SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 7-25-22

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

COVER STORY

CASEY SCHEIN FEATURED AGENTS

VALERIE BOLANOS JANELLE FILE & BRANDON GOETHALS CLARE HART CINDY SEDDON ROSS WEINSTEIN

How to

INCORPORATE CURRENT EVENTS

to Your Email Blasts and Stay Relevant

If it’s Good for the Soul,

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

HOW TO SPEED UP FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TRANSACTIONS

COMPLETE RETROFITTING AND WATER CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE (PER SENATE BILL NO. 407)

LGS was founded in 1987 to assist Realtors in meeting mandatory requirements prior to the close of escrow. As the list of requirements grew, so did we! LGS has been committed to providing the professional service necessary to successfully meet our customer's needs. One hundred percent customer satisfaction is not only our goal, but it is our mantra. n

n

n n n n n n

Retrofitting Inspections and Noncompliant Plumbing Disclosures Los Angeles DWP Certificate of Compliance Seismic Earthquake Valves Low Flush Toilets Water Heater Straps Smoke Detectors Carbon Monoxide Detectors Window Glazing

License Number 900919

2

Call 1-800-771-5971 or visit us at www.lgscompliance.com email info@iusecompliance.com Top Agent Magazine

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 mak4

ing 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.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

1. Be honest about the scope of the role 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.

2. Build in some perks 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.

3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans 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 Top Agent Magazine

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.

4. Keep the lines of communication open 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.

Top Agent Magazine ®

5

VALERIE BOLANOS Clients turn into friends and life-long contacts when working with Temecula Valley agent, Valerie Bolanos. Efficient communication and attention to details are a few of Valerie’s admirable traits. She relishes navigating the home buying and selling process with customers and getting to know them along the way. “I think being a friend, a resource, and educating clients about the local area, or about real estate in general, is my biggest offering,” she says.

Professional but fun, she may grab coffee or lunch with a client to get to know them better during the journey, while discovering their wants and needs. Valerie remembers each client’s story, especially the high point when a deal is made and when she can deliver the news that escrow has confirmed the closing. “Just seeing my clients’ faces light up with pure joy and excitement – whether it’s helping them secure their first home and delivering keys, or when I’ve helped them sell their home maximizing their profits – is my favorite part of this business.”

Valerie is not new to serving clients in real estate, having worked on the lending side previously. She began her career as a loan processor and parlayed that experience into owning an independent loan processing company. From there, she dove into mortgage lending. Family connections introduced her to sales. “My stepmom is a broker,” Valerie says, “so, she and my dad kept encouraging me to get my license. A few months after that discussion, I took the classes and passed the exam, got my license, and never looked back since.” Six years in, Valerie amasses more than $10 million in sales annually. Her performance has earned her entry into the Circle of Excellence for the San Diego Association of REALTORS® and earned the President’s Award recognition as one of the Top 17% of Agents Company Wide for her performance. She believes that having her Bachelors Degree in Business Marketing has also helped contribute towards her success. She leverages her degree to analyze current market trends.

With 70 percent of her business coming from repeat clients or referrals, Valerie has not had to rely on lead services. She lands listings by being the go-to agent within her sphere of influence, as well as being a trusted resource to other agents and colleagues in the region. “I’ve been blessed in that sense,” she

says, “and hopefully, my business will continue to grow that way for me.” Valerie, who markets her listings through a strong presence on Instagram and Facebook, also connects with colleagues in the area to bring buyers to her properties.

Temecula is home to California’s wine country. It avoids some of the trappings of the larger cities, but it sits within an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside.

“We’re right in the middle of everything, so it’s a central drive to all the places in the bigger cities which is nice. You’re far away but not too far” Valerie says. “ I always tell people that you’re not compromising anything by moving here.” Temecula holds charm in its own right, with wineries and an idyllic Old Town, you get that suburban life with a small town feel. That’s where you will find some of Valerie’s favorite local eateries, such as: The Goat & Vine, Havana Kitchen and Rival Coffee. Temecula home prices are accessible by comparison thus allowing more families to afford to purchase a house on one income. “This situation leaves no shortage of parent volunteers in the area’s highly rated schools”, says Valerie, whose own life is filled with activities around youth sports, parent-teacher associations, and booster clubs.

Valerie is grateful for the time real estate has afforded her to stay engaged in her kids’ lives and making it possible for a work/life balance which she feels is imperative for health and well-being. “Balancing time between family and business is important,” says Valerie.

Over the years, she’s grown her business, even hitting her highest numbers during the second year of the pandemic. Year after year, business has steadily increased. She would like to take that momentum and apply that to her next goal by obtaining her broker’s license. She envisions building a team; not just any team, but a close-knit group that she can relate to like family. “I love my career and getting my license was the best decision I’ve ever made, hopefully I will continue doing this until I’m old and gray and can’t do it any longer,” she says “and maybe one day pass it down to my children if they’d like to follow in my footsteps and take over the family business.”

To learn more about Valerie Bolanos, email Valerie.Bolanos@Compass.com or call 858.231.0134 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Michael C. Francisco is proud to congratulate

Valerie Bolanos

on being featured in Top Agent Magazine for the state of California!

Michael C. Francisco | NMLS #159895 Sr. Loan Originator michael.francisco@primelending.com Mobile: (858)-335-1852 Office: (858)-373-2143 E Fax: (866)-908-1539 www.MortgageMikeSD.com PrimeLending NMLS: 13649

3131 Camino Del Rio N. Suite #1620 San Diego, CA 92108

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 8

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

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

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

Top Agent Magazine

9

CLARE HART Clare Hart is a passionate real estate agent with over two decades of entrepreneurial experience. Clare uses her business arts background to hone the necessary skills needed in the real estate industry. A CEDCA certified interior designer, Clare worked in the design world in Canada before relocating to the United States. She shares how her love of designing houses drew her to the real estate world.

Today, Clare “lives and breathes real estate” and works as a solo agent serving the High Desert region of California.

She notes how this part of the country is gaining attention for the high speed bullet train project that will run from Apple Valley to Las Vegas. With only two years as an agent, Clare is already making significant strides with 35 closed transactions, 6 pending and repeat referral business. She shares how she recently sold the home of her very first client. Her professional approach is relationship-forward and goal-oriented, which allows Clare to seamlessly turn client’s goals into reality. Clare makes it a point to keep in close contact with her past clients, often stopping by for a visit when in their neighborhoods. She sweetens up the holidays by sending gourmet cookies to all of her clients, as well as cards on special occasions.

Clare prioritizes her clients’ wellbeing and works to keep them both comfortable and informed throughout the process. She says, “Anything anybody needs, I will always help them.” Clare notes, “I work hand and hand with my lenders.” She often procures clients solid mortgage approvals with coveted interest rates.

Clare markets current listings via paid advertising campaigns, across Google, Instagram, and Facebook along with a “great network of agents.”

When asked what she enjoys most about the industry, Clare says, “I love to see the excitement from people’s

faces when they’re moving into their new home.” Her genuine care for people extends to animals as well. Clare partners with the Barstow Humane Society to “help rescued animals across the High Desert area.” She is currently facilitating a program to pay the adoption fees for abandoned animals. Clare laughs, “A house is not a home without a pet.” In her free time, Clare is an avid football fan, and loves to catch a Seattle Seahawks game. She resides in Helendale, a quiet oasis on the water, right off of historic Route 66. She can often be found taking her boat out the lake Clare is currently launching an expansion team in Canada , her home country, to be able to serve her international friends, family, and sphere.

Contact Clare at 760-490-1249, email hartbeat760@gmail.com, or visit chart.remax.com https://

Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Clare Hart Laurie Allen is proud to congratulate

on being featured in Top Agent Magazine for the state of California!

Laurie Allen NMLS #237057 lallen@franklinlc.com www.franklinlc.com/lallen 41607 Margarita Road, Suite 102 Temecula, CA 92591

How to Speed Up First-Time Homebuyer Transactions Working with first-time homebuyers can be among the most rewarding real estate transactions an agent can embark upon.

Not only are you helping guide newcomers into the housing market, but you’re also witness to the excitement and triumphs along the way, including handing over those keys for the first time. While 12

helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

So, what’s the best way to streamline the homebuying process for first-timers, while maintaining the magic and keeping your sanity along the way?

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

While helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

Set expectations upfront and often.

It’s no secret that communication is a cornerstone of a successful real estate practice and client relationship. Amidst a transaction as complex as buying (or selling) a home, it’s important that no wires get crossed, no questions go unanswered, and no information gets lost in translation. To accomplish this, create communication parameters with your clients up front. Inquire about the communication medium they’re most comfortable with—a text, a call, an email, etc.

Then, tailor your outreach accordingly.

Also, consider setting a weekly time to check in, even if no official progress has been made. This helps clients and agents touch base, float questions and concerns, and get ahead of any problems or developments. Another helpful tool is to draft a transaction timeline for your client that outlines the major milestones along the way, what sort of information will need to be gathered, what steps taken, and what outcomes are possible. This might seem like exhaustive work, but in the era of digital research, clients will come to their own conclusions and biases Top Agent Magazine

whether you like it or not. To stay on the same page and timeline, be the foremost resource for your client, and don’t leave their questions up to chance.

Know your first-time homebuyer programs and perks.

There are a variety of national, state, regional, and local grants and programs that aid first-time homebuyers as they pay their down payment, shop for home or mortgage insurance, and otherwise deal with the financial implications of becoming a homeowner. Sometimes these programs are neighborhood-specific in certain cities, with incentives to buy in up and coming areas. In some cases, there are grants that support underrepresented minority communities breaking into homebuying, and these can go a long way in making the burden of a down payment and associated fees doable. In other words, do your research.

The right program or grant could make the difference in nabbing a dream starter home for your client, while setting them up for future financial success.

Top Agent Magazine ®

13

Get pre-approved for a mortgage—and shop around for the best rate.

Not all mortgage rates are made equal. As an agent, you likely have good relationships with area lenders that you trust, but it’s still important to complete your due diligence when helping first-time homebuyers find the rate that suits their longterm housing goals. Also remember that first-time homebuyers are new to this process, and while real estate transactions are complex in their own right, the borrowing and lending processes can be alienating in their complexity. As an agent, it’s your job to play intermediary and teacher, ensuring your clients know their options, are prepared to make an educated decision, and

14

feel confident that they’ve chosen correctly. Talk with your preferred mortgage partners to best outline options for your clients’ understanding, laying out a framework that’s informative, projected into the future, and allows them to feel empowered by knowledge.

All in all, working with first-time homebuyers can be an exciting and joyous occasion, as long as you’re adequately prepared for some hand-holding and instruction along the way. Aside from the enthusiasm of successful first-timers at the closing table, you’ll also enjoy the lasting benefit of strong referrals to their friends and family, many of whom will be shopping with you for their own first dream homes.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

CASEY SCHEIN

Top Agent Magazine

15

Top Agent Casey Schein with RE/MAX of Valencia, assists clients throughout Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding counties.

Throughout his life, Casey Schein has always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit.

He began his career as a top producer at his own sales and marketing agency, where he would establish the communication skills and strong roots in California that he would later need to excel in real estate.

Over time, though, he found himself seeking a fresh opportunity that better spoke to his passion for helping others and empowering those in his community. Inspired, he decided to pursue his real estate license in 2019—and the rest is history.

Today, Casey is a REALTOR® with RE/ MAX of Valencia, where he assists clients throughout Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding counties. Combining his elite business acumen with his solid foundations in the industry, he has developed a distinct process to meet the needs of any buyer, seller, or investor.

When listing a property, Casey leverages the cutting edge resources at RE/MAX to give his clients a forward-thinking 16Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

strategy. Starting out, he helps them fully prepare their home to sell, providing them with an award winning interior designer to make sure their property looks and shows its best before going on the market. After generating buzz around his listings via personalized “coming soon” campaigns, he broadcasts them to a highly targeted blend of digital and social media promotions, the regional MLS, and over 300 websites. Not only that, but he also shares his listings to a set of exclusive networking groups within Top Agent Magazine

the region, giving each client an added advantage.

But Casey is just as hands-on when assisting his buyers, thoughtfully guiding them to the right investment for their needs.

Above all, though, he loves welcoming newcomers into his thriving Santa Clarita community—from its top-rated school systems to its affordable housing opportunities and family friendly local businesses. “I love knowing I’ve helped someone achieve such Copyright Top Agent Magazine17

“My motto is to underpromise and overdeliver. More than anything, I want my clients to have an experience that goes way above and beyond what they’re expecting.” a major milestone in life,” he says. “For me, there could be nothing more rewarding than building that emotional connection with my clients and seeing them realize their dreams.”

Since delving into real estate, Casey has earned a fantastic reputation throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, with the majority of his volume coming from referrals and his 18Copyright Top Agent Magazine

sphere of influence. With his annual volume having jumped from $8 million in 2020 to $24 million in 2021, he remains committed to the vision of boutique service that brought him to the business in the first place. “My motto is to underpromise and overdeliver.

More than anything, I want my clients to have an experience that goes way above and beyond what they’re expecting.”

Top Agent Magazine

Outside his career, Casey is deeply committed to his community. On top of serving as a Board Member and leader of the Economic Empowerment Committee for the FilipinoAmerican Association of Santa Clarita Valley, he volunteers with his son’s tee ball Top Agent Magazine

league throughout the year. He is also one of the leaders for a service organization within his church dedicated to seeking opportunities for service throughout the Santa Clarita community. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he enjoys spending quality Copyright Top Agent Magazine19

time with his family, exercising, or practicing his favorite pastime: breakdancing.

Going forward, Casey has exciting plans for his business. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he looks forward to partnering up to lead the team at RE/MAX of Valencia

while deepening his work with investment properties, expanding his proven standards throughout the region. “One of my core values is to treat clients like family,” he says.

“At the end of the day, I genuinely value the friendship and rich experience we are able to cultivate over the course of their transaction.”

To learn more about Casey Schein, please call (661) 476-7579 or email caseyscheinre@gmail.com

20Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Uncommon Contact:

Connecting with Clientele Through Social Media Social media is one of the newest and most powerful tools in an agent or mortgage professional’s arsenal. With just a few keystrokes, you can stay top-of-mind with buyers, sellers, and borrowers near and far, past and present. The key is knowing how to use these mediums to your advantage, working smarter instead of harder to keep the thread of professional relationships intact. With that in mind, here are a few ways you can maximize the pull and power of social media by shifting just a few of your ideas and practices for the better.

Top Agent Magazine

Not everything has to be about business.

While your relationship with a client or fellow vendor began over the course of business, your relationship going forward doesn’t have to be limited. One of the great things about social media is that’s it’s social. Not every comment, post, or communication has to revolve around your business, its metrics, or turning a sale. In fact, you should do your best to branch out and curate a brand and online identity that’s about who you are and

Top Agent Magazine

21

the lifestyle you’re authentically interested in living. In that vein, consider interacting with clients in an organically-driven way, encouraging them during life’s milestones, reaching out with a local event, restaurant, or news item that’s relevant to their interests or neighborhood. The goal is to be a persistent presence in their lives without feeling like a talking head. Engage as you would like to be engaged with, as a human being with interests and needs and boundaries. Keep that personal thread in mind and your dynamic will shift from past business contact to present resource.

Expand your medium.

Many Realtors are comfortable on Facebook as an interactive meeting to connect with clients, but there are several other mediums where you can connect with clients both past and present, as well as future. Particularly when courting Millennial clientele, the fastest-growing segment of the buying market, a presence on Instagram and Snapchat are key to finding new faces, demonstrating hot properties, and creating an interactive brand as an agent. Not only does this help when you’re listing a property and seeking potential buyers, but it also serves as a perusable portfolio of your work and real estate prowess. You can also use these mediums to interact with clients on an outlet they might feel most comfortable in. Liking pictures, commenting, streaming Instagram Live home tours and Stories are all ways you can build engagement by simply spreading your social media presence around. Likewise, 22

these photo and video driven mediums are popular for home design ideas, and before and after renovation pictures. When you expand from Facebook into these new platforms, you’ll already have plenty of visual content ready to be transferred and consumed by an expanded audience.

Don’t just react.

Create your own content.

It’s easy enough to post a link to a new listing, or retweet a helpful article on real estate news. Creating your own organic content is a different story, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to luring engagement, ranking higher in search fields, and overall crafting an interactive presence for yourself and your business online—which is where more than 90% of homebuyers and sellers begin their process. Creating your own content can seem risky, or else like no one is listening in a digital world already crowded with information. However, original content is sure to boost personal engagement with your social media pages, guaranteed.

Instead of recycling content, consider posting a video with a Q+A theme for first-time homebuyers, or perhaps posting a live tour of a new listing will perk up your clientele surfing at home.

No matter how you decide to expand your social media presence when it comes to interacting with clients, consistency is key.

Find the ways that work best for you and stick to them, and you’ll watch your audience and business grow in tandem.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

JANELLE FILE & BRANDON GOETHALS Armed with a background in marketing in sales and a family that had already been involved in real estate, Janelle got her appraising license in 2002. Business was great and she was heading a team of sixteen appraisers throughout Northern California. In 2008, everything changed. The market shifted and she met golf professional and soon-to-be husband Brandon. At the time, Stockton was the number one foreclosure market in the country, and they decided to raise their growing family in Newport Beach. In 2014, she landed her sales license with the goal of a team in Orange County, not wanting to just take a place on someone else’s team.

She knew that between her background and existing connections with lenders, builders and investors and Brandon’s contacts and skills that the perfect starting team would be none other than the two of them.

Brandon had never considered real estate as a career, but saw Janelle’s plan and believed in it. The File Group was born.

The couple went all in, investing everything to break into the scene as a new team in a big way. In 2016, Brandon got his license and they were off. Their plan paid off in a big way. They didn’t just dip a toe in and play it cautious. Careful investment, planning and a wealth of experience made them the new team to be reckoned with in Orange County. From Laguna Beach to Hollywood to Newport Beach, word spread of the team with that strived to be the next level of service.

They work hard at providing connections and service beyond just being real estate contacts. This generates trust, faith and good will among their client base in the exclusive markets they deal in, where word of mouth propels seventy percent of their business.

With only about 5,400 lots in their prime area, competition is fierce. Janelle thrives on the hunt, going out and finding hidden treasures for clients, from lots that have been subdivided, merged, rezoned and lost in city archives, waiting to be found, to just the right home for a particular client in one of the eclectic neighborhoods. Clients range from successful businessmen to newlyweds, retirees and new families. Each has a different niche, and Brandon loves meeting the different demographics and working out just what transaction is perfect for them, going beyond surface wish lists and digging in to what will truly make someone happy in their new surroundings.

The area isn’t cluttered with big chain stores, but clients will be introduced to far more welcoming places like CDM Restaurant, Bandera, R&D Kitchen and dozens of other local eateries and hot spots.

When dealing with exciting multi-million dollar properties, exciting marketing techniques get employed. An amazing VR model walkthrough was created for a $26 million project, allowing the couple to send an actual VR headset to a prospective client without them having to travel to see the construction. They could then execute a complete virtual reality tour, allowing the exact feel of walking through the space from hundreds of miles away.

Maybe VR tours are the way to go in the future to allow them time to spend doing virtual open houses from their living room so they can spend time with their three kids.

Other future plans will probably include planning more local golf tourneys to benefit the school and growing their team. Three new agents have just been brought on, and the original goal of a billion dollars in sales is getting closer and closer.

For more info, call 949-500-1807, email brandon@thefilegroup.com, or visit TheFileGroup.com www.

Top Agent Magazine

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 23

CINDY SEDDON They say that what you do away from your job nonetheless still mirrors your employment and how you see yourself – and how others see you. Cindy Seddon is a solo REALTOR® with Keller Williams Empire Estates, covering the Inland Empire of California. But in her spare time she is heavily involved in Chicktime, a grassroots movement supporting and encouraging women to pursue their passions. Chicktime groups help connect women with their likes to help break the cycle of abuse.

“Our adopted organization is a home, and we help young ladies through counseling and hands-on work.

We recently helped the children with their prom, getting them dresses, getting their hair and makeup done, even got them a limo. It’s just something that makes you feel good,” said Cindy, who has also been a Girl Scouts Leader for her daughters for 17 years as well as a PTA past president, treasurer, and current volunteer.

The point is, Cindy does what it takes to help others, especially when it comes to buying and selling a home.

A district manager for a large company for 34 years, Cindy briefly retired when her youngest daughter was in high school but if six months of staying home and doing nothing taught her anything, it was that retirement was not in her wheelhouse. Not when she is passionate about helping others. Six months later, Cindy got her real estate license in 2017 and joined Keller Williams.

“Everything blossomed for me at that point. About a year-and-a-half ago my repeat business really shot up to about 40-50 percent, and referral business, where I get most of my clients, is now about 85 percent,” Cindy said. “I am easy to talk to. I communicate very well with my clients. I answer my phone. Somebody calls I answer, or I call back immediately. I don’t like to make people wait and worry. I get answers immediately. I don’t like worry or stress from my clients. I educate my clients and provide detailed information.”

24

Cindy said she makes it a point to not only stay connected with clients – birthday cards, anniversaries, quarterly contacts, texts – but she loves the idea of getting to know the entire family and what makes them tick. Quite often, when they have similar interests, client-REALTOR® develops into a friend-friend. Cindy said she averages about 12-15 transactions per year and wants to take it to the next level. Currently, her leadership skills have led her to become a member of the Keller Williams Empire Estates Agent Leadership Committee. This is an important program that grows and develops agents in the office that counsels the agents on leadership decisions. Cindy is one of just six such leaders in an office of 200 agents charged with providing skilllearning and education.

“I have one part-time admin and I want to grow my business to take the leadership skills I have from my previous employment and grow it into a small team, and have a couple of buyers and agents,” she said. “I have a five-year plan that I set last year so that is my goal.”

Cindy Seddon is a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Empire Estates, BRE #02017966

Please call 909-434-3349 or email cindyseddon.realtor@gmail.com Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine Copyright Top

3 Ways to Make Your Workspace Work for You Productivity experts agree that a curated workspace positively impacts productivity and mood, but oftentimes we settle for bland desks and cubicles that lack personalized details or considerations for workflow. Why miss out on the opportunity to optimize your surroundings when it could brighten your day—and boost your performance? Keep in mind some of these tactics to make your workspace your own and reap the benefits along the way.

Top Agent Magazine

DETERMINE YOUR WORKING STYLE AND DECORATE ACCORDINGLY For the creative set, a colorful and art-filled workspace can inspire fresh ideas and reduce stress. Likewise, casual yet aesthetically pleasing furniture, accessories, and décor set an inviting yet functional mood. A pop of color from an office tool—even something as basic as a stapler—can inject a sense of fun and modernism into your daily tasks. For the more analytical, right-brained worker, clean

Top Agent Magazine

25

lines and zero clutter go a long way. A few well-chosen personal photos in tasteful, unassuming frames can provide a motivating connection to the world beyond the office, while accessories and supplies that are sleek, monochrome, and contemporary inspire a sense of calm efficiency.

BUILD A WORKSPACE WITH YOUR DAILY ROUTINE IN MIND If you find yourself spending hours on the phone per day, or assembling stacks of documents and brochures, or even coming and going from the office with frequency—there are simple adjustments you can make to your workspace that will save you time and energy. If you sit for long hours—responding to e-mails or making calls—try incorporating an ergonomic chair or keyboard wrist-pad to maximize comfort. If you spend a long time assembling presentation materials, then file organizers, trays, and easy-to-pull labels can shave valuable time off your efforts. Lastly, those who step out for frequent meetings can reduce the hassle of being on-the-go by making your space mindfully organized—a coatrack and a dish for your keys by the door, an auto-brew coffeemaker, or an easily edited whiteboard calendar can make jet-setting simpler.

26

ADD EASY DETAILS THAT ENRICH YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE While organization and décor can rally productivity and mood, there are also a few extra details you can introduce to your workspace to improve the quality of your working life.

Healthy, easy to grab-and-go snacks—think nuts, homemade trail mix, and fresh fruit— can keep your energy up without the sugar crush or guilt. If there’s a window nearby, a hard-to-kill plant like a philodendron or a fern not only cleanse the air around you, but also provide a welcome connection to the natural world. Being prepared in a pinch is another great way to make your workspace work for you: a spare tie, a tube of lip balm, hand sanitizer, or a box of Band-Aids can save you a trip to the store when an unexpected need arises.

While we take great pains to make our homes our sanctuaries—complete with the decorations, furniture, and food we favor—we often overlook our work areas, even though we spend a sizable portion of our week sitting at the same desk. Challenge yourself to add a few of these personalizing, productivity-boosting details to your work area and bring the comfort of home to your working life.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Area Specialist ROSS WEINSTEIN Originally from New York, Ross Weinstein has always been drawn to real estate. Coming of age, he had the opportunity to observe the business from the ground up through his family’s background in architecture and structural engineering. Later, he would go on to launch a successful career in digital advertising for acclaimed tech startups on the West Coast. Over time, though, he found himself seeking a new opportunity that still spoke to his entrepreneurial spirit, but afforded him the time to be there for his toddler daughter. A single father, inspired, he decided the time was right to pursue his real estate license and build a trusted real estate business focused on becoming a trusted resource for people.

Since delving into the business, Ross has gone on to author an accomplished career as an agent, establishing a network of clients, colleagues, and partners that spans the nation. His clients include high profile CEOs and executives, recording artists, YouTube celebrities, professional athletes, and actors. Today, he leads the Ross Weinstein Group, partnered with Compass, the #1 Brokerage in Los Angeles, where he assists clients throughout all of Southern California. Combining his sales and marketing background with his penchant for client service, he has established a boutique workflow to meet the needs of any buyer, seller, or investor.

When listing a property, Ross prefers a thoughtful approach. “Price, presentation, and people are keys to maximizing interest of a property,” says Ross. Starting out, he helps his clients fully prepare their home for the market, equipping them with a suite of professional photography, videography, and drone imaging services. From there, he leverages his foundations in digital marketing to broadcast his listings over a highly targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns. He also utilizes

proven outlets like detailed floor plans and print advertising, as well as his own extensive professional network—all to give his clients an added advantage.

But Ross is just as attentive when assisting his buyers, carefully guiding them to the right investment for their best interests. In fact, he stays in touch long after the deals are done to keep his clients apprised of the market and stand as their ongoing home advocate.

“Coming from New York, I believe in approaching my clients with a transparent and direct attitude,” he says.

“People need that in our business. Above all, I want them to make well-informed decisions on their financial future and achieve their lifestyle dreams.”

Over the years, Ross has earned a fantastic reputation throughout Los Angeles, as evidenced by his strong rate of repeat clients and referrals. On pace to exceed $40 million in volume in 2022 alone, he still returns to the core values that brought him to real estate in the first place. “I love knowing my clients are in good hands. When they work with me, they can trust that they’ll receive sound advice on one of the most important purchases they’ll ever make.”

When he’s not with clients, Ross can be found traveling, relaxing on the beach, attending his daughter’s soccer tournaments, or enjoying all that Los Angeles has to offer. As for the future, he also has a strong vision for his business. With his volume continuing its exponential growth, he intends on expanding his group while deepening his work with multi-family investment properties.

“At the end of the day, real estate transactions are longterm partnerships,” he says. “As such, clients should always hire a professional—someone whom they can trust not only for the next few months, but also for the next few years. That’s the kind of pragmatic service I look to provide, no matter what.”

To learn more about Ross Weinstein, email ross@rossweinstein.com, visit rossweinstein.com or call (310) 363-0929. www.

Top Agent Magazine

27

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

28

Top Agent Magazine