Realty Executives Integrity, Brookfield, Wisconsin
How did you become a REALTOR® and a CRS?
I came out of the corporate world; I have a BBA in Production & Operations Management. When I decided to make a change after 15 years, I went into real estate and I wanted to make it a career, not just a job. I was fortunate to be in an office with CRS Designees who took me under their wing. They said, “If you’re going to do this, this is how to do it right.” They came across to me as being very professional and knowledgeable, so when they suggested getting the CRS Designation, it made sense to me.
What aspect of CRS training really clicked for you?
As soon as I took my first class, I realized how top-notch the education was and I was sold. Education was a big piece of the experience for me and still is. The fact that we have our own personal library is great. If I can’t get to a live webinar, it’s there in my library to listen to later and refer to over and over again. If you are looking to improve or add something to your business, you can search the vast RRC library and purchase pre-recorded webinars or online courses.
What is the best thing about your market?
I am in Waukesha, part of the metro Milwaukee market. I love the diversity of the housing here. I can work with single-family homes in the suburbs, the condos in our downtown or with the lake country area properties. And downtown Milwaukee has so much going on with theater, music and restaurants.
What marketing methods do you use to attract new clients?
The vast majority of my business is referral-based, and it got so large that I had to start a team to handle it. I also do some internet marketing and purchase leads from a few of the websites popular with consumers, but I like to spend time training my team to build their own referral-based businesses as well. We touch base with the clients in our database through mail, email and phone calls two to four times a month.
What’s the best way to connect with current clients and your sphere of influence?
My favorite way to connect with people is through our client events. We used to do one big event per year, but now we have one per quarter. We’ve done duckpin bowling, a brewery tour, a day at the Milwaukee Zoo, played mini golf and more. It’s gone over so well that our clients are calling up to ask, “When is your next event?” A little while back, we did a shred fest—people could drive by and have their documents shredded.
We are hoping to get in some other events this year, possibly a Brewers game, a tour of the Pabst mansion or dinner at the historic Wisconsin Club. Plus, each year we charter the Jingle Bus, which runs around downtown Milwaukee to take in the holiday lights and offers a mini architectural tour.
Do you primarily work with buyers or sellers?
I prefer working with sellers because I can do that from anywhere. I do volunteer work within the real estate industry, including serving as an RVP for RRC, as well as for some nonprofit organizations. So I can be in Orlando at a national convention and still work for my sellers, and they don’t realize I’m not in the office. I also work with buyers, but these are strictly past clients or referrals. Often I will do an initial consultation and first showing, and then let one of my team members take the lead.
I have a rock-star team. I tell new clients that they are lucky to be working with the Thomsen team because in a hot market, there is always someone available to quickly get them in to see a home and make sure they don’t miss out on the opportunity to get in an offer. In a soft market, we have the experience and knowledge to guide them and help them achieve their goal.
Tonya Thomsen, CRS, achieved CRS Designation in 2005. She can be reached at TThomsen@RealtyExecutives.com or 262-901-0866.
