Normal Business Hours, Have You Set Them In Place? - 05/16/11 01:29 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
Have you ever received a telephone call or email from a customer or client late in the evening? I am sure you have. What type of real estate information would anyone need at that time? When I first meet up with new clients I give my available hours to them, and my voice-mail states the same as well; during normal business hours. I've put boundaries in place, and I do not sway from it; lesson learned some time ago.
Well I received an email inquiry Friday night at 9:30 pm in regards to some real … (4 comments)

Tiger Mom Your Business - 05/16/11 08:34 AM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
Ok I am listening when you speak dear, it just does not seem like it at times. My wife will quote some points from the book she is currently reading "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom" and there are some very good points. I do not want to stereotype on how cultures raise their children, however I have noticed how my wife is with our boys; and I have to commend her because I did not have guidance like this while I was being raised.
Two of the good points I really like is, no … (0 comments)

Important Day In Philadelphia PA - 05/14/11 02:21 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
So it is now down to the wire. Tuesday May 17th many Philadelphians will be hitting the road to go to the polls. May 17th is the Primary Elections for us, and hopefully less mail afterward. Please come out and do your duty not only as a Proud Philadelphian, but as a Proud  American. Many people have fought and died for this right many take for granted.
 
 
 
 
On Tuesday May 17th
VOTE!
 
 
… (0 comments)

Bat Boy Gives Birth to a Donkey - 05/13/11 09:41 AM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
I'll bet that title caught your attention. I have been asked how to attract buyers and sellers in this crazy market, and my Socratic Method is asking another question. How have you advertised to attract buyers and sellers? Newspapers do it all the time. Why do you think that magazine rack is at the checkout aisle, along with all the other bright colored candy and fridge with the sodas?
I "LOVE" going to the supermarket and standing in a long line, I get to read all that nonsense to give me great ideas. It is … (3 comments)

Do You Poo in Blue? - 05/12/11 10:41 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
"I poo in blue...when I do number two, I look like number one." Have you seen that Huggies commercial? I get that kind of twisted face every time I see that commercial, but I will say Huggies has done a good job making baby diapers look classy. Now my when my boys hear that song for the commercial they start singing "I poo in blue."
What song is other people singing about you? Have you branded yourself? My brand is a very simple one, I am known as the agent with the two boys. Yup … (5 comments)

Parenting 101 - 05/11/11 09:54 PM
When there are highs there will be lows. I was at a convenience store today with my boys and unfortunately I had to scold them while we were there.  I learned many years ago, do not get involved in an argument or when one is trying to correct their children. Well one woman decided to get involved. She told me I was a bad example of a parent for scolding my kids in public.
Well I told her it was none of her business and if she felt I was doing something wrong with my kids, she can call child protective … (5 comments)

By Being Kind I Received a Longterm Client - 05/10/11 07:04 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
My son's school ends at 3 p.m., or as I refer to it 1500, and I received an email alert from Trulia that a question was just posted. It was great, a telephone number and email left in the response to contact him, and the early worm got the worm. The boys were in the car as I held a conversation with the man and I received enough information as to what his interest is and how much he is looking to purchase. The other benefit is a cash investor and he only wants properties … (39 comments)

Get Off the Doom and Gloom Housing Market Bandwagon!!! - 05/09/11 09:36 AM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
Over the weekend there have been many news reports about "the" housing market and how house values have dipped again and foreclosures on the rise. When looking at the data one must look at their marketplace compared to the nation as a whole. There are some market-places that are having some difficulty but not all. Only bad news sells.
In the Philadelphia, PA housing market, housing prices, in particular neighborhoods, have been holding their own. Home sales have decreased from the previous year but nothing that may appear that it is the end of the … (10 comments)

The Power of Empathy - 05/08/11 10:46 AM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
It was a very nice day yesterday, so I donned on my jeans, my polo shirt and a sport-coat, and headed out to meet a prospective business partner to discuss the opportunity of earning income from the energy deregulation market. When I head into Center City Philadelphia I usually take public transportation; saves on the headache of driving in traffic, and allows some time to catch up on some reading.
With the appointment set at a coffee shop close to South street, I took the SEPTA Broad Street Line and got off at the Lombard … (0 comments)

Data, Facts, and Statistics, Oh My!!! - 05/07/11 09:34 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
When we first meet our prospective clients what do we usually present to them? Data, facts, and statistics? Great! Whoop dee doo! How many other real estate agents walk through the door with the same information you have and present? Is the information you are presenting engaging with your prospective client? Huh???? Have you ever asked yourself why certain agents are able to get the listing or buyer agency contracts signed and you are having trouble doing the same thing?
Have you made your presentation engaging? People want to feel important and want to have that … (4 comments)

Received My May Success Magazine - 05/06/11 10:16 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
Ever run out of ideas to write a blog? If you have not read a copy of Success Magazine, you are surely in a loss. There are many ideas for those that want to succeed, as long as you implement the ideas that are given. In this edition I am really looking forward to reading the article about the Facebook age. I keep this magazine close to me during the day to reference the great ideas they share.
I also appreciate the CD that comes with the magazine because it is an addition to the … (2 comments)

You Live Like That and You Want Me to Find You a Rental? - 05/05/11 08:11 PM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
Yesterday I went to a particular property in Philadelphia to get some pictures for the bank. Upon arrival there were people sitting on the outside steps and I asked if any of them were the owners. They told me no and I explained to them I needed to get some pictures of the exterior without any people in it. They obliged and after I got the pictures the woman asked if the owner was in foreclosure...again. I told her I can not discuss anything with her and she would have to talk to the owner. … (3 comments)

Leave, Just Leave! - 05/04/11 09:31 AM
This is a great post for listing agents. Kudos to Dick and Dixie for the great advice we must tell the sellers upfront. This can affect the sale of the property we as professionals try to market.
Via Dick & Dixie Sells Realtors Tampa Bay Florida Homes For Sale (Future Home Realty):
LEAVE, JUST LEAVE!
Seller Tips- When there is a showing, LEAVE!  Turn on the lights, open the curtains, make it nice and neat and then LEAVE! Make potential buyers feel comfortable in your house and allow them to imagine themselves owning it, seeing themselves living there. When your home is being shown … (0 comments)

Want 100 Years of Prosperity? - 05/04/11 08:40 AM
Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
"If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people" - Chinese Proverb-
There should be a hat made for everyone to read this, that way we can be reminded each and every day of how important people are. As a father I always make time for my boys "regardless" of what is happening at the time; considering they are very important and will be an example of me one day. Now I am not saying drop everything … (2 comments)

Went For Expired Listing and Got Mac and Cheese Instead - 05/03/11 09:27 PM
The Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
It was a nice drive when I picked up my wife from work and I told her about the interesting day I had. She chuckled and then I recalled a story about someone I used to work with that liked to go out door knocking expired listings in the evening.
It was a nice Spring evening when he decided to go door knocking several years back. He happened to knock on this person's door and gave his little 30 second commercial. As he peered through the door he noticed the person's family sitting at … (0 comments)

It's Not a Booty Call - 05/03/11 11:28 AM
The Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
 
For the single guys out there maybe. I must say my hormones must have been racing as my face turned slightly red and I can feel my ears get warm. How would you react when you show up at the listing appointment and the lady of the house is wearing a see-through Teddy, and, is very pleasing to the eye? I kept it very professional and had to reschedule the appointment for a later date.
Momma must have had something else in mind, but I just wanted to market her home. I received a … (5 comments)

Selling Your Home is Like a Visit to the Eye Doc - 05/02/11 07:05 PM
The Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR
Just came back from the ophthalmologist's office due to my son having some problems with his vision; I guess something inherited from dad. Well the Doc tweaked it here and tweaked it there and viola, he can see.
Think about this when you are in the market for selling your Philadelphia area home. Hopefully you have seen the comparable properties, an appraisal is even better, and have seen the list of real estate that your home is competing with, those that have recently sold, and those that have tried to sell and did not succeed. … (3 comments)

Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR - 05/02/11 01:48 PM
I MUST BE A MADMAN TO GIVE THIS AWAY
Truly should be "Diary of a Madman" but that gives away my metal-head taste. I must be mad to give away one of my most used USP's due to several requests.
" Philadelphi, PA Home-Buyers - Save $10,000 on the purchase of your home, GUARANTEED, or I'll give you $2,000 at closing! Call the FREE 24 hour hot-line at 1-800-xxx-xxxx"
WHOAHHHH!!!!! Are you kidding me? Yes and it makes the phone ring.
How this works: I receive 100% commission and work with homes $200,000 and greater with buyers. With the commission received … (1 comments)

Diary of a Whimpy REALTOR - 05/01/11 01:02 PM
Cleaning Up is Hard to Do
 
Yard work......ughhhhhh is all I can say. Pulling up weeds, clearing out the ivy, cutting off tree branches, etc, etc...but Spring is finally here. Now as an adult, and also being a homeowner, I understand what Spring cleaning is all about; besides I miss the evenings when we just sit outside. Fresh air, moving around outside, watching the boys play, and one of the best things I enjoy, having my laptop with me while I sit on the patio doing work.
Spring time is a time for a new beginning. Why must people make … (3 comments)