CENTURY 21 Photography Tips Tutorial

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

As an agent, it’s vital that you make a big splash with your listing. In most cases, great photography is your only chance of enticing prospective buyers into coming by to take a look. First impressions are everything. Follow these tips to showcase your listing in the best possible light.

Step One: Use a Tripod

Whether you’re using a smartphone to take your pictures or a nice digital camera, a tripod makes the picture taking a lot easier. An uneven or blurry photo will immediately turn off potential customers, so it’s essential to get this step right. Low light is also one of the main reasons tripods are important. Why? To cut down on blurry pictures. Tripods make taking a steady and stable shot possible. If you’re taking a panoramic photo, a tripod allows you to pan seamlessly through a room. This is a great tip for capturing wide rooms, entranceways, and exterior shots. And yes, you can use a tripod with a smartphone if that’s your camera of choice.

Step Two: Take Advantage of Natural Light

Any photographer will tell you that nothing’s better than natural light. Flashes can saturate an image, and they don’t always illuminate what you want to showcase. Try to take your pictures on a sunny day, and take advantage of the early mornings and afternoons. This varies depending on which direction the house is facing and where the room you’re shooting is. But be mindful of bright light and use it to your advantage. Don’t forget to open those curtains to allow natural light into the frame.

Step Three: Adjust Camera Settings

If you’re using a digital camera, there are many settings to choose from. The different options at your disposal can seem endless, but it’s important to try and follow a few fundamentals as you get started until you become comfortable.

In the beginning, follow these simple steps:

Set your camera to manual. Default settings can only get you so far.
Select the lowest ISO setting. ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The lower the number, the less sensitive the sensor is to light. A lower ISO will capture more detail, which is ideal when you’re trying to bring a listing to life.
Adjust shutter speed for good exposure. A slower shutter speed allows more light into the camera sensor. Use this setting for low-light photos. A faster shutter speed helps freeze motion. Use this setting if you’re trying to capture movement.
Adjust aperture to allow a low amount of light to reach the image sensor. Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera.

If you’re using a smartphone, test out its various modes in different conditions like direct sun and low light. Android phones and iPhones are both well-equipped with features, from fast processors to high resolution displays. When using a smartphone, select a high resolution. The higher the resolution is, the better quality image you’ll get. This is perfect for showcasing key features inside a home.

Step Four: Adjust shot to highlight features

Every home has unique features, so show them off! Keep in mind that this is an advertisement for the home you’re trying to sell. Try to exclude obstructions and unsightly dumpsters, trash cans, or electrical wires.

When photographing inside, remember that interior rooms almost always look better if they’re being shot from the doorway looking into the room. If you want to make a room look big, use a wide-angle lens. Exterior shots benefit from shooting at low angles. This technique allows viewers to see the depth and scale of the listing.

Step Five: Edit your photos

Always take more photos than you think you’ll need. The more images you have to work with, the easier the editing process will be. Smartphones and most digital cameras have editing functions built right into them.

There are two basic principles to editing photos—adjusting color and light. No matter which tool you’re using to take your pictures, follow these steps for best results:

Color:

Temperature: affects the yellow and blues of a photo. If you want a warmer photo, add yellows. If you are creating a cooler photo, add blues. Ideally you’ll end up with a balanced photo.
Tint: adjusts greens and magentas. Making these adjustments will alter the tone of the photo as well.

Light:

Exposure: evenly distributes brightness throughout the photo.
Brightness: adjusts midtones in the photo.
Highlights and shadows: if the photo is overexposed or underexposed, use this feature to even out the detail in the photo. For example if an area is very bright, you can lower the lights to bring out detail in the highlights of a photo. Shadows will only alter dark parts of the photo.
Contrast: makes shadows darker and highlights brighter. Contrast adjusts the separation between the darkest and brightest areas of the image.

Feel free to go a step further and use editing software for more dynamic edits. In the end, remember to be selective and only post what best represents your listing. Let your pictures do the talking. After all, we live in a scrolling world, so make sure your listing doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Watch the CENTURY 21 Photography Tips tutorial below to see these tips in action.

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CENTURY 21Ⓡ Open House: Keeping Data Safe

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

In a world rampant with identity theft and data breaches, it can be scary to give information to anyone. However, when buying a house, disclosing classified information is a must. Rett Harmon of CENTURY 21 Novus Realty shares the careful steps realtors can take to keep sensitive info safe and secure.

Digital Records

“We keep our data secure by storing all of it in the cloud. Thankfully, we have never suffered a security breach as we try to use the most trusted cloud-based sources,” explains Harmon.

Most tech insiders agree1 that cloud-based storage systems are secure. In these systems, data is kept in off-site servers that can be anywhere in the world. While this might sound riskier than keeping your information where you can see it, the fact is that hacking attempts mainly target traditional computer servers. Cloud storage systems offer more protection from hackers and cyber attacks.

“All of our data is backed up in the cloud. We make sure that we do business with cloud-based service providers that have locations in multiple areas and often backup their servers. We don’t rely on an IT department, and you will find zero servers in my office,” says Harmon.

Wire Transfers

An unfortunate drawback to life in the age of the internet is wire fraud. This can make placing a down payment on a home nerve-wracking for clients.

It’s important to have conversations about staying vigilant. Even though a wire transfer can be initiated from home using a mobile banking app, it’s a good idea to discuss the transfer with a bank or credit union. Certain banks have security measures in place, and it’s important to know what they are. If someone receives an e-mail telling them that the wiring instructions have changed, they should double check e-mail correspondences to be sure they are in fact communicating with right party.2

Security

The same type of precaution is necessary when signing electronic documents. Using secure services like DocuSign as opposed to e-mailing a signed PDF provides more protection. FIles sent through DocuSign display information that the document has been protected, or conversely can show when a document has been tampered with and can’t be trusted.3

Files sent without this type of protection, for example PDF files attached to an e-mail, are at risk of having a signature stolen by a hacker.

Printed Records

“Printed records should be a thing of the past, but my office staff still likes to keep a paper backup. It does drive me crazy, but I have to pick my battles,” Harmon says. “We do have many security measures for printed materials. We keep a securely locked container for any items with client or personal information. The box is picked up routinely by a company that properly destroys then recycles it to continue to keep the information confidential, even once we no longer need it.”

It’s no surprise that digital files are more convenient to all types of businesses. We no longer have to search file cabinets for a record, just simply type what we need into a search bar. However, digital records mean new methods of data security must be implemented.

“Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us,” Harmon says. “We want our clients to know that their conversations are between us. Building Trust is the key to success and longevity in this business.”

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#C21News: October 2017

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

October brought a number of noteworthy achievements for Century 21 Real Estate and its agents. Read more below to learn about the significant franchise growth and impressive achievements that occurred last month.

New Franchise Spotlight

Pelican Real Estate has joined the CENTURY 21® Franchise System in a merge with CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin, forming CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin Pelican. Established in 1996 by Bill Smith in Seagrove Beach, Florida, Pelican Real Estate was one of the largest in its region, with 11 offices from Panama City Beach to Pensacola. “I could not be happier about this merger with CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin,” said Smith. “I never thought I would ever consider working with a franchise, but CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin is not your run-of-the-mill franchise. The tools and technology they have mastered and utilize is far superior to any I’ve seen.” Read more here.

CENTURY 21 Arizona West opened a new office in Anthem. The new location is a full-service office with a wide range of real estate and business experience among the staff. The team currently includes eight agents and plans for four more to start soon. Branch manager Judy Bluhm said, “We will help people with all aspects of real estate. If someone wants to sell, we offer the most global reach of any company. We work with buyers, both first-time and experienced investors to give them the highest quality service.” Read more here.

John Arquette Properties, an independent real estate firm based in Fayetteville, NY, has joined the CENTURY 21® Franchise System and will now do business as CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties. The agency will now benefit from the world-class marketing and technology and productivity tools provided through its affiliation with the iconic CENTURY 21 brand. John Arquette said, “We are thrilled to have the support of the brand behind us and continue to best serve the needs of home buyers, sellers and agents in Central New York and beyond.” Read more here.

In the News

Charles Tarbey of CENTURY 21 Australia Real Estate earned the prestigious Woodrow Weight Award from the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales. The Institute’s president, John Cunningham, said, “Charles has dedicated his life to the real estate industry and has been a great supporter of REINSW throughout his career.” The award is named for Woodrow Weight, the first Australian to be elected World President of the International Real Estate Federation.

Scott Kesner of CENTURY 21 The Edge from El Paso, TX was appointed Vice President of Region 10 of the National Association of Realtors for the 2018 calendar year. As a regional vice president, Kesner will oversee the work of the National Association, which consists of Texas and Louisiana.

CENTURY 21 realtor Kay Wilson-Bolton of Santa Paula, CA was honored with the 2017 Good Neighbor Award for outstanding charity work in her community. Wilson-Bolton instituted Many Meals, a weekly program that provides food to as many as 600 people every Wednesday. Read more here and here.

New Initiatives and Partnerships

Century 21 Real Estate is proud to announce the launch of the “Empowering Latinas” program, an educational and business opportunity that will help Latina entrepreneurs in South Florida earn a real estate license. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Century 21 Real Estate will not only provide 70 scholarships, but Century 21 affiliated brokers in the greater South Florida region will also mentor the scholarship awardees and offer them the opportunity to hone their craft with a local franchise affiliate. Read more here.

Check back next month for the latest Century 21 Real Estate News briefing.

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CENTURY 21® Social: How to Use Snapchat for Real Estate

September 5, 2017 By Casey Danton

Snapchat is a powerful social platform to share entertaining, valuable, and informative content. It allows users to communicate through “Stories” containing photos and short videos that can be viewed for up to 24 hours. Users can also send Snaps to specific people on a timer, disappearing as soon as the viewer exits out of it. Real estate agents can take advantage of this social tool for sharing listings, local content, and more.

Every Home Has A Story

Agents can Snap fun facts about each listing and the neighborhood around it. Because the content disappears so quickly, you only have a few seconds to catch the attention of your viewers. You can shoot pictures and videos of each room in the house as “ten-second tours.” Providing snapshots of your listings to your followers will spark interest. Followers can then direct message you to set up a viewing instantaneously.

Snapchat Geofilters

This feature enables agents to use basic geofilters or create a custom option. When the app detects you are in a specific location, unique filters associated with your area become available to overlay on your content.

Pre-made Filters: You can use the geofilters that have already been created to show the coolest spots in the neighborhood. When showing listings in a certain area, agents can travel around the neighborhood itself and display the local bars, restaurants, and stores via Snapchat to add value to the listings.

Custom On-Demand Filters: For a small fee, agents can create their own sponsored filters for events like real estate conferences, open houses, and even local community events, to generate brand awareness and interest. Just be sure to keep your audience in mind and create something that users will want to apply to their content.

GhostCodes

This separate app lets you discover Snapchat users who are listed under specific categories, like ‘Real Estate.’ GhostCodes makes it easy for other users to find you and can help you increase your following. It’s a great way to help you build a solid referral network and meet new clients!

The key to Snapchat for real estate agents is to make your audience feel more connected to you. It is important to engage with your clients and share content that they want to interact with.

Sources:

http://bhgrealestateblog.com/how-to-use-snapchat-for-real-estate-101/

https://www.inman.com/2016/02/25/snapchats-new-custom-filters-will-change-real-estate-marketing/

https://www.agentimage.com/blog/snapchat-real-estate-marketing/

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CENTURY 21® Social: LinkedIn Pro Tips

August 11, 2017 By Casey Danton

As the real estate industry continues to further embrace social media and technology in general, LinkedIn is quickly becoming one of the most valuable digital tools in an agent’s arsenal. LinkedIn is built for networking, and luckily for us, that’s one of the things we, as agents, do best. Here are a few “pro tips” that will help you become a LinkedIn expert in no time.

Choose the right photos.

When you are choosing a profile photo or an image to post with your content, make sure it is clear, professional, and consistent with your brand and your business.

Optimize your bio for real estate.

Once you upload your professional profile picture, it’s time to tackle your bio. Make sure this section lets prospects know who you (a real estate professional) are and what you will be sharing on LinkedIn. The bio is also a great place to let your personality shine through the screen.

Include your awards and accolades.

Don’t be afraid to exercise your bragging rights. In fact, LinkedIn has an entire profile section devoted to accomplishments. This section is where you share your awards, your brokerage’s awards, certifications, and courses.

Use media files efficiently.

When editing your profile, you can add media files as part of your page. These media files show up as actionable thumbnails which are great for displaying assets like your website. For the most clicks, put these files right below your summary section.

Publish content to generate leads.

One of the most important pieces of your LinkedIn profile is the content that you are sharing on it. Instead of going too heavy on listings, try to share articles that offer valuable real estate tips and advice from you or another reputable source.

Build your network.

Start by connecting with your network of realtors and brokers, then connect with their connections and so on. Your email contact list is also a great place to establish LinkedIn connections. If you would like to identify some more quality connections, use LinkedIn’s “Advanced Search” feature. It allows you to specify keywords and the location of where you would like to search for connections.

Implement these tips and techniques to establish connections and generate leads for your business through LinkedIn!

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Open House with CENTURY 21®: Your Big Break in Real Estate

August 8, 2017 By Casey Danton

When did you experience your “big break” in real estate? We asked several CENTURY 21® team members this question to learn more about the moment they realized they would make it in such a challenging, yet rewarding industry. From months to years, networking events to sales calls, every story is different proving once again that nothing in real estate is predictable.

It’s About Time

If these stories tell us one thing, it’s that there is no set time for success.

“I realized I would make it in the industry after six months. I discovered that if my morning hours were dedicated to lead generation, I would continue to have a consistent flow of clients, grow my business pipeline, and expand my sphere of influence.” –Justin Udy, CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

“In all honesty, it came after I attended Inman Connect San Francisco in 2015. I was a brand new attendee and did not know what to expect at all. My boss recommended that I attend — and instinctively knew that it would be a place where I could meet like-minded people in the industry, and make really meaningful connections as well. I went from being a conference attendee to an Inman Ambassador, to speaking and presenting on the main stage — all within a year.” –Billy Ekofo, CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty

“When my schedule overflowed, and I brought in a client care coordinator to manage the behind the scenes in my third year, I knew I had found my passion of changing people’s lives one house at a time.” –Jerry Cibulski, CENTURY 21 Albertson Realty

A World of Opportunity

Finding success is also about finding opportunities and seizing the ones given to you.

“I discovered that if my morning hours were dedicated to lead generation, I would continue to have a consistent flow of clients, grow my business pipeline, and expand my sphere of influence.” –Justin Udy, CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

“The opportunity to speak at Inman Connect opened the door for me to speak at the CENTURY 21 Iberia Conference in Lisbon in February 2017, the CENTURY 21 Global Conference in March 2017, and be a keynote speaker at a Realogy event in June 2017. I will also be back as a speaker at Inman this August in San Francisco, as well as a first-time panelist at the second Realtor.com Summit in Las Vegas this September.

None of these experiences and opportunities would have come to me if it wasn’t for Century 21 Redwood Realty investing their time in sending me to Inman Connect back in 2015, and to the team at Inman for giving me the opportunity to serve and speak.” –Billy Ekofo, CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty

“During my first full year in the business, I was grateful for the referrals of family and friends of my budding client list.” –Jerry Cibulski, CENTURY 21 Albertson Realty

Establishing Awards

The most obvious evidence of success is awards and honors. As explained by our interviewees, hard work reaps tangible rewards.

“I was amazed when I was awarded ‘Top Rookie Producer’ in my office following my first year. I was able to achieve this honor because I was always on the phone. I time blocked my mornings, and I made an effort to be in front of people consistently.” –Justin Udy, CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

“I started part-time one summer and was honored with a Century 21 Masters Sales Award in my first six months.” –Jerry Cibulski, CENTURY 21 Albertson Realty

The moral of the story? Nothing comes easy, and your “big break” is not always marked by a specific event or achievement, it’s a culmination of time, hard work, and opportunity. Though the definition is different for everyone, when it happens, it is worth every minute.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Koi Tasaniyom of CENTURY 21® S.G.R.

April 27, 2017 By Casey Danton

As we approach the height of the spring homebuying season, we had a chance to sit down with Koi Tasaniyom of CENTURY 21® S.G.R. in Chicago. In the interview, Koi shared his approach to the busy spring home buying and selling season and details how his background in business has helped him find success in real estate.

CENTURY 21: Tell us a little bit about your career before real estate.

Koi: I worked in the Investor Relations Department of a major Thai commercial bank before coming to the United States in 2006. Once I got here, I earned my MBA from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a concentration in international business and marketing.

CENTURY 21: How did you discover CENTURY 21?

Koi: After I completed my graduate studies, I met a Thai woman who owned a CENTURY 21 office in Chicago. That woman was Nancy Suvarnamani, and she initially gave me a job in the accounting department. After a few years, I earned my broker license and become a real estate professional.

CENTURY 21: How has your business background contributed to your success as a real estate agent?

Koi: My financial and marketing background has allowed me to help my clients make informed real estate decisions. My MBA has also assisted me in working with investors to find properties that suit their real estate investment portfolios.

CENTURY 21: Being from Thailand, do you benefit from the CENTURY 21 Global Network?

Koi: Yes, because the CENTURY 21 Brand has the most recognized global name, the Thai and Asian communities in Chicago feel very comfortable and confident working with a broker affiliated with it.

CENTURY 21: Many people perceive real estate as a second career for people later in life, but as we know, this isn’t the case. What would you say to people who think of real estate in this way?

Koi: Myths die hard. It’s difficult to change people’s mindsets. However, the realtor image, at least in Chicago, has undergone a major transformation. As younger people enter the field with degrees in law, accounting, engineering, etc., even those who believe the myth of real estate as a part-time job see the landscape changing right before their eyes.

CENTURY 21: You are well-versed in Zap. How has it added value to your business?

Koi: Zap has allowed me to engage and interact with clients on a more professional basis. Zap provides several helpful features: Showing Request, Customized Testimonial, Properties I’ve Toured, resources links, and built-in social media site links—it has simplified my realtor activities. Zap allows me to show my commitment to my clients by providing timely and accurate information.

CENTURY 21: Now that we are in the height of the spring home buying/selling season, how do you use Zap to stay on top of your listings?

Koi: Zap allows me to utilize comments on my listing from fellow agents which I then share with my sellers. All of the listings I have are featured on the main page of our office Zap page to create more exposure. The ability to share our Zap property page on social media sites, and send listings to people also helps me to sell my listings in a timely manner.

CENTURY 21: What advice do you have for fellow agents who aren’t currently using Zap?

Koi: Use it. It is one of the best tools to showcase your professionalism. Best of all…it’s FREE.

Stay tuned for another agent spotlight next month!

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Cheryl Bare of CENTURY 21® New Millennium

March 24, 2017 By Casey Danton

This month, we caught up with Century 21 Real Estate sales associate, Cheryl Bare to learn about what it’s like to be one of our top female agents. From balancing two careers to expanding her network, Cheryl shared her experience and many pieces of valuable advice for any agent. Read on to see what she had to say.

CENTURY 21: Did you dream of becoming a real estate agent? If not, what led you to where you are today?

Cheryl: I did not dream of becoming a real estate sales associate. I dreamed of becoming a teacher. When I was a teacher, I wanted to earn some additional income so I became a real estate agent. I took the class and for 12 years was dual-careered as a teacher and real estate agent. After those 12 years, I decided to take the “risk” and take on real estate full time. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

CENTURY 21: Tell us about your work-life balance in the real estate industry.

Cheryl: In the beginning, balancing life and work was difficult. I would teach during the week and spend weekends on real estate appointments. I would miss my kid’s extracurricular activities. My husband would take them to and from activities. When my kids got older and were headed to college, it was much easier. As an agent, my schedule is never the same. Having the flexibility of making my own schedule made it easier to balance my life with work. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle, and having a routine. With each day being so different and changing so often (you do have to work around your clients), it’s nice to have set goals. It’s also important to find time for yourself. I owe much of my success to the fact that I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like “work.” I have a passion for it.

CENTURY 21: In your opinion, what are the advantages for a woman who chooses to become a Century 21 Real Estate agent?

Cheryl: Becoming a Century 21 Real Estate agent has been both professionally and personally fulfilling. CENTURY 21 is such a well-known and respected brand. I feel proud to introduce myself as part of such a successful company. One of the main advantages is that the Century 21 Real Estate name itself is highly respected.

CENTURY 21: How has the CENTURY 21 Brand supported you and helped you achieve your goals?

Cheryl: I have been with the CENTURY 21 Brand for almost 20 years. Century 21 Real Estate has allowed me to focus more on my clients by providing the necessary tools in lieu of me having to create tools. I can spend more hands-on time with my clients. It allows me to step into that leadership role and focus on guiding each client through important decisions during the process of buying or selling their home. I love working with buyers and sellers—from first time homebuyers to someone who is upsizing or downsizing, or just investing in real estate. Knowing they need my knowledge and services is satisfying in itself.

CENTURY 21: What women do you look up to in business and life?

Cheryl: Professionally, I can’t say I look up to one certain person. When I was making the decision to transition to real estate full time, I looked up to the top producing agents. I used what I learned from them to help shape the successful business I have today and to become the top agent I am today. To me, it was important to succeed in everything I tried. That leads me to who I look up to in my personal life…my mom. She has always let me dream. No matter what I aspired to be, she would support me. It could have been a crazy idea like owning my own McDonald’s or becoming a fashion model—she would always tell me she would support my passions. When I transitioned to real estate, it was no different.

CENTURY 21: What advice do you have for aspiring female Century 21 sales associate?

Cheryl: Starting off in real estate, it’s important to make sure you join a company that is willing and able to support you. At the CENTURY 21 Brand, you get both a supportive “family” and the tools to succeed. Websites are user friendly, training and classes keep you up to date on the latest trends (from technology to social media and everything in between). No matter how many transactions you do, without great support from your company, it’ll be impossible to grow.

Always do a great job with every client. The deals may be few and far between starting off, but building your business starts with the clients. If you have satisfied clients, they will continue to use you for their future needs and refer you to friends/family. Over 85% of my business is repeat business or someone who has been referred by a past client of mine.

I may be biased, but as women, we have somewhat of an advantage. In my opinion, being a woman makes it easier to build lifelong professional relationships with your clients. Use that to your advantage. At the end of a deal, they won’t remember that you were sitting there at the settlement table as much as they will that you were “there” during the entire process. Communicate, be a leader, encourage and empower them. Be knowledgeable and confident. That relationship is what they’ll remember when they are buying/selling again.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Jona Gamboa of CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

February 15, 2017 By Casey Danton

For Century 21 Real Estate agent Jona Gamboa, work is about more than buying and selling homes—it’s about embracing his heritage. For the past three years, Jona has been nominated as one of NAHREP’s Top 250 Latino Agents. This prestigious list recognizes “agents whose hard work and dedication has led them to close an outstanding number of transactions in an effort to increase the rate of sustainable Hispanic homeownership.”

We recently sat down with Jona to learn more about what it’s like to receive such an honor and how it has contributed to his success. Read on to see what he had to say.

CENTURY 21: What did it feel like to be named one of NAHREP’s Top 250 Latino Agents in 2016?

Jona: It has been an honor to be nominated in the top 250 for the last three years. It feels great to be recognized for the work I have done throughout the years, and it has helped me to keep pushing myself to reach new heights and keep serving the community.

CENTURY 21: How has the CENTURY 21 Brand helped you reach this achievement?

Jona: The branding of Century 21 Real Estate has helped me achieve my success. The Hispanic community has a really good perception of the CENTURY 21 Brand as a leader in the Industry and as a global company since it is in Mexico and most South American countries.

CENTURY 21: The NAHREP Top 250 honors agents from many different companies, what do you think sets the CENTURY 21 Brand apart from the others?

Jona: The branding, I believe there is no other real estate company that is better perceived and trusted by the Hispanic Community.

CENTURY 21: How has this honor impacted your career over the past year?

Jona: This has impacted my career considerably, besides helping me to use it as a marketing tool, it has helped to meet great professionals from the top 250 in the industry who have helped me to grow my thinking and my vision. It has also helped me to grow personally along with my business and team.

CENTURY 21: How do you ingrain the NAHREP Mission into your day-to-day business?

Jona: We, the Gamboa team, have the fortune to empower a lot of Hispanic families through sustainable home ownership in our daily lives. It is amazing to see the difference we can make in the families that are the first or second generation of immigrants in the U.S. by helping them acquire their first home and how big of a difference we can make in their lives, and their future. I like to say that our job is to empower families through home ownership so they can build wealth and shift their mindset from surviving mode to striving mode.

CENTURY 21: What advice do you have for fellow Century 21 sales associates who would like to achieve an honor such as this one?

Jona: First, they always need to keep their job in mind: helping and empowering people through real estate. If they keep this in mind, people can feel it and as a result, they will recommend you and your business will grow. People remember you, not for what you say or what you did for them, instead they will remember you for HOW you make them feel!

Second, Invest in yourself. Get a coach, go to seminars, read books, listen to audio books—basically work harder on yourself than you do in your job. You will get paid for the value you provide to the community and marketplace. People will want to do business with you because they know you provide a great amount of value.

Third, Surround yourself with people that are succeeding at the level you want to succeed or higher.

Stay tuned for another agent spotlight coming next month!

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Most Popular Real Estate Keywords of 2016

January 30, 2017 By Casey Danton

When it comes to online marketing, there is a very powerful tool right at your fingertips: keywords! Simple words can be one of your most important and valuable assets for reaching new audiences in the digital space. Think about what words potential clients might enter into a search field and use that information to help guide your marketing plan. You can even use keywords to create relevant hashtags for social media.

To help you get started, here are some of the most popular real estate keywords of 2016.*

The Buying/Selling Process

Estate Property

Property Search

Owner

Price

Years

Plan

Office

Rent

Aspects of the Home

House

Kitchen

Bedroom

Living Room

Bath

Floor

Location Consideration

Location

State

Community

Park

Area

Development

University

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