PROPERTYSPARK INTERVIEWS: Gretchen Coley, Real Estate Agent

They are a concierge style team who specialize in creating a luxury experience for their clients buying or selling property in Raleigh.

 Apex, NC

The Coley Group

 Gretchen Coley Properties at Allen Tate |  gretchencoleyproperties |  Gretchen Coley Properties |  Thecoleygroup.com

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

I was inspired to get into real estate after college. I loved houses and had a friend who was a builder who introduced me to my new Lifestyle!

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

Goodness back then we didn’t even have computers in our office. So I guess you could say all technology has enabled me to grow and expand. In the past 5 years Video has been my greatest expansion tool. Understand how to reach people through social mediums directly has changed how we all do business and how our clients interact with us.

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?

I think the most profitable aspect is my ability to market homes via lifestyle videos. People come to us because they know that their home is going to get the exposure it needs to sell it.

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

I’m not there yet but I am really proud of my team and I am grateful for my clients. I try to celebrate with them every chance that I get.

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

I would have gone all in on video instead of buying leads or relying on relocation from my firm. I feel like the return on investment would have been 10x.

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

Pivot. Always be pivoting – global pandemic? Virtual Showings. Nitpicky Seller/Buyer – rise to the occasion. Hit them with stats and numbers about their home and the area, do not give them a reason to doubt you. Anyone can be a real estate agent – not everyone can be a ‘go-to’ agent. The agent that people call in for area advice, where to go to dinner, and where the best dog park is located.

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 is everything to us. We put a ton of time into how we market not only our team, but our brand and our listings, as well. We make sure that everything feels very curated and we are always telling a story.

How did you build your team?

I built my team very organically. I knew that in order to give my clients the service they needed and expected that I had to build a team of support to handle parts of the transition that I was not great at. For every admin I added an agent and off we went.

How did you become a good leader?

Well, Good is a relative term. ;). I sought out coaching to grow in areas where I knew I needed to develop. Working through the coaching program has helped we make shifts to become a better leader.

Did You Experience Failures? If So, What Did You Learn From Them?

I still experience failures everyday. I guess I’ve learned to get back up!.