“I try to remember every day that happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling,” says KaLinn Dishion, Broker, Co-owner and COO of Group One Real Estate, a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® in Eagle, Idaho. Read on for more of Dishion’s insights into business and life, from dealing with picky buyers to finding success in a broad demographic market.
Region served: The Treasure Valley (Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Eagle)
Years in real estate: 24
Number of offices: 2
Number of agents: 152
Must-have technology tool: Our proprietary CRM that tracks daily activities. It not only helps agents know what to do every day, but also tracks their interactions with each and every person in their portfolio, alerting them to people (and relationships) they might have neglected. We’re also in the process of launching automated marketing that does a better job of incorporating social media. And finally, digital file management has been a lifesaver, not to mention a timesaver.
Motto you live by: I try to remember every day that “happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” And I comfort myself with “the person who doesn’t make mistakes is unlikely to make anything.”
What do you like most about the region in which you work?
We’re fortunate to live in a very broad demographic market. We have a strong segment of first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, retirees and investors, as well as those looking to downsize. Our market is nicely balanced across the spectrum. Our economy is equally diverse, and our weather even more so. We’ve been on countless Top 10 lists this past year and are starting to feel like we aren’t a secret anymore.
What demographic segments are driving your business these days?
All segments are active in our market right now. First-time buyers are benefiting greatly from interest rates, which also impacts move-up activity. We’re also seeing a lot of cash buyers in the upper end ($750K-plus) as out-of-state markets continue to improve, providing incoming buyers with greater buying power.
What are some of the current trends you see in your market right now?
We’ve been struggling with a lack of inventory, like everyone else, but have recently seen a slight increase to an overall supply of 3.2 months (2.7 months for resale and 5.5 months for new construction). While buyers have to deal with competing offers, the good news is that sellers get to choose from multiple offers. In terms of what today’s consumer is looking for, we’re seeing smaller and smarter homes in high demand.
What is your best tip for dealing with a picky buyer?
Help them identify why they want the huge garage or other features on their must-have list that are keeping them from making a decision. Quite often we don’t help buyers delve deep enough and later find out that a nice big shop or room for a boat is all they really needed. It’s all about the why.
What strategies do you have in place to reach out to first-time buyers?
We’re a very strong listing company, so they tend to come to us. We have a number of agents who specialize in working with first-time buyers and provide extensive education, and they partner with a lender well-versed in working with this demographic.
For more information, visit www.leadingre.com.
