Realtors on the Rise

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Honoring 50 of the Industry?s Best Agents: Part II

Last month, we introduced you to 25 real estate professionals who are distinguishing themselves in today?s market, as part of Real Estate magazine?s first annual ?Realtors on the Rise? competition spotlighting 50 of today?s most innovative, successful agents.

This month we bring you Part II?the next 25 out of 50 agents, chosen from hundreds of submissions by Real Estate magazine?s editors. They were chosen for being tenacious, creative, technologically proficient, savvy business people, and generous members of their community?not to mention highly successful. We salute their success in a market challenged by a continually changing landscape.

Nicole Yoder-Barnhart

Real Living

Columbus, Ohio

Real Living?s Nicole Yoder-Barnhart has over 10 years experience in the business and has assisted over 1,200 families with their home-buying and selling needs. In 2004 Yoder-Barnhart broke all of her personal sales records, closing 211 transaction sides totaling $34.5 million in sales volume. In addition to traditional and online marketing, she has invested in creative ways to promote herself in her business. In 2004, for example, she was the only Realtor to advertise in the Ohio State University Football Program with a full-page ad as well as a market analysis tear-out card. A mother of a four-year-old, Yoder Barnhart balances her time with help from her team of three buyer?s agents and her husband, Ron, also a licensed real estate agent.

Derek Bauer

Real Estate One

Livonia, Michigan

After a successful career as a consultant for a dot-com startup company and in sales for a Fortune 800 telecommunications company, Derek Bauer?s entrepreneurial gene took over, and he obtained his real estate license in 2002. At 30 and only two years into the business last year, Bauer achieved nearly $8 million in sales volume over 35 transactions. Bauer attributes his success to a large referral network, unique and specialized marketing, and alignment with a large, respected brokerage. His goal this year is to hire an assistant to support customer service initiatives and offer a more flexible array of services. Amid his busy work schedule, Bauer also made time to obtain his private pilot license last year.

Malcolm Boartfield

Prudential Georgia Realty

Atlanta, Georgia

Malcolm Boartfield has been in real estate sales for two years after spending 30 years in managerial roles in the technical field. His interest in technology began while serving in the Army providing technical support and repair services for the First Marine Division and the 37th Signal Group in Da Nang, South Vietnam during the Vietnam Conflict. Today, Boartfield helps other agents by teaching them about technology in a course he designed for other agents at his office. His first year in real estate (2003), he sold nearly $5 million in gross sales. Last year, he broke that record with a gross production of more than $8 million.

Rusty Cable

RE/MAX The Woodlands & Springs

Houston, Texas

Rusty Cable has accomplished a great deal in the two years he has been in the business. In his first year he was named Rookie of the Year of his company in 2003 for accomplishing $4.93 million in sales over 31 transactions. One secret to his success is he is rarely in the office, his colleagues say. He depends on technology to keep him in touch in the field, carrying his cell phone, wireless laptop and portable printer in his vehicle at all times. Cable also serves on the advertising committee at his company and last year served on the planning committee for the RE/MAX/Marriott Charity Golf Tournament for the Children?s Miracle Network.

Melissa Comrie

RE/MAX Masters

Salt Lake City, Utah

Prior to her career in real estate, Melissa Comrie spent 15 years in business as an interior designer. Since entering real estate in 2003, she uses her design experience to bring a fresh outlook to each home she sells. Since joining RE/MAX, she has placed three times in the top 10 for monthly production in the Mountain States Region, which consists of approximately 147 offices and 4,164 agents. In 2004, her second year, Comrie closed 19 transactions totaling nearly $7 million in sales. Comrie is a leading supporter and fundraiser for the House of Hope charities, which reunites the homeless with their families and provides shelter for abused women and children.

Sara Cramer

Realty Executives International

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Sara Cramer has been the number one agent in the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors for many years. In 2004 alone, Cramer sold more than $24 million in sales over 100 transactions. Cramer?s clients benefit from a very media-savvy atmosphere by using her Internet marketing on www.saracramer.com and Realtor.com. Also, because she finds it so integral to the services she offers her clients, Cramer designs, places and pays for all her own promotion, investing heavily in each of her listings to give each great exposure and results. Customer service is one of Cramer?s strongest qualities as a Realtor. For her clients? children, she provides a giant playhouse equipped with toys, crayons and movies. All her daily business is managed through technology?filing, paperwork, documents for attorneys, agents, inspectors and lenders, showings? appointments, appointments and internal communications. The bottom line is if it?s new, efficient and effective, Cramer?s office has it.

Blain Dierkes

Premier Real Estate

Tulare, California

Six years ago, Blain Dierkes left a national real estate company to pursue his dream of owning his own real estate company. Today, his company has grown to five offices and 70 agents who sold over $123 million in homes last year. In the past year, Dierkes, whose company?s logo, ?Think Purple,? is now well known in his region, added Elite Properties, Premier Financial and Premier Property Management to the company, making it truly a full service real estate agency. Dierkes donates funding to several community charities and also serves on several boards and commissions. He is president of the Tulare Hospital Foundation, board member of the Creative Center and secretary/treasurer for the Tulare County Association of Realtors.

Kristi Fox

Century 21 Beal Inc.

College Station, Texas

Kristi Fox has achieved a high level of success during her short, four-year career as a real estate professional. She has 30-50 listings at a time and communicates constantly with her clients to help them prepare for the sale. According to her colleagues, Fox feels it is the most important part of her job to educate the public on the opportunities available to them from Realtors. She educates buyers and sellers on the convenience she can provide for their real estate needs through her radio ads, Internet and constant word of mouth. Fox has achieved the Centurion Award, the top 1% of all Century 21 real estate professionals worldwide, for the last three years. In 2004, she sold in excess of $15 million in sales and closed 126 units.

Tedd A. Gatteau

RE/MAX Advantage Plus

Delray Beach, Florida

At age 60, there?s no slowing down for Tedd Gatteau, a Realtor with RE/MAX Advantage Plus in Miami. He recently sold $3.6 million in real estate over the course of a week, and followed that with a closing on a $7.9 million estate. Gatteau only carries four or five listings at a time in the million dollar category, so he can give his buyers and sellers the ?white glove treatment,? as his colleagues say. Gatteau is currently building a team called the ?Gatteau Tag Team at RE/MAX Advantage Plus,? to which he recruits young and aggressive agents and trains them through a mentor program. In the past, he has served on a team that completely reshaped the Board of Realtors in Palm Beach County.

Edwin Gerace

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc.

Lexington, South Carolina

Edwin Gerace qualified for the Greater Columbia Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence club his second year in business after selling over $2 million in sales volume. Gerace believes there are three important keys to success?networking, communicating with builders and developers, and staying in touch with past clients. He most recently was awarded as one of the top 20 Business People Under 40 in Columbia, and his personality, determination to make deals happen, respect in the real estate community, and his love for family and the Lexington community are just some of the reasons he?s been so successful, say his colleagues.

Sue Lusk-Gleich

Keller Williams Capital

Partners Realty

Columbus, Ohio

Sue Lusk-Gleich was instrumental in bringing Keller Williams Realty to the Columbus area when she and her four business partners formed Keller Williams Capital Partners in 2002. Lusk-Gleich and her team have been consistent top producers in her market over her 30-year career in the industry, and her innovative marketing ideas have made her well-known in her market. Lusk-Gleich?s home buyer and seller manuals present complete home details in a fun format. With Christopher Columbus as the team mascot, her clients enter the ?home voyage? process informed and prepared. She has served on a number Boards of Realtors and charity volunteer positions. Plans for this year include building an interlinked family of Web sites and adding a Team Specialist who will focus on lead generation and business development.

Terri Heyntsen

Coldwell Banker American Tradition

Burlington, Washington

In her first two years, Terri Heyntsen has achieved over $10 million in sales with 53 units sold. According to her colleagues, Heyntsen is a person who has always set goals for herself, and has brought that approach with her into her new career as a real estate professional. Using her experience from her former career in her area?s school district, Heyntsen has been involved with her Realtor association?s education committee, and she has donated to RPAC and is active in general membership meetings. Long acquainted with the importance and joy found in community involvement, Heyntsen also participates in several local church and charitable activities.

Angela Itoge

Castlewood Real Estate and Mortgage

Los Angeles, California

While attending graduate school at UCLA and teaching at an inner-city high school in L.A., Angela Itoge also has become a successful Realtor. She was nominated by Jack Gibbons, associate director of the Office of Residential Life at UCLA, who Itoge helped purchase a new home: ?Angela was my Realtor and loan officer, helping me refinance my old home while purchasing and financing my new one. Her advice and assistance helped me where other Realtors could not?and she did it in a number of weeks. That is quite an accomplishment in the LA housing market!? Itoge keeps her clients up to date on the housing market with a monthly newsletter. She also holds leadership positions with the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association. Itoge graduated in June with a Masters in Education and a Minor in African American studies.

Michele Klug

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

New Jersey and Rockland County, New York

When Michele Klug found herself on her own after eight years as a stay-at-home mom, she turned to the real estate industry to create a foundation on which to build her future. Since becoming a full-time sales associate with The Hills Office, Klug has had an impressive track record. In the last two years, she has listed homes that range from multi-million dollar estates to one-bedroom condos, approaching each with the same enthusiasm and aggressive marketing strategies. This past year, Klug has completed more than $17 million in sales transactions and was named among the Top 100 sales associates with her company from a field of 3,700. She says real estate has helped her find the balance between work and family that she was looking for.

Christine Lassiter

Burgdorff ERA

Short Hills, New Jersey

Christine Lassiter attained her real estate license in July 2003. In her first full year in real estate at Burgdorff ERA, she closed 13 units with over $7 million in sales. ?In the short time that Christine has been a Realtor, she has shown exemplary professionalism,? says Joanne Tedesco-Kloud, vice president and manager of the Burgdorff ERA Short Hills office. ?She goes the extra mile for each and every client. Her quick climb to success is attributed to her compassion, dedication and commitment to her career, enhanced by her acute technology skills.? Christine also assists clients in showcasing their homes using her training in fine and decorative art appraisal. She has a Bachelor of Arts in art history and biology from Smith College and an MA/MBA from New York University in arts administration.

Raylene Lewis

Century 21 Beal Inc.

College Station, Texas

Though under 30 years old, Raylene Lewis has already become a top-producing agent for her office and ranked among the top 10 agents for Century 21 in the South Texas and South Louisiana regions. In 2003, Lewis closed 97 units totaling $13 million in sales. Last year she closed 76 units totaling $10 million?and celebrated the birth of her first child. To help save time with sellers, Lewis created a seller?s packet that explains how she markets property, lists frequently asked questions and responses to objections. She also created easy-to-follow checklists for herself that guide her through obtaining new clients, acquiring a new listing, going to contract and more. She loves to volunteer and is involved with many organizations including March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity and a local animal shelter in her community.

Frank Mason

Smith Realty Group

Georgetown, Kentucky

2004 was Frank Mason?s first full year in his second career as a Realtor. That year he was responsible for $6.6 million in sales and 38 transactions. About half of these sales were in new construction. While taking care of his clients, Mason has worked tirelessly on behalf of his community. He was president of the Georgetown Rotary Club; treasurer of the Scott County Board of Health; chairman of the Scott County YMCA Board; was a member of the Georgetown?Scott County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Public Affairs Committee of the Chamber. He is currently a member of the Technology Committee for the Lexington Bluegrass Association of Realtors. He also has worked quickly to earn the position of exclusive listing agent for a builder constructing over 40 homes per year in his area.

Robert Northfield

Burgdorff ERA

Maplewood, New Jersey

At the 2005 ERA International Business Conference in Orlando, Robert Northfield was awarded for being the No. 1 ERA agent in New Jersey and for ranking fourth in total sales production out of 29,000 ERA agents worldwide. In 2004, with a personal sales volume of $37.9 million and 66 units sold, he ranked 10th in the world for sales production for ERA. When making his initial marketing presentation, Northfield does not discuss the property value, but the value he provides and his quality of service the clients will receive from beginning to after the closing. His colleague, Pat Hoferkamp, president and COO of Burgdorff ERA and one of Northfield?s nominators, said, ?Given the many outstanding professionals in our company, it is a truly remarkable accomplishment to be considered the best of the best. Robert?s commitment to excellence is apparent in all that he does for his clients and colleagues.?

William Peer

Weichert, Realtors

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Bill Peer not only invests in his business and clients, he consistently reinvests. In addition to weekly newspaper ads and handing out flyers that advertise his open houses, he invites the neighbors to come in and join him for breakfast at the open house. As a former president and sales manager for a custom programming company, Peer has honed business skills that enable him to develop online marketing strategies that constantly generate new leads. Licensed in 2000, Peer is an award-winning sales associate. He is a member of Weichert?s Sales and Marketing Clubs and earned membership in Weichert?s President Club recognizing him in the top 1% of the company?s 13,700 sales associates. Peer is a member of the Cedar Lake Community club Board of Directors and he coaches his son?s Denville Little League and PAL Basketball teams.

Pauline Poyner

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

New Jersey and Rockland County, New York

Pauline Poyner goes far beyond the marketing offered by her company to make her image visible to the public. In addition to her Web site, Poyner advertises in three local grocery stores, regional and national magazines and sends out 1,000 pieces of mail a month to her farm area and past and current clients. She even advertises her picture on grocery store receipts. A Realtor for 10 years, she has been honored with awards many times, including Coldwell Banker?s prestigious International President?s Premier in 2003.

Scott Reynolds

Realty One, Real Living

Avon Lake, Ohio

With only a year of experience as a Realtor under his belt, Scott Reynolds finished 2003 with $1.16 million in sales. By the end of last year, that total was up to $6.3 million. His growth was purposefully planned and carefully executed, say his colleagues. He uses technology tools effectively, including an e-contact database that requires almost no time involvement to keep him in front of his client base several times each month. Supported by a fulltime assistant, Reynolds is expanding his business this year with the addition of a buyers? agent and an agent dedicated to researching investment opportunities. Early on he worked 60-70 hours a week and rarely took a day off, but Peer?s business and life are more balanced now with experience and support staff paving the way for quality time off.

Phyllis Staines

RE/MAX Coast Real Estate

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Upon entering the real estate business in 1998, Phyllis Staines quickly centered her business around the use of technology, honesty, ethics and service. Her colleagues say she?s the first to try out new technology and systems and uses all the latest tools available to help her business. A true believer in customer service, Staines offers a 100% commission-back guarantee on all her transactions, but to date, no one has asked for their money back. Staines just recently completed a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Florida MLS, and she chairs various committees in her association and was just named Realtor of the Year for 2004 by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. When Staines is not selling real estate, she spends her time working as a Board Member and Secretary of the Donna Hicken Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women with breast cancer.

Neil Steiger

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

New Jersey and Rockland County, New York

Effective negotiating, presentation proficiency and writing and communication skills are just a few of the skills Neil Steiger has honed to climb the ladder of success in only the four years he has been a Realtor. By his first year in the business he had earned membership in the Coldwell Banker Multi-Million Dollar Club. Steiger?s colleagues say he truly sets an example for new associates and that, along with the fact that he is an excellent communicator and a great coach, is why his manager asked him to mentor some of the office?s newly licensed sales associates. Steiger is married with two sons: one who graduated college this year and a seven-year-old who is suffering from Juvenile Bipolar Disorder. He and his wife, a nurse, are dedicated to raising money and awareness for those suffering with this devastating illness. For more information, e-mail Steiger at nps23oak@aol.com.

Orly Steinberg

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

New Jersey and Rockland County, New York

In 2004, Orly Steinberg achieved more than $40 million in sales volume for the year, earning her the position as one of the top sales associates company-wide. This is only the latest honor of her 19-year career in real estate, where she has earned many awards and accolades through the years and where she has volunteered with many organizations including the Lakeland Hills Jewish Center, where she serves as President of the Sisterhood and as a member of the Sunshine Committee. The key to Steinberg?s success lies in her own personal mission: to consistently set goals higher each year and to maintain a balance in life personally and professionally. Whether it?s the successful implementation of a client follow-up program, a consistent monthly mailing to more than 8,000 local residents or her delivery of 150 pies to former clients in the days before Thanksgiving, each stands as an example of her dedication to people community and career.

D.C. Wei

RE/MAX Accord

Pleasanton, California

D.C. Wei has been impressing his manager Frank Cannella since he began working full time in real estate in January of 2003, says Cannella. ?He has a well-designed business plan that targets the Chinese community, advertises in Chinese newspapers and is actively involved in the Chinese community.? Cannella also says Wei has adapted what he?s learned from experienced agents quickly and applied those selling techniques. He constantly tweaked his marketing plan as he discovered what worked best for him?he has great skills in holding open houses, which he ultimately began teaching to other agents in his office. In 2004, Wei more than doubled his first year production by closing 28 transactions and almost $400,000 in GCI. His colleagues are confident he will continue to grow professionally and expand his client base in the years to come.

Calling All Realtors on the Rise!

Real Estate magazine?s Realtors on the Rise competition will be held annually. Nominations for the 2006 Realtors on the Rise will be accepted starting December 1, 2005. Please visit www.rismedia.com beginning on that date for further details.

Nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following: innovative marketing, unique listing and selling strategies, exceptional business growth, industry support, community involvement, and the ability to lead a balanced life. You will be asked to submit a 350-word summary of the candidate?s qualifications, along with the candidate?s resume and photograph.

Winners of the 2006 Realtors on the Rise competition will be featured in Real Estate magazine during that year.

Discussion Forum

Topic	Posts	Last Poster
Property Management	5	yxvayns
Transaction management	2	Lexie
Life Outside of Real Estate	15	AgentGlobal
Agents Needed - Register Today!	1	mycondospot
Ethical values in real estate business	6	jespiritu
Referrals to Reno, Nevada	1	RenoRealtorPat
NEED AGENTS / & REFERRALS	49	sharonross
Is Social Media Marketing Effective in Real Estate Industry?	4	rhukill
MLS exposure without paying the commissions!!	9	TeamRemaxVision
PMI	1	amerca7163

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