Has anyone had an issue with the company called Potato Chip Marketing?  (www.pcmtools.com)  Jennifer Cummings the owner of Potato Chip Marketing had a free webinar that I and several others attended introducing us to her company and the marketing capabilities she has to offer. 

Here is my problem, I signed up for a free 12 day trial period and could cancel at anytime.  5 days before I received an email stating that I will begin getting charged $197/month for gold membership in 5 days from this email.  Which is what I signed up for under the trial period.  Or you can cancel by calling such and such (866) #.  Since my company rolled out a new marketing program, I decided I will cancel. Well for the last 8 days I have called numerous times to cancel, only to leave a message.  Not to receive a phone call back or talk to a LIVE person.  I have been charged $77 for bronze membership and $197 for gold membership and still no one has called me back.

In the past and recently has anyone had a problem with this company.  As much as I hate this, but did I get scammed?? 

Look out friends for Potato Chip Marketing!!

Have questions about the Sumner County real estate market? Not sure where to start your home-buying journey? Come to this FREE seminar! You will discover money-saving secrets to buying a home in Gallatin, Hendersonville and all over the Sumner County area! This seminar will show you step-by-step how to save time, effort & money when buying your next home and empower you to make confident, educated real estate decisions.

What will you learn?

• Roles of the Lender/Mortgage Broker
• Credit
• Pre-approval
• Financing Options
• Contracts
• Negotations
• Closing
• and More!

Seminar is FREE, but you must RSVP to attend. Register online here or email Michelle Sarabia at msarabia@realtracs.com or call 615-594-3171 to reserve your spot today!

IF YOU RSVP, I WILL PAY FOR YOUR HOME INSPECTION!  DON'T MISS OUT!

I have learned so much from all you ActiveRainers!

I want to ask a question...what is your routine for expireds?  If you don't mind sharing, I would love to hear what's your formula? How many letters do you send out? Everyday? Every other? Phone calls (not my cup of tea)? 

I send letters out to expireds, but wonder what to do with with those that haven't called YET?

Look forward to your responses!

I am an agent that specializes in Luxury Homes.  More and more I see expired and withdrawns coming everyday.  I have sent letters in the past and am currently doing so now, my question is what do you guys do after that first letter is sent out?  Do you send another one in two days? Make a phone call (which is not my forte)?

I would love to hear your routine for expired listings or what your follow up is when you haven't heard back?

The following add says it all!

Today was such a busy day for me. Since the kids have gone back to school, I have been going crazy with phone calls with some different buyers I have been working with that they are finally ready to come "off the fence". But strangely I talked to my Broker today and she seemed to be ready to burst into tears. She said, "Michelle, I have tried to stay so positive this last year about the market, but I'm afraid of what's gonna happen this year." I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head...What?! Your my broker, your suppose to be the positive one out of this office no matter what the newspapers say or what the 2008 Luxury Market Report tells us.

In her voice it sounds like she is ready to give up. I hope not. I came to Sumner County from Brentwood in Williamson County this summer. Brentwood is one the wealthiest counties in all of Tennessee. So I have dealt with many affluent buyers and sellers. One thing my past clients have always wanted is expertise. Moving to Sumner County, I have seen such a WIDE open door to a need in the luxury market and have really focused that as my niche out here. (It always has been!) I believe I have come up with a marketing plan that I don't think any homeowner has seen in Sumner County.

From the 2008 Luxury Year End Report, I know now what I knew in my heart, we need to be listing agents that know our expertise or get out! We need to know what our clients want and what our buyers are looking for. We need to spend our time wisely looking for buyers FOR our sellers. Not hoping they will come through the MLS. Spend the money and MARKET or don't take the luxury listing.

I can go on about Lakefront and Historic Homes in Sumner County. But I'll leave that for a later post. Homeowners it's time to step up and make sure your agent is doing what you feel they need to do and keep "surprising" you with something you never thought of. I'm sure (I hope) that there are agents that are doing a great job with luxury homes, but I don't like the look on my Brokers face. And maybe your Broker has the same face. We need to work hard, harder than we ever have before! Because if we have another 1% problem in 2009, than we don't have a market to niche.

Contact me to today if you are wanting to sell or buy your Luxury Home with a Specialist. I specialize in Luxury, Lakefront and Historic Homes.

Until next time.

Since I've joined Facebook in the last few weeks, I have seen old friends and have gained new ones.  With Facebook, I have joined such groups as Historic House Sales, Luxury Homes, Social Media, Bloodhound, even my local chambers.  What I like most about it is that the people that see me know that I am real and I go through "stuff" just like anyone else.  I also can see what others are doing to keep them going.  I would suggest everyone jump on this.  It is a great tool to use and it's not just for the 20-something crowd.  It provides great networking and social opportunities.

Now Twitter...that scares me.  But who knows I may try that down the road too.

On 11:47pm on Dec. 31, New Years Eve, I went to the hospital to see my uncle in the emergency room.  At 12:00am January 1st, they were telling us to begin thinking about saying our goodbye's.  He had a brain anorysm.  The brain was swelling and was not going to make it.  My aunt decided to have the surgery to begin the process of reducing his swelling.  It is now, January 5th and we have learned he is paralyzed on his right side and will not know how much brain damage has been done until he wakes up.  The doctors don't know when that will be.

WHAT!  This is suppose to be a New Year.  The best year I am going to have. But I know this is just a setback for the New Year.  But I have to believe I have God on my side and whatever He wants will prevail.  I didn't want THIS for the New Year,  I was ready to go buy my new planner for 2009 and start writing all my dates of chamber meetings, charity events, etc.  Begin writing my business plan and pray over it!  I didn't expect this!  I haven't really worked these last few days, but have received 2 emails with new prospects that will be purchasing this Spring!  So I'm excited to see what the year holds even though there's this tiny little setback. 

So I ask all my ActiveRainers to include my Uncle in your prayers tonight.  And that he will walk out of there whole!

Does anyone, who is willing to share, have a good format that they have used for a RE Market Report?  Something that tells stats, but also explains what they mean.

To all the ActiveRainers,

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

I'm believing that this year will be a year of growth and prosperity in our business.  Not just financially, but spiritually.  That we continue see God in everything!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I look forward to posting more in the future to AR!