We were lucky to catch up with Telia JnBaptiste recently and have shared our conversation below.
Telia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result?
I once had a pending contract for $960,000, this was the largest amount I had ever transacted in one single contract. The property was in a great area, it was my client’s style and almost checked all their boxes. However, the inspection revealed some major foundation and mold issues within the property (let me add that the seller seemingly went to great lengths to conceal those issues.) The contractor was kind enough to walk my client and I through the entire home, basement included and pointed out every element of the home that should concern my client. I left that walk through so conflicted but did not immediately voice my opinion or concerns until my client had a moment to digest it all. On the final day of due diligence I contacted my client to see if they had made a final decision, they were conflicted. Once they asked my opinion I told them my honest opinion and that ended with “…I advise you terminate this contract and we keep searching.” They did just that and a few months later they closed on a gorgeous property of the same value. As a real estate agent it is my duty to advise my clients based on data, market facts and inspection reports. It is always my goal to act in the best interest of my client at all times.
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?
My name is Telia JnBaptiste, I am a wife, mother and realtor in the metro Atlanta area. When my family and I moved from Boston to Atlanta in 2018 we quickly realized that we could afford to buy a home and that’s exactly what we did! It was during that very transaction I realized that I wanted to explore more about real estate. Since I was a stay-at-home Mommy I truly desired a career that would allow maximum flexibility and gave the most value for my work. Since becoming licensed in March 2020 I have grown tremendously as an agent and learned so much in my field. I have had some really difficult moments in this industry yet, my love for my clients and my craft trump a check every time. Social media can feed the false narrative and portray real estate agents as living a lux life and grand closing yet, almost always, fail to show the failures, late nights, wasted gas and many tears that may go into a transaction.
I work with Buyer and Seller clients at all price points. I offer professional photography for all my listings and at closings (if the client would like. I arm every client with a plethora of informational material so they are well informed every step of the way and I am readily available to answer any question or add clarity on anything. What sets my apart is my professionalism, expertise and guidance from going binding to the closing table. Even beyond the closing table, I act as a source/reference to my clients for anything real estate related.
I am most proud of launching into 2023 as a solo agent and growing a support staff and team to better and more effortlessly service my current and future clients. If you’ve dreamed of owning a home, selling and upgrading your current home or searching for the perfect commercial space I would love to help make your dreams a reality.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I think the most effective strategy for growing your clientele is to be authentically you. Every client is not your client and you will attract those who you are purposed to influence.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Social media has been the best source of new clients for me. 100% of my business has come from social media, thus far. I have been cultivating and growing my social media space years before I became a real estate agent; my clients have been people who have seen me grow from a single, retail store clerk to married, having three children and have trusted me to be their real estate agent. My advice is to be true to you, share your life as a real estate agent but also share parts of you outside of the real estate space. The goal is to not have potential clients view you as just a salesperson but grow familiar with you character, personality and morals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://teliajnbaptiste.evatlanta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teliajnbaptiste/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081007437721
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/telia-jnbaptiste-08a3561b0/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@teliajnbaptiste/videos
Image Credits
@tbastianphotography @mariojaurellphotography