Well, Montgomery County real estate had the same kind of consistent growth we saw inside the district. October represented a solid month in over all in terms of home sale figures.
Here are some October details for single family homes in Montgomery County:
1018 New Listings up just 1.8%
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If you are a Real Estate agent in Washington DC You MUST read this…Last week the Greater Capital Association of Realtors made several changes to vital forms for the Washington DC and Maryland area sales contracts. Though I do not profess to be an attorney in any way, and I recommend that if you have any questions that you call Randy Rothstein at Paragon Title (301-986-1114), I did want to give you the highlights so you would be aware of the changes.
Again, these forms are now on “the street” in the Washington DC Real Estate market, and if you are not using them, you will be exposing yourself to the ugliness.
OK, now that I have said all that, here are the forms that have been modified:
1) The Listing Agreement 2) The Washington DC Jurisdictional Disclosure and Addendum 3) Tenancy Addendum 4) Conservation Addendum 5) Extension of Home-buyer credits (first time and beyond)
Today, I’m going to JUST focus on the listing agreement. The other forms will come soon. Now the details:
To Read the details of this blog, please click the link below...
Tell me the truth – is anything more frustrating in the world of servicing clients then the unexplainable fear that if we do not try and be the person our clients want us to be, then we are somehow failing at our jobs?
Okay, I’ll admit it. I have – and more than once!
Whether as an agent or as a manager, I have tried to create situations for those I serve even though I understand in the long run I most likely will not be able to please them at all. Why? Well, for the simple truth that some people are just not please-able.
To read the rest, please click on the link below...
October came and went quickly. The Washington DC Real Estate market continue to be strong and show improvement, especially when compared to last year’s recessions terrifying beginning.
Inventory activity in Washington DC Real Estate regardless of type is as follows:
New and experienced Real Estate agents ask me a all the time what questions they should ask before they choose a brokerage. Now, my office is in Washington DC so as a disclaimer the people I meet with are in an urban setting, but I believe that there are universal truths.
So, if you are interviewing real estate brokers, in Washington DC or not, here are just TWO questions you may want to consider asking...
Question 1: Specifically, how will you help me build my business in the next 30-60-90 days?
This is such a hugely important question I cannot tell you. If they get too vague, CALL them on it! Now more than ever the real estate broker’s ability to help their associates build their business is VITAL! If they cannot tell you how they can do it, then they won’t suddenly be able to figure it out after you affiliate. The point? Ask them up front so you won’t be disappointed later.
Question 2: What social media training do you supply, and how will you help me create an online presence that will generate me business?
Everyday social media changes. Everyday we learn. The Real Estate broker you choose must have a handle on this platform. They don’t necessarily have to be the expert but they must be able to lead you to the right person and have enough confidence to know what they’re talking about.
Summary: These are just starter questions, but important ones, and regardless of market make sure you ask them. You owe it to yourself to know the answers.
It's behind the Inman "pay wall" now, but a few weeks ago Rob Hahn penned an article suggesting that having a social media "strategy" was a flawed endeavor. Rob later posted somewhat of a rebuttal to his critics, which you can read here for free. I won't even bother trying to summarize it. I love reading Rob, but sometimes he makes my brain hurt. (H/T to Jim Duncan)
You can and should have a social media strategy
I would suggest you have a strategy for almost everything you do. A strategy is a high-level game plan for what you want to accomplish. Whether it's more money, a more fulfilling career or a happier life, and strategy helps you get there. Without a strategy, you're playing. Without a strategy, you're guessing that your activity will pay off without any way of measuring the payoff.
For social media, your strategy may be as broad as increasing your sphere of influence. Maybe it's connecting with more people face-to-face. Perhaps it's getting your brand out there more. It could be educating yourself about the field you're in. More than likely (and for me personally) it's some combination of all four. Even if it's not explicit, there is likely a strategy behind your web presence.
Be wary, however, of your social media tactics
I'm not going to put words in Rob's mouth, but if I had been asked to write the article, I would have said that it is the tactical use of Twitter (and all social media) that can be flawed. If I get on Twitter with the sole intention of complimenting Annie Agent to suck up to her, that is as insincere as it gets. If I prop up an agent, it's because I think he or she really is great, and I just saw something to remind me of that. Equally ineffective is the mechanical bullhorning of data, quotes, listings and other impersonal communication that we see on Twitter. To me, that's a tactical blunder.
Social media at its best is the human exchange of ideas, thoughts and experiences through internet and mobile channels. For that, tactics can lack authenticity. But I'm not sure I see the flaw with a well-intended strategy for harnessing those interactions to make yourself, your clients and your practice (whatever it may be) better.
"What do you mean you won't have any desks" Part 2
THE DETAILS!
Well, first I want to thank everyone for their patience. The support you have shown me based on my obvious anxiety was tremendous, and Active Rain people are the best people there are so I want to thank you.
Second of all, I am going to try and explain the exact vision as best I can. I am still debating whether I should try this using video, but I'll give it a start using those things we call words first, so here we go.
The Vision:
To create a transformational space that not only emphasizes functionality using the latest technologies, but inspires all that are associated with it by combining form and function with aesthetic. (While doing so on a shoe string budget of course!) Why? Because the industry has changed and so has the way we work. Creating a space that is dedicated to that premise is vital to the success of the Chevy Chase office. Therefore the result I am seeking is to create something no one in the Real Estate industry has seen anywhere.
The Components:
1) Idea Central:The nerve center of the office, Idea Central is the very heart and soul of the office and is meant to encourage all staff and associates to grow. The largest part of the office, this open space takes over where the traditional bullpen used to be. No longer are there rows of desks, empty and void of production and life. Now it is the lifeblood of the space - where agents share, laugh, learn. Now Idea central has two parts: the functional and the lounge.
The functional partis where an agent will bring their laptop, plugin, and get to work. There are two crescent shaped tables, like at a library, where the agent will work, print, create, write, market, and do everything else they would do in a traditional office setting. The only difference is there is no assigned seating and it has tremendous style! This is for the mobile professional who comes, does their business, and leaves.
The lounge section is the other part of the large room. Like a Starbucks, it encourages people to hang out, share, and do work in a much more casual setting. The space is strewn with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and even a wii. The point is, if you are the type that enjoys sitting on the couch, with your laptop and a cup of coffee, Chevy Chase's Idea Central lounge will allow you to do that. Idea Central will be completed in Phase 1.
2) Agent Alley:This is where the best may still have a place to call their own. Though you must earn your way to a spot that is dedicated to you, production is not the only prerequisite. An agent must also USE the space.
3) Home Rooms: The home room is the answer to unused space! There is nothing more frustrating than staring at an empty conference room, or seeing two agents want the same conference room when one can easily see only 1/3 of the space used. The homeroom is the answer to that. Small, private, and comfortable, these rooms will emphasize the intimacy one must have when they are speaking with their clients. It's not about old antique furniture, it's about privacy. The home room will provide that. Unfortunately, the home room build out will be a year or so away :( but I'm working on it.
So, there's the idea. Construction should begin on Wednesday, and at this point I feel like I'm giving birth. What do you think? I have some drawings but I'll have to add those later. So patience my friends!
By the way, I actually came up with those names so if you steal them, send me royalties! LOL
The following video is a class I gave at my office on how to do a Listing Presentation. It is a 3 parter so ya'll don't get bored! In any event, the first part which is embedded below is only a couple minutes and leads you up til the actual sit down and formal presentation.
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.
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