Wouldn't you like to know what the secret to bouncing back from the foreclosure bust is? 

 

Read on to Discover Classified Material About Your Power...

 

The government has developed a multi-billion dollar bailout plan (TARP).  There have been committees formed.  The most intelligent economists around the globe are formulating strategies.  But a few special individuals seem to have the solution.

After the 2005 catastrophe in New Orleans (hurricane Katrina) the government, military, and top dogs couldn't rescue the residents from devistation.  When civil rights couldn't be rectified through political leaders around the nation and intellects were a let-down, along comes a single woman (Rosa Parks) who decided to sit in a restricted area on the bus.  When slavery could not escape the grips of the uber-wealthy one brave untrained soldierette (Harriet Tubman) paved the path for abolition.  How does this tie in?  I'll tell you how...

 

...Individual Americans make change, not politics.  Not economists.  Not mayors.  Not the media.  Individuals who stand up and say, "no more".

 

Marilyn Mock stood up and has been let down by the politicians, economists, mayors, and media.  She still stands.  A woman with no political background.  No background in real estate, lending, or otherwise.  Marilyn owns a stoneyard in Rockwall, TX.  She saw that things weren't right and she allowed that splinter to permeate her soul.  She is making change.

 

Thank you Carolyn Kruse for taking a stand with Marilyn in your latest blog.  We can all learn from your lead.

 

Join Marilyn Mock as she helps lead coaches in the real estate industry.

 

 

 

Have you every wished that someone would simplify the start-up process for Twitter?  As many of you know (particularly if you listened to Jesse Gonzalez on the Coach A Thon last week - http://reopro.ning.com) Twitter is not just a fad and is taking over marketing strategies all over the nation, including real estate.

I have assembled a quick reference guide to Twitter for you:

 

 

1.  Followers:  other people who choose to follow you.  Typically this is done in 2 ways - (1) you follow them and they notice, then follow you.  (2) You're either famous, or you write about something they like.

2.  Following:  individuals that you actively follow.  Start exploring this by finding some fun things through the "Search" function that entertain you.  Have fun with it.  Some people that I started following right away for fun were @The_Real_Shaq (Shaquille Oneil), @LanceArmstrong, @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher).  Then you can find the people they follow and follow them too.  Maybe you like Bruce Willis and you find his profile on Ashton's.

3.  Using the @ symbol.  Anytime you use the @ symbol before a person's Twitter account name it then activates their name as a link to their profile.  Example:  You want to announce to all the people that follow you that you like NFSTI.  Here's what it would look like:   "Following @NFSTI.  Great REO information!   Go check them out when you get a sec."

4.  Using the # symbol before a word indicates that it's "searchable".  Example based on the previous quote:  "Following @NFSTI.  Great #REO information!  Go check them out when you get a sec."   Now, the #REO word becomes highlighted and people can search every tweet that was ever written with the word "REO" in it.

5.  Be informative and personable at the same time.  Mix up current events that are both local and national pertaining to your expertise.  Then, mix in a little fun.  "Just had a great glass of red wine!"

6.  Pictures:  www.twitpic.com   Just enter your Twitter username and password and it will link up to your Twitter account.  Now you can upload photos along with a description that will automatically upload to your twitter account.

7.  TinyURL:  Let's say you want to share a link to a news article that is AMAZING.  The problem is, the articles web address is a mile long and you only have 140 characters to use on twitter....uh oh!  Not a problem, copy the web address, go to www.TinyURL.com, paste the web address into the field and Voila!  A new url (web address) is created that is smaller.

Are you one of the thousands of real esatate agent who: 

(1) Have survived the turbulance of the last 2 years, and

(2) Have realized the significance of REO, and

(3) Have realized that REO real estate is a social environment ("it's WHO you know...")?

 

Well, if that's the case and you're trying to figure out your next step then look no further.  The NFSTI REOMasters Network is on the scene and will be hosting what will be the talked about event of 2009!  Don't believe me?  Take a chance and find out either by joining us to raise money for an amazingly good cause, or skip out and hear about it all over the web a week later.  Ultimately, the choice is always yours.   Which brings me to my next point...

Do you believe that the success you create is all or at least mostly up to you?  Do you feel that you are here today in your career because you made a concious decision to put forth the effort or do you feel that you had nothing to do with it?  The NFSTI REOMasters Network believes in arming our "Army of Experts" with tools needed to excel and survive.  Ultimately our belief system boils down to our slogan "Working Together Toward Common Goals".

Here's your chance to accelerate the velocity of your business.  I'm not here to sell you, I'm here to inform you.  So, without further adu, here is some great information to point you in the right direction:

 

www.ClubTsunami.net - The official website for the World's Largets REO Networking Party & Charity Event (Sept 21st, Ft. Worth during the Five Star Conference).

 

www.NFSTI.com - The undergraduate REO Training system.

 

www.REOMastersNetwork.com - The Graduate Group of REO Experts.

 

Looking forward to your success,

 

Dan Waterman
President
NFSTI REOMasters Network

For those of you (like me) who just caught wind of this, let me clue you in on the back story of an article that was written in April 2009 in the New York Times titled: Homeowners’ Hard Times Are Good for the Foreclosure Business.  First of all, let me start by saying that not unlike most professions in the world, media has the ethical and the not-so-ethical in its profession.  In this case, it appears to be the latter.

 

REO is a niche within real estate that aligns itself with default servicing companies and lenders.  The duty of the REO agent is to assist with default properties by providing accurate accounts of occupancy, condition, foreclosure process, property valuation, and the disposition of the asset once it returns to the primary lien holder.  It's not a pretty job, but my feelings have always been that it's much like other jobs in the world that aren't glamorous and may consist of pain and frustration, but it must be done.  That's why I stayed in the industry for so long personally.  I knew that if I, a person with what many would consider high moral standards weren't doing this, then someone with less moral standards could be in my place.

 

Recently, a writer for the New York Times by the name of Eric Lipton took it upon himself to sneak into a no-media event called the REOMAC conference in Palm Desert, CA.  This event brings together thousands of REO professionals around the country to mingle, get education, network, and expand their knowledge.  Media is prevented from attending the event so that these individuals can be open with their questions, concerns, and God-forbid, blow off some steam.  (Does anyone else get the paparazzi feeling yet?)

 

This writer apparently got an agent to acquire a pass under the pretense that he was a guest.  He then proceeded to attend after-hour functions that were meant for socializing and relaxation.  Based on out-of-context information this writer goes on to write an article about how Agents cash in on homeowners' misfortunes.  Now I don't have the proof, but agents who attended this particular event have said on several accounts that this particular writer was clinging to anything he could after the party - Was it food poisoning from the caviar.  Or perhaps to much champaigne.  Possibly that yacht caused sea-sickness.  What a hero - doing anything and sacrificing all for the story.

 

Look, I'm not writing this article for any reason other than to observe the ridiculous.  First, it's ridiculous that this writer went through so much ethical red tape to write a story that suggested that REO has a shortcoming of scruples.  Second, it's ridiculous that agents of high caliber stature and success are behaving like fraternity and sorority kids.

 

We have a job to do people.  Let's just work hard and find more productive ways to express our energy.  How about at the next big REO event we put the marketing dollars towards building some houses for Habitat for Humanity, or hosting a Charity Run for the Homeless?

First off, I hope that everyone is having a great week and month so far. Amidst the tough economic times it's easy to forget the positive aspects of life. For a starving child in Mozambique 1 meal of rice and beans shared by a whole family is a great day. For a village in Sierra Leone to have education for their children is a miracle. Others in China pray that they won't be martyred for expressing their religious faith today.

I guess "tough times" becomes a relatively less painful term when you value what you do have and hold tightly to it. America is still a great place for us to be.

According to contacts and members of NFSTI around the nation, there still is a slow trickle of REO/BPO assignments around the nation regardless of the moratorium or lack thereof, making things still a little rough on business. Growth is a word that most of us are aching to use, but wonder if it will happen any time soon.

It appears that there is a tightly-sealed valve being placed between defaults and REO assignments - my guess is to keep values up. It seems to be working. Cities around the nation, such as Denver, are seeing values stabilize due to multiple-offer situations as investors squabble over the remaining REO inventory.

There is no publicly-available notice of this decision to slowly leak out REO's. It's something that you have to deduce from calculated reasoning. Although, I was privy to some inside information from a contact at a well-known asset management company who did verify this theory in their case (let's leave them anonymous).

As always, NFSTI promotes the business method which has been successful over the decades throughout several recessions - keep marketing. It has been proven time after time that businesses who continue and improve marketing through a downtrodden market not only survive but come out ahead when the market picks up.

Here are a couple of ways that we've been able to improve marketing:

1. Offer better service.
2. Price reductions.
3. Leverage technology whenever possible to save time and resources.
4. Social Media: Marketing through websites such as www.twitter.com, www.linkedin.com, www.facebook.com, www.trulia.com (Trulia Voices), www.activerain.com, www.ning.com.
5. Understanding the ever-changing needs of our audiences.

We wish you continued success~

Sincerely,

Dan Waterman
CEO
NFSTI
Dan@NFSTI.com
877-REO-7997 x3
www.nfsti.com

Every Wednesday and Friday I pay extra money to have a personal trainer whip me into shape. For over 20 years I have been an endurance athlete with an above-average amount of discipline. I was a swimmer for a nationally ranked high school (an article that I wrote a few years back about my experience), a gold medalist in the Arizona State Games at the cycling crit, a triathlete, backcountry snowboarder...you get the picture.

Then why the extra money to pay a personal trainer? I'll tell you why - I want to be pushed further than I can push myself. I want to be held accountable and assure myself that my goals will be obtained. If there's one thing that I don't love about my tenure at NFSTI, it's watching the dozens of agents who have incredible skill and talent give up on REO before they break through. Usually, this is caused by distraction, false information, a lack of discipline, or a misunderstanding of what's going on.

NFSTI wants everyone to better themselves through coaching. There are several coaching systems that exist out there. Probably to many. But if your experience with NFSTI has been positive and you want us to help you along, then we're here for you.

I'm embedding a powerpoint presentation that we have published online for you to see exactly what we're offering. As usual, we have done our very best to offer as much value as possible for the least amount of money. I hope you enjoy.

 

NFSTI Coaching Presentation

Sincerely,

Dan Waterman
CEO
NFSTI

In a recent ActiveRain blog article by Regina Brown, she mentioned her experience at a recent REO workshop in Los Angeles which equipped her with just about everything she needed to get an edge-up on her competition.  She dropped a couple of hints about BPO automation, auto-acceptance, marketing, and leads.  What she didn't tell you was all of the insight that she received from 2 current all-star REO specialists and 1 asset management consultant with over 20 years of experience in default services (here's a quick mention). 

 

In June we are launching a new course called the A3.  The A3 was designed for 2 reasons: 

(1) pin down the most important facets of developing REO business / operating the business, and (2) bring you all the resources you need without breaking the bank. 

The economy hasn't been to nice to most Americans, including our beloved real estate agents around the nation.  That's why we're completely dropping everything and offering....(as Regina would say, drum roll please).....

 

• A price of $97 for Keller Williams agents/brokers!
• A discounted price for non-Keller Williams agents/brokers who have a KW agent sponsor them (contact Info@NFSTI.com if you need help with a sponsor).
• 2 days of pulling back the veil of REO and asset management.
• BPO Automation training. 
  
• BPO Auto-acceptance guidance.
• Social Media & Marketing training (see past blog here for demo).
• Google Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tips.
• Live demonstrations on appropriately communicating to asset managers.
• A FREE list of asset manager & pre-marketer contacts from the top provider of REO contact resources.
• A FREE trial of eBrokerHouse REO online management software.
• Surprise Guest speakers from various aspects of the REO industry from around the nation.
• FREE 1-year membership to www.NFSTI.com with an REO Certification Exam and Designation.
• Prizes given away at our drawing - books, DVD's, lockboxes, and more!

 

If you've been thinking about getting an REO or BPO business ramped up, then this is your BIGGEST chance to do so without all the fluff, with professional trainers who have been in the business, to earn a designation, and to see step-by-step what to do for the next year of your life - which just happens to be one of the biggest years in REO history!

If you don't believe me, then just search the NFSTI name and see the results of others.  Or go to our testimonials page on NFSTI.  Either way, what you'll find oiur agents just like you and me who rolled the dice and came out winners.  And, if you're one of the many who think that asset management companies aren't hiring, guess again!  Did you read about the foreclosure moratorium being lifted yet?  If not, click here.

I'd like to make it as easy as possible for you to decide to join us at what is the most affordable and most informative REO workshop in the nation.  Bold statement, I know.  But trust me when I say that if it weren't true I could never write it.  We have a refund policy that makes it easy to get you money back and assure you that you'll walk out of there with more than you ever thought possible.

 

Mesa, Arizona
June 11-12
Fiesta Fountains Conference Center
8am-5pm daily
Refreshments provided
Registration page:  A3

 

See you there!

 

Dan Waterman
CEO
NFSTI

Pics from this year's REOMAC conference are now posted online at:

http://nfsti.twitpic.com/photos/nfsti

and

http://www.twitter.com/nfsti

Thanks!

Dan

The REOMAC conference is going on right now and I'm stuck in NY!!!  Luckily I (Dan) am getting like Tweets (Twitter is the latest rave for people in the web 2.0 movement) from my connections who are attending the conference.  It's pretty amazing that I can be here working away on our latest course material and marketing away while they are building relationships in Palm Desert for NFSTI. 

Networking is what it's all about.  The events, courses, and guest speakers have all been exciting (give or take a few) from what I've heard, but it's after hours in the bars, lounges, and clubs (and I'm guessing the golf course too) that have really paid off in dividends. 

I'm not terribly surprised that most of the business is done after hours.  Come on, let's be honest, there are some people that we all know personally from hanging out who's character we can trust based on a relationship established outside of 8-5 Monday - Friday.  It's for this reason that I recommend putting on your best game during the off hours.

 

PS - I'll give you 1 guess to tell me what REOMAC stands for.

 

NFSTI update:

Hey, my name is Taleisa Martin, I am NFSTI's new Office Manager. I have been working for NFSTI for a little over 2 months now. I know that it is not long but believe me I have learned so much in such a short amount of time.

The CEO, Daniel Waterman has taught me more than just I could have learned at any forclosure school. He has taught me about structure, technology, and how a good company is ran. Dan is a good guy who knows good business.

With constantly changing materials, marketing strategies, and technology, NFSTI is on the rise.

Rapping things up, I am super excited to be a part of NFSTI. I will be here along side with Dan, to assist you, our viewers anyway that I can.

NFSTI Office Manager

Taleisa Martin