What makes..."America's Most Wanted Realtor?" - 08/30/06 08:10 PM
           It is amazing what you will hear at your favorite dining establishment, even when you don't intend to.
A few evenings ago, my husband and I witnessed a very animated discussion in our favorite seaside restaurant.  Two ladies were sitting at the table next to us. Their conversation started out about home prices and then quickly moved to individual Realtors.  I'm not sure what these two ladies were drinking, but their conversation started getting pretty loud, so I couldn't help but overhear.
"What is it you have to do these days to find "America's Most Wanted Realtor"?  asked the one with martini type glass. 
I've been interviewing … (3 comments)

In the path of Hurricane Ernesto - 08/27/06 02:21 PM

                                     Where does a car like this go... when in the projected path of a hurricane? 
                                                                                              Get your motor running!!! 
                                                                                            Head out on the highway!!!!                   
                                                                                                   Ernesto is coming!        
Although it is not built yet, we sure could use the high-tech, futuristic, category 5 safe, facilities of RoboVault right about now for this classic car! 
My husband is arranging all of our hurricane evacuation plans around getting this 1959 Cadillac Coupe deville to safety so it doesn't end up like this:   
… (2 comments)

Catch of the Day...You're Choice...Flounder or Trout? - 08/27/06 12:54 PM
Floyd Wickman has a lot of great ideas and is frequently a featured writer in BrokerAgent News.  But after reading through the last set of educational emails I got from him....I am starting to see fish in my office!  That's right, FISH. 
No, it's not because our office is in a beach town, known for it's fantastic fishing, it's because of his question at the tail end of his "I Quit Real Estate (Part 3 of 5) " email.  ARE YOU A FLOUNDER OR A TROUT? 
                                                                                                                                                                  You see, he says that the "FLOUNDER lies at the bottom of the sea, waiting for food … (4 comments)

KIDS Are PEOPLE Who Move Too! - 08/26/06 10:06 PM

 Many real estate websites are missing their connections to the KIDS! As we connect with families through our online marketing, let's not forget that the KIDS need to be connected to the family's move from home to home in a positive way.
There are a variety of ways to do that when you are face to face with the family, but providing some fun links online will help mom and dad get the KIDS involved.
               Here are a few fun sites that you might want to consider adding to your FAMILY FUN page:
                           Dr. Seuss's Page     White House Kids    PBS Kids    Busy … (3 comments)

More Relationship Building Notes........................ - 08/26/06 09:33 PM
 
BBRRRRINNNGGG! "You've reached your Seller of Choice! I'm not at home at the moment, but leave your name and number and the price at which you think my home will sell in 30 days. If I like your answer I'll call you back!" BEEEEP!
When leaving messages for others on their voicemail, it's smart to pay attention to their outgoing message and its STRUCTURE.
Just as in face to face conversation, it helps to build your relationship with the person if you "mirror" the message you are leaving with the structure of the their outgoing message.
For example, if the outgoing message is a little … (0 comments)

Truth or Fairy Tale? - 08/24/06 09:29 PM
          Muffin and Fifi were smelling around the front door seemingly excited about going in.  They had brought Ms. Winchester (their 65 year old guardian) to see a potential new home. They were excited!  This was the third house of the day!
The Realtor  smiled and fought her way to the door amidst the jumping pooches, inserted the key, turned the knob and let the little terrors...er....terriers into the house. The Realtor stepped out of the way as Ms. Winchester was hurriedly pulled through the door with a "Whoosh!"
                                                
 "Oh, my these two just love this house...Fifi now get down from   there!...Yes! they just love … (3 comments)

Hauntings of 9/11 - 08/24/06 07:59 PM
In 1999 a person who I will call Fred, came into the possession of a beautiful seaside home.  This home was located high on a cliff in one of the mid atlantic states right on the shoreline. Gorgeous old home with tremendous character and lots and lots of privacy.  Demand for properties of this stature had not yet caught on in the area so Fred bought the home for a song and decided to fix it up and rent it. 
The tenants took a lease which was set to expire 9/30/2001. They paid their rent on time, never called with problems and appeared to be … (1 comments)

Squeeze your Brain for a Good Cause! - 08/23/06 08:59 PM
I am looking for some great ideas to raise money for charity. We do a lot of events at our office and in the community for both local and national charities, but the idea well is running dry.  We have our standard events, to fall back on, but would love to do something new and unusal.
Here are the types of events we have done or come up with so far: Community yard sale, car washes, Online Shopping fundraiser, recycling of cell phones and ink cartridges, change jars, sales of different products in the community with 100% of the profit going towards … (4 comments)

Call me at 555-SOLD ! - 08/22/06 10:02 PM
I love creative stuff! And those phone numbers that spell out the product or service that a company provides are really cool...but they are a pain to spell out on the keypad sometimes.  Studies do show, however, that people have a very high retention rate of words over numbers and that phone numbers that are words rank very high in the memory bank. 
Phonespell allows you to type in your phone number and have it translated to words that make up that phone number.  Just type in your number and it will run the possible options for you.
The service is … (5 comments)

Relationship Improvement Focal Points - 08/22/06 09:09 PM
Some of us have a sixth sense for relationship building, it comes easy for those who do. But others must study and practice their technique before they are truly comfortable with it.  Practice makes perfect it is said and it holds true for any activity that we are not 100% comfortable with, doesn't it?
Only by doing, evaluating and critiquing those efforts can we perfect them.  If you have not established a comfort level with your relationship techniques, consider the following key elements as improvement focal points as you move towards the perfection zone you desire:
Respect people's time always. ALWAYS!
Give them … (0 comments)

Home ownership is BORING? - 08/20/06 03:12 PM
My husband says that many of my friends "march to beat of a different drummer", well, OK, I guess so, but that's what I like about them.  Inga, a very well traveled friend, constantly wonders what it is I do for a living. She just can't understand the concept of a Realtor, or those of us who teach, train and coach them.  She says she will NEVER use a Realtor. Well, she probably won't. She doesn't own a home, never has, and probably never will.  Not because she can't....because she says it would be too BORING.
Yes, you read that right....BORING.
You see, … (1 comments)

Searching for my kind.......... - 08/20/06 02:18 PM
This morning while sitting outside in the cool morning breeze, watching the early boaters go by and sipping hot cinnamon chai coffee, I read something that has stuck with me all day. 
              It was a defining moment....a moment of truth...a true realization...a window into my psyche. 
                                                I am an INFORMATION OMNIVORE. 
I suspect there are many more of us out there.  Accumulating books, magazines and articles to feed upon. 
Diving into all new internet locations I run across just to glean some new information, for my own benefit or to share with others, it really doesn't matter.
                        Are the … (16 comments)

Cost Effective High Visibility Marketing - 08/19/06 07:42 PM
Here's a great idea that we implemented in our office a few months ago. We were looking for cost effective, high visibility marketing opportunities in which all agents could share the cost and not have to break their piggy banks. Something that could potentially reach thousands of customers.
We searched high and low for something new and different, something that not every Realtor in our area was doing. Let's face it, God only created so many ideas. Finally, with the help of our friends at Gift Assistance USA, we found the marketing gem we were looking for and we bought hundreds of … (5 comments)

Quick Snapshot in Time and a THANKS to Active Rain for the CONTACTS! - 08/18/06 11:21 PM
It's been another interesting couple of weeks in our undiscovered coastal paradise of Englewood, Florida.
The number of sellers and buyers our agents are working with are moving closer to equalizing. Previously, the number of sellers was much greater.  We've seen increased showings, walk-ins and calls from signs.  Our individual sales price points have also moved up considerably from last month.  This is encouraging as we look toward our upcoming "season".  Smart buyers are checking it out.
Other notable happenings: Realtor Phyllis talks about real estate everywhere she goes. Last week, her daughter crashed her car and Phyllis used it as an opportunity … (5 comments)

Apparent Urban Legend: Cancer update from Johns Hopkins - 08/18/06 09:29 PM
I realize that this is not about real estate, but I hope after you read this, you will forgive my digression for this important station-break.  A friend who has been an on and off cancer patient at Johns Hopkins over the past several years sent me this important update a few days ago.  I could not help myself from passing it on to as many people as possible.
Cancer update -- Johns Hopkins -- Cancer News from Johns Hopkins: 1. No plastic containers in micro. 2. No water bottles in freezer. 3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent … (3 comments)

Let's shake on it! - 08/17/06 09:39 PM
First impressions last forever. One of the very first steps we take when meeting others is to smile and extend our hand in greeting.  It's a wonderful custom, but a simple handshake can make or break others' first impression of you.
I believe your grip speaks volumes to the receiver....do you realize that? A limp handshake suggests hesitance, weakness or mousiness.  A bone-crushing grip can seem domineering, overbearing and might be painful to the receiver, especially if they wear rings.  A medium firm grip conveys confidence and authority. 
What kind of handshake would others say you have? Have you ever been honest with yourself in … (2 comments)

Fish Tales - 08/17/06 09:19 PM
I just returned from the local seafood market with some fine selections of fresh fish. The local fish market in our town is on Manasota Key adjacent to Englewood Beach. It has all the wonderful smells and sites that you would expect to encounter at the island fish market on a hot and humid evening. It is also, very often, a place where you can find local real estate being discussed and hence, you will almost always run into another Realtor.
Realtor's come in all shapes and sizes; personalities and attitudes and those "specialties" are what most of them are known for...if you know … (0 comments)

Just for FUN.......Check it out! - 08/15/06 08:05 PM
Sometimes I see good REALTORS having bad days.  Maybe because they just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or maybe because a closing didn't happen or maybe because they are just stressed out about too many things.  We all need a little stress relief at one point or another.  One of my long time real estate friends sent me this today...telling me to use it and pass it on in the spirit of stress relief.   
If you determine this to be harder than real estate, then rejoice....you know you picked the right profession.
Fasten Your Seat Belt!
… (4 comments)

Service or Skills? Which translates better into perceived value? - 08/13/06 08:29 PM
RisMedia August 2006 has a fantastically, thought provoking article written by President and CEO of Realtor.com, Allan Dalton.  It is a must read! If you have not read it, please get a copy ASAP.  The article is entitled  Real Estate Industry Warming.
In the article he states that there are  two differnt types of agents our industry currently has in the real estate professional pool.  One he calls the "personal promotion-oriented agent" and the other he calls the "marketing or skills-based agent".  The first is SERVICE oriented while the second is SKILLS oriented and each interact with their customers with those orientations as the … (8 comments)

Relationship TLC - 08/13/06 03:53 PM
Here's a few tips on making your customer (or anyone new that you meet) feel extra special.........
Make eye contact as you walk towards them for the initial handshake. This tells them that you are focused on meeting them and have tuned out all other stimuli around you. Maintain eye contact as you slowly, deliberately shake their hand. And have a good firm handshake. Spending just a few extra seconds on this gesture will underscore that this meeting and this person is important to you.
If you work from an office, don't have an important meeting at your desk. Take the conversation away … (4 comments)

Learn to Swim in the Ocean - 08/07/06 12:18 PM
This article appeared on Saturday, August 6, 2006 in the Venice Gonolier Sun. It was an article provided by Sarasota County as precautionary warning to visitors to our area. It has some good tips for those who wish to swim in the ocean, so I have reprinted it here for all of you who will be visiting a seaside area in the near future:
County offers tips on surviving rip currents    (Staff Report-Venice Gondolier Sun)
Each year more than 100 people lose their lives in drowning accidents involving rip currents.  80% of all beach rescues relate to rip currents, making rip currents the … (0 comments)

Feeling the Pinch - 08/04/06 09:24 PM
In the August REALTOR Magazine there is an article entitled "Feeling the Pinch" about how gas prices are affecting REALTORS.  The story tells of agents who previously purchased HUMMERS or other gas guzzlers over the past few years.  Now that gas prices are high, many of them (the vehicles) are sitting in garages forsaken for other more gas economical rides.  I thought this story was especially interesting because just a few days ago, a similar tale was being told in our office. It seems that at least 3 HUMMER driving REALTORS in our town have theirs for sale.  Anybody else out … (1 comments)

Drive- Thru Real Estate? - 08/02/06 08:04 PM
Our office location  in Englewood, Florida is in an out building at a shopping center. The building was previously a bank. When we moved into this new location, the company decided to maintain the drive-thru window and use it as a marketing tool.  We are located on a busy, main thoroughfare through town. Our main monument sign reads, "Drive-thru Real Estate, Free Maps". 
While our drive-thru is not as busy as a bank, we do get a considerable amount of drive-thru traffic for maps/directions and occassionally a REALTOR driving thru to pick up paperwork. Of course we keep that area fully stocked … (6 comments)

Been in a rocking chair lately? - 08/01/06 08:23 PM
A newscaster on TV this evening was concluding her segment.  I happened to catch the last few words as she said goodnight.  They made me stop and think.
 She said, " Remember....Worry is like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do, but you it gets you nowhere."
Make the choice today to push worry aside and takehold of a positive forward action instead and you'll make progress towards your dreams.
… (3 comments)

 
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Louann Nudi

Indianapolis, IN

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TOVIJE Enterprises, Inc.

Address: Indianapolis, IN, 46259

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Insights that affect Indianapolis Real Estate Investors and Renters.


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