tips and advice: Hey Appraiser, How Much Value Should I Give for a Pool? - 04/21/09 06:39 PM
A question I get at least once a week.  A huge pat on the back for thinking in terms of adjustments and not a price per foot.  To properly answer this question I would need to ask additional questions.
What price range home? Describe the pool, is it a gunite, diving, play pool, have a spa? Age of the pool? Condition of the pool? Features (water fall, fountain, etc.) Construction ... does it have stone surrounds, aggregate decking, etc.? Is the pool over built or under built for the price level? The answer is not a simple one and Realtors need … (14 comments)

tips and advice: Move to the Next Level - 04/19/09 07:26 PM
 

You have dreams, goals and know you are ready to make a positive move.  Need to take that next step and move up a level in your business as you feel stagnate, stuck, even bored?  Imagination and reality can indeed compliment each other in our business.  First you need to form your vision and then turn that picture to real results. 
Action Steps to Your Next Level
•  If you do not know where you are in your business in regards to production, run the numbers for last year and first quarter 2009. 
•  Run your financials for 2008 and also … (41 comments)

tips and advice: Just Roll With It - 04/19/09 06:17 PM
 
 
FLEXIBILITY... in our business this is an absolute.  The ability to adapt, re-arrange our schedule, to keep on moving after interruptions, disappointments.  Momentum, what drives our success, gives us energy to succeed, gives us market presence, elevates us to reach our goals.
INTERRUPTIONS ... distractions from our business.  Those events that are unavoidable and need our attention.  Self imposed interruptions .. those items we do have control over but fail to screen.  Being a slave to our email, cell phone and feeling the need to be a 24/7 agent, being reactive instead of proactive.
SUCCESS ... reaching our goals, … (14 comments)

tips and advice: Want to be Noticed? Be a STAND OUT! - 04/14/09 07:13 AM
 
 
How is it that some agents just stand out among the rest?  They are top producers, well known, attract business like a magnet?  At a glance they are strikingly visible. Give yourself this edge by resurfacing yourself and your business.
Image - A distinct identifiable trait in your business - a brand that your name is easily identified.
•  Image can relate to your marketing materials - color choices, style.
•  Logo, slogo- when viewed or read identifies immediate with you.  Example - Just do it!  You think of Nike. 
•  Feature - tools to bring attention.  One Realtor hung red shoes over every for sale sign and called herself the … (28 comments)

tips and advice: Setting Yourself Up for Failure? - 04/13/09 08:46 PM
 
 
We have been trying to catch some elusive squirrels who have decided our attic is the "hang out" spot to set up house and of course throw parties at night.  Wonder why the squirrels have not fallen for our trapping attempts?  Setting oneself up for failure is an unfortunate but common theme in our industry.
Why is it that we have good intentions to commit to aspects of developing our business, yet when all is said and done it evaporates away?  Quit standing by and watching and get into action! 
Prospecting - Key to our business and an absolute … (20 comments)

tips and advice: Being the Listing Agent the Selling Agents Love - 03/31/09 04:40 PM
 

You have the wonderful opportunity to work with another agent on the selling of your listing. Simple courtesies and added little touches can make you shine as a professional and be the Realtor that agents enjoy and look forward to working with on a transaction.  Making the experience seamless and kept smoothly flowing is the goal.
No matter whom you represent the single most outstanding element of communication can make or break the perception of the experience.  Keep each other well informed during the process and the communication starts on day one from the offer submission.  Some tips for … (82 comments)

tips and advice: Are You A Big Fish In A Little Pond? - 03/21/09 11:30 PM

A big fish in a little pond, how is that defined?  Is that an individual that is a top volume producer and consistently dominates the market?  Could it be more than just an individual that lists and sales a lot of inventory?  When asked who are standouts in your community do you think of those leaders that inspire us by their professional example?  Those who involve themselves outside of just production but give their time to charitable efforts, teach classes, are leaders with our Association of Realtors.  Being a big fish in a little pond should be the one who takes … (9 comments)

tips and advice: Be an Olympian in Real Estate - 03/18/09 09:10 AM

To be a winner at the top of your profession, the very best you can be, to deliver in the moment.  Those are the traits of our finest athletes. This also describes our top industry professional, the successful REALTOR.  To be at the top one has to commit to the level of excellence that is demanded of an Olympian.
•· Is learning based.  Always look to improve, lay a solid foundation and layer strength to build.  To commit to education, knowing that we are always students to reach higher and go further.
•· Keep up with the latest techniques.  Wisely purchase programs and equipment … (12 comments)

tips and advice: Long Day and Accomplished Nothing? - 03/17/09 10:46 PM

Feel like you had a day where you were stuck in molasses, everything taking forever and just stuck in slow gear?  Putting in so many hours but not productive use of your time?  This is the ideal time of year to bring more purpose to your productive day and maximize the results.  As the spring season hits it stride we need to utilize our time wisely and limit the quantity of hours to the quality use of our time.
A few suggestions to give you positive results.
•·First step is to select a day and time that you will honor to … (22 comments)

tips and advice: Ten Ways To Turn Your Home Green - 03/17/09 03:28 PM
 
In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day I thought some quick references for energy efficiency tips for homes would be appropriate.  It is amazing the dollars (another green) that is saved with a few easy changes that makes a huge differences.  Besides, respecting green standards is respecting our environment.
•1.   Light Bulbs - Switch to Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs.  They use 75% less energy and last 6 to 10 times longer
•2.   Drafty Windows & Doors - Stop drafts by placing a draft dodger (a long fabric tube) along the edges where cold seeps inside to stop it.  … (14 comments)

tips and advice: Strategies on Extending a Listing about to Expire - 03/11/09 04:07 PM

Your listing is about to expire and you are concerned about retaining the continued opportunity to market the home.  Are you prepared to successfully gain the extension for your services or is your confidence waning?  To give you the highest edge to masterfully retain the listing, a few suggestions to consider:
•·     In MLS run all the homes that have gone under contract since the day you listed the property in the competitive area.  Bring the under contract and sold information with you.  Prepare by looking through the list and making notes as to the points of difference with these … (4 comments)

tips and advice: Are Your Property Inspectors Leaving You Tips? - 03/10/09 03:52 PM
                                                 Another way to expand your financial growth opportunities, tips from your Property Inspector partner.  Except these tips are even more valuable than the dollar, they are excellent suggestions on maintenance, understanding your home, safety concerns and improvement possibilities. 
I make it a practice to be present for my buyer's home inspections.  Often the inspector is one that I trust and have highly recommended to take excellent care of my clients and to give outstanding insight to the home, its issues or to validate the good condition and care.  The true value for me is over the years of paying attention, it has … (7 comments)

tips and advice: How Hard Is It Really? - 03/02/09 03:38 PM

Judging from repeated attempts to correct the behavior of Powder Room Courtesy, I guess this task simply is ignored.  I know this requires about 30 seconds out of one's schedule to attempt this difficult task, yet the boys in my house find it is just too overwhelming to master this feat.  Yes, I have given several group 101 lessons including visual aids for those who verbally cannot comprehend.  I've thought about a power point presentation but I feel my personal visual like you use to get on airplanes with the air mask would be just as effective.  I have even called … (26 comments)

tips and advice: Sizzle & Pop - Word Magnets that Attract Buyers - 02/27/09 01:45 PM

Sounds that are distinct but words that paint a visual image.  That is the key to what I term as "Word Magnets".  The power words we utilize in our descriptive comments when marketing a property that attract the buyer audience or even Realtor pre-screening for a client.  Lackluster wording can lead to poor showings.  Just as poor photography impairs the viewer from fully appreciating what a home has to offer, bland words will be as limiting.  If the home is fairly vanilla there are still ways to paint an enticing description to flirt with the reader to want to come take … (16 comments)

tips and advice: Turning a Thorn into a Rose - Wordsmithing Works - 02/18/09 06:02 PM

Just to be blunt some agents just tell it as it is, no sugar coating, to the prickly point.  Words that sting to the core and costs them business.  Don't get me wrong, what they speak most of the time is dead on accurate but it is the delivery that needs help.  I believe with a little word polish, the same message is delivered but is much better received.
A few suggested phrases or word use to help you in the moment:
The home needs to be reduced in price - new price or reposition the price, posture better in … (10 comments)

tips and advice: At a Loss of Words ? Car Chat Tips to Engage Your Buyers - 01/29/09 09:31 PM

New agents tend to dread the moment that they are working with buyers showing properties.  Not so much the driving around but the fear of loss of words and uncomfortable moments of silence.  First of all know that some moments of silence are just fine ... silence is golden.  Too lengthy of quiet can be uncomfortable so a Realtor needs to learn to keep fun tempo of conversation. 
#1 Rule - do not let the conversations solely be about you.  The best relationship builder is to have the buyers talk about themselves if that appears to be in their comfort zone.  You … (20 comments)

tips and advice: Ten Tips to Avoid Seller Rejection Before the Appointment - 01/29/09 07:37 AM

Set yourself up for failure before you even set foot in the seller's home?  Pitfalls avoided by simply following these common courtesies. 
Initial phone call.  A seller calls and leaves you a message with their first and last name.  Return the call ASAP and begin with Ms. or Mr. (last name).  Be formal until they say call me (first name).  Be sure you return the call when they designate a time frame in the call or not too early in the morning hours or too late.  Setting up an appointment.  Make sure that all parties (husband, wife) will be able to be … (74 comments)