How Does Your Success Affect Others? - 05/31/11 03:42 AM
Have you ever stopped to think about the impact your success has on those around you? I did, today, after reading a quote from Abraham (As in the Abraham-Hicks Law of Attraction books.)
The quote said:
"As you set a financial goal, it is not only about the expansion for yourself; it's about the expansion of all of those who are involved in that which you are about. In other words, it creates this nucleus, this machine, that allows so many to begin to thrive along with you. It's much bigger than finances."
Just think, when you sell a house, … (7 comments)
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6 Steps To Choosing the Right Real Estate Copywriter For You - 05/30/11 04:28 AM
You're building a new website and you know you want something better than the cookie-cutter copy that comes with the package.
So you either need to write it yourself or find a real estate copywriter.
The do-it-yourself route is fine if you have time and write well. If not, then you need to choose a copywriter.
Here's my list of the 6 things to look for when choosing someone to write your real estate website copy:
1. Choose someone who writes in a conversational tone – one that everyone can comprehend. The first step is to visit … (8 comments)
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Things I Wish I'd Known My First Year in Business - 05/29/11 02:17 PM
Tammie White offers a list of 9 things she wished she'd known when she first started in real estate. I couldn't agree more.
Some of these are new since I was first licensed in 1985, but #4 certainly isn't. I wish that my broker or any of the agents I knew then had given this advice. But...I'm fairly certain that they didn't know it either.
When we finished a transaction, the file went in the drawer and we forgot about those people! Just think of the repeat business we were throwing away.
My first broker did advise setting up a … (6 comments)
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Banks Trying to Make Amends to Military Service Members - 05/29/11 03:42 AM
Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase are starting to make amends for their illegal mistreatment of active duty military personnel, but it’s too little too late for Service members whose homes now belong to someone else.
Back in 2003 the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act gave active military personnel legal protection for their home loans. Under the Act, only a judge can authorize foreclosure on an active-duty service member’s home in any state – and then only if that service member is represented at a hearing.
The Act also mandated that active duty service members would be charged no more than … (9 comments)
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What Should We Expect For Free? - 05/28/11 04:50 AM
Frustration is the word of the evening...
One of the things I do is write blog posts, and some of my busy clients need me to upload those posts...
Most of the time, it only takes a few minutes, but tonight, adding a post to a Blogger account took an hour. Not adding the post, which was already written and waiting - but getting in to access the account.
Other times I've been able to log out as myself, then log back in as my client. Not tonight. Every time I logged back in and tried to go to … (8 comments)
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Active Rain Newbies- Just Take The First Step! - 05/27/11 04:21 PM
Newbies, Pay attention!!
Nestor & Katerina offer up some wise advice here...
Active Rain can and will improve your business in many ways, but it won't do you one bit of good unless you start blogging and commenting.
So just brush that silly fear aside and realize that every single person here had a first post. And my guess is that every single one of us felt a bit afraid when we pushed the button and sent our words out for all to read.
Instead of remaining paralyzed, think about how wonderful it feels when you actually do that which you … (2 comments)
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Do You Set Negative Goals? - 05/27/11 02:38 AM
I asked if you set negative goals. Am I crazy? No one would do such a thing!
But you probably do. In fact, we all do it from time to time.
How?
By allowing ourselves to worry about our finances, our prospects of success, our relationships with loved ones, and various situations that we can and do control, even if we do it unconsciously.
Brian Tracy, in his book "The Psychology of Achievement," explains that the act of worrying sets some powerful laws of the universe into action. The attention and emotion that we invest in our worries actually … (21 comments)
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Prospecting to List Homes in Probate - 05/26/11 01:37 AM
Do you prospect for houses in probate, or just wait and hope they contact you?
If you’ve read of the death of the homeowner in your geographic farm area, it seems a bit crass to keep mailing prospecting letters in their name. But if you want to list the home, you do need to make sure the heirs know you exist, and that you specialize in that neighborhood.
So what can you say to people who are in emotional turmoil, but charged with the details of settling an estate?
To reach them you’ll have to offer your sympathy, … (11 comments)
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Federal Programs May Become Easier to Understand - 05/25/11 12:59 AM
Have you heard? The federal government has a new rule that goes into effect in October - and it says that all new and revised documents produced for use by the public must be written in a new language: Plain English.
It will, however, be allowed to continue writing nonsense to itself.
According to the Idaho Falls Post Register, writing as represented by the following sentence will no longer be acceptable:
"Pursuant to regulations promulgated thereunder and commencing in accordance with a statute signed herein by President Brack Obama, the government shall be precluded from wriitng the pompous gibberish heretofore evidenced, … (8 comments)
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An International ActiveRain Blogging Success Story! - 05/24/11 03:15 PM
Thanks to Melissa Brown for posting yet another reason why all agents should be blogging, and not just about their listings.
Becoming an expert guide to your community and sharing your knowledge with the world WILL help you attract relocating buyers. Melissa just proved it!
Via Melissa Brown (Helen Adams Realty):
An International ActiveRain Blogging Success Story!
Imagine my surprise when I got a call from a blog post I wrote LAST YEAR on a superb public high school here in South Charlotte: Providence High School. The caller was a lovely lady from Canada, whose husband had been offered a transfer within his … (2 comments)
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Van Wingerden Greenhouses a Flower Lover's Paradise - 05/24/11 04:59 AM
Traveling down the Spirit Lake Cutoff Road, one might wonder at those huge greenhouses set back against the hills. The sign is unobtrusive, so you just might miss the fact that the public is welcome to come, enjoy, and of course - purchase flowers.
These seven huge greenhouses supply many of the area grocery and hardware stores that offer bedding plants and vegetable starts for sale each spring. Even on Saturday, delivery trucks were loading up and moving out with "racks of happiness" for local gardeners.
I was a little disappointed this year, as they've changed their policies. While you … (5 comments)
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Motivational Monday - Will Rogers - Living your life... - 05/23/11 03:33 PM
I love the old quotes, and Chris brought us a classic today.
The other one I like says to be careful what you write - and only publish words you won't be ashamed of if your Mom, your Grandma, your spouse, your boss, your clients, your best friend, your co-workers, or your kids were reading it.
Because - they just might!
Happy Monday everyone!
Via Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino California):
"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip" Will Rogers (1879-1935)
There is soooo much wisdom in these few … (5 comments)
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Ties to the Past - Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder - 05/23/11 03:01 AM
What kind of mementos tie you to your ancestors? Old photo albums? A family Bible? Heirloom silver?
For me it's dishes.
Today when I was mixing up bread dough to have fresh bread with dinner, I thought about how fortunate I am to have my Great-grandmother's bread bowl. Every time I use it I think of her - a pioneer woman, really - using this same bowl to make bread to feed her husband and her child.
One of my Grandmother's favorite childhood stories revolved around this bowl, and bread-making. Grandmother would have been 7 years old when that event took … (6 comments)
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Suspicious email - what to do? - 05/22/11 04:55 PM
This morning I received an email that I know is bogus - but in what way? And what should I do?
I captured it as a .jpg to put here, but AR says I can't do that right now. So - the jist of it was that it was an auto reply from an email I supposedly had sent under the subject line "Does Your Cause Need More Money??
The message itself was:
Hi/Boujour
I will be out of the office until June 1st returning to the office on June 2th if your matter is urgent please contact mbarclay.byc@gmail.com or byc@aibn.com. … (6 comments)
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A Visit to Cocolalla Creek Rescue Ranch - 05/22/11 02:40 AM
The fate of dogs and cats in this economy is something we read about in the news every now and then. People lose their homes and have to move to rental units that don't allow pets or units that require huge deposits for pets - so they simply walk away and leave them behind.
I can't imagine ever leaving one of my critters to an uncertain future, but I guess I feel more strongly about my animals than a lot of people do.
The question of "Why they don't at least take them to a rescue group" is met … (6 comments)
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Another One of My Favorite Clients: Chris Meger - 05/21/11 03:49 AM
Do you have sellers who are relocating to the Yukon Territory?
Do them a favor and tell them about Chris Meger.
Chris is filled with enthusiasm and a determination to provide the best service the Yukon has ever seen.
Before deciding to pursue a career in real estate, Chris taught emergency response based training that included multiple technical rescue courses, first-aid, and survival skills - and he's spent years as a fishing and hunting guide in the Yukon and other "far north" locations.
His strong belief is that knowledge leads to good decisions, so his clients will … (2 comments)
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How to Be a Brilliant Conversationalist - 05/20/11 03:09 AM
Do you ever get started with something you think is a good idea, then get side-tracked and forget all about it? Today I got a reminder of the fact that I do that.
I got a Google alert on my name and it led me to a site called Amazines – where I had posted 4 articles back in 2007. (It took Google a while to find them!)
Since I didn’t have any other brilliant ideas for day 20 of the 31 Days in May challenge, I decided to edit one of them and present it for your consideration.
The article … (7 comments)
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Real Estate and Copywriting Are Not So Different - 05/19/11 03:47 AM
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to contribute an article to a marketing website. They furnished me with a list of questions about hiring a copywriter. Why you need one, how to choose the right one, etc.
When I got to “What are the warning signs?” and wrote my opinions, it occurred to me that the red flags warning you that you’re hiring the wrong copywriter are much the same as the red flags saying you’re hiring the wrong real estate agent.
Here are most of my answers, in short form, and how I think they relate … (3 comments)
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What's a Rookie agent to do?! - 05/18/11 02:23 PM
Laurie offers up a comprehensive list of 10 steps to success for rookie agents - and for agents who are not seeing the success they hoped for.
I'm going to turn off comments on this post - because everyone who needs this information should read not only the post, but the comments from both Laurie and the other agents. It's Good Stuff!
I would add "wear your name tag or your Realtor pin" to the list. It's amazing how many people will strike up a conversation about real estate when they see the name tag or the "R" pin … (0 comments)
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Watch out for those $40 Words! - 05/18/11 03:59 AM
Are you ever tempted to use $40 words when posting to your blog or writing to a prospect? Be careful with that!
There are a couple of copywriting "rules" that everyone should follow (unless they're writing to appeal to people in academia.)
The first is to never use a big word if a little one will do the job. In other words, say "use" instead of "utilize." (They have a slightly different meaning, anyway!) Instead of "facilitate" say "help." Instead of "gormandize" say "gobble."
The second is to check the reading level of what you've written before you send it off. … (13 comments)
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A six-year Supply of Million Dollar Homes in North Idaho - 05/17/11 02:25 AM
Recently the Spokesman Review reported on the fate of million dollar homes in North Idaho.
Prior to the housing boom, there simply weren't that many. In fact, in 2002, there were four listed, and two of them sold. Then folks who had sold their high-end homes in California and the Washington coast came with money in their pockets.
They wanted NICE homes - especially nice waterfront homes. And they were willing to pay for them. Building lots were selling for $200,000 and up.
So the builders got busy meeting the demand. In 2007, 64 of those million dollar plus … (10 comments)
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I love Mondays... - 05/16/11 03:36 AM
Monday is my favorite day of the week, and has been for many years.
That could be because I love what I do for a living. Copywriting can be frustrating, even hair-pulling at times. But it's still fun. Each new project brings it's own challenge - like a puzzle to be solved. And I've always loved puzzles.
Each Monday seems like a new beginning. Even if there's ongoing work from the week before, Monday feels almost like New Year's Day. A fresh start.
I always have an anticipation - eager to see what kind of good things will … (20 comments)
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"SIFTING THE CHAFF FROM THE WHEAT"....The LATEST trend in real estate sales??? - 05/15/11 01:22 PM
Paula Hathaway makes two very important points in this post -
One is that even new agents can be successful if they focus their attention and dedicate themselves to learning all they can. Experience is only valuable when you learn from it.
The other is that now is the time for those who want to own a home for the long term to buy.
My 2 cents: If the Generation Y buyers can comfortably afford the payment today, they'll be sitting pretty in ten years when their income has risen.
Via Paula I Hathaway, SVP (Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate):
In this … (2 comments)
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Friday Fable...always anticipate the best - 05/15/11 02:30 AM
Barb brings us a short but powerful story...
How we proceed in life really does depend upon what we believe and how we see each situation. Is it a roadblock - or is it an opportunity?
Each of us gets to choose, and sometimes several times a day!
Via Barb Fischer (RD Brown Real Estate):
One of my favorite stories is found in Joyce Meyer's new "Power Thoughts" book, and every time I read it I snap myself back to reality of thinking and believing that I can choose my own thoughts, and they can be grand.
Here's the gist of the story:
… (3 comments)
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Waiting for Springtime - 05/15/11 02:25 AM
I suppose it was good that today was so windy - it kept me from wanting to be outside when I had work to do at my desk.
But just the same, it's time to get the garden started with seeds that can withstand a bit of cold. And they may have to! Just two days ago we got up to find the meadow had turned white with frost during the night. Perhaps tomorrow the wind will let up and I'll get energized.
This is the only time of year that I feel jealous of people living a bit farther … (3 comments)
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The Agent Did NOTHING At The Closing Table! - 05/14/11 05:32 PM
John and Kasey bring up a good point in this blog. If the agent can attend a closing and has nothing to do but smile with his or her clients, that's a very good thing.
The news article they quote by Lora Volkert shows that poor Lora simply doesn't know about the work that goes on behind the scenes. She has no idea how many hours a buyer's agent spent searching for just the right home. She has no clue about the problems the listing agent faced in getting the home to market. She doesn't know about the negotiations and the … (5 comments)
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What Do You Do Better Than Your Competition Does? - 05/14/11 12:06 PM
What do you do better than your competition does?
This is one of the questions on the form that I ask agents to complete before I write for them. It's also the one they get hung up on. Often, they'll send me the rest and "forget" to answer that one last question.
Why is answering that question so difficult for so many?
I have a couple of theories - one is that we've been taught since childhood that we shouldn't brag. For many of us, saying "I'm the best choice because..." is really difficult.
The other is … (8 comments)
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Why So Much Nastiness? - 05/13/11 01:27 AM
Earlier today I read and commented on a post written by Mimi Foster about email addresses. She gave her opinion and some agreed while others did not.
It was, in fact, a good discussion about the merits having an address with your own domain name, or using a generic address such as gmail.
But... she mentioned that she had deleted several comments because they were personal attacks on her for stating her opinion.
Why does anyone need to do that?
Because they felt threatened by her opinion? I don't know.
A little later I went upstairs to refill my coffee cup … (23 comments)
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Acres and Acres of Car Parts, But Unpleasant Service - 05/12/11 04:05 AM
First, to clarify, I love my truck. But it has had a few problems lately. It has a right – it does have about 220,000 miles on it…
The most recent involved the tilt steering wheel. It had been a bit “wobbly,” but two weeks ago, when I was doing errands in town, it started acting very strange. Every time I turned the wheel it made a loud clicking noise. It still steered OK, so I started for home.
But then the horn started honking!
You can imagine how dumb I felt, pulling out of a parking lot and … (6 comments)
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You Can Talk, So Don't be Too Chicken to Write! - 05/11/11 02:51 AM
Sometimes the agents that I'm trying to push into blogging tell me that they can't blog because they just don't write well. When they try, the words just don't come out right.
If that's the case, I agree that they shouldn't try to write their own marketing copy or prospecting letters.
But it's no excuse not to blog, because when you're blogging you're not trying to be persuasive. You aren't trying to sell your services, you're just connecting with other people and letting your personality shine through. All you need to do is "Be You!"
If you can talk, you can … (12 comments)
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"The Former Generation Didn't Care About the Environment" - 05/10/11 02:28 AM
Today's email brought a timely story. I have no idea where it originated, but if it's the truth, someone needs to give the sales clerk a swift kick. Here's the story...
I'll add my 2 cents worth afterward.
In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day." The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save … (10 comments)
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Even if no one says they came from your blog... - 05/09/11 02:35 AM
Every now and then a client asks me why they are continuing to write blog posts - or continuing to hire me to write blog posts for them. They tell me that they can't see how it's getting them any more business.
In other words, no one is calling them and saying "I just read your blog post about .... and I want to hire you."
But that doesn't mean that they didn't see a blog post and that it didn't lead them to the agent's LinkedIn or Facebook page or to their website.
What I've found in asking new clients … (12 comments)
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Be Careful of "We-Weing" on Your Marketing Copy - 05/08/11 02:12 AM
Do you "we-we" on your marketing copy?
A whole lot of people are doing just that lately, and it's a darned shame, because it's a sure way to get prospective customers and clients to "round file" your message without reading it.
What the heck am I talking about?
Starting your message with "We" or "I" - and continuing on by telling all about you. Even if you're saying "We can help..." you've probably lost the prospect with your first words.
The truth is, your prospects don't care about you.
They care about themselves, and the only … (14 comments)
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Quiet Country Living Not Always So Quiet - 05/07/11 02:35 AM
At about 3 a.m. last night I woke up from some kind of goofy dream in which someone was either crying or screaming. As I came awake I was thinking how strange it is that sounds can work their way into your dreams. And then it hit me - Why was I hearing someone either crying or screaming?
I sat straight up and looked around. No lights on anywhere. Had I left the TV on when I went to bed? No. But it sure sounded like I could hear people talking. For a minute there, I was really spooked.
… (7 comments)
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All-City Yard Sale in Priest River, Idaho May 7 - 05/06/11 02:28 AM
The May Day Sale is a little late this year... But it's still happening!
Several years ago, when I was active in the Priest River Chamber of Commerce, a few of us got together and started a new tradition in town: The May Day Sale. That first year, it actually happened on May 1.
It all started when the owner of the local hardware store wanted a creative way to clear out winter merchandise and make way for Summer, but it grew far beyond a few local businesses offering their wares on tables outdoors.
We spread the word … (0 comments)
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The Pros and Cons of Volunteerism for Realtors - 05/05/11 02:32 AM
Do you volunteer your time for a good cause?
It's definitely a good way to meet more people, show you care about your community, and make yourself feel good at the same time. But...
Volunteerism can be dangerous for your business...
Why? Because it's so easy to let it take over your life. And when it begins to use up 20 or 30 hours a week, it's pretty hard on your business!
Our local animal rescue started because of one of the agents who worked for me. She had two transactions in which the sellers decided to have their … (11 comments)
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Helping to Get Out the Vote in Priest River, Idaho - 05/03/11 03:51 AM
On May 17, the residents of Priest River, Idaho will be asked to vote on a Bond and Levy to support the West Bonner Library District, which covers Priest River and Blanchard, Idaho.
If this passes, the current Priest River library will get a 5,400 s.f. addition - adding more room for books and videos, expansion of the computer area, and more space for community functions.
This fell short of passing in the last election, but just barely. So those of us who support the library are hoping for a better turn-out and better response this time.
Here in Priest River … (0 comments)
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It's Not Gossip, It's Real Estate Marketing Ideas - 05/02/11 04:48 PM
When I was growing up, our family had a long-time friend named Jimmy. We spent part of the year in "his" small villiage at Priest Lake, where he was unofficially known as "The Mayor." (There was no offical Mayor.)
Jimmy had a LOT of friends and he would travel from place to place, sometimes in his car, and sometimes on foot. Everywhere he went he picked up some tidbit of news, and when he stopped at the next place, he'd drop it there.
We all kept track of other people's lives by the news (gossip) Jimmy carried with him. It wasn't always … (10 comments)
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Dagney Proved my Point... - 05/01/11 02:15 AM
In an excerpt from Kerrie Greenhalgh's Success Stories post, Dagny Eason says:
"Thanks, Active Rain! I received a phone call from a buyer family in Rekjavik, Iceland two days ago. They wanted to find a new home in Fairfield County. They are arriving tonight, have three days to look, and would like me to help them! Where did they run into me? On Active Rain, of course! They said that in their roamings in Connecticut Real Estate online, there I was on the top of the page, with a big picture and all! They knew my name was Scandinavian, … (2 comments)
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