Today I’m talking to Mike Patakas of the Mike and Maria Patakas Team in Greater Palm Springs of California and a top real estate agent and team with Desert Sothey’s International Realty. Just 10 years ago, Mike and his wife and Business Partner, Maria, moved to Palm Springs. They didn’t know anyone. Brand new real estate agents, other than their personal real estate, they hadn’t sold a single home and didn’t have a single client. So, they blogged, networked, video’ed, partnered and tried every marketing technique and platform they could discover. They left no stone unturned. They met every challenge with relentless persistence and determination. Talking to Mike, it’s clear that along embracing challenges, he has unwavering dedication and focus on learning, finding solutions and getting results. No excuses. The impact:Today they are a strong team of loyal season agents selling well over 50 luxury homes annually. New clients coming to them for their results, they are known for selling Luxury properties that no one else can. Mike and I talk about How to Launch, Build and Grow in Luxury Real Estate02:29 - Mike Patakas: How he got in the business04:26 - Mike talks about his business partner (and wife), Maria07:40 - How Mike earned his first client12:27 - Two 'keys': Who you are as an agent & How this business works20:07 - Taking on a challenging listing and the outcome(s)25:59 - The most important thing is connections, how and why.30:41 - Preparing for meetings for potential listings39:33 - One of Mike's biggest lessons43:44 - Mike's team structure47:56 - The Final 3People/Resources Mention-Mike & Maria Patakas TeamMaria Patakas Kim KubasBooks-Lao Tzu BooksQuotes- "Focus on trying to anticipate problems, anticipate your client, anticipate the process ahead of time and to vocalize that to your clients ahead of when things happen"Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”www.JereMetcalfPodcast.comPowered byJere Metcalf Partners404.627.7789jere@jeremetcalfpartners.comJeremetcalfpartners.comJMPodcast.comWhere top real estate agents well how they do it.This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.► YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast