Top Agent Magazine Chicago

NADINE

Laughs!

10 WAYS TO BECOME A CELEBRITY REALTOR ® ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Establishing yourself as a well-known REALTOR® on social media requires developing a solid personal brand, producing captivating content, and engaging with your audience. Here are some steps to help you achieve that:

1. Produce Regular Content

Create a content plan that matches your brand and appeals to your target audience. Share a mix of professional real estate content, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your life, and engaging personal content. To keep it interesting, use a variety of content types, including photos, videos, and written posts.

2. Use Creativity in Marketing Your Listings

Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your properties. Incorporate storytelling techniques to make your property listings more engaging. Highlight unique features and selling points of each property.

3. Set Your Brand

Determine what makes you stand out from other REALTORS®. Discover your selling points and unique traits. Create a brand that reflects your personality, expertise, and values, and give it a name that is memorable and aligns with who you are.

4. Enhance Your Profiles

Make sure you’re using high-quality, high definition profile photos. Write a bio that highlights your real estate experience, areas of expertise, and any unique qualities that make you stand out. Include contact information and links to your website or other relevant platforms.

5. Connect With Your Peers

Collaborate with other influencers or professionals in the real estate industry. Attend local events and network with other professionals in your community. Cross-promote with other REALTORS® or businesses in related industries.

6. Communicate With Your Audience

Respond promptly to comments and messages. Ask questions and encourage interaction in your posts. Host live Q&A sessions or virtual tours to engage with your audience in real-time.

7. Provide Information and Value

Share educational content about the real estate market, home buying/selling tips, and industry trends. Position yourself as a knowledgeable expert in your field by providing valuable information.

8. Use and Create Hashtags

Research and use relevant real estate hashtags to increase the discoverability of your posts. Create a branded hashtag to encourage your audience to share their experiences with your services.

9. Stick to a Regular Posting Schedule

Establish a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Use analytics tools to determine the best times to post for maximum visibility.

10. Be Yourself

Showcase your personality and be authentic in your posts. Share your successes, challenges, and personal experiences to connect on a deeper level with your audience.

Remember, building a celebrity presence on social media takes time and dedication. Stay true to your brand, be patient, and adapt your strategy based on what resonates with your audience.

Reconsider Referral-Only When Planning for the Future

A 100% referral rate is a testament of client happiness. But even a 30% referral rate is proof of client satisfaction. It’s all relative, say some agents. One number pays tribute to past success, which is certainly a story worth telling. But the other might better predict the future. Many agents plan for the idea that

working only on referral may not be sufficient during slower times of the year, in a down market, or when an agent needs to expanding into a new sector.

Unless you are clairvoyant enough to flawlessly predict every market change or every

Many agents plan for the idea that working only on referral may not be sufficient during slower times of the year, in a down market, or when an agent needs to expanding into a new sector.

life change that your clients and referral partners may experience, it’s wise to maintain an active marketing presence. The reasons vary, however, depending on the goals and trajectory of each individual’s business.

If long-term success, a growing team, a legacy or expansion into new areas are not priorities, then working a sphere of influence may be enough for some agents, especially those who may be in the industry mostly for the love of the business. But for a majority of agents, no matter how much they love their work, their real estate and mortgage businesses are careers, first and foremost.

Let’s start with the team-builders and mentors. Agents and brokers who are building teams are wise to invest in business marketing, advertising and community outreach. Ty Hutchins, who owns and operates Ty & Company Real Estate in Colorado’s Front Range, says that, while she could personally live off referrals alone, her goal is to build up her agents. “I do the marketing piece for my team, so I can help them succeed,” she says. That marketing includes running commercials on TV and in movies theatres, as well as lead generation that identifies potential buyers, sellers and

investors between the Colorado Springs and Denver markets. Her team’s goal, she adds, is to promote their reputation of being honest, hardworking professionals with the reach of a major brand but the personalized approach of a boutique.

Then there are the growers. Khrista Jarvis and Nicole Jung of The Khrista Jarvis Team in the San Francisco Bay Area, are on a considerable growth track. “We’re the #1 team in our area and the top team in Compass Real Estate nationally,” explains Khrista. While high marks for service on behalf of their clients have led them to these heights, they know that they must continue to evolve and market their brand. “We do a good deal of social media marketing for our listings and for our business,” she says. Their names, therefore, are frequently linked to sentiments of trust, dependability and market knowledge, both in their marketing and in their reviews.

Next, there are those who weathered the worst of times. Susan Roche entered real estate sales in 2003, following several years of property management in North Carolina. The key to her sustained triumphs through major market swings lies in her long-range planning. “If the market starts to dip or fall,

I have safety nets in place,” says Susan Roche, team leader of Simply Real Estate, based in Charlotte. “When it’s a seller’s market, I still plan for a buyer’s market and when it’s a buyer’s market I plan for a seller’s market..” In other words, no matter how comfortable her existing work may feel, she networks consistently. She also employs a full-time marketing director who leads several projects including ongoing research, events and social media exposure in addition to listings marketing. By staying ahead of market changes, Susan knows she can unfailingly represent her clients’ best interests while still maintaining a safety net for her business.

Even professionals with more than three decades’ experience and deep referral networks know the importance of business

marketing. Cathy Richards, co-owner with Nancy Dalaska of Epic-Wasatch Homes in Park City, UT, entered real estate in 1987 and still draws at least a fifth of her business from lead generation, social media marketing and community outreach. Her business partner, Nancy, adds that real estate is about much more than their own business. “We love collaborating and brainstorming with other agents to help them prosper,” says Nancy. “We believe the healthier the market, the better we all are.”

Regardless of market conditions, even the best reputation can’t guarantee long-term success. To sustain and grow, it’s wise to feed your business by increasing exposure, remaining flexible and maintaining systems for customer service, networking, research, marketing and lead-generation.

NADINE L. FERRATA

Nadine Ferrata of Chicago, is the Principal Broker of the NL Ferrata team, which averages between $30 and $40 million in annual volume, bolstered by Nadine’s private book of business, which is eighty percent repeat and referral clientele.

Nadine Ferrata of Chicago, Illinois, combines her background in corporate sales with a penchant for candor and transparency to fuel her thriving real estate business. “Even though I’ve been doing this for a long time, I’m still competitive – not with other agents, but with myself. I just like getting deals done, and I want to know that I got it done faster and at a better price than anybody else expects. We’re very good at jumping in proactively, and we’re involved in our listings way ahead of time – that’s what brings people back.”

After spending a number of years in a sales position in corporate America, Nadine decided it was time to shake things up. “I wanted to control my own destiny,” she recalls. “I had gotten pretty weary of being on a plane every week, and I wanted to bring some creativity back into my life and profession. I quit on a Friday in July of

1997, and the following Monday I was in real estate classes. I didn’t have an exit strategy, so I just told myself it had to work. And here I am!” Nadine strategically launched her enterprise by working with development projects, helping to list individual

townhouses and units south of the river in downtown Chicago.

Today in 2024, Nadine is the Principal Broker of the NL Ferrata team, which averages between $30 and $40 million in annual

The NL Ferrata team showcases their craftsmanship by using professional photography to share on social media platforms, the MLS, and every virtual avenue available to Compass.

volume, bolstered by Nadine’s private book of business, which is eighty percent repeat and referral clientele. “We lean heavily into our design and rehabilitation expertise,” she exudes. “If you can show a buyer the kind of work you’ve done in the past, and help them envision the possibilities for their future home, they will stick with you. We can do all of that with my in-house crew, and sellers love that we

can take the stress away from listing their home.” The NL Ferrata team showcases their craftsmanship by using professional photography to share on social media platforms, the MLS, and every virtual avenue available to Compass.

In addition to their robust digital footprint, Nadine and her team go to great lengths to impact their local community every chance

they get. “I’m super involved in the neighborhood – we do an annual pumpkin fest for everyone to attend, and we’re having an Easter egg hunt this weekend in the adjacent parks. This central pocket is always surrounded by people, and I can’t walk down the street without someone flagging me down to chat.” This collectivist approach to marketing and organic community building has the NL Ferrata Team poised to continue their steady trajectory as they embrace greater swathes of Chicago.

With the recent merger completed, Nadine and her team are excited to rely on collaborative resources to facilitate local expertise. “With growth comes more work, but we can share some of the marketing burden and help each other focus on their specific neighborhoods. Now we can reach more people and elevate our level of customer service – it’s effort, but it’s not rocket science. We live and breathe the work that we do, and we’re always available for the client no matter what the schedule looks like!”

3 Beyond-the-Office Activities to Inspire a Creative Business Boom

Maintaining motivation year-round is a challenge, especially for those who are several years into a demanding real estate career. It’s easy to burn out, get stuck in a rut, or cycle blindly through a well-worn routine. But those that leave an impact on their industry understand that creativity holds the key to innovation and longevity. To stay ahead of

the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle. But where to begin?

To invite change, you’ve got to look outside the box—or in this case, beyond the office. If you’re in need of a professional creative make-

To stay ahead of the curve and build your brand, you’ve got to take the time to breathe new life into your practice and see things from a new angle.

over, or at least want to experience a burst of inventive energy, consider some of the activities below. You may just shake up your routine, bend your brain in new ways, and inject some inspiration into your professional path.

Expand your mind through

meditation.

You’ve likely heard all about the supposed powers of meditation, and perhaps you’ve long considered it an over-hyped New Age invention. But did you know that some of the foremost entrepreneurs of our era practice this cost-free, mentally restorative routine? From Oprah Winfrey to Steve Jobs, practitioners of meditation cite its stress-relieving principles, in addition to improvements in concentration, energy, self-awareness, and overall health.

Even mainstream medicine is beginning to understand the preventative and restorative health benefits that meditation affords. As professional fields go, the mortgage and real estate industries require their fair share of emotional labor—you’re tasked with guiding clients through the investment of a lifetime. Meditation promotes peace and perspective, while reducing stress, adding a new level of self-awareness, and helping you mentally declutter. When it comes down to it, it only makes sense that taking time to go quiet and center your mind helps professionals find wherewithal amidst a hectic industry. Next time you’re feeling drained, out of ideas, or at your wit’s end—consider just fifteen minutes of meditation to get you started. Like most things, it takes some practice. But, if you commit the time, you’ll be thanking yourself later.

Learn something new.

If you’re facing burnout, then adding a new responsibility to your plate may seem like the least appetizing self-help solution there is. However, learning a new skill can reinvigorate your understanding of familiar tasks and dilemmas. Plus, learning a new skill doesn’t have to mean formal classes or time-draining homework. Select something that can even kill two birds with one stone. Want to let off some steam, too? Try a kickboxing class that meets just once-a-week. You’ll have something new to look forward to, meet new people, challenge yourself, and earn some feel-good endorphins,

too. Want to cut loose and have some fun? Join a board game meet-up group, take a cooking class, or try rock-climbing for the first time. A stimulating new activity will light up long-dormant parts of your brain, and your clients and colleagues will surely notice the influx of energy to your outlook. Still don’t think you have enough time to add something new to the mix? Blend your morning commute with an audio language learning service. The point is to shake-up your habits and introduce a new challenge that’s unrelated to work. Doing so can make you look at things in a new light and boost your mood along the way.

5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals

If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success. Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and con-

sideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC

Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific

Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals.

goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE

Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one. Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING

Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially

important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways. Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE

This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know. Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO

You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it. Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation. Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

Top Agent Tips and Questions for Choosing Your Listing Agent

Now that you’ve decided to sell, it’s time to select the professional to help you market your property. Before meeting with agents, however, consider Top Agent Magazine’s tips for preparing yourself. Frist, ask yourself what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your listing agent. Are you seeking a casual, personable relationship and the latest marketing tools or are you interested in a more formal, traditional relationship and approach to marketing techniques? Next, populate your list of agents by attending open houses and asking for recommendations from recent buyers and sellers. Finally, schedule your meetings at your home, where you’ll be able to gauge the chemistry between you and each agent.

During your meetings, expect any Top Agent to ask you several questions, but also consider discussing the following:

Will you please describe your sales experience and local network? Ask your Top Agent to describe recent listings and sales of homes comparable to your own. Ask about the sellers’ priorities, the original list price, market time and number of offers. Top Agents will also describe how well they are connected with other REALTORS® in the region as well as their contacts with relocation companies, local corporations and chambers of commerce. Be sure to ask about each agent’s knowledge of how your market has changed over time and what has influenced change.

You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions.

How will you market the property? Each Top Agent has a unique set of online or local marketing tools at his or her disposal. Some use lead-generation applications and nearly ever luxury agent take advantage of video. Even video marketing tools vary from agent-to-agent, however. You’ll get to decide if you prefer an agent with higher-end video production and 3D Matterport tours or an agent with more intimate techniques featuring walk-and-talk style video tours.

What factors influence your list-price recommendation? Before answering this question, most Top Agents will have several questions for you, including whether you’re more focused on a faster sale or a higher list price. They’ll also educate you on how best to balance both market time and list price relative to sales histories your area.

Now that you’ve seen the home, what repairs or improvements do you recommend before listing? You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions on your home’s sale potential with or without some improvements. Most Top Agents will also recommend a full professional inspection prior to listing to avoid surprises during buyer inspection.

How will you help with staging? Some Top Agents will pay for part or all of the staging costs. At a minimum, however, a Top Agent will have a staging professional or two in their partner network. While they’re at it, they may provide referrals for carpet cleaning, painting, gardening and other minor finishing touches.

What attributes of the property will you want to highlight? Each Top Agent will have a somewhat different answer to this question, but that’s a good thing! Even if you have your own ideas about your home’s greatest attributes, you’ll glean insight into the current market by considering different agents’ opinions. In learning their views, you may even change your mind about your home’s most marketable features!

What is your approach to Open Houses? How many agent-only Open Houses will your Top Agent want to host? How many truly Open Houses? Some Top Agents may even reveal a “swankier” approach to the Open House – such as an evening cocktail party or by-invitation “open” hours to which buyers visit along with the agent representing them.

Who will be our primary point(s) of contact from your office? This important question will help you understand the scope of your agent’s practice. You’ll get to see if your agent runs a robust team with many hands on deck or if he or she works by close, one-on-one contact with each client. Either approach is wonderful; you get to decide what suits you.

Now, let’s list!