The question how may we produce for you is something EXIT Realty Producers franchise owners Debra and Terry Martin-Back say drives their passion for helping their agents and clients!
This question means different things to the duo as they prioritize serving their clients, supporting their agents and helping their real estate investors save and make money. Working with over a dozen agents and managing 150 doors, the couple who will be celebrating 39 years of marriage have seen a lot of ups and downs in the real estate market.
EXIT Realty Producers franchise owners Terry and Debra Martin-Back.
Based in Gainesville, Florida, Debra originally had a small independent office and wanted to grow the property management division. Approached by an EXIT broker, she ended up merging their business with Debra later becoming the sole owner in 2008. Anticipating the downturn, they grew from five to 50 doors that year. However, EXIT being agent centric is what really attracted Debra.
“My original real estate training was not learning how to do real estate but how to stay out of trouble. I received no training with the previous brokerage. EXIT offers training and support to get started. I feel like agents need to know what they are doing because you are representing a person’s biggest investment in life,” Debra said.
Terry was a successful general contractor and house flipper. He joined Debra in 2012 to help maintain the properties they manage. He brought to the partnership important experience previously serving on the code enforcement board for four years. “I know how to help keep property owners and managers abreast of what is going on to avoid code violations or if they exist, to protect the agent, owners and tenants.
On June 18, the duo renewed for additional five years as an EXIT franchise owner. Terry says, focusing on the EXIT Five Pillars is a big part of their operation.
“We focus constantly on training and reinforcing the five pillars of training, branding, technology, culture and finances while teaching our agents how to use the tools. We also show our customer how these tools benefit them whether they are buying, selling or renting properties,” Terry said.
Ultimately, the reason they renewed is they like what EXIT offers and appreciate the support they get from corporate to Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl.
“Everyone is so personable from Steve Morris and Tami Bonnell to Angel Tucker and Annette Anthony. No one seems unreachable or unapproachable. Also, Stacy just calls to check in. These personal relationships mean a lot and they have been very supportive of our charities,” said Debra.
Continuing education and training is something the Martin-Backs support.
We work hard, play hard and rest hard the duo says. “I think staying in our own lanes, staying focused and enjoying what we do is the secret to our success,” says Debra. “We are also involved and always look for ways to help and improve ourselves. We teach agents if you use the EXIT resources, you are improving yourself, and, this is something we do constantly to help ourselves and our agents so we are cutting edge.”
The advice they give their agents to be successful is to find a niche and work it. Terry says to focus on what you do best.
“Definitely avoid the hype that is constantly bombarding you from paying for lead generation to new technology because EXIT has already been offering that for years. So, take advantage of the technology and definitely stay in your lane. Work hard at what you do best,” Terry said.
When explaining to potential agents the benefit of EXIT’s unique single-level residual system, the Martin-Backs say it helped them during the hard times when the market changed and literally put food on the table. Residuals are also paying for their hobbies from new bicycles to cruises!
Honestly, if you focus on sales you aren’t going to make it says Terry. “We teach our agents to have more than one stream of income from property management, real estate investment and create diverse businesses. One of our agents has a side cleaning business as well as having residuals. It creates multiple streams of incomes,” he said.
We want our agent to make money and be successful Debra says. They agree that the EXIT Realty 4 Minute Million video explains everything perfectly and does the recruiting for them.
The Martin-Backs lead by example when they tell their agents to give back to their community. Terry served for 12 years of active service with the Army as well as eight years in the National Guard and Reserve. This drives their desire to support local charities which help veterans.
“We’ve raised thousands of dollars for local charities and most recently raised $5,000 through a bike-a-thon helping Soldiers Freedom Outdoors which is an all-volunteer non-profit where 100% helps veterans with PTSD,” said Terry. “In 2017, the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-veteran adults and was around 16.8 suicides a day. This organization supports veterans mental health and means a lot to us. We’re also very proud that through the Spirit of EXIT this was matched for a total of $10,000 donated. Tami Bonnell, who is also the mother of a veteran, understands this well. This really makes us proud to be part of the EXIT family.”
Debra has also been a commissioner for the Alachua County Housing Authority for the past eight years and Terry served for four years on the Alachua County Veterans Advisory Board.
“We live in a beautiful community and it’s all about the effort you put into it to keep it that way,” says Terry.
In the past two years, the couple have started bike riding for health even participating in races with Terry doing a triathlon and a duathelon and of course their bike fund raisers.
“Being active helps us stay together, going down the same path, with the same vision, while staying in our lane and helping produce for ourselves and others,” the couple explain.
Connect with EXIT Realty Producers and the Martin-Backs today at admin@exitrealtyproducers.com.
Consistently earning #1 Region and #1 in Franchise sales for EXIT Realty Corp. International, EXIT Southeast will be hosting an epic Rally for agents, brokers and owners in Orlando. Florida, October 20-22. Click here for more information. Connect with EXIT Southeast today for real estate opportunities in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and now Texas where Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl serve as Regional owners. Contact us today at info@EXITSoutheast.com.
