SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 8-8-22

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS

5 STEPS

to Maximize Your Price List

TO ACHIEVE LONG TERM SUCCESS AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT

INCORPORATING CHARITABLE GIVING

IN YOUR REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

FEATURED AGENT

LEVON ARZUMANYAN COVER STORY

BLAKE BRINTZ

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 Steps to Achieve Long Term Success as a Real Estate Agent Real Estate can have a reputation as an industry with a high turnover as far as agents go. Being a ‘people person’ with an entrepreneurial spirit is a great start, but what some fail to realize when starting out is that this is a business.

So if you’re in it for the long haul, you need to treat it that way. Here are some key steps you need to take to have your own successful real estate business.

1

FIND A MENTOR

Once you get your license and hang your sign at a Brokerage, you’ll find that you’re pretty much on your own. That’s why it’s a good idea for new agents to find a large Brokerage that offers in-house training and mentorship or a boutique brokerage that has more seasoned agents who are eager to take a new agent under their wing. Being able to shadow a more experienced agent is invaluable and allows you to mirror what you’ve seen and run through the numerous scenarios that will arise when you are representing a client.

2

CONTINUOUS TRAINING

This is a business that is constantly changing, so it’s smart to always stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technological innovations and systems. There are even numerous online resources, where you can keep up on your trade, such as blogs by top producing agents that are a treasure trove of information. A confident agent with an in-depth knowledge of the business is one that easily earns the trust of their client, leading to repeat and referral business, which will be the bread and butter of your business.

4

Top Agent Magazine

3

BUILD A STRONG ONLINE PRESENCE

Yes, referrals are the basis of your business, but building a strong online presence and marketing yourself to new clients is also important, especially before you’ve built up a strong referral base. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media tools are great way to get leads both for your listings and for yourself. It’s even a good idea to buy several domain names when you start, so that when you’re ready to build a website, you can ensure you have the names you want. Obviously the internet is also a great resource to find leads. Before you find a niche for yourself, it’s important to take advantage of every avenue there is. A lot of successful agents started off doing things no one else wanted to take on like foreclosures, expired listings or lower priced homes. But as you’ll find out, helping those who need it most is a great way to build a loyal client base, that will not only come back to you when they are ready to sell or buy again, but will be your biggest cheerleaders when it comes to referring you to friends and family.

4

BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION

5

SET GOALS

One thing you’ll find in this business is that doing a lot of work up top, will lead to a more successful outcome down the road. That goes for marketing plans for your listings, as well as your business as a whole. It might not be the fun part, but it will allow you to one day focus on what you do best, dealing with your clients. Set up your CRM and the other systems you want to use from the get go. Getting these things established before you’re hopefully a busy agent is the best time to really learn them and decide what’s best for you.

Once you build a strong foundation and are establishing your client base, it’s important to continually set goals that help you implement your business strategy.

You can even invest in a real estate coach if you need someone to hold you accountable. It’s also important to constantly reevaluate what you’re doing. Set up a monthly audit, where you go over what is and what isn’t working. As we mentioned above, this is a fluid business and things are constantly changing, the same can be said of your business. What worked a year ago, might be losing you money as your business grows.

Top Agent Magazine

5

LEVON ARZUMANYAN Levon Arzumanyan, of Los Angeles, California, brings a vast reservoir of industry expertise and interpersonal connections to the competitive real estate scene along the west coast. Since his career began in 2006, he has been honing his personal systems and refining private business practices; and now, in 2022, he boasts a position as one of NextHome Luxe Groups top solo REALTORS®.

Originally, Levon began his professional career in the world of banking, working in the lending division and client relationship asset management. “I immediately saw the limitless potential of real estate, which is, in my opinion, the ultimate journey to financial freedom. In 2008, when the market crashed, obviously a lot changed and we had to change our formula, but I had already learned a lot about the industry.”

This tumultuous period ultimately helped Levon complete his transition from banking into the real estate industry, and by 2013, he was purchasing and equipping properties for long term, sustainable success. “My ultimate goal is to own enough rental properties to take care of my family.

I bought three last year alone – I want to have that ultimate freedom.”

His passion for the pursuit of this long term vision manifests in a series of efficiently designed systems of advertising, marketing, and maintaining relationships. “I am definitely a systems guy. I’ve been teaching everyone here all of the systems that I use. I use a complete CRM called Chime – it’s a follow-up system on steroids. It keeps track of client interactions and handles all of my drip campaign communication. It’s like having a virtual assistant on the side.”

This client management network gets activated as soon as NextHome receives an active listing: “Before we even go live on the market, we have a twenty-one day launch campaign. We basically prepare the house with whatever it needs – painting, flooring, remodeling; we have a list

of vendors – and then, over the next couple of weeks, our five-step marketing system begins. In our mega launch, we contact the whole neighborhood, a database of potential buyers, and place social media ads on Instagram, Facebook, Google, Nextdoor and over eight hundred other websites. We’re huge on the tech side” Despite this broadly cast, technology savvy network, Levon still believes in the power of ground level marketing and face-to-face communication. “I still get a ton of business door knocking. Three or four times a week, we go out into neighborhoods and just talk to people. That’s my favorite thing about the job – meeting people from so many different paths of life, building relationships and opportunities.”

This grassroots marketing strategy is paired with Levon’s ongoing relationships with private developers, which grows his repeat business alongside his newer clients.

When asked about the benefits of his current team’s approach, Levon’s response is immediate: “At NextHome, we recognize that finding a real estate agent to help you sell your home isn’t necessarily difficult, but finding an experienced, qualified expert trained to utilize a systematic approach is rare. We don’t look at your house as a piece of property; we look at it as the centerpiece of your life. In a time when other real estate brokerages are eager to turn and burn buyers and sellers, we value our relationship with our clients with our company motto being #HumansOverHouses.”

While he enjoys the “thrill of the hunt,” Levon prides himself on his passion for the mundane. “I’m actually pretty laid back. I mostly want to spend my time with my wife and two kids. We love to travel, and now that we’ve covered most of the United States, we’re looking to travel abroad. I do a lot of reading for personal development and a ton of outdoor hiking – that’s as exciting as I get!”

To learn more about Levon Arzumanyan, visit LevonArzu.com, email levon@nhluxe.com, or call 213-414-8088 www.

6

Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

John Wade is proud to congratulate

Levon Arzumanyan

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

John Wade | Senior Loan Officer john.wade@fairwaymc.com | NMLS# 256688 Cell: 818-404-1905 | Office: 818-638-1801 Fax: 866-452-4143 www.johnwadeloans.com 26565 W. Agoura Rd., Suite 215 Calabasas, CA 91302

Top Agent Magazine

7

Incorporating Charitable Giving in Your Real Estate Practice

As real estate professionals, taking part in the community and serving others is central to a long-lasting practice. After all, agents are in the business of homeownership, building a financial future, and helping their clients begin new and fruitful chapters. With that in 8

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

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

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

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

Find causes that speak to you.

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

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

Unite your team for the common good.

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

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

9

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

Include clients in the process.

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

10

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

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

BLAKE BRINTZ Top Agent Magazine

11

Top Agent Blake Brintz with The Auer Team, powered by eXp Realty of California, where he assists clients throughout Murrieta, Temecula Valley, and the surrounding areas of Southern California.

A lifelong resident of California, Blake Brintz has always been passionate about empowering those in his community. He would first take an interest in real estate while working as a landscaper in college.

Noting how the industry complemented his outgoing personality and tireless work ethic, his in-laws, both prominent agents in the region, would later invite him to join their team. Accepting the opportunity, Blake decided to take the plunge and began learning the business from the ground up, establishing a network of satisfied clients and colleagues that spans Southern California. The rest is history.

Today, Blake is a REALTOR® with The Auer Team, powered by eXp Realty of California, where he assists clients throughout Murrieta, Temecula Valley, and the surrounding areas of Southern California.

There, he has crafted a dynamic workflow to meet the needs of any buyer or seller.

12 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

When listing a property, Blake equips his clients with a comprehensive strategy. After helping them fully prepare their home for the market, he shares it via a highly targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns.

Top Agent Magazine

More than anything, he is there for his clients, ensuring a seamless transaction throughout.

“I treat my business as if it were an aircraft carrier,” he says. “It’s not affected by the weather—be it a sunny day or a stormy day.

13 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Over the years, Blake has earned a terrific reputation throughout California, as evidenced by his rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals.

Regardless, I will always go above and beyond for my clients.”

Elsewhere, Blake is just as attentive when assisting his buyers, leveraging his in-depth knowledge of the region to uncover the right investment for their needs. In fact, he even keeps in touch with his clients long after the closing through regular check-ins and handwritten cards, all to make sure they are satisfied in their new homes. Above all, he enjoys welcoming newcomers into his Southern California community—from its top rated school system and family-friendly neighborhoods, to the thriving culture and cuisine in Temecula Valley’s wine country.

Over the years, Blake has earned a terrific reputation throughout California, as evidenced by his rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he remains committed to the core values that brought him to the business in the first place. “When Copyright Top Agent Magazine 14

Top Agent Magazine

I take on a client, they truly become my friend.

That means exceeding their expectations, from start to finish. For example, instead of buying them a bottle of champagne as a closing gift, I’m going to replace that faucet or water heater to make sure they get their dream home.”

Top Agent Magazine

On top of being involved within his local school system and church, Blake supports organizations like Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He is also raising funds to sponsor a hospital in Haiti. In real estate, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 15

meanwhile, he is heartened to aid his local service members and veterans in their journey towards homeownership. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found spending quality time at home with his wife and three children.

As for the future, Blake has exciting plans for his business. Having now fostered strong roots in the region, he intends on expanding his mentorship work within his team, scaling the vision of compassionate service that has anchored his success in the community he loves.

For more information about Blake Brintz please email blake@theauerteam.com, visit TheAuerTeam.com or call 951-204-4803 www.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 16

Top Agent Magazine

Embracing Smart Homes:

Does New Technology Really Increase Home Value?

Technology and innovation move at a lightning-fast clip, so it can be hard to keep up with all the smart-home trends sweeping the market at a given time. From smart thermostats to security systems accessed through an app on your phone—there are endless options to customize and update your home for the modern era. But which, if any, of these smart home products add Top Agent Magazine

value to property in a significant, worthwhile capacity? Especially with new generations of the same products released in quick succession, it can be hard to determine whether it’s worth it to take the plunge. With that in mind, we’ve conducted a deep-dive into the smart home options out there that make the most sense for your bottom line and real estate investments.

Top Agent Magazine ®

17

Smart home amenities range in price and return.

There are certain smart home products that won’t break the bank while still adding lovely touches and time-saving features to your space. For instance, a smart thermostat may not run more than a few hundred dollars, but it can take so much of the guesswork and analog nuisance out of programming your home’s internal environment. That said, buyers selling properties with mid-range amenities like this can’t expect a windfall in return. While smart home features can certainly lure buyers and give the sense that a home is attractively modern (and thus move-in ready), it doesn’t mean that you’ll be reaping a sizable monetary reward for your foresight. Conversely, this reality doesn’t mean those smart options

18

are without value entirely; it just means that the value of smart home options may be apparent in a different capacity, like luring a particular buyer or creating a desirable, sleek image for a property headed to market.

On the other hand, larger scale smart home amenities that are being left behind for the buyer—like a smart refrigerator or wired sound throughout the property—may be able to lure particular buyers who value high-end details. While it can be difficult to state definitively the value of smart home options, the rule tends to be that the more you put in, the higher the likelihood you’ll reap the investment you sow. Focus your smart home options on home appliances first, then work your way toward security, thermostat, and entertainment options.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Smart home amenities capture the attention of buyers

Agents must know how to pitch the value of smart home options

Even if you have mostly opted for small or mid-range smart home options, you can still benefit from their presence in a property—even if they don’t inflate your bottom line as a result. Smart home amenities have the power to focus the attention of buyers, sending a clear signal that the previous owners were tech-forward and made an effort to upgrade the property for the contemporary era. Millennial or Gen Z buyers especially value these up-to-date modifications, and the presence of these desirable gadgets can create added interest and drive up value naturally. Likewise, featuring these options in listing photography can also drive interest from younger or high-end buyers looking for move-in ready spaces.

Remember that smart home features are relatively fresh to the market. While some new construction properties are equipped with these smart amenities, just as many homes on the market don’t offer these upgrades and modern flairs. This means that many buyers, of all ages even, aren’t familiar with the benefits and perks of these options, let alone how they’re operated. Before you can derive value from a smart home or smart home features, you’ll need to understand a product’s proper usage, cost, and benefits. Do your homework regarding what smart home features can offer in terms time or cost savings, and be able to show prospective buyers how easy these objects are to use, as well. Do both, and you’ll be in proper command of what smart home features can offer buyers and pitch them accordingly.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine ®

19

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 20

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

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

Top Agent Magazine

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.

Top Agent Magazine ®

21

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

22

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

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 Top Agent Magazine

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.

Top Agent Magazine ®

23

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

24

Top Agent Magazine