We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Mays a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
I had clients that had been looking for homes with me on and off for over 2 years. They finally found a home that they loved and wanted to make an offer on. There were multiple offers on the property but because of my communication with the listing agent and my reputation in the industry, we were able to get our offer accepted, despite not being the highest price. Once we were under contract on their new home, they also had a home that they needed to sell. While they didn’t need the proceeds to be able to close on the new house, it would be a much more ideal situation for them if they could. So within the week I went to the house to help them get it ready, got photos and the listing prepared, and had it live on the market. Within the first weekend, we received 3 offers and ended up accepting an offer for $20K over the list price with no financing or appraisal contingencies. This also set a neighborhood record for highest sales price. We were able to align both settlements to happen within a few days of each other and get a rent back for the home they were selling so they could not only use the proceeds to buy the new house, but also stay in their old home for a few extra weeks to allow updates to be done to the new one before they moved in. All of this happened over the holidays making it even more challenging to coordinate with everyone’s schedules and availability but we were able to get it done and all parties were happy in the end!
Natalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I come from a rich marketing background, having earned my degree from Towson University. Marketing and advertising have always been my passions, nurtured by my upbringing watching my father thrive in the real estate industry, flipping houses. Consequently, transitioning into real estate felt like a natural progression for me.
In 2018, I joined the esteemed VSells team as their Marketing Director. My role encompassed managing our social media presence, organizing events, and orchestrating both print and digital marketing strategies to bolster our sales. Within a remarkably short span, I absorbed invaluable insights into the nuances of the real estate realm, prompting me to pursue licensure and dive into home sales.
In my inaugural year, I quickly ascended to the rank of a top-producing agent within our team, a feat I attribute to my astute grasp of marketing principles. My approach hinges on establishing genuine connections with clients, empathetically discerning their desires and requirements to guide them towards optimal decisions.
Unlike agents driven solely by commission, I refuse to adopt a pushy demeanor. My priority lies in advocating for my clients’ best interests, ensuring they feel supported and represented throughout every transaction. The abundance of repeat business and referrals I receive stands as a testament to the trust I’ve earned in navigating my clients through their real estate journeys.
I take immense pride in the caliber of marketing and service I offer to all our clients. At VSells, we’re perpetually evolving, embracing innovative tools and techniques to elevate our listings and secure top-dollar sales. From leveraging platforms like Final Offer to pioneering drone photography and video marketing, we leave no stone unturned in maximizing our clients’ property potential.
Being part of the collaborative environment at VSells is a source of great pride for me. We engage in weekly discussions, sharing market insights, exchanging experiences, and continuously learning from one another. This collective effort ensures that each client receives nothing short of exceptional service, underscoring our commitment to excellence.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Becoming a mother for the first time has profoundly reshaped both my personal and professional landscapes. Prior to welcoming my daughter, I was fully immersed in real estate, readily available around the clock to accommodate my clients’ needs at a moment’s notice. Real estate was not just my livelihood; it was my identity.
However, with the arrival of my daughter, my priorities underwent a seismic shift. My focus now centers squarely on her well-being, necessitating a recalibration of my approach to work. This transition has been monumental, yet undeniably necessary. While my dedication to my career remains steadfast, the birth of my child has served as a poignant reminder of life’s true priorities.
Balancing work and motherhood has been a transformative journey. Previously, achieving a harmonious work-life equilibrium often eluded me. Yet, parenthood has afforded me the clarity to discern what truly matters in life. While business endeavors ebb and flow, the opportunity to nurture and guide my daughter is irreplaceable.
Recognizing the importance of clear communication, I’ve embraced the practice of setting transparent expectations with my clients from the outset. By articulating my availability upfront, I mitigate the risk of scheduling conflicts and ensure client satisfaction. Despite the frenetic pace of today’s real estate market, I’ve gleaned from my wealth of experience that proactive communication with both clients and fellow agents is paramount in circumventing scheduling complications and facilitating timely property viewings.
Moreover, being part of a dynamic team provides an invaluable support system. In instances where I’m unable to personally attend to a client’s needs, I can readily call upon a trusted colleague to step in and provide seamless assistance. This collaborative ethos underscores our team’s commitment to delivering unparalleled service, regardless of individual availability.
In essence, motherhood has instilled within me a newfound perspective on life and work. While my dedication to real estate endures, my foremost commitment lies in nurturing my daughter and fostering a balanced, fulfilling life for us both.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
My most fruitful avenue for acquiring new clients has undeniably been through leveraging my sphere of influence and harnessing the power of social media. These two channels synergize seamlessly, as many within my sphere are active participants on various social platforms. Consistently sharing real estate insights and updates via social media serves as a persistent reminder for them to reach out or refer me whenever a real estate need arises.
In recent years, I’ve made a deliberate effort to prioritize video content across social media platforms, a strategy that has yielded remarkable results in expanding my reach beyond my immediate network. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram employ algorithms that promote video content to users beyond one’s established followers, facilitating a broader audience engagement.
By maintaining a consistent video presence, I not only reinforce my presence in the real estate sphere but also cultivate trust among viewers by showcasing my expertise and industry acumen. In the realm of real estate, where clients often gravitate towards professionals they know, like, and trust, social media serves as a potent tool in solidifying that bond.
Whether interacting with individuals who are personally acquainted with me or those encountering my content for the first time, social media has enabled me to position myself as the go-to real estate authority. Its role in propelling my business forward cannot be overstated; indeed, it has been nothing short of transformative.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nataliemaysrealtor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliemaysrealtor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieMaysRealtor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-mays-602579120/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nataliemaysrealtor