Ten Questions You Must Ask Any Realtor Before You List - 05/31/07 06:26 AM
Most of us sell only a few homes in our lifetime. With such limited experience in real estate, how do you maximize the profits from your home sale? Many home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtorsâ are the same. They list with the first agent who comes along. Does … (1 comments)
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Training and Managing a Team - 05/31/07 06:12 AM
When it comes to training and managing a team, you must start out with a clear vision in directing your team to a common goal through job description and training. Creating a job description and training the individual you hire is very important to the end result. You must think through … (1 comments)
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Business Owner or Self−Employed? - 05/30/07 06:55 AM
Two fantastic sources for entrepreneurs are The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber and Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki. Gerber's book is accurately sub-titled: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. He examines the small business and the entrepreneur, and his results are intuitive but … (1 comments)
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“WARNING! Don’t Put Your Home on the Market Until You’ve Read This Post... Avoid 11 Mistakes That Could Cost You Hundreds... Even Thousands of Dollars!” - 05/30/07 06:39 AM
Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustments and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared, you could end up losing hundreds even thousands of dollars in profit.
The difference between a profitable smooth transaction … (0 comments)
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The "Kick 'Em While They're Down" Rule - 05/29/07 06:28 AM
In his weekly syndicated column, Kenneth Harney pulled back the curtain on a nasty piece of IRS tax code that can penalize homeowners with foreclosures and short sales.
Because the IRS treats canceled debt as ordinary income, homeowners that "work something out" with their lender may inadvertently add tens of thousands of … (12 comments)
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Secrets Lenders Don’t Want You To Know: Read This 11 Point Report Before You Sign Anything - 05/29/07 06:16 AM
The right or wrong decision when signing your home mortgage can mean thousands of dollars difference in interest paid. There are very important considerations to evaluate before you commit to a 15 or 30 year note. For many of us, our mortgage payment is the most important financial decision we'll ever … (2 comments)
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Freedom Isn't Free- Memorial Day Poem - 05/28/07 09:54 AM
I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young soldier saluted it, And then he stood at ease... I looked at him in uniform A warrior who looked so proud, With hair cut square and eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd. I thought how … (4 comments)
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Appreciating What You Have - 05/28/07 08:27 AM
In the age of "I want, I need, and I must have", I think it's important to have the ability to see things on a larger scale. The gift of having perspective and to see our lives in comparison with the rest of the people who live in our world. It really does seem the … (3 comments)
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Funny Joke For The Day- Old Love - 05/27/07 03:46 PM
A husband in his back yard is trying to fly a kite. He throws the kite up in the air, the wind Catches it for a few seconds, then it comes crashing back down to earth. He tries this a few more times with no success. All the while, his wife … (2 comments)
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7 Habits Of Success - 05/27/07 01:36 PM
1. Be proactive: If you want something to happen, figure out how, then make it happen.
2. Begin with the end in mind: The best way to predict the future is to create it.
3. Make decisions and act in accordance with them: Your current actions should always be taking you … (6 comments)
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Actions Speak Louder Than Words - 05/27/07 08:56 AM
Practicing scripts is a wonderful way to perfect what you say to clients. It's also important to study how you look when you deliver your speech. Body language can account for up to 90% of the impression you make in a conversation, and it can enhance or undermine the point you're … (4 comments)
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Reverse Mortgages: Financing the Golden Years - 05/27/07 08:11 AM
Until recently, seniors 62 years of age and older have not had the best choices when it came to getting cash from their homes. Traditional home loans only offered the option of either selling one's house or borrowing against its equity.
With reverse mortgages coming on the scene, seniors now have … (0 comments)
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The Need for Training Increases in a Sales−Driven Market - 05/25/07 06:32 AM
Mike Ferry has seen many changes in market movement throughout his extensive career as a trainer to the real estate industry. In a recent interview, Ferry laid down some important ground rules to develop the mind set and productivity needed to be successful in today's market.
"Real estate professionals will begin to … (1 comments)
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Taxes When You Sell Your Home - 05/25/07 06:13 AM
IF YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER, then you're probably aware of the incredibly generous tax break available when you sell your home. Play your cards right and you can lock in a profit of up to $250,000 ($500,000 when you file jointly) and owe nothing to the IRS.
This great deal was enacted … (0 comments)
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The Race for Equity - 05/24/07 05:22 AM
Those who take property ownership seriously often look for options to build equity at a faster pace. An aggressive approach is to select a 15-Year loan program over a 30-Year mortgage.
A 15-Year loan works well for homebuyers budgeting time and money, those who are possibly looking forward to a debt-free retirement, … (0 comments)
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Setting Goals that Lead to Improvement - 05/24/07 05:15 AM
The concept of KAIZEN®* is based on ideas developed by Japanese industries, which date back to the 1950s. This system for optimizing production melds together ideas from both Eastern and Western cultures, and embraces the philosophy of implementing common sense, low-cost forms of improvement. It takes into consideration all members and … (4 comments)
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A Cluttered Desk is the Sign of a Cluttered Mind - 05/23/07 05:37 AM
As the saying goes, "A cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind." How can prospects or clients have any faith in your ability to work on their behalf, if they see a desk overflowing with paper? Or, in this computer age, if they visit your office and watch you … (9 comments)
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Buying A Primary Home - 05/22/07 07:47 AM
There are many pitfalls you can avoid when you are in the market to buy a new home. Here are just a few tips and strategies to help you prepare for success:
Know your credit score! You may be able to get a better mortgage rate and more favorable loan terms by … (1 comments)
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Asking for Referrals - 05/22/07 07:32 AM
Too often, people are frightened of asking for referrals. Is it the fear of rejection, or are they concerned about annoying their prized clients? If you're providing truly exemplary service, you shouldn't be ashamed to ask for the opportunity to provide that same service to other people your clients know! In … (4 comments)
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You Working With Sellers Or Listings? - 05/21/07 09:28 AM
by Dean Jackson
One of the things that people are constantly asking about is in this changing market, they have listings that are piling up and not selling. The competition is building. There are more options for buyers, and there are more homes that you have to stand out against. So when … (5 comments)
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Saving Money On Taxes - 05/21/07 08:04 AM
There are many mortgage and real estate equity planning strategies that can really help you save money on taxes whether you are buying, refinancing or selling a primary home, vacation home or investment property.
The Caylor Mortgage Planning Team brings a team approach to your situation by working with qualified CPAs, … (0 comments)
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Type A vs Type B: Buyers versus Browsers - 05/21/07 08:00 AM
Type A: A tendency towards tenseness, impatience, and aggressiveness.
Type B: A tendency towards a relaxed manner, patience, and friendliness.
Both of these personality types have their merits, and both tendencies exist in all of us to some degree. But when it comes to homebuyers, Type As are the ones you want to … (2 comments)
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A Strategy for Success: The Weekly Review - 05/20/07 09:06 AM
In today's business world, information comes at you rapidly and from all directions. It's far too easy to become overwhelmed and find yourself in a reactive rather than a proactive mode. How can you regain a sense of balance and control?
Each week, as work winds down, make an appointment with yourself … (3 comments)
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Twenty Terms You Must Know and Understand Before You Sign Off On Your Mortgage! - 05/19/07 07:40 AM
Buying a home is a major achievement in most everyone's life. Pride of ownership, tax breaks, equity and the ability to increase your wealth and net worth are just a few of the many benefits you'll enjoy with your new home. Your home purchase may also be one of the largest … (0 comments)
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Giving to Receive - 05/19/07 06:17 AM
Information marketing infuses free information about a product or service along with the regular sales pitch. Unlike the decoder ring in a box of Cracker Jacks, info-marketing provides the free prize before any purchase has taken place. It appeals to consumers much more, because they don't feel as though they are … (2 comments)
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RESPA - 05/18/07 05:50 AM
In many states, Real Estate licenses are granted without close examination of an applicant's knowledge of RESPA guidelines. As a result, many Real Estate Agents go into business unaware that certain practices are prohibited via Federal statutes enacted by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
RESPA stands for the Real … (0 comments)
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Reducing Debt - 05/17/07 06:15 AM
One commonly overlooked form of "predatory lending" is when banks and mortgage companies repeatedly encourage people to take out larger mortgages and home equity loans for "debt consolidation" or to spend more by basically consuming your home equity. This often results in spreading car loans and credit card balances over 30 … (0 comments)
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Are You Creating The Proper Image? - 05/17/07 06:11 AM
Before your next meeting with a prospective client or potential referral source, take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself, "If I was a prospect, would I want to do business with this person?"
The image you create, and the way people perceive you, has a tremendous impact on your … (5 comments)
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The Truth About Appraisals: Knowing the Guidelines Solves the Mystery - 05/16/07 07:25 AM
The appraisal process often baffles consumers. They may feel their home is worth a higher dollar amount, and the appraised value doesn't always make sense to them. It is important to know that appraisal guidelines are dictated by the lenders, and in some states, it is a requirement to also disclose … (0 comments)
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Success is a Numbers Game, but Discipline Drives the Process - 05/16/07 06:37 AM
Since the early 1990s, Mike Ferry has conducted over 5,400 seminars and presentations on the subject of what it takes to succeed in real estate. In an interview I recently listened to, Ferry focused on the need for real estate professionals to go back to the basics of setting goals and … (4 comments)
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Be the Gate Keeper: Take Control of the Lead - 05/15/07 06:12 AM
The Law of The Gate Keeper states: The business professional that refers out the most business will create the most reciprocal referral relationships in return. Translation: The business professional who controls the lead WINS!
Regardless of your vocation, there will always be other business professionals that you should seek to align yourself … (3 comments)
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Pass Your Assets to Loved Ones...Not Uncle Sam - 05/14/07 08:30 AM
If you don't have an estate plan in place, don't worry...the IRS has one for you. But you may not like it, so it's always a good idea to get your finances in order and avoid incurring tax penalties and hefty estate taxes. Knowing the value of your estate and becoming … (3 comments)
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Marketing 101: How to Stand Out from the Crowd - 05/14/07 08:20 AM
The purpose of marketing is to obtain mental real estate. Competition is fierce these days, as consumers are bombarded with distractions from every direction. How can you make sure that your message is heard and remembered?
Communication is Key
Whether it's a company brochure, a newsletter, or a flyer, the idea is the … (3 comments)
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Successful People - 05/13/07 11:16 AM
1) Successful people are those who do the things other people are either unwilling or unable to do - or both. (2) Successful people don't focus on the things they want, they focus on the things other people want and then supply those wants to them.
(3) When you work … (16 comments)
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Congress Makes PMI Tax Deductible: Millions of Borrowers Will Benefit - 05/13/07 09:57 AM
The federal government's Private Mortgage Insurance legislation is great news for the Real Estate Industry! Enacted on January 1st, 2007, the bill makes Private Mortgage Insurance tax deductible for potential borrowers whose personal adjusted gross income is less than $100,000. For millions of home buyers, the bill creates an amazing opportunity … (0 comments)
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Making Dreams a Reality: Shaping Your World by Thought - 05/13/07 09:48 AM
There's no end to the number of motivational speakers and self-help "gurus" who make a name for themselves by re-hashing old ideas. But there is truth to these ideas, and I especially wanted to share one of the ideas from the great-grandfather of self-help, James Allen.
Allen's treatise, As A Man Thinketh, … (8 comments)
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The Perfect Purchase Transaction!! - 05/12/07 03:10 PM
Have you ever wondered what the Perfect Purchase Transaction would look like? Close your eyes and dream about it for a minute... Few inbound phone calls. Your cell phone never rings. Clients leave so ecstatic with your service that they hand you three names of people they know who are ready … (1 comments)
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THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMIN’! - 05/12/07 09:33 AM
But we're not talking about the latest top 40 hit by Mariah Carey!!
It's the FED. The Federal Reserve Board has hiked rates seventeen consecutive times over the past two plus years...and while they've paused in their hiking cycle for the time being, the hits they've given to rates have added up … (0 comments)
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Six Ways to Make People Like You- Start by Liking Them! - 05/12/07 08:15 AM
The book, How to Win Friends &Influence People, consistently makes the top five whenever there is a survey of most influential or inspiring books, and is often second only to the Bible. Dale Carnegie outlines - in very simple steps and examples - how to be nice without letting yourself get … (9 comments)
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Customer Satisfaction vs. Customer Elation - 05/11/07 07:01 AM
Striving for customer satisfaction is like going for the bronze. You won't be remembered as the best unless you really exceed the customer's expectations. Take the phrase "customer satisfaction" out of your vocabulary, and instead strive for "customer elation." Your customers must be so impressed that they are actually excited to … (2 comments)
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The Key To College Planning - 05/11/07 06:44 AM
In today's world, a college education is more important than ever. Many of the jobs that do not require a college degree have been outsourced to workers in other countries, or replaced by a computer or machine.
In addition, according to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, the income disparity between college grads … (0 comments)
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The Art of Database Management- Part IV - 05/10/07 06:55 AM
It's important not to assume to know what is relevant to your clients. You must ask intelligent questions, run reports on this information, and then proactively meet your customers' relevant needs. This completes our analysis of Bill Gates' quote regarding managing information, and brings us full circle.
We've talked about gathering information. … (0 comments)
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The Art of Database Management- Part III - 05/10/07 06:49 AM
The second part of Bill Gates' famous quote from Business at the Speed of Thought deals with the subject of reporting and managing the information you've gathered. The unfortunate reality is that many people have databases full of useful information, but they simply don't use the information effectively. Many people think … (1 comments)
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The Art of Database Management- Part II - 05/10/07 06:40 AM
Most of us are sales people when you get right down to it. Our job is to sell our services - and ourselves - as we strive to add more clients to our existing book of business. The unfortunate fact is that most of us are in such a hurry to … (1 comments)
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The Art of Database Management- Part I - 05/10/07 06:22 AM
The relationship you develop with your customers, combined with the personal information you are constantly collecting, can be a goldmine for future business. The fact is most business professionals spend a significant amount of money marketing to people they don't know in an effort to procure new business.
Wouldn't it make more … (0 comments)
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Home Improvements Turn Average Homes into Dreams Come True - 05/10/07 05:58 AM
If you're thinking about taking out a home improvement loan, there are several options to consider. First and foremost, your mortgage professional needs to know why you want a home improvement loan. Here are some factors to take into consideration.
•· How long have you been in the home?
•· Will the improvements increase … (0 comments)
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Proactive or Reactive? - 05/09/07 07:59 PM
Everyone makes choices. Their outlook on life, whether at home, at work, behind the wheel or at the theater, directly correlates to the decision to be either positive or negative. In essence, it's as simple as whether you see the glass half full or half empty. As author Stephen R. Covey … (1 comments)
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The Subprime Crisis: Is Your Home at Risk? - 05/09/07 07:18 PM
It's all over the news. Subprime mortgage companies are in the midst of a true crisis! According to The New York Times, over two dozen lenders have already closed their doors for good. In fact, more than half of the top 25 mortgage companies from 2006 have either reported serious losses, been sold … (0 comments)
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Protecting Your Credit During Divorce - 05/09/07 08:03 AM
When a marriage ends in divorce, the lives of those involved are changed forever. During this time of upheaval, one thing that shouldn't have to change is the credit status you've worked so hard to achieve.
Unfortunately, for many, the experience is the exact opposite. Unfulfilled promises to pay bills, the maxing … (0 comments)
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Lead Follow−Up Campaigns- Never Give Up On a Lead! - 05/09/07 07:57 AM
You might wonder, "When is a lead no longer a lead?" A lead is always a lead until the person tells you to stop calling. The key to success in sales is professional persistence. Take time to earn the loyalty of prospects by showing them that you add more value to … (3 comments)
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Picasa™- Your Digital Photo Gallery - 05/08/07 08:53 PM
Just when you thought that the folks at GoogleTM had exhausted all of their good ideas, here comes another one. Picasa is a free, downloadable program that's practically a one-stop shop when it comes to digital photos!
If you're like many, you gave in and traded your 35mm camera for a credit … (2 comments)
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Is a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage the Best Type of Mortgage? - 05/08/07 08:25 AM
With interest rates still near 40-year lows, is a 30- year, fixed-rate mortgage the right choice? While the mass media's response is usually yes, my reply is NO.
Today's market is much different than the market and lifestyle of the previous generation. That generation typically had one job, one pension, one … (0 comments)
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The Miracle Of Right Thought - 05/07/07 07:58 AM
I figured we could all start the week off with some positive motivation!! Here is a quote by Orison Swett Marden from his book The Miracle Of Right Thought.
"Negative expectations are really nothing more than a manifestation of fear, so look the fear in the face. What is the worst that … (2 comments)
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The Mortgage Planning Process - 05/07/07 06:55 AM
The mortgage planning process is different than the typical "shopping for a mortgage" experience. The mortgage planning relationship is not about you:
Wasting your valuable time trying to save $25/month by comparing rates, fees and closing costs among different lenders. Wasting your valuable time trying to baby-sit the mortgage company you've … (0 comments)
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Are You Using Your Voicemail Effectively? - 05/07/07 06:42 AM
Have you ever stopped to consider how many times a new prospect gets your voicemail before they have a chance to speak directly with you? Your voicemail greeting provides an excellent opportunity to create a first impression that can have an enormous impact on whether people decide to use your services. … (10 comments)
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Shopping for the Right Mortgage - 05/05/07 08:18 AM
Finding a mortgage that's right for you should be easy. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from, including Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate, Hybrids, Interest Only, Monthly Option ARMs, and Pay Select Mortgages, to name just a few. Mortgages are available at rates ranging from an introductory rate of 1.00% … (1 comments)
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Enhance Your Role as the Gate Keeper: Take Your Business to a New Level - 05/05/07 08:07 AM
As every professional knows, it's important to have a reliable network of referral partners who regularly send business your way and to whom you send clients as well. But according to Business Network Int'l. founder and networking expert, Dr. Ivan Misner, it's possible to take these relationships and their resulting benefits … (0 comments)
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Protect Your Personal Information - 05/04/07 06:54 AM
Did you know that the major credit bureaus sell your personal information? It's true! Known as "trigger leads", the files of borrowers applying for a home loan are immediately flagged, packaged, and sold by the credit bureaus to the highest bidders.
For about $25 to $100 or more, your name and … (0 comments)
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Communication: Proactive Methods to Improve Business - 05/04/07 06:34 AM
I once heard the expression, "Communication is the lubrication in your organization." That couldn't be truer, especially in the world of business. You simply can't over-communicate when dealing with clients. I find that the best way to eliminate the constant state of reactivity in which most of us work is to … (1 comments)
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What Are Points and When Should You Pay Them? - 05/03/07 07:26 PM
Points are up-front fees paid by the borrower to obtain a better interest rate on a loan. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. And while a lower interest rate may result in a lower monthly payment, it is important to consider how long you intend to be in … (1 comments)
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Buy Household Products Online: The Savings will Surprise You! - 05/03/07 08:03 AM
Since its inception, the Internet has caused a fair share of controversy. Some people see it as a valuable tool while others consider it the devil's playground. Wherever you stand, one thing is certain - it has changed our idea of commerce forever.
eBay® is a perfect example. On this website, the … (0 comments)
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Sell Yourself to Prospects: Be a Great Listener - 05/03/07 07:55 AM
No matter what type of business you are in, your prospect has the option to select from a variety of competitors within the same marketplace. You must set yourself apart from your rivals, and it all starts by having the ability to listen attentively to each and every new prospect. You … (0 comments)
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Countering Objections: Know Why People Say No - 05/02/07 05:29 AM
Not every objection can be overcome, but they can all be countered, so you should always have a rebuttal in store. If you don't have years of experience, or a trainer to guide you, you can find yourself blindsided by the most obvious objections and hesitations.
There are three basic reasons for … (2 comments)
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Considering a Home Equity Line of Credit? - 05/01/07 09:32 PM
When a bank, mortgage company or credit union approves your home equity line of credit (HELOC), it doesn't give you a check. Instead, you get a checkbook; sometimes you receive a debit card too. You can write checks as you normally would (or use the card), except that each use is … (0 comments)
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Tap Into Google Local: Your Personal Chamber Of Commerce - 05/01/07 06:02 AM
The Internet has revolutionized the way we live in countless ways. We are able to access news as it's happening, email friends and relatives all over the world, and purchase anything from cars to vacation packages with a few clicks of the mouse.
What's ironic is that we frequently neglect to use … (0 comments)
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Learn from Your Success: Focus On Strengths Rather Than Weaknesses - 05/01/07 05:55 AM
Our culture teaches us to focus on our weaknesses and then improve upon them. While practice is critical to improvement in some areas, author Benson Smith of the Gallup Organization believes it is more important to focus on your strengths. By turning your strengths into super-strengths, your valuable time can be … (8 comments)
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