Top Agent Magazine July 2023

Perhaps the largest demographic of untapped business lies in the rental market. From major cities and suburbs to rural communities—renters across generations are opting to rent rather than own. The question is: why? For starters, many Americans are undereducated about the inventory and financing options available that might suit their budget and lifestyle. Secondly, many would-be homeowners have difficulty visualizing the potential investment of purchasing property, and how homeownership can build wealth and security in the long-term. As an agent, you’re always on the lookout for potential clientele. Now, to guide renters toward the real estate market, keep a few of these strategies in mind as you meet and greet this untapped demographic. 1 Show renters that purchasing a home isn’t impossible Possibly the biggest hurdle for renters is believing…

Top Agent Abigail Hines Miller with Christie’s International Real Estate assists buyers and sellers in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. With creativity, design prowess, and a people-first mentality, REALTOR® Abigail Hines Miller is building a strong real estate practice in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. After years of working in commercial design sales, she was recruited into real estate just two years ago by her friend and former agent. “With my background in interior design and familiarity with homes, it felt like the right industry to be in,” Abigail explains. While she still runs an interior design business, she is now working with Christie’s International Real Estate as of July 2022 to assist her clients locally and from afar. Abigail’s business is split 50/50 between buyers and sellers — and…

In the era of apps, instantaneous social platforms, and text messaging, it’s little surprise that the modern homebuyer begins his or her search for real estate representation online. Even if you’ve got a top-notch website or an influential social media presence, how do you connect with web surfers who have yet to commit to the services you offer? Take a look below to learn a few key techniques to bridge the gap between digital interest and real-world sales. RESPONSIVENESS IS KEY Like it or not, our digital culture relishes immediacy and instant gratification. With that in mind, be sure to stay on top of online interest forms, e-mails, or newsletter signups. Don’t let an online lead go to waste by taking too long to engage and follow-up. Things move fast,…

Ask a dozen agents to explain their home pricing philosophy, and you’ll hear a dozen different approaches. And if the talk reveals frank responses, you’ll also learn that the most common pricing strategy is no strategy at all. Here’s my advice: Break out of the ranks by establishing and following a specific strategy for arriving at the ideal selling price for each home. Adopt the philosophy that, in real estate sales, price is king. Price trumps all other factors—including marketing approaches, home condition, market competitiveness, and sales approach. I believe that, in the end, marketing and condition of the property are controlled by the price. The alternative, advocated by many agents, most sellers, and even some sales trainers, is to emphasize marketing over pricing. Rather than working to set the…

Taylor Oldham of Raleigh, North Carolina, has built a successful real estate enterprise by combining her knack for digital branding with a sincere dedication to candor and client satisfaction. “I tell everyone I work with, ‘I’m going to do what a good friend would do and tell you the truth, even if it hurts.’ That brutal honesty can make some folks do a double take, but in the long run, they appreciate it – my job is to make sure that this huge decision is the right decision for clients in the long run.” Prior to entering the industry, Taylor enjoyed a career working for the Carolina Hurricanes. “I was with them for five seasons, and I really fell in love with The Triangle,” she recalls, “but the lifestyle demanded…

The less time a home spends on the market, the more likely it is to sell at or above list price. That’s why our Top Agents recommend getting a property ready for marketing well before listing. Anyone who is even just starting to think about listing will benefit from some basic upkeep and pre-staging work. Even if you decide now is not the time to list, you’ll enjoy these simple improvements around the home. With the right local resources, most pre-listing preparations take less than a week and will make the formal staging process simpler for all involved. Ask Top Agents in your area for referrals of local pros to hire. Once you’ve selected your Top Agent, keep yourself open to his or her opinion on other TLC to help…