The Roanoker - Sept/October 2021 - 54

experience she brought
to the table meshed
quite well together.
She immediately hit
the ground running
and now works at
MKB, REALTORS.
Due to the
fact that she is so
much younger than
most of the other
agent s
sedia
bonsu
she works
with, Parfitt didn't
hesitate to embrace the
internet. In fact, it is one
of her primary tools for
establishing new clients.
" I want to make sure I stay
on people's minds. The internet has
been huge when it comes to that, " she
explains. " Facebook has also been great for
marketing. I try to post a lot and comment
to show people I'm active. "
Although her age has put her at an
advantage technology wise, it has also
been a hindrance. Some people don't
take her seriously because of her age. To
combat assumptions that she isn't a serious
professional, she dresses up more than most
of the other agents she works with.
Additionally, contacts were difficult to
come by starting off. " Because I'm so young,
I don't know as many people yet, " she says.
To reach people who aren't online as
much and to build real-world relationships,
she regularly knocks on doors and sends out
mailers.
Networking is another important tool for
her. To meet new people, she started taking
fitness classes at the Carilion Wellness
facility in Botetourt County. " Attending
events and just getting out and meeting
people has been a big lead generator, " she
says.
Once a connection has been made and a
deal has been closed, she doesn't view her
job as being done. She continues to check
in with past clients to make them know that
she's still there for their future real estate
U
needs. For clients who feel comfortable with
it, she " friends " them on Facebook. She even
sends out cards to past clients for major
holidays and birthdays.
" While some realtors keep it strictly
business, I like to make it personal and build
long-term relationships, " she says.
Looking ahead, Parfitt believes the
internet will continue to shape the way
people go about buying and selling homes.
The COVID-19 pandemic, she says,
accelerated people's adoption of virtual tour
options.
" I now have less in-person interactions, "
she explains. " A lot of people from out of
town are now using virtual tours to look at
local houses. "
As for the outlook on the local market,
she anticipates the next year will continue
to look a lot like the past year. Sellers will
have it made, she says, but buyers will be left
with few options.
" There is a housing shortage now. There
are so many buyers, which has driven
prices up. It's crazy, " she says. " If the cost
of building supplies stays high, I think the
shortage will continue. "
nlike Vinopal, Sin
and Parfitt, Sedia
Bonsu, who is in
her late 20s, is still
finding her way in
the local market. The Galax native
joined Nest Realty Roanoke in April
after spending five years abroad in China.
Her decision to become a real estate agent
was an extension of her time studying in
the McIntire School of Commerce at the
University of Virginia, where she developed
a passion for marketing and sales.
" For me, real estate is really about
customer relationships and building a
rapport, " she says.
Additionally, working in real estate has
given her the opportunity to learn more
about architecture, which is one of her
passions. " I love architecture. Real estate is
a great way to learn about homes and see
cool architecture, " she says.
While she's still figuring out what
strategies work best for her, she has noticed
that some of the older agents she works with
rely heavily on phone calls. She, on the other
hand, fully embraces all that technology
has to offer. Zillow Premier Agent plays
a massive role in helping her be aware of
which houses her clients are interested in
looking at.
" I think us younger people are on our
phones more and better at using the tools
that are available online, " she observes.
She even runs her agency's social media
platforms, including Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and YouTube. Instead of just
doing generic posts about the newest houses
that the agency has just listed or notices that
54 September/October 2021
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The Roanoker - Sept/October 2021

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