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real estate: May I Cut your Grass Mister? - 09/25/09 10:00 AM
Ah, memories of a young lad walking from house to house, looking to make a little pocket change. Fast forward to present day and many neighborhoods are looking shabby and homeowners are up in arms at the appearance of their neighbors houses due to foreclosures and bank owned properties.
A simple solutions. They can just cut the lawn for them (as noone else seems to want to) and make it look presentable. There's only one small issue. They could be cited for trespassing and the liability if they got injured while on that property is one that the banks do not want to … (4 comments)
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real estate: Can Anyone be Trained? - 09/18/09 02:52 PM
As a Trainer, I have worked with a multitude of people. Young and old, many cultures and many different backgrounds. The question is, can everyone be trained?
When it comes to technical skills or a computer program, there are usually set ways to perform a task.
When it comes to soft skills such as customer service, it is more of an environment, an organizational environment as well as what is inside of each person to rise to the level they are being asked to.
Are there individuals that can't or won't learn what you are teaching? In my past work, I … (3 comments)
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real estate: Survey Shmervey...Is it worth it? - 09/18/09 02:35 PM
I went to the car dealership and had some repairs done. As I was getting into the car, the man told me to remember to give them all "10's" on the survey I would receive. He went on to say that a "9" is 80% for them. I drove away wondering if this was the way it was intended to be?
If I read into the situation, my guess is that their survey results are tied to bonuses and maybe even compensation. Why would they build a system like this? Doesn't it take the ability to say what you truly feel … (2 comments)
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real estate: Showing Instructions - It isn't Brain Surgery People! - 09/14/09 03:21 PM
I am counting to 10 before writing this blog. Frustration is a nice word for agents who don't use the tools and systems the way they were intended. In Orlando, our Board came up with a great tool to facilitate the showing of properties. It is called ShowingDesk and it is present on every Broker Synopsis in the MLS. That part is great. The part that isn't is how some agents are using this tool.
I had a buyer over the Labor Day weekend. He and I have been working together for a year and he often calls last minute. We … (3 comments)
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real estate: Die Hard or Die! - 09/14/09 02:49 PM
Are you a Die Hard Realtor? You don't care what the media says. You don't let anything or anyone get in the way of you making it work, by whatever means necessary. OR, are you the type of agent that says, "the market is down, woe is me". Either way, the numbers have not been lying. There is truth to the sales and listings being down. Outside factors that we have seen for the last 2 years have affected all of our pockets.
Many agents have resorted to getting additional work in order to supplement their income. The question is, if … (0 comments)
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real estate: Go Ask your Mother! - 07/31/09 02:43 PM
Sometimes another agent can really add undue stress to a deal. They say that perception is reality. If you perceive something to be true, whether it is or isn't doesn't matter as that is your perception!
I had a deal recently where the other agent was not into working with her people. She made all kinds of excuses why she didn't normally work in this area of the market and how long the drive was and how little money she would make on the deal...blah, blah, blah. She also said how she couldn't stand to take these people out and show … (1 comments)
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real estate: Flip This House? Really? - 07/14/09 03:35 PM
Just was watching an episode of "Flip This House" on the A&E network. When they pulled back the carpet, they discovered a huge crack in the slab that went all the way through. Next thing you know they are bringing out a team to dig holes, put in hydralics and concrete tubes and level this house back together again. It was amazing to watch but it also makes you wonder, from a real estate perspective, if this is disclosed to a new buyer?
We know, because it has been drilled into our heads, disclose, disclose, disclose. When in doubt, disclose it … (0 comments)
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real estate: Voted Best Burger...Says Who? - 07/14/09 03:22 PM
I passed a big banner on a steakhouse today that said, "Voted Best Burger, $5.99" and I wondered, who said? I also wonder who is checking these facts? this is not a poltical campaign where you have people researching and fact checking everything that is said or written...it's a steakhouse!
This started me thinking, why couldn't I, as a Realtor put out an ad stating that I am the Number 1 Realtor in the land? It was voted on by an Independent Council (mom, dad and sis). Who is gonna check it anyway?
There was a cute ad with a Realtor … (4 comments)
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real estate: Real Living Real Estate Solutions Welcomes New Agents - 07/14/09 03:15 PM
Bill and Jeralia Kolb and Mary Parrish have joined our team and will be focusing on Lake County Florida. They bring years of experience along with many great contacts and we are excited to welcome them.
… (1 comments)
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real estate: This One Won't Last... - 05/21/09 09:44 AM
I am the first one to admit that it is hard to be creative. We all go through periods where we got it or we don't! "This One Won't Last" I have seen a great deal on listings. Even if it is true, it is still a funny thing for me to see. I suppose it is due to the agents who have never gone back and updated their listings and they have been on the market over a year and still say, (say it with me) "This One Won't Last".
If it truly isn't going to last, why not say … (5 comments)
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real estate: When Agents Attack - 05/20/09 11:45 AM
What would cause an agent to leave their current Real Estate Brokerage? Usually it is one of two things. They are upset with their Broker or they are upset about their money.
It is very difficult for an agent to decide to make a change. They sometimes think that their identity is tied to the company that they are with. They often think about all of the reasons why they can't make a move. Business Cards, Advertising, Friendships are all factors that are weighed. The Reality is that there are times when a move is not only recommended...it is necessary. Necessary for … (2 comments)
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real estate: Waterfront, Waterview and Watered Down - 05/20/09 11:38 AM
I remember traveling to St. Louis years ago and they had a Casino on a boat that was docked permanently. I asked how they were allowed to do this and they told me that there was a body of water 60 miles away and they ran a pipe from that body of water that trickled water in and made it ok to have a "riverboat" casino. This was before I got into Real Estate.
Today, I am struck by the creative ways agents describe how their properties are connected to water. A house on a lake...beautiful, serene, valuable...a house with a … (1 comments)
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real estate: Recipe for Success in Real Estate - 04/15/09 01:55 PM
Cook Time
1-15 Years
Level
Beginner to Advanced
Yield
$20,000 - $150,000 per year
Times:
Prep2-6 WeeksCook Time:Until Perfected
Recipe Tools:
Tell a Friend Sphere of Influence Hand out Business Cards Ingredients
1 Real Estate License 1 Cell Phone 1 Automobile 10-12 Marketing Ideas 1 Laptop Computer 1 Pen Business Cards Directions
Before beginning this dish, ensure that you have your head in this recipe. If you are not ready to make it, it won't come out well.
In a deep pot, heat up your laptop to 75 degrees F. In a small bowl, put your cell phone, car keys, laptop, pen … (0 comments)
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real estate: Realtors Can be Like Teenagers - 04/14/09 04:57 PM
Do you have the pleasure of having, knowing or being in close proximity to a teenager? We all were there once and based on our age, we all have said, when I was that age, I would never do this or that. Some are just cranky. Some have a problem with authority. Some are into things that they shouldn't be and aren't good for them. The good news is, once the "everyone is out to get me" feelings are gone, they usually grow out of it.
Realtors, now this is another story. Before we were licensed, we all said, I would … (4 comments)
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real estate: Agent Exitus..Is it Good For Everyone? - 03/25/09 11:52 AM
They say that it all depends who you talk to with regards to perspective on an issue. With the down turn in the market last year, as expected, Real Estate Agents have left the profession in groves. With a little over 12,000 agents a year ago to todays 7000 in Orlando, we have seen a "thinning out" of agents and offices!
Are the reduced numbers a good thing? Those of us that have stayed standing say yes as it creates more business and our theory is that it got rid of those people that were not serious about Real Estate. Here's … (4 comments)
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real estate: Are We Being Too Guarded? - 02/12/09 05:17 PM
If you are on Facebook or even if you aren't you have probably heard about the "25 things about me" exercise that is going around. In the event that you haven't, it basically asks you to randomly write 25 things about yourself, presumably that people don't know about you. Try it. It is not so easy. The 1st one I read was from a close friend and he really got deep.
A few examples are..."22. I saved my son's life once. That's still an incredible thing for me to fathom." and "8. My Grandpop Sam died in 1973. I think about … (11 comments)
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real estate: Is Short Sale Just a Marketing Ploy? - 02/11/09 12:09 PM
I was struck by a sign that I saw that said, "If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, Call me for information on how to short sell it!" I thought about this and wondered if some agents are using our current economic crisis as an excuse to prey on struggling homeowners. A short sale should not be taken lightly.
In previous markets, a small number of people would have life changing circumstances such as medical disability, Loss of Job or Bankruptcy where they simply could not meet their mortgage obligations. In our current economy, a short sale has almost been … (6 comments)
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real estate: A Tree Grows in Orlando... - 01/13/09 01:45 PM
We have a neighbor. Since I know that she doesn't blog, I can use her real name..Gladys Kravitz. You may have a Gladys also. Gladys decided to have a tree company come out to clean up her trees. She saw that our trees were hanging into her yard and had her tree company "trim" our trees as well. How nice of her. Instead of just clipping them, she has one looking like an Auschwitz victim and the other is nice and full on one side and lopped off on the other. Would love to get your thoughts on our rights, her … (1 comments)
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real estate: Picking the "Right Tenant" when it comes to renting - 01/06/09 11:09 AM
I am not alone with getting into the Property Management game. As Real Estate Sales started declining, owners naturally think about renting their homes that they are unable to sell. It is always amusing to speak with someone for the first time and the education process that has to occur with a prospective owner about renting their home.
I clearly have not seen it all but have had numerous experiences of homeowners who want a perfect tenant and want the ability to hand pick them from the sea of possibilities. As Realtors, we have had exposure to the Fair Housing Laws … (4 comments)
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real estate: Business at the Holidays - 12/29/08 08:32 AM
Christmas and New Years are mid week this year. Working up to Christmas, there are many last minute things to do. Gift shopping, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, Lights. When Christmas comes and goes and all the guests leave, then it is time to ramp up for New Years. Not just Realtors are affected. It seems as if the world slows down and the days surrounding both holidays are filled with parties for some, movies for others and a hope that the coming year will be better than the last one.
It is akin to starting a new diet. "Come … (0 comments)
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Jim Hirschhorn, GRI, Real Living - Orlando
Orlando,
FL
More about me…
Real Living Real Estate Solutions
Address: 6401 Raleigh Street, Orlando, FL, 32835
Office Phone: (407) 253-1377
Cell Phone: (321) 436-5300
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