TEXAS 1-9-23

TEXAS EDITION

Small Yard?

Big Statement:

DAILY HABITS THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR MENTAL STRENGTH

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES

Uncommon Contact:

CONNECTING WITH CLIENTELE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS

TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

FEATURED AGENTS

ANGEL RUPERT JASMINE SELLERS COVER STORY

HILLARY STEPHENS

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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.

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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

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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, Top Agent Magazine

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.

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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.

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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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HILLARY STEPHENS

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Top Agent Hillary Stephens is with Pine & Beckett REALTORS®, where she assists clients throughout Midland and the surrounding communities of West Texas.

A lifelong resident of Midland, Texas, Hillary Stephens has always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for helping others.

After graduating from Texas Tech University, she would get her start in property management, but over time found herself seeking a new career that better spoke to her outgoing personality. Inspired, she decided to delve into real estate, going on to serve as an Executive Assistant to Chris Beckett, a leading Broker in the area, while she earned her license and joined his team. In the years since, she has authored an accomplished career as an agent, establishing a network of satisfied clients that spans the state.

Today, Hillary is a REALTOR® Associate with Pine & Beckett REALTORS®, where she assists clients throughout Midland and the surrounding communities of West Texas. Combining her strong roots in the region with her tireless work ethic and penchant for client service, she has cultivated a distinct workflow to meet the needs of any transaction, from residential real estate to luxury homes and investment properties.

When listing a property, Hillary is there for her clients each step of the way. After helping them 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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fully prepare for the market, she leverages Pine & Beckett’s in-house marketing director to broadcast her listings via a highly targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns.

Along the way, she utilizes her company’s own extensive network within the West Texas community to ensure a seamless transaction throughout.

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Elsewhere, Hillary is just as attentive when assisting her buyers, thoughtfully guiding them to the right investment for their best interests.

Over the years, she has earned a fantastic reputation, as evidenced by her rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals. Now averaging over $3 million in annual volume, she remains committed to the standards that set her apart.

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Over the years, Hillary has earned a fantastic reputation, as evidenced by her rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals. Now averaging over $3 million in annual volume, she remains committed to the standards that set her apart.

“Without a doubt, I’ve had a chance to learn our business from one of the best Brokers I’ve met in my life,” she says. “Because of Chris, I’m prepared for any questions that may arise over the course of a transaction, using tools like competitive market analyses to show our clients what’s really out there, rather than just telling them what they want to hear.”

Along with her team, Hillary is active in her hometown community, providing regular donations and supplies to Midland’s nursing homes, first responders, and children’s organizations.

Moreover, she is a volunteer for the Midland Animal Shelter and member of the American Legion, where she drives support towards veterans and servicemembers in-need. When she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found practicing the piano, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or spending quality time with her family. On top of that, she and her husband also enjoy flipping homes, a side business they successfully launched in 2020.

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Going forward, Hillary has strong plans for her business. Having already attained her Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designations, she intends on furthering her education through pursuing her Brokers License and Luxury Homes Certification. “As I always tell my clients, real estate is supposed

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to be fun,” she says. “Having been a competitive cheerleader and gymnast my whole life, I truly appreciate the time and dedication required to excel in our business. At the end of the day, these are among the most important investments we make in our lives, and I love helping my clients navigate a transaction to reach the best possible outcome.”

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For more about Hillary Stephens, email hillary@pineandbeckett.com, visit hillary-stephens-real-estate.business.site or call (432) 686-7000 http://

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Top Agent Magazine

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,

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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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ANGEL RUPERT As a longtime resident of the Greater Houston Area, Angel Rupert has always been passionate about empowering those in her community. Starting out, she would build a successful career as a test engineer in the oil and gas industry; however, over time she found herself seeking a new opportunity that better spoke to her entrepreneurial spirit. While investing in properties along the Lake Conroe area and developing a successful Airbnb business, she decided to pivot into real estate, earning her license in 2016 and quickly establishing a network of satisfied clients that spans not only the State of Texas, but also the world.

Today, Angel is a Listing Specialist with eXp Realty, where she assists clients throughout the Greater Houston Area. As a certified International Property Specialist, she possesses the insight and integrity needed to meet the demands of any transaction domestically and abroad—be it for a lakefront home, bungalow in Belize, or Italian villa.

When listing a property, Angel is there for her clients each step of the way. After helping them fully prepare for the market, she shares their listing via a highly targeted blend of digital and social media ad campaigns, including 12 unique strategies that are above and beyond the scope of the average realtor. On top of leveraging her extensive sphere of influence among a series of industrywide networking groups, she utilizes proven techniques like video advertising and reverse prospecting to ensure a seamless and stress-free transaction.

Elsewhere, Angel is just as attentive when assisting her buyers, leaning on her acute knowledge as an investor around Houston to uncover the right property for their best interests. In particular, she has set herself apart in

the Airbnb space, drawing from her own experiences managing properties in the area to give each client an added advantage. Moreover, she prefers to keep in touch long after the deals are done through regular check-ins, pop-bys, and even appreciation events, such as an End of Summer Bash on the lake or a Pancakes with Santa breakfast during the holiday season—all to make sure her clients are thriving in their new homes.

Over the years, Angel has earned a fantastic reputation throughout Texas, as evidenced by her rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals. Having completed 26 transactions and $7 million in volume in 2022 as a solo agent, she remains committed to the core values that brought her to real estate in the first place. “Throughout my life, I’ve always been a people-person at heart,” she says. “For me, that’s the best aspect of real estate. At the end of the day, there could be nothing more rewarding than getting to know a client, understanding their needs, and helping them realize their goals in the market.”

Outside of real estate, Angel is dedicated to her community, contributing regularly to Elijah Rising, a nonprofit organization that combats human trafficking in the Houston area. When she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found spending quality time with her family, relaxing on Lake Conroe, or living an active lifestyle, having previously competed skating for Houston’s All Star National Roller Derby team, reaching celebrity status!

Angel has exciting plans for the future of her business. As her volume maintains its steady growth, she intends on building her team while extending her penchant for client service throughout the region. In the meantime, though, she looks forward to all the new clients and opportunities that await in the community she loves.

To learn more about Angel Rupert, call (832) 702-6058 email angelrupertsellshomes@gmail.com or visit texashomegirl.pro Top Agent Magazine

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Daily Habits That Will Increase Your Mental Strength When it comes to building physical strength, the solutions are obvious, but keeping up your mental strength isn’t as easy as going to the gym. Although physical exercise does help clear your head and relieve stress, there are other things you can do daily that will help your mind be as strong and flexible as your body after a workout. Here’s just a few things you can do to help clear your head and make you more productive.

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DON’T WASTE YOUR BRAIN POWER That might seem obvious, but think about how much mental energy you might use up worrying about negativity or things you have no control over. Instead of focusing on problems, focus on solutions.

This actually take a lot of effort, we’re all conditioned to let worry paralyze us sometimes. Try and catch yourself when you’re 21

wasting time thinking about about past mistakes or current dilemmas you don’t have the power to stop. You really only have so much mental energy, and if you have kids and an especially stressful work situation, that might be even less than normal. Start treating your brain like the precious resource it is. You don’t want to be running on empty when it really matters.

BE MORE POSITIVE Eliminating negative thoughts is essential to increasing your mental strength. Carrying around negativity is like swimming with all of your clothes on. You might be okay at first, but eventually you’ll feel like you can barely stay afloat. Don’t drown in negativity, use positive thoughts as a lifesaver. This doesn’t mean you should ignore things you need to improve, just approach them with solutions rather than beating yourself up. Constant monitoring of this is important since it’s really easy to slide back into negative thinking.

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE A lot of mental energy can go to dealing with anxiety. One way to deal with that is by forcing yourself to try new things and take on new challenges, that you might normally avoid because they make you feel unsure or scared. Challenge yourself daily, even with small things.

This is definitely something that becomes easier with practice. Start small, and in no time you’ll be taking on things you never 22

thought were possible. The simple task of trying something new every day will have you feeling energized and put you on the path to self-growth.

BE SELF-AWARE Your emotions affect everything you do, even if they’re not at the surface. Recognizing and labeling them is key. A lot of the above exercises require selfreflection. It’s okay to have the emotions you have, understanding why and where those emotions come from allows you to focus on dealing with them rather than just wallowing in them. Being self-aware is also about self-care. Know the things that help relax and rejuvenate you. That way you can handle everyday stresses and remain calm even during the most turbulent times.

BE WILLING TO LEARN A lot of people are still hung up on the idea that learning is a boring and tedious process, but you aren’t in junior high anymore. You can find something you’re actually interested in and immerse yourself in it, which engages your mind like nothing else. Whether it’s learning a new technology that will improve your business or something that will make you a more well-rounded person, the learning process keeps you engaged and open to new ideas. A curiosity about the world and new things is something that all mentally strong people have in common.

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JASMINE SELLERS Since Jasmine Sellers was a child, real estate has intrigued her. She traveled all over the U.S. growing up, and when she settled in Roanoke, Texas, she was able to see the city grow. “My dad was always telling me to get into real estate,” she explains.

“He never had a license, but he was great at connecting people and getting things done.” After Jasmine started growing her family, her interest in real estate grew alongside it. “We sold our house, moved to the country, and I was paying close attention to how taxes work in the real estate process,” she says. So she decided to go back to school and study this industry. One of her professors noticed her passion for it, and encouraged her to join the Appraisal Review Board so she could determine what area she wanted to pursue. “I was a member and then sat on the board for three additional years, and I loved it,” she says. Over four years later, she’s thriving as an agent on The Bryce Is Right Team, and is currently pursuing her broker’s license.

“It’s been such an amazing experience,” she explains.

As a member of a top producing team, she has all the tools and support necessary to provide a high level of service. Serving all of North Texas, 98% of her business derives from repeat clients and referrals. It’s Jasmine’s unparalleled knowledge and commitment that keeps people coming back. This is especially true when it comes to manufactured homes and land. “I have a unique knowledge when it comes to manufactured homes and land,” she explains. “I understand the restrictions and how to remove some of them, how the titles work, and I’m experienced with builder docs for new home packages.”

No matter who she is serving, Jasmine is ready to guide her buyers and sellers throughout the transaction. She is determined to get them the best deal possible, whether

that means the lowest purchase price for her buyers, or the highest purchase price for her sellers.

Clients feel Jasmine understands their needs on a deep level. They never hesitate to tell others about their experiences with her. One recently said, “Jasmine was on it from start to finish. She always made herself available to answer any questions I had throughout the entire process. I would absolutely recommend her to everyone I know. She made the whole experience a good one. Thanks Jasmine!” Another wrote, “Jasmine was such an awesome person to work with. She helped us tremendously through this process.

Her communication was efficient and in a timely manner.

She is very knowledgeable and I would definitely use her in the future.”

Throughout the year, Jasmine and her team give back to the community. “This year, we worked with Bark at the Park, helping dogs get adopted. We even had activities for people who were already pet owners.” During any free time, Jasmine can be found relaxing with her family, including her husband Andrew. “He is truly an amazing person and husband, and he’s always out in the field with me, helping and supporting me. If it wasn’t for him and my family’s love and support, I would not be where I am today.”

Jasmine sees herself continuing to grow for many years to come, and training new agents. “Our brokerage hosts classes almost weekly now for people to come and share their knowledge about this industry,” she explains.

Wherever her path leads, she is undoubtedly going to enjoy every minute of it. “I just love the interactions with people, and that I get to help solve problems. It’s very rewarding.”

For more information about Jasmine Sellers, please call 940-389-2782 or email jasmine@housebrokerage.com

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