Keely Harris likens real estate to an adventure where she is the person you can trust to guide you home. She is a consummate real estate agent and a Certified Negotiating Expert with 17 years of experience.
Her unparalleled negotiating skills, excellent customer service, and commitment to meeting clients’ needs have earned her a reputation as one of the top realtors in Dallas, Texas. She has several awards under her belt, including being a Dallas’ Top Producer in 2016 and a “D Magazine’s Best Real Estate Agents in Dallas” every year since 2013.
Keely Harris gained extensive experience working with some of the leading real estate brokerage firms in the United States. She has worked with exp Realty, one of the fastest-growing real estate brokerages, with a presence in 14 countries across the globe. She had a stint a JP And Associates REALTORS (JPAR), one of the top 100 independently owned brokerages in the United States, specializing in real estate sales and marketing services.
She has also worked for RE/MAX Trinity, a Southlake, TX-based real estate firm offering various services. She currently runs a successful real estate agency, Keely Harris Group. With a passion for exceeding her clients’ expectations, Keely ensures that each transaction she handles is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
What is Keely Harris Group all about?
Keely Harris Group is the key to your next home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I founded this firm with the purpose of providing people with the best experience in finding their dream home. This full-service brokerage firm focuses on the DFW market while still catering to national and international clients.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I have worked in Corporate America for over ten years in various positions, most notably as a real estate agent. However, employment was not as gratifying as I would expect it to be.
After comprehensive research, coupled with my experience in the real estate agency, I decided to set this business up in 2005. It was a dream come true because I always dreamed of running a real estate agency. I also wanted to have a stable source of income to be able to put my two kids through college.
What is an average working day like for you?
I get up at around six every morning, meditate and perform a few exercises before drinking my coffee. While taking my breakfast I review the day’s schedule and check my emails. I may also check the news and industry-related publications before leaving for the office. When it comes to work, my days are usually different, with something unique to handle each day.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
First, I would say that I regard my competitors highly because real estate brokerage is not for the faint-hearted. What sets me apart from my competitors is that I offer personalized services to satisfy each client’s unique needs. Whether you are buying or selling property, I walk with you every step of the entire process to ensure 100% satisfaction.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
A successful entrepreneur should be efficient, professional, and available. Since you are in charge of all aspects of your business, you need to be time-conscious and know how to prioritize. You also must learn how to communicate properly. That’s what efficiency is all about.
You also need to uphold honesty, integrity, and transparency, which are integral components of professionalism. If you provide a service, like in the real estate industry, you must be easily accessible, reachable, and responsive to your clients.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients have been instrumental to our business success. Doing Open Houses has also proved to be an effective marketing strategy. It’s worth noting that properties that have open houses sell for about $9,000 more and a week quicker than those that don’t. Besides helping me sell my clients’ homes quicker, Open Houses helped me meet prospective clients that would later call for my services.
Additionally, holding an open house allows me to get some first-hand information about a neighborhood, and I can pass this information on to prospective buyers.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
If I only had $1,000 to start a new business, I would spend most of it in building a website and digital marketing, including SEO and social media. In today’s competitive world, having a solid online presence is critical, even for real estate professionals.
What is your definition of success?
Knowing that I have positively impacted someone’s life by helping them meet their goals.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
Your new venture won’t succeed overnight. Get your priorities right, focus on the prize, and be resilient. Always seek counsel from experienced industry players.
How do you personally overcome fear?
Instead of running away from my fears, I face them. That’s the first step to overcoming your fears. I then take time to determine the root cause of the fear and find the best way to deal with it effectively. I seek professional help whenever necessary.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
I plan to continue doing what I love – helping my clients meet their goals, whether buying or selling a home. And I’m excited about the prospect of taking my services beyond the DFW area and working with customers from across the state and the country at large.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
Healthy eating and regular exercise are great for clearing the mind and energizing you to take care of your business.
Can you recommend one book, one podcast, and one online course for entrepreneurs and authors?
I’m more into books than podcasts and online courses. My favorite is Raving Fans. My goal is to have Raving fans after every transaction.
What is your favorite quote?
One quote has been instrumental to my success. It is from Anthony Hitt:
“To be successful in real estate, you must always and consistently put your clients’ best interests first. When you do, your personal needs will be realized beyond your greatest expectations.”
How can readers get in touch with you?
Readers can get in touch with me through my website yourkeytodfw.com on Facebook and LinkedIn
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