Marketing Maestro Real Estate Blog

Events in Los Angeles and Orange County - This week

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:55:11 -0500

It has been a while since my last post and I plan on writing about that soon but for right now I wanted to share some Trump University news. This week the Trump University team is traveling around Southern CA running free real estate investing events. The news on "the street" is that the real estate market is starting to turn and that prices are starting to rise again. If there was ever a time to invest it is now.

These events are free to the public and while we do sell additional trainings at the end of the event there is no obligation to buy. I have been to a number of different events and every time I attend I learn something new about real estate.

If you are interested in attending any of the events listed below just visit the site for the Los Angeles or Orange County events pages to register.

Leave me a comment if you want to know about events in other parts of the county.

Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Sherman Oaks 15433 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91403	Monday, Aug 10, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Marina del Rey Marriott 4100 Admiralty Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292	Monday, Aug 10, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Doubletree Hotel Torrance/South Bay 21333 Hawthorne Boulevard Torrance, CA 90503	Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Hyatt Westlake Plaza in Thousand Oaks 880 South Westlake Boulevard Westlake Village, CA 91361	Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Renaissance Long Beach Hotel 111 East Ocean Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90802	Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Ventura Beach Marriott 2055 East Harbor Boulevard Ventura, CA 93001	Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach 21500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648	Thursday, Aug 13, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM

Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa 900 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660	Monday, Aug 10, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Orange County 11999 Harbor Boulevard Garden Grove, CA 92840	Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
Irvine Marriott 18000 Von Karman Avenue Irvine, CA 92612	Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM
The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort One Monarch Beach Resort Dana Point, CA 92629	Thursday, Aug 13, 2009	1:00 PM 7:00 PM

Real Estate Investing Market Update - Tampa Bay & Sarasota

Mon, 25 May 2009 06:12:08 -0500

This week our real estate team is holding free real estate trainings in the following South Florida areas:

Tampa, FL/ St. Petersburg, FL/ Sarasota, FL

May 26, 2009 - May 28, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

The following market update was created to help our members understand the changing real estate market and some of the investment opportunities in these areas.

Florida is home to a large proportion of America’s foreclosed real estate, and foreclosures are continuing to rise, with many banks desperate to sell off property and recover their assets - which means opportunity for real estate investors. Recent news shows that:

Real estate prices nationwide may be at or near their bottom, with May seeing a 14% price drop from Q1 2008 to a median price of $169K

Sales have increased sharply in South Florida

Floridians are optimistic about the long-term values of their real estate, and most feel that government programs will lead or are leading to a price recovery

Prices of non-short-sale homes in Pasco and Pinellas counties near Tampa are now selling for approximately the same price as short-sale homes, foretelling a price rebound

Foreclosure rates continue to rise, meaning more opportunities to buy property cheaply from the bank

All the signs point to Florida real estate prices starting to stabilize. Now’s the time to get onboard, before the price rebound picks up steam and investment properties become harder to afford. Read on to find out details...

Florida
Floridians generally feel upbeat about Florida real estate values, and believe that government programs are either having or are soon going to have a significant effect on Florida’s economic recovery, according to a University of Florida study.

Because banks need to sell off foreclosed homes in order to recover assets, they are prioritizing foreclosure sales, to the benefit of consumers. Specialized foreclosure listing websites in particular have helped drive homebuyers to less expensive homes in droves, particularly in markets like Florida, where low prices have helped middle-class first-time homebuyers with steady jobs.

Tampa Bay
With sales increasing over the previous year every month since August, prices are starting to rebound in some neighborhoods hit particularly hard by foreclosures and job loss, in Pasco and Pinellas counties. Even if the price rise is just a blip on the radar, it’s a particularly good omen for investors that short sale and non-short-sale prices are almost the same across Pasco County - this usually means that prices have reached their floor. (The floor in this case? A full 43% lower than their peak of 2006.)

Sarasota
Prices are reportedly rising in the Sarasota area, even as foreclosures increase - the average home sold for $6,000 more in April 2009 than in 2008. The price rise may not be sustained statistically, but should be noted as part of the volatility of the area’s real estate market.

Anecdotal evidence has luxury real estate sales in the Sarasota area picking up slightly, with a number of $1m+ houses selling recently.

Real Estate Investing Market Update - Austin, TX edition

Mon, 18 May 2009 17:36:29 -0500

This week the Trump University team is holding free real estate seminars in the Austin, TX area. To keep our members updated on the changing market conditions across the country and in the local market we put together the following market update:

Austin, TX
May 19, 2009 - May 20, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

According to some, Austin’s real estate market has worsened over the past two or three months. Inventory has risen, prices have fallen, foreclosures increased. But buyers are still out there, there are signs that they’re waiting for deals, and prices area-wide may be nearing the lowest point we can expect. This week’s news shows that:

Real estate prices may be at or near their bottom, with May seeing a 14% price drop from Q1 2008 to a median price of $169K
Foreclosure rates continue to rise, meaning more opportunities to buy property cheaply from banks
While sales and prices in Austin have fallen, there’s evidence that showings and buyer interest has risen - it’s the perfect time for shrewd investors to find area homes

With banks starting to sell off foreclosed real estate at a fast clip, now’s the time to negotiate directly to find great deals on homes. Read on to find out details...

Nationwide
Q1 2009 saw the average cost of a home dropping by 14%, the largest decrease on record over the same quarter a year before. Much of the drop can be accounted for by banks and lending institutions selling off foreclosed properties in order to recover part of their investment, and areas with lower foreclosure rates have been somewhat insulated from the price decreases, and overall, the price decreases are slowing, even with increased foreclosure sales. Some real estate experts believe that the price decrease may actually signal a stabilizing market, as banks become more confident in their ability to absorb losses on foreclosed properties.

Foreclosures rose again in April, hitting a record for the second consecutive month, with a whopping 1/374 of all homes being foreclosed upon.

Austin
The Austin area has seen the second largest inventory increase in the country over the month of April - the number of houses on the market rose by 4.9%, behind only Boston’s 6.3%. Concerns linger that increased inventory will depress prices, but it’s also possible that the increased inventory may result from normal seasonal fluctuations. The Altos 10-City Composite Price Index recorded a 2.2% uptick through April, with Austin being one of the few markets accounted for by the index where prices didn’t go up, so it’s not too late for investors there to make the most of the current economy.

While home sales declined by 22% in the Austin area in March from the year before, anecdotal evidence has an increase in buyer interest. An $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and low mortgage interest rates might be responsible for more showings, and one real estate agent has said that the average Austin buyer today is more discerning and well-informed than in the past. Real estate agents believe that the Austin market is beginning to recover [registration may be required].

Real Estate Investing Market Update - South Florida edition

Mon, 18 May 2009 16:50:56 -0500

As the Trump University team travels the country teaching people how to invest in real estate we compile market updates to help our members understand the changing market.

This week we are holding free real estate trainings in the following South Florida areas. To help support the event we compiled an analysis of the area to help people get a better idea on why we are offering our events in their area.

The events are being held in:

Ft Lauderdale, FL

May 18, 2009 - May 21, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Miami, FL

May 18, 2009 - May 21, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Market Analysis:

Real estate prices may be at or near their bottom, with May seeing a 14% price drop from Q1 2008 to a median price of $169K
Sales have increased sharply in South Florida
Floridians are optimistic about the long-term values of their real estate, and most feel that government programs will lead or are leading to a price recovery
Miami has more buying opportunities than nearly any other area of the U.S.
Foreclosure rates continue to rise, meaning more opportunities to buy property cheaply from the bank

With banks selling off foreclosed real estate at a fast clip, now’s the time to negotiate directly to find great deals on homes. Read on to find out details...

Foreclosures rose again in April, hitting a record for the second consecutive month, with a whopping 1/374 of all homes being foreclosed upon.

Miami
Miami is a foreclosure hot spot, with foreclosures spiking by 111% in April, rising at a rate higher than all but three other markets. 1 in 86 Miami-Dade homes is in the process of foreclosure.

While prices continue to drop, and home sales throughout South Florida have accelerated, inventory remains huge, which means that prices are unlikely to go up for a time. Sales, however, have increased at a rate far higher in South Florida than elsewhere in the country - they increased by 101% in March alone.

I Love Hearing These Stories

Mon, 04 May 2009 19:25:33 -0500

We collect feedback from our clients. The story below was sent to me last week. When I read stories like this it reminds me that we are making a difference in our jobs. Knowing that we are helping people improve their lives and live their dreams recharges my efforts to do an even better job.

As we head into a new week think about what your clients are saying about you? What do you want them to say?

Keep in mind that the most powerful way to market your business is to have someone else talk about and recommend you.

Here is the story of Pam and Jerry Glaser from Seattle, WA

We took the Fast Track to Foreclosure Training 3-day course in September, led by James Harris, followed by a 3-day mentoring program with Geoff Nowlin.

Among other things, the Real Estate Training helped us learn the importance of forming a “Power Team.” With that information, we were able to create a dream team of contractors, realtors and landscapers. Good people are crucial to your success! The team took us through finding distressed properties and numerous financing options and exit strategies. The mentoring program then allowed us to go deeper into each aspect of real estate investing, such as how to make offers on properties, how to calculate our maximum allowable offer and how to complete paperwork, etc.

Ultimately, the programs gave us the knowledge and confidence to purchase our first investment properties. So far we’ve purchased two properties. The first one--which we fixed up in eight weeks--was able garner $24,200 in net profit for us after being on the market for only two days. The other is now on the market, and we estimate we'll clear $50,000 from our first two sales.

We've also made an offer on our dream home--an unfinished bank-owned home that’ selling for $250,000 under market value. Once it's finished, we'll have about $250,000 of instant equity.

If we hadn't learned the creative financing techniques from Trump University, we wouldn't have been able to find the cash to purchase it with zero-down. Our plans are to expand into rentals, starting by renting our current home, and to continue purchasing foreclosures and bank-owned properties, hoping to net $10,000 per month.

Why did we reach out to Trump University to learn about real estate investing? Our son started college last fall. When the time came to pay for tuition, we looked at the dismal state of the mutual funds where we had our children's college money and, given the amount of loss they had just experienced, knew we couldn't cash it in. We needed another source of income for college. With real estate prices falling, we saw this as our opportunity to jump into real estate investing, and saw Trump University as a vehicle to get us started.

We certainly didn't want to look back at this time in a few years with regrets, saying ";;;;if we'd only given it a try...";;;;

Win A Donald Trump Autographed Book

Sun, 03 May 2009 20:50:55 -0500

I guess my post last week Advice For Real Estate Agents, New Contest and Free Events didn't get noticed...I know there are some Donald Trump Fans on Active Rain who would like to get a free signed copy of Donald Trump's newest book. So here are the details:

Mr Trump's new book Think Like a Champion is now in stores. In true Trump style Mr. Trump is challenging his readers to think like champions. To help get people in the right mindset the Trump University team created a new contest. Read all the details in Donald Trump's post Champion Challenge From Donald J Trump. Winners will receive a signed first edition copy of the book. Since I have some connections...I was able to get a singed copy to give-a-way to my Active Rain readers. If you think you are a champion let me know in the comments below.

Double your chances of winning by Twittering about the book contest. Just be sure to use @trumpuniversity and #trumpbook in your twitter messages so we can keep track of the messages.

That is right. I have a signed copy for one lucky AR members so your chance of winning is much better here than on the Trump Blog. Just so all is fair the same rules apply here as on the Trump blog. Just leave me a comment.

Feel free to share this post (you can copy the post, twitter about the Trump Blog version or get creative and let me know what you are up to.) Let's have some fun.

The Week Ahead: Trump University [May 4 - 10]

Sun, 03 May 2009 19:58:45 -0500

In true Trump University fashion this week is jam packed with all sorts of events, webinars and new programs. Take a minute and find a local event, sign up for a webinar or one of our live training programs all taking place this week at Trump University:

Attend a Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

Hartford, CT/ Springfield, MA

May 4, 2009 - May 6, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Orange County, CA

May 4, 2009 - May 7, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Visit the site for a full list of upcoming free real estate investing events.

Secrets of Probate Investing

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members will learn about "Acquiring Real Estate Through Probate"on Thursday, May 7th at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

We are running a 3-day Real Estate Investing Workshop in San Francisco, CA (call for registration information.)

Coming Soon:

Invitations to The Wealth Summit
Commercial Real Estate Home Study Program
Winners of the Champion Challenge from Donald J. Trump

Have a great week.

Advice For Real Estate Agents, New Contest and Free Events

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:40:31 -0500

Advice for real estate agents:

Earlier this month Mr. Trump started taking questions from his fans, clients and readers. All the details were posted in Questions for Donald Trump.

One of the first questions he choose to answer was from a new real estate agent. Read the question and Mr. Trump's answer in Advice For New Real Estate Agents. I am sure some of you have additional advice for this agent. If you do, please share you advice by leaving me a comment and I will pass it along.

New contest:

Mr Trump's new book Think Like a Champion is now in stores. In true Trump fashion Mr. Trump is challenging his readers to think like champions. To help get people in the right mindset the Trump University team created a new contest. Read all the details in Donald Trump's post Champion Challenge From Donald J Trump. Winners will receive a signed first edition copy of the book. Since I have some connections...I was able to get a singed copy to give-a-way to my Active Rain readers. If you think you are a champion let me know in the comments below.

Double your chances of winning by Twittering about the book contest. Just be sure to use @trumpuniversity and #trumpbook in your twitter messages so we can keep track of the messages.

Free events:

The following is a list of events and new content available from Trump University this week.

Attend a Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

San Francisco, CA
Apr 27, 2009 - Apr 30, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

San Jose, CA
Apr 27, 2009 - Apr 30, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

Visit the site for a full list of upcoming free real estate investing events.

Kickstart Your Success

and register early for a webinar on Probate Investing being presented May 6th.

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members will learn about "Buying HUD Properties: Part II" on Thursday, April 30th at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

We are running a 3-day Real Estate Investing Workshop in Los Angeles, CA (call for registration information)

Our 3-day Creative Financing Retreat is being held May 1st-May 3rd in Orlando,FL. (call for registration information)

New article posted on the Trump University site:
How to Eliminate Risk from Your Real Estate Investing

Have a great week.

Never Forget

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:25:45 -0500

This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated today April 21, 2009.

Last night was our town’s community wide Holocaust remembrance. Each year it is held in the town’s high school auditorium and the room is filled. For the last few years I have taken my kids with me. It is not an argument (as I remember going with my father) for me to get them to go. They ask to go and remember last year’s event and ask questions about who will be speaking etc. It is amazing how they stand and sit in silence completely understanding the importance of the moment.

Esther Terner-Raab was the speaker at this year’s event.

She is a survivor of Sobibor death camp and has an amazing story to tell. She lived through hell and survived to tell her story. She has helped bring those responsible to justice by testifying at war crime trials. Many books, movies and stories have been written about Sobibor and the brave who fought back trying to survive. I scanned her bio from the event handout. Hopefully you can read it. The bio does more justice to her story then I can.

This year it was particularly moving. At one point all the survivors in attendance stood in the darkened and silenced auditorium holding candles for a moment of silence. It is scary to think that 70 years ago these people had normal and happy lives and it all changed. As the years go by there are fewer and fewer survivors left to stand holding candles.

The evening ends with the reading of the family names (from community families) of those who were lost. As the names are read 6 groups of 3 generations (survivor, child, grandchild) walk up and stand on stage holding candles commemorating the 6 million lost and celebrating the survival and promise of the future generations.

Why do I go when I can easily find many other activities to fill my time?
I feel somewhat obligated to go but at the same time proud to be there. My grandparents were lucky enough to escape the war in Germany before things got bad (not that they had an easy life). When they arrived in the US they had nothing. My father grew up never knowing his grandparents, many uncles, aunts or cousins. My grandparents left everything they had behind and never saw their parents, extended families and most friends again. There are many stories much more dramatic than my father’s family. I go because I am grateful for his family’s survival and sad for the family I never will know. I go to remember the millions of people who were killed for what they believed in and for who they were. I go so my kids will never forget, so they ask questions and so that the atrocities are never repeated. I go to hear the stories of the survivors which must be told. I go to remember that nothing good comes from hate. I go to never forget.

This year help the world remember this genocide and prevent future atrocities. Attend a commemoration, visit a museum, watch one of the documentaries or read one of the many books on the subject. Most of all never forget.

Here are two key resources (many more exist):
Yad Vashem
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

See below for a list of books recommended at the event.

Hiring A Buyer's Agent

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:27:20 -0500

She ldon Neal was kind enough to spend some time with me to discuss the role of a real estate buyer's agent. When we meet we recorded a podcast for the Trump University members titled Real Estate Investing With A Buyer's Agent.

Our goal was to help new investors understand the role a buyer's agent plays in the transaction and why they are an important part of any power team.

I learned a few things during our chat that will come in handy the next time I am buying real estate. I now understand that a buyer's agent:

works for me, the buyer or investor
negotiates on my behalf and keeps my best interests at heart (not the sellers)
does not have the same potential conflict of interest a dual agent might have
has local market knowledge on home values and comparables
Understands local trends and what other buyers are looking for in a property and their associated costs

Enjoy listening to our podcast and let me know what you think and if you have suggestions for future topics.

Related Posts
Investing In Real Estate A Podcast
Tired of Reading and Writing Posts Listen to These

An Activerain Secret...Shh, don't let Bob know I am letting the Secret out early!

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:19:25 -0500

I don't know what this is about but if the AR guys are having fun with it...I am in>

Via Jeremy Blanton (ActiveRain Corp.):

As soon as I get more details on this, I will pass them on to everyone! But, in the meantime, I need everyone to help me spread the word on the underground. Reblog if you like, but please help me spread the word!

The Week Ahead: Trump University [April 13 - 19]

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:53:10 -0500

The following is a list of events and new content available from Trump University this week.

Attend one of our Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

Phoenix, AZ
Apr 13, 2009 - Apr 15, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

Washington, DC
Apr 13, 2009 - Apr 16, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

Visit the site for a full list of upcoming free real estate events

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members will learn about "Buying HUD Properties: Part One" on Thursday, April 16th at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

We are running 3-day Real Estate Investing Workshops in the following locations:

Houston, TX
Oakland / East Bay, CA

(call or comment for registration information)

Our Commercial Real Estate Investing Retreat is being held this weekend in NY on April 17-19, 2009

New - Join us on Facebook and Twitter and be the first to find out what is going on at Trump University. We Twitter daily personal finance tips.

Add Yourself to GeoFollow a New Twitter Directory

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:33:59 -0500

Bill Gassett always seems to have the latest and greatest tips for blogging, social media and SEO. Here is a one I thought you might find interesting.

Via Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty):

For all you Twitter fanatics here is a new Twitter directory to add yourself to. GeoFollow is a location based Twitter Directory.

This is a directory that you will want to get listed on ASAP! - The tweeple on Geofollow first will be listed first. The quicker you list yourself the higher you will appear in your city and state’s listings.

GeoFollow allows you to list yourself geographically, and categorically, by simply sending a twitter reply:

Send a reply to @geofollow in this format:

@geofollow your city, your State Your Zip #tag1 #tag2 #tag3
(replace ‘city’, ’state’ ‘zip’ & ‘#tags’ with yours. KEEP the comma in the right place!) Please leave the link to http://geofollow.com to help spread the word.

If you are a Realtor I would suggest the tags Real Estate, Realtor, and maybe something like business or blogger.

See what your profile will look like in the directory by clicking the link below.

http://geofollow.com/twitter-directory/58616/massrealty-bill-gassett/

You can also follow me @Massrealty.

The Week Ahead: Trump University [April 6 - 12]

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:07:31 -0500

The following is a list of events and new content available from Trump University this week.

Attend one of our Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

Oakland / East Bay, CA
Apr 6, 2009 - Apr 8, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

Houston, TX
Apr 6, 2009 - Apr 9, 2009
Learn More and Register Here »

Visit the site for a full list of upcoming free real estate events

Commercial Real Estate Investing Strategies

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members will learn about "Safe Investing with Tax Liens" on Thursday, April 9nd at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

We are running 3-day Real Estate Investing Workshops in the following locations:

Las Vegas, NV
Sacramento, CA

(call or comment for registration information)

New articles posted on the Trump site:

Questions For Donald Trump

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:44:14 -0500

A week ago we hinted at the newest feature on the Trump University site. Well it is now official. We are now live with Ask Mr. Trump!

Have you ever wanted to ask Donald Trump a question?
Now's your chance!

Mr. Trump loves hearing from Trump University friends and members, especially people with great questions! Ask your most interesting and direct questions on any topics you wish to hear Mr Trump's point of view. Twice a month, Mr Trump will answer a few select question. Look for his answers and see if your question was selected when his answers are posted on the Trump Blog.

Ready to ask a question?
There are four ways to ask Mr Trump your question.

The best way is to post your question directly in the Wealth Builders Network. Note you will need to log into the site or create a free account.
Join the Trump University Facebook Fan Page and post a question in the ask Donald Trump Discussion
Follow us on Twitter and then Tweet your questions to @trumpuniversity
Leave a comment on this post with your questions.

Just a heads up - We started receiving questions last week and the first questions being answered is from a real estate broker/agent. Check the Trump Blog this week to see the question and answer.

Lets Celebrate A Birthday

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:44:20 -0500

Since I told everyone in my family that I didn't want a party I figured the least I could do was create a virtual celebration of sorts. So for all you folks out there that want to party but don't have a good excuse feel free to use my special day to have some fun.

No, this is not an April Fools thing; today is really my birthday. So go out and party on my account. We can all use a good excuse to have some fun.

In addition to this little party on the blog (I hope you all will come and celebrate...) I will be having lunch with some coworkers, dinner with my wife and tomorrow (we can't let the party stop after one day) dinner with the guys.

What are you waiting for, lets have some fun.

The Week Ahead: Trump University [March 31 - April 7]

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:51:54 -0500

There is always a lot happening at Trump University and this week is no different. This is a list of events and trainings going on at Trump University.

Attend one of our Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

Las Vegas, NV

Mar 30, 2009 - Apr 1, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Sacramento, CA

Mar 30, 2009 - Apr 1, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Visit the site for a full list of upcoming free real estate events

Looking to Recession Proof your Income?
Sign up for our next Free Webinar which is titled Create Recession Proof Income.

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members have a "Real Estate Investing Q&A " on Thursday, April 2nd at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

We are running 3-day Foreclosure Investing Workshops in the following locations:

Denver, CO
San Antonio, TX

(call or comment for registration information)

Our 3-Day Quick Turn Real Estate Investing Retreat is being held in:

Orlando, FL

Apr 3, 2009 - Apr 5, 2009

Learn More and Register Here »

Coming Soon:
A new 'Ask Mr. Trump' feature is being added to the Trump University site. Stay tuned for more information and ask Mr. Trump your most pressing questions.

On a personal note - This Wednesday I will be celebrating a birthday and I invite all my readers to check back on this blog for a virtual birthday party. Can you guess how old I am???

Donald Trump and Trump University Are Getting Social

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:05:07 -0500

Trump University is going social!

Coming soon, we have a unique opportunity featuring Mr. Trump himself! Watch for the news...

So let's talk about Social Media. On the Internet, conversations don't happen all in one place. They are all over the place. That's why Trump University is reaching out too.

Here's some terrific ways for you to get social with Trump University our members and fans, goal driven people just like you.

Twitter
Twitter is all the rage. People are calling it the biggest thing since Google. So what's Twitter? It's a amazing live 24/7 conversation. Users jump in and out and talk about anything under the sun. The magic of Twitter is that you can follow almost anyone and anyone can follow your messages, called tweets. When people with the same interests all follow each other they become a powerful community. To get started, visit Trump University on Twitter. Also, try TweetDeck (http://www.tweetdeck.com) to follow the entire conversation live on your computer desktop.

Facebook
Last month we opened the Trump University Facebook Fan Page. Facebook is the largest community on the Internet where all sorts of people share ideas, talk about what their doing, and celebrate victories. If you're not on Facebook you should be. And, of course, you should join the Trump University Fan Page.

The Trump University Blog
Now you know I had to mention Mr. Trump's blog. Not only do you get to hear from Donald Trump himself. You also get to read posts from lots of highly respected wealth building, business and real estate experts. You can even join the conversation that takes place in the comments of every post.

Trump University Podcast
What's a podcast? It's like an Internet radio show. Listen to Trump University's collection of podcast. Episodes cover everything from wealth building to real estate to business planning and personal growth.

The Trump University Network
That's right, Trump University has its very own social network. Sign-up for a free Trump University account to join in the fun. While some parts of the Trump University Network require a premium membership, there's lots of great free access too.

Active Rain
I almost forgot we set up a Trump University group right here on Active Rain. Join in and share your posts in the Donald Trump Fan group.

What are your favorite Internet communities? Why?

Related posts:
Facebook Fan Pages Work
Twitting Around

The Week Ahead: Trump University [March 23 - 30]

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:48:33 -0500

There is a lot happening this week at Trump University and I wanted to share it with my readers.

Attend one of our Free Real Estate Investment Classes at either of the following locations:

Denver, CO/ Colorado Springs, CO
Mar 23, 2009 - Mar 26, 2009
Learn More and Register Here
San Antonio, TX
Mar 23, 2009 - Mar 25, 2009
Learn More and Register Here

Looking to Recession Proof your Income?
Sign up for our next Free Webinar which is titled Create Recession Proof Income.

This week in the Wealth Builders Network our members will learn how to "Build Your Commercial Business Plan" on Thursday, March 26th at 8pm EST. The Wealth Builder Network weekly webinars are a premium service but you are welcome to try it out for free.

Is Tax Lien Investing something you want to know more about?
The week we are running an Invitation only event in the DC area on Tax Lien Investing. This event is near capacity and is by invitation only. However, I am providing a special link for my readers to register if they are interested in a spot:

https://www.trumpuniversity.com/investor-launchpad/2009/03/tax-liens.cfm

Coming Soon:
A new Ask Mr. Trump feature is being added to the Trump University site. Stay tuned for more information and ask Mr. Trump your most pressing questions.

I'd Like To Thank The Academy And

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:11:58 -0500

OK I am not attending the Academy Awards or the Emmys nor have I been nominated for any awards (why is that by the way...) but I am attending the John Caples International Awards this Thursday evening. This is a big event in the direct marketing community and this year I was invited to attend (OK you can buy a ticket too but invitations are more fun.)

My friends at Alloy Marketing (my hosts) are the sponsors of the first annual Student Campaign of the Year. This evening should be full of excitement since none of the finalist campaigns, companies or individuals knows the winners in any category.

In addition to some great networking opportunities we will hopefully get to see a lot of great marketing creativity and interesting campaigns.

See you on the Red Capet.

GiggleFest Social Media 2.0 Podcast Sunday March 15, 2009

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:11:12 -0500

I of course want to invite all my readers to this little event in NJ. It should be fun.

Via C Tann-Starr (TannStarr.com TannStarr.ws REMAX People Realty):

The Outside Blog Minion Report

Friday, March 13, 2009

Josef Katz Lizette Fitzpatrick Sheldon Neal Carolyn Tann-Starr

FB Trivia 1

FB Trivia 2

We are going to start embedding the Gigglefest Cover in our social media accounts with on-line questions for you to answer in Active Rain and Facebook.

The best answers will win free giveaways from Lizette Realty (Jewelry Gift Certificate), The Outside Blog Minion Report (Gift Cards), Club Chaos Agents.com (Original Artwork) and Trump University (Trump University Products).

All Facebook Fan Members who participate in the social media Q&A will be placed in a hat for Stephen the Minion Blur to randomly select a winner for a custom, original portrait.

Step one: select the link and join the following four fan pages embedded there (in the previous post) and let the Gigglefest Social Media 2.0 trivia games begin. :-)

Sales Training - Baseball, Comedy and Old Movies - A Tribute to Abbott, Costello and the Art of Active Listening

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:12:32 -0500

Even if you never saw the Abbott and Costello routine this is a great reminder for today's fast moving world.

Via Ryan Shaughnessy, Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner (PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com):

Occasionally, we have all been parties to conversations that simply go awry. There is a disconnect between the speakers. It can seem that the other person is speaking a foreign language and that the speakers are talking over or past each other. When I observe or hear these odd conversations, it reminds me of the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on First?" from my childhood.

Example of a Conversation Gone Awry

The general premise behind the comedy routine "Who's on First" is that Costello, acting as a peanut vendor, asks Abbott, the manager of the St. Louis Wolves, a simple question "Who's on first?" The comedy act is a great example of a conversation gone awry. It goes something like this:

Abbott: Well Costello, I'm going to New York with you. You know Bucky Harris, the Yankee's manager, gave me a job as coach for as long as you're on the team.

Costello: Look Abbott, if you're the coach, you must know all the players.

Abbott: I certainly do.

Costello: Well you know I've never met the guys. So you'll have to tell me their names, and then I'll know who's playing on the team.

Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names.

...

Abbott: ... Let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...

Costello: That's what I want to find out.

Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.

Costello: Are you the manager?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: You gonna be the coach too?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names?

Abbott: Well I should.

Costello: Well then who's on first?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: I mean the fellow's name.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy on first.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The first baseman.

Abbott: Who.

Costello: The guy playing...

Abbott: Who is on first!

Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.

Abbott: That's the man's name.

Costello: That's who's name?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.

Abbott: That's it.

Costello: That's who?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman?

Abbott: Certainly.

Costello: Who's playing first?

Abbott: That's right.

To see the entire comedy routine, click on: Naughty Nineties or the Colgate Comedy Hour

The Art of Active Listening

So, how can you avoid these awkward, disconnected conversations? The key is to be an engaged active listener. "Listening" isn't just hearing the words. It is hearing the words with thoughtful attention and giving the words careful consideration. Here are some active listening tips:

Tip #1 - Talk Less... Listen More

• Talk less. Listen more. It sounds simple but you will get more out of a conversation when you simply listen.

•  When speaking, use simple, concise terms and phrases. Avoid jargon. If you use jargon or acronyms, explain the words or concepts. Don't assume that the other person will understand these words or concepts.

•  Be concise. Get to the point directly.

•  Don't feel the need to fill gaps in the conversation. Silence is okay.

•  If you are the listener, encourage the speaker to continue by using short acknowledgement comments, asking questions to clarify the issue, or simply nod.

Tip #2 - Be Approachable and Receptive

•  Be receptive to the speaker's needs. If you don't have enough time or are distracted by other business, schedule a time for the conversation when you can devote you full attention to the conversation.

•  Don't make assumptions or anticipate statement. When you make assumptions or anticipate statement, you have already stopped listening and reached a conclusion before you have heard all of the facts.

•  Don't interrupt or finish sentences for others. Allow the speaker to fully explain their position, problem, etc.

•  Defer judgment until the speaker has finished. Don't try to persuade others until you have fully listened to and understand their point of view, the underlying facts, etc.

•  Turn off your personal filter. Keep an open mind. Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal. Don't interrupt with counter arguments.

Tip #3 - Give the Speaker Your Complete Attention

•  Focus on the speaker and the conversation.

•  Eliminate distractions like telephone, e-mail, etc. Don't look at your watch, clock, Blackberry, etc.

•  Acknowledge key points with a nod, smile or brief comment.

•  Don't tune out. Make brief comments or ask short questions to keep the speaker focused on the issue.

Tip #4 - Pay Attention to Body Language

•  Read the listener's body language. If the listener appears confused, ask clarifying questions or restate your question or statement using simpler language. If the listener appears disinterested, stop talking or change the subject. Pay attention to tone, volume, facial expression, gestures, etc. as body language provides an important insight or context for the words spoken.

•  Show that you are listening. Don't play with your tie, pen, watch, etc.

•  Make eye contact. Face the speaker. Don't look away from or beyond the speaker.

Tip #5 - Work to Understand the Message

•  Take notes. Write down key points. Save your questions for an appropriate time.

•  Focus on the message. Don't obsessively focus on the method of delivery or choice of particular words.

•  Eliminate confusion and misunderstandings by asking questions to clarify the issue.

•  Rephrase the main points and repeat them back. Summarize the speaker's comments before you respond.

•  Ask relevant open-ended questions.

•  Don't steer the speaker to other topics. Keep the focus on the issue raised by the speaker.

Tip #6 - Respond in a Direct Manner

•  Be candid, honest and open.

• Don't avoid "hard" issues. Address them directly.

•  Assert your opinions in a respectful tone and manner. However, don't sugarcoat your response or beat around the bush.

•  Stay positive. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the solution.

It is hard to break old habit. If you aren't receptive, make assumptions and jump to conclusions, and fail to ask relevant questions to obtain additional information, you will find that you may just have missed the point of the entire conversation. It is amazing how often what is said and what you heard is strikingly different.

If Abbott had listened to Costello or if Costello had listened to Abbott, we would have been deprived of one of the greatest baseball comedy routines of all time. Lou Costello died on March 3, 1958. Bud and Lou - If you are listening, thanks for the great laughs that you brought me.

If you are a developer interested in sales training for your staff, please contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Preparing for Celebrity Apprentice

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:12:03 -0600

As you might imagine working for a Trump Company includes a lot of excitement around each season of the Apprentice. This season we are trying a few new activities and many of them are “audience participation”. Here is a run down of what we have started and what is up and coming:

Donald Trump discusses why he selected each celebrity and the charity they are playing to support. This started last week on the Trump Blog and will continue until all the celebrities have been profiled.
The Trump University Twitter account will be Twittering updates during the show. Feel free to participate and twitter your comments with #apprentice in your twitter message.
The Trump University Facebook fan page and group will contain updates and discussion boards on the show. This is your forum to share your views about the show. Go at it.
Season 4 winner Dr. Randal Pinkett will provide a lessons learned segment each week on the NBC site. Randal is on the Trump University Entrepreneurship faculty and author of The No-Money Down CEO.
And once again we are bringing back everyone’s favorite quiz - The Trump Apprentice Challenge. See if you have what it takes and how you compare to Donald Trump. Take the test and share the results with us here.

Now back to the show….

Tired of Reading and Writing Posts - Listen to These

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:41:11 -0600

Blogging is great. I love reading and writing posts but for the last few days (weeks) I was burned out or just too busy at work. However I did find time to podcast with a couple of great Active Rain members.

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Baltimore, MD to meet Margaret Rome in person. Before I left she and I did a podcast on how to Build Your Real Estate Investing Power Team. If you don't follow Margaret's blog I recommend you check it out.

Yesterday Carolyn Tann-Starr flew (we all know her energy...) into my office and after having some fun we recorded a quick podcast on Real Estate Investing and Social Media. If you don't know CTS then you are not a true Active Rain member. She is always up to some interesting or fun adventure on her blog.

Enjoy the podcasts and let me/us know what you think.

PS - if you are in the NYC area and want to pop by for a podcast session just let me know.

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Investing In Real Estate A Podcast

Active Rain Blogger Joins Trump Blog

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:15:55 -0600

Earlier this month we put out a call for A few Good Bloggers (this was a members only post) interested in a guest column on the Trump Blog. Well today the first of hopefully many columns by Tina Merritt was published on the Trump Blog. This is unique content from Tina that you won't find on any of her other blogs. If you enjoy her work stop on by and check it out.

Give Tina a big congratulations. She is now part of the Trump Blog team and we hope to help her grow her business as she helps provide interesting and educational content for our readers.

We have a few more bloggers working on their Trump posts and we hope to share those names as soon as we have their first posts live.

If you are interested in being part of the Trump Blog team take a look at our earlier post for some of the details and contact me via email.