Interview with Mike Tashman
With so much movement in the real estate agent community since the beginning of 2019, we wanted to understand some of it. We recently sat down with Mike Tashman to find out why he left a brokerage, only to go back 6 months later.
Discover:
Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time to talk with Discover Luxury Magazine. Tell us why you left Surterre Properties last March.
Mike:
Sure. It was not an easy decision to leave originally or to go back. I’ve learned a lot over the last eight months and that is why I am excited to share.
I left Surterre Properties because I had a grander vision. I wanted to reach a broader market then what I thought a local brokerage could offer. I wanted to be international and thought the heavy weight of a large corporate brokerage would elevate my business and give my clients more exposure.
And let’s be honest, every brokerage was heavily recruiting in 2019 so I got some financial perks for my business that would be advantageous for serving my clients.
Discover:
Six months seems like a short amount of time, what made you go back to Surterre?
Mike:
It was a decision that weighed on my mind heavily. Although my past brokerage has a vast reach, I came to the conclusion a smaller local brokerage can still provide the heavy lifting needed to serve the international reach that might clients expects and need.
Discover:
I would love to dig a little a deeper. What were some of the reasons?
Mike:
Happy to share. During my time away from Surterre I was able to talk with many colleagues at various brokerages. We all have the same pain points right now and the most obvious is marketing. And when I say marketing, I mean all forms such as social media, digital, and print together cohesively.
Having an inhouse marketing department with an expert staff that is in tune with all the technical aspects of real estate marketing is imperative to meet the needs of my sophisticated and digital savvy clients.
In today’s world speed to market can make all the difference. My clients expect the highest level of services including the best photography, advertising and digital reach. I know I can meet their expectations because Surterre has the highest standards when it comes to marketing. Surterre and I take my client’s needs seriously by focusing attention from day 1 of a listing to even after the closing. A larger brokerage doesn’t mean I can serve my clients better. I am supported at Surterre with personal support from the in-house legal department, the management support and expert staff.
As many of my colleagues will acknowledge, the agent community realizes there is no better broker of record than John Baldikoski. I can call him on his cell which he actually answers, and he will give me direction immediately. He is confident and a wealth of knowledge. There are also three other broker managers available to me any time offering me sound advice. If you work in the luxury market, then you know how complicated some transactions can get. The complexity of new real estate laws can be overwhelming but the Surterre team helps me navigate through, ensuring a smooth transaction and a litigation free process.
Discover:
When you spoke with other agents, what were some of their pain points?
Mike:
(laughing) I had agents tell me how lonely they were…which I get now. Surterre is like a family and there are always people around. There is a high level of comradery which lends to great networking which is an immeasurable quality when you are dealing with high end coastal clients. Working with top agents that are embedded with the community, in my opinion, is an essential part of the business. Everyone works together to serve our clients needs.
Discover:
Were you worried about what people would think about making a change so quickly?
Mike:
It was a decision I took very seriously and honestly contemplated for a while. At the end of the day, I had to make the best decision to serve my clients. I was quickly welcomed back home to Surterre and feel comfortable for the first time in 6 months. I am more productive now as there is a sense of urgency with my marketing materials. I truly have a team behind me which makes all the difference.
Discover:
Mike, you’ve advertised with us for a while so we wanted to share your story before the start of 2020. Are you comfortable with other agents learning from your experience?
Mike:
I think this is the time of year agents start re-evaluating their happiness and options. I know I do. I think we should all consider that happiness is not just about money, but in fact the people that support you. I came back to Surterre because it is my home away from home, the place where I know my Surterre Family will have my back. I learned the hard way the grass isn’t always greener.
Discover:
After jumping brokerage like you did, what would your advice be for other agents?
Mike:
My advice from this whole experience would be to truly evaluate the benefits you are receiving for your clients. If you want to take your business to the next level don’t be afraid to make a change, especially in this challenging market. Having the best resources during this time will give you the advantage you need.
Mike Tashman is an agent with Surterre Properties®, a top luxury residential real estate brokerage known for its teamwork and integrity. Committed to raising the bar when it comes to outstanding personalized service, Mike is dedicated his clients’ success and creating the best possible experience along the way. The original article can be found in Discover Magazine
