New York Times Real Estate Section, May 24 has a great article about a woman who creates Bios for realtors. Barbara Corcoran had found her years ago. Many of the Corcoran agents still seem to use her work. "Valerie Haboush specializes in...those tantalizing, excitement packed agent biographies." I went into the Corcoran agent bios on their website. They are certainly more interesting and well written than most.

A few are in the first person. Most are in third person. Which do you find works best for a biography? Just curious!

Lindsay

Is it time to retool your career?Love to look at houses? Want to sell?

I was in Best Buy today looking for a replacement for our television. Started talking to the sales representative. Suddenly, we were into careers, and real estate as a career. She was interested in learning more about the business and our school.

We drove over to the office and she spoke to the broker. Will she actually enroll in the class that starts early in June? I do not know. But the odds are better than if I had not had her pay us a visit during her lunch hour!

Is it time for your to join Gold Star Real Estate School to retool?

Lindsay

I was in Best Buy today looking for a replacement for our television. Started talking to the sales representative. Suddenly, we were into careers, and real estate as a career. She was interested in learning more about the business and our school.

We drove over to the office and she spoke to the broker. Will she actually enroll in the class that starts early in June? I do not know. But the odds are better than if I had not had her pay us a visit during her lunch hour!

Where have you had success in finding recruits? I am really curious.

I was sure it would be a slow day today. I have been sitting at home as repair folks have been changing the appliances in the kitchen. No way to prospect--right? First, I asked the two installers if they know somone who is buying or selling. Sure enough one of the installers has two pieces of property that he may rent or sell. I have his name, phone, cell phone and an appointment! Next, the electrician shows up. Talked real estate to him. He did not know of anyone selling. However, it seems that his family has been in town for generations. He will take the card and see if he can find someone as he works on house after house after house. I have his name, phone number, and email address for follow up. It does not take much time to prospect for buyers for our listings! All we need is people to talk to. Lindsay

I have been sitting at home today as repair folks have been changing the appliances in the kitchen. No way to prospect--right? First, I asked the two installers if they know somone who is buying or selling. Sure enough one of the installers has two pieces of property that he may rent or sell. I have his name, phone, cell phone and an appointment! Next, the electrician shows up. Talked real estate to him. He did not know of anyone selling. However, it seems that his family has been in town for generations. He will take the card and see if he can find someone as he works on house after house after house. I have his name, phone number, and email address. Do you have interesting prospecting examples to share with us?

Why do so many deals come down to the Dining Room Chandalier? What is there about a chandalier that captivates buyers--especially when the seller insists on taking it with him or her?

I decided to do a little research on chandaliers. Apparently they were first created to light assembly halls during the Medieval times. They were originally drippy candles, then dangerous gas lamps, and finally electric.

The largest chandalier in the world is in a palace in Istanbul. It was a gift of Queen Victoria and weighs 4.5 tons!

Why do people want chandaliers in their dinining rooms and entrance areas? It seems to be a decorative focal point of a room. I think chandaliers say something about the owner. Some are modern while others have a traditional feel to them. Some are elegant and some are simple.It is simply an object that signifies status. Even a small chandalier shows more status than no chandalier.

How do you convince your buyers not to insist on the chandalier--even if they are in love with it and do not have the cash to replace it?

I was previewing a home recently. Came upon a young girl's room. In it were several Barbie Dolls. They were prominently displayed throughout her room. So, I began wondering what Barbies signify for young girls in our society.

I had Barbies growing up. They seem to teach young girls how to dress, how to have romantic relationships (with Ken), and how to become consumers. Barbies always want to shop till they drop.

Guess it is a good thing that we teach young girls and women to shop. Afterall, it seems to me that the woman is the person who decides it is time to buy a house!

Maybe we should create and give away HOUSE HUNTING BARBIES! They might make a real difference in the turn around of this market!

Just a thought.

I decided it is time to move up in the world and get my broker's license here in New Jersey. Well, that was not all. Dad is running a licensing school here in the county for people who want to get into our industry. I decided to get my Instructor license as well. His school is getting many more students lately. I think there is some light at the end of the economic tunnel that is starting to attract people into the industry. So, if you know people here in the county who want their licenses, The Real Estate Chick is getting great reviews from classes. LindsayGamble, MBA, Broker Associate, Instructor. (Good grief. Maybe I need a few more titles.)

We ask realtors to come in with an offer in writing. I have been noticing that more and more calls are coming in with the "what will they take" question. What will they take for the house?

According to the Media, the sellers are in such a pinch that they will consider anything. That is certainly not true here in Bergen County, NJ. The market IS soft, but not that soft.

A buyer who is playing is wasting his or her time, the seller's agent's time, the buyer's agent's time and the seller's time. We are still looking for serious buyers. I am not a tour guide--yet.

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

201 599-1484

I keep trying to stand out in this age of Power Point presentations and glossy presentation books. Recently, I found a book that talks about sales presentations on napkins. Of course the discussion is in the context of the business lunch.

I have been experimenting with cards and yellow pads. Rather than a fancy chart or graph showing the market, I simply draw the graph for the homeowner. Then I leave the "doodles" with them.

Am thinking of having a pad printed up with my name on it so that when I leave the doodles they remember who drew them.

Does anyone use doodles?

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

Gold Star Realty/GMAC