Real Producers Magazine – Love our featured article

   Thanks Lori Mares for composing this.  Great info!

 

It is Time to Get LOUD!

A group of local Realtors working in cooperation with each other have dedicated themselves to changing the way retiring Real Estate Agents think about the value and future of their business and their sphere as the retirement years approach, or even as life events keep the agent from working to their full potential.

Insight & Guidance

Led by seasoned Realtors Tom Ebenhack, Lori Mares, Heather Shallenberger, Nancy Hennessey, Leah Reeder, and Adrian Alejandro, this versatile group of agents offering many years of experience has been quietly helping fellow agents to maintain a Real Estate presence through life changes affecting work for over 7 years.

Well, Folks – IT IS TIME TO GET LOUD!

As an industry, Real Estate has shied away from talking about RETIREMENT – it is never a topic of conversation and there are no classes. Very few if any Brokerages have a solid reliable plan in place to accommodate Realtors in need of support that offers that agent ongoing care and nurturing of their sphere, in that agent’s name, during their absence. These life changes are not limited to retirement. Stepping Up! has offered professional assistance to Realtors who have relocated to other states and countries, agents who have health issues requiring recovery time, agents taking on careers in site sales and agents living through life changes such as caring for a child or a parent.

What happens to all those relationships a Realtor builds over years of service? The thought of pulling these relationships into something sustainable in the agent’s absence is overwhelming. Too many professionals simply walk away from their business, leaving valuable
relationships and retirement money on the table. It is time for real, workable options!

The Stepping Up! Team offer Realtors guidance and insight into a wide range of options Realtors should be considering when they foresee an interruption in business whether it be temporary or permanent. Tom, Lori, Heather, Nancy, Leah, and Adrian have actionable plans that assist Realtors in preparing themselves and their sphere for the upcoming changes. They help Realtors navigate the pros and cons of each option, allowing the agent to decide for themselves which option best suits each professional’s specific needs.

You should know the Stepping Up! team leads will be the first to tell you the plan they have to offer is not always the best one. Remember One Size Does Not Fit All? And they mean it. 

Which option is best for you?
There are many to consider:

1. A family member – By far the best plan out there, IF the family member is capable, willing, and stable enough to step into an agent’s big shoes. Stepping Up! can help with backup plans too.
2. Business partner – Another great option, again IF your partner is ready!
3. Selling your book of business (your address book) – This is the most often considered option, and the worst! It is very misunderstood and you need to know why.
4. Buy-sell agreements – A possibility. Maybe an essential even with partners or family.
5. Broker Referral Programs – Often not your best option, unless you want minimal income.
6. Professional Partnerships – Some amazing results here! We can talk to you about that.

There are pros and cons with each of the above plans and they can differ depending upon your individual situation. And you will need to know the red flags and pitfalls of each. Plus, what the Commissioner and ADRE say about it all? And how do you structure each?

Your clients DO have value. Stepping Up! can help you extract the maximum for you and protect these valued clients at the same time. Some Realtors want to give it all up and never talk with their clients again, others would like to maintain contact, but not do the transaction work. It can be difficult to give up your many years of connections entirely and just plain walk away from it. These are very important considerations. Stepping Up! has walked many agents through the process, it may be just the solution you or an agent you know needs.

If you have a vision of living more and working less…earning more and working less…or, doing anything that requires you to be working less…Stepping Up! wants to be part of that discussion. 

Call 520-425-6052 for a confidential appointment or visit one of our upcoming classes. A group of local It is never too early to plan your future!

Free! Continuing Education Class
Exit Strategies for Realtors!
Commissioners Standard CE Credit – 3 hours
Wednesday, May 20 @ TAR