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

Ellen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Relationship and customer service focused is the way I run my business. There are so many times that I work for free, and I know many realtors can relate. Our industry can get a bad rap as many realtors are commission driven and it’s not pretty. I have had to let that part of my job go to some extent because I would be constantly frustrated. I feel better knowing that I can give my clients design tips, listing prep, honesty in what they should and should not purchase. I connect them with lenders, contractors, stagers, just about anyone they need on the buying and selling side of the process. If I simply wanted to sell a house, I wouldn’t dissuade clients from a home that I think would be a poor investment.

With the NAR settlement changing our business model to have us negotiate our commission on the sell AND buy side we are working harder than ever to provide something different to our clients that the “realtor services” can’t give them. Historically, sellers commit to paying the commission to both realtors. It’s worked out because when that seller goes to purchase a home, they were off the hook. Now, starting in July, the seller is no longer responsible for that commission.

I commit to my clients as their realtor, friend, advisor and Charlotte expert. I want to work with them for years to come so I give them 110% throughout the process and often that process can include looking at many, many houses until we find the 1! If we didn’t have a relationship, that process could be tedious. I am so lucky to have great clients that I look forward to seeing and I hope they always know I have their best interests at heart. If I was solely commission driven, I’m not sure their best interests would come first. Of course, I have to make a living so I am not saying I don’t want to make money, but sometimes the money can be very delayed. If that got under my skin, I would be in trouble.

I grew up in Charlotte and have lived in almost every neighborhood so I do consider myself a Charlotte expert, but every client wants something different so I also have to pay attention to what they deem important in a house. It could be something, seemingly trivial like a bathtub in a primary bath, but that is very important to them. I always say, we have to look at what you DON’T want as well as what you DO.

If we weren’t going thru so many changes in my industry, I wouldn’t be writing this, but I am having to show my value more than ever. Things I’ve always done for clients, ie bringing new bedding, mopping floors, planting pots, cutting back shrubs, blowing off porches, staging with my own accessories, the list continues………I am appreciating my own value more than ever. and bringing the importance of value up when I meet with new clients!

Let me know if I need to include more info…….

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a mover. I am currently in my 4th house in my current neighborhood where I’ve been for 10 years. That alone sets me apart because not only do I feel my clients pain of moving, I know the process well. I know what a house needs to look and feel like to sell quickly and I also have a good eye for the next new investment area. I can immediately see a great investment and what location and home will appreciate quickly, that’s probably my super power which is why I have moved several times in recent years.

I take a personal interest in each of my clients. I want them to get the best house for them and I also want them to be able to sell their current home quickly!

I think my honesty is one of my more helpful traits in buying a house, making a home look amazing is my trait in selling.

I love what I do, prior to real estate, real estate was my hobby. While raising my 3 children, I taught exercise as my job, now exercise is my hobby!

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

I hate to choose the first drop down, but realtors are nothing if not resilient. Daily! We can loose out on deals because of this crazy market. Homes are going for hundred of thousands of dollars over asking price. I can’t advise my buyers to do that unless I know it’s the perfect house and they would be devastated if they lost out on it. It’s a pressure cooker and tough when they do lose a house to multiple offers and their offer should have been enough!

I have to stay up beat for them even though we could have lost a few houses already.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source is a referral from a past client. If a previous client refers me, I know I’ve done my job well! I always give that past client a nice gift because I so appreciate their faith in me.

Contact Info:

• Website: ellenkellyhomes.com
• Instagram: @ellenkellyhomes
• Facebook: ellen Preston kelly