We get these question alot at YourCBL.com. Am I too Young? Will Home Buyers and Sellers take me seriously? Don’t I need years of experience?
Since I got into real estate in 2001, my answer to this question has changed dramatically, because of one reason – TECHNOLOGY.
Younger agents, in some ways, have a potential advantage in the areas of Technology, Web and Social Media. While older agents are complaining about change and struggling with changes to websites and multiple listing systems, as a younger agent, this is second nature to you.
Here are some examples of younger agents that are making an impact on the real estate business. Each year, the National Association of REALTORS puts out a list of their 30 under 30. 30 Agents Under 30 Years Old that are rocking the industry and as you can imagine – Keller Williams is well represented.
Jordan R. Bennett
“After working at one of the Big 4 accounting firms right out of school, I quickly learned that sitting behind a desk and crunching numbers was not for me. In real estate, I have found a career as opposed to simply a job. But through my corporate experience I gained a strong work ethic, a focus on people and a desire to bring value to everything I do. I have also leveraged my CPA background to work with a number of investors, both in buy-and-hold transactions as well as ‘flip’ transactions.”
Salesperson | Keller Williams | Laguna Hills, Calif. | JordanBennettOnline.com | Age: 29 |
2013 Individual Sales Volume: $24.5 million | 2013 Individual Sides: 45
Bo Draughon
With great challenges come amazing opportunities. Because I learned the benefit of networking early on, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with and be referred to many people in Birmingham who I would not have known otherwise. The personal and professional growth I’ve seen over the previous five years will help guide and motivate me to continue that over the next five years, where I’ll be looking to expand my sales team to over 200 agents in the Birmingham area.”
Team leader, Keller Williams Realty Trussville | Keller Williams Realty Birmingham-Trussville | Trussville, Ala. | Age: 29 |
2013 Team Sales Volume: $52 million | 2013 Team Sides: 360
Ivan Estrada
“I want to be the go-to guy for everyone’s real estate needs in my community. I started with periodic newsletters and then set up my monthly real estate show on YouTube. The production garnered a humble 400 to 500 views in the initial stages, but has now reached close to 30,000 views every month. It’s obvious that video is such an amazing way for people to get to know you without meeting you in person, but I realized that it was also necessary for reaching potential business out of state or even overseas.”
Salesperson | Keller Williams Realty-Sunset |
Los Angeles, Calif.| IvanEstradaProperties.com | Age: 29 |
2013 Individual Sales Volume: $7.1 million | 2013 Individual Sides: 11.5
Ginger Vereen
“My business is 95 percent referral-based. I build my business by providing an extremely high level of service to my clients and making sure that they know how much their business means to me. Last year, I sent out over 700 handwritten notes to remind folks that I had a genuine interest in their lives. I offered myself as a resource for their questions and the real estate needs of their friends, families, and associates. Between my first and third years in real estate, my sales volume doubled, and I’ve set a goal of doubling that, yet again, in 2014.”
Salesperson | Keller Williams Preferred Realty | Raleigh, N.C. | GingerSellsTheTriangle.com | Age: 27
2013 Individual Sales Volume: $6.3 million | 2013 Individual Sides: 34
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Interview with Leo Pareja – 2011 REALTOR MAG – 30 Under 30 with Keller Williams
He was Keller Williams’ top producer for group sales volume in 2010 and now teaches agents around the country how to run large REO operations.
This native Columbian, a graduate of George Mason University, got his license in order to invest but soon discovered a passion for real estate sales. Pareja has invested four times the cost of his bachelor’s degree in real estate and personal growth training, he says, and the investment has paid off handsomely. Still, his career hasn’t been all wine and roses: After he changed companies, he faced a lawsuit alleging he had violated a noncompete agreement and lost almost everything. “The path back to stability was a humbling experience in self-discovery,” he says. His advice: Seek balance. His comes from family and friends and from his commitment to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.