Peer-to-Peer: Angi Cline, CRS, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Bowling Green, Kentucky
How did you get started in real estate?
I was nearing retirement from teaching, but I was only 44 and was interested in continuing to work. My husband was in real estate, so five years ago I got my license, and we started working together. With the many contacts that I developed through my teaching career, real estate seemed like a perfect fit.
What prompted you to become a CRS?
I was attending REALTOR® meetings in the state and most of the speakers and presenters were CRSs. Coming from an educational background, I knew education was key to my business. They were explaining how the designation would grow my business, so I knew I had to pursue that. I completed my GRI and CRS simultaneously, and my business has been enhanced tenfold.
How are you attracting REALTORS® in your area of the state?
One opportunity that has presented itself is the fact that my husband is a state rep for another REALTOR® group, and I have been able to go with him as he has traveled around Kentucky to talk with new agents. I was able to scoop up 50 new members since January, some CRS Designees and some who are candidates.
I have the best Leadership Team. We have been working on some good ideas for other events. Kentucky is famous for the Kentucky Derby. This year we held a Derby party at our Historic Railpark. Everyone was encouraged to dress up and wear fancy hats, play games and sip on mint juleps. People loved it so much that we might make it an annual event. And for our booth at the next state convention, we have even tossed around the concept of a kiss-the-pig contest.
What is your market like and how do you get in touch with new clients?
Bowling Green is centrally located and we have a lot of industry, so there are quite a few people moving in and out of the city. We get and give a lot of referrals. We also use Referral Exchange (the Qualified Consumer Leads program with RRC); we got about 15 transactions last year alone, which represented a tenfold increase in our business. For example, we just had a client who, within the space of a year, sold one house, bought another house and then sold that house when they were transferred to Texas. So we handled three transactions from one client we acquired through that program.
I see that you are involved with the Council on the state level in Kentucky.
Yes, shortly after I got my CRS, I started with the Kentucky RRC chapter as technology leader. Next thing I knew I was president-elect, and now I’m president.
What do you like most about Bowling Green?
My husband, Steve, and I have a cabin on a nearby lake, and in the summer we try to go boating every weekend. We are really outdoorsy—we love to hike and hang out with friends there. Bowling Green is the perfect city in which to raise a family.
What goals do you have for the near future?
We would love to grow our team, although we are doing very well. It would be great to engage and participate at a higher level in our local associations. Right now, I am actively working with federal political coordinators to work with our congressman. I’d like to continue to be even more involved, to support people as they run for office and work on issues that are important to those of us in real estate to protect the industry we work in. Being a CRS plays a huge role in these goals through networking, future planning and educating people about CRS.
Angi Cline, CRS, achieved her CRS Designation in 2016. She can be reached at theclineteam@theclineteam.com or 270.202.7807.
