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realtor: Raleigh, NC Real Estate: In Public, Are We Always on Your Best Behavior? - 09/07/08 11:33 AM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
I had something really cool happen to me on Friday morning. I was sitting in Camille's Sidewalk Cafe in Brier Creek having breakfast, and my phone rung. (I try to make it a point to not have extended phone conversations in public, as I find it quite annoying when others do it. However, I was sitting at the back of the restaurant on the couches - away from most patrons so I picked up.)
The person who phoned was the Listing Agent responding to my phone call regarding my questions about the … (10 comments)
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realtor: Meet Penny Robinson, A Bright Spot in the Rain - 03/14/08 01:26 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Penny Robinson - "Penny Is Your Agent"When I joined Keller Williams (KW), I had the pleasure of meeting Penny Robinson, an outstanding real estate agent with KW North Raleigh (North Carolina). She and I became fast friends.
Have you ever met someone - and felt as if you've known them your entire life? Penny is one of those people!
She's always so upbeat, positive, and offers a kind word - no matter what has gone on within her day. And Penny always shares whatever resources she has at her disposal. If Penny knows something great going on in the … (10 comments)
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realtor: Do You Go Above and Beyond for Your Clients - OR Are You Just an Average REALTOR®? - 02/26/08 08:58 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Do you find that you go beyond the Call of Duty for your clients - or are you just average - and do "just enough" to get by to get your clients to the closing table?
I would venture to say that most Buyers and Sellers are seeking a REALTOR® who goes the extra mile - and who is a Problem Solver and not just an Order Taker.
In 2008, let's all strive to exceed our clients' expectations by over delivering.
I have the perfect example of going above and beyond...if I may have I have … (7 comments)
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realtor: A Smile Can Literally Change Someone's Day - 02/19/08 10:03 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
As I go about my daily life, I make a conscious effort to smile at and say a cheerful "Hello!" to everyone I make eye contact with.
A long time ago, I realized that some days, that may be the only smile that someone receives. They could be having a great day or one that is a little challenging.
Even if there are language barriers, a smile is the Universal Language. Everyone understands it.
I have had people ask me why I am so happy. The truth is, I have:
A great life, complete with my health … (15 comments)
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realtor: Should REALTORS® Take Monetary "Incentives" from Sellers? - 02/18/08 08:40 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Should REALTORS® Take Monetary "Incentives" from Sellers?
I really struggle with this one. Today, with the housing market suffering the way it is, many sellers are offering Agent Incentives. I've seen everything from flat screen television to $10,000 in cash to Caribbean cruises.
We work hard, right? And sometimes, we don't see the fruits of our labor (i.e. the sale doesn't close for whatever reason!)
So, why not accept an incentive when it comes our way?
I recently overheard an agent talking about the fact that she received a significant bonus, which of course is disclosed to the … (12 comments)
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realtor: Saving for a Home? Start by Lowering Your Food Bill! - 02/02/08 06:22 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
I am saddened when I hear from individuals who dream of owning a home, but they're having trouble saving an adequate down payment.
These days, it seems that each time I turn on the television or read the news, there's doom and gloom everywhere! If it's not a report on how Americans are being squeezed at the gas pump, or at the grocery store, it's a story on how unemployment is on the rise.
Are we heading into a recession? Some folks seem to think so. Hopefully, they're wrong!
I thought it would … (21 comments)
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realtor: First Time Buyers: Not Using A REALTOR®? You May Wish to Reconsider... - 01/14/08 08:55 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
I see it all too often when I walk into the model at a new construction site ... Trusting Potential First-time Home Buyers who are not represented by a Buyer's Agent.
Inside my head, I'm screaming, "Run away from the on-site agent. S/he is working for the Builder and NOT you. The on-site agent may/may not be a licensed real estate agent!"
Don't get me wrong - I have nothing against on-site agents - and as a real estate agent, they treat me quite well. However, I, too, was once a First-time Buyer, and back then, … (15 comments)
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realtor: My Bucket List: Things I'd Like to Do Before I Kick the Bucket - 01/12/08 08:28 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Earlier in the week, I watched The Early Show where actor Morgan Freeman talked about the movie "The Bucket List" - which well, is about things the main characters (played by Jack Nicholson and Freeman), would like to do before they kick the bucket.
It's strange, but sometimes, movies - and songs - for that matter, can take one down a path towards thinking about life.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but from watching the preview of it, I started thinking about things to do before I kick the bucket.
In November, I wrote a post … (7 comments)
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realtor: A Big THANK YOU to the Person Who Introduced Me to ActiveRain! - 01/05/08 06:29 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
Early last year, I had lunch with Kristin Little, a loan officer, who introduced me to the ActiveRain Network. That day, I had no idea how much of a blessing being here would be to my business!
Words are not enough to describe what blogging has done for me.
It:
Enables me to do something I love to do: Write!I am a journalist by training, but since I began my real estate career, I had gotten away from the thing that I love to do most outside of real estate. Write for fun! And believe … (17 comments)
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realtor: A Little Inspiration to Keep You Going... - 01/03/08 02:30 PM
Posted by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
For quite some time, I have been inspired by quotes and have been known to put them in the signature portion of my emails. It's amazing how many comments I received from email recipients.
Here are some quotes that have moved me:
"Mediocrity is a place and it is bordered on the north by compromise, on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking, and on the west by lack of vision." ~ John Mason. The message: Let's not be mediocre. Excellence is the only option. Recently, I saw comedian Steve Harvey on … (8 comments)
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realtor: Just Got Your License - And You're Ready to Go, Right? Hold Your Horses! - 01/01/08 01:27 PM
Written by:Darleen McCullen, REALTOR®, BrokerKeller Williams RealtyPhone: 919.454.8864Email: darleen@darleenmc.com
You've taken the classes and passed the real estate exam. And now you'd like to jump feet first into a real estate career. Hold your horses, my friend! There are some things you may may wish to consider first.
From the outside, real estate seems like a glamorous industry filled with monstrous commission checks and living large. Here are 5 things I wish someone would've told me:
1) Have at least 6 to 12 months of living expenses saved. You may need it! Since real estate is a 100% commission business, there will be up … (34 comments)
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realtor: Why Do You Do Real Estate? (What's Your Big 'WHY'?) - 12/22/07 05:53 PM
My Team Leader at Keller Williams posed an interesting question recently, "What's YOUR Big 'Why'?"I started thinking about why I really get up each day to do thiswork versus something else, and wanted to pose the question to everyone here on ActiveRain.
Some REALTORS®, would say that they "do" real estate because they need to pay the bills. But really, is that enough? There must be more to it!
With the national real estate market overall in a slump, we must reach deep down inside of ourselves to answer this question - sometimes on a daily or moment-by-moment basis.
I'll share my Big Whys with … (9 comments)
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realtor: Durham/Triangle, NC: A Great Place to Live and Get Educated! - 12/20/07 06:17 PM
It's nothing new that the Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and the surrounding towns) has long been known as a great place to live and work - and recently, Forbes.com named Durham, North Carolina as one of the Top 20 Places to Educate Your Child (#20).
The magazine ranked each city in five areas, and here is how Durham fared: Public School Support, B; Private School Options, B+; Library Popularity, A; College Town, A+; and College Options, A.
Anyone wishing to receive an education can certainly find a place to call home in the Triangle. Choices include:
Duke University, … (2 comments)
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realtor: We Work Hard, Let's Take Time to Relax! - 12/19/07 09:47 PM
With only a few days remaining in 2007, it's time to review what we've accomplished this year, and set goals for 2008, right? Right! But it should also be a time for taking some time out for ourselves, as well as our families.
A few months ago, I wrote a blog called "We Take Care of Our Clients, BUT... " where I talked about the things I've committed to do more of such as exercising, massage, yoga, and eating right. Recently, I discovered a new place, Massage Envy at Brier Creek, in Raleigh, NC - and I just HAD to share! (When I find a … (6 comments)
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realtor: I've Been Away for Awhile...But I'm Back!! - 12/18/07 09:42 PM
Hi everyone!
It has been awhile since I've posted a blog, but I've been busy! Busy doing what, you ask? Handwriting all100+ Holiday cards I'm mailing this year. I should've started in October, LOL, but you know how it is! Business and Life have a way of getting in the way.
In this business (and in every business for that matter), people like to be touched in a personal way. And while I think that postcards and services that automatically send out cards have their place, I just didn't think it was the right way to reach out to my past clients, family, friends. (Yes, … (13 comments)
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realtor: A Closed Mouth Equals a Closed Business! - 12/02/07 10:15 PM
I absolutely love quotes. And I am always reading them and looking for little bits of inspiration as I go through my day.When I am having a less than stellar day (we all have 'em occasionally, right?!), I draw from these quotes.
I remember something that my mentor said to me once (which is applicable to any business): "A Closed Mouth Equals a Closed Business." This is oh so true!
Shannon Lefevre, reminded me of this in her post: Do I Know You? No, But You Should! She started talking about her business to a stranger on the phone and could potentially have $2.5 million … (17 comments)
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realtor: Do You Follow Up with Clients After Closing? OR Drop Them Like a Hot Potato? - 11/25/07 09:27 PM
I often hear complaints from clients and potential clients that they liked their former real estate agent but never heard from the agent after the transaction. I wonder why?
Could it be that the agent is more focused on the next transaction - rather than building a long-term relationship with current clients? This doesn't make too much sense to me!
After a closing, I always follow up with my clients either on moving day or the day afterwards to see if there is anything they need. (Chances are, they may have questions about something in the house once they've moved in.)
I also follow up periodically to … (64 comments)
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realtor: Should a REALTOR Have a 4-Year Degree in Real Estate? - 10/09/07 05:15 PM
During a recent Buyer interview, the Buyer asked me if REALTORs are required to earn a 4-year degree in real estate. I told him "no" but then explained the training that real estate agents go through in North Carolina, and that a good agent is continuously taking classes, reading, etc., to increase his/her knowledge.
The Buyer came to me by way of referral but before we met, he'd had a terrible experience with another agent. Allegedly, this agent was not professional and didn't return phone calls for days and days, amongst other things.
He's told me that he can tell that I know what I'm … (113 comments)
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realtor: Flipping: 6 Things I'd Do Differently - 09/16/07 09:58 PM
A few days ago, in my blog titled, "You Want to Flip a House? Educate Yourself!", I promised to share some of the headaches I had during my first flip, which I purchased in Cary, North Carolina through a Short Sale .
I acquired the property for $123,000, and it appraised at $147,000 before any work had been started. I eventually sold it for $169,500 to first-time home buyers.
While I did fine with the purchase, it took me a few bumps and bruises to complete the flip. Going through this process has enabled me to help my clients and friends avoid the … (27 comments)
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Darleen McCullen, Broker-Raleigh, NC Real Estate
Raleigh,
NC
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