Jan O'Brien: Real Estate Business Coach, Agent Team Building & Training

15 Online Resources to Avoid Foreclosures, Nevada Foreclosure Information, Top US Government Resource Sites

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:26:03 -0500

Foreclosure Information - Avoiding Foreclosure

www.realtytrac.com National, state, county foreclosure statistics, trends, resources, information
RentalForeclosure.com Tenants can find out if a property is in Foreclosure - NOD filed
Freddie Mac - Working with Your Lender to Avoid Foreclosure
Hope Now - an alliance between counselors, mortgage companies, investors, and other mortgage market participants. This alliance will maximize outreach efforts to homeowners in distress to help them stay in their homes and will create a unified, coordinated plan to reach and help as many homeowners as possible.
Housing Help Now- National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Home Foreclosure and Debt Cancellation - (IRS.gov) and The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (FAQ)

Nevada Foreclosure Information
Nevada Foreclosure Help - Useful resources and info from Nevada Department of Business & Industry
Nevada Hope at Home collaborative effort between Nevada Public Radio, local nonprofit organizations and local financial institutions to help provide residents in southern Nevada access to reliable, easy-to-find information on the foreclosure crisis in southern Nevada
Nevada Revised Statutes - Chapter 107 - Deeds of Trust

Government Resource Websites
www.FinancialStabilty.gov
www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
www.Treas.gov
www.USA.gov
www.WhiteHouse.gov
www.Hud.gov

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

The What, Why and How of C.L.U.E. Reports

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:18:37 -0500

The recently revised Residential Purchase Agreement from the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors added the CLUE report as a due diligence option for buyers to request. Here is some more information about the CLUE report and how to obtain one.

What is a CLUE report?

The C.L.U.E.^® (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) Report. CLUE is a report of claims information generated by ChoicePoint, a consumer-reporting agency. Insurance companies report claim information to ChoicePoint, such as the type of claim and how much they paid on a claim. In exchange, insurance companies can access the claims history of a specific consumer or property. A CLUE report generally contains up to five years of personal auto or personal property claims history.

A CLUE report contains:

• Your name

• Date of birth

• Policy number

• Date of loss

• Type of loss

• Amount the insurance company paid

• Description of the covered property

• Property address (for homeowner coverage)

• Specific vehicle information (for auto coverage)

How insurance companies use CLUE reports

An insurance company may request a CLUE report when you apply for coverage or request a quote. The company uses your claims history, or the history of claims at a specific property, to determine if it will offer you coverage and how much you will pay. They believe past claims indicate that you’re more likely to file a claim in the future.

Who maintains this database?

The major issuer of CLUE reports is ChoicePoint, a Georgia company that is one of the country's biggest compilers and sellers of personal consumer data. A property loss database is also maintained by Insurance Services Office (ISO) which calls its database the Automated Property Loss Underwriting System, or A-PLUS. The Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles you to a copy of your CLUE report.

TO ORDER A CLUE Reports: Visit www.ChoiceTrust.com or call (866) 312-8076 (automated voice line). NOTE: The homeowner must be the person ordering the report. If you are a buyer, check with your insurance company, they may be able to obtain the CLUE report as a service to you.

More info about CLUE Reports:

PrivacyRights.org website (Fact Sheet 26 - CLUE Insurance Databases)

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Free Downloads of Classic Motivational Books

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:07:46 -0500

If you haven't read these classics before (or even if you have, they are worth revisiting), download a PDF version today and be prepared for a motivational-inspirational deluge of information to apply, remember, reinforce in your daily life.

FREE eBook Downloads:

Think and Grow Rich -Napoleon Hill

The Master Key System-Charles F. Haanel

Richest Man in Babylon - George S. Clason

Here is a link to the books I recommend on business, personal development and blogging/social media:

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

How to Pre-Qualify the Short Sale Seller - Earn the CSP Designation in Las Vegas

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:10:00 -0500

The first key step to becoming an effective short sale listing agent is to know how to properly pre-qualify the seller and determine the likelihood of a successful short sale. Steve Kitnick and I have compiled the following strategies and questions to assist you in that process.

Become a Certified Short-Sale Specialist

Telephone Strategies
(Remember, the purpose of the telephone call is to "get the appointment, not to conduct your presentation!"

When setting the appointment ask a few qualifying questions:
- “Is this your primary residence or an investment property?”
- “Are you current on your payments?”
- “Have you received a Notice of Default?”
- “Is your name on the loan?”

Set the expectation for the meeting and ask the seller to gather key documents for the most productive appointment, e.g.
- Current mortgage statement(s) with loan information, payoff or current loan balance(s)
- Any notices or letters from the lender
- Other issues affecting the property
Don’t over sell or over commit on the phone: “I know things are tough. But, it’s hard for me to do an unbiased study until I get there. We’ll talk about the numbers then, OK?”
Know in advance that the seller will likely react negatively

Listing Appointment Strategies

Bring down the walls by building rapport - you do this by asking pertinent questions and "listening"
Use a consultative / educational approach
- “Why are you considering a short sale?”
- “Tell me about the circumstances leading to your current situation”
Ask questions! Use the list below as your guide
Explain the short sale process
Set expectations and what is required of them and what you will be doing to facilitate a successful sale and closing
Ask this key question after you have built rapport and trust: “Are you willing to do what is necessary to get this short-sale accomplished?”

Questions to Ask The Seller to Determine the Likelihood of Successful Short Sale

1) Is your name on the loan? Are there any co-borrowers?
2) Whose name(s) is/are on title?
3) Why are you considering a short sale?
4) Have you missed any payments?
5) Has a Notice of Default been filed?
6) What caused you to get behind in your payments?
7) Are you considering or currently in a bankruptcy?
8) Have you spoken to an attorney or accountant regarding legal and/or tax ramifications?
9) How many loans are there?
10) Who is/are the loan(s) with?
11) How much do you owe?
12) Are you aware of any pre-payment penalties?
13) How much is/are the payment(s)?
14) Have you refinanced recently?
15) Are you current with your CIC monthly dues and other related housing expenses
       (sewer, water, trash, etc)?
16) Are you current with any SID/LID or other assessments?
17) Other than the loans, are there any other liens? (CIC, SID/LID, property taxes,
        mechanic's lien, IRS tax liens, child support
18) I presume you live here, is that correct? Will you continue to live here?
19) Will you maintain the property?
20) Can you contribute to paying any closing costs?
21) Would you be willing to sign an installment note if required?
22) Do you own any other real estate?
23) Do you expect your situation to change any time soon?

ATTENTION LAS VEGAS REAL ESTATE AGENTS!

Steven Kitnick Seminars, LLC. in association with RealtyU® Presents
Certified Short-Sale Professional Designation Course
Friday, May 1st, 9:00am - 5:30pm SOLD OUT -
Prudential Americana Group REALTORS®
2140 E. Pebble Rd., #160 Las Vegas, NV 89123

Added date June 5th
Reserve your seat and ENROLL NOW!

This program qualifies you for the Certified Short-Sale Professional Designation. The CSP designation is managed by the Short-Sale Council, an exclusive membership organization specializing in assisting agents in mastering the skills of managing short-sale transactions. Earn the CSP designation by attending the full-day, live short-sale class held by Steven Kitnick and Jan O’Brien. Course investment is $299. Be a member in good standing with the Short-Sale Council. Your first year’s dues of $99 are sponsored by RealtyU®.

At the End of this Course, You Will Be Able to Do the Following:
•    Know if a short sale will be successful before signing a listing contract
•    Understand what needs to be included for a successful short sale submission package
•    Know the importance of each item the lenders require for a short sale
•    Have multiple lead generation sources for short sale prospects
•    Know the timeline for the foreclosure process and how to extend it if necessary
•    Understand how to make simple quick calculations to determine if a short sale will be accepted by a lender
•    Master the key steps to successful short sale listings and close more sales

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

"REO Reality Check" Blog Post Featured in Arizona Realtor Magazine

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:06:16 -0500

Thanks to the Arizona REALTOR Magazine and their online version (www.AARNews.com) for publishing my blog post from August 2008 in their April 2009 Edition.

One update to the article... February 2009 Las Vegas Closings:
REO sales accounted for eighty percent (80%) of the February closings with another eight percent (8%) attributed to short sales.

Original Post on Active Rain
REO Reality Check - 10 Tips to Get Your REO Offers Accepted and Closed

Looking for Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Las Vegas?

Get a Free VIP Membership at LasVegasForeclosureConnection.com - Search All Available Las Vegas Foreclosures/REOs

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Have you Discovered Your "Great Opportunity" in the current Real Estate Market?

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:23:49 -0500

At the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates (PREA) National Sales Convention held March 29-31, one of the keynote speakers, Geoffrey Colvin (Senior Editor-at-large for Fortune Magazine) presented a compelling talk on our economic recovery, how we got here and how we are going to get out of it.

As he was speaking, the thought that came to me was... What if everyone could stop focusing on the next "great depression" but rather see "The Great Opportunity". What have you been focusing on in the past months? Are you open to the opportunities in your market? Are you making the appropriate adjustments in your business plan and daily tactics to capitalize on the abundant opportunities?

The key points of Colvin's speech that resonated with me included:

The two main areas to watch and track are:
1. Consumer behavior. Colvin explained that this recession showed a distinct "opposite behavior" by consumers compared to previous recessions. Specifically, this time around, the consumer trend leading up to the economic downturn has been increased spending and decreased savings rates.
2. The price of risk (tracking the gap between junk bond rates and low-yield instruments)
This has been historically the longest recession but not the deepest.
Three things that have to happen to drive the economic recovery
1. Employment rate must increase
2. Credit markets have to start working again
3. Home prices have to stabilize. Colvin also relayed his belief that "small business owners especially us (Realtors)" were vital to the economic recovery. Housing is after all at the center of this situation

What the leading companies are doing differently during this down turn and recovery:
Investing in their core

Protecting their most valued assets (their people)

Communicating like crazy (with optimism, the victories and sucesses)

Creating new solutions for new problems

This last point is "the golden nugget." Are you actively creating new solutions for new issues? What is your "Great Opportunity" and what action steps are you taking to make it your new reality?

Looking for Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Las Vegas?

Get a Free VIP Membership at LasVegasForeclosureConnection.com - Search All Available Las Vegas Foreclosures/REOs

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Understanding the $8,000 First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:16:00 -0600

Is the newly modified $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit going to encourage more buyers to jump off the fence and purchase a home in 2009?

Last week, Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR, spoke at the Rocky Mountain Conference in Las Vegas and predicted that las Vegas would lead the country out of the housing crisis. He cited two key reasons: 1. Las Vegas home prices are under market and 2. The Stimulus Plan

Read Kathryn Bovard's full post for more Today Chief Economist Predicts Las Vegas Real Estate Market to Lead the Nation Out of Housing Crisis

The Tax Credit ...In a nutshell:

Changes the 2008 $7500, repayable credit to $8000 and no repayment (tax credit - "refundable")
Good for purchases of principal residence on or after January 1 to December 1, 2009
Only first-time home buyers are eligible (defined as anyone who has not had any home ownership in 3 years prior to day of 2009 purchase)
Income restriction - individuals earning up to $75,000 and married couples who file joint return no more than $150,000
There is a reduced credit which totally phases out for individuals at $95,000 annual income and $170,000 (joint return)

Here's more on the home buyer tax credit from NAR:

Home Buying Tax Credit. "The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser."

Download HomeBuyers_Tax_Credit - NAR Presentation

Download HomeBuyer_tax_cred_qa - FAQ from NAR

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Housing Stability Plan - Resources for REALTORS

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:38:15 -0600

Here are some links to various resources concerning the Stimulus Plan, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.

If you want to recommend any other useful resources to add to this post - just post your comment and link!

NAR's resource page - Unlock America's Economy (Links to articles, NAR President's Podast series, and other good information to keep you informed and updated)

Recovery.gov Stay informed about how and where the money is being distributed from the recently passes American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Visit the site for timelines, graphics, charts and updates The President has promised Accountability and Transparency...

FinancialStability.gov Quick links to press releases, webcasts, fact sheets

Emergency Economic Stability Act - US Treasury site

HUD.gov - HUD site packed with info and resources

The White House website and blogs:

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Top 10 Ways You Know You're a Blogger If...

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:32:06 -0600

OK - this is a really funny and oh so spot-on blog post!

Via Kevin & Monica Ray Missoula Real Estate Specialists (Access Realty www.YourMT.com):

Top 10 Ways You Know You're a Blogger If..

1.) You won't leave the house without your camera, or better yet, it's attached to you at all times. You never know when you will find inspiration.

2.) You have the thought at least once a day, "Oh that would make a great blog post!"

3.) You keep notes on your desk, stuck to your monitor, or in a file on "Future Blog Post Topics."

4.) You love to read other Blogs. If you're a writer, chances are that you're also a reader, they go hand in hand.

5.) You've been kept awake at least one night because you have a hot idea for a blog post or you're struggling with the perfect Blog Title, or you have gotten up way too early to write for your Blog.

6.) Blogs are a major source for your news - why bother with TV and newspapers when there are so many quality blogs?

7.) You know what it is to "Reblog" and you either love it or you hate it.

8.) You've made real-life friends, clients or business associates with people who comment on your blogs, or by commenting on their blogs.

9.) You've spent at least one Friday or Saturday night home blogging instead of going out.

10.) You can easily use the terms "Blogosphere" "Trackbacks" "Permalink" "RSS Feed" and "Blog Roll" in a sentence.

*******

Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton

For more information on Kevin and Monica Ray or Western Montana Real Estate, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.YourMT.com.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Las Vegas Real Estate & Foreclosure Report for January 2009

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:52:05 -0600

Nevada continues to have the highest number or foreclosure filings for all US states according to www.Realtytrac.com. Realtytrac records and defines foreclosure filings as:

".... documents filed in all three phases of foreclosure: Default — Notice of Default (NOD) and Lis Pendens (LIS); Auction — Notice of Trustee Sale and Notice of Foreclosure Sale (NTS and NFS); and Real Estate Owned, or REO properties (that have been foreclosed on and repurchased by a bank)."

"Nevada foreclosure activity in January decreased 4 percent from the previous month, but the state continued to register the nation’s No. 1 foreclosure rate, with one in every 76 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing during the month. Foreclosure filings were reported on 14,444 Nevada properties in January, up 137 percent from January 2008."

Las Vegas ranked as the second highest metro foreclosure rate (#1 was Merced, CA) in January with one in every 63 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing.

Bank-owned (REO/Foreclosure) sales accounted for 81% of all residential closings for January 2009 in the Las Vegas Real Estate market.

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors reported the following breakdown of closed residential transactions for January 2009:

Cash 25% Average Sale Price = $149,267
Conv 31% Average Sale Price = $221,460
FHA 36% Average Sale Price = $168,760
VA 8% Average Sale Price = $193,787

What is the good news? There are tremendous purchasing opportunities for Las Vegas properties. With interests rate low and prices even lower, there has truly never been a better time to buy then now.

If you want a referral to a top Las Vegas real Estate agent - give me a call at 702-858-9191, email me at jan@janobrien.com or start your search now for a Las Vegas home, condo, or bank-owned/foreclosure:

Click on the icon below for Free access to over 30,000 listings in the Las Vegas valley.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

NAR Chief Economist Predicts Las Vegas Will Lead Nation in Housing Recovery

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:47:24 -0600

Kathryn Bovard wrote an excellent post yesterday on her Zen Real Estate blog, reporting on NAR's chief economist Dr. Lawrence Yun's prediction that Las Vegas would lead the country out of the housing crisis.

Dr. Yun cited to key reasons...
1.The Las Vegas home prices are under market and
2. The Stimulus Plan

Read Kathryn's full post for more..
Today Chief Economist Predicts Las Vegas Real Estate Market to Lead the Nation Out of Housing Crisis

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported Executve says LV Housing poised to rally

"Low mortgage rates, combined with first-time homebuyer assistance from the federal stimulus package, will push buyers off the fence and into affordable homes, Lawrence Yun said at the Realtors association's Rocky Mountain Regional Conference held at Green Valley Ranch Resort."

And more positive news today - the FHA loan limit was increased to $400,000 in Clark County (Las Vegas). THis means buyers looking for homes up to $412,000 can now qualify with as little as 3.5% down payment.

Visit the FHA Mortgage Limit page to check the loan limits for any county/state.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Steps for Internet and eMarketing Success

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:06:46 -0600

A succesful eMarketing strategy must have:

Compelling reason(s) for prospect to contact you over other agents
Benefits for prospect
Specific offers, reports
Calls to action
Lead capture ability
Measuring & Tracking capability

Steps for Internet & eMarketing Success

1. Create & Maintain a great “Destination” Website and/or Blog

Customer-Centric not Agent-Centric - "Image style branding is out"
People don’t want to be sold, they want to be helped and get information
- Internet = access, information, instant
- Offer what the consumer wants
  - Easy & accessible Search for listings (IDX)
  - Photos & virtual tours
  - Reports, local market data
  - Neighborhood, community, school information
  - Foreclosure, short sale, loan modification information
Compelling content - in addition to the list above, consider
- Buyer/Seller process & tips
- Relocation info, guides
- Testimonials
- Your niche, target markets, specialties
A Good domain name (Consider keyword terms vs. your name)

2. Effective Lead Generation & Lead Capture

Calls to Action that lead to capturing prospect info

IDX search – allow access to a point and then a sign-up form
Property Watch – email alerts – allows the consumer to receive the listing information they want when it becomes available
Free, compelling reports – consumer completes a contact form to receive the report or offer
Home Market Valuation

Offline Marketing Plan

Energize Your Database to Search for Homes - Import or add your SOI, past client database and send them a VIP welcome letter with a strong Call to Action - "Search over 30,000 Las Vegas Properties for Sale!"
Add contacts daily – use your website to close prospects for their information and set them up as A VIP on your site for full access
- Open House prospects; Ad & Sign Calls
Change Your Voice Mail message to include a CTA to visit your site and Search homes for sale
Add compelling call to action on everything:

Business cards
Letterhead
Marketing Flyers
Email signature
Postcards
Print advertising
Car signs
Yard & Open House sign

Online Marketing Plan
- Direct
  - Build your FREE Profile on (recommended):
    - Facebook.com
- And if you are into it...
  - - MySpace.com
      YouTube.com – for video tours and consumer videos
      Twitter.com – micro-blogging
    - Paid Advertising on other websites
      Realtor.com
      Trulia Pro
      Zillow
      Local online magazine & newspapers
      Your niche market
  - Strategic Linking

Comment on blogs (you can add a link back to your website)
Business vendors, partners

Search Engines
- Optimizing your website and pages for search engines
  - Title tags
  - Keywords & Description
  - Keyword research Tools
- Write quality content that matches your selected keywords
- Submit Your site to directories and search engines
- Consider adding a blog to maximize SEO
- Pay Per Click – Paid Advertising
  - Google Ad Words

3. Converting the Lead (From Click to Close)

Connect
- Immediate response (less than 20 mins) increases your chances of converting that lead – text and email alerts for leads
- Initial welcome (VIP) letter
Cultivate
- Automated, drip email campaigns
- CTAs in the email (Search properties now!)
- Phone calls = qualify, build rapport
Close
- Use the visitor search profile information
- Refine searches – use property watch
- Close for appointments
Build Referrals
- Client for life email campaigns – Ask for referral CTA
  - eNewsletters
  - Holiday letters
  - Market condition reports

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

10 Tips for Real Estate Success in a Challenging Market & Down Economy

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:20:13 -0600

I first wrote and posted the following article on my Real Estate Coach Blog in November 2007. I have updated the intro paragraph with my thoughts on the current real estate market in Las Vegas. The 10 Tips to THRIVE are timeless however and easily adapted for any business owner and most likely any real estate market around the country.

Our current real estate market in Las Vegas (and around the country) continues to present an interesting test for all involved… from the buyers, to the sellers to the practicing real estate agents and also for the brokerage firms. I’ve been living and working in Las Vegas since 1992 and last year was my first experience in a “challenging market”. Fueled by local and national media with a slant to reporting the negative and “newsworthy” hype of doom and gloom, many prospective buyers and sellers continue to stay out of the market. For the second half of 2007, 70 to 80% of all residential closings in Las Vegas were bank-owned or short sale properties. And real estate professionals are either thriving ( by adjusting and capitalizing on the opportunities), surviving, trying to adjust or in many cases just plain giving up.

There are opportunties for those who are willing to make the necessary adjustments both in their action plan and MINDSET!

The following 10 points are my observations and best advice on how to Thrive (not just Survive) in Today’s market.

You ARE the Creator of your Reality. Check in with yourself often. Are your thoughts positive or negative - towards or away from what you desire? Do you find yourself slipping into the negative muck and mire - from the media or the glass is half-empty people around you? Be deliberate and intentional in your thoughts and actions. Focus on what you want not on what you don’t want.
Educate yourself about the market, understand the stats and trends. Become an expert in short sales, REO, loan modifications and the foreclosure process. Make sure you are receiving current market data from local sources. Know the inventory.
Improve and upgrade your qualifying, presentation and closing skills. Learn how to better present the history and current real estate market story to your buyers and sellers. Update your buyer and listing presentations with supporting graphs, statistics, etc. Take sale-able, properly-priced listings! Use all of your available company marketing and advertising tools. Practice, Practice, Practice your closing and qualifying skills.
Get back to the basics now. Do you have a solid SOI/Referral system in place? Are you prospecting daily? Have you selected 3-5 target markets to concentrate on this year?
Have a written business plan with specific goals. Track your expenditures and return on investment. Know what’s working and what is not and make the appropriate adjustments.
Adopt a daily ritual to start your day in a positive mindset. Some suggestions…morning meditation, prayer, exercise, read your affirmations, review your goals, eat breakfast, review your day’s tasks and schedule.
Exercise and eat properly for you. I recommend yoga!
Show up - Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. Now more than ever it’s important to get up, do your morning mindset ritual, get dressed for success and go into the office or that first appointment.
Have a daily activity plan and work it - know how many calls, face-to-face contacts, emails, mailers, contacts you must make before you call it a day. Challenge yourself with daily goals - don’t go home until you have at least one appointment for example.
Get an accountability partner or hire a coach. Ask for help. Help each other. Form a support and accountability group.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

5 Agreements that Can Positively Change Your Life

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:39:21 -0600

Here are 5 Agreements that if you truly comprehend, accept and live by can dramatically change your life! The agreements are taken form 2 outstanding and highly recommended books:

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement you can completely change your life.

4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

5. LIVE IN THE NOW. You have ONE moment, this moment. The past is behind you, the future has not yet arrived. Presence is power. Be here. Still. The next moment is already on its way. The past doesn't change. Put your attention on today, free yourself.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Celebrate Your Successes - Set Goals not Resolutions

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:41:13 -0600

I want to pass on one of the most impactful exercises my former business coach had me do several years ago. The purpose of the exercise was to conduct a review of the previous year by writing down every success, win, and positive thing that I experienced - both big and small. So, I challenge all readers to Celebrate Your Successes!

In my experience as a coach and manager, I have observed that most driven and success-minded individuals have a tendency to focus on what they haven't achieved yet. They are always moving on to the next goal or challenge without stopping, however briefly, to acknowledge the victory or success of the moment.

So, as you fine tune your goals and business plan for a successful 2009, take some time to look back on 2008 with a focus on the positives. Grab your journal or some paper and use these prompts to get you started. Just write it all down - stream of consciousness - no matter how seemingly insignificant. Just write it down. Once you start writing, you'll be surprised at how much you really have to celebrate!

List all your accomplishments, wins, victories, successes in the past year.
List all moment of joy and gratitude.
What did you do last year that you were really proud of?
What do other people in your life have to say about what you did, accomplished, contributed?
What did you do last year that moved you toward your goals?
What lessons did you gain from any setbacks, challenges or obstacles?
How are your going to integrate any learnings in to your future goals and the coming year?

Now Set GOALS not Resolutions

I am not a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Statistics show that most people never keep the resolutions they set for the new year. The main reasons why they fail? Lack of Commitment and Clarity.

For some thoughts on Clarity see this post: Clarity of Purpose - Do You Have It?

Numerous surveys and research show the following as the Top 10 New Year's Resolutions:

Lose weight/Get in shape
Stick to a budget
Reduce Debt/Get out of debt
Enjoy more quality time with friends and family
Find my soul mate
Quit smoking
Find a better job/Make more money
Learn something new
Volunteer & help others
Get organized

You may, like me, look at this list and think "I want to accomplish several of these things this year!" So instead of saying My New Year's Resolution is "x" - back it up with total commitment and clarity to ensure success this year.

The critical steps to achieving your goals:

Identify clear, concise, SMART goals and know your WHY for each of them.
Write them down for all areas of your life (Personal, Financial, Business/Career, Relationships/Family, Spiritual)
Create Action Plans - break the goal down into steps and next actions. Take action every day!
Measure and track your progress - you can't improve what you don't measure.
Celebrate your successes along the way - make any necessary course corrections.

Related posts on Goal Setting:

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Focus on Results - 4 Questions for Maximum Productivity

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:33:53 -0600

Are you focusing on what you want or do you find yourself stuck in the negative trap and putting energy on what you don't have? The following information is adapted from Brian Tracy's abundant material on the subject of productivity and performance. I recently revisited and read these Brian Tracy Books:

Tracy states in Eat That Frog:
"You can get control of your time and your life only by changing the way you think, work and deal with the never-ending river of responsibilities that flow over your each day."

Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on. It is also the one task that will give your the greatest positive impact on your life, business and results at the moment. The key to achieving high levels of performance productivity is to develop the lifelong habit of tackling your major task first thing each morning.

4 Questions for Maximum Productivity - Remember to focus on results and what you want as you answer these questions for your business and life:

What are my highest value activities?
What are my key results areas?
What can I only do that if done well will make a real difference (in my life and business)?
What is the most valuable use of my time right now?

Here are some best practices and action steps to implement in your daily plan now:

Do the Worst First
Resist the temptation to clear up small things first
Identify your high value tasks and do them first
Examine each of your personal and work activities and evaluate it based on current situation
Select at least one activity to abandon immediately or at least put off until more important goals are achieved
The key to success is ACTION
80% of salespeople spend 80% of their time on people who are not going to buy or sell
20% of activities will account for 80% of your results

80/20 Rule Applies to Everything!

Identify Your Key Business/Sales Results Areas and the targeted activities for each area:

Prospecting
Trust & Rapport Building
Identifying Needs
Presenting Persuasively
Answering Objections
Closing the Sale
Building Referrals

Grade Yourself in each area
What one skill, if I developed and did it in an excellent fashion, would have the greatest positive impact on my career?
What am I really good at?
What do I enjoy most about my work?
What has been most responsible for my success in the past?

Continuous learning is the minimum requirement in any field:

Read in your field minimum of 1 hour/day
Take every available course and seminar, workshop
Listen to audio programs in your car (average car owner spends 500 to 1,000 hours/yr in their car
Practice, practice, practice
Hire a coach or mentor!

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Home Prices Continue to Decline Nationally According to Latest S&P/Case-Shiller Report

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:40:23 -0600

Two of the most closely watched barometers of U.S. home prices are the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight home-price index and the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index. Read more about these indices at the Wall Street Journal Real Time Economics Blog: Ofheo vs. Case-Shiller: A Primer.

The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices measures the residential housing market, tracking changes in the value of the residential real estate market in 20 metropolitan regions across the United States.
For a fifth consecutive month, all areas showed a decrease in prices in August compared with a year earlier, led by 31 percent declines in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Download the recent press release (National Trend of Home Price Declines Continues into the Second Half of 2008 - According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices):
CSHomePrice_Release_102831.pdf

Links to other articles of interest:

S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices - link to all the reports and data
Time Article: The Housing Bust: Signs of Bottoming out?
From Bloomberg.com: Home Prices in 20 US Cities Fell From a Year Ago

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Take Action - Support NAR's Four-Point Housing Stimulus Plan

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:36:21 -0600

NAR recently issued this Call To Action - I urge you to Take Action Now to support this plan. We need ALL members to support NAR's efforts to have the NAR Four-Point Housing Stimulus Plan included in any future stimulus bill.

As REALTORS®, we know that at its core, the current economic crisis is the result of problems in our nation's housing and mortgage markets. With Congress considering a return to Washington this month for another economic stimulus effort, NAR has put forth a Four-Point Plan that must be included in any stimulus effort in order to boost the economy and calm jittery real estate markets.

Housing has always lifted our economy out of past economic downturns. Immediate action is imperative to foster a housing recovery that historically leads any overall economic recovery.

Stabilizing real estate markets must be the core of any additional economic stimulus bill. As REALTORS, we must all come together and make our voice of experience heard on Capitol Hill. Please contact Congress today.

Contact Congress today and ask them to include NAR's Four-Points in the next stimulus package.

The Four Point Plan

The most recent economic stimulus bill, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, was a good first step towards stabilizing our nation's economy. Unfortunately, a number of the Act's provisions have not proven to be as useful at stabilizing the nation's housing markets as was first thought.

Congress may consider second economic stimulus bill this month. If they do, there are a number of changes that could help to provide more stability to the nation's real estate markets which most agree is a necessary step towards recovery.

NAR has urged Congress to include the following provisions in any future legislation:

Make the $7500 tax credit available to all purchasers and eliminate the repayment requirement. The credit's limited availability and required repayment terms have severely limited the credit's appeal to potential homebuyers. As a result, the credit has not been widely used or proven effective at stimulating sales.
Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. New rules for 2009 would significantly reduce the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limit from their 2008 levels. Now is not the time to limit the availability of affordable mortgages.
Get the Emergency Treasury bank relief program back on track by targeting more funds to mortgage relief efforts and increasing efforts to mitigate foreclosures. Don't just give the banks unrestricted cash. Make the program work to improve mortgage and housing markets as it was originally intended.
Permanently bar banks and banking conglomerates from engaging in real estate brokerage and management. The banks have proven they have enough to do to simply properly manage their current lines of business. Do we really want them to manage on the home buying process? Imagine what could have been the situation now if they already had the added ability to engage in real estate sales.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Technorati on the State of the Blogosphere 2008

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:24:41 -0500

Technorati has posted the State of the Blogosphere 2008 in a 5 part series packed with trends, stats and details about the who, what, why and how of blogging. This year, as discussed by CEO Richard Jalichandra at the recent Blogworld & New Media Expo, Technorati conducted a random survey of the 1.2 million Technorati members (approx 1300 participants from 60 countries). Day 1 and an Introduction are posted on the Technorati site today.

Day 1: Who Are the Bloggers?
Day 2: The What And Why of Blogging
Day 3: The How of Blogging
Day 4: Blogging For Profit
Day 5: Brands Enter The Blogosphere

Some of the highlights of the report and from the Blogworld presentation:

Technorati has indexed 133 million blogs since 2002
76,000 blogs have an authority of 50+ (Technorati assigns an authority rating based on the number of sites linking ot the blog - the more links the higher the authority rank)
Two-thirds of bloggers are male
50% of bloggers are between the ages of 18-34
70% of bloggers have college degree
One in four have an annual household income of $100k
The top 10% of blogs producing income blog multiple times daily and use multimedia formats
Bloggers are also active Web 2.0 participants (social networks, Twitter, Videos, podcasts, social bookmarking)
Bloggers are self-identified as Personal, Professional or Corporate

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

REBlogworld 2008 Highlights & Best Tips Part 1

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:21:49 -0500

REBlogworld was a well-organized and successful event. I enjoyed participating, networking and the learning and sharing of ideas. Kudos to Todd Carpenter and Jason Berman for all their hard work and to all the speakers and attendees for being on the leading edge of the RE.net.

Here's a recap of some of the sessions I attended/participated in at REBlogworld on Friday, September 19, 2008.

Mariana Wagner - From Click to Close. Mariana covered 10 major points of conversion using and expanding on a traditional sales cycle adjusted for

Find - Potential clients will find you online due to your SEO; Pay Per Clicks/Adwords; adding your blog to directories; joining various online communities and offline marketing strategies
Click - Increase your click through rate with compelling content; enticing headlines/titles; relevant keywords that the consumer is searching for; long tail posts
Stick - Powerful calls to action, compelling content, ease of navigation and interior links can help your stickability - having a visitor stay on your site longer
Inquire -To get visitors to contact you or register for your home search, place properly worded calls to action in key areas on your blog. Use graphical buttons on a prominent area above the fold (front page area visible on the screen). Top 3 ideas: Search Homes for Sale in ____ ; Find Out How Much your Home is Worth in Today's Market; Get our Exclusive Weekly "Best Buy" Homes/Foreclosure List. Put your call to action links in the body of the post when it makes sense or at the end of the blog post.
Contact - Find and build rapport as soon as possible. Add and offer value through your blog content.
Appointment - stay in their mind; get permission; use your targeted blog post informative content in your drip email campaigns; create a sense of urgency to take action; remain helpful
Agreement - Use your blog to subtly promote yourself and address their concerns. Be the expert.
Contract - Continue to educate through the process.
Close - Reinforce the process with blog posts. Keep yourself educated.
Referral - Involve your clients in your blog - record and post testimonials; interview your clients - promote their business or favorite charity for example.

Dan Green of The Mortgage Reports shared some excellent advice on the design and aesthetics of your blog, among them:

Put your most important info above the fold (the area visible on your screen when you go to a website or blog
Your contact information must be clearly visible
Dan uses a triangle format on his blog and in his posts that follows the normal eye pattern of someone visiting the site (the header; a graphic adjacent to a call to action (his "Work with Dan" area)
Include an email subscription widget - many people still don't understand or use RSS feeds

Dave Smith and Rich Jacobson debated the benefits of Active Rain vs. Wordpress:

Rich outlined the benefits of Active Rain and some of the newer features like Outside Blogs, changes in Localism.com which will be opening to the public soon to be part of the community
Loved Dave's comment about every post is a "line in the water" - another opportunity to attract a potential reader, client
Write about local events and happenings in our community - make sure to use keywords in the title and post. You'll be amazed at how you will come up in the search engines sometimes more prominently then the actual event organizer or site. (Especially when you use the SEO power of Active Rain)

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

REO Reality Check - 10 Tips to Get Your REO Offers Accepted and Closed

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:16:58 -0500

As a Broker/Manager of a large real estate office(291 licensees as of July 2008) in a city (Las Vegas) that is dealing with 70%+ of monthly closed transactions being short sales and REOs, I've written this post with the intention of educating and spreading the word to as many people as possible that there is a stress-free way of accepting the market, adapting and enjoying success.

Avoid the inevitable frustration and stress so many real estate agents and buyers are currently experiencing by educating yourself and your buyers about the REO (Real Estate Owned) buying process!

Here are 10 REO Tips to help you get your offers accepted and closed:

Know the market – do a thorough comparative market analysis on the subject property prior to writing the offer. Look for trends – is the market steady, declining? Look at the last 2-3 months solds as well as the current pending sales. Many banks are using a tactic that results in a lot of activity and multiple offers. They get two appraisal values (market and liquidation). Then they have the REO listing agent list the property at the lower appraised value which attracts multiple offers and ultimately drives the final sales price up and sometimes over the market value.
Verify availability and multiple offers. Obviously it is important to determine whether or not the property is still available or if there are multiple offers before writing the offer. Counsel the buyer accordingly and let them determine if they want to compete for the sale. Read any agent to agent remarks in the MLS for any specific instructions when writing and presenting your offer.
The actual offer package. Legibly write the offer– or better yet, use typed or online forms. Ensure your offer is complete and spells out in clear, concise language the terms and closing costs. Consider scanning and emailing your offer vs. faxing it for the better readability factor.
Seller concessions and closing costs. Encourage the buyer to write his/her best offer first. It really is all about the final net to the bank. If the buyer is requesting closing costs, prepare the buyer that to compete with multiple offers she may need to write an at list price or above offer. Some banks are only willing to pay certain closing costs and are countering with the buyer to pay for what would normally be considered customary seller costs – In Nevada - transfer tax, CIC fees, title insurance, for example.
Inspections and repair costs. Write the offer with a reasonable due diligence period (5-7 days but no more than 10 days). The bank may limit or counter repair costs. We recommend including this clause or something to the same effect: “Seller to make, at their expense , any lender-required repairs as a result of the inspection or appraisal.”
Earnest money. Have the buyer write the EM check for at least what is requested in the MLS. Ensure you have a current (not stale-dated) check if you have been writing a lot of offers and in the REO game for a while.
Buyer Pre-Approved for Financing. Pre-Approval (not pre-qualification) of the buyer is a must and proof of funds letter can also strengthen your offer. Don't waste everyone's time if the buyer is not willing to get the financing in place and approved first.
Seller/Bank addendum. REO Properties are sold as-is, no warranties or guarantees. You may be able to get the seller to pay for a home warranty – it depends on all other concessions, costs and net to the bank. We are finding many banks will not complete disclosures required by Nevada statutes: Seller’s Real Property Disclosure for example. Be prepared to carefully review all of this with your buyer and other language in the bank’s addendum to the purchase agreement.
Time frames. Allow a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to hear back from the listing agent regarding a response from the bank. If the bank accepts your offer, expect that you may only receive a verbal or email counter and/or acceptance subject to the buyer executing the bank’s addendum and accepting any other terms. Once you have approval, open up the escrow and get the buyer going on their due diligence. Also be prepared for a closing time frame of 45-60 days or more depending on whether or not there are any issues to deal with like liens, judgments, or other clouds on title.
Communication. Saving the best for last! Here is where your patience, tenacity, positive attitude, communication skills, knowledge of the REO process and how well you have educated your buyer will come into play. Communication, or rather the lack there of, is the biggest complaint and issue of everyone diving into the REO market.

OK everybody, let’s face the reality of “what is” concerning the current real estate market...

Some REO agents are overwhelmed and may have bitten off more than they could chew too fast

Some of the seasoned REO veterans are experts on the process and working diligently to improve and expand their services as their business has grown exponentially

Still other REO agents have broken the code and have excellent systems in place to handle all the additional tasks and requirements for success

Many agents are aggressively trying to break into the REO market and may be relatively inexperienced – learning as they go or on their first batch of REO listings

Many buyers agents are not educated to the process and may be writing their first REO deal with an agent who may or may not understand the process themselves

Not everyone is equally schooled and skilled at educating the buyer on the REO process

We are all doing the best we can with what we know and what we've got... practice patience, compassion and focus on solutions.

The bottom line… if all of the above statements are true then in the infamous words of Forrest Gump – “Life (REO) is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.” Each REO experience has the potential of being anywhere from a dream to a nightmare. I for one believe we can all make the experience more of a dream by the way we handle ourselves personally and professionally.

Educate yourself and your buyers and, if necessary, the other agent! Set realistic expectations – and focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want.

Related posts and resources:

Attorney Darren Welsh posts on REOs

National Association of REALTORS Field Guide to Foreclosures

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

The Short Sale Process – Educating Your Clients and Setting Expectations

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:17:09 -0500

What is a short sale?

Simply put, a short sale is selling a property for a less than what is owed to the underlying mortgage holder(s). The final sales price is essentially what the buyer is willing to pay for the property with the mortgage company/bank having the final approval of the associated closing costs, commissions, terms and acceptance of a discounted payoff(s). The seller should always consult with an attorney, CPA or tax advisor to determine any legal or tax consequences of a short sale. We have seen the gamut of scenarios from mortgage companies accepting the discounted payoff and releasing all remaining debt to deficiency judgments and negotiating a settlement or payments with the seller.

The pre-short sale process begins at the time of listing the property for sale. An experienced short sale real estate agent will counsel the seller about the entire process and assist the seller in establishing a competitive listing price based on the current market conditions. The primary responsibility of the seller is to request and complete a short sale package from their bank or mortgage company.

Sellers should be prepared to provide the following documents and information for the short sale packet:
• Hardship letter – clearly outlining and substantiating the reasons for requesting the short sale
• A financial statement/budget – delineating all income and expenses
• Most recent 2-months paycheck stubs
• Most recent 2-months bank statements
• Past 2 years income tax returns
• If self-employed, 6 months of Profit & Loss statements
• The listing agent may request additional information:

o Current copy of mortgage statements or any notices from the bank/mortgage company
o Copies of HOA statement showing current or past due amount (if applicable)
o An authorization form signed by the sellers that will allow the listing agent to communicate and negotiate with the bank on the seller’s behalf

The short sale process begins in earnest when an offer to purchase is received from a qualified buyer. The actual process from submission to the bank to final approval can take weeks to months. A successful short sale can depend on several factors, among them –
• how solid and complete the offer
• the buyers ability to successfully obtain their financing
• the bank’s particular process and workload
• the seller’s completed and acceptable hardship package showing the bank(s) true financial hardship
• the knowledge and communication skills of the agents
• the resulting BPO/Appraisal ordered by the bank
• the patience and determination of all parties involved

To ensure as smooth a transaction as possible, buyer’s agents must also be knowledgeable about the entire short sale process and take the necessary time to brief the buyer and set realistic expectations. Some key points to include in your buyer’s interview and qualification meeting:

What is your buyer’s time frame? Are they prepared to wait for possibly weeks to several months for the transaction to close?
Are they interest-rate sensitive? If interest rates go up will it negatively impact their ability to get a loan?
Prepare your buyers for the reality of limited information about the status of the approval and the need for patience if deciding to go the short sale route.
Be aware of numerous roadblocks along the way to closing. Everything from getting approvals from 2 separate banks to liens and clouds on title to be cleared prior to closing is possible.
Do your homework when showing properties and be cognizant of the below-market list prices. Some listing agents will list the property well below the comps to entice activity and offers. What seems too good to be true to you and your buyer is usually proved correct when the bank counters the sales price to actual market conditions. Don’t fall into this trap!
Strengthen your offer by having a pre-approval (not pre-qual) letter and proof of funds letter from the buyer’s lender.
Remember the bank wants the highest net possible after acceptable closing costs. Are there multiple offers on the property? Encourage your buyer to write his/her best possible offer first.
Make sure to include the appropriate short sale approval contingency clause and due diligence timeframe to begin after short sale approval by the bank. Las Vegas agents should use the GLVAR Short Sale Addendum in the best interests of their buyers.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

Qualify the Short Sale Listing – Questions to Ask the Listing Agent Before Showing a Short Sale Listing

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:12:29 -0500

Are you a real estate agent showing and writing offers on short sales? Have you considered “qualifying” the listing before showing it to your buyer?

I submit to you that asking the listing agent the following questions and allowing your buyer to make an educated and informed decision about submitting an offer could save everyone a lot of time, money and frustration. Knowledge is power after all – and time is money!

1. Have you ever closed a short sale before?
2. How do you handle offers? Do you submit them all to the bank, not having your sellers sign (which, in effect, means there is no valid offer and acceptance) and let the bank figure it out? Or do you use multiple offer protocol, notify all agents to submit their highest and best offers, review them with the seller, have the seller accept or counter the best offer and them submit to the bank(s) for acceptance?
3. Have you requested and received the short sale package from the bank, including the hardship letter?
4. And more importantly, has the seller completed the hardship package? Have you confirmed receipt of the package from the bank?
5. What communication, if any, have you had with the bank?
6. Has the bank approved the list price?
7. Have you received any other offers that you are waiting to hear back on from the bank? Has the property been approved for a short sale prior and not closed?
8. Does the loan have PMI (mortgage insurance); pre-payment penalties?
9. Is there 1 or 2 deeds of trust? Any other liens?
10. What is the name of the bank(s)? Is the loan FHA or VA?
11. How long do you estimate that the lender will take to provide an answer to an offer?
12. How far away from foreclosure is the seller? Has a Notice of Default or Notice of Sale been filed?

Thanks to real estate agent Debbie Tuttle of Prudential Americana Group, REALTORS in Las Vegas for passing along these great questions at a recent REO & Short Sale Panel held in our Henderson office.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

REBarCamp San Francisco - 5 Social Networks for Real Estate Agents

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:58:25 -0500

Blogging from ReBarCamp in San Francisco... 120+ participants, lots of energy, networking, great conversations on a variety of topics (from Foreclosures 2.0 to everything blogging and social networks).

An informative and thought-provoking session entitled: "What are the 5 Social Networks Every Agent Should Participate In?" brought out some key points to explore before deciding what social networks to join.

What is your objective, outcome, goal? And it should not just be about the sale! The power of social networking is connecting with others and building relationships. It's about the community and sharing. It's about you being authentic and transparent and not just another salesperson. The same basic principles of traditional networking groups apply to online networking - it's about meeting people, having a conversation and socializing!
Find social networks that fit your lifestyle, hobbies and passions. What do you like to do? What are your interests? Real Estate Agent Teresa Boardman is an avid photographer. She shared her success with Flickr - using photos in her blog and being actively involved in the Flickr community. She goes on group photo walks set up by local members, for example. For Teresa, it's all about meeting people, building the trust and relationship first - sales and listings will be the ultimate result.
Leverage the power of your profile. All of these networks have a profile - complete it fully! This is your opportunity for people to get to know something about you right away.
Keep it Local. Research and join social networks that have a local connection. You could join Yelp.com and contribute reviews of local restaurants or businesses for example. Or, join a Meetup.com group (or start one) that you are interested in to meet new people and build community.

By the way, the consensus from the group to answer the initial question of which 5 Networks to participate in...

LinkedIn - the best professional, business social network; online resume service
Facebook - started out as a college crowd network and has really grown up; stay connected with your groups and contacts
Flickr - share photos - including your listings - make sure to optimize for search engines by including titles and tags for all of your photos
Active Rain - largest social network for real estate professionals; great starting point for new bloggers
Twitter - spontaneous blogging; you can use your cell phone to post brief comments(140 characters or less); answers the question "What are you doing now?"; broadcast to your network quickly and easily

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191

RE Blogworld & Blogworld Expo in Las Vegas, September 19-21

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:51:54 -0500

I am excited and honored to be a part of the RE Blogworld Conference on Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I will be joining Pat Kitano of TransparentRE and Kevin Boer of 3Oceans Real Estate as moderators for this full-day conference kicking off the Blogworld & New Media Conference set for September 20 and 21 in Las Vegas.

Todd Carpenter and Jason Berman are the organizers of this full day event for real estate agents, mortgage brokers and other real estate professionals. Learn from the leaders in the RE.net about how to leverage the power of blogging and other social media to enhance marketing efforts and your overall business.

The BlogWorld & New Media Expo is the world's largest blogging and new media trade show. I attended the Blogworld Expo last year and totally enjoyed the experience. There was something for everyone - a variety of tracks to choose from blogging for beginners, advanced blogging, to video and podcasting. Here's a link to my blog posts and reviews of the Blogworld 2007 sessions I attended.

Registration is now open for the 2008 event! Save $200 and sign up before June 20th and receive full access to RE BlogWorld and BlogWorld & New Media Expo for the combined price of $250!

BlogWorldExpo 2008

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com
702-858-9191