In the following interview, Michael D. Lunden, owner/managing broker of Sellstate Realty Pros in Greenwood Village, Colo., discusses attracting talent through a combination of collaboration, culture and technology.
Region Served: Colorado
Years in Real Estate: Nearly 20
Number of Offices: 1
Number of Agents: 30 and growing
What is your favorite perk about working in real estate?
For many years, I focused on and enjoyed working with buyers and sellers. Now, as an owner, my greatest feeling of accomplishment comes from mentoring agents. Every agent should build their business to be unique to them. I often ask agents what their business looks like to them, and enjoy helping them build their vision.
What is your can’t-live-without technology tool or app?
My cellphone. Fortunately, Sellstate provides Power Suite to all our agents, and my amazing staff is always on top of the latest tools and technology. I personally see a trend in technology leaning toward simplification and the ability to manage multiple lead sources, recruiting and automatic contact management through various mediums such as email, social media, phone messaging and auto texting. I find this trend to be very effective and efficient.
What makes your company unique in today’s market?
Sellstate Corporate and the Colorado Sellstate region have an amazing culture that nurtures ideas, involvement and opportunity. My office in particular is unique in the way we encourage collaboration, promoting both individual and group successes. Our office has created numerous marketing tools, including client presentations in a folder format, closing gifts and greeting cards, all of which are branded and available online to all Colorado Sellstate offices.
How are you attracting new talent to your team?
Not only do we have a 900-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility, but we’ve also partnered with numerous experts to provide educational opportunities, with little to no charge to our agents. We believe in continued growth, not only professionally, but personally. Our partners include title, mortgage and real estate-related professionals, in addition to weekly health and wellness classes. We offer free yoga, meditation and nutrition courses, as well as workplace ergonomics and stretching classes, all of which are taught by licensed or certified professionals.
What is the biggest challenge your market currently faces?
Colorado’s market has consistently been one of the strongest markets in the U.S. Like many other markets, Colorado has experienced a limited availability of housing, as well as steadily increasing property values.
How is your team working to solve this challenge?
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a talented staff, many of which are on my office board of advisors. I hold weekly meetings with each advisor, as well as a monthly board of advisors meeting. We discuss and share creative ways to address and best negotiate the needs of our clients, and share our findings and strategies with all of our agents.
For more information, please visit www.ssrealtypros.com or www.sellstaterealty.com.
Zoe Eisenberg is RISMedia’s senior content editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at zoe@rismedia.com.
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