Ben Nathan is an award-winning real estate professional serving Sarasota and Manatee County Florida. He is known for being down to earth and cosmopolitan, but he is best known for his cutting-edge marketing and his natural ability to close deals.
For Ben, Connecting buyers and sellers with their dream homes is not a job, it is his passion. Ben has developed a variety of unique marketing tools, and he enjoys creating strategies that allow his sellers to successfully market and sell their homes. In the ever-changing real estate industry, Ben accredits his success to his work ethics, innovative advertising, and marketing techniques.
When buyers and sellers choose Ben Nathan as their real estate professional, they are also choosing Coldwell Banker. Together they form a powerful marketing and selling machine. His relentless drive and tireless work ethics has allowed Ben to secure each transaction for success. He is committed to clear communication and loyalty. When you choose to work with Ben, you are choosing to work with a calculated and driven group of professionals who are not afraid to make bold decisions that produce exceptional results.
Thank you for considering Ben Nathan as your real estate professional in Florida, Please take the time to visit bennathansrq.com for more information.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
I have worked in a variety of jobs ranging from working under the direction of VP of Marketing at Harry Winston, to selling advertisements in various publications. With all my experience in sales and marketing, it made perfect sense to start a real estate business. In addition, I have been exposed to the real my entire life and started managing an investment portfolio in 2014. I have also been exposed to design and architecture my entire life, this truly inspired me through the journey.
How do you make money?
Like most other professionals in the business, I work for it! I won’t lie though, real estate is a crowded industry and the competition is cut throat, but if you can stay focused helping customers through the buying and selling process, you’ll be rewarded with a commission.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
I knew the basics getting into real estate, so it became profitable within the first year, but it did take me a year or so to feel comfortable and develop a consistent system. The secret was keeping overhead expenses low and productivity at it’s fullest. Easier said than done.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
When I first got in the business, I started researching the market and realized the competition was staggering – I was one realtor amongst 7,000 in Sarasota and Manatee. This was intimidating, but I quickly realized only a hand full of realtors are truly successful. In measuring their success, I noticed they all have something in common; they all shared my values for customer service and a consistent work ethic.
How did you get your first customer?
I began working on an investment portfolio in 2014, at the time I not yet licenses and could only offer consulting services and offered help managing accounts. Once I decided to pass his license and became a full time realtor, it took hard work and a lot of persistence to get my first client.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Getting your name out there is ultimate goal. There many successful strategies I use ranging from online marketing to traditional mail marketing. When target a farm-area, a simple Market Report. Sellers love to know what’s going on, and it’s an easy way to get your name out there. As for Online marketing, that’s relatively complex so I will not get into that, but my website www.BenNathanSRQ.com offers tutorials.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
The toughest was not so much a decision, but more a shift in my state of mind. To become a successful real estate professional you must have an entrepreneurial mindset, and a drive to push the boundaries of success. Max DePree once said “we cannot become what we want to be, by remaining what we are”, this is the mindset I wake up with everyday.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
As I stated in a previous question, as few qualities that make me successful are:
- Dedication to customer service
- Consistent work ethics.
- Being genuine and empathetic towards others
I quickly saw that a vast majority of Realtors are polarized on getting a commission, and often forget to provide a reliable service for their clients. This is why I strive to improve his service. Somewhere along his journey I came to learn about a Japanese philosophy call Kaizen, this philosophy is used to improve a service or process. In real estate, I use Kaizen to improve my business and become more successful.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I have created a business model that focuses on quality over quantity, and customers know they can count on me because I always have their best interest at heart. I work tirelessly to bring each transaction to fruition, that said, I truly believe there is nothing more satisfying than helping a client achieves their real estate goals.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I believe in Sarasota and share great enthusiasm about its ongoing growth. My future in real estate holds many opportunities, but I currently want to stay focused building a sustainable business by helping clients. In the future I plan to become more involved with real estate development, specifically the development of high-end properties.
What business books have inspired you?
Gosh, where can I even start… there are so many books to mention! An author that has taught me a variety of business lessons is Tim Ferris. If I had to specify books as opposed to authors, I would definitely start with Good to Great, The Power to Compete, and my all time favorite The Diamond Cutter.
What type of home do you specialize in?
Although I have an extended knowledge and appreciation for architecture –ranging from Mediterranean Revival to various Modern styles-, I prefers not to specialize in one specific type. The truth is I enjoy helped clients from all walks of life, ranging from first time home buyers (with little-to-no budget), to selling waterfront estates for established business executives.