Florida’s Melissa Miller was firmly entrenched in her career with a major brokerage. She was “unrecruitable,” she says until she started noticing many top producers around the country joining eXp Realty.
She did her research and watched a bunch of videos on YouTube as to why she should or shouldn’t join eXp. But the video by eXp influencer Brent Gove was eye-opening for Miller, who said the idea of building beyond her local area and even globally is what helped seal the deal. But mostly, the top agents who moved over inspired her.
“I saw Veronica Figueroa and Todd Schroth move (to eXp). I spoke with them and I was convinced. I wanted to grow my team and you need to pay a fee for each agent you add. It was cost-prohibitive.
“eXp’s opportunity without borders was a no-brainer. Veronica has a large team and listening to her, I was always coming from the place of ‘how can I help my agents build their own legacies?’ eXp’s was just so compelling.”
Miller Sang Backup for Roberta Flack and Ray Charles
Miller is modest about her previous life, where she was a musician and songwriter, having the opportunity to sing backup for Roberta Flack and Ray Charles. And someday she will resume that part of her life, which is all-encompassing. But for now, she is thrilled to know her team, which grew from five agents to 20, has access to online training and other benefits.
“I now have the chance to give my team the wonderful opportunity to build multiple sources of income, access to healthcare options, and an overall strong foundation to build a successful real estate career.”
Her Team Has Already Doubled Last Year’s Numbers
Last year’s pandemic drastically slowed down Miller’s production, but she is on track to double last year’s numbers. So far, she has completed 93 transactions for $30 million in sales volume.
“My team is full of rock stars from all different walks of life, including a national recording artist, former doctor, an attorney, mechanical engineer, and teachers and they are all so excited about the eXp opportunity and all of the benefits that they are now receiving with the stock and revenue share.”
Learn more about Melissa Miller:
Years in real estate: Since 2002
Gross sales and transactions in 2020: $25 million on 75 transactions
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (Jan. 2020-current)
- RE/MAX (Feb. 2004-Dec. 2019)
- Keller Williams (Sept. 2002-Feb. 2004)
Main territories:
- Southeast Florida – Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach Counties
- Central Florida – Orlando and surrounding
- Florida West Coast – Cape Coral, Sarasota, Port Charlotte
Main focus: Luxury waterfront homes and condominiums, new construction, professional sports and corporate relocation.
Number of people on team: Since joining eXp, Miller went from 5 agents to 20 agents in 1 year.
Accolades, accomplishments & awards:
- eXp ICON Award 2020
- Epsilon Influencer Award
- RE/MAX – Lifetime Achievement Award, Hall of Fame Award, Chairman Award
- Real Trends “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” 2016
- Designations – Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate Realtor Institute, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource
- Best of Zillow Agent (Top 10% of all Zillow Agents)
- Founded It’s A Ok! Foundation supporting single parents with regards to housing and social services
- Featured on HGTV’s House Hunters on several episodes, DIY Network, NBC and ABC, Telemundo as real estate expert, Article in Huffington Post
What makes eXp special to you?
“eXp has literally changed my life with all of the opportunities that I have received. So many agents work so hard that they have nothing to show for it at the end of the day. The opportunity to offer my team members health insurance, stock options and income that will help build a legacy for themselves and their families is invaluable. I now had the ability to grow my team without borders and provide value by generating leads and training. It has been amazing to see the growth that I have been able to realize and see the potential that we have. We are just getting started!”
Is there a significant experience you can share since you joined eXp?
“I have been honored to participate on several panels as well as being an instructor on the Agent Accelerator Program with the Black EXP Network and I recently co-hosted a Leadership Meeting with Dave Conord, President of U.S. Growth. Also, achieving the ICON award the first year that I joined eXp really helped me to see that this move was the right one. After 15 years at my previous brokerage, I never thought that this level of connection with a company could be possible.”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“There are times when you get “Sold” on something because someone convinced you and then once you become a part of it you experience some disappointment. But when I joined eXp it was like the gift that keeps giving. First, the community that we have among the agents and how much everyone wants to see you succeed as much as themselves was surprising.
“I also did not realize how quickly we would grow in such a short span of time and how many countries we would open. That was one thing that I was proud of with my last brokerage and we are quickly surpassing many of the larger brokers to become the largest brokerage in the world. Knowing that we are still on the ground floor of something great that is being built is amazing to me.”
Have you had any experience around eXp’s global revenue share and commercial businesses?
“The entire eXp model with revenue share has changed so many agent’s lives, including my own. eXp is expanding in so many ways to include more and more agents around the world. The revenue share model is revolutionary and will impact so many agents and their families across the globe. I am reaching out to my contacts overseas to let them know about the opportunity and hope to be one of those fortunate pioneers one day soon.”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“Collaboration is one of the things that I love most about eXp. As part of the Global Alliance, we regularly communicate and share best practices with top team leaders and agents across the country.”
Best tip to share with other agents:
“Always come from a place of wanting to help. I always say the more people you help, the more you help yourself. My team members are giving and caring people that their priority is one of wanting to help the clients. We know that operating our business with that as a foundation is what will lead to success that we can be proud of.”
10 Fun Things About Melissa Miller
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being surrounded by my family and listening to laughter while laying back on my favorite couch relaxing.
Who is the person you most admire?
My parents. They immigrated to this country from Jamaica and raised us with a great foundation built on faith, principles and integrity. I have no idea how they did it with so little, but they were always faithful to their jobs and to their church.
One thing you can’t live without?
Opportunity.
One trait that has led to your success?
I’m always determined to push forward, even when I feel discouraged, rejected, or fearful. I feel the fear but do it anyway.
What celebrity would play you in a movie or TV show?
Oprah Winfrey.
Pet peeve?
People who are negative ALL the time.
Little known fact about yourself?
I am a retired musician and songwriter. (Had the opportunity to sing Backup for Roberta Flack, Ray Charles.)
Song you never tire of?
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” by Simon and Garfunkel.
Favorite meal?
Anything Italian. Pasta with good wine puts me in my happy place.
Your epitaph will say:
I completed my mission here and now I go to start a new chapter.
__________
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