Wondering how top agents stay ahead in a changing market?
In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence podcast, host interviews Carrie Fife. Carrie is an esteemed Real Estate Advisor based in Jacksonville, Florida. Boasting over a decade of industry expertise with deeply rooted ties to the region, Carrie is renowned for her comprehensive grasp of the local market. Beyond her professional pursuits, Carrie is passionately engaged in community service, collaborating closely with a non-profit organization to establish a buddy support system through sponsorships. Committed to promoting accountability and fostering a sense of belonging within the community, she actively contributes to initiatives aimed at social betterment. Embracing a faith-driven lifestyle, Carrie finds solace and joy in her outdoor adventures alongside her Labrador Retriever, Belle.
Carrie talks about her transition from a career in insurance to the builder world, and finally to retail real estate. She shares insights from her journey, including the professional skills she brought from her previous roles, the challenges of the real estate industry, and the importance of structure and perseverance. She touches upon the impact of economic shifts on real estate, the significance of having a thorough business model, and the value of nurturing relationships in the industry.
Tune in to this episode as Carrie shares her experience highlights the need for grit and adaptability to succeed in real estate!
Highlights
00:00 - 03:58 Carrie Fife: Builder Site Agent to Realtor
· We welcome Carrie Fife!
· Her career transition from working in insurance for over 12 years.
· Entering the builder world and eventually moving into retail real estate sales.
Her award-winning work from 2016 to 2020 and her involvement in volunteering.
Her skills she transferred from her previous career to succeed in real estate.
· Her current role with Keller Williams St. John's.
03:59 - 11:41 Consistency and Structure in Real Estate
· Carrie’s early career decision-making at 18, where she worked in corporate America with Zurich insurance services.
· Her transition through various roles within the company, including customer service and policy management.
· Her initial reluctance to leave a structured corporate job and layoffs led her to explore real estate.
· The value of grit and perseverance in navigating career changes.
11:42 - 28:05 Importance of Training and Education
· Focusing on a unique concept called LLC, which stands for love, trust, and commitment.
· Carrie’s experiences in the real estate industry, particularly in home building.
· Her transition from home building to general real estate, stressing the importance of consistency in business practices.
· The emotional and long-lasting bonds formed with clients and the challenges of maintaining financial stability in a fluctuating market.
28:06 - 40:27 Understanding Inventory and Payment Flexibility
· The importance of training and development for salespeople in both the construction and general real estate industries.
· How builders often train their sales agents in both product knowledge and sales techniques.
· The differences between working as a sales manager for a builder versus a general real estate agent under a brokerage.
· The importance of creating relationships between site agents and general agents.
· Prospecting strategies during downtime.
· The significance of having contacts within the builder community for faster information exchange to benefit clients.
40:28 - 47:44 Marketing Strategies and Tools
· The experiences and strategies of a real estate professional in Northeast Florida.
· The challenges of working with limited inventory.
· The importance of understanding fees like HOA and CDD for homebuyers.
· Her personal decision to direct clients to DreamFinders homes despite lower commissions.
· Focusing on the value of long-term relationships and creating structures and routines in daily work.
· The significance of consistent prospecting and goal-setting to achieve real estate success.
· The discipline required to maintain these habits and the reflection on outcomes to evaluate business effectiveness.
47:45 - 01:09:03 The Importance of Collaboration and Conclusion
· The strategies and experiences of real estate agents.
· Having a structured marketing approach like newsletters and sold postcards.
· The significance of financial stability before entering real estate.
· The pros and cons of working for builders versus general real estate.
· The necessity of continuous prospecting.
· Adjusting business models in response to economic shifts.
· The valuable role of mentorship and collaboration within brokerages such as Keller Williams. The importance of consistency, leveraging resources, and adapting to market changes for long-term success.
Quotes:
“It’s much easier for me to sell it if I believe in the product.” – Carrie Fife
“I needed the business models to be able to support what my goals were.” – Carrie Fife
“There are some benefits with working for a builder, which is the leads come to you. You're in a community for years and with that marketing, it does a great job with driving traffic to your community.” – Carrie Fife
To contact Carrie Fife, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrie_fife_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.fife80
If you want to build your business and become more discoverable online, Streamlined Media has you covered. Check out how they can help you build an evergreen revenue generator all powered by content creation!
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.