, GRI, 29
GRI, Broker-owner, , , Va.,
“Set goals and create a plan that will allow you to achieve them.”
What makes him special: At age 24, Patton bought his grandfather’s company. Patton was ready for ownership, having helped his grandfather for 14 years—making minor building repairs, installing signs, and scouting for investment property.
His biggest challenges: Patton’s company sells mostly country and waterfront property. It’s a healthy niche—Patton personally closed $5.3 million in sales in 2002—but there are special challenges. For example, surveyors, appraisers, and lawyers can be hard to come by, which can delay closings.
How he combats delays: Staying organized is half the battle. He uses Microsoft Outlook and a PDA to keep track of his daily and weekly schedules. “Every day I make a list of things I have to get done the next day, and I prioritize the list,” he says. “By staying organized I have more time to spend on listing appointments and showings.”