Blog : Announcements

NextHome Inclusive Realty brings home the American Dream

NextHome Inclusive Realty brings home the American Dream

Charles Olaleye

Pleasanton, CA — October 8, 2019 — NextHome is proud to announce the latest addition to the franchise, NextHome Inclusive Realty in Ventura, California. The brokerage will represent the 70th NextHome franchised location opened in the state of California. NextHome Inclusive Realty will serve clients across Ventura County, including the cities of Oxnard, Ventura, and Camarillo. 

The NextHome Inclusive Realty team will be led by Charles Olaleye, who approaches his business with a passion for helping all types of home buyers. 

“There are a lot of agents who are only interested in working with homebuyers who have a pre-approval in hand and the leg work is already done,” Charles said. “I want to take an interest in the whole process and help people through all phases of homeownership.”

Charles was born and raised in Nigeria and, after some time in London, settled in Maryland in 2002. Charles began a career as a credit counselor, then became a banker. 

“I’ve always loved helping people learn how they can financially achieve homeownership and what’s possible for them,” Charles said.

Coming from a country where buying or renting a home was usually a cash transaction, Charles learned through experience the necessity of good, long-standing credit as a U.S. homebuyer and the roadblocks that immigrants, especially, can run into. 

“I lived that experience first-hand,” Charles said. “A lot of the help with coaching and credit and education that I provide my clients wasn’t available for me. Agents wanted to only work with ready buyers and I was once that guy who wasn’t ready.”

Eventually, Charles found himself working as a licensed home inspector in Lanham, Maryland. One of the broker/agents Charles worked with was so impressed with the way he interacted with new homebuyers that he asked if Charles would consider getting his real estate license and coming to work for the brokerage.  

“The broker approached me one day and said he loved the way I help the homeowners and asked if I might consider helping people with the preparing and purchasing of their home versus just making sure their investment was sound,” Charles said. 

In 2006, Charles began working as a real estate agent for Homeland Real Estate. He remained with that company until 2013 when he moved to Home Resource Realty in Laurel, Maryland.  

Then, in 2017, Charles learned that the unique educational program that his kids were attending in Maryland was phasing out. 

“My wife is from the bay area and went to high school in Oxnard, so we had always planned on moving to Ventura County for retirement,” Charles said. “When we learned that a similar education program existed in Ventura for our kids, we moved up our plans by a few years.”

Charles spent the past year working through all of California’s real estate and brokerage licensing processes in anticipation of joining a large brokerage. However, earlier this year, his mentor and former broker in Maryland called and told Charles he needed to look into a fantastic company he heard about called NextHome.

“There are little things that larger brokerages do that I’ve always questioned,” Charles said. “NextHome recognizes those pain-points that need innovation in the real estate industry, and they do things differently. From there, it was a no-brainer. I placed a call and that was it.”

Charles is now providing Ventura homebuyers with an option they might not get with other agents – a real estate team that is willing to help anyone, including the complete novice. 

“I don’t mind helping others get ready for smart home buying,” Charles said. “The biggest part of the American dream is owning your own home. It’s a great achievement for many and an opportunity to leave a legacy for their kids. I want to serve everyone. The Fair Housing Act says that, but I truly live by that. I want to be able to help others who want that – not just as a one-touch thing.”

That continued relationship through all phases of homeownership is important to Charles, and NextHome’s CRM system gave him the tools he needs to maintain those relationships. 

“I’m that guy who is totally inclusive and I want to be with you from start to finish,” Charles said. “I don’t want to be that touch and go person and NextHome gives me the tools to accomplish that goal.”

Outside of work, Charles is a self-proclaimed homebody who enjoys spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife Adria for 14 years and together they are the proud parents of five kids and a teacup Yorkie.

The family enjoys a weekly tradition of Friday pizza and movie nights as well as walks around the neighborhood with a playful group of kids on skateboards and strollers.  

Please join us in congratulating Charles on the opening of NextHome Inclusive Realty in Ventura, California!

 

Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

 

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

NextHome Envision brings people-first service to Metro D.C. market

NextHome Envision brings people-first service to Metro D.C. market

Leon & Lisa Nasar

Pleasanton, CA — October 3, 2019 — NextHome is proud to announce the latest addition to the franchise, NextHome Envision. Although NextHome Envision is based in Maryland, the brokerage will serve clients across the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia areas.

NextHome Envision is led by real estate power couple Leon and Lisa Nasar. Veterans in the Maryland real estate industry, Lisa got her real estate license in 1993 and Leon followed getting his license that same year. The two met while Lisa was showing a commercial property in 1993. A few years later, they were married. 

With 26 years in the industry, the Nasars have built successful careers in various real estate subspecialties. Lisa has extensive expertise in residential transactions, specifically investment properties and rentals. Leon is a seasoned business leader with years of expertise in commercial real estate, multi-family properties, office space, and small shopping center deals. 

Lisa started her career with Long & Foster, a large firm that has offices across the eastern United States. Her love of real estate began as a college student when her father bought and rented out a home near The University of Maryland. Ever since, the University of Maryland graduate has enjoyed following the ups and downs of the residential investment property market. Shortly after getting her license, Lisa began working with commercial buyers. However, she soon migrated to the company’s residential and investment side where she found her niche. 

“I absolutely love what I do,” Lisa said. “It’s really easy for me to help people find the right house for them and their investing needs.”

While at Long & Foster, Lisa became one of the brokerage’s top-producing agents. She remained with the company for almost 26 years.  

After obtaining his real estate license, Leon started in commercial real estate. He found continued success and stayed in the commercial sector for five years. In 1998, Leon left full-time real estate to open a series of Nextel stores across the D.C. area. With three stores and all their various employees, Leon was able to put his leadership skills to work. Then, in 2005, Leon decided to sell his Nextel locations and jump back into full-time real estate with Long & Foster. During this time in his career, Leon started residential sales and quickly moved into management. 

As a manager, Leon had the opportunity to promote growth at various offices for the company. Before Leon took the lead at the Spring Valley location in D.C., the brokerage was handling about $81 million in sales. One year later, Leon was able to help that same office reach a $182 million sales volume. At another office, Leon was able to help guide growth from $860,000 in sales to $1.3 billion within two years.

Leon says the success came from encouraging a friendly, people-first philosophy with his team. 

“Many people have it stuck in their heads that real estate needs to be done a certain way,” said Leon. “I help agents realize that it is okay to have fun while they go out and help people.”

That relaxed culture prompted agents to strike up casual conversations about fun things that were happening at work.  

“It helped people get out of their shell a bit,” Leon recalled. “Just by the simple fact that they were talking about it, their friends started saying, ‘Oh, you are in real estate? By the way, I have this need or that property.’ I helped people connect with other people.”

The success of their office caught the eye of Berkshire Hathaway, which eventually acquired Long & Foster. The change prompted the Nasars to think about the direction of their own professional lives. That’s when NextHome and its humans over houses motto caught their eyes.

“Everything with NextHome was new, fresh, and exciting,” Lisa said. “NextHome offers brokerages great technology, great marketing, and a great vibe. Now we get to bring a whole new dynamic to an area that is lacking that.”

The Nasar’s business philosophy dovetailed perfectly with NextHome’s company mission, “Enriching lives by helping people find their next home.” 

“It’s all about caring about the people you are working with,” Leon said. “What makes NextHome different is the fact that the vice president calls me, and the company leaders have become my colleagues and still text me. It’s all about relationship building. You want to work in an environment where people care about each other and look out for each other – that is exactly the reason I chose NextHome. All the other benefits are a bonus.”

Lisa added that NextHome Envision wants to tailor its business to clients who want to be treated like humans, not transactions. 

“We don’t want to be the brokerage that has 250 agents,” Lisa said. “We want to create a family-like environment where we are here for everybody. While we still have the best of the best, NextHome Envision is a friendly and connected brokerage.”

When they aren’t helping their clients and agents, the Nasars enjoy spending time with their two kids and refining their talents. Lisa is an exceptional painter with a love for the performing arts. Leon is a classic car collector and marathon runner who enjoys working out and caring for his garden. The Nasar’s have been married for 21 years and are the proud parents of Sam (20) and Jackie (17). Sam is studying musical theater at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, and Jackie is applying for college as she starts her senior year in high school. 

Please join us in congratulating the Nasars on the opening of NextHome Envision in Maryland!

 

Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

 

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

6 Follow Up Sales Email Templates That Get Responses

6 Follow Up Sales Email Templates That Get Responses

Quick, what’s the most convenient way to communicate in the business world?

The phone is an effective way to speak with a client or prospect, but that’s assuming they answer. And even then, the conversation can derail quickly if the discussion strays from your script.

Email, on the other hand, provides an easy way to get your point across, in the format and manner in which you feel most appropriate. In fact, 86 percent of professionals say email is their preferred method of communication.

But, there’s a hitch.

Your message is literally one of the hundreds of emails that the average businessman receives every day. So even if your client or prospect opens your email, they are most likely skimming and not giving it their full attention.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t be sending emails. Follow up sales emails remain a necessity to maintain your relationship with your clients and potential clients. If you do it correctly, you can create great follow up emails to help increase your sales.

What Makes a Great Sales Follow Up Email

While your marketing department probably tends to send out beautifully designed emails with flashy graphics and call to action buttons, your follow up sales email doesn’t need all the bells and whistles to be great.

You just need to focus on a few key areas:

  • Personal Message – Your follow up sales emails need to be personal. Focus on your client’s specific needs and challenges.
  • Helpful Content – Give your client a reason to read your email, other than to just say hello. Offer information about a service that your business provides that can address their needs.
  • Get to the Point – No one wants to read a novel. Clearly and quickly explain why you’re emailing and what you are offering. If this email is coming after a meeting, provide a recap and action items so there are no miscommunications.
  • Subject Line – Give your client a reason to read your email. You might have the best message, but if you don’t have a great email subject line, your email might go right to the trash.

Of course, all emails will be unique and should be used at different times in the sales cycle. But if you focus on these four key areas, you can craft winning messages.

6 Great Follow Up Sales Emails

There are endless situations in which you’ll need a great follow up sales email. Anything from your first contact with a prospect to the end of a major contract, and everything in between.

Here are examples of follow up emails to clients for some of the most common situations.

1. Follow Up Sales Email After Leaving a Voicemail or Speaking on the Phone

Most of the time when you first call a prospective client, you’ll get a voicemail. Your chances of getting a call back are pretty slim, so you’ll need to send a follow up email.

That email should briefly introduce you, explain why you’re calling, and clearly map out next steps.

Subject Line: I must have just missed you

Hi [Name],

My name is [Your name] from [Your company]. I just left you a voicemail regarding [briefly explain the reason you called].
I’d love to chat with you more about how [Your service] can improve [What it can improve]. I will try to call you back on [Day].

If this time is inconvenient for you, please email or call me back and we can schedule another time to speak.

I look forward to talking with you soon.

[Signature]

You can use the same style of email after speaking with that person on the phone. Just briefly recap your conversation and what will happen next.

2. Follow Up Sales Email After Client Opens an Email and Doesn’t Respond

In most cases, when you send emails to clients and they’ll never respond. There’s a chance they never opened the message, or maybe they did open it but took no action – there are ways you can track email opens.

There’s a chance your clients wanted to reply to your messages, but the emails got buried in their inboxes and they forget. There’s a simple sales follow up email trick that can work to entice a response.

Simply find the original email in your sent folder, and reply all to it so you are copying your original message in your new email. This prevents your client from having to dig through their inbox to find it.

Subject: Let’s try this again

Hi [name],

I sent you an email a few days ago about [Email topic] and noticed you haven’t had a chance to respond. You may be busy and forgot about it – that’s understandable.

For your convenience, I’ve included the original message below.

Thanks,

[Signature]

3. Follow Up Sales Email After an Event

Local events like conferences and networking sessions are a great way to meet new prospects.

However, in most cases, you only had a few minutes to speak with these prospects before exchanging contact information and going on your way. Make sure your follow up email includes information about something you spoke about to help them remember you. They are more likely to respond if they don’t view you as a stranger.

Subject Line: Great meeting you at [Event]!

Hi [Name],

I enjoyed speaking with you at [Event] last week. I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you [What they do]. My company actually helps people like you with [Services]. If you have a few minutes, I’d love to meet up for coffee and chat.

I’ve available [Date/Time], does this work for you?

[Signature]

4. Follow Up Sales Email After Closing a Deal

The conversation doesn’t end after your client signs on the dotted line.

You want that client to be a repeat customer and refer their colleagues, so it’s important to maintain the relationship that you’ve built during the sales process.

This email should include a thank you and invitation for them to contact you with any questions or issues.

Subject Line: Welcome to the [Company] family!

Hi [Name],

I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for [recent order/partnership]. I know you’ll be thrilled with the service and quality [Your company] will provide to help you address your business needs. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

I look forward to our professional relationship.

[Signature]

5. Follow Up Sales Email After a Client’s Contract Ends

In a perfect world, every client would be a repeat customer.

Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect and some of your customers won’t buy again.

Even though your professional relationship is ending, you still need to send a follow up sales email to thank them for being a loyal customer and offering your services again in the future. Plus, you never know if they might come back one day.

Subject line: Thank you for being a loyal customer

Hi [Name],

I’m sorry to see our partnership come to an end. Thank you for being such a loyal customer over the past [Length of contract]. Please keep me in mind if you need additional [Type of service] in the future.

Thank you,

[Signature]

6. Follow Up Sales Email After Client Stops Responding

At some point, it becomes apparent that your client has lost interest and won’t be buying from you. Before you cut your losses, try one more follow up email to see if they’ll re-engage. At the very least, you might receive confirmation that they aren’t interested.

Your previous templates obviously haven’t been working, so this is your opportunity to show a little creativity, humor, and personality in your message.

Subject line: Is this thing on?

Hi [Name],

I’ve tried to get in touch with you over the past few months, and it appears I’ve been unsuccessful.

I understand the timing might not be right, you’re just plain not interested, or you’ve cut the cord and are now living a new life off the grid. It’s ok, I won’t take it personally.

I’ll stop emailing you, but please keep me in mind should you ever need [Type of service].

I hope this isn’t goodbye.

[Signature]

Creating Great Follow Up Emails to Increase Sales

Obviously, our sales follow up email templates are just suggestions.

You understand your clients and their needs, and you know what has worked in the past.

If you have a system that’s worked for you in the past, keep using it. But, if you’re looking for a new way to increase your numbers, consider trying some new follow up sales emails.

For more helpful tips from our partners at BombBomb, check out their blog!

Meet your September 2019 NextHomie of the Month!

Meet your September 2019 NextHomie of the Month!

Kacy Wallis

Please join us in congratulating our NextHomie of the Month for September 2019, Kacy Wallis, an agent with NextHome Signature Properties in Granite Bay, CA. Congratulations, Kacy!

Kacy’s journey into real estate began just 10 short months ago when Debbie Mitchell, Franchise Owner of NextHome Signature Properties, invited her to discuss all things real estate. Kacy had no real estate experience at the time, but she spent the last 20 years in the lobbying industry and was ready to make a career change. Debbie was Kacy’s personal real estate agent for many years, so when Kacy wanted an inside look into what real estate had to offer, Debbie was the first person she called.

After meeting with Debbie, Kacy knew right away that real estate was where she belonged. Kacy signed up for her real estate courses, passed her tests, and got straight to work with NextHome Signature Properties. So far this year Kacy has closed over 3.9 million in volume and is working towards being a Premier Sales Award winner at our next conference. Way to go, Kacy!

So, what’s her secret? Kacy has submerged herself in all things NextHome. She is an avid user of the NextHome tools and is committed to raising the minimum standards in all aspects of her marketing. She attended our annual conference in Las Vegas earlier this year and enjoyed making connections with hundreds of NextHomies from all around the country. Kacy is passionate about helping educate people on the buying and selling process, and her past clients appreciate the level of transparency and integrity she brings to the table.

Outside of work, Kacy enjoys spending time with family. Her husband of 22 years, Chris, and their 10-year-old daughter Karly enjoy camping, cooking, and spending time with their two dogs, Tater and Nellie.

We are so excited to have Kacy as our NextHomie of the Month for September 2019. Congratulations again, Kacy!

NextHome KU Realty expands in Honolulu

NextHome KU Realty expands in Honolulu

Keahi Pelayo

Pleasanton, CA — September 26, 2019 — NextHome is proud to announce the expansion of NextHome KU Realty in Honolulu, Hawaii. Keahi Pelayo and his agents are thrilled to now be serving clients in the trend-setting Kaka’ako area after two years of growth at the flagship Kaimuki office. 

Located on the southwest shore of Oahu, Kaka’ako is an exciting Honolulu neighborhood that is experiencing fast-paced growth. 

“I think that Kaka’ako is probably the most relevant sub-market in Honolulu that is being developed and to have a presence in that area is important,” Keahi said.

About 20 high rises are springing up around Kaka’ako as Millennials enjoy the vibrant food scene, stunning beaches, and downtown farmers’ markets.  

NextHome KU Realty’s doors are open to help clients around Kaka’ako, Ala Moana, Waikiki, Makiki, Punahou, and the remainder of urban Honolulu. 

Originally from Maui, Keahi started his real estate career in 1983 while living in California. During his 10 years selling real estate in the golden state, he focused on investment properties – particularly representing developers converting apartment complexes into condominiums.

After moving back to Hawaii in 1991, Keahi dove right into Oahu real estate. Quickly building his business, he became a top-producing agent in his market. He started with a local independent brokerage where he worked for five years before making the move to RE/Max in 1995.

He originally joined as a top agent but found an opportunity to be part of the ownership team of the brokerage. As the broker for RE/Max Honolulu, Keahi was able to sell real estate while leading the office in agent growth and training.

In 2004, Keahi sold his ownership in RE/Max Honolulu and took over as sole owner of RE/Max 808 Realty. After ten years of ownership in a franchise, he made the decision to go independent and open KU Realty.

As an independent, Keahi’s business continued to flourish. In 2016, Hawaii Business Magazine ranked him no. 26 in listings out of nearly 10,000 agents in the entire state of Hawaii.

In 2017, Keahi found NextHome and was attracted to the company’s culture and unique branding. In August 2017, he opened NextHome KU Realty in Kaimuki. 

“Joe Hogin (of NextHome Pacific Properties) had a bright, colorful and modern logo and company name,” recalled Keahi. “I remember thinking how nice his concept looked. I did more research and found out NextHome was a franchise. The more I researched, the more I liked what I saw.”

“Ultimately, when it was all said and done, NextHome was a perfect fit for my brokerage,” he added.

After decades of soaking up real estate coaching, Keahi is now giving his agents unique access to his own professional guidance – an advantage that sets NextHome KU Realty apart. His leadership style is a hands-on approach that many brokerages have strayed away from.

“I think my experience from being in the real estate trenches on a daily basis will help agents in our brokerage,” said Keahi. “I want them to do well and thrive in real estate and I will do everything I can to help them be successful.”

With his holistic brand of coaching, Keahi’s team of eight agents have been able to double and sometimes triple their annual sales volumes.

“We have fun here,” Keahi said of NextHome KU Realty’s office culture. “At the same time, we love to work with agents who feel they have peaked in their field and want to take their career another level higher.”

Keahi’s brand of coaching helped NextHome KU Realty’s eight agents reach a $40 million sales volume in 2018. 

Outside of selling real estate and coaching agents, Keahi and his wife of 28 years, Lynda, enjoy spending time on their 28-acre ranch on Oahu. He is also is an avid canoer and loves competing in canoe races.

The couple has two children – Lehua (age 25) and Cole (21).

Please join us in congratulating Keahi and the rest of his team at NextHome KU Realty on their brand new office location!

 

Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

 

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

Southern hospitality thrives at newest NextHome franchise

Southern hospitality thrives at newest NextHome franchise

Martha & Todd LeBlanc

Pleasanton, CA — September 24, 2019 — NextHome is happy to announce the latest addition to the franchise in Louisiana, NextHome Bayouside. Led by business partners Martha LeBlanc and Todd LeBlanc, the company represents NextHome’s sixth office opened in the Pelican State. The team officially opened NextHome Bayouside’s doors in Schriever, Louisiana on June 1st, 2019. 

Martha and Todd, who despite sharing a last name are not related, hope their brick and mortar location will become an inviting meeting place for locals across their service area. The city of Schriever is located about 55 miles south of New Orleans. The NextHome Bayouside team is happy to help clients across Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Assumption parishes including the towns of Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City, and the remainder of the Southern Louisiana area.

At NextHome Bayouside’s grand opening on September 9th, more than 50 people gathered in celebration as the Terrebonne Parish president officially cut an orange ribbon at the front door. 

The NextHome Bayouside team offers a combined three decades of experience to serve first-time homebuyers and those looking to buy or sell investment properties, mobile homes, commercial properties, and camps. 

Real estate became Martha’s second career after 22 years as a high school home economics teacher, and 10 years a Diagnostician. The Schriever native got her real estate license in March 2008. 

“Real estate is so fun and exciting,” Martha said. “It makes people very happy and I love that I get to be a part of that.”

Martha began her career with Patterson Real Estate where she remained for five years. In her first week, she remembered feeling that she would be successful in a job she loved. 

“In my first week there, I got my first listing just taking desk duty, which I then sold,” Martha said. 

That first year, Martha discovered great personal and financial success in real estate – the former teacher was hooked. 

Martha eventually moved to a boutique company called Propriete Shoppe and remained with them for almost six years. Martha then started working with Pogo Realty LLC and that is where she met Todd. 

Also a Schriever local, Todd LeBlanc enjoyed a career in human resources and property management. However, during a downturn, he lost his human resources job. 

“It was exactly what I needed to start pursuing my real passion – real estate,” Todd said. 

A self-described real estate nerd, Todd has been interested in the local housing market as a hobby for many years. In 2015, he got his real estate license and began working for Pogo Realty LLC, which is where he met Martha. 

“My first year of real estate my broker and I joked that I seemed to attract the most difficult deals,” Todd recalled. “It was just how things coincidentally shook out, but it taught me a lot. It ended up that my first year I did very well, and things have been progressing ever since.”

In 2019, Martha and Todd talked about opening their own brokerage because they wanted to provide one-of-a-kind support and service for both agents and clients in their family-oriented town. 

“I remember telling Martha, ‘Let’s see what we can do to not recreate the wheel,’” Todd said. 

Through mutual friends in real estate, Martha and Todd found NextHome. 

“Humans over houses is a mantra that NextHome uses and it was something that caught our eye,” Martha said. “It’s something we and our agents truly believe in and practice.”

In an effort to make Southern hospitality the core of their business, Martha and Todd plan to host an old fashioned veillié once a week at their Schriever offices.

“When we were growing up, on a Sunday afternoon, we were told by our parents that we were going to make a veillié which means we are going to visit friends and family and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or have a small snack,” Martha said. “Once a week we are going to have a veillié at our office. On Thursday mornings, we are going to put on a pot of coffee and welcome folks to come and visit from 7:30 am to 9 am.”

In addition to making their office a friendly gathering place, Martha and Todd are active in various community service organizations. Martha is an active member of Rotary and instituted the Angel Gown Project. 

“I take wedding gowns and sew them into baptismal gowns for babies who pass away in the hospital,” Martha said. “Every one of these dresses are unique – one of a kind, filled with lace and details.”

Martha has been honored with the Bayou Board of Realtors Community Service Award two years in a row for her efforts. 

Todd is the incoming president of the Bayou Board of REALTORS® and has been active with the board since 2016. NextHome Bayouside is also proud to support the Thibodaux Recreation Department as a sponsor of their flag football team. 

Martha has been married for nine years to Don Barré, also an agent with NextHome Bayouside. When she is not helping agents and clients, Martha enjoys being with family, traveling, and honing her hobby as a gourmet cook. 

Todd was married in early September to his sweetheart Bryan Scott. When he is not working, Todd enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and good food. He is a self-proclaimed gourmet eater. Martha proudly made the cake for Todd and Bryan’s wedding. 

“We are excited to see the impact Martha and Todd will have on their community and those they serve,” said Imran Poladi, NextHome’s Vice President. “We wish them all the best success.” 

Please join us in congratulating the NextHome Bayouside team in southern Louisiana!

Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

NextHome expands into New Hampshire

NextHome expands into New Hampshire

Adam Silvestri

Pleasanton, CA — September 20, 2019 — NextHome is thrilled to announce the franchise’s official expansion into New Hampshire. NextHome Freedom, led by Adam Silvestri, is the newest addition to the company. 

NextHome Freedom is located in beautiful Brentwood, New Hampshire. Located about 40 minutes southeast of Concord, the office will serve clients and agents across the New Hampshire Seacoast including Manchester, Portsmouth, and communities up and down the Atlantic coast. 

Adam has been working as a licensed real estate agent since 2003 when he was 19 years old and finds his best professional fulfillment helping first-time homebuyers. His years of experience have also given him great expertise in working with investment buyers and sellers and resale clients. 

Brentwood sits in between Manchester and Portsmouth – access to either city is about a 30-minute drive. The area boasts picturesque boating in the summer as well as other recreational activities throughout all four seasons.  

“All of these opportunities are within 30 minutes of us in Brentwood,” Adam said. “It really is an amazing place to live.”

As a young man just out of high school, Adam began his career with a small boutique firm. He then built a relationship with Keller Williams Portsmouth and became the company’s first charter agent for the Portsmouth office in 2004. Adam remained a producing agent with that office for more than 15 years, growing his sales volume steadily. By his third year with the group, Adam handled $5 million in sales volume. In a market where the average listing price is around $350,000, Adam’s accomplishments were something to be proud of. 

“It was networking,” Adam said when asked about the key to his success. “It was pounding the pavement, getting out there and connecting with my sphere of influence.”

By 2017, Adam was closing nearly 20 transactions per year. Around that same time, he started thinking about opening his own brokerage. 

At first, he considered opening his own independent boutique brokerage. One day, he was doing market research on the internet about his preferred brokerage name – NextHome. What he found was NextHome, Inc. and its suite of top-level marketing tools and built-in support. 

“It was everything I was wanting, but already built out,” Adam said. “I wanted to build my own business where I could give agents the tools they need to be successful. At the same time, I like that as a NextHome franchisee I have tools for agents that are more streamlined. Plus, my agents get top-notch leader support from their office. I feel like that is something I can offer that sets NextHome Freedom apart.”

Now that he owns his own brokerage, Adam has plans to grow steadily over the next several years. 

“I want to grow with the right agents and the right talent,” Adam said. “For me, it is about quality and support. If the agents are first-class, we will be able to provide superior service for buyers and sellers.”

NextHome Freedom also has plans to be involved in the Seacoast community. The brokerage is planning a 5K charity run, an effort that will be organized by Adam’s sister Maeghan. Maeghan will also be handling NextHome Freedom’s social media presence and finding opportunities for the business to get involved in community events.  

When he isn’t helping Seacoast locals with their real estate needs, Adam enjoys snowmobiling, boating, and spending time with a large crew of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.

“From the start, I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Adam said. “My grandfathers on both sides are incredible inspirations to me. My grandfather had nine children all while being an entrepreneur, running his own businesses and providing for the whole family. He always wanted somebody in the family to get into real estate – I didn’t know that until a couple of days after he passed away. My dad told me as I was studying for the real estate exam. Both my grandfathers were salt-of-the-earth kind of guys and I hope that I can continue their legacy and make them proud.”  

“Adam is a fantastic addition to the NextHome family and we look forward to seeing him continue to break new ground as he opens NextHome’s first franchise in New Hampshire,” said Imran Poladi, NextHome’s vice president. 

Please join us in congratulating Adam on the opening of NextHome Freedom in Brentwood, New Hampshire!

Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

NextHome Thor Realty Group team is set for success

NextHome Thor Realty Group team is set for success

Chris Janczak, Irena Percia, Ziggy Janczak

Pleasanton, CA — September 17, 2019 — NextHome is thrilled to announce the company’s newest brokerage – NextHome Thor Realty Group will be opening in Carlstadt, New Jersey. The office represents NextHome’s sixth office location in New Jersey and is owned by Chris Janczak, Irena Percia, and Chris’s father Ziggy Janczak. Irena will be the broker of record while Chris and Ziggy will provide first-class support for agents, a focus on client service, as well as running the day-to-day business of the brokerage. 

NextHome Thor Realty Group will provide real estate services across Bergen and Passaic Counties, including East Rutherford and the surrounding boroughs. 

Nestled in the southern corner of New Jersey, Carlstadt sits just eight miles west of Manhattan. Commercial and industrial buildings dot the landscape while multimillion-dollar homes sit in stately neighborhoods in nearby boroughs. The area attracts sports fans from across New York and New Jersey with Met Life Stadium – home of the Giants and the Jets. 

“It’s very diverse,” Chris said of his love of the area. “The taxes seem great considering where we are, there are good schools, accessibility to major highways – we are literally 10 minutes away from NYC and Manhattan. I just love it here.” 

The brokerage sets itself apart by providing a specialized division that focuses on large commercial transactions, such as major hotels or multifamily buildings. In addition, the NextHome Thor Realty team prides itself on helping first-time homebuyers, investors, luxury buyers, as well as helping clients with land acquisitions, multi-family properties, and clients looking to buy or sell large or small. 

The leadership team brings extensive experience in New Jersey’s real estate. Chris embarked on his real estate career in 2004. At the time, he balanced real estate with his general construction business, Apex Construction. Chris is also still a part-owner of his father’s industrial painting business, Ceilex Painting LLC. 

While working for a small boutique real estate brokerage, Chris met Irena. A Carlstadt-native, Irena started her real estate career in 2011 and has held her broker license since 2015. Prior to her career in real estate, Irena worked as a paralegal. 

“When I first started working with Chris, he helped push me to achieve more than I thought I could,” Irena said. 

The pair realized they both held professional strengths that complemented each other. 

“Irena is never just a yes-man,” Chris said. “She carefully considers the things I bring up and always gives constructive feedback.”

As agents, the pair began building an extensive book of business with higher net worth individuals and transactions. 

Around 2016, the duo started considering opening their own brokerage.

“I was searching for a way to partner up with a franchise,” Chris recalled about their search for the right brokerage fit. “I reached out to people and did my research online. When I came across NextHome, that’s all she wrote. Everything from A-Z with NextHome was exactly what I wanted.”

As leaders at NextHome Thor Realty Group, Chris and Irena hope to provide a superior level of ethical business leadership for both the agents who work with them and the clients they serve.

The team says they are determined to ensure that “humans come before transactions.” They also would like to provide a place where clients can feel secure knowing they are getting the best knowledge and training available in the New Jersey area. 

“We believe that the customer needs to be happy for the agent to be happy,” Chris said. “I also love the fact that all NextHomies are connected – you can always brainstorm with great camaraderie. The technology we have at our fingertips and all the great marketing and branding tools are huge too. I just want the clientele to know that there is someone who is going to be working for them and taking their needs personally.” 

NextHome Thor Realty Group already has a list of commercial transactions that they look forward to finalizing and are building a strong portfolio of single-family home sales. 

Outside of real estate, Chris and Irena love spending time with their families. 

Chris is the proud father of three daughters Ava (10), Alexa (7), and Julianna (4) with his wife of 11 years, Carolyn. Chris also enjoys traveling, golfing, reading motivational books, and hanging out with his kids. 

Irena has been married to her husband Stephen for 10 years and is the proud mother of three children: Matthew (25), Jessica (21), and Stephanie (9). She enjoys family barbecues, trips to Atlantic City, and driving around looking at old buildings and dreaming about their potential – she loves real estate that much. 

“Chris, Irena, and Ziggy will do wonderful things for Bergen County and beyond,” said Imran Poladi, NextHome’s Vice President. “We look forward to seeing their continued success.”

Please join us in congratulating Chris, Irena, and Ziggy on the opening of NextHome Thor Realty Group in Carlstadt, New Jersey!

 Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.

Each office is an independently owned and operated business.

Real Estate Marketing Ideas for Real Results

Real Estate Marketing Ideas for Real Results

Is your marketing strategy getting stale? If you’ve been in a promotional rut or have not been seeing the results that you’d like, maybe it’s time to revamp your efforts with new ideas. First, take an inventory of your marketing efforts and expenses over the past 12 months. Analyze how much money you invested, how much time you spent, and which efforts were the most successful. If you think your marketing approach would benefit from new concepts, you might want to consider these:

Ask for testimonials from former clients. First-person testimonial statements can be an effective and persuasive marketing tactic for agents, mainly because prospective clients can often identify with other home buyers and sellers. Include testimonials from satisfied clients on your website as well as in email communications, social media postings, and printed materials.

Give your business cards and marketing materials to service providers that you recommend sharing with their own clients. These types of referrals and cross-selling efforts can often benefit both parties. Be sure to keep family and friends supplied with your business cards and promotional materials, too.

Post some YouTube videos featuring your services and industry expertise. Unlike printed materials, online video sharing helps you get your personality across as you demonstrate your real estate market expertise and knowledge. The videos don’t have to be lengthy, but should incorporate topics that would interest prospective home buyers and sellers.

Update your photographs and videography. If you haven’t had a set of professional photos done in a while, book an appointment soon. In addition to traditional headshots, consider having some informal photos taken, too, to give marketing materials a more relaxed and relatable vibe. If possible, have some photos taken that show you interacting with clients and showing properties.

Revamp your personalized promotional giveaway items to reflect the lifestyles, habits, and interests of prospective clients today. Instead of refrigerator magnets, pens, and fans, consider putting your name and logo on koozies, cell phone accessories, memory drives, reusable shopping bags, or environmentally friendly notepads made from recycled paper.

Get help from American Home Shield®. In addition to distinguishing homes from others on the market and attracting prospective buyers, AHS® can help you with your own marketing strategies. For example, AHS offers a dynamic marketing automation tool that lets agents build and send personalized marketing materials to their clients, as well as open house kits and other selling instruments. Your knowledgeable AHS Account Executive will gladly share additional resources to help you build your business and reach your goals.

Whatever your marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to take stock and re-evaluate your efforts periodically to gauge your results. Talk to colleagues and find out what works for them, and be sure to ask your clients, too, about what factors they consider when choosing a real estate professional.

For more helpful tips from our partners at American Home Shield, make sure to check out their blog! 

Business Owner Insurance Solutions

Business Owner Insurance Solutions

As a business owner, you essentially have TWO families to take care of: 1) your family at home (spouse, children, relatives, partner, etc.) and 2) your work family (employees, business partners, etc.)  These people rely on you to be present, engaged, and earning income.  With September being Life Insurance Awareness Month, it is a great time to review your business insurance strategy and see if you can implement any of the ideas below:

  • Individual Life Insurance
    1. A policy that covers one person and pays out a claim upon death
      1. Affordable coverage available in a variety of policy types
      2. Ideal for entrepreneur with no staff, but is a contributing income at home
  • Disability Insurance
    1. A policy that covers one person and pays out a claim upon a qualifying disability that removes a person from their normal working capacity
      1. Affordable coverage available in a variety of policy types
      2. Ideal for protecting an income stream for business owners or employees
  • Buy-Sell Agreements
    1. A legal contract among owners to buy out the portion of the deceased’s business share.
      1. Life insurance can be used to “fund” these types of contracts!
      2. Secure a life insurance policy naming the business partner as beneficiary for built in purchasing power to retain the business
  • Key Person Insurance
    1. Life or disability insurance purchased by a business on an employee that is payable to the business.
      1. This ensures business revenues continue even if a pivotal team member is no longer able to function in their usual capacity due to death or disability
      2. Revenues keep business operational even in time of crisis

Your livelihood depends on income and sustained business.  You’d be surprised at the creative solutions our team can develop for business owners like YOU!  We’re ready to help you implement smart insurance strategies.

Contact Gateway Insurance Group at: 858-428-3929 or www.gatewayig.com/nexthome

To learn more, read the brochure, “Taking care of Business” by the nonprofit agency, Life Happens:

https://lifehappens.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Brochure_TakingCareofBusiness_2014_Consumer.pdf

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a brokerdealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Gateway Financial Advisors, Inc., and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. are not affiliated. The information in this email is confidential and is intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended addressee and have received this email in error, please reply to the sender to inform them of this fact. We cannot accept trade orders through email. Important letters, email, or fax messages should be confirmed by calling 1-858-GATEWAY  . This email service may not be monitored every day, or after normal business hours.