When Is It Time To Change? Warning Signs Of A Stagnant Business - 06/28/10 12:56 PM
Summer is a great time to relax and do nothing....uh oh! Reading the blog posts it seems many are in the throws of closing deals from the Tax Credit. Others are planning for vacations and family activities. The scene is ripe for complacency. Don't Do It! Use your time, even if it's laying in the sun....think about your business and what areas are in need.
One of the main things I've been working on this past month is "what are the areas of my business that aren't working"?
The questions I'm asking myself are:
1) What areas of my business are … (5 comments)

California Tax Credit Big Success - 06/27/10 08:00 PM
California has picked up where the Federal First Time Home Buyer Credit left off. $10,000 available over the next 3 years. Tim mentions it's success, and it's great to hear.
Via Tim Lorenz (TIM LORENZ of Keller Williams Realty):
The California tax credit has been a big success.  The federal tax credit finished on April 30, 2010 to qualify for up to $8,000 in federal tax breaks.  California started their tax credit May 1, 2010.  It has been so successful that the amount of money set aside for the tax credit is almost gone. 80 percent of the home buyers tax credit funds or set asside  … (2 comments)

Finally!!! I Found A Door Drop Flier That Worked! - 06/22/10 07:17 PM
I don't know about you, but I don't read the door drop fliers that land on my front door step. Not unless I need a gardener or a new service of some kind. But would I use it to find a Realtor? No! So I've always seen them as a necessary evil for the neighborhood farm, and rarely done them. I'm sure I've missed opportunities by this, but not completely sure.
I've been revamping my business this month. Everything from a new website to hiring a new team member and really tackling a geographical farm. So the door drop was a … (159 comments)

Thank You AR For The Father's Day Posts.....I'll Hug Mine Extra Tight Tonight - 06/20/10 07:58 PM
I don't think I take Dad for granted....but I definitely forget that time is running short. All the beautiful tributes to Dads that have passed on from Active Rainers has touched me today.
I'm so lucky!!!
Dad is my hero! Never in a bad mood, never raised his voice. Had a great job and is generous! Loves his family and supports us in all we do....while always willing to let us know when we are doing something silly (imagine that). He is a firm, moral man who quietly loves God and church. He is a great dad, friend, husband and grandfather...and … (6 comments)

My Pipeline Kept Me Alive and Thriving During The Lean Real Estate Market - 06/19/10 12:09 PM
One of the very first lessons I learned (the hard way) is that regardless of how busy you are with current business, you HAVE to prospect and continue to put future business in your pipeline. Sales rooms are full of people chasing around after the current close or current transaction....having lunch with peers celebrating the latest sale, but then often these same people will be back in a month scared to death over the lack of activity then.
Prospecting is not always our favorite task. I get that! It's putting ourselves out there for rejection and that's not comfortable. The Internet … (41 comments)

Wearing the Purple and Gold....Lakers/ Celtics Game 7 Tonight - 06/17/10 11:46 AM
The NBA Finals are about to end...with a Game 7. The biggest rivalry of basketball, Celtics and Lakers. This goes so far beyond Kobe and Lebron, or Shaq and Kobe...it's franchise rivalry. Something generations can share together:
Bill Russell vs Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain
Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson
Paul Pierce (?) or Kevin Garnett (?) or Ray Allen (?)....not sure about a superstar Celtic vs Kobe Bryant
Is this going to be revenge for the horrible loss in 2008? or will our arch enemies celebrate on the Laker's home court. Too terrible to think about. Either way, … (19 comments)

Mission Viejo Hosts Pirates | Pirate Magic Show at Civic Center | Pirate Magic Show with Rafael and Katia - 06/16/10 05:52 PM
Mission Viejo is known as a family friendly city. The first master-planned community in Southern California, emphasis has always been placed on balanced, complete lifestyle living. As part of this committement on the part of the city council.....the Mission Viejo Library often hosts special events.
This week, June 24th, the Library welcomes real pirates to entertain the kids. With sword fighting and pirate stories, this swashbuckling magic show is full of audience participation and amazing magic tricks.
Kick off the summer with the kids!
When:
June 24, 2010 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM 
Where:
Saddleback Room at City Hall, … (0 comments)

What we need to do is write a new contract dated April 29th … what??? - 06/13/10 11:49 AM
This needs to be blogged, and reblogged and reblogged again....dangerous concept! Don't Do it!
Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
You would think that this would be an anomaly, but with the June 30th deadline approaching more and more buyers that were not under contract by April 30th are getting the feeling that they are missing out on something.
After all, $8,000 is a lot of money to lose, and it may not seem fair that some buyers that are closing this month will get the credit and others will not. There is always that nagging and burning desire to try … (3 comments)

Why Work With Me.....My List! - 06/13/10 11:28 AM
This is a new item I've included in my listing presentation, and in my buyer's package. As some of you may know, I've been on a mission to quantify my business aspects this past month. So it seemed like a natural outcome to clearly state for potential/new clients why they should work with me....and what they can expect.
So I have a list of expectations they can read over and we can talk about:
1) I am honest2) I have a strong work ethic3) I am VERY GOOD at what I do4) I will represent YOUR interests.....even if that means walking … (18 comments)

Referral Given......Referral Recieved - 06/12/10 11:38 AM
Remember the old adage "Give and Ye Shall Receive"? Everyone at Active Rain knows the power of referrals. We have all developed relationships which allow us to comfortably send referrals to each other from one end of the country to the other. But what about sending a referral to someone on the other side of the city? Why would I do that? Long term benefits, long term good will.
Regardless of how experienced we are.....there are areas of real estate that we COULD handle, but choose not to. It's clear cut when it's a commercial building (and we don't know anything about … (16 comments)

Huntington Beach Townhouse | 7722 Ellis Ave Huntington Beach | 3 Bedroom/2.5 Baths | Ocean Close | Huntington Beach School District - 06/11/10 12:24 PM
Huntington Beach Townhouse | 3 Bedroom/2.5 Baths | Ocean Close | Huntington Beach School District
Equity sellers....."steal" this home now! $499,000

So much awaits you in this upgraded townhouse in Huntington Beach. Priced at $499,000...this home has every imaginable improvement done for you. Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, recessed lighting. So much more!
Drive by 7722 Ellis Avenue, Huntington Beach....then give us a call at (949) 510-2395 to arrange a viewing.
… (0 comments)

Just For Fun! A Real Estate Song....I'm Getting Ready For 4th Of July - 06/10/10 08:36 PM
Sung to the tune "She's a Grand Old Flag" :)
She's a grand old home,In the yard....there's a gnome,And a bed where the roses can bloom.
On a tree-lined street,With 2000 square feet,And the laundry even has it's own room.
Every buyer knows,That a family grows,So a yard for the dog will prove.
This home will sell,Buy-ers compel,And the sellers will gladly move.
 
ps...yes, I wrote it :) Can't you tell?
… (11 comments)

I Won The British Lottery....Of Course I'll Give You My Banking Information So You Can Transfer The Funds (this is soooo exciting) - 06/10/10 10:57 AM
I did it...didn't realize that I had entered....but I won the British Lottery. It's true!!! I just got an email; strange that it went into my junk mail folder. Hmmmm, but still.....I am going to go shopping today.
I heard from Sir Anthony Martin, he's an official for the lottery. All he needs is my bank information and I'm going to have $12,000,000 in my account by tomarrow. Isn't this exciting? I have a lot to do this morning, so real estate will have to wait.
1) Send my personal account information and passwords (so they can verify it's me)2) Send … (17 comments)

AR MEMBER SARAH HALL WEIGAND IS MISSING - 06/09/10 10:41 PM
Please keep an eye out for her
Via Dawn Maloney, CDRS Elite (RE/MAX Commitment):
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN?
IMPORTANT!! Has anyone seen or heard from Sarah Hall Weigand? Last contact was midnight 6/8/2010. She is missing along with her dog. House was found wide open with car in driveway. Police and family are looking for her. Very Worried. PLEASE CALL 850.867.6710 or 330-472-1158 IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT SARAH HALL WEIGAND. Sarah is a REALTOR in Estero Florida with Crimaldi & Associates.
She is the daughter of my friend here in Ohio, Darlene Hall.
****PLEASE REBLOG!!!****


We … (1 comments)

Quantify Your Goals and Make Yourself Accountable - 06/07/10 04:55 PM
Last Friday, I wrote a blog post called The Weekend is Coming....What Are Your Top 3 Action Items For Business? In this, I outlined the 3 things that I absolutely HAD to do that weekend to further my business. Of course, I could do more....but I identified 3 things that would directly impact my business. So, what were the results?
1) Arrive early to Open House, knock on 20 neighbor's doors and invite them to open house. Ask all if they would be interested in knowing what their home is worth. Bring comps to distribute. I brought 75 copies of my listing … (7 comments)

$8000 Credit Alive and Well On This Home | Huntington Beach Open House 6/6 1-4pm | 3 bd/2.5 ba home under $499,000 - 06/06/10 01:18 PM
$8000 Credit Alive and Well On This Home | Huntington Beach Open House 6/6 1-4pm | 3bd/2ba home under $499,000
The Federal Tax Credit might have expired, but hundreds of homes still offer generous credits for buyers looking to buy a new home with as little cash down as possible. This wonderful Huntington Beach home is just one.
This home has 3 bedrooms/ 2.5 baths townhouse is priced at $499,000. Upgraded throughout, no expense has been spared to bring this to model-home standards. Hardwood floors, crown molding, gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Upgraded bathrooms, new vanity in master … (0 comments)

Unemployment Is High.....Great Time To Hire For Those Things We Hate To Do - 06/06/10 10:56 AM
I am surprised at how many people have real estate licenses and are unemployed. I recently read an article that said that 22% of the unemployed in my county had some form of professional license active...and that another 12% could activate a professional license. Many of these were contractors, but a solid 9% of unemployed people in my county had a real estate license.
What a great opportunity for me to use them in my business model for things I hate to do.
There are things I really hate to do.....yet they are important for a successful real estate team. Here … (48 comments)

You Can't Get To Your Destination Unless You Have a Road Map....My Meeting With Tom Ferry - 06/04/10 05:53 PM
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Tom Ferry yesterday and spent an hour with him. I learned so much, and came away with some very concrete steps to take.
First thing Tom asked me was "where do you want to be in 5 years." I might have mumbled something about "being successful"....or easily another silly answer. (ok, maybe not quite that bad). Although I had a vague idea of what I wanted my real estate business to look like....it was just that, vague. I didn't know how many agents I wanted/needed, what amount of money I would be making nor … (8 comments)

The Weekend is Coming....What Are Your Top 3 Action Items For Business? - 06/04/10 12:17 PM
I spent an hour with Tom Ferry yesterday...and will tell more about that in another post. One of the main things I took away was that my goals needed to be concrete action items. So I started thinking about this weekend. Weekends are busy for Realtors, but so often we just go through the actions of showing homes and doing Open Houses without much to further to show for it.
So....this weekend, my top 3 action items for new business is this.
1) Arrive early to Open House, knock on 20 neighbor's doors and invite them to open house. Ask all … (33 comments)

Appraisal Reviews and the Contingency Removal....Protecting Our Buyers - 06/02/10 09:33 PM
Appraisal Reviews are becoming the norm in real estate transactions, yet most of our contracts have a standard time frame to remove our contingencies, on the California forms (CAR forms) it's 17 days unless adjusted. Often we find that sellers will shorten this time frame to 10 or even 7 days. But there is no way to tell if a lender is going to require an appraisal review at the last minute, if the appraisal contingency is removed, we expose our buyers to damages.
Understandably, the seller wants the contingencies removed in the agreed upon time frame. Some lenders are known … (50 comments)

8 Times Was The Charm - 06/02/10 12:25 PM
8 different times I have sent this offer to the listing agent. Finally, after 3 months, the sellers took our offer.
I think that I actually heard the agent groan yesterday when I called, AGAIN, to see if our offer might be considered for this home, but she was actually giddy when she called last night to say they took it. The one thing she knows for sure....we want this home and I'm persistent. But it took a long time:
1) Sent offer of $335,000 on a standard sale listed at $359,000. (This was the max we could qualify for)Seller … (11 comments)

Giving to Get....My Meeting With Tom Ferry and My Review of "My Life By Design" - 06/01/10 09:16 PM
Many of you are aware that I was fortunate enough to win an hour with Tom Ferry, and I have it scheduled for Thursday. 60 minutes with a resource of this caliber is a wonderful opportunity and one of which I hope to make valuable. A planner by nature, I did forward an outline of the items I'd like to cover during this hour. But I suspect that Tom might have different ideas for me....I think I'll go with his plan.:)
Tom's offer of an hour of his time to speak to me, and address my ideas/plans is quite generous, so … (11 comments)

The Buck Stops Here!!! Technology Gitches, No-Show Open Houses, Lowball Offers? - 06/01/10 02:31 PM
The seller doesn't care whose fault it is! Ever have a listing where everything starts off wrong? Fliers don't show, open houses get no attention, lowball offers pour in? Yep....they are killer. I have one right now that is really annoying me. Wonderful clients, great home...and every aspect of the background work is failing me.
1) A flyer company I've used for years didn't get the flyers to the property on time.2) An Open House had no showings, none of the agents I set up came3) The MLS feed is not giving pictures to real estate sites properly (Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, etc)4) … (7 comments)

 
A Southern California Coastal agent's perspective on real estate and other things that interest me!

Author Bio: Karen Fiddler has been a Realtor for...



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