M O B I L E B AY
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
TOP AGENT
NICHOLE PATRICK TOP AGENT Nichole Patrick BROKER IN CHARGE Robin Linn PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Stephanie Cunningham RISING STAR Tyler Morgan
DECEMBER 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 06 Meet The Team
08
Publisher’s Note: Grateful ness and Goodwill
10
14
20
26
Top Agent Nichole Patrick
All Spruced Up and Ready to Sell Stephanie Cunningham
Rising Star Tyler Morgan
Broker in Charge Robin Linn
If you are interested in contributing or nominating Realtors for certain stories, please email us at Robert.orso@RealProducersMag.com .DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Mobile Bay Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
ALBANY • ALBUQUERQUE • CHESAPEAKE • ATLANTA • AUSTIN • BALTIMORE • BOULDER CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI • CLEVELAND • COUR D’ ALENE • COLORADO SPRINGS COLUMBUS • DALLAS • DAVENPORT • DAYTONA BEACH • DENVER • FT. WAYNE • GRAND RAPIDS HOUSTON • INDIANAPOLIS • JACKSON • JACKSONVILLE • KANSAS CITY • LAS VEGAS • LINCOLN LITTLE ROCK • LUBBOCK • MILWAUKEE • MURRIETA MONTERREY BAY • NASHVILLE • NEW ORLEANS AMERICA'S BEST REAL• ESTATE AGENTS NEWPORT BEACH • NORTH DALLAS • NOVA • OAKLAND COUNTY • OKLAHOMA CITY • OMAHA ORLANDO • PHILADELPHIA • PHOENIX • PITTSBURGH • PORTLAND • RALEIGH • SALEM • SAN DIEGO SEATTLE • SILICON VALLEY • SPOKANE • ST. LOUIS • TAMPA BAY • TEMECULA • TRI-CITIES • TRIAD TUCSON • TWIN CITIES • VIRGINIA BEACH • WASHINGTON D.C • WAYNE COUNTY • WEST VALLEY WILMINGTON • YOUNGSTOWN • ALBANY • ALBUQUERQUE • CHESAPEAKE • ATLANTA • AUSTIN BALTIMORE • BOULDER • CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI • CLEVELAND • COUR D’ ALENE COLORADO SPRINGS • COLUMBUS • DALLAS • DAVENPORT • DAYTONA BEACH • DENVER • FT. WAYNE BE PART OF THE NATIONAL REAL PRODUCERS MOVEMENT GRAND RAPIDS • HOUSTON • INDIANAPOLIS • JACKSON • JACKSONVILLE • KANSAS CITY • LAS VEGAS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM TODAY LINCOLN • LITTLE ROCK • LUBBOCK • MILWAUKEE • MURRIETA • MONTERREY BAY • NASHVILLE • NEW ORLEANS • NEWPORT BEACH • NORTH DALLAS • NOVA • OAKLAND COUNTY • OKLAHOMA CITY @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 5
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INSURANCE Coastal Insurance Group, LLC Kurt Wielkens 3660 Dauphin Street, Suite A Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 344-9898 www.coastalinsgrp.com The Myrick Agency Miranda Bennett 3794 McKenzie Street Foley, AL 36535 (251) 517-5603 themyrickagency.com LENDER Alabama Ag Credit Andy Grant 9810 Timber Circle Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 626-2929 alabamaagcredit.com Cornerstone Mortgage Solutions Bart Hare (251) 753-5105 bart@choosecornerstone.com www.choosecornerstone.com
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STONE/CABINETRY/TILE Coastal Stone & Cabinetry Stephanie Hale 16020 S. Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 929-3475 www.coastalstonefairhope. com
PHOTOGRAPHY Avera Design James Avera (251) 459-4532 james@averadesign.com www.averadesign.com Deep South Focus Photography Jonathan Jeffress (251) 421-0517 www.deepsouthfocus.com jon@deepsouthfocus.com Sam Whitt Photography Sam Whitt (251) 213-3570 gulfbeachphotography.com/ PLUMBING Kirchler Plumbing Daniel Kirchler (251) 490-0931
Mission 1st Mortgage, Inc. Bryan Dewberry 805 Church Street Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 583-4218 mission1stmortgageinc.com
STAGE & DESIGN Showhomes Mobile - Baldwin Kim Odom 377 Surtees St Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 622-5004 Showhomesmobilebaldwin.com
MOVERS Eastern Shore Transfer, Inc. Angie Garner 586Theakston Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 517-4434 x2512093868
Spruced Up Staging Stephanie Cunningham 20750 State Highway 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 404-8726 sprucedupstaging.com
TITLE COMPANY Anchor Title Company Preston Nash 3173 - B Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 478-9800 anchor title.com Clear Title Lisa Walker 1680 West 2nd Street Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 747-2550 x2517524181 www.getcleartitle.com Fairhope Title Services, LLC Brian Britt 455 Magnolia Street Suite C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-9900 www.fairhopetitle.com Gulf Shores Title James Owen 100 Cove Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 968-6185 gulfshorestitle.com
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 7
Gratefulness & Goodwill By Robert Orso
I
do not know about you all, but this is the most wonderful time of the year for me! We have just come through the Thanksgiving holiday, a time when we can slow down a little and reflect on all the things, experiences, and people we are grateful for. Perhaps yours is one of those families that sits around the Thanksgiving table and has everyone speak about what they are thankful for. That is always a special time that is filled with expressions of love and gratitude for those at the table.
Gratefulness and Goodwill are natural companions because the more grateful we are, the more we are inspired to spread goodwill to others. Then we are less likely to let the small things bother us and we focus more on the important things. When we are grateful for what we have and where we are in our journey, we have the propensity to be more compassionate and empathetic toward others. Not just our family and close friends, but also people in general. We want what is best for them and celebrate their successes as much as we celebrate our own.
People who are filled with gratitude are the most pleasant to be around. We all face many challenges within our families, relationships, businesses, and life in general. Life can be hectic, and it is easy for us to become self-absorbed as we deal with our personal challenges. Some tend to get a little mean and gruff. We can become less caring and concerned about the most important things and people and focus on ourselves too much.
Christmas 2020 is almost here. The season of Goodwill is upon us. This season means different things to different people, but the real meaning is Peace and Goodwill. Most, if not all of you know the Christmas Story. Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary set out for their hometown of Bethlehem to register in the census. Apparently, Joseph was not a Hilton Honors or Marriott Rewards member because he did not make reservations.
8 • December 2020
Mary went into labor and Jesus had to be born in a stable and laid in a trough. The amazing thing is that Mary was so grateful that she had been chosen to be the mother of our Lord, that she did not complain at all. Like I said, being grateful is a much better mindset for dealing with the little stuff. Some shepherds in a nearby field had this encounter. “Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing: Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and good hope (will) given to the sons of men.” (The Passion Translation). Gratitude, Goodwill and Peace. These are what real life is made of and this is what I wish and pray for. For my family and friends, for my readers, and for our great country! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
Tyler
W
When you know you’re doing one of the things you were made for, it shows. And the results speak for themselves. That definitely holds true for Tyler Morgan, who is this month’s Real Producers Rising Star. As Team Leader and REALTOR® with the Beach Blvd Team as part of Local Property, Inc. Breaking New Ground Tyler’s adventure in real estate began three years ago. Prior to that, he worked as a Logistics Broker. “As part of my job, I was responsible for buying and selling loads of trucks. I did that for about five years. It was nonstop. I enjoyed it,” Tyler remembers. At the time, Tyler and his wife, Jessica, lived in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I really wanted to move to the beach, so we moved here to Gulf Shores while I made the drive each day to work in Mobile,” he recalls. “After about three years of doing that, I was ready for a change. I was getting up at 4 a.m. and getting home at 6 p.m. I’m a big family man, so it was hard, because I was missing out on a lot with the kids.” Family First At that crucial crossroads, Tyler made a decision that meant less travel and more time with his family. “My wife is a photographer, so I worked with her to help build up her business,” he says. “Once she was up and running, it was time to get back out there, to talk with people and sell again.” One option stood out for Tyler.
Morgan Passion for the Profession
rising star By Dave Danielson Photos by Beach Portraits by Jess
10 • December 2020
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“I love people so I thought let’s try real estate,” he says. “So in November 2017, I started out with Bob Shallow at RE/MAX Paradise. After six months I went to Realty First and worked with Brad Lynn and learned how to build quality relationships along the beach boulevard. Brad took me on as a greenhorn and I got to learn from one of the best. He makes you think for yourself.” In the process, Tyler learned a lot about the condo aspect of real estate, and today, it’s his specialty. Giving His All Tyler’s love for the business is clear today — and it’s intertwined with his love of people. “That’s a part I really enjoy … meeting people from all walks of life. And Gulf Shores is a fantastic place to live and work. It’s like a paradise. And it’s a fantastic destination for people from all over who come here to invest and buy a home.” One of the most rewarding parts is turning dreams to reality. “People naturally come here and are starry-eyed,” he says. “I like the fact that I get to help make
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
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A SHIELD those visions of the future come true for people. I’m not just selling them something, but helping them and staying in touch to build longterm relationships.” Those who know Tyler know how true that is. And he’s not a fair-weather friend. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see Tyler getting some help and visiting people to help move furniture off patios and secure belongings in the path of an oncoming hurricane. Signs of Success The results of Tyler’s approach to business are valuable all the way around. One sign of that is the numbers he generates. In 2020, for instance, Tyler is on track to surpass $17 million in sales volume. 12 • December 2020
Real success for Tyler is where his heart is … at home. He treasures time with Jessica and their three boys — 12-year-old, Cale, 5-yearold, Baze, and 15-month-old, Axel. In his free time, you’re likely to find Tyler fishing, enjoying sports, being active and making memories with his family. Tyler also has a civic passion and stays plugged into what’s happening with local government. Joining Forces Teamwork makes his dream work. And Tyler is grateful for it. “That starts with Jessica. She helps me a lot on the team. In fact, she does all of my marketing,” Tyler says. “My partner, Antoni Figeuiredo is awesome, too.
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He is my right-hand man. He started in the business about nine months ago, and has already closed on nearly $5 million in sales volume. We work really great together. I have buyers and he helps line up sellers so we can put that all together. We make a dynamic duo.” When you talk with Tyler, you feel the energy he has for what he does, with a straightforward, honest and dependable way of creating success for those around him. “This is what I enjoy, and I try to do everything I can. I always want to be there and facilitate whatever people need to make sure they are satisfied,” he smiles. That’s a true passion for the profession.
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NICHOLE PATRICK BALANCING EXPERIENCE & GROWTH FOR CLIENTS’ BENEFIT
top agent By Jill Clair Gentry Photography by James Avera, Avera Design
For Nichole Patrick, a real estate career is all about balance. Not “work-life balance”—everyone knows that doesn’t exist for full-time agents. The balance Nichole constantly strives to master is between the knowledge and confidence of an experienced agent and the innovation and growth of an agent who knows she always has more to learn. “No matter how long you’ve been in this business, you can’t ever feel like you know it all,” Nichole says. “Nothing can replace experience, but the industry is constantly changing, and you really have to stay on top of it. I was talking to a more experienced agent recently, and we were discussing how we were nervous about a few different things, and he said, ‘I think that’s one reason why we’re successful. We never feel like we’ve made it.’ You can’t ever feel like the business is just going to fall into your lap.” EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT Nichole began selling real estate in 1996 after graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting. “My dad is a CPA, so I thought accounting would be a solid career path, but I did an internship the summer before my senior year, and I hated it,” she says. “I realized I didn’t want to sit in an office all day. They had me doing audits in these back rooms alone with a bunch of files, and I didn’t get to interact with people. I have a lot of energy and can’t sit still—going to an office every day was not for me.” Fortunately, Nichole’s mother, Mickie Russell, was a successful agent and founder/president of Dauphin Realty (which merged with Roberts Brothers in 2011) and encouraged Nichole to study for the real estate license exam. “I had worked for my mom every summer since I was around 12, and she suggested I sell real estate until I figured out what I wanted to do,” Nichole says. “I never thought I’d be successful—I thought I was too young. But before I knew it, I was selling, and it quickly snowballed. It’s always been so perfect for me because every day is different.” After 24 years in the industry, Nichole is consistently ranked in the top four out of over 250 agents at
14 • December 2020
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Roberts Brothers. In 2019, she closed over $12 million in sales, and this year, she’s already exceeded $14 million. ALWAYS LEARNING Since the beginning of Nichole’s career, just about everything about being an agent has changed. “When I started, I didn’t even know how to get on the Internet. We had MLS books that came out every two weeks, and every listing had one black-and-white picture of the house,” she says. “We would make copies and mail them to people, or you’d
put clients in your car and go look at houses all day.” These days, Nichole says it’s easier in a lot of ways and harder in others. “Buyers do a lot of their own research now,” she says. “We don’t show nearly as many houses because they narrow it down themselves by looking at photos online. By the time they step foot inside a home, many people are pretty serious—they’ve seen all the pictures, Facebook stalked the owners and checked out what’s around the property on Google Earth.”
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
With tools like Zillow and Trulia at every buyer’s fingertips, agents have to prove their worth by providing services buyers can’t find online.
MY REPUTATION IS MORE IMPORTANT IN THE LONG RUN THAN MAKING ONE SALE.
“You have to show your clients the benefit of working with an agent,” she says. “We should be networking for them—I’m constantly calling other agents asking if they know of anything coming up that might fit my buyers’ needs. If I know someone who lives in a neighborhood where my client is looking to buy, I’ll call them and ask if they know anyone who is talking about selling. You can’t just plug a buyer into the MLS and have it email them when a property is listed. We have to provide more than that.” From a listing agent’s perspective, the same technology can make selling a home more tricky than it was in the past. Buyers have high expectations, and competition can be fierce. “If you don’t have great pictures, buyers won’t even go look at it,” she says. “And it can be frustrating for the seller sometimes because while they’re getting a lot of traffic online, there aren’t always a ton of in-person showings.” Communication with clients as well as other agents has also been greatly impacted by technology, and Nichole advises other agents who aspire to be successful to embrace the latest tech and pay attention to their clients’ communication preferences—some prefer to only text, some want to meet in person and some like phone calls. Online signature tools like DotLoop are essential as well. “Everything is extremely time-sensitive, and the faster you can make things happen, the better—if you’re not up on the latest technology, you’re doing your client a disservice,” she says. “An agent told me recently, ‘I don’t have time to learn DotLoop,’ but I said, ‘You don’t have time not to.’ I can work up an offer at my daughter’s volleyball game without skipping a beat. It’s amazing.” SOME THINGS STAY THE SAME Of course, not everything has changed. Treating customers like family and advocating for their best interest, regardless of benefit to the agent, will always be the number one way to succeed as an agent. Nichole’s core values revolve around being honest, ethical and hardworking, whether working with clients or other agents. 16 • December 2020
“I don’t ever want to sell somebody something just to sell them something,” Nichole says. “I try not to ever focus on commission. I focus on doing a good job and working hard regardless of the price of the property or a buyer’s budget. It’s also important to never be pushy. You may get that one sale if you push someone, but you’re not going to get referrals or repeat business. My reputation is more important in the long run than making one sale.” Although Nichole has closed hundreds of transactions over the past two decades, she strives to remember that for her clients, buying or selling a home is almost always a stressful, life-altering experience.
“This business takes a lot of patience, and you have to be very sensitive about how stressful this can be for your clients,” she says. “It’s so easy for them to lose sight of things and get frustrated in the middle of all of it. As an agent, you’ve got to have thick skin and be understanding. You have to hold their hand, walk them through it and keep them calm.” When Nichole isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her two teenage daughters, exercising and getting out on the water. She is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama and looks forward to returning to in-person mentoring when Covid-19 precautions are lifted.
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18 • December 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
STEPHANIE CUNNINGHAM professionally stages homes to sell quickly for top dollar all spruced up and ready to sell
Stephanie graduated from Auburn University in 2010 with a degree in industrial design. She spent several years designing sports facilities for collegiate athletics, which she says was challenging and competitive, but not fulfilling.
By Jill Clair Gentry Photography by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
Lots of people know how to decorate. Some people are proficient in interior design. But a select few, like Stephanie Cunningham of Spruced Up Staging, know what it takes to professionally stage a home. Staging, Stephanie says, is not just about making a house look beautiful. It’s about casting a vision of that home for a buyer—a vision of that buyer’s dream home.
“The goal was to design for 18-year-old athletes—you’re designing to attract students,” she says. “The idea is they’re going to go to the place with the coolest facilities. But I sat in front of a computer and churned out designs all day that I didn’t really love because there wasn’t a lot of freedom in it.”
“Staging is so different from design,” Stephanie says. “With staging, you’re not designing to match your client’s tastes. You’re designing for a demographic. You have to do research and figure out what potential buyers in that area like and what they’re interested in. I’ve got a vision for homes and a creative brain, but you’ve also got to do your homework.”
So in 2014, Stephanie left her job and became a real estate agent for a home builder in Baldwin County. “I loved real estate, but it’s very time-consuming,” she says. “With new construction, I had to be in the office from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and my husband works offshore, so when he’s home, I really like to have a more flexible schedule.”
FROM DESIGNER TO REALTOR® TO STAGER Stephanie has always loved home design and real estate. “Even when I was little, I would look at floorplans and draw them out,” Stephanie says. “I’ve just always been interested in layouts and figuring out the best use of a space.”
20 • December 2020
So in 2017, she began selling real estate independently and focused on resales instead of new construction.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
F U L L S E RV IC E HOM E S TAG I NG “It was at that point I saw the need for staging in this market,” Stephanie says. “It’s very hard to compete with all the new homes in this area if you are not staging older homes to show their full potential. Some great houses with great bones and wonderful potential get passed up because not everyone can see that potential without staging. It brings out the desirable qualities for the buyer to help the seller—so everyone wins.” Stephanie continued working as an agent as she began staging homes in August of 2018. By January 2019, she was staging full time, although her real estate license remains active. Last year, Stephanie staged 27 vacant homes in addition to providing redesign services to sellers still living in their homes. This year, she’s on track to stage 40-45 vacant homes.
about all the moving parts, and I have an idea of where things are going to go immediately.” RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES As she works, Stephanie thinks about reaching out and touching a buyer’s senses as well as finding the best possible use for every space. Sometimes, for example, clients are using the dining room as a playroom, but that’s not going to appeal to the widest demographic. “After we’ve streamlined every room, I think about texture a lot by adding décor pieces like pillows, rugs, art and lots of layers—it creates a comfortable, cozy living space,” she says. “I also think about how a home smells and work with clients on that.” One story stands out in Stephanie’s mind that perfectly illustrates the power of staging.
“The pandemic slowed things down a bit in 2020, but any growth year-overyear is great growth, and I do want to “There was a client whose home had grow sustainably. I’m so thankful I get been on the market for six months, to do this, but there’s a and the contract expired lot more that goes into with one agent, so it than people realize. another agent who I had I always want to It’s like moving multiple worked with in the past show my value times a month. As time got it and convinced the and show them has gone by, my process sellers to hire me. It has streamlined and I’m how much it can was a very cold, sterile much faster now than home that didn’t have help them, and when I first started.” an open layout, but it with this one, it was had the potential to be such a dramatic, As a former real estate a cute home and was agent, Stephanie under- amazing result. in a great location. We stands that urgency is staged it, and they got everything. She seeks to always be an offer within five hours of it being available to agents and sellers and re-listed. They even got a couple of can stage a property quickly. backup offers.” “Sometimes I have people call me on a Thursday and need it staged by Monday,” she says.
Stephanie says the sellers went from being skeptical about staging to becoming absolute believers.
“If I can accommodate that, I absolutely will. People think it’s crazy—I walk in and get really quiet for a couple of minutes while I think
“I always want to show my value and show them how much it can help them, and with this one, it was such a dramatic, amazing result,” she says.
22 • December 2020
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STAGING AS A PROFESSION Bringing professionalism to staging is one of Stephanie’s passions, which is why she teaches a Continuing Education class for REALTORS® about staging. Agents are required to obtain 15 hours of CE every three years, and Stephanie’s class, “Staging to Sell: What Every Agent Should Know,” provides three hours. “Most people in this area don’t see staging as a profession, but it definitely is, and I’m trying to bring some education to Alabama about staging and why we need it,” she says. In the class, Stephanie points out the stunning facts about staging—in 2019, vacant, unstaged homes stayed on the market nationally for an average of 118 days. That same year, staged homes went under contract in an average of 18 days. “The biggest thing agents and sellers need to understand are the carrying costs of having a home sit on the market for months,” she says. “If it’s $2,500 for your mortgage and $1,000 for utilities, your carrying costs for four months on the market add up to almost $15,000. It doesn’t cost nearly that much to stage a home. So, if you invest a little upfront, you’ll get that money back by selling your home sooner.” @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
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ROBIN LINN
broker in charge
By Dave Danielson Photos by James Avera, Avera Design
POSITIVE INFLUENCE When you think about it, each of us has a real power to make an impact on the world around us. The attitude we have and the experience we share with others is up to us. Robin Linn is an example of that ability to leave a mark on the planet. As Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Coastal Properties, Robin is clearly a positive influence on those around her. It starts from the moment she sees you and greets you with her familiar smile. “That’s a big part of who I am. I hope people remember me for my smile,” Robin emphasizes. “I remember when I was growing up, my mom said that things are always better when you smile, and that has always stuck with me.” FINDING HER PATH Robin’s real estate origins actually started in Houston, Texas. “I had always worked in administration through my career starting after I graduated from Virginia Tech,” Robin recalls. “My husband, Kelby, transferred a lot from place to place with his work, and when we transferred to Houston, the real estate agent we had worked with to get our house offered me a job as her assistant.” 26 • December 2020
After two years of working as an assistant and learning a significant amount about the business, Robin took the next step and got her real estate license. “I was enamored with real estate, and it built on the interest I had always had. I’ve always loved looking at houses and architecture,” she says. Like most who enter the business, Robin’s first steps in the industry were challenging. But she kept her head down and moved forward. A NEW HOME FOR HER TALENTS It wasn’t long before Robin and Kelby moved to Alabama.
“Once we moved here, that’s when I really jumped into the business with both feet,” Robin remembers. “At that time for some reason, it seemed easier for me. I think a big part of it was because I had been around a real estate office for five years. I understood the relationships and helping people achieve what they’re looking for.” That part of it is a big part of Robin’s love for the work she does. “I love meeting people and developing relationships. The greatest reward is when your past clients come back to you,” she explains. “That’s the biggest compliment in the world when they have that confidence in you.” @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season and prosperous New Year!
Kim Odom
(251) 622-5004 kodom@showhomes.com
BEING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS PUTS THAT SMILE ON MY FACE.
Call today and let us help you get your listing to appeal to as many buyers as possible!
Follow Us On Robin also loves her Alabama surroundings. “Our location is amazing,” she smiles. “I work on the beach which is beautiful. I absolutely love being in this coastal environment.” CHERISHED TEAMWORK Another central part of her fulfillment in what she does is her team. “We’ve got a small group and have been together a really long time. We have seven agents including myself who are full-time agents,” Robin explains. “I really like the mix between selling myself and also working as a broker with my team members. I give a lot of my leads that I get through my social networking to my team members. I want them to be happy and to see the growth in what they’re doing.” The group forms a true cohesive team. “We work together so well. We have a meeting every day and we all talk and know what each other is doing. We’re constantly bouncing ideas and scenarios off each other,” she explains. “We resolve difficult situations and issues just through conversation and bouncing ideas off of each other. It’s such a team effort, so it’s fun to go to work. We really assist each other 24/7 to get things closed, so that all sides of 28 • December 2020
the transaction are pleased and happy and walk away with smiles on their face. We’re family.” Family is certainly at the center of Robin’s world, including Kelby, who is also a Broker with the team and who works with the rental side of the business, along with children Aaron, Jennifer and Matthew. Free time is also a definitely active pursuit. “We are big boaters and we have plans to take our boat back to Florida for the winter. We like spending time there and taking trips to Key West. We’ve been doing that for years,” Robin points out. During Hurricane Sally, Robin and Kelby were stuck aboard their boat when they moved it to Orange Beach, to be out of the direct line of the storm. “We were in the eyewall of the storm for four solid hours just riding it out,” she recalls.
MAKING THINGS BETTER Robin is also involved in the local community, adding a positive influence there, as well. She served on the Dauphin Island Property Owners Association Board of Directors for 15 years, as well as on the associations’ Architectural control committee for eight years. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Dauphin Foundation. Whether she’s supporting a team member, serving a client, or strengthening her community, Robin does it all with a warm smile that brightens the world for those around her. “It’s a wonderful feeling for me being around other people and helping them,” she says. “Being of service to others puts that smile on my face.” Robin Linn is a perfect example of the powerful impact of being a true, positive influence.
Home Staging | Restyle | Design www.showhomesmobilebaldwin.com Keeping paradise beautiful one project at a time.
Call us at 251-597-0589 for all of your condo and residential maintenance and repair needs.
Serving the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, & Ft. Morgan area. @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 29
FAQ
Coastal Stone & Cabinetry would like to wish you and your family a very
Merry Christmas!
ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE
We realize that Real Producers is a new concept here in the Mobile/Baldwin area, and some of you may be wondering what it’s all about. That is why we have created an “FAQs About This Magazine” page. Here we will answer the most commonly asked questions around the country regarding our program. My door is always open to discuss anything regarding this community – this publication is 100 percent designed to be your voice!
Visit our Showroom for
Q: Who receives this magazine? A: The top 300 agents in the Mobile and Baldwin
County markets. We pulled the MLS numbers (by volume) from January 1, 2018–December 31, 2018. We cut the list off at number 300, and the distribution was born. For this year’s list, the minimum production level for our group is on pace for $4.5 million in 2019. The list will reset at the end of 2020 for next year, and continue to update annually.
cabinetry flooring
Q: What is the process for being featured in this magazine? A: It’s really simple – every feature you see has
tile countertops and more!
Come by for a free estimate! Open Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm
first been nominated. You can nominate other REALTORS®, affiliates, brokers, owners, or even yourself! Office leaders can also nominate REALTORS®. We will consider anyone brought to our attention because we don’t know everyone’s story, so we need your help to learn about them. A nomination currently looks like this: You email us at robert.orso@realproducersmag.com with the subject line, “Nomination: (Name of Nominee),” and explain why you are nominating them to be featured. It could be they have an amazing story that needs to be told – perhaps they overcame extreme obstacles, they are an exceptional leader, have the best customer service, or they give back to the community in a big way. The next step is an interview with us to ensure it’s a good fit. If it all works out, then we put the wheels in motion for our writer to
conduct an interview and for our photographers to schedule a photoshoot. Q: What does it cost a REALTOR®/team to be featured? A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my
friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-toplay model. We share real stories of real producers. Q: Who are the preferred partners? A: Anyone listed as a “preferred partner” in the
front of the magazine is a part of this community. They will have an ad in every issue of the magazine, attend our quarterly events, and be a part of our online community. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One or many of you have recommended every single preferred partner you see in this publication. We won’t even meet with a business that has not been vetted by one of you and “stamped for approval,” in a sense. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best REALTORS® in the area but the best affiliates, as well, so we can grow stronger together. Q: How can I recommend a preferred partner? A: If you have a recommendation for a local busi-
ness that works with top REALTORS®, please let us know! Send an email to robert.orso@realproducersmag.com.
16020 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope | 251-929-3475 | www.coastalstonefairhope.com 30 • December 2020
@realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 31
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32 • December 2020
@realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 33
