realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire?
- 12/09/08 06:33 AM
During this holiday season, you have many choices of homes. Based on what part of the country you live in, a home with a fireplace may be something you want to consider. Being from Philadelphia originally, a fireplace was a must during those cold winter days and nights. In fact, many homes had more than 1. If they were creative, they would design homes to share a chimney but many had multiple chimneys. Some things to consider when looking at homes with fireplaces are what type of fireplace does the home have compared with what your preferences are. Here are a … (3 comments)
realtors: Wait a Minute...You are Mad at Me?
- 11/24/08 02:41 AM
Let me set the scene for you. You get a call from someone who is interested in buying a house. Excitement sets in as you put together showings according to their criteria. You are set to meet on Saturday and you have all of the showings in a logical order. You meet the buyer and start out on your trek. Along the way, you get to know the buyer and as you pull up to the 1st house, the buyer says that he hates the look of the house from the outside and he wants to skip this one and go … (6 comments)
realtors: Screening Tenants is Like Vegas Baby!
- 11/11/08 04:36 AM
Let's set the scene...You get a property to list for rent. You advertise it and suddenly, out of nowhere, you get a call that Tenants want to see it. The roller coaster begins. You show it, they love it, Yada, Yada, Yada..."We'll take it!" One small thing. The dreaded background and credit check. Ok, If you are honest, running credit and background checks maybe takes all of 5 minutes (10 if you are not computer literate) yet the fees range from $35 per person to $100 per person. The higher ones will justify their fees by saying that not only do … (1 comments)
realtors: Will Customer Service be the Ticket?
- 10/08/08 06:35 AM
I know I have blogged about Customer Service before but everytime you turn around, you are having either a great or not so great experience! I recently had the pleasure (?) of driving a rental truck from Philadelphia to Orlando with my girlfriend of 9 years. We thought it would be a good test of our relationship! (we passed with flying colors). The trip was not bad at all. Took 2 days and although it was 1000 miles (I drove 955 of it), we looked back and thought...not too bad. We stayed at a Hampton Inn in North Carolina, about 25 … (1 comments)
realtors: Call Before Midnight Tonight!
- 09/24/08 06:59 AM
Immediate Possession! Limited Time Offer! Best Deal in Town! Wow. Powerful, huh? We see these and more all over town. Marketing tag lines that have been used and overused for many years. Ron Popeil became a millionaire touting everything from the Ginsu Knife to the Vegematic. "Lose one, we'll replace it...and that's not all!" Do these tag lines really work? If I see "Location, Location, Location" in print one more time, I will scream. I did see a funny one the other day that was a sign rider that said, "Honey, stop the car." Do we still fall for gas prices … (7 comments)
realtors: Gated Communities...Keeping you In or Out?
- 07/23/08 02:16 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 their level of security. There are a few that you can easily talk your way into while others you need a blood sample and fingerprints to get in. The gated ones without a guard allow for cars to fly through one after another. As a resident of one of these … (1 comments)
realtors: If a Realtor Falls in the Forest and no one is there to hear them, do they still make a sound?
- 07/23/08 01:43 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 last year, the turnpike authority decided to widen the lanes by 2 in both directions. The study concluded that a sound wall needed to be erected. This took a long time but we now have the sound wall. It is a sky colored wall so when you first look out, … (12 comments)
realtors: Does Your Car Reflect Your Personality?
- 07/21/08 06:51 AM
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 girlfriend's mom got a Yellow Mini Cooper and she is 80! I used to commute to work (before Real Estate) and drove a sensible Honda (32 MPG). When I started in Real Estate, the Broker asked me what kind of car I had? I told her a Honda Civic and … (43 comments)
realtors: Million Dollar Agent, you say?
- 07/10/08 02:02 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 slogan the same time they last updated that, er um, 1950's photo of themselves. The next generation says "Multi Million Dollar Producer". This could be 2 million or 20. The same goes for agent of the month, quarter or year. The last place I worked, this criteria meant that the … (6 comments)
realtors: When it comes to Referral Fees, Which side are you on?
- 07/07/08 04:08 AM
I am currently teaching a 15 year old to drive. He has his permit for a year and the phrase of "Can I drive?" I bring this up because as someone who has been driving since age 16, if i get behind a student driver or someone who is driving very slowly, I don't always have the patience. What does this have to do with referrals? It all depends on which side of the fence you are on. If you have a car load of breakables or you happen to be driving with your Grandmother and someone starts honking and getting … (2 comments)
realtors: No, it's not Tourettes Syndrome
- 06/20/08 05:39 AM
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 traffic and in my rear view mirror, the head starts shaking. It is usually a left to right motion but can sometimes have variations. I must confess that I do it too! I am not a horn honker. If someone cuts me off or does something bad on the road, … (0 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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