North Carolina 10-9-17

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

If It's Good for the Soul, IT'S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

Top Agent Tips and Questions for CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

5 Fresh New Approaches to CONTENT MARKETING

FEATURED AGENTS

SUZANNE CODDINGTON JOEL SHEESLEY

WHY DOESN'T TRAINING WORK for You?

COVER STORY

JOEY MILLARD EDWARDS

NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

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JOEY MILLARD EDWARDS

SUZANNE CODDINGTON

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JOEL SHEESLEY

CONTENTS 4) TOP AGENT TIPS AND QUESTIONS FOR CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

18) WHY DOESN'T TRAINING WORK FOR YOU?

13) 5 FRESH NEW APPROACHES TO CONTENT MARKETING

22) IF IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL, IT'S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

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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: 4

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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 an-

swering 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.

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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!

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JOEY MILLARD EDWARDS

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JOEY MILLARD EDWARDS Joey Millard Edwards literally has real estate in her blood–her father and her mother were both experienced Realtors. As a child, she said she’d never do real estate. But in 1994, after teaching school for three years, she decided to study for her real estate license. “I’ve learned to preach to my children that: ‘You never say never.’ Because it turns out I love real estate. I eat, breath, and sleep it,” Joey says with a smile. Now 24 years after she began her real estate career, she has her own thriving team of six agents and coordinators within Carolina Realty. The Joey Millard Edwards Team primarily serves Johnston, Wake, Harnett, and Wayne Counties.

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What sets Joey and her team apart from other Realtors in the area? Their passion for real estate and for helping their clients. “We have a true love and desire to serve others with heart and soul,” Joey says. As a result, a large percentage of her business comes from repeat clients and client referrals who have had a wonderful experience and are eager to spread the word about Joey’s strong work ethic to their friends and family. Joey is an optimist who always perceives the glass to be (at least!) half full in any situation. This positive attitude brings about fantastic results for her clients, no matter their stage of life or whether they are buying or sellTop Agent Magazine

ing a home. She also leads her team with a “team family” approach. Her team works together and their synergy results in great outcomes.

Joey takes the lead in marketing her team’s listings, with the help of her stellar listing and closing coordinators. She spends two to three hours with her clients at their first meeting, taking the time to Top Agent Magazine

convey important information. “When I leave after we meet the first time, they know what’s going to happen when we click that go button–they know the process full circle, including what will happen at the beginning, in the interim, and all the way to a successful closing,” Joey says. “It’s very important to educate our clients. We do this everyday. Our clients buy and sell a home every few years–or once Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

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in a lifetime. Educating them makes the process go smoothly.” Knowledge paves the path to success.

Joey and her team hire professional photographers to photograph each listing. They do staging for new construction and vacant existing homes.

“We go in to give vacant homes personality,” Joey says. For homes with owners living in them, Joey advises them on how to best prepare the home for optimum results. What does Joey love about her work? “I love the people!” she says. “I love what I do. Getting to know our clients and nurturing a lifelong partnership is a joy.” Joey and her team have a knack for keeping in touch with past clients–it’s easy for them because they really do care!

Joey’s team members focus on serving a multitude of buyers; first time buyers, second and third time Top Agent Magazine

buyers, retirees, and proudly serve our military who so patriotically serve each of us. We strive to ensure our buyers are taking all the right steps: from listening to their dreams and needs in their home search, to researching and obtaining the best loan options, to making an offer and having inspections and to their closing and move day. We are honored to partner and share the journey with our buyers and sellers during this exciting process.

Joey and her team are deeply involved in their community and with real estate organizations.

They contribute to Backpack Buddies, a drive to gather school supplies for underserved children; as well as food drives and charity events through local nonprofits and team member’s churches. In her rare free time, Joey loves to be with her family near a body of water. “As soon as I cross a bridge– Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

whether it be to a lake or a beach–that’s where my serenity and tranquility lie,” Joey says. “And my family is the same way!” Joey and her husband, Mike love to support and watch their children participate in sporting events. Joey feels there are a lot of life lessons experienced in sports participation.

Joey is excited about the future and what’s to come. “We’ve got a lot of good things that are getting ready to explode in the next 12 months. So we are very excited about continuing to grow our team and our communities,” she says.

To find out more about

JOEY MILLARD EDWARDS, email joey@carolinarealty-nc.com or call (919) 291-1491 Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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5 Fresh New Approaches to Content Marketing A couple of weeks ago we were conducting a workshop when we were asked two excellent questions about content marketing:

• People

don’t want to hear from a roofing company every day. So how do you produce fresh and interesting content for social media that goes beyond your core services and yet ties back to your business?

• Can

you extend your social media presence and content to include personal things (like your hobbies) and how does that affect your overall business image?

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The workshop attendee who asked the first question was right. Almost no one wants to hear from any company every day… especially if all the content is about products and services…and yes, even if they’re giving helpful tips and information. Does that mean you should stop producing excellent daily content related to your business? No, of course not! Content is created for two reasons.

First, to provide knowledge, expertise and even entertainment to your ideal customers in order to achieve top of mind awareness as an authority in your industry. And second, to produce SEO-rich results that keep you at the top of search engines. You must strike a

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balance between the two, and try to include content that draws people in by being super interesting and entertaining….and yes, sometimes personal.

To help answer those content questions above, here are five different types of content (beyond the traditional stuff) that can give your brand a fresh, unique and balanced approach:

1. PHILANTHROPIC Your community efforts say a lot about who you are, and people will make an extra effort to do business with you as a result of this connection. We’ve consulted business owners who are very hesitant to promote these efforts because they don’t want it to seem as though they are exploiting the charities and organizations—and most especially because they don’t do it for the promotional aspects. They do it to give back. I ask you to keep this in mind. Nonprofit and charitable organizations very often have small marketing budgets. Not only do they rely on outside marketing forces to promote their initiatives, they would likely be forced to close their doors without that support. That means that when someone with a strong brand and presence promotes them, it’s a highly trusted and personal connection, and you can’t buy that kind of support. In other words, they not only need you to promote them, they want you to promote them. But your instincts are correct. It’s not about you. So just make sure your entire content focuses on the organization you’re helping, what they do for the community and how 14

others can join in the cause. Then it becomes a huge win for all.

2. HOBBIES You bungee jumped from four of the tallest bridges in the U.S. In your spare time, you go fly fishing. You love playing chef and use only locally grown, organic foods. Your friends are always begging you to go to Vegas with your card shark talents. You’ve done mission work in Africa and would like to start your own group. You almost played professional baseball. You have an insane talent for gardening design or bass guitar.

Your family works at a soup kitchen once a month. Ok…you get the picture. And two more words. Reality TV. People are interesting…and people are interested in interesting people. We remember others based on these unique traits. And most of all, people love the story behind the face. Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies. Quite often, it’s the first thing that will personally connect you to a prospect.

3. CREATIVE CONNECTION This one is perhaps our favorite. While we can’t imagine seeing something come across our news feed from a landscaping company every day, imagine this for a moment. What are we always told to remember in this hectic world? Stop and smell the roses, right? So what if…a landscaping company posted a beautiful flower each day, just to remind you to ‘stop and smell the roses’. And at the bottom of that photo (small print), you included

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the type of flower and type of environment needed to make it flourish (moist soil, full sun, etc.). And then, of course, watermarked it with your logo….and a title like, “Sam’s Daily Reminder: It’s Time to Stop & Smell the Roses”. You could even include some great, thought-provoking quotes. It has the personal connection (Sam), the business connection (flowers & logo watermark) and a cool creative connector (pause the meetings and paperwork to take a moment and appreciate life by noticing this beautiful flower). This is a great idea for staying ‘top of mind’ and connecting business with the kind of creative messaging people wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

4. EXPERIENCES This one is similar to hobbies from the personal aspect, but instead of something that identifies us like our hobbies, our experiences are random happenings that can have great interest and meaning to our audience.

Whether you have a unique experience buying a new car or a fateful conversation with a stranger in the airport, if you feel it ties into a life lesson or business lesson you’d like to share, by all means do. The lesson is to keep your radar up 24/7. Any experiences you have which relate to your

ideal customer are an opportunity to connect beyond the business world. And when we do that, we become a part of the family.

5. INFLUENCERS “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. You’ve probably heard that saying, and the same is true whether you are a teenager or a business owner. Maybe you’ve learned a lot of your business knowledge from Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet…or you like to quote Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps you have some mentors you’d like to recognize and tell why they’re important to you. Sharing the people and things that influence us is what makes us human. No matter how successful your business, you didn’t get there alone. People and circumstances shaped you along the way. Recognizing others for their contribution in our lives, large or small, is important in staying connected and grounded.

We hope these five types of content help you to put a fresh spin on what you share with your audience, whether personal or professional. We believe you must have the combination of both to build an incredible brand.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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SUZANNE CODDINGTON For most of her working life, Suzanne Coddington was a teacher by trade, but when her three children went off to college, she decided to pursue a new professional path. In 2004, she considered the myriad opportunities of the real estate world and determined to give the industry a shot. After earning her license with flying colors, she set to work and soon achieved the Rookie of the Year Award from the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association—an early indicator of her aptitude and commitment.

Today, Suzanne has earned more than decade of storied experience and is now at the helm of a blossoming second act, characterized by forthrightness, attentiveness, and a people-first mentality.

Suzanne is a Charlotte native, born and raised. While she primarily serves the greater Charlotte region, she also conducts business in the surrounding areas and sometimes as far afield as Little Switzerland, NC and Litchfield, SC. Though Suzanne is a solo agent, she is backed by the support of her team-oriented colleagues who pitch in whenever needed. At the heart of Suzanne’s professional philosophy is a commitment to putting her clients’ needs above all else. “I wouldn’t sell my client a house that I wouldn’t live in myself,” she explains. “My clients know that I have their best interests at heart. By closing day, we’ve become friends.” With almost 100% of her business generated by repeat and referral clientele, Suzanne’s personable approach is matched only by her skill and follow-through as an agent. Understanding that buying or selling a home is often the largest transaction in a person’s lifetime, Suzanne remains accessible to her clients at all times—reducing the inherent anxiety of the process. “I never let the phone go unanswered,” Suzanne says. “Selling a house is a tremendous responsibility and I don’t take that lightly.”

As for marketing her listings, Suzanne incorporates professional photography to accompany striking presentations online and across social media platforms. While hosting open houses, she distributes

brochures with key information about the property to entice potential buyers. To add a personal touch, she asks the previous owners to write a list of their favorite things about their home—be it the blueberry bush in the backyard, or the walkability to one of their favorite restaurants—and then displays this in the home for potential owners to read and enjoy. To stay in touch with past clients, Suzanne sends out a newsletter each month, and mails anniversary cards to commemorate a purchase. She also gives away tickets to the home games of the Charlotte Knights, a local minor league baseball team as a way of demonstrating her appreciation for her clients. Because she naturally becomes friends with many of her clients, Suzanne will often get together for dinner or coffee to catch up with past clients face-to-face. In reflecting on what she likes most about the business, she says: “The greatest thing about real estate is the people you meet. I wouldn’t know most of the people I now work with if it weren’t for this job. I love it when people are still in love with their home years after we’ve closed a deal.”

Suzanne does her part to give back to the community at large, as well. Over the years, she has been a frequent volunteer at her children’s schools as the President of the Booster Club and PTA. She also volunteers each year to host an open house for one of the area’s most historic architectural sites, the Duke Mansion, which gives the community the opportunity to partake in the rich history of the building. To give a leg up to her fellow professionals, she serves as the director of her company’s mentorship program, helping new agents navigate the route to industry success. As for her coveted free hours, Suzanne is enjoying being a new grandmother and has spent the better part of the past month traveling in celebration of the new birth. She is also an avid golfer and has managed two hole-in-one shots since taking up the sport.

As for the years ahead in her business, Suzanne plans to continue delivering the same impeccable service that has already brought her far. Considering her abiding enthusiasm for her industry and her genuine care for her clients, the future is set for success for Suzanne Coddington.

To learn more about Suzanne Coddington, visit DickensMitchner.com/agents/suzanne-coddington, e-mail scoddington@dickensmitchener.com, or call (704) 589 - 7172 www.

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Why Doesn’t Training Work for You?

by Carla Cross

Why isn’t your training working for as a ‘performance art’, not a you? Every company says they ‘knowledge pursuit!’ ‘have training.’ Yet, whether you’ve been in business 2 days or 20 years, Big question for you: Think of your you’ve probably felt frustrated that last 3 trainings. What were you doing those hours spent in class—listening in class? Listening to the ‘expert’? to someone at the front (the Or, were you putting to work what ‘expert)—didn’t do you any good. you were learning—while in class, There’s one reason training doesn’t so you could get valuable feedback work—and here’s how to make it before you ‘practiced’ on real work for you, so you don’t waste people—your clients? precious hours in training rooms.

What you need to be doing in class Training doesn’t work because it’s to assure you can do it ‘for real’: not taught right—and the people in the class aren’t doing what needs to • If it’s appropriate, you need to role be done for training to make a play (like answering objections, giving a listing presentation, etc.) difference in their lives.

Here’s what training needs to help • If appropriate, you need to you every time you’re in class: differentiate (like finding mistakes in a purchase and sale agreement).

Training must have action inside class to be effective for you.

• If appropriate, you need to practice the actions in class and then What do I mean? go out and do it with a ‘real person’—the client—and come back I mean we have to look at real estate and tell how it went (practice a 18

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listing presentation, do it ‘for real’, Real Estate: Performance Art and come back to class and refine it). or Knowledge Pursuit?

None of these things happening in class? Make it work anyway. Take the ‘actionable’ items you learned in class and go do them—for real— within 3 days of going to class (otherwise we only remember 10% of what we heard!). Now you’ve made your own action plan.

Trainers: I just videos showing training work. uTube channel.

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Let’s be honest: Do you know someone in your office who seems to know everything—but doesn’t sell a stick of real estate? Sure.

That’s the problem with treating real estate as a ‘knowledge pursuit’. It has little to do with results. It’s a performance art. How you perform in the field—with real clients— did a series of 5 determines your success. how to make your See them on my Big question for you: Which kind of agent are you? A ‘performance art’ 19

How you perform in the field—with real clients—determines your success. agent or a ‘knowledge pursuit’ agent? Which is easier to become?

Your Training Should Resemble a Piano Lesson

will ‘do it’ for you 3.Relying on ‘on demand’ video.

Many large franchises are providing video on demand training. Brokers may be relieved that this is going to take training off their plates. I wish.

Unfortunately, video training can provide very limited production results. Why? Because people don’t learn much by watching video. Yes, they learn a little. They observe someone else doing something; they get information. But, they don’t have to take action.

As a long-time pianist and teacher, I know intimately that, if you don’t practice, you can’t play (or you play badly)! Think of effective training like a piano lesson. You practice outside class. You come prepared.

You get tips and modeling from your teacher. Then you practice in class with your ‘coach’ watching and listening. Then, you ‘go out in the field’ and practice. You come back When you’re ready to get results ready to perform for your coach from your training, you’ll be ready to treat your training like the power again. That’s effective training. tool it really can be.

Here are 3 things that don’t work in training (and things for you to avoid): Carla Cross, CRB, MA, is an international 1.Listening for a long period of time and thinking you can do it (you already know that, from your experiences, right?)

2.Thinking most company training 20

speaker and president of Carla Cross Seminars, Inc. and Carla Cross Coaching.

A former national Realtor Educator of the Year, Carla is known as one of the ‘go-to’ experts in her profession. She’s written training and coaching programs for most of the major real estate franchises.

Contact Carla at 425-392-6914 or www.carlacross.com.

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JOEL SHEESLEY Though he’d always had an interest in all things real estate—from architecture to interior design and landscaping—Joel Sheesley had never considered a career in the industry. While he worked his way up through the sales department of an HVAC company, Joel and a colleague toyed with the idea of going into the real estate industry together. That idea became a reality in 2007 when Joel finally decided to pursue a new professional path and begin earning his license. By 2009, he was working full-time, having discovered a career that fit his personality, skillset, and passions. Today, Joel has mounted a thriving, decade-long career, built on lasting professional relationships, attuned client care, and an abiding love for his role as agent.

As a resident of Wilmington, Joel primarily serves the counties in southeastern North Carolina. Until recently, Joel worked as a solo agent, but now works alongside his brokers-licensed closing coordinator, Lisa, who manages administrative in-office tasks and ensures the timely progression of all transactions. Joel’s overarching goal as a business owner is to provide his clients with a five-star experience from beginning to end. Considering 70% of his business is generated by repeat and referral clientele, Joel has demonstrated a consistent ability to cultivate a positive buying or selling experience, while delivering on his clients’ homeownership goals. “If people have a good experience, they’ll pass your name along, or come back to you down the line,” Joel explains. “I’m well aware that there are other agents out there as qualified as I am—so I’m a big believer that through quality service, you can differentiate yourself from the rest.” Above all, Joel sees himself as an advocate for his clients, and holds himself to a high standard when it comes to giving wise counsel or by simply destressing the house-hunting process in any way he can. With those tenets in mind, it’s not uncommon for Joel to forge lasting friendships through his work alongside clients—a testament to the personalized care afforded to every transaction.

As for marketing his listings, Joel likes to make sure that every home’s most desirable and charming features are brought to life through professional photography that accounts for ideal lighting, angles, and shooting times to capture a flattering natural ambiance.

As an early and enthusiastic adopter of new technologies, Joel has long incorporated immersive 3D tours, which he cites as an indispensable tool for buyers who aren’t able to visit a home in person.

Likewise, Joel has cultivated a robust online presence that ranks highly on search engines and listing platforms—providing listing clients with an extra edge. Rightly understanding that potential homebuyers are visually driven, Joel ensures that all marketing materials are crisp, bright, and colorful. As for staying in touch with past clients, Joel checks in by phone and sends notes from time to time, just to see how people are faring even long after close. In reflecting on what he loves most about his career, Joel says: “I enjoy working with people, and I’m fortunate to be in an industry that plays to my strengths, allowing me the tools necessary to help buyers and sellers achieve success.”

Outside of the office, Joel enjoys volunteering at his children’s schools, and he is a regular organizer and participant in community events such a socials and yard sales through his Home Owners Association. In his coveted free hours, he relishes time spent with his wife and two daughters, spending time on or near the water.

Additionally, Joel finds time at least once or twice a week to get away for a game of beach volleyball, and on rarer occasions, plays a round of golf.

As for the future of his business, Joel plans to continue his imprint’s growth, favoring a slow and steady approach towards expansion to ensure that his sterling reputation for client care always remains intact. Ten years after his path began, the same fire that fueled his entry into the business continues to drive his work onward today.

Equipped with a commitment to integrity and an authentic love for his daily work, the road ahead is bound to be busy and bright for Joel Sheesley and his team.

To learn more about Joel Sheesley, visit wilmingtonnchomes.com/joel-sheesley, e-mail joel@wilmingtonnchomes.com, or call (910) 398 - 2222 www.

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If it’s good for the soul,

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

Visibility, name recognition and knowing you’re supporting the community that makes your success possible are good reasons to take part in community service. But how is it that some people seem to be able to give time to charities while running their own businesses, managing their own families and households, exercising regularly, attending sporting events and concerts, eating well and sleeping seven or eight hours a night?

The truth is, not all agents are able to do everything so easily. But more important is the fact that no one needs to do everything all of the time. The trick is to make sure that, whatever you do holds meaning.

REALTORS® and mortgage professionals who seem the most gregarious in their community outreach are those whose giving seems to fill their own souls. When their 22

volunteer efforts or donations directly impact causes they or their clients care deeply about, “giving back” becomes energizing.

Jason O’Quinn of Prime Lending in Dallas Texas, for instance, says that his family’s ongoing work building homes for some of the poorest families in Honduras fills him immeasurably. “It rejuvenates me,” he says.

“There’s quite a dichotomy between the houses we build there and the houses we finance here,” he says. “It refocuses me, going from financing $1 million homes in Dallas to physically laying cinderblock for $10,000 homes in Honduras. Everything has more meaning when we sacrificially give of our time, talent and treasure.”

The longtime “big picture” for Colorado REALTOR® and property manager, Linda

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Todd, for instance, has included giving back to the community, whether serving as a lead carpenter for Habitat for Humanity, making deliveries for Meals on Wheels, or pitching in for the sake of baseball. And through her lifelong passion for baseball, she harmoniously blended her personal interests, her work and her community service. For many years, she was so involved Little League the local league named a new field after her. “I cried for 3 days after they told me that!” She and her husband also started a scholarship fund for junior college baseball players and serve as a host family for the rookie league of the Colorado Rockies, putting up newly drafted players in their home.

For Florida REALTOR® and property manager, Mario Gonzalez, neither his business nor his primary community outreach would exist without the other. A retired U.S. Navy pilot, Mario formed his brokerage, Navy to Navy Homes, when he saw a need for military personnel to find affordable homes to purchase. “We got into it to help, but that led to a full-blown real estate business.” Besides providing opportunities for investment and homeownership, the company donates 35% of every commission to Homes for Heroes, veterans’ groups, or organizations benefiting fire, police, medical organizations, churches and homeless shelters. “We’re small, but we give so much back that we were the top Homes for Heroes company in Florida and

top-five nationwide.” But he does none of this for the attention. His friends may call him the “Humble Hero of Heroes,” but helping is Mario’s passion. “To be such a small business and be the top Homes for Heroes affiliate is mind boggling!”

Like Mario, for many, the best service takes place in simple and quiet ways. Illinois REALTOR®, Susie Scheuber, for example, takes a humble approach to giving back. Although she donates a portion of every commission check to the Children’s Miracle Network, she doesn’t discuss this with clients unless they happen to ask. “I do it because I want to and because, to me, giving back is the right thing to do when you’ve been fortunate in business and life,” says Susie.

We all know how inertia works; the more energized we get by certain behaviors, the more likely we are to continue those behaviors. For some top agents, community outreach has become such a natural routine of their daily lives that they never find it burdensome. A good way to add community service into your life, therefore, is through the causes that mean the most to you. For starters, consider giving a small donation after closing to the charity of your client’s choosing. Learning the different causes that they care about just might foster a new mission for you.

If you have a unique story to share about how your community outreach has impacted your life and your business or inspired others, click here for consideration in our magazines: www.topagentmagazine.com/nominate-a-real-estate-agent-to-be-featured Top Agent Magazine

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