In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy interviews Toby and Jenna Elkins of the Elkins Group at Momentum Realty. This husband and wife team have had an incredible success story in the real estate industry, closing 25 million worth of deals in 2022 and serving 67 families.
Toby and Jenna will discuss how they overcame challenges related to cold calling, working through the kinks of their business, and negotiating deals for infection reports. They will also share key strategies they use when it comes to pricing, customer experience, virtual showings for those in the military, and building relationships with lenders and transaction coordinators.
Tune in to this informative discussion with Toby and Jenna Elkins as they reveal the secrets to success in their journey through the real estate world!
[00:00 - 06:29] From Navy Veteran to Real Estate Powerhouse
- Toby served in the Navy for 13 years and earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia College.
- Toby grew up in Pinetop Arizona, played college baseball, and worked odd jobs before joining the Navy.
- Jenna was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts, went to Northeastern University, and worked in corporate event planning for 12 years.
[06:29 - 12:43] From High School Class President to Navy Veteran
- Class president in high school.
- Internship college for six months of work and six months of school.
- Met significant other at a party in Arizona.
- Joined Navy and stationed in Maine.
- Got degree while in Navy.
- Decided to pursue real estate after Navy career.
[12:43 - 19:13] Overcoming Struggles to Succeed in Real Estate
- Elkins Group was formed at the end of the first year.
- Jenna joined and got her license towards the end of the first year.
- Jenna is a people person and loves community.
- Covid forced Jenna to try real estate as a backup plan.
- Jenna is not a fan of cold calling and has difficulty with rejection.
[19:13 - 25:13] Setting Expectations and Bonding with Customers
- Working out deals on infection reports and helping with negotiation obstacles.
- Creating momentum for events by using social media.
- Education is key to ensure customers know what's going on throughout the process.
- Setting expectations upfront with buyers and sellers is very important.
- Different personalities or male/female situations can affect customer bond.
- Listing appointments can be done together, with one person talking numbers and details and the other commenting on house placement.
[25:14 - 31:27] How to Start Planning Early and Succeed in Your Deals
- Pricing is everything in the real estate market.
- Setting expectations up front is important.
- Educating buyers on the current market is key.
- It's tough when customers insist on pricing higher than recommended.
- Veterans should start preparing for their transition to civilian life at least a year out.
- There are programs available to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.
- Veterans should get out of their comfort zone and be vulnerable when talking to people.
[31:28 - 38:07] Building Relationships: Transitioning Between Militarry and Civillian Lives
- Self-discipline and structure are important for success in the real estate, as in the military, but civillians don’t always have that level of discipline.
- Perspective is key to understanding the differences between military and civilian life.
- Command decisions are necessary to move forward and take action.
- Building relationships with people you trust is essential.
- Having a lender and transaction coordinator can provide peace of mind and take a load off.
[38:08 - 44:35] Finding Your Niche in Prospecting: How to 10x Your Business Through Cold Calling and Facebook Outreach
- Self-motivation is key to success in real estate.
- Building a community of people around you that have your back is important.
- Interacting and mingling with quality people in the industry is essential.
- Everyone has something to share.
- Effectiveness is oftentimes related to how many people know you.
- Making connections and showing up to events is important.
- Reaching out on social media can be a successful way of prospecting.
- Cold calling can also be effective.
[44:35 - 50:29] Helping Deployed Military Buy Homes: The Benefits of Virtual Showings and Full Disclosure
- We do a lot of virtual showings and have had many referrals.
- Close quarters on ships leads to people talking and referring each other.
- Techniques used for virtual showings include accommodating to the buyer's schedule, building trust, disclosing everything, recording the video, and showing the neighborhood.
- Be careful not to give out wrong information or say the wrong things.
- Online notary available for buyers who don't want to waste leave when they return.
[50:30 - 56:43] Reaching Out to Clients: The Elkins Group's Personal Touch Brings Results
- CRM used to keep track of customers and follow up every 30-45 days via call, text, or email
- Customers become friends and recommend others
- Customer appreciation campaigns such as sending handwritten Thanksgiving cards with a Starbucks gift card
[56:43 - 03:39] Balancing Professional and Personal Relationships as a Husband and Wife Real Estate Team
- Adding personal touches to business transactions.
- Engaging with clients on social media.
- Constantly educating oneself on the real estate industry.
- Focusing on making the business profitable.
- Balancing professional and personal relationships while working as a husband and wife real estate team.
[03:39 - 10:06] Navigating Conflict and Disagreement as a Team
- The importance of building relationships in real estate.
- Understanding that success in real estate requires hard work and dedication.
- Having a good system for decision making and problem solving as a team.
- Using strengths and weaknesses to negotiate.
- Focusing on income producing activities.
- Handling conflicts and disagreements between each other.
[10:06 - 16:58] Unique Challenges and Benefits of Working as a Couple
- Benefits include building a community of friends, creating relationships with clients, and being able to work together.
- Challenges include making sure systems are smooth and figuring out how to give each other space.
- Success is due to focusing on prospecting, meeting people, and building relationships.
- The Elkins Group is dedicated to the customer, honest about what they know, and makes customers feel like part of the family.
[16:59 - 21:03] "Connect with the Best of the Best: Join Our Real Estate Excellence Community"
- It is important to have a team of smarter people to back you up
- Focus on what you know and build relationships
- Knowledge is key, and it increases based on who you know
- Who you know is also important in certain scenarios
- Connect with the best of the best by visiting tracyhayespodcast.com
Quotes:
"I'm just a very self-disciplined person to begin with. When I have my mindset to something I'm I'm gonna get it done." -Jenna Elkins
"The key to succeeding with clients is making sure that they're informed throughout the process, and making sure that you know there's not a lot of lag in between the times that we're communicating with them." - Jenna Elkins
"Real estate is not about having a free time and doing an easy work. On the contrary, you’ve got to be on top of our game.You gotta work. It's a lot of hard work." -Toby Elkins
"It's all about give and take. Being a good real estate agent is about negotiating to the point where everyone feels like they’re winning. That’s what makes a good agent, and what you need to focus on with your clients.” -Toby Elkins
Make contact with Jenna and Toby to learn more about their business and their approach, or work with them yourself, by visiting and following their social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/tobyelkinsrealtor/
https://www.instagram.com/elkinsgroup/
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