We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Vogel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Some of the biggest trends in the real estate industry today center around advancements in digital technology.

The internet and digital technology have been slowly changing the face of real estate for the last two decades. With the proliferation of online listings and real estate websites, buyers and sellers have gained access to a wealth of information about properties, neighborhoods, market trends, and more. The use of digital technology has made it possible for real estate transactions to be conducted primarily online, from submitting offers to signing contracts. These changes have made the buying and selling process more transparent, efficient and convenient.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the use of digital technology became invaluable and the transformations within the real estate industry since have been incredible. 3D imaging and virtual reality technology have allowed buyers to tour properties from anywhere in the world without having to physically visit the location. It saves time and money and allows for a more immersive and interactive experience. Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are now being used to analyze large amounts of data to provide valuable insights into the real estate market. AI-powered chatbots are being used to provide customer support and automate routine tasks such as scheduling appointments. And social media sites such as Tik-Tok have increased the importance of visual content in marketing, emphasizing the use of short, attention-grabbing videos to capture viewers’ attention and generate leads.

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.

As a stay-at-home mom, I have explored different work from home options over the years, especially once my three daughters were all in school fulltime. I started making and selling jewelry online and at craft/art shows and eventually opened a small artisan boutique where we lived in Tennessee. I had a lot of fun tapping into my artistic side and getting to know other talented artists in the area, but when we moved to Ohio in 2016, I had to close my store and no longer had the space for my art. So, I shifted my focus to doing freelance web and graphic design work for my sister-in-law’s wedding magazine.

The work I did for the magazine was fun and challenging, but it didn’t take long for me to miss being out in the world, interacting with other people. In 2017, a friend suggested that I would be good at real estate. This wasn’t something that I had ever really considered before, but I found the idea intriguing. I’ve always loved houses, their stories and their designs. I also love being able to help people. Becoming a Realtor® seemed almost natural when I opened my mind to it. I got my real estate license in the fall of 2018 and haven’t looked back!

When I first started out as a Realtor®, my goals were simple: I wanted to work at my own pace while remaining available for my daughters and I wanted to make enough money to be able to travel more with my family. In 2019, however, my marriage ended, and those goals changed significantly. I suddenly had to build a career out of what was supposed to be supplemental income. I had to support myself and my children on my own, in a place where I knew few people and had a very short history.

When first becoming a Realtor®, new agents are taught to rely on their sphere of influence for business. Since I had no sphere to speak of in Ohio, I had to get creative. I tapped back into my experiences as an artist, web and graphic designer and small business owner. Over the last 4 years, I’ve slowly built my sphere on social media, and I created a website that offers what I hope to be useful and relevant content. I focus on being helpful, respectful and trustworthy. It hasn’t been easy, but through perseverance and staying true to myself, I believe I have made a name for myself here in Ohio… and it is a name that I am very proud of and hope to continue to grow for many years to come.

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

2019 was a year of big shifts for me, both in my career and my life in general. After being a Realtor® for only about 8 months, my marriage fell apart. It had been rocky for a while, but now it was over.

I became a Realtor® in the fall of 2018 for supplemental income. My then husband was the “bread winner” and our family had followed wherever his career had led him over the years. My main goal in getting my real estate license was to get out of the house some and to make enough money for us to travel more as a family. Getting divorced changed all of that.

Until this point, I hadn’t considered real estate as a career. But all of a sudden it became my lifeline. I had to shift my focus from part-time and casual to full-time and necessary. This meant changing everything from my marketing strategies and how I invested in my business to how far I was willing to step outside of my comfort zones.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy I’ve found for growing my clientele is just being honest and true to myself. I treat all of my clients as I would want to be treated. I value their time, I respect their boundaries and their wishes, and I always tell the truth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.HomeInGreeneCounty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifervogelrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifervogelrealtor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-vogel-408a923a/

Image Credits
headshots – Valerie Hawkins Photography