Do the Right Thing.

What separates Top Producers from Average Producers : Success starts Now! With Dave Brown

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:36:21 -0600

Recently I went to a meeting with Mr. Dave Brown from Success Starts Now! A friend had passed my name onto him and after numberous phone conversations we met. I introducted him to several prominate people I know from my community. I arranged for a presentation here's what I learned in his presentation.

Habits are formed from Process - Self Management - Self Motivation

Habit's of Top Producers:

Top producers see the economy differently
Are students of their game
Take action Now! (Take the stairs not the escalator)

Sales Skills of Top Producers:

Pre-approach or Prospecting
Approach - intial contact
Introduction - questioning, qualifying and probing
Demo - Talk about the nuts and bolts
Close the deal
Handel objections
Ask for referrals

Quick tip: flip your business cards over and write the words "thank you" on the back, people remember this.

Instead of some of the other personal profile descriptions try these -

The Fighter! Somebody who argues, is defensive, raises objections and has a fear of losing. Be aggressive! Fight back! Answer questions with questions

The Entertainer! They can be all over the place and need to be the center of attention. They fear rejection. Ask "yes" questions They made need 20 questions to close

The Detective! Needs facts, statics, and has lots of questions. They fear that you are keeping something from them. Ask mild closing questions, keep it positive. They may take up to 10 questions to close

The Counselor! These people are concerned about the team. What's best for everyone. Close these people with boomerang questions. "If I can get you what you want today will you sign? "

The Average producer has 2 closings
Top Producers have 5 closings
Above average producers have 15 closings

Other people part of the Success Stars Now: Dustin Hillis, Emmie Young, Rory Vaden, Ron Marks Gary Michels, Steve Savage, Amanda Johns

www.ssmseminars.com 877 589-0606 x 704

sales@ssnseminars.com 2451 Atrium Way, nashville, TN 37214

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Free Organic Wast Disposal : The Happy Worm Herders

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:06:57 -0600

Happy Worm Herders thanks the community!

FREE Organic Waste Disposal

Gaia Institute's Happy Worm Herders City-Wide Composting & Vermicomposting program will be hosting a series of free organic waste disposal days for the residents of Pueblo City and County!

Happy Worm Herders will accept lawn, leaf, and food waste - including pumpkins and cooking oil or grease. Organic waste must be clean - no trash - and in plastic bags or containers, which will be returned immediately.

Lawn care service providers may bring lawn/leaf waste for $2 per load. Restaurants and food service providers may bring food waste and cooking oil / grease free, but the waste must be in containers.

The first drop-off day is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2009, just after Thanks Giving, at Happy Worm Herders worm farm on Stockyard Road. Drop off hours will be 10:00am to 3:00pm. Donations will be accepted.

For more information or directions, contact Gaia at gaiawellnesscenter@earthlink.net or 719-320-5080.

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Putting the "Real" into Realtor: it works for me

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:36:22 -0600

This post could be sub titled " Mud on the Tires" and is slightly inspired by Clint Miller and his post : Choose your words carefully

Recently a seller told me I put the "Real" into Realtor. I suppose some people would be offended by this comment but I took it as a compliment. This seller recognized me for who I am - me!

I mean no offense to any Realtor out there that wears a pressed suit everyday, high heels on most days and doesn't miss a weekly manicure. There is a place for that, and if that's you - go for it! I read Jennifer Allens Selling with Soul and her advise to people is BE YOU.

What my seller recognized that I get mud on my tires, I have Colorado Pin Stripes*, I answer my own phone, do my own marketing, put up my own yard signs and work with out an assistant. If you want an answer ask me, if I don't know I'll tell you I don't know and I'll find out the answer. My listing presentations are not practiced or particularly polished, I know every listing appointment I go out on is going to be different. I sell in five (yes 5) different counties. If I dont' immediately know your neighborhood gimme a break! I can tell you about 3 streets named Grand, Main, Elm, Cedar, Coyote and they are in 3 different cities or counties. Don't get me started on County Roads......

The benefits to being a "Real" Realtor:

You get me first hand, no assistants
I answer my own phones
I actually know people because I get out and meet them
If I say I did that, have been there or know of - check my mileage for the truth
You will see me at the Post Office and see my business cards up on bulletin boards
Call my referrals, they are very real people
I go to my closings
I know the lenders
I know the buyers
I know my sellers

* Colorado Pinstripe - acquired by driving off road against brush and low hanging branches

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More guerrilla marketing

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:24:42 -0600

There is always a lot of talk about marketing around real estate professionals. What do you do? What don't you do? Not long ago I wrote a post asking if real estate pro's left business cards on bulletin boards. The responses were mixed. I personally came to the conclusions that if I wanted to find a lost dog, adopt a kitten or was looking for a yard sale the local bulletin board would be the best place to look.

However....

At one of my morning networking meetings I challenged everyone at the meeting to find one of my cards that they already had (in a note book, in their jacket pocket, lost on the back seat of their car) and put it on a bulletin board.

Well, what do you know my phone rang today. The gentleman was sitting waiting for his oil to be changed!

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Free and cheap land in Colorado!

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:29:06 -0600

I list and sell a lot of vacant Colorado land including Otero, Custer, Pueblo, Fremont and Hufanno counties. And I get a decent amount of e-mail requests for "cheap" land. People lookng for good deals seen to think that we're giving away land here - it ain't so! Let me tell you why:

Let's start off with the sellers. Most sellers purchased their land with cash, which means they own the land free and clear. On occasion you hear of somebody financing property but that is rare. And if the seller is financing the property they most likely, but no always, put down 20% or more. And sellers aren't bleeding money. In many, many cases large acreages (40 acres or more) do not have huge tax bills. It's not unusual in these areas to see taxes for around $25 per year. One listing I have the taxes are under $10 and no H.O.A. fees.

Wells, water, streams, creeks, ponds and other sources of water are RARE! (Same for trees) You are in the Rocky Mountains and we are in almost constant drought conditions. Also, just because there is water on the property doesn't mean you own it. Actually, odds are better that YOU DON'T OWN THE WATER! And water rights can be sold. So that pond over there isn't yours, your kids, cattle, horse or other critters - you may not use it. People get shot, go to jail or at the very least get fined for using water that isn't their property. Don't believe me? Google the local sheriff and ask!

Also, you have to have a minimum of 35 acres in order to dig a well. A well can cost you $7000 to start and the prices go up from there depending on the soil. And there is no guarantee that the driller will get water. If you have under 35 acres you better check to see where your water might be coming from. Buyers are responsible for registering wells.

Say you find an odd 5 or 10 acre parcel for sale. You can't dig for water, you can't use the stream, is there water at the street? Most likely you will be hauling or paying somebody to haul it. There's nothing wrong with that, you just need to know. And if there happens to be a well on it don't assume it will aways be available - you gotta register it.

So are sellers beggin me to sell their properties for super-duper cheap? No, no lately.

Buyers, If you find a property that you like, it has some source of water, maybe it has views - buy it! If I call you and say "it's a steal" I might be referring to the seller's motivation in selling the property. Their motivation may have nothing to do with the land itself but their personal situation where they are now.

I've sold two pieces of property in the last year that were "fire sales" that is to say, the sellers asked me to sell the land as fast as possible. They needed the money in their hands immediately. I ended up apologizing to both for the low amount that they were offered and yet both were grateful to have the cash in hand.

These sellers and their situation are rare, but they do come up. When they come up be polite, the sellers need the money but still need to hold on to their self respect.

People are looking for good deals seem to think we're giving away land in Colorado - it ain't so! But do your homework and listen to your Realtor and you just might find a deal!

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Grand opening of Gaia's Garden Green House and Plant Sale

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:54:38 -0600

GRAND OPENING OF GAIA'S GARDENS GREENHOUSE FEATURING AN INDOOR PLANT SALE THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11AM - 3PM BOTH DAYS
Join us as we celebrate the GRAND OPENING of Gaia's Gardens Greenhouse featuring an Indoor-Plant Sale, this Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8, 2009, 11:00am - 3:00pm both days, at the Gaia Institute Wellness Center, 622 E. 8th Street (corner of E. 8th Street and Fountain Avenue)! Proceeds will help us offset Winter utilities and introduce our new program featuring greenhouse activities, called YOUNG MOTHERS TODAY. This program will be operated mostly by young Moms who had their babies during their teen years. It will help bring them together to gain strength from each other and learn new skills. Remember, we can help you:

keep your indoor gardening activities going all year long! Our Happy Worm Herders Worm Castings are nature's superior single-ingredient plant food and soil amendment, to keep your plants their healthiest all year long! Castings can even be used 'straight' to start seeds - for indoor herb and vegetable gardens or for getting a jump on next year's planting season.
keep your indoor composting activities going all year long! Our Happy Worm Herders Composting Condo Kits can help you get set up to do indoor composting of your own organic waste WHILE you produce your own castings for next season!
feed and bed down your outdoor gardens! Top application of our Happy Worm Herders Worm Castings during the Fall will ensure that your plants, trees, shrubs, and gardens get plenty of time-released nutrients to enhance root growth and strength!

Wood-Chip mulch also available! Look for us on Facebook (link below) and on Merchant Circle! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6875&id=1736725298&l=c552de1db2 Check out our coupon and sale promotion on Merchant Circle, too. Please remember that your donations may be tax deductible. Gaia is recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, per Internal Revenue Code. Please forward this announcement! Thank you for your on-going support and encouragement!

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95 Fulton Lane Pueblo CO

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:23:43 -0600

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor | Colorado Western Real Estate, llc | 7195463700/7193699087

95 Fulton Lane, Pueblo, CO

Breath taking Hatchet Ranch

40.02 acres Vacant Land

offered at $68,000

Lot Size

40.02 acres

DESCRIPTION

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO BETTER LIVING - - Call us now or have your agent call. This has commanding views with great cul-de-sac seclusion.

Call Donna Phillips 719 251-5700 cell or 719 546 -3700 office

www.coloradowesternland.com

Agents ask about incentives

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3

Contact info:

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor

Colorado Western Real Estate, llc

7195463700/7193699087

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 2, 2009, 3:01pm PST

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Bells, Blogs, Pumpkins and other Colorado Western Events

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:17:20 -0500

Some people hear little voices, maybe their conscience speaking to them.

Some people might hear the angel or devil whispering from either of their shoulders. Me, I hear Bells!

In November 2006 I posted this to my blog : http://activerain.com/blogsview/18008/pumpkin-fairy-in-boone-colorado-

A story James Amos from the Pueblo Cheftian wrote about the Pumpkin Fairy in Boone Colorado. And this post has taken on a life of it's own!

I hope you take the time to read the post, James got some imagination going, everybody wondering who the pumpkin fairy was or is. I don't know if this person or people were ever found or their identities made public. But if you read the comments attached to this post you will see that Tom Davis and Kim McCorkle-Harbath not only found my (James Amos) post interesting, but they may have found themselves lost friends. Kim has e-mailed me hoping I could connect her with Tom, but I have no more information than can be found here.

Fast forward to a recent listing appointment. My sellers did their homework and wanted to know more about me. My activerain blog popped up and the sellers now have some insight into who I am. But they are now following the "saga" of Kim and Tom!

What will happen?

Will Tom and Kim "find each other?"

Will I get my sellers house sold before our contract ends?

Dum, da, dum, dum...........tune in and see what happens. The Bells are tolling!

http://www.postlets.com/res/2940778

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Green Drinks Canon City Colorado November 2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:42:42 -0500

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823 Teton Place Canon City Colorado

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:08:38 -0500

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor | Colorado Western Real Estate, llc | 7195463700/7193699087

823 Teton Place, Canon City, CO

Glenfield meadows

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $180,500

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	1,647
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	.15 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This house has the WOW factor:
Open floor plan,
Large inviting entry way,
Updated kitchen with breakfast bar,
Laminated wood floors,
Office/bedroom with built in desk,
Walk in closets,
Xeroscaped yard,
Lennox hear and central air,
Deep 2 car garage,
Extra large shelved storage room,
Custom window blinds,
All the appliances stay
Walk to Harrison Elementry

PAR #126413
RGAR #40471

www.coloradowesternland.com

ALL Showings must be scheduled via listing agent Dena Stevens 719 369-9087

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Living room
- Office/Den	- Dining room	- Breakfast nook
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Washer	- Dryer
- Laundry area - inside	- Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 1
Photo 2

Contact info:

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor

Colorado Western Real Estate, llc

7195463700/7193699087

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 27, 2009, 5:21am PDT

http://www.postlets.com/res/2940778

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Green Drinks Pueblo Style Oct 27,2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:59:19 -0500

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Buddy Rays Canon City Colorado: The Testimonial of a Flat Tire

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:17:43 -0500

I don't write many testimonials, and maybe I should write more. But I have to tell you about the experience I had today.

As I was driving to an appointment I found out the hard way I had a flat tire. And not just flat but, a dead tire. I started calling local shops via Google on my phone.

I called 3 local shops none of whom would come help me until I got to the 4th shop Buddy Rays in Canon City.

Now you can see I wasn't stuck in the middle of nowhere, I was in the "Tri-City" area. But there aren't many addresses to reference to. I gave the dispatcher my location the best I could. I knew I was near the crossroads of Cty Rd 84 and Cty Rd 85. And the actual road is sometimes called Shenandoah and some times called Central. And it's not far from Scutti Hill.

So the long and short of it is I REALLY, REALLY recommend Buddy Rays in Canon City for your car service. And if you ever get a flat ask for Curt! He's a Tri-City local!

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129 Carson Ave Las Animas CO

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:09:16 -0500

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor | Colorado Western Real Estate, llc | 7195463700/7193699087

129 Carson Ave, Las Animas, CO

5BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $156,600

Year Built	1950
Sq Footage	2,880
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	4 Car garage
Lot Size	.321 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

A home with all the country living desired, yet if offers town convenience. This ranch home has one level offering 5 bedrooms and a possible 6th. Likely one of the best properties in Las Animas. Pride in ownership, with over a 10 year residency, shows clearly in this home's condition. This property, on it's 4-lots, is big enough for RV, tractors, trailers or any other storage needs. With 2 patio's, one that is heated with the house and the other is a outdoor garden style with natural climate, new owners can enjoy the outdoors year 'round.

Directions: In LaJunta, take Hwy 50E to 2nd (Second) Street, turn left 0.1 mile to Carson Ave., turn right 0.1 mile to 129 Carson.

Buyers to verify all measurements

www.coloradowesternland.com
PAR MLS: 124951

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3

Contact info:

Dena Stevens ~ Realtor

Colorado Western Real Estate, llc

7195463700/7193699087

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 28, 2009, 4:55pm PDT

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Pueblo Colorado: Green Drinks Pueblo~Style Sept 19th 2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:45:45 -0500

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Press Release : Pueblo Colorado

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:03:55 -0500

For Immediate release:

Dena Stevens

719 369-9087 direct

719 546-3700 fax
dena@coloradowesternland.com

Dena Stevens, Realtor at Colorado Western Real Estate, llc in Pueblo Colorado has recently earned her Brokerage Administration license from Kaplan Professional Schools. This course is 24 credit hours, counts as continuing education and changes her license status. Dena Stevens has been with Colorado Western Real Estate since February of 2007 and can be reached at 719 369-9087 or email dena@coloradowesternland.com

For more information:

Dena Stevens

719 369-9087 direct

719 546-3700 office

dena@coloradowesternland.com

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Back to the Basics: You only get one chance to make a first impression

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:29:47 -0500

Back to the Basics

"You only get one chance to make a first impression" many people have been given credit for this quote.

Sellers and agents alike would do well to remember this quote. If you are selling a property it would be best to stand back and give an objective look at the property. If you can't be objective ask a friend or relative - they are usually honest with you aren't they?

There are many websites on the internet talking about staging, they

are well worth the read. Stand across the street from your property and really look at it like you are seeing it for the first time.

Are there tree limbs that need to be trimmed?
Spider webs around the door way?
Trash collecting under the bushes?
Broken light fixtures?
Dead cars?
Over flowing trash cans?

If it's $500 or 5 minutes it's probably worth your time, trouble and money to fix these things ahead of time. What a buyer will see and what you see aren't necessarily the same thing. And when it comes down to an offer wouldn't you want those little things taken care of first thing and in your benefit?

"You only get one chance to make a first impression"

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Pueblo West Pueblo Colorado Market Report Jan - Sept 2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:55:46 -0500

Vacant land listings sold Jan - Sept 2009 (52 solds)

There are currently (9-16-09) 672 vacant land listings available.

List Price: Low 6000 High 70,000 Average 22,623 Median 18,000

Selling Price: Low 5,500 High 65,000 Average 18,905 Median 15,500

List/ Sold %: Low 29.05 High 100 Average 84.51 Median 87, 45

Price/Acre$: Low 3.282.28 High 87,209 Average 20,409.32 Median 15,620.50

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Sikes Ranch Pueblo CO market report Jan - Sept 2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:40:18 -0500

Vacant land information for Sikes Ranch Jan - Sept 2009 Solds (2)

List Price: low 65,000 High 125,000 Average 95,500 Median 95,500

Selling Price: Low 55.000 High 111,000 Average 83,000 Median 83,000

List/Sold % : 84.62 High 88.10 Average 86.36 Median 86.36

Price / Acre $: Low 1,348.56 High 1375. Average 1361,78 Median 1362.

As of Sept 16, 2009 there are 13 properties on Sikes Ranch available.

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Hatchet Ranch Pueblo CO market report Jan - Sept 2009

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:27:32 -0500

As of September 16th 2009 for Vacant Land:

List Price: Low 39,900 High 48,000 Average 43,950 Median 43,950

Selling Price: Low 39,900 High 40,000 Average 39,500 Median 39,500

List/Sold %: Low 83.33% High 100% Average 91.6 % Median 91.6%

Price/ Acre $: Low 849.28 High 880.79 A.03 Average 865 Median $865.

As of today there are 43 properties available on Hatchet Ranch.

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Green Drinks Canon City CO Sept '09

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:14:42 -0500

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The turning economic tide in Pueblo CO

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:05:17 -0500

To paraphase Brian Brady, Americas #1 mortgage broker , watching the economy turn is like watching a battle ship turn. It's hard to see and moves slowly. But I've been noticing that slow moving battle ship in a slow tide moving in Pueblo.

I've had more buyers this summer than I've had in the last 5 years.
The local convenience store next to Lake Pueblo reports steady traffic in front of their store. Better than last summer.
Home Builders are building again, maybe not as much as they were once, but they are building.
Friends are getting jobs, changing jobs and watching their incomes improve.
Houses that are priced right are getting multiple offers and getting them quickly. I watched a house get 4 offers in the hour it took me to drive to it and show it.
Sellers are taking their properties off the market and building on them.
The local parade of homes is going to be as big or bigger than years past. And homes are already being planned now for next years parade.
The TV news reports that the Colorado State Fair is seeing great attendance, better than expected.
The open houses I've been doing are not only getting attention they are drawing crowds. 618 Quincy had 35 people one day between 11-3 PM.

All good news, slow signs of improvement are still good signs.

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To every employing broker who has ever tried to recruit me

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:50:54 -0500

To every employing broker who has ever tried to recruit me: STOP!

While I appreciate the fact you are trying to build your business, fill office space and do it all with good intentions, I don't appreciate how you are going about recruiting me.

1) Stop telling me what you are going to do for me. Yes, the office fees, commission splits and the toys, goodies and extras you offer are nice. But lets start where every business should, start with the client. If you want my attention tell me what you are going to do to help me help my clients. Without our buyers and sellers you and I are going to spend A LOT of time staring at each other.

2) If you as the employing broker can't give me a good reason why you took your job, why should I jump ship? You are getting a piece of the action, I know your BIG motivation for doing your job.

3) When you say you will answer all my questions after reading your recruiting information ANSWER your phone! Return a phone call, be available.

4) Are you planning to stay with the company? The last SEVERAL employing brokers who tried to recruit me left the company they were promoting. One of them left in under a month - they knew they were leaving when we sat down to talk.

5) Stop calling me for free "training sessions, marketing sessions or B.S. sessions" I'm not stupid. If I so stupid to fall for all this would you really want me to work with you?

6) Don't have agents hanging around the receptionists desk analyzing everyone who walks in because they have nothing better to do - they make a bad impression.

These are real examples of things that have happened, and if you reconize yourself in the words above I hope you'll read the words below.

What might work? Get me to jump ship and change offices.

1) Be honest and sincere, it's not much to ask

2) Tell me how important clients are to you and the company. How are they going to be treated? And yes, I mean everything down to the office coffee.

3) Ask me what I want! I have an opinion and don't want to be "sold" on your company.

4) Don't assume I do or don't want to do something. I actually like floor duty and the occassional open house. I like doing what others don't like to do, I view them as opportunities. Do you have anybody else volunteering for this stuff?

5) Google me, know who I am before you call me. If we can't have a conversation where you know my name, who I've worked for in the past, where I like to sell etc... it's a pointless conversation. (thanks Bob)

Every agent in Colorado is a Broker, after 2 years you can take classes for your Administraion/ Employing Broker license. I'm gong for mine this week after 5+ years. Part of the class is preparing a business plan. Guess what I'm going to include?

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Solar MR Pueblo Colorado Press Release

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:17:46 -0500

PRESS RELEASE:

Friday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Pueblo, CO, August 26, 2009 - El Pueblo...an Adolescent Treatment Community, commits
to "go green" by constructing a solar energy field, through a 1 million dollar gift
from SolarMR, Pueblo Colorado.

El Pueblo is the first Therapeutic Residential Childcare Facility (TRCCF) to make
this commitment in the state of Colorado. The solar energy field will provide El
Pueblo the opportunity to cut energy costs by at least 20 percent, as well as
educating the youth on renewable energy and conservation. The energy cost savings
will allow the facility to redirect the funds back into the programs for youth at El
Pueblo.

SolarMR has generously agreed to install and provide a photovoltaic system for 17
meters on the El Pueblo campus, which qualify under the current Black Hills Energy
rebate program.

Mick Wilheim, a managing member of SolarMR will assist the nonprofit in the
construction of a solar energy field and building conversions that will supply the
63-acre campus.

El Pueblo will hold a press conference Friday, August 28, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., in
the breezeway of the President's Dining Hall located on the north campus at 1591
Taos Road, Pueblo, CO, 81006.

For further information, please contact Patty Erjavec at 719.404.1131.

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When a house isn't a house at all

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:59:39 -0500

A past client called me and wanted to put in an offer on a house across the street from him. The past client had seen the house a year or so ago but not recently. He instructed me to write up an offer. When I went to go get signatures I stopped to see the property myself. This is when the problems started.

When a house isn't a house at all:

1) The house is a purged manufactured house on a permanent foundation. But no HUD tags are visible, accessible or on record and the current owner purchased the house with out knowledge of the tags. Remember this for the future - once a mfg home always a mfg home tags or no tags, purged or not purged.

3) The property inspection proved almost nothing in the other wise nice looking house worked. The furnace, garbage disposal, master bath toilet, various out lets, water pump etc... do not work.

4) In this particular area there is no water, all the houses have cisterns and water must be hauled into the property.

5) The asking price was $135,00 the buyers offer was substantially less and was accepted. However, without HUD tags and a working furnace the house will not appraise. Other properties in the area are valued at even less than the buyers offer.

6) The seller failed to make known that she is in fact an inactive Colorado broker.

To summarize: this overpriced mfg house with no HUD tags, water or working fixtures owned by an inactive agent is back on the market!

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Every house has a story to tell

Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:58:53 -0500

Every house has a story to tell.

Many agents will tell a seller right up front what they think of a property pro and con. But there things we either don't think about or just don't want to tell a seller either.

Once upon a time, before I was an agent, I owned a house in Denver. It was in a up and coming area, one with faults and flaws just like any other neighborhood. But people were starting to take notice of the Harkness Heights area before it became trendy. I had a cold call one day, before it was illegal to cold call, and the agent asked if I wanted to sell my house for substaintially more than I paid for it 3 years prior. Well, quicker than I could hang up the phone a sign went up out front.

After months and months, and dozens upon dozens of people coming threw the house I still didn't have an offer. The agent tried her hardest, fliers, open houses, tours the works - but nothing. When the listing contract expired I moved on to another agent who right up front told me some thing that floored me.

"Does the house always smell like this?" said the agent

"Clean? Like the products I use EVERY time I know there is a showing?" I exclaimed

"It smells like you just cleaned and like you are hiding something - does the bathroom have mold?"

Sure enough when I stopped using strong detergents and cleaning products in the house I got an offer.

Recently I met with a local builder in his beautiful home that is currently on the market with another agent. He furnished the photos of the house for all the fliers and MLS. The photos are goreous! But all the pictures were clearly staged and at night as to show off the house. The evening sun setting in the background all the interior lights on. The pictures make the house look like a Hollywood set. But the problem (the way I see it) is that the pictures are to good. No other photos on the MLS are done like this. It makes the house stand out but makes it look odd at the same time. If this house were in an area where all the houses had "Hollywood" staging I think it would be just fine. But as it is - a really good thing can look odd.

Moral of the story: go with the neighborhood normal standards. Be better than the rest but standing out to far from the crowd can make a listing look odd.

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