Welcome to The Agent Edge: Episode 5! In this podcast episode, we are joined by Ronnie Hackett and Cyrena Bulahan from our Newport Beach office. This team has been in real estate for about five years, with several of them noteworthy for sales. In 2014, the duo closed over $42 million in volume, and in 2015 over $52 million. Together, they received the Chairman's Circle Platinum award in 2014 and the Chairman's Circle Diamond Award in 2015 for their outstanding work among Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents nationwide. In this show, you'll learn how two real estate newbies grew their business in just five years, why they chose to start with leases even though everyone told them not to, and how they've expanded their business. You'll also learn:

• How starting with leases changed their business
• How their approach to open houses helped to draw attention to their business
• Why farming regularly is critical to real estate
• How they were able to gain market share in one community in less than six months
• Why agents should focus on selling a lifestyle rather than a property

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ronnie Hackett bio
• Cyrena Bulahan bio
• Team website
• Newport Beach office website

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Agent Edge! We'd love to hear your feedback about this podcast. Leave us a note in the comments section below.

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Welcome to The Agent Edge: Episode 4! In today's podcast we are joined by Dan Encell from the Montecito office. In 2014, Dan closed over $69 million in volume, and he's on track to exceed that record in 2015. Since beginning his real estate career in 1988, Dan has received many top-producer awards. In this show, you'll hear about Dan's passions outside of real estate, how he transitioned from a career in law to a career in real estate, and his own business best practices. In this episode, you'll learn:

• The two things you need to be passionate about in order to be a successful real estate agent
• Why Dan's direct-mail approach is well-known, and why each piece performs so well 
• Why working for or with someone can benefit new agents
• The difference between what's important and what's a priority
• How Dan's approach can be translated into any real estate market

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dan Encell biography
• Dan Encell's website
• Montecito Office

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Agent Edge! We'd love to hear any feedback you’d like to share. Leave us a note in the comments section below.

Today’s guest is Jo Ann Mermis from our Montecito office. Jo Ann is a top-producing agent who was first licensed in 1985 and has over 30 years’ experience in the real estate field.

 In today’s show you’ll hear from Jo Ann how a girl from Kansas moved to Santa Barbara and transitioned from stay-at-home mom to real estate titan. She delves into both her personal story and just how valuable her network was to her early real estate days and her career today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Unique ways to build your personal network
• How necessity can motivate your business
• How time management can allow you to accomplish more
• Why prospecting properties is so important
• Why she’s been with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties for over half her real estate career

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jo Ann Mermis biography
• Jo Ann Mermis website
• Montecito office website
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties website
• Freedom to Choose Foundation

Today’s guest is Nancy Sanborn from the Beverly Hills office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. She’s one of our elite producers and has been in real estate for over 30 years. In 2014 alone, she closed 100 transactions. Nancy is a 15-year Legend Award winner, she’s won Chairman’s awards ever since she’s been with the company, and often among the top 100 producers in our company.

Hear why Nancy calls herself an “accidental tourist,” how she switched her career from teaching to real estate, which Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties all-star was her agent, how structure has improved her business, and more. Nancy shows you how to be a successful agent, while still having a successful real estate career.