Nick's Blog

Is there a 24/7 Realtor?

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 08:57:32 -0800

They say a missed showing is a missed commission. Your clients expect you to be available 24 hours a day to show their homes. We know that is not possible and thus lock boxes and unassisted showings have helped to solve that problem.

I know I might be saying something that might irk some people but I wanted to have a discussion about availability.

Have you ever tried to set up a showing with an agent that said "I only work Monday-Friday?" or "I do not do weekend showings." I have experienced this and my response is that this is when my client is available to see the property, will this work for you? Most of the time I get the same response above, but a few times I have had the Realtor make an exception and schedule the showing. I thank them for their time and move on.

Are Realtors allowed to have a life? I mean we have families, friends, and activities that we like to do like everyone else. We get sick and have to deal with family issues. I try to make myself available as much as I can, but sometimes I cannot be there.

How do we deal with this? If you work in a friendly and non ultra-competitive office you might have another agent go on the listing for you. If the property sells then you probably will give them a little referral fee. This creates a win-win situation. It allows you to be "available" when you are not, creates some office cohesion and allows another a Realtor a slice of the pie. If not? Try to offer another time you are available so the other agent can schedule a time that works for them.

Thank you for taking the time to view my blog. If you know someone who is looking for Real Estate services in New Hampshire, please contact me by email nick@caronsgre.com or phone 802-279-2483. We would be happy to give you a referral.

Feeding your inner drive. How to press through during difficult times.

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:17:39 -0800

You watchTV.
You read the newspapers and web articles.
You hear what your friends, coworkers, and customers are saying.

The market is flat-lining. Prices are falling. Credit is tight. Now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are low.

This negative news and the uncertainty of the economy, government, and job market have created a perfect storm and have put a beating on the way we make a living.

How do you face this wave negativity and feel like your not just treading water?

First thing you need to do is to adapt to the market. We are experiencing record low mortgage interest rates, yet we are battling a tight credit market. You can show potential clients the amount they can save with the current rates versus the projected increase in rates. This may be all the push that they need.
Study your competition. How are they marketing themselves? What are they doing to differentiate or add value to potential customers. If you are in slow market, now is the time to get educated on foreclosures, working with VA or FHA loans, or jumping aboard the current "green" push. Why not invest in the most important assets you have, yourself and your knowledge base.
Breathe. Really take a breath or two. Most of us have been in business long enough to know there are ups and downs in the market. The market will eventually improve and you want to be there to capitalize. Taking a few moments each day to calm and relax can do wonders for your stress and your business.

Credit Reports

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:50:29 -0700

Via Caron's Gateway Real Estate:

Hi everyone... I thought I would send out a friendly reminder that we are all entitled to one free credit report per year per major credit bureau. So I get one every 4 months. This is April... how time flies when you are having fun!!! so today I decided it was time to call and ordr my first one for the year. I will get my second report in august and the last one in December. This way I can triple check my docs each year as opposed to getting all three at once. The Three main Bureaus are Experian Trans Union & Equifax

To call for your Free credit report from one or all three of these companies call: 1-877-322-8228

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket!

Blogging Blues Because of No Gold Star?

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:56:49 -0700

Via Connie Goodrich, CRS (McKinney Realtor) Texas (Keller Williams Realty):

Frustrations and disappointments hit an all time high and you are ready to quit, toss in the towel? When you reach that point there are a few things you need to consider pulling yourself back on track. I'm speaking of your posts with no visitors and few to no comments and the invisible feeling you may be experiencing.

•· So you pour out your heart on what you consider to be "Feature" worthy content. This time you know you have hit a bull's eye. You labor on the wording, clever images to incorporate, popular topic or thought. You push Submit. Wait; go back and forth to see if your post has entered the blog path for viewers, yes ... there it is. Wait, a couple of minutes pass, go back to your home page ... no comments yet. Click to the blog posts, yes still there but working itself down. Flip to the feature list, no not yet but surly the powers that will be will read. Click, click back and forth. No, no, no comments, no interest, no satisfaction, no gold star. Your post works its way down the line and then off the page, 0 comments, no recognition, no pat on the back.

•· What went wrong? It may have nothing to do with your content but some other factors to consider. First of all - are you writing for the Feature or what is you motive? I have found personal satisfaction for making my post be a mirror of my outlook and thoughts. If you write with the intent of the Feature then you more than likely have set yourself up for failure or disappointment. Yes, being recognized and all the glorious comments are exciting and rewarding but should never be the purpose for the content of your post. Personally I try to write to uplift myself, give out helpful suggestions to others, pass on experiences, and give tips. With that frame of mindset you will build your own subscribers who will enjoy reading your post because of what you offer. Write and they will come.

•· Title - be clever; hit on the content in thoughtful wording. Think about when you read posts, what is it that attracts you to go further to click and read? The heading, the first few lines of the post are the grabbers. Be selective to quickly guide the reader to what your topic covers.

•· Content - Who has time to read a novel? Be concise, thoughtful, use bullet points, and respect to layout.

•· Be yourself, let your personality shine.

•· Proper grammar and spelling. Check in word and read over what you have authored again, don't be so quick to submit.

•· Join groups that center on interest that you have a post that is a great fit. It may be featured there.

•· Subscribe to others - if you give of your time to thoughtfully comment on many posts, consistently to those you enjoy, they in turn will visit your post and comment. Your AR friends!

•· What time of day do you post? Experiment as to when the traffic is higher on AR and more exposure. Just remember at popular posting times your exposure on the blog line goes rapid down the line and time visible at a first glance.

The Gold Star is great but your self satisfaction of expressing yourself, sharing, and educating is what Active Rain brings. So give yourself a gold star when you hit the big zero and move on. Look in the mirror to see what you can do to alter some things to attract more viewers. Keep in mind that if you are happy with what you post then goal achieved!

Historic Farm With Lots of Land

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:41:16 -0700

Via Eric Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate):

     Thank you for this property located at 292 Lancaster Road, Groveton, NH. This historic 1828 post and beam farmhouse sits on approximately 338 acres of land which consists of both field and forest. This large 8+ Bedroom house has been undergoing renovation and could be finished to your liking. Imagine your very own 2700 square foot home. The home also has both a wood and oil boiler which allows you flexibility in choosing your fuel.

    Adjacent to the house is the 100 by 45 foot barn. The barn has 5 straight standing stalls, 4 box stalls, and potentially 2 more box stalls and even extra room for storage.

     The property is also located in a great location. It sits on Route 3 and has plenty of road frontage. The property extends from the top of Cape Horn down to the banks of the Connecticut and Ammonoosuc Rivers. It also has the benefit of approximately one mile of river frontage, a great place to kayak and fish. The property also has three separate springs that produce a high volume of water year round. The 338 acres is broken down into about 69 acres of open field and the rest is wooded. A snowmobile trail also crosses through part of the property which allows you to hop on the trails from your own land. The property includes 4 lots which include zoning in residential, agricultural, and even commercial.

      As we said before the property has significant history. The property is also the same location where Fort Wentworth once stood. Fort Wentworth was used as a military re-supply point and was used by Roger's Rangers. Later much of the old Fort was used in the construction of the home that stands on the property to this day. The home was first used as a stage coach tavern for travelers heading north.

    This property is very unique and stands out amongst other properties many call similar. If you would like to see the property or want more information please call 603 636 2626 or e-mail me at eric@caronsgre.com, Of Visit our website at www.caronsgre.com .Thanks again.

Great North Country Farm Deal...

Nicholas Caron (Caron's Gateway Real Estate) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:14:32 -0700

Take a moment to check out the virtual tour.

Via Jane Duguay (Caron's Gateway Real Estate):

56 Acres farm with 12 Plus acres of fertile fields and 44+ acres of woodland. A 1500Sq foot farmhouse with a newly constructed 36'x72' Barn a 43' x 36 Hayloft plus a cupola to enjoy the views of the local mountians. Also included is a newly constructed 3 bay attached garage with overhead storage. A new artesian wel and new septic tank. Only 5 +/- miles from Lancaster, Nh in the town of Northumberland. This farm is value priced at $265,000. At this price it won't last long. If you have a client or customer interested in this type of property please check it out. MLS # 2728085 Virtual tour www.myzoom.com/caron/2728085 or visit our website at www.caronsgre.com or e-mail me at jane@caronsgre.com Thanks for looking!