You’ll want to dig into our blogs as we share monthly newsletters and profiles of success EXIT Southeast franchises. It’s important to dig deeper beyond a social media post to find inspiration and help to better your own business today.
If you’re like most REALTORS®, you know that the one thing you can predict about showings is their unpredictability. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or a newly-licensed agent, your time in the field can sometimes lead you into a challenging situation. Knowing what to watch out for can help you head off any trouble before it materializes.
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that goes double for safety in the field. A bit of forethought and planning can help ensure your safety during showings, open houses and travel. Start with some basics, such as:
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EXIT Southeast highlights smart precautions for agents during Realtor Safety Month in September.[/caption]Pay attention to your instincts and intuition. If a situation seems sketchy, find a way to avoid being caught alone and off your guard. Even if it means postponing a meeting, that’s far preferable to placing yourself in a dangerous situation.
When it comes to Realtor safety, consider taking advice from the professionals says EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl. Many organizations offer safety classes geared toward real estate professionals. In addition to risk awareness and prevention, you’ll learn some basic self-defense tactics.[caption id="attachment_3560" align="alignnone" width="450"]
EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl encourage all of their brokers, owners and agents to keep job safety a top priority.[/caption]EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Kenny Lynn agreed and stressed local law enforcement is also a great resource. “We are very lucky to have the support of area police and we encourage all brokers, owners and agents to take advantage of the resources available while always being mindful of safety,” Lynn said.Tawny King, broker/owner EXIT Realty King & Associates, is a great example of being prepared and making sure her team is as well.“Realtor® safety is always a top priority for EXIT Southeast. Tawny is a great example of an EXIT Southeast leader who leads by example and concern for her agents while creating a team atmosphere,” Strobl added.
Remaining smart and safe while working as a real estate agent is a priority says Tawny King, broker/owner, EXIT Realty King & Associates. Partnering with Tim Britt, Supreme Lending, an interactive training course was set up with Agape Tactical.[caption id="attachment_3637" align="alignnone" width="451"]
Tawny King, EXIT Realty King & Associates, participated in a realtor safety training course with her agents partnering with Tim Britt, Supreme Lending. (Photo by Zach Harrison Photography)[/caption]“I feel many times we don’t think about the things we should be aware of when dealing with potential strangers.  This course really opened my eyes of things we should be more aware of and precautions we can take not just in our business environment but everyday environment. And what to think about if ever put in a potentially dangerous situation,” King said. “This is a great course and I highly recommend it.”[caption id="attachment_3638" align="alignnone" width="450"]
Tawny King, EXIT Realty King & Associates broker, participated in a realtor safety course with her agents in partnership with Tim Britt, Supreme Lending.[/caption]
Nashville's daily newspaper, the Tennessean, asked EXIT leaders more about agent safety in this recent story. Click here for more info.
As an industrious real estate agent, you deserve to work with a strong network of experienced real estate professionals in Georgia, Kentucky or Tennessee. Contact EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl (stacy@exitsoutheast.com) to find about more about investing in your own business.
EXIT Realty Southeast franchise owners, brokers and agents have been very busy for the first nine months of the year.  Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl announced today, year-to-date, EXIT Southeast has generated more than $2.1 million in residuals.[caption id="attachment_3560" align="alignnone" width="450"]
EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl encourage all of their brokers, owners and agents to keep job safety a top priority.[/caption]“This is very exciting news for the over 1,000 agents in Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.  And, this only represents the first nine months of the year,” Stacy said.Kenny pointed out that working with EXIT Realty is a completely different earnings model.“EXIT Realty really is revolutionizing the way in which REALTORS® operate.  With the announcement of the residuals-to-date, it demonstrates the additional earnings potential. The three dimensional formula of taking listings, making sales and sponsoring agents opens the door for unlimited income potential,”  Lynn said.
EXIT Southeast was thrilled to join EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates to celebrate their 10th anniversary in Murfreesboro! Congrats Bob Lamb and co-owner Jeramie Tabor for their huge growth and continued success.  We are honored to have you on our team and excited about your renewal for another five years with EXIT.  Here’s to another decade of success!
Affectionately known as the Cannonball Run, EXIT Southeast was honored recently to have EXIT Realty Corp. International’s Director of Brokerage Development Janice Petteway and VP of Technology and Engagement Annette Anthony visit numerous locations across EXIT Southeast to share all of the exciting EXIT opportunities. Thank you to Provadus Home Loans & Smart Title & Escrow, LLC for hosting a special evening at Arrington Vineyards.[caption id="attachment_3700" align="alignnone" width="600"]
A special evening at Arrington Vineyards was enjoyed by EXIT Realty Corp. International's Annette Anthony , EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl, with EXIT Realty Corp. International's Janice Petteway and one of the evening hosts, Kim Hollingshead, CEO, Smart Title & Escrow..[/caption]
The annual EXIT convention is coming up October 24 through 27 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas where new technology is expected to be introduced. Kenny said with EXIT folks from the U.S. and Canada attending, it is a great way to learn and be inspired.“Convention is a great way to bounce ideas, see what’s working and what’s not.  EXIT is known for encouraging and sharing great ideas.  As we grow, our entire network of agents grows cause the team that plays together, stays together!”  Kenny said.For all the latest, be sure you “like” EXIT Southeast Facebook page and follow along.
EXIT Southeast and its regional owners, Kenny Lynn and Stacy Strobl, have been named EXIT Realty Corp.International Region of The Year and top in franchise sales for North America at the annual convention held at the prestigious Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.[caption id="attachment_3712" align="alignnone" width="600"]
EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Stacy Strobl and Kenny Lynn center, were presented EXIT Realty Corp..International Region of The Year for North America and top in franchise sales by Founder/Chairman Steve Morris, far left, and CEO Tami Bonnell at the annual convention at the prestigious Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.[/caption]
As the regional entity for EXIT in Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky, EXIT Southeast helps develop franchises throughout the area while offering expertise, technology training and day-to-day broker/owner support.[caption id="attachment_3713" align="alignnone" width="450"]
EXIT Southeast Regional Owners Stacy Strobl and Kenny Lynn earned EXIT Realty Corp. International Region of The Year for North America and top in franchise sales.[/caption]“We place the success of our owners, brokers and agents as a top priority,” said Lynn.  “As a result, their successes have helped us be honored once again.”After quadrupling the number of EXIT Tennessee agents within the first three years of ownership, in 2015, Lynn and Strobl earned EXIT Realty International Corp.’s top North America Regional Owners. In 2016, they were honored as top in franchise sales.  In 2016, they also earned the coveted Leaders’ Leader award for regional leadership and “developing a cohesive team of unstoppable professionals,” according to the award.“EXIT is more than just a real estate company.  It is a family and when one of us does well, we all share in that success,” Lynn said.
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Kenny Lynn, Stacy Strobl, EXIT Southeast Regional Owners[/caption]After working for many years in the residential real estate and mortgage industry, Lynn and Strobl purchased their own EXIT Realty franchise in 2012.  Being a franchise owner, they realized the potential for growing EXIT in Tennessee and were allowed to buy the statewide rights making them the regional owner.  With the success of building businesses previously, they knew they wanted to build a top real estate company.Timing and opportunity presented itself perfectly for Strobl and Lynn who knew with the right exposure and EXIT’s revolutionary concept of single-level residuals they could take the company to the next level in Tennessee as well as Kentucky and Georgia.  EXIT Southeast recently announced YTD over $2.1 in generated residual income for agents, brokers and owners.
 EXIT Southeast will continue to grow and prosper throughout the three-state area says Strobl.“Kenny and I are thrilled to have earned these highest honors again for our region,”  Strobl said.  “We have top notch brokers, franchisees and agents who all have ownership in this honor.  The future is unlimited and we can’t wait to continue to grow with our EXIT family.”EXIT Southeast takes seriously its support of owners and brokers said EXIT Realty Corp. International’s Director of Brokerage Development Janice Petteway. On her recent visit, she shared more about this dynamic duo.
As an industrious Realtor® or broker, you deserve to work with a strong network of experienced real estate professionals in Georgia, Kentucky or Tennessee. Contact EXIT Southeast Regional Owner Stacy Strobl to find about more about investing in your own business by giving her a call at 412-LOVEXIT (412-568-3948) or below today.[contact-form][contact-field label="Name" type="name" required="true" /][contact-field label="Email" type="email" required="true" /][contact-field label="Website" type="url" /][contact-field label="Message" type="textarea" /][/contact-form]
The Nashville Business Journal has just announced EXIT Southeast is a finalist for their 2018 Best In Business awards.To assemble their Nashville Business Journal Best in Business finalists, "nominations were taken from the public, and then a panel of judges looked at a variety of criteria to determine the winning finalists."In December, EXIT Southeast leaders, representing Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, met with the judges including the president of Austin Peay State University for an in-depth interview. The team was pleased to share EXIT Southeast recently earned EXIT Realty Corp. International’s #1 Region in North America, top in franchise sales and the awards earned by owners, brokers and staff in the EXIT Southeast region. Click here for more information. 
Prior to the interview, these questions were asked as part of the nomination process.NBJ: How did the business start? What were the circumstances, motivation and source of ideas/inspiration for starting the business?EXIT Southeast: After working for many years in the residential real estate and mortgage industry, Lynn and Strobl purchased their own EXIT Realty franchise in 2012. Being a franchise owner, they realized the potential for growing EXIT in Tennessee and were allowed to buy the statewide rights making them the regional owner. With the success of building businesses previously, they knew they wanted to build a company within the residential real estate industry. Timing and opportunity presented itself perfectly for Strobl and Lynn, who knew with the right exposure and EXIT’s revolutionary concept of single-level residuals, they could take the company to the next level in Tennessee. EXIT Southeast recently announced YTD over $2.1 in generated residual income for agents, brokers and owners. In 2016, this hard work was recognized nationally with the EXIT Leaders’ Leader award for being “dynamic regional owners for both aggressively building and carefully stabilizing their region.”
NBJ: What are the biggest challenges the business has had to overcome, and how was that accomplished?EXIT Southeast: When EXIT Tennessee was begun October 1, 2013, prior to expanding to EXIT Southeast, Lynn and Strobl wanted to grow the brand to a household name in the Nashville area real estate industry and faced the usual challenges of beginning a new venture. The partners were diligent in establishing a real estate company which would be known for professionalism, integrity and honesty as well as honoring and supporting the franchise owners and agents as valued team members. Through a grassroots effort, they have turned the company into a family-friendly business where brokers, owners and agents feel part of something bigger and take pride in this affiliation.
NBJ: What lessons have you learned since the inception of your company?EXIT Southeast: When Strobl and Lynn began the business, they realized they needed to emphasis the human behind the transaction and develop positive working relationships with their agents and owners. As a top priority, they have modeled valuing each person representing the EXIT brand. The partners quickly learned in order to reach their goals, growth and potential, they had to adopt the policy of leading with love, motivating people be part of something bigger and taking pride in their brand.   Ultimately, the partners learned their determination had to be contagious in order to help their EXIT team become unstoppable professionals.
NBJ: Other than the people, what do you believe have been the key ingredients to the company's success?EXIT Southeast: The partners have worked hard at creating an atmosphere where everyone helps one another to succeed. They have created an environment where fellow franchise owners, brokers and agents share successes and failures so everyone can learn and grow. This environment of transparency has helped grow the 10-county area into a real estate company that operates as a team helping everyone rise to the top. Other key ingredients include Lynn and Strobl’s support of EXIT from technology and training to team building events like their annual EXIT Realty Smart Race benefiting local charities where agents, owners and brokers race one another!
 The Nashville Business Journal has also asked EXIT Southeast about expansion goals. EXIT Southeast continues to expand its Metro Nashville 10-county area with franchises and agents daily with a goal of reaching capacity for the 10-county area franchises as they continue to expand throughout the state, Kentucky and Georgia.
If you want to connect with the award-winning team, contact Stacy Strobl or Kenny Lynn today for opportunities in your area at 412-LOVEXIT. (412-568-3948.)
With rent on the rise in many communities in the Southeast United States, a growing number of people are looking to own a home rather than rent. For many people, however, living alone on a single income is impractical. Increasingly, prospective homeowners are buying with the intent of renting rooms to a housemate or two.[caption id="attachment_3834" align="aligncenter" width="639"]
"Growing numbers of home buyers, particularly single young women, are choosing to rent space to one or more roommates," said Baley Bodden, a Realtor with The Bodden Sisters Team of Exit Realty Music City.[/caption]Our own Baley Bodden, of  The Bodden Sisters Team of EXIT Realty Music City, made some astute observations during a recent interview for a story in The Tennessean. Here are more tips to consider when selecting a roommate to help pay a home mortgage.
Clearly, there are multiple benefits in renting space in your home to a roommate or two. The financial advantages are obvious, and include reducing your utility costs as well as recouping part or all of your mortgage payment.With help from roommates, you may be able to afford a larger home—one you can grow into. For some homeowners, the rent from one or two housemates can cover enough of the monthly housing expense to enable them to afford home improvements, travel and still save for retirement. All while building equity![caption id="attachment_3835" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Depending on what you charge for rent, you actually pay your mortgage says Baley Bodden, The Bodden Sisters Music City, in an interview with the Tennessean.[/caption]With the financial help of roommates, you may even be able to afford a shorter loan term than the usual 30 years. Imagine purchasing a home in your 20s and owning it free and clear before your 40th birthday! A 15-year mortgage offers significant savings in return for its slightly greater monthly payment.For some people, particularly young women, personal safety is a primary concern. Having multiple residents in a home also increases security for your belongings, particularly if you work long hours or like to travel. You each essentially have a built-in house sitter. Additionally, sharing a home helps build community and expand your social connections.
Of course, there can be downsides to sharing your home with roommates. Thankfully, most can be avoided, or at least mitigated, with proper planning and good communication. Compatibility is paramount, particularly if you’re looking for a long-term arrangement. Choosing housemates who share your values and who will respect your home is the first step toward an ideal living arrangement.Good communication is crucial. Everyone should agree on their expectations in advance. Kitchen sharing, schedules, noise and activity levels are examples of concerns you should address and agree upon before move-in day. Other lifestyle quirks to consider include:
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The advantages are “not living alone, supplemental income. Depending on what you charge for rent, you actually pay your mortgage. You’re building equity in a home and living for free,” said Bodden in the Tennessean story.[/caption]Have real conversations, both beforehand and throughout your cohabitation, about how your lifestyles will affect one another’s daily lives. It’s a good idea to have a written agreement, read and signed by all parties, to ensure peace within the home.
Even with the best of planning, you’ll need to have protections in place—for everyone—in case anything should go wrong. Remember that not everyone may respect your home and belongings as much as you do. Additionally, your housemates may not know how to care properly for such things as hardwood floors, cast iron cookware, painted surfaces, and so forth.As mentioned above, putting your mutual agreements in writing is an excellent way to ensure your home gets the care and consideration it deserves. It’s important to include each party’s responsibilities to each other, as well as to the home. Setting “quiet hours” and agreeing on acceptable levels of cleanliness will help to ensure everyone continues to feel safe, content and respected at home.[caption id="attachment_3837" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
If you are single and not raising a family, a roommate may be the solution to help pay a mortgage says Baley Bodden, The Bodden Sisters EXIT Realty Music City.[/caption]As a homeowner, you should get a cash deposit from each housemate. In your lease or written agreement, detail under what circumstances, such as damage or non-payment of rent, you may retain all or part of that deposit.
Renter’s insurance is very affordable, and should be required for everyone’s protection. This will protect your home from damage due to negligence, accidents or malicious intent. Additionally, the policyholder will be covered for liability in the event of an accident.If you take no other advice on the topic or renting space in your home, take this! Renter’s insurance is an absolute must-have.
As living expenses continue to climb, many people are finding they can have more house, more affordably, and build more equity by sharing their home with a roommate or two. Savvy real estate agents are learning how to better advise their clients who plan to rent rooms, and EXIT Realty is leading the way.
Recently named a Nashville Business Journal "Best In Business Finalist" for 2018,  EXIT Southeast continues to expand its Metro Nashville 10-county area with franchises and agents daily with a goal of reaching capacity for the 10-county area franchises as they continue to expand throughout the state, Kentucky and Georgia.Connect with this award-winning team today by contacting Stacy Strobl or Kenny Lynn for opportunities in your area at 412-LOVEXIT. (412-568-3948).[caption id="attachment_3838" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Join the award-winning EXIT Southeast team today by contacting Regional Owners Stacy Strobl and Kenny Lynn at info@exitsoutheast.com. . EXIT agents earn beneficiary & retirement residuals which Lynn said is revolutionizing the real estate industry with its three dimensional concept of taking listings, making sales and sponsoring - unique to the industry.[/caption]
