Tony the Realtor's Personal Finance Blog

Would you go to a weight loss seminar/webinar given by a Realtor?

2007-10-11T10:30:24Z

The thought Now that I've been in the business for five years I really enjoy giving back. I came into Real Estate from my career as a pharmacist. I only get to work in the pharmacy maybe once/twice a week and kind of miss that part of direct contact where I know I'm helping someone right away. I am also a Toastmaster and I really just enjoy presenting. I don't have anything to sell it's just something that really matters to me. I've gone from walk running my first 5K and coming in dead last in my age group to being a half marathoner ... high school track and field coach ... oh, by the way, I lost 20 pounds as well...

I wanted to ask if a pharmacist/Realtor set up a seminar at the local board or local library would it be something that you would attend? I would love to hear from you before I go off on this venture. If not please let me know why or if so let me know what would be the ideal date/time/etc.

It's a Good Life!

Tony

Do you know how to solve the Rubik's Cube?

2007-08-31T15:19:09Z

After watching the movie 'Pursuit of Happyness' I thought about the Rubik's cube and then didn't give it another thought again. There are about 43 quadrillion possibilities which is why maybe it's a bit tough. I found this great video on YouTube that really shows a great solution and it's really easier than I thought my first go around took 3 hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsQIoPyfQzM

Seems simple enough but it really is a matter of sticking with it until you get it. I like that the cube can't be solved by doing one side then an adjoining side but like life requires that you create a foundation, build the second layer and then the third takes the most work.

My record is 4 minutes 32 seconds...not much of a feat compared to the pros in the 30 second or less column but it's great what perserverance can do.

At Mastermind the Buffini event was awesome with Chris Gardiner. What a neat person.

How do you stay inspired and recharge in this market?

2007-08-28T06:13:06Z

Business Coaching ... I just came back from our Mastermind event with Buffini and Company and I feel so much better and so inspired. I guess that it's so easy to become myopic in this market and look at the losses but now as I have my steady stream of wins offsetting these losses I feel it seems that it's two steps forward only one step back. I would love to know how other people recharge in this market.

I Personally do 3 things .... the first is listen to inspirational stories in the morning on YouTube like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

2nd I journal daily to get perspective because I can get so focused on today and not worry about tomorrow

3rd I create an accomplishment list from the Outlook Calendar and look at all I did this year.

I sometimes forget this biz isn't about house, it's about families and homes. What do you all think?

Does anyone else do Homebuyer or Homeseller seminars?

2007-08-11T13:36:44Z

I love getting up in front of a crowd and helping more people find and sell homes. I wanted to see if anyone else had experience with buying or selling seminars? How do they work for you and how have you integrated them into your lead generation or service plan? I put out CD's and ask for $10 just to cover my costs but does anyone else do anything like that?

Do any Realtors/Lenders out there have an MBA? Do you use it?

2007-08-09T13:16:30Z

I'm thinking about getting my MBA, I've seen a couple of distance (online) programs out there and I like Colorado State University for their DVD's that they send, out University of Nebraska for their alumni network and their program but no DVD and I like Arizona State for bringing people on campus for 5 days ... I was just curious if any other Realtors out there used their MBA to increase sales, streamline operations, use unique marketing approaches...I know it takes two weeks and a pulse to get a real estate license but I'm just wondering how many people have really pushed it with education afterwards?

What's the first thing you do on Monday morning?

2007-08-06T07:31:00Z

Back from Vacation - As I just got back from vacation (actually a conference in Florida) but nonetheless there was a beach involved I was wondering if the first thing I do is the best thing I could be doing? I wanted to know how other Realtors and lenders start their week? What do you do and when do you usually get in the office?

What I should be doing - I know that I should be doing (according to my business coaching) is my proactivity...calls, notes and setting up my pop bys and I do get these done but over the week but I wonder if getting them done first thing is the best thing?

Proactive vs Reactive - How much of your day is proactive vs. reactive? Are you going after it or are you responding to what's coming in?

Love to hear everyone's thoughts.

How are you surviving this market financially?

2007-08-05T20:20:14Z

I began in real estate a while back and I was doing ok because I had a job as a pharmacist. Then when I went to become a Realtor I did it gradually, and my income from real estate was just bonus. However, I eventually phased out the pharmacy job because of tunnel syndrome in both of my arms and used savings rather than the steady paycheck as my security. Over the winter I took a huge hit with the transition market and I feel that every transaction counts in surviving. I'd love to know how others are doing. I went from 1 year's income in savings to 6 months income (I did pay off my student loans though!) I'm new to blogging so be gentle with the comments. Hey, I'm not using all CAPs ok!

Are you planning to stay in Real Estate after this year?

If things continue to be tough for some of you what are your plans outside of real estate as a back up? Do you have something you want to do or have to do if you are throwing in the towel?

For those of you that have been in this market before, what advice do you have to those that have been in this business for 5 years or less?

While I've been buying and selling homes for 10 years because my income wasn't attached to the real estate market I was oblivious to the ups and downs. Any good advice?

Whom do you turn to for advice in a time where it seems like it's everyone for themselves?

Although I can turn to my business coach for some advice it's really tough because her income is tied to me staying in the business and the program and it would be tough for her to say, it's time to get out of the business. It's not that the referrals have changed, I work twice as hard to get just as many it's that 2 years ago I closed 3.5 transactions for every 4 I received and now I can close 1 transaction with every 4 I receive.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!