The why, the reason we do what we do, for many brokers, is their families. Parenting is hard. Working is hard. So finding the balance between family and work is key.  Scout Real Estate founder Jennifer Nelson invites a panel of brokers who do double duty as parents to discuss their challenges on Pocket Hours today. They are sharing insight and tips for striking the best possible work-life balance. Some of the topics covered include: Setting boundaries and prioritizing family The benefits of the flexible schedule  Self-care and delegating tasks The real challenges that we face and how to “do it all”  The importance of finding support And more! Today’s panel is made of Chris Kallin, Kelly Satterfield, Shelley Godwin, and Nicole Bennet. Reach out to them using the links below. If you would like to learn more about Scout Real, connect with Jennifer Nelson at scoutrealestate.com. Information on how to get your clock hours and other offerings for Scout School are also listed at scoutrealestate.com/scout-school. Resources Mentioned: Chris Kallin: seattlebydesign.com Kelly Satterfield: theklshomescollective.com/connect Shelley Godwin: www.windermere.com/directory/agents/shelley-godwin Nicole Bennett: nicolebennetthomes.com

As real estate agents, it is always the goal to help buyers see the potential in a home or property when they are in the market to buy. Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) is an up-and-coming way that not only maximizes the buyer’s investment but also provides many other benefits.  In this episode of Pocket Hours, Jennifer Nelson is talking to Nathan Bennett, owner of Plumb ADU. He shares the whole process, start to finish, of how he walks clients through building an ADU or DADU on their property. With his company, he has fine-tuned the whole process, so you get expert advice through the 3 phases of building a unit, along with the personal touch needed for each individual site.  Nathan and Jennifer talk about what realtors need to know about ADUs and DADUs, including how legislation has changed in the state of Washington. Nathan also explains some of the many benefits of ADUs and DADUs, including: A possible home office (tax write-off) Maximizing a buyer/homeowner’s investment Creating the option of aging in place Generating a second income stream (long- or short-term rental) Helping potential buyers see what's possible  You can find more about working with Nathan and Plumb ADU at their website: plumbadu.com. He would love to hear from you directly; he loves working with real estate agents! [email protected]. Jennifer Nelson is the founder of Scout Real Estate. You can connect with her at scoutrealestate.com. Information on how to get your clock hours and other offerings for Scout School are also listed at scoutrealestate.com/scout-school. Resources Mentioned:  plumbadu.com ADUniverse: aduniverse-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com

This episode of Pocket Hours is a little different. Scout Real Estate Founder Jennifer Nelson interviews her friend and longtime colleague, Dawn Leverett. Dawn is sharing her journey of misdiagnosis and eventual acceptance of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disorder.  Despite all she’s been through, Dawn maintains her sense of humor and finds support from her friends and family. Dawn’s real estate career, spanning 22 years, is characterized by genuine connection with her clients, and that hasn’t changed. She emphasizes community involvement and personal growth, even in the face of grief over her lost abilities.   Dawn also shares her experiences with ALS, raising awareness about rare diseases, and advocating for connection and understanding. Dawn’s bravery is admirable, and we appreciate her willingness to share her story on Pocket Hours. Connect with Dawn at ensemblepnw.com/agent/dawn. Find out more about Jennifer Nelson and all that Scout Real Estate has to offer at scoutrealestate.com.  

On this episode of Pocket Hours, we’ve turned the tables…well, the microphone, at least. Kristine Milkovich joins Scout Real Estate founder Jennifer Nelson, but Kristine is doing the interviewing, and Jennifer is answering the questions. If you are new here, or have ever wondered about Jennnifer’s background, this episode is a great place to start! Kristine and Jennifer discuss buyer-broker agreements, changes in the real estate industry, and best practices for rounding yourself out as an agent. Jennifer offers great insight on getting comfortable and confident with your sales approach and gives actionable suggestions on how to get there. She also discusses the advantages of a buyer-broker agreement for both the buyer and the agent.  Jennifer also shares how to grow your business by approaching it as a business, not a hobby. She strives to meet high standards as a broker and to make sure her clients feel the value she is providing. As a result, not every client will be the right fit, and that is okay. When you surround yourself with the right people and focus on relationships, you will see results.  Connect with Jennifer and learn more about all that Scout Real Estate has to offer at scoutrealestate.com.  You can find Kristine Milkovich at her website themilkovichteam.com.  And be sure to check out Jennifer’s previous episode with Kristine here: Pocket Hours: Finding What Lights You Up.

Scout Real Estate founder Jennifer Nelson welcomes certified financial planner Josh Whalen to the Pocket Hours podcast. Josh helps people refine and identify their financial goals and then implement, coordinate, and oversee strategies to get them there. If you don’t think you have enough money to start planning for the future, Josh and Jennifer stress the idea that you do have time on your side. Once you structure your business to begin planning for the future, Josh has strategies for saving for retirement, tax planning, and outsourcing certain tasks. It might be worth your while to let a trusted professional take over, so you can get the best outcome for the funds you’re able to contribute to your future.  Josh shares some great ideas for your big picture as well as some practical tips that can help you start planning right now. This is a great conversation to know when to start planning (probably when you start to get annoyed with your taxes) and what to do first to gain financial independence. Find more from Alterra Advisors and connect with Josh Whelan at alterraadvisors.com. If you would like to learn more about Scout Real Estate you can email Jennifer [email protected] or visit scoutrealestate.com.

Paul Hoffman from Hoffman Reconstruction is Jennifer Nelson’s guest on Pocket Hours for this episode. Paul is the third generation within his business, and he credits the long-lasting legacy to responsiveness, clear pricing, and integrity.  Paul and Jennifer talk about evaluating homes for issues, giving clients the lowdown, and teaming up with realtors to guide folks through nerve-wracking inspections. The true-life stories Paul shares include saving a client from an insurance nightmare, calming fears about a crack in a foundation, and proactively fixing issues that could arise in a pre-inspection.  In a nutshell, Paul credits his success to being upfront and proactive. He also shares some valuable insight into how to get a good return on your real estate investment from the construction, or reconstruction, perspective. Find out more about Hoffman Reconstruction at www.hoffmanreconstruction.com. And if you would like to connect with Jennifer Nelson, you can visit scoutrealestate.com

On this episode of Pocket Hours, Jennifer Nelson, Founder of Scout Real Estate, talks with Susi Musi, a real estate industry leader. Susi compares her projects in the real estate industry to a puzzle, finding all the right pieces to go into the right places. This is the aspect of real estate that hooks her and keeps her coming back for more.  Jennifer and Susi explore the importance of purpose and productivity as well as creating authentic relationships. Susi shares insights into problem-solving, marketing strategies, and how to go deeper in your business by looking for the problems you like to solve.  Susi credits her success to staying curious and fostering connections beyond what brings in a paycheck. She loves creating win-win situations and settling in with a community of like-minded professionals. To learn more about Susi, check out her website: susimusiandco.com. Connect with Jennifer and earn your clock hours by getting more information at scoutrealestate.com. 

In this episode, Scout Real Estate founder Jennifer Nelson sits down with social media whiz Amy Carlson to unravel the ins and outs of social media for real estate. Amy is a Social Media Manager and owner of Sand & Pine Creative. She even runs all the Social Media for Scout Real Estate.  Amy tells us all about getting in front of your clients by showing up on Social Media in an authentic way that feels true to who you are. It can be tricky to keep the balance of sharing without oversharing, staying consistent, and finding marketing tricks to target your ideal audience. Amy has tips for all these key components to a Social Media strategy.  Amy shares some dos and don’ts for posting property pictures and how to create content that is seamless and genuine. If you would like to up your social media game and start showing up in a way that enhances your business, connect with Amy Carlson for a brainstorming or strategy session. You can find her at sandandpinecreative.com. Connect with Jennifer and learn more about Scout Real Estate at scoutrealestate.com.

In this episode of Pocket Hours, Jennifer Nelson hosts a panel of brokers — Henry Shim, Robin Sheridan, and Javilla Creer — to explore upcoming changes to real estate commissions and their potential impacts on agents and sellers as well as buyers.  The panel discusses ins and outs of changes in practices and policies, including: Commission structures, contracts & agreements Buyer-broker agreements Dual agency practices Commission objections Emphasis on transparency is at the center of most of the changes and is meant to keep agreements between buyer and broker more informed and prevent misunderstandings This episode offers valuable insight on the evolving landscape of changes coming in 2024, and the panel of brokers provides practical advice and strategies for fellow professionals. This conversation is a great jumping off point for brokers to start getting ready for what’s coming in 2024. Connect with Jennifer Nelson and learn more about Scout Real Estate at scoutrealestate.com. And find our panel:  Henry Shim-LinkedIn Robin Sheridan: robinsheridanhomes.com  Javila Creer: javila.withwre.com  

Jennifer Nelson, founder of Scout Real Estate, gets to welcome her own mentor, Denise Lones, as a guest on Pocket Hours today. Denise is founder of The Lones Group where she supports agents and helps them build their business based on their needs and personality type.  Denise shares how to build a three-part foundation which includes honesty, client care, and self-discipline. Each part of the foundation requires having a plan and implementing systems to fill in the missing pieces in your business.  Denise has her own practical strategies, including starting her day with an “Hour of Power”––time for organizing her calendar and making her to-dos for the day—and using Trello to track and stay in touch with clients.  Denise has words of wisdom for both new agents and agents who are trying to level up. Moving forward and finding success comes with staying authentic, taking care of people, and being consistent in how you show up.  Find out more about working with Denise and The Lones Group at her website, thelonesgroup.com. Visit scoutrealestate.com to learn more about Jennifer Nelson and Scout Real Estate.