Ever Feel Like Butthead? - 05/29/08 02:50 PM
I've been feeling like him for the last three weeks.  True stories below...
                                                             
1.  Last night I spoke to a friend of mine who just went "in-contract" on his home.  The sale price is $230,000 and the outstanding balance on the loan is $255,000.  Yes, he has to go to closing with $25,000 leaving him very little cash to put down on a new property.  That interest only loan does not look as good as it originally did, huh?  Prior to selling he was considering the possibility of walking away and accepting a foreclosure on his credit report.  
2.  … (2 comments)

Three Reasons To Change - 05/28/08 08:35 AM
We receive the question from franchise prospects, "the market is struggling, why should I franchise now vs. waiting for it to improve?"  The reality is that today's market is prime for someone to re-brand or open a franchise office. 
When times are tough, agents get antsy and begin to scrutinize the level of support they are (or aren't) currently receiving from their brokerage and the marketing strategies and tactics they've been employing.  As a broker and recruiter in this environment, this is opportunity.   But, before you run out and start your company you first need a compelling story to tell perspective … (7 comments)

How Bout This T-Shirt - 05/22/08 01:01 PM
I'm a huge T-Shirt fan!  Who isn't, right?  This is the shirt design ActiveRain needs to make for those exceeding a pre-determined point amount - I'm going to suggest 10,000 points (selfishly as I just got here).  It is a take-off on my pal Hoyt's...  "I'm famous in Flint" design. 
                          
People with "silly" points like Maureen McCabe should be grandfathered in.  I'm buying one regardless.  At the risk of feeling like Jerry Maguire... who is with me???
… (7 comments)

Broke the 10,000 Point Barrier... - 05/21/08 03:11 PM
I've been in Active Rain for under two months and accumulated 10,000 points.  Not anywhere near Maureen (Active Rain Queen- as I call her), but figure I'll never catch her - even if she changed industries. 
LeBron surpassed 10,000 points during the Cavs loss to Boston the other night - he has nothing to show for it now.  
                                          
I travel a lot and am a member of Hilton Honors where I get points towards a stay.  Typically 10,000-20,000 will get you a free night. 
I think Maureen blogged about this a while ago when I really didn't care about points at … (15 comments)

Same Time... Same Sandbox - 05/20/08 03:15 PM
Ever watch the cartoon, The Jetson's?  One of my personal favorites.  Elroy was the best... He coined the phrase, "same time, same sandbox," every time he was summoned home for dinner and dragged away by his trusty robot, Rosie. 
                                        
Funny how now the sandbox we call the real estate industry has changed.  New times, new sandbox, increased opportunities.  Today's sandbox is complicated for some, but Elroy would be all about it.  Today we enjoy everything from text messaging, PDA phones, web 2.0, podcasts, Flip video cameras which download directly to YouTube, talk to me now buttons on listing details … (12 comments)

9 Free Things Every New Agent Should Do - 05/19/08 12:59 PM
Many agents continue to enter the real estate business.   One of our owners, Tom Stravecky in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida told me a few months ago that he appreciated new agents in the business more than ever.  They watch the news, know it is not as easy as it once was, and despite those two facts, see opportunity.  What a way to view new agents in today's market.
With that said, every new agent that joins your office should partake in these free, on-boarding activities during their first 2 weeks in your office. 
Here they are...
Customize the agent website you provide.  … (20 comments)

Ding, Ding -- Step Right Up... - 05/15/08 01:34 PM
Three chances for a dollar. 
I'm not attending the Mid Year NAR conference this week however, I'll certainly miss the carnival/circus that is the conference's trade show.  Everyone has been there...  Agents are wooed by the newest and greatest products that promise to elevate the purchaser's game.  Advertising to wireless phones and everything in between.  When I walk the aisle I often get confused and begin looking for the opportunity to throw a dart or softball to win an oversized Spidey doll for my kids. 
                                                      
Many of the booths are great, and I learn a lot, however many are there filling the gaps between … (5 comments)

Who Invited These Guys To The Party?? - 05/13/08 10:00 AM
Trulia, Zillow, Cyberhomes, Frontdoor, and more, are now pretty firmly planted in our space.  Who let this happen and invited them?  We did.  Welcome... I think.
Collectively, we as brokers, agents, owners empowered these firms to climb to the top of consumer minds and search engines and create real estate portals that are everything 90% of the broker sites were not.  While we experienced the real estate boom from the late 90's to mid 2000's, and realized increased profits, brokers failed to reinvest into their sites.  So, today, these new sites/companies offer tools, enhanced searching, reports, blogs, valuations and everything consumers … (14 comments)

Steve Friedman - Video - Momentum 08 - 05/09/08 01:27 PM
This is an interview with Steve Friedman. Steve hosted a 3 hour break-out session for recruiting today at Momentum. In this interview, Steve discusses the session, and thoughts about Real Living. He's been working with us for about 5 months and we're starting to see results at all levels of our company. His new nickname is Mr. Recruiting Check it out! Note- some of our Momentum video is "raw" - in the interest of time all video goes right to YOU on Active Rain! … (1 comments)

Catch'n Up With A-Mag - #2 - 05/09/08 12:57 PM
This is video interview #2 with our Chicago friend A-Mag aka Andrew Magliochetti. He is joined by one of his managers and top agents, Jim Buczynski. Jim's volume has increased exponentially in 2007 vs. 2006 - in a "down" market. Jim discusses the what to do to improve and how he did it in Chicago, one of the most competitive real estate markets in the United States. … (0 comments)

Steve Friedman - Recruit, Recruit, Recruit - 05/09/08 11:52 AM
The highlight of the morning sessions was Steve Friedman.  He dropped knowledge on how to recruit and manage offices effectively.  He challenged conventional thought and encouraged the room full of owners, and managers to view recruiting differently.  He discussed everything from prospecting to on-boarding/coaching/business planning. 
Additionally, Steve stressed the importance of Generation X and building your office around Gen X and Gen X "minded" agents.  60% of all transactions have an X and Y Generation agent at the closing table.  We need to communicate effectively with these generations which means using technology to do deals with these agents. 
Real Living currently employ … (3 comments)

Real Living President, Kaira Rouda - Video - 05/09/08 09:54 AM
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda spoke this morning to the group. I was able to catch up to her right after her speech for this interview. In her speech, Kaira discussed the female consumer and the power of women. Women make 89% of the purchase decisions in the real estate process and increase their spending 200% directly before, during and after their home purchase. Real Living has been marketing to this consumer since 2002 when Real Living launched! Kaira also spoke to an international conference in Chicago this week called "Marketing to Women" (http://www.m2w.biz/) in Chicago. Check out the link - Real Living's … (3 comments)

New Agent!! - 05/09/08 09:43 AM
All-
I'm pleased to annouce the newest Real Living agent.  Dave Culbertson, from Real Living Home Team in Mount Vernon, Ohio is a proud grandparent.  Dave's daughter and Real Living agent Courtney gave birth to Ethan and the best part of the story was that during labor, Courtney wrote an offer and Dave faxed it at the nurses station!! Great job Dave and Courtney!  That's dedication.
Congrats again Dave and Courtney.
… (1 comments)

Catchin Up With A-Mag - Video - 05/08/08 02:19 PM
This is installment one of "catchn up with A-Mag," at Momentum 08. Andy Magliochetti is the owner of Real Living Helios in Chicago. He's been affiliated with Real Living for almost 2 years and boasts three offices in top Chicago neighborhoods - West Loop, River North and Lakeview. The ownership and agents within Real Living Helios bring a fresh, new and unique flavor to the network. They are on the leading edge of technology, business planning and social networking. … (3 comments)

Dan Riley - More Momentum Video - 05/08/08 01:33 PM
Dan Riley, one of the leaders of Real Living Realty One in Cleveland, Ohio speaks about why Momentum is so great. This interview was taken during the opening breakfast and core services awards ceromony. … (0 comments)

Real Living CEO Speaks At Momentum - Video - 05/08/08 01:29 PM
The Real Living convention atmosphere is electric. There are agents, brokers, owners and administrative staff buzzing all around the Renassance hotel. Networking, best practices, idea sharing, it's all happening at Momentum 2008 - Real Living's fifth edition of its national convention. This video is Real Living CEO and Managing Partner, Harley E. Rouda Jr. Some of the statistics he quotes about agent production are excellent. Agent prodcutivity has always been a cornerstone of Real Living! … (1 comments)

Merchandise At Momentum - 05/08/08 08:48 AM
Another great feature of Momentum is the ability to purchase Real Living gear. An opportunity to show your pride in Real Living red! Also, Real You Incorporated is available for purchase too! Get it while its hot! … (0 comments)

Harley on why he's excited about Momentum 08 - 05/08/08 08:44 AM
Momentum is officially kicked off. Attached is Harley's quick welcome interview! … (0 comments)

Dominate a Market - 05/07/08 10:40 AM
Of late, my team's been researching several markets to learn who is taking listings and where.  The findings have been interesting.  The staggering blow for me is that typically, in any given market there are several agents sharing 1%-2% of the listings in a market.  The markets are extremely fragmented and nobody is dominating. 
What a recruiting opportunity.  When nobody dominates, the door is wide open especially in today's market where business is at a premium.  These statistics, when used properly, offer an agent or brokerage the ability to target the area and flat out control it! 
At Real Living we are gathering … (4 comments)

Momentum Video Blog.... - 05/06/08 08:38 AM
All-
If you are not attending Momentum, or even if you are, check mine and/or Scott Hoyt's blog daily during Momentum.  Scott and I will be video taping the event, interviewing attendees and posting video as frequently as possible. 
Our camera will be everywhere to capture the essence of the event.  Tell your agents and friends who are not coming to stay tuned and watch daily. 
It'll be a great opportunity to see yourslelf and/or catch up with all that is... Momentum 08.
Looking forward to seeing many of you this week.   
… (1 comments)

Momentum Blog Team - 05/02/08 10:54 AM
Scott Hoyt and I are creating a Momentum Blog team.  We're going to cover the event via video and blogs throughout the event. 
 We'll have Momentum and Real Living stuff everyone online!! 
 If you are interested in covering the event with us - let us know!  See you next week. 
… (2 comments)

Does Your Company Define and Target Buyer Segments? - 05/01/08 07:38 AM
At Real Living we not only define them, we categorize them and direct marketing messages to them individually.  Below are our buyer types...
First and foremost, Women.   You've hopefully read in my prior blogs about women comprising 52% of the population and making 89% of purchasing decisions in the real estate process.  18% of single women are home-buyers vs. 8% of single men.  If your site, its tools and marketing does not appeal to women, you are sunk. 
First Time Buyers.  Their average age is 32 and they are very familiar with the Internet and resources within.  They are price conscious and … (0 comments)

 
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Chris Svec

Columbus, OH

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Chris Svec

Address: Columbus, OH

Cell Phone: (614) 203-0801

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