Justin Bregman has only been in real estate for four years, but already he's tearing up social media with his #TrustJust hashtag. Of course, success isn't found in a hashtag alone. It has to be backed by qualities and virtues.
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While generating leads via social is a big cornerstone of PSR Brokerage where Bregman works, he also prides himself on his hardworking nature.
Bregman is always open for business and truly is available 24/7.
With that kind of dedication, we had to find out why you can #TrustJust and how he makes this happen.
How did you get started in real estate?
Since I was a little kid, I've had a passion since for buying, selling, negotiating. And I also thought this was the right fit for me because I'm a highly organized person who is dedicated to my craft.
And in real estate, you really need to be self-motivated. It's not the type of business where you have any boss telling you what to do on a day-to-day basis.
It's a business where you have to really be in tune with where you want to go and what you want to do next because you're your own business.
You'll enjoy the highs and you'll enjoy the lows strictly by yourself.
How did you develop a passion for sales as a kid?
I've always been a person who could speak well in front of others.
The first week I took on a job in high school in landscaping, I was doing the physical labour for the first few weeks and then I realized that the salespeople behind-the-scenes were making a lot more money than me doing the legwork.
I'm someone that's not afraid to go into someone's office and pitch myself, sell myself and what I can do. I quickly got that job and was a top salesman.
I also used to have a job at a Dairy Queen in Grade 12 and within a week I said I see myself differently.
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I don't like to be on the same playing field as someone else. I kind of like to be on my own playing field.
I quickly went up to the owner and said, “I see you guys are understaffed. What do you think about me being a manager and overseeing things?" I brought in a whole presentation detailing how I can help in the finance department, help them grow and deal with their inventory.
Within a week, I was the manager of the Dairy Queen. It was a small thing at the time, but for a 16-year-old kid in high school, I was pretty proud of what I did there.
I've always been a really ambitious, hardworking person. I worked 60 hours a week while at university — and on top of taking five courses in school.
What's your favourite thing about the real estate business?
It's the challenge. I think this is going to challenge me my entire life.
There are things that are changing all the time. Technology is changing and there are different ways to get leads, different ways to buy and sell your home. There's always things buyers and sellers want. And it's the way you have to approach responding to them in the right manner.
I believe a big thing in this business is honesty. There are a lot of shady things people say and do in this business. And the people who trust you the most are the ones you are honest with.
It's sometimes not easy.
Sometimes you have to have conversations with clients and give them bad news, but honesty is a lot better than making up false stories.
I've got to give credit to my sister. She started the hashtag #TrustJust and that's really been a big part of my marketing. I see people all the time that I haven't seen in a while and they're calling me #TrustJust.
Actually, we found you because you ranked high under #Torontorealestateagent on Instagram. How do you keep your social media game so on point?
A lot of the credit goes to Adam Stern. He's the president of PSR and is a big proponent of social media. He believes that's the direction real estate is going in and the way to get leads.
Back in the day, cold calling and door knocking were the best way to get leads. It still works. The old school agents still take that route. But I think for the younger generation social media is the way of the future.
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People follow you ... always watching your stories and getting to know you and recognize you through Instagram. I think it's not an easy thing to be consistent with, but that is the biggest key. If you're not consistent keeping up with social media, you will fail in two months.
However, with me, doing it for the last four years and hoping to do it for the next 40 more — you have to be consistent or this business will crush you.
Do you believe teams are the future of real estate or is there room for the solo agent?
I think there's room, but I think now with how people are able to get in touch.
You can't be there 24/7 for someone and clients expect you to be. Usually, if clients don't get me by text then they try to direct message me on Facebook, direct message me on Instagram, call me or employ so many different ways to try to get in touch.
It's also important to take a bit of a break because I work seven days a week.
There are at least a few hours every day that I'm working in real estate and you need to take a break at some point or you will burn out.
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Walking into listing appointments and having two people work for a client for the same price is something some people really like.
If they can't reach me, they can reach my partner. Or if one of us wants to go on vacation, we can without stressing.
It's a great thing because clients expect to be answered at the time they want. And we want to be able to provide that. We are able to push customer service rates to a whole other level.
Since you have the freedom and flexibility with a partner, what do you like to do when you are taking some much needed time off?
After being in the business for four years, I have a sense of when deals are going to happen and when I need to be in the office.
When I'm not working, I'm a die-hard sports fan. I love watching sports live in Toronto and on the road. I just came back from seeing Tiger Woods down in Ohio.
Really, is Tiger back now? Do you think he has another run in him?
Yeah, he's okay. I don't know if he'll ever be the same again, but he's competitive again and it's good for the sport.
