The Keller Williams Realty belief system is summed up in a fun little acronym (there's so many little phrases unique to Keller Williams they've been dubbed Kellerisms or Keller Speak).  WI4C2TS (pronounced more like Y four sees two tees) stands for "Win Win, Integrity, Committment, Customers, Communication, Creativity, Team, Trust, Success." 

I think I'm going to do a little series here on what that means to us as a company and more specifically me as an agent.  I wanted to start today with the "I".  The saying goes, "Integrity: Do the right thing."  Here's a great blog by Keller Williams' Mo Anderson about where this came from.  It's a great story of doing the right thing, even when it's hard.

Personally, I've found that the WI4C2TS is a great guide for just about any decision you have to make in life.  If you want to see a fun video of the belief systems in action, take a look!

The federal government has extended the $8000 tax credit, they've added a $6500 tax credit, and they're hoping that these will stimulate the housing economy.  Many skeptical folks say that $8000 is pennies in light of the cost of a home, not worth the effort.  My question to you is this:  How many mortgage payments will $8000 make?

Take a look at this great home in Fife, WA, centrally located between Seattle and Tacoma, for only $285,000.  If you bought this great home for sale in Fife and got the $8000 returned, how many free months of living is that?  Pretty intriguing.

One of the agents in my office came back from the NAR conference in San Diego and mentioned that there was a class called "SHIFT Happens."  Maybe for some folks, but for our area, it has already happened.  About 2 years ago.  Time is a concept that many real estate agents seem to struggle with.  Being on time?  We all know about Realtor hours.  Time blocking?  How many can claim to do that regularly?  How many real estate agents have a 2010 business plan in place...but don't realize that it really started about 2 months ago?  Don't get my drift?  How many closings will you have in January that aren't already under contract?  Get it yet?

So now we have folks at NAR talking about the real estate market shift?  I don't know about you, but my business shifted a LONG time ago.  I've written several posts about why I love working for Keller Williams, but Gary Keller's SHIFT is another in a long line of reasons.  Our market is still "down," but my business is thriving.  I'll end 2009 in the top 5% of agents in our area in terms of $ productivity.  I've never been in that class before.  Never even been in the top 15% as far as I know.  I'm #12 of over 550 in terms of buyer sides closed this year.  Boy, I must be good! 

Nope...I'm educated.  You see, Gary Keller didn't just write SHIFT.  He taught it.  For FREE to his agents.  We had a market center course on SHIFT, we had SHIFT classes at Family Reunion, there was a SHIFT tour.  Why would Gary Keller spend so much of his time and money bringing his agents SHIFT?  Because he gets that it's about us--the agents--and he wants us to succeed.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate Gary and the leadership of our company for actually caring about our lives and finding ways to better them.

I spoke with an agent from a different company last week and they were discouraged.  They were talking about getting out of the industry.  I gave them SHIFT, and they said thanks, but that it was too late for them.  We argued back and forth, and they finally agreed that now is better than never.  It has been less than one week, and that agent just called me, semi-excited semi-ashamed.  The SHIFT tactics are so easy, so basic, so fool proof...yet so under-implemented. (If you haven't read the book, visit their ActiveRain site and you can purchase the book and see for yourself). 

If your business isn't quite where you want it to be, and you're willing to spend $19 or so to get it up to speed, get the book.  Read it.  Implement a few of the strategies right away and work the rest in as you go.  Don't give up on things just yet, and don't trudge along going from closing to closing.  This doesn't need to be your job, it can be a career, a business that you own and are proud of.  Read the book and find out for yourself!

As a Realtor, I like to keep tabs on the Gig Harbor real estate market, and part of that includes analyzing Gig Harbor's market share by real estate company.  Here's the funny thing, I can't claim to be #1.  My company, Keller Williams Real Estate, isn't #1 in Gig Harbor market share or closed sales.  We're actually #3 in both, but I still believe this is the greatest company to work for and work with.  But I digress.  Just for kicks, here's a look at the market share of Gig Harbor's top real estate companies.

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 The chart above shows the top 10 real estate offices by number of properties listed in all of Gig Harbor.  This includes single family homes, condos, vacant land and multi-family homes in Gig Harbor, Fox Island, and the Key Peninsula. 

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 This shows the total number of properties sold in 2009 (buyers and sellers).  Property type and areas are the same in this chart as they are in the previous.  Interesting that the top 4 companies are the same in both charts. While JLS has 2.95% more properties listed than Keller Williams, we are only 1.1% behind them in total sales.  We're about 6% behind Windermere in both categories.

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These graphs are from a great website, compete.com.  They show the number of unique visitors that websites receive in a side-by-side comparison.  KW.com receives nearly 100,000 more visitors each month than Windermere.com, and 160,000 per month more than johnlscott.com.  While both of the other two sites have seen a roughly 10% increase in web traffic this past year, KW.com has seen a nearly 42% jump in traffic!  Why is this significant to Gig Harbor home sales?  Relocation.

Many of the people moving to Gig Harbor have never heard of the local leaders, while Keller Williams is the 3rd largest real estate company in the nation, thus providing a national presence that other companies can't match.  Similarly, if you are moving from Gig Harbor to another state, chances are you'll find a KW agent to help you find your new home as well. So, what does all of this really mean?  Not much.  Real estate is a local business that is ultimately decided by the agent, not the company.  As I've mentioned before, I chose Keller Williams for two reasons.  1) The culture.  The company's beliefs and values match up with mine, and the atmosphere around the office is infectious.  I love the energy, I love the sharing, I love the positive attitude.  2) The tools.  As an independent business owner, I wanted to associate myself with the company that offered me the best tools that would allow me to serve my customers as best as possible.  Other companies offer more advertising, or more local name recognition, or tools for marketing myself as an agent, but I wasn't interested in those things as much as I was interested in tools (like this blog) that allowed me to bring value to my customers. So why write this blog?  ‘Cause I like stats, I like comparisons, and I like educating people!

If you are looking for golf course community living at its best, look no futher!  Take a look at this beautiful brick English Country style home situated on the 4th tee of Port Orchard's McCormick Woods Golf Course. Perfect for entertaining after a day of golf, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house features an incredible chef's kitchen boasting granite countertops and all new stainless appliances.  In addition, you'll love the formal dining and living rooms, a media room with a 104″ screen (Super Bowl party at your house!) and a garage fully equipped with a 1/2 bath, shop, and lift for tons of storage.  Immaculate landscaping includes gazebo, fire pit and pond. 

What's the best part of this house?  Try the $509,990 price tag!  Gig Harbor and Port Orchard are quietly becoming known for their great golf courses, and the opportunity to live right on one of the area's best golf courses for this price is something you won't want to pass up!  One of the biggest advantages of the McCormick Woods Golf Course is the fantastic central location.  You'll be an easy drive to Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and Bremerton.  If you've ever drempt of living on a golf course in the Puget Sound region, this is your chance!

Golf enthusiasts will want to compare this home with any homes in Gig Harbor's Canterwood Golf and Country Club.  For a portion of the price, you can live on McCormick Woods and get all of the value!  Trying to figure out what to get your golf fanatic for Christmas?  How about a home on the golf course in Port Orchard!  Call for your own private tour of this fantastic piece of real estate.

Home featured on this site with written permission of listing agent Cindy Hemphill of Keller Williams Realty.

Real estate companies are interesting things.  Real estate agents are essentially small business owners in it for themselves, right, so what does the company matter?  Quite a bit, actually.  I'm not going to make this a long post about the various business models and pros and cons of all of Gig Harbor's real estate companies; that'd bore even me.  As I was browsing my Facebook account this morning I saw the owner of a local company had posted "Yea us, we're #1″ (or something similar) as his status.  Can't argue with it, as his company does have more local market share than any other company.

Gary Keller, founder of Keller Williams Realty, and his early team of agents gave the company the following mission statement, one that Keller Williams Realty in Gig Harbor has adopted and whole-heartedly embraced: To have Careers worth Having, Businesses worth Owning, and Lives worth Living.  For me, a career worth having is one that makes a positive impact on the community around me.  Does my job allow me to wake up excited each morning because I not only enjoy what I do but I also am assured I am making a positive difference in the Gig Harbor community? Check.  A business worth owning is profitable.  Period.  Does my business provide me with enough income to support my family?  Check. 

A life worth living is what is most important.  Am I able to spend time with my family or does my business take all my attention?  Am I able to give some of the money I earn to others or do I have to hoard it all?  Does my life matter...are other's lives better because of mine?  Check.  On a large scale, check.  Read this "Thank you" email I got from our company charity, KW Cares, today.

To date in 2009, KW Cares has granted over $700,000 to Keller Williams Associates and their immediate families in 24 of 30 Regions. In 2008, KW Cares provided substantive financial assistance totaling $1,233,000 to 237 Keller Williams associates and their immediate families in 25 of the 30 regions. We helped children, seniors, and those in between. Victims of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, house fires, have received food, shelter, and clothing, and grants to help restore their homes and their lives. Associates faced with life altering accidents and serious medical illnesses have received financial assistance to help with co-pays and deductibles, medicines, therapies, and rehabilitation services not covered by medical insurance. We have helped those recovering from emotional illnesses. More that one KW associate has received assistance to obtain surgical intervention in order to not lose the gift of sight. KW Cares assistance augmented assistance already provided from within the associate's market center. Working together, market centers, regions and KW Cares are providing much needed emotional and financial support to those in dire need..

KW Cares is able to assist KW family members faced with hardship due to an emergency, with expenses for higher education. In 2008, a young widow who lost her husband suddenly to cancer received a KW Cares education grant to pursue a nursing degree, enabling her to provide a better future for her sons

Keller Williams Realty, the 3rd largest real estate company in the nation, may not be #1 in market share in the Puget Sound region, but there's nowhere else I'd rather be!

My 2010 Gig Harbor photo calendars are only $7 this year!  Don't worry, if you were one of the ones who ordered them when they were $15, you'll get the $7 price as well!  Thanks to DPI of Gig Harbor, I can offer this year's calendar at 1/2 of what I was able to do in previous years! 

This calendar features photos from 7 Gig Harbor photographers that will truly amaze you.  It's an 11″x17″, full size, full color 12-month calendar.  If you've ever visited Gig Harbor, lived in Gig Harbor at one time, are a current Gig Harbor resident, whatever, if you know like I know just how picturesque Gig Harbor is, this calendar will be perfect for you.  Like every item around this time of year, it "Makes a great gift" too!

I started making these calendars 5 years ago as gifts for my clients.  The past few years I've had so many requests for them from folks who've seen them at businesses or homes around town that I figured I'd start offering them to everyone.  They're not available in any stores yet, so you have to order through me directly.  You can simply email me at gigharborinfo@gmail.com and tell me how many you'd like to order.  If you're in the Gig Harbor area, I can deliver or arrange to have you pick them up.  If you're out of the area I am happy to mail them to you if you agree to pay the shipping.

Below is a sneak peak at one of this year's photos from Jim Nelson. 

Real estate agents are wasting their time with social media.  It's nothing more than a time suck.  Do I believe that?  Yes and no.  This article by Mike Parker claims that "Social media can be a time suck for real estate agents."  His points to "successful" social media real estate agents who have thousands of friends and followers, yet no transactions to show for it.  He basically calls social media a fad, a phenomenon that tech junkies are duping us with.

Well, like I said, yes and no.  For some agents, social media is a time suck.  The same way that door knocking, creating fliers, drafting and mailing postcards, and many other proven real estate techniques are time sucks.  Many agents are afraid of people...they are more concerned with "being busy" than with getting in front of people.  I spent much of '08 cranking out my social media prowess.  I developed a top notch blog, I grew my social presence, I was becoming a social media rockstar.  And I never actually met with anyone and I only sold 6 houses.

'09 has been a different story.  I still have my blog, I've grown my Twitter base and my Facebook Fan Page and I have lots of Flickr contacts. And my focus has been on meeting these folks face to face, in real life, and I'm approaching $4.5M in closed transactions this year.  So what's the difference?  How is social media working for me now when it didn't work before?

RELATIONSHIPS.  Parker states that "Social media is a sinkhole that absorbs time, effort and money that could better be spent on finding listings and selling houses...advertising and social networking don't complement each other."  He may be right.  BUT, what if social media was a tool, a means in which to meet new people?  I mean get out and sit down across the table from them and meet them.  If you click on my Twitter profile above, you'll see I only have about 275 followers, and about 175 whom I follow.  Not huge numbers in Twitterville.  Likewise, I have about 180 fans on my Facebook page.  Not enormous.  I've made it a goal to meet, in person, at least 1 person per week from my social media networks, and it's been working.  It's the face to face meetings that have earned me business, not the number of followers I have.

Parker also writes that, "An estimated 880 million people search Google for a real estate related thing each month. They search Google-not Twitter, not Facebook or whatever the newest and hippest social site is these days."  He states this in the same article that he writes "Social media is the new blogging. It too will peak, then decline with one very large exception: affinity group business communication."  Not sure how he can promote being found on Google while at the same time trashing blogging.  Log on to Google.com now and type in "Gig Harbor Uptown Center." Or "Gig Harbor Parks."  Or "Gig Harbor Community."  Or "Gig Harbor High Cross Country."  Or "Gig Harbor real estate stats."  There's only 1 site that shows up on page 1 of all of those search terms...my blog.  There are over 50 phrases around "Gig Harbor" I've discovered to date where my blog comes up on page 1 of Google.  Seems effective to me.

In the past 2 years, I've closed 19 transactions that are directly related to my blogging and social media presence.  Is it because I have found the magic pill?  Am I a social media guru?  No.  My mindset is correct now.  Social media and blogging is a way for me to make new relationships.  A new tool to meet people--in person--whom I otherwise would have never met.  I'm not selling anything on these sites.  I'm relating.  I'm connecting.  And my business is thriving. 

Gary Keller mentions often that we are not in the home buying and selling business.  We are in the lead generating business.  In order to generate leads, you must get in front of people.  Social media can be a tool to meet new people and generate new leads.  If you jump on the social media bandwagon hoping to find the next great thing, or if you reluctantly set up your profiles because you have to keep up, then Parker is right.  It'll be a big time sinkhole for you.  If you approach social media as a way to meet people, to join a conversation, to join a community, and you get out from behind your computer and engage, then this could be the ticket to a surviving and thriving real estate career.

Beware of foreclosure predators.  Those who are trying to take advantage of the fear that's still prevalent surrounding foreclosures.  People who prey on others' fears and perhaps lack of information regarding their house payments.

I received a letter in the mail today that begins, "Records indicate that you are currently in default on your mortgage.  Your lender may be in the process of foreclosure proceedings."  It's a very official looking letter.  They have my address, they refer to the government stimulus act, they make it look similar to an IRS form.  They provide sample payments that their plan can get me and give me a 1-800 number to call or a website to visit. 

It's easy for me to see how an elderly person or widow or anyone who may not be completely up to date with their finances could be fooled by this letter and sent into a panic.  This kind of thing drives me nuts.  Far too often in my business now I'm encountering folks who are fearful about the housing market, and folks like this choose to prey on that fear rather than do something worthwhile with their lives. 

Please, if you get a notice like this, call a local Realtor or mortgage professional first.  Don't become a victim of these jerks.  Fear isn't a good decision maker.

The Gig Harbor High School Tides and Peninsula High School Seahawk cross country teams had incredible showings yesterday at the District Championships!  Both the Gig Harbor boys and girls won the championships, as did the Seahawk boys.  The PHS girls were 3rd of 16 teams to qualify for the state meet! 

Check out the results from yesterdays District Cross Country Championships.