Darrin Friedman's "RE Tech Broker"

Realtors and Prospecting — a case for making the calls!

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:30:26 -0700

Sometimes old school prospecting just works

There is a primal fear that most real estate agents have about making “cold calls” to generate business for themselves. Whether they state outright that the avoidance is about not wanting to feel rejected, or whether they hide behind excuses built around a "do not call" list, the simple act of picking up the phone and calling residents of a neighborhood in hopes of finding a potential listing is terrifying for many people, and often they simply refuse to participate.

That’s too bad, because if done correctly, cold calling works, and you -- the Realtor reading this post -- could be supplementing all of your other activities and income by doing so.

Now, those of you who know me might be thinking, “Wait, but isn't he that 'social media' guy? The one who does not believe in old-school real estate practices?”

Well, yes, I do have a proclivity toward the use of social media in building strong relationships and engaging others. But that doesn't mean the computer is the only way I reach out to people. Online networking is only one part of my overall business strategy. I am also on the phone all day long, mostly with people whom I've never met face to face.

The fact of the matter is that Realtors still need to interact with the public in traditional ways as well as new ways. In fact, we need to engage with people in every way that people now engage with each other, through every medium that the modern world uses. Yes, that means using FaceBook and Skype, but it also means picking up an old-fashioned telephone -- or even a shiny new smart phone -- and reaching out to strangers who might find you to be a resource.

Is there a chance that some people will reject you? Yes, absolutely. But there is also another possible outcome, which is that some won't. Let's say that you set aside one hour each day to make 10 calls. About

3 out of every 10 people you contact will actually discuss their home with you on the phone, and 1 out of 10 will agree to schedule a listing appointment with you. That's 5 new appointments generated each week. Provided you have a successful listing presentation strategy, at least 1 and hopefully 2 out of these 5 appointments will turn into listings. And to be conservative, let's say 1 out of every 2 listings actually sells.

Let's do the math:

Ten calls a day = five listing appointments a week = two listings a weeks = eight listings a month = four sales a month.

In my office, the average list price is $400,000, so we're talking about $1.6 million in additional sales volume each month. Not bad for one hour a day of phone calls, right?

Now, you do need to know what to say and how to say it, and you need to practice, but all that requires is that you carve out time to work on it with people who can help you perfect your approach. You just have to make the commitment to make things happen.

It's true that I spend a lot of time and effort on my social media outlets, but I also make calls every day to agents in my marketplace. I am not obnoxious (at least I hope not!), but I am persistent, much more so than my laidback online persona. I call people I want to call, but I call. Every single day. And therein lies the difference between those who make it rain and those who don’t.

If you can make a call and procure an appointment, regardless of the outcome, you have already won the battle, because so many in the same position will not even get that far.

So here is my challenge to you: make the time tomorrow to call just 5 residents of homes near one of your office's listings, and tell them you are on a mission to find a great buyer for that house. Ask them if they know anyone who has considered moving into the neighborhood. Then wait and see what happens.

Someone just might answer yes!

To read more from Darrin please go to:

5 critical SEO tips for bloggers and business

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:36:56 -0700

SEO strategies I learned at Coldwell Banker’s Gen Blue

Josh Pike’s, the Senior VP from Alloy Media, spoke at a break out session in Las Vegas at Coldwell Banker’s Generation Blue Conference this week, and I am here to tell you his content was brilliant. As a blogger, and one who speaks on social media, SEO or search engine opitimization is always brought up no matter where I go. However, I was thrilled to hear such a clean cut answer to this question. Therefore, I would like to share with you some of Josh’s top pieces of advice as well as share the link of the downloadable PDF of his presentation ( SEO Strategies ). Remember, if you like what he says, be sure to tweet him and let him know. (Note: these excerpts are my favorites and directly from his presentation)

FOR THE REST OF THE BLOG CLICK HERE

Washington DC changes some rules regarding Tenant Rights

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:50:58 -0800

New DC Guidelines regarding Tenant Rights

If you have ever helped someone sell a property in the District of Columbia and that home has a tenant, then youknow just how complicated it has become. There are so many guidlines that it can make your head spin, and what started out as an effort to protect tenants has turned into a confusing mess of paperwork, deadlines, and rules that confuse even the best agents.

But DC is trying to make it just a little easier for everyone. Last week, they released some changes in how we are supposed to do things.

Here is a VERY brief overview:

Change 1

The Old Way: The First Right of Refusal needed to be delivered in both Spanish and English regardless if the tenant was Spanish speaking.

The New Way: The First Right of Refusal does NOT need to be delivered in Spanish.

Change 2

The Old Way: A full copy of the contract needed to be delivered to the tenant.

The New Way: Now, Only the terms of the contract have to be delivered, not the contract itself.

For a detailed discussion on the subject please come to the Chevy Chase Office on Friday March, 10 at 12N. We will be going over the details.

Washington D.C. Soil Survey -- A must for all real estate buyer and sellers

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:29:50 -0800

If you are buying or selling a home in Washington D.C. this is just something you must know.

Now, your agent will provide it for you, BUT, if by chance they don't or you feel their data is out of date, this link will have the most recent information for you to make a well informed decision.

Their blurb: Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information.

Three ways to get unplugged

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:02:57 -0800

Too plugged in? Help is near...

Every once in a while, I feel way too plugged in. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or my iPhone, there are days I just don’t want to hear about it. I don't want to check in. I just don't want to know. I’m not a therapist – though I play one in the office – but I think this is probably healthy. For all the time I spend telling people that the real estate industry is changing and that making relationships through social media is important, I also believe that unplugging can be a good thing.

Why? Because, at least for me, I think it’s becoming almost an obsessive behavior, and I’m pretty sure when the word "obsessive" is used to describe anything having to do with behavior, it's not such a good thing.

So, here is a list of quick remedies that will help you shut off:

1: Don’t look:

When you’re having a meeting with someone and your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry buzzes, beeps, twirls, or vibrates – IGNORE IT. Don’t look down, don’t pick it up and see who it is, and don’t, for all that is right and holy, answer it or text back in front of said person. There is nothing more disrespectful than ignoring the person in front of you for a person who is not. This activity alone can help remedy our illness and free us from the shackles of our electronic captors. Also, the person in front of you will notice. And that can make all the difference!

2. Your kids are watching:

How many times have you been out with your kids, at the playground, even at their school, and you get that text or email? Choice: Look at Facebook comment, or keep playing with or talking to your child? I know. Looking just takes a fraction of a second, but it gets noticed, and all of those fractions of seconds add up. So, when you are spending time with your kids, leave the device in the car (or somewhere out of sight, anyway). Believe me, the act will make a huge difference to them … and to you.

3. Meal time:

Make yourself a new rule. When you are having dinner with someone, turn the damn phone off. It’s rude and inconsiderate to play with your toys at the table, even if you are just reading the weather update that is being pushed to your email.

These are just a couple ways you might try to pull yourself away from the tether. I hope it helps – after all, just admitting you have a problem is a huge first step!

Do Realtors need 4,995 "friends?" No, they don't...

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:10:00 -0800

How Real Estate Agents have pimped themselves out using Facebook

I am a huge believer in Social Media. How could I not be? It has changed everything. In my case, it has revolutionized my office from a place that was on the chopping block to a national success story in just four years and I attribute much of that success to the social media paradigm.

However, I see a disturbing trend and if we do not keep it in check, I believe we will cheapen the overall experience and devour what should be our real purpose: creating lasting friendships.

You see, here is the problem. There are those among us who believe that Facebook, Twitter, and ActiveRain are a popularity contest. Now these are good people and I know many of them personally, but I just do not understand the value in having the ambition of collecting the most friend requests, the most followers, or the most points.

It's even gotten so bad that I notice people post 1 picture on a blog post on ActiveRain just to get the points. Or better yet, they unfriend someone to stay under the dreaded 5,000 person figure on Facebook (at which point Facebook shuts you down).

All I know is our entire profession is based on relationship building. The entire point of social media is to build relationships. So if that is the case, please tell me, how could we possibly get to know 4,995 "friends?" The simple fact is, you can't. And you know what? You shouldn't try.

Instead, we should concentrate on making the point of getting to actually know the people we have already befriended and stop worrying about how many others have collected. We should stop using "badges" like they mean anything and consider points as a distraction that sidetracks us from relationship building.

Maybe I'm wrong. All I'm saying is I think I've seen the light and the tunnel is a little scary.

So the next time you get a friend request and you have no idea who they are, ask them. Start a dialogue before you hit accept. Because then, just maybe, we will be doing what we are supposed be doing...making friends.

First time homebuyer tax credit extension possible

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:21:48 -0700

Harry Reid’s Last stand? A First time Home Buyer Tax credit extension

The Senate, by a 60-37 vote, today approved an amendment Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offered to the tax extenders bill that would extend the first time homebuyer tax credit. The amendment would extend the date by which a homebuyer must close on a home from June 30, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2010 in order to qualify for the credit. The cost of the amendment would be offset by denying tax deductibility for punitive damages.

For the downloadable PDF please go to CBblogestate...

Washington DC Tenant Rights Issues - What you need to do FIRST!

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:03:27 -0700

What you need to know when you list a house after a rental!

by Don Denton, Branch Vice President Capitol Hill

In the District, if you own a residential rental property, IT MUST BE REGISTERED AS EXEMPT (OR NOT) FROM RENT CONTROL.

Where we run into problems is with harry homeowner who gets transferred to Chicago and decides not to sell but to rent his home or condo until he returns. At some point he decides he isn’t coming back and he calls you to list. When you are interviewing a prospective client(a seller) and the property is tenanted, the first words out of your mouth should be, have you properly registered the property as a rental. This means that at some point he went to DCRA and registered as exempt or not exempt from rent control.

That probably also triggered a Basic Business License. If he didn’t and everything goes swimmingly, than life is good. However, if it is a single family property the likelihood is nearly 100% that the new buyer will want to occupy and you will have to give the existing tenants a notice to vacate. The notice to vacate has a blank for the “exemption number.” Without that number, you can not give a legitimate notice to vacate. You can write in “applied for” or leave it blank. It could then get bounced back from DC or, more likely if the tenant/landlord relationship has gone south, a smart tenant advocacy type will immediately notice the lack of an exemption number and thus a defective notice. Besides screwing up your settlement, the tenant has just been handed a loaded pistol and the landlord could be subject to repayment of up to three years of rent he has collected. A lot of money.

If the property has not been properly registered, your seller can do one of several things. A. Wing it and hope it all works out. B. Consult with an attorney (Irene Lindner 202–429-8888 x 102) and follow her advise. C. Call an expediter (Scott Hammer 202–302-0342) and get the building registration straight before you list it. Could take 3 to 4 weeks(requires a property inspection). D. Negotiate an agreement with the tenants(and hope they abide by it). Basically cash for keys and have them agree to be out by a date certain. Make sure in this agreement they agree to execute any necessary tenant purchase forms and any TOPA affidavits required by the title company. Failing to deal with this can place you in a very ugly situation.

Wash DC 365 - What to do in DC Day ONE: Walking Constitution Avenue

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:43:43 -0700

What to do in Washington DC

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:49:34 -0700

Last week I started a Facebook fan page called Wash DC 365. The focus? Well, here is the description from the site:

"Washington, DC is the seat of our nation’s government. Home to some of the most powerful men and women in the world. Washington, DC is a city steeped in tradition whose majesty is unrivaled by any other in the country. To its residents, Washington is something more. It’s a city that is rich in cultural diversity. It’s a place to get immersed in history. It's a place to see, to explore, and to experience. It’s the place we call home.

We welcome you to share in the treasures our great city has to offer, one beautiful, delicious morsel at a time."

Anyway, with mid-year coming up I thought ya'll would like to check it out. Have fun and let me know what you think!

Vacant Property Tax or Listing Tax ?!

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:24:56 -0700

Via James Downing - REALTOR®,GRI, ABR - DC Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):

This information was sent to the local Realtor Association this morning. It seems a bit crazy to me! It is true we have a bunch of vacant properties; but this is going a bit far.

Mayor Fenty has proposed the creation of a $250-$5,000 Vacant Property Registration Fee.

In the Mayor's proposed fiscal year 2010 Budget Support Emergency Act, which could be voted on as early as next week without a hearing, and in his proposed fiscal year 2011 budget, if a property is unoccupied for 30 days, the owner is REQUIRED to file a vacant property application with DCRA and PAY a fee for that privilege.

The initial registration fee will be $250.
The renewal registration fee for the first renewal year will be $500.
The renewal registration fee for the second renewal year will be $1,000.
The renewal registration fee for the third renewal year will be $2,500.
The renewal registration fee for the fourth renewal year will be $5,000.

The revenue created by this potential fee is staggering - almost $8 million in just over 4 years.

The following existing exemptions WOULD BE ELIMINATED in the Mayor's proposals:
For Sale properties, For Rent properties, newly-constructed properties, properties under active construction, properties that are subject to probate, and properties subject to fire, flood, or other casualty.

Only properties owned by a foreign government, the United States' government, and the District government would be exempt from this fee.

REALTORS® and their clients need to be able to list their properties without having to worry about paying a Vacant Property Registration - in effect A LISTING TAX. Contact a DC Councilmember today. Tell them:

NO to a Vacant Property Registration Fee
NO to a de facto Listing Tax
NO to the District grabbing more money from property owners

E-mail all Councilmembers at: dccouncil@dccouncil.us

To contact individual Councilmembers:

Council Chair Vince Gray: vgray@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8032
At-Large Councilmember Michael Brown: mbrown@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8105
At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown:  kbrown@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8174
At-Large Councilmember David Catania: dcatania@dccouncil.us- 202-724-7772
At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson: pmendelson@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8064
Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham: jgraham@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8181
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans: jevans@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8058
Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh: mcheh@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8062
Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser: mbowser@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8052
Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.: hthomas@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8028
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells: twells@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8072
Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander: yalexander@dccouncil.us-  202-724-8068
Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry: mbarry@dccouncil.us- 202-724-8045

Call them today - or get ready to pay up!



Contact James Downing of the Downing Real Estate Group, if you are selling, buying or have questions!

Office: 202-362-5800 Cell: 703.244.3971

Licensed in Washington DC, Virginia & Maryland.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Chevy Chase
5028 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 100 * Washington DC 20016

HAFA or Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program - VERY DETAILED w/ downloads

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:41:02 -0700

The implementation date for the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program of the Federal Government (HAFA) is this coming Monday, April 5. The purpose of HAFA is to streamline, the short sale process.

I have detailed out the plan with several links on what you - the AGENT - need to know.

Please follow the link to my outside blog for the information you need...

The Real Estate conventions that matter

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:14:47 -0700

Choosing the right Real Estate convention is hard…but this should help!

Last week I had dinner with a few of social networking peeps and I soon discovered some sage advice from some of those I most respect. Who are these peeps? They are people who are so connected on the nation wide scene that it always amazes me that I am cool enough to be in a room with them.

In any event, the conversation at one point turned to conventions and which ones to attend. After all, money is tight and you can’t go to everything. So, with that said, here is a quick overview:

To continue please click here...

Montgomery County, MD February Housing Report - Single Family Housing 2010

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:32:02 -0700

Realogy's Richard Smith on CNBC on the spring market

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:28:48 -0700

Washington D.C. Real Estate Detailed Market Statistics February 2010

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:33:09 -0800

Someone somewhere said that supply rules everything. Boy, they weren't kidding. In February the Washington D.C. Housing market was dictated by the fact that the inventory is slim pickings and the well priced home moves fast. In fact, if you were to look at 2007 numbers of inventory, this last month comes very close in comparison.

Just take a look at this graph below:

Condo and Coop - Washington. D.C.

Single Family Housing - Washington. D.C

It's pretty obvious by the graph that the Seller is able to be a tad more aggressive in pricing considering that compared to the market last year (or even 6 months ago) there are 2/3 less homes in the marketplace. And in my office in particular that is translating in a huge spike in sales, with newly ratified deals going through the roof at a much higher price.

In the market of Washington D.C proper, there were -30% less listings on the market while we had 23.7% more contracts. What does this mean? More money for seller in Washington D.C.

Condo and Coop - Washington. D.C.

Single Family Housing - Washington. D.C

In terms of pricing indicators we are seeing something consistent. If a home is priced between $200,000-600,000 there are plenty of buyers for that marketplace.

When priced above that the buyer pool is less. See below:

Single Family Housing - Washington. D.C

Condo and Coop - Washington. D.C.

Anyway, if you need any more information, please do not hesitate to call me! I want you to consider me your resource.

Washington Business Journal Features The Chevy Chase Office

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:32:20 -0800

After an already exciting week things got more so. The Washignton Business Journal featured the Chevy Chase Office. I hope you guys like it:

Washington DC, Detailed Market Housing Report January 2010

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:40:21 -0800

Property Sales

January Property sales were 308, up 15.8% from 266 in January of 2009 and -42.6% lower than the 537 sales last month. January 2010 sales were at a mid level compared to January of 2009 and 2008. January YTD sales of 308 are running 15.8% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 266.

Prices

The Median Sales Price in January was $350,000, down -1.5% from $355,156 in January of 2009 and down -9.1% from $385,000 last month. The Average Sales Price in January was $467,660, down - 450 3.8% from $486,252 in January of 2009 and down - 7.3% from $504,219 last month. January 2010 ASP was at the lowest level compared to January of 2009 and 2008.

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of Properties available for sale as of January was 2,244, down -7.4% from 2,424 last month and down -30.2% from 3,215 in January of last year. January 2010 Inventory was at its lowest level compared with January of 2009 and 2008.

A comparatively lower MSI is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers. The January 2010 MSI of 7.3 months was at its lowest level compared with January of 2009 and 2008.

Selling Price vs Original Listing Price

The Selling Price vs Original Listing Price reveals the 97% average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price. The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio 93% at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market. The January 2010 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 94.1% was up from 93.2% last month and up from 90.1% in January of last year.

The 3 Things every Broker should know before they hire ANYONE!

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:50:51 -0800

Yesterday I was recognized by my company for recruiting. The calculation was not based on how many people I hired, but how successful those agents became after joining the office.

And I realized, for a while now people have been asking me where I find such great agents. So that got me thinking. Here's what I thunk:

The 3 Things every Broker should know before they hire ANYONE!

Finding the right fit can be difficult when one is interviewing brokerages - regardless of the city you live in or where you do business. For many of us there is no bigger decision than making sure the choice is a good one, because when it is not the damage is often pretty devastating to short term contentment.

But that is from the agent's perspective.

Have you ever considered the Broker's psyche? I know what you are thinking, "Who cares about the Broker."But seriously, the hiring of an agent who is not the right fit can mean chaos to an office's culture and it's associates tranquility as well.

As leader and culture builder, I am faced with people who may want to join this office but who I must turn away. But how can I do this when so many of my brethren operate differently? Perhaps it's confidence; the same confidence that allows agents to decide not to take a listing because they know, deep down and regardless of market, that the listing will not be a good fit or a profitable use of their time.

SO, you Broker's out there, what do I look for in a person interviewing (yes, I said interviewing) who would like to be apart of my office? I am so glad you asked!

1: Innovators (or those willing to be) - nothing is more important to me than finding agents who want to be innovative in how they do their business. Why? Time is-a-changing and if you don't want to challenge yourself to do business in this new and innovative way than a candidate will most likely will hate my office and me. So, I ask up front, "what are they doing right now to propel their business through innovation?" If they can't answer that question well, then I have my answer.

2: Accountability anyone? - there is nothing more vital important to me than finding agents who are accountable, but it may be for reasons you do not expect. It’s not about finding those who will be accountable to me, it’s finding those who will be accountable to themselves, because it is those individuals who will strive to maximize their professional potential. It’s why we do this, isn’t it; to be better at something than we ever thought we could? So, if someone hasn’t shown me that they are willing to accountable than this office is most likely not the place for them.

3. Open mindedness - Let me be clear as a heart attack - I want open minded people. Why? Well, based on the kind of activities we do in this office if you don’t look at things in terms of “what can I learn next” you won’t last 10 minutes. The best judge of character used to be my age. If a candidate said, “I have shoes older than you,” than I don’t have much time for that kind of person, but, if someone can show me they want to embrace a different kind of perspective, one who will embrace the different kind of ideas someone like me might bring to them, than we have something and I welcome them with open arms.

So, that’s how I usually start. Now, there is a lot more to it than that but it shows you what my thought process is and as always if you need any help, I’m only a call away.

It's about focus

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:24:21 -0800

Today my office launched a new program for it’s agents called Business Development Groups, or “Hot Groups”. These groups are aimed to help the agents in the group gain market share through a strategically focused effort that will hopefully enable our Agents to have a tremendous boost to their existing business.

The point of the exercise is that is will help the office and our associates really go after a specific geographical farm where no one agent, or company for that matter, controls the market share. Now that’s the business element of it. But the coolest part is the accountability side. Guess who the group members are accountable to? You guessed it; each other!

This morning, I have 8 agents who volunteered to be separated into 2 groups. And I am so proud of them for undertaking something that will be so different than anything else going on out there.

You are all innovators!

Congratulations to:

Mandy Hursen, Richard Dubeshter, Charles Angelo, Chris Suranna, Tim Woody, Janet Rushford, Ellie Shorb, and Lise Howe.

Way to go all of you.

THE GEORGETOWN DISH HIGHLIGHTS CHEVY CHASE

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:56:26 -0800

THE GEORGETOWN DISH HIGHLIGHTS CHEVY CHASE

Click above icon to read story...

"What do you mean you won't have any desks!" PICTURES

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:58:21 -0800

Well, you have waited for the pictures, and here they are! Enjoy!

Lobby

Front Hallway

Conference Room

"Idea Central"

"The Streaming Wall"

"The Streaming Wall"

"Color"

"Write Something"

"My Office"

Looking for opinions

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:42:06 -0800

Hi my active rain family:

I was hoping you would help me. I have spent oodles of time in the last month creating a new Wordpress blog. If you have a second, could you take a look at it and let me know what you think. Thanks!

-Darrin

Your business is what you make it!

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:01:14 -0800

Your business is what you make it!

by Darrin Friedman on December 20, 2009

How many times have you heard someone say that are doing the best they can but that because of the economy or the month of year, their results had fallen short. The truth is that part of life is falling short of what we hope for – it’s part of human nature. In many cases, what drives us all is how we bounce back from the failures of our past; after all, it is how we learn. Excuses however, are never going to help anyone, and I believe strongly that there is nothing more debilitating than “E” word. Having said that, I wanted to take this time to share with you some inspired performers, who could have made excuses and never did, and performed above and beyond regardless of market, statistics or plain excuses. These people represent some of the best of what we do…I hope you can learn from them as I have.

To continue reading please click link here

REBarCamp Atlantic CIty and CBRB The Chevy Chase Office

Darrin Friedman (Real Living | At Home) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:15:06 -0800

REBarCamp Atlantic CIty and CBRB The Chevy Chase Office

Dateline: Washington, D.C.
by Darrin Friedman

It is my pleasure to officially announce that the Coldwell Banker Chevy Chase is adding our name to the list of sponsors for RE Bar Camp Atlantic City. For those of you have never been to a bar camp, let me explain the significance…

Please click here to see the rest of the blog

Darrin Friedman's "RE Tech Broker"

Realtors and Prospecting — a case for making the calls!

Sometimes old school prospecting just works

5 critical SEO tips for bloggers and business

SEO strategies I learned at Coldwell Banker’s Gen Blue

Washington DC changes some rules regarding Tenant Rights

New DC Guidelines regarding Tenant Rights

Change 1

Change 2

Washington D.C. Soil Survey -- A must for all real estate buyer and sellers

Three ways to get unplugged

Too plugged in? Help is near...

1: Don’t look:

2. Your kids are watching:

3. Meal time:

Do Realtors need 4,995 "friends?" No, they don't...

How Real Estate Agents have pimped themselves out using Facebook

First time homebuyer tax credit extension possible

Harry Reid’s Last stand? A First time Home Buyer Tax credit extension

Washington DC Tenant Rights Issues - What you need to do FIRST!

What you need to know when you list a house after a rental!

Wash DC 365 - What to do in DC Day ONE: Walking Constitution Avenue

What to do in Washington DC

Vacant Property Tax or Listing Tax ?!

HAFA or Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program - VERY DETAILED w/ downloads

The Real Estate conventions that matter

Choos­ing the right Real Estate con­ven­tion is hard…but this should help!

Montgomery County, MD February Housing Report - Single Family Housing 2010

Realogy's Richard Smith on CNBC on the spring market

Washington D.C. Real Estate Detailed Market Statistics February 2010

Washington Business Journal Features The Chevy Chase Office

Washington DC, Detailed Market Housing Report January 2010

The 3 Things every Broker should know before they hire ANYONE!

The 3 Things every Broker should know before they hire ANYONE!

It's about focus

THE GEORGETOWN DISH HIGHLIGHTS CHEVY CHASE

"What do you mean you won't have any desks!" PICTURES

Looking for opinions

Your business is what you make it!

Your business is what you make it!

REBarCamp Atlantic CIty and CBRB The Chevy Chase Office

REBarCamp Atlantic CIty and CBRB The Chevy Chase Office

Choosing the right Real Estate convention is hard…but this should help!