Guru Amy Allen with Keller Williams

Announcer: 0:01

Advisors Mortgage Group is proud to present in these real estate gurus hosted by Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold, the hard working mortgage guys, please contact Rick and Ian for all of your mortgage needs at HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Now here's the hard working mortgage guys, Rick Ripma, me and Arnold

Rick Ripma: 0:25

everyone before we get started, I just wanted to remind you that the most up to date information on mortgages and indies real estate market, go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. I'm Rick Ripma, the hardworking mortgage guy and I've had the honor of working with over 5200 mortgage borrowers helping each one find their best mortgage option. As a certified mortgage planner. I know my team and I can help guide you through the process and help you every step of the way.

Ian Arnold: 0:53

And I'm Ian Arnold part of Rick's hard working mortgage team. And I've been in the financial industry for about 15 years helping people buy and sell what they want, and also helping them build their overall wealth and or even their credit score.

Rick Ripma: 1:10

And today, we're excited to have Amy Allen, she is a real endears real estate guru. And you know, I look Amy for different things how to introduce, and you had phenomenal reviews. So I wanted to read one of the reviews, I think this gives people an idea of who you are. And this came into it as a real estate attorney. This is a real estate attorney. I work with a lot of agents, but none has impressed me as much as Amy Amy was knowledgeable, consistently available and professional in all communications and ways that I'm certain that without her a very tenuous deal wouldn't have gone through. In addition, Amy is very pleasant agent who made even the tense moments less edgy. With her great sense of empathy and humor. I highly recommend anyone looking for an agent to use Amy, that's phenomenal. And it's no wonder people, people use you. And it's how you became my book. It's probably how you became an India's real estate guru. Thanks for joining us.

Amy Allen: 2:09

Thanks for having me.

Rick Ripma: 2:10

That's a you know, it's funny in the reason I like that is because there's, there's so much in there that I believe is what really separates the top people. You know, it's, it's one of the big ones is those tests, tense moments. If the agent freaks out, they freak their client out, and it just creates a and so it's really important that that realtor or it stay as the emotions out of it. And I just think that's that's really a big deal. So how did you get into real estate?

Amy Allen: 2:44

I started in 2011, managing a real estate office and Crawfordsville at REMAX I started managing that office. And then I went sorry, I started I decided I wanted to go more into helping people, you know, kind of hands on. And so I had a life change and 2013 I lost my mother and then 2014 I got a divorce and decided I'm gonna have to do something different with my life. And I started looking into becoming a real estate agent and I got my license in 2016. And I've been selling since then. with Keller Williams, I started there in 2017, I went to Keller Williams and every year it gets better. And you know, you learn more, you do more and you meet more people and it's been good.

Rick Ripma: 3:41

Well, you've done fantastic. And but when you got started, you know, one of the things I love to hear is how you What did you do? What was your process? One thing about Keller Williams that I really respect is they give you great processes to grow business. So what processes did you use them to get going? Because it's not always easy for real estate agent to get going. It's a tough business.

Amy Allen: 4:07

Yeah, um, first thing, you know, you try to get your sphere of influence you try to, you know, get down everybody's information that you know, anyone that knows you and likes you and trusts you and so get that together and then, you know, start letting people know that you're an agent and not be a secret agent.

Rick Ripma: 4:28

Exactly.

Amy Allen: 4:29

So how would you let them know? Um, I send out mailers, I send out postcards, I social media, you know, let people know on there. I called people do to call people you know that it is called strangers. But yeah, just let everyone know and not be quiet about it. And I do have I've always worn T shirts as a real estate agent and you know just I don't wear a nametag but I will I will wear I will wear As a staff so they know who I am. And what I do,

Ian Arnold: 5:02

I bet share her car right now is filled a yard sign, she just walks around center, she looks at goes and just hits it every yard and just goes, I'm a real estate agent.

Rick Ripma: 5:12

I was thinking more that she was probably had her car wrapped.

Amy Allen: 5:18

Now, I don't have that, but it's an idea. For tomorrow,

Rick Ripma: 5:24

what all depends on how you drive, ya know, if you know, you got to be careful what you what you put out there because it could be upset if you don't hit your drive. Kind of like, I guess what I'm saying is I could never do that. That's what I'm saying. Yeah, because I get excited sometimes when I drive. But it just, it's amazing. So So you got started you called people you said it's easier to call people, you know, which is obviously true. But by calling people you know, it also makes it easier to call people you don't know, expect and especially if the people you know give you referrals. Right, right. And in every referral is just a whole easier way that it's an easier person to call a pocket. Absolutely, yeah. Yeah. But unfortunately, or fortunately, we do have to do you know, some of that, you know, and it's just just how it is. So, you got going, obviously, you're doing extremely well, we've seen the numbers, and you're you're phenomenal at what you do. So what you did originally, what part you know, what kind of things are you still doing today that you did that? or what have you added that has helped your business,

Amy Allen: 6:35

um, I think just getting more comfortable with being uncomfortable, has been a blessing, just knowing that, you know, my main goal is to help others reach their real estate goals. You know, not focusing on the numbers per se, you know, and my goals, put my personal goals moreso, focusing on others. And so that's been a huge help. I still reach out to people, there's just a lot more people to reach out to now. So it's harder to, you know, one on one, do that. So I try to, you know, keep in contact with, you know, Christmas cards and stuff like that. So that way they know, I'm still thinking about them, and I'm still here. So but yeah, that's about

Rick Ripma: 7:23

it. Yeah. Okay. I mean, one of the keys, you want to get the referral, you want to work with people, you know, you've kind of most people I'm guessing you do you become kind of friends with these? Yeah, no, it's not like, you spend a lot of time with them, and you become friends. And so those things that you do are because you're your friends, not kind of friends, your friends, and you want to keep in touch and you want to keep and I know as we get busy, that can be more difficult thing, you know, but it's, it's important. So you do it. That's what sounds like you just make time you make sure make sure you do it. That's I think that's incredibly valuable for somebody. As you look at a real estate, you know, being a real estate agent, and you're you're you know, what, what, what's your opinion, if somebody's looking to hire a real estate agent? What should they what should they look for what you know, what characteristics? Should they look for?

Amy Allen: 8:19

Someone that's honest, and someone they trust? Yeah, someone that's open and communicates? Well, so yeah. You know, it's

Rick Ripma: 8:30

funny, because that's, it's, that's a that's a very common answer from top producers. Yeah. Because it's extremely valuable. And I think if your radar goes off, and you're like, I don't trust this person, right? You shouldn't hire them. And you see people do it all. Not as a real not hire in real estate agents. I won't do that. But you'll see on the news and this person hire somebody walked up to the door, knocked on their door and said, hey, I'll do something in your yard and pay me now and then they never see him again. Yeah, they're your your radar should go off on that. Same thing with a real estate agent. And it's because you spend how much time would you say you normally spend with with, uh, with someone as they're looking to buy or looking to sell?

Amy Allen: 9:12

I mean, a few months, usually, depending on the situation. But yeah, usually a few months, you're, you know, going back and forth with their transaction and depending on how fast they find a home or how fast their home sells. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 9:27

Yeah. And they're, and your ability to get along with them obviously.

Amy Allen: 9:31

Yes. and problem solving. You need a you need a problem solver.

Rick Ripma: 9:35

Yeah, yeah. So I think that's a huge piece. How do you How can somebody tell they're like they're talking to a real estate agent, they're interviewing them? How can they tell they're a good problem solver. Do you have any tricks to that?

Amy Allen: 9:52

I'm not sure I'm not sure you can tell. Right off the bat. You know, that, you know, a good negotiator, someone that can you know, make things work out Are you know someone that works hard, right? Yeah, no, I'm not sure how you tell. Right? Okay.

Rick Ripma: 10:06

I just want you set it. I'm thinking, Okay, so in the real estate point of view, a problem solver. It's like, one of the things that's common is a inspection comes back. Yeah. And it has an issue. And that's a problem. Would that be a question? Maybe something because, hey, so what if my inspection comes back? And, you know, how would you how do we, especially if it's the seller, right, right. So the inspection comes back to the buyer says, So and so how do we, how do we fix that? Because isn't that a very common?

Amy Allen: 10:39

Oh, yes. Very common, very common? Well, I work with that, it just depends on again, depends on the seller, you know, do they want to do the work? Or do they want to give them money back, as opposed to do the work, which I suggest most of the time, because it's better than, you know, the buyer coming in and saying, This work isn't good enough for me, you know, they already paid for it. So, you know, if you can do a closing, you know, give them money back at closing, then it's just kind of makes things smoother. But you know, I help navigate bringing, you know, guys in to give them quotes and all that good stuff to try to figure it out.

Rick Ripma: 11:18

Yeah, and sometimes that can be a difficulty because a lender, we don't allow them to give or to give my so but it can be done in certain ways. Like, you have, you already have the contractor and all that set up and the money goes directly to from the title company to the contractor, then it's not, then it's okay with most lenders. So that's, that's a way they can do that. So you have a solution. Now to find those solutions, obviously, one of the things that I heard was, you communicate exactly how valuable and important is that?

Amy Allen: 11:49

Larry? Yeah, you have to have to communicate,

Rick Ripma: 11:52

yeah. And you have to communicate with everybody. So you, you communicate, and you have to communicate with the buyer, you have to communicate with the seller, whether whichever one's your client, but you're maybe maybe you don't communicate, if you're the if you're the seller, if you're the the listing agent, you don't necessarily communicate with the buyer, but you do their real estate agent. And those and those relationships have to be extremely important.

Amy Allen: 12:18

Are they Yes, they are very important.

Rick Ripma: 12:20

And when so when you get an offer that comes in it, let's say you had seven offers, if they're all very similar, the the agents that you already either know or have, you know, their reputation can make a make or break the deal is that

Amy Allen: 12:40

um, it can definitely steer my ship patient.

Rick Ripma: 12:45

Steer I you know, it's your what's your, here's what I think this is what I hear you saying when you say steer, it's not steer, you educate your let's say, you're the seller, you educate the seller on, okay. These are the offers, here's and you lay out an entire offer. Part of that offer is who the real estate agent is and how well they communicate. Because if they don't, or if, if you if you know, they're very, they're impossible with any inspections, and they're going to ask for everything, and they're going to want to that affects the seller, does it not? Yes, great. Yeah. And so it's important that you're able to communicate that and I think that's what I hear from most is that's one of the big values of being in the business. And being successful in the business is, you know, a lot of the agents so you already you have a reputation, but you already know their reputations, too. Yes. Yeah. And that seems like it's like it's extremely important. We're coming up on the break. So if you need to get a hold of Amy, Amy, what is the best way for them to contact you?

Amy Allen: 13:49

My cell phone is 765366349776536603497

Rick Ripma: 13:58

Yes, perfect. And if you need to get a hold of Ian or I, it's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. And after the break, we're going to talk more with Amy about her real estate career and here's some of the fabulous story she has.

Unknown: 14:20

Advisors mortgage brokers licensed by Indiana Department of Financial Institution equal housing opportunity. NMLS 33041 Rick ritmos NMLS 664589

Rick Ripma: 14:28

Hi, I'm Rick Ripma. With the hard work and mortgage guys and advisors Mortgage Group where we believe delivering the best mortgage for you is why we exist and it's how we all succeed.

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We believe honesty, kindness and hard work are how we honor each client

Ian Arnold: 14:42

at hardworking mortgage guys, we believe in custom tailored loans, not the one size fits all approach.

Unknown: 14:47

We believe in always presenting you with all your options. So you get the loan you want the way you want it. We believe in continually monitoring the rules, rates and market trends. So you don't have to we believe in working hard to meet Your closing date so that your entire plan isn't upended. We believe in offering the same quick online process that the bookstore mortgage companies brag about whether you're refinancing or buying your first home,

Rick Ripma: 15:11

we believe there is the best mortgage for you. And we believe we are the team to deliver it find us online at hardworking mortgage guys.com.

Unknown: 15:24

Brought to you by advisors Mortgage Group, where we believe the more you know about financing a home, the less stressful buying and refinancing will be.

Ian Arnold: 15:39

Welcome back from the break. And now we're actually going to start with the question or the week. Now it's time for questions with the gurus the question that week is sponsored by advisors Mortgage Group where we take your mortgage Give me your contact us today to get your free mortgage plan at HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Okay, so here's the hardest question. What was your first part?

Amy Allen: 16:11

It was a Mercury Capri 1986 What color? It was silver silver. Okay.

Rick Ripma: 16:17

Did you like it?

Amy Allen: 16:19

Um, I liked the way it looked. It looked like a Mustang. I didn't like the way it drove. Because most time I was pushing it. I pushed it more than I drove it. But it did look good and had a great stereo system. So at 16 That's what was needed.

Rick Ripma: 16:32

So you look good. Sitting in the parking lot. With your friends. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. No, you know, it's funny. That's I think what most people have one one person has told us they, you know, they they're actually several it's their motors blow up on him. You know, they found a rod that's that's what happened to the car. It's like, one of them they had to make the heater work. They had to roll the window down. Oh, my Does that make sense? Doesn't tell me. I mean, how does that work? But it's funny how those old cars.

Amy Allen: 17:00

It was my only stick car that I've had my first first drive. Yep.

Rick Ripma: 17:06

Yeah, that's it. Yeah. Today, as Ian was saying the other day. You went? That's a great theft deterrent now. Yeah. Because if they if you have a stick and you're most people don't drive anymore? No, they don't. I think for good reasons. It's a lot easier to drive an automatic.

Amy Allen: 17:20

Especially in Carmel. Yeah, well, anywhere. My for me, I

Rick Ripma: 17:23

think it's just, you know, if you're going to stop by and get something to drink, or you're going to, you know, while you're drunk. Or if you hurt yourself,

Ian Arnold: 17:31

what are you talking about driving manual and karma is the easiest thing in the world. All those roundabouts hit a stop sign, you just urge just go run around. There's no need to get into first gear. That's the hardest thing.

Rick Ripma: 17:43

Sometimes at the roundabout end, you know, we still have to stop Oh, no. We don't want to wrap his car. Right? That would be a big mistake, wrapping his car. This question? Sometimes I have to ask it several different ways. But what what is your superpower or powers?

Amy Allen: 18:07

Um, I would say caring. I'm caring about people. And, you know, empathetic, and you know, I kind of I don't I don't know, I don't know what my superpowers are.

Rick Ripma: 18:27

Yeah, well, actually, you do. You just I mean, caring is a big one, obviously. And it's important. And it's also a characteristic I see in all top producers. If I was going to go out and speak on tour, and I was talking to agents, that's the you can't teach it. Right? Okay. Somebody either cares, or they don't. And they either care about the other person or they don't care about the other person and caring about the other person. I find is very consistent in the end the I don't know if there's a trainer there, the very consistent in the top producers. And because when you say caring, I'm guessing it's your it's when you're doing business, it's about your the person you're working with. It's not about you know, yes, you make a commission, but that's not why you do it. You do it because you really want to help that other person. And it means more much more to you than than the commission, I'm guessing.

Amy Allen: 19:22

Yes, yes, absolutely. Yeah. People where they want to go? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So

Ian Arnold: 19:27

the one thing and the whole caring thing, and the reason this always sticks with me is when my wife and I bought our house, it was our first house. But our realtor walked us through the house and being first time homebuyers. You're like a kid getting a car for the first time you get in? You don't care about how it runs. You turn that stereo up. Yeah, first same time a first home buyer so they walk through and they're like, Oh, this is awesome. I put my bed here. But the nice thing is when when you have a real estate agent that cares, they point out stuff. Hey, look, you see that tree there? It's dead. It So it's gonna have to come down or like with us, our windows, the seal was broken. She's like you're into place all these windows. So her caring about allowed us to negotiate that into the deal. If she was just about the check, then guess what she would do not even care. Right. So when you talk about your superpower of being caring, caring is a huge one, especially in my book, because I wasn't really looking out for my interests, as well as their own. Yes, yeah. So what was what would you say your most memorable deal was,

Amy Allen: 20:35

um, I've had quite a few of them. very memorable. Yeah, I'm selling to my 20 year old son. That was, that was a big deal. And he bought my grandparents house they built in 1973. So that was very rewarding to, you know, walk through that with him. And of course, my daughter bought a house. And her mom and my son in law bought a house in the same neighborhood as my grandmother lived. She's since passed on, but still, it was cool to, you know, sell in the same neighborhood. So they'd be close. There's been a lot of people that I've helped that really, really needed it kind of in a desperate place in their life. And those always, definitely stick out more, you know, when I can really get in there and, you know, make a huge difference in someone's life. So,

Ian Arnold: 21:28

I will say, though, those are the ones that touch us. Yeah. I mean, I know, Rick, and I've said this numerous times. But I mean, we don't get to see the home buyer through the through that process, we usually hear, alright, they're getting pre approved. But after they closed, and they sign that paperwork, there's been countless people we walk out, and they're like crying. And we're like, what drunk? And they're out of joy, because they did something they didn't think they could ever do.

Amy Allen: 21:53

Yeah, yeah. Yes, it is very, very rewarding.

Rick Ripma: 21:57

They may be the first people in their family to have ever done it, ya know, and it's, it means. And I think it's important because, and obviously, you you, you love, it sounds like you really liked working with the first time homebuyer and that, but it's so important because it changes their entire life. It's not just the house they bought, you know, where you live changes so much. It changes your friends, you meet the people in the neighborhood, they become your great friends, there, they become your connections that can change your entire life. I look at my kids, and my kids, you know, because of the connections they made, are where they are today. And and you wonder what where would they be if there were no, you know, if they had different connect, if their lives were different if we hadn't lived in the neighborhood, we live with the people that we lived with and gone to the schools, you know, where it just it means so much. I think it's incredibly important. Yes. And yeah, it's just, it's really, really something. So in this is kind of the same thing. It may not be what's your favorite part of your job?

Amy Allen: 23:10

I favorite closings? Yeah. No, yeah, definitely getting people where they want to go and helping them navigate that. You know,

Rick Ripma: 23:20

and, you know, I want everybody to understand why you say closings. The reason people the reason agents say closing is not because it's when they get paid. That's not why they that's the that's the that is the finalization and the the not not really a conclusion of the of the relationship with the conclusion of the process, where the stress now goes away all the hurdles, everything there, they no longer have to worry or there is their financing and go through because it went through. They don't have to worry as soon as the inspection going to be an issue, because it's already done. An appraisal an issue there.

Ian Arnold: 23:56

They crossed the finish line. You're not done training. Yeah. So you're gonna go on, you're gonna keep going. But you cross that finish line, that first race, you're done. Yes. So all that hard work paid off.

Rick Ripma: 24:10

And that the elimination of stress is is brings out a lot of joy and people. Not everybody buys. Not everybody who's buying or selling the house is doing that. And it's exciting for them. Is that correct?

Amy Allen: 24:24

Correct. Yeah, I just had one November it was her parents home and she had she had held on to it for quite a while and just hard for her to let go. But I ended up selling that so it was that wasn't a real happy closing, you know, for her, but Right. But it had to be done. It had

Rick Ripma: 24:43

to be done. And ultimately it was she was I'm sure ultimately she ends up happy and unhappy with you or was unhappy that she didn't really want to sell the house. I I don't have that experience with a house but I'm a car guy. So I have that experience with. I find my wife does, too, we kind of fall in love with our cars, you know, it's they means, I don't know why. But cars to me means something. And it's, it's it's hard sometimes to get rid of. And I always hear people who they still have the car, their first car, they still have it, you know, 50 years later. It's usually a pretty cool car. And I you know, so. But I kind of envy that sometimes I never did that. I never kept those things. I moved on to the next one and the next one, but I do kind of wish I had done that. Yeah. And I can see if you want to keep the house, but you can't keep it and maintain it and all that if you aren't living there. Right. Yeah, I find that it's also an issue. Like, if somebody's getting divorced, that can be a time when they have to sell the house, but they may not be excited about it. Yes. How do you win those times? Like with this person? How do you help them walk through that process? Because it's not exciting.

Amy Allen: 25:58

I'm actually in that right now. It'll be my first one. But I, I sold them a house when I was maybe my second year in to selling and they got ahold of me, and I'm helping them prepare their home right now to go on the market. By next week. Yep. So

Rick Ripma: 26:18

and you and is there a lot of I mean, I'm guessing there's a lot of emotion in it. Are they still fairly fresh?

Amy Allen: 26:23

Yes. Yeah. I mean, they're friendly. Yes. But, you know, it is. It is a hard time in their life. And I, I mean, I can I understand. So I've been through it myself. And it's not easy. So I, you know, just go in and tell them, I don't take sides. And you know, I want all the communication to be between the three of us so that way, everybody's on the same page. And so far, so good. Yeah, we're not on market yet. But yeah, so far, so good. Yeah, it can

Rick Ripma: 26:55

be tough. I had one. And financing. And after it was all sudden done. Her her review was, he was too nice to my husband. It's like, well, I had I mean, I've talked to both of you. I mean, I'm not going to be mean to one and not know, so just be mean

Ian Arnold: 27:15

to both of them, then.

Rick Ripma: 27:17

You know what I decided I'm not gonna be like, I'm gonna be nice.

Ian Arnold: 27:23

So, have you added to your business card counselor yet?

Amy Allen: 27:27

You can shed

Ian Arnold: 27:31

there's a lot of emotions. People don't realize a wide range. Like we were talking about first time, first time homebuyers. All right, people getting going through a divorce or you meet people through so many different situations,

Amy Allen: 27:46

you know, needing a bigger home because their kids are getting bigger and they're adding add more kids to the, to their family. You know, I think that's fun, too. Downsizing. Yeah. Downsizing. That's rewarding as well. But yeah,

Rick Ripma: 27:59

why did he look at me when he said downsizing?

Amy Allen: 28:01

Because you do want to sell your house today?

Unknown: 28:03

Yes. No, no,

Rick Ripma: 28:05

we do. We don't be my wife would kill me. Because we just got done two years of remodeling. And so we're gonna live in there a little bit longer before we sell. But downsizing is one of those things that at some point, you do. And I spent a lot of time in New home sales. And so downsizing was one of those really difficult things to do. But we are coming up on the end of the radio show. So please join us on the podcast. If you would like to get a hold of me what's the best way to get a hold of us?

Amy Allen: 28:40

My cell phone number is 765-366-3497

Rick Ripma: 28:45

and to get a hold of NRI, it's hard working mortgage guys.com That's hardworking mortgage. guys.com. Please join us on the podcast.

Announcer: 28:54

You're listening to India's real estate gurus with Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold. To hear the conclusion of this interview, go to hardworking mortgage guys.com and hit the podcast tab. Branch NMLS. Number 33041. Rick Ripma is NMLS. Number 664589. Ian Arnold's NMLS number is 1995469 equal housing opportunity, some restrictions apply?

Unknown: 29:14

Well, first off, thank you for joining us, Danielle. I appreciate it. And I just was curious, how did you come to find out about Rick Ripma and advisors mortgage? Well, I was looking for a mortgage for myself for a brand new home that I was building. And I wasn't sure the direction to go. I didn't have anybody in mind. So I kind of just spoke to whoever I could speak to. I got their number and everything seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. So I went with them. The thing I liked the most about Rick and his advisors mortgage is that I could go and upload things online and I didn't have to always be on the phone with them or sending them documents or trying to look for certain things that I needed to get the process going. Which is really great for me I had a processor named Mark Coleman, who really helped me out in making sure I had everything I needed. Because I, I didn't know the first thing about having a mortgage. So it was awesome to have so much help. I think probably what I've benefited from the most is really just the understanding that sometimes I would get busy. And maybe I forgot to upload a document or I forgot to do a certain part of the process in a timely manner. And they would get right back with me and it wasn't like a, hey, we really need this right now. It was always, Hey, just wanted to make sure you still remember that we need this. Well, you don't get that too much. In this day and age, it seems like most people are either, you know, very demanding of something they need from you. And they need it right now. And, and I agree, I've seen that in Rick's attitude with us over over the last 10 years that he's very patient, but also helpful to get the right things he needs. So, exactly. In conclusion is Rick Ripma and advisors mortgage, somebody that you would use in the future and or tell your friends and family about? Absolutely. And I just want to thank them for all the effort they put in to help me find my dream home.

Rick Ripma: 31:05

Ranch NMLS number 33041 Recruitment NMLS number 664589 equal housing opportunity, some restrictions apply. I'm Rick Ripma You can go to hard working mortgage guys.com

Ian Arnold: 31:16

Well, welcome back. Well, that was that didn't take very long did it?

Rick Ripma: 31:20

Hopefully not.

Ian Arnold: 31:22

All right. So I know we're here talking with Amy telling us everything she knows almost. I doubt 80% Yeah. So I do have one good question. So time finally. So

Rick Ripma: 31:41

I've been waiting for this.

Ian Arnold: 31:42

Where do you specialize? Like what type of work area?

Amy Allen: 31:46

What area is location? Yeah, location wise. Well, my office is in Brownsburg, and I am originally born and raised in Crawfordsville. So I have you know, I do a lot of business over in Crawfordsville. And fountain County, Montgomery County. And then I, of course, Hendricks County, and then I live in Boone County now so I just moved there about a year ago. We live in Lebanon, so kind of everywhere. No, you know, I sold down south, you know, close. Close to Kentucky last year. So yeah, not purposely but I sold their house in Franklin Township, and they wanted to move that way. So yeah, I took them had to had to do it. Yeah. So it wouldn't do bad.

Rick Ripma: 32:35

It's amazing Lebanon, though. I've lived here my entire life and Lebanon was a long way away from Indianapolis. Now it hasn't gotten it hasn't physically gotten any farther. Yeah. But it's definitely gotten closer. Absolutely. Yeah, it hasn't physically gotten closer either. It's just, it's amazing. Because we'll run up there. Because, you know, you kind of get tired of the same things in in our area. And so we'll just, you know, once in a while, run up to Lebanon, and we'll just drive through to find a restaurant stop at a restaurant and eat and eat and Lebanon or I do a lot of in the summer I ride my bike a lot. So we'll ride up to Lebanon right through. And it's a beautiful town. Yes, it is. People would just visit it. I'm sure they are now but it is a beautiful little town. Yes, it has a market. There's a booming

Amy Allen: 33:25

yes it is. Yeah. I love it there. We I've always had family there growing up. My grandparents lived there. My dad's parents and I had uncles and aunts that lived there. I still my favorite uncle still lives there. So not too far from me either. So that's nice. And then my dad lives in Danville. So so my family's kind of everywhere, but I but we do love Lebanon, and we started about a year ago. Going to church there and so, you know, just really getting our roots down. Yeah, yeah. And we love it. And it is, you know, it's a smaller town. It's very similar to Crawfordsville I think just closer to Andy.

Rick Ripma: 34:06

Yeah, Crawfordsville is another town that I think is really an awesome town. This is Brownsburg, my my boys. Two older ones are are into birds. My wife's into birds. And my older one owns a bird tour company takes people all over the world looking you know, birdwatching Yeah, it's a nature tour. My son My middle son is a as a field biologist, and he works for my son as a tour guide plus he does feel biology about birds. Yeah. And it's so so I visit reason I say that is because I visited I visited all these places and when you visit places when you're in I'm not I'm not a birder okay. But I I'm I always said I was the payer and the driver, right? But I got to see the areas and it's amazing how nice areas are if you just go drive them. I love downtown Crawfordsville I think it's wonderful. Yeah, not great birding and downtown, but it's it's a nice town. Yeah, yeah. And Brownsburg is the same way. Brownsburg is booming. Yes, it is. And how's the market? Since your office is there, right. How is the market in Brownsburg

Amy Allen: 35:15

and it's good. It's so you know, things are moving and actually just closed on one last week, last Tuesday. So in Brownsburg, so,

Rick Ripma: 35:24

yeah, our whole market is that why is there a lack of inventory?

Amy Allen: 35:27

There is a lack of inventory everywhere, pretty much. And buyers are more apprehensive, of course, because of the interest rate. And it seems like it's leveling out more now. Yeah, it's getting better. I think people are

Rick Ripma: 35:40

getting used to the, but the rates are coming down. Yes. Okay. And you and I've talked about it, we've talked about with other people, the thing that people have to understand is the yes, the rates are higher. But this is a much better time right now as a buyer. Absolutely. than it was a year ago. Yeah, it's a much better time. So the freaking out about the interest rates. It's funny, they didn't freak out about, Oh, you want $300,000 for that house? I'll give you 375. And I don't want an inspection. And I don't care what it appraises for. It's a this is a much better market. It's still great for seller.

Amy Allen: 36:18

Yes. But yeah, because the homes are still have high value. And it's just you know, as a buyer, you don't have to compete. Yes, it helps it

Rick Ripma: 36:26

immensely. Yes. Right. So it's a great time to buy. But what's gonna happen when rates go back down? Because the demand is there and all those people who went on the sidelines? You know, some of them first time homebuyers. They rented for a year? Yeah, their leases are going to be coming up. And they're going to want to buy houses, right? Yes. So that market is going to get crazy. Again, this is a great time that I personally think if when we're able to look back at will think for the seller for the buyers. This was a better and not as an easier time. Yes, that may be a better way to say it. Because Was it difficult on sellers and on you as a real estate agent working with sellers or buyers?

Amy Allen: 37:07

Yeah, for buyers was very difficult. Yeah. And they discouraged a lot of times. I mean, at one point, I had a cash buyer. And then he I can't remember for sure the amount it was 300 and some 1000. But we lost. I don't know how many and Brownsburg and Avon, and he ended up buying a Westfield actually, but it was amazing. The cash, you know, and it wasn't we weren't going under we weren't low balling he was that he was buying it to live in it. But yeah, it was amazing, though. I mean it but even as a seller, you have 50 offers to go through and you know, do a spreadsheet and figure all that out in which one really? I mean, because it's not always the amount of money. That's better. Yeah, it's everything. You have to take everything in consideration. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 37:53

Because there's things in there that could cause problems later on or cause expenses later on. And you're looking out for the best interest at that point of your seller. Yeah. Right. Because the sellers agent,

Amy Allen: 38:02

the main goal for sellers as you want as easy as possible well, for both, you know, as much ease as possible, and for them to get as near as much money as possible.

Rick Ripma: 38:11

Yeah. And I, like I look at it and my point of view would be if I were selling my house, I would want the most money possible. However, if you said to me, okay, well, these offers are almost identical. This one, they're offering you a little less. But let me tell you about this one, that's higher price. Let me tell you the situation, because this agent has a reputation of doing this or being that way. I know I'm gonna feel it's hard to talk about. But it's that matters. You have to get people because those inspections come back and all of a sudden they're offering or maybe maybe the offer is higher, but they want an inspection. And they are limiting what they asked for this other one. They're saying, listen, we're going to have the inspection, but anything under $3,000, we're not going to ask you to fix that may be a better offer, even though it's a little bit lower price. Yes. And you'd you'd know better how those work. But I'm just trying to get some idea. I think that that that's important for people, and I think it matters. And it's also part of your care and you care about it. So you put together a spreadsheet, and you try to lay it out the very best you can so so these people knew what their offers were. And I know that had to be incredibly difficult. Yes, yeah. Because how do you how do you put everything in a spreadsheet their spreadsheets for numbers, but how do you quantify some of the other things that aren't numbers?

Amy Allen: 39:34

Highlighting highlighters, I actually I print everything off, which I know environmental people think that's horrible, but But yeah, I print everything off and highlight everything I can and then then go through like that. I don't have to worry about that.

Rick Ripma: 39:50

Right. Yeah, yeah, but it isn't. There's nothing like having it in unpaper. Yeah. At least for people like in my age. I can look at the screen and all that. I like it on paper, which is weird because I like to read my books on my iPad. My wife, everybody, all my friends, they want to book on an iPad because it doesn't weigh as much. It's easier to carry around. But that's how it is. So if a

Ian Arnold: 40:15

customer were to find you when you're not doing real estate, what would you be doing? What do you what are you doing?

Amy Allen: 40:22

Spending time with my grandson? He's he'll be two in April. So Waylon is his name. But yeah, I spend a lot of time with him and my kids. Of course, my husband too.

Rick Ripma: 40:34

Yeah, husbands, it's the kids and the way No,

Amy Allen: 40:39

no, no, I have a great one. Great husband. So and he does a lot for me. So I, as far as what I do for fun. I teach classes at the Colorado Park and Eric. I teach a spinning class in a weightlifting class. So I've done that for I don't know, it's it's my son, I guess. 20 years now. So yeah, since my son was about a year old, I started so it's awesome. So if somebody's looking

Ian Arnold: 41:05

for a workout, partner, and Solitaire, we have the one for

Rick Ripma: 41:10

you. Yep. Sorry. Especially if we're that's an Crawfordsville. You teach that? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So there you go. Yeah. And if they're in loving, and you just write up with her? Yeah, that's right. And how would somebody get a hold of you if they wanted to contact you for real estate or, you know, workout, you know, ideas,

Amy Allen: 41:27

and my cell phone is 765-366-3497. And my email is Amy allen@kw.com.

Rick Ripma: 41:35

And if you need to get a hold of ena i It's hard working mortgage guys.com That's hardworking mortgage. guys.com. What are you most excited about? As you look at the future?

Amy Allen: 41:50

The market leveling off and becoming like a normal market? You know? I'm excited about I'm excited about this year, it started off really strong. And I think that it will get better as as a month ago pass. Yeah, I'm excited about this year, didn't like who I can help

Rick Ripma: 42:12

the start of the year. This is what happened with me, it was fairly slow to the end of last year, and like January 2, the floodgate opened, is that what happened with you,

Amy Allen: 42:23

um, I stay pretty busy at but I the last couple years, my husband and I have gone to Gulf Shores for kind of a kickstart for the year. And it gets definitely gets busier. You actually called me while I was on vacation. And I worked. I worked the entire time I was there. But I'm staying. I'm sitting there we're standing at and looking at the ocean. So it makes it even better.

Ian Arnold: 42:44

Yeah, it's better to look out the window seeing snow. So I'll take that. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 42:48

I think she just opened up one of your favorite questions. Oh, technology.

Ian Arnold: 42:53

Yeah, technology is awesome. So how do you think it's besides cell phone? How do you think it's helped you become as successful as you

Amy Allen: 43:01

are in technology? Well, I listen to podcasts constantly. I and audible books. You like your, your iPad, but I like Audible because I can do other things. I like to drive and listen, I can get ready and listen. But yeah. I mean, I guess people being able to contact you, you know, anywhere you are. So that that's super helpful.

Ian Arnold: 43:27

Yeah, we've had several people and they say like with Facebook with all that stuff, it's easier to stay in contact with, right? Because you don't have to be all right. I gotta call you every week I got a if I post something, oh, they might post or they might comment it or something like that. So it's nonchalantly, like, Hey, I'm still here. If you

Amy Allen: 43:48

stay top of mind that way, you know, people forget about you.

Ian Arnold: 43:52

I know we talked about this a little bit before, but it's also nice having those lock boxes on doors where you can easily just go alright, I want to go show this house instead of Alright, now I gotta go find. Find that key. Let's go to this office and stuff like that. So

Amy Allen: 44:05

yeah, yeah, true.

Rick Ripma: 44:07

Yeah, the old way was difficult. But I think one of the most interesting things or best things about it is you can be at the Gulf Shores, and do business and do and truly most people. Or maybe nobody knows you're not here in the office working. You're there. But when you're when you're done, you're on the Gulf Shores. Yeah. You know, so you, you can have your relaxation, you can have your time alone, you can have your time with your husband. But you can work too and nobody knows. And it's I it's kind of freeing. Yes. But it also takes you have to be disciplined to work. Yes. So you must be very disciplined because I personally have trouble with that if I was on the Gulf Shores or in Florida or somewhere.

Amy Allen: 44:54

Ya know, if I've got stuff going on. I think it's easy to be disciplined and make sure things stay together, you know, keep on going.

Rick Ripma: 45:02

So you just keep keep making you have your deals go on, you make sure everything's going on. I know for me, it's even on the weekends you're at home, but you know, people call, you got to take care of it. So you answer the phone, you take care of whatever it is. The other night, somebody sent me an email is late. And they said, Hey, we need a pre approval. So you know, you do your pre approvals because you have to get them done, right, and they need them. And you can't. Unlike some things, you can't put things off when somebody's trying to buy a house, right? It's not quite like medical, where you might have to have a surgery, but it is close when they're ready to buy a house or they need something. You got to be there for them. Right. And so it's you under you understand that importance. And so you're available, whether you're on the Gulf Coast or not. Yeah, I think I think that's, you know, very important for people. That what are your goals for this year? Do you have any special goals,

Amy Allen: 45:54

just to do better than I did last year, you know, I like to, you know, grow each year. So that's, that's my goal was to,

Ian Arnold: 46:03

I do like what you said earlier, and I had, with one of my earlier managers, I had a big discussion with him about it, because he didn't believe the way I said it. And the way you said it earlier was look, I just want to help people. Alright, so if I'm gonna help people, I'm gonna help them and I'm not gonna worry about the end result. And I've been that same way is, look, I have a somewhat of a goal. It's a loose goal. But if I help every person I can, to the fullest extent, it will work out in the end, right? I don't care if my, let's say my overall number now. I'm down 10. At the end of the year, okay. Did I really succeed? Yes. Because I helped every single person. And I think that's what you hinted on earlier. And I think that's

Amy Allen: 46:46

huge, is just yeah, sometimes, you know, someone comes to you, and they asked about selling their house, sometimes it's not in their best interest to sell it right now. You know, I mean, I there is a couple, they had another baby, and they wanted to move, but they were they couldn't I mean, they wouldn't, it wouldn't make sense for them to move yet, you know, so they need to wait another year. And that's just the way it goes. You gotta be honest, and look out for the best for all of your clients.

Rick Ripma: 47:13

Because that ultimately, is what you do you want to take care of everybody and that, in reality, it's what actually gets you more referrals, and you do better because you they know you cared about them. I find when, you know, I'll talk to somebody and I'll say, Well, you know, we don't do this type alone, but this is what you need. It's like, Wow, I can't believe it. And people tell me, that's why I call you because you're always honest with me, you tell me and that's, I think that's important. One of the things you said I think is really interesting is you have to be you want to be more, you're more comfortable being uncomfortable. I think I'm gonna steal that. I like that. I think that's great. Well, we're coming up at the end of the show, if somebody went needed to get a hold of you, how would they get ahold of you?

Amy Allen: 47:56

It's 765-366-3497 Or by email, Amy allen@kw.com.

Rick Ripma: 48:03

Then KW is for Keller Williams. Yes. And if you need to get hold of Ian or I, it's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com.

Ian Arnold: 48:10

And if you know any friends, family or coworkers are looking to buy sell refinance, please contact any of us and we'll be more than happy to help you. All of our info will be down in the description so easily contact us. Thanks so

Rick Ripma: 48:23

much for joining us. Have a great day.