Top Agent Magazine Texas

TEXAS EDITION

MASTERING TALENT ACQUISITION in Real Estate

Agent Strategies To

GROW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

3 EASY AT-HOME

6 WAYS TO GET YOUR CLIENT TO TRUST YOU

DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

COVER STORY

SOOMIN KIM

TEXAS EDITION

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SOOMIN KIM

CONTENTS 4) Agent Strategies To Grow Your Social Media Presence

19) Mastering Talent Acquisition In Real Estate

13) 3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects To Increase Property Value

22) 6 Ways To Get Your Client To Trust You

SOOMIN KIM

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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AGENT STRATEGIES TO

GROW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE In real estate, where connections and maintaining relationships with clients are crucial, having a strong social media presence is essential for any REALTOR®. A wellcrafted agent profile on social platforms can not only showcase your expertise but 4

also help you connect with a wider audience, build trust, and ultimately grow your business. Here are some comprehensive agent-profile tips to elevate your social media presence and establish a strong online persona:

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CREATE AN ENGAGING AND INFORMATIVE BIO

Your bio should introduce you as a real estate expert and spotlight your specialties, service areas, and what makes you unique. Include relevant keywords so you will rank high in a Google search.

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HAVE A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE IN PROFILE PICTURES

It’s important to have a clear, high-definition photo of yourself. You should look professional, but at the same time approachable.

Wear clothes that align with your brand, and keep the background simple.

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SHOW OFF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Share your professional success, accomplishments, accreditations, and awards. This will enhance your credibility and make you appealing to potential clients. Those who visit your social media site will know you’re an expert.

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MAINTAIN A PERSONAL CONNECTION THROUGH POSTS

Buying and selling real estate is a highly personal experience. It’s vital that you showcase your personality and relatability. Clients want to work with someone who they feel comfortable with. Incorporate your hobbies, personal anecdotes, and interests in your posts.

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HIGHLIGHT YOUR COMMUNITY WORK

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CREATE CONTENT THAT CAPTIVATES

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ENGAGE FOLLOWERS

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KEEP TO A SCHEDULE

Whether you’re sponsoring an event, volunteering, or supporting local businesses, it’s beneficial to show your followers that you care for your community. It will help portray a positive brand image, and demonstrate a dedication to the areas you serve as a REALTOR®.

Produce varied and interesting content, balancing listings with insights into the market, news, and tips for buyers or sellers.

This will keep your followers engaged and help solidify your status as a top expert in the field.

When people comment or message you, it’s important to respond. It’s also great to get conversations going on your social media pages by posing questions with your posts, running polls, or asking for opinions.

Post regularly on social media, at times when your audience is most active. This will ensure your posts are being seen by the largest audience possible. And when your followers know when to expect your posts, they will remember to check it out.

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POST BEHIND THE SCENES INSIGHTS

Offer a look into your everyday life in the real estate world, including preparing for open houses, client meetings, or your office setup. Maintaining an authentic presence will help you connect to your followers.

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DON’T FORGET ABOUT STORIES AND REELS

Take advantage of Instagram and Facebook’s Stories and Reels. This is where you can post more spontaneous and creative content.

Some of the highest engagement on social media happens on these platforms.

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STRATEGIC HASHTAG USE

Use hashtags that are relevant to what you’re posting. You can even create your own hashtag that reflects your brand. When you use a mix of the two, you’ll reach a larger audience.

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COLLABORATE WITH PEERS

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CREATE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

Don’t be afraid to partner up with local businesses, industry influencers, and other professionals. You can cross-promote content and create content together. This will introduce you and your brand to new audiences.

Establish yourself as an expert by sharing knowledge about the real estate market, 6

process, or regulatory changes. Educating your audience not only demonstrates your expertise but also provides them with valuable information.

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POST CLIENT FEEDBACK

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QUALITY VISUALS ARE KEY

Feature positive feedback from satisfied clients. Testimonials build trust and provide social proof of your skills and commitment to client satisfaction. Consider creating visually appealing graphics or dedicated posts to showcase these testimonials.

Invest in high-quality visuals for your posts.

Clear and appealing images are crucial in the real estate industry, whether you’re showcasing a property, sharing a personal story, or promoting your services. Professional visuals make a significant impact on social media platforms.

Remember, building a strong social media presence is an ongoing process that requires a blend of creativity, consistency, and genuine engagement. Regularly assess your analytics to understand what resonates with your audience, and adjust your strategy accordingly. By incorporating these agent-profile tips, you can effectively grow your social media presence, establish a meaningful connection with your current and potential clients, and differentiate yourself in the competitive real estate landscape.

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SOOMIN KIM Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Soomin Kim operates independently under the eXp Brokerage, harnessing the power of YouTube, social media content, and video marketing to carve a niche in the Texas real estate landscape, positioning himself as an anomaly among agents with his organic approach.

Soomin Kim, a dynamic real estate agent and trailblazing luminary, has made his mark in Austin, Texas, catering to the diverse real estate needs of the area since relocating from California in 2020. Venturing into the Texas real estate landscape without a roadmap, Soomin embarked on a journey of reinvention, obtaining his license in November of the same year. Now in his third year as an agent, he operates independently under the eXp Brokerage.

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Like many during the pandemic, Soomin recognized a surge of individuals seeking relocation, prompting him to focus on aiding others in their transitions. “I could really serve other people looking to do this. I knew it would be a great endeavor,” he shares, acknowledging the intricacies and emotions tied to the process. Starting out by exclusively representing buyers, he has since expanded his clientele to include sellers, steadily growing his repeat and referral business.

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To maintain connections with his clients, Soomin employs a CRM system and adopts a nonconventional approach to real estate. Setting himself apart from his peers, he harnesses the power of YouTube, social media content, and video marketing to carve a niche in the real estate landscape, positioning himself as an anomaly among agents with his organic approach. Arriving in

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Austin devoid of a pre-established network, Soomin fearlessly embarked on building his business, distinguishing himself through visibility and innovation.

Leveraging his YouTube channel, boasting over 25,000 subscribers, he strategically showcases listings, maximizing exposure through targeted

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Utilizing digital efforts over traditional marketing methods, Soomin’s proactive approach delivers significant virtual foot traffic, on average over 500 viewers engaging with his listings on any weekend. keywords and SEO. Utilizing digital efforts over traditional marketing methods, Soomin’s proactive approach delivers significant virtual foot traffic, on average over 500 viewers engaging with his listings on any weekend. As a result of his efforts, Soomin sold an astonishing sixty million dollars in volume in his first year, eighty-six million in volume in his second year, and another fifty-five million in 2023.

Despite his professional success, Soomin most cherishes the adrenaline-pumping nature of his Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

career while assisting clients in achieving homeownership. This keeps him inspired and motivated and serves as a life-changing attribute to his profession and to the lives of his clients.

Actively involved in his local church alongside his wife, Soomin also participates in various community organizations, prioritizing community engagement and enrichment.

When he isn’t working, Soomin indulges in recreational pursuits, relishing the artificial waves at the surf park in Waco and cherishing time with Top Agent Magazine

his three children, aged 10, 7, and 1. With a rich background in professional bodyboarding during his Orange County years, his love for the ocean remains steadfast. As he looks toward the future, Soomin aims to share his expertise by mentoring and training aspiring agents while cultivating passive income streams. Ever the innovator, he remains committed to devising

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out-of-the-box strategies to drive production forward, maintaining his status as a leading agent in Austin. Soomin’s guiding perspective resonates powerfully: “If you are willing to keep an open mind and differentiate yourself from old ways, that is the greatest way to experience a breakthrough.”

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To learn more about Soomin, email soomin.kim@exprealty.com, call 714-926-5730, or visit workwithsk.com www.

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

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

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 14

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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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MASTERING TALENT ACQUISITION IN REAL ESTATE The ability to draw in and keep exceptional agents forms the backbone of any thriving brokerage. The art of follow-up stands at the forefront of transforming potential interests Top Agent Magazine

into concrete assets for our teams. Below, we delve into the strategic nuances of follow-up, showcasing its role as a critical differentiator in securing the industry’s best.

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• Fostering Memorable Connections: The initial meeting lays the groundwork, but it’s the diligent follow-up that cements a solid relationship. A personalized email or call after the first interaction not only reiterates the benefits of joining your team but also highlights your brokerage’s dedication to building meaningful connections.

• Showcasing Commitment to Agent Success: Continuous engagement post-meeting signals to prospective agents that your firm is invested in their career trajectory. This level of dedication showcases a supportive environment where agents’ growth and success are paramount.

In a landscape where elite agents are pursued by numerous firms, staying actively engaged through follow-up can keep your brokerage at the forefront of their minds. Highlighting your unique offerings and culture through consistent communication underscores why your firm is the ideal choice.

• Highlighting Paths for Professional Development:

• Clarifying Doubts and Building Confidence: Utilize follow-up interactions as a platform to address any hesitations or queries.

Engaging in open dialogue ensures that expectations and values are aligned, paving the way for a mutually beneficial partnership.

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• Ensuring Your Brokerage Stands Out:

Follow-up conversations are golden opportunities to outline the developmental prospects within your firm. Elaborating on mentorship programs, educational workshops, and career progression plans can tip the scales in your favor.

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• Elaborating on Brokerage Values and Culture: Post-meeting, candidates often seek deeper insights into your brokerage’s ethos and community. Follow-up communications are perfect for sharing success stories and the supportive network that defines your brokerage, aiding them in making an informed decision.

• Respecting Communication Styles: Recognizing and adapting to a candidate’s preferred method of communication tailors a more personalized and effective followup. This adaptability not only respects their preferences but also fosters a stronger rapport.

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• Smooth Transition to Onboarding: A strategic follow-up process seamlessly bridges candidates to the onboarding phase, setting a positive tone for their integration into your team. This smooth transition is crucial in cultivating a productive and harmonious work environment from the get-go.

In conclusion, the power of follow-up in recruiting real estate agents cannot be overstated. It is not merely a formality but a strategic and essential component of the recruitment journey. Brokers and agencies that prioritize effective and consistent follow-up demonstrate a commitment to their agents’ success and position themselves as attractive destinations for top-tier real estate talent. In a field where relationships are paramount, unlocking success often begins with the simple act of following up.

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6 Ways to Get Your Client to Trust You The word “REALTOR®” can leave a sour taste in some people’s mouths. Many of today’s home buyers and sellers grew up during the 2009 recession. They are wary of anything 22

or anyone who comes off as too salesy, and they want to work with individuals who they can trust.

But how do you prove to someone you’ve likely never met that you can be trusted?

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Put Testimonials or Case Studies on Your Website

When something goes wrong, own up to your mistakes. Don’t hide bad news from your clients. Be upfront and responsive.

Testimonials and case studies are social proof that you have both the experience and the skills to do the job your clients are hiring you for. People often leave testimonials when they are either incredibly disappointed or extremely happy with the service they were provided, so they’re a good indication to prospective clients of the treatment they’ll receive.

Case studies, which you can post on your blog or website, have much of the same effect, but even more than testimonials, case studies demonstrate your real estate and finance expertise because they explain how you achieved a specific set of results.

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Be Responsive and Accessible

Can your clients reach you easily? That doesn’t mean you need to be available 24/7, but you should respond to your clients within a few hours of receiving their message. When agents don’t respond to their clients’ calls or emails for days on end or fail to provide them with a direct line of contact, their clients’ experience can quickly become frustrating.

Agents are busy but so are their clients. If you constantly show up late to or reschedule meetings, your clients won’t feel like their time is respected or their business is valued. Make sure you set a realistic schedule for yourself rather than spreading yourself too thin.

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Be Honest and Transparent

Sometimes you don’t have the answer to a client’s question. Be honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and the limits of your knowledge. A good response might be, “I don’t know, but I can find out.” Be transparent with your clients, and they’ll respect you for it.

You should always act in their best interest.

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Go the Extra Mile

If you do the bare minimum, that’s what your clients will remember. Their experience won’t be memorable, and they won’t gush about you in online testimonials or in real life to people they know who could use your services. It’s that simple.

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Put Yourself in Your Client’s Shoes

Clients understand that you need to earn money, but that doesn’t mean they want to feel like they’re just a dollar sign to you. Be empathetic to your client’s concerns, even if you’ve heard it all before. Your clients should know that you are there for them.

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Be Consistent

Being responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable shouldn’t be an act. If you “turn on” your personality for clients and then suddenly become a different person when they leave the room, it’s likely that the cracks in your mask will eventually become apparent.

But “faking it till you make it” is so common it’s become a cliché. When we are starting out, we don’t always have the systems or resources in place to create a smooth client journey, from onboarding to closing, so instead we constantly try to reinvent the wheel. Give yourself time to pause, slow down, and reevaluate your workflow. Creating systems creates

consistency, and those systems can and should be constantly updated.

Developing trust between you and your clients will take time, but doing these things can give you a running start.

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