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Click the image above to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our newest Agent of the Month, Michael Ferl!
Michael Ferl is the founder of Hiraeth Homes, the number one team (by volume) at W Real Estate. He has a passion for continued growth, learning and helping others do the same. Not only does Michael seek out ways to help his fellow agents, but his team also volunteers monthly at a local non-profit.
Continue reading to learn more about the Sonoma County native.
To what do you attribute your success?
I would attribute my greatest success to my ability to say NO to everything that doesn’t contribute to my personal or professional goals. I have said no to drinking beers with friends on a Saturday night, new business ideas with the promise to get rich quick, creative marketing ideas, investment opportunities, etc. Having a clear vision of what I want in life also helps provide clarity to everything else that is a distraction from that.
What was the last book/audiobook you read/listened to?
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. I believe that most of us focus on money first as we believe that this will lead to happiness. It is my belief that we should focus on happiness first. Once I made happiness my greater focus, I experienced more financial success than I ever have.
What software/tech tools can you not live without?
My phone, yellow pad of paper, and a pen. Technology is not a magic pill that will make you successful. Focus on developing good habits, systems, and processes first. You can then leverage technology to scale by making everything more efficient.
Do you believe it is possible to have a successful career while having a fulfilling personal life? Does this balance exist?
The most important thing is to first ask, “How do you define success?” Our culture promotes money, cars, homes, vacations, titles, etc. as a measure of one’s success. I believe that instead of asking how can I get these things, we should ask, “Why do we want these things?” For me, success isn’t about how much money is in our accounts or how many cars are in our driveway, it is about how are we contributing to the world and if we are having a positive impact on the lives of those around us. From this perspective, my personal and professional lives are one as they both serve this greater purpose.
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma County Residential Real Estate market?
Sonoma County has an incredibly diverse real estate market. Sandwiched in between the wine industry and Bay Area, this location offers many types of industry and opportunity. From small cabins in the beautiful woods of Forestville to large estate properties in Sonoma, Sonoma County has a home for nearly every type of buyer.
What is the most underrated/overlooked part of your business? (i.e. thank you cards, social media, etc)
Processes and systems. These are not sexy to talk about and as a result, they often aren’t a focal point for many in our industry. By creating a solid system allows us to create consistency. It also allows us to clearly identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
What are the main things that you should look at when investing/purchasing a new property?
The first thing to ask is, “What are my goals and why do I want to buy a house?” Buying a home because your parents told you all your life that it is a good financial decision is not a solid reason to purchase a home. Also, having a clear vision of what your needs/wants are not only now, but potentially over the next 10+ years is important.
What is a quote that inspires you?
“To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.” – Fred Rogers
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?
Find a successful coach/mentor. There is no need to re-invent the wheel. There have been thousands of successful people in our industry, pick one that you admire and respect. Also, keep it simple. Stop trying to be all things for all people. Your job can be summarized into three main functions: Develop new leads, follow-up with those leads, and convert those leads to escrows. Do that at a high level and hit repeat and you will be very successful.
