real living real estate solutions: The 70's Live Again!
- 11/19/09 03:09 AM
I had a call from a customer who wanted to get in to see a rental property. Easy enough, right? I called for showing instructions and was told i had to speak to the Property Manager. I left her a message. The next day, the customer asked again and I called for the Property Manager and left message #2. Day 3, The customer called and I called back to ask if there was a way to get showing instructions for this VACANT property. I was then told that the Property Manager was out with the flu. Nice. I asked if anyone … (5 comments)
real living real estate solutions: May I Cut your Grass Mister?
- 09/25/09 03:00 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)
real living real estate solutions: Can Anyone be Trained?
- 09/18/09 07:52 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Survey Shmervey...Is it worth it?
- 09/18/09 07:35 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Showing Instructions - It isn't Brain Surgery People!
- 09/14/09 08:21 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Die Hard or Die!
- 09/14/09 07:49 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: I thought CMA was a Government Agency
- 08/17/09 06:26 AM
As a new agent, part of my training included learning how to do a CMA. This, without a doubt, was the most difficult part of the business for me as nobody had a fool proof way to do it. They said, you add a little here and subtract a little there and then you come up with a selling price. I was brand new and had a friend who already had their house on the market. I asked him if I could come and present to him as i needed the practice. I spent time putting the presentation together as well … (4 comments)
real living real estate solutions: Are We Too Connected?
- 08/17/09 02:37 AM
Technology. We love it at times and we hate it other times. It works for us and against us. The pro technology people, of which I consider myself, try to convey to others how it saves time, money and eases the way in which we do business. The "Old School" people will tell you that we are moving too quickly and that "back in the day", things were easier, less hectic. We had more time with our families. Let's talk about cell phones. As Realtors, we really can't live without them. I called an agent this morning and she answered her … (4 comments)
real living real estate solutions: Go Ask your Mother!
- 07/31/09 07:43 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Voted Best Burger...Says Who?
- 07/14/09 08:22 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: This One Won't Last...
- 05/21/09 02:44 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)
real living real estate solutions: When Agents Attack
- 05/20/09 04:45 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)
real living real estate solutions: Waterfront, Waterview and Watered Down
- 05/20/09 04:38 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)
real living real estate solutions: Recipe for Success in Real Estate
- 04/15/09 06:55 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Realtors Can be Like Teenagers
- 04/14/09 09:57 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Did you Brush your Teeth Today?
- 04/03/09 02:11 AM
If you were 5 or 6 years old, this would be a good question. For adults, it does seem kind of silly. It's a given that you brushed your teeth today, right? I see blogging as a brushing your teeth for your business. I constantly talk to our agents about how important it is to have a presence on the web, yet, I sometimes am lax in "brushing my teeth". I have to admit, it is a great feeling to google Jim Hirschhorn and have page after page come up with my name on it. Of course, if your name is … (5 comments)
real living real estate solutions: Agent Exitus..Is it Good For Everyone?
- 03/25/09 04:52 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)
real living real estate solutions: Are We Being Too Guarded?
- 02/12/09 09:17 AM
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)
real living real estate solutions: Is Short Sale Just a Marketing Ploy?
- 02/11/09 04:09 AM
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)
I had a call from a customer who wanted to get in to see a rental property. Easy enough, right? I called for showing instructions and was told i had to speak to the Property Manager. I left her a message. The next day, the customer asked again and I called for the Property Manager and left message #2. Day 3, The customer called and I called back to ask if there was a way to get showing instructions for this VACANT property. I was then told that the Property Manager was out with the flu. Nice. I asked if anyone … (5 comments)
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