Kirby Presswood — Family Values & Real Estate Success

by Kim Becker and Staci Rappoport

   What makes a house a home? It may be the love that comes from within, the family memories shared or the instinctive ability to choose a house that reflects that family’s personality. Kirby Presswood understands the importance of helping her clients find not just a house, but a home and a lifestyle.

   “I get a lot of repeat business and referrals because I help put families into the right lifestyle,” says Kirby. “But my relationship with a client doesn’t end with the closing of a transaction; it begins. I feel a motherly instinct toward my clients because I truly enjoy helping people.”

   To those who know Kirby, her mothering instinct is an important part of who she is. As a mother of five and a grandmother of nine (with number ten on the way), Kirby clearly identifies with her role as “mom” whether it’s at home or at the office.

   “My family is my motivation,” smiles Kirby. She adds jokingly, “My goal is to have all of my children and grandchildren licensed REALTORS because they’re the best negotiators I’ve ever met. I’ve learned everything from them!”

   While her motivation and expertise have placed her among the top one percent of all Prudential sales associates nationwide, Kirby never could have predicted her success 12 years ago when she first enrolled in real estate school. A full-time mother with her youngest child just entering kindergarten, Kirby chose real estate because it offered her the flexibility that other fields did not. “I could work on my own and on my own hours,” says Kirby. “It allowed me to work and still be a mom.”

   With her career path taking shape, Kirby interviewed with several companies before meeting with Prudential Americana Group, Realtors’ Mark Miscevic. “I was impressed with Mark and the progressive and innovative way he and the company conduct business,” says Kirby. “As a new agent, I felt it was important to join a medium- to large-sized company because it would allow me to do more for my clients.”

   As the first agent and having the first sale and closing at Prudential Americana Group’s Rainbow office 12 years ago, Kirby quickly earned a reputation for working full-time with each buyer and seller. As a result of her dedication, her business grew.

   “When you run a business, you must either do everything yourself or find the right people to help you,” explains Kirby. “So I eventually ‘cloned’ myself and looked for people who shared my dedication to service.” The first person she “cloned” was Mimi Hamann, whom Kirby describes as “the most caring individual I’ve ever met.” Mimi handles all of the team’s listings and works one-on-one with their sellers. In addition to doing “a bit of everything,” Mimi is Kirby’s right hand.

   To oversee all her marketing and advertising, Kirby chose Connie Aronson-Wayne, a professional with more than 20 years of sales, finance and marketing experience. Joy Stratford was selected as the team’s closing person. In addition to her meticulous attention to paperwork and documentation, Joy also works closely with homeowner’s associations to ensure clients’ needs are addressed.

   Valerie Maes is the team’s full-time receptionist. But unlike a traditional agent’s receptionist, Valerie works three days during the week and all day on Saturday and Sunday. She ensures that Kirby’s clients have immediate access to a team member even on weekends.

   Son Jess Presswood works part-time after school as the team’s office assistant and runner. He handles brochure distribution and all the “little office extras.”

   Rounding out the team is daughter Jenny Presswood. She joined her mother in the fall of 1999 to work exclusively as her buyer’s agent. Jenny’s real estate experience in new home sales enables her to work directly with buyers, allowing Kirby the time she needs to handle all contract negotiations. Jenny says she values the experience of working alongside her mother. “She’s my mentor,” says Jenny. “From her I’ve learned that in order to be successful you must be accessible 24-7. My mom  has even closed homes from her hospital bed!”

   Not surprisingly, Kirby does not consider the long hours and on-call lifestyle to be bothersome, but rather an expected part of doing business. “My team and I make the client’s schedule our schedule,” says Kirby. “They come to us because we try to step into their shoes and see things from their perspective. We respect every dime the client spends, whether it is $100,000 or $1 million.”

   When Kirby refers to her team, she is also including the 180 agents who work with her at Prudential Americana Group’s new office on Rainbow Boulevard. The atmosphere is one of sharing and professionalism. “This company holds a certain market presence that offers prestige to its agents,” says broker/Branch Manager, Jan O’Brien. “Kirby’s dedication helps us uphold that image. Her personal attention and down-to-earth disposition have contributed greatly to Prudential Americana. Clients just love her.”

   As a seasoned professional and the only original agent remaining from the company’s old Rainbow office, Kirby relishes the opportunity to “mother” newer agents by passing on her knowledge and expertise.  She hosts question and answer sessions and also teaches open house classes so new agents can learn how to conduct them effectively.  She says the importance of an open house cannot be emphasized enough.

   “When a client walks through the door, they are ready to buy. They may not buy that particular home, but they’ll buy another one,” says Kirby. “The more people through the door, the more exposure the listing gets, the better.”

   Since she hosts open houses for at least 12 to 14 of her listings every Sunday, Kirby enlists the help of other agents at her office to work the open houses and receive hands-on training. Her team handles all the advertising (including a large presence in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and virtual tours at iPix), and the agents can fine-tune their skills and say they are part of her team.

   “It doesn’t matter to me who sells my listing,” explains Kirby. “The goal is to get the listing sold. And if the listing isn’t selling, the open house allows us to get feedback for our sellers to find out why it isn’t selling.”

   Kirby’s team spirit extends not only to her Prudential colleagues, but also to agents across the valley.

   “I enjoy a good rapport with all agents in town,” says Kirby. “You can’t be on an ego trip or come across as overbearing. There is no place in this town for that type of agent.”

   Kirby also enjoys loyal relationships with lenders, home warranty companies, title companies and builders. In establishing these relationships, she has earned their respect.

   “Kirby is a dynamic individual who cares about her customers and will go the extra mile to find the perfect home for them,” said Pulte Homes’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Joe Whatley.

   Her consistent dedication to service resulted in Kirby being named number one in every category in her office; number two in a company of approximately 800 agents for most listings, most listings sold and number closed; and number three in the entire company for dollars closed, home warranties and production points for 1999.

   But even with her string of successes, Kirby remains modest about her achievements. She relates how she attended her first Prudential convention last year and met other top-ranked agents.

   “I met professionals who are the cream of the crop,” says Kirby. “And after meeting some of them and seeing what they’ve accomplished, I feel as though I don’t do any business at all.”

   Her modesty aside, last year Kirby’s business earned her a place in Prudential’s prestigious Chairman’s Circle (Diamond) in the top one percent and one of the top 100 sales associates within the Prudential network with more than $30 million in sales. Just a few months into 2000, she is already on her way to doubling her production yet again.

   “Kirby is a hardworking, caring individual and an asset to this organization,” said Mark Stark, CEO, Prudential Americana Group, Realtors. “She is a diamond!”

   While Kirby is proud of her professional achievements, they pale in comparison to her pride for her family —Gary, her husband of 25 years, a professional engineer specializing in ADA and forensic consultation; and children Shelly, Darrel, Bart, Jenny and Jess.

   “I don’t have time for many hobbies because I prefer to spend time with my family,” admits Kirby. “But I do love to sing.”

   Jenny says that her mother is just as good a singer as she is an agent. In fact, Kirby and Gary had their own band, which was very successful. “Kirby is the most awesome person I’ve ever known,” says Gary proudly. “She is my music.”

   As a wife, mother and top real estate professional, Kirby Presswood is one of Southern Nevada’s most dynamic women. Her success comes naturally, a product of her hard work and dedication.

   “Kirby is not only a successful professional, but a wonderful mother too,” says Connie Aronson-Wayne. “She can do it all and she’s very good at it. It’s truly refreshing!”