HomeFolio recently had an opportunity to sit down with one of the most productive real estate teams in Walnut Creek and the East Bay area, the Kelly McCormick Group. Their vibrancy, passion and synergy are key components to their success, and their 100% commitment to community and customer relationships characterizes them as a team.
As
a successful Realtor, what inspired you to create this group?
Kelly: I had become a victim of my own success. I was in overdrive trying to do it all, which isn’t possible in today’s information-saturated industry. When I first decided to build a team, I thought I needed to replicate myself. After some trial and error, however, I realized that my team needed talented people whose skills complemented my own. Each of our team members has different strengths, but we share an enthusiasm and passion for our work.
What are the key components that define The Kelly McCormick Group?
Kelly: Our deep connections to the community. There’s no greater place to live than the Walnut Creek area. We understand that real estate is much more about lifestyle than architecture. Our most rewarding successes occur when we have taken great care of our clients, especially when the transaction is challenging. We’re proud of our high-quality marketing efforts and want this stamp of excellence to come through in everything we do.
What are some of the pitfalls of being a Realtor and how do you avoid them?
Kelly: Every market has challenges, so you always have to stay positive and keep moving forward. As a Realtor, you have to find a niche and create value for your client. If you’re getting a license just to make a quick buck, you will quickly wear out your welcome. The power of the internet forces agents to find a core passion, a specialty, or they will likely be finding the exit door instead.
Andrea: You must be omnipresent because the market is changing every week, every day, even hourly. You can’t do it alone anymore, especially with data demands that are 5 times what they were just 2 years ago.
Nicole: With everything happening so quickly, people just can’t wait. Clients, agents, and vendors all want instant information. With a well organized team structure, you can offer accurate and up-to-date information to satisfy the growing demands in the business.
What are the reasons your clients tell you they do business with you?
Nicole: Kelly and Andrea have tremendous market knowledge and incredible retention levels. They remember minute details about homes they sold years ago. They are experts, and they are confident–people are drawn to that.
Kelly: We always strive to take exceptional care of our clients. Many have resided in their homes for decades; when it comes time to sell, we make sure they’re comfortable with the process and satisfied with the outcome. The stakes are high when selling a home, and we communicate with our clients at all times. We come prepared, we’re always learning, and we are mindful of preserving our excellent reputation in the neighborhood.
How did you end up in the Real Estate industry?
Kelly: Graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in marketing, I returned home to California knowing that I wanted to work for myself. In 1989, I got my broker’s license and began the hard work of establishing myself in the business. In time, I started “farming” some neighborhoods: this involved direct mail and old-fashioned door-knocking. Within a year, I had doubled my business. In a few short years, I doubled it again. My business continues to grow and evolve today. I firmly believe in the power of direct mail, and we’ve had great success with our Homefolio marketing campaign.
Andrea: I attended Sonoma State University and earned a degree in political science with an emphasis in communication studies. After seven years in marketing with Turner Broadcasting and Starz Encore Media, I opted out to spend less time on the road and more time in the community I love, Walnut Creek. Real estate provides me with work that I enjoy, while allowing me to serve the community by giving back my time and energy. I also have supported my profession by working on the CCAR Ethics Committee the past 5 years.
Nicole: I was in the banking/mortgage industry for some time and was ready for a change. I enjoy working with people, so in 1999 I decided to shift gears and get into real estate. I discovered a passion for the legal, technical, and organizational side of the business. I love working directly with our clients and providing Andrea and Kelly with the cutting edge tools and support they need to function at their highest level.
What would you like us to know about your personal life?
Kelly: I grew up in the Bay Area and settled in Walnut Creek in 1987. My wife, Elizabeth, grew up in Lafayette. Our four children attend Walnut Creek Intermediate and Las Lomas High School. I’ve been actively involved in the Walnut Creek community for many years. My greatest joy has come from coaching my children on local basketball teams and leading my sons’ Cub Scout dens. My wife has served on PTO and PTA boards, directed the Dewing Park swim team, coached soccer, and worked extensively with Junior League and the Child Abuse Prevention Council. Our children are active in Creek Kids Care, Walnut Creek Presbyterian youth group, swim team, sports, and many other activities that our community provides them. We truly appreciate all that Walnut Creek has to offer and have
enjoyed giving back through volunteerism.
Andrea: After growing up in the Sierra foothills, I moved to the Bay Area 20 years ago. I’ve been in Walnut Creek for the past 15 years, recently settling into a new home in the Walnut Knolls neighborhood with my husband, Harris, and our two young children. My son is in Kindergarten at Parkmead, and my daughter starts preschool soon.
Nicole: I’m an East Bay native. My husband, Bradley, and I enjoy coed softball, golf, cooking, and volunteering at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery and New Life Church in Alamo. If you had to define the mission statement for you team, what would it be:
The Group: Our commitment is to enrich our community, grow our skills, positively impact our neighbors, and have fun in the process. We love our work and believe this passion translates into exceptional results for our clients.
Contact them at:
925-200-0408
HomeFolio Media is a cross-channel communications firm, which provides marketing, advertising and public relations services for top-producing real estate professionals and affiliate businesses who want to target local home owners, buyers and sellers.
We combine the power of a high-quality magazine with proven direct mail strategies, and a content-rich online platform, consciously designed using the latest search engine optimization best practices.
Our goal is to increase our clients’ visibility, enhance their image with prospects, and ultimately, make a positive contribution to their bottom line.
- JouJou Chawla: Blackhawk’s Best Realtor - February 22, 2016
- Arthur Sharif: Blending the Best of Both Worlds - February 3, 2016
- There With Care: Holistically Supporting Families of Critically Ill Children - January 21, 2016
Leave a Reply