Curtis's Blog

FSBOs in Canada.

2008-06-30T17:54:26Z

The RedX Launches Expansion Into Canada

Real Estate Data X-Change (RedX), the industry leading provider of Expired and For-Sale-by-Owner (FSBO) lead generation and management solutions, today announced the expansion of its services into Canada, with the opening of 35 areas of its low-cost FSBO service.

The RedX launched the FSBO product to meet the specific needs of the Canadian real estate professional. RedX FSBO leads service is very unique from other FSBO providers because we the FSBO leads are delivered directly into a very user friendly lead manager system, which is included with a subscription to the RedX FSBO service. The lead manager system gives the subscribers a tool for more than just prospecting FSBOs. The lead manager gives the subscribers the ability to write notes, set tasks, create marketing campaigns and flag leads, and much more.

The RedX utilizes advanced web and database technologies to deliver the highest quality and quantity FSBO lead in the market. The RedX scours local and national newspapers, real estate publications, and other public online sources to extracts the lead in its entirety.

In addition to interfacing with the lead manager, RedX FSBOs include:

•• Real time FSBO lead delivery seven (7) days per week

•• Customizable FSBO database search tool

•• Reverse phone look ups performed on each FSBO lead

•• No duplicate leads

•• Free online training and scripts

"RedX FSBOs is a powerful enhancement to any real estate professional prospecting, by providing them a tool that delivers new leads every day" said Curtis Fenn, Vice President of Sales for Real Estate Data X-Change.

About Real Estate Data X-Change, Inc.

Real Estate Data X-Change, Inc is a leading software technology and leads service provider for real estate professionals. The RedX assists real estate professionals in accomplishing their professional goals by providing them with accurate, timely and reliable data to aid them in building their business. We have designed powerful technology-based tools to help them access, manage, and utilize their real estate leads. Simply stated, the RedX's products and services help real estate professionals sell more homes while saving both time and money.
http://www.theredx.com

For more information about the RedX or to purchase RedX FSBO lead service, please visit www.theredx.com, or contact a RedX sales representative at 800-731-7339.

Having a community hold you accountable

2008-05-09T10:40:48Z

While reading the May, 2008 edition of the Reader's Digest I came across an article written by Bridget Monroe. As I was reading I realized that much of what she was writing about has practical application for the real estate industry. In the article Monroe referenced multiple studies performed at Stanford University related to the concept of accountability. The results were quite amazing; particularly where they related to constant communication as a tool for holding people or yourself accountable.

"Exercising with a friend can make it easier to face the gym. Now, it seems, technology may provide the same ‘hold you to it' effect according to new research from Stanford University."

"In a December study, participants were called regularly and asked if they had met their weekly workout goal. After a year, the formerly inactive people were exceeding those goals."

"...19 adults were given a handheld device that beeped twice a day to ask them if they'd exercised yet. After eight weeks, they were logging about five hours of activity a week..."

You can read the complete Stanford study; however, to save you some time I have summarized what is relevant; People accomplish or exceed their goals more often when they receive constant phone and/or text message reminders and communication.

I wanted to share this simply to demonstrate that a pre-recorded or text message reminder or a cell phone alarm can be an effective way to help reach your goals. As everyone has a cell phone these days it is simple to transmit reminders, suggestions and tips via pre-recorded voice broadcasting or text messaging in order to help them stay on task and reach their goals; and easier for someone to contact you inorder for you to read your goals.

Whether its exercise, getting to work on time, scheduling appoints, or prospecting expired listings; set reminders and include your community in your goals so that the constant calls, texts, email, and alarms will help you succeed. Good luck.

Slightly off course leads to disaster

2008-05-05T11:38:15Z

I recently in church I heard a very powerful story illustrating the need for constant guidance, coaching and training, and accountability. Here is the short version..

On 29 November 1979, Air New Zealand flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus in Antarctica killing 257 people that took the sight-seeing flight. Six mistakes are attributed to the cause of the crash.

1. The flight co-ordinate was off by two degrees

2. Once the co-ordinate was discovered to be slightly off course, no one took immediate action

3. No one that knew of the previous mistake made mention of it in the briefing before the flight

4. The assigned crew was not briefed on the phenomenon of "whiteout;" a condition which obscures the horizon and blurs ground detail.

5. Due to habits of the pilot crew, co-ordinate was typed in without seeing the "addendum" to the original flight plan

6. In order to fly below the clouds, the navigation system was disengaged.

Too often we have an idea where we want to end up; however, our "flight plan" is off just a couple of degrees. What we do not realize is that just a couple of degrees in the beginning, may be putting us in a path to destruction. And even after realizing we are off course, we procrastinate making changes in our business, and our life; again, leading to disaster.

Business also produces "Business Whiteouts." Is that not we are in? Many of us were not briefed properly on a down market so we did business never expecting or knowing of specific whiteout warning signs. More consequently, we flew into the down market blindly, and many are now leaving the industry or struggling financially.

Instead of looking to the expertise and knowledge of others, we, often times, habitually enter the co-ordinates instead of analyzing the market and our business strategies every day before heading in the wrong direction.

Most agents not only disengage their navigation, they do not even have one! And I am not talking about the Garman Navigation in their car. I am referring to a plan, goals, and systems. We cannot guess in this business, we need to have systems in place to give us direction, and we need to continually evaluate whether we are on course for disaster or success.

One or all of the mistakes made can be used as examples of coaching. The most compelling is number one. Just two degrees off course was a course that leads to 257 deaths. We all need course correcting, especially in Real Estate, especially in today's market.

Prospecting In Today's Market

2007-05-16T13:21:53Z

The market is producing more expired and for sale by owner (FSBO) leads than ever before, creating a great opportunity for those agents who are willing to do the work. As more listings expired or go FSBO, the hard-working, smart-working agents will make more money. In todays market there are there are three effective ways methods of prospecting; first, by phone; second, through mail campaigns; and lastly, good old fashion door knocking. You must have a prospecting stategy that incorporates all three ways of prospecting.

I love the phone, everytime you pick up the phone you should think, MONEY. Call it telemarketing or call it cold-calling, the results make those tough calls worth it. For example, an agent I spoke with in Chicago, IL, recently started prospecting. One hour after he began prospecting he got an appointment on the first call, went to the house 20 minutes later, and got the listing of a property priced at over 1 million dollars!

Unfortunately, for many agents, prospecting ends with a phone call. However, according to NAR, over 30% of expired listings will leave their home off the market for up to 90 days before they re-list with an agent. And FSBO’s generally need more than three contacts before listing with an agent. Real estate agents who incorporate mail marketing campaigns to target these leads are the agents getting the listings.

Lastly, with technology so readily at hand, many agents have forgotten the power of a face-to-face meeting. Top producing agents are taking the time to go out and talk to people in their market. Map out expired and fsbo's in you area and GO VISIT THEM.

Whatever method you choose, pick something and try it. Most agents are too affraid to prospect, to affraid to call, mail or go vistit some one. You only loose by not trying.