1. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S PUBLICATION FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE
TM
Karen Morton
Whitney Fields
I NSIDE F EATURES:
P AUL CORONADO
Summit Realty Group
BILL H OBBS
Prudential California Realty
K ATHY K OPPIE
Keller Williams Realty
J ULIA M AIO
Kinecta Federal Credit Union
2. The Road to Success
Starts With...
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4. NO MINAT I O N FORM
EXECUTIVEA
A GENT MAGAZINE
TM
MAGAZINE
TM
Nominate a fellow REALTOR® to be profiled in one of our feature stories: on the cover as Executive Agent
of the month, or as a special feature story. All candidates must be nominated by a real estate professional
or affiliate. The selection process includes a questionnaire, personal interview, reference check and final
approval by the Advisory Council. Candidates are evaluated based upon professionalism, length of service
and uniqueness of story, as well as industry and community involvement.
Nomination form
I nominate:
NAME:______________________________
COMPANY:__________________________
ADDRESS:___________________________
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NAME:______________________________
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COMPANY:__________________________
Executive Agent Magazine
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Phone (949) 366-3349 PHONE:_____________________________
Fax: 949.266.8757
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info@executiveagentmag.com E-MAIL:_____________________________
5. EA
Cover Story
Karen Morton
Whitney Fields
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
6. Whitney Fields
& Karen Morton
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa representation; Masters Real Estate Group has proven a
Photography by Ian Wiant - Dan Fields Photography valuable advocate for buyers and sellers throughout San
Diego and the surrounding regions.
W
ith a client-centric business model and a genuine
passion for their profession, Whitney Fields and There’s a distinct synergy between Karen and Whitney,
Karen Morton have joined forces to create an a deep sense of camaraderie that reveals the mutual
exceptional and unique real estate practice that focuses trust and admiration the women share for each other.
on the driving force behind their industry: relationships. Their paths to real estate are unique, but the duo is
The duo shares an unwavering sense of enthusiasm and on a clear and defined course to ongoing success.
An entrepreneurial background and creative skillset
allowed Whitney to flourish early in her real estate career.
Prior to earning her license, she and her husband owned
and operated a restaurant. When the time was right to make
a change, Whitney determined that she could capitalize
upon her business experience, marketing and design
prowess and people skills as a real estate consultant. Her
interior design background was a launching point for
accountability, providing each client with incredible
support and representation throughout the course of a
given transaction and beyond. Whitney and Karen are,
in fact, so committed to meeting the ongoing needs of
their clientele that they have established themselves
exclusively through repeat and referral business. They’ve
made it work through consistency and knowledgeable
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
7. Whitney Fields and Karen Morton
successfully preparing and listing homes, and as she real- business partners; they’re also true friends who still love to
ized the value of her creative skills, she went on to become recharge on the water.
a certified, professional stager.
With the formation of their team came a new sense
Karen’s degree in Marketing and extensive work in of clarity. Hours of self-examination, of creating and
advertising provided her with a competitive edge when she honing their joint business plan, led Karen and Whitney
launched her real estate career. After establishing herself in to identify their chosen route to success. “We knew we
a variety of media formats, she sought a new challenge that wanted to achieve specific goals,” recalls Whitney. “And
would allow her to continue to utilize her abilities while we determined that we would work best if we maintained
maximizing her outgoing personality and communication a focus on our strengths.” Both incredibly personable,
skills. Karen proved an ideal fit for real estate and quickly Karen and Whitney opted to build upon the relationships
discovered the joy of a profession that allowed her to make they had so thoughtfully cultivated. It was a gamble;
a difference in the lives of others. focusing on growing a business strictly driven through
referral and repeat clientele meant starting with a small but
So how did the self-described “Southern California Girl” established database and ensuring that their message was
and “Southern Belle” forge a solid partnership steeped in well-received. They didn’t simply ask for referrals. Says
professionalism and knowledge? It started, interestingly Whitney, “We reconnected with our network and explained
enough, with a love of surfing. At peace on their boards, to them exactly how we would earn business.”
in the water, Whitney and Karen built a rapport with one
another, learning that their commonalities extended to core Whitney and Karen consistently offer an unsurpassed level
beliefs including their systems of morals and values. “We of service, tailoring their efforts to the needs of each indi-
discovered that we shared a similar approach to business,” vidual with whom they work. Their consultative approach
states Karen. “Surfing together allowed us to understand has the duo providing the information their clients need to
the underlying issues that may contribute – or detract- from make their best decisions, as well as a network of service
a team’s success, and to realize that we had the makings of and trade professional referrals. “We act as a comprehensive
a great partnership.” Today Karen and Whitney aren’t just resource for everything real estate,” notes Karen.
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
8. Setting the Standard of Excellence
When Skip Saunders and his family began to contemplate their signature personal approach. “One of us is always
a relocation from Los Angeles County to San Diego available to answer questions and address concerns,”
County, he researched highly-rated Realtors® within the Whitney explains.
region and found Masters Real Estate Group. “Whitney
and Karen met with us multiple times,” he says. “They took Client Jami Shapiro states that Whitney and Karen
their time with us, first helping us to familiarize ourselves were highly knowledgeable and incredibly patient. Her
with the area, and then searching for properties. They perspective is unique: a Realtor® licensed outside of
were always ready and willing to answer our questions, California, she understands the level of commitment
and had a thorough knowledge of the communities we that the duo displayed. “I never felt pressured, never felt
were interested in, including schools and amenities.” His the need to make a quick decision in order to close the
family was, adds Saunders, “totally satisfied” with the transaction,” she recalls. Despite her own industry savvy,
experience. “We had the opportunity to work with both Shapiro asserts that she wouldn’t have found her home
Whitney and Karen, and found them to be invested in our without Whitney and Karen. “They had knowledge about
wants and needs,” he states. the house before it was on the market,” she explains. “It
was exactly what I wanted!”
Their buyers appreciate Karen and Whitney’s patience
and meticulousness as they explore their options. With As listing agents, the duo provides a solid array of services
thorough market knowledge, the two believe in the value including professional staging, comprehensive marketing
of educating clients. “The more you know, the more and advertising campaigns, and skillful negotiation. Their
comfortable you are finding a home that meets your attention to detail is impeccable; Karen and Whitney have
criteria,” observes Whitney. “We encourage our buyers created an extended team of specialists whose skillsets
to take their time, to preview as many properties as complement their own. Masters Real Estate Group, led by
they need to. Their long- and short-term goals drive the Karen and Whitney, includes an administrative assistant
process.” As a team, Karen and Whitney believe they are and transaction coordinator whose efforts allow the duo to
better able to meet their clients’ needs while maintaining focus on what they do best: care for their clients.
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
9. In addition to traditional sales, Karen and Whitney have a professional approach to our business and to continuing
also become adept at negotiating complex short sales. to build upon our knowledge and skills.”
“Adaptability is critical to success in real estate,” says
Whitney. “Karen and I are cognizant of this, and have Their referral-only business is thriving, thanks to the
dedicated the time and energy necessary to ensure that unwavering dedication with which Karen and Whitney
we’re able to handle the range of transactions that our operate. Their efforts have earned them consumer and
clients require.” While the distressed market is ripe with collegial respect, along with a host of notable awards and
emotional challenges and business-related obstacles, the accolades. Masters Real Estate Group has been featured
team maintains focus on their clients’ end goals. “This in San Diego Magazine as “Five Star Real Estate: Best
is where we truly see the opportunity to help others,” in Client Satisfaction” every year since 2009, an honor
observes Whitney. “Karen and I have helped individuals that they don’t take lightly. “Our market has experienced
through personal and family traumas, the pitfalls of a a volatile cycle,” Karen states. “Together, Whitney and
struggling economy, and unexpected life changes. We I have not only maintained business, we’ve grown it.
do whatever we can to assist them in getting through the We go beyond meeting our clients’ needs. Masters Real
process and establishing new, attainable objectives for Estate Group is committed to going the extra mile to
themselves. It’s challenging, but incredibly gratifying.” provide our clients with an unmatched level of service.”
Professional partnerships often survive because
individuals count on each other to balance out their
strengths and areas for improvement. But Whitney and
Karen describe themselves as uncannily similar. “We get
each other,” says Whitney. “Karen and I communicate
really effectively, and we’re both focused on maintaining
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
10. Masters Real Estate Group
Whitney Fields, ASP Realtor®
Karen Morton, SFR Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty
6005 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Whitney: 760.579.8490
Karen: 760.801.0839
whitney@mastersrealestategroup.com
karen@mastersrealestategroup.com
www.mastersrealestategroup.com
DRE # 01467815 / 01414192
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
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12. EA
Julia Maio
A Powerful Partnership
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
loans up to four million dollars, as well as packages
designed for second home buyers.” Kinecta’s Purchase
Power, she adds, is a program designed to ensure that
member clients’ loans close within 30 days. With a
money-back guarantee, Kinecta is, she says, proving its
philosophy of accountability and exceptional customer
care. “We understand that in a highly competitive mar-
ketplace, buyers need to have the backing of a responsive
lender,” Julia states. “From first-time purchases to short
sale transactions, we’re working to maintain efficacy and
timeliness with every loan.”
Julia’s personal approach to business has earned her a
solid base of repeat and referral clients who appreciate
her dedication and commitment to their needs. She excels
in working with first time buyers, and provides open and
honest communication that’s not limited to traditional
banking hours. She is also highly adept at packaging
complicated financial products including loans for high
net-worth individuals, who require the finesse of a pro-
fessional with the capacity to translate their financial
strengths onto paper. “It can be challenging,” Julia
acknowledges. “But I love the opportunity to make it
happen.”
While she’s based in San Diego, Julia notes that she
is able to close loans throughout California and in 24
states across the country. Locally, she reaches out to
W
hen it comes to real estate financing, says Julia consumers and industry professionals including agents,
Maio, there’s no mistaking the bottom line. “If financial planners and tax preparers through seminars and
you don’t have the money to close the deal,” networking events. “I’m exploring anything I can do on a
she observes, “you don’t have a deal.” And she has made regular basis to assist others in building their businesses,”
it her business to ensure that, time after time, residential she says. “As the marketplace continues to change, I’m
consumers are obtaining the loan packages they need to providing my clients and business partners with the infor-
turn dreams of home ownership into realities. mation they need to successfully adapt and grow.”
Julia’s professional history includes working as a Julia consistently provides an exceptional level of
mortgage loan consultant and a real estate agent. Her service to others, backed by a genuine sense of purpose
experience allows her to better understand the needs of and care. “We’re doing great things here at Kinecta,” she
her consumer clients as well as her industry partners. Her smiles. “This is an exciting time and we’re looking for-
ability to differentiate her approach to meet the unique ward to continued success.”
needs of each client, paired with smart use of technology,
has given Julia a competitive edge within her market- Julia Maio
place. Adding to that, she says, is the tremendous value Kinecta Federal Credit Union
that Kinecta Federal Credit Union provides throughout the 2375 Northside Drive, Suite #125
course of every transaction and beyond. San Diego, CA. 92108
Tel: 619-301-6539
“Kinecta provides a great array of loan products Email: jmaio@kinecta.org
designed for a range of buyers,” Julia observes. “First- Web: www.kinecta.org/jmaio
time buyers have access not only to traditional loans but NMLS ID 872912
special incentives as well. Experienced investors and
high-end homeowners are able to take advantage of jumbo
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
13. EA
Paul Coronado
A Drive for Excellence
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
A
ll his life, Paul Coronado has been propelled by
an innate drive to push beyond limits and meet
challenges head-on. The son of a single mother,
he grew up in a tough neighborhood where trouble was
easier found than opportunity. It took tremendous effort
to make something of himself, but Paul had faith that he
was determined for success.
He studied at California State University, intent
on becoming an attorney. Paul carried himself as a
professional, establishing himself as someone special
among his peers. His dreams, though, were put on hold
as Paul shifted his focus on the responsibilities associated
with supporting his growing family. Armed with an
entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for business he delved
into independent sales, then established a manufacturing
company that catered to the golf industry. He was making
professional strides, but hadn’t found his niche; then a
colleague suggested he explore a career in real estate, and
the pieces finally fell into place.
Paul launched his career in lending, and transitioned
into real estate sales by the late 1990s. He built his
business through an incredibly earnest approach: the
process of trial and error. There were successes and there
were setbacks, but Paul took every moment in stride. “The
challenging moments are the best learning opportunities,”
he explains. “I’ve taken those lessons and utilized them to
help my clients avoid or recover from similar situations.” and granddaughter’s teams has helped me to improve my
A onetime owner of his own company, Paul transitioned communication skills, which translates directly to my
to Summit Realty Group in 2011. The move, he says, relationships with clients and industry colleagues.”
has made a notable difference in his ability to maximize
efficacy and focus on his clients’ diverse needs. He works with a spectrum of individuals including
first time buyers and experienced investors, traditional
“Our office is completely virtual and provides a great equity residential sales, distressed properties, commercial
platform upon which to expand a business,” he observes. transactions and agricultural parcels throughout San Diego
“Most importantly, Summit Realty Group’s philosophy and the Central Valley and surrounding communities.
and goals parallel my own. We are focused on providing Paul’s true specialty is facilitating transactions that
exceptional customer care, working closely with clients to accomplish his clients’ goals, and he looks forward to
assist them in achieving their goals.” Paul’s clientele has continuing to build his business for years to come.
grown through repeat and referral business; he connects
well with individuals and works closely to establish a Paul-Anthony Coronado
unique plan of action tailored to each client’s distinct Realtor®, CDPE®
long- and short-term needs. “Anyone can sell a house,” Summit Realty Group
he offers. “My aim is to go beyond the transaction, to be Telephone: 619.218.1503
a lifelong resource for my clients.” pcoronado@summitrealtygrp.com
www.SummitRealtyGrp.com
Paul’s professional efforts are balanced by time with DRE # 01290767
his family. A doting father and grandfather, he enjoys
coaching youth softball. Working with children, he
says, has impacted his approach to business. “I’m more
focused and aware,” he reveals. “Coaching my daughter’s
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
14. EA
The Time to Act
By Jim Rohn
E
ngaging in genuine discipline requires that passes and before the idea dims. If you don’t,
you develop the ability to take action. You here’s what happens -
don’t need to be hasty if it isn’t required, but
you don’t want to lose much time either. Here’s the - You Fall Prey To The Law Of Diminishing Intent
time to act: when the idea is hot and the emotion
is strong. We intend to take action when the idea strikes
us. We intend to do something when the emotion
Let’s say you would like to build your library. If is high. But if we don’t translate that intention into
that is a strong desire for you, what you’ve got to action fairly soon, the urgency starts to diminish. A
do is get the first book. Then get the second book. month from now the passion is cold. A year from
Take action as soon as possible, before the feeling now it can’t be found.
By Jim Rohn
14 EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
16. EA
Laughter
L
aughter is a great stress reducer. If you have never
read Norman Cousins’s account of his experience
of self-healing as described in Anatomy of an
Illness, I encourage you to do so. When diagnosed with
an incurable illness, he brought a movie projector into
his hospital room and watched reel after reel of old
classic comedy movies, laughing himself into hysterics.
He found he could relieve his otherwise significant pain
on a consistent basis through laughter. That practice,
along with some other novel therapies, resulted in his
healing. He left his prestigious journalistic career and
taught on the faculty of a major medical school about
the power of the mind and emotions in healing the body
of disease.
Next to love, laughter has been described as the
second-most powerful emotion we can express. It has
been said that laughter is like internal jogging—it
stimulates the respiratory system, oxygenates the body,
relaxes tense muscles, and releases pleasure-producing
chemicals in the brain. You cannot laugh and be mad,
laugh and be tense, laugh and be stressed. Laughter is
low-calorie, caffeine-free, and has no salt, preservatives,
or additives. It’s 100 percent natural and one size fits all.
Laughter is truly God’s gift to humankind. You can
get high on laughter but never overdose. Laughter is
contagious—once it starts little can be done to stop it.
Laughter never felt bad, committed a crime, started a
war or broke up a relationship. Laughter is shared by
the giver and the receiver. Laughter costs nothing and
its non-taxable. Laughter is a trend-setter. If we can find
ways to laugh first thing in the morning, it may in fact
set the trend for the rest of the day.
Let me close by telling you the most important use of
laughter I have ever discovered: The ability to laugh at
ourselves. I stopped taking myself too seriously years
ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Don’t get
me wrong—I’m still serious about what I do. But not
so serious that I can’t be the first one to laugh when I
mess up (which happens all too often—it’s why I spend
so much time laughing!). When you’re the first person
to laugh at yourself, you leave little room for others to
laugh at you.
Zig Ziglar is a beloved author and America’s motivator.
He is the author of 25 books and offers training and
consulting to organizations all across the globe. To
learn more about Zig and his business visit his website
at www.ziglar.com
16 EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
17. EA
Written by
Zig Ziglar
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine 17
18. AWARDS - ANNOUNCEMENTS - RECOGNITIONS - EVENTS
Talk of
* Sue LaPeter, Prudential California Realty, is * The Ryan Grant Team at imortgage offers you
proud to highlight the following property: the perfect opportunity to energize your career
5695 Southview, Yorba Linda and boost your earnings with our unique business
Ca - Listing price....$689,000, model based on preferred
five bedrooms/three bath lending relationships with real
approx. 2,453 sq. ft., downstairs estate clients and home builders
bedroom and bath, dramatic throughout Orange County.
cathedral ceilings & tons of We’d love to talk to you about
natural lighting. Beautifully joining our team and reaping
remodeled kitchen w/island the rewards of our winning
and stainless steel appliances. business model that offers you
Huge Master Suite w/dressing unmatched support to fuel your
area and walk in closet. Enjoy business, solid preferred lending
East Lake club- relationships and exceptional
house, gym, pools, earnings potential.
spas, fishing & We are currently looking to
boating on 15 acre hire loan consultants that can work with our partners
lake. Contact Sue and offer continued exceptional service and growth.
LaPeter at: 714- If you are interested in joining the team and looking
728-9018 or sue@ to take your career to the next level, please call us
lapeterteam.com at 949-705-0582.
* Coto de Caza Real Estate is proud to announce * Realty ONE Group Continues Significant
the opening of their new Professional Property Investment in Talent with New COO:
Management Division in Coto de Caza. Owned Realty ONE Group has hired a new COO, Matt
and Operated by Mike Ameel, Broker and the Emerson, who has nearly
Mike Ameel Team. Coto de Caza Real Estate 20 years of field, operational
provides a wide range of real estate related services and management experience
including : Listings, Sales, Leasing, Management, in the real estate industry.
Commercial, Investment Most recently, he was chief
& Apartment Brokerage, communications officer
1031 exchanges & Short for First Team Real Estate,
Sales. According to Mike, and previously he held a
the demand for rental management position at
properties has increased Prudential California Realty.
significantly this year and “Matt’s hands-on approach
the demand thus far is not means that there are no aspects
abating. This may be attrib- of the business he doesn’t
uted to the many short know - from branch operations to the boardroom,”
sales and foreclosures that said CEO and Founder Kuba Jewgieniew. “His
homeowners have faced ability to connect to sales associates, employees
leaving them with few and clients in an honest and caring way - with their
housing options until their credit can be repaired. The goals in mind - has proven to be one of his greatest
rental market should remain strong through 2013. strengths and has driven successful outcomes for
Their Company services the Communities of Coto all parties involved.” Realty ONE Group is opening
de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita, Trabuco Canyon, its new Orange County corporate office at the Irvine
Ladera Ranch and Surrounding Communities. Spectrum this month.
Presented by
19. the Town...
PRESS RELEASES - PROMOTIONS - HONORS - ACTIVITIES
* Bob and Gayle Gottuso, First Team Real * Bill Hobbs, Prudential California Realty,
Estate, is proud to present their latest listing: presents the following property at; 2545 IRIS
Entertainer’s dream home on a Way, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. BREATHTAKING
trophy lot with amenities made PANORAMIC OCEAN VIEWS from Laguna Beach
for a luxurious lifestyle. This hilltop home. Views of the city, the hills, the sunsets
excusive Mystic Hills home is a & shoreline ON ALL LEVELS
modern multi-level marvel with INSIDE & OUT!! Lush foliage
panoramic coastline, Catalina & water feature welcome
and Laguna Beach city views. you into a floor plan offering
The multiple custom stone superb entertainment value & a
terraces for lounging are abun- contemporary design artistically
dant in size and highlight each blending contrasting elements of
level with a 74 foot lap pool, style throughout. The entry level
large spa and BBQ completing is open living space surrounded
the spectacular outdoor living space. The archi- with windows & enhanced by
tectural and design features of this 9500 square vaulted, wood beamed ceilings.
foot masterpiece come from the very talented Enjoy MAGNIFICANT VIEWS from 1 of 3 balconies
or from the living room with fireplace, dining area &
gourmet kitchen with bar, custom cabinets & Viking
Professional appliances. Mid-level offers a versatile
layout in a master bedroom setting with fireplace,
separate retreat/gym/bedroom, laundry room &
Singer and Jeannette and is built almost entirely
with marble, granite, steel and glass throughout.
This home encompasses a stunning great room
with 30 foot curved floor to ceiling windows and
a magnificent fireplace, five individual bedroom
suites, a media area with built-in wet bar, a tem-
perature controlled walk in wine room with a master bath with large tub, 2 person glass shower &
separate and intimate tasting area near the Master walk-in closet. Step into a spacious room complete
Suite. European Kitchen has granite counters with with indoor spa & impressive wet bar on the lower
two separate islands and a built in BBQ area. level, complimented by the 3rd bed & bath & outside
$7,795,000. Located at 1255 Pacific Avenue, access to the fenced garden & street below. GREAT
Laguna Beach, CA 92651- Web ID: 4387726. PROPERTY!!! MLS#: U12003398. Contact Bill at
Please contact Gayle at 949- 533-3009 or email 949-922-4599, or bill@billhobbsrealtor.com
gaylejohnson@cox.net.
Presented by
23. EA
Written By
Tony Alessandra
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine 23
24. E XECUTIVE AGENT MAGAZINE
TM
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
H
e built a career as a highly successful real estate
professional in the Bay Area before transitioning
to - and effectively starting over in - Newport
Beach. It might seem like an unlikely move, relaunching
a business, steeped so deeply in client and collegial
relationships, into unfamiliar territory. But Bill Hobbs
was undaunted by challenges and driven to succeed.
The roadblocks on his new path didn’t deter him from
fulfilling his journey; instead they motivated him to
improve upon his skills and to refine the course of his
career. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” he reflects. “Today
my business is strong, and I’m more focused than ever
on meeting the ongoing needs of my clientele.”
Before establishing himself as an accomplished and
talented real estate professional, Bill enjoyed a career
in aviation, flying first with the U.S. Navy and then
moving into commercial airlines. During that time he
also worked as a stockbroker. The high-energy posi- “I’m constantly trying to improve upon myself,”
tions were well-suited to his detail-oriented nature and acknowledges Bill. “I understand that the way to add
his incredible focus, but Bill found himself looking for value to the real estate process is to provide honest
new opportunities. A contact in the mortgage industry and knowledgeable service centered upon the unique
suggested he’d be a good fit for the industry, and in wants and needs of my clients.”
1997 he transitioned into the business. Eventually Bill
co-founded his own mortgage brokerage, which con- Robin Robertson lauds Bill’s objective and client-
tinues to thrive today. centric approach. “My husband and I elected to work
with Bill because he was extremely professional and
By 2000, Bill was a full-service broker associate knowledgeable,” she states. “We had listed our home
representing clients in the purchases and sales of two times before without any luck, but he managed to
residential and investment properties. His professional sell it in seven days and secure a thirty-day closing.”
focus was unwavering: a consultative approach facil- His negotiation skills, she adds, were impeccable.
itated consistent success in achieving his clients’ “Bill ensured that our best interests were being met,
distinct goals. Navigating the complexities of the loan and advocated for us throughout the sale,” Robertson
process as well as the purchase or sale transaction, recalls. As the couple searched for their next home,
he offered a comprehensive level of care that ensured says Robertson, Bill displayed diligence and patience,
no details were left to chance. All the while, notes Bill, maintaining a concise focus on their long-term goals.
he maintained ongoing communication to ensure that “He’s also charming and fun to be around,” she notes.
each client’s needs expectations were met and, more “He’s a natural!”
typically, exceeded.
Bill’s business is thriving, thanks to his dedicated
“I’ve grown my business through repeat and referral efforts and solid experience. He looks forward to con-
clients,” Bill explains. “My commitment to my clients tinuing to cultivate relationships with clients throughout
has allowed me to gain tremendous loyalty.” Orange County, and to providing them with excep-
tional representation in the selling, purchasing and
Despite notable success – Bill estimates that he financing of properties throughout the region.
has successfully negotiated over 1,000 transactions
– he continues to pursue ongoing training and educa- Bill Hobbs
tion through formal business coaching. The level of Prudential California Realty
accountability that he holds himself to is remarkable; 1400 Newport Center Drive, Suite 200
Bill adheres to an incredibly disciplined schedule that Newport Beach, CA 92660
allows him to maximize efficacy throughout the course Telephone: 949.922.4599
of a given day. He is polished, professional and driven, bill@billhobbsrealtor.com
allocating time each day for door knocking, active www.BillHobbsRealtor.com
marketing, and networking as well as researching prop- DRE # 01241331
erties and communities for his clientele.
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
26. EA
By John Boe
I
n aviation, the word “attitude” is a term that refers to Earl Nightingale, cofounder of the Nightingale-Conant
the angle that the plane meets the wind, if the wings Corp., concluded that life’s “strangest secret” is that you
are level with the horizon and whether the aircraft become what you think about all day long. If you want
is climbing or descending. The pilot who fails to take to know where your predominant thoughts lie and what
responsibility for the attitude of his or her aircraft is in you believe, look at what you are experiencing in your
serious trouble. And likewise, any leader who fails to life. Your thoughts are creative by nature and express
control their thoughts and take responsibility for their themselves through your emotions, which in turn, drive
attitude runs a similar risk with their organization. your actions. Everything you say both positive and
negative is in fact an affirmation and reflects your belief.
As a sales manager, you not only set the pace for Whatever you think, feel or say about your life today is
your sales team, but you’re responsible for setting the scaffolding that builds the events you will experience
the tone as well. For better or worse, the leader’s in the future.
attitude is contagious and permeates throughout their
organization. Positive, upbeat companies are always led Affirmation And Positive Self-Talk
by positive, upbeat managers. While we’re not always William Shakespeare said, “Nothing is good or bad,
able to control our circumstances, we can and must but thinking makes it so.” The first step in the process of
control how we respond to life’s difficulties, setbacks changing your belief system is to monitor your thoughts
and challenges. We have a choice about how our day is and the next step is to control them through the power of
going to be. choice. Once you become conscious of the critical aspects
of your internal dialogue, you can choose to reframe your
How often do you talk to yourself and what do you negative thoughts by substituting affirmative statements.
say? Research in the field of psychology indicates that
the average person maintains an ongoing mental dialog, World-class athletes understand the value of affirmation
or “self-talk,” of between 150 to 300 words per minute. and recognize the impact of their mental preparation
Unfortunately, not all of these thoughts are positive. on their physical performance. They use the power of
In fact, it has been estimated that of the thousands of positive affirmation to reduce anxiety and increase their
thoughts we have each day, approximately 40 percent of expectation of achievement. To be of maximum benefit an
them tend to be negative and self-critical in nature. Most affirmation must be simple, encouraging and stated in the
of us are generally unaware of this negative background present tense. By repeating an affirmation over and over
chatter, let alone its sabotaging effect on our emotional again it becomes embedded in the subconscious mind.
state, performance and well-being.
Do affirmations really work and can they propel a
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose person to greatness? As a teenager beginning his boxing
your words, for they become actions. Understand your career in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay would
actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for frequently affirm, “I am the greatest of all time!” While
they will become your character. Develop your character, many considered him boastful and few took this eighty-
for it becomes your destiny. nine pound, twelve year old seriously, Mohammad Ali
-Anonymous used the power of affirmation to become the greatest
26 EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
28. Customer Impact: The Winner’s Edge
By Bill Brooks
M
any years ago, a racehorse named Achmed of a championship game by listening to what the
became one of the first horses in history to coaches and players of the two teams say before
win more than $1 million in a single season. the starting whistle sounds.
During that same season, there was another horse
that came in second in almost every race that It’s now ancient history, but the 1986 Super
Achmed won. Bowl offers a great example of how it works. The
Chicago Bears won it decisively.
Interestingly, Achmed won 15 times as much
money as the horse that consistently came in Make no mistake about it: the New England
second. Later, the champion was sold for ten Patriots brought a great team to the championship
times more money than the second runner. A big game that year. They had many talented players
difference, huh? and excellent coaching, and they had overcome
great adversity and defeated some strong teams
Does that mean that Achmed was 15 times on their road to the biggest game of the year in the
faster than his nearest competitor? That question National Football League.
intrigued a sportswriter, so he made a study of
the times logged by the two horses. Achmed’s But the difference in the two teams showed
finishing times averaged only 3 percent faster than clearly throughout the tail end of the season. The
the slower horse. Patriots seemed surprised that they had made the
playoffs, shocked that they’d won their conference
Simply stated, the champion that year had a championship, and amazed that they’d earned a
winner’s edge of only 3 percent over his nearest right to play in the Super Bowl.
competitor, but it was enough to bring his owner
15 times more prize money and give him ten times “We’re just glad to be here and have an
as much value! opportunity to play in this game,” several of their
players told the press in the week before the big
When it comes to making a sale, there are only game.
winners and losers - no one comes in second. You
either make the sale or you don’t, and the winner However, the Bears had decided before the
gets 100 percent of the money. season started that it was to be their year to win
it all. They were convinced they could win every
For most salespeople, income is directly game they played that year, and they did win all
proportional to the number of sales made. Although but one. “No team in football can beat us!” boasted
you may be able to change jobs often enough to their cocky quarterback Jim McMahon before the
remain ahead of a draw, or you may jump from big game.
one salaried selling job to another and keep some
income coming in, sooner or later, it will catch up Then he and the Bears confidently went onto
with you. If you don’t close sales, you won’t make the field and backed up their claim with a dazzling
a living as a salesperson. performance. When it was all over, they were
clearly the champs.
Don’t Just Show Up For The Game; Play To Win
Customer Impact: How To Get More Of It
Life is clearly not about “just making a living” -
that’s the loser’s mentality. Losers feel privileged I suspect that you want to become a winner at
merely to be in a big game, but winners always the selling game. The truth is, you probably are
play to win it. already a winner. Losers seldom read articles like
this, but winners read anything and everything that
As a college football coach for 14 years, I learned can help them keep their winner’s edge honed to
that you can almost always predict the outcome razor sharpness.
28 EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
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31. OPEN ESCROW IN OCTOBER AND BE
ENTERED IN OUR IPAD RAFFLE!
1 Park Plaza, Suite 300 140 Newport Center Drive, Suite 210
Irvine, California 92614 Newport Beach, CA 92660
www.prominentescrow.com
RESALE REFINANCE COMMERCIAL REO SHORT SALE AUCTION
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32. E XECUTIVE AGENT MAGAZINE
TM
Kathy Koppie
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
33. Driven to Succeed
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
A
n astute negotiator with a personable approach, but she engaged herself with the assistance of a solid
Kathy Koppie offers her clients thoughtful repre- support team. She collaborated with established agents,
sentation throughout the course of every purchase incorporating their best practices into her repertoire while
and sale transaction. With a background in finance and a consistently evaluating and refining her business model.
focus on providing exceptional customer care, she ensures “There is a level of tribal knowledge in our industry that
that each of her client’s distinct wants and needs are con- is only obtained through experience,” she observes. “I
sistently met. knew it was critical for me to learn from those who were
committed to weathering the storm.”
Before transitioning into real estate, Kathy established
herself as the finance manager at a high-line automo- She works with residential buyers and sellers throughout
tive dealership in Newport Beach. The position was Orange County and surrounding regions, providing her
demanding, but she enjoyed the challenges and the oppor- clients with the knowledgeable and diligent representa-
tunity to connect with customers, identify their goals and tion they need to navigate a still-changing marketplace.
create strategies designed to assist them in reaching those “I’m committed to follow-through,” she says. “If I say
objectives. Those skills have proved an ideal foundation I’ll be somewhere and get something done, I do what it
upon which to build her real estate career, and Kathy has takes to make it happen.” With buyers, this means taking
relentlessly pursued the training and education to ensure a creative approach to finding properties that meet their
that she provides the highest possible level of service. criteria. Whether she’s networking with other agents or
door knocking to identify potential sellers, Kathy leaves
Her diligence makes the difference. Kathy doesn’t just no stone unturned in her efforts.
do her part to meet her clients’ goals; she also ensures
that they maintain resolve and motivation throughout the Her success has been achieved with intention; Kathy
process. “In complex transactions, when challenges or has carefully cultivated her thriving career by addressing
obstacles arise, it can become easy for people to lose sight the ongoing needs of her profession as well as her cli-
of what they’re really working toward,” she explains. entele. “In order to lead my clients with confidence,”
Kathy’s objective approach facilitates a renewed sense of she explains, “I am constantly examining opportuni-
focus for her clients, allowing them to regain sight of the ties to expand upon my knowledge and skills.” To that
end results they’re working to achieve. end Kathy has earned a designation as a Short Sales &
Foreclosure Resource (SFR) and is in the process of
Client Patty Hennessey, whose home sold within the becoming a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).
span of a week, remarks that she was impressed by
Kathy’s diligence and thoughtfulness. “She made it really Kathy looks forward to the opportunity to continue
hassle free,” says Hennessey. “Kathy held multiple open to make a difference in the lives of others. “Buying or
houses in order to quickly attract prospective buyers, selling a home is such a significant process,” she reflects.
and did a fantastic job at marketing. This minimized the “It’s an honor to be able to facilitate a successful experi-
inconvenience to me, which I really appreciated. Once ence for my clients.”
we were dealing with offers, Kathy was great at negoti-
ating a price that worked for me.” Hennessey notes that, Kathy Koppie
throughout the course of the transaction, she believed that Keller Williams Realty
Kathy maintained her best interests at the forefront of her 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 150
actions. Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Telephone: (949) 424-0003
Kathy’s persistence is limitless; launching her career KatSellsOC@gmail.com
while the industry was in the throes of a worldwide eco- www.kathykoppie.com
nomic crisis posed remarkable challenges, which she met DRE # 01857595
with unwavering determination. It was an uphill battle,
EXECUTIVEAGENT Magazine
34.
35.
36. Unique mortgage solutions from a one-of-a-kind lender.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
1
Your clients could save BIG on their home purchase!
Contact us today!
Mission Valley North San Diego
Eric Anderson, NMLS 381598 Mike Sieber, NMLS 353500
Mgr., Mortgage Loan Sales Mgr., Mortgage Loan Sales
tel. 855.435.9827 tel: 855.902.2693
eanderson@kinecta.org msieber@kinecta.org
www.kinecta.org/eanderson www.kinecta.org/msieber
Terms and conditions subject to change. All loans subject to credit approval.
Information is intended for Mortgage Professionals only and not intended for consumer use as defined by Section 226.2 of Regulation Z, which implements the Truth-In-Lending Act. The guidelines are subject to change without
notice and are subject to Kinecta Federal Credit Union underwriting guidelines and all applicable federal and state rules and regulations.
1) $500 Gift Card Offer restrictions: Offer applicable to home purchase transactions in the state of California financed with a Kinecta mortgage. Eligible Kinecta mortgages include conforming and government mortgages
(including HomePath®). Limited to 1-4 unit primary residence, second home, or investment property. Loan amount must be from $150,000.00 to a maximum of as much as $625,500 (conventional) / $729,750 (FHA), subject
to specific county-based maximums which are lower for most counties. $500 Gift Card will be mailed after mortgage funds (minimum of 3 weeks after the funding date). Visit www.kinecta.org/gift_cards for gift card terms
and conditions, including fee information. Borrower may opt to forego $500 gift card and instead apply a $500 credit towards mortgage closing costs (request must be made prior to mortgage application submission). Other
discounts, such as the existing VIP closing cost discounts, may not be applied in addition to the Purchase Power discount offer. 2) Applicable to home purchase transactions only. 0.625 discount offer applicable to Conforming
fixed-rate mortgages with 45-day rate lock. 0.500 discount offer applicable to Super Conforming fixed-rate mortgages with 30-day rate lock. Valid on home purchase loans locked on or after 5/17/2012. For investment properties
or second homes, discount offers valid on loans with terms of up to 15 years. Not valid on detached condominiums. Offer subject to change without notice and maybe cancelled at any time. Ask Kinecta Mortgage Loan Consul-
tant if offer is still valid at the time of rate lock. 8318-07/12
