makes it work. “Real estate is not for everybody, but a lot of people come and talk to me about it. I never discourage anyone from trying it,” she says. “Even if someone gets their real estate license then decides it’s not for them, it’s a good education because most people will be buying or selling properties throughout their lives.”

When it comes to buying or selling a lake home in

beautiful central Minnesota, you won’t find a more qualified real estate professional than Missy Johnson. She has been fascinated by real estate since she grew up on her family’s farm and watched her parents buy and sell a number of properties. “They were always looking at properties, and we would vacation at different lake homes every summer,” she recalls. “I got to see many different types of real estate and it’s something I’ve always been interested in doing.”

Missy uses her extensive knowledge of the area and her large sphere of influence to her advantage and both have proven valuable to the success of her 16-year career. “I have created a reputation so that when people think of me, they think of real estate,” she says. “I’m a very hard worker — some might say a workaholic — and I know the industry very well.”

For Missy, finding just the right property for a client or helping them decide if it’s the right time to sell starts with

Education has also played a key role in Missy’s success, and she encourages others to do what she did: start in a company that is willing to educate new agents and find an experienced broker to act as a mentor. “It’s important to learn the right way to do things from the beginning, because that’s what is going to carry you throughout your career,” she says.

Along with her reputation as an outstanding real estate agent, Missy has also become known as a go-to person to help in the community. “I like to volunteer and almost always donate whenever I’m asked to support a local event,” she says.

Since joining Lakeplace.com, Missy has grown her business year-over-year, which means she gets to do even more of what she loves. “Every day I get to help people find the property of their dreams or put first-time buyers in a home. It’s very gratifying to know I’m helping people on a daily basis.”

When Missy is not working, she likes to spend time with her family going golfing, traveling and, of course, boating on the lake.

Melissa (Missy)Johnson

Lakeplace.com | Alexandria, MN 320.808.4233 | missy@lakeplace.com | lakeplace.com 6

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Clear the clutter —

Easy home organization tips

Now that the holiday hustle and bustle has passed, it’s the perfect time for a fresh start. Wouldn’t you love to have a neat, clean and organized home in 2017? One in which you can always find what you need, without wasting time looking through what you don’t? Rooms that are organized and free of clutter not only look better, they feel better, too. Studies have shown that excessive clutter can create or worsen feelings of stress and anxiety, and even make it difficult to get the quality sleep that’s so important for maintaining good health. If you’re not sure how or where to start getting your home organized, these tips will help.

Make it Manageable — If you’ve undertaken organizing projects before, only to quit before you achieve the results you want, chances are you’ve taken on too much at once. Decluttering and organizing is best done one room, or even one area of one room at a time. To stay motivated, set aside time each day to work on a specific area of your home, rather than doing a little bit here and a little bit there. It will be easier to focus, and as you begin to see progress, you’ll be even more excited to continue.

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Sort and Purge — Remember the old saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place?”

That’s impossible to achieve when all your storage space is already filled with stuff. You’ll never be able to get organized if you don’t go through what you have and start getting rid of things you no longer need, use or enjoy. The easiest way to do this is to get three boxes, baskets or bins and label them “Keep,” “Donate/Sell” and “Toss.” Everything you touch needs to go in one of the categories (and they can’t all be “keep”). Set a time limit and move quickly; don’t give yourself time to ponder or reminisce. Make quick decisions and stick to them. Once you’ve cleared space, it will be much easier to assign a place to everything.

Get Off the Paper Trail — Nothing accumulates faster or looks messier than stacks of excess paper.

Unopened mail, magazines, catalogs and even books are some of the toughest opponents in the war against clutter. To get it under control, start by going through what you have. Open all unopened mail, recycle outdated magazines, and find a place for books that you want to keep; donate the ones you don’t. Once you have things in order, take steps to ensure it doesn’t 7

happen again. Sign up to receive all your monthly bills and statements electronically, opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers and switch to digital versions of your favorite magazines and books.

Rather than letting mail pile up, take a few minutes to sort through it daily.

Embrace the One In, One Out Rule — Once you’ve purged and organized, you’re going to want to keep things under control. A great way to do that is to practice the “one in, one out” rule. That simply means that every time you bring home something new in a particular category, you need to get rid of something you already have in the same category. For example, if you get a new pair of shoes, an existing pair of shoes has to go. Getting in the habit of doing this will help keep clutter under control. And in time, it might actually help you save money, too. At first, it will likely be easy, because you’re in the mood to get rid of things anyway. But once you reach a certain point, you’ll have to think twice about what you’re willing to give up to bring in something new, and 8

you’ll have a harder time letting go of things you use and enjoy regularly.

Get Creative with Storage Solutions and Space — Start looking at your space differently.

Closets, drawers and cabinets aren’t the only places to store things. Consider the usually unused spaces behind doors, under beds and in corners. Look for places to use hanging baskets, over-the-door shoe racks, or a series of hooks. Hang shelves and use them to group potential clutter, such as perfume bottles or framed photos, into decorative accents instead. Once you free your mind and look at your space with fresh eyes, you’ll see plenty of possibilities you didn’t realize existed.

Don’t let the sheer magnitude of organizing your home keep you from getting started. Remember to focus on one area at a time and celebrate your small successes as you go. Once you achieve a state of clutterfree organization, you’ll be glad you took the time and made the effort.

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Fresh start —

Winter home staging

Listing a home for sale during the winter months comes with its own unique set of challenges, not the least of which is how to stage a home for the season once the holidays have past. It’s easy to make a home look beautiful and inviting when everything is merry and bright, but more challenging when all the decorations have been put away and the weather is still gloomy and gray. But with some creativity and the right tools, it’s possible to make winter home staging look easy. Here’s how:

Clear the Clutter — Just like we tend to lighten up our eating habits after the holidays, our visual diet can use a break, too. The holidays are all about sparkle, shine, glitter and glam. And while all those things are beautiful, they can become overwhelming over time.

That’s why January is the perfect time to stage homes to look clean, soothing and clutter free. It’s a welcome break after the visual feast of the holidays. And because Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

people tend to be spending most of their time indoors during the winter, clutter or anything overdone can contribute to feelings of claustrophobic cabin fever.

Shift the Color Palette — After a season of bright red, kelly green, and shiny metallics, a more muted color palette feels right this time of year. Try adding accents in rich, classic shades like slate blue, burgundy, ivory and sage green. You definitely want to incorporate color inside to counter the gray skies outside, but it should be muted and subtle, rather than bright and bold.

Add Layers and Texture — Potential homeowners want to walk into a home that looks and feels like a place conducive to snuggling in and relaxing. Adding texture and layers with decorative rugs, warm throws and extra pillows will create those feelings. Focus on cozy, touchable fabrics such as flannel, faux fur and 9

chunky cable knits that look like a favorite sweater.

Make sure bedroom comforters and bedspreads have the same seasonally appropriate look and feel.

Bring the Outdoors In — Rooms always feel more authentic when you bring a bit of the outside in.

Place seasonal citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit or pomegranates in a wooden or heavy ceramic bowl on the kitchen or dining room table. Pine cones offer the same earthy, organic ambiance. Even a small, indoor herb or succulent garden placed on a windowsill brings a dash of much-needed green life to a space and serves as a reminder that spring will eventually arrive.

Go Into the Light — When it’s dark and gloomy outside, it’s important for the home’s interior to look bright. Consider upping the wattage of the bulbs in lamps throughout the house and adding sleek torchiere lamps in dark corners to cast a warm glow throughout the room. Don’t forget to leave the porch 10

light and other exterior lights on so the home’s exterior appears inviting.

Show Other Seasons — Ask the homeowners for photos of the property during the spring and summer. Put them together in a photo album or in picture frames placed strategically throughout the house.

Those viewing the house will appreciate seeing the flowers blooming in the spring or the garden overflowing with vegetables during the summer.

Add Thoughtful Details — Little details can make a big difference to prospective homeowners who are viewing the house. Make sure there are clean doormats by all exterior doors so they can wipe their feet before coming in. No one wants to walk around inside all bundled up, so bring in a coat rack or place some removable Command hooks in the entry way so they can shed coats, scarves and hats and walk around unencumbered.

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Katie O’Keefe

Katie O’Keefe

Going from being an agent to a broker/owner within just a few years of getting her license, Katie O’Keefe is a natural leader with a true entrepreneurial spirit who found her niche in real estate. And with her client-centered business model, it’s easy to see how she was able to grow so quickly. After a sales position in a completely different industry, Katie grew tired of the same daily routine and signed up for a real estate class at the suggestion of a friend. “I loved everything about it from the get-go,” says Katie. “It really fit everything I liked doing, and from then on it’s been my passion.”

Together with her team at Dream Realty, LLC, Katie serves clients in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, as well as Washington, Racine, and Kenosha Counties, with a focus on single family residential properties.

“We do a little bit of everything, including some new 12

construction and even some commercial, but a large majority of our business is residential,” Katie says.

No doubt, that business stems from the astonishing 99% referral and repeat client rate she enjoys. “We don’t do any advertising at all, so we have to do a great job for every client, every time, because we depend on our referrals. I’ve been very blessed that in 14 years of business, I’ve never had to advertise,” Katie says. “My clients and customers are the soldiers who go out there and advocate for me. I feel like if they’re willing to pass along my name and number, I must have done something right!”

So what is it that keeps Katie’s clients coming back for more? “First and foremost, I like to keep all the stress away from my clients as much as I possibly can. The process can get overwhelming and time-

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“First and foremost, I like to keep all the stress away from my clients as much as I possibly can. The process can get overwhelming and time-consuming for my clients, so we really pride ourselves on making sure this an enjoyable experience for them.”

consuming for my clients, so we really pride ourselves on making sure this an enjoyable experience for them,” says Katie. “Life is busy enough and there are many other things going on in their lives at any given time. It’s our job to make the transaction smooth and stress-free.”

Perhaps, more importantly, Katie strictly adheres to a moral code of ethics, something that should never be taken for granted. “I feel like there’s always a gray area or a very slippery slope you can enter if you’re not careful,” explains Katie. “We try to educate our clients and list all the pitfalls, or pros and cons of what they’re getting into and then let them lead the process. Ultimately, making choices on your client’s behalf can sometimes lead to trouble, so honesty and full disclosure are top priorities for us.”

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Looking back to when she made the decision to open her own business, Katie is grateful for how far she has come. “It was a big step for me but I was confident. Not that I thought knew it all, but I had a solid base to start from and I knew I had a business model that was different than anything else that was out there,” Katie says. “It was full service without having to pay all the exorbitant commission fees, and it worked. We’ve been so lucky that every year has been better than the last, even throughout the trying times within our industry.”

Among the many designations Katie has earned, the GRI and CRS are the two she is most proud of.

“They are hard to obtain, so those mean the most to me. I’m also really proud of being awarded the 5 Star Customer Service Award through Milwaukee

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Magazine six years in a row. That comes straight from our clients so it’s always something to feel fabulous about.”

Another sense of accomplishment for Katie comes from giving back to her community. “For the last two years we’ve sponsored Lunches for the Homeless drives. We pick a different organization to work with who will go out and distribute them for us and we invite our current and past clients to help us assemble the lunches,” says Katie. “Hunger and homelessness are such troubling issues in our community so it was something that was a great fit for us. It’s really rewarding to do it every year.”

In the future, Katie looks forward to growing in ways that will benefit her existing clients. “I have no interest in becoming a huge company. My goal is to always give really excellent service to the customers we already have. So, branching out into different areas such as property or estate management is much more appealing to me than just growing in numbers,” Katie says. “There’s something to be said about the little guy who can serve in big ways.”

Katie O’Keefe Dream Realty, LLC | Franklin, WI 414.899.5009 | katie@dream-realtors.com | dream-realtors.com 14

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Get a jump-start on organization—

Top 10 Things to throw away today

An easy way to get a jump-start on organizing your home is to take a few minutes to get rid of things you never use that are taking up valuable space. Here’s a list of things you can throw away (or recycle) right now.

It’s guaranteed you won’t miss them when they’re gone.

Anything Past Its Expiration Date — Expiration dates exist for a reason. If you’re hanging on to anything past its prime, time to get rid of it. That includes food, toiletries, cosmetics, vitamins and medications.

Worn Towels or Bedding — You know you never use them, which means they’re just taking up space in the linen closet. Get rid of any frayed, faded, torn or threadbare towels and linens right now to make room for new ones.

Old Keys — Everyone has that drawer filled with keys that have no purpose in your life. You’re never going to remember what they’re for, so quit trying and get rid of them.

Empty Boxes — Yes, they might come in handy. But when? If you really need a box, you’ll find one.

Break down the ones you have and put them out for recycling.

Old Magazines, Books and Newspapers — All that paper creates clutter and can be a home for insects (yuck!). Recycle old magazines and papers; donate books to local schools or senior centers.

Outdated Electronics, Cords and Chargers — Old phones, iPods, tablets, computers, and all their accessories have become a major clutter category. Recycle, donate or sell any electronics you’re not currently using. Only keep cords and chargers for your current devices.

Missing or Mismatched Pairs — This includes socks, shoes, boots and jewelry. If you can’t make a match, you’re never going to use it. Time to let it go.

Cracked Dishes and Glassware — Not only are these unsightly, they actually pose a safety hazard.

Paper and Plastic Bags — It’s nice to have a few around, but if you have an overflowing stash, send most of it to recycling. Make the switch to reusable cloth bags to eliminate this category altogether.

CDs and DVDs — Chances are you’ve made the switch to digital entertainment formats. But even if you haven’t yet, sort through your collections and only keep the ones you know you’re going to watch or listen to.

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Get fit — Create the perfect

home workout space If you are among the millions of people who vow to be more active and improve their health in the New Year, you’ve probably considered setting up a home gym or workout room. But perhaps you’ve been discouraged at the thought of the time and expense it would take to put it all together. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of time, money or square footage to put together a functional fitness space in your home.

Here are five tips to inspire you to create a home workout area you will actually be excited to use.

Define Your Goals — Having a basic idea of what you’re trying to accomplish, whether it’s losing weight, getting toned, or improving your cardiovascular health, 16

will help you decide how large a space you need and what to put in it. For example, if your goal is to get toned and improve flexibility by doing yoga or mat Pilates, you won’t need as much room as if you’re planning on getting a treadmill or other fitness machine on which to do cardio.

Choose Your Space — You may think you need to devote a full room to creating a home workout area.

While having a spare room to use is an ideal scenario, it’s far from the only option. You can clear a space in the living room or family room, set aside part of a finished basement, or even use a portion of the master bedroom if it’s large enough. If you’re creating the

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Wondering what the most effective piece of exercise equipment is? That’s easy. It’s the one that you won’t mind using day in and day out. a yoga mat, stability ball, a set of dumb bells or kettle bells and some resistance bands, you’ll have what you need to get started on improving your balance, strength and flexibility.

Try Before You Buy — Wondering what the most effective piece of exercise equipment is? That’s easy.

It’s the one that you won’t mind using day in and day out. We’ve all heard stories — or perhaps even been guilty of — turning an expensive piece of fitness equipment into a makeshift clothing rack. The only way to figure out what machine is right for you is to try before you buy. Look into short-term fitness equipment rentals or find out if friends or family have equipment you can try several days in a row. That’s long enough to know if you enjoy the workout a particular machine provides and if it’s something you can picture yourself doing several times a week.

workout area in a room that’s often occupied with other family members, use divider screens to create a bit of privacy and block out distractions. Whatever space you choose, it’s important to make it an area you will actually enjoy and look forward to spending time in.

Start Simple & Add — A common mistake people make when putting together a home workout area is buying too much, too soon. You don’t need every new gizmo and gadget out there to create an effective home gym. Many experts recommend focusing on the basics to start with and then adding on as your fitness level and goals evolve. If you outfit your space with Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Shop Used Equipment — Once you decide on the fitness equipment you want, look into options for buying it used. You can often find like-new equipment for a fraction of its full retail price at used sporting goods stores, as well as online at Craigslist or on direct selling apps like LetGo. If you have your heart set on buying a brand-new piece of fitness equipment, June is a great month to buy. As people shift their fitness routines to include more outside activity in the warmer months, retailers look to clear out inventory so they’re not stuck with it all summer. Be sure to measure the intended space and the equipment itself to ensure it will fit into the area and leave you plenty of room to move.

Starting and sticking with a regular exercise routine is easier and more enjoyable when you can do it from the comfort and convenience of home. With some careful thought and strategic planning, you can create an ideal workout space right at home — the only thing you’ll miss is the cold-pressed juice bar.

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Find your

motivation

Any high-achieving agent will tell you

that staying motivated plays a key role in their success.

But motivation is a tricky thing. Some days, your feet hit the floor and you feel ready to take on the world.

While other days the only thing you really feel like doing is reaching for the remote and binge-watching the latest season of House of Cards.

So what separates the highly motivated people? Do they have a secret? Do they always wake up feeling ready to have their best day ever? Not necessarily.

But, they do tend to share some common traits and strategies for staying motivated, even when that feeling doesn’t come naturally. Give some of their motivational tips a try:

Change it Up — Structure and routine can contribute to productivity, but they can also kill spontaneity and motivation. If you’re feeling less than inspired, take a break from your regular routine and shake things up. Instead of sitting at your desk all day, take your laptop to a coffee shop, library or park and let the new faces and surroundings inspire you. Turn your schedule upside down and tackle your usual afternoon activities first thing in the morning. Try whatever you need to break out of your routine and make your day interesting again.

Get Back to Basics — It’s hard to feel motivated if you’re not taking care of yourself. If you’ve been getting by on too little sleep and too much fast food, give your body a break and give it what it needs. Drink lots of water, make healthier food choices and catch your Z’s. Although some agents 18

wear ‘no sleep’ as a badge of honor, it’s actually doing damage to your health that you might not see now, but will down the road. Your motivation is guaranteed to go up when your body and mind are nourished and well-rested.

Look Back, Look Ahead — Spend some time reflecting on the different stages of your career — where you were, where you are, and where you hope to be. Think back to a time when you felt extra motivated. If you were doing things differently, what were they and would it make sense to do them again?

Take stock of where you are now, and formulate goals for the future. Imagine your ideal scenario and determine what it’s going to take to get there. What was important to you even one year ago may be different than what’s important to you now. It’s very helpful to acknowledge and respond to those changes. When you know exactly what you’re shooting for, you’ll be more motivated to reach it.

Turn to the Experts — It never hurts to get a

little help from those who have dedicated their lives to motivating others. Whether you prefer to read, watch, or listen to your favorite motivational speakers (or do all three), spend some time with your favorite expert each day. A quick YouTube search for ‘motivational speeches’ yields thousands of choices, from old-school favorites like Zig Ziglar to contemporary superstars like Tony Robbins. You can also seek out highly motivated agents within your own brokerage and ask them how they stay motivated. They will appreciate being asked, and you’ll get some great real-world advice from someone you know and trust.

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featuredagent Mike Lavorato magazine

Chicago REALTOR® Mike Lavorato describes himself as “the hub of a wheel,” whose wide network of industry professionals facilitates the smoothest possible transaction for his clients. “I have a team I work with from attorneys, to contractors, to mortgage lenders to inspectors,” he explains. “If my client needs anything from any of those areas, I can refer them to some of the best people in the business to guide them through those parts of the transaction, while I keep them focused and centered.”

Mike’s ties to Chicago real estate go back to the early 90s, when he owned a brokerage with a partner. “When the economy took a downturn, we closed up shop and I got back into the corporate world for a while. But I came back to real estate in the early 2000s and haven’t looked back since,” he says. “It allows me to be in charge of my own destiny and I’ve always had a strong interest in all aspects of real estate.”

He now finds his business split between two main areas — Lincoln Park and the surrounding communities, where he previously lived for more than 20 years, and the western suburbs, where he and his wife live currently.

“It works well to be in both areas because a lot of people from the city are moving to the suburbs. Being so familiar with both areas helps me find clients exactly what they’re looking for.”

Mike’s wide network of real estate professionals allows him to function as a one-stop-shop to assist clients with every aspect of their transaction from start to finish. “I know that a real estate transaction can be one of the most difficult decisions and trying tasks anyone can have,” he says. “I like to have all the bases covered which helps to take away some of that stress.”

It’s no surprise, then, that he cites customer service and care as the driving force that propels his business. “I am committed to seeing the transaction all the way through, not just handing it off after the inspection to an attorney, which is quite common in this area. I’m going to be with my clients until the day we close.”

“Some of the moments I’m most proud of are using my connections in the industry to be able to make the purchase happen for clients who never thought they could own a home.”

With his long track record in the business, Mike often has new or prospective agents ask how he’s crafted his successful career. “I never discourage anyone from trying it. If someone has an entrepreneurial spirit and is fascinated by real estate, it can be very rewarding,” he says.

“I tell people stay positive, stay focused and always put the clients’ needs first.”

Mike has helped countless clients through the years, but some of his most memorable moments involve assisting those who were in difficult situations. “An agent is more than someone to just drive people around to look at homes or list a property. I’m a good listener and truly enjoy helping people,” he says. “Some of the moments I’m most proud of are using my connections in the industry to be able to make the purchase happen for clients who never thought they could own a home.”

Real estate is never far from Mike’s thoughts. As a licensed instructor, he shares his knowledge by teaching pre-broker classes to people who want to become real estate agents, and providing continuing education to practicing agents. On the rare occasions he has time for himself, he is devoted to carving out family time to spend with his wife and daughter.

Looking ahead, Mike plans to keep doing everything that has brought him success so far. “I want to continue to grow my business and help as many people as I can along the way, while keeping it at a level that allows me to still be involved in every aspect of the transaction.”

Mike Lavorato d’aprile properties, llc. | Chicago, IL 312.560.4055 | mike@daprileproperties.com | www.mikelavorato.com Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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