I was not a happy camper back in July of 2008. I sat poolside with the Wife as we watched the Girl play with her cousins in the warm pool in Burnside, Ky. I had 5 full-time employees, and over the previous few months I had closed 85% of the loans in the office. Sadly, a fair share of that business was going to pay the overhead and keep the office open.
I was not happy
Mentally, I was done. I wanted out. I was not interested in doing mortgages anymore, but what else was I going to do? I put out some feelers and I got some offers to go work for a few companies. Really, I had the red carpet laid out for me in every office but one. So, I shuttered the office, I gave everyone time to pack it up, close what few deals they had in the pipeline. I was out, I was done. I moved into my home office and worked from there for a few months. I had decided not to go work for anyone at that time. It was not in my blood to work for anyone.
03/01/2010
I was done for good. I had been invited to speak a few times to real estate agents, mortgage professionals and small businesses. I started consulting for those same real estate offices, mortgage pros and small businesses in social media marketing and local lead generation, but I always felt that urge to get back in to the real estate business in some shape or form.
Always willing to learn
I am a perpetual student, even from the front of the room. I had spoke at several REBarcamps, Podcamps, and a handful of other events. Last year, I did back to back REBarcamps in Chicago and South Bend. If you have never heard of an REBarcamp. They are free events, often sponsored and hosted by other agents wanting to bring up the level of others in real estate when it comes to social media, online marketing and how to generate leads from online activities.
Sadly, I was not surprised when so few agents from my area attended either event, and I believe that no one should or can say they did not hear about it. I posted both events in several places online, send emails and even called.
I make a decision
As I drove home the South Bend REBarcamp with my voice hoarse from talking all day and feet sore. I called the Wife. I expressed to her my irritation in the lack of attendance in agents from my area. I even giggled to myself that I was told by someone that they were too busy. Yeah, they had two listings, must have got that from the bus stop advertising. That night I decided to get back into real estate and not as a mortgage expert. I had already conquered that arena.
Sadly, it took me six months to get my house in order. You see I still own a growing local lead generation company called getUnoticed. I have all my sites in order. I know it is not 100% ready to roll, but it will be all soon.
Later today, I will be walking into the local real estate office and catching myself up on all my dues and make it all nice and legal.
So, before you know I will be out there doing everything that I had been teaching agents how to do.
Really, I am putting my money where my mouth is! I am either going to soar like an eagle or coming crashing to the ground. It is time to put my knowledge and network to work.
As 2011 comes to a close many look to make resolutions and set goals for the new year. Sadly, many of them will not make it past the 3rd week of January.
What many fail to do is "emotionalize" their goals. I was one of them that never tied my goals to an emotion. If I failed to make goal deadline. I just marked it up to bad luck, or I did not feel like doing it anymore.
A week or so ago, I skyped in with Leanna Hoagland-Smith, a business coach and new in 2012, an international speaker. I recently took her skills assessment and while we were talking, I thought she would be a excellant guest n the #DaveCast. She and I spoke for nearly an hour and I will admit that I tend to jump around a lot. You will learn how to set goals in 2012.
What is the "WAY SMART" way to set goals?
W - Written Down, a goal not written down is a mere wish.
A - Aligned with you personal beliefs.
Y - Yours. Yes, they need to be yours and not what others want you to do.
Recently, I had the very distinct pleasure of talking to Michael Maher. He is the author of "the 7 Levels of Communication" on the Dave Woodson podcast. I started the podcast over a year ago, but only here recently got serious about it.
I talk about a wide range of topics from marketing of real estate and small businesses to social and at times just share my opinion on whatever I want to talk about. I have seen my audience share grow. I started a podcast when I was just furstrated with some of the podcasts that are out there and really I just like to talk.
I for the longest time have had a goal about being a national speaker on sales techniques, some motivational and doing webinars. I see the podcast as being a great opportunity to get myself and my voice out there.
So, with out further ado. I really enjoyed talking to Michael Maher. If you do not know Michael, he is a real estate specialist and president of real estate for the Maher Team in Kansas City. He, also, wrote a #1 best selling book in two categories on Amazon. By the way, this was a self-published book which makes it all the more amazing.
If you have never read the book do yourself a favor pick up today over at Amazon there is a kindle version as well. I could not suggest it anymore. It is on my top 5 best books I have read.
First of all, I really do not like how most agents that dare do video do video.
Second of all, I am huge Steve Dahl fan. He is a Chicago radio legend and has a gret podcast that lauched a monthly pay channel this year. Well, he does a feature on FOX 32 in Chicago every week. Well, last week he highlighted a new listing of the infamous former Governor Rod of Illinois. While Mr. Dahl could not get into the house to video the listing. He did the next best thing...green screen and captured what I think is one of the best home video tours of the year.
For a real estate novice, I think he did a great job highlighting some of the benefits of living in this spacious home, from the library, to the formal dining room and over eat-in kitchen. I know this was all very tounge-in-cheek, but really it was a really good way to highlight the home. I wish more agents who did video did as half as good as Mr. Dahl. Of, if you want to hear some of the best radio ever. I suggest you subscribe. Tell them Dave send you, that and .75 cents will get you a bag of chips.
I recently did a video and blog over on DaveWoodson.com on hiring an amabssador for your company. In my Northwest Indiana Local Marketing Agency it is often impeative to make sure that I teach Social Media to local businesses that their employees are the face of the company on any social site, but as I thought more about it. I thought this would translate over to Real Estate so easily.
We need to be Ambassadors to the world for Real Estate.
Everyday, I see more and more FSBO signs popping up all over town. Everyone thinks they can sell a home themselves and they are right they can, but to do it right they need the help of a professional. One who can…
1. Market their home effectively.
2. Negotiate with the Buyers and maybe the Bank if it is a short-sale.
3. Know how to price their home.
I am afraid that some agents don’t do a good enough job or selling their services to the “do it themselves” kind of people out there, or what is really all involved in the sale of their home. Moreover, with every new day some news guy talking head wants to bash the idea of buying home telling the world that is cheaper to rent than to buy now, or just how much trouble the industry really is.
When someone asks about our business. We need to make sure that we are up to date on the industry, know our facts and be able to back them and then be ready to answer any question anyone may have.
Don’t rip your boss (which is you, btw), don’t complain about getting approved for a loan and never trash a listing (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure)
Some really great information here that I will be utilizing in the very near future. It gave me some great ideas for video and blog posts. If you are not reading others blogs in your industry you are missing out. Big time.
Warning to consumers: this may be boring, as this post is written to my colleagues and not for the public.
It's raining here in Westchester County, and Hurricane Irene has brought a rare thing: some time off. My phone has barely rung all weekend, and in between battening down the hatches for the storm, I have been able to take a breather from a schedule that has been frantic for the lion's share of August. I missed the hubbub about market reports on Active Rain, and since none other than Bob Stewart has praised me for my own market reports, I thought I would add my two cents to the dialog.
First, market reports are a good thing for any real estate blogger who wants to be seen by their local public as a go-to person for information. They are also good for SEO, and another little fringe benefit is that they make you more knowledgeable about your market. They seldom get many clicks or comments and almost never appear on the feature dashboard, but that is not their purpose. Market reports build your business. I know this firsthand. So here is how I write a market report:
Be specific. Choose a clear area and time period, such as a school district, town or city, and make the report for a month, quarter, or week. And differentiate what property type you are covering, because in my area a 2-bedroom co-op apartment can cost $150,000 and a 2-bedroom house can be $400,000. They deserve separate coverage.
With regard to charts and graphs, less is more. People glaze over after more than one graph. At least, I do. The good folks at Altos Research, as well as many MLS systems, can give you the means to do some excellent graphics, it just isn't necessary to post a statistical Sistine Chapel to make your point.
Add some commentary. Don't just post data and leave people to interpret it. That's work, and I have enough of it on my own. What's the bottom line? What should we conclude? Are we up from last year or are we down? I always compare my time period to that of the prior year at the same time, and I let my readers know if volume is up or down, and how median price is faring as well. This makes the mundane report actually readable.
Sell the area. Post a photo of downtown or a nice neighborhood. Talk about a listing you sold there recently, or how popular the place is for foodies, dog lovers or movie buffs. Great restaurants, parks and cultural attractions matter as much as median price. One village near me, Pleasantville, NY, has all of the above and a centrally located metro north train station right in the heart of the village, making it a great commuter community. Don't keep these facts a secret in market reports.
Keep it simple. Facts, overall message, and a pretty photo are three calling cards of my own reports. Median price, number of sales, how we fared compared to last year and what the outlook is for buyers and sellers are the elements I use. You aren't figuring out the efficacy of bringing in a Home Depot to a boardroom of suits, you are telling a local owner if the time is right to sell or a buyer 30 minutes away if this is where they might see opportunity.
Link to your prior posts on the area. This shows people all your commentary on the place, and if they are interested in the area they'll spend a good deal of time reading you. This is where tags are crucial.
Wrap it up with a call to action. If you have an IDX solution, link to it. THIS IS THE POINT.
Syndicate. Tweet it with the town hashmark (#Scarsdale), link to it on your Facebook business page, and submit it to other media. Email it to clients or prospects.
A few other thoughts: Market reports on an area where you'd like to gain market share can help you do so without spending a dime, because you'll not only establish a body of content on the place, you'll know the market pretty damn well after writing regular reports. They also help sell your listings in an area where you have inventory, because people googling a locale will find you if you post consistently on the place.
I understand the decision by the folks in Seattle wanting to give the community a point incentive for market reports. Hyper local has always been content they have encouraged (ever hear of localism? Raincamp?), and with 210,000+ members and being in the blog platform business, they want their customers to succeed. One thing I have discovered is that people seldom do what they probably should (I have 22 agents, only a handful who blog, and few of my direct competitors have taken it up, even after having lunch with me), so a point incentive makes plenty of sense.
There. You just got the keys to the kingdom. Bust a move.
So what can 1.5 agents do in 3 weeks that one agent cannot do in 3 months?
A few weeks ago, I met my parents, another couple and his sister for lunch. I'll be honest. I did not want to go. While Hacienda is not a bad place to eat, it is just not my favorite place to eat.
However, that day was a great day to go. As some of you know, I've been a mortgage professional, but in the last few years I decided to get my real estate license. I never really intended to list or sell. I have a new business plan, but more on that later. So, as I ate lunch with my parents and our friends the topic flipped over to real estate. I saw eyes roll all around the table, and soon my opinion was asked about "Agent X"(her identity is being concealed to protect her arrogance, ignorance and laziness) here in Michigan City. I expressed my opinion about "Agent X" very carefully as to not upset the apple cart. (if there was one)
Well, that is when the floodgates of despair and anger opened up. Our friend's sister has been "working" with "Agent X" for 3 months to buy a home. Yes, to buy a home; not sell her home. Oh, did I mention she was a cash buyer. Let me repeat that for those that are hard of sight. She was a cash buyer.
So, I will admit that I went in CYB mode (cover your butt), and I asked all the pertinent questions.
Did you sign anything with "Agent X"?
Has she shown you any homes?
Are you really a cash buyer?
Are you sure you never signed anything with "Agent X"?
Do you want me to help you?
We talked over the next half-hour, I explained to them why I could not be her real estate agent and helpr her find a home in Michigan City, and why I would have someone call her that day or the next to show her homes. I took some notes while talking with her to find out what she was looking for in a home, her price range and how soon she wanted to move. As she has been living in a trailer next to her brothers house for 3 months while she waited for "Agent X".
So, what can 1.5 agents do in 3 weeks that 1 agent cannot do in 3 months?
Work together to find a woman in need of a new home.
You see, she closed on her new home today. She is a happy homeowner once again.
What has it done for me outside of a referral fee? Well, hold onto your seats, that is coming soon.
Are you planning to get married and buy a home in Colorado, but wonder where your down payment funds will come from?
FHA has a Bridal Registry program where the money you receive as a wedding present can be used towards your down payment. Just like registering at a specialty or department store, the FHA Bridal Registry program allows you to register with a lender. Then your friends and family are able to make gift payments into an interest bearing account on your behalf.
It's a win win! Not only can your gifts earn interest, but they can be used as a down payment towards an FHA Loan.
Bridal Registry Guidelines
Bridal Registry Accounts were originally introduced in 1996, but still remain a little known fact when it comes to down payment assistance. The misunderstanding of how this program works might be the fact that it was originally only allowed by banks. Soon after, FHA modified the program and offered new flexible options and the opportunity for the newlywed to set up the account at any bank. Plus, newlyweds are now able to make deposits on their own from the gifts they receive.
Here's how it works in 3 simple steps:
You will open a savings account at your bank prior to the wedding
Friends and family will be given the banking information where the gifts will be deposited
All of the gift funds can go towards the FHA required 3.5% down payment
Anyone with an interest in the purchase cannot be party to the gift funds (i.e. realtor)
There is no requirement that you be married prior to closing on your new home
Another huge advantage is that there are no gift letters or other documentation required other than proof of your savings account named "bridal registry account." It's that simple!
AGENTS:Marketing Ideas to Spread the Word in Your State
Explain it on your website
Blog about it
Let your “to-be-married couples” know about it
Send an email to past clients
Attend wedding fairs & distribute brochures
Mention it at your homebuyer seminars
The great news about this program is it is available Nationwide!
To learn more: Check out our FREE Top 20 Homebuyer Secrets that can save you thousands of dollars! Plus browse our Home Buying Resources section and fill-out a free no-obligation secure online application or call us in Colorado Springs, Colorado at 719.387.1368 with any questions.
Bad credit or No credit? Check out our Credit Repair Program and get started on the path to homeownership today!
Newlyweds say "I DO" to FHA Bridal Registry Gift Funds was written by Rebekah Radice.
Rebekah's Mortgage Grapevine (unashamed plug) provides insight, education and musings on anything from mortgage lending and real estate, to social media, marketing and all things relevant to your everday success! If you want to learn lots of cool things, have your thoughts provoked, AND be entertained, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button to the right!
Recently, I was asked to speak about LinkedIn at a local Tweetup. I, never one to turn down chance to speak leaped at the opportunity. I have often admitted that LinkedIn was my most overlooked and often ignored social site. Well, no longer and if it has been that way for you. I hope you change your mind after watching this video.
LinkedIn with the use of Facebook and Twitter in conjuction of a well-written blog is the basis for a strong social networking strategy that will get you not only more leads but more closed loans and real estate deals. If you are looking for listings or RELO's I think you need to have a strong LinkedIn profile.
My LinkedIn ebook should be available in the next week or two. Stay tuned for that announcement, and I look forward to helping more of you get noticed on LinkedIn and other social site.
to reccommend or to view my Linkedin profile visit mine here at Social Marketing.
I had a great idea the other day and this post really brought it home. What if an agent took one of those solar powered outdoor spotlight lamps and posted it so it lit up their sign at night. I wonder if there would be an increase even an ever so slight one of calls would be beneficial
Have you ever given thought to how your home looks after the sun goes down? When people sell their home, most of the attention focuses on how it will look during the day. Curb appeal and overall presentation are obviously important to making a positive impression on potential buyers. However, some buyers really care how a home looks at night and appealing to these folks may help sell your home.
IS YOUR HOME BRIGHT AT NIGHT?
In the past, I never really gave much thought to how a home looks at night. Recently though, one of our luxury home buyers changed the way we now think about the subject. This particular buyer mentioned that having a well lit home was very important to him and was a key criteria for choosing a home. He mentioned several reasons:
First, he worked long hours and wanted his new home to look beautiful when he pulled into his driveway at night. Second, he and his wife entertained a lot and wanted the home to give a positive impression when guests came over in the evening. Finally, he wanted the home to provide an additional layer of security for his family. Even though they were looking to purchase in an upscale neighborhood, the buyer didn't want his wife and young children coming home to a dark home.
WHAT CAN A SELLER DO?
Here are a few tips for home sellers to add to their home's "night appeal":
1. Keep The Lights On - Make sure all bulbs are working and keep the outside lights on during the evening hours while the home is on the market. You never know if a potential buyer will be driving around the area at night checking things out, so be prepared.
2. Make Sure Street Lights Are Operable - In most cases, there will be street lights located strategically throughout a neighborhood. Drive around at night and make sure they are all working properly. If not, have your local city fix them.
3. Add Exterior Lighting - If you don't have anything more than the standard outdoor lighting that came with the home, adding flood lights, pathway lights, accent lights, and other specialty lighting isn't overly expensive, but could have a dramatic effect. There are actually some great "green" options available like LED lighting, and the monthly electric bill for these is minimal.
Getting a home sold is not always an easy task, so looking at every angle to help your home stand out is important. Who knows, you may be just a few lights away from a sale.
If you liked this post, please subscribe to our blog. We always appreciate having new readers and more importantly, enjoy making new friends.
Here are some others that may interest you as well:
Dan and Amy Schuman service the Cleveland, Oh metropolitan area and specialize in Cleveland luxury homes and working with buyers relocating to Cleveland.
For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.
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.
As 2011 comes to a close many look to make resolutions and set goals for the new year. Sadly, many of them will not make it past the 3rd week of January. 
Warning to consumers: this may be boring, as this post is written to my colleagues and not for the public. 
Are you planning to get married and buy a home in Colorado, but wonder where your down payment funds will come from?
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