Tammy Owens is a REALTOR® in Collinsville, Illinois, home of the 2018 Illinois REALTORS® Conference & Expo. She agreed to answer a few questions about herself and why she thinks attending the Conference is important.

Registration ends tomorrow (Friday, April 20) at midnight! Don’t miss attending this important education and networking event.

Q. How long have you been a REALTOR®?

A. I started out as an agent 15 years ago and then got my managing broker’s license. My husband and I bought our office in 2008. At that point we had four agents, and I think we’re at 138 agents now and we have four offices. If you ask me in a month, it will be more.

Q. How many times have you attended the Illinois REALTORS® Conference & Expo?

A. Probably about 14.

Q. What keeps you coming back?

A. Everything: the speakers, the classes, the legal forums, the networking (which I think is really important), and of course the expo, so all of it. I think CE is very important. If nothing else, agents should go to the Conference to complete their CE, and they’ll get all the other bonuses – the new trends, the networking. I think it’s very important for them to go.

Q. What are you looking forward to about this year’s conference?

A. I’m really looking forward to hearing Katie Lance. I have followed her a long time. She is an expert as far as real estate social media marketing, and social media marketing is where it is right now. That’s the wave of the future and we all need to get better at it.

Q. How important do you think it is to take time out for professional development?

A. Very important. You’ve got to stay on top of new things, the market is constantly changing and the way we communicate is changing so if you don’t stay on top of it you’re going to get left behind.

Q. What’s your growth strategy?

A. Always think of your client as yourself. Treat them how you would want someone to treat you, or better yet, how you would want someone to treat your child.

Q. How would you describe your job to a five-year-old?

A. I help families find homes.

Q. If you could create the ideal “dream” real estate app, what would it be like?

A. There are so many apps out there that do most of what I think we need. If we could just find an app that is all-encompassing and does it all, you could schedule your showings and track your expenses.

Q. What advice would you give a new agent?

A. Work hard and treat it as a business. Go to work every day. Don’t just work when you have a deal going. You’ve got to work it full time.

Q. What’s in your car that you take to showings?

A. My phone, my keys, and my agency papers.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I love to craft, I love to travel, I love to go boating and I love to play with my grandkids.

Q. What would your pet say if we asked for a reference?

A. She must be working, because she’s never here!

Join Tammy and other Illinois REALTORS® at this can’t-miss event. Registration ends tomorrow (Friday, April 20) at midnight!