manchaca: Is This YOUR Belief System...Or Our Industry's?
- 04/07/08 11:51 AM
I've recently been reading, and yes, commenting on posts that in some form or fashion relate to "serving" our clients. Most interesting are the large number of agents who are adamant that they don't deserve time off, that they must work 7 days a week because it's their job...it's what they're required to do in order to service their clients properly. I even saw one agent state the Code of Ethics requires this of them. Huh? Some have even arrogantly stated, "for those who don't want to work weekends, find another line of work" or "for those who think this is a regular … (62 comments)
manchaca: Want To Work In Beautiful Austin, Texas?
- 03/31/08 05:52 PM
For any Austin area agents who are seeking change in their professional lives, we would love to talk with you. The PowerHouse Group is now seeking qualified agents to join our team and we're even offering a signing bonus to those agents who join us by the end of May, 2008. 1. 90-10 split 2. Initial and advanced training twice a week 3. Signing bonus Our philosophy is simple. You get to keep more of your money and therefore become more profitable and The PowerHouse Group can earn your loyalty for the long-term. Allow us a few minutes to talk with you over a cup of java...you just might find The PowerHouse Group has the warm, laid-back Austin feel … (0 comments)
manchaca: RACISTS! Yeah, Well You're Fired
- 03/28/08 09:38 AM
Some years back, I listed a property near the lake and explained to the sellers (an African American couple), who were still readying their house for sale, that there was no need to start looking at a replacement home until we had their current home under contract. It was highly improbable that our market (that we were in at that time) would not allow us to locate a seller willing to accept a contingency offer. They agreed and continued to make the improvements to their home that we agreed were necessary prior to marketing. You guessed it...within 2 days of our conversation the wife … (13 comments)
How many of you know what success really is? I'm not talking about someone else's definition of success...I mean YOUR definition of success. If not, you're not alone.
Our industry is full of agents, new and old, who are working themselves into an early grave while trying to reach dream that will never be attained. It was not that many years ago that I was guilty of the same offense. I am so glad that I woke up … (11 comments)
manchaca: A Broker Misses The Good Ole Days Of Being “High”
- 03/20/08 07:33 PM
I had an opportunity to fly to Houston recently (Southwest Airlines) for a one day business trip and boy was it a pain. It's been a couple of years since I've flown on a major airline so I'd forgotten just how cumbersome it is to get from point A to point B on a commercial carrier in our post 9-11 world. Then my mind drifted back to the days when I flew helicopters for the Dallas Police Department. I reminisced about just how easy and relaxing it was to cruise a 370+ square mile area without all the restrictions required of … (7 comments)
manchaca: What Do You Drive? What About A Billionaire?
- 03/19/08 04:45 PM
I've seen several posts regarding the importance, or lack of importance on what an agent drives. Many of the postings describe the importance of "looking" successful. I understand the importance of looking the part, but should that be the overall focus? Here's a lesson I learned years ago about looking successful versus being successful. Many years back when I was a police officer, our police association had invited H. Ross Perot to speak to us regarding the difficult poliitcal times our department was going through. I had been assigned to the parking lot of our association office to wait for Mr. Perot to arrive and make sure … (14 comments)
manchaca: "My Client May Have Pulled Your Sign Up"
- 03/18/08 02:00 AM
About 9 years ago, I was referred to and received a great listing that offered a fantastic view of Lake Travis. I knew this would be a "hot" listing....but what I didn't know at the time was just how low a veteran broker would stoop to keep her client in the running for this home. The house was vacant and was located about 35 minutes from my office and my Seller asked me to check on it once a week. It had only been on the market a one day when I started receiving calls off the sign. The next day (Friday) I decided to visit … (13 comments)
manchaca: The Blame Game.....Do You Play It?
- 03/14/08 06:06 PM
I just had two closings, neither of which closed on time. On these particular closings, I followed up regularly with the agents and quickly got the feeling they simply placed the transactions on autopilot and assumed all would go as planned. Understand that almost all my sellers choose to include a "time is of the essence" provision in their contract in an attempt to keep the buyers / buyer's agent on track. I've never really believed that floating closing dates are a good way to do business....just my personal preference I suppose. But I'm always amazed when we get to the day of closing, and I realize by now that we won't … (3 comments)
manchaca: Did I Invite You Into My Inbox?
- 03/11/08 03:33 PM
I'm sure there will be valid arguments on both sides of this issue, but this a growing problem for me and a number of other agents I've talked to recently. I'm sure we all get plenty of spam daily and my inbox is certainly no different. Spammer's nationwide will continue to load our inboxes about anatomical enlargement drugs to business development seminars. But what about the spam we get from other agents. Yes, I said spam. A growing trend in my area is for agents to email blast hundreds or even thousands of agents advertising each new listing these agents receive. I do understand the purpose but I have access to the MLS and … (11 comments)
manchaca: "I Gave It To My (Dead) Mother", Agent Says
- 03/10/08 05:07 PM
Here is yet one more installment of my most bizarre transactions. An elderly, but cash heavy buyer, contracted to purchase a small home on the north side of town. Being retired, and in less than great health, he fell in love with the large corner lot with all the flower beds and the 5' tall, multi-level water fountain that was set upon it's own perch in the garden and energized by the underground electrical service designed specifically for this magnificent, peaceful piece of art. He envisioned enjoying this beautiful garden and water fountain for years to come as he sat on the covered patio. Now let me say … (23 comments)
manchaca: But This Is A Cash Deal......Just Kidding
- 03/08/08 01:59 PM
A while back, just prior to my family and I leaving for a vacation. a referral called me to list an home from his mother's estate. He was was still doing final repairs on it so we decided to wait until the repairs were complete before starting our marketing. This was going to be a very hot listing due to the location which is highly sought after, so I was looking forward to receiving multiple offers once we started our marketing. Within a few days, and before my sign was on site, an agent saw the seller working on the house and said she had cash buyer for the house if he'd be willing … (4 comments)
manchaca: How To Get Your Client Arrested!
- 03/08/08 10:52 AM
What we experience can often be considered a cruel teacher, but a teacher nonetheless. I had a listing that was under contract and and failed to close per the contract as scheduled due to buyer/lender issues. I knew the buyer agent was out looking for her next victim...I mean client, so this transaction had been placed on the back burner. Apparently this agent (newbie) believed her obligation ended when the contract was executed and everything else would happen while on autopilot. It did not. About a week later than originally scheduled, the buyers (who were local) did finally close their side of the deal but I was not … (107 comments)
manchaca: I'll Sue Your %$*^#!
- 03/07/08 12:02 PM
It's unfortunate, but I'm sure many of us have experienced the agent who is always right and is willing to curse at you if you indicate otherwise. Like a drunk in a bar, they're always looking for an altercation. Because of my previous career, I know it's usually a result of low self esteem, but that doesn't excuse the behavior. The last time I ran into this type of agent was in December 2006. She had been an agent for all of 14 months so she was clearly a gifted, knowledgeable practitioner. Right. Her client was purchasing my client's vacant home. I knew from the start … (8 comments)
manchaca: Become A Doctor.....Of Real Estate That Is
- 03/07/08 01:11 AM
Over the last 10 years, I have been a student of real estate. I say student because I don't think you should ever stop learning or having a strong desire to learn. And real estate, like our world, is constantly changing. But one thing I've noticed is how few agents continue to aggressively learn as they continue their career. Many get their license and in the ensuing years do only what is required of them ito keep their license. Here's an example. Some months back, I took another agent along on a "short-sale" listing appointment with me at his request. He had been … (6 comments)
manchaca: So When Did You Join The IRS?
- 03/06/08 04:57 PM
Real estate is my second career...my first was law enforcement (17 years), so needless to say I thought I'd seen and heard it all. Until I got into real estate that is. As a police officer, I pretty much kept to myself, did my job and went home. I didn't share much of my job with my family as I didn't see the need to give them an idea of just how disjointed some of society really is. I didn't hang around other cops, I didn't go drinking with them and I sure didn't share my personal thoughts and matters with … (6 comments)
manchaca: The Power Of Perseverance...No Matter What You Do
- 03/06/08 02:29 PM
I'm sure we've all heard about the power of sticking to something, not giving up, persevering until we reach our goal. But how many of you will do it for 15 years? I'm close to one such person who did just that. He is a talented, dedicated attorney who graduated from Notre Dame School of Law (and paid for it himself), got a job at a big law firm in Dallas and made partner on the fast track. But after only 5 years of the rat race, he knew he really didn't want the grandiose lifestyle that so many young attorneys strive for. No, he wanted … (7 comments)
manchaca: The Sky May Be Falling Elsewhere....Not In Austin
- 03/06/08 01:51 PM
I have all but given up watching TV these days. Good TV, like good radio stations is hard to find. And every time I turned it on, I would hear just how bad the housing market is. Obviously, the statistics are dismal in many areas of the country, but Austin, Texas is still beating the trend with a very stable market. In fact, from 2006 to 2007, almost all areas of Austin saw moderate to significant increases in home values. Austin is expected to have a strong net population gain because industries, large and small, have found the Austin area very conducive to continued growth. … (2 comments)
I've recently been reading, and yes, commenting on posts that in some form or fashion relate to "serving" our clients. Most interesting are the large number of agents who are adamant that they don't deserve time off, that they must work 7 days a week because it's their job...it's what they're required to do in order to service their clients properly. I even saw one agent state the Code of Ethics requires this of them. Huh? Some have even arrogantly stated, "for those who don't want to work weekends, find another line of work" or "for those who think this is a regular … (62 comments)
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