In the competitive world of real estate, awards are a testament to hustle and grit. Meet my good friend Mitch Razote, a respected award-winning broker redefining industry standards. I sat down with her to uncover her formula for winning sales, accolades, and the hearts of clients and colleagues alike.
Marching to the Spotlight
Mitch didn’t just walk into the real estate scene; she made a grand entrance. Before real estate, she was marketing musical bands in hotels and casinos, not to mention also performing in a band alongside her husband, Dennis. This experience gave her a captured market of high-net-worth individuals and honed her deal-making skills. When she and her husband launched Property MD in 2016, their fast-paced, networking-heavy experience made real estate a natural fit.
Known for her “O.C.” hands-on end-to-end service, Mitch closed an impressive 44 sales in one year, often managing double-end deals solo. Surprisingly, she didn’t initially recognize her exceptional performance, attributing her success to simply loving the process and letting everything unfold naturally. “I had no idea that I was doing something great. I was just happily selling and doing my own thing.” She reveals that their rinse-and-repeat formula of blitz marketing and consistently delivering exceptional service has led to awards coming their way effortlessly, without them actively chasing them.
Why Awards and Affiliations Matter
Clients are naturally drawn to success, and it’s no wonder Mitch has become such a magnet for it. From winning top project selling awards to clinching prestigious titles at Keller Williams in 2018, her career is a masterclass in creating your own rules. At Keller Williams, the “Capper of the Year” award honors agents who surpass their commission cap through exceptional sales and productivity, while “Rockstar Broker” highlights those who consistently excel in performance, influence, and leadership. Mitch is the only broker in the Philippines to win both prestigious titles, setting her apart in the industry. With such accolades, it’s clear that being a consistent producer is Mitch’s secret spice.
Beyond awards, Mitch stresses the importance of affiliations with reputable organizations like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards (PAREB) to boost credibility and expand networks, proving that recognition and connections are key to thriving in real estate.
Carving Out Your Space in the Industry
So, how do you go from wallflower to showstopper? Mitch believes success starts with finding the right platforms to showcase your talent. Property aggregators like Lamudi and Carousell hold annual awards for brokers excelling in the digital space, while some developers also hold recognitions for top-performing sales teams. Competing with industry leaders and gaining recognition validates a broker’s skills.
What sets Mitch apart? Strategic time management. “Time is our currency, so we must spend it wisely.” She uses time blocking to ensure every part of her business gets the attention it deserves, balancing client work and personal growth for maximum productivity and results.
Purposeful Branding
Mitch advocates for building a strong online presence with a personal logo and website to establish a brand that’s both memorable and credible. Her go-to marketing strategy? Storytelling—using client testimonials and those ‘aha’ moments to create a narrative that sticks.
She’s carved out her niche by focusing on “eye candy properties” that she would be proud of representing, and even buying herself. She also encourages brokers to identify what sets them apart—whether it’s deep expertise in a particular farm area or delivering exceptional client service—and fully embrace it to stand out.
Capitalizing on Success
For those flying solo, Mitch’s advice is gold. “I didn’t have any mentors, and I didn’t know where to start or what to do. Since I was on my own, I thought I had to handle everything—farming out listings, contracts, title transfers, marketing—everything had to be done by me.” Over time, Mitch realized that burnout can be avoided by leveraging your work through co-brokering or adding staff like a virtual assistant (VA) or social media manager to your arsenal. They can handle the backend work, letting you focus on what you do best—closing deals. Even with a lean team, it’s about creating a support system that propels your business forward.
Not every broker has a budget to blow on marketing and additional licenses and degrees, and Mitch gets that. She advocates for affordable ways to build your brand, like attending conventions or leveraging free online resources. And if the budget is tight, social media is your friend. Cold calling, door knocking, tapping your personal network—these are the grassroots tactics that can set you apart when done right.
Values to Uphold
Mitch underscores the importance of building a network where trust is the foundation. “Establish trust between brokers – manage each other’s expectations.” Knowing your responsibilities is a reflection of your professionalism. “Dapat alam mo lumugar (You should know your place).” Respecting others’ time is crucial. “Always be on time,” she insists, as it sets the tone for professionalism and respect in every interaction. Most importantly, being an excellent broker entails being a master in communicating. “Everyday is a negotiation day,” she says, whether it be in selling properties or simply choosing what to eat or wear.
Award-Winning Property Picks
Although a master in the Makati and BGC areas, Mitch also looks towards Cavite, Laguna, and Silang as current top top investment destinations. Mitch also excels at uncovering hidden opportunities in the secondary market, particularly with fire sales—properties priced below market value (BMV). Her expertise lies in identifying these gems and understanding market dynamics, allowing investors to strike at the right time for maximum returns.
Beyond the Awards
Mitch makes it clear that while awards are a testament to a broker’s success, they’re not the be-all and end-all. The real measure of success lies in the relationships you build, the trust you earn, and the consistency you bring to the table. “Everything is deliberate. Success is not an accident, it’s deliberate.” It’s about delivering value, time and again, and making a name that clients want to be associated with.
In the end, becoming an award-winning broker is about more than just earning titles; it’s about consistently delivering a standout performance both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. Mitch’s career is indeed a model for any broker looking to break through the noise and make a lasting impact in the real estate industry.
