TEXAS 7-10-23 by Top Agent Magazine

TEXAS EDITION

SUCCESS– THESE 7 HABITS ARE THE REAL SECRET TO SUCCESS FEATURED AGENT

WELCOME HOME:

GUY ARNOLD INCORPORATING CHARITABLE GIVING

IN YOUR REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING YOUR CALLING CARD COVER STORY

CAROLINE SPAGNOLA

TEXAS EDITION

GUY ARNOLD

Guy Arnold knows what it’s like to channel, along with tap 16 face trials and tragedy and take a 7leap personal database. of faith. When his wife passed away A strong believer in gi unexpectedly in 2014, his heart told him actively involved with that working long hours in corporate Hope, a grief support America was no longer a possibility. He he became involved w needed a new career path that offered passed away. “They’r good income potential along with some choice. I set aside a p schedule flexibility to be there for his income to donate, and children when they needed SPAGNOLA him. “I was CAROLINE GUY ARNOLD dinners, golf tournam left a single dad of 10-year-old twin fundraising events. W boys, and I didn’t want to pay somebody where we can.” When else to raise my kids,” he remembers. he enjoys traveling with Once he explored and researched a playing golf, watching number of career options, “The oneCONTENTS that cooking Texas BBQ. made the most sense was Real Estate. close to his sons. “My boys just grad People will always need a roof over their heads.” After 4) INCORPORATING 17) SUCCESS– and I stillTHESE value the7 time I get to spe enrolling at Champions Real Estate School in Plano, he CHARITABLE GIVING YOUR HABITS ARE REAL have aTHE couple of trips planned. I pro passed his exam in 2015 andIN dove into the business. REAL ESTATE PRACTICE SECRET TO SUCCESS for their 21st birthday, so the countdo with a laugh. It turned out to be the best decision he ever made. With 14) MAKE SOCIAL HOME: a knack for relationship-building and armed 20) with WELCOME a MEDIA YOUR WORKING WITH As he looks RELOCATORS ahead to the future, Guy w “NorthernMARKETING Work Ethic” from growing up in Michigan, on a buyer’s agent so that he can fo CALLING CARD INfranTRANSITION Guy was named “Rookie of the Year” at a large ® ings and assisting investors. He wou chise brokerage. He went on to earn the ABR and another team member or two—possib GRI ® Designations in addition to being invited to join to keep growing the business, my na the Texas Realtors Leadership Program (TRLP). Now right now. And then hopefully, 10 yea happily he’s| aFax top310-734-1440 agent with eXp Realty in Phone remarried, 310-734-1440 scale back and downshift a little bit.” North Texas, primarily servicing clients who live within mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com a 30-mile radius of McKinney. Last year, he did close to No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine $10 million in sales, 80% GA, of Inc. which came fromarereferrals is published by Feature Publications Although precautions taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. and repeat customers.

CAROLINE SPAGNOLA

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. Published in the U.S.

Guy often develops strong connections to his clients that last long after the papers are signed at the closing table. He socializes with them frequently and holds themed parties several times a year to stay connected.

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

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 4

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 ®

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

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

CAROLINE SPAGNOLA

Servicing both Galveston, and Houston, Top Agent Caroline Spagnola works with historical properties and luxury coastal homes on the beach and bay front, as well as the inner loop of Houston including Upper Kirby, Montrose, and River Oaks. Caroline Spagnola’s passion for real estate began at a young age, thanks to her parents’ involvement with historic homes. “My dad would restore Victorian homes, so I grew up hanging out with him while he worked on them,” Caroline recalls. “My mom was involved with the Galveston Historical Foundation, so I would also go to home tours with her. I developed a love for Victorian real estate, and grew up in a Victorian. So by age 10, I was already well versed in real estate, and I always knew it was what I wanted to do.” Since joining the business, Caroline has been a top producer helping clients achieve their real estate goals. Born in Galveston, Caroline now lives in Houston and services both locations. In addition to working with historical properties, Caroline also handles luxury coastal homes on the beach and bay front, as well as the inner loop of Houston including Upper Kirby, Montrose, and River Oaks. “The two areas work hand in hand, because a lot of my clients in Houston also invest in Galveston or have a second home 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

there,” Caroline explains. “I’m able to handle both sides for my clients.” Caroline thrives by always looking out for her clients’ best interests. “I’m a firm believer in not being a pushy salesperson,” she says. “I

Top Agent Magazine

truly believe in doing what’s right for my clients. If my advice is for them not to buy or sell, I tell them the truth. I know they’ll continue to work with me in the future, because I gave them the best possible advice for their situation.”

“My goal is to mentor as many agents as I can with Douglas Elliman,” Caroline says. “I also love teaching kids the ways of real estate and how to be an entrepreneur. I love being involved in my community through real estate.” An investor herself, Caroline has held events for clients at her personal Airbnb in Galveston to give them a good idea of what the island life is like. Events like these, as well as her broker opens, also allow Caroline to make connections among her sphere of influence. “I invite my sphere so they can have a chance to hang out and get to know each other,” Caroline says. “It’s a great feeling to see clients who didn’t know each other be able to meet, and even end up being friends!” Caroline’s presence with Douglas Elliman also allows her to market her listings far and wide, pushing to the greater Houston, Dallas, and Austin areas. Caroline likes to give back to her community. Her mom is the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Galveston, and every year Caroline volunteers at the Chamber’s Lemonade Day event, which teaches kids the steps to being an entrepreneur. She is also a member of Leadership Galveston and does other charity work through the Chamber of Commerce. Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

Top Agent Magazine

In the future, Caroline looks forward to continuing to grow her team, along with obtaining her broker’s license. She also plans to eventually expand to other parts of the US, as well as the Dallas and Austin areas. “My goal is to

Top Agent Magazine

mentor as many agents as I can with Douglas Elliman,” Caroline says. “I also love teaching kids the ways of real estate and how to be an entrepreneur. I love being involved in my community through real estate.”

For more about Caroline Spagnola, please call 281-652-5588, email Caroline.Spagnola@elliman.com or visit elliman.com/tx.spagnola www.

Top Agent Magazine

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

Top Agent Magazine

Make Social Media Marketing Your Calling Card These days, it’s no secret that buyers begin their home search online. As the industry continues to take a digital turn, Realtors in the know must learn to utilize a whole new range of tools available to them—and for good reason. Social media is a dynamic hybrid of personal contact and targeted marketing. To make the most of this new medium, agents can’t settle for the occasional post and expect results. Instead, let’s consider a few techniques that will make your social media presence 14

interactive, unmissable, and effective in generating business.

Your Profile is a Portal Ideally, you’ll have profiles across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and otherwise—but no matter what portal you’re utilizing, make sure your profile page is up-todate, well-curated, and easily navigated. Consider your profile a landing page.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Your photo, location, contact information, homepage, and a brief bio should all be readily visible so that potential clients can get an immediate sense for who you are and what your voice is. If a client wants to connect with you, it should be obvious how to do so. You might also incorporate a few savvier tools that make your profile more engaging—like hashtags. These searchable tags can help you lure potential clientele and give your audience a chance to explore deeper. #DreamHome #JustListed and #HomeInspiration are popular, existing tags to choose from, but you can cultivate your own hashtag by consistently tagging posts, which gives clients an extensive thread to comb through.

Interacting with Your Audience Posting regularly is great way to appear in feeds, but engaging with your audience is just as important—and it helps you reach a new audience in the process. It’s a positive start to like your audience’s posts, pictures, and statuses, but commenting takes your engagement a step further and separates you from typical respondents. It’s also important that you diversify your engagements. In other words, don’t center every communication around your business, propositioning your services, or trying to sell. If applicable, present your value-add, but otherwise steer your engagement towards the personal. Let your clients know that you’re there, you’re human, and Top Agent Magazine

ready to work at their pace. Which leads us to our next point...

Blending the Professional with the Personal Engaging with your audience is one thing, but what about generating original content? How do you strike the right balance between a Call to Action, industry updates, and a personal touch? Think of it this way: any post you create should provide a point of connection for your audience. Sometimes, you might be sharing a family photo, or commenting on some unifying current event—like the Super Bowl! Other times, you may be sharing a Coming Soon listing, or providing tips to spruce up a home for spring. Regardless, you should focus on quality. Is your copywriting engaging? Does it express your unique voice and personality, while maintaining clarity? Are you giving your audience something to connect with, even if you are sharing property photos or advertising an open house? Instill some fun and some personalization to every piece of content you make, so that clients can picture the voice and person behind the post. Things are always changing on the social media frontier, but some rules never shift. Adding clarity, consistency, and personality to your online presence are three surefire ways to grow your business and make social media second nature.

Top Agent Magazine ®

GUY ARNOLD Guy Arnold knows what it’s like to face trials and tragedy and take a leap of faith. When his wife passed away unexpectedly in 2014, his heart told him that working long hours in corporate America was no longer a possibility. He needed a new career path that offered good income potential along with some schedule flexibility to be there for his children when they needed him. “I was left a single dad of 10-year-old twin boys, and I didn’t want to pay somebody else to raise my kids,” he remembers. Once he explored and researched a number of career options, “The one that made the most sense was Real Estate. People will always need a roof over their heads.” After enrolling at Champions Real Estate School in Plano, he passed his exam in 2015 and dove into the business. It turned out to be the best decision he ever made. With a knack for relationship-building and armed with a “Northern Work Ethic” from growing up in Michigan, Guy was named “Rookie of the Year” at a large franchise brokerage. He went on to earn the ABR® and GRI ® Designations in addition to being invited to join the Texas Realtors Leadership Program (TRLP). Now happily remarried, he’s a top agent with eXp Realty in North Texas, primarily servicing clients who live within a 30-mile radius of McKinney. Last year, he did close to $10 million in sales, 80% of which came from referrals and repeat customers. Guy often develops strong connections to his clients that last long after the papers are signed at the closing table. He socializes with them frequently and holds themed parties several times a year to stay connected. “I love creating friendships and building those relationships. I’m very grateful for all the people that I’ve been able to come into contact with through this business that are now my friends.” In addition to constantly building his professional network, Guy markets his listings actively through social media, his growing YouTube 16

channel, along with tapping into his own personal database. A strong believer in giving back, Guy is actively involved with The Journey of Hope, a grief support organization that he became involved with after his wife passed away. “They’re my charity of choice. I set aside a percentage of my income to donate, and we’ve sponsored dinners, golf tournaments, and other fundraising events. We help them out where we can.” When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling with his wife Theresa, playing golf, watching NFL football, and cooking Texas BBQ. He remains very close to his sons. “My boys just graduated high school, and I still value the time I get to spend with them. We have a couple of trips planned. I promised them Vegas for their 21st birthday, so the countdown is on!” he says with a laugh. As he looks ahead to the future, Guy would like to bring on a buyer’s agent so that he can focus more on listings and assisting investors. He would also like to add another team member or two—possibly his son. “I want to keep growing the business, my name, and the brand right now. And then hopefully, 10 years from now, I can scale back and downshift a little bit.”

Contact Guy at 469-247-5226, email guyarnold01@gmail.com, or visit guyarnold.exprealty.com https://

Success– These 7 Habits Are the Real Secret to Success What is it that makes some people so successful and others not? Is there a secret recipe one can follow, as easy as baking a cake, which will give them the strength to achieve their ultimate goals and have it all? The answer is that, in a manner, there is. The trick is in how you think about success and what it means for you. Many people define success as achieving their personal goals, but could this be leading them to look at the world a little too narrowly? The people that are truly successful in every aspect of Top Agent Magazine

their lives don’t stop at simply achieving their personal goals. They succeed in many avenues of their life, including their job, relationships, health, and family just to name a few. It turns out that ultra-successful people tend to have quite a number of things in common. One main skill many seem to possess is high emotional intelligence, or the ability to manage your emotions so that you can stay calm and focused even in high

Top Agent Magazine

stress situations. Luckily, it seems not all of them are simply born with this ability, but have many strategies they use to help them achieve higher emotional intelligence. Here are seven strategies and habits that will help you achieve success in every area of your life.

BE COMPOSED The first thing successful people always seem to have under control is their composure. Successful people stay calm and composed when the going gets tough and fingers start pointing. They don’t panic. The secret? They understand that in life things are always changing. It doesn’t matter if something is bad at the moment because that will change soon enough. In this topsy turvy life all you can really do is adapt in order to stay happy and remain in control of how you react.

BE KNOWLEDGEABLE Have you ever noticed how successful people always seem to have such a wide range of knowledge and interests? Successful people do know more because they are always working to grow and learn. They strive to constantly increase their self-awareness. If a spare moment exists, then they will fill it with some kind of self-education. They do this because they are passionate about learning new things and ways to improve their life. Ignore the fear of being judged and ask questions, because that is the only way you can learn. Successful people don’t

fear asking questions. They fear not asking those questions and growing stagnant.

BE DELIBERATE It is important to think and reason before you come to a decision. Successful people don’t rush. They seek out advice from other, they think of all the aspects, and sleep on their thoughts before finally making their decision. Your gut instinct can be misleading, and lead you to make a rash decision that you will come to regret later.

BE CERTAIN, AND SPEAK WITH CONVICTION Successful people speak with certainty. Unless you communicate your ideas with conviction and certainty, then you will have a hard time getting people to listen to them.

BE POSITIVE Successful people use positive body language when they are talking to other people. Their tone is enthusiastic, they maintain eye contact, leaning in towards the person speaking to show interest. Successful people use it to draw those other people in. How you say something can be just as if not more important that what you say to people. Positive body language can completely alter how your speech is perceived by others, and helps to keep attention on you and what you are saying.

Top Agent Magazine

BE MEMORABLE BY LEAVING A STRONG FIRST IMPRESSION You only have once to make a first impression, and they are incredibly important, as they are closely ties to positive body language. You have around 7 seconds to convince a person to like you after you initially meet them. That is how long it takes them to decide when they meet you. After that a person is simply spending the rest of the conversation justifying that initial reaction they had. You can make sure you make a good first impression by having strong posture, a firm handshake, a warm smile, and open shoulders.

Top Agent Magazine

BE FEARLESS Successful people know that to give in to fear is a choice. They don’t let the fear take over, instead focusing on the rush of euphoria that comes with conquering fears. All of this adds up to having a high emotional intelligence. What helps you to succeed is the ability to control those whirlwind emotions so you can stay calm and focused on actually succeeding. These habits can help you gain a higher emotional intelligence, but as you probably already know, anything involving dealing with your emotions in a healthy manner takes serious work. So, don’t give up if you fail the first time. You must always try and try again.

Top Agent Magazine

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 20

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

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. Top Agent Magazine

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?

Top Agent Magazine ®

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?

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.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Laughs!

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine