ONTARIO 7-25-22

ONTARIO EDITION

Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog

8 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE NEVER DO

24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS to Maximize Your Price List

1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should be Active on Facebook

FEATURED AGENTS

NADA KOVINICH MARCELLE LABELLE

COVER STORY

MITCH ROBERTSON

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Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog Today, blogging looks a lot different than it did back in 2007, when the platform was just beginning to take off. Successful bloggers don’t choose blog topics on a whim. They think strategically and develop pillar content that their target audience will come back to again and again.

Real estate bloggers should be less concerned with whether the same post already exists (it does) 4

than with how they can be more informative and helpful than their competition. Your personality is likely the thing that your clients connect with, and your blog is another place where you can let it shine.

Pillar content refers to those evergreen posts that never get old because they are always timely.

Think about those questions that you’ve had to

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answer a hundred, if not thousands of times— that’s your pillar content. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could direct your clients to a blog post or, better yet, they discovered the answer on your website rather than you having to constantly repeat yourself?

Or maybe you helped a client sell their house for much more than they were expecting by conducting a series of small and inexpensive renovations. Tell your readers how you did it.

Evergreen Content

Your clients are likely new to the area. Inform them about upcoming community events or mom-and-pop shops they may have never heard of. Are there hiking trails or parks nearby?

What’s the best place to grab a cup of coffee before work or a beer after? You can spotlight these places regularly as a monthly series.

This should really make up the bulk of your content. The possibilities are endless, and you could easily come up with an entire year’s worth of content with only a few hours of brainstorming.

Here are some examples: You could provide your readers with a list of questions they should ask when interviewing a realtor, the steps to becoming a real estate investor, real estate facts all first-time homeowners should know, steps new parents should take to prepare their home for a baby, recommended vendors for home maintenance, or common real estate terms defined.

You could explain to your readers what they need to know about home staging, which home renovations add the most value to their home, how to research schools or crime rates in specific neighborhoods, what a home association is, or how to start flipping houses and buying foreclosures.

Case Studies Sometimes realtors work with a client for years before they are ready to buy a home. Personal finance blogs are a thing for a reason. People want to see exactly how someone else achieved a shared goal. If you have a close relationship with a client who you helped become a homeowner, consider interviewing this client and writing up a case study that shows exactly how the two of you worked together to achieve this goal.

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Stay Local

There are plenty of real estate news outlets that will be posting about the state of the market—but they won’t be talking about your specific community, and that’s where your blog comes in.

Of course, if you only blog about community functions or properties on the market, then as soon as that event is over or that listing is sold, your content ceases being useful.

The best real estate blogs balance their content by posting a little about all the above. Maintaining a high-quality blog means your prospective clients don’t need to visit several websites to have their questions answered because you’ve done the work for them. It’s a tool that helps you make a great first impression.

If you still need help coming up with blog topics for your real estate blog, consider sending a survey out to your clients. You can send it via email and post it on social media. Ask your clients what real estate problems they need help solving and write your content with their responses in mind.

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1 Billion-Plus Reasons Why You Should Be Active on Facebook

By Bubba Mills

The number is staggering and potentially career ending for REALTORS® who ignore it: 1,440,000,000. That’s the total number of monthly active users on the social medium Facebook.

That number alone is reason enough to use it regularly in your real estate business. But Facebook can also help turn you into the expert in your community. Just by sharing knowledge and relevant events about the community you can become the go-to source for all things local – a perfect way to capture the attention of prospective buyers.

Plus, Facebook advertising also gives you tons of targeting layers like age, location, recent life events and interests. Plus, it constantly adds new targeting filters and functions that help you reach even more niche prospects who closely meet your customer criteria. Talk about pinpointing a target audience.

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Another Facebook real estate ad tool is Website Custom Audiences that lets you create Facebook ads that target users who have visited your website.

And several apps specifically for Facebook have emerged. Consider these: • Heyo.com: Helps you host contests, showcase promotions and high-

light special offers.

• Woobox.com: Let’s you easily create quizzes and other fun tools for engaging content.

• Pagemodo.com: Helps you make your Facebook business page both sleek and stylish and tabs allow for easy lead capture.

But the latest offering is just as cool. It’s called Facebook Live and it lets you stream live video on the internet. I recently wrote about Periscope, another live video streaming app, but when you use Facebook Live you’re automatically featured at the top of Facebook users’ news feed. What’s more, statistics show that live video is viewed more than recorded video.

How can REALTORS® use Facebook Live?

Open Houses: Broadcast a walk-through of a new listing

and highlight all the great features.

Webinars: Host live webinars targeted to buyers and sellers. They can sub-

mit questions just like a real-life seminar.

Real Estate Talk Show: Offer the latest news in the industry plus share lo-

cal events and your newest listings. In short, become the Lester Holt or Diane Sawyer of real estate in your town with your own “TV” show!

Facebook offers these tips for using Facebook Live: Promote: Tease upcoming Facebook Live broadcasts for more viewers.

Plan better: Take time to plan what you want to do in the video, whether

it’s a few key talking points or to have a few questions ready ahead of time in a Q&A, in case incoming comments slow down.

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Invest in some equipment: A shaky live stream turns off viewers so con-

sider a tripod or other stabilizing tools, especially if you’re taking viewers on a tour of an open house. And check the shot before going live.

Get the lighting right: If you’re indoors be sure you have plenty of good

lighting and avoid a lot of light directly behind you because it’ll wash you out.

Sound good: A common mistake for beginners is overlooking sound.

Consider an external microphone to make sure your viewers can actually hear you.

And if the live option makes you a little nervous, you can also stream pre-recorded videos. Hey, that has worked like a charm for TV for decades. Some businesses promote their web series to “air” on Facebook Live at a certain time like TV shows. After they are streamed, Facebook Live videos function as normal Facebook videos. Some business owners believe videos may perform better if they begin as live ones.

NowThis, a news company that publishes entirely on social platforms, experimented by streaming a 38-minute compilation of its favorite viral videos via Facebook Live. The stream received over 20,000 views and over 500 comments, according to Facebook’s counters.

Yes, all the new-fangled internet tools, apps and options for REALTORS® can be a bit overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time and you’ll slowly be right there in the business-winning mix. E-mail me today at Article@CorcoranCoaching.com and I’ll send you more free information about how technology can help your real estate business.

Copyright©, Bubba Mills. All rights reserved.

Bubba Mills is the CEO of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an international Real Estate, Mortgage, and Small Business coaching company committed to helping clients balance success in business, while building value in life. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage companies. To find out more about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 or visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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MITCH ROBERTSON Top Agent Magazine

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Mitch has cemented himself in the industry, closing between thirty and forty transactions each year and boasting a business that is just over ninety percent repeat and referral based.

MITCH ROBERTSON

Mitch Robertson, of London, Ontario, brings a unique combination of radical candor and construction know-how to the real estate industry. He is currently in his sixth year as a licensed REALTOR®, and now that he is working with two junior agents serving as apprentices, he is aiming to leverage his knowledge as a licensed electrician to help serve his clients, and their homes, inside and out.

While working as an electrician, Mitch purchased his first home at the age of twenty-three, and enjoyed the purchasing and

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renovation process so thoroughly that he decided to purchase additional properties. “After a few property purchases, I decided, ‘You know what? I think I can do this myself, and I think it’d be fun!’ I got into it for personal reasons, but then I quickly learned that I might be able to have a positive impact on the industry, so I stuck with it.” For the first six months, Mitch Top Agent Magazine

worked as an electrician during the day, and pursued his real estate career at night. “I was at that point where your time is split fifty-fifty, and you can’t really excel at both.

So I had to take a leap of faith, and since I was definitely more passionate about real estate, I decided to trust my gut. Those first couple of years were tough, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” While Mitch has 11

certainly worked diligently to build his enterprise, he attributes his tremendous success to his wife Brandi, who supported him during that difficult period of transition.

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Mitch has cemented himself in the industry, currently closing between thirty and forty transactions each year and boasting a business that is just over ninety percent repeat and referral based. When asked about his client’s loyalty, Mitch’s ready response is: “I’ve had plenty of people tell me ‘You’re super honest.’ I always say I wouldn’t sell a house that I wouldn’t buy personally, and in a few situations

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I’ve told a client that a particular purchase might not be in their best interest. They might not have liked it at the time, but they respect the fact that I chose to be truthful, rather than just make a sale. Plus: I have sixteen years in the construction business, so they trust me.”

The quickly moving market around London has demanded that Mitch expand his team. Now that he has a pair of agents working with him, he is excited to continue growing Top Agent Magazine

his enterprise by merging his two professions: “I’m in the process of opening an electrical company here in town. I would love to be able to give that to people – taking care of their homes long after we’ve left the closing table. I’m not just putting pen to paper: I care about what I’m selling to my client.”

While running two separate businesses at the same time demands plenty of time and attention, Mitch takes every chance he 13

can to spend time with his wife and children (Penelope, four; and Preston, two and a half) or step onto the golf course. He and Brandi are excited to take

them out to explore the recently reopened world! “They’re at such a fun age – we just want to get them outside, seeing new places and meeting new people.”

To learn more about Mitch Robertson, visit Homesacrosslondon.ca, email mitch@primebrokerage.ca or call 519-673-8826. www.

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Things Successful People Never Do

There always seems to be people around you who find success with ease, but trust me, that is NOT the case. Although luck can often times play a role in someone’s success, most of the time it’s due to hard work and avoiding bad habits.

The best way to find your own success is to implement some of qualities you see in people you admire into your own life. The hard work part is still up to you, but by shifting your perspective a bit, and NOT doing some of the following

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things, that success might happen a little quicker.

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DON’T JUST WING IT

Successful people plan everything. Not only do they have yearly goals, but weekly and sometimes daily ones as well. By giving your time a purpose, and a clearly defined goal, you’ll eliminate the time you spend haphazardly doing things that might not be a priority. It will also make you feel less scattered, which is always a good thing.

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2

THEY DON’T TAKE ON MORE THAN THEY CAN ACHIEVE

Successful people take on what they can do well, and no more. That all starts with a daily ‘do to’ list. They always make sure their list is manageable and then they don’t sleep until that list is completed. If you find yourself not finishing your list, assess whether it was too much or if you slacked off. You’ll be surprised at the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you finish your list. Not finishing will bring you down, so make sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew.

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THEY DON’T WORK HARDER, THEY WORK SMARTER

Yes, having a strong work ethic is key, but that doesn’t mean you should waste time on things that will have less of an impact on your success. Focus on the things that will give you the most bang for your buck. Better to spend the majority of your time there, than spread yourself thin on numerous tasks.

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THEY DON’T TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE

This might seem like a bad call in business, but successful people know when to cut your loses and move forward. Anything or anyone, that frustration into your life, is never a good thing.

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REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES

Similar to not trying to please everyone, successful people are also diligent about accepting when something isn’t working 16

and moving on from mistakes. Yes, you learn from them, but don’t repeat them. Part of being innovative is trying new things, that will keep you fresh and energized, but learning how to let go is an equally important part of the equation.

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GO FOR THE SHORT RUN SOLUTION

Successful people are in it for the long haul and therefore thinking long term. When you have a plan for success and the patience to see it through, while you might have a slow start, you’re establishing a foundation for long term success. Going for the easy fix, usually doesn’t pay off.

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PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAYSAYERS

Lets face it, we all have people in our lives who might be a little more pessimistic than is healthy to be around. You can’t change them, all you can do is not let them drag you down into their ‘glass half full’ mentality. Have your plans and goals, be confident about them. When you’re insecure, that’s when you’re most vulnerable to those types of people.

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THEY NEVER QUIT

That doesn’t mean letting go of things that aren’t working. It means having an end goal.

Whatever obstacles or challenges come up, you take them on, always with that end goal in sight. Successful people know that adversity and overcoming those challenges, is how you grow, and will ultimately make you a better business person.

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NADA KOVINICH After starting school for Psychology and then switching to business, it took REALTOR® Nada Kovinich some time to figure out which industry she should work in. Once she found real estate, it was finally clear what she should do.

She’s now been in the business for fourteen years working with a team in her hometown of Cornwall, Ontario, which is about an hour from Ottawa.

Together, they’ve created a well-oiled machine to help homebuyers and sellers through the process of moving with as little stress as possible.

While Cornwall is small, it is growing, as is Nada’s business. Last year, she and her team sold around 130 homes. She’s been named one of the Top 100 Agents in Canada by Real Estate Professional magazine and has been awarded the ‘Hall of Fame’ career award and ‘Remax Platinum Club’ by Remax. With 70-80% of her clients coming from repeat and referral clients, it’s clear that Nada is a sought-after agent with a lot to offer long-term.

“We don’t just list a house and hope it sells,” she says.

“Our agents have a plan for each and every house and our assistant really pays attention to detail.” Just as important as the systems she’s set up is the fact that Nada treats her clients like family. “Being in this business, I’m helping people through one of the most important decisions in their lives. It’s very rewarding,” she says.

Nada’s team puts a lot of effort into marketing and making sure clients feel like they are always in the loop. “We have a great marketing strategy, videographer, photographer, and virtual tour program,” she says.

She’s on social media and even sends out special snail mail packages to let clients know she is thinking of them. “In the spring, we sent seeds to all of our clients so that they could plant a tree in their yard. The concept was that they can grow with us,” Nada explains.

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When she’s not working, Nada spends time with her husband, three-year old daughter and her horse. She competes in equestrian events and considers that to be a big part of her life. She and her husband also enjoy boating. In terms of community involvement, Nada is currently involved in a redevelopment project for a local park. She supports the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and donates a portion of every sale to the Cornwall Community Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ottawa.

As she looks to the future, Nada is excited to continue to build her team and client base. She’s balancing numerous different projects at the moment, including owning 19 rental units and an Airbnb with her husband. She’s also in the process of developing a subdivision with her father. Yet, even more than financial success, Nada is motivated by the desire to help others. “There’s really nothing better than watching a couple move into their first home or upgrade to a larger house to meet the needs of their growing family.”

Contact Nada at 613-330-1719, email nada@remaxmarquis.ca or visit thekovinichgroup.com www.

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24-Hour Touch-ups to Maximize Your List Price Sometimes it takes a full-scale overhaul to prepare a house for market. Other times, only a series of small adjustments are required to make a listing’s true potential shine. Whether you’re gearing up for an open house, assessing a list price, or maximizing a property’s appearance prior to photography—the devil is in the details. However, touch-ups and refreshes don’t have to dominate your schedule or break the bank. For a few ideas of where Top Agent Magazine

to begin, consider our handy check-list below for quick home projects that will fortify your bottom line.

Refresh grout for a sparkling clean look.

Perhaps the quickest and most cost-effective way to make bathrooms, kitchens, and other tiled areas shine is to refresh grout until it looks

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good as new. Specialty grout stain removers and cleaners are inexpensive and sold at most home improvement stores. Plus, the project only takes a bit of elbow grease and an hour or two for a major makeover effect. Suddenly, dark, stained, and worn-down bathrooms gleam as if tile has just been placed.

Create mood lighting with soothing bulbs and fixtures.

A warm white light from specially chosen LED bulbs creates a welcoming environment when potential buyers come calling.

If outdated fixtures are bringing down a home’s otherwise modern styling, consider more design-neutral replacements that won’t

detract from the property’s charms. These are inexpensive but highly noticeable and impactful upgrades that shift a home’s ambiance for the better.

Repaint doors for an updated and inviting entryway.

It may sound like a hassle, but repainting doorways with a fresh coat signals a wellkept property—and that’s before prospective buyers even pass through the threshold. You can also change out generic doorknobs and switch-plates to add an updated flare while on a budget. Color-of-the-year trend choices can turn heads, while neutral paint choices signal less hassle for future homeowners.

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scrub, or with the addition of new shelves or styled bulbs.

Make windows shine— both inside and out.

Cleanliness goes a long way in communicating a well-cared for home in which buyers can imagine themselves. Cleaning the inside and outside of windows not only refreshes a room, but it allows light to infuse the space while appealing to the move-in ready crowd.

Closet spaces are not an afterthought.

Every prospective buyer wants storage options, and you’ve surely led a home tour where guests inspect closets and pantries.

Don’t let these hidden spaces go overlooked. Make sure they’re clean, cleared as much as possible, and you can even touch them up with fresh paint, a good

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Remove tough appliance stains with a bit of elbow grease.

If you’re packaging appliances with the sale of a property, you’ll want to make sure those big-ticket items are also in top shape to showcase their value. Stainless steel polish, electric cooktop polish, and stain removing pads for the kitchen sink can make your appliances look five years younger with nothing more than an hour or two’s labor.

Organize garage and basement areas to maximize storage and hint at bonus space.

It may take a labor of love, but organizing and decluttering these special storage spaces

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can add significant value to a property. Instead of telling prospective buyers how much storage space there is—let these areas speak for themselves by giving them a neutral, airy bout of cleansing. That way, craft-lovers, car aficionados, and buyers with interest in renovating basement areas can witness the potential immediately.

Individually, these bit to-do list items might seem like extra work without the promise of 22

a major return. But combined? These small tasks go a long way in crafting a home’s image and projecting pure potential. After all, prospective buyers imagine their lives unfolding inside those walls. That’s why cobbling together these small-scale projects can have a big payoff in the end. Not only will a home present itself in a cohesive, attractively-packaged form, but it can also translate to higher interest and a significant pay-off—in more ways than one.

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MARCELLE LABELLE Marcelle Labelle decided to become an agent when she was looking for a new challenge. “I ran an art gallery and custom framing business, then worked in radio sales for about 14 years,” she explains. “So I’ve always been a self-starter. I thought about what I really enjoy doing, and I kept going back to real estate, because in my spare time I always looked at homes.” When Marcelle first got started, she sought out guidance from a well known REALTOR® who helped her learn the ropes. “I joined the team and remained there for a few years,” she explains. Today Marcelle is flourishing as a solo agent serving the greater Sudbury region, where she quickly became a waterfront property expert. The area has over 300 lakes, and many buyers are looking for a home with water access. Marcelle owns a lakeside home herself, so she is very knowledgeable about this segment of the market. “I live the lifestyle, I understand what to look for, the positives and the negatives,” she says.

“I love offering them advice on what they can expect.”

But Marcelle helps all types of buyers and sellers, no matter their property type or budget. By focusing on building lasting relationships and working hard for everyone she serves, she continually exceeds expectations. “I bond quickly with my clients,” Marcelle says.

“They trust my opinions and it’s not uncommon for us to work together on multiple transactions.” Only wanting her clients to make the best and most educated decisions possible, she never encourages them to pursue something she doesn’t think is right for them.

“I will point out any challenges I see and explain if it would fit in with their long-term goals,” she explains.

Honesty, integrity and a customer-centric mindset keep her business growing and her clients happy.

When it comes to marketing her listings, she focuses heavily on presentation, understanding that it’s the first impression that has the greatest impact. She provides staging with her own furniture, accessories and artwork. During her initial meeting with her sellers, Top Agent Magazine

she will go through their property and discuss what needs to be done, whether it’s decluttering, a light refresh with some paint, or full to partial staging. “I’m able to help people realize what they should be looking at from a buyer’s perspective, highlighting the features and benefits.”

Those who work with Marcelle never hesitate to share their experience with their friends and family. One recently said, “I’m so grateful to Marcelle for helping my husband and I sell our home of 31 years. Her suggestions about pricing and preparing for showing were right on.

And when we’d cleared out and cleaned up, she staged the house to just the right degree: comfortably stylish.

We especially appreciated Marcelle’s experience, savvy and connections with other agents when it came to deftly managing overlapping offers and counter offers, and adjusting the pricing strategy when called for to arrive at the best outcome for us.”

In the coming years, Marcelle hopes to continue expanding her reach. This business is a natural fit for her, and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I absolutely love what I do.”

For more about Marcelle Labelle, please call 705-561-2664 or email marcellelabelle@icloud.com 23

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