Cory Brewer
By Cory Brewer
Last week I spent some time with my local YPN planting trees at a nearby park. Next week we are hosting an elegant networking event in ther 43rd floor penthouse at the newest condo tower in downtown Bellevue, Wash., complete with valet parking and a red carpet. In the past 12 months, we have also hosted free clock hour classes, educational panels, and “get to know you” happy hours in a casual environment.
The reason for this blog post is a simple one: Get involved!
You never know who you’re going to meet or connect with. Our local network is focused on bringing REALTORS® together along with professionals from other industries (law, finance, etc.) to foster relationships and help one another grow our businesses. We have taken many cues from other YPNs around the country, and their efforts have been a great inspiration to us.
So there you go — a shameless plug for YPN!
Keep up the great work, everyone. There is something for everybody – and the more you get involved, the more you can help make it what you want it to be. Invite your friends, invite your colleagues, and encourage them to attend your events. From community service, to athletics, to education, to parties…be there or be square!
Cory Brewer is a REALTOR® in the Seattle area and Operations Manager at Windermere Property Management / LGA in Bellevue. Connect with Cory at www.wpmnorthwest.com.
Hilary Hale Brown
By Hilary Hale Brown
One of the most fulfilling experiences a group can grow from is that of reaching its goals. In January of this calendar year, myself, the administrative executive of our board of REALTORS®, and members of the YPN committee set our promises to paper. These ranged from things such as a build for Habitat of Humanity in April for Fair Housing Month, to hosting a social mixer in November to honor TRLP graduates (Texas REALTOR® Leadership Program), to holding meetings once a quarter and participating in National YPN conference calls to stay in touch with our fellow chapters on a national level.
Tomorrow morning at a meeting with our board president and fellow committee chairmen, I will be proud to report that we have achieved over half of the goals set in January and are on target to meet the remaining goals by November.
As young real estate professionals, I believe it is important to remember what we are striving for and what we are setting out to accomplish. While social media and Internet marketing might be the driving force behind leads, they are not our goal, which is clients. While social mixers are an introduction to other young professionals, they are not our goal, which is education. My committee this year has been unrelenting in being result-based as our calendar filled, and I thank them for helping me remember that as I prepare for my meeting tomorrow. They remind me it is about quality not quantity, and that everything we do should have a purpose beyond ourselves and I thank them for this as well. Continue reading »
Lynn Minnick
By Lynn Minnick
This post follows along the same idea as Cory Brewer’s last post about relationships. My office has a new office leader/manager and she recently put together an event that I thought was pretty genius AND helped build relationships.
She asked each of us to provide her with a list of the different real estate service-related vendors we use and would recommend (home inspectors, exterminators, electricians, septic installers, radon guys, landscapers, mold specialists, handymen, home stagers, etc. — all the professionals we turn to on a regular basis in my market.) Then, for a small donation to our company charity, The Sunshine Kids, she offered each of them a table at a vendor fair we hosted. She invited all of the REALTORS® in our town and surrounding towns, and served refreshments.
The event itself was only about two hours long, but it allowed us to meet face-to-face with these professionals, make introductions, and network. I suppose it was kind of like speed dating. Some of the businesses were more experienced with vendor fairs and came prepared with lots of handouts, giveaways, and raffles, while others greeted us with simple business cards and conversations, relying solely on their long-standing reputations.
The event was easy to organize and very well-received. A win-win-win, really, for us, the vendors, and our favorite charity!
Lynn Minnick is a REALTOR® in Connecticut known for her love of all things international, organic, travel and design. Connect with her at thegreenctrealtor.blogspot.com or @LynnMinnick.
Anand Patel
By Anand Patel
I have a wonderful agent in West Palm Beach, Fla., who decided he wanted to give back by getting involved with his local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. While on site at his first project, he struck up a conversation with a fellow volunteer working along side him. As they carried on their conversations throughout the day, it turned out his new-found friend was an investor residing predominantly in Europe but looking to buy, rehab, and sell residential real estate while in the West Palm Beach area. To make a long story short, my agent ended up finding a property for his new volunteer buddy, who in turn rehabbed the property and had my agent list it and eventually sell the property for him. His new client enjoyed the experience so much he wants to purchase a few more properties with my agent. Who would have thought giving back would have paid off so well!
The point of my story is that we all prefer working with people with similar interests, right? Isn’t it easier to work with a client who supports the same causes, charities, clubs, foundations, associations and organizations that you do? Volunteering is a great way to connect with these like-minded individuals. Keep in mind that one should only volunteer when they truly have a genuine interest in getting involved and giving back. We all know people who volunteer with the pure intention of getting new business — others read right through this. Sharing a common bond and genuine interest with someone makes the decision for them to do business with you so much easier. 
Here are some ideas:
- Volunteer with charities or causes you want to support. You will meet people from all different backgrounds and professions. You’ll learn new perspectives about yourself, the way you run your business, and how you view your community. Not only will you feel good in supporting your favorite cause, but you are also indirectly helping yourself grow as an individual.
- Volunteer to serve on committees at your association, various organizations you may belong to, at your place of worship, or your child’s school. Continue reading »
CENTURY 21® is a proud sponsor of the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Anaheim and our home base will be booth #325. We will greet guests at the International Welcome Reception on Thursday, November 10th. The CENTURY 21 brand is co-sponsoring the International Night Out on Saturday, November 12th, a premier opportunity for real estate professionals to network. In addition, CENTURY 21 is also supporting the Young Professional Network (YPN), which is one of the fastest growing industry networks in the nation.
On Sunday November 13th, the CENTURY 21 System will host an invitation-only tailgate complete with beverages, ballpark food, and flat screen TVs that will broadcast both AFC and NFC games. And here’s the exciting part! We have a limited number of tickets for YPN Reception attendees on a first come first serve basis. To get your Tailgate ticket, go to the CENTURY 21 booth and show us your business card. That’s all you need to do to attend the hottest Tailgate party of the year!*
Beyond the conference events, we will be at the booth to share how the brand is working “Smarter. Bolder. Faster.” with online, social and mobile platforms. From branded Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to location based services like our smart phone app, to the @C21-Home Matters Blog, the brand is continuing to evolve our strategy for reaching the next generation of homebuyers. Recently, CENTURY 21 became the first brand to buy real estate in ngmoco’s We City, a leading mobile game.
*Note, you must be registered for the NAR Expo on Sunday, November 13th to attend the Tailgate party.
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
I was recently invited to attend my first YPN group in Minneapolis by fellow Lounge blogger Nobu Hata. As many of you know, the Minneapolis YoPros were just named Chapter of the Year — I now understand why.
I went in not knowing what to expect. I have attended other local networking groups in the past and kind of walked away with a “well whatever” feeling. However, the Minneapolis YoPros chapter is different.
I left there completly amazed and energized. It seemed as if everyone there was in love with real estate, just as I am. I learned so many valuable things. They have clear goals and agendas. They make the events worthwhile for everyone.
Now I feel as if I can conquer the world! …Well, at least the Twin Cities. It really made me see how I can take my career further and it gave me the tools to do it. At the same time, it also made me want to get more involved with the industry nationally.
If you haven’t had a chance, attend your local YPN chapter events. It will truly benefit your career.
Brooke Wolford is a REALTOR® with Edina Realty, Hastings, Minn. Follow her blog at strugglingrookierealestateagent.blogspot.com.
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