We have a two-for-one special today, folks. Representing Team Balestra is Missy Balestra, who left her life as a 6-figure attorney to become a realtor and never looked back. We also have Jadiz Marshall with insight into how it is working with Missy and transitioning from an independent agent to part of a team.
Melissa Balestra is a realtor with many backgrounds. She is well known as Missy, and in January 2019, she found herself at a crossroads. Missy had been a paralegal for 17 years, and 10 years into that career, she decided to move from the office to owning her own virtual paralegal business. She owned her own business for 7 years until her main attorney chose to shut down his firm and let her go. It was then Missy decided to become a realtor. With her good nature and kind heart, this was the career she knew she was meant for.
In this episode, we dive into the secret sauce behind Team Balestra’s success and consistent results.
[00:00 - 12:55] Being a Trailblazer
- Get to know Missy and Jadiz’s backgrounds.
- Missy shares her story of going from a paralegal to a realtor.
- What led Missy to Century 21.
[12:56 - 20:55] Expanding Your Circle of Influence
- Missy talks about how she helped manage learning curves in the broker.
- Being relationship-driven over money driven.
- Keep your clients updated on the latest happenings in the real estate market.
- The benefits of working with a team of professionals.
[20:56 - 27:26] Building Your Own Business Within the Business
- Missy’s personal development and team development strategies.
- The importance of Missy’s first hire.
- How coaching and education shortened the learning curve.
- Managing transaction coordination through social media.
[27:27 - 33:10] Agents Need to Constantly Put Out Fresh Content
- Missy talks about her content strategy—3 posts a day, not always about real estate.
- What you say is not as important as the fact that you’re saying it.
- Get out into the community and make content.
- The essential part of social media is that people see you and are reminded of you.
[33:11 - 42:54] Good Realtors are Good Problem Solvers
- You don’t know who knows who—don’t turn anyone away based on numbers.
- The beauty of using real estate to help people with problems.
- Missy talks about her new territories in Nassau County and how they are expected to grow.
- Affordable housing in Nassau County is a challenge, but it can be navigated.
[42:55 - 51:56] Giving Up Control to Free Yourself Up
- Missy talks about overcoming her reluctance to hire a transaction coordinator.
- How hiring people can free you up to get into the community and build relationships.
- Jadiz shares what it’s like to work at Century 21.
- The importance of getting into the office and having face time with your team.
[51:57 - 59:43] Real Estate Agents Need to Show Up
- Why consistency is essential in real estate transactions.
- The benefits of following and getting mentorship from top agents.
- Learning from the mistakes of other agents.
- Building up the strengths of yourself and your team.
[59:44 - 1:05:27] Chosen for Professionalism, Famous for Results
- Why you should call Missy if you’re interested in Nassau County.
- Why you need to work with people who care about people, not money.
- Jadiz talks about the service she can deliver that no one else can.
[1:05:28 - 1:09:05] Top Agents Nassau County
- 2-minute warning round—get to know Missy and Jadiz.
- Who you know or what you know?
Quotes:
“No matter what broker you work for, we’re all competitors. We all work to get leads… Know your self-worth and what you want to do to stand out.” - Missy Balestra
“I feel that you should be relationship-driven. Because when you’re relationship-driven and not money-driven, the money will come.” - Jadiz Marshall
Connect with Missy on LinkedIn and Twitter. Let team Balestra find you the home of your dreams at www.teambalestra.com/melissa-balestra/.
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