COLORADO 10-23-23

COLORADO EDITION

Welcome Home: WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

CONCIERGE CARE:

Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation

4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent

INCORPORATING CHARITABLE GIVING

IN YOUR REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

FEATURED AGENTS

JOY WARDROUP LAURA CHITTICK

COVER STORY

HEATHER WHEELER

COLORADO EDITION

CHITTICK | WK REAL EST JOY LAURA WARDROUP

on Instagram, Joy Wardroup of In Denver, Colorado, a twist that began with a19 sim- robust digital footprint a vigilant co 7of fate 23 Facebook, and LinkedIn. combines her extensive knowledge as ple property hunt for her father, Laura in touch wit an interior designer with hometown Chittickfordiscovered her unforeseen pas- By braiding her virtual marketing herwith clients’ connections and a penchant powersionher and knack for real estate. Originally consistent interpersonal networking, Joy ful relationships to fuel blossoming a massage therapist, she unex- is able to react to shifting marketLaura’s trends ded real estate business.working “There’sasnothing and physical landscapes.

“I’ve worked better than getting a pectedly referral from somefound herself amidst property through in v everywhere in and around Denver,” one, and having that new person become listings and house tours, and impressed ticipated in she exudes. “The mountains, Boulder, one of my friends. I’m fortunate that I a broker with her sharp inquiries. “The food for th Colorado Springs – I don’t limit myself get to surround myself with people that broker that I would make a really if I don’t have to. But I live centrally works with I can serve, and help themtold stepusinto good agent,” Laura JOY explains.

With his near Union often Station now, and that’s beenrequi their dream home while making sound HEATHER WHEELER WARDROUP LAURA CHITTICK or two transiinvestments. I take aencouragement, lot of pride in what she decided to give it a a fun and sometimes challengingyear My son I do, and it shows!” try. She thought it might be a part-time tion coming in from the suburbs. cult to get a moved to Denver after he graduated from college, and gig—but was soon proven wrong. Over Laura expl Prior to formally entering real estate, Joy pursued a we love being able to enjoy the mountains and everytime, Laura’s thriving referral-based busithem every career in interior design before becoming a stay-at- thing Colorado has to offer while still being urbanites.” so work exponentially that she had to hang up her ate about getting peopl home mother. “I wasness doinggrew staging for different CONTENTS roles in teaching classes andshe’s massage therapy. her work, Laura has a When not growing her business or spending time REALTOR® friends of mine,” she recalls.exercise “After being the past 11 big years, Laura has with beenherserving alleverytime.

Whether it’s trave family, clients Joy seizes opportunity to enjoy a stay-at-home mom For and having some life changes, 4) INCORPORATING CHARITABLE 17) 4 WAYS MENTORING UP-ANDliveWeld, music and scene inwith her hometown.

I decided it would be get my license. onworthwhile her own, to focusing primarily the on thriving Boulder, her kids, “Red enjoying REAL ESTATE COMING EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU Rocks Amphitheater just fills my heart and soul.

There I’veGIVING found thatIN I’mYOUR able to help both sellers and buyLarimer counties, though occasionally branching out dogs—currently, a large is so much opportunity here to live a full life, and even ers:PRACTICE I can help people position their homes to get top A BETTER AGENT even further. ten puppies—she’s alwa dollar, or help buyers visualize the available oppor- more chances for me to continue growing as a person and REALTOR® – but I plan to stick with what’s tunities in a home and help them get settled. It’s an Laura’s unique background an me edge inHOME: the Her forstrong the future worked for so far, and focus onvision building ongoing ThisCARE: approach has helped Joy gives 13) relationship.”

CONCIERGE SERVICES 20)her WELCOME WORKING to slowly a book business that is nearly one an relationships.” realofestate industry.

She brings intense focus on her INand genuine care. She THATbuild LURE CLIENTS AND WITH RELOCATORS TRANSITION hundred percent repeat and referral clients. clients andREPUTATION the personal journeys they’re on. “I tend to plays in her clients’ live TRANSFORM YOUR

HEATHER WHEELER

be pretty hyper-focused on the people and the situation

icant chapters and trans

Today in 2023, Joy is an agent with milehimodern, they’re in, when they’re selling or buying a home,” she growth on the horizon, where her support staff of a marketing team, brokers shares. just about houses for Laura, but underteam setup, she emphas and listing specialists helps It’s her not maintain an annual standing the deeper ness must remain the s volume that310-734-1440 averages $10 million.

“I am stories an inde-and reasons behind a sale Phone | Fax 310-734-1440 pendent agent, but Ior certainly don’t This work alone,” she approach, combined with purchase. personal to always approach eac mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com reflects.

“We have a her big team that supports our agents ability to make people feel at ease, has cultivated ensuring every client fee andNomake sure every step of the process is as smooth portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent immense trust. “I allow people to be vulnerable,” she Magazine isIpublished

by Feature GA, Inc. Although as possible. get to spend my Publications time and energy help- precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published says, “and tell me a lot about what’s really going Top Agent Magazine cannotthey be held responsible ingmaterials, people and building relationships – I’m a nativefor ofopinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. on.”

It’ssend thiswhole emotional and genuine care for Colorado and I’ve been here my life, andintimacy that For more information about Joy Wardroup, Published in the U.S. herand clients’ well-being helps to connect people solve problems whenthat theyresults in over 95% of her please call 303-906-5650 come up.” In additionbusiness to leveraging the myriad of tools and referrals. She emphacoming from repeats or email jwardroup@milehimodern.com available at milehimodern, Joyjust regularly a sizes, “I really cultivates love my clients.”

2

Top Agent Magazine Copyright Top Agent Magazine When it comes to marketing her listings, Laura believes

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

3

Incorporating Charitable Giving in Your Real Estate Practice

As real estate professionals, taking part in the community and serving others is central to a long-lasting practice. After all, agents are in the business of homeownership, building a financial future, and helping their clients begin new and fruitful chapters. With that in 4

mind, how might an agent deliver that spirit of service in a broader sphere?

The truth is, charitable giving offers nothing but upsides. Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Contributing to a worthy cause is a noble and meaningful endeavor, but it also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network.

also presents positive byproducts for the giver: tax write-offs, name recognition in the community, and the ability to expand your network. If charitable giving is an idea you’ve toyed with, or a practice you’ve engaged in only now and again, here are a few ways to make it a foundational element of your business and a win-win for all.

Find causes that speak to you.

Donating funds or resources can feel anonymous if you’re divorced from the organization you’re working with. While national and international charitable organizations are certainly effective and worthwhile, you might consider partnering with local chapters of those organizations, or identifying hyper-local organizations that address need in your state, county, town, or even your own neighborhood. The first step to establishing a charitable relationship is to find a cause that you genuinely care about. For many, animal rescue is a tangible cause where resources and volunteership are always welcome. For others, children’s health and advocacy is a calling. Regardless Top Agent Magazine

of your personal passion, participation can be big or small. From sponsoring a local youth sports league to partnering with an area animal shelter for their annual spay-athon event—there are all sorts of ways to make a difference.

Unite your team for the common good.

One way to make charitable giving a staple is to do it in arm and arm with others. Supporting a local cause is a great way to bring your team together in a unifying capacity. Hosting coat drives in winter, blanket drives for local animal shelters, or backpack drives for needy students at the start of the new school year— all are straightforward and highly useful, direct ways to give to your community as a team. It’s also important to set collective goals as a way of keeping people motivated and accountable over time. Offices are productive, but often hectic spaces.

Injecting a collective goal with a positive, tangible result can create an ambiance of goodwill and generosity—both of which are worthwhile attributes to cultivate as

Top Agent Magazine ®

5

the leader of your team. Lastly, consider timely giving as a way of connecting your team to their community. Natural disasters, local fundraising drives, and improvement funds are all direct ways your team can contribute, while they themselves reap the benefit in the community.

Include clients in the process.

You’ve likely heard of charitable donations made in the name of your client as an alternative to the classic closing gift, but there are a few ways you might update this method of giving. For starters, consider including your clients in the selection process. Do they have a special cause that’s close to their hearts? Likewise, you might

6

consider making regular, consistent giving a part of your routine post-closing. Instead of following up with your yearly poinsettia plant or pumpkin, you might find a cause in their neighborhood or township that you can support in their name. It’s wise to choose something apolitical, but a cause that’s hyperlocal to their area demonstrates unique thoughtfulness.

There are plenty of ways in which society as a whole can benefit from charitable causes that build goodwill in the world, support those less fortunate, and bolster a positive future. Incorporating charitable giving in your business model is a generous way to make this mentality a central tenet of your team and a defining characteristic for your clients to remember.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

HEATHER WHEELER

7

A ten year Army veteran, Top Agent Heather Wheeler of Colorado Springs, assists buyers, sellers and investors on the stretch along I-25; mostly Denver, the Pueblo area, and Colorado Springs.

Heather Wheeler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, combines the dedication and drive of a ten year Army veteran with empathy and maternal grace to fuel her blossoming real estate business. “Even when I help civilians, my clients appreciate how direct and transparent I am when I do business. I’m very clear with them every step of the way, 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

and I try to anticipate what kinds of questions they might ask. It’s important for them to know I’ve got their back – before, during, and even after the transaction.”

While active duty at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Heather began exploring potential careers as her service came to a close. “I was Top Agent Magazine

just about to finish ten years,” she recalls, “and I was kind of looking for a change. My husband owns his own residential remodeling company, and we started talking about different ways we could combine forces to support each other’s careers.” She decided to leverage her private experiences as a transitioning veteran who purchased several homes with VA loans, and the VeteranWide Home Team was born.

Two and a half years later, Heather has managed to maintain a consistent upward trajectory (growing from ten transactions in her first seven months to over twenty-five

Top Agent Magazine

in the past seven months) by prioritizing the well-being of her fellow service members.

She is an active community ambassador with Mt. Carmel Veteran Service Center, regularly supports Springs Rescue Mission of Colorado Springs, and is currently serving as the Vice President for Young Professionals at AUSA (Association of United States Army). “My early success has helped me give back to my community,” she exudes.

“I wouldn’t be here without my clients, and I take that very seriously.”

In addition to celebrating her brothers and sisters in arms, Heather is actively

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 9

She is an active community ambassador with Mt. Carmel Veteran Service Center, regularly supports Springs Rescue Mission of Colorado Springs, and is currently serving as the Vice President for Young Professionals at AUSA (Association of United States Army). mentoring several agents to support her burgeoning real estate enterprise. “I have one additional agent, and another who is finishing their training. I’m excited to continue spreading our impact – right now we focus on the stretch along I-25; mostly Denver, the Pueblo area, and Colorado Springs, but the opportunities are endless. I want to 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

keep my team small but mighty – to make sure my clients are getting the best possible experience, and that I can keep that personal connection.”

As her business expands, Heather plans to increase her digital footprint while continuing to celebrate and support her team Top Agent Magazine

members. “I’m loud and proud about what I do, and I like being able to do that for other people. I want to be able to make sure I’m taking care of those who are taking care of me and my clients, and as long as we keep the emphasis on those communities, we’ll keep heading in a positive direction.”

Heather plans to spend the rest of 2023 balancing the endless demands of motherhood with her steadily rising virtual presence, her dedicated support of her husband and his remodeling company, and her undying passion for country music, true crime television, and the Michigan Wolverines!

I’m loud and proud about what I do, and I like being able to do that for other people. I want to be able to make sure I’m taking care of those who are taking care of me and my clients, and as long as we keep the emphasis on those communities, we’ll keep heading in a positive direction.”

Top Agent Magazine

Copyright Top Agent Magazine11

For more about Heather Wheeler, please call 719-244-7262, http://facebook.com/veteranwidehometeam email heatherwheelerhomes@gmail.com, or visit her Facebook

12Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Concierge Care: Services that Lure Clients and Transform Your Reputation It’s a no-brainer: customer service is central to success in the real estate industry. While properties may be the product, this industry really revolves around people and the relationships you cultivate along the way. With that in mind, how would you describe the service you provide? If solid service is the baseline, then to set yourself apart you must deliver service that’s exceptional. But, how? Returning calls and displaying a friendly face won’t necessarily separate you from the pack. If you really want to take your customer service to the next level and build a reputation for white-glove, concierge-level courtesy, then keep a few of the following tips in mind as you create a professional style that’s completely bespoke.

Top Agent Magazine

Make your communications matter For many agents, communication during and after a transaction are perfunctory affairs, with one-sizefits-all newsletters or promotional postcards that feel mass-produced. To really grab the attention of your clientele, you’ll want to build a recognizable brand. To accomplish this, begin by adding value to your regular communications. Clients are likely to bypass your communications if they think your only intent is to sell them something. Focus instead on creating content that’s compelling and dishes out value to your clientele. Just like a favorite blog you revisit again and again for its quality content, con-

Top Agent Magazine ®

13

sider your communications as an extension of your brand and identity. A few popular ideas from which clients can derive value include: local restaurant guides, tax tips for homeowners, reports on home values and the marketplace, or highlighting home décor and landscaping trends. Make your communications readable and useful, and your clients past and present will think twice before skipping past your name.

Showcase the lifestyle Clients remember when you go the extra mile, and that additional effort distinguishes run-of-the-mill agents from high-powered professionals. Whether listing or buying, consider a property’s lifestyle.

First, think about a client’s everyday experience.

Where’s the best breakfast spot nearby? How’s access to public transportation or bike paths? Which outdoor recreational opportunities exist in the area?

Where might your client swing by for coffee?

Neighborhood guides that outline the livability of a home and its area not only boost value and highlight potential, but they also demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and connect on a personal level. After all, a home isn’t just a house; a home is all about the daily experience that unfolds within and beyond those four walls. With that in mind, do your homework and make yourself a local expert.

Your clients will feel they’re in good hands and will better envision their future unfolding, all thanks to your thorough legwork.

Customize your approach to clients As an agent, it’s only natural that you build your own daily routines and practices that keep your business running. While it’s necessary to create positive habitats that streamline your workflow, it’s also important to remain adaptable. For instance, Millennial clients may prefer to chat by text, instant 14

message, or email, whereas older clientele may prefer face-to-face time or connecting by phone call.

Adapting your communication style is as simple as a brief discussion: ask your client how they prefer to communicate and adapt accordingly. While it may seem like a small matter, it provides clients with a sense of comfort and control. Again, the key here is communication. Talk with your clients about their preferred methodology. Maybe they prefer a marathon house-hunting trek on a weekend day, or perhaps they rather sift through listings online before making in-person visits to a narrowed list. It’s okay to encourage clients or fill them in on industry norms, but it’s important to create an experience that’s tailored to their style and personality.

Authentically seek feedback While it may feel uncomfortable, asking for feedback during and at the end of a transaction can dramatically improve your working style and professional blind-spots. It can also help you adapt your working style to better suit your respective clients.

Of course, it’s important to be open-minded and to quash the need to be defensive. Not all feedback will be useful, but you can incorporate the parts that are. This not only grows your skillset, but it also demonstrates to clients that you are open to constructive criticism and sincerely prioritize a job well done over personal praise. As a bonus, positive feedback can be parlayed into client testimonials, which are incredibly useful tools to boost your business on the whole.

It’s no secret that real estate is a busy, self-determined business. While your client care may feel all accounted for, there is always room to grow. Professionals at the top of their field know this and never stop building out their repertoire. If you want to take your business to the next level and create an imprint that’s synonymous with concierge care, then keep these ideas in mind as you build your relationships and your brand.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

15

Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com

grahamharrop.com 16

Top Agent Magazine

4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent In the world of real estate, there are always new agents joining the ranks. Even if you’ve been practicing for just a few short years, you’ve likely learned your fair share of lesson along the way. As an agent, much of your working philosophy is derived from first-hand experience and your work on the ground. This means that new agents are less prepared for the inevitable curveballs of the industry. That’s where you come in.

While mentorship is often pitched as a relationship that solely benefits the mentee, there is actually plenty to be gained from becoming a mentor. After all, personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth, and becoming a mentor asks agents to thoughtTop Agent Magazine

fully explore and demonstrate their own ideologies, practices, and rationale. With that in mind, take a look at some of the benefits of mentorship below, and you’ll get a sense of why counseling new agents can be a boon to your own business.

Teaching lessons to others reinforces your own professional values.

Showing the ropes to young agents is a great way to brush-up on your foundational skills.

Verbalizing and demonstrating processes, or walking through the rationale behind negotiation tactics—all cause mentors to think through their established practices and outline in detail why they’ve chosen this route over an

Top Agent Magazine

17

alternative. This helps older agents fine-tune their routines, while getting back in touch with the critical thinking that went into constructing those habits.

Mentorships allows you to see the big picture.

surely sharpen your ability as the head of a team. What’s more, you’ll be building skills of empathy, understanding, teaching, and constructive criticism. Working on those skills will better your practice and your ability to lead in your office.

After a lengthy industry tenure, it’s not uncommon for battle-worn agents to lose some steam and begin to burn out. By devoting some time to mentoring up-and-coming agents, you’ll get back in touch with your early days, remembering the excitement, the trials, and the hard lessons gleaned. Spending time with the next generation of real estate professionals can reinvigorate your practice, as seeing the business from the eyes of an eager amateur can inject energy into your working life.

You’ll benefit from seeing things from a new perspective.

Just as working with young agents can help you remember your career’s big picture, you may also benefit from working alongside someone with a new perspective. Young agents bring a different set of skills and awareness to their work, and established agents can benefit from a fresh take. If technology isn’t your strong suit, or you’re interested in tapping the Millennial homebuyer market, working with a younger agent is an excellent way to see through fresh eyes.

Mentoring young agents makes you a better leader.

As a mentor, you’ll often direct the flow of your professional relationship—figuring out which issues to tackle, making an agenda, and imparting lessons in a clear way. These are all characteristics of a leader, and acting in a position of authority as mentor can 18

While some may balk at the time commitment or energy required to take on a mentee or two, you might consider it an act of ongoing education or professional development. While your mentee will undoubtedly benefit from access to your expertise, there’s certainly much to be gained from taking the time to cultivate tomorrow’s real estate leaders.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

JOY WARDROUP Joy Wardroup of Denver, Colorado, combines her extensive knowledge as an interior designer with hometown connections and a penchant for powerful relationships to fuel her blossoming real estate business. “There’s nothing better than getting a referral from someone, and having that new person become one of my friends. I’m fortunate that I get to surround myself with people that I can serve, and help them step into their dream home while making sound investments. I take a lot of pride in what I do, and it shows!”

Prior to formally entering real estate, Joy pursued a career in interior design before becoming a stay-athome mother. “I was doing staging work for different REALTOR® friends of mine,” she recalls. “After being a stay-at-home mom and having some big life changes, I decided it would be worthwhile to get my license.

I’ve found that I’m able to help both sellers and buyers: I can help people position their homes to get top dollar, or help buyers visualize the available opportunities in a home and help them get settled. It’s an ongoing relationship.” This approach has helped Joy to slowly build a book of business that is nearly one hundred percent repeat and referral clients.

Today in 2023, Joy is an agent with milehimodern, where her support staff of a marketing team, brokers and listing specialists helps her maintain an annual volume that averages $10 million. “I am an independent agent, but I certainly don’t work alone,” she reflects. “We have a big team that supports our agents and make sure every step of the process is as smooth as possible. I get to spend my time and energy helping people and building relationships – I’m a native of Colorado and I’ve been here my whole life, and that helps to connect people and solve problems when they come up.” In addition to leveraging the myriad of tools available at milehimodern, Joy regularly cultivates a Top Agent Magazine

robust digital footprint on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. By braiding her virtual marketing with consistent interpersonal networking, Joy is able to react to shifting market trends and physical landscapes. “I’ve worked everywhere in and around Denver,” she exudes. “The mountains, Boulder, Colorado Springs – I don’t limit myself if I don’t have to. But I live centrally near Union Station now, and that’s been a fun and sometimes challenging transition coming in from the suburbs. My son moved to Denver after he graduated from college, and we love being able to enjoy the mountains and everything Colorado has to offer while still being urbanites.”

When she’s not growing her business or spending time with her family, Joy seizes every opportunity to enjoy the thriving live music scene in her hometown. “Red Rocks Amphitheater just fills my heart and soul. There is so much opportunity here to live a full life, and even more chances for me to continue growing as a person and REALTOR® – but I plan to stick with what’s worked for me so far, and focus on building strong relationships.”

For more information about Joy Wardroup, please call 303-906-5650 or email jwardroup@milehimodern.com 19 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Welcome Home:

Working with Relocators in Transition People stage moves for all sorts of reasons.

From the joyous and pre-planned, to the unfortunate and unexpected, new chapters begin with the help of an agent. When you’re working with buyers from a different region, state, or country, the typical complications of a transaction can be compounded. So, what’s a savvy agent to do?

For starters, envision the big picture. Relocators have extra obstacles between them and 20

their dream home. They don’t necessarily know which neighborhoods are ideal for their lifestyle, what they should budget for utilities, what type of homeowner’s insurance is ideal, or how they can tour, let alone close, on a house from afar. All in all, it’s a tall order, but if you can manage a relocation transaction successfully, you could tap into a sizable pool of clientele. Think of it this way: if you’re the shining star of a relocator’s moving process, their word-of-mouth praise could be

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

exponential. Likewise, a winning reputation within that client’s corporate sphere could lead to lucrative, stable referrals and partnerships for years to come. Here are a few key ways to help clients navigate the relocation process with minimal stress and maximum results.

Create a full-scale timeline for you and your client that makes expectations clear.

Moving is already one of life’s biggest stressors, but relocations have a dozen more moving parts that your average deal. Consider creating a master-plan of sorts to help you and your client visualize the steps required to achieve success in the midst of a relocation.

Even from afar, your client will be able to refer to the roadmap you’ve set. Likewise, this makes sure you and your client are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and checklists. Assemble an articulated, overarching gameplan also helps demystify the process and lower stress. Instead of clients wondering what’s next, what’s needed, who to call, and when to be ready—handy guidelines of your own devising will be at their fingertips.

Top Agent Magazine

Attune your communication style so that nothing goes overlooked or miscommunicated.

Establish early on how your client prefers to communicate and which methods should be excluded. Also, make sure to outline what timeframes are ideal to communicate in, and how often they expect to hear from you with status updates or follow-ups. Some clients might prefer a more hands-off approach that lets you manage most details behind the scenes with updates only when progress is made. Most clients in the midst of a serious relocation, however, will prefer to be in touch more frequently. Customizing is key. If they prefer text messages and emails over calls, that’s a helpful detail to know from the outset. If they prefer face-to-face video chats or can only speak after business hours—those are also key parameters to work within. The less mystery and hassle, the better.

Be a local resource with vetted recommendations and vendors on-hand.

Relocating homeowners may not know the best neighborhoods and their amenities, or where the best school districts are, which areas are high-traffic, or where their dollar might stretch a little further. Identifying your clients’ goals can help narrow this field, but you’ll also want to be careful not to overwhelm them with information. After all, they’re taking on a huge life transition and making a move as an outsider. You’ll want to serve as a onestop-shop who can remove some steps and stress from their organizational obligations.

Have a contractor who can get a head-start on home projects while clients make the move?

Top Agent Magazine ®

21

Excellent. Or, perhaps you can provide an out-of-state agent referral so that clients can sell their existing property in a timeline that works in conjunction with their new purchase. Make yourself a community expert and a connector, and you’ve won a client— and their referrals—for much longer than a single transaction.

Think outside the box when weighing variables.

Relocations aren’t your typical transaction.

You’ll need to do a bit more planning to avoid pitfalls along the way. For instance, have you considered how you’ll tour homes with clients if they live hundreds of miles away?

Are there time zone differences to factor in?

22

If clients are relocating from another country, are there any special visa or naturalization considerations? How will their belongings travel? Are there pets to relocate? There are plenty of questions to ask and plan for, but the key is to be communicative and thorough up front. The more information and planning time you have, the smoother the transition will go.

There are certified real estate agent designations you can pursue that set you apart for your experience when it comes to relocations, but in lieu of those—arm yourself with the planning details and methods that will make your client a raving fan. In the process, you’ll up your game, create a happy client, and hopefully field similar business for years to come.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

LAURA CHITTICK | WK REAL ESTATE In a twist of fate that began with a simple property hunt for her father, Laura Chittick discovered her unforeseen passion and knack for real estate. Originally working as a massage therapist, she unexpectedly found herself amidst property listings and house tours, and impressed a broker with her sharp inquiries. “The broker told us that I would make a really good agent,” Laura explains. With his encouragement, she decided to give it a try. She thought it might be a part-time gig—but was soon proven wrong. Over time, Laura’s thriving referral-based business grew so exponentially that she had to hang up her roles in teaching exercise classes and massage therapy.

For the past 11 years, Laura has been serving clients all on her own, focusing primarily on Boulder, Weld, and Larimer counties, though occasionally branching out even further.

Laura’s unique background gives her an edge in the real estate industry. She brings an intense focus on her clients and the personal journeys they’re on. “I tend to be pretty hyper-focused on the people and the situation they’re in, when they’re selling or buying a home,” she shares. It’s not just about houses for Laura, but understanding the deeper stories and reasons behind a sale or purchase. This personal approach, combined with her ability to make people feel at ease, has cultivated immense trust. “I allow people to be vulnerable,” she says, “and they tell me a lot about what’s really going on.” It’s this emotional intimacy and genuine care for her clients’ well-being that results in over 95% of her business coming from repeats and referrals. She emphasizes, “I just really love my clients.”

When it comes to marketing her listings, Laura believes in a mix of traditional and digital strategies. “I do a lot of social media advertising,” she explains. “I advertise in the paper, send emails out to other brokers in the area, and I’ll host open houses.” But it’s Laura’s communication skills that seal the deal. She prides herself on being Top Agent Magazine

a vigilant communicator, ensuring she stays in touch with interested parties and keeping her clients’ desires at the forefront.

Laura’s dedication to her community shines through in various ways. Recently, she participated in a kickball tournament to raise food for the local food bank. Laura also works with affordable housing buyers. “It often requires working with a client for a year or two, as affordable housing is difficult to get and is based on a lottery system,” Laura explains. “But I always work with them every year, because I feel so passionate about getting people into stable housing.” Beyond her work, Laura has a zest for life and enjoys family time. Whether it’s traveling to places like Costa Rica with her kids, enjoying a good read, or tending to her dogs—currently, a large brood including a mother and ten puppies—she’s always seeking joy and adventure.

Her vision for the future is centered on deep connections and genuine care. She loves the meaningful roles she plays in her clients’ lives, guiding them through significant chapters and transitions. While she sees potential growth on the horizon, possibly evolving into a small team setup, she emphasizes that the heart of her business must remain the same. Laura’s primary desire is to always approach each transaction with compassion, ensuring every client feels seen and supported.

For more about Laura Chittick, please call 303-332-4118 or email laura@laurachittick.com 23 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine