PROPERTYSPARK INTERVIEWS: Christine LaBounty,

Real Estate Agent

A leading industry expert who offers unparalleled white glove service to her real estate clients throughout San Diego County.

 San Diego, CA

Compass

 Christine LaBounty – San Diego Real Estate & Feng Shui |   christinelabounty_realestate

What inspired you to start in real estate and how did you motivate yourself to keep going?

I grew up in a family of 5 Realtors so it’s a industry I had a strong foundation in at a very young age. I loved watching the hustle of my family members and the rewards of their success. After a successful corporate career in Marketing and PR, both nationally and internationally, I made the leap over to Real Estate and never looked back. While it can take a moment to get your bearings in this industry as as new agent, the reward of changing my clients’ lives through their real estate portfolios and investments kept me motivated. There is nothing quite as rewarding as closing day when you hand over the keys to your client and the gratitude they feel for helping them along the way.

Comparing your business from back then to now, what has been the main thing that allowed you to expand your business?

Relationships. This business is ALL ABOUT relationships. Not just building long, solid relationships with your clients, but also with colleagues and business partners within the industry. 90% of my business is referral based and there is no greater compliment I can receive than the referral from a past client. This has grown my business exponentially and has allowed me the opportunity to build a family of clientele who trust me as their life-long real estate advocate.

What’s the most profitable aspect of your business, why do you think this is and how can others apply this to what they are doing?

Building and keeping those relationships strong. As I mentioned previously, referrals are the life of my business and a steady stream of referrals and incoming business allows me to focus on the part of real estate I love; working with my clients on finding and selling their homes.

When did you realize you were successful/made it and how did you feel/celebrate?

Less than three years in to the business I was recognized as the “Top Producer by Units Sold” in my office. My office consisted of the top brokers throughout the county (and was the top Real Estate Brokerage Office) and not only achieving this goal but being recognized for it in front of colleagues I had strived to emulate early on in my career was a huge moment of pride for me.

Looking back, what could you have done sooner to get to that point quicker?

Don’t be afraid to ask for the business and put yourself out there. In the beginning of a new career it’s easy to doubt yourself or compare yourself to others. But you’d be surprised how many people are truly in your corner, rooting for you and willing to help.

What should other real estate entrepreneurs reading this be focusing on to expand their own business?

Growth & Expansion. The minute you get comfortable is the minute your business stops growing. It’s so important to constantly be improving and inspiring yourself for growth to ensure your business continues riding the waves of success and weathers the “storms”. COVID was a great example. Those who had not been working on their business hit rough patches. 2020 was my most lucrative year yet in real estate and it was because I never stopped working on my business and went into the year with a full pipeline and a strong understanding of my short & long term goals and how to get there.

How has social media and online marketing affected your real estate business? How much more success have you had now after implementing social media and online marketing efforts?

Social Media and Online Marketing are huge to my business. I’m part of the Millennial generation and we rely heavily on both day-to-day. Social media has allowed me to connect and stay relevant with my audience and clientele, and keep my success and industry expertise fresh in their minds. This has been key to procuring consistent referrals and a steady stream of incoming business.

What do you consider the main differences between those people who have been successful in your industry and those who have failed?