NEW ENGLAND 12-12-22

NEW ENGLAND EDITION

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TIPS TO MAKE NEW HIRES

A LONGLASTING SUCCESS FEATURED AGENTS

AMANDA FARONI-SHEEHAN JENI DEPIETRO NORMAN & AMANDA O'GRADY

HOW TO BUILD A TEAM THAT WILL WIN BIG NO MATTER ITS SIZE DAILY HABITS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH TURN OPEN HOUSES INTO DESTINATIONS

COVER STORY

JOHN PAPP

NEW ENGLAND EDITION

JENI DEPIETRO NORMAN & AMANDA O'G

“Treat others how you want to be treated, ollege, Jeni DePietro house that we21fell inm 7 became 17 AMANDA FARONI-SHEEHAN 18 and leave he by sales and marketing.

Shethe world a little better than you our offer accepted. Eve found it,” is the foundation of Norman and Amanda Faroni-Sheehan of and she is eager to expand an h nternship at a mortgage lendtance, there was a lot Amanda O’Grady’s real estate empire, A Waterbury, Connecticut, has just one person specializing and her passion wasPrime ignited. helped trac cemented position that stay we’ve on started to Realty Group, based in theherheart of as one but now us re of the topin multifamily looking branching Boston.

While Norman has been the busi- real es- that e real estate world and knew weatwere on out toptore oo tate agents in her hometown and lower Massachusetts tha ness forshe over thirty years since emigrating to “o to explore it as a career,” right upAma unt by combining her knowledge deadlines expertise.” To that end, Amanda followed in her father’s pa of industry expertise with great her Broker’s license for the So she talked to her America, friend in at communicatio footsteps in real estate. Today, theseated two are a si a deeply passion forNORMAN and the&team hopes to “main JOHN PAPP Jeni to earn AMANDA JENI DEPIETRO AMANDA e, who encouraged questions with the se father-daughter duo as President networkingand andVice collaborawhile building new ones forfo FARONI-SHEEHAN O'GRADY se. Today Jeni serves President southern ofonly their company. multimilG tion. “I’m thirty-five, and As I think the multifamily timely manner. We h market very different While and her team lion-dollar producers, the twobefore shareI stepped a story into the Jeni th mpshire and is growing herlooked asAmanda your next agen space.”

Amanda believes she can get her clients results exponential growth, they go of knowlinspiration, family, and entrepreneurial success. gram called BUI to new heights. Highly with “strategic pricing, professional photography, pretheir success andHigh prosperity Public Sch CONTENTS mium advertising on commercial marketing platforms, When munity. Jeni Her husband is a po about the region sheWhen serves, isn’t work Norman first moved to America, he followed his entrepreneurial s and a variety of social media campaigns.” they own three shepherds (o own for her expertise,hunch and to cligive backAmanda and particip pursue sales and marketing. But, after a meeting sponso K9).

Amanda has been very i 4) 5 TIPS TO MAKE 19) DAILY HABITS THAT with a top-producing realtor, Norman knew he withheld Neighborhood H eciate her guidance throughout events.

Jeni has enjo Originally, after graduating from Southern Connecticut fundraising, and volunteering NEW HIRES the A State LONGWILL INCREASE YOUR grit University to the bachelor’s industry. While degrees considering and time fundraising events. Over action. When working with a succeedwithin two volunteering at the th LASTING SUCCESS MENTAL STRENGTH receiving a master’s University, also fosterin career options, Amandadegree knew from there Post would be a light atband the haveAs forbeen marketing a seller, Jeni goes above Amanda and beyond to exceed “I try to be involved in everything m launched estate career onthe a team rescue organization and have end of the tunnel if her she real could overcome first at challengand accesses the Berkshire Hathaway. “I started in residential real es- going find their forever homes. As ectations14) andHOW eliminate stress.

Understanding as TURN well,with like to the Windham TO OPEN HOUSES ingBUILD years ofA real estate. So, after22) working an agency listings.

They al tate, and it justBIG never really caughtINTO on for me, but I was as Oxford Realty Group Am TEAM THAT WILL WIN DESTINATIONS major transaction and Jeni only handing out candy to the kids,” Jeni forinvestment, five years, Amanda moved to herI father’s company. tours, floorplans introduced to multifamily sales while was there. sored and volunteered at the ITS SIZE Amanda shares, “My father has been the soundboard for their top-produc hat is bestNO forMATTER those she serves. her free time, she stays active by hors That’s when I found my niche, and everything just an organization that helped c all took ten years of my career.”

As a team, they are best friends withher people off.” After establishing herself in the industry andand walking ing, running two and do practice, Amanda went on to acquire her under Amanda’stime dedication co andperfecting share a her love for their community.

Structured of theirtolive first meet someone,Norman I Broker’s just try to listen and license and open her own company in 2020 bined with her diligence and e and Amanda is their boutique office and eight father. As for No andmembers has been growing ever has Oxford Realty Groupshe poi verything Phone they’re telling me,” Jeni explains.

Jeniarea. looks towards the future, team serving the since. greater As Boston smiles from clie 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 in all New England. self in their shoes and have empathy for what Massachusetts license and begin assia in the process mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com Today, in 2022, the Oxford Realty Group boasts a With anreproduced loyal clientele, 85-95% ofreal sell-Topgoals. home oing through.” tobusiness finding with their estate “Iownership want to No portion ofCommitted this issue may be in anythat manner whatsoever prior consent of their the publisher.

Agent Magazine book ofincredibly issoluover 80%without repeat and referral is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top ersclients. and buyers are repeat clients $70 or referrals.

Norman is They average aexpressed collective million inpromoting anni communicates frequently with her clients, business, myself and reac Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts supplied by its authors. at address, the in his career where he track works with third and When Norman is nualpoint sales, with present year on to be their To subscribe or change send inquiry to the mag@topagentmagazine.com. eeping them updated on any next steps or new I just love helping others.”

Published in the U.S. fourth-time best year sorepeat far, with six hundred fifty unitsand soldAmanda clients.

WhileandNorman his granddaughte at a combined $80 million year to date.

“Most of my ments. For her buyers,arethe ultimate goal is todollars in transactions annu- Amanda enjoys averaging fifty million business is with repeat investors one home of the buying the at relationships they build– that’s through devoted to her ni operty that meets theirally, needs the right price. things I enjoy most about what I do. Plus, I’ve had 2 Top Agent Magazine what matters For Norman and Amanda, clients events. As for th le, she wants to get are herthe sellers thetomost. most opportunity meet sofor many different people, and become like family. Together they share, “We are in it for

years in real esta

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5 Tips to Make New Hires

a Long-lasting Success Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making 4

a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

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1. Be honest about the scope of the role

2. Build in some perks

Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles.

If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

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While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team.

Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

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3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision.

That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another?

Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience.

Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

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JOHN PAPP Top Agent Magazine

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Running a brokerage of nearly 60 agents, Top Agent John Papp focuses on providing an honest and high-quality service to homebuyers and sellers across Connecticut.

Over the past eight years, REALTOR® and broker John Papp has built a thriving real estate brokerage focused on providing an honest and high-quality service to homebuyers and sellers across Connecticut. His move into real estate came after years of owning a successful construction business that he founded in 2002, equipping him with an in-depth knowledge of properties. He initially 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

got his real estate license to manage his personal real estate investments, but with his robust experience and passion for helping others, his career snowballed.

Today, he runs a brokerage of nearly 60 agents and counting.

At the outset of every project, John sets up a meeting to get to know the needs of a potential client. Getting to know Top Agent Magazine

potential clients is extremely important — if their goals and personalities don’t align, he won’t take them on. “It’s crucial to have a genuine connection with clients in this business so that you are in sync when it comes to finding them a

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home and succeeding at the negotiating table,” explains John. As a result of this initial screening, the clients he works with often become close friends. John is known for his total honesty, and admits that he “tells more people not to buy

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John is known for his total honesty, and admits that he “tells more people not to buy houses rather than to buy them.” With his construction background, his knowledge of what makes a property valuable far exceeds that of many other REALTOR®s. houses rather than to buy them.” With his construction background, his knowledge of what makes a property valuable far exceeds that of many other REALTOR®s.

Both through real estate and outside of it, John stays very connected with his local community. He served on his Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, helping create their Plan of Conservation and Development. He has also served on several property owner’s boards. Active with the Freemasons, John’s personal charity of choice is Shriners Children’s Hospital. He is also involved in several other business endeavors which include a Top Agent Magazine

construction company, insurance agency, and a biotech company that is working on a vaccine for breast cancer.

active and want to do what I’m doing,” he says. “We build stuff together, go hiking, fishing, and boating.”

Married with three young children, John’s family life takes up a lot of his free time. “My kids are becoming very

As he looks to the future, John plans to spend the next several years focusing on continued growth within his portfolio

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of businesses, all while maintaining an approach of helping clients and having a positive impact on the community. “When you run a brokerage, it’s about managing individual personalities rather than looking at the transaction numbers,” he says. As

his business evolves, he is committed to always providing the best service to clients.

“I love problem solving on a daily basis and the challenge of getting everything to flow together. That’s what drives me everyday to do more.”

Contact John at 860-601-0267, visit bellaagents.com or email John.Papp@BellaAgents.com www.

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How to Build a Team That Will Win Big No Matter its Size In the real estate world building a team is a goal almost every agent strives towards achieving. Doing business with a team as opposed to solo has numerous advantages. With more agents handling clients as well as other employees specialized in areas such as marketing and administrative support there to assist you; you can greatly increase your business and sales.

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So, when creating a team, logic would tell us that the bigger it is, the better, right? Wrong. When it comes to real estate teams, size doesn’t matter so much as the players you bring onto that team to work with you. A team doesn’t have to be big to win big, and here are the secrets to building a team that wins big no matter its size.

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Hire the Right Team Members

Put Your Team Members in the Right Positions to Win

You’ve probably heard the saying, “you’re only as strong as you’re weakest link.” That idea holds true for any kind of team, including those in real estate. If you have weak members on your team, then it’s not possible to have a strong team. Drawing strong team members to your business is essential.

Finding strong team members is just one part of the equation. As the leader of your team, you now have to assess each member’s strengths and weaknesses and position them appropriately. You want the best player for each role playing that part and catering to their strengths. Choose your team member’s roles wisely, and place each individual in the position where their strengths can shine and they can best contribute to a win for the entire team. Every role is important to the team working smoothly and winning as a whole, so it is important to place each team member in the role most suited to his or her skills.

To better understand what kind of person would make a strong addition to your team, you need to ask yourself what skills and characteristics you want your team members to possess. The strongest members are often ones that share their leader’s values. When you share values with your teammates, you are all running along the same course towards the same goal as one. Your definition of a victory in this case is also your teammates’ definition of it. This helps strengthen even the smallest of numbers because you are all working together toward a common goal.

Another characteristic too look out for in potential team members is a positive attitude. You can teach someone the skills needed in real estate, but you can’t teach someone how to have a positive attitude.

Positive members tend to achieve more due to their optimistic nature, but more importantly, they spread that positive attitude to the rest of the team, which improves every members’ performance.

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Communicating Your Vision to Your Team

Your team members are the key ingredients to ultimate victory, but what recipe do you follow now to lead them to victory? That is what communication is for a winning team; the recipe you will use to

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help best utilize each team member and instruct them on how they need to work together to fulfill the recipe that will lead them to be a winning team. Your team members need to know the plan and you must give them the tools to successfully execute it.

It is up to the leader of a team to help your players see your vision and help them understand what a victory looks like. The goal may seem simple and obvious to you, but you must communicate it over and over again to your team members, so they understand it as well as you do. With different personalities coming together to form a unit, you are going to be dealing with numerous challenges such as competing agendas. You will find this on any team. You must keep the goal and at the forefront of your player’s minds in order to encourage them to put aside their own personal desires in order to come together as one cohesive, single-minded unit and push towards the team’s goal.

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Give Your Team Members the Tools to Help Them Perform at Their Best The final thing all great leaders do is equip their team members with the proper tools and training needed for them to succeed. You have to show them how they can each come together with their different strengths to work as a team towards one unified goal. This involves more than simple skills training, but also endurance, so they can last as a team and win even those matches that seem unending and impossible.

Think of all the challenges that they could possibly face ahead, and clear their path to victory by giving them the necessary training and tools they will need to get past any obstacle. As the leader, you must be prepared to continually communicate the team’s goal and your vision. Use that vision to motivate your team members throughout the journey towards victory.

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AMANDA FARONI-SHEEHAN Amanda Faroni-Sheehan of Waterbury, Connecticut, has cemented her position as one of the top multifamily real estate agents in her hometown by combining her knowledge of industry expertise with a deeply seated passion for networking and collaboration. “I’m only thirty-five, and I think the multifamily market looked very different before I stepped into the space.” Amanda believes she can get her clients results with “strategic pricing, professional photography, premium advertising on commercial marketing platforms, and a variety of social media campaigns.”

Originally, after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with two bachelor’s degrees and receiving a master’s degree from Post University, Amanda launched her real estate career on a team at Berkshire Hathaway. “I started in residential real estate, and it just never really caught on for me, but I was introduced to multifamily sales while I was there.

That’s when I found my niche, and everything just took off.” After establishing herself in the industry and perfecting her practice, Amanda went on to acquire her Broker’s license and open her own company in 2020 and has been growing ever since.

Today, in 2022, the Oxford Realty Group boasts a book of business that is over 80% repeat and referral clients. They average a collective $70 million in annual sales, with the present year on track to be their best year so far, with six hundred and fifty units sold at a combined $80 million year to date. “Most of my business is with repeat investors – that’s one of the things I enjoy most about what I do. Plus, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many different people, and every transaction is a different experience.” Amanda has been the top Broker in Waterbury for 2019, 2020, 2021, and she’s on pace to solidify her fourth year in a row. Additionally, she has been recognized as a Top 25 Power Broker in New Haven County in 2022, Top Agent Magazine

and she is eager to expand her territory. “I used to be just one person specializing in central Connecticut, but now that we’ve started to grow our brand, we are looking at branching out to other areas of Connecticut and lower Massachusetts that could benefit from our expertise.” To that end, Amanda has recently acquired her Broker’s license for the state of Massachusetts, and the team hopes to “maintain current relationships while building new ones for long term success!”

While Amanda and her team strive to continue their exponential growth, they go to great lengths to share their success and prosperity with the greater community. Her husband is a police officer, and together they own three shepherds (one being a retired police K9). Amanda has been very involved with supporting, fundraising, and volunteering with multiple police K9 fundraising events. Over the years, she and her husband have also been fostering parents for a local pet rescue organization and have helped dozens of dogs to find their forever homes. As a company, the first year as Oxford Realty Group Amanda and the team sponsored and volunteered at the Sunshine Kids annual 5k, an organization that helped children with cancer.

Amanda’s dedication to collective prosperity, combined with her diligence and expertise as a REALTOR®, has Oxford Realty Group poised to become a mainstay in all New England.

To contact Amanda Faroni-Sheehan, visit oxfordrealtygroupct.com, email Amandafaroni25@gmail.com, or call 203-314-4219.

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JENI DEPIETRO During college, Jeni DePietro became intrigued by sales and marketing. She took an internship at a mortgage lending firm, and her passion was ignited.

“I saw the real estate world and knew I wanted to explore it as a career,” she explains. So she talked to her friend in real estate, who encouraged Jeni to earn her license. Today Jeni serves southern New Hampshire and is growing her business to new heights. Highly knowledgeable about the region she serves, she’s known for her expertise, and clients appreciate her guidance throughout the transaction. When working with a buyer or a seller, Jeni goes above and beyond to exceed their expectations and eliminate stress. Understanding this is a major transaction and investment, Jeni only wants what is best for those she serves.

“When I first meet someone, I just try to listen and take in everything they’re telling me,” Jeni explains.

“I put myself in their shoes and have empathy for what they’re going through.” Committed to finding solutions, Jeni communicates frequently with her clients, always keeping them updated on any next steps or new developments. For her buyers, the ultimate goal is to find a property that meets their needs at the right price.

Meanwhile, she wants to get her sellers the most for their home in the shortest amount of time possible. Jeni spreads the word about her listings by sending out postcards and advertising on social media. “I stay updated on the latest technologies, and I email all the agents at our brokerage, so we have a very wide reach.” After working together, Jeni makes sure to stay in touch by bringing them cookies for the holidays, emailing, calling and texting.

Clients form lasting connections with Jeni, grateful for her help in their real estate endeavors. One recently said, “Jeni helped us buy a house during a crazy housing market in a sought after area. We soon found a 18

house that we fell in love with and got our offer accepted. Even after the acceptance, there was a lot to do - and Jeni helped us stay on track and made sure that we were on top of all the tasks and deadlines right up until close. She was great at communication and facilitated questions with the seller’s agent in a timely manner. We highly recommend Jeni as your next agent!”

When Jeni isn’t working, she loves to give back and participate in community events. Jeni has enjoyed spending her time volunteering at the NH Food Bank.

“I try to be involved in everything my company does as well, like going to the Windham Fall Festival and handing out candy to the kids,” Jeni explains. During her free time, she stays active by horseback riding, hiking, running and walking her two dogs.

As Jeni looks towards the future, she hopes to earn her Massachusetts license and begin assisting more people with their real estate goals. “I want to keep growing my business, promoting myself and reaching more people.

I just love helping others.”

For more about Jeni DePietro, please call 603-339-9893 or email jdepietro@cocoearly.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

Daily Habits That Will Increase Your Mental Strength When it comes to building physical strength, the solutions are obvious, but keeping up your mental strength isn’t as easy as going to the gym. Although physical exercise does help clear your head and relieve stress, there are other things you can do daily that will help your mind be as strong and flexible as your body after a workout. Here’s just a few things you can do to help clear your head and make you more productive.

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DON’T WASTE YOUR BRAIN POWER That might seem obvious, but think about how much mental energy you might use up worrying about negativity or things you have no control over. Instead of focusing on problems, focus on solutions.

This actually take a lot of effort, we’re all conditioned to let worry paralyze us sometimes. Try and catch yourself when you’re 19

wasting time thinking about about past mistakes or current dilemmas you don’t have the power to stop. You really only have so much mental energy, and if you have kids and an especially stressful work situation, that might be even less than normal. Start treating your brain like the precious resource it is. You don’t want to be running on empty when it really matters.

BE MORE POSITIVE Eliminating negative thoughts is essential to increasing your mental strength. Carrying around negativity is like swimming with all of your clothes on. You might be okay at first, but eventually you’ll feel like you can barely stay afloat. Don’t drown in negativity, use positive thoughts as a lifesaver. This doesn’t mean you should ignore things you need to improve, just approach them with solutions rather than beating yourself up. Constant monitoring of this is important since it’s really easy to slide back into negative thinking.

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE A lot of mental energy can go to dealing with anxiety. One way to deal with that is by forcing yourself to try new things and take on new challenges, that you might normally avoid because they make you feel unsure or scared. Challenge yourself daily, even with small things.

This is definitely something that becomes easier with practice. Start small, and in no time you’ll be taking on things you never 20

thought were possible. The simple task of trying something new every day will have you feeling energized and put you on the path to self-growth.

BE SELF-AWARE Your emotions affect everything you do, even if they’re not at the surface. Recognizing and labeling them is key. A lot of the above exercises require selfreflection. It’s okay to have the emotions you have, understanding why and where those emotions come from allows you to focus on dealing with them rather than just wallowing in them. Being self-aware is also about self-care. Know the things that help relax and rejuvenate you. That way you can handle everyday stresses and remain calm even during the most turbulent times.

BE WILLING TO LEARN A lot of people are still hung up on the idea that learning is a boring and tedious process, but you aren’t in junior high anymore. You can find something you’re actually interested in and immerse yourself in it, which engages your mind like nothing else. Whether it’s learning a new technology that will improve your business or something that will make you a more well-rounded person, the learning process keeps you engaged and open to new ideas. A curiosity about the world and new things is something that all mentally strong people have in common.

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NORMAN & AMANDA O'GRADY “Treat others how you want to be treated, and leave the world a little better than you found it,” is the foundation of Norman and Amanda O’Grady’s real estate empire, Prime Realty Group, based in the heart of Boston. While Norman has been in the business for over thirty years since emigrating to America, Amanda followed in her father’s footsteps in real estate. Today, the two are a father-daughter duo as President and Vice President of their company. As multimillion-dollar producers, the two share a story of inspiration, family, and entrepreneurial success.

When Norman first moved to America, he followed his hunch to pursue sales and marketing. But, after a meeting with a top-producing realtor, Norman knew he withheld the grit to succeed in the industry. While considering career options, Amanda knew there would be a light at the end of the tunnel if she could overcome the first challenging years of real estate. So, after working with an agency for five years, Amanda moved to her father’s company.

Amanda shares, “My father has been the soundboard for all ten years of my career.” As a team, they are best friends and share a love for their community. Structured under Norman and Amanda is their boutique office and eight team members serving the greater Boston area.

With an incredibly loyal clientele, 85-95% of their sellers and buyers are repeat clients or referrals. Norman is at the point in his career where he works with third and fourth-time repeat clients. While Norman and Amanda are averaging fifty million dollars in transactions annually, the relationships they build through home buying are what matters most. For Norman and Amanda, clients become like family. Together they share, “We are in it for a lifetime.”

With heavy involvement in a networking group called Business Networking International, the team secures many buyers. While Norman touches base with clients

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monthly through email, calls, and texts, he also sees his clients at small gatherings and hosts an annual cookout. In addition, Amanda is abundant with community resources for clients seeking referrals. As a result, their business is known as Boston’s “one-stop shop.” Norman and Amanda also partner with charities with profound missions. A few of these charities include Toys for Toys, USPS Operation Santa, and the Greater Boston Food Bank. Additionally, the pair works with a unique youth program called BUILD which works directly with the Boston Public High School’s students to support and fund young entrepreneurial start-up companies. Lastly, Norman and Amanda sponsor local youth sports programs and the Neighborhood Holiday Lights.

As for marketing, the duo utilizes social media platforms and accesses their large sphere of influence to advertise listings. They also use professional photography, virtual tours, floorplans, and stage homes when needed. Despite their top-producing volume, Amanda enjoys working with people and helping them through the most stressful time of their lives. She also adores working alongside her father. As for Norman, it is most rewarding to witness the smiles from clients at the closing table and play a role in the process as clients achieve the American dream of home ownership.

When Norman isn’t working, he loves spending time with his granddaughter and wife and enjoying motorcycle rides.

Amanda enjoys cooking; however, most of her time is devoted to her nine-year-old daughter and planning charity events. As for the future, Norman will spend his last few years in real estate before retirement and passing the torch down to Amanda, who will become the President of Prime Realty Group. Norman and Amanda have created a legacy in their community of friendship and love and a legacy of family. Together they live by an abundant mindset and share, “There is enough for everyone to go around.”

To learn more about Norman and Amanda O’Grady, email normanogrady@primerealtygrp.com and amanda@primerealtygrp.com, call 617-254-2525, or visit primerealtygrp.com www.

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Turn Open Houses into Destinations People are busy. Even those who are actively looking to buy a house or want to learn about the market for a future purpose have busy schedules.

But with bit of added time, creativity and investment in making open house into destinations, you’ll see greater turnout. And we all know that greater turnout increases the likelihood of offers.

There are several creative ways to hold an open house with a mindset of hospitality and with the goal of providing something of value to each person who attends.

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The neighbors-only open house Some agents embrace the “nosy neighbor” concept as a benefit, not an eye-rolling challenge.

With his client’s permission, Wesley Peters, a Keller Williams broker in the Baltimore Metro Area, often gets the neighbors together before a home hits the market. “We invite other brokers, too, but we include as many neighbors as we can,” he says, explaining that he schedules these events for a Thursday or Friday evening, happy hour-style, rather than midday on a Sunday. They get a better turnout at 5:00 pm than

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midday on a weekend when the neighbors are busy with their lives. In a relaxed setting, conversations flow, neighbors can mingle and catch up, and the buzz begins before the home is listed.

In advance, prepare invitations and hand-deliver them to homes on the streets you and your client agree are best to include. The destination is the event; the value each attendee receives is the social interaction and the removal of any awkwardness over visiting their neighbor’s house.

Your client’s benefit is the buzz.

A turnkey block party any time of year Once a property is listed, some agents take on the role of party planners. Certain streets or neighborhoods, they find, are perfect for lowkey social occasions. In some place, such as neighborhoods with many young families, a bounce-house or games may even ramp up the fun factor. But the idea of a seemingly spontaneous block party during an open house can be easy to pull off, whether you’re serving lemonade and cookies or coffee and pastries. The chance to meet prospective neighbors turns the event into a destination for both buyers and the neighbors; the value comes in buyers’ ability to see how the neighbors interact. Your seller’s benefit is that the grapevine will be filled with happy stories about their home. Tips: By keeping basic supplies in storage, you’ll be ready for a pop-up block party any time. Promote this type of event with targeted social media marketing and fliers or postcards to communities within a short distance of your listing.

Invite other professionals It’s common mortgage lenders to attend open houses. But why not provide even more value to people who attend? Chances are, you have more than a handful of professional partners who welcome an opportunity to join you at your open house. Consider inviting an interior designer, a contractor, a gardener, even a gardener or a painter. Invite them to your broker’s open in advance or give them time to view the property Top Agent Magazine

before the open house begins. Then encourage them to stroll the property during the open house or to sit with you. When visitors ask about needs or concerns they may have about the house – such as loan questions, the cost of improvements or upgrades or even remodeling – you’ll be able to introduce them to an expert on the spot. For that matter, your invited pros don’t even necessarily have to be in home-related businesses!

Prospective buyers always want to know about the community when visiting open houses.

Consider inviting representatives of community

organizations, like youth sports group or owners of mom-and-pop retailers to help your visitors get a feel for the neighborhood or town. For this type of open-house, prepare a flyer or card with your community contacts on it so visitors can leave with resources as well as information.

Open house should be about the buzz. They’re about creating a conversation about your listing and making the home memorable to visitors. By giving people a unique experience they won’t forget, you’ll show your sellers how creative you are in meeting their needs.

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