Recently I had the privilege of interviewing David Fletcher, longtime real estate broker in Florida.  He's a published author, writes a regular article for RealtyTimes.com and has spoken at many real estate including the National Association of Realtors.  In 2008 he was awarded the Keller Williams Life Time Achiever Award.

Click here to hear my interview with David.

Every once in a while I come across something that almost seems too good to be true.  Always wanting to see the best in people and situations, I like to test things before I cast them aside as unbelievable.

Well, Google 411 is truly one of those that seems to good to be true, but it totally is.

This service allows you to dial a toll free number (800) goog- 411, speak the location and name of the business you're looking for then it will connect you.  Best of all it's ABSOLUTELY FREE! 

Check out more details at http://www.google.com/goog411/   I've stored the number on my cell so when I'm out and need to find a business, I can without having to look it up on the internet on my phone.  I've found it so much faster and easier to use.   The service will also connect you so you don't have to write down the number, no more scrambling for a pen or trying to remember a number.  There are other features like additional information and you'll get the address of the business as well as the phone. 

Try Google 411 - for yourself and let me know what you think of this service.

Marketing is an important part of my business.  Often I am asked to supply flyers, brochures or other collateral materials to the clients I work with and their offices.  Recently I received a call form a wonderful agent client who needed several hundred flyers as part of a program they were putting on.  No problem, I customized something special which co-branded our services and set out to get it copied.  Since her office is local, I generally make deliveries personally; doing a bit of networking also while I'm there. 

Well it's been raining in Central Florida where I live for the past 5 days, heavy everyday.  Generally the rain doesn't bother me - it's refreshing and of course we usually need it.   Problem was, my driveway, which is normally a mulch drive way was totally washed away.  The last time I'd driven into it I left some serious ruts and I wasn't sure I'd be able to get out without the help of a tow truck.   

The driveway created a huge dilemma for me.  I had a deadline and didn't want to miss the opportunity to get my marketing pieces to this client.   So, I did what any enterprising business owner did, I called my new friend Andy at FedEx Kinko's.  I knew that I could email him the flyer for printing, I've done that before.  This time, I asked him if I could email him the flyer and have it shipped to it's intended recipient without coming into the store.  Of course Michelle was what he told me.  Cue choir music - HALLELUJAH!  So here's how it went down -  I emailed him the flyer, made payment via credit card and it was all taken care of for me.  What an awesome service!  Andy is now my new best friend - he saved me a ton of time and aggravation and helped me meet a deadline without ever leaving the comfort of my home office. 

If you ever need such a service, I suggest you call Andy - he's at the FedEx Kinko's location over on Lee Road, in Orlando - (407) 298-5045. Because I never had to leave my office for this excellent service, you could have him handle your printing and shipping needs from almost anywhere in the world.

Thanks Andy!  You saved my day - be sure to see the driveway photo and you'll understand why you'll be getting all my business and any referrals I can.  

 I'm a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and knowing that I control my destiny.  That everything I need and want will be provided to me if I focus on it, believe in it and be thankful for it even before it comes.  So recently I had a little car issue - I couldn't figure out based on the Law of Attraction why I had this car issue - I assure you it wasn't something I ask for and I wasn't grateful for it either.  It wasn't anything major, but the bell that lets you know that you've left the door open would go off.  It started off as one of those little annoying every once in a while things and then turned into a major every time I drove anywhere I had to hear the ding, ding, ding.  Being the entrepreneur I am, busy and industrious, I found a solution - turn up the radio really loud and sing along, it helped for a while.  The kids however had issues with it.  Additionally, I'd get a call and have to tell the caller sorry about the noise, my car is a bit flakey. 

Saturday night I went out with some friends and we drove my car - I won the best gas mileage contest - and we had to endure the ding, ding, ding.  One of my friends said "have you had that looked at?" Of course I hadn't - I'm busy and it doesn't bother me often, I don't do a lot of driving - I'm very fortunate to run my business from my home.  

So my friend said - "this is crazy - I can help you, why didn't you just ask me?"  I couldn't find a good reason, other than I thought they were busy in their life and business and I didn't want to bother them.  Nonsense, I was told, when you need something, ANYTHING, just ask.   Someone is always there to help you. 

Yesterday I received a text message telling me someone would fix it, no problem.  Today, I took a short drive with the ding, ding, ding to meet with a friend of a friend who knows a bit about cars.  Turns out it was a loose sensor and it took a few turns of the screwdriver to repair it.  I must say, it's been pure bliss driving without the ding, ding, ding.  I'm feeling like a long road trip now - in silence.  I won't tell you how long I'd been driving with the noise, but let's just say, the month started with an M.  

Moral of my story - if you need something, don't be stubborn, hard headed or hesitant, just ask.  Put it out there for the universe to help find the right person to aid you with whatever you need.  Don't be a ding, ding, ding like me. 

Have you ever stopped and thought about how much you're paying the person who handles your administrative work?  Sending faxes, filing papers and making follow-up calls?  Are you the CEO and Administrative Assistant in your business? 

Did you know it is estimated that the average experienced real estate agent or real estate investor spends approximately 19 hours managing a transaction from contract to close?  The time spent managing the transaction has significant financial implications you, as a business owner as well as the amount of money you're earning.     

Let's assume you plan to make $75,000.00, per year or about $37.50, per hour based on a 40 hour work week.  If you spend 19, of your hours, managing a transaction the cost to you is in excess of $700.00, per transaction!  Not to mention the lost opportunity costs because of the time spent in the office, on the phone (generally on hold), sending faxes, emails or filing.  

Hiring an assistant is an excellent way to help you spend more time on income generating activities.  An assistant or coordinator with experience in real estate can instantly impact your business.  Managing an employee however can have it's own unique challenges. 

Thanks to the internet, there are virtual assistants and virtual support companies that specifically assist real estate professionals.  While rates and services vary, let's assume you are opt to have a coordinator manage your transactions from contract to close. 

With an average fee of just $325.00, per transaction, generally payable at closing, you have immediately given yourself a raise of almost $400.00, for each transaction closed! 

• Hiring a transaction coordinator, either virtual or in your office will immediately provide you: 
• The ability to focus on your core business, selling homes
• Greater control into the transaction activity for you and your buyer/sellers 
• Central location of information through a private secure website managed by your coordinator
• A budget friendly to grow your business

In addition to giving yourself an immediate raise by having a coordinator manage your transactions, you will also be gaining more time in your day.  There are so many things you could do with that additional time, such as take a vacation, enjoy a day on the golf course, work on calling all past clients to keep in touch, attend networking functions, volunteer, and the list goes on and on. 

Opportunity doesn't knock twice.  Putting yourself in the path of opportunity and not at a desk or on hold is the best way to increase your productivity and earnings. 

Now that were half way into the year, take a look and see where you are.  Remember it is never too late to change direction and get the assistance you need to start building the business of your dreams.  

For additional information on the services of nations leading online closing coordinating team, visit www.OnlineClosingTeam.com. 

Recently I had the privilege of being interviewed by several very successful  investors located in South Florida.  They host a very popular online radio show daily from 4-6 and cover many real estate topics specifically those relating to investing.  If you haven't had the opportunity to check out their show - I recommend you do.  I listened to many of the archived shows before going on live and learned a few new things and also laughed a bit as well. 

Of course I'm excited to share my interview,  but I also wanted to share this resource as you may also find listening to some of the archived shows helpful as well as entertaining. 

You can access their entire archive as well as the interview I did last week by following the link below"

http://www.realestateradiousa.com/blog/index.php?s=michelle+spalding

When you've had a chance to listen, let me know what you think.

As we all should I track my traffic on my website.  I look for peaks based on mailings, events I've attended or hosted or email newsletters.    It's important to know where my traffic is coming from so I can do more of what is working.  :-)   I have to say that Active Rain has helped drive almost 20% of the website traffic this month.  Here's the proof below:

Guess this means that I better do more posting and networking.

Recently as a special reward for helping a client with an extremely difficult closing, he took Leann (one of the TMC Coordinators) and me flying in a helicopter over Downtown Orlando.  It was an awesome adventure to fly above the city, doors off, hair flapping and a bit scary as well.  As the flight however progressed, I felt more and more comfortable and as it ended, I was wishing for more.  I was so glad that I did not go with my first thoughts of backing out once I got out onto the pad and saw the aircraft.  What fun we all had and I personally can't wait to go again.  It was nice to be rewarded and appreciated for basically, doing our job.

This adventure reminded me of the way many of lead our lives and specifically our businesses.  We find something that works or that we can make work and we get comfortable, afraid to try something new.   Fearing what will happen if we change things even a little or try something a different way, we let fear of the unknown guide our decisions.  How often have you tried something new and later found you loved it, it worked or wished you'd done that sooner?  For me and others I've conferred with, LOTS of times.

So, I challenge you, get out and try something new.  Maybe riding in a helicopter isn't your thing, but do try something.  Of course, there's no guarantee you'll succeed, but sometimes just doing something, anything different will open your eyes up to a whole world of possibilities you didn't even think of or know existed.  If you do decide riding in a helicopter is for you, please send me pictures!

Next up, motorcycle lessons!

If you are looking to connect with REAL Real Estate Investors stop by an online networking site I recently joined and take a look around.  It's loaded with helpful information, networking opportunities and much more.  Be sure to connect with me once you've joined.

http://www.realestateinvestor.com/ProTMC/