RE/MAX Alliance’s Top Producer Panel – A Stimulating and Hugely Insightful Event!

For all those folks out there that did not take advantage of the last RE/MAX Alliance Top Producer Panel, you sure did miss out on one heck of an event!  If you did attend, I hope you enjoyed the information and setting as much as I did!  Hosted at the RE/MAX Alliance Westminster office last Wednesday, this panel consisted of our area’s top producing super star RE/MAX Alliance agents: Nicki Thompson, Kelly Moye, Chris Ratay, Denice Reich, Stephanie Goldammer, Chris Davis, and Kevin Chambless.  These agents regularly top the charts for total transactions and sales by volume, and they shared their best practices and strategies with the group.

Among the 6 individuals/teams, we had roughly 400 transactions and approximately $138 Million in volume according to Metrolist’s records.  The event began with a short presentation from Chad Ochsner regarding recent sales stats for RE/MAX Alliance and then another from Home Mortgage Alliance about the cool new things they are doing in regards to closing loans faster and with less hassle.  After that, our stars let the information fly and they seemed to have a great time doing it!  Here are a few of the highlights from this past event.  If after reading this you are wishing you knew more, I would highly suggest not passing over the next valuable event!

1. Considering the changes we have seen in the market during the past 12-16 months, what do you anticipate for 2014 – any notable opportunities or challenges?

• Nikki Thompson responded by saying she sees her biggest challenges in the market being the ability to find more stability and a conservative approach to the crazy market.  She noted that a younger savvier consumer base, although still in need of guidance and direction, also presents new opportunities for different marketing strategies.  She plans to use an introduction video and a revised call script in order to try to capture more conversions.  

• Kelly Moye says she sees more opportunity in educating people in current home values.  She says that many homeowners have more equity in their homes than they realize and that showing them how much their property is worth in this accelerating market will help with conversions. The biggest challenge will be finding homes for buyers, which is why she is practicing honing in on her contract writing skills.

• Chris Ratay said there is opportunity in helping some qualified homeowners see the potential benefits in not selling their home, and instead hanging on to it as an investment property.  He also said that there is additional opportunity in educating buyers on the concept of doing a “rent back” which would allow for less contingencies.

• Chris Davis sees his biggest challenge as dealing with his expanding business.  He said his goal is to find someone to join his team whose strengths are his weakness.  In turn this means he is taking a serious look inside the intricate working of his business.  He also sees opportunity in advocating sellers who have a strong need to downsize and educating them on the true expenses of owning a home that is beyond their needs.

• Kevin Chambless believes that one of his biggest challenges is not in selling homes, but instead finding people to work with and building relationships.  He also said that homeowners should not focus on the real estate market, but instead their own situations which is the only thing they have control over.

• Denice Reich and Stephanie Goldammer said they are running into problems with sellers thinking their homes are worth more than they really are.  They also acknowledged the negative effect that the introduction of discount agents and flat fee agents is having in the marketplace.

2. What are you doing differently in your business to meet the market in 2014?

• Denice Reich and Stephanie Goldammer said they are focused on updating and upgrading their internet presence and website.

• Kevin Chambless says he will continue to “farm” his database, stay in touch with his contacts, and find new ways to engage with them.

• Chris Davis says his business strategy is morphing from selling homes to really trying to help people in whatever capacity he can.

• Chris Ratay says he is going to work on his business’s Google reviews and putting testimonials up on other 3rd party review sites.

• Kelly Moye says she is aligning herself with companies that will try to find ways to give her business and has started a 1 minute weekly video post.

• Nikki Thompson wants to improve on her customer service experience and ways to capture more of the market share.

3. Considering your own business model, if you could choose only one tool, program or system to share with the audience, what would that be?

• Chris Davis suggests scheduling 3 meetings a day in person with your sphere.

• Kevin Chambless says start a daily call log and tack your conversations.

• Chris Ratay said to schedule time for yourself and respect both your business and personal calendars.

• Kelly Moye says contact 5 people that are in your database every day.

• Denice Reich and Stephanie Goldammer said to farm your hearts out and join a roundtable.

• Nikki Thompson says to master your craft of selling real estate with whatever skills you are strongest in.