The True Meaning of Success - Why a Seasoned Agent Joined our Team

Success. It means so much to us here at the Chamberlain Group.

Yet that simple word means something so much different to each and every person on our team.

We believe that our team’s success is our success and not the other way around, so we wanted to showcase what that looks like for some of the amazing individuals we work with.

First up, we asked Matt Antrum, who is a seasoned agent of 10+ years under his belt, why he moved his career as an experienced solo agent to our real estate team.

Learn more and find out how you can be a part of our team!

What does success mean to you, and how has the team helped you get there?

I am fortunate enough that I have experienced working on my own and on a team so I’ve experienced the pros and cons of both. I started in real estate at 25, and my definition of success was making money, getting sales. Now, I have a family, and that definition has changed substantially.

It may sound cliché, but I personally want a work/life balance. I want to be able to spend time with friends, or go on vacation and be present with my family, and that wasn’t something I couldn’t achieve as a solo agent. It was always too hard not to answer the phone and to turn off my brain from work mode.

This year has been my most successful year. I just got back from a family holiday and a teammate was more than willing to cover for me, so I got to disconnect and really enjoy my time, knowing that my business and my clients were in great hands with someone I trust.

Moving my business to Chamberlain Real Estate Group has catapulted my business; I think I am close to triple my best year to this point and we have 4 months left of this year!

Real estate is notorious for seeing being too busy as a good thing. Has your training, or even just having a team changed your mindset when it comes to structuring your day or week?

Yeah, for sure. I have learned so much over the past year. It’s catapulted my business; I think I am close to triple my best year to this point. This is my most successful year that way, yet I have also spent more time with my family which has been awesome.

I think the biggest change has been that I am more structured with my day. This is a very tech-forward team, so I have taken advantage of those tools so I can tackle more, be more organized, and have free time. All my time is still allocated, but it’s with intention and in alignment with the way I want to live.

Chamberlain Group is a unique set-up that I feel works for a productive agent

For a new agent trying to decide whether being a solo agent, partnership, or a team would be best, what advice would you give them?

I think for a new agent, there is just so much to learn and tackle in the industry. I didn’t even realize how big the learning curve is, and I think I would have gotten to this point quicker with a team. There’s such a culture of advice and sharing wins, as well as having the team to go to and get support when you need it.

As a solo agent, real estate can be a bit of a mind game. Most agents experience that feast and famine cycle, and I found that self-doubt would creep in more and more during the slower times, whereas being with a team has been such a positive experience. For a new agent, a team allows you to jump in with both feet and see success right away because you can rely on others to help you.

The Chamberlain’s mentorship program is great for new agents, and I love being a mentor through it. I am always more excited to see my mentees do well; more than I think I am when I meet my own goals!

Learn more and find out how you can be a part of our team!

Most agents only think about splits when choosing their brokerage. What are the top things you looked for and what questions would you tell an agent to ask to find the right fit?

For me, it really was a team, the culture. I wanted to feel like I could fit in and thrive. I did thorough research when I was thinking to go to a team. I interviewed other teams, and I just got such a great feel from Jared and Rebecca. It’s a smaller, boutique brokerage where I could see myself being a great fit for them, too.

Splits were a concern going from solo as I’d never had splits before. They answered all my questions, and it feels like fair value for the leads and support. It’s a unique set-up that I feel works for a productive agent.

If they are a newer agent, what the Chamberlain Group offers, that others don’t is the mentorship program. It’s important to have someone who can be there for you. That should be top of the list to have the support. A solo agent doesn’t usually get that, and they have to go and figure it out.

The other big thing is making sure that you understanding what the expectations of you are, and what your expectations of a team are. The Chamberlain expectations are different than at most brokerages, and making sure you are comfortable and feel like you can meet them is important.

It’s not all about selling houses, it’s about the team and the culture first, and there needs to be a good fit both ways.

Do you have a story about a time where you relied on a team member to swoop in and save the day, or where you did that for someone else?

At Chamberlain Group, everyone has everyone else’s back. Recently I was gone for 10 days. Of course, clients are calling, it’s a hot market so no one wants to wait. Max, my mentee, is in the process of learning and he was able to step up and do showings for me and keep business rolling. Came back and felt like could just keep going without playing catch up or having to deal with stressed-out clients.

Recently, I also did a walkthrough for Tony. He’d extended his time away and I came in to cover a closing for him. I’ve been noticing that each person on the team really wants to help everyone take time off because it’s been so long since that’s been an option and then the market has been so chaotic this year. Everyone needs time to rejuvenate.

The Chamberlain Real Estate Group specializes in working with both new agents who are looking to get a head start on developing their business, as well as agents who have an existing business and want to add leverage to what they are doing to help more families transition in Calgary.

Learn more and find out how you can be a part of our team!