Event Coverage
30 vs. 30 Top Agents Panel in Palo Alto
Last Friday, REALTORS® from different generations shared their perspectives on real estate at the Menlo Park-Atherton and Palo Alto Districts' Joint Eventure Series. The "30 vs 30 Top Agent Panel" of young agents in their 30s belonging to the millennial generation and older, more experienced agents who have been in the business 30 years or longer, included Coldwell Banker's Hugh Cornish, the Alain Pinel Realtors team of Margot Lockwood and Ricky Flores, and Coldwell Banker agent Jasmine Lee, chair of the Menlo Park-Atherton District. Alain Pinel Realtors agent Stacey Woods, who serves as SILVAR YPN (Young Professionals Network) chair for both districts, served as moderator.
Conversation touched on many topics, including changes in real estate through the years. When Lockwood and Cornish began their careers the business of real estate was less complicated, contracts were shorter and simpler, and agents had more information about homes than the public. Lee and Flores, who represent the millennial agents, pointed out that while today's technology provides much more information to buyers and sellers, they still rely on and need the expertise of REALTORS®. All four panelists agreed that "the conversations never change." REALTORS® and their clients still discuss the strategies of buying and selling a home, like pricing, the benefits of homeownership, and how to negotiate a sale.
Lockwood and Flores, a mother/son-in-law team, said their combined expertise, knowledge and experience ensure they are able to meet their clients' needs. Their skills complement each other, with Lockwood's years of experience and Flores' advertising and tech-savviness.
While millennials are considered more tech-savvy than the generations before them, the millennial agents don't solely depend on online prospecting to grow their business.
"Tech comes more easily to us because we grew up with it, but I don't rely on social media to grow my business," said Lee. Like other agents, Lee networks, gets involved in the community, connects with her sphere of influence, referrals and personal contacts.
Largely due to their network of friends, many clients of millennial REALTORS® are from their generation and family friends. They observe sellers who have lived in their property a long time often seek older, more experienced agents.
The agents agreed that REALTORS® need to learn to communicate with REALTORS® and clients from different generations. The older REALTORS® remind younger agents that real estate is a tough business with cycles. Cornish and Lockwood advised younger agents to stay positive, set themselves apart from the rest, and have a strong mindset.
After the program, SILVAR members enjoyed networking and happy hour with hosted appetizers. Lee and Palo Alto District Chair Lynn Wilson Roberts said they were pleased at the overwhelming amount of positive feedback they received from the event, which was attended by over 42 members.
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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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