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Randy McMichael, managing partner of McMichael & Gray in Atlanta, is in studio for today’s episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Joined by co-hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick, the group gathers virtually to discuss how McMichael & Gray got started, where it is headed and how it differs from the competition on this All About Real Estate segment of Radio.
Randy McMichael, Atlanta raised and grown in Snellville, Ga., went to the University of Massachusetts for one year, and the University of Georgia for three. He then continued his education and received a law degree from Mercer University. Currently, McMichael is happily married with four kids and a dog!
McMichael & Gray was opened back in 2006 by McMichael and his business partner, Ed Gray. At the time, the company only had four employees and was mainly a builder-based business. The company experienced two years of a high wave, until the recession in 2008. Because of the economic crisis, the business had to cut back to only two employees. They spent that time honing their craft and building relationships.
“I think when you’re in it, it’s one of those things where you’re not sure how you’re going to get out of it, but when you get out of it and look back you’re better for it,” said McMichael in regard to the economic crisis of 2008.
Fortunately, the housing market crash ended, and the country began to flourish economically. Currently McMichael & Gray has 180 employees, 26 offices. It focuses on the role of consultant and advisor first and foremost. The professionals at McMichael & Gray are not just there for the closing, they want to approach everything with a service and consulting mentality and closings will follow. Without the customer, no one would have a job.
“If that’s the only goal [closings], you’re missing the bigger picture which is the service piece and the consulting piece,” said McMichael. “If you focus on those and how to help people, more than likely you will win more than you lose.”
Because McMichael & Gray began in a national crisis, it is equipped to handle disaster and curveballs. Because of this, it is still able to remain in business and continue to help its customers amidst COVID-19 (coronavirus). The first phase of operating during the pandemic was learning how they could deliver products to lenders so they can do their job and transfer property from sellers to buyers. They had to learn how to even get to the closing table.
After that, McMichael & Gray started staggering closings to keep people separated, extended hours to give people more opportunity to come in at different hours, doing curbside closings, offering power of attorney with no charge and audio/video closings. With the audio/video closings, customers are not even required to come in to meet in person.
McMichael ended the interview with a few tips and tricks for potential clients. First, if the lender, agent or closer (McKnight & Gray) are sending something to you, read it! It’s important and critical to the closing. Second, if you have a question, ask it! There are no bad questions. Finally, wire your money early and confirm that you are dealing with the entity you think you are.
The experts at McMichael & Gray are forward-thinking and service-oriented, offering a great marketing team. They are always trying to figure out what they can do better to consistently improve. To learn more about why McMichael & Gray is right for you, listen to the full interview above. You can also visit www.mcmichaelandgray.com, reach out on Facebook or call 678-373-0521.
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Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. New American Funding and McMichael & Gray are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (July/2020)
New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 123,000 loans for $30.4 billion, 198 branches, and about 3,100 employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America six times. It has a state-of-the-art career training facility and develops innovative technology, including the GoGo LO mobile application. For more information, visit www.branch.newamericanfunding.com/Atlanta.
The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.
