John Youker's Blog

Two Agents Join Keller Williams Realty in Oak Park

John Youker — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:00:53 -0700

We would like to welcome Jovany Mendoza and Vicky Eaton to our team here at Keller Williams Realty in Oak Park, IL. We are glad to be in business with both agents. Jovany, a resident of Berwyn, follows his cousin, Carlos Cubas here to the office to take advantage of some of our training programs to help him succeed in real estate.

Vicky, a resident of Forest Park, another neighboring community, transfers in from a small independent company and is looking forward to a little more training and support than in the past.

Both are experienced agents and bring value to our team and we are glad to have them. Looking forward to a GREAT rest of the year here in Oak Park!

Thanks,

John Youker

What is a GPS?

John Youker — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:24:44 -0700

Everyone knows a GPS is a Global Positioning System, or a device that helps you navigate from point A to point B. They can be very helpful in driving, hiking, or many other applications. Do you know what a GPS for your business is?

Well, it is the same thing. A tool that can help you navigate from point A to point B. Do you have a GPS for your business? IN business this acronym stands for Goals, Priorities, and Strategies. First off, you must define your GOAL. One goal, that is it. Maybe it is an income goal, or a # of listings goal. Once you have clearly established your goal, then you need 3 priorities for that goal. What 3 things must I focus on to make that goal happen? Once you have established those three things, it is time for implementation or ACTION. Next you would take each priority and write 5 simple action steps that will turn those priorities into realities, thus helping you achieve your goal.

At Keller Williams Realty Professionals, this is exactly what we do. I schedule an individual consultation with every agent who joins our office and we write, together, a GPS plan for their success. Then we help them implement what they need to make that happen by custom designing a training schedule for them to engage in so they can reach their goals and become the agent they want to be.

If you are interested in writing a GPS for you to help you navigate the troubled waters of a shifted market, please call me at (718)725-9050 or email me at TL@kw418.com and we will make it happen. All we need is 2 hours of your time to make it happen! The desire to succeed must outweigh the fear of a new challenge!

I hope to hear from you soon

John Youker
Team Leader / CEO
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Chicago - Oak Park

Does Keller Williams Training Really Work?

John Youker — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:00:11 -0700

Well, this is a question I am faced with on a daily basis. And, I am proud to say, YES, it does, however, it is totally dependent on the implementation of the agent. When agents join Keller Williams Realty, at my office, the first thing I teach them is the six personal perspectives to help them get on the path to mastery. Here they are:

1. Commit to self-mastery

2. Focus on the 20% that matters most

3. Breaktrhrough the ceiling of Achievement

4. Become a learning-based individual

5. Remove your limiting beliefs

6. Become accountable

Now, not all agents participate, but the agents who understand these principles and engage in the business using these six simple rules typically have an increase in production. Take Loria Hamilton, who joined Keller Williams Realty Professionals in October '09. Her production since joing KW has increased by 174%. Yes, you read that right, 174%! Now, imagine for a minute what you could do with almost DOUBLE your income?

All of our training in the office is free and is readily available for any agent who is interested in taking their business to the next level. We have just begun a series of classes titled Lead Generation 36:12:3, which helps the agent close 36 transactions over the next 12 months by focusing 3 hours per day on the 20% that matters most - Lead Generation. If you are interested in this class or any other training, please feel free to call me at (708) 725-9050 or email me at TL@kw418.com, we would love to have you join in our learning experience. For a copy of our current calendar of events, please click on Training Calendar above.

You have heard the old saying. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!" Well, it is time for you to start drinking up! Learn what it takes to be successful in this market, come to a class, join us for some incredible learning experiences, all taught by a Keller Williams University certified instructor.

For more information, please contact John Youker at (708) 725-9050 or email at TL@kw418.com.

Thanks,

John Youker
Team Leader / CEO
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Chicago - Oak Park

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - 2nd Largest company in Oak Park, IL

John Youker — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:13:55 -0700

Keller Williams Realty Professionals, in Oak Park, IL, has just moved to the #2 position for agent count in the entire Oak Park Board. After increasing the size of the office by 63% since January 1st of this year, Keller Williams Realty Professionals is now on track to take over the #1 position by mid-summer.

The growth has been phenomenal! I came up here at the end of '08 to see what I could do with this office; can we turn this into a high producing Keller Williams office was the question and my focus was on growing the business of the agents inside the office, create a true culture of productivity, and then attract good agents - not only from Oak Park, but from Chicago and the surrounding areas as well. Our goal has always been growth, however a lot needed to happen on the inside before we could truly deliver the KW value proposition to the agents who joined us. I knew I had my work cut out for me, so I just put my head down, listened to my business coach, and worked at it - everyday - making things happen, one by one.

Being a Keller Williams Realty owner of a highly successful office in Dayton, OH, I knew exactly what we needed to do each step of the way to get to the top. I started with the inside - building a training program and creating a productive environment for the agents to work in. Next came our ALC, or Agent Leadership Committee - a committee of agents selected from the top 20% of the producers from the office to help run the office, making each Keller Williams office truly run by the agents. We have a committed group of agents on the ALC in our office, constantly making it a better place to work.

After that, we moved the office, purchasing a building on North Ave. to strategically position us on the border of Oak Park and Chicago to be able to pull in agents from both boards, and that is exactly what we have done. Moving here in October of '09, creating a system and setting the agents up for success, we started the recruiting push in November, and by Christmas the agents started coming on board. We have brought in 20 high producing individuals in the last 5 months, and will see at least 80 more join by the end of the year. Our goal, by Christmas is to be at 100 producing agents in the office. Most agents join us for our training and coaching programs that we have here in the office. Being a certified KWU instructor, I have been teaching a lot and inviting agents from all over the area to come in and take in our training. From there, most agents simply ask us how to be a part of our office stating that their brokers are simply not providing the necessary information to succeed at the highest level in this shifted market.

June is a HUGE training month for our office, bringing in three nationally known trainers from around the country to help our agents with the fundamental element of our business - Lead Generation. If you are an agent looking to succeed at the highest level, I welcome you to come in and check out our taining programs, which are offered for free, and see the difference for yourself. I can be reached at JYouker@kw.com or by calling me in the office at 708-725-9055.

To see a copy of our June Calendar, please click here: JUNE TRAINING CALENDAR

Keller Williams Realty Red Day 2010 - Chicago / Oak Park

John Youker — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:43:39 -0700

Today, more than 77,000 agents nationwide, banned together to "Give Where You Live" and give back the the communities that support them throughout the year. Chicago was no different - In the Oak Park area, just west of the city, our office of just under 50 people decided to do a food drive to support the Oak Park Food Pantry which support over 20 local communities in Chicago and the surrounding areas. We passed out fliers throughout the community and had several homeowners call us for pick-ups, other Real Estate Companies participated as well - with Weichert Realty really pitching in and donating a HUGE box of food for us to bring along with ours. This was not a day of competition between firms, it was a day of working together, hand in hand with our peers to support those in need throughout our area. We delivered the food at the end of the day and brought several boxes and carloads of food to the Pantry.

This was one of the best days we have had in the office this year. Coming from contribution to help those in need is one of the best feelings that anyone could ever have - it sure made me feel good, and I am glad I did it!

We will be doing more community service projects like this in the future, for sure!

Looking for Top Quality agents who want success in 2010

John Youker — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:03:56 -0800

Our office is growing and expanding and in this challenging market full of opportunity, we are finding the need to change the way we do business. Therefore, we are looking for some top quality agents who want to find all the financial success they want or need in 2010.

We are looking for the following:

1. Listing specialists

2. Listing Managers

3. Showing Assistants

4. Buyer Specialists

5. Rainmaker Lead Generators

6. Short Sale Specialists

7. REO agents / brokers

8. Commercial agents (all disciplines of commercial real estate)

9. Property managers

If you are looking for solutions on how to overcome market adversities, built in training and support (for free), and continuous cash flow coming your way on a monthly basis and you are willing to work in the Western Suburban part of Chicago, our office is located in the 6500 block of W. North Ave, between Oak Park and Narragansett Avenues.

Please call me, John Youker at 708-725-9050 or email me at JYouker@kw.com to schedule a confidential interview to discuss opportunities we have immediately available in our ever changing and growing office.

Keller Williams Realty Receives Nod as the Highest Ranked in Customer Satisfaction

John Youker — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:49:33 -0800

J.D. Power and Associates names company highest in customer satisfaction
for second year in a row

AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 2, 2009) -According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the third largest real estate company in North America, received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms for the second year in a row. The company also ranked second-highest among home sellers in the study.

"We couldn't be prouder. This is an achievement our associates have truly earned. It is the face-to-face interaction and the relationships they build daily that has impacted this study and elevated Keller Williams Realty to another level in customer service," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. "Knowing that this study was conducted during the toughest times the market has seen shows that spirit and dedication can make an impact."

The study was produced by J.D. Power and Associates to measure home buyers' and sellers' customer satisfaction. The results of the home-buying experience were determined by three factors including the agent, office and the package of additional services.

"I am absolutely beaming with pride that our agents have been honored in such a fantastic way," said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty. "We are lucky to be in business with such incredible business people, who have shown incredible resolve over the past two years. If there was a time to build their business, it is now."

###

About Keller Williams Realty Inc.:

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 679 offices and 73,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information, or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com).

Keller Williams Realty Ranked as Top Real Estate Franchise by Industry Leader and Entrepreneur Magazine

John Youker — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:41:15 -0800

AUSTIN, TEXAS (December 21, 2009) - Keller Williams Realty joined the ranks of the top franchises in the world last week, when the company was ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise on the 31^st Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine. During the same week, the company was also voted the Most Recognizable Brand of Real Estate Franchises for 2009 in an industry-wide survey for the Swanepoel TRENDS Report.

"The Swanepoel TRENDS Report is a respected source for the real estate industry and beyond, as is Entrepreneur magazine, and we are excited to see our agents honored in this way for all of their hard work," said Mark Willis, CEO, Keller Williams Realty. "We certainly wouldn't have been included on either list without the dedication and resolve of our agents."

According to the ranking in Entrepreneur magazine, the most important criteria to determine the top franchises included financial strength and stability, as well as growth rate and size of the franchise system. The magazine also looked at the number of years the company has been in business and the length of time it's been franchising, in addition to start-up costs and financial data. Additionally, Keller Williams Realty made an impressive showing on the overall list, placing higher than any other real estate franchise.

The Swanepoel TRENDS Report is published by Stefan Swanepoel, a real estate industry speaker and insider. The survey was crafted to determine the Most Recognizable Brand for Real Estate Franchises for his report out in February 2010. The survey included votes cast by 11,000 plus real estate agents, who cast 390,000 votes to select the top 10.

Earlier in the year,Keller Williams Realty also received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms from J.D. Power and Associates for the second year in a row.

"We are extremely proud that our associates and company are being recognized for our strength and stability during this time in our industry," said Mary Tennant, president and COO, Keller Williams Realty. "We attribute our success to being in business with phenomenal people and to our core business models, which have allowed our franchises to thrive during any market."

###

About Keller Williams Realty Inc.: Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 679 offices and 73,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. For more information on how you can change your business and your life, visit Keller Williams Realty Professionals online at (www.TheOakParkShift.com).

KW Commercial in Chicago

John Youker — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:43:10 -0800

We are building a commercial division within our Chicago / Oak Park based Keller Williams office that will have better training and support, better commission splits (100%) available, and better back-end systems than ANY other commercial brokerage in the area. You have to ask yourself "Why did the president of the CCIM join Keller Williams Commercial?" Because he saw the value in the system, support, model, training, and everything else that goes along with Keller Williams Realty. Here is what our commercial division will have:

Better compensation plan (100% available)
Better business model from which to start building your business
Separate branding from the residential side
Training that is comparable to the CCIM curriculum
A company culutre that is raising the bar everyday
A wealth building, passive income stream, that will help you plan for your future - after real estate

At KW Commercial, we believe that you are only as good as the people you are in business with. That's why we make it a priority to be in business with the best.

As a company, Keller Williams Realty and KW Commercial are committed to delivering the most competitive compensation model in the industry along with the very best education, training and technology.

From office properties to land brokerage, if you are looking to enhance your career in the commercial realm, KW Commercial can take your career to new heights.

Also, we are building a new MEGA COMMERCIAL TEAM at Keller Williams Realty Professionals in Oak Park. We are putting together a Lackman Commercial Group in our office. We are looking for commercial agents in Chicagoland with or without commercial sales/leasing experience. We offer:

Intensive, interactive training and support
Referrals and marketing programs.
Back end support including former lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers and business leaders interested in building on those skills to become top commercial agents.

Click here to watch a video about the Lackman Commercial Group

If you have an interest in finding out more about our Commercial Division or joining the Lackman Commercial Group to help take your business to the next level, please contact us here

RePost from Keller Williams Commercial President, Buddy Norman

John Youker — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:32:14 -0800

I found this and wanted to re-post it here for you all to see. Some great words of advice from the president of KW Commercial:

The commercial real estate market has changed - and is changing. Although many believe the market still hasn't hit bottom, one thing is certain, commercial real estate brokers need new skills in order to thrive in the face of current market realities. Beyond the tried and true relationship strategy, I believe commercial real estate brokers need to focus primarily on honing their business development skills.

Just because the commercial real estate market is shifting doesn't mean brokers should shift into panic mode. As Gary has shown us in SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, there are always opportunities in the midst of challenging environments. So, if you maintain a business development mindset and keep your foot on the accelerator, you are more likely to discover and leverage those opportunities to your advantage.

Before you can hone your business development skills you need to understand what business development is - and what it isn't. Business development is not merely sales role, it combines sales, marketing, strategic analysis and negotiations to accomplish one goal...building new relationships with potential clients.

With an ever-shifting market, you need to begin to think creatively about the opportunities that lie before you and how you might approach them. Here are a few steps to get you started:

Identify local market opportunities: Stop and ask yourself, "What are the opportunities in my local commercial real estate market?" If your local market is like most, things are pretty quiet right now. Capital is sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right timing to invest. Therefore, investment sales are soft and will remain soft into 2010. Few are placing bets until unemployment stops rising because much of commercial real estate velocity relies on job growth. Many distressed property owners are holding on tight. It is imperative for you to know your market! That's why you should focus on landlord leasing and management, tenant representation and SBA/user transactions, as well as building relationships with key banks.

Realize new and emerging trends: Foreign investors are entering the U.S. market to play against a weak dollar, and bank foreclosures on commercial properties are setting the stage for fire sales. Real Estate Investment Trusts are going to make their moves at the right time. And with market lease rates so low, tenant representation brokers are staying busy helping negotiate blend and extend deals or upgrades from Class B to Class A properties. Think creatively about the trends you are seeing. Find a new angle and execute your strategy.

Prepare for 2010: For some, the New Year will mean a shift into tenant representation. For others, it may mean working with banks on REOs or commercial property management. For still others, that may mean aggressively marketing to foreign investors or private equity firms with massive hedge funds of cash waiting for the bottom. As you identify new and emerging market opportunities, SHIFT your business practice to prepare for the coming commercial trends.

You might also want to look at ramping up your training and coaching if you haven't, and join networking groups or form strategic alliances. Whatever it takes, once you've identified a valid business opportunity, begin taking steps toward developing that business. Although cost cutting is wise and relationship-building is a must, business development is a key skill that will pay off in the up and down cycles of commercial real estate. And, right now has never been a better time to hone these business development skills.

For anyone interested in Business Development of their own agent business, commercial or residential in the Chicago, NW side, and near Western Suburbs, please call or email John Youker today to schedule you FREE and private business consultation. John will sit doen with you, describe the four business models and how and why they are or at least should be important for you to understand. You will leave with plan for 2010 to implement.

My contact into is JYouker@kw.com or 708-725-9050. Thanks!

Re-BLOG from:

http://blog.kw.com/2009/12/01/business-development-the-hottest-cre-skill-for-2010/

Happy Thanksgiving!

John Youker — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:10:03 -0800

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful company, a company that gives back, lifts up, supports, cares, and is full of culture - the right kind of culture that helps each and every one of us become better people.

I am thankful to be in business with GREAT PEOPLE at Keller Williams Realty Professionals in Oak Park, IL and at Keller Williams Realty throughout the country.

I am thankful for my family, for sticking with me through some very rough times and seeing that there is a path to greatness and that life is a journey and simply enjoying the ride.

Most of all, I am thankful for God. For He gives me health, strength, and happiness and so many joys and pleasures every day, putting me in contact with such great people throughout the country.

I hope you all have a GREAT day tomorrow and many more to come.

Please, feel free to write what you are thankful for on here, it's time we all put some positive energy in the world!

Thank you.

Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Chicago / Oak Park Welcomes Loria Hamilton!

John Youker — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:07:19 -0700

Keller Williams Realty Professionals in Oak Park is proud to announce the addition of another great agent to our team!

Loria Hamilton-Field

Loria was with Keller Williams before and left to be a large independent company in Oak Park. When asked why KW and why did you want to come back, here was her response:

"I came back to KW for a couple of reasons. After being with a company for over a year that treated me like just another number, I missed the atmosphere. I never felt like I was just another salesperson with KW. Everyone always took a genuine interest in helping me with my business. This really felt more like coming back home. I also came back because of the training and support. I've attended tons of trainings and seminars over the past year and KW is in a league of their own. I missed the accessibility of training on any and all subjects crucial to my business. Finally, in this economic climate I truly appreciate a company that wants me to get ahead financially. The commission splits are fair and give me an attainable incentive."

Welcome back Loria, we are glad you decided to join us and take your business to the next level!

6547 W. North Ave. • Oak Park, IL 60302 • (708) 383-8500

Sincerely,

John D. Youker

CEO / Team Leader

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Chicago-Oak Park

JYouker@kw.com

ShortSalePacket.com Fan Page on Facebook

John Youker — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:45:57 -0700

ShortSalePacket.com on Facebook

Keller Williams Mega Camp

John Youker — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:56 -0700

We are looking for top quality agents in the North and Northwest side of Chicago to attend Mega Camp with us. Mega Camp is a yearly educational offering, sponsored by Keller Williams Realty that brings together the top agents in the real estate industry to share the tactics and techniques that are working to help power people through the real estate SHIFT.

For more information on the program, please CLICK HERE.

To find out how to be eligible to go for FREE, please contact John Youker, Keller Williams Realty Professionals at jyouker@kw.com.

Thanks,

John Youker

24 hours left for KW Cares Fundraiser

John Youker — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:31:36 -0700

This is the last 24 hours to order a pampered chef product for the KW Cares fundraiser we did for Red Day! If everyone would order something very small, the donation would be HUGE! we are shooting for at least $10K in orders, which would be a $1500 donation (15% of gross sales) Go to http://www.PamperedChef.biz/familychef and click on SHOP ONLINE in lower left corner. Then option #1, type in Keller Williams, select John Yoker, KW Oak Park and shop away! We have until Wednesday, 5/20/09 at 6 pm EST to complete all orders! WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO FOR THE $10,000!

Last 24 hours for KW Cares Fundraiser!

John Youker — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:29:54 -0700

Fund Raiser for KW Cares

John Youker — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:49:48 -0700

We are hosting a Fund Raiser for Red Day, Keller Williams national day of "giving back to the community." Along with our community service in the city byt cleaning up a local park, and our fill the bucket with change in the office, we are hosting a Pampered Chef show Fundraiser to try to raise the total $3000 for KW cares for the year!

My wife is giving up part of her commission to make it possible along with a small donation from Pampered Chef for each order. Here is how it works: Go to her website - http://www/PamperedChef.biz/familychef and click on the bottom left to SHOP ONLINE. Under question #1, enter the host name KELLER WILLIAMS and only one choice will come up. Once you see that, select John Youker - Keller Williams Oak Park and start shopping!

A total of 15% of your order will be donated to KW Cares. We were hoping to sell $20,000 worth of products, nationwide and raise the total $3000 for KW Cares. The sale will continue through this week and will be closed out late on Friday the 15th. All prioducts will be shipped directly to your address!

Please feel free to order, even if it is a small orfer - the money is going to KW Cares to help agents in need.

Thanks,

John Youker

Team Leader

Keller Williams

Oak Park / Chicago

What Will It Take for The Market To Rebound In 2009?

John Youker — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:45:59 -0700

I found this article today on RIS Media and felt if valuable to share with everyone; many of us have heard all this before, but this message is so profound, that all agents NEED to read it and then take stock in where they are and realize what specifically is it that their broker's or their company's are doing to help them succeed in this market.

My position, in my company is to help our office grow, so I do a LOT of consulting with agents outside of our office to help them realize what is happening around them in this shifted market. Many of them, through my process of teaching, coaching, and consulting, realize that they are not bad agents, they are just in the wrong place. The office they joined a few years back has been hit by this shifted market as well and they simply do not know what to do to help their agents. Many offices are closing as a result. We are seeing agents come to our company, realizing that Keller Williams is positioned to take this market over and comeout as number one on the other side. That is why we have successfully passed Re/Max - in the first year of this market downturn!

What I and most of the agents who truly understand sound business models are seeing is that our training is right on, our fundamentals are right there, and our backbone is strong enough to weather this storm - ZERO DEBT as compared to Realogy with over $6 Billion is debt, just to name one. The fact of the matter is, Keller Williams was born in a market downturn like this, quickly grew to become a major player in the market place, and now, with the experience and talent we have on board and the research arm we have at Baylor University, and the wonderful folks at Keller Williams University and our consulting arm at MAPS, we are not only surviving, but taking over and thriving. I have interviewed agents that have made the wise choice and joined us - they are doing well. I have interviewed other agents that did not join, and to be honest, one of them served me and one of my agents cocktails the other night at a local pub. I appreciate this agent doing what he has to do to make it in the world today, but the agents that joined us are working our systems and models and doing well.

The article below talks about PEOPLE being the deciding factor in the market, and they are exactly right. This is, after all, a people based business! It is a contact sport - he who makes the most contacts, and delivers the best and most accurate information, wins, hands-down, every time. That is what Keller Williams is teaching us - how to win! With so many agents out there cutting this and cutting that, they are playing the game right now to not lose. They have forgotten all about what it takes to WIN! If you play to "not lose" you are going to get exactly what you focus on - a loss, at the end of the day. However, if you can focus on and play the game to WIN, you will come out a winner, every time.

Please read the article below, and if you are not convinced at the end that your broker is not going doing what it takes to help you, schedule one hour with me and let's have a conversation. I will not ask you to join my company, but I will give you something that you are not getting now that will help you in your business - guaranteed.

Please feel free to comment, I would be interested to hear what others have to say about this.

Read more about Oak Park and Chicago Real Estate and find out how you can get FREE real estate training taught by a Keller Williams University Certified Instructor here: www.TheOakParkShift.com

The original article can be viewed in it's entirety below, or at this link:

http://rismedia.com/2009-04-07/what-will-it-take-for-the-market-to-rebound-in-2009/

What Will it Take for the Market to Rebound in 2009?

Commentary by Cabot L. Jaffee

RISMEDIA, April 8, 2009-If "rebound" means getting back to the sales levels and home values experienced just a few years ago, then the answer to the question: What will it take for the market to rebound in 2009? is "nothing," which is not necessarily bad. If the definition of rebound implies simply returning to sales volumes and prices more in line with historical norms and growth patterns (normalcy), the situation is not nearly as bleak as daily headlines lead many to believe. For a rebound to occur, growth in existing home sales will need to occur. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projected a 1.4% growth in existing home sales in 2008 (5.18 million). In addition, NAR has previously estimated 2009 existing home sales at 5.91, which will represent a sizeable growth over 2008.

And if Florida, California and a few other culprits that contributed to the speculation frenzy were deleted from current statistics, the picture of the overall market changes dramatically. A rebound is coming, but who will rebound quicker, stronger and more profitably depends on one major attribute-people.

Therefore, the better question is not "What will it take?" but rather "for whom" will a rebound occur? The rebound will not be an all-or-none phenomenon-not every brokerage will rebound. This challenging real estate market will continue to lead to consolidation, where only the stronger brokers and agents will survive.

Therefore, it is ever-increasingly important to make sure you have the right people-those who can produce, sell and perform. And it will be similarly important to have the right tools and technologies to support and differentiate your brokerage. But I caution you-it is not better to have "anybody vs. nobody."

Those firms that identify the agents that have an aptitude to sell will be positioned for growth. And don't ignore the Gen Y folks-you don't only need experienced agents-you just need the right agents.

Brokers should target career-minded prospects rather than simply hire as many as possible; differentiate your value proposition to prospects; and use professional hiring tools to better assess prospects. Brokers should provide training and mentoring to enhance effectiveness versus simply acquiring meaningless designations. Brokers should also focus attention on performers; non-producers can't be allowed to remain because "they don't cost anything."

If you want to rebound, you'll have to make it happen; you can't just wait for it to happen on its own. The time is right; the market is poised to rebound with first-time buyers and previous renters as home prices settle at more affordable levels and historically low interest rates. Remember, people are the lever that will allow you to rebound.

Cabot L. Jaffee is president and CEO of AlignMark, Inc. For more information visit www.alignmark.com.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.

Are You Facing Foreclosure?

John Youker — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:31:35 -0700

Are you facing foreclosure?

You May Have A Better Way Out!

There are countless hardships that can turn home ownership from a joy into a burden. The loss of a job, medical bills, or an unexpected hike in monthly payments can all make a mortgage unaffordable. But ignoring the bills will not make them go away, it will only make things worse.

If you need help, there are approaches that can help, but you may not be familiar with them. One of these is a "short sale."

In an approved short sale, the lender agrees to accept less than is owed for the property, and the homeowner is relieved of the debt. A lender may be willing to do this because it spares a lot of hassle and expense involved in executing a foreclosure. And typically, a short sale does far less damage to the homeowner's credit than a foreclosure does.

If you would like to explore the possibility of a short sale for your property, avoid foreclosure, and potentially save your credit rating, please complete the form below. A qualified short sale agent will be in touch with helpful information.

We have professional short sale agents all over the country who are looking for referral of people just like you. These people have purchased the ShortSalePacket.com professional short sale system and have been trained on how to use the system and are ready to serve you.

Simply Click the link below, fill out the information on the next page, click submit and a representative from ShortSalePacket.org will contact you within 24 - 48 hours to insure you list your home with a true short sale specialist.

To see our personal BLOG with this and MORE short sale operations, please CLICK HERE.

Click Here to fill out contact form

A Winning Short Sale Packet

John Youker — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:51:52 -0700

How many agents have multiple short sale listings? How many agents have ever tried to do the exact same thing to each and every short sale listing? How many brokers have agents in their offices that are listing short sales but have never had an "formal" training on the matter? When our real estate attorney began to ask me these questions, over a year ago, we decided that we would come up with a short sale packet that would forever answer these questions.

No agent in our office could participate in a short sale unless they had been through the training and used the packet. That way, all of our listings for short sales were handled professionally and in a consistent manner, so there was no risk of any problems arising from different treatment of people for one reason or another.

What we found is that the agents who embraced the program began listing more and more short sale homes, and, as a result, began closing more and more short sale homes. This was a GOOD THING. We decided to take the packet and test it in several markets throughout the country where short sales played a major part of the economy, and we have had GREAT success thus far.

Now, the packet is available nationwide through our efforts of partnering with the right people to help us get the information out there. As a thank you to all who purchase the short sale packet from ShortSalePacket.com and all who join the ShortSalePacket.org national referral network, we will be donating 10% of all revenue - not profit, but REVENUE, from each packet sold and each referral received, directly to KW Cares, a non-profit organization ran by Keller Williams Realty that assists agents when they are in need.

We feel so strongly aout this product, we are even giving up our portion of the profit over the next few days to get this into the hands of agents. If you are interested in purchasing the product, please go to http://www.ShortSalePacket.com to learn more about it and click on ORDER NOW to purchase the packet. I know you will not disappointed in your decision to purchase. Please enter the Coupon Code: KW-5802-CY in order to take $20.00 off of the original price.

As a BONUS right now, we are also giving you a short section on BPO's and a list of 96 BPO websites to register your information. It is that simple, purchase the packet today with the coupon code provided below, and receive the entire packet and BPO list for $179.00. Also, know that $17.90 of your purchase will go to KW Cares to help agents in need. Lastly, know that the coupon code is only good for one week, until April 4th, 2009. After that, the price goes back to $199.00

While you are on the site, please feel free to register your information with us, and as we receive referrals for short sales in your area from our sister site: www.ShortSalePacket.org, we will send them your way. The only requirement is that you use the packet you purchased from us and that you pay a referral fee of 25% of the listing side of the transaction.

We hope you are as concerened about the risk management of short sales as we are, and we hope that you have already taken steps to avoid any future problems. If you have or have not, this packet will help you do so. Written by real estate attorneys, the packet has proven successful in several situations throughout the country - with the agent and the seller, the bank and the seller, even the seller, buyer, and buyer's agent.

Please feel free to join our Short Sale Success Group on LinkedIn and our Keller Williams Short Sale Expertsgroup on Facebook. You do not have to be a member of Keller Williams to join either group.

I know you will find some value in this information. Please check back later for more on short sales, and the use of our packet for success.

Thanks,

John Youker

Systematizing Short Sales

John Youker — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:54:05 -0700

A huge problem that is on the rise with short sales is the risk management involved in a short sale. A retail listing, let's face it, is not that hard to handle. A short sale, however, has it's challenges. Real estate brokerage firms must think about this and take appropriate action UP FRONT and educate their agents on how to properly handle short sale sellers. Everyone wants the next magic pill to make a million bucks in real estate and in a simple search on Google for short sales, I think I found 243 sites claiming to make me a millionaire either by listing, selling, or buying short sales - how easy it was, and how quickly it can be done.

The truth of the matter is that short sales are hard to complete, they take time, and sometimes do not get accepted or pushed through. There is no set system in place in most brokerages to handle short sales. Most offices have a system for retail listings - an advertising policy, sign policy, lock box policy, brochure box policy, etc. Should that be the same for short sale listings? In some instances, yes, that is fine, but in others, no - they should not be the same at all.

Over the last two years in working in short sales in my agent business in Ohio and in my running a real estate office just outside of Chicago, we have developed, with the help of many real estate agents throughout the country, a short sale packet that is a winning tool to use with the seller, and can help protect the brokerage in risk management issues by clearly defining how to handle the seller during the marketing of a short sale listing.

Simply put, I have not been able to find another packet like this on the market anywhere. As a bonus on top of the short sale packet, we have thrown in a quick "how-to" guide for completing BPO's and a list of 96 different websites to register your contact information on to be able to get assigned BPO's from lenders.

For $199, you get the short sale packet, a how-to guide on using it, and a list of 96 different BPO companies to register your information.

I know you will get the $199 back within the first couple of weeks from the BPO sites, so the short sale packet is virtually free.

www.ShortSalePacket.com is the website where you can purchase the packet. to skip the site and go directly to the area where you can buy the packet and get started, click here.

I hope you find this information as helpful as we do.

Short Sales Made Easy

John Youker — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:18:49 -0700

Hey listing agents, do you want a short sale packet that is going to help you, list and market a short sale listing? This website is selling a packet on how to do short sales. This packet, is very comprehensive. It has several forms to add to the listing packet to help the listing agent manage short sale listings. It has policies on how the listing will be handled, alternatives to foreclosure to educate the seller and protect the agent, a legal disclaimer asking them to seek the legal advice of an attorney or financial advice of an accountant. Everything you could possibly think of to make this process easier is right here in this packet!

We are using the packet in our office now and WOW, what a difference it is making. We have one agent that has listed 12 short sale properties since using this packet and is having NO difficulty managing these listings - even without and Listing Coordinator on staff!

This is the answer that agents doing short sales in any volume have been looking for. Check it out and buy it for yourself. On a scale of 1 - 10, with ten being the best I have seen, I would give this a 10+!! I have seen just about every packet out there for sale as short sales are a HUGE portion of my business in Ohio as an agent and even a larger portion of my business in the Chicago area as the Team Leader of an office.

I hope you find the packet helpful and useful.

Please let us know your feedback on this.

The website is http://www.ShortSalePacket.com

Equity Lock Financial - Price Protection Plan

John Youker — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:19:12 -0800

If you are interested in how to offer and Equity Lock Price protection plan with your home, please contact Keller Williams Realty Professionals, the premier provider of this revolutionary new product in the Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest areas. We are on the cutting edge, offering our clients tools that other companies simply do not have. That is what makes Keller Williams Realty one of the most innovative real estate companies in the market today.

Call or email John Youker at (708) 725 - 9050 or JYouker@kw.comfor more information on this product. We can schedule a meeting for you to come in to the office for a short meeting to learn how this tool can protect you as a buyer on the purchase of a home in a shifting or declining market, or help you as a seller attract that buyer by providing an equity protection plan for the buyer, just in case the home would happen to decrease in value through their ownership.*

*Certain restrictions apply please contact Keller Williams Realty Professionals for more information, must own home for 18 months prior to selling the property. Market appreciation or depreciation is based off of an index, such as (but not always) the Case & Shiller index of real estate values.

Short Sales in Dayton, OH

John Youker — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:37:46 -0700

I have been reading more and more about short sales on the different posts here on Active Rain, and maybe I am going about these all wrong, but I get 95% or my short sales accepted. I simply call and find out a fax number of where to send the packet and then I send the authorization form in only with a note attached to please call me about the clients loan status. This way, I find out from the bank exactly where the client stands and how far behind the really are and where the bank is in the process. I let them know we are trying to sell the property and ask them for their short sale packet and what information they need.

After I receive the contract I send in EXACTLY what they asked for - nothing more, no extra information, no more 75 page packets, nothing else, nothing extra other than a one paragraph executive summary of the marketing and some basic stats on the local market - usually on the cover sheet. I may continue to fax this packet 5 or 6 times, because it seems as though if you only send it once, the bank ALWAYS loses it - that is a common line with most lenders I have worked with. Once I confirm that they have received the packet and that it is complete, I ask about how long the process will take, typically, then, I call back close tot he end of that time frame for an answer - I dont call every day and waste countless hours of my time on the phone with them, yelling at them, insulting them, treating them poorly - they are people with jobs who have a process to follow - just like us.

I may not like the process, but I can tell you that I do not mind short sales too much taking this approach. Once I get to that deadline time they gave me and I do not get an answer, I remind them that I followed their rules, did not bother, did not call and insult anyone, and simply wnat an answer. I may push a bit at that time to move up the food chain, but I am finding that it takes this long for the banke to go through their decision making process and if I am the squeaky wheel, then i am simply going to get thrown to the bottom of the pile.

I think if you tried this approach, you would find it refreshing to see that you get calls from negotiators with accpetances - when you least expect them. Then, when something happens with the financing, appraisal, inspections, or clsoing date - as it usually does, I find it much easier to get them to accept changes. Not a bad process, just a lengthy one.

Call me crazy, but it does work.

Of course there have been banks that I have had to call daily to get them to even acknowledge that I am alive - and that is what makes this so much fun (note the sarcasm!) I usually do not push like this until I get to the second mortgage, if there is one, but many times, I simply will not take listings with a second mortgage unless I can get the bank on the 2nd to give me a reasonsble payoff up front and the numbers make sense enought to attempt the short sale.

If you are in Ohio, please see our sight: http://www.OhioShortSaleSolutions.com

Tips on Improving Credit Score

John Youker — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:42:34 -0700

For this and other GREAT blog posts, please view our real estate BLOG at www.DaytonsDirt.com.

One of the most important things in determining if someone is qualified for a home mortgage loan is credit - especially in today's tightening loan market. Of course there is no minimum credit score required for FHA or VA loans, but for conventional loans, credit score means everything. Yet most people know very little about how credit agencies work or more importantly, how a person can improve his or her credit under our consumer protection laws.

One of the first things that a real estate agent should do when working with a buyer is help the buyers obtain a copy of their credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act passed in 1971, everyone has the right to see their credit report for only $10-$20 in most areas. They should also obtain their credit score from the credit bureau, as credit scores are now used widely by lenders. (See pages 129E & F for info on credit scores). Once they have received their credit report and credit score, they can make corrections for any errors or duplications or "common name" errors. They can put their side of the story into the credit file on disputes they have with creditors. They are also free to go directly to any merchant showing unfavorable credit and try to get the credit changed to a positive entry by pleading their case. If the buyer's credit report does not show all of the positive credit that they recall, they can invest some money to upgrade their report to include these other positive credit experiences not shown on the report.

The first step to obtain a credit report is to call a local credit agency in the phone book under credit bureau or credit reporting agencies. Most have a taped message telling you what procedures to follow to get your report. They require the individual to provide the following information:

1) Full name

2) Spouse's full name, if married

3) Your social security number and spouse's number

4) Your present address and previous address covering the past 5 years

5) Your date of birth

6) Your driver's license number

7) Your signatures on the letter requesting the report

8) A check or credit card for $10-$20

NOTE: Some agencies allow the individual to order a credit report with a credit card. If it is not convenient to go to a local credit bureau, you may call in or mail the above information directly to:

Experian, P.O. Box 2106

Allen, Texas 75002

1-888-397-3742

Equifax

P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374

(404) 885-8000

1-800-685-1111

Trans Union

1- 800-888-4213

Have the buyer go directly to the local credit bureaus office and ask for the credit report on the spot.

Once they receive their report they should go over it line by line, looking for inaccuracies, common name errors and duplications. Also make sure that closed accounts, that is, accounts that have been paid off are shown as paid off, not as open accounts. If they find an error, they can take immediate action to correct the error. They must write out exactly what is in error and what the correct information should be. For example, "City National Bank is not an open account; it was paid in full on 7/17/02." Give or send the credit agency proof of pay off with your letter contesting the item.

If you have a dispute on an item, you are allowed to enter your side of the dispute in 100 words or less into your credit report. This way, the buyer's side of the dispute would show up in the credit file on future credit reports, which could allow a lender to approve a mortgage loan for that buyer, when they would have turned them down without the written explanation in the credit report.

Once the buyer has noted all errors, written out all disputes and collected the necessary documentation to back up his claims, send this information back to the credit bureau by "Certified Mail" or hand deliver it and get a written receipt that it was received. The credit bureau is obligated to contact all creditors where mistakes were made and the creditor must respond in writing within 30 days. If the creditor fails to correct the error or respond within the 30 days allowed and there is no way to double check the credit report's authenticity they have to REMOVE the item in question from the buyer's credit report. This is the Federal Law with regard to Fair Credit.

Chapter 13 bankruptcies which occurred more than seven years ago and were satisfactorily completed may be removed from the credit file, if the consumer requests removal.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies cannot be removed from credit files for 10 years. Some retail firms will remove "9s" from a credit report if the consumer negotiates with the retailer and pays off the outstanding debt.

Many of you have now figured out how many of these companies that promise to clean up any borrower's credit are able to do so. Through persistence! If you contested your bad credit enough times, it is very likely that sooner or later the creditor giving you bad credit would not respond within the 30 day period and be compelled to remove the bad credit. After any corrections were made on a buyer's credit report, the buyer has the right to demand that the credit bureau send corrected copies of the report to all creditors who received the incorrect reports for the last six months. This includes the other major credit bureaus.

Having had many years in the real estate business as a broker, I know that if a buyer is willing to put forth some effort, he can substantially improve and clean up his or her credit. One way that I have found is to go directly to the creditor reporting derogatory credit and explain that you are trying to buy a house, but with this bad credit you will be turned down. Many creditors are moved enough and humane enough to soften a report or delete it altogether when asked to do so - especially face to face! For homebuyers that lack credit due to age or preferring cash to the use of credit cards, I recommend going to the telephone company, electric company, gas company and previous landlords or other creditors and asking for letters of credit. These letters of credit can be incorporated into the buyer's loan application and credit report with the mortgage lender. These positive credit references can allow a buyer to be approved for a loan when no credit is found on credit reports.

Another important credit enhancing technique is the ability to write convincing letters explaining why a buyer's credit is not perfect. That is, if the buyer was out of work, went through a divorce, had medical problems or other sound reasons for the less than sterling credit, the buyer needs to explain this in writing. The better the explanation, the better the buyer's chances for loan approval. In fact, it would seem the more hardships the buyer has had to endure; the more likely the underwriter is to approve the loan.

Making an increased down payment may be very helpful In getting a loan approval. Most lenders will take a borderline buyer when the down payment is substantial, as the down payment acts as a deductible in a foreclosure. That is, the more the buyer has to lose, the less likely that a foreclosure will occur. In addition, if there is a foreclosure the buyer would lose his down payment before the lender would lose a cent. Many lenders stretch the income and debt ratio tests for a buyer if the down payment is increased. FNMA allows 33% income and 40% debt ratio with 25% down. VA and FHA lenders waive some lender requirements when down payments of 5% or more are made, due to the decreased risk of foreclosure losses.

If your buyer can not clean up his credit to a sufficient level for mortgage loan approval on a "prime" loan he may seek out a "sub-prime lender". The sub-prime lender will charge a higher interest rate and require a higher down payment than a prime lender would, but they may be willing to make a loan. The buyer's credit score and the number of late payments will determine what interest rate and how much down payment would be required. Subprime loans are increasingly more difficult to find today with the rise in foreclosures.

If your buyer can not obtain subprime financing due to poor credit, you may seek out loans that do not require any credit checks or approvals. Many VA or FHA mortgages can be assumed without any qualifications. The buyer does not even have to have a job. His credit can be the world's worst. He could have recent bankruptcies or foreclosures and he can still assume some VA and FHA mortgages. Which ones you ask? Any VA loan made before March 1, 1988 is fully assumable without qualifications of any kind! FHA loans made before December 1, 1986 are fully assumable again after one year for owner-occupants to assume and two years for owner-investors to assume. If the FHA loan was made after December 15, 1989, the buyer must qualify to assume the loan. VA loans made after 3/1/88 may be assumed with qualification by non-veterans or may be purchased without qualification on installment sales, such as a lease purchase or contract for deed. VA loans made after 3/1/88 may be assumed without qualification in instances where the vet is facing a foreclosure, if the property is not sold.

Seller financing is another option, as a seller can make a mortgage to a buyer without requiring him to qualify for it. A seller who owns his home free and clear has "Federal Lender Status" which means he can make any mortgage which a lender offers, but without the restrictions of institutional lenders. The seller makes the mortgage and has the right to foreclose if payments are not paid as agreed.