“The culture that we have is the best around,” says Broker Associate Matt Winzenried. “Our agents are always open to helping each other, and even the style of our office makes you want to come in and just hang out.”

Winzenried is celebrating 10 years in real estate this year, the last five of which have been with �ʹ�����app.

“I was drawn to �ʹ�����app through the regional leadership. Seeing how much the leadership cared for their individual agents and wanted the best for them was encouraging. I also liked how �ʹ�����app wasn’t complacent and was always looking for ways to improve.”

Winzenried has excelled at �ʹ�����app and his team, Matt Winzenried Real Estate Partners, won three awards at the 2015 awards ceremony, including a Double Diamond Award and placing in the Top 100 for Commission and Units. He also won a Chairman’s Award in the Top Executive category.

Read on to learn more about Winzenried:

What makes being a real estate agent the right career for you?

I’m using the skills and gifts that I’ve been blessed with to help people in a significant way. Helping make a potentially turbulent process comfortable for people that I care about is very rewarding.

What factors most attributed to your success over the last year?

An amazing team of people around me. We strive to provide a great experience and make the processes as smooth as possible. This has led to happy clients, who turn into raving fans that send us referrals and do repeat business with us.

What are your top three lead generation sources?

Past client referrals, business partners/networking, and online leads. The heart of my business is referrals, with the other sources as supplements.

What differentiates you from your competition?

One of the main things that differentiates me from the competition is my desire to take care of my clients and to provide them with an awesome experience in order to make sure they become raving fans. I have set up touch points during the processes and key times to share in their excitement. I also have quarterly events for my past clients to help stay top of mind.

How do you give back to the community and the real estate industry?  

I am on the board of a housing foundation that helps low income buyers with down payment assistance. My wife and I are also involved with our church and join them in giving back throughout the year.

How would you describe current market conditions in your area?

We’re experiencing a lack of inventory, like many markets across the country. While sellers may be enjoying this, I would say we’ve lost about 10% of additional business this year due to buyers getting frustrated and opting not to buy. Two big trends entering our market are escalation clauses and buyers committing to help cover low appraisals upfront, which have helped our buyers win a few properties for our clients. We are lucky to have the University of Wisconsin, a couple of great hospitals, and large companies like American Family Insurance and Epic Medical Software, as great employers bringing people to the area. Madison is also home to beautiful lakes, parks, and the Capitol.

For more information, visit , or call or email Matt at 608-310-7346 and matt@mattwinz.com respectively.

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Chris Barnett PC, Principal Broker/Owner of , enjoys the challenge of helping clients with their unique needs. “I love the challenge of helping people. I go home every night knowing that I helped someone get into a home, or helped them move out of one. It’s very rewarding and gives me an adrenaline rush,” he says.

Formerly a member of the U.S. Air Force, Barnett has been in real estate for almost 15 years and has been voted one of Southern Oregon’s hardest working REALTORS®.

Barnett also has won several awards within the �ʹ�����app International network, including the Double Diamond Award, Diamond Award, Chairman’s Award for Top Real Estate Office and Top Executive, and a Top Gun Award and Top Team Award. He places in the Top 100 for Units and Commission, and is also a member of the Executive Club and the 100% Club.

Barnett is also an Air Force Reservist, on-air personality, and drone pilot.

Find out more about what makes Barnett tick:

What’s your �ʹ�����app story?  What led you to �ʹ�����app?

I was with another brand and kept seeing �ʹ�����app advertising in REALTOR® Magazine. I loved what they kept telling me in their advertisements, and I loved the marketing and other tools they were offering. I liked that I was in charge of my own destiny, but �ʹ�����app gave me the tools and brand power to not do it alone.

What factors most attributed to your success over the last year?

Working with the market and advertising, as well as keeping in touch with my sphere of influence to get referrals and keep my name top of mind for real estate needs.

Buying or selling a home is a very personal thing, what are important client needs that you’ve come across?

Listening to their needs, communicating often and making sure they feel comfortable.

What are your top three lead generation sources?

Facebook, referrals and advertising (mainly radio).

What do you think keeps your repeat and referral customers coming back?

I keep in touch via email, social media and by sending monthly newsletters.

How would you describe current market conditions in your area?

We are driven by the California market, so our prices are higher than most of the country due to California prices and Californians moving to Southern Oregon to get away. We are a pretty area to retire to but still on the west coast.

Chris Barnett can be reached at 541-660-5195 or chrisbarnett@realtyexecutives.com. Visit online for more information.

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Scott Grigg has sold over $300 Million worth of real estate in his 12-year career, consistently ranking in the top 1% of luxury REALTORS® every year. According to Real Trends , Grigg ranks ninth in the state of Arizona.

“I love what I do. I don’t consider it work since I have a passion for it. I am a deal junkie. I get a high every time we put a deal together,” he says.

This year Grigg made the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS®’ Young Professionals Network’s 40 Under 40 list and also won The Arizona Republic’s in 2015. Within the �ʹ�����app International network, he has won the Silver Top Gun Award, Double Diamond Award, and has ranked in the Top 100 in the Commission Category.

Grigg is the owner of �ʹ�����app satellite brokerage , based in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The firm specializes in selling luxury homes valued at over $1 Million, and Grigg has even been featured on the Bravo hit show Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.

Grigg was kind enough to answer some questions on what it takes to be a successful real estate agent:

What’s your �ʹ�����app story?  What led you to �ʹ�����app?

I met with several companies when I was deciding to switch. �ʹ�����app was the most desirable by far. They have the right processes in place to help you get where you want to be. Their back end and owners are fantastic. I can pick up the phone at any time and speak with them. They are always available, which means a lot in today’s fast paced society.

What differentiates you from your competition?

I work 24/7 and focus constantly on improving my business. I can drive down any road in Paradise Valley and tell you what a house sold for, or what it is potentially worth. I know new construction from the ground up and can walk a buyer through the process so they are confident with their decision.

Buying or selling a home is a very personal thing, what are important client needs that you’ve come across?

This is the biggest investment that most people will make in their lifetime. Treat it as that, hold their hand and make sure you take the time to work through all of their questions and concerns.

What are your top three lead generation sources?

Referrals, thank you cards, and being out in the market place, face-to-face with potential buyers and sellers.

Are you involved with any charitable organizations or other causes?  

Yes, my causes are Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Susan G Komen, American Heart Association, Phoenix Dream Center, Phoenix Suns Charities, and the Arizona Humane Society.

How would you describe current market conditions in your area?

New construction is hot, and it just so happens that this is my specialty. We are offering lock-and-leave type of residences for the high-end buyer. Buyers are spending over $2 Million for quality builds on smaller 8,000 square foot lots. It’s the current trend. They don’t want the upkeep and maintenance of a large 1-acre lot or 10,000 square feet.

from on .

For more information on The Grigg’s Group visit . You can also call Scott at 480-540-5479 or email him at azfineproperties@cox.net.

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Bruce Nemovitz is an expert in helping seniors transition into a different lifestyle. “My niche is helping older adults transition from their long-time home to a senior apartment or community. Many times this includes working with their children, who are helping mom and dad. I have a team of professionals all working together to make the senior’s move easy and successful.”

An agent at , Nemovitz has been a REALTOR® for almost 40 years. “I entered real estate early in my life at age 24. My major in college was pre-med and I truly thought I would become a doctor, but I chose to enter the real estate field and never looked back,” he says.

He went on to establish , a trio consisting of his wife, Jeanne Nemovitz, and millennial agent Austin Cole. The team has won multiple awards, including �ʹ�����app International’s Double Diamond Award, placing amongst the Top 100 in both the Commission and Units categories, and being a member of the Executive Club.

Nemovitz is a prolific author and has published two books on , in addition to serving as monthly contributor to , where he written over 155 articles.

Nemovitz took some time to share some of his learnings with us:

What makes being a real estate agent the right career for you?

I have been blessed with abilities to connect with others. I have a need to truly help my clients, and my senior niche has provided that crucial connection, which in turn gives meaning to what I am doing. Helping families through such a difficult time in their lives is the driving force for Jeanne and me. We both thrive on making real connections with our clients.

What’s your �ʹ�����app story?  What led you to �ʹ�����app?

Tom Verette, one of the original franchise owners, made sure I would be one of his first associates and I am ever grateful that his persistence paid off for both of us. I was at a competing company, and Tom called often. He pointed out the advantages of a 100% commission model, which was novel at the time. Fear and uncertainty kept me away for a year or so. Then one day he asked me to stop over and there it was…a sold sign with my name on it. That sealed the deal.

�ʹ�����app has provided the support, backup and freedom for me to use my imagination. Whenever I have an idea, I can immediately put it into action. At �ʹ�����app, there is no competitive feeling. Agents help other agents rather than competing with their fellow associate. That way we all benefit. We help each other to reach our full potential. The services provided by our company have given me the courage to try new ways of doing business.

I would recommend �ʹ�����app to any agent who yearns for meaning, integrity and longevity.

“Most agents at our company succeed and stay for the long haul.”

What factors most attributed to your success over the last year?

Having a focus on a specific niche. All of my efforts were centered on increasing my presence with the senior community. My wife Jeanne, also a seasoned, long-time Realtor®, was the key to our success. We each flourished using our individual skills so that both of us were focusing on different aspects of the total process. As a team, we enjoyed success in doing what we love, helping seniors and their families.

What are your top three lead generation sources?

Referrals, referrals, referrals! Honesty and integrity keep our clients coming back and referring us to others. We always tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable. Our knowledge of the market is known to our clients and that means referrals.

How do you give back to the community and the real estate industry?  

I am a long-time member of the Optimist Club and was their chairman for 14 years. I am on the Ethics and Arbitration Committee for the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®. I started Realtor Exchange and Learning (R.E.A.L.), a group for Realtors® from any company to discuss issues that affect us in real time. I mentor an agent in my company. And I also have given away several of my books to senior organizations for those who cannot afford to purchase them.

How would you describe current market conditions in your area?

We are experiencing high buyer demand and low inventory. The most prolific price range is the first-time buyer range of $150,000 to $350,000. The trends are favoring a seller’s market; however, some areas of the city are still having a difficult transition from the recession.

Properties are attracting multiple offers if priced properly. Buyers are frustrated in that they cannot find a property, and when they do, it is sold before they get to see it. Prices are going up modestly at about 5% over the last year.

Bruce Nemovitz can be reached at 262-242-6177 or via email at Bruce@SeniorRealtor.com. For more information, visit www.BrucesTeam.com.

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In 1965, �ʹ�����app founder Dale Rector started out with the leading-edge concept of 100% commission for agents. His innovative idea attracted top producing real estate professionals to become “Executives” and forever changed the real estate industry. Today, �ʹ�����app International boasts a 50-year legacy of innovation, a foundation that has drawn in generations of the industry’s leading real estate professionals. Every year, it is our honor to recognize the very best of the best through our annual awards program.

With over 500 offices and 8,000 real estate professionals globally, these awards represent the sales and production achievements of our top Executives throughout 2015 – the year we’ve celebrated our company’s 50th anniversary.

Together, with a commitment to providing the best service and value to homebuyers and sellers, we look ahead to the next 50 years, as we are strategically positioned to advance regionally and globally with a combination of world-class support, 50 years of brand recognition and ongoing collaboration across brokerages.

2015 Award Highlights:

Each year, �ʹ�����app International recognizes the Top Executives in three separate categories across our system. The Solo, Team, and Top Gun awards rank individuals, 2-person teams and groups throughout the entire �ʹ�����app International system.  There are two sets of awards, gross commissions and units sold. The Top Executives in each category include:

TOP SOLO – Individual Executives

SOLO COMMISSION

Lyle Caddell | El Cajon, California

SOLO UNITS

Karl Wehle | Valparaiso, Indiana

TOP TEAM – Two Executives working together

TEAM COMMISSION

Christine Wilczek and Jason Bacza | Lemont, Illinois

TEAM UNITS

Christine Wilczek and Jason Bacza | Lemont, Illinois

TOP GUN – One or more Executives working with a team

TOP GUN COMMISSION

Laura Harbison | Las Vegas, Nevada

TOP GUN UNITS

Skidmore/Mokhtarian Team | Tucson, Arizona

�ʹ�����app International also recognizes the leading offices throughout our system for top listings and sales.  A Gold (1st), Silver (2nd) and Bronze (3rd) is awarded in each category.  These are the top three from all submissions.  Congratulations to , and for sweeping the top spot in each category!

TOP LISTING OFFICE | NUMBER OF LISTINGS

GOLD

�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma

Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, Arizona

SILVER

�ʹ�����app Associates

Knoxville, Tennessee

BRONZE
�ʹ�����app of Kansas City

Leawoood, Kansas

TOP LISTING OFFICE | DOLLAR VOLUME

GOLD

�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma

Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, Arizona

SILVER

�ʹ�����app Associates

Knoxville, Tennessee

BRONZE

�ʹ�����app Saskatoon

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

TOP SALES OFFICE | NUMBER OF UNITS SOLD

GOLD

�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma

Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, Arizona

SILVER

�ʹ�����app Associates

Knoxville, Tennessee

BRONZE
�ʹ�����app of Kansas City

Leawoood, Kansas

TOP SALES OFFICE | DOLLAR VOLUME

GOLD

�ʹ�����app Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma

Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, Arizona

SILVER

�ʹ�����app Associates

Knoxville, Tennessee

BRONZE

�ʹ�����app Polaris

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Congratulations to all of the 2015 �ʹ�����app International Award Winners! We wouldn’t be where we are today without our Executives’ support and dedication to excellence.  This truly is “where the experts are.”

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