VIRGINIA 7-11-22

VIRGINIA EDITION

6 HABITS OF HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE AGENTS UNTANGLING THE BIDDING WAR: A Buyer’s & Seller’s Perspectives

How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions and Up Your Productivity 4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You A Better Agent

FEATURED AGENTS

COVER STORY

CAIN CUNINGHAME

JOSEPH CARPEL RODNEY FENTRESS JEANNIE JARRETT JORDAN LI CHRISTIAN PRICE

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4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent In the world of real estate, there are always new agents joining the ranks. Even if you’ve been practicing for just a few short years, you’ve likely learned your fair share of lesson along the way. As an agent, much of your working philosophy is derived from first-hand experience and your work on the ground. This means that new agents are less prepared for the inevitable curveballs of the industry. That’s where you come in.

While mentorship is often pitched as a relationship that solely benefits the mentee, there is actually plenty to be gained from becoming a mentor. After all, personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth, and becoming a mentor asks agents to thought4

fully explore and demonstrate their own ideologies, practices, and rationale. With that in mind, take a look at some of the benefits of mentorship below, and you’ll get a sense of why counseling new agents can be a boon to your own business.

Teaching lessons to others reinforces your own professional values.

Showing the ropes to young agents is a great way to brush-up on your foundational skills.

Verbalizing and demonstrating processes, or walking through the rationale behind negotiation tactics—all cause mentors to think through their established practices and outline in detail why they’ve chosen this route over an

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alternative. This helps older agents fine-tune their routines, while getting back in touch with the critical thinking that went into constructing those habits.

Mentorships allows you to see the big picture.

surely sharpen your ability as the head of a team. What’s more, you’ll be building skills of empathy, understanding, teaching, and constructive criticism. Working on those skills will better your practice and your ability to lead in your office.

After a lengthy industry tenure, it’s not uncommon for battle-worn agents to lose some steam and begin to burn out. By devoting some time to mentoring up-and-coming agents, you’ll get back in touch with your early days, remembering the excitement, the trials, and the hard lessons gleaned. Spending time with the next generation of real estate professionals can reinvigorate your practice, as seeing the business from the eyes of an eager amateur can inject energy into your working life.

You’ll benefit from seeing things from a new perspective.

Just as working with young agents can help you remember your career’s big picture, you may also benefit from working alongside someone with a new perspective. Young agents bring a different set of skills and awareness to their work, and established agents can benefit from a fresh take. If technology isn’t your strong suit, or you’re interested in tapping the Millennial homebuyer market, working with a younger agent is an excellent way to see through fresh eyes.

Mentoring young agents makes you a better leader.

As a mentor, you’ll often direct the flow of your professional relationship—figuring out which issues to tackle, making an agenda, and imparting lessons in a clear way. These are all characteristics of a leader, and acting in a position of authority as mentor can Top Agent Magazine

While some may balk at the time commitment or energy required to take on a mentee or two, you might consider it an act of ongoing education or professional development. While your mentee will undoubtedly benefit from access to your expertise, there’s certainly much to be gained from taking the time to cultivate tomorrow’s real estate leaders.

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JEANNIE JARRETT Over the past 17.5 years, REALTOR® Jeannie Jarrett has been building a business doing what she loves, which is helping people achieve the American dream of home ownership. “There’s nothing better than seeing the smile on their face when I hand them the keys to their new home at closing,” she says.

Personally selling between 60-65 homes per year, Jeannie has been named in the top 5% of all agents. Her team includes her husband, Bryan and their youngest daughter, Angella, who work as buyer’s agents to help their clients find dream homes. Jeannie’s eldest daughter, Crystal of Patriot Contracts provides Jeannie’s team with the best transaction coordination in the business, making sure the entire home buying and selling process goes smoothly.

After so many years in the field and as a lifelong Northern Virginia resident, relationships are the key to Jeannie’s success. Her business is 80% based on referrals. “Our exceptional service and my in-depth knowledge of the area keeps our clients coming back.

I was born and raised In Northern Virginia, so I have a lot of footprints all over the place!” she says. Not only does Jeannie know a lot about the real estate market, the community, schools, and neighborhoods, but she is also a certified military relocation specialist, a relocation specialist with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, an Accredited Buyers agent and a Specialist for Seniors.

If you’re looking to connect with Jeannie, you’ll find her on social media or you can send her a quick text.

Jeannie also sends out annual calendars and finds other ways to creatively keep her near the top of clients’ minds. Jeannie’s clients receive semi-annual invitations to hosted events at her home and local restaurants as a way of showing her appreciation. Many clients count on her Thanksgiving pie delivery each year. “No matter what, I pride my business on our integrity,” she says. “We are honest and thorough people. We always 6

tell our clients that we won’t ever go away.

We will be their REALTORS® for life!”

When she’s not working, Jeannie finds ways to give back to her community. She supports charities benefitting patients and families with muscular dystrophy and pediatric cancer, and her team donates time and supplies to other local community holiday programs.

In her downtime, Jeannie enjoys relaxing by the pool at her house with her family, especially her grandchildren. When she’s able to get away, she spends time at their beach house. Looking forward, Jeannie wants to one day turn her business over to her three daughters, Crystal, Amanda and Angella. She loves being able to serve as their mentor and impart her knowledge of years of experience on them. Together, Jeannie, Angella and Bryan provide the highest level of service to their clients, making sure that they are taken care of in a way that makes them feel like more than just a transaction. They make them feel like family.

To learn more about Jeannie Jarrett please call 703-309-8062, email jeannie@thejeanniejarrettteam.com, or visit vahomesbyjeanniejarrettteam.com www.

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CMG Home Loans is proud to congratulate

Jeannie Jarrett

on being featured for the State of Virginia in Top Agent Magazine!

Dwight M. Taylor | NMLS #485027 Executive Vice-President\Chief of Production Mid-Atlantic Region, CMG Home Loans 540-379-1502 | Dtaylor@cmgfi.com CallMyLender.com www.

1420 Central Park Blvd, Suite 208 Fredericksburg, VA 22401 | Branch NMLS# 1658877 CMG Home Loans™ is a registered trade name of CMG Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 1820 in most, but not all states. CMG Mortgage Inc. is an equal housing lender, Licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission #MC-5521. To verify our complete list of state licenses, please visit www.cmgfi.com/corporate/licensing and www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

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6 Habits of Highly Productive Agents In a business that can be constant chaos, you’re constantly on the go and dealing with things as they hit you. It can be difficult to take a second and regroup. But there is a better and smarter way to work. If you take the time to create some better habits, in the end, you may end up being more productive. If you want to make better use of your time, as well as have more focus, here’s some habits that you’re going to want to pick up - all common to top-producing agents.

1. Learn how to prioritize Although it might be your instinct to get some of the boring work out of the way first, things 8

that actually generate income (or are time-sensitive!) should be the first thing you focus on when you start your day.

Lists are your friend! Make a list of things you want to accomplish for the day, the week, and even the month. Always list them in the order of priority. If things get cut off when you run out of time at the end of the day, at least it’ll be the things that are not as important or time sensitive. As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list, you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as Top Agent Magazine

well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s and don’t ever waste it.

As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s, and don’t ever waste it.

to accomplish it? Write it out and then incorporate that into your prioritized ‘to do’ list.

You’ll be amazed at how driven you become to reach that goal when you actually write it out with clarity. And, the sense of accomplishment you get upon completing it will carry over to the next day. It’s important to remember to be specific. Once you get into the habit of meeting your goals, exceeding them won’t be far behind.

2. Remove distractions

when you need to focus This is especially hard when you’re a Realtor®. Most are constantly connected to their phones. But, unnecessary distractions can get you off schedule and make you lose your focus instantly. If you can, turn your phone off for the half hour it takes to do a task. Interruptions make everything take twice as long, especially when you take that text and then decide to check Facebook for a second.

We all do it!

Complete your task, then take ten minutes to respond to all texts and messages before you start up the next thing on your list. You can even schedule those ‘text backs’ into your schedule. A concentrated effort is always more effective than going back and forth between things.

3. Set daily goals This is so key. What do you want to accomplish for the day and what do you need to do Top Agent Magazine

4. Don’t make excuses There’s that old saying, “The buck stops here”. Well, take it to heart. This is your business and you are responsible for doing everything you can to make it successful.

Sure, there are reasons for why you didn’t get a listing or why your business is slow, but what are you doing to change things and make them better? Successful Realtors® work harder and come up with innova9

tive ways to stand out when times are tough. They don’t look for excuses, they look for solutions.

5. Be deliberate

about everything you do When you’re making your list, it helps to have a goal in mind for even the smallest task. If you’re calling past clients to touch base, have a specific reason why you’re calling. Are you letting them know some market news?

Thanking them for a referral? When you’re meeting a referral partner for lunch, have a goal in mind for what the outcome of that meeting will be as well. Yes it’s good to socialize and build relationships, but if you have a reason, make sure it isn’t put off until the final moments, when things are wrapping up. Always having a purpose in mind will also help you prioritize your list better.

6. Always look for ways to

get out of your comfort zone Yes, you are prioritizing what is most important or urgent to your business, but it’s also important to make an effort to break out 10

of your routine as much as you’re comfortable doing. Trying out new things or taking some time to learn about new and innovative real estate techniques and technology, can have an energizing effect on your business.

Not only might they lead to things that make you more productive, but it keeps you sharp and engaged. And, ultimately keeping yourself at the top of your game is what it’s all about.

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CAIN CUNINGHAME Top Agent Magazine

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CAIN CUNINGHAME In his first full year as a real estate agent, Cain achieved the Sotheby’s Diamond Sales award which recognizes the company’s top-producing agents.

As a science-minded Bio-Chemistry major at Virginia Tech, Cain Cunninghame says he wasn’t thinking about a career in real estate at first. But after getting a job working in a lab where the money wasn’t great, a friend of his 12

who was working in real estate at the time suggested that Cain give it a try.

He’s good with numbers and people, so it struck Cain as an interesting career path that could be a good fit. His first full year as a real estate agent, Top Agent Magazine

Cain achieved the Sotheby’s Diamond Sales award which recognizes the company’s top-producing agents. Real estate is obviously not just a good fit for Cain, but a passionate new vocation where the opportunities for success, challenges and learning are limitless.

Cain serves a section of coastal Virginia including Hampton Road, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk as well as Newport News, Yorktown and Williamsburg. The area is rich with Top Agent Magazine

history as the birthplace of America where the first English settlement of Jamestown was established. Not surprisingly, history buffs flock to visit this location but the stunning natural beauty of the coast likewise makes it a desirable place for tourists and residents alike. The island and beach communities offer fishing, watersports such kayaking and public lands for outdoor recreation. With important historical sites and 70 miles of coastline, there’s something for everyone.

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While he’s now in his second year as a licensed real estate agent, Cain first worked as an Inside Sales Agent (ISA) generating qualified leads for the real estate team. Cain’s consistent results earned him a promotion to manage the department. Still relatively new to the business, Cain smartly hired a mentor and developed his management skills. Under his direction, the team grew from four to as many as 15 members and became the most profitable group on the east coast. After a

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number of years, Cain was ready for a change and wanted a chance to steer his own ship, rather than managing others. It was then that he completed his real estate license and joined the Kris Weaver Team, a Sotheby’s International brokerage.

Already in his second year of business, Cain is excited to see his referral business growing. He nurtures client relationships with handwritten notes and drops off gifts on pop-by visits. He’s

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already hosted a client appreciation event, too. Cain says the thing he loves most about working in real estate is the variety. Each days brings new people and properties as well as new problems to solve. With $15.7 million in sales last year, Cain’s future goals are focused on achieving Diamond-Level sales again this year and growing his repeat and referral sphere.

When he’s not working, Cain takes advantage of the wild places and waterways around Virginia Beach. He loves Top Agent Magazine

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backpacking, camping and hiking as well as snowboarding. He’s a frequent visitor at First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a great place to see wildlife and one of his favorite kayaking spots. He’s also a self-described “Anime Nerd” and a regular at the gym. An animal lover, Cain gives back to his community through his involvement with the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). He is grateful to his clients and his wife for their support on what, so far, has been a thrilling ride.

To learn more about Cain call (757) 695-9918, email cain.cuninghame@atlanticsir.com or visit the Kris Weaver Team website: krisweaver.com www.

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5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to Modernize and Monetize Your Business Silicon Valley may be the region for disruptors, tech entrepreneurs, and futurists, but even the most forward-thinking, abstract companies are still businesses that have to keep tabs on their bottom line. There’s much to learn from America’s fastest-growing sector, and even if Silicon Top Agent Magazine

Valley seems like a world unto its own, there are key lessons prime for adaption in your own endeavors. Below, consider a few ways to translate the trends and teachings of Silicon Valley for your own business, and reap the rewards in the process.

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1. Diversify your value Real estate is a business built on relationships, but your relationships will go stale if the only thing you communicate is you interest in making a sale. In order to sustain relationships for the long term, you’ve got to remain valuable to your clients beyond the transaction. Serve as a local resource, not just a salesperson or real estate expert. Ensure your marketing materials, social media presence, and communications offer useful, relevant, and original content your clients will benefit from. What’s more, vary your communications so that every time you reach out it’s not just about new business or a referral.

2. Company culture matters Silicon Valley tech giants always emphasize the importance of company culture—not just as a way of drawing and retaining talent, but also as a way to appeal to clientele. What are your company’s values? What do you stand for? How you’re positioned in the marketplace is becoming just as important as what you do and how well you do it. Your company culture is part of your branding, and your brand should feel clear and composed to clients eyeing your services.

3.Think big picture More and more, clients want to have an experience, not just a transaction. When it comes to buying a home, this means they care more about a property’s bedroom and bathroom count. As an agent, consider showcasing properties in terms of lifestyle. What neighborhood amenities are nearby? What opportunities are there for community involvement? How does public 18

transportation stack up in the area? Before making the purchase of a lifetime, clients want to envision a complete lifestyle.

4. Leverage multiple platforms By now, you probably recognize that social media is not afterthought. Your social media presence should fit your brand and voice, interact across platforms, and actively engage with your audience. In other words, if you want to reap the benefits of social media, it’s not enough to post a few times a month and walk away. Active engagement means responding to comments, interacting with your followers’ profiles, and posting original content beyond a sales pitch.

Likewise, you’ll want to be active across multiple social media platforms and ensure that your profiles are interconnected. That way, you’ll be working from a unified voice and brand.

5. Reputations rule the roost Never underestimate the power of word-ofmouth marketing and testimonials. If you haven’t asked for feedback from past clients, and you aren’t sharing positive testimonials and reviews—you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools at an agent’s disposal. You can pitch the virtues of your working style all day long, but those courting your business want to hear about positive experiences from the client’s perspective.

If you want to take your business to the next level and maximize the twenty-first century values of a company on the rise, look to the lessons of Silicon Valley to get your start. There are always opportunities to innovate, and doing so will help you break from your routine and stand apart from the pack.

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JOSEPH CARPEL When Joseph Carpel was growing up in Fairfax, VA, his mother took him to tour model houses as a fun way to pass time.

This was where Joseph’s interest in real estate began. He became familiar with all the local neighborhoods and developments, and throughout his life, he always thought he would become an agent. After working in eCommerce, he decided it was time to take the leap and earn his real estate license. “I felt it was time to do something that I enjoyed,” he explains. Today he works with Debbie Dogrul Associates at EXP Realty in Fairfax, serving all of northern Virginia. The region is known for its endless job opportunities, with proximity to Washington DC and major tech companies like Amazon and Apple. He’s seen the market skyrocket over the years, and is eager to help his clients in their real estate pursuits here.

“I try to work with only a small number of buyers at a time, so I can give them my full attention,” he explains.

Joseph only wants what is best for them, giving them all the tools and advice they need to make educated decisions. When guiding his buyers, he determines what they are looking for and outlines a plan to achieve their goals. Once the ideal property is found, he utilizes his negotiation skills to form an offer that stands out, while still obtaining the best deal possible. At the same time, he ensures his sellers are getting the highest price for their property, implementing thorough marketing techniques that intrigue potential buyers. After the transaction is over, he maintains connections with those he’s served, reaching out with cards, gifts and phone calls throughout the year.

Buyers and sellers never hesitate to leave five-star reviews about their time together. One recently read, “I met Joseph quite by accident at an open house in Fairfax City. And what a fortunate accident it was. Joseph took me to see homes from the bottom to the top of my range. He was patient and responsive. He is the first Top Agent Magazine

real estate agent I have encountered who seemed truly interested in finding the right house FOR ME. I loved that about him.

He spent a lot of time with me--showing me houses, texting and talking to me on the phone. When I reached an impasse and became confused about which house I should buy, he suggested we look at my top pick houses again and again. I would (and have) recommended him to friends looking to purchase a home.”

When Joseph isn’t working, he’s staying active in the community through his team’s nonprofit organization DDA Love, where they help out at shelters, food banks and provide scholarships to local high school students.

During his free time, Joseph loves to go to the gym or perform stand up comedy.

In the coming years, he hopes to continue growing his business and helping more people reach their real estate goals. “I just really enjoy what I do. I love guiding them through the process and being there for them every step of the way.”

For more about Joseph Carpel, please call 571-201-6505 or email joseph@teamdda.com 19 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

RODNEY FENTRESS Rodney Fentress is a classic case of someone who saw all the benefits that real estate had to offer as a foundation, and then built on them over time to become a success. When money got tight following a divorce, he switched careers and looked for a job as a sales representative after reading studies on accumulating wealth. A friend who was already a REALTOR® told Rodney to come into his office and speak to the broker. Now Rodney is a broker/owner who runs his own businesses, has five agents who work for him, and is the principal broker of two other property management firms.

He works what is known as the Hampton Roads area of Virginia – Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.

“I’m the guy that jumps first and then figures out how to fly when I’m in the air,” laughed Rodney, who will celebrate his 10th year in real estate in 2023. “I got my first listing on my first day that I became licensed. I listed it on a Thursday, had an open house on Sunday, and only one person came, and he brought his agent. But then he called me on Monday and said he fired his agent and wanted to hire me. I did four deals with that guy in 2013 and that got me started.”

Rodney does around 50 deals a year now and in 2021 did between $12 million and $13 million in volume.

He said he is 100 percent referral and hasn’t done any outbound prospecting in years, working primarily with investors, and using his management company to manage their rental portfolios. “The housing market over the last two years has been very dynamic.

We really haven’t needed much of a marketing plan 20

to get listings sold,” Rodney said.

“It’s pretty much just put a sign in the yard.”

When Rodney isn’t selling houses, he is spending time with his wife and their four children ranging in age from 22 to 12. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle and boating. As he looks to his second decade in the business, Rodney said he wants to expand and build his rental portfolio.

“Most of my agents are actually previous clients. So, again, relationships are huge for me. I’ve had people tell me, ‘I’m going to join you one day’ and, for four of them, that day came to be,” he said. “So, now I’m working on building my personal rental portfolio and creating generational wealth for my kids. That’s my big thing. I also want to help my employees and agents learn to invest in real estate. My property management firm will be my legacy business and I’m really investing a lot into that at this point.”

Contact Rodney Fentress at 757-296-6000, email rodney@rodneyfentress.com, or visit rodneyfentresshomes.com www.

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Untangling the Bidding War: A Buyer’s & Seller’s Perspectives In a competitive marketplace, bidding wars become the norm. While this may put sellers in an excellent position to recoup on their investment, it can push buyers beyond their budgets and test their temperaments in the process. As an agent, how do you navigate both sides of the coin? After all, you want to net the best results for your client—regardless of which side of the closing table they’re on. To fortify your approach to a heated bidding war, here are a few ideas and insights to better clue you in on the perspectives of buyers and sellers alike.

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Buyer’s Perspective: Emotions Running High?

Channel it.

When the market is booming, buyers feel the pressure—especially when affordable inventory is limited. This can create stress, feelings of hopelessness, and impulsivity. As an agent, how do you channel this emotional energy into something positive? Consider asking buyers to put those anxieties and high hopes onto paper. Have buyers outline

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who they are, why they’re inspired to buy a home at this juncture in their lives, and how they see their lives unfolding once they become a homeowner (or repeat homeowner). Think of it as a letter of intent.

Buyers benefit from taking abstract fears and dreams and articulating them on paper. Likewise, this document can serve as a valuable tool during a bidding war. Letters like these can help sellers with multiple offers make a personal, emotional connection with a particular buyer.

Sellers Perspective: Manage expectations.

When multiple offers are rolling in on a property, it’s easy for sellers to get carried away. Numbers are flying, expectations are heightened, and sellers may become hypnotized by higher and higher offers and ideal outcomes. While it’s good to celebrate prime market positioning, it’s also important to maintain an even keel so that your seller’s mind is clear and they’re thinking rationally through their options.

Sometimes the highest offer isn’t necessarily the sure thing. Manage your clients’ expectations by leading by example, offering a balanced perspective, and talking them through all potential outcomes so that they don’t only hone in on the best-case scenario.

During a bidding war, tensions are running high for seller’s too, who will soon begin their next chapter in another home. Keep a cool head and remind your client to see the big picture, recognize that it’s possible for some offers to fall through, and to sit tight until the closing table has been successfully reached.

Buyer’s Perspective: How do you authentically and convincingly convey your interest?

When ten or so offers are in the mix, it can be hard to differentiate your buyer from the next. While numbers will obviously do a lot of the talking, you’d be surprised how much of a difference a 22

personal touch can make. Some popular approaches to standing out include personal letters—as mentioned above—tailored to the property. Was the property in question a family home for years? You might have clients detail their dreams of raising a family inside those walls, rather than tear the property down and rebuild something to boost the lot’s value. Including a family photo is also a good tact for personalizing letters in a bidding war. Likewise, little gifts included with your offer can speak volumes about your personality and due diligence as an agent. It may seem a little cheesy, but when sellers are looking at ten near-identical offers, those personal touches can really paint a compelling, personalized picture.

Seller’s Perspective: How powerful is cash?

Data shows that cash offers—typical of investor clientele—double the chances of having an offer accepted. This goes hand in hand with waiving a financing contingency, which also helped boost the probability of an accepted offer, according to research. Cash is king, however, since offers that aren’t completely reliant on comprehensive financing seem to minimize risk for sellers, who are already eager to see a deal go through. Cash deals also tend to go through quickly, freeing sellers up to pursue their next property and move on to new horizons. While not every buyer has the ability to operate in cash, it’s a worthwhile consideration for those in ultra-competitive markets and with liquid capital.

While the bidding process can be stressful for agents and clients alike, it’s important to remember that it’s a time of opportunity, too. If you want to make the most of it as a seller, data shows that a personal touch can endear buyers to their seller counterparts. For sellers navigating a competitive process, it’s important to keep a balanced perspective. For agents, here’s the bottom line: get creative, be resourceful, and use all the tools in your arsenal to achieve the best result for the clients you serve.

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JORDAN LI At the time – heavy emphasis on the time frame – Jordan Li just did not have an affinity for the fact that, when he was a child, both his mother and father were successful in the real estate business and the family moved quite a bit. But now Jordan himself is a REALTOR® for Exp Realty in Fairfax, Virginia, and he has the gift of retrospection.

“I grew up in real estate. My father was a broker in Florida, originally from the Sarasota and Tampa area, and my mother was a real estate investor. We would do flips and rentals while I was growing up – I’ve always been surrounded by it.

My father would even use me if clients had children of a similar age when he did a showing,” Jordan said with a laugh. “We ourselves would move into a home, clean it up, re-sell it for a profit. I hated it at the time.

I was always the new kid in school. But as I look back on it, it was great financially for us. It’s always been a part of my family and I just really enjoy it now.”

See? Mom and Dad do know best as Jordan got his license less than a year ago and is part of the Debbie Dogrul team covering Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria in northern Virginia, though his work will sometimes take him all over the commonwealth including Loudoun & Prince William County.. In just his brief time of less than a year in the business, Jordan has closed 19 transactions and $10 million in volume.

“Fairfax and northern Virginia have a bubble of wealth,” he explained. “There’s lots of government funding, lots of military, and a ton of tech work that all integrate with each other. There are a lot of government jobs and a lot of government facilities.”

Jordan enjoys the area’s outdoor scene, as he gets outside to fish, hike and kayak.

But he also is fond of American history and loves to learn more about northern Virginia and often takes the half-hour ride into Washington D.C. to explore. That will also sometimes include friends who started out as customers, as Jordan said he tries to build relationships with all his clients.

He meets them out for dinners, they pop by each other’s homes to hang out, and he sends cards for diverse cultural holidays. Jordan and his firm Debbie Dogrul Associates are also heavily invested in the community. They often host open houses with food and drink for the neighborhood, establish food drives, winter coat drives, and many other charities to help support their local community.

“Funny enough, I was always interested in the business as it’s always been a huge part of my life. I knew I was going to like it but now, I’ve found to love it.

The thing about real estate is really selling that relationship,” he said. “I love the idea of being part of people’s journeys whether it’s helping a young couple during that exciting process of buying a house for the first time or an older family seeking their final forever home – I find great privilege in being a part of their process. Real estate is about selling a relationship not selling a house.”

His future is bright, but for now he’s taking baby steps.

“I’m still new. I’m still very naïve. I’m very fresh and just getting into this,” Jordan said. “The goal is to just grow with the team I’m with now, whether that means becoming a team leader or manager, or starting one of my own.”

You can contact Jordan Li at (703) 400-4965 or email him at jordan.li@teamdda.com Read more about Jordan on his Zillow profile at zillow.com/profile or on the team website at teamdda.com/about/jordan-li www.

www.

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

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

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

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

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

Focus on one digital task at a time.

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

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

Give yourself a curfew.

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

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

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

Keep your inbox organized.

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

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

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

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

CHRISTIAN PRICE Virginia Realtor Christian Price brings love and professionalism to everything he does.

One thing that led Christian to his initial interest in real estate was his own experience of buying a home. He only met his realtor the day of the closing, was handed a basket of fruit and that was it. Christian says, in retrospect, the whole process didn’t feel right. He listened to the advice from his mentor about the importance of investing in real estate and decided that it would be a sound career path where he could make a difference in people’s lives. Christian has also been in the US Army for over 20 years and has balanced a dual career between selling real estate and five active-duty deployments to Afghanistan.

Today, Christian is a member of the Dutko-Ragen Team at the Keller Williams office in Falls Church, Virginia.

Christian, is also licensed in the state of Maryland.

The Dutko-Ragen team serves an area of Northern Virginia known for its military presence, access to good jobs, highly ranked schools, and its convenient proximity to Washington DC. This area is known as Virginia’s Cultural Region, the area is rich with history, shopping, dining, and attractions. One of Christian’s favorites is Burtons Grill & Bar, a local restaurant with a friendly, “Cheers-type” atmosphere where he likes to bring clients.

Christian credits his military training and experience with teaching him about leadership and treating people with dignity and respect. With a repeat and referral business close to 90%, one of the things that sets Christian apart is his commitment to taking care of his clients and offering the same, high-level of service to everyone regardless of price range. He is dedicated to being a consummate professional and bringing the consistent excellence to his work as a realtor as he has brought to his military service. “Selling with LOVE and Closing with CARE,” is Christian’s motto.

Being liked, known, and trusted is the key to Christian’s client relationships. He keeps in touch with clients Top Agent Magazine

through events, sending birthday cards, gifts, and sharing market information through videos. He keeps it personal when marketing listings by utilizing social media, going door to door, and letting satisfied clients do the talking through testimonials. In the future, Christian will build his own Real Estate team and has dreams of being the General Manager of a football team one day. For now, however, he is focused on continuing to learn and grow with his current team and building on his personal and professional skills.

When he’s not working, Christian enjoys spending time with those close to him, especially his son, or taking time out to relax watching sports or reading. Christian is involved in his community as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the first historically Black, Greek-letter intercollegiate fraternity in the country.

The Dutko-Ragen team also sponsors client appreciation and community events like hosting a neighborhood clean-up by providing a dump truck at one of their listings or job sites. It’s about investing and paying it forward in the community in a way that helps everyone to shine a little brighter.

Contact Christian at 571-378-5838, email realestatecprice@gmail.com, cprice@dutkoragen.com, or visit dutkoragen.com/christian-price www.

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