Year in Review 2018: Michelle Lala, RM Friedland

Name & Title: Michelle Lala, Senior Associate – Real Estate Salesperson

Company Name: RM Friedland

Address: 440 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 504, Harrison NY 10528

Website: www.RMFriedland.com  

What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or professional achievement in 2018?
This year after hundreds of cold calls and many proposals I was able to sign up my first listing. When I first spoke with the seller, he explained that his properties were under contract and that I should follow up with him in a few months for a 1031 Exchange. It just so happened, after months of following up and keeping in contact, he did not go through with the sale of his property and wanted myself along with my team to help him market and sell his property. This was a great achievement for me to not only be able to obtain my first listing but to see all the hard work and follow ups coming to fruition. 

What was the best decision that you made in 2018 and how did it impact your business?
The best decision that my entire team had made this year was our move to RM Friedland. This move has enabled me to slowly transition out a support role on my team to an agent. Because of this I have been able to make more cold calls, pitch more proposals, and lock up my first listing. This decision has enabled to me to become a more vital part of the team and to learn even more about the business. RM Friedland has a great support team here which has enabled all of us to focus on the task at hand, MAKING DEALS!

What market trend(s) will impact your industry in 2019?
Typically, I don’t think it is good to make predictions but since I speak to property owners every day, I tend to pick up on trends that influence the decisions they will make for their businesses going forward. A big topic that is constantly coming up are interest rates/financing. I think it is obviously enough that I can say that properties are not trading for what they once were in 2016 to earlier this year since interest rates are increasing, and banks are being slightly more conservative. Another topic that will have a heavy impact on the industry will be NYC Regulations. It seems as if there is a new landlord list every month. Regardless of what happens in 2019 there will always be a need for a competent broker!

Do you have any New Year’s Resolution(s)?
For 2019 I have a few New Year’s Resolutions that I am determined to stick to. I would like to try and get at least two new leads a week which would also require me to put in more hours making cold calls. I would also like to become more active on LinkedIn. I am very guilty of neglecting my LinkedIn despite it being a great tool to market listings and get to know more about your clients and colleagues. Not to sound cliché, but my final resolution that I would like to do in 2019 is to join a gym (but I might wait for the New Years madness to settle down before I do that)!