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

April 27, 2017 By

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

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

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

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

Close

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

*Top keywords provided by Infegy. Data has been filtered to remove keywords associated with the 2016 Presidential Election.

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Do You Want to Become a Real Estate Agent? Find Out: Take CENTURY 21®’s Quick Real Estate Personality Assessment

January 20, 2017 By

 

A real estate agent’s main asset is their personality. If you’re a good listener and you love connecting with other people you’re probably an agent-in-waiting. The best agents are typically dependable, conscientious, and capable of sustaining new and lasting relationships. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT tool will help you determine your personality type by providing invaluable insights to help you move one step closer to entering the real estate business.

Are you comfortable around strangers? Do you like to take charge of a situation? If you’re nodding your head, this tool is for you. It’s a quick and easy way to gain insight into becoming a great agent. Chances are you’re already bursting with qualities you’ve never equated to selling a house.

So, are you interested in an independent business where you make your own hours? Does the idea of helping someone make their dream a reality sound exciting?

Click the link below to unlock your real estate personality. It only takes ten minutes. You’ll never forget the feeling of handing someone the keys to their new home.

CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT

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Get the Most Out of Social Media as a Real Estate Agent

January 5, 2017 By

Be a better real estate agent by learning the benefits of key social media platforms. Remember, each platform provides a different function, and each platform has its inherent pros and cons. What may succeed on one platform may not on another. Whether you’re tweeting about an open house, or posting a new listing on Facebook, this infographic will help you determine how to use your voice as effectively as possible.

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CENTURY 21® Expands Its Network with CENTURY 21 Peak in San Fernando Valley

November 23, 2015 By

San Fernando Valley is going through a powerful rebranding on the real estate front. Brokerage firms Peak Realty and Peak Commercial recently announced that they’re now affiliated with the iconic real estate brand. They celebrated the new affiliation with a grand opening at the company’s headquarters in Woodland Hills.

Raffi Tal (EVP, Peak Corporate Network), Donna Kreisler (COO, Peak Corporate Network), Eli Tene (Managing Director & Principal, Peak Corporate Network), Gil Priel (Managing Director & Principal, Peak Corporate Network) Photo credit: Linda Kasian Photography

The Peak Corporate Network team has been preparing for a move like this for the last two decades. Already operating as the largest independent brokerage firm in the San Fernando region, Principal and Managing Directors Eli Tene and Gil Priel acknowledge that the resources and extensive training provided to their agents by CENTURY 21 will help attract new clients while increasing their market share.

“The CENTURY 21 Peak name will be recognized as a leading asset providing value for entry level as well as affluent clients, foreign real estate investors, clients relocating to and from the area, and more,” Priel remarked.

GREG, GIL, ELI, RICK 2

Greg Sexton (COO, Century 21), Gil Priel (Managing Director & Principal, Peak Corporate Network), Eli Tene (Managing Director & Principal, Peak Corporate Network), Rick Davidson (CEO, Century 21) Photo credit: Linda Kasian Photography

“We are looking forward to leveraging our creative ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and solutions with the SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.® assets that the brand delivers in order to bring our buyers and sellers, in both residential and commercial sectors, superior market knowledge and a wide-range of top-notch services for maximum value,” added Tene.

As a leading authority in the real estate industry, the Peak Corporate Network group of companies provide a full array of comprehensive real estate services nationwide including residential and commercial brokerage services, residential and commercial mortgage financing, loan servicing, insurance services, short sales, foreclosure processing and 1031 exchange.

“Eli, Gil and their team of affiliates will make wonderful additions to the CENTURY 21 System,” said Rick Davidson, CEO of CENTURY 21 Real Estate. “The group’s ‘whatever it takes’ service attitude, combined with the learning and marketing tools we deliver our affiliate base, will certainly help to enhance our iconic brand with consumers and industry professionals alike in the various markets that they serve.”

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5 Home Projects to Complete in 10 Minutes or Less

February 18, 2015 By

You probably have a laundry list of projects you’ve been meaning to complete around your home. Luckily, there are tips to help you complete some of these tasks in ten minutes or less. Your home can feel more organized (almost) instantly.

1. Organize your kitchen pantry: Start by sorting out expired items. Now organize your shelves by function. Separate snacks, baking necessities, spices, and more. Take inspiration from your favorite grocery stores. This ten minute task can save you time when you’re cooking your favorite recipes or making a quick midnight snack. As an added bonus, it reduces the chance of adding salt instead of sugar or vice versa.

2. Make natural cleaning products: Skip the store. Make your own cleaning products using things you probably already have on hand. You can save money, have a clean home, and be more environmentally friendly. Get started by making these natural cleaning solutions.

3. Organize your closet: Set a timer and organize your closet for ten minutes. We recommend organizing by color, type, or function. For example, hang all shirts, jackets, sweaters, skirts, pants, and dresses with each other. You will probably end up saving time in the long run, because it will be easier to find what you’re looking for.

4.  Peeling wallpaper: Put a drop of wallpaper paste on a sheet of paper, rub the paper on the underside of the exposed wall, then press the peeling wallpaper against the glue. Smooth any bubbles out with a clean cloth and the wall can look as good as new!

5. Sliding glass doors or windows: If your glass fixtures are not sliding as smoothly as they should, spray a cloth with silicone lubricant and wipe it along the tracks. It’ll make it easier to get some fresh air.

Get off your computer, turn off the TV, and get started!

Recommended Reading:

-Dodge the Most Common DIY Mistakes

-Small Changes Make a Big Difference: 5 Low-Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

-5 Productive Things To Do Around the House in 5 Minutes or Less

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10 Facts About the White House

February 16, 2015 By

There are so many interesting, seemingly unknown, facts about one of the nations’ most important buildings, The White House. In honor of Presidents’ Day, here are some facts about the famous building.

1. George Washington never lived there: Washington passed away in late 1799, before the White House was completed. John Adams became the first president to live there, one year later. (Yahoo News)

2. The basement: The White House basement doesn’t just have meeting rooms. It’s lined with rooms including a bowling alley, a flower shop, and even a dentist’s office. (SuperCompressor.com)

3. The “temporary” West Wing: The famous room known as the West Wing was never meant to be. It started out as a temporary office for President Theodore Roosevelt, but it expanded into a permanent residence under President Taft and President Franklin Roosevelt. Taft moved the Oval Office to the West Wing and the rest is history! (Yahoo News)

4. It wasn’t always called the White House: Can you imagine calling The White House by any other name? Well, before Teddy Roosevelt, it was called many other things. The famous home was once called “The President’s House”, “The President’s Palace” and “The Executive Mansion.” It officially became “The White House” in 1901. (WhiteHouse.gov)

5. The White House was rebuilt after the War of 1812: The British set fire to The White House in 1814. Before escaping the burning White House, Dolley Madison insisted on saving a portrait of George Washington. It is said that she thought someone was taking too long rescuing the painting so she broke the wood and took out the canvas. The painting that she rescued was actually a copy of the famous portrait by Gilbert Stuart. The piece has a book with the title, “Constitution and Laws of The United States.” The typo isn’t a mistake – it was intentionally done to show that the painting is a copy of the famous original. (The Atlantic)

6. Gallons of Paint: 570 gallons of white paint are required to cover the outside surface of the White House… That is a lot of paint and many trips to the hardware store! (Visual.ly)

7. Lots of rooms and doors: Aside from 132 rooms and 412 doors, the White House also has 28 fireplaces, eight staircases, and three elevators. It also has six floors—two for the public, two for the First Family, and two basements. (FactMonster.com)

8. Press Pool Room: There is an indoor pool underneath the press briefing room. It was installed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as therapy for his polio. The pool was put out of use during the Nixon administration when the press briefing room was built on top of it. (The White House Museum)

9. Chefs and Guests: The White House kitchen is home to five chefs who can serve dinner to at least 140 guests and hors d’oeuvres to more than 1,000 people at a time!  (Visual.ly)

10. The East Room: The East Room is the largest room in the house. Abigail Adams would hang clean laundry in The East Room! (The White House)

Now that you have a briefing sheet on The White House, go impress your friends and family with your knowledge!

Recommended Reading:

-Instagram Inspiration: Interior Designers to Follow

-How to Make a House A Home: Creating Memories

-What’s the Difference?

 

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How to Help Baby Boomers Find a Home

December 24, 2014 By

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 76.4 million baby boomers. This statistic has an interesting implication for the real estate market. Many baby boomers will be in the market to downsize from the home where they raised their family to a smaller house or apartment. Here are a few tips for helping baby boomers find the right home for the next chapter of their lives.

1. Friends and Family: Living in a close proximity to friends and family will increase the likelihood that baby boomers will have companionship and someone to care for them should the need arise. Plus, who wants to watch their grandchild’s first steps over video chat.

2. Accessibility: As people age, walking up stairs may become burdensome or impossible. Look for houses or apartments with ramps, stair lifts, or elevators. Similarly, make sure that all the housing you look at is wheelchair accessible.

3. Storage: Downsizing is an emotional process for many reasons — including the fear of losing the memories attached to the home and the belongings it contains. Almost every parent has a box of notes, art, cards, macaroni necklaces, and other memorabilia from their kids and grandkids. Recommend that they open a storage unit so that they can keep things with sentimental value even after they move.

4. Neighborhood: Ideally the neighborhood will have classes and activities for baby boomers. It will also be good to look for neighborhoods with good hospitals and doctor’s nearby. Bonus points if there is a golf course close!

Whether you are an agent or a friend or family member, these tips will help you make a baby boomer’s transition easier.

Recommended Reading:

-Snow Safety for the Home
-Home Safety Tips for the Elderly
-On the Road Again: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

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