SOUTHERN FLORIDA 7-17-23 by Top Agent Magazine

SOUTHERN FLORIDA EDITION

3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS

Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog

TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

SMALL YARD? BIG STATEMENT:

3 MENTAL TRICKS THAT WILL

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES

FEATURED AGENT

ELENA LAKSHTANOV COVER STORY

ELVIDA MASSON

SOUTHERN FLORIDA EDITION

ELVIDA MASSON

ELENA LAKSHTANOV

CONTENTS 4) EASY BLOG TOPICS FOR ELVIDA YOUR REAL ESTATE BLOG MASSON 6) SMALL YARD? BIG STATEMENT: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES 15) 3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

23) COOPERATION, NOT COMPETITION, CREATES MUTUAL SUCCESS FOR AGENTS 26) 3 MENTAL TRICKS THAT WILL TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

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Laughs!

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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. Top Agent Magazine

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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Small Yard? Big Statement: How to Make the Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces When house-hunters compile their lists of musthave home items, a dreamy backyard space is often near the top. After all, who doesn’t want an outdoor oasis of their very own? From summer barbecues to open space for your dog to frolic— everyone has their own aspirations when it comes to creating the perfect backyard paradise. But as homebuyers seek properties deeper within city limits, and Millennials opt for properties with 6

urban amenities and access, home-connected outdoor spaces are becoming a bit smaller in stature. Of course, size isn’t everything when it comes to outdoor space. Even balconies, rear patios, and ultra-tiny yards can provide homebuyers with the outdoor reprieve they crave—even on a smaller scale. For a few ideas that can help you envision all the possibilities of a micro outdoor space, read on for inspiration.

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Think vertically. When space is at a premium, think up instead of out. In other words, make the most of small spaces by capitalizing on your backyard, balcony, or patio’s overhead height. Mood-setting string lights, hanging pocket or wall gardens, floating shelves, and modern overhead hangings can create a sense of privacy and luxury without cluttering the square footage on the ground.

Soothing sounds set the mood.

Upgrade the look of structural components. Not in love with your patio pavers? Don’t have the sweetest view off your balcony? Whatever your small backyard living space gripe may be, there’s always a solution if you go back to the basics. Consider the structural components of your outdoor space that you aren’t in love with and there’s likely an affordable, eye-pleasing solution. For instance, plenty of home goods Top Agent Magazine

retailers make a variety of punchy or luxe outdoor rugs that can disguise stained or lackluster outdoor flooring. Power-washing is another great solution for old grime and dirt that’s an eyesore. Don’t have a great view? Planting ivy on bare walls, installing adjustable mood lighting, or hanging planters can create a more inviting ambiance.

While there may not be room for a swimming pool or pond in a micro yard or balcony, you can still bring the calming presence of water to your outdoor oasis. Fountains run the gamut in sizing and price, making this amenity an easy acquisition. What’s more, a running fountain not only adds a soothing sound to your space, but it also helps drown out noise from the street or the neighbors—making your space entirely your own and stress-free.

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Don’t compromise on your culinary dreams. If you love to entertain in outdoor spaces or relish the chance to man the grill—small outdoor spaces don’t have to trip you up. Grill options (both propane and charcoal) come in a range of sizes, many of which can be outfitted securely to balcony posts or be tucked away and out of sight when out of use. Consider nesting tables or those with a removable leaf to adjust your seating and dining options depending on company.

Another trick? A small, oscillating fan can keep air flow moving in a small space during grill season—and can be easily affixed to walls or posts, as well. Don’t let yourself or clients be discouraged by spaces with more limited square footage in outdoor areas. Furniture and design trends have already begun shifting toward providing better small-space options, and at the end of the day, a backyard space is all about providing an area for relaxation. With a few well-placed, strategic choices, you can still have it all.

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ELVIDA MASSON

Top Agent Elvida Masson with MVP Realty serves the west coast of Florida, calling it a “piece of paradise” known for its beauty. Everything that Elvida Masson does is led by her heart. Her joy and passion for her career in real estate is palpable, and you can hear a smile through every word she says. Although she completed her first transaction in 2002, her busy school schedule forced Elvida to put her real estate career on the back burner. In 2015, Elvida 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

became a licensed real estate agent, and is now a full-time Realtor at MVP Realty. She serves the west coast of Florida, calling it a “piece of paradise” known for its beauty. Masson knows the area very well, and is able to point out the best schools, beaches, shopping, and more to her clients when they are looking for places in her region. Top Agent Magazine

“My goal is to serve my clients with enthusiasm, honesty, and expertise,” Elvida mentions. She focuses on getting great deals for her clients and making sure they’re happy. Elvida thrives on being part of the journey for people to try to find their home, no matter whether it’s their first

home or an investment property. “I [treat] it like I’m doing it for myself and I put my heart into it,” Elvida states, “and after the transaction is finished, they know they can count on me.” Her personal touch throughout each client’s process is the cornerstone of her services. Masson makes sure to

Elvida thrives on being part of the journey for people to try to find their home, no matter whether it’s their first home or an investment property. “I [treat] it like I’m doing it for myself and I put my heart into it,” Elvida states.

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Elvida is passionate about serving the people of the Floridian west coast. Her sales volume per year continues to increase past $6 million, and she hopes to achieve her goal of reaching $10 million in sales this year. share her expertise and strong communication skills, which is why her business is thriving from referrals. She believes that her leverage in this business is the way she puts her heart into the entire process for her client from start to finish. While Elvida is currently working as a solo agent, she would love to build a team. Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

She is currently training fresh agents, and advises them to love what they do not only for business, but by how it impacts the community in a positive way. Her belief that being an agent is a way to help the community extends to her outreach. “I’m always trying to help the community,” Elvida comments, “I want to make sure that I’m there.” Masson not only gives Top Agent Magazine

back to local churches, but contributes to the community during hurricane season, which can be a challenge. In the case of a strong hurricane, Elvida is out providing assistance to those in need — whether it is through providing food and water, or trying to relocate people who needed a place to stay.

Elvida is passionate about serving the people of the Floridian west coast. Her sales volume per year continues to increase past $6 million, and she hopes to achieve her goal of reaching $10 million in sales this year. It’s hard to imagine anything less than success with her positive, can-do attitude! She loves to put a smile

Elvida is one-in-a-million, and her clients continue to come back. Many have found themselves calling her, exclaiming, “I will not choose anybody else but you!”

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on her clients’ faces, and even during the more challenging parts of real estate transactions, they always feel like she made it “a piece of cake.” Elvida is one-in-a-million,

and her clients continue to come back. Many have found themselves calling her, exclaiming, “I will not choose anybody else but you!”

To contact Elvida, please call (914) 441-5611 or email realtorelvida@gmail.com. To explore Elvida’s listings in paradise, go to paradisefloridahomesforsale.com www.

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3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value. In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage. Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces. Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look. No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition. Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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ELENA LAKSHTANOV Top Agent Magazine

ELENA LAKSHTANOV

REALTOR® Elena Lakshtanov relocated from Wisconsin to Florida seven years ago, fulfilling her dream of living in the sunshine state. Now, she helps others do the same. After obtaining her real estate license five years ago, she has been steadily growing her professional network, and has become an expert covering Sunny Isles Beach to West Palm Beach. The allure of the weather, beaches, and excellent school systems are enough to bring anyone to her door, but it’s also Elena’s ability to make clients feel at ease from day one that keeps her referrals high and clients happy.

course, homes. “Many of my clients want to plan for the future of their family, and as a mom of three kids, I know exactly what to show them,” she says. While around half of her business is referred to her, Elena also has a lot of new people finding her through social media or other advertising. When she started, that’s all she did — social media was her bread and butter when it came to getting the word out. Now, potential clients hear of her reputation for success

“Boca is known for its incredible schools, safe neighborhoods, and well-maintained streets,” explains Elena. “It offers resortstyle amenities for all ages, with many 55+ communities for those who want to retire in comfort.” Not only does Elena believe that Boca is a little slice of heaven, but she shares her passion for the area with her clients. Many people come to her with hardly any knowledge of the local resources, and Elena is there to show them the best universities, restaurants, doctor’s offices, and of 20

and seek her out personally. “I love socializing and my clients often become good friends,” she says. “They call me, I call them — I’m someone they can rely on.” A huge part of Elena’s social life stems from her roots. She is deeply involved in the Russian Jewish community in Boca and works with many immigrants who are assimilating to life in the United States. “I help a lot of people from around the world find their very first home in the U.S.” she says. When she’s not working, she loves attending picnics and gatherings with her friends as well as going to the beach. “There are so many fun things to do in Florida that you really can’t sit inside.” Elena’s sales volume is already averaging an impressive $25 million each year, but she has her sights set even higher. At the moment, she is working to break into the luxury real estate division as the next step in her business. Her goal is to eventually earn her broker’s license, but she insists that there are lots of other ways to learn on the job in the meantime. “Many people don’t know a lot about Boca when they move here,” she says. “I love hearing about their lives and helping them find the neighborhood and community where they feel at home.” Working with Elena as a REALTOR®, her clients get personalized attention and a focus on their unique needs and goals. With an unwavering passion for real estate, Elena brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Her love for the industry is evident in the dedication she shows to each and every client. Elena firmly believes in building strong relationships with her clients based on trust, transparency, and open communication. Elena is constantly staying up-to-date on the latest market trends and technologies to ensure that she is providing the most current and effective advice. Beyond being a real estate agent, Elena becomes her clients’ trusted advisor and partner throughout their real estate journey. Contact Elena Lakshtanov today and take that first step towards an exciting and successful real estate experience! Top Agent Magazine

To learn more about Elena Lakshtanov, please call 414-659-8994, email elena@SignatureOneLE.com or visit SignatureOneLuxuryEstates.com www.

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Cooperation, Not Competition, Creates

Mutual Success for Agents When people get along during a business transaction, everyone comes out happier. And in a service industry like real estate, agents have the power deliver that happiness. By working cooperatively, sharing advice and helping each other help clients, agents not only enhance their own reputations, but that of real estate in general. Top Agent Magazine

“Bring everyone together” Matt Kobelski, with Credentials Real Estate Group in Massachusetts, points out that providing good service involves more people than the party you’re representing. “I’m not afraid to bring together all the parties in a deal and say, ‘OK, let’s figure out a solution that works best

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Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem

for everyone,” he explains. “My goal is to avoid being adversarial.” Real estate, he believes, should always be a field in which each person can win. “It’s about working toward a mutual goal, shaking hands, and walking away happy that a seller sold, a buyer bought and everyone got what they wanted.” But Is it that simple? Most agents have experienced the ways conflicting personalities and tension during a transaction can heat up even the most cordial relations. In reality, however, it’s more productive to let down your guard and work with others as a team than it is to allow stress and competition to preside. South Florida REALTOR® and broker associate, Risë V. Siegrist, for instance, has zero interest in competing with other agents. “It’s more important to be professional and associate with competent, caring people,” she says. By serving others with a cooperative spirit, experienced agents like Risë set an excellent example for emerging real estate stars. Risë hopes to be a model for the next generation of agents, training people who may one day become part of her team. Risë’s position on cooperation inspires more reasons for nurturing relationships with other agents. Over the decades, many agents change brokerages several times. Who knows if that agent across the table will one day work at the 24

same brokerage you do? Perhaps you’ll even have an opportunity to partner on an exciting, future transaction. Good relations keep doors open to endless possibilities.

Co-listing cooperation Teaming up with an agent from a different brokerage on a transaction is not as uncommon or complicated as it might seem. In fact, some agents cleverly capitalize on their collective attributes, rather than competing against one another. South Carolina REALTOR® Kimberly Pannit is a perfect example of the universal benefits of co-listings. Although she has always been an independent agent, Kimberly works hard to form professional alliances that give her business the feel of a cooperative network across brokerages. This cooperative approach may be nontraditional, but it benefits clients in unique ways. By working closely with agents at other brokerages, she shows how agents can improve client service while helping one another. Kimberly’s cooperative approach began in her own neighborhood, where an agent friend from a different brokerage also lives. “Several years ago, I approached her because both of us were friends with our neighbors. I asked, ‘Why don’t we give our neighbors superior service and

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co-list together? We both love our area and are passionate about our jobs, the location and schools.’” She also didn’t want to make their mutual friends choose between them when they could work together. “I said, ‘Let’s give them amazing service together!’” With their brokers’ permission, two weeks later the agents co-listed their first home and put extra energy into ensuring uninterrupted client service.

Networking and “Co-opertition” When the ultimate goal is to match a client with the perfect home or create optimal terms of sale for a listings, networking with other agents can facilitate that ideal buyer-seller match. Nashville REALTOR® and broker/owner Lisa Land embraced every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the real estate industry and to her local market, even before building her own team. “Agents would frequently ask me for help or advice,” she says, noting that she shares, rather than guarding, the methods she uses to get through difficult or confusing transactions. “I was fortunate to have great mentors when I started in real estate, so I’m always

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willing to offer help, even to agents outside of The Luxe Collective.” Meanwhile, on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Janet Leigh Scott describes the climate between agents as relaxed and professional. “While the real estate market is highly competitive, we’re truly a ‘co-opertition’ market; agents work together and a have greater sense of community than you might experience in off-island brokerages,” Janet says. “If I have buyer coming into town, I’ll reach out to agents I’ve done transactions with to ask if they have anything coming up that might not be on the market yet.” Even in hot, competitive L.A. real estate, independent agents such as Andrej Nagy of The Agency RE knows the importance of receiving and providing professional mentorship. “My relationships with clients are extremely important,” he says. “But my relationships with agents on the other side of a deal are also important.” For REALTORS® like him, working smoothly with other agents is a privilege. Doing so builds rewarding relationships while ensuring win-win transactions for everyone at the closing table.

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3 Mental Tricks That Will Take Your Business to the Next Level It’s no secret that running a successful business requires careful planning and a tireless work ethic. Beyond those obvious ideals, it also takes the right mindset in order to capitalize on professional opportunity. In the world of real estate and mortgage lending, mental fortitude is a major component to reaching the next 26

level and achieving longevity in a sector that requires so much self-discipline. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few key mental tricks you can employ to reinvigorate your working philosophy. Incorporate these techniques into your daily mindfulness routine and your business will surely benefit.

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Visualization helps you work efficiently and keep your cool.

This may sound like one of the oldest tricks in the book, but there’s a reason why Olympic athletes and those serving in first-responder positions use visualization as a time-honored mental technique. Not only does visualizing your daily tasks help you organize your mind, but it amps up your ability to focus on what’s important. Visualization also helps reduce stress in the moment, since you’ve already created a mental expectation of the task ahead. Whether you’re preparing for a negotiation or a pitch to new a client—visualization primes your brain and affords you an extra sense of control as you tackle your day.

Distill concepts into their simplest terms for ultimate understanding. As an agent or loan officer, you’re likely juggling numerous clients and commitments on any given day. That’s why it helps to distill your responsibilities in clear, definitive terms. Let’s say you have a meeting set with a client to outline a marketing approach for their property. You may understand the broad strokes, but beforehand, try verbalizing the exact takeaways you’d like to impart to your client. This may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to clarify your communication and ensure your com-

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plete understanding of a subject is to explain it aloud in its simplest terms. This crystallizes your main point and can come in handy if you drift off-topic or need to double-down on your message.

Accept that mistakes will be made.

While it’s natural to fear failure, sometimes the dread of making an error can overwhelm your ability to perform. As the saying goes: don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. If you accept in advance that set-backs will occur, challenges will come, and things won’t always go accordingly to plan—you’ll be less confounded when hurdles do arise. What matters is keeping an even keel as you sort through unexpected delays or mishaps. Accepting that mistakes will happen allows you to shift your focus towards a solution or contingency plan. In other words, don’t spend your energy trying to achieve perfection. Aim high and work hard, but be in touch with reality: upsets are bound to occur. Accept this and you’ll be ready when they do. The path to lasting success is ongoing, and there are bound to be challenges along the way. It takes mental fortitude to make it to the top, so keep these tricks in mind as you continue to grow as a person and a professional. Seeing situations in a new light can make all the difference as you adapt, evolve, and take your business to the next level.

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