TEXAS 10-23-23

TEXAS EDITION

How to Cut Downon Digital Distractions and Up Your Productivity

If it’s Good for the Soul,

IT’S GOOD FOR THE BUSINESS

INCORPORATING CHARITABLE GIVING

Keeping in touch –

IN YOUR REAL ESTATE PRACTICE FEATURED AGENT

TRACY KING

How to Stay in Your Clients’ Lives for the Long Haul

COVER STORY

NICOLE ANDERSON

TEXAS EDITION

9

23

TRACY KING

Starting her career in r estate photography, Tr King’s transition to beco ing an agent was one of best decisions she’s e made. Overcoming ini hesitations, she earned NICOLE ANDERSON TRACY KING license and promptly fou her home at Century Top Realty, where she planted her roots for over four years. At the helm the ‘The Howdy Group,’ Tracy leads a passion CONTENTS team of six, serving clients across the vast expa of the greater Houston area. Based in Katy, Trac 4) IF IT’S GOOD FOR THE 15) KEEPING IN TOUCH expansive knowledge covers –territories stretch over 30 miles in every While she keeps SOUL, IT’S GOOD FOR THE HOW TO STAY IN direction.

YOUR CLIENTS’ eye on achieving broker’s license, Tracy ta LIVES FOR THEher LONG HAUL BUSINESS pride in her strong base of repeat clients and wordmouth referrals, especially from those who’ve b 6) INCORPORATING 21) HOW TO CUT DOWN ON captivated by her dynamic presence on social med CHARITABLE GIVING IN YOUR

REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

2

DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS AND approach UP YOUR PRODUCTIVITY Tracy’s to real estate is refreshingly genui

with a distinct blend of transparency and expert “I love working with families,” she mentions. O wanting what is best for her buyers and sellers, Tr Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 never hesitates to tell them how she feels. “If I do mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com think it’s the right time for them to buy or sell, No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever consent of the the without houseprior isn’t right forpublisher. them,TopI Agent am honest about Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published she expressed explains.

This honesty is a trait that many h materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. come to respect, setting her apart in the field. Trac Published in the U.S. pursuit of continuous learning, especially in areas interior design, construction, and property flippi also enables her to provide Top clients an inform Agent with Magazine and comprehensive perspective

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

Top Agent Magazine

3

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 4

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

5

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 6

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 ®

7

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

8

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

Top Agent Magazine

NICOLE ANDERSON

9

Top Agent Nicole Anderson became a licensed broker in 2022. She has consistently become a Multi-Million Dollar Producer at Ramsey Realty Group, with an average sales volume of $20 million a year.

Nicole Anderson is proud to sell what some people say is the most beautiful lake in the Lone Star State. Situated on almost 3,500 acres, Lake Cypress Springs is a 7-mile long, spring-fed jewel nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas. It’s a popular choice for many buyers in and around Dallas who are searching for a peaceful waterfront 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

property and a chance to escape the city. “It is where I grew up, and it is what I know best. I service all of East Texas, but Lake Cypress Springs is where I do most of my business,” she says.

After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University Magna Cum Laude with Top Agent Magazine

Honors, Nicole began pursuing her career in real estate. Nicole began her real estate career in 2013 and became a licensed broker in 2022. In just a few years she has consistently become a Multi-Million Dollar Producer at Ramsey Realty Group, with an average sales volume of $20 million a year.

About 80% of her business now comes from repeat clients and referrals. Nicole’s clients seek her out for her expert local market knowledge, marketing savvy, and personalized customer service. “Whenever I list a home, I go over a marketing plan extensively and call on my personal preferred

Top Agent Magazine

vendor team to get a property prepped,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve developed a list of the best contractors and photographers in the East Texas area.”

Another key differentiator that separates Nicole from other agents is that she belongs to multiple MLS organizations, which is uncommon in the area. She’s also active on social media. “I want to make sure any time people are searching for a home, they have immediate access to my listings on many different marketing platforms.” Nicole feels it is an honor to be chosen as the agent

11 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

A key differentiator that separates Nicole from other agents is that she belongs to multiple MLS organizations, which is uncommon in the area.“I want to make sure any time people are searching for a home, they have immediate access to my listings on many different marketing platforms.” people trust to buy or sell property. “A home is one of the biggest investments that most people ever make, and I really enjoy helping my clients find their perfect homes. Many of my clients have become great friends. I consistently have clients reach out several Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

years after their closing and call with various questions or to ask for referrals.”

As an active member of the community, Nicole supports a wide variety of nonprofits and local organizations. One of her favorites Top Agent Magazine

is a foundation called the East Texas Angel Network, which was established to assist local families who have a terminally ill child or a child with a life-threatening disease.

She’s also established a fund to provide a scholarship to a deserving high school student at her alma mater every year.

In her free time, Nicole and her family spend a lot of time on the weekends—naturally— boating on her favorite lake. She also loves to travel and spend time with her family, especially her daughter, Kinley. In the future,

Top Agent Magazine

Nicole plans to build a service-oriented team to help grow her business while further establishing her reputation as the go-to REALTOR® for property in East Texas.

“One of the keys to being successful in this business is to be visible. I have billboards throughout town, banners at the local football fields, visit local restaurants for lunch and dinner, and am a part of many community organizations.” With Nicole’s commitment to dependability, integrity, and strong work ethic, Nicole is sure to be a fixture in East Texas real estate for years to come.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

To reach Nicole Anderson, please call 903-767-2805 or email nicoleanderson0711@gmail.com or visit nicolesellstexas.com or her Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/nicoleatramseyrealtygroup

http://

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 14

Top Agent Magazine

g n i p Kee h c u in To

HOW TO STAY IN YOUR CLIENTS’ LIVES FOR THE LONG HAUL

One sign of a great real estate agent is there long list of loyal client following. Part of achieving a great referral base is being a great realtor during the transaction. But, that’s only half of the work.

To truly be your client’s realtor for life and keep them coming back to you as well as referring others to you, you have to stay in their lives past the transaction. Keeping in touch with your past clients can be one of the most important parts of your business, and one that many realtors tend to push to the wayside.

Do you stay in your client’s lives, or do you disappear? People refer people that they feel they know well and that they trust, people they consider friends. However, earning and keeping your client’s trust involves maintaining a delicate balance with how much you contact them. Experts recommend reaching out to your clients at least quarterly. But, it’s not just about how often you stay in touch. You also need to be mindful about how you are reaching out to them. Here are some tips on how to keep in touch with your clients for the long haul: Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

15

INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL CONTACT One of the best ways to keep in touch with your clients is to simply give them a call every once in a while. Follow up and see how your clients are doing. Offer them assistance if they need it. Personalized contact helps to ensure that you remain as important to your clients long after the sale as you were during the transaction. Giving your clients a call on special occasions such as birthdays or holidays also makes for a great personal touch.

Of course, nothing beats face-to-face contact. Stopping by to say hello can be a great way to keep in contact. An even better way to catch up and maintain that friendship is to set up a lunch or coffee date with past clients. Giving individual clients your undivided attention goes a long way towards maintaining that bond you formed during the transaction and earning your client’s loyalty and trust. Interactions like this make a lasting impression on your clients.

Of course, many busy REALTORS® may not have time to follow up with every client oneon-one. A great way to still give personal attention to your clients without meeting each and every one for lunch is to throw a client appreciation party. This allows you to get in some face-to-face time with each client and make sure they all get your undivided attention and quality time to catch up with you, even if it’s only for a short time.

Now, if you have a lot of past clients, this can be difficult to manage during one party. One way to get around the numbers problem is to organize smaller events based on client’s inter-

16

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

ests. Instead of throwing one giant party, host a pool party for the families with kids or a wine and cheese get together for single clients. Hosting special events like these ones goes a long way towards keeping your contact with past clients more personalized and setting you apart from those businesses that simply send them a calendar once a year.

PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH USEFUL NEWS PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH USEFUL NEWS One way that many REALTORS® keep in touch with their clients is by sending them newsletters. This form of contact can be a double-edged sword. You want to make sure you provide them with useful information that reminds them of your value as a real estate professional.

Otherwise your communication will amount to nothing more than spam, and clients will think of you less as a trusted friend and more as a nuisance salesperson.

Clients react much more positively to communication containing information that is pertinent to their lives. Update your clients on what is going on in their local community and housing market. Demonstrate your knowledge about the community and the things that are important to your clients. Include information about local cultural events, community news, housing statistics, information on the mortgage market, home maintenance advice, home design tips, and anything else that your clients will find personally useful. Your clients will always be interested in value.

SEND CLIENTS MEMORABLE AND PERSONAL CARDS Sending your clients cards related to important events in their lives and letting them know that you remember those events and care will go a long way towards building and maintaining a close personal relationship with them. You want to make sure your cards stand out, though. Sending popular holiday cards can be a mistake, as they will most likely get lost amongst all of your clients other holiday cards and will be quickly forgotten. Instead send something more personal such as: HOME ANNIVERSARY CARDS: Send cards to each client on the anniversary of the closing of their home.

CONGRATULATORY CARDS: Remember important events such as wedding anniversaries, graduations, new babies, etc.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CARDS: Instead of just sending your typical birthday card, add something special to yours that will stand out. Include a $1 scratch off ticket or a $5 gift certificate to Starbucks. Make sure to include a handwritten personal note.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

17

GIVE CLIENTS AN UNUSUAL GIFT Make sure the gifts you send your past clients stand out. Send your past clients an odd gift at the beginning of the year or on a holiday. Think outside the box and send things like funny magnets, customized mugs, a personalized piece of wall décor, and other fun and unusual items. A great way to make your gift stand out even more is to include a funny note with it that will catch their attention as well as make them think of you. For example, one cute idea is to send clients a bag of popcorn with the note, “Real estate is popping, give me a call.” You could send a bag of goldfish with a note attached that says, “I’m fishing for your referrals.” Get creative and have a little fun with it, your clients will notice and remember you for it.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Social networking sites make staying in contact with past clients in a more informal and friendly basis much easier. Connect with your past clients on Facebook. This will help you stay up to date on the important things happening in your pact clients’ lives. In return, it provides you a great platform for keeping those past clients up to date with what is going on in your business as well as keep in contact in a more informal manner. Use Facebook to remind past clients to check their basement after a heavy rain or that they can contact you for help during tax time.

18

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

You can even organize your contacts on Facebook into customized lists such as “past clients,” “industry contacts,” etc. This will help you better manage your Facebook contacts.

This will also allow you to view specific news feeds based on these lists and send messages to a particular list of contacts. Don’t forget about the many other social networking sites such as Twitter or LinkedIn either. Utilize this technology to drive personal contact with your clients.

STAY ORGANIZED

No matter how you choose to keep in contact with past clients, make sure to be consistent.

Consistency will help you stay organized and diligent about reaching out to your past clients regularly. A tool used by many real estate professionals to stay organized is a customer relationship management solution. Whether you use one that is online or a computer software program, this will help you stay organized when managing your contacts and allow you to set notifications to alert you when you need to contact certain clients, send out gifts, plan a client appreciation event, and many other things throughout the year.

Staying organized and consistent in your contact with past clients will help you continue to build and manage your referral base, as well as open the door to repeat and referral business.

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

19

Laughs!

20

Top Agent Magazine

How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— Top Agent Magazine

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

Top Agent Magazine ®

21

get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

22

Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

TRACY KING Starting her career in real estate photography, Tracy King’s transition to becoming an agent was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Overcoming initial hesitations, she earned her license and promptly found her home at Century 21 Top Realty, where she has planted her roots for over four years. At the helm of the ‘The Howdy Group,’ Tracy leads a passionate team of six, serving clients across the vast expanse of the greater Houston area. Based in Katy, Tracy’s expansive knowledge covers territories stretching over 30 miles in every direction. While she keeps an eye on achieving her broker’s license, Tracy takes pride in her strong base of repeat clients and word-ofmouth referrals, especially from those who’ve been captivated by her dynamic presence on social media.

Tracy’s approach to real estate is refreshingly genuine, with a distinct blend of transparency and expertise.

“I love working with families,” she mentions. Only wanting what is best for her buyers and sellers, Tracy never hesitates to tell them how she feels. “If I don’t think it’s the right time for them to buy or sell, or the house isn’t right for them, I am honest about it,” she explains. This honesty is a trait that many have come to respect, setting her apart in the field. Tracy’s pursuit of continuous learning, especially in areas of interior design, construction, and property flipping, also enables her to provide clients with an informed and comprehensive perspective When it comes to marketing her listings, Tracy taps into her past experience and embraces modern tools to showcase her listings. “For the photography, I do it myself,” she explains. She also virtually stages properties, ensuring they appear inviting and engaging to potential buyers. While she handles most tasks Top Agent Magazine

herself, she recognizes when to seek external expertise, opting to hire professionals for video and drone coverage when a property demands it.

Tracy’s life outside of work revolves primarily around her family, especially her twin toddlers. Her current community involvement centers on supporting their daycare and preparing for their school years. On a personal note, her husband’s role as a police sergeant keeps them engaged with the force’s community endeavors.

With eyes set on the horizon, Tracy has plans to elevate her professional standing by obtaining her broker’s license. Drawing inspiration from her personal life, Tracy envisions a deeper engagement with the first responder community, particularly police officers and their families, empathizing with their unique challenges. Though she entertains the thought of establishing her own venture someday, she recognizes that now is the moment to nurture and expand within her existing framework. As time goes on, her passion for what she does continues to grow. “Getting to take away the stress for my clients and helping them in this journey is so rewarding.”

For more about Tracy King, please call 281-546-4340 or email TheHowdyGroup@Gmail.com

23 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine