We were lucky to catch up with Christine McKinnell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you ever experienced an industry-wide U-Turn? Tell us about it?

Having been in the real estate industry since the early 90’s I have seen ups, downs, unknowns and U-turns. Thankfully the Atlanta Metro market does not experience the sharp increases and declines as say California and Florida. Like others, we have our issues. As a professional you have to be adaptable and well versed in changes very quickly. The ebb and flow is generally on a ten year cycle. Guess what coincides with this, new agents getting licensed and others getting out of real estate. Real estate is more like a round about!

As a constant student, I view myself as an educator not a sales person. Focusing on serving over the immediate outcome.
Short sales and foreclosures happened, learn and serve. Like the rest of the country, we have a squatter/scammer issue. Thankfully our legislature addressed it to aid the property owners and investors. Being up on state and local codes and laws and the federal government as it pertains to interest rates, etc if vital.

A hot topic with clients and friends is the national NAR case as it pertains to commissions. Here in Georgia it is a non issue as we have had Buyer Agency since the mid 1990s. For the Buyers and Sellers it is business as usual. For some agents, it is a new conversation. For all of us, there are new documents and new conversations. This issue alone may cause agents to leave. Adaptation in this industry is key!

A hobby of mine is generational marketing. Out of that Downsize Georgia was created! Again, adaptation is key in this industry. The largest generation, Baby Boomers, are in the process of downsizing and we have services created just for them. The second largest, Generation Y, is in the process of purchasing their first home. Hence, we created the First Key Club.

For me, real estate is more of a round about than a U-Turn. Getting in, successfully find your turn, keep circling or hesitate and go no where.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Christine McKinnell relocated to Metro Atlanta from Ohio in 1990. Being a dedicated community volunteer, she has held positions at her church, in her neighborhood as HOA President, School Council President, Fundraising Chair and Pope Orchestra Booster Club President. She is also a graduate of Leadership Sandy Springs.

In her professional life Christine has been a licensed Realtor since 1996. With a focus on corporate relocation & those downsizing. Christine knows how to maneuver stressful situations with ease and grace. Clients consistently reference her ethical approach, determination, and perseverance in ensuring their goals are met. Historic homes and neighborhoods hold a special place in Christine’s heart.

The adventure of forming M&M Co with her partner, Melissa Mayeux, is invigorating. They have the same motto “Have fun and Get Things Done”! She and her partner have grown their team and are mentoring new agents as they begin their careers in real estate.

Christine & her husband John are currently enjoying being Lolly and Pop to their granddaughters, Ares and Anna. Weekends they are renovating their home back to the style of the 1950’s

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Well, I have previously had a business partner and been on a team. Neither were successful, for me. Then I met Melissa Mayeux.

I’m loyal. Loyal to a fault. I had been with my previous brokerage for 21 years. A new marriage and a move to a new area was a catalyst to change brokerages. Leaving an internationally known brand for a boutique firm was interesting.

One night, it is just me and another agent in the office. Unfortunately, she is on a call with her daughter, which I can hear. Myself having a twenty something start talking after her call. We chat about our kids and their decisions and have a good laugh. You know, they think we were never their age and are so dumb!

She and her team leave the brokerage but we remain in touch. We both were doing some transaction coordinating for other agents and decided, why not start a business together. During our numerous planning meetings, at a local coffee shop, I’m discovering we are very similar in values, ethics and we truly vibed! (Past experiences have left me leary of having agents as friends) I liked her as a person, as a friend! One day, I say, “Why don’t we work together?”. She says, “We are!” We laugh and I clarify, as partners in real estate.

When you find the right person you feel it, in your gut. Don’t overlook or second guess -go with it!

Our chemistry is something I have never had with a colleague. Others comment on it. We are not just business partners, but friends. We travel together. We take care of eachothers granddaughters. We still laugh about our twenty somethings!!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Real estate is a personal industry. You are intimately involved with clients making the largest purchase of their life. It’s emotional.

Real estate is also 100% commission based. Some things are out of your control. Interest rates. If a closing (pay day) happens or not. You have to hustle in this business if you are supporting yourself and a family.

When my son’s father filed for divorce, I was devastated. Emotionally and financially wrecked. For over a year he had not been making mortgage payments. He not only “screwed” my friend but financially screwed me and his son. While it may appear that real estate professionals earn a big commission at closing it does not accurately reflect the countless hours and expenses exhausted. We spend money, a lot of money, prior to earning any money.

I was looking at foreclosure on my house -the only home my son knew, a near empty bank account and questioning my career. How can I be a single mother in a commission only career, pay attorneys, keep a roof over our heads and survive?
My head was swirling. Do I change careers? Get an hourly pay job? My focus was my child and always being there for him, because real estate had afforded me that luxury. I prayed and prayed hard. Adopted the Let Go, Let God mantra.

My Broker directed me to a team in our office hiring and Operations Manager. Ah, I could breathe. It was hard to shift from working for myself to working for someone else. If you have that entrepreneurial spirit, it is hard to break. It is who you are. I then moved to a Buyer’s Agent position with a top agent. While this got me “back in the field” and provided a great income I felt muzzled and restrained.

One thing I learned was “what you focus on expands”. I needed to focus on my clients and friends. My entire career I have worked by referral only. Never spending marketing dollars on the general public, instead focusing on building and maintaining relationships with people I knew and loved. If I was taking time away from my son, I wanted it to be serving people I knew, that knew me, people I enjoyed being around.

My divorce was deemed High Conflict, took years and the cost was well into the five figures. Being at the lowest point in my life forced me to look inward. Self reflection and talking with friends that supported my business changed my professional trajectory. I jumped back in fully to being an agent, back to my roots. It felt so good!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.downsizegeorgia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mm_corealty/