In the following interview, Kathy Laswick, broker with Realty ONE Group in Scottsdale, Ariz., discusses the Realty ONE Group Veterans Initiative, technology, training and more.
Region Served: Scottsdale/North Scottsdale
Years in Real Estate: 23
Number of Offices: 1
Number of Agents: 312
What are the most exciting/effective tech tools Realty ONE Group provides your team, and how are they being used?
One of my favorites is MoveEasy, which helps team members stay in touch with their database with minimal effort. It also helps clients keep track of things like utility transfers, change of address and car registrations. In addition, MoveEasy provides the agent a vendor list that can be modified to include preferred service providers. When their vendor is used, the agent is notified, providing an opportunity to reach out to their client.
Videolicious is another easy-to-use tool that produces branded videos that agents can share via social media or text directly to clients. If an agent isn’t taking advantage of video, they’re going to lose relevance in the eyes of today’s buyers and sellers pretty quickly.
Why is it important to keep your brokers involved in agent training and support on a day-to-day basis?
Agents who don’t have that support often find this business to be overwhelming. Without broker support, they’re burdened with finding their own way, which can cost them or their clients money. A lot of agents undervalue their broker simply because they haven’t had one who is responsive to their questions or needs. Our industry is constantly changing, and Realty ONE Group has a team of brokers who take advantage of educational opportunities. They then share that new information with each other and relay it to our agents so they can advance their business and marketing practices.
Can you explain the new Realty ONE Veterans initiative, and why it’s particularly important to you?
Vets can now join Realty ONE Group with no sign-on fees. While this may seem minor to some, to me, this is a huge giveback to veterans who have sacrificed a part of their life to protect and serve this country. My husband, Cole, made that sacrifice, and I’ll always respect him and all vets. Most of us will never know the toll their service has taken on each and every veteran of this country. The fact that all gave some part of themselves while some gave everything should never be forgotten or overlooked.
How do you apply your hobby as a photographer when helping your agents with their marketing?
I’ve been a photo geek since high school. Good photos not only involve balance, impact and beauty, but they also provoke a reaction, and I believe good marketing is similar. Using my experience in photography, I can suggest ideas that help agents put out a more powerful piece of advertising. And when those ideas positively impact their business, it’s a secret joy of mine. I’m always encouraging agents to shoot and post images to their social media. After all, how many rehashed videos and photos of homes do we have to look at on Facebook? I want to see people, friends and places that people visit, and I think potential clients do, as well.
Final Questions…
What’s your best recruiting tip?
Be real and care about your real estate professionals’ needs.
What’s your can’t-live-without tech tool?
The phone.
What’s the best way to motivate agents?
Stay positive.
What’s your best time management tip?
Put an hourglass on your desk and work in increments.
For more information, please visit www.realtyonegroup.com.
John Voket is a contributing editor to RISMedia.
