Bethany Nolan is an associate broker with Nolan Properties in Longview. She generated $14.2 million in sales volume and completed 54 transaction sides in 2021.
Upon completing my master’s degree, I interned and was hired by a global public relations firm. Working in this fast-paced environment helped me learn a lot of the skills I use in real estate.
Social media is the bread-and-butter of my business! In the past year, it has become my main referral source. Facebook and YouTube showcase our listings, pending properties, and sold homes; Instagram is more of an educational tool, walking through the house-hunting process; LinkedIn showcases more of our commercial listings and professional accolades; and TikTok has more personality and flair with the funny moments that happen in real estate.
My best advice for new agents is to dive in! Get involved, meet everyone you can, and be responsive. I also recommend joining a minimum of two local organizations to keep you in the loop on local events and news.
Getting into real estate was always the end goal with my family. We wanted to create a family-focused brokerage and build within our hometown community.
My main role model is my father. He has helped push me to be the best version of myself every day. I remember I made a goal last year for my sales volume and he said, Nope, that’s too low. You can do better. Just raise it. I raised it and hit over that amount.
My approach to real estate is staying relationship-focused. I want my clients to trust me but also consider me a trusted colleague and friend as well. I believe that house hunting and stressful transactions can go smoothly when you feel like you have a friend holding your hand.
I feel that I’ve created a great transaction when I receive referrals. When clients trust me with someone that they love after we have done business together, it’s the highest form of flattery.
Knowledge is power, and what I lack in years of experience I make up for with education and trainings that I have pushed myself to take.
I still feel like I am working to be the best I can be daily in real estate. I have bigger goals each year and adjust them each quarter to push myself to do more and help more people. I don’t know that I will ever quite feel like I’ve made it.
Samantha Plomer
Samantha Plomer is a partner with Tailored Real Estate Group, a team with Compass RE Texas in Houston. In 2021, Plomer generated $6.1 million in individual sales volume and completed 17 individual transaction sides. Plomer’s team generated $36.8 million in sales volume and completed 97 transaction sides.
Growing up, I watched my parents build every home we ever lived in. My grandpa was a custom home builder in Michigan and to this day, at 94, he will still get on the drawing board. I watched them dream up ideas and plan where to put all our rooms. I got asked how I wanted to design my room.
Most kids don’t dream of going to a design center and picking out paint colors or flooring materials. I thrived in this environment and knew this was my passion. I went to college to pursue a degree in interior design. I was brought back to my childhood of drawing plans and moving rooms around to make that perfect space.
I got my license at 22 in 2015 after graduating college, but I started as an intern at an apartment locator company at 20.
When I work with sellers, I can stage their property and help them with any redesign if necessary. For buyers, I can help them visualize how their items will fit in the space and how to help them make the space their own.
This year, I not only have been working with buyers and sellers; I transitioned into the director of agent development role on our team, where I’ve helped the agents on our team grow their business.
I have a few mentors. Kat Robinson is not only my business partner; she’s one of my greatest friends. Christina Daw I call my real estate mom. She pulled me into my leadership career with Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Jo Ann Stevens sees things in me I never even knew I was capable of. These three ladies influence me every day.
The secret to my success is being collaborative. I have found by joining groups such as YPN that we are able to share and help each other out even though we aren’t in the same company. I also love how agents are using the new social media platform Clubhouse.
I faced a lot of nos, and you’re too young or too unexperienced. I felt like my age was always a factor. It pushed me to want to be the best and to prove them wrong. I loved being told no, because it will only drive me to work that much harder to get a yes.
