In the following interview, Karen Ryan, broker/owner of Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties in Hilton Head Island, S.C., discusses building and maintaining a positive and professional culture in her company.
Karen Ryan
Broker/Owner
Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties, a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
www.weichertcp.com
Region served: Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie and Beaufort, S.C.
Years in real estate: 20
Number of offices: 4
Number of agents: 130
Favorite relationship-building strategy: Staying connected in my community, with friends, with colleagues, at church and with my family. The more balanced I am in all of these areas, the more success I find at the office.
Best advice for new agents: Participate in your office training and sales meetings, know your inventory, surround yourself with positive people and get out and get involved. The more you’re out of the office meeting people through activities you’re passionate about, the better chance you have to connect with others who share that same passion.
What factor has the largest influence on the real estate industry today?
First and foremost, the steady stream of disruptors being introduced within the technology arena is giving consumers a lot of information to research. Another factor that’s influencing the industry centers around the fact that social media and video have changed the way people interact with homes online. And last, but not least, today’s buyers are more informed than ever before, yet they still need the knowledge a professional brings to the table.
What are some of the current trends you see in your market right now?
We currently have a very robust market with multiple offers on properties that are priced right. In addition, agents have gotten better at using social media and video to sell listings and garner clients.
How does your company make its agents’ jobs easier?
At Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties, we feel that the role of the broker is more than simply hanging an agent’s license, so we provide everything an agent needs to list and sell properties. Whether it’s training for new and experienced agents, administrative support, marketing support, leads, mentoring, a CRM and web support, we provide it all. There are so many demands on agents today that they need a company with support to have their backs.
In what ways does your brokerage’s office culture play a role in your real estate career?
Not only do we have a positive and professional culture within our company, but we also work hard to surround ourselves with positive agents who strive for greater professionalism. If someone develops a bad attitude and can’t be coached, they’re not a good fit for us. Success comes from maintaining this environment, because when agents are happy and knowledgeable, success follows.
How are you preparing your agents for the future of real estate?
Our ongoing training keeps the bar high for everyone within the company. We have many divisions and specializations, including residential, commercial, luxury, young professionals, military and senior living. Today’s agents must be on top of the changing market and their niche in order to be successful.
For more information, please visit www.leadingre.com.
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