Aja's Two Cents

Maryland Home Education Seminar

Aja Iglesias-Terrell (Exit PowerHouse Realty) — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:59:01 -0700

Home Seminar - Equipping Buyers and Sellers for the Current and Future Market

Sat. 6/7/08 and Sat. 6/21/08 10 AM-12 NOON at Dynamic Capital Mortgage Office Located at 7500 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 800 Greenbelt, MD 20770

Come out to this very informative seminar that we guarantee will educate, empower and place you at an advantage in today's housing market. We will educate you on the process of selling or buying in the current market and explain the industry from the inside view in order to assist you in making sound financial choices; lay a foundation for future wealth and help you to understand your buying and selling power today.

Register to attend at www.AjaTerrellSellsMDHomes.com or feel free to can contact Aja Iglesias-Terrell (703) 863-4757 or Marcus Malone (301) 537-6004 to register your attendance. Now is the best time to build your future. We look forward to seeing you there.

Finding my Niche...I did't know I had Lost It!

Aja Iglesias-Terrell (Exit PowerHouse Realty) — Sat, 12 May 2007 21:30:39 -0700

According to Webster's dictionary, the word niche is defines as: a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted <finally found her niche> Almost daily, I hear agents speaking about their niche. When I decided to partner with a few lenders, each of them asked me the question, "So, Aja, what's your niche market? Each time I would give them the same look of cluelessness. I understand the veterans and sometimes not so veteran agents that keep telling me it is best to master an area of of the real estate industry focus on this group to grow my business, but let me tell you a bit about me and how I look at this industry.

First of all, I grew up speaking Spanish in my home and soon discovered I had a unique ability to quickly master different languages (from my typing you may discover I am still working hard on English. Ha Ha ), I speak Italian, Portuguese, and I am conversational in Flemish, French, Swahili and Lingala. Given this bit of information you might say"Hey,Aja, your niche is the immigrant Home Buyer. " Possibly.

Well, I truly enjoy working with first time home buyers, especially teaming up with a lender that cares and assisting single, low income families achieve the dream of owning a part of the American Dream. Which, to this you would say, "That's it Aja, why don't you get your Work Force Housing Certification and work with this group of the population to do just that, obtain their piece of the American Dream. Possibly.

After reading a blog on the luxury home market, I was tempted to obtain a designation in this area...talk about commissions. Yet again, possibly.

Then I have a friend that is really on fire for the Seniors. She is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist and she wears her designation pin with pride. They are very sweet people, and who wouldn't want to help an older person find a great place to call home, especially since their needs change drastically with age. Yep, you guessed it...possibly.

Hey, I think I figured it out, why don't I just use my skills to market to everyone and as my clients come, I will consider each one of them my individual niche, this way all of my skills are best fitted to each person on a more personal level. Hey, I believe I found my niche.

What about you? What's your niche?

Get Quick Referrals FAST and FREE!!

Aja Iglesias-Terrell (Exit PowerHouse Realty) — Sat, 12 May 2007 17:30:40 -0700

The old saying " You scratch my back and I will scratch yours" is a great segue into obtaining SUPER referrals. After, what I thought, was endless self marketing, I realized that many small local business were a great way to get my name out to the public quickly for FREE!

First of all, I located several small business in my focus areas that are doing great business, such as those Mom -and-Pop chains that are part of areas history, new shops that generate lots of business, and other small companies that are small but have become a quick overnight attraction. Next, I pay them a visit to get a feel for the business and of course, sample their wares. Most of the time, the are truly exceptional! I always make it a point to talk to the owner/manager about how great their service and product was for me. My goal here is to be remembered for my praise (I am always honest). I always let them know I will be back to enjoy their service/product again and ALWAYS GET A BUSINESS CARD and the owner/manager's name. Bear in mind, this is just my first visit.

With the information I gather, I add it to my TEAM PROSPECTS portfolio (a simple business card holder, MARKED PROSPECT), prepare a letter to send to the owner/manager again stating my satisfaction with their service and products. In this letter I let them know I will follow up with a call to schedule a date that I can meet with owner/manager for 15 minutes to discuss how I, as a Realtor would love to help them by providing referral to their business. I always give the business a phone call two days later to verify my letter was received and to confirm a the meeting. Here is a sample of my phone script:

Business owner: Hello?

Me: May I please speak to Robert Owner? (Owner/Manager)

Business Owner: This is Robert. How can I help you?

Me: Robert, This is Aja Iglesias-Terrell, I visited your bakery last week and had your heavenly carrot cake. I wanted to know if you received my letter I sent you about increasing your business. Is this a good time to talk?

Business Owner: Oh, yes! I did get your letter, and thank you for the compliments. Sure. I have a few minutes.

Me: Well, Robert. I as you know from my letter I am a Realtor and I come in contact with all types of people each day buying and selling a home. Many people I come in contact with ask me to refer a them to services that are best in town. Since so many of my clients have asked me for referrals, I decided to create a gift for my clients that includes several local business that I highly recommend. I call it my Business Greats. Robert, do you like to work with client that are referred to you?

Business Owner: Definitely!

Me: I am sure I can help you add to your business growth for FREE! Would you mind if we schedule a time within the next three days that I can come and get about 50 of your business cards to help you increase your business?

Business Owner: Not at all, I would appreciate that.

Me: Robert, I was also wondering if you would be comfortable referring me to your friends and client?

Business Owner: Not a problem, I would love to.

Me: Robert, with your permission, when I stop by to pick up your business cards, I'll leave some of mine with you, this way we can refer each other. I will also, leave a copy of my Business Greats gift pack for you. Is Tuesday, the 15th around 10am fine for you?

Business Owner: Sounds great.

Me: Robert, thank you much. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. By the way, can you have one of your scrumptious carrot cakes ready for me to purchase. I truly love your cakes.

This is my way of gaining reciprocal business from local business and yes, it truly works. I was just contacted by a client that was referred from my favorite local bakery.

Good luck to you all!

Immediate Legal Help Needed for a Friend

Aja Iglesias-Terrell (Exit PowerHouse Realty) — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:10:36 -0700

Hello Friends,

I was recently contacted by a friend regarding his mother's legal matter and as this matter is out of the scope of my license, I thought I would enlist the help of my AR family.

First, let me start by stating this individual resides in North Carolina and will require the help of someone in this area. With all that said, here is the break down of what I received from the email this afternoon.

A few years ago, his mother met a man and he eventually moved in with her. During the relationship, his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her live-in boyfriend made it difficult for them to visit her and as her Alzheimer's progressed he had the mother cahnge the legal form of ownership of the home to tenants in common. Currently, the mother is in her eighties and is incapacitated, wheelchair-bound and has severe dementia. He stated that the boyfriend has seize control of his mother's bank accounts, had his name added to her will as beneficiary, made himself the executor of the estate, and had himself added to the deed to her house.

I realize this sound like a lot, as it is for my friend in North Carolina, but any assistance will help greatly.

He is looking for an attorney and I would like to pass on a name to him asap.

Many thanks.