Texas 2-3-25

TEXAS EDITION

Welcome Home: WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

24-HOUR TOUCH-UPS to Maximize Your List Price

EASY BLOG TOPICS

FOR YOUR REAL ESTATE BLOG

Using Client Feedback to

Elevate Your Real Estate Business

COVER STORY

LISA HENRY-WEAVER

TEXAS EDITION

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LISA HENRY-WEAVER

CONTENTS 4) Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog

15) 24-Hour Touch-Ups to Maximize Your List Price

6) Welcome Home: Working with Relocators in Transition

20) Using Client Feedback to Elevate Your Real Estate Business

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

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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.

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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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Welcome Home:

Working with Relocators in Transition People stage moves for all sorts of reasons.

From the joyous and pre-planned, to the unfortunate and unexpected, new chapters begin with the help of an agent. When you’re working with buyers from a different region, state, or country, the typical complications of a transaction can be compounded. So, what’s a savvy agent to do?

For starters, envision the big picture. Relocators have extra obstacles between them and 6

their dream home. They don’t necessarily know which neighborhoods are ideal for their lifestyle, what they should budget for utilities, what type of homeowner’s insurance is ideal, or how they can tour, let alone close, on a house from afar. All in all, it’s a tall order, but if you can manage a relocation transaction successfully, you could tap into a sizable pool of clientele. Think of it this way: if you’re the shining star of a relocator’s moving process, their word-of-mouth praise could be

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exponential. Likewise, a winning reputation within that client’s corporate sphere could lead to lucrative, stable referrals and partnerships for years to come. Here are a few key ways to help clients navigate the relocation process with minimal stress and maximum results.

Create a full-scale timeline for you and your client that makes expectations clear.

Moving is already one of life’s biggest stressors, but relocations have a dozen more moving parts that your average deal. Consider creating a master-plan of sorts to help you and your client visualize the steps required to achieve success in the midst of a relocation.

Even from afar, your client will be able to refer to the roadmap you’ve set. Likewise, this makes sure you and your client are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and checklists. Assemble an articulated, overarching gameplan also helps demystify the process and lower stress. Instead of clients wondering what’s next, what’s needed, who to call, and when to be ready—handy guidelines of your own devising will be at their fingertips.

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Attune your communication style so that nothing goes overlooked or miscommunicated.

Establish early on how your client prefers to communicate and which methods should be excluded. Also, make sure to outline what timeframes are ideal to communicate in, and how often they expect to hear from you with status updates or follow-ups. Some clients might prefer a more hands-off approach that lets you manage most details behind the scenes with updates only when progress is made. Most clients in the midst of a serious relocation, however, will prefer to be in touch more frequently. Customizing is key. If they prefer text messages and emails over calls, that’s a helpful detail to know from the outset. If they prefer face-to-face video chats or can only speak after business hours—those are also key parameters to work within. The less mystery and hassle, the better.

Be a local resource with vetted recommendations and vendors on-hand.

Relocating homeowners may not know the best neighborhoods and their amenities, or where the best school districts are, which areas are high-traffic, or where their dollar might stretch a little further. Identifying your clients’ goals can help narrow this field, but you’ll also want to be careful not to overwhelm them with information. After all, they’re taking on a huge life transition and making a move as an outsider. You’ll want to serve as a onestop-shop who can remove some steps and stress from their organizational obligations.

Have a contractor who can get a head-start on home projects while clients make the move?

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Excellent. Or, perhaps you can provide an out-of-state agent referral so that clients can sell their existing property in a timeline that works in conjunction with their new purchase. Make yourself a community expert and a connector, and you’ve won a client— and their referrals—for much longer than a single transaction.

Think outside the box when weighing variables.

Relocations aren’t your typical transaction.

You’ll need to do a bit more planning to avoid pitfalls along the way. For instance, have you considered how you’ll tour homes with clients if they live hundreds of miles away?

Are there time zone differences to factor in?

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If clients are relocating from another country, are there any special visa or naturalization considerations? How will their belongings travel? Are there pets to relocate? There are plenty of questions to ask and plan for, but the key is to be communicative and thorough up front. The more information and planning time you have, the smoother the transition will go.

There are certified real estate agent designations you can pursue that set you apart for your experience when it comes to relocations, but in lieu of those—arm yourself with the planning details and methods that will make your client a raving fan. In the process, you’ll up your game, create a happy client, and hopefully field similar business for years to come.

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LISA HENRY-WEAVER Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Lisa Henry-Weaver is a Broker Associate and MultiMillion Dollar Producer at the head of the Lisa Henry Group with Coldwell Banker Apex. Her nimble team of five agents serves the greater North Dallas area — traveling as far as Fort Worth.

Lisa Henry-Weaver of Wylie, Texas, combines a lifetime of industry expertise with a spirit of collectivism and unparalleled attention to detail to fuel her 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

thriving real estate business. “I like to be out in front with my people working with the community. Getting to know others and helping to meet their needs is the Top Agent Magazine

best part of this job – whether that’s my agents, my clients, a member of my church, a neighbor – everybody!”

For Lisa, real estate is as much an inherited vocation as a lifelong profession. “I grew up with it – my mom got her license in the sixties,” she recalls. “With her first check, she bought me a pink bicycle with training wheels and a little flower basket. I think my journey started with that bike.”

After establishing a human resources department in corporate America, Lisa’s son was diagnosed with autism, and she needed a more flexible lifestyle to accommodate her family. In 1998, she became a fully licensed REALTOR® and jumped in full-time.

During her first full calendar year, Lisa cleared $7.5 million in sales by pairing a wide swathe of geographic territory with an uncanny ability to serve clients from all walks of life. “I can work with everything between $20,000 and $15 million,” she exudes. “The excitement Top Agent Magazine

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of getting to know someone new, discovering their unique qualities, and helping them find the perfect fit – that’s always been my aim.” Her instant success spurred Lisa to obtain her broker’s license, and her unwavering work ethic helped her thrive during the recession in 2008. After recruiting her husband to help her tackle REO foreclosures, she discovered a new horizon to pursue, and her career saw her managing as many as thirty agents at a time.

Today in 2025, Lisa is a Broker Associate and Multi-Million Dollar Producer at the head of the Lisa Henry Group with Coldwell Banker Apex. Her nimble team of five agents serves the greater North Dallas area, traveling as far as Fort Worth to serve their friends and professional networks.

In 2024, the team tallied $48 million spread across eighty transactions, bolstered by a book of business that is over seventy percent repeat and referral clientele. “We keep in touch with everyone we’ve ever worked with, and I try to Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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keep my eyes open for opportunities.

I used to have my car wrapped with advertisements and a stack of business cards in the glove box – if a cop pulls me over, they’re getting a business card along with my license and registration!”

In addition to broadcasting her enterprise, Lisa goes to great lengths to champion noteworthy causes that have touched her life. After investing her time and energy into Autism Awareness communities that supported her son,

In 2024, the team tallied $48 million spread across eighty transactions, bolstered by a book of business that is over seventy percent repeat and referral clientele.

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Lisa started celebrating a new cause each month. “I dye my hair every chance I get – pink for breast cancer, blue for autism; different colors for different causes. If my hair is a normal color, people automatically assume something has gone terribly wrong.” She also supports the Christian

Care Center by regularly participating in their donation drives, and she is a lifetime foster mom for dogs and horses that are part of the Legacy Humane Society. “My mom got me into this career, and I like to keep her spirit with me by upholding her values – be thankful and give back.”

For more information about Lisa Henry-Weaver, please call 972-839-7227 or email lisahenrygroup@gmail.com

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24-Hour Touch-ups to Maximize Your List Price Sometimes it takes a full-scale overhaul to prepare a house for market. Other times, only a series of small adjustments are required to make a listing’s true potential shine. Whether you’re gearing up for an open house, assessing a list price, or maximizing a property’s appearance prior to photography—the devil is in the details. However, touch-ups and refreshes don’t have to dominate your schedule or break the bank. For a few ideas of where Top Agent Magazine

to begin, consider our handy check-list below for quick home projects that will fortify your bottom line.

Refresh grout for a sparkling clean look.

Perhaps the quickest and most cost-effective way to make bathrooms, kitchens, and other tiled areas shine is to refresh grout until it looks

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good as new. Specialty grout stain removers and cleaners are inexpensive and sold at most home improvement stores. Plus, the project only takes a bit of elbow grease and an hour or two for a major makeover effect. Suddenly, dark, stained, and worn-down bathrooms gleam as if tile has just been placed.

Create mood lighting with soothing bulbs and fixtures.

A warm white light from specially chosen LED bulbs creates a welcoming environment when potential buyers come calling.

If outdated fixtures are bringing down a home’s otherwise modern styling, consider more design-neutral replacements that won’t

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detract from the property’s charms. These are inexpensive but highly noticeable and impactful upgrades that shift a home’s ambiance for the better.

Repaint doors for an updated and inviting entryway.

It may sound like a hassle, but repainting doorways with a fresh coat signals a wellkept property—and that’s before prospective buyers even pass through the threshold. You can also change out generic doorknobs and switch-plates to add an updated flare while on a budget. Color-of-the-year trend choices can turn heads, while neutral paint choices signal less hassle for future homeowners.

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scrub, or with the addition of new shelves or styled bulbs.

Make windows shine— both inside and out.

Cleanliness goes a long way in communicating a well-cared for home in which buyers can imagine themselves. Cleaning the inside and outside of windows not only refreshes a room, but it allows light to infuse the space while appealing to the move-in ready crowd.

Closet spaces are not an afterthought.

Every prospective buyer wants storage options, and you’ve surely led a home tour where guests inspect closets and pantries.

Don’t let these hidden spaces go overlooked. Make sure they’re clean, cleared as much as possible, and you can even touch them up with fresh paint, a good

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Remove tough appliance stains with a bit of elbow grease.

If you’re packaging appliances with the sale of a property, you’ll want to make sure those big-ticket items are also in top shape to showcase their value. Stainless steel polish, electric cooktop polish, and stain removing pads for the kitchen sink can make your appliances look five years younger with nothing more than an hour or two’s labor.

Organize garage and basement areas to maximize storage and hint at bonus space.

It may take a labor of love, but organizing and decluttering these special storage spaces

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can add significant value to a property. Instead of telling prospective buyers how much storage space there is—let these areas speak for themselves by giving them a neutral, airy bout of cleansing. That way, craft-lovers, car aficionados, and buyers with interest in renovating basement areas can witness the potential immediately.

Individually, these bit to-do list items might seem like extra work without the promise of 18

a major return. But combined? These small tasks go a long way in crafting a home’s image and projecting pure potential. After all, prospective buyers imagine their lives unfolding inside those walls. That’s why cobbling together these small-scale projects can have a big payoff in the end. Not only will a home present itself in a cohesive, attractively-packaged form, but it can also translate to higher interest and a significant pay-off—in more ways than one.

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USING CLIENT FEEDBACK

TO ELEVATE YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS For real estate professionals, publishing your client testimonials is a key strategy for establishing trust, enhancing your reputation, and drawing in new clients.

Through the strategic use of positive 20

client feedback, you can demonstrate your expertise and the exceptional value you offer in real estate transactions. Here are key strategies for maximizing the impact of real estate testimonials in your business:

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Diversify Your Testimonials Collect feedback from a broad spectrum of clients, such as first-time buyers, sellers, investors, and those facing unique challenges.

This approach offers a comprehensive view of your capabilities.

Promptly Request Testimonials Aim to obtain testimonials soon after closing a deal. Prompt timing ensures clients’ memories are fresh, enabling them to share detailed and impactful experiences.

Utilize Testimonials in Marketing Efforts Embed powerful testimonial excerpts in your marketing materials, including brochures and flyers, to catch the eye of prospective clients and underscore your track record.

Broadcast Testimonials on Social Media Publicize your client feedback on social platforms, using engaging visuals or property photos to accompany the testimonials.

Enhance Your Website with Testimonials

Innovate with Testimonial Videos

Develop a section on your website dedicated to client testimonials. Display them attractively, including clients’ names, photos, and specific transaction details if possible.

Elevate your client feedback with video testimonials. Short, engaging videos can make a lasting impression on potential clients by showcasing genuine satisfaction.

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Incorporate Testimonials into Email Marketing

Create Detailed Case Studies

Utilize testimonials in your email campaigns to underscore your expertise and encourage engagement from potential clients.

With client consent, develop case studies that explore specific challenges and your successful interventions, offering deep insights into your problem-solving prowess.

Present Testimonials to Prospective Clients

Highlight Testimonials in Your Online Presence

Integrate client success stories into your presentations to illustrate your track record and reassure potential clients of your ability to deliver favorable results.

Feature client testimonials in your profiles on key real estate and social media sites to bolster your online reputation and attract new clients.

Feature Testimonials in Your Blog

Promote Third-Party Platform Reviews

Share client success stories in blog posts, integrating testimonials to lend credibility and a personal touch to your narratives.

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Encourage clients to review your services on esteemed real estate platforms, enhancing your visibility and credibility.

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Engage Through Testimonial Events

Keep Your Testimonials Current

Host webinars or events where clients can share their experiences, providing a dynamic forum for potential clients to learn and interact.

Advertise with Testimonials Use testimonials in your advertising campaigns to spotlight positive client experiences and foster trust with your target audience.

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Regularly refresh your testimonials to maintain relevance and demonstrate your continuous commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.

By strategically publishing real estate testimonials across various platforms and marketing channels, you can build a compelling narrative that resonates with potential clients. Authentic endorsements from satisfied clients serve as a powerful tool for establishing trust and differentiating yourself in a competitive real estate market.

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