I was just reading an article in the Virginian Pilot about the state of the housing market. Its up, its down, its up its down. I swear I feel like Im on a roller coaster. SO lets look at the national statistics.
1. Homes prices fell 12% last year (here is the gloom – Sharpest drop since the GREAT DEPRESSION, really we have to know that !)
2. Median sale price is now at $173,500 (here is the good – YEA people can afford the homes now) Down 23% from the PEAK in 2006
3. Home sales are up 21 % from the bottom a year ago, but also down 25% from the peak (had to sneak good and bad for that last big dip)
Okay here is my spin! STOP comparing everything from the PEAK! It was inflated it was not supposed to happen and if this is the standard by which we measure ,well we are always going to come up short! Good golly if I only look at the months that I had a lot of Real Estate sales close and only compare my self to the peak of earnings I would be terrified of loosing everything I own. No instead my family planned for the future I knew this was not a normal Real Estate Market. I had only been in business 2 years when the boom came and I even knew the market would stop at some point. We built our life around normal income not the inflated market. We did not over spend and create a household budget on what was coming in. To be honest, and Ill put it out to the world. I live on 3500k a month after taxes. YES that is it. We have all the normal bills as everyone else including HIGH Health insurance cost. I’m tired of analyst comparing everything we have to the PEAK. Id love to see if the peak never happened how far off would be be. Id also love to see American’s budget for what they actually earn and not an inflated income.
When it comes to my Real Estate and personal pages here are my thoughts.
If the business is the PERSON what else is there to be a fan of. I think it you fan a "person" that means you believe in their business style, practices and values and think they are a top player in their industry. It also means you agree with them on a personal business level.
I want my clients and business partners to connect with me but not just be a friend. I want to know they support me and my practice..
Well ,lets see so far I have stuck to my resolution to not inhale ( yes sometimes Im so hungary it feels that way) any food that is rich in carbohydrates. My reward so far a loss of 7 lbs !!!! YEA ! My other resolution to go back to tracking my time so I can see where Im waisting it and feeling like I did nothing done during the day. My reward I was able to take this past thursday out of the office to work on other projects. Now lets see if I can add in a few of these
1. Balance my check book weekly
2. Ensure my family has food to eat for dinners and not cook random quick meals
3. Create a media calendar that I will stick to. ( 1/2 way there on that one)
4. Learn to sew better ( I love making items , altered clothes ,curtains, pillows )
5. Learn to knit better. ( mastered a few things but want to make socks)
7. Help develop a marketing solution that is simple and cost effective for realtors/ lenders to duplicate in the Social Media world
8. Relax when it come to parenting ( i tend to dominate )
9. Take more Real Estate classes ( Would love to be a broker this year)
10. Go to Church more and join a cell group for photography
11. Learn my D700 camera better
I really could go on and on about all the stuff I want accomplish. I think I have kept my list to items that are 100% possiable. For me I have to see reward I have to see that Im getting somewhere and as I check these off Im sure Ill be adding more the bottom. So what is your resolutions ? Do you dare to share ? If you share are you afraid someone will hold you accountable to them.
3 Bedroom 2.5 bath townhome in KempsVille Lakes Garage Updated Bath rooms, windows , carpet see www.Bzibee.com for more information www.272manningslane.view24hours.com For Sale by Alison Creamer, Realtor, ABR, CDPE Remax First 5511 Princess Ann Rd Suite 101 Virginia Beach , Va 23464 Licensed to see Real Estate in the state of Virginia
Im still amazed at how many sales people think New Media is going away. I was part of a panel yesterday for Twitter, Facebook, Blogging and using Video to create inbound conversation about you and your product. I find that we all hear the buzz words and know its something people are doing but why, and who has the time is the objection often most heard. Well for one New Media allows the consumer to get to know you and your product BEFORE they make a choice to pick up the phone, best of all its on their time and their pace. I also find that sales people want to keep personal and business in two different compartments, thats okay if your really good at delivering a personal and transparent "business profile"with out opening up any of your personal life. I try to tell others who are not using New Media to watch out they are going to be the ones in a few years that will be scrambling for content and organic ranking to be found. I have embraced this 100% I have found ways to incorporate this in to my business plan for 2010. Its really no different then any tool you use for business you have to just make it a part of your daily habit. Find the 2-3 tools that fit you or your business and master them. You will find it really only takes maybe an hour a day to create an online presence. I hope you find what works for you and I hope you see the value in what we all enjoy with inbound marketing. I can reduce my hard cost but increase my "time cost" its all worth it to me.
Hey you snazzy group of Agents (yes Im a great mood). Its Sunday morning and the house is quite and I have time to relax and ponder. I was wondering how media is changing our world and the way we do business. I keep telling the agents in the office that people want to be entertained. I think YOUTUBE has shaped my way of doing business. I posted a question about a year ago " what would you rather have an email or a video" and I was surprised that many replied they wanted an email over a video. See my problem is I hate to write, type, proof, spell and worry about grammar. Somehow I have a great way of communicating via Audio and Video. I prefer video over ALL forms of communication. I seriously cannot wait for Video phones to be the norm. New Media and Social Media is making an impact on who we connect with and how we connect. So what is your favorite NEW MEDIA method ? Im looking for inspiring ideas on communication and capturing the interest of the community.
I think it is amazing how many people think Social Media is the only way togo these day. Places like FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, YOUTUBE, BRIGHTKITE TWITTER are all the rage and people are joining up in masses. SO what do you do after you join and what is Social Media compared to New Media ? Im clearly not an expert by any definition but I can say I get it I love it and Im looking to use it in any way possible. TO me Social Media is well Social its where you can meet talk and share with your friends or people you are trying to influence. It is VERY SOCIAL and transparent to the reader. I get accused of being to transparent sometimes. I was told by a family member to NEVER post that I actually drank a bottle of wine one night. ( NO its not often that happens) I use Social Media to personally connect with people. I want them to see me in real life and I want them to understand Im a person. I think the social networks allow you to be HUMAN to prospective clients. I have said many people can walk away from a big box store but they might not always walk away from a friend.
Now how do I define NEW MEDIA ? Its everything else that include social New media in my mind are PODCAST, YOUTUBE, TWITTER. interactive sites. Some of the social media sites are not only social but they can be human interface portals to get to know what your clients are thinking. Its like getting a pulse so you know what direction to take. Twitter is a great new media site. You can post very personal and social items but you can also use it to drive inbound links , share and track conversation globally. AMAZING !
If your in Hampton Roads and your wanting to understand NEW MEDIA visit http://newmediaconventions.com. Im helping to plan a large event and would love to have you attend
I spent the day at a business planning session in Midlothian Va. I think my head is swimming with all the stats and numbers. I really need to get a handle on where business is going and where Im spending my money. Its been a great day and well worth the over night in Midlothian. Im feeling a bit overwhelmed about all that I need to do before the 1st of the year. Im looking at where business came in from and where Im spend money. Do you make a plan ? Everything you want to do in life needs a plan. What do you want to do in life and where do you want to go ? Its amazing how we go about life with out any directions. I think planning everything you can will help keep control your stress. I take time to plan meals , budgets, just about anything to alleviate the feel of loosing control. What plans are you willing to make to reduce stress in your life and business.
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