Editor’s note: In celebration of Military Appreciation Month, we are featuring eXp agents who are military veterans and are sharing their stories of service, values and commitments.
As they say in real estate, find a niche and excel at it. When Donald Maycott decided to retire to The Villages Florida, a 55+ community outside of Orlando, Florida, he found himself at the epicenter of his niche.
“It’s Disney for adults,” said Donald of the sprawling retirement community that comprises 80 square miles, has 85,000+ homes, 105+ swimming pools, 58+ golf courses, 3,000+ social clubs, 15 grocery stores, and entertainment every night, 365 days a year. “I tell my clients, ‘if you can’t find something to do here, look in the mirror – that’s the problem.’”
Donald was raised in the Bronx, New York, working since he was nine years old, bagging groceries and “making more than his single mother did.” After high school and lacking mentoring, he enrolled in the U.S. Army where he served for six years – three in active duty and three in the reserves. Rampant drug and alcohol use of the 1980s drove him out and he got into real estate for 6 years, but didn’t care for the office’s cutthroat nature. Smartly, he went back to school and got a degree in computer programming, which was the start of a huge career in Atlanta where he owned and consulted for minority-owned businesses, getting government contracts along the way.
“Those who master the game, win and those who don’t, lose,” said Donald. “Figure out what the game is and then master it.”
Once he retired from tech and moved to The Villages Florida, he joined RE/MAX. But at a real estate conference, he took notice of a “smart, young guy” who impressed Donald with his tech know-how, explaining the eXp Realty model to him. In 2017, Donald joined eXp.
Now, Donald is deeply active in eXp’s ONE eXp initiative for diversity, equity and inclusion, where he is a board member and also co-founder of the eXp Senior Network and is a member of the eXp Military group.
“I took a chance, but I knew it would be big. I love eXp. Everyone is welcome here.”
Learn More About Donald Maycott:
Years in real estate: On and off since 1980
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (Nov. 2017-current)
- RE/MAX (Dec. 2015-Oct. 2017)
- Willowick Real Estate (Aug. 1980-Jan. 1986)
Main territory: The Villages, Florida
Main focus: 55+ focus on the largest retirement community in the world. The Villages, Florida
Number of people on team: I’m an individual agent
Accolades, accomplishments & awards:
- Board member of ONE eXp
- Co-founder of the eXp Seniors Network
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES)
- At Home With Diversity® (AHWD)
When and why did you join eXp?
I joined Nov. 1, 2017 for a variety of reasons:
1. Great Business Model – eXp is focused on agent success, several ways to generate income. Compensation for agents, mentor program, ability to attract agents and get paid monthly, offer agents a great healthcare solution, work from home and so much more.
2. Collaboration – Workplace by Facebook and eXp World.
3. Training in eXp University Over 80+ hours per week of live training in eXp World. Topics include lead generation, marketing, real estate (investors, commercial, buyers and sellers), YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, probate, senior living, etc.
4. Technology – Skyslope, kvCORE, eXp Enterprise, Workplace by Facebook, eXp Passport and RingCentral (all-in-one communications platform with video conference, text, phone, fax and message).
5. Agent Healthcare – eXp offers agents a healthcare plan that’s second to none. eXp is partnered with Clearwater that provides a vast number of plans to fit your budget with great benefits.
A bonus is ONE eXp, which is eXp’s diversity, equity and inclusion organization. It represents 13 diverse groups such as the eXp Seniors Network, Black eXp Network, eXp Latino, eXp Pride Network, South Asian Network and so many more.
What makes eXp special to you?
“eXp is special in so many ways but what stands out to me is that everyone is so willing to help each other no matter what their position.”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“How easy it is to find out how to do things like asking a question about kvCORE. Within minutes of asking a question you have an answer from several different people.”
Have you had any experience or success around eXp’s global revenue share and commercial businesses yet?
“I’ve been able to enjoy revenue share for several years now and just enjoy finding money in my bank account every month.”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“It’s the second thing I enjoy at eXp. I think it’s the best collaboration company on the planet. Workplace just makes life so much easier.”
Best tip to share with other agents:
“Being a technology company is an awesome thing because you can use as little of it or as much of it as you want. A lot of older agents are afraid of tech. They look at eXp as a tech company more than a real estate company. The only tech you rarely need to use is Skyslope. That’s what you need to get paid at the closing table. The cloud makes it sound like it’s mysterious. Whoever came out with the slogan, “We were built for this,” was right.
10 Fun Things About Donald Maycott
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Traveling around the world, which I continue to do. One of my last bucket list items is an African safari.
Who is the person you most admire?
My mother was a single parent with 3 kids and she accomplished so much in life.
One thing you can’t live without?
My cell phone without a doubt.
One trait that has led to your success?
Never give up. You can do what you put your mind to doing.
What celebrity would play you in a movie or TV show?
Tony Soprano or Jackie Gleason.
Pet peeve?
People who can’t make up their mind.
Little known fact about yourself?
I started working at the age of 9 in a supermarket delivering food to people.
Song you never tire of?
“I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” by Meatloaf.
Favorite meal?
Seafood over a bed of pasta.
Your epitaph will say:
Live, love and enjoy life as you only live once.
__________
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