Expert Advice on Real Estate Team Makeovers – Mary Strimple

On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Mary Strimple!

To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…

Here’s what you missed from Mary Strimple…

The conversation began with a word association icebreaker on sellers’ market, amortization, and more. Mary then introduces herself as not just a real estate agent, but also a multifaceted individual with various roles and interests. In less than 60 seconds, she introduces herself as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and someone who finds joy in activities like cooking, exercising, and walking her dog.

Mary’s expertise lies in serving the real estate market of Aurora, a 25-square-mile town located between Akron and Cleveland. While she occasionally caters to northeast Ohio, her primary focus is her local community. Being deeply involved in her town, she is well aware of the location and its surrounding areas. In terms of market conditions, Mary acknowledges that like many other communities, Aurora is grappling with limited inventory. However, she mentions the positive development of new construction projects that offer one-floor living style homes, specifically ranch-style properties, which contribute to the available inventory.

When it comes to average pricing, Mary highlights that the range for homes in Aurora is between 400,000 and 600,000 dollars. Additionally, she emphasizes the presence of luxury properties alongside more affordable options for first-time buyers at lower price points. These varying price ranges reflect the diversity of homes available within the market.

For many years, Mary had the privilege of working alongside a couple of trusted associates who eventually moved on to pursue bigger opportunities. While she understood and supported their personal growth, parting ways with her team was challenging. Replacing the cohesive relationship they had built over the years proved to be a difficult task, and Mary attempted to bring in new team members on and off throughout that period. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, everything changed. The shift in work dynamics forced Mary to adapt quickly and work more independently. She found herself continuously engaged in the business, handling various aspects on her own. During this time, Mary came to a realization that she missed the one-on-one interaction with clients and the deep involvement in every transaction from start to finish.

Working with a team, although it had its benefits, presented challenges in terms of management and running the operations smoothly. Mary discovered that this wasn’t bringing her the joy and fulfillment she sought in her career. Instead, what truly brought her satisfaction was being fully immersed in the entire transaction process and building strong connections with her clients. Finding the perfect balance between autonomy and client interaction became Mary’s ultimate goal. She recognized that this was the key to creating a fulfilling and rewarding real estate career.

Over the years, Mary has observed changes in the real estate market that impact the type of updates she recommends to clients. In the current market, there are certain updates she no longer needs to suggest as they have become more common and expected by buyers. This shift highlights the evolving trends and buyer preferences in the industry. Mary emphasizes that the backlog of buyers is not solely due to an overwhelming number of buyers, but rather a lack of available inventory.

When asked about the content that has motivated or inspired her for the better, Mary shares a quote from her former manager that has stuck with her throughout her career. She recalls her manager frequently reminding her that without actively participating and being present in her business, she wouldn’t truly have a business at all. The quote encouraged her to consistently put in the effort, remain dedicated, and never give up. Mary finds this quote to be simple yet profoundly true. It serves as a constant reminder of the significance of active engagement and unwavering determination in achieving success.

The conversation concludes with Kevin asking Mary about her definition of success. In response, Mary shares that she measures success through her own happiness and personal fulfillment. She emphasizes that having a loving husband, great children, and beautiful grandchildren are the foundation of her happiness.

Check out Mary Strimple:

https://www.facebook.com/mary.strimple

https://www.facebook.com/sellnortheastohiohomes

https://www.instagram.com/marystrimple/

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