Luxury Listing Specialist - Dominate High End Listings In Any Market

I'm excited to announce there is a brand new Diversity Designation. I'm proud to say I'm one of the co-founders of this brand-new Diversity Designation called the ‘Certified Diversity Specialist’ (CDS). With the goal of helping agents increase their knowledge, providing the tools and resources to help them work with more buyers and sellers, and helping them differentiate themselves among a diverse population. To learn more about the designation, listen to this podcast.  Learn more:  https://diversitydesignation.com/

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In this week’s message, I’d like to talk about the power of second chances. In life, people often make mistakes and don’t get a second chance to correct them. Real estate is no different in this regard. For example, a seller may interview you but then choose to work with someone else. So how do you stay top of mind with such a client in the event that it doesn’t work out with the other agent they chose? Listen to find out. 

Who would like to join me in Napa to get Certified in Luxury?  Go to www.LuxuryDesignation.com for more details    Home warranties are a valuable investment. Whether you’re representing a buyer or seller, there are several benefits to including a home warranty. They’re a great way to differentiate yourself in a competitive market. However, not all home warranties are created equal. There are a lot of different home warranty companies out there. So be sure to do your due diligence. Today, I have the honor of being joined by Harry Keifer with Achosa Home Warranty. I highly recommend Achosa. We discuss what makes Achosa stand out from other home warranty companies, along with some little hidden secrets that consumers should look for when choosing a home warranty company.  To find out more about Achosa, visit their website at www.achosahw.com   “When it comes to home warranty companies, I believe quality, consistency, speed, and safety are what homeowners are looking for.”  -Harry Keifer   Three T

This episode is all about home warranties. For example, if the A/C goes out, or your garage door opener stops working, or have a plumbing issue… if you have a home warranty, you could save thousands of dollars in repairs. One particular home warranty company that I recommend in Illinois is one I used for my home. They're called Achosa. In addition to Illinois, they’re located in 15 other states. I have one of the co-founders of Achosa Home Warranty, Harry Keifer, with me today. You’ll learn more about home warranties and how they are beneficial. Listen for more details. To learn more about Achosa, visit their website at https://www.achosahw.com

I’m a big believer in home staging. It’s a widely used and respected strategy in the real estate industry. It’s recognized as a very effective technique in selling a home in less time at a higher price. You already know that every property needs to be clean and in as good repair as possible. But what's equally important is the staging and how you communicate it to the seller.  I'm so honored to have Barb Schwarz as my guest. Before getting into real estate, her background was in theater and this gave her a unique perspective as an agent. This lead her to creating the home staging industry.  Prepare to be inspired by her vast expertise on the subject. You'll hear incredible tricks for the trade, her analogies, as well as some great "Barb sayings". You can contact Barb on her website or send her a message on her Facebook page. This podcast was originally recorded on Michael LaFido’s Luxury Lunch & Learn series.   “Most agents don’t understand the importance of staging or they don’t know how to a

Did you know you can leverage price per square foot for all your high-end luxury properties? It’s true, and today I’ll tell you how. The Marketing Luxury Group recently leveraged the price per square foot of three properties to help their sellers get a great deal.

The Certified Diversity Specialist Designation (CDS) is launching with its first live virtual training on March 30, 2021.  For details and to register for the Certified Diversity Specialist Certification Designation, visit www.DiversityDesignation.com   For $50 off, use the promo code: Luxe when signing up. America’s population is changing, and so is the ratio of homeownership in the country. As the United States becomes more diverse, embracing diversity will help you gain clients, but failing to pay attention to it could lead to client loss.  I’m very excited to have the co-founder of CDS and one of the instructors, Julia Lashay. In this episode, we talked about diversity, why there’s been a void in real estate diversity when it comes to training, and briefly preview the seven modules covered in the CDS Designation.  To get in touch with Julia, visit her website at www.julialashay.com   “Be dedicated to building a diverse team. It leads to diverse perspectives and different approaches. When your team

Marketing a luxury home takes creativity. One great vessel to show your creativity is through a luxury lifestyle video. We made one recently for a $7.25 million listing we have right outside of Chicago. We highlighted the pool and all of the entertainment space, which is really going to entice buyers.  

Being an agent in the luxury market is hard work. Not only are you dealing with some seriously discerning clients, but you also have huge commissions on the line, so impressing them and bringing your A-game is key.  This week, Wade Hanson, #1 estate broker in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, shares his story behind his successful Remax Results agency. Wade has taken the Luxury Listing Specialist Designation course and is a certified LUXE Agent.  Wade and I also share insights on what defines luxury, as well as strategies to breaking into the luxury market. Be sure to listen all the way through to hear some actionable advice for all agents.     To get in touch with Wade, visit his website at www.wadehanson.com “You can't fool savvy consumers. You've got to have a strong set of core values and a high level of integrity. The client has to know that their needs are always going to come first.”  -Wade Hanson   Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode ✔ Traits of a successful luxury agent:   Top luxu

Have you heard of a no-reserve auction? Today I’m sharing a bit about what that is with an example of one of our current ones. Unique, high-end properties with a seller motivated by time rather than money are great candidates for a luxury auction. In this example, our client’s home is being marketed at $3.5 million. Listen to learn more. 

Save The Date!  Our next live virtual online Luxury Designation Training will be on March 17th. All the details can be found at:  www.LuxuryDesignation.com One of the most important qualifications of a real estate agent is their ability to negotiate effectively. What makes an agent a skillful negotiator is understanding the negotiating process and being able to navigate through the multiple issues that a real estate transaction entails. It’s the number one skill clients look for. And it's not just a business skill, it's a life skill. If you want to become a better negotiator, this episode is for you. I have some great discussions with the founder of The Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) and founder of The Real Estate Negotiation Institute (The RENI), Tom Hayman. He has over 15 years of experience as an agent and negotiation trainer. He’s got some practical strategies on how to handle real estate negotiations that will help you close the deal. To find out more about becoming a CNE, visit https:

Not all contacts in your database are created equal. Certain clients and contacts require more touches, and others require less. That’s why it’s so important to segment your list. I use the “A, B, C” method that prioritizes my best clients. Listen now to learn more about how to properly segment your list.  

Whether you’re new to the real estate industry or you’re an experienced agent, you already understand the power of association and networking. Meeting new faces and talking about your business to others is not only essential for success, but also for getting referrals.   However, this can be challenging due to Covid- 19 restrictions, so we have to think outside the box. Real estate is a people business. But what’s equally vital to association and networking, is the power of having global connections.   I’m so thrilled to have James Huang as my guest! He’s the President of The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). James is a true innovator in commercial real estate and has held leadership roles in some of the most well-known commercial firms in the US. He has over 20 years of experience in the field.   One of the great things about AREEA is it's open to everyone - new and experienced agents. You don’t need to be Asian to join. It’s a wealth of knowledge for anyone who wants to learn and hav

What is a CLUE report and how can it help both your buyer and seller clients? CLUE stands for “Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange,” and it’s how most insurance companies submit their claim history. If someone’s buying a home and wants to know what kind of insurance claims are a part of that home’s recent history, that’s what the CLUE report provides.  

The LGBTQ movement has come a long way. But as the nation continues to confront discrimination of all kinds, there's still a lot of work to be done... and housing equality is no exception.    With that said, it's such an honor to have John Thorpe with us. John's been in real estate since 1999. He's also the Inaugural President of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance (The Alliance). The Alliance was founded in October and in just three months, has grown to over 500 members and over 50 chapters in the US including Puerto Rico.   The Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the professional lives of its members while providing consumers with the proper resources to assist in buying, selling, and enjoying their home.    And it's not just for the LGBTQ population, it's a resource for anyone who needs advice, advocacy, education, or networking. To find out more information about The Alliance, visit https://realestatealliance.org/. There’s no cost to join.  "Educate yourself, get different p

Do you know how to get the attention and impress the builders and developers in your area? Today I’ll tell you what you need to know to start bringing value and eventually start doing business with these potential clients. First, you need to know that nothing happens overnight, so you will need to play the long game. With them, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Remember, they primarily care about "What's in for me?" They’re a long-term investment of your time and energy, so you have to stay in touch and bring value to them for many years potentially. Have a listen to learn more! 

2020 was a year unlike any other. But even with the challenges brought by the pandemic, the luxury real estate market has remained resilient and is strong in many markets.   So what are the best practices that have helped top agents and industry leaders pivot and thrive during this period? What do top coaches recommend in order to bring value to clients?    In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Monica Reynolds, VP of MAPS Coaching at Keller Williams. Having coached more real estate professionals than anyone else in the country, Monica is an industry trailblazer. She played an active role in helping Keller Williams pivot and grow their business during the pandemic.   There’s a lot to unpack in this episode. So, grab a pen and notepad (and maybe a cup of coffee), and let’s dive into Monica’s many valuable pointers and inspiring stories for finding success during these uncertain times.   This podcast was originally recorded on Michael LaFido’s Luxury Lunch & Learn series. "There’s

Today’s video is all about state and local taxes (SALT). As you may know, there’s a $10,000 cap per household (not per person) on what homeowners can write off when filing their income taxes. State and local taxes have been impacting luxury home sales the most, but have also affected resale of all price points—particularly in states with higher property taxes. This is why it’s so important that you understand SALT and are able to articulate its impact to seller clients.

As the new year approaches, we have to start thinking about what we can do to move our industry forward, and one of the best ways to do that is by creating a more inclusive environment. Everyone deserves to feel welcome in real estate, and we all have a role to play in fostering greater diversity in the business. The only problem is, many of us just don’t know where to begin.  How can we make more space for people of color in our industry? What can we do to ensure everyone gets a seat at the table? In this episode, National Associations Of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Western Regional Vice-President, Shanta Patton shares the steps we can take to build a more diverse real estate industry. To find out more about NAREB visit: http://www.NAREB.com    This podcast was originally recorded on Michael LaFido’s Luxury Lunch & Learn series. "We’ve still got a long way to go, but by building up everyone in the business, we can raise the bar." -Michael LaFido   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode: