Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Claire Konkos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Claire thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I manage my own social media accounts, with Instagram being my mainstay. The platform allows me to story tell and share in a manner that’s utterly unique to me, so I would never consider hiring a company to create my Real Estate Content! Lead Generation in Sales is all about consistency, and for Realtors the tactics have historically been: cold calling, door knocking, open houses and using phone/print/email/direct contact to reach your sphere of influence. I started out 5 years ago with weekly open houses and quarterly pop by gifts to my direct neighborhood, clients and local acquaintances. An Agent at my Brokerage shared a training on using Instagram for self promotion and this just sparked! I realized that this was a free tool, and that I could simply chronicle my daily life as an Agent: showings, properties, stories from the field, my pop by creations, and new learnings. I wasn’t making much money yet, but I had time and deep reserves of creativity! Visual displays with flat lays, community videos, monthly newsletters and self narrated videos showcasing design trends and market data became the regular building blocks of my accounts.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I enjoy using stories to share quirky aspects of my daily adventures as a working mother, Realtor, Vizsla owner, historic Phoenix homeowner, food lover, gardener and thrifter/project hound. What’s fun and affirming is that social media has become a space for me to flex many skills, including my background in Creative Writing, Drama and Public School Education. I’m sharing myself in what I hope is an authentic manner, and have gained the following of my personal sphere of influence gradually. Friends, family, acquaintances and clients see me working and growing daily, and remember me as a dedicated Realtor when it’s time to chose an Agent or share a Referral.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m very proud of what I’ve built over the past five years in the industry, and am adapting now to a slowing market and an uncertain future for Realtors in general. Total closings in the greater Phoenix area (Maricopa County) are down nearly 50% from their peak in 2021, and with interest rates well above 5%, many buyers are waiting to make a purchase or are unable to enter the market. There has also been some recent litigation around the payment of Agent commissions that may ultimately make my work more challenging. I am very fulfilled working as a Realtor and and am determined to withstand these changes. There were periods during the hectic days of 2020 – 2022 when I felt consumed by work and seldom had a day off. This current environment is an opportunity to continue my education and I am working towards my Graduate Realtor Institute Certification. I’m grateful for the space to be more present and value the extra time with my school age daughters. Meanwhile, I am staying consistent with the tools that originally helped me build my business: open houses, engaging with my sphere and consistent presence on social media.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve grown to accept the idea that I can’t do everything or be everything. In my first few years as an Agent, in addition to traditional residential real estate, I tried out commercial sales, land sales, full scale home staging and leases. While new experiences are opportunities for growth, one must also manage risk and be an expert in their field. I now prefer to refer business to another professional if it’s not in my area of expertise. While I will no longer take commercial clients or land sales, I’ve embraced managing the occasional lease listing and promote myself as an Agent who can also consult on home styling and light staging.

Contact Info:

• Website: ClaireKonkos.com
• Instagram: Claire Konkos Real Estate Styles
• Facebook: Claire Konkos Real Estate
• Linkedin: Claire Konkos