Meet Janet Borchert, Ninja Mom Of The Month April 2009

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Janet Bortchert of Wright Kingdom Realty in Boulder, Colorado the other day while interviewing her as a Ninja Mom of the month.  She is truly an amazing woman and runs an incredibly successful real estate practice with 4 children.  Wow!  I’m tired just thinking about it and yet she really seems to have an endless supply of energy.

One of the things I absolutely love about Janet is that when talking about her real estate practice and what makes her successful she is incredibly focused and gets it done, yet she really just focuses on the basics.  Janet is a true testament to the fact that it is all about relationships and you don’t need to spin yourself out with all sorts of crazy and expensive approaches.

How long have  you been in real estate?

I have been a licensed agent for 9  years although it feels like I have always been in real estate.  I was a real estate assistant in undergraduate and graduate school.  Once I graduated and it was time to start a career I realized that real estate is really where my passion is and I have been doing it ever since.

Tell me a little bit about  your family.

We  have four children ages 15, 13, 11, and 8 and my husband does home restorations.  He has done some fix and flips as well although that has slowed down considerably given the shift in the market.  3 of my kids are really involved with soccer and so I am the ultimate soccer mom.  I am on the board of the soccer association and I go to all of the games and practices.  In fact that was one of my biggest ‘wins’ with using the Ninja system, was to realize that it is okay to put my kids first and be there for them at their games and practices.  Not only is it okay but it is prime prospective time!  I have gotten to know all of the parents and we have a great time together so it is a true double whammy.  I just love that!  In addition to soccer we are also very active in our childrens school and our church.

What are some of your best practices in your real estate business?

~ I mail 3 times a month to my database which consists of about 200 people plus all of my just listed and just sold postcards.  It really helps to keep me on the top of their minds. I used to do a lot of ‘cute’ mailings but now I focus more on real estate.  Especially in this market.  I want people to know that I am out there doing business and not dropping off the face of the earth like so many other agents.  Some of the things that I mail include calendars, note pads, and I also do a local events postcard 4 times a year.
~ This year I am looking to grow my database to 300 so I am focused on putting myself in new situations at parties and events to talk to new people and not just the ones that I already know.
~ I coach with Garrett (www.ninjacoaching.com) and I can not stress enough the vaue that it has had for me both personally and professionally to keep me focused and on track.
~ I really put a lot of effort into staying in flow with my clients.  I know what is going on in their lives.   If someone is sick, or having a baby or getting married I usually know about it.
~ The strength of our market varies neighborhood to neighborhood right now so I check for my listings daily to make sure that we are still positioned correctly.
~ We have a dinner party at our house at least 3 out of 4 weeks a month which is great fun and really keeps me bonded with my clients.  There are usually 3-4 families at our house at a time, the kids come and everyone has a great time.
~ Systems!  They are critical to staying focused and getting it done in the amount of time that I have to focus on real estate.

What is your secret to implementation?

Do one thing at a time.  I started with just 25 contacts a week and worked my way up.  Once you are starting to feel comfortable with your schedule then add one more thing and just keep going that way.  It may take longer, but this way you will be more consistent and actually get it done.

What does your typical schedule look like?

I am in the office by 8am most days and focus on my calls, notes and real estate reviews first thing.  I have 2-3 lunches a week and then 3 days a week I am out the door at 3 to do the soccer runs.  My husband picks the kids up the other 2 days a week and those are the days that I work late.  I don’t do a lot of time blocking with the exception of my CMA’s and my notes.  I tend to resist doing them and that way I get them done.

How do you do your real estate reviews?

I do 2 a week and I always do them on Mondays because in all honesty I don’t really like to do them and this way they are just handled.  I try to deliver them at lunch appointments.  I just invite the client to lunch and then take it with me.  I don’t necessarily set it up as an appointment to go over the review, it is just something that I bring with me.

Wow!  Thank you so much Janet for sharing your insights with us.  I greatly appreciate it.  You are truly a testament to staying focused on the things that matter and having that translate into such a successful business.  I love all of the ways that  you stay connected with your clients and really build those relationships.

If you have any questions for Janet, or better yet, to send her a referral you can contact her at 303-263-3215 or jborchert@wkre.com.