In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends…

A quote of John Churton

Yes, everyone wants to be your friend when you're on top of the world however the world can be a lonely place when you have issues.  I try to reach out to those who are not the life of the party and make sure that they know they are still important to me…

This post was authored and photo taken by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

Do you ever get tired of being portrayed as one of those agents or brokers on television?  Are we being stereotyped?

Thank god they took Million Dollar Properties off the air.  What an insult to the hard working women and men who work in the industry day in and day out.  I know, most of the situations on that show were staged however most of the people watching believed we were all back stabbers and partied when we were done showing real estate.

My problem with Selling L.A. Is not so much with the story lines as it is with flashing the potential commission above as they show a house.  Unless Los Angeles agents and brokers are collecting above 5% on each side of a commission those numbers are blown way out of proportion. 

I am constantly explaining the commission splits to my clients, both Buyers and Sellers believe we are collecting a lot more that what we collect.  The show's mentioned above both add to the confusion and never explain how a commission structure works.  I guess commission structure isn't very sexy compared to a six figure lump sum.

Don't get me wrong, I look on some sitcoms and am amused at how real estate agents and brokers are sometimes portrayed.  But we all know that the show's are of comic origin and don't seem to have the impact as the Arts &Entertainment Channel (A&E) image of agents.

Even the agents on HGTV's House Hunters are down to earth and doing much of what most of us do on a daily basis. Servicing our clients...

So,  do you ever get tired of being stereotyped as one of those reality show agents or brokers?

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

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What is your description of the perfect real estate day? I think I just had one, a perfect real estate day, that is.

My day started with an email from a service member in Korea.  He was looking for a real estate agent and he was just two miles from the DMZ separating North and South Korea.  He found me through my blog on ActiveRain.  We are now in the pre approval and home search phase of our relationship.

I then prepared for my 11:30 listing appointment.  I was meeting with four sisters who wanted to list their deceased mother's house.  I had already met with one of the sisters, who had found me on ActiveRain and enjoyed one of my Motivational Monday posts.

I was a little bit nervous but I was prepared with four copies of every piece of listing information, the latest MLS comps and several ideas for advertising and promoting their mothers house.

I walked in and felt on top of my game and was able to listen to each of their questions and concerns and then give, a relaxed and thorough answer to each one of their challenges.  After an hour and a half, I had not only received their mother's house listing but I had also received a listing for a set of duplexes, a single family rental property, and a vacant lot in a recreational property developement.

As I left, I felt so warm and fuzzy that I went to my office and called ten people from my sphere of influence just to say hello and to touch base with them.  Out of these ten calls, I got two appointments and two prospective clients.

Some of you might say this is a routine day for you however for me it was like I didn't want the day to end or that I might wake up and it would all be a dream.  It was not a dream but a perfect real estate day somewhat thanks to ActiveRain.

Have you ever had a day, when everything fell into place and even the traffic signals seem to turn green as you approach?

That my friend, was my day. What's your perfect real estate day look like?

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

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The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is and life to celebrate...

A quote of Oprah Winfrey 

This post was authored and photo taken by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

After being off the grid for a couple days fighting a snowstorm and freezing rain, I was surprised at the new look of ActiveRain this morning.

I see some grumblings, like there will always be but after about 10 minutes of trying to find where things are, I am impressed!

I believe ActiveRain has a very clean crisp look and look forward to exploring the platform more as time permits.  It's not like something's gone it just looks like somebody cleaned it up and put it away...

As long as the stability and speed stays adequate, I don't have a problem with change.  It's like buying some new clothing; the old stuff is comfortable but is starting to show its age, while the new clothes are crisp and need to be broken in.

For those who are grumbling, take a look around and enjoy the new look, it's not going away, are you?  

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

ClipArt by Microsoft 

 Who can you depend on?

Sad but true, not all real estate professionals are created equally.  When you choose a real estate professional to manage the sale of your home, don't you expect him or her to check on your listing after a major storm?

When a call comes in from a client asking about the condition of their property, do you tell them;

• You don't know.
• I don't have time to check on it.
• I'll get to it as soon as I can.

Apparently none of the above should have been the answer given by a certain agent at Hartstene Pointe.  She wouldn't answer her clients repeated voice mails. 

The seller decided to call me, and rightfully so due to the fact I sold them the property in question a few years back.  I could have had sour grapes about not being given the listing however that's not the way I work.  I see this as a way to show what true customer service really is.  I'm always glad to help a client or former client when asked.

Maybe next time you decide to list your property, you should check on testimonials and customer service. Ask the hard questions… 

Are you ready, willing, and able to support your client's needs?

 Discover Hartstene Pointe!

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

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Are you really ready to get a great deal on a house?

Several of my clients have lost out on great deals because they haven't been ready to fulfill the terms that the listing agent is asking for.  Such as;

• A pre approval loan letter! A simple sheet of paper from a financial institution saying that you either have the liquid funds up to a certain point or qualify for loan up to a certain amount.
• Ample earnest money funds available! Several agents and brokers are now asking from 1 to 3% earnest money on the offer sheet...
• The snap judgment decision-making, I often prepare my clients that a home will be coming on the market within days.  I still have clients who say they want to live a specific area and even when their forewarned, aren't ready to go see the property quickly and then make their offer.

This has been happening more and more to me.  Great deals don't last.  Clients who are ready get those great deals, they don't become back up offers.

The best advice I can give any perspective buyer is be completely ready to view and make an offer.  If you have reservations make the offer contingent on those reservations.

Don't get analysis paralysis!

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

ClipArt by Microsoft 

This post was authored and photo taken by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

Does feedback constitute a testimonial?

The day seldom goes by without someone asking for feedback on showings or listings in general.  If you say something nice about a product or listing should this feedback constitute a testimonial.

The definition of testimonial is; [tes-tuh-moh-nee-uhl]  noun

• a written declaration certifying to a person's character, conduct, or qualifications, or to the value, excellence, etc., of a thing; a letter or written statement of recommendation.  
• something given or done as an expression of esteem, admiration, or gratitude.

At some point, I know I've given feedback to another agent just to be nice.  Followed by an explanation why my clients will not be making an offer.  Every time I do this I wonder how much of my explanation the agent will tell their client.  A scary thought is that you might see your words and name used as a testimonial.

I know that I depend on people I know and respect for their honest opinion.  If I see the testimonial by someone, I take it as an endorsement for a service or product.  I would never take feedback and use it out of context as a testimonial.

My advice is always check with the people that write testimonials.  You might be surprised at how many don't know that they've written a testimonial.

Have you ever been surprised by a testimonial?

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

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 Life begins when you do...

  ~ A quote of Hugh Downs  ~

We have to start living to kick start life. I don't care how talented you are; without a little motivation you ain't going nowhere... 

This post was authored and photo taken by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.