WASHINGTON 10-17-22

WASHINGTON EDITION

SUCCESS –

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THINGS YOU NEED TO DO TO BE A GREAT MENTOR

FEATURED AGENT

THESE 7 HABITS ARE THE REAL SECRET TO SUCCESS

TOP AGENT TIPS AND QUESTIONS FOR CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

ELENA NEELY

The Daily Schedule OF A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE AGENT

COVER STORY

MISSY WATTS

WASHINGTON EDITION

ELENA NEELY

Elena Neely is a successful real estate7 Elena is personally 18 broker and property investor with an Apartment syndica extensive financial background. Previstruction. She and ously working for a large international multiple projects in corporation, Elena quickly realized her she is eager to offer preference for one-on-one client relaestate investment. tionships. She is a frequent presenter at seminars, eager to share her in-depth Elena shares how M industry knowledge with both audiences kets listings on an MISSY WATTS ELENA NEELY and her personal clients. With strong team analyzes how analytical, process management, and vidual property in th facilitation skills, Elena is prepared to time, from highlight help any client navigate the ever-changdifferent depending CONTENTS ing real estate market. current annual sale impressive 40-50 mi 4) TOP AGENT TIPS AND 19) THE DAILY SCHEDULE QUESTIONS FORtoCHOOSING OF A SUCCESSFUL Elena shares how she came the United States to pursue YOUR LISTING Finance.

AGENT Originally working REAL her MBA in International in ESTATE When AGENT asked what she enjoys the corporate world negotiating contracts, Elena began try, Elena shares, “It’s the relat 15) 6 THINGS YOU 21) SUCCESS– THESE to seek something different once her daughter was born. be a part of some of the most NEED TO DO TO BE 7 HABITS ARE THE REAL The rigid of the financial realm led Elena to TO ple’sSUCCESS lives.” She continues, “Fr A schedule GREAT MENTOR SECRET pursue real estate. At the time she was managing an the tough times, I’m there for investment property and earned her licensure in 2004. brokerage, My Seattle Realty i Her daughter had just turned one when Elena launched local communities. Elena perso her real estate career.

She notes how she initially worked on financial freedom, helping th Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 with bigger companies, eventually opening My Seattle and manage the financial aspect mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com Realty, a boutique brokerage in Seattle.

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 ofplans publishedfor materials, Elena’s theTopfuture incl Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. address, send inquiry mag@topagentmagazine.com.

My SeattleTo subscribe Realtyor change is comprised of ato close-knit team of her real estate business and inv Published in the U.S. agents,. Elena shares how they focus predominantly working with newer agents to h on “building relationships and working with past cliin their businesses.

Top Agent Magazine ents.”2Her brokerage serves all of King and Snohomish Counties. Their repeat and referral business is over 90%,

MISSY WATTS

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Top Agent Tips and Questions for Choosing Your Listing Agent Now that you’ve decided to sell, it’s time to select the professional to help you market your property. Before meeting with agents, however, consider Top Agent Magazine’s tips for preparing yourself. Frist, ask yourself what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your listing agent. Are you seeking a casual, personable relationship and the latest marketing tools or are you interested in a more formal, traditional relationship and approach to marketing techniques? Next, populate your list of agents by attending open houses and asking for recommendations from recent buyers and sellers.

Finally, schedule your meetings at your home, where you’ll be able to gauge the chemistry between you and each agent.

During your meetings, expect any Top Agent to ask you several questions, but also consider discussing the following: 4

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Will you please describe your sales experience and local network?

Ask your Top Agent to describe recent listings and sales of homes comparable to your own. Ask about the sellers’ priorities, the original list price, market time and number of offers. Top Agents will also describe how well they are connected with other REALTORS® in the region as well as their contacts with relocation companies, local corporations and chambers of commerce.

Be sure to ask about each agent’s knowledge of how your market has changed over time and what has influenced change.

You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions.

How will you market the property? Each

Top Agent has a unique set of online or local marketing tools at his or her disposal. Some use lead-generation applications and nearly ever luxury agent take advantage of video. Even video marketing tools vary from agent-to-agent, however.

You’ll get to decide if you prefer an agent with higher-end video production and 3D Matterport tours or an agent with more intimate techniques featuring walk-and-talk style video tours.

What factors influence your list-price recommendation? Before an-

swering this question, most Top Agents will have several questions for you, including whether you’re more focused on a faster sale or a higher list price.

They’ll also educate you on how best to balance both market time and list price relative to sales histories your area.

Now that you’ve seen the home, what repairs or improvements do you recommend before listing? You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’

opinions on your home’s sale potential with or without some improvements.

Most Top Agents will also recommend a full professional inspection prior to listing to avoid surprises during buyer inspection.

How will you help with staging? Some Top Agents will pay for part or

all of the staging costs. At a minimum, however, a Top Agent will have a staging professional or two in their partner network. While they’re at it, they may provide referrals for carpet cleaning, painting, gardening and other minor finishing touches.

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What attributes of the property will you want to highlight? Each Top

Agent will have a somewhat different answer to this question, but that’s a good thing! Even if you have your own ideas about your home’s greatest attributes, you’ll glean insight into the current market by considering different agents’ opinions. In learning their views, you may even change your mind about your home’s most marketable features!

What is your approach to Open Houses? How many agent-only Open

Houses will your Top Agent want to host? How many truly Open Houses?

Some Top Agents may even reveal a “swankier” approach to the Open House – such as an evening cocktail party or by-invitation “open” hours to which buyers visit along with the agent representing them.

Who will be our primary point(s) of contact from your office? This

important question will help you understand the scope of your agent’s practice. You’ll get to see if your agent runs a robust team with many hands on deck or if he or she works by close, one-on-one contact with each client.

Either approach is wonderful; you get to decide what suits you.

Now, let’s list!

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MISSY WATTS Top Agent Magazine

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MISSY WAT TS “My clients know I am really looking out for them, and not just trying to sell them a home,” she explains. “I don’t consider myself a salesperson at all. I really am an advocate for my buyers and sellers, protecting them at every step.”

When it comes to buying and selling real estate, it pays to have an experienced agent by your side. Missy Watts is exactly that, having lived in Thurston County since 1998 and completing hundreds of 8

transactions since obtaining her license in 2005. She is a true people person, only wanting what is best for her clients, and never stopping until they’re satisfied.

Missy came to Washington after living Top Agent Magazine

abroad and serving in the U.S. Army as an Arabic linguist. “Real estate was not unfamiliar to me at the time, as I had also sold real estate in two other states beforehand,” she explains. She began working with her current broker, assisting him with marketing. But she soon realized she wanted to get back into real estate, so she helped him open Greene Realty Group, becoming the first agent at the new brokerage.

Today she leads her own team called Top Agent Magazine

Watts Property Group at Greene Realty.

At this point in her career, Missy’s clientele largely consists of referrals, as she’s developed lasting relationships with those she serves. “My clients know I am really looking out for them, and not just trying to sell them a home,” she explains.

“I don’t consider myself a salesperson at all. I really am an advocate for my buyers and sellers, protecting them at every step.” Missy tends to every detail of a transaction, making sure no stones are left unturned. This even includes an avoidance 9

of ‘dual agency,’ meaning she will never represent a buyer and a seller on the same transaction, as it could cause a conflict of interest. She’s developed a reputation for delivering exceptional service, and received the Certified Residential Specialist Designation, which is only granted to about 3% of brokers nationwide. “It’s a designation you have to earn, and it gives me access to a network of brokers

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so I can refer my clients to other agents when they’re moving to a new state,” she explains.

Clients leave each transaction knowing Missy did everything possible to meet their needs.

One recently said, “Missy was great. She helped us throughout the entire home-buying process, alerting us to houses that might interest us, patiently taking us on home tours, answering all of our questions, etc. She exhibited the highest degree of Top Agent Magazine

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professionalism and knowledge of the Thurston County real estate market (based on her many years of experience). She was extremely responsive and patiently answered our many questions. We’d hire her again in a heartbeat.”

Currently in an expansion phase of her business, Missy is growing her team and hoping to help more people with their real estate goals. She aims to offer a boutique-style service to her clients, staying hands-on throughout the transaction and afterwards. “My tagline is I offer a 1950s work ethic partnered with modern technology,” she explains. “I really pride myself on my work ethic, communication style and being available to my clients.”

She finds it incredibly rewarding to guide and support them, removing the stress from this journey. “Real estate is such a big part of us. It’s the home we live in, where we make memories, and it really shapes every aspect of our lives. So I love to help people make good choices.”

For more information about Missy Watts, please call 360-280-0509 or email missy@wattspropertygroup.com

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Cristin Wilson is proud to congratulate

Missy Watts

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

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http://www.accelmortgage.net

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6 Things You Need to Do to Be a Great Mentor

Everyone reaches the point in their career where they feel they have gained enough experience and wisdom about business and what it takes to succeed, to actually help someone else achieve the same. Although you may have trained or given advice over the years, taking on the official status as a mentor to someone is a whole new ball game.

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Although mentorship is an unpaid endeavor, you’ll be surprised to find out how much you’ll gain from the experience. You’ll also grow as a business person through the process of teaching someone else. It’s also an endeavor that many will pay forward one day, creating a business atmosphere that is based more on mutual success than competition, which is better for everyone.

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If you were mentored, you may already have an idea of what it entails, and what you liked or didn’t like in your mentor/mentee relationship. Although it is a personal relationship that will need an individual approach, there are certain things that are key when it comes to being a great mentor: 1. Be a good listener

est about your own failures. It can be a huge relief to find out someone they look up to has gone through similar experiences and still managed to come out on top. As we all know, oftentimes the greatest lessons come from failures, which can be times when our character is truly tested. Building trust through mutual respect and honesty will make every aspect of your mentorship more effective.

You’re basically a sounding board who needs to hear your mentee’s ideas, plans and goals in order to advise them. Strong, constant and clear communication is key to any successful mentoring relationship.

Sometimes just letting them talk things out with you, will lead to them to discovering the solution they were looking for.

2. Set expectations and goals at the start When listening to your mentee in your first meeting about the potential relationship, it’s important to establish the parameters of what that relationship will be: What can you give them? What do they need or expect from you? Once the terms are agreed upon, you may want to set specific goals you’ll be working on together so that there’s a defined plan of action, timeline and result you can both expect.

3. Be honest This is important when it comes to offering them constructive criticism or tough love, but more importantly, you need to be hon16

4. Get them to think, don’t make decisions for them Sometimes being a mentor is being a bit like a psychologist. By asking certain ques-

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tions you can lead your mentee to their own conclusions about their business dilemmas and strategies to reach their goals. Being a mentor is all about guidance. Build confidence by drawing out the best in your mentee rather than just presenting them with solutions.

5. Look at the situation objectively One of the key strengths you offer your mentee is a complete emotional detachment to their business. You have no sentimental attachment to doing things a certain way or working with an incompetent vendor because you ‘go way back’. Your only motive is what’s best for your mentee and their business. Although emotions cans still get in the way sometimes, having a detached perspective on hand to guide you is invaluable.

6. Don’t just offer constructive criticism, be supportive Yes, being a mentor is sometimes advising your mentee that he’s doing something ineffectively, but your main purpose is to alway approach everything like cheerleader.

You need to let them know that through it Top Agent Magazine

all, you are a reliable support to them and have a complete belief in their abilities.

Make sure to always praise their accomplishments.

Remember: your job as a mentor is more about guidance than constant feedback.

Your goal is to help someone become the best they can be, not someone who just does everything the way you do it. You’re helping them build confidence in their own intuition, which will hopefully lead to a lifetime of success, and one day, they too might be a valuable resource to another mentee down the road.

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ELENA NEELY Elena Neely is a successful real estate broker and property investor with an extensive financial background. Previously working for a large international corporation, Elena quickly realized her preference for one-on-one client relationships. She is a frequent presenter at seminars, eager to share her in-depth industry knowledge with both audiences and her personal clients. With strong analytical, process management, and facilitation skills, Elena is prepared to help any client navigate the ever-changing real estate market.

Elena shares how she came to the United States to pursue her MBA in International Finance. Originally working in the corporate world negotiating contracts, Elena began to seek something different once her daughter was born.

The rigid schedule of the financial realm led Elena to pursue real estate. At the time she was managing an investment property and earned her licensure in 2004.

Her daughter had just turned one when Elena launched her real estate career. She notes how she initially worked with bigger companies, eventually opening My Seattle Realty, a boutique brokerage in Seattle.

My Seattle Realty is comprised of a close-knit team of agents,. Elena shares how they focus predominantly on “building relationships and working with past clients.” Her brokerage serves all of King and Snohomish Counties. Their repeat and referral business is over 90%, mainly consisting of returning clients and family members. Elena notes that the team is prepared to help clients through transitionary periods in life, from kids going to college, to upsizing and downsizing.

Regarding their extremely high referral rates, Elena shares, “We’re very honest with our clients.” She continues, “We treat them like family.” The team takes their time with every client, never pressuring a sale, and strives to maintain a relationship long after closing a transaction, “It’s not even a business anymore, they’re family.”

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Elena is personally invested in real estate, Apartment syndications and new construction. She and her husband have built multiple projects in the Seattle area, and she is eager to offer personal insight on real estate investment.

Elena shares how My Seattle Realty markets listings on an individual basis. The team analyzes how to spotlight each individual property in the best way at the right time, from highlights to staging, “It’s always different depending on the property.” Their current annual sales volume averages an impressive 40-50 million.

When asked what she enjoys most about the industry, Elena shares, “It’s the relationships. Being able to be a part of some of the most important times of people’s lives.” She continues, “From the happy times to the tough times, I’m there for you.” A woman-owned brokerage, My Seattle Realty is closely involved with local communities. Elena personally educates women on financial freedom, helping them invest in real estate and manage the financial aspects of creating businesses.

Elena’s plans for the future include continuing to grow her real estate business and investment portfolio while working with newer agents to help them be successful in their businesses.

Contact Elena, at 206-992-0654, email elenaneely@icloud.com, or visit myseattlerealty.com www.

Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

The Daily Schedule

of a Successful Real Estate Agent Everything you do should be intentional. A busy schedule isn’t the same thing as a productive schedule. Sometimes people write things like “find clients” on their to-do list, but finding clients isn’t actually a task. It’s a goal. Your daily schedule should be created with your goal in mind if you want to be a successful real estate agent, but a goal is too broad to add to your calendar.

Instead, you can break your goal down into projects, break those projects down into tasks, and schedule time in your calendar to complete each task. You’ll find that some of these projects will have an immediate impact on your business, and that those are the tasks that should be completed first.

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The fact is that as a real estate agent you can set your own schedule—if you’re not productive until 10am, then you don’t have to start your day until then. But having a daily schedule means that every day you have a running start on all those other agents who just “wing it.”

You don’t want to feel burned out and busy but like you’re simultaneously not getting a whole lot done. You can only keep up 70+ hour weeks for so long before your body breaks down and both your performance and income drop as a result.

Since every real estate agent’s operating hours look different, the following daily schedule is broken up by the suggested amount of hours you

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should spend on each task rather than specific times of day. However, certain tasks, like prospecting, appointments, and listing presentations should be performed at times when it’s most convenient for clients. If you’re an agent who likes to end their workday at 5 o’clock, remember that this is also the same time your clients are likely ending their day, meaning you might be unavailable for showings during the only time their schedule allows.

3.5 hours – This is that time of day that you should schedule all your appointments and listing presentations. If you are a newer agent, you might use this time instead to do more prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Spend this time waking up, exercising either at home or at the gym, and eating breakfast.

2 hours – Now it’s time to unwind. Use this time to have dinner and spend time with you family. If you have children, this is usually the time of day when they are wrapping up homework assignments and getting ready for bed.

It’s important that you make time for these moments the same way you make time for your work.

2 hours – Use this time before you head to the office to develop a morning routine, if you haven’t already. You can meditate, journal, practice affirmations, or read personal development books to prepare for the day ahead.

1 hour – Once you’re at the office, spend this time to review the day’s schedule, catch up with your assistant or other colleagues, and check the latest industry news. This is also the time of day that you can role play to prepare for appointments.

1.5 hours – Spend this time prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Now it’s time for a lunch break. If you’re a multitasker, you can also use this time to prepare for the afternoon and any meetings you have scheduled or connect with followers on social media.

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.5 hours – Look over the day’s schedule again and ensure you’ve checked every task off your to-do list. While you’re at it, be sure to review tomorrow’s schedule and goals too.

2 hours – Spend these last couple hours before you fall asleep to have quality time with your spouse or perform your self-care routines.

8 hours – Now it’s time for sleep—getting a full night’s rest is crucial if you want every day to be productive.

As you can tell, there’s still some wiggle room left in this schedule, but the important thing is to block out time every day so you can achieve your goals and help your clients.

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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

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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.

1

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.

2

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

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

3

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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