Laughs!
AGENTS WITH HEART
A pivotal question we pose to featured agents in Top Agent Magazine is, ‘Tell us about your community involvement.’ This query holds immense significance, not only as a benchmark for nominees but also as a crucial factor contributing to the success and prestige of top agents.
Top Agent Magazine defines community involvement based on three key factors: Events, Associations, and Charities. Beyond serving clients, top agents demonstrate an outstanding commitment to their communities and the place they call home. Their measures involve volunteering time,
Community involvement is not just an extracurricular activity for top agents; it’s an essential element that molds their individuality and professional ethos.
financial contributions to organizations helping those in need, and active participation in community events. This distinctive trait is a testament to how their generosity extends beyond clients, enhancing the lives of those in their surrounding communities.
most fulfilling part of my career is knowing that I will change somebody’s life.”
Take Cindy Ambuehl, a former actress and model who has evolved into one of LA’s most sought-after luxury real estate agents, gracing the cover of Top Agent Magazine. Cindy passionately supports PS Arts, a foundation reinstating arts education in schools. Through events and fundraising initiatives, she’s contributed to maintaining art education for an entire year to 30,000 students.
Consider Josh Flagg, whose enormous rise in real estate landed him a spot on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing and a cover feature in Top Agent Magazine. Despite his stardom, Josh travels throughout America, mentoring brokers, agents, and students, sharing insights on achieving success. He finds fulfillment in transforming lives through his career and shares, “The
These examples are just a peek at how agents engage with their communities. Whether gathering Christmas gifts for underprivileged children, supporting children’s hospitals financially, advocating to end homelessness, or volunteering at local animal shelters, these agents extend their reputation beyond transactions. They’re known not only for their professional success but also for their unwavering support of community causes.
Community involvement is not just an extracurricular activity for top agents; it’s an essential element that molds their individuality and professional ethos. In the real estate landscape, where relationships and integrity are central, active participation in the community builds credibility and fosters meaningful connections. Beyond boosting their reputations, community involvement mirrors a profound commitment to the areas they serve. Agents invested in their communities acquire a deep understanding of local needs and through active engagement, these agents become vital parts of the social tapestry, earning the regard and trust of the community.
“Agents with Heart” displays how top agents have left a mark on the real estate landscape by imbuing their work with heart and soul, influencing lives outside of transactions.
CINDY AMBUEHL
JOSH FLAGG
Establishing Yourself as a LOCAL AREA EXPERT
For real estate agents and local business professionals, carving out a reputation as a go-to local expert is invaluable.
Below are tailored strategies for real estate professionals eager to become their community’s trusted authority.
Deep Dive into Local Insights
Gain an intimate understanding of your community’s pulse—its history, cultural nuances, and what makes it tick. Keep abreast of housing trends, economic shifts, and unique local attributes that influence the market.
Hone Your Specialty
Pinpoint a market niche that aligns with your community’s specific needs. Whether it’s a focus on historic homes, luxury properties, or first-time homebuyers, specializing sets you apart.
Forge Local Connections
Immerse yourself in the community by attending events, joining local organizations, and engaging in activities that matter to your neighbors. Cultivating relationships with fellow businesses and professionals enhances your network and referral potential.
Boost Your Digital Footprint
Craft a compelling online presence with a professional website and active social media channels. Share insights on local happenings, market updates, and valuable content that positions you as the local expert.
Collaborate with Neighborhood Businesses
Partner with area businesses and groups for mutual promotion. These partnerships can broaden your visibility and reinforce your community ties.
Commit to Community Service
Demonstrate your dedication to your area through volunteering and supporting local causes. Authentic engagement with your community can significantly bolster your personal brand.
Educate Your Audience
Offer your expertise through informative content that addresses the local market’s nuances. Publishing guides, articles, or videos can make you the go-to source for real estate advice in your area.
Leverage Client Success Stories
Utilize testimonials from local clients to underscore your impact. Encouraging satisfied clients to share their experiences online can further solidify your reputation.
Engage with Local Media
Position yourself as a local real estate authority by contributing to local publications and websites. Offering insights on real estate trends or market forecasts can increase your visibility and credibility.
Maintain Cohesive Branding
Ensure your branding is consistent across all platforms. A recognizable brand identity makes you easily identifiable and strengthens your market presence.
Stay on the Pulse of Your Community
Keep informed about local developments, news, and events. Sharing your perspective on how these could affect the local real estate scene showcases your expertise and keeps you relevant.
By diligently applying these strategies, you can establish yourself as the definitive real estate authority in your local market, enhancing both your credibility and your opportunity for growth within the community.
LISA CARSWELL
LISA CARSWELL
In Magnolia, Texas, Top Agent Lisa Carswell owns her own thriving company, handling between $36 and $40 million in closed volume each year.
Lisa Carswell’s journey into real estate started simply enough. While working at a school, she decided to get her real estate license to help friends and family find the homes of their dreams in the communities they love. “I wanted to sell real estate part-time,” she recalls. “But it ended up being full-time, and now I’m thriving.”
What started simply, as a part-time job, became a runaway success in her Texas market. Today, Lisa owns her own thriving company, handling between $36 and $40 million in closed volume each year. After nearly three decades in the industry, Lisa is an undeniable force in Texas real estate.
Magnolia, Texas, is the backdrop to Lisa’s success story, a town where she has deep roots and an unwavering commitment to the community. Having grown up in Magnolia, the once-tiny town has transformed into a booming area, thanks to new infrastructure. As more developers and new construction
move in, Lisa finds herself at the center of it all, bridging Magnolia’s past and its burgeoning future.
Lisa credits her continued success to the relationships she builds with clients. With a repeat and referral business rate
After nearly three decades in the industry, Lisa is an undeniable force in Texas real estate, where she has deep roots and an unwavering commitment to the community.
at an impressive 80 percent, it’s clear her approach resonates. “For me, it’s about being honest and caring and taking care of my clients,” she says. Lisa doesn’t disappear after the sale, either. She stays connected, often reaching out by phone, email, or even a visit, keeping clients in the loop and maintaining those valued relationships. Traditional marketing strategies, like
social media and sending out mailers to past and current clients, have been successful for Lisa. She routinely picks up new leads with every mailing.
At the heart of Lisa’s work is a genuine love for people. When asked what she loves most about her career, she gushes, “Oh my gosh, the people! Just getting to know people and
making new friends.” That love extends to her family, especially her sons and three grandsons. Sunday dinners, trips to baseball and football games, and family time are a priority for Lisa, who exudes pride when talking about her family.
Beyond real estate, Lisa is a member of the Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce. As if all this wasn’t enough, she also owns another business, a wedding facility. She also stays involved with local causes, including fund-raising for Abandoned Animal
Rescue in Magnolia, JoyRide, an equine facility for children and adults with special needs, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Sons Justin and Brandan, along with daughter-in-law Melissa, joined her company team as broker and real estate agents in the mid-2000s, and her loving and supportive husband Rick of 46 years “has been there all
the way,” she says. Another valuable member of her team, colleague Sandy Kutac, came on board in 2004. Lisa envisions turning over the business to family one day. When asked about her guiding philosophy, Lisa sums it up simply: “We like to treat people like family. Life’s a circle. If you treat people fairly and honesty, they’ll always come back to work with you.”
Millennial Buyers: Where They Are & What to Know
Homebuyers and sellers come from all walks of life. If you’ve been an agent for long, you’ve likely worked alongside a wide variety of folks—from first-timer homeowners and down-sizers, to second home searchers and those finally hunting for their dream home. While there is hardly a shortage of diversity in the housing market, there
is one generation that is making big strides in homeownership these days: Millennials.
Millennials can be loosely defined as those between the ages of twenty-two to thirtyseven. As you can see, this constitutes a wide swathe of the population. If you’re an agent who stands to learn a bit more about
a demographic whose influence and homeownership goals are rapidly evolving, tune in below for a few pointers that can help you expand a segment of your clientele in the process.
Where do Millennials prefer to buy?
Many Millennials came of age during or immediately following the Great Recession, and as such, many of them relocated or returned to mid-size cities and smaller communities where the cost of living was most affordable. Of course, there are countless Millennials that call the U.S.’s major cities home—especially those in the
tech industry. The good news is that you can court Millennial clientele no matter where you service area is located. That said, community amenities are of great importance to this generation. They value public transportation, green space, and entertainment—from coffee shops and topnotch restaurants to farmer’s markets and boutiques. Emphasizing those attributes will be key in selling to Millennials and locating neighborhoods they’re most interested in.
What sort of communication do Millennials prefer?
Most Millennials are digital natives, or close to. That means they grew up learning
how to navigate digital spaces, and prefer to communicate through mediums like email, text, and social media. This isn’t to say that Millennials aren’t good communicators, but they’re often on the go, and have learned to research and shop online. To accommodate this, it’s best to build a presence across the most popular listing portals and social media platforms. Although, it’s not enough to establish a site and wait for the calls to come in. Responsiveness is a key factor for Millennials, who expect speedy response times. Make sure you’re checking your inbox frequently, responding accordingly, and engaging with your audience online. This will let Millennials know
that you’re savvy, available, and understand the value of their preferred method of communication.
Are Millennials ready to buy?
It’s a common misconception that Millennials are uninterested in the rite of passage of purchasing a home. While Millennials
maybe waiting a bit longer than their parents did to buy a home, there are good reasons to explain this phenomenon. For starters, Millennials entered the job market during the downturn, which means they are more conservative when making big purchases, and have to play catch-up to reach a sound
financial position. Likewise, student loan debt has proved a major financial inhabitation for Millennials. Instead of socking away a few hundred a month to save for a home, they’re forking over that cash to pay down their educational loans. How does a Realtor compete with this reality? For starters, a bit of understanding goes a long way. Work with your mortgage partners to find financing possibilities that cater to this younger demographic. Recognize that Millennials—like most buyers—have some trepidations when buying a home. Also consider fielding Millennial clientele with the long view in mind. You might be
courting them for months or more until they’re ready to take the plunge, but they’re also famous for their reviews. When a job is done well, Millennials shout it from the rooftops—or at least share it a dozen time from their phone.
As time passes, Millennials will continue to dominate the marketplace when it comes to buying and selling homes. A little self-education on this powerful demographic can go a long way. If you know your clients and your audience, you’ll be in a far better position to serve their interests and make a customer for life.
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.
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
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.
5
SET GOALS
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.
KEY MISTAKES TO AVOID FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOME SALE
Steering clear of these common home selling errors is essential for a seamless and effective transaction. Here are some top home-selling mistakes to avoid:
1Picking the Wrong Agent
An experienced and compatible real estate agent is crucial. Select an agent with a strong performance history and knowledge of your local market.
2 Improper List Price
Avoid setting an unrealistic asking price. Analyze the local market and similar properties to find a competitive and fair price.
3Not Making Repairs
Make necessary repairs and improvements to attract buyers. Addressing issues beforehand can make your home more appealing.
4No Home Staging
Proper staging is key. Declutter, depersonalize, and arrange furniture to highlight your home’s features.
5Not Tending to Curb Appeal
First impressions are vital. Enhance your home’s exterior with maintenance, landscaping, and possibly a new paint job.
6Lack of Marketing
Expand beyond traditional marketing. Utilize online platforms and various channels to increase your home’s visibility.
7Low-Quality Listing Photos
Ensure your listing has high-quality photos. Attractive, clear images can significantly impact buyer interest.
8Dishonesty
Be transparent. Fully disclose the property’s condition to avoid potential legal complications.
9 Having Emotions Involved
Maintain a business perspective. Emotional attachment can complicate the selling process.
10 Ignoring Market Trends
Understanding current market dynamics can guide your decisions regarding pricing and the best time to sell.
11Not Being Flexible
Openness in negotiations can facilitate a sale. Be willing to consider reasonable offers and compromises.
12 Unprepared Showings
Maintain a show-ready home at all times. A tidy and clean environment can make a strong impression during unexpected showings.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and at a satisfactory price.
