John Gafford is a co-founder of The Simply Group, a company that seeks to vertically integrate large real estate brokerage firms. The company facilitates vertical integration through joint ventures and partnerships in mortgages, insurance, and titles.
The Simply Group has already partnered with real estate brokerage firms in 7 states. They state that they account for more than 10,000 transactions in real estate annually. John has expanded his wings to establish a partnership with Simply Vegas, a real estate firm dealing in high-end property. The company says that they proudly employ more than 500 real estate agents who transact over 4,000 deals annually.
Simply Vegas is a family of companies that encompasses Clear Title, an insurance company dealing in titles and closings. It also includes Streamline Home loans, an insurance aggregator. John was running successful businesses in hospitality, insurance, and tech before joining real estate.
His success and experience made John beat over 1.8 million applicants to secure a spot to compete in the third season of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” that aired on NBC. John is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and contributor in real estate. He is also an entrepreneur in the sales space. To learn more about John Gafford, click on the following links Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
His Business Model
The vertical integration model is key to the long-term success of a brokerage firm. Brokerage firms play a major role in sealing real estate deals. Nowadays, home sellers are more aware of the buying process. This has reduced the commission rates and created downward pressure on brokers. They generate most of their profit from the commissions they receive.
Real estate agents are making less and are, in turn, lowering the commissions they pay their brokers. They have the option of replacing the lost revenue by vertically integrating with title and mortgage companies.
What Makes John Gafford Stand Out as a Real Estate Agent?
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He has continually predicted market shifts with accuracy.
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The Simply Group is the only company that provides vertical integration solutions for mortgages, titles, and insurance.
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He is super creative and pushes marketing to the next level.
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He is not afraid of making mistakes. He has taken risks in different industries.
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The Simply Group is an authentic real estate company. It helps its partners improve their business, brokerage, and deal flows.
The Main Challenges He Has Faced as a Real Estate Agent
The biggest challenge John faced came when his daughter was only 1 week old. He had resigned from RE/MAX when a resentful business partner refused to pay John $140k in outstanding commissions. Apart from denying him his rightful earnings, the agent called all foreclosure banks’ clients and informed them that they were firing John for embezzling funds.
John’s Advice to New Real Estate Agent
As a real estate agent, you should focus on your relationship with clients, not the deal. For example, when following a new lead, don’t focus on sealing the deal and earning a commission. Instead, you should take the time to get to know the client and their needs.
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