One on One with Renee Pina
By Gina Dostler
Renee Pina helps her clients find and sell their homes in a fast and changing market. Her arrangement allows her to give back to the community as well. Pina describes how her organization is in the forefront of a changing industry.
Q: What is changing in real estate tactics?
A: I’ve been in the real estate business for over 26 years. But there was a turn for me when I joined Keller Williams back in 2002 and partnered with Keven Stirdivant’s KASE Real Estate Group earlier this year. Though we operate under KW, we are a very individualized that allows our own branding to lead the way. Keven’s business prospecting tactics have proved so successful for our team that we have done over $150 million in business so far. I attribute part of my success to teaming up with Keven and his team.
Q: What business tactics?
A: It’s a progressive type of branding. In another words, it is being more than just a realtor. For instance, we talk about coming from a place of contribution, from sincerely wanting to service, from A to Z, our customers. We give back to our community and charitable organizations that connect us intimately to causes we are passionate about. At Keller Williams they teach us to pay it forward where the company values are based on God, family, business.
Q: How does branding help your company?
A: Selling under KW allows us to brand ourselves individually and with their agent expansion program we are able to take our brand and open it in other market areas across the country. We are not limited to just one team in an area, but can go globally. We are the only real estate company that does that.
Q: How does KASE operate?
A: The KASE model is based on prospecting and accountability. We are accountable to be at the office by 8 a.m., while anybody late has to buy lunch that day. And with 35 agents in the office, that can come to a hefty bill. We also have a tough regimen that a lot of agents don’t follow such as prospect for two or three hours a day at the office. And in the afternoon, we have go on foot-knocking on 50 – 100 doors a day. In between we check in with our sellers and how we can continue to help them. It’s a lot of work, but we have fun with it. We check in daily about the numbers we hit, the highs, lows and breakthroughs. It’s a family atmosphere where we keep each other accountable to our goals. We inspire and uplift one another.
Q: KASE Real Estate is a brand?
A: It’s a business model rooted in success operating under Keller Williams Realty. Right now we have KASE Pacific Estates and KASE Newport Estates. Currently, Keven Stirdivant, founder of KASE, is abroad recruiting for KASE Philippines and has plans to market all over the world with his brand. And this is all made possible by KW’s belief that if a company and a team are successful in one area, it can recreate it in other offices locally and globally.
Q: You’ve branded yourself the pet friendly realtor. Is this part of the business model?
A: It’s my way of connecting with people. I call it the dog bond. Many of my clients when buying a home have a list of pet requests such as a yard, or areas that embrace having pets as part of the family. It’s all part of our team’s service to the community. I’m also a dog lover and very much involved with pet rescues. I’ve become a resource for all my clients and past clients on pet concerns and known for my affinity for dogs. I sponsor many events that help dogs and cats, such as our dog date night event last July that raised 500 pairs of shoes for A Home 4 Ever Rescue to give help to microenterprises in developing nations such as Haiti, Botswana or Bolivia.
Q: So community service is part of your business model?
A: Yes. Keller Williams has a yearly day called Red Day. Everyone stops working that one day and gives themselves to helping a charitable cause. That’s just one day. But we are constantly helping our community. Last Thursday, a dozen of us at KASE went to Los Padrinos Juvenile Center for career day and give our testimonials to the kids. It’s so important to connect with them. The youth of today are our future. We have to intercept those that are having a difficult go of it and let them know of all the possibilities out there. Again, being in the right company that encourages giving back and paying it forward is important and a valuable asset to be working under.
Q: You recently just bought your own dream home.
A: I did! I’ve been going up to Ojai and found a house that was listed on my birthday and made it mine. It was a little challenging because I represented my own self in an out-of-town property. I had to negotiate with repairs in mind because both the roof and AC unit needed to be redone. But I stood firm. We made the deal and its ahead full steam in setting up the home. And I already have two clients in the area that want to buy and sell, so the KASE brand is now expanding to Ojai!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Renee M. Pina
Keller Williams Pacific Estates
KASE Real Estate Group
260 Newport Center Dr. , Newport Beach, Ca 92660
949-698-2003
renee@reneempina.com
