Learn How She Put Together 40+ Deals in Year One:
Getting a real estate license is a lot easier than getting a real estate career – many try but most fail. The old 80/20 rule is in full effect in the industry – 80% of the business is done by 20% of the agents. It’s a particularly tough business when you are just starting out. Imagine moving to a new state and starting a career in real estate? On top of that, imagine joining a new brokerage that nobody in the market has heard of before. That’s exactly what Shannon Carrigan did, and oh by the way, she also closed 31 transactions with 12 more pending all within her first 12 months of action.
To be fair, Shannon wasn’t completely new to the market, she did grow up on Grand Island but moved away for an extended period of time and just moved back from Dallas, after a 17 year hiatus. She was in the real estate field in Texas but didn’t practice residential real estate – she worked for a property management company. When she moved back to the Buffalo area in 2016, she decided to pursue a career in residential real estate. She spoke with all the big brokers but before making a decision, she answered an ad on Craigslist from Own NY Real Estate and sat down for a meeting with the Broker. The rest, as they say, is history.
So how does a new agent with no local sphere of influence join a start-up independent firm and put 40+ deals on the board in year one, out of nowhere? Let’s find out with a little Q&A:
Why did you decide to go with a start-up brokerage?
I followed my instincts. When I met with, or talked to, the larger, established brokerages, it didn’t feel right. I knew it wasn’t a good fit which is why I responded to the CL add to begin with. When I met with Jody Desnoyers, I knew Own NY was the place for me. His passion and vision are what ultimately sold me. I have never second guessed that decision.
Ok, so how’d you do it – to what do you attribute the fast start?
Jody was the best mentor I could have asked for. His experience in lead conversion, coupled with his belief in what we were doing was all I needed to get off to a great start.
Did you spend a lot of money on marketing to help get all those transactions?
Zero.
Really? So can you share the secret sauce?
Well, one of the reasons I chose Own NY was for the broker-provided leads and they were as advertised. That said, Jody will tell you leads are only as good as the agent receiving them and you’ve got to have a strong work ethic, people skills and utilize best practices for lead conversion. You can’t teach work ethic but if you have that with a willingness to learn – its not a secret but that’s the path to success.
What else can you tell us about your experience?
It’s been quite a year. Initially it was just Jody and I but the company has grown to include 10 more agents and office staff. I can say without hesitation that had I began my Real Estate career in any other brokerage, I would not have made it to the one year mark. Instead of talking with you today, I would be exploring other career paths in order to be able to provide for my family.
How’s everything looking for you as you start year two?
As I head into my second year with Own NY, I am growing a team of agents to work with me as well as helping to grow the company. My sphere of influence is growing, as is my knowledge and confidence from the vast experience I gained in year one. I am so excited for 2018 and the great things that are coming from my career at Own NY.
Any advice for others that are getting started in the business or even other veterans who might want to increase their transaction volume?
If you are a new or experienced agent, I highly recommend sitting down with Jody and finding out what we have to offer you at whatever point you are in your career