Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Thompson.
Hi Christina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew that one day I wanted to run my own business. What that would be exactly, I was unsure. I knew I had a passion for building strong relationships and a mindset geared toward producing high end results.
Born and raised in Fresno, California I moved to San Diego for the opportunity to manage a flagship branch of a multi-million-dollar company. Yet, after nine years in sales and hospitality and achieving each of the goals I set for myself, I knew it was time for me to spread my wings and take on bigger and better challenges. So, I made a complete career change and became a full-time realtor with Powers Premiere.
Little did I know all those years in hospitality and sales would allow me to assist each of my real estate clients with the highest level of service and expertise. Creating lasting relationships with my clients is extremely fulfilling, as is being the ultimate hub for all of their real estate questions and needs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I first became a real estate agent my biggest challenge was transitioning from a fully staffed corporation to an independent agent responsible for all aspects of my own business. It was humbling to start over at the ground level, learning a brand-new profession and trying to figure out the ever-changing market. There were times where I was not even sure what to do, so I sought out mentorships from top producers in the community. These mentorships were invaluable as I was able to pick and choose qualities, practices, and techniques from the best in the business and make them my own.
Little did I know that developing my clientele and trying to understand the market would not be my biggest challenge. 2020 and the subsequent pandemic changed the market in a way no one anticipated. While I initially panicked after it seemed that everything, I spent years learning was now useless, I eventually realized that it helped to put me on equal footing with even the most experienced agents. This market and even societal shift allowed me to develop unique and creative solutions in both the buying and selling of homes that would not have worked in the traditional real estate market. There were new rules in the real estate game and by being quick on my feet I was able to get ahead of the curve.
For example, the virtual platform, while already important, was now vital. In-person meetings, events, and open houses were a thing of the past. To find new clients I had to rely on technology and social media. Luckily, I had already started to build my virtual brand so it was easy to shift my focus to the technological world. The same opportunities were out there as before, if not more. I just had to be willing to roll with the punches, adjust on the fly, and continue to provide the highest level of service possible. I did exactly that, and was able to meet and help some amazing clients achieve their real estate goals, even in the midst of a pandemic and through wild market fluctuations that no one anticipated.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Powers Premiere?
A majority of my clientele are first time home buyers, but I also serve as a listing agent from time to time. I am able educate my buyers on what they need to know about the increasingly complicated home buying process without overwhelming them. I make myself available 24/7 for any and all concerns and questions. This is important to my clientele, as they are often very busy. I also make them feel comfortable and let them know they can ask as many questions as they want, as it is my job to make them feel knowledge and confident in their decisions.
Additionally, I am able to work with my buyers to target a realistic purchase price given their budget constraints and the limited inventory on the market. For example, in the current market, to put together a winning offer you have to be willing to offer up to, and sometimes more than, 10% of the listing price. So, if my buyer’s budget is $850,000, we look for homes listed in the mid to high seven hundreds – not the mid eight hundreds. This has helped prevent my clients from suffering the frustrations many buyers experience when they put in ten or more offers at list price, and do not even receive a response. Of course, the value must be there as well as likelihood of achieving appraisal if the purchase is financed, and these are all things I help my clients navigate when purchasing their dream homes.
From a listing perspective, the traditional model of comparable is still useful, but is no longer the “end-all be-all” it used to be. This is because from the time a home is listed, to the time it closes, the value is changing dramatically. So, what might seem like a high list price in April, can end up being a steal of a deal in May. As such, any selected list price must take these factors into account.
Choosing the right buyer is also important. If the offer is very high, and financing is involved, the home must appraise correctly. So sometimes, a lower offer can be the better offer if there are limited contingencies and a quick and painless close. It is not an easy concept for some sellers to grasp initially, as they want all the money they can possibly get for their home. I am, however, able to walk them through the pros and the cons of all the offers and ultimately leave it to them to choose. On most of my listings, I am able to get my buyers $50,000 over the listing price and close quickly and effectively.
In addition to my services as an agent, I have numerous industry contacts and am able to pair my clients with some of the best financing partners out there. Overall, I know I know this is a result-driven industry and as such, I make it a personal point to ensure that both my buyers and my sellers are extremely satisfied with the purchase and sale of their homes. The amount of referrals I receive from both my buyers and sellers tells me that they are very pleased with my service, and this is very fulfilling.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband is my rock and my best friend. He really deserves all the credit. He’s an amazing father to our two girls and is always there to support me. He challenges me daily and is my biggest cheerleader. I also have to thank my broker who is always there to educate me and to answer any questions I have. He has been an absolute staple and partner to my business.
Most of all, my clients. I am so lucky to have been referred and sought out by the best clients I could ever imagine. By the end of the transaction we are practically family.
Contact Info:
- Email: Christina@powerspremiere.com
- Website: WestSellsSD.com
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Westsellssd/
