One of the great benefits of my job is that I get to meet some really terrific real estate agents. Kevin Tomlinson and I were discussing blog ideas and I came up with the "interview" idea. Since we both love Inside the Actor's Studio -we have duplicated their format- blog style. I hope to be able to feature more agents over time and share some of their secrets and stories.
All of you Active Rainers know that Kevin is new blogger and is an apprentice to Ardell DellaLoggia in the Project Blogger competition. If you read his posts, you know that Kevin is a South Beach condo expert. You will also find that Kevin is good looking, a real competitor and a perfectionist. He has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun. He never shies away from a good controversy and has no fear of confrontation.
Although his successes are many, it is worth mentioning that Kevin has been a top producer for the last five years. His annual sales volume has exceeded $30 million for 3 years running and 2007 is his best year yet!
Here are some lesser known facts about Kevin and his business....
Kevin started in the real estate business part time. His full time job was bartender at a posh South Beach night club. He specialized in the kind of customer service that involves eye contact avoidance and looking down his nose while pouring $20 drinks. He was well known for his attitude. As the market improved, Kevin came out from behind the bar for good and set his full time efforts on real estate... specifically South Beach condos.
When Kevin's boutique brokerage merged with EWM, our President often commented that Kevin didn't own a pair of long pants. Kevin was the model condo broker who did more business riding up and down the elevators of the buildings on Miami Beach's Millionaire's Row. Kevin's brain is always in rapid absorption mode and he quickly turned his sights on technology. He will tell you that he spent too much time and money on his website - but it's that site that generates the vast majority of his income. I asked Kevin "What do you use for a listing presentation?" His reply - "I don't have one- I never go on a listing presentation".... how's that for revolutionary? Yet, it's true - since most of his business comes from his website, most of his listings are emailed or faxed- the seller gleans all of their relevant info from Kevin's content rich site.
Kevin does own 2 cars - As you can see from the picture - his real estate car is a YARIS - yes, who would have thunk??? He claims it gets great gas mileage and is "valet" proof for condo showings. And yes, he does own pair of long pants - he breaks them out for special occasions - like lunch with his broker to talk about blogging.
In his spare time Kevin loves to watch TV. His favorites... Cheaters, yep and he is an authority on Law and Order. He spends 2 hours every morning at the local bagel shop, putting his day together and hatching good blog ideas.
This interview wouldn't be complete without the standard set of closing questions... so here you go....
What is your favorite word?
heinous
What is your least favorite word?
Coupon
What turns you on, excites you, inspires you - physically, creatively, spiritually?
Perfection oh and great manners! Honest but true. Everything perfect. Creatively speaking, freedom is completely fab on ALL levels. I am so not spiritual.
What turns you off?
Miami drivers. Self- absorbed people
What sound do you love?
The doink-doink from Law and Order
What sound do you hate?
Hearing people chew and smack their lips
What is your favorite curse word?
See You Next Tuesday. It is the vilest, and thus the perfect curse word!
What profession, other than yours, would you like to try?
A litigator. I think I would look great in a suit RIPPING someone to shreds on the stand; also a cashier at Target. No responsibilities.
What profession would you least like to try?
Being Naomi Campbell’s maid
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?
Hey, doll—what’s going on?
UPDATE: See Kevin's response
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