Dale Sorensen, Jr., Managing Partner of Dale Sorensen Real Estate, likes to say the best agents, combined with the best marketing, produces the best results. Dale discusses how he got his start in real estate and what makes his company so successful. He also serves on the Luxury Real Estate Board of Regents, which celebrates its 10 year anniversary in 2014.
How did you get your start in real estate?
As a second generation real estate agent, I pretty much grew up in the business. My parents, Dale, Sr. and Matilde, started their business when I was three years old and as far back as I can remember real estate deals were being done and negotiated almost daily in the Sorensen household. I got my license when I was 18, went off to college and worked in other industries before working for a small broker, Jeff Cloninger on Palm Beach; Jeff was (and still is I am certain) passionate about real estate. I was fortunate that he really let me shadow him and I learned a lot of what I apply today in my family business. I have been very blessed in my career to have had a lot of help. As I mentioned, both my parents have been in the business for essentially my entire life and they have helped teach and support me all throughout my career. In addition, I have had a true mentor and friend in Rob Thomson, managing partner at Waterfront Properties and Club Communities. Rob has been instrumental in guiding me in my career and truly has played a vital role in all of my successes.
What path has your career taken?
I started out working in our family business doing newspaper ads and helping out with marketing and some sales mixed in. Over the course of the last decade, my role and responsibilities have grown to include managing the day-to-day operations of our company which has grown to include four offices, 125 agents and 25 employees. I also manage a $1 million a year marketing budget and work very closely with our marketing team on our website, social media, print collateral, advertising and other marketing and sales tools.
Why is your company successful?
I like to say the best agents, combined with the best marketing, produces the best results. I think our firm is a great example of just that. Our company has developed a “high-performing culture” that attracts the best and hardest working agents. The result is that our firm consistently retains over 30 percent of the top 100 Agents in our area. Because of that culture, our firm enjoys a market share of over 25 percent. We have also put together a fantastic team of support staff to assist these top producing sales associates.
Just as important, our company and agents are committed to giving back to our community. Many of them are leaders in local non-profit organizations and they all have a deep rooted belief that it is their responsibility to give back to our community. I believe the commitment to our community, the synergy between the agents and the staff, and the marketing that generates real results, all combine to make our company the success it is.
What are your favorite parts of your job?
Because I have had so much help along the way in my life I truly enjoy helping others, so for me one of the most rewarding parts of working in our business is helping the agents and the office grow their business. I also spend a lot of time creating new strategies and marketing opportunities for our agents to help insure their success. Every moment I spend working is focused on just that.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I get the most enjoyment spending time with my family in the Bahamas. I grew up going there as a child and now I have a little boy of my own and I just love watching him growing up doing those same things I did. I especially love seeing his grandparents interacting with him. My other passions are fishing and landscape photography. Both Florida and the Bahamas provide me with wonderful opportunities to pursue these passions.
For more information, please visit www.sorensenrealestate.com.