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W Real Estate 2024 Agent Award Winners
It’s that time of the year again! The entire W Real Estate family came together to celebrate our agents and staff, and to recognize their successes in 2023. Check out our list of big winners below!
Bronze Awards Club
Agents in our Bronze category achieved $3M-4.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Chad Pittman
- Chelsea Cambra
- David Chen
- Dina Ochoa
- Hayley Bennett
- Kelly Sullivan
- Marisa Rosas
- Rob Orlando
- Roberta Norris
- The Cronin Team of Realtors
- Vicki Doty
Silver Awards Club
Agents in our Silver category achieved $5M-9.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Aaron Brosamle
- Alex Yanez
- Alison Weese
- Andrew Saltzman
- Brandon Kraus
- Carlos Rivas
- Cheryl Peterson
- Cory Cadle
- Denise Horner
- Elsie Richardson & Michael Laird
- Eric Garbocci
- Home Team Platinum
- Jay Belmont
- Kasie Gray
- Kelly Casanova
- Loridana Garey
- Mark Cooper
- Mark Payne
- Michael Keegan
- Milan Juarez Barich
- Nancy Azevedo
- Nan Boetgger & Deanna Reis
- Rebekka Johnston
- Reggie Savage
- Savannah Wellander
- Steve Bowne
- Taylor Mason
- Tim DeBellis
- Wendy Tam
- Yen Chesley
Gold Awards Club
Agents in our Gold category achieved $10M-14.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Adrian Roach
- Carissa Jackson
- Ellsworth Real Estate Group
- Filippo Viola
- Mary Curran
- Michael Langhals
- Nicole Manville
- Pedersen Realty Group
- Tiffany Knef
- Will Lance
Platinum Awards Club
Agents in our Platinum category achieved $15M-19.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Hermosillo Group
- Sonoma County Home Group
Diamond Awards Club
Agents in our Diamond category achieved $20M-24.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Del Fava | Parker Team
- Gilmore / Ceja Home Group
- Thiessen Group
Double Diamond Awards Club
Agents in our Double Diamond category achieved $25M-49.9M sales volume in 2023.
- Fermin Escutia Team
- Hiraeth Homes
- Stephen Skinner
Triple Diamond Awards Club
Agents in our Triple Diamond category achieved $50M+ sales volume in 2023.
- Bruington Hargreaves
- Todd Schapmire Team
Special Categories
- Largest Residential Sale of the Year: Home Team Platinum | $3,900,000
- Largest Commercial Sale of the Year: Stephen Skinner | $17,110,000
- New Homes Sales Agent of the Year: Carissa Jackson
- Referral Agent of the Year: Ellen Crusoe
- Rookie of the Year: Savannah Wellander
- Team of the Year (Volume & Units): Bruington Hargreaves
- Sonoma County Agent of the Year (Volume): Nicole Manville
- Sonoma County Agent of the Year (Units): Cory Cadle
- San Francisco County Agent of the Year (Volume & Units): Wendy Tam
- Mendocino County Agent of the Year (Volume & Units): Filippo Viola
- Commercial Agent of the Year: Stephen Skinner
- Dennis Park Community Service Award: Michael Laird
Rising Star Award
Agents in our Rising Stars category completed 1+ transactions in their first year of real estate.
- Amy Ramirez
- Ashley Frye
- Louise Rex
- Savannah Wellander
Agent to Watch – Sandra Lopez
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to Sandra Lopez, a January Agent to Watch! Sandra knows that no two transactions are the same, but when you’re trusted with finding your clients their dream home it is more than worth it to go the extra mile, do the extra work, and make those dreams of homeownership come true. Keep reading to learn more about Sandra!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Follow up with potential clients that I have been in contact with for the past few weeks.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Never give up!
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
I love helping people find their dream home.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
As a real estate agent, navigating challenges is an integral part of the job. Recently, I encountered a situation in which the parties involved had differing expectations regarding the sale price, property repairs, and the timeline for closing the deal. To conquer the situation, I initiated open and transparent communication with all parties involved. Understanding their motivations, concerns, and priorities allowed me to identify common ground and potential areas of compromise. I conducted a thorough market analysis to provide objective data supporting the proposed sale price. To address concerns about property repairs, I worked with a contractor to estimate costs and proposed a creative solution that all parties were happy with. When it came to the timeline, it helped to set clear expectations and deadlines that all parties agreed to. Overall, I focused on a win-win scenario. This involved emphasizing the value of the property and the benefits of reaching an agreement that met the needs of all parties involved.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Mentorship is very important to me. I like to know that I can turn to someone who can share their experiences and help navigate challenges that come up.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
One home design feature that I wish there were more of is the smart home technology integration. As technology continues to advance, homeowners increasingly seek homes equipped with intelligent and interconnected devices that can enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
If I could have dinner with anyone, I would choose my dad. My dad passed away eight years ago. I miss the advice he always gave me. Especially, knowing he had my back. He always was honest about his opinion and would let me know what I could do better.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I would definitely recommend Healdsburg. Healdsburg is a small town but offers a picturesque town square, boutique shops, art galleries, and a variety of dining options. It’s also surrounded by beautiful wineries with many wine tasting options to choose from. Healdsburg also has the Russian River and Lake Sonoma they can visit.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
As a real estate agent, I’m genuinely looking forward to the upcoming year and the opportunities it holds. One aspect that I’m particularly excited about, is learning more about the local real estate market to be able to help my clients, both buyers and sellers, to provide valuable insight, and provide the best service that I can.
Agent of the Month – Eric Garbocci
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our January Agent of the Month, Eric Garbocci! Self-motivation, accountability, and relationships are the foundations of Eric’s success as an agent. From staying in touch with existing clientele to holding himself to his new client cultivation goals, Eric’s business is poised to reach new heights this year. Keep reading to learn more about Eric!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Don’t give up!
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
Farming. I want to be in front of people more often, with both buyers and sellers. I have been relying on past client referrals, but I’d like to escalate and start marketing for projects.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Personal relationships and accountability to my customers. Building trust with them.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Work really hard at it. It’s a self-motivated job. You will make deals and you will be successful if you are motivated. The two biggest motivators are: Inspiration and desperation.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Listen to the real estate agent you trust.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Failure will happen. You just have to keep charging forward. Put a smile on your face and keep going.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
If your wife is still home, that’s a good sign.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Mentors over the years have played a tremendous role in my career. Today it’s my turn to mentor the newer agents and it’s a very rewarding experience.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
I took a lot of risks. Some good, some bad. Everyone has to make their own call on that. This business favors the bold. You can’t be a sheep.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
WRE of course!
How to Set Realistic and Actionable Goals for 2024
New year resolutions 2024 on desk. 2024 resolutions list with notebook, coffee cup on table. Goals, resolutions, plan, action, checklist concept. New Year 2024 template, copy space
It’s that time of the year again! When we all take a moment to plan out our perfect 2024. For you, you are thinking of a wise way to set realistic and actionable goals to stabilize your personal growth. But for most people, there’s always a bit of uncertainty going into this process. Putting too much pressure on yourself to reach certain goals (without actionable steps) runs the risk of feeling unhappiness and a sense of defeat further down the line. By setting realistic goals with thoughtful, actionable steps to meet these goals, you can set yourself up with a plan that is easy to follow throughout 2024, making this your best and most successful year yet! Check out these tips and tricks to get yourself started.
Get SMART With Your Goals
Sometimes, setting new year resolutions isn’t the problem—what you choose to focus on, and how, matters. One helpful step is to adopt the SMART goals tactic to increase your success rate.
Let’s take the example of saving money to walk through what SMART goals are.
- Specific: Determine the exact amount of money you want to save in the new year. Do a reality check of the goals and define your intentions. Why do you want the cash?
- Measurable: Set limits you can track over time. You can break down the savings into small manageable weekly bits to make the venture easier and less intimidating.
- Attainable: Save within your means. Look at the commitment needed and confirm it doesn’t interfere with your livelihood. For example, it is unrealistic to try to save $2,000 each month when your budget can only allow for $1,000.
- Relevant: Save feasible amounts of cash that can help you achieve your “why.” For example, you can’t save $100 each month for one year and expect to do significant home renovations without sourcing funding elsewhere.
- Time-bound: Set timeframes to evaluate how well your plan is working. Checking in with yourself will help keep you disciplined within your plans, and ensure you’re on the right track. For example, if you are adamant about saving $1,000 monthly, you should have $6,000 in the first half of the year. Hitting these metrics will help you stay on the right track.
Write Down and Share Your Goals
Lack of a conducive environment and motivation is a big reason why some people can easily get derailed from their course. Writing down goals in a handbook can be a wise and productive way to track your progress for the new year and beyond.
You can keep a journal of the goals to help you recognize patterns. If you feel less motivated, all hope isn’t lost. Find good social support within your circle or a partner to help you crush the goals, make lasting changes, and stay accountable for the year.
Enlist Help From Technology
You may be mulling over how technology can help you set realistic and actionable goals. There are loads of apps you can use to guide you through and monitor your resolutions. Your pick will depend on what you want to achieve.
For example, if your goal is to buy, sell, or renovate your home, you can download a realtor app to familiarize yourself with the trends and estimates. Another option would be a journal and planning app such as Notable, instead of a handbook.
Stick With What Works
Being honest with yourself is key to successfully making strides in the new year! Not every goal you set for yourself will come to fruition (at least not right away, or even within the year). And that’s okay! Additionally, you may be faced with some challenges or changes along the path that will be difficult for you to adapt to and overcome. They may feel overwhelming or like they will derail your progress, but that’s definitely not the case.
Check with yourself to affirm you are making progress. Plan your ideas, follow through the process, and believe in yourself. Be realistic—make changes if necessary! You CAN smash your goals and expectations for the new year.
It’s tempting to hit the ground running when it comes to setting your goals and getting on track for the new year. Following this guide will help you set realistic goals with actionable steps, getting you on the path to success in 2024. Don’t over-rely on other people to track your progress. Ultimately, setting realistic goals and conquering them is possible if you start on the right track and stay motivated.
Agent of the Month – Shawn Hermosillo
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our November Agent of the Month, Shawn Hermosillo! On paper, Shawn’s real estate career thus far is a resounding success. And while he is seen at this point as an industry veteran, Shawn knows that his success wouldn’t be possible without a solid foundation. From the basics of daily prospecting to continuing to rely on mentors and coaches, Shawn has built a career for himself that he can be proud of. Learn more about Shawn below!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Factual, Curious, Goal Oriented.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
Back to basics, prospecting 5 days a week.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Showing up early and every day of the week.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Be consistent, find 3 ways to create new business, and stick to it for the first 2 years.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Tell me your goals and I will find a way to make it happen based on your situation.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Get back to work and focus on the next client so the failure becomes part of your short-term memory.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
Yes, my family and I focus on traveling as much as possible and I always come back to more business and am refreshed and ready to take it on.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
I have had a real estate coach for the past 18 years and has helped me stay consistent and stay on track.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
I showed property from San Francisco to Humboldt County and was willing to work 60 hours a week for the 2 years in the business.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Santa Rosa airport, it takes me to where I need to go.
Agent to Watch – Brandon Kraus
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to Brandon Kraus, a November Agent to Watch! Brandon never backs down from a challenge, and it shows in his successes as an agent. Whether he’s negotiating with buyers and sellers, or scoping out his next investment property, Brandon knows that the best path forward might not always be the easiest. Keep reading to learn more about Brandon!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Finish bathroom renovation on unit B of my quadplex.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
If you do what is easy life will be hard, if you do what is hard life will be easy.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
Safety and income potential.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Had a tough fixer listing with difficult tenants, differed maintenance, and a difficult seller, so I bought it at a large discount.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
A large one. Lucky to have Mike Ferl (our North Bay real estate stud) teach me how to sell residences and become a great salesperson. Also a huge thank you to my Los Angeles multifamily and commercial mentor Cameron Samimi. Cameron has sold the most multifamily in LA for three years straight. He taught me to talk to sellers first as you are a buyer, and if it is not a great deal list it or sell it off market to someone else. I’ve found all four of my properties this way.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
TRIM! I love beautiful decorative trim.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
My late mother-in-law. I would love one last dinner with her and bring my wife Madison!
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
Healdsburg!
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Christmas with my family!
Agent to Watch – Jaeden Wilson
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Meet Jaeden Wilson, one of our November Agents to Watch! A savvy business owner even before she joined W, Jaeden knows that her success in the real estate industry comes down to making the most of the opportunities that cross her path, and there’s no denying that she has hit the ground running since joining our team. Keep reading to learn more about Jaeden!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Pick up groceries hahaha
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
“Work until your idols become your rivals”
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
The opportunity! While there are a lot of other agents in Sonoma, there are even more clientele, houses, people moving to the area, people selling & leaving, just so much opportunity to grow! I know of other areas where everything is very stagnant and there are too many agents than there are clientele and that would make it really challenging to grow in real estate.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
A recent challenge I came upon has definitely been to not lose my cool during high-stress moments! During each transaction, there will be times when things aren’t going as planned or maybe you aren’t seeing eye to eye with one person involved in the transaction and my initial reaction is always to get my clients what they deserve and sometimes that can result in me just lashing out in anger if I think something should be going a way that it isn’t going. I remember having to call Melissa during both escrows and just vent about my frustrations and she would be my sounding board and make sure I didn’t make any rash decisions. Through her guidance, I was able to see things in a different light and that is something that will help me throughout the rest of my real estate career whenever things become challenging!
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
I would be nowhere without the help from Angela & Melissa with Sonoma County Home Group! As a new agent, I knew that I needed all the help I could get and having the ability to mentor with experienced agents is so necessary when you’re first starting out. I came across so many different challenges throughout both escrows that if I didn’t have the help from SCHG I probably would’ve made so many mistakes that both deals could’ve fell through. Sometimes you just need someone to ask questions to and bounce ideas off of so it’s nice to be given a mentorship opportunity through W.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Butlers Kitchens. As a baker, the ability to have a whole separate kitchen area to make a mess in & then be able to hide that mess if guests are over would be such a game changer! It’s definitely a must-have if I ever built my own home!
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
My grandma, even tho I never called her “Grandma.” Her name was Dorris but when I was little I couldn’t pronounce her name so for some reason I called her “Abby” and it just stuck LOL. When I was growing up, both of my parents worked full time so I was with my grandma every single day. She passed in 2021 but had suffered from dementia for years prior so she never truly got to see me move away and start this whole new life for myself. It truly was something that changed my life and ultimately was the turning point that made me decide college wasn’t for me and pursue real estate. Although, I don’t know if we’d get dinner… breakfast was more of our thing. 😉
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
My answer to this will probably be very unexpected but growing up in Humboldt County, Sonoma was THE CITY lol! Everyone from Humboldt would make the trip to hit all the outlet malls & brand name stores, especially right before going back to school! So, the places that I always remembered were Cottingtown & The Santa Rosa Mall (Probably sounds so strange BUT if you’ve ever seen the only mall in Humboldt you’d know why it was so exciting coming to Sonoma) I remember when I started at SRJC I had a night class and out the window I could see the Cottingtown Mall sign and man, I really thought I made it in life LOL! Sometimes it’s the small things! 🙂
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Something I look forward to in the upcoming year is meeting new people! Sonoma is such a huge place compared to my home town and I just know there’s so many people out there who might be looking to buy or sell that I would be the perfect agent for but we just haven’t met yet! 😉
Agent to Watch – Jenna Shepherd
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Say hello to Jenna Shepherd, an October Agent to Watch! The market may be constantly changing, but that doesn’t stop Jenna. She loves finding her clients the perfect place to call their own, and you’ll never catch her backing down from the challenge. Check out our blog below to learn more about Jenna!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
After household chores and preparing meeting notes, my to-do list was to call back all current sellers and seller leads.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Ever?? That’s tough….. but I think it’s “Other people’s opinion of you are none of your business.”
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
I love the hunt! I love taking out new buyers to tour homes, dreaming with them, planning with them, and seeing their real estate dreams come to reality.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
In this ever-changing market, it was a challenge getting buyers to commit to the process. I found that reviewing the numbers and their bottom line gives them confidence in their decision. Along with my approach of education being more important than the sale, has helped buyers feel in control not along for the ride.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
It has reminded me to remain patient and persistent, it has taught me to adapt and adjust my own procedures over time, and it has been an incredible opportunity to teach with passion something that I love doing.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Large pantries with electrical outlets for those bulky appliances that need a place to live.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Great question, I am a sucker for old movies so it would be John Wayne. I would love to know what inspired him not only to get into movies but what it was that set him apart from everyone else, what made him the immortal cowboy that lives on today.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
A great welcome to Mendocino County is a drive through the redwoods to the coast, eating gourmet food from local farmers found in many lovely restaurants and of course a glass of wine from one of our many organic wineries.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Next year I will be traveling a lot more (thank goodness for wi-fi and laptops) and there may even be wedding bells in the wind….
Agent to Watch – Steve Bowne
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Meet Steve Bowne, one of our October Agents to Watch! Steve is newer to the real estate game but you wouldn’t know it. He takes a future-oriented approach to his business, through which he finds the motivation to stay up to date on market trends and challenges so that he may continue to make the best possible decisions on behalf of his clients. Keep reading to learn more about Steve!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Don’t forget to take lunch. I often get too busy and don’t have time to stop my day for 30 minutes.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
The best piece of advice I have ever been given is “Don’t compare yourself to others.” It’s natural for us to compare ourselves to others, especially in the age of social media where everyone’s highlights are on display. Instead of focusing on what others have or have achieved, it’s important to focus on our own journey, progress, and personal growth.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
The ability to go to the snow and the ocean all in the same day. Northern California is a great place to reside.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Competition has been a challenge while being a new agent. Successful agents stay updated with market trends, have effective marketing strategies, and build a strong network of potential buyers and sellers. Buyers and sellers often have different expectations, and it’s my role to bridge the gap and provide realistic guidance. Clear communication, setting proper expectations, and providing expert advice have helped me overcome this challenge. Finally, the ability to stay motivated and resilient despite occasional setbacks is crucial. Having a positive mindset, continuous self-improvement, and a strong support system have helped me conquer these challenges.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Mentorship has given me success by teaching me everyday values. The work you put in today will impact you 90+ days down the road. This helps me stay focused and set goals.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
I lived on the East Coast for many years. A large percentage of homes in Central NY have a basement, these provide many uses. I think we need more homes with basements here in California.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
I wish I could have dinner with my sister. She passed in 2007. We were close in age and shared friendships, hobbies, and many similar interests.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I would recommend to go and see the Redwoods. There are many Redwood Groves throughout our counties that are absolutely amazing and provide different experiences. The world’s 11th tallest Redwood is located just outside of Ukiah in Montgomery Woods State Park.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
I am hopeful that interest rates will be going down in the upcoming year.
Agents of the Month – Tedi Spain and Maria Kenney
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our October Agents of the Month, Tedi Spain and Maria Kenney! The dynamic duo behind Home Team Platinum, Tedi and Maria work hard to present a united front to their clients that is built on professionalism and market knowledge. No matter what they end each transaction with their client’s needs not just being met, but exceeded. Keep reading to learn more about Tedi and Maria!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Maria: Compassion, Integrity, Relationships. Tedi: Professionalism, Integrity, Relationships.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
Maria: We both appreciate W’s commitment to education and training. Participating in further education programs and earning more designations.
Tedi: There’s always room for improvement. I have 4 professional designations and I would like to earn more. I may even at some point like to get my Brokers License. I love to keep learning!
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Maria: Our partnership as a team. One of us is always available for our clients and we are able to continually give 100%. We keep each other laughing and work hard together when things get challenging. Success is loving what you do!
Tedi: Hard work and our partnership as a team! Both of us have kids and grandkids and we help each other balance work and family. Also, the support of our family, friends, and clients as they are the heart of our business. Success is loving what you do!
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Maria: Familiarize yourself with all the listings in your area. Attend broker tours and see new listings. When someone asks you about a listing, knowledge is key. Be the expert!
Tedi: Work your sphere and know current market conditions.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Maria: We don’t think our job is to give advice first. Our job is to listen to our clients and keep their needs in our mind while accomplishing our job. For first-time buyers, we always tell them there are no dumb questions. We know this can be stressful, and we are here to help facilitate and make this process as easy as possible.
Tedi: We don’t think our job is to give advice first. We listen to our client’s needs while accomplishing our job. We try to make the process as easy as possible for them. Price, Condition, Availability. It’s all relative to their needs!
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Maria: Tedi and I will bounce ideas off of each other, and discuss how we could have done things differently. There are so many personalities that we deal with and it’s impossible to predict how things will go. We are constantly learning and growing, boosting each other up, and moving forward.
Tedi: We bounce ideas off of each other and discuss how we could have done things differently. We are constantly learning and growing. Positive thinking, communication, learn from it, and turn it around. There are always hurdles, keep moving forward.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
Maria: Having enough money to support doing all the things you love! Our partnership as a team allows us to have a work-life balance. Family always comes first. We both feel that way.
Tedi: Teamwork. Use your support team. Stay Motivated. Our partnership allows us to a work-life balance. We both feel family comes first.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Maria: Tedi invited me (Maria) to join her in Real Estate 9 years ago, so I was able to change careers. She was definitely my mentor, spending so much time helping me with the ins and outs of a transaction. Throughout the years, she has always been so positive and light-hearted. If I can mirror that, I am a winner!
Tedi: They told me family comes first. I have worked hard but have also enjoyed the flexibility to raise my kids, enjoy time with my grandkids, and enjoy life as well.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Maria: Starting a career that is 100% commission is stressful. Just getting out and doing the job when you don’t have the experience is truly the only way to learn. You gain confidence when you push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Tedi: Real Estate has its pros and cons. Going from a full-time salary to a commission-based only is tough. You have to stay motivated, constantly market yourself, and work hard. You have to be able to adapt to many different situations and stay positive through the good and bad times. On the flip side, it is great to have the flexibility to spend time with family and friends so you have that balance of life and work.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Maria: A Sonoma County winery!!! Everyone is happy! So much beauty in our vineyards!
Tedi: This is tough because we have so many great businesses surrounding us. We are truly blessed to live and work where we do. Do What You Love…Love What You Do!
