Meet Collette McDonald of Collette McDonald & Associates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Collette McDonald.

Collette, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The entrepreneurial spirit was ingrained into me at an early age. My parents were real estate investors, small business owners and my father ran his own real estate brokerage firm. I however, thought being in TV or working in corporate America was more my style.

My education and career was focused full steam ahead on that goal, and I achieved a lot of success at a young age. Then 9/11 happened. That was the first day I put my son into day care and I was at that time traveling 3 weeks out of a month. I had a big decision to make. Was I going to continue down this path working in the corporate sector or make a huge change to maximize my time with my son and family? My father suggested that I get my license and use my work ethic and education to make a difference in Atlanta real estate. It was among the many great pieces advice my parents gave me over the years.

During my first year of real estate, I had a second son and still was able to be named Rookie Of The Year for my brokerage firm at the time. Within 3 years I was working with HGTV on Design To Sell, and within 5 years I was cohosting Bang For The Buck with Vern Yip in Atlanta, Charleston and Savanah. In 2013 I was named the official agent to The Atlanta Falcons and served that role until 2016. We have been the #1 team for RE/MAX Around Atlanta for the past six years, and the top 5 in the entire state of GA for the RE/MAX brand.

We are the only team in Atlanta that uses HD video tours of each home that we list. We believe that as the agents responsible in selling the property, we need to sell the property by hosting an HD walking tour. This has been HUGE in the marketplace. My undergraegree was in Radio – TV – Film and we have taken video marketing to a new level. Started a series on YouTube highlighting great renovations in Atlanta. This highlights the process of renovating a home and all the pitfalls. Next series is scheduled to begin `12/2017.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When the recession hit in 2008 it was a huge blow to the economy and the real estate market experienced a blow worse than the great depression. I watched as the brokerage firm I was with at the time filed bankruptcy and 70% of my colleagues were leaving the business because they couldn’t make a living to support their families. It was a very scary time for Realtors. I often thought about going back into corporate America to have a safety net for my family. However, I also felt as though God was guiding me to stay. I had experienced a bubble in the Satellite television market and left for the internet only to regret that when the satellite market bounced back. I left the internet for real estate when they hit a bubble and industry bounced back with a vengeance. I knew that I must stay in real estate and focus on helping as many people I could to get out of awful situations due to the recession and plummeting values. It was a move that paid off. Not only did we excel but when you look back on the agents that stuck it out during the tough times, they are the most successful today because of that experience.

Please tell us about Collette McDonald & Associates.
Our company focuses on helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. They could be builder looking to build, a buyer looking to buy a first home or fifth home, an investor looking to divest, or a seller wanting to get the highest price for their property with the fewest hassles. We focus on all these areas by working as a team. The model of one agent being able to take on all the challenges that each deal creates is less efficient and not a seamless customer experience. We want our clients to have professionals with experience in many different areas working with them to achieve their goals. One agent is not always the answer. The client’s needs are our only focus, and our team allows for that to be accomplished in the most effective manner.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up in Wisconsin in the 70-80’s was idyllic. I was the youngest of three, with two older brothers. I was cherished as “daddy’s little girl” but not shielded from learning how to do all the boy things and dirty work. From changing the oil in my car, to riding motorcycles with the family and even working in the family business and investment properties. I’ve scrubbed apartment toilets, worked on farms, bussed tables, modeled, worked as a make-up artist etc…. My diverse background gives me so many great memories and 90% of them were made while working with my family.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.collettemcdonald.com
• Phone: 7705008400
• Email: collette@collettemcdonald.com
• Instagram: colletteloeschermcdonald
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collettemcdonaldandassociates/
• Twitter: @ColletteMcDonal
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/CMAC93069

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