Why I’m Building a Real Estate Team

Growth. Leverage. There are so many good buzzwords out there these days when it comes to business.

I love being busy, but I don’t love being exhausted. With historically low inventory and interest rates, plus a massive buyer pool, this market has propelled Realtors into warp speed! It’s been this way for a while, and there’s no slowdown in sight.

We are listing, selling, listing, selling, and sometimes selling before even getting a home listed on the market. It’s mayhem! Meanwhile, I have three sweet kids who are thriving in their extracurriculars, and I can’t stand the thought of missing any of it! Add in a husband who commutes to Indy and a sweet new puppy, and well, let’s just say that my life is crazy.

So, it was time to ease the burden and maneuver toward work/life counterbalance. (I’m convinced work-life balance is an unattainable goal.) You probably know that my brother, Brian, has been my business partner since day one. And while he’s the managing broker and co-owner of The Russell Company (along with me), he’s also leading the way over at Brokerage Brewing Co and Craft Eats and working on some rental properties. He’s got a few irons in the fire, as they say.

And while I really hate established roles (ask my husband if he cooks and does laundry…), we’ve found there are some that just seem to work best for a real estate team structure. So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to my team.

Stephanie

My first partner in crime is my transaction coordinator, Stephanie. If you’ve purchased or sold a home with me in the past year or so, you’ve heard her name and likely gotten an email or two from her. She’s one of my biggest cheerleaders and keeps everything exactly on track. (There are no less than 27 timelines to manage once you put a house under contract, and she has mastered this process!) Also, if this gig didn’t work out for her, I’m convinced she’d make a great detective. She also has a strong meme game and keeps me rolling as I work through that inbox zero life.

Sarah

Marketing and branding yourself is a whole thing, and I couldn’t do it without Sarah’s brilliance! Nearly every postcard, email, or blog has come because of our brainstorming, my skeleton writing, and her copyediting finesse. She has extensive industry knowledge, and I’m convinced will someday author her own book. 

Andrea

Earlier this year, I hired an executive assistant, Andrea, and she has been the biggest breath of fresh air when it comes to this crazy Realtor life. Andrea manages my schedule (a massive job) along with so many of the tasks that come along with buyer showing appointments, establishing new seller clients, loving on our past clients, and taking care of everyone in between. She has extensive experience in administration and does her job with excellence. And she literally keeps track of everything. I haven’t lost a key in months! HA!

Scott and Darian

The biggest point of leverage came in hiring two fantastic buyer specialists to take on the buyer side of things. Scott and Darian have stepped up to the task and are fantastic at taking care of our buyer clients. Remember the warp speed I mentioned? Yes, they move at the speed of light. And as I’m working on new listing opportunities, they’re ensuring our buyers see any and all homes that might be a potential fit. (Which can be quite tricky with historically low inventory!) They’re door-knocking, hosting open houses, making phone calls, and doing nearly anything to get our buyer clients into homes!

As a self-professed control freak (again, ask my husband . . . no wait, don’t . . .), growing a real estate business has certainly come with pains. Entrusting you, my loyal customers and clients for life, with new faces is nerve-wracking. But I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to cross the finish line, and my standard of client care can be maintained as I bring other trusted people into my work. Phew! This growth and leverage thing turns out to be a win-win.