In one of my past blogs I wrote about how difficult it was to keep up with all the technology, BB, Twitter, A/R, Facebook etc etc. But I know have a BB and have also joined a 'tech' group of like minded agents from our office. Yes I was up till 1:30 am again but I was all excited about teching again! As I am now.
Mississauga Real Estate is a large market and there is enough room for all of us however the groups meeting was very interesting and the 1 thing we all agreed on was that if you are not upto date with technology yourself you need to get someone who is. we are going to see a huge shift in how the public searches and views homes. In fact my 'feature sheets' have become so basic I might as well just hand out my business card only. It is all online!
Anyhow, I'm enjoying my BB and have a renewed drive to continue and learn more and more.
Here's a good feeling story I thought I would share. 2.5 years ago, a lady came in to one of my Mississaugaopen house I was hosting. We started talking, she saw the house, she filled in the guest registry and she left. The following week I followed up with her. Obviously she was not going to buy the house I had but I con't the conversation and arranged for an appointment!
I reviewed the house, discussed my market analysis and after I was done, she informed me that she was not ready at this point. No Problem! Icon't following up with her for several weeks and then heard no more.
Low and behold...she called me the other day to ask me if I was still interested in speaking with her - OF COURSE I am!!! I met with her and her daughter, reviewed the house, the market and my presentation. I found out that she had spoken to 5 other agents......I got the listing!
Wow! you never know when things are going to happen and you should never burn your bridges. I try to treat everyone equally, no judgments, deal with everyone's situation and acknowledge that everyone is in a unique position. She told me that some of the other agents tried pressuring her into the listing and one even went as far as having an argument with her.
Anyhow, I'm not bragging but I feel great that she called me back.
Wow. Did I ever get a great response from my last blog. I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and feedback. I was actually stunned at the response.
So what did I learn? I learned that just about everyone is trying to keep up with all this social media stuff. Most are frantic about it. The younger generation obviously is faster on the pick up as we were in relation to our parents. Now I don't want everyone to think I know nothing about this stuff but I do find it very time consuming however as one response said..."you're still working". So yea Twittering (keep it serious), Facebooking, Activeraining etc. Whatever is working for you DO IT! if you are not comfortable with the technology do what works for you or get someone to do the tech stuff for you.
I really enjoyed everyones comments and it was good to see not much is different from Canada to the U.S. Anyone that says Real Estate is easy isn't doing it right. This is a 40hr/week career with another 70 hours behind the scenes...again my day is done but I'm still working.
Here's the fun part - I got a BB Curve 8520 and it is very simple to use, I have all my different e-mail accounts, wi-fi hooked up and I havn't put it down since I got it!!!! I am no longer attached to my lap top. I don't have to worry about what or who is trying to get me while I'm out working. It's like working while working.
Again I want to thank everyone for their input. I'm glad you saw the humour in it. I received a lot of good info and a few different ideas.
Ok, I am really trying to get a handle on all of this. I have 2 teenage kids and texting is all the rage. I keep saying 'just call them and get it over with". I'm still using a 'Razor' cell phone but I'm feeling the pressure of having to get a BB. Working the Mississauga market keeps me busy but I enjoy my down time. Once I get the B.B. and everyone knows I have it, when is my time mine. Do I need to 'ON' all the time? I'll deal with it but here's one I'm not understanding. I signed up for facebook a few years back. Kind of cool and fun (for a while). Now I need to 'Twitter'. Apparently millions of people really want to know what I'm doing right NOW! REALLY? Do you really want to know that I am sitting in my living room in my undies watching the news writing a blog about me in my undies writing a blog watching the news? How is this important?
So I'm reading some Tweets on Twitter. I have no idea WTF they are talking about! My kids explained what WTF means. Some girl Tweets that she is on her way to Square 1. (Mississauga's biggest Mall). Is it impolite to Tweet back - 'who cares'? So I find myself trying to figure it out. What happened to my facebook followers, after all they were here first! So I write something on facebook. Well what about Active rain buddies? Can't leave them out. What about my website blogs, can't neglect that, what about my door knocking routine, my advertising, my Open Houses, my follow ups, my mastermind meetings, my office meetings, agent's visits, virtual tour set ups, internet leads...bla bla bla. I don't have enough time to do anything with my Mississauga clients 'cause I'm too busy Tweeting. What's next? All I know is...if you don't keep up...you're OUT!
With only 2 months remaining in 2009....whew what a year! The Mississauga Real Estate market has been witness to all of it. The market was dead, advertising pulled in nothing, listings sat and Buyers were nowhere to be found. Then the sun came out, or money started growing on trees again. I'm not sure what it was exactly but suddenly the buyers were on the hunt and they didn't like what they saw on the market, atleast in Mississauga, the inventory was not in good condition.
When the market turned for the worse, I changed strategies and pushed for buyers - and got them. We searched high and low for quality properties at a good price but the sellers weren't on board. I took a few listings with great clients - they took my advice on how to beat the market and were onboard with what I had to offer - presto SOLD and SOLD fast. Soon after the Mississauga Real Estate market was going crazy. I was involved in an offer (nothing much of a house), a townhouse at that about 15years old. It brought in 12 offers and sold firm for 35,000 over asking. Soon my properties were selling in less than 1 week and my year to date has been better than 2008!
I wish I had the answer, 'cause it's good for business. Buyers! the market has clearly shifted back to a Seller's market. For how long!?
Has the economy rebounded, are things really better. People are still losing jobs, employment has not turned around yet, those in need are still in need and we are comming up to the winter, Xmas, market.
Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope this season is nothing like 2008!
Interested in your comments on your market and what you are doing to stay in business.
Paul Cutajar - Serving the Mississauga Real Estate market
Hello everyone. When it rains it pours and suddenly you can't do everything. Here's my dilema. There is a company in the U.S. called 1-800-SellNow. They deal with MUST sell properties and investor/buyers. They have a great program and a great Vanity number to promote. I loved the idea and purchased into the licensing rights for Canada! Sounds great - I don't have the time to promote it and xpand it, but I don't want to give it up!
I would like to partner up with someone or organization so that we can make some money from it and promote it accoss Canada.
You do not have to be a Realtor - in fact Lenders, agents, investors, marketers, promoters...I would be interested in speaking with you! Web site, call center, Brand...it's all set up and in place.
If you are able to take a brand and expand it (small at first or all out) give me a call, I would love to speak with you.
Sell Your Toronto House NOW Paul Cutajar Has Secured Exclusive Licensing Rights To 1-800-SELL-NOW For Ontario, Canada FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 09, 2009 –
Canadian home sellers have a new number to call to sell their house NOW. 1-800-SELL-NOW. 1-800-SELL-NOW, which matches real estate professionals across the country to motivated home sellers, today announced that it has awarded the rights to 1-800-SELL-NOW to Paul Cutajar for Ontatio, Canada “We're pleased to have Paul Cutajar and his Remax team to join the 1-800-SELL-NOW program.
It is CRITICAL that we have the right partner to help the local home sellers and we are thrilled to have Paul working with us in the area. This market is an important and strategic location for us. We know that Paul and his team are valuable assets to the area home sellers,” said Kent Clothier, president and CEO of 1-800-SELL-NOW. Home sellers in Canada can be connected directly with their office by calling 1-800-SELL-NOW or visiting http://1800sellnow.com/ireferrals.html
1-800-SELL-NOW is currently seeking new license holders throughout the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.1800sellnow.com/register.html or email sales@1800sellnow.com
Canadian home sellers that want to sell their real estate property can call 1-800-SELL-NOW or visit us online at http://1800sellnow.com/ireferrals.html to sell their house now.
# # # ABOUT 1-800-SELL-NOW 1-800-SELL-NOW is a leading provider of high quality home seller leads to real estate professionals around the country. Using online and offline media placement and branding, 1-800-SELL-NOW connects sellers with local real estate professionals.
What a FANTASTIC BRAND! It's everything I wanted. As a Realtor, we are always looking for MOTIVATED SELLERS and MOTIVATED BUYERS. You visit a Realtors web site and it offers the exact same thing that every other Realtor offers - "register for your FREE E-book", " Discover the 10 biggest mistakes Sellers make", "get 1,000's of listings right to your in-box!"
I have worked feverishly to get a high ranking on Google and now have a page 2 (best pg 1) placement organically for key words Mississauga Real Estate. My real estate business is based on branding and referrals but I found that most Real estatebrands are the agents themselves. I'm impressed everytime I see myself on some promotional item...but is the public really impressed? - do they care? do they see my branding?
I have spent a lot of time and research with marketing and the internet. I have spoken to many agents about the concerns of their business, many dollars spent on advertising. The biggest complaint I hear from realtors is...when it's good it's great...when it's bad it's BAD! Up and Down is how the Realtor defines the business.
I was in search of a catchy name, logo something that would say everything but with little effort. I was after the Motivated client. I was going to set out to develop another internet site that would involve quick sales (Motivated), Interested buyers (Motivated) and a common denominator that was easy to understand but most of all recognizable. I began developing a site and through my research I discovered 1-800-SELLNOW.com
It was everything I was looking for but there was a problem....it was American based! NO Canadian content. I approached Kent Clothier - President 1-800-Sellnow and over several meetings we came to an agreement. I purchased the licensing rights to 1-800-sellnow and would like to introduce it to my Canadian colleagues.
It would cost tens of thousands of dollars to have set up the site I wanted and the time to get it rolling....I don't have that time left. I want it now.
Here's how it works. You purchase the 1-800-sellnow license for your area of interest. This is a monthly fee allowing you the right to use our VERY RECOGNIZABLE BRAND. You can use it in all of your advertising. Your newsletters, newspaper ads, magazine, doorknocking, buyers seminars, investor lists anywhere you can locate properties that are in need of a quick sale but even better to locate buyers interested in DEALS! The ideas are endless, the brand is priceless. We are working on the Canadian portion of the site (we know we are different from the U.S.) but it is fully functional now!
An interested party would visit www.1800sellnow.comthey will follow the instructions and register their information. This lead will be directed to the appropriate associate and you receive it in your in-box. It's yours - Sell it! or they can call our number - 1-800-SELLNOW - our call center will direct the call and you get the lead in your in-box. BRILLIANT!
This has taken off in the U.S. and your opportunity has just knocked.
The market is finally showing improvement. However, I still can't put my finger on it.
Renters, First Time home buyers and Up-sizers have a chance to get the home they want or the start they need.
Prices are still competative, S.E. Oakville has shown great value in properties, W15, W16, W20 has many opportunities waiting. For those that do not have a Down Payment, options are still available and the rates are great. We should be having line ups to buy properties, yet they are still hesitant. You are able to borrow more money for less. Move up for the same mortgage payment. $1500/mo rental...hmm sounds like a mortgage payment - why pay the landlords mortgage? Pay your own!
If you are working with a qualified full time Realtor, they should be qable to 'SHOW you the MONEY'. I have a young family I am dealing with. the husband is having trouble letting go of the current selling price to see the benefit of the NEW purchase price. by taking a loss (he's not) on the sale of the house, he will be able to (in this case) up-size to a home that his family can grow into, his wife will be thrilled and it won't cost him much more! In fact the maintenance fee he is paying now will more than cover any extra cost of the purchase...and yet...he won't let it go.
In my opinion this is a mistake! The time is now. Buyers, wake up and smell the market. You need to make your move NOW!
CallPaul for more details on how to make your move NOW!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
;)
;)
