Sharon Tukay, Agent, New Harvest Realty
What was your favorite part of the 2017 Five Star Conference?
I truly enjoyed the FORCE Rally. Being able to personally meet and shake hands with the movers and shakers of our default industry was such an honor for me. I only wish I had more time to do so with more influential people.
What did you learn from this year’s conference?
I learned more than ever that being a reliable broker resource is so essential and key to our mortgage default counterparts. Realtors and brokers are innately driven to seek and hunt business on the daily when in our local neck of the woods. However, when doing business on the default side, I am reminded that we need to be an incredible and helpful resource for asset managers, banks, and vendors and that they heavily rely on our expertise. We need to have our finger on the pulse of the market all the time and think 10 steps ahead if possible. We need to be able to watch the signs of a stabilizing market (which is happening in some parts of the country, currently in southern California where I am) and be able to accurately convey what kind of changes are happening around us in our dedicated markets of expertise. Hearing this from several panelists during breakout sessions and meetings helped me realize how heavily they rely on dependable broker resources in the trenches daily. I feel I have become more cognizant of this after the event.
What is the best thing about being a FORCE member at the Five Star?
Being a FORCE member definitely has its perks. The level of service I receive from my FORCE representative alone has been nothing short of fantastic! I truly like REO Red Book and all the literature provided to keep us informed and ready. I truly enjoyed the FORCE Rally and Power Hour for sure. More importantly, I feel like I am a part of something big. A place of membership where I can contribute in serving on a committee, a place to be heard. I also feel the reciprocity of having joined will be rewarded ten-fold, now and in the future.
How do you make the most of your conference experience?
Come prepared and ready to network. This is a highly coveted event where you never know who you will meet and how far it can take you and your career. Everyone at the event is here to help and educate one another. Also, come with an attitude of how you can serve. Bring a small business brochure if possible to help you stand out from the rest. Always have an attitude of contribution and mean it!
What advice do you have for members attending in 2018?
Expect to network and create some real business contacts and friendships. Try and stay at the host hotel if at all possible. Map out your day and which speaker events you plan on attending. Visit the Expo Hall booths and engage yourself with every servicer out there. Bring your smile and can-do attitude, and plan to shake hands and meet amazing individuals in our real estate profession nationwide.