real living real estate solutions: Realtor Communications - Are they Really Communicating - 07/25/08 03:35 PM
Every course I have taken since being a Realtor, whether it be for an accreditation or for fun has involved math to some degree. Every instructor has told us that when we say we can't do the math, ask an agent what their commission will be (and we get it to … (3 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Gated Communities...Keeping you In or Out? - 07/23/08 09:16 AM
Here in Central Florida, we have mostly subdivisions. Many people love to say they live in this one or that one. Many of the subdivisions are gated. The most expensive subdivisions are manned 24 hours a day while others have a key card and code box.
The manned communities vary in … (1 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: If a Realtor Falls in the Forest and no one is there to hear them, do they still make a sound? - 07/23/08 08:43 AM
Ok, a long title just to talk about sound. We bought our house at the end of 2003 and it is a great piece of land except that it backs up to the turnpike. Having an unscreened pool in the backyard has caused us to talk over the highway. In the … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Does Your Car Reflect Your Personality? - 07/21/08 01:51 PM
When you see a Pink Cadillac driving down the street, we all get an image of an Mary Kay Lady who done good! Does your car reflect your personality? They say that people look like their dogs...what about our cars? Do you find yourself dressing in the same pattern as your upholstery? My … (18 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Million Dollar Agent, you say? - 07/10/08 09:02 AM
For agents that have been in the business a while, we know what it means to sell a million dollars of real estate...nothing. So when we see an outdated business card that says "Million Dollar Club", we know that either that agent doesn't do very much business or they updated that … (6 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: No, it's not Tourettes Syndrome - 06/20/08 12:39 PM
I am speaking about the epidemic we are having out there with the "Head Shake" In the old days, you would hear people saying Tisk Tisk. I see it all the time when I am driving. A driver does something wrong or holds up others or even just a line of … (0 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Introverts in Real Estate - 06/19/08 11:32 AM
We all know people who are extroverted. We may also know some that are introverted. Do Introverts have a place in Real Estate? If Introverted Realtors are working with Introverted customers, it could work. Do you think the majority of the public are introverts or extroverts? I suppose it depends on … (20 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: We Take a Licking and... - 06/10/08 08:07 AM
As Realtors, we set appointments with people to see a house or houses. They tell us that they will meet us at the house. You get there at the prescribed time and? No Customer. How long do you wait for a customer? At what point do you call them to see … (15 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Which one are You? - 06/04/08 07:27 AM
Agents work on Commission. We work hard to get our customers to closing and then are rewarded with a commission check (minus fees, taxes and shipping and handling fees). Now we have a chunk of money and what do we do? Are you the kind of agent that puts it away, … (14 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Are Bumper Stickers the Best Way to Communicate? - 05/27/08 02:37 PM
As Bloggers, we of course feel that this is a great way to get our thoughts and messages across to others. Do people that plaster bumper stickers on their cars feel the same way? We all see them everyday. In fact, we are guilty of pulling up closer to read the … (14 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Do you "Have a Guy?" - 05/23/08 03:28 PM
When I worked for the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia, we had a guest who called to ask how to get to the hotel from the airport. We told him about various transportation options including taking a taxi...which he did. He had the ride from hell and when he got to the hotel, … (3 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Are you Bugged? - 05/20/08 07:11 AM
Termite Inspections. WDO (Wood Destroying Organisms). Most lenders require a clean report before they lend their money. Be honest. Haven't you watched countless WDO inspections and thought, I could do that! Poke a stick at some wood, shine a flashlight. Walk a Ladder. It does look surprisingly easy.
Of course, everything … (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: They call them Bandit Signs... - 05/19/08 02:55 PM
You see them everwhere...
"We'll buy your house for cash!"
"Amazing New Face Cream that will take years off of your life"
"Get 100 T-shirts for $10.00. Limited time offer."
These small cardboard signs sit on a little wire frame and are used by countless numbers of people and professions. Realtors … (15 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: The 5 Hour Home Inspection - 05/16/08 11:51 AM
It started on a balmy morning at 8:30am. At 1:30pm, we were locking up and heading out the door. 5 hours AND it was a vacant house. It almost doesn't seem possible (if I hadn't been there standing the entire time). 5 hours for $400.00. That's $80 bucks per hour..oh yea … (30 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Ok - Quick Poll on Blogging - 05/16/08 06:55 AM
Do you blog the same time every day? every week? Are you a blogger that perfroms a ritual as in doing it the same way everytime? Where do you get your blog ideas from? Do you blog on weekends? Would love to hear about it.
I find myself blogging early morning, … (17 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Overheard at the Gas Station - 05/15/08 11:03 AM
There I was, pumping gas and minding my own business. The lady at the next pump was talking to the gas station attendant and when they finished their conversation, she said, "Don't work too hard"
What a concept! Don't work too hard. How hard is too hard? Is this becoming a … (10 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: New Home Construction and Commissions - 05/13/08 10:24 AM
During the Boom, there was a certain builder in our market, who decided that commissions would be a fixed amount of $3,000. Whether you sold a $200,000 or $800,000 home, you got $3,000. Realtors throughout the land griped and grumbled. We planned our revenge and many decided that they would not … (0 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: You want Fries with That? - 05/06/08 12:08 PM
There has been a great deal written on agents leaving the business as sales have taken a down turn. My question is about the agents who have been able to stay in the business while supplementing their income in some way...even Real Estate Related. I will tell a personal story. I … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: The Fence Sitters - 05/06/08 08:03 AM
Even in this market a buyer that is sitting on the fence can be pushed over with a little down home sales skills. Agents have a bevy of tools at their disposal to turn a potential buyer into a closing. Of course, there are many seminars that you can attend which has everything from psychological … (14 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Is it Me or Is it Them, It's Them, Right? - 04/30/08 02:45 PM
I don't know what has changed recently but I have received 3 calls in the past few days from people claiming they saw me as an active member of Active Rain and then proceed to give me their sales pitch. From Lenders, to Title, to fancy gadgets that help get us … (20 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Functional Obsolescence...How Far is Too Far? - 04/30/08 10:55 AM
Functional Obsolescence is one of my favorite terms in Real Estate. Landlord.com describes it as:
Functional Obsolescence: Functional obsolescence occurs when a property loses value due to its architectural design, building style, size, outdated amenities, local economic conditions and changing technology.
The question is if someone is living in a house that … (1 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Stood Up at the Altar - 04/29/08 04:19 PM
No, it has not happened to me. I am in a great 8 year relationship but have never been married. If anyone has ever been stood up at the altar, my sympathy. If it was anything like the scene last year from Grey's Anatomy, then I feel for you. But this … (10 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Creating a Mystique...ooh...ahh - 04/21/08 03:29 PM
When I first heard the word, "Mystique", it was while working at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. For those of you that have stayed at a Ritz-Carlton, you know that their level of service is tops in the industry. The word mystique has a different meaning for all of us. I take it … (4 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Does the Term "Free" Denote Value? - 04/18/08 09:17 AM
I used to work for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. My Gold Standard was set very high with all of the high levels of products and services offered. One of my roles was in Human Resources. We were there for the Associates to handle all of their working experience. One of the … (15 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Eat Here and Get Gas - 04/17/08 11:58 AM
This was a sign I had in my room when i was a teenager. It always struck me funny. Ok, it wasn't that funny but it brings me to the topic of Gasoline, Petrol, Fuel, Car Juice. I have been struck recently by a number of agents who say something to … (4 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Can you Train Someone to Care? - 04/15/08 07:19 AM
You can teach someone a task. You can also give someone a script that has been tested and proven to get results. But, can you train someone to care...truly care about what they are doing and about the people they come in contact with?
If you give someone a telephone script and … (19 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: I've Had Enough! - 04/09/08 10:53 AM
I've had it. I'm Through. That's It. We are hearing this more and more from Agents, Brokers and Owners of Real Estate Companies. In our markets we are seeing offices that are here today and gone tomorrow. We have had 3 offices close in a 2 week period. The larger offices … (13 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Is it a Kodak Moment? - 04/02/08 03:55 PM
Picture or No Picture? There are agents who post their pictures proudly. On their Business Cards, On Their Cars, On their Signs and then there are those agents who live in a shroud of mystery. No picture anywhere. Not on their cards, their website, even their company site. Why?
Some are shy, … (5 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Surealistic vs. Unrealistic - 04/02/08 02:37 PM
One of my favorite artists is Salvador Dali. I learned about him when I was in High School and I thought his Melting Watches and Surealistic style was the coolest thing. Why am I talking about Dali? His view on things is very dark and different than many other artists you … (3 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Blogging is a Full Time Job - 04/01/08 07:53 AM
The majority of Bloggers do not get paid for Blogging. Why do we do it? Some do it for the fun of it. Some are entertained by it. Some do it because they like the verbal sparring. People Blog for all different reasons. The challenge is, like anything else in life, … (11 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: The Customer is Always Right...Except in Real Estate - 03/28/08 11:00 AM
My background is in Customer Service. It is ingrained in me from the very beginning that the Customer is Always right. While working at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company I taught everyone that the 2 things we never said to a Guest were, "No" and "I don't Know". I am finding in … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Is the Caller There? - 03/27/08 12:47 PM
In the infamous words (for those of you who are old enough to remember) of Phil Donahue, is the caller there? Yes the caller is there but he or she always seems to pop up in Meetings. Maybe I am more sensitive as it is license renewal time so i have … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: The Property Management Conundrum - 03/19/08 02:49 PM
I recently attended a Property Management Workshop. The class was made up of Property Managers, managing 100+ Properties to people like me that have never managed any properties. I started thinking about all of the agents that are getting into the Property Management game and realized just how unprepared many of … (9 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Cool Websites and Free Stuff... - 03/07/08 11:36 AM
When you get an email from a friend and they tell you about a new website, you are like a kid in a candy store. Everything from snow globes that make the people inside fly all over the place to elfs with your family pictures as the faces. There are more … (10 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Realtors and Spelling are like Doctors and Handwriting - 03/05/08 08:22 AM
Ok, time for stereotypes..Accountants are nerdy, lawyers are all bad and travel agents like free stuff. (my mom is a travel agent and I grew up with tons of paperclip holders and sponges that looked like earth!) Ok, I think it is safe to say it is a pet peeve. Looking … (27 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: As the Scarecrow said..If I only had a brain! - 02/19/08 02:37 PM
The statistic keeps changing. We use .5% of our brains on a regular basis. Geniuses use .6% and that puts them far above the average person. The same goes for computer software. Ever have a day when you were board and started looking through the file menus of Microsoft Word? I … (2 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Education Kills...the Uneducated - 02/19/08 10:57 AM
So there we sit, waiting on an offer to come in on our listing. It has been on the market for many a moons and finally out of the blue, the fax machine rings! Yee haw. Wait a minute...shouldn't we have gotten a call from the agent first? Hmmm. The offer … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Memories of Career Goofs - 02/08/08 06:35 AM
The first time I worked with buyers, it was a disaster. I was given the information at 4PM on a friday and was to pick them up at 6PM. I was very nervous and was given a handful of listings and told, "Go Get Em". I pulled up at saw the … (14 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Identity Theft - 02/07/08 10:55 AM
I attended a meeting today and the topic was identity theft. I was under the impression, like many others, that Identity Theft only occured with credit cards and driver's licenses. Today, I saw how those are only 2 of the types. Apparently social security numbers is huge also. People use the … (2 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Realtor Communications - a Double Edge Sword - 02/01/08 08:41 AM
We have all gotten them. Emails that are automated that advertise a listing. The agents pay a fee and they get sent out to hundreds of agents instantly. I find myself torn with these. I am not someone who gets crazy about getting SPAM mail. My filter catches a good amount … (16 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Newspaper vs. the Internet - 01/31/08 09:46 AM
We know that 80% of individuals are searching the internet when first looking for a home. We also know that newspaper readership and advertising is way down, as a result of the internet. Newspaper prices remain high in many markets around the country. Also, it appears that newspaper readership is more … (20 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Realtor Incentives Vs. Buyer Incentives - 01/22/08 12:27 PM
I recently blogged on http://www.mylifeasanagent.com/ about Sellers giving agents incentives to bring people to their homes. This can be found at http://www.lifeasanagent.com/jim-hirschhorn/do-realtor-bonuses-make-a-difference/show/.
Some agents are lucky and have careers filled with birthday sales (having both ends) and bonuses galore from sellers and home builders. I have had 1 in 5 years of … (5 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Just Like Motel 6, Leave a Light on! - 01/07/08 07:48 AM
I had a showing yesterday at a home that was 2300 sq. feet with 3 acres of land. When we entered the home, it was evident that the Listing Agent had counseled the seller very well. All of the lights were on, in every room and all of the doors were … (12 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Do Florida Water Restrictions Hamper Real Estate Sales? - 12/21/07 09:14 AM
Beginning on January 15, 2008, The South Florida Water Management is imposing restrictions on water usage for 16 counties in Florida. Supplies are at an all time low as rain has been in short order this year. This paired with the amazing growth of Florida with Residential and Commercial customers, has … (1 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Arbor Day? - 12/21/07 08:44 AM
During this holiday season, Many agents feel the need to give back to their customers. They do this in the form of Christmas Cards, New Year Baby Calendars, Sports Schedules and some even take it a step further with holiday gift cards to Starbucks! Do these items hit their intended marks?
I … (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: I would, Butt... - 12/14/07 01:28 PM
I was driving today and saw yet another driver toss his cigarette butt out of the window. If someone came up with a recycling idea for cigarette butts, like they did for soda can pull tabs, we would all be better off. The American heart Association says that "In the United … (9 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: We Give and We Give and Still... - 12/12/07 02:41 PM
When you talk to many Realtors, they will tell you that they work very hard. They are there for their customers and go over and above the call of duty whenever they are asked to...sometimes even without being asked. I think this is true for many agents. There are agents at … (13 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Kissimmee Florida Waterfront Home - 12/10/07 09:17 AM
Let the Peaceful, calming effect of this waterfront home calm you at the end of a busy day. Soaring ceilings and lots of light make this 2500 sq. ft. home a place to call your own.
http://listings.realbird.com/Default.aspx?post=Real_Estate&c=Kissimmee&s=FL&fid=9344
Take a Look and contact Jim Hirschhorn, Broker/Manager for more information at Jim.Hirschhorn@Real Living.com or call … (0 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs - 12/07/07 07:54 AM
Props to the 5 Man Electrical band for their song and I don't know if others have experienced this but why is it so hard to find good sign companies? As Realtors, the posts we order to be installed in the yards come with a price tag. Not only do we … (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Is Procurement the Cause for Concern? - 12/05/07 12:09 PM
The term Procurring Cause refers to the agent who is able to secure a property for a buyer from start to finish of a transaction. There has been a great deal written on procurring cause and all seem to end with, he/she who writes the contract wins! When we feel we … (4 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Are Buyers Really Liars? - 11/29/07 08:13 AM
When I first started in Real Estate, it didn't take long before I heard the term, "Buyer's are Liars". I had no idea what this meant until I experienced it personally. When you look at the functions we perform as Realtors, you can break it down to us working with a … (15 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Picture of the Day - 11/21/07 02:23 PM
Driving down the road...going about 100 miles per hour...I wanted to follow him to see if the wheelchair was for him or he was just transporting it!
… (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Bonding - The Glue that Holds us Together - 11/21/07 02:04 PM
I grew up in a house and lived there for 17 years. It was a 5,000 square Foot "Oil Eater" as my dad used to say. It had 3 floors and a basement...an unfinished basement. When it was time to get rid of the house, we had a Realtor walk through … (4 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Logo Chocolates - Not Just For Breakfast Anymore... - 11/16/07 04:07 PM
While sitting in my office contemplating how to get Real Living Real Estate Solutions name out there, it dawned on me. People love Real Estate and they love Chocolate! Thank goodness for Schakolad as they came to my rescue! They created, from a emailed logo, customized chocolates (fun for the whole … (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Gotha - A great place to drive through - 11/16/07 03:46 PM
If you have been to Gotha, FL, you may know that when you get there, you are through it before you know it. The Downtown consists of a great spot called "Yellow Dog Eats". This dog friendly restaurant and wine bar has the most delicious foods and desserts. There is also … (0 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Humor in Advertising - When Funny doesn't translate - 11/05/07 03:43 PM
I have been told my whole life that I am a funny person. When enough people laugh (with you, not at you), it helps shape your persona. When I got into Real Estate I had visions of doing ads that had people rolling on the floor laughing. I thought of a … (15 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Recruiting Experienced Agents Seems Like an Easy Concept - 11/02/07 10:25 AM
We opened up our office in March of this year and the one thing we did not realize is how difficult it is to recruit in general, let alone experienced agents. Oh, we have had some great ideas. many a brainstorm sessions have resulted in everything from customized and personalized postcards … (16 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: The Me, Me, Me Generation - 10/30/07 07:56 AM
I recently wrote a blog on Agents that are barricading themselves in when it comes to their emails. It can be read at http://www.lifeasanagent.com/jim-hirschhorn/speak-when-spoken-to-only/show/.
My experience came from trying to contact these agents for recruiting purposes but was struck by how difficult some are making it for customers to get through the … (5 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: I LOVE Spam! - 10/25/07 12:57 PM
Not the Spiced Ham variety but the kind that is filled with information on every topic known to man. If you are Lonely or Unpopular, SPAM might be the only contact from the outside world. SPAM mail is mail that is suspect. Suspect to be everything from a get rich quick … (7 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: Who Wants My Money? - 10/22/07 10:17 AM
Simple..everyone does! I have told my agents for years that as a newly licensed Realtor, everyone wants your money.
"Come to our FREE seminar" and we will show you in 5 easy steps how to build confidence with your Customers on a daily basis.
"Dial 1-800-UTakeit and we will help you get … (9 comments)
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real living real estate solutions: A New Recruiting Model - 10/12/07 03:50 PM
Brokers in Real Estate are trained from early in their career to recruit, recruit and recruit some more. When you think about it, many companies and Brokers play the numbers game. There are many large Real Estate companies out there that have agents numbering in the hundreds.
Agents are told that … (4 comments)
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