In the following interview, Ulises Vargas, an agent with Stambaugh Realty in Winter Haven, Fla., discusses his approach to marketing, technology, and more.
Region Served: Winter Haven, Fla.
Years in Real Estate: 3.5
Number of Offices: 1
Number of Agents: 2
You utilize Homes & Land as part of an integrated marketing strategy that includes print publications. How does this benefit you?
Homes & Land is an excellent tool that gives me the ability to be a small, independent company and still compete with the bigger companies in the industry—all without having to join the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Joining the MLS would cost me a great deal of money, but Homes & Land does it all for me. They provide me with everything I need to be successful in real estate, including a website, an independent main marketing platform, tech assistance and great advertising. While Stambaugh Realty is a small company, thanks to my partnership with Homes & Land, I do closings every month and have a great business. With Homes & Land, I have the technology to track each step of the transaction along the way, and can even communicate with buyers and sellers through the dashboard I have access to. I even have the ability to do virtual tours. The reality is, if I want to be in the real estate business, I have to invest money in it, and Homes & Land is the only tool I need to invest in.
How do you stay ahead of the competition?
Discipline. And I do local promotions, as well. I take advantage of everything Homes & Land offers, especially advertising, so that I’m always getting new clients. As an independent contractor, I make sure that I’m making money, not just spending it.
What is the one piece of technology you can’t live without?
The two things I can’t live without are my iPad and iPhone. I’m in the field a vast majority of the time, and with my iPad and iPhone, I can do it all, from listing presentations to appointments. The only other piece of equipment I would like to have to make my mobility perfect would be a small printer so that I could do absolutely everything on-site.
Is there a specific motto/work philosophy that you live by?
The motto/work philosophy that I live by centers around being honest and sincere with my clients. Prospective clients aren’t looking at the car you drive or the way you dress; they’re looking for performance and honesty. I don’t promise anything I can’t do; however, I do promise that when working with sellers, I’ll work very hard and sell the home as quickly as possible.
For more information, please visit www.homesandland.com/benefits.
Lesley Grand is a contributing editor to RISMedia.
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