With 36 years of experience, Neil Kirstine is one of the most seasoned of this year’s crop of top agents. Spending that much time in the industry has not only allowed Kirstine to hone his many skills, it has also allowed him the freedom to call an increasing number of his own shots. That independence has led to a work structure that provides that much-coveted balance between family and business, but it has also resulted in a far more structured work environment. “The end result was being productive, not just busy,” Kirstine says.

His unquestionable expertise has made Kirstine a go-to source of advice for his younger colleagues, who he encourages to treat their jobs as a business. “Set goals and create action plans and budgets,” he advises.