Success Stories Archives - Demetree School of Real Estate

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Gigi Benca of Keller Williams in Oviedo, Florida

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Gigi Benca who works Keller Williams in Oviedo, Florida. She attended a class at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored her to join Keller Williams. Gigi has a contagious enthusiasm and positivity. Here is our interview…

Tell us briefly about you.

I am Gigi Benca. I’m someone with a strong work ethic, great communicator alongside professional and educational experience that helps me provide good service to all of my clients. I walk through life being a good doer. I truly enjoy helping people and solving their problems. I’m good at it and know it’s my purpose in life. I have integrity and I am resourceful.

How long have you been in real estate and how long with Keller Williams?

One year.

Why did you choose Keller Williams?

Their belief system:

Win-win or no deal.
Integrity does the right thing.
Customers always come first.
Commitment in all things!
Communication seeks first to understand.
Creativity, ideas before results.
Teamwork together everyone achieves more.
Trust starts with honesty.
Equity opportunity for all.
Success results through people.

As an agent for Keller Williams, I have all the resources and support I need to be a successful agent. The education and the positive environment is the perfect place for me to thrive.

What did you do before you got into real estate?

I started in the culinary industry and quickly got into restaurant management. I worked in the hospitality industry for 10 years. Running restaurants set me up to be a great business-minded person. Also made me strong.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

The relationships that I develop along the way. It’s more than a transaction. I have a good relationship with all my clients. I’m a People’s advocate and serve people and in the process you get to know and grow close to one another.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

I don’t know if there is anything that I dislike about real estate. I must say that some of the agents in the industry aren’t as professional, which is not good for the consumer.

Where do you find your clients?

I do a lot of farming. Door knocking prospecting. I also love open houses. I called a lot of for-sale-by-owners and expireds. I put myself out every day. Try to get out there and meet new people every day. It’s all about being consistent and following up with those people that you meet.

Tell us a story about one particular sale. Maybe one that was challenging or particularly interesting or anything that made it memorable to you.

I had a client who wanted a pool house. They had a pretty decent price point. Due to the housing shortage, we put in the offer and got outbid. We went and searched again, and got outbid on the house again. They were very positive people and didn’t give up and we found another beautiful house and we put in a strong offer and they got the home.

During the inspection, we see the house has polybutene for the plumbing, which will make it impossible for my buyer to get insurance on the home. Before I come to them with the bad news, I begin to negotiate a solution.

I get on the phone with the listing agent and informed her of my findings. I let her know that I’m going to get a quote for how much it will cost to get the property replumbed so that it is insurable. I also requested the seller credit the buyer for the cost of that repair. By the time the inspection was over, the listing agent got back to me and let me know that the seller agreed to my terms.

I was very proud of my instincts to find a solution for the issue before presenting it to my client. The client truly had a great experience and didn’t feel any stress.

I didn’t just come with bad news. I approached my client with the problem and the solution. I also was able to help find a plumber and get the work scheduled.

How important to your success was joining Keller Williams?
Very important. I was very careful my decision on wheel to hang my license. And looking at the data, Keller Williams has the highest success rate for new agents.

The belief system and the education that KW provides to the agent. You truly learn how to be a skill based agent. The skill-based agent does well in any market. I am so happy to be a part of the KW family. ♥️

How can someone contact you if they want to buy or sell their house or come work with you at Keller Williams?

My phone number is 407 893 2240 or email at gigibenca@kw.com

You can also connect through my website, Facebook page, or Instagram.

Please note that neither Karen Climer nor Demetree School of Real Estate has any connection with Climer School of Real Estate. Karen’s father, Ron Climer, sold the school in 2014. It has since been purchased by a large corporate investment company.

By Karen Climer|2023-11-14T11:38:09-05:00November 14th, 2023|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Jackie Unterreiner at Keller Williams at the Parks in Orlando, Florida

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Jackie Unterreiner. She went to Florida real estate school at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored her to join Keller Williams. She has been doing very well there since she started. Here is our interview…

Tell us about you.

Although it feels like I’ve been doing real estate forever, it’s only been a short time. After leaving the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom for three years I was ready to start something new. I’ve always had a passion for real estate and wanted to pursue a flexible career with the ability to be my own boss. I have fallen in love with this industry, the buyers and sellers I serve, and the connections I have made in Orlando. I’m mom to a 3 year old son & feisty chihuahua, lover of nature, fancy desserts, beach getaways, yoga and reading.

What was most important to you when choosing a broker? Why Keller Williams?

It was important to me to join a brokerage that had top level training programs, resources and office support. I was extremely impressed with the resources, technology, network, and brand recognition that Keller Williams offers. Joining KW At The Parks was an easy choice. The leadership team and support staff are not only invested in the achievements of the brokerage but also play a huge role in my individual success.

How were you able to find success in your first year?

It’s important to start off with a strong foundation. Demetree School of Real Estate grounded me with the essentials and the Ignite training program (new agent training) at Keller Williams taught me the day-to-day knowledge, insights & skills I would use to land clients, negotiate offers, write contracts, and get deals done. It’s also important to surround yourself with others who are on the path you want to achieve. Through my brokerage, I have met incredible mentors, colleagues and friends.

Has your previous experience helped you in the real estate industry?

All of my past professions have served me in this industry. As a former healthcare data analyst, I am able to review comparable sales and translate market data in an understandable way to homeowners. I also worked many years in the spa industry and ran my own massage practice. This gave me the tools to manage my own business & schedule. My experience working in Las Vegas as a high limit blackjack dealer reminds me to always make work fun!

What is your favorite aspect of selling real estate?

I literally love everything about the real estate industry! Touring homes, helping sellers get top dollar for their property, helping buyers land their dream home, the investment opportunities in Orlando, staying on top of industry trends – even all the contracts and paperwork – I love it all!

Where do you find your clients? What has been your favorite sale so far?

In addition to referrals from family, friends, and social media, my niche is working with homeowners who were unable to accomplish their goal selling “For Sale by Owner.” I have helped several FSBO homeowners get top dollar for their houses by helping them revamp the curb appeal, bringing in my staging accessories, and using high-end marketing approach & tactics. I recently transformed a vacant house that sat unsold for over a month to a beautiful home that sold over asking price in under a week. It went from being the worst house on the street to the highest comp to date in the entire neighborhood!

What advice would you give someone thinking of joining Keller Williams?

Keller Williams operates on the highest level of industry standards and ethics. The education and technology they provide to new agents is cutting edge, sophisticated & progressive.

I would remind you when choosing a broker “all that glitters is not gold.” I considered other brokers that had shiny promises, however I realized they fell flat in education, networking, and comradery.

Joining Keller Williams was the best decision I could have made entering the real estate industry. The backing and support I received from KW allowed me to find success as a new agent in my very first year.

If someone wants to join Keller Williams, how can they contact you?

If you are interested in learning more about joining Keller Williams, I would love to speak with you! Email me at BusinesstoBLISSness@gmail.com

You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook.

Please note that neither I nor anyone in the Climer family has any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. Ron Climer, my father, sold this school in 2014. It is now owned by a large corporation. If you are looking for me, I own and teach at Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando.

By Karen Climer|2023-11-14T11:32:37-05:00February 3rd, 2022|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Rafi Pinsky at Keller Williams Aventura

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Rafi Pinsky in South Florida. He attended a class at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored him to join Keller Williams. He has been doing very well there since he started, just about a year and a half ago. Here is our interview…

Tell us briefly about you.

I was raised by my grandmother (my mother’s mother) at 18 months old. During the first 18 months, my grandmother and mother were in a custody battle as my mother wanted to raise me but was unfit due to alcohol and habits which deemed her unfit to raise a child. I was in foster care during that period and thankfully I was placed in full custody with my grandmother. I never met either of my parents and unfortunately was informed of the passing of my homeless mother about a year ago. I didn’t grow up with any luxuries or any siblings but I was blessed to have all that I needed and all in all, I had a great childhood and a loving parent. I went through middle school, high school, and three years of undergrad where I worked as a waiter part time before deciding to join the Israeli military. I served in an infantry unit in the West Bank before returning to New York to finish my last year of school. After obtaining my Bachelor’s in business, I started working with a friend selling different kinds of loans to small businesses. When COVID hit, I decided to become a real estate agent with Keller Williams. I started a podcast at the same time as my real estate career and I’m proud of my accomplishments. Karen has helped me ace the exam. I will always recommend her to anyone looking to take the exam and ace it (10/10 would recommend).

How long have you been in real estate and how long with Keller Williams?

I’ve been in Real Estate since August of 2020 and have been with Keller Williams from the beginning.

Why did you choose Keller Williams?

I initially interviewed with Douglas Elliman but found their rules on social media posts too restrictive for me. I interviewed next with Keller Williams and was much happier with the energy there.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

I love networking, solving problems and negotiating. I can’t say either of them are more enjoyable than the other.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

I dislike when clients aren’t truly willing to proceed and just want to waste my time looking around. Prospecting can be a drag when not knowing when your next client will come but the early stages of any business are difficult so I’m ok with it.

Where do you find your clients?

I find most of my clients through cold calls.

Tell us a story about one particular sale. Maybe one that was challenging or particularly interesting or anything that made it memorable to you.

I had a listing (seller representation) where the seller received an offer around $50,000 over appraised value and we still had difficult closing. Post inspection, the buyer asked for everything to be credited and that was where the war started. Thankfully, the other agent and I worked well together to close the transaction and after numerous, and I mean numerous back and forth negotiations, almost killing the transaction. We were able to close by giving part of our commissions as a seller credit to the buyer. I also spent an entire day physically helping them move out since the movers came late and they were short on time.

How important to your success was joining Keller Williams?

The Keller Williams office in Aventura has a wonderful atmosphere with people who are always happy to help one another. Keller Williams as a whole, is an incredible company for new agents who need guidance and hands on coaching to succeed in a business like Real Estate. I don’t know what the future holds but I don’t have a reason to go elsewhere and I highly recommend KW to anyone who’s about to be licensed anywhere in the country and in any country that has a KW office for that matter.

This is Karen again. If you are a real estate agent or aspiring agent who is looking for a great place to work (even if it’s not in South Florida), give me a call.

Please note that neither Karen Climer nor Demetree School of Real Estate have any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, started Climer School of Real Estate. He sold it in 2014. It was recently acquired by a large national corporation.

By Karen Climer|2023-11-14T11:33:29-05:00January 21st, 2022|