June 2022 Nationwide

June 2022

Keeping your cool — How to remain calm when things don’t go as planned

4 Must-ask questions when buying

a home

Tricks of the trade — Improve your

time

management skills

ADAM BELASCO also featured:

Britany Erickson Javier Gonzalez Julie McElyea

contents

professionals 4

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Keeping your cool — How to remain calm when things don’t go as planned Tricks of the trade — Improve your time management skills

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4 Must-ask questions when buying a home

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Top 10 Reasons to use a REALTOR®

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Transform your home into a summer oasis

How to write listings that sell

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buyers&sellers

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q featured cover agent

q featured agent

Adam Belasco

Britany Erickson 7

q featured agent

q featured agent

Javier Gonzalez

Julie McElyea 15

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Keeping your cool — How to remain calm when things don’t go as planned Change is inherent in the real estate industry, which means that learning to roll with changes as a real estate agent is an occupational hazard that simply can’t be avoided. Although the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of work as a professional REALTOR® is exciting, stimulating and incredibly rewarding, it can also be an incredibly stressful career.

There are dozens of variables at play in every transaction, whether you’re selling a distressed property, working with nervous first-time homebuyers, or even 4

working with seasoned investors. No matter how organized, how diligent, or how long you’ve been in the field, there are going to be days when things go a little haywire, and there’s nothing you can do to control it.

Fortunately, there are ways to control how you react to stressful situations. Indeed, there are tried-and-true tactics for keeping your cool, even when blindsided by an unexpected challenge in a purchase or sale.

Here are five tips that will help you to stay calm, when things don’t go as planned.

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way, making a phone call you don’t want to make isn’t hanging over your head for any longer than necessary. Addressing the situation as soon as possible will help you to feel less stressed.

Keep Away from the Caffeine — When stressful situations arise, steering clear of additional stimulants is a good idea. Caffeine can trigger additional adrenaline production which may give you a quick extra burst of energy, but will soon likely be followed by a “crash” period, where fatigue, if not outright exhaustion can set in. Reach for a glass of water, or a healthy juice in lieu of a caffeinated beverage when things feel chaotic.

Tap into the Power of Positivity — Catastrophizing when things go wrong only serves to induce additional stress. Try taking a few moments to identify the positive things happening in other transactions, in your life, or with a new promising client, to keep your chin up. Positive thinking during challenging times will do wonders in terms of keeping you focused on the next task at hand, rather than letting an obstacle or setback throw off your whole day.

Remember to Breathe — When you get word that an unforeseen delay, or other obstacle has arisen, the first thing to remember is that taking a few deep breaths will help to calm you down immediately. Try closing your eyes for a few minutes and put the problem on pause, to focus on breathing. This helps to calm your mind and can help slow down your body’s physical response to stress.

Seek a Solution — When a curveball is thrown your way, it’s helpful to look at the problem and identify whether there is anything you can do to correct it, or whether it’s out of your control. If there is a possible solution, determine your strategy, and take the next steps towards resolution. If there is nothing you can do about it, let your clients, or others involved know about the setback as soon as possible. That Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Talk it Out — There is great benefit to discussing the challenge you’re facing with someone you trust.

Perhaps it is time to call your mentor, or your coach.

Maybe you need to just touch base with a confidante or close colleague. Not only will talking through the challenge likely feel like a weight off your shoulders, but there’s always the chance that whomever you call may have a solution you haven’t thought of. Either way, sharing your feelings with someone else can help take some of the sting out of a stressful experience.

As real estate agents, the personal satisfaction earned through helping others, succeeding in negotiations, or selling a home that clients are desperate to sell is limitless. Yet, all REALTORS® will have to work their way through stressful situations to get those rewards at some point in their career. It’s important to remember that staying calm, when times become stressful will only help you to better serve your clients, your referral partners, and your own well-being.

Learning to accept that obstacles will come up, and employing these best practices to stay as relaxed as possible when unexpected obstacles arise, will be an invaluable tool for the rest of your career.

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4 Must-ask questions

when buying a home

Buying a home is the investment of a lifetime. To safeguard this investment, you’ll need to do your homework and go beyond the standard, surface-level questions that only get you so far. To understand a home’s true viability, you’ll need to arm yourself with all the facts, history, and records available. That way, you’ll be able to uncover any hidden costs or possible pitfalls that await. So, where do you begin?

For starters, consider the four questions below, inspiring you to think slightly outside-the-box when it comes to researching and assessing your future home’s potential.

What’s the cost of the average monthly utility bill? As you make your list of must-have home features, you’re probably crunching numbers for your budget planning. This is a wise move, but don’t overlook the smaller details. A properly insulated home with weather-proofed windows and doors can make all the difference in your bottom line during a harsh winter. The same is true for steamy summers that will test the durability and efficiency of your cooling unit.

Pay particular attention to these features and inquire with the current owners about what they pay in monthly utility bills. While you may have a budget in mind for your mortgage, a drafty home with old insulation can rack up your monthly pay-out. Get a clear idea of what the power rates are in the area and compare them to your potential home’s energy tallies.

Also, consider how much any standard maintenance would cost you — another forgettable annual fee that can add up over time. Before you buy, get the real lowdown on utility costs, from electric or gas heat to monthly HOA fees and trash collection.

What will you pay in property taxes? This helpful information is usually outlined on a listed home’s info sheet, but be sure to account for this detail. An offhand estimate shouldn’t suffice either.

While your purchase price impacts the home’s ongoing tax rate, it’s wise to get a picture of the property tax history. Buying a home is enough of an undertaking without the added stress of unexpected or miscalculated 6

annual costs that can break your budget. As an added bonus, understanding a home’s tax history and projected value is a smart figure to account for when making a savvy purchase offer.

Have there been any prior pipe or sewer problems? The Insurance Information Institute reports that broken pipes make up nearly 22% of all home insurance losses. This means that pipe and sewer issues are not only common, but they’re expensive.

Be sure to ask sellers for a history of any pipe or sewer back-up problems, but you shouldn’t stop there. Hire a trusted home inspector who can verify a seller’s report and you can save yourself the headache if the pipes in question aren’t in the best shape. Likewise, you’ll be made aware of pipes that may need replacing shortly down the line. This research can help you adjust your offer accordingly to offset any future replacement costs.

Has the home undergone any major renovations? Sometimes, sellers and their agents are forthcoming with this essential information — but it doesn’t hurt to double-check. Request detailed records and documentation regarding any renovated bathrooms, additional wings or floors added, a basement that’s been finished — and the like. Firstly, this will help you assess the true cost of a renovation and help you craft a conscientious offer. Secondly, gathering information on prior home projects allows you to keep tabs on contractors used. It can also help you plan and budget for when the next round of renovations will likely be needed in the future. If you do this research, you could save yourself a hefty sum and earn an excellent bargaining chip along the way.

While some of these considerations may seem straightforward, you’d be surprised at the impact these finer points can make in terms of affordability, safety, and long-term planning. Buying a property of your own requires due diligence, but if you put in the legwork now, you’ll land a home that satisfies your budget, matches your vision, and will be the place you make memories to last a lifetime.

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ADAM BELASCO

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ADAM BELASCO As any military veteran can tell you, discipline, integrity, and a rock solid work ethic are traits you will come away with after you’ve served. And those traits have definitely given Adam Belasco an advantage in real estate after his stint in the Marine Corp. Initially as an investor, Adam got his start in the real estate industry by fixing up and flipping homes in Maryland, which eventually led to him getting licensed there. He is now licensed in Washington, DC and Maryland, as well.

Now as the head of Belasco Realty at Keller Williams where he serves Quantico, Virginia to Bethesda, Maryland, and the Washington DC area, Adam finds his core clients are active duty military members and investors, although he’s recently seen an uptick in the number of referrals he’s gotten over the past year. In fact, if he keeps up his current trend, he’ll double the amount of business he gets from referrals by the end of this year.

It comes as no surprise, as anyone who has worked with Adam can attest to his outstanding communication and time management skills, which he also credits to his time in the military. “Communication is key to being successful in this business. I always have my clients’ best interest at heart, so it’s important to have honest and respectful conversations with them no matter how difficult those conversations might be,” Adam explains.

“And staying organized gives me the ability to keep clients informed of where we are at any point during the process.”

In fact, communicating with clients is just one of the elements he enjoys most about real estate, whether it’s advising them about investments, educating them about the current state of the market, or simply getting to know clients on a personal level. “I love just talking about the numbers and the market and how real estate can create generational wealth, but what I love even more is the human aspect of it,” stated Adam. “Interacting with clients and learning about their needs and interests — that’s the best part. It’s an awesome feeling to work 8

with someone on what will probably be one of the largest purchases in their life.”

Adam also stresses how important quality over quantity is to him when it comes to working with his clients. “I try to not overbook myself so I can provide the best Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

value to the small number of clients I work with at one time. I want to make every client feel like they’re the only client I’m working with.”

This philosophy goes hand in hand with an important piece of advice he was given early on: Never be afraid Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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“IT’S AN AWESOME FEELING TO WORK WITH SOMEONE ON WHAT WILL PROBABLY BE ONE OF THE LARGEST PURCHASES IN THEIR LIFE.”

to say no. “There will always be other opportunities out there — not just in real estate, but in everyday life, too.”

Proving that he has what it takes to make it in this business, Adam achieved the Rookie of The Year and Rising Star awards at Keller Williams in 2021. “It was a big surprise and an honor to win those awards,” Adam said. But even more rewarding is the work Adam does while volunteering with various charitable organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project and Wreaths Across America.

Although so much of his time revolves around his real estate business, Adam enjoys any downtime he has with his girlfriend, hiking, skiing, and just spending time outdoors whenever possible.

As for the future, Adam has several personal and professional plans and goals in mind. “Of course I want to grow my business and my client base, but it’s equally important to get more involved in giving back to the community,” says Adam. “Habitat for Humanity is next on my list for this year. I would love to sponsor an event and organize a big group to get out there and help them out.”

On the business side, Adam has his sights set on securing a new construction project in the next few years. “There are lots of new condos being built in the DC area and I would love to win one of those projects.

It’s a big deal to convince a large investor to sell their baby, so to speak,” says Adam. And with the experience and success he’s already had in that realm, there’s no doubt that Adam will accomplish whatever he sets out to achieve.

ADAM BELASCO

KELLER WILLIAMS CAPITAL PROPERTIES | WASHINGTON, DC 410.707.3827 | ABELASCO@BELASCOREALTY.COM 10

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Top 10

Reasons to use a REALTOR®

With so many online real estate resources available today, it’s tempting to think you

can buy or sell a home without the help of a professional. But there are lots of great reasons you should use a real estate agent. Here are our Top 10:

Market Knowledge — Savvy agents stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening in their local real estate market.

Objectivity — Real estate transactions are inherently emotional; an agent can help you keep things in perspective.

Negotiating Skills — Having someone negotiate on your behalf is priceless. Look for an agent who has the CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) designation for even more skill.

Inside Information — Agents are often ahead of the MLS when it comes to new listings.

Emotional Support — Who can you call at 3 AM because you’re just not sure about the color of that bathroom tile? Your agent, of course!

Trusted Partner Network — Agents spend a lot of time building up networks of trustworthy service

providers.

Professional Marketing — When it comes to listings, image is everything. An agent has access to the pros to make your house look amazing online (and IRL).

Guidance with Inspections — An agent will negotiate the most crucial fixes to help ensure a deal doesn’t get derailed by the property inspection.

Ethical Treatment — All REALTORS® must follow a strict code of ethics designed to protect their

clients.

Support at Closing — Your agent will be your partner throughout the process and help you understand everything that happens at the closing (and probably take you out to celebrate after!).

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You could say Britany Erickson was destined for success in the world of real estate. Her grandmother, Karen Field, was a highly successful REALTOR® in Evanston, Wyoming for decades, and when Britany came of age, she was quick to join her and help out with the family business. Britany earned her real estate license in 2003 when she was just 19 years old, and went on to earn her Broker’s license less than two years later. Learning the ins and outs of real estate under the careful guidance of her grandmother, over time she became an eminently successful REALTOR® in her own right. Now, almost 20 years later, her grandmother has retired and Britany has taken over leadership of the company, where she continues to build her already impressive career.

A big factor in Britany’s continued success is the efficacy of her communication. She makes it a major priority to ensure clients are properly informed before they make such a monumental decision, and in keeping with that philosophy, she approaches each transaction with the utmost honesty, and gives clients all the details relevant to their situation. “When I meet with clients, I’m very blunt,” Britany says. “I give them my honest opinion, whether I would or wouldn’t buy the house, along with all the reasons why. I get the feeling that people really appreciate that candidness.” Honesty is an important value when advising people on such a huge decision, and it’s a characteristic that Britany carries with her throughout her work.

Britany got into real estate with an innate desire to help people find happiness and success in their lives, and she has figured out how to do just that over the course of her career. By focusing on and coming to understand her clients’ interests, she is able to pinpoint exactly what each client needs and formulate a plan to help them accomplish their goals. “My grandma told me that if you focus on the

Britany Erickson

people, the money will follow. I carry that message with me wherever I go,” Britany says. “My favorite people to work with are first-time homebuyers; they’re always so excited, and I really feel like I’m helping them achieve something they never thought they could.”

Britany excels at establishing trust between herself and her clients, and truly seeks to further their best interests. She is always responsive to questions and concerns, and these are some of the reasons the majority of her business comes from repeat clients and referrals from satisfied customers.

Recently, Britany has made a name for herself as a listing agent who focuses on foreclosures. She works with a number of regional and national banks, and for the past several years has been on the list of the Top 1% of Coldwell Banker’s agents, and continues to be one of the highest producing agents in her region overall. In addition, she holds her CRS and SFR designations, and is an extremely skilled agent with extensive background in a number of different areas. Her wealth of hands-on experience and considerable education make her more than capable of handling any obstacle that may come up in a transaction.

A longtime resident of Evanston, Britany loves where she’s from, and is a proponent of enriching the lives of the people in her community. She gets involved with a variety of local events, and even set up a local pantry during COVID to help and feed people in need. When she isn’t working, Britany enjoys spending time with her friends in Evanston as well as her partner and four children, and she loves traveling when she finds time.

With a few agents working alongside her, she hopes to continue helping build their careers as well as expanding her own in the coming years. If you’re in need of real estate assistance in Southwest Wyoming, Britany Erickson is a fantastic resource and the kind of agent you want by your side.

Britany Erickson Coldwell Banker | Evanston, Wyoming 307.789.0760 | britany@allwest.net 12

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Transform your home into a summer oasis

Whether you’re preparing a home for listing during the summer months, or just want your own living space to feel cool, comfortable and seasonally appropriate, there are several things you can do to make that happen. Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway.

Decide to Declutter — Think of your favorite summer beach house or the best hotel room you’ve ever stayed in. Chances are part of the reason you loved it was because it was clean, serene and clutterfree. To achieve that look, pack away a majority of the dust-collecting knick-knacks, framed photos, heavy throws, books, and other clutter. It’s a great first step in opening up rooms to give them a lighter, airy feel.

Your items will feel new again when you bring them back out in the fall; or you may decide you like the look so much that you begin to embrace minimalism.

Change the Layout — Nothing can change the look and feel of a room more quickly than rearranging the furniture. If your current seating arrangement is centered around a fireplace, change it around to focus Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

on a window instead. If living areas are feeling crowded, consider removing extra chairs or end tables and replacing them with large floor cushions in bright fabrics for lounging and watching movies; they can be stacked out of the way in a corner when not in use.

Embrace the Light — Replace dark, heavy curtains with light and airy sheer panels that catch the breeze and let in light. Your room will feel larger and more open when the windows aren’t weighed down with heavy fabrics and dark colors.

The Scents of Summer — We all love the smell of a pumpkin spice or rich, warm vanilla candle, but strong, foody scents can become heavy and overwhelming during the warmer months. Switch your home fragrance to something light, fresh, and clean.

Citrus aromas and green florals are universally pleasing choices, as are scents reminiscent of a day at the beach (especially if you’re landlocked). Instead of candles, which can generate extra heat when they’re burning, switch to scented oil diffusers. They’ll keep a steady, subtle aroma in the air without worrying about whether kids, guests or pets might accidentally knock over a burning candle.

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Add Splashes of Color — Here’s where it gets really fun! Summer is the time for punchy brights, crisp nautical hues, and All-American red, white, & blue color schemes. Incorporate color into bedrooms and bathrooms with crisp new linens and towels in your favorite summer colors. Add some striped, floral and solid throw pillows to couches and chairs in the family room. Stock up on Turkish towels, which are super-lightweight, dry quickly and come in loads of fun colors. They can serve as pool towels, swim cover-ups, tablecloths or light throws if the AC is cranked a little too high. In the kitchen, add some brightly colored acrylic serving pieces like trays and pitchers to your table settings, and use cloth napkins in a complementary hue.

Bring the Outside In — Fresh flowers are abundant this time of year — maybe even in your own yard! Take advantage of Mother Nature’s good mood and keep fresh flowers in your home throughout the season. It’s one of the easiest, most beautiful ways to make a home feel summery. Stick with vibrant colors like hot pink, sunny yellow and juicy orange; save the deep, dramatic hues like burgundy and purple for fall and winter. Whether you go for a full-on arrangement 14

Of course, you can’t fully redecorate every room for every season, but there are many easy, inexpensive and fun ways to transform a home into a relaxing summer getaway. or just a few stems in a simple vase, you’ll smile every time you see them.

Don’t Forget the Floors — Sandy. Wet. Muddy.

Grassy. Dusty. Floor coverings take a beating during the summer. Roll up and store wool throw rugs and replace them with inexpensive washable rugs you won’t feel bad about getting rid of at the end of the season. Don’t forget to add a new doormat to every entrance door to catch sand, dirt, and water before they get tracked inside.

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JAVIER GONZALEZ Chicago may be known as the Windy City, but experienced negotiator and REALTOR® Javier Gonzalez blows the competition away with his reliability, transparency and his “let’s get it done mentality.” Javier knows how to make things happen — for both his business and his clients. He believes in setting the right expectations from the beginning and then making certain he meets them in the end. “I make sure my clients know that I am with them every step of the way,” he says.

Although relatively new to real estate, Javier was inspired to pursue his dream of becoming a licensed broker during the pandemic. “I turned a negative into a positive by taking advantage of my time at home,” he explains.

“I’m very proud that I did not end up discouraged because of the pandemic.” Javier, whose focus is primarily Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, knew that a career in real estate would give him the ability to connect and build relationships in a more meaningful way.

Javier brings to his real estate ventures an impressive background in technology and logistics. With his work prior to real estate, Javier acquired over a decade of experience negotiating and delivering solutions. The combination of his strong negotiation skills and results-oriented approach has already led to notable successes working with both buyers and sellers at Realty of Chicago.

His specialty spans from first-time homebuyers in the area, to investors looking to add to their portfolio. With nearly 90 percent of his real estate business coming from referrals, Javier credits this success with his ability to avoid becoming so swept up in a problem that one can no longer see how to resolve it. While he would acknowledge that the road to closing is rarely without challenges, Javier takes pride in recognizing that there are resolutions for every situation. “Don’t lose time by

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losing your composure,” he says. “Spend that time on finding a solution.” Javier also credits this mentality for playing a role in his team’s 2021 Platinum Award for most units sold.

Javier takes a proactive approach to client relations, including always looking out for his clients’ best interests and communicating clearly and thoroughly. He also emphasizes the importance of following up with the other side and relaying all necessary information.

While clear and consistent communication are key for Javier, honesty and dependability are at the heart of his business operations. “If you’re honest, your clients will trust that you’re looking out for them,” he explains. “I show my clients that I am dependable by being with them from start to finish. They know that they can count on me for answers and reassurance.”

Javier’s experience has also taught him that the best way to establish dependability is by following through.

“Do what you say you are going to do,” he says. “Following through and keeping your word helps to reinforce that trust your client has in you.” For him, knowledge plays a crucial role in every deal. “Don’t fake it until you make it,” he says. “Learn it until you master it.”

Although Javier is laser focused on serving his clients, he also makes time for his other passions when he is not busy with real estate. He enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out. However, at the moment, what brings him the most joy is playing hide-and-seek with his sixyear-old and two-year-old daughters at home.

As Javier looks to the future, he plans to go out on his own initially, expanding his network, and then building a team who shares his passion for strategies and solutions.

“In this business, there is something new each day,” he says. “I get the opportunity to meet new people, explore new properties and, my favorite part, I get to develop new strategies.”

JAVIER GONZALEZ REALTY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 773.655.7740 | JAVYTHEREALTOR@GMAIL.COM Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

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Tricks of the trade — Improve your time management skills One of the greatest gifts being in the real estate industry provides, lies in the fact that no two days are ever the same. It keeps you on your toes, keeps your mind active, and your days often seem to pass in the blink of an eye. With amazing opportunities for personal success — all the while being able to genuinely help others — there’s frankly no other career quite like it.

However, a real estate career is certainly not known for being a particularly predictable profession. Appraisals can come in low. Basements flood. Multiple offers come in all at once. Financing gets delayed.

And sometimes that’s just a Tuesday! Sometimes it can seem downright impossible to not only plan your days, but actually stick to your plan.

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That’s not to say you can’t make the most of each day, even when the not-so-uncommon curveball is thrown your way. While you can’t control potential challenges that may arise, nor make the day any longer, there are ways you can be sure to make the most of your time.

Here are seven tips for best managing your time as a professional in the real estate industry.

Acknowledge Your Business Goals — Remind yourself of your short-term and long-term business goals each day. That way, you’ll be able to look at the big picture when scheduling your days, and your weeks. By reminding yourself of your immediate goals, and where you would like your business to be Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

Learning to manage your time as a busy real estate professional can take effort and dedication. But it can also feel like a life-saver in terms of keeping you calm, cool, and collected in a career synonymous with constant change and unmeasurable rewards.

next quarter, next year, or five years from now, you’ll keep your sights firmly focused on working towards those overarching goals, even when things get hectic.

Put Effort into Prioritizing — There are many methods of prioritizing your tasks, but one of the simplest ways to do so is to sort your various responsibilities into categories so you can take a clear look at what is most time sensitive, what can be put off if necessary, and what items can be postponed easily. By prioritizing your tasks, you’re less likely to stray from your plan, and avoid feeling like you’re busy, yet unproductive.

Use Technology to Track Your Time — Time tracking and time management apps can be incredibly useful for real estate professionals on the go. By logging how you spend your time, you’re likely to see patterns, thereby being able to identify your most productive days, or pinpointing tasks that wind up taking more time than they should. When you can look at how you planned to spend your day, and compare it with how you actually spend your time, you’ll be in a better position to see where adjustments need to be made.

Learn to Live with Saying No — As real estate professionals, it’s hard not to say yes to every request, invitation, or opportunity that comes your way. After all, you’re in the business of customer service. But you’re also in the business of being honest, which means that sometimes you’re going to have to say no to a request when you simply don’t have the time, and that’s ok. Your clients may see you as a super Copyright Featured Agent Magazine

hero, but you must remember you’re only human and can only take on so much.

Minimize Distractions — Multi-tasking is a way of life for most real estate professionals, but there can be too much of a good thing. Try reducing the number of notifications you receive from various apps, or social media during times when you need to focus.

Or, consider silencing your phone while you’re working on a new listing. Little distractions can lead to big delays, and wasted time.

Decide to Delegate — Learning to delegate can be a challenge, but committing to do so can significantly lighten your load, and free up extra time. To get started, it may be beneficial to delegate the least time sensitive items until you become comfortable with entrusting others to help you meet your goals.

Sleep, Eat, Exercise, Repeat — Getting plenty of rest ensures that your mind is poised to function at its peak level. Likewise, a balanced diet, will help you to maintain your energy level throughout the day. Exercise is also a powerful tool for learning to manage your time, through relieving stress and providing a boost of endorphins to feel good during the day and sleep well at night.

Learning to manage your time as a busy real estate professional can take effort and dedication. But it can also feel like a life-saver in terms of keeping you calm, cool, and collected in a career synonymous with unpredictability and unmeasurable rewards.

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Beginning her career at a real estate law firm, Julie McElyea gained a great deal of experience by working in foreclosure and bankruptcy. Eventually she decided she wanted something more positive, as well as more flexible in order to spend time with her children, and decided to obtain her real estate license in 2013. Establishing herself very quickly, she successfully opened her first office in Channahon, Illinois in 2015, which is now manned by an exceptional team of agents. Julie has recently opened her second office in Bonita Springs, Florida with ambitious plans to expand the team to 7-10 members by the end of the year.

In the 15 years she’s been in the industry, Julie has truly made a name for herself. It would seem as though she was destined for success — Julie was inducted into the RE/MAX hall of fame for reaching $1,000,000 in sales after only four years as an agent, and has also been featured in multiple magazines, most notably the Wall Street Journal two years in a row.

Her rate of repeat and referral clientele has reached a minimum of 75%, and with good reason — Julie is set apart from her peers in a wide variety of ways. Foremost is her passion for the work she does and the people she serves. Julie has always felt that being an agent means guiding, assisting, and most importantly, representing one’s clients to the best of her ability. She cherishes getting to know each client and fostering long term relationships with them. At the end of the day, nothing is more rewarding for her than knowing she has truly helped and that her clients trust her to help their loved ones as well.

Before she was an agent, Julie had several disappointing experiences with inconsiderate REALTORS,® and

Julie McElyea

this led her to conclude, “There had to be a better way.

You just have to care about your clients, about your job, about what you’re doing. And that will show through in your work.” This is the ethic Julie brings to the office with her every single day.

Such dedication to care and compassion is apparent both in Julie’s work and in her community engagement. She frequently works with veterans, and is closely involved in all four of her children’s extracurricular activities (dance and martial arts). She also regularly donates through RE/MAX to the Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children’s hospitals. In the small amount of time Julie has outside work and community activities, she enjoys trips to the beach and socializing as often as she can.

Julie’s favorite aspect of real estate is its dynamic nature.

As a REALTOR,® Julie is constantly learning and growing, always experiencing something new, and sees this ongoing evolution as core to her success. In the spirit of growth and change, she understands and values the challenges of the business, and offers clear advice to those pursuing a similar path: “Never give up. The only way to fail is to quit believing in yourself.”

With this philosophy in mind, Julie plans to continue learning and expanding her business, especially by focusing on new construction and development, in which she has expertise. This is a corner of the industry Julie believes to be overlooked, and so she hopes to apply her specialized experience and push herself to new levels, all the while providing the best service possible to her clients. Her pioneering spirit makes Julie stand out in the industry and gives her business an edge. If you are looking for an experienced REALTOR® who has the resources you need at her fingertips, there is no better option than Julie McElyea!

Julie McElyea

RE/MAX Hometown Properties and RE/MAX Suncoast Realty Channahon, Illinois | Bonita Springs, Florida 815.474.2244 | juliemcelyea@gmail.com 18

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How to write

listings that sell

As the saying goes, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.’ But when you’re trying to sell a home, you need more than just beautiful pictures to tell the story — a well-written listing description is important, too.

With most buyers beginning their home searches online, you need to having listings that are somewhat brief and SEO-friendly, yet descriptive and evocative.

It’s a tall order, to be sure. But it’s very possible if you follow these tips for writing listings that sell.

Use Space Wisely — Zillow conducted a study that found 250 words is the optimal length for a listing description. Depending on how much you enjoy writing, that may sound like a little, or a lot. It’s definitely enough to allow you to describe the home and the neighborhood adequately, if you choose your words carefully. Don’t get too caught up in spinning a story of making memories or discovering your dream home.

Instead, use concrete, objective language that talks about the home’s statistics and features in an interesting, engaging way. Rather than cramming everything into one solid block of text, aim to create ‘bite-size’ pieces of information. Be sure to use shorter, punchy sentences and break out details with bullet points so readers can easily scan your listing to find the details they feel are most important. (For reference, the paragraph you just read is 137 words. If it was a listing description, you’d have 113 words left.)

Focus on Features and Benefits — When describing a home, the immediate impulse is to focus on all of its amazing features. But, by doing that alone, you’re only telling half the story. If you just list a home’s features without explaining how those features will benefit the buyer, you’re missing an opportunity to make an emotional connection. For example, you could say the home has a screened-in porch. Or, you could say: lovely screened-in porch allows three-season indoor/outdoor entertaining. Now you’ve created an instant picture in the buyer’s mind about why they should want a home with a screened-in porch. By using just a few more words, you can create descriptions

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that lead buyers to wanting features they didn’t even realize they needed.

Don’t Forget the Neighborhood — Remember, buyers aren’t just looking for a house, they’re searching for an overall lifestyle. The most successful listings are the ones that focus not only on the home itself, but also give information on the neighborhood, too. Whether that’s calling out award-winning schools, well-kept parks, or restaurants and entertainment within walking distance, people want to know what’s good about where they might live. Be sure to talk to the current homeowners to get their input on what makes the area unique.

Keep it Professional — Some rogue agents swear by crafting listings with crazy headlines or a million exclamation points, claiming they get people to stop and take a second look. That may be true, but it’s probably not the look you want. Don’t compromise professionalism for catchiness. Using all caps, excessive exclamations, and randomly capping letters makes your listing look amateurish at best. At worst, overly ‘creative’ headlines can cause your listings to be mistaken for spam.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing — There was a time when loading up your listing with keywords was enough to get it noticed by search engines. But as we’ve all gotten smarter about how the internet works, those tricks no longer apply. Rather than stuffing your precious 250-word count with meaningless keywords, use it to write good quality copy that buyers will actually want to read. If you don’t think your writing skills are up to snuff, it will pay to hire a freelance writer or an assistant with excellent writing skills to create your listings.

Creating a compelling listing description is one of the many important phases of preparing a home to go on the market. These tips will help you craft compelling listings that sell.

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