Kinetic Knowledge Names Ralph R. Roberts Official Spokesperson for Leading Real Estate Blogging PlatformKinetic Knowledge Names Ralph R. Roberts Official Spokesperson for Leading Real Estate Blogging Platform Ralph R. Roberts to promote innovative blogging platform for real estate industry professionals. AVON, Colo., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Kinetic Knowledge, LLC named REALTOR(R), author and speaker Ralph R. Roberts, GRI, CRS, spokesperson for the company's business-class blogging platform for real estate industry professionals. In addition to speaking on behalf of Kinetic Knowledge to real estate professionals, Roberts will provide original content for Kinetic's clients and use the Kinetic platform for his new blog about foreclosure self-defense (http://www.ForeclosureSelfDefense.com). "Having the chance to bring Ralph Roberts in as our spokesperson for the real estate industry is not only an honor, it is a chance to align a customer service focused model with one of the great American business blogging success stories," says Chris Frerecks, CEO, Kinetic Knowledge, LLC. Through its affiliation with Roberts, Kinetic Knowledge is better positioned to deliver leading blog technologies, education, customer service, and content at a very accessible price. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of this innovative company," says Roberts. "Kinetic Knowledge has an excellent blogging solution for Realtors, and the team they've assembled is dedicated to providing quality guidance and service." Blogs are increasingly important to the real estate business. Prior to announcing Roberts' affiliation with the company, Kinetic Knowledge launched a new corporate website (http://www.KineticBlogs.com) making it easier to learn about business blogging and the company's services. To promote the new website and the appointment of Roberts as spokesperson, the company today announced a free 90-day offer of consumer-facing content for new clients. Since early 2003, the staff of Kinetic Knowledge has worked in the area of business-class blogging solutions, and, under Frerecks' leadership, the company is poised to provide the best blogging product and service on the market for real estate professionals. About Kinetic Knowledge Kinetic Knowledge is an application service provider focused on the delivery of a business-class blogging service. Founded out of the Web 2.0 movement, Kinetic's staff is deeply committed to the success of each of its clients. From building and hosting powerful blogs to creating and distributing educational and business resources for those new to blogging, Kinetic Knowledge is uniquely positioned to help today's business professionals take advantage of the ever-changing rules of marketing. For more information, visit http://www.KineticBlogs.com. Ralph R. Roberts, CRS, GRI 67775 Van Dyke Washington Township, MI 48095 Office: (586) 751-0000 Fax: (586) 752-8959 Email: RalphRoberts@RalphRoberts.com Personal Assistant: Lois Maljak (LoisMaljak@RalphRoberts.com) Ralph Roberts is the author of many books: - Flipping Houses For Dummies (Wiley Publishing) - Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies (Wiley Publishing) - Advanced Selling For Dummies (Wiley Publishing) - Protect Yourself from Real Estate & Mortgage Fraud (Kaplan Publishing) - Mortgage Myths: 77 Secrets to Save on Home Financing (Wiley Publishing) - Foreclosure Investing For Dummies (Wiley Publishing) Ralph also maintains Websites and Blogs: - www.RalphRoberts.com (Ralph's real estate company) - www.FlippingFrenzy.com (Ralph's blog about Real Estate & Mortgage Fraud) - www.AboutRalph.com (Where anyone can learn more about Ralph) - www.GetFlipping.com (A resource for house flippers) - www.KolleenRoberts.com (a tribute site to Ralph's daughter)SALES CLINICSALES CLINICRalph Roberts diagnoses your selling maladies Roberts, a nationally recognized expert on real estate sales and marketing, is the author of Walk Like a Giant, Sell Like a Madman and 52 Weeks of Sales Success (New York: Harper Business). He's also the owner of Ralph R. Roberts Realty Llc, Mich. Trainer, trainer thyself Get the Agreement Signed First Even when you train hundreds of salespeople a year, you still need to find time for the person in the next office. This month, Ralph Roberts shares recent questions from his own staff. BY RALPH R. ROBERTS Q. I'm a buyer's agent who recently sent clients to an open house alone. They ended up buying the house from the listing salesperson, who refused to split the commission with me. How can you keep buyers loyal? Don Houser, Sales Manager You should always meet face-to-face with your buyers and get them to sign an exclusive buyer agency agreement before sending them to look at homes. Carefully explain to them that when they sign this agreement with you, they're obligated to pay you a commission. If your prospective clients are reluctant to sign an agreement during your initial meeting, explain the advantages of having a representative who works solely in their interest. Most buyers don't realize that a listing salesperson always represents the seller, not the buyer. Point out that as their agent, you can assist the buyers in negotiating strategies to secure a better price and help them through the maze of documents and reports needed to purchase a home. Try to go with your clients to open houses, so that you can take them around personally and avoid the problem that you described. If you can't go with them, remind your clients again of your agreement when you send them out to look at houses. If you don't go to open houses with your clients, consider developing a "home evaluation" checklist based on their needs. This form will help clients view each house more effectively. For example, if clients want a fenced yard and eat-in kitchen, being able to keep track at every stop avoids the need to return. Just as importantly, the checklist will demonstrate your value to them even when you aren't around. You might also want to advise your clients to immediately tell the listing agent at an open house that they have representation. Q. How do you manage clients who want you to "jump through hoops" for them? I recently had a buyer who looked at 25 houses-some several times-and still couldn't make up her mind to buy? Paul Corona, Listing Manager You should always put forth your best efforts to satisfy clients' wants and needs. However, they should respect your time and efforts. If clients sign a listing or buyer's agreement with you, make sure you explain how you work and what they should expect from you. You can also let them know what you expect from them. For example, let clients know that you don't work on Sundays or after 8:00 p.m., but that they may e-mail you at any time and expect a response in less than 24 hours. I also suggest putting these expectations in writing and giving a copy to your clients. Not clarifying your and their expectations leaves room for disappointments later. When customers start to become "high maintenance," review the established guidelines with them and point out the extra services you have already provided. Some of my salespeople charge an up-front fee as part of an exclusive buyers' agency agreement with clients. If a client continues to make extra demands, you must decide if the client and sale are worth working for. Consider the potential sale price of the house, the other listings, buyers and clients you're currently working with, and the overall strength of your market before you make your decision. If you have a buyers' agreement, review the terms of the contract and the cancellation options it provides. If you decide to end the relationship because of time constraints or personality conflicts, consider referring the client to another salesperson and collect a referral fee. Q. How do you make your offer stand out when there are multiple competitive bids on the table? Jocelyn Santiago, Salesperson First, make your offer as enticing as possible. Your buyers may not always be able to make the highest offer, but factors such as large earnest money deposits, quick closings, and strong pre-approvals are all factors in a good offer. Explain the value of these factors to your buyers, get their agreement, and then feature these benefits prominently in your offer. Next, make sure your paperwork is accurate, neat, and complete. Dot your "Is" and cross your "Ts." Fill in all the blanks, and don't forget the witnessing signatures. Use computer-generated form that you have created or purchased, or at least type your offers and addendums so they are easy to read and understand. This suggestion may sound simplistic, but a confusing presentation or incomplete information is an easy excuse for discarding an offer. Consider adding a personal letter from the buyer to the seller telling the sellers why they love the house and why they want to buy it. Most people have a sentimental attachment to their homes; so selling to someone who will love it as much as they do can give your offer that extra edge. Once your offer is letter perfect, try and set up an appointment to present your offer directly to the seller. Face-to-face contact is the best way to get a sale. If you have made the best offer possible, prepared it professional, and are able to present it directly to the seller, your bid will certainly be the most noticeable, and probably the one that gets accepted. 77 MORTGAGE MYTHS by RALPH R ROBERTSBy Ralph R. Roberts I graduated high school with a 1.8 grade average and $900 in the bank. That $900 was a graduation gift. I used it as a down payment on a fixer-upper in my neighborhood. I bought other investment properties with money I borrowed from my grandmother, with conventional loans (when banks would loan me money), and even with credit cards at times. One of my mentors taught me that the cost of borrowing money isn't something to worry too much about. The access to money is what's important. I moved 19 times in 23 years, before marriage slowed me down. Over the course of 25 years, I earned hundreds of thousands of dollars buying and selling residential real estate. I've bought and sold thousands of properties and helped other people buy and sell thousands more through my real estate business. With my personal investment properties, I made most of my money using other people's money. That's right, I borrowed it. Far too many people today are averse to taking on debt and the risk that often accompanies it. Our society has unleashed a mythological beast that scares us into believing that debt is evil and risky. Many people talk themselves out of buying an "expensive" house, even when that house would cost less than what they would pay in rent for a smaller place. Most people are convinced that borrowing money to invest in real estate is too risky, never realizing that by not taking a risk, they're increasing their financial burden. In The Mortgage Myth, Chip Cummings and I blast away at the 77 mortgage myths that prevent would-be homeowners and real estate investors from pursuing their dreams of homeownership and wealth building. Here, we distinguish the difference between good debt and bad debt, reveal just how easy it is to obtain approval for a mortgage loan, and unveil the power of using other people's money to leverage your own personal investments. If mortgage myths are holding you back from achieving your dream of owning your own home or building future wealth in real estate, let us liberate you, as we blast away at every single myth that's getting in your way. http://www.themortgagemyth.com/
Ralph R. Roberts GRI CRS Author of : www.AboutRalph.com Speaking/Coaching
Declaring the Foreclosure Epidemic a National DisasterDeclaring the Foreclosure Epidemic a National Disasterby Ralph R. Roberts
The American Red Cross estimates that more than 350,000 homes were destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, while an additional 146,000 had major damage. Wildfires in Southern California consumed over 1,600 homes and other structures, were threatening 68,500 more, and had displaced over 500,000 people. These are truly natural and national disasters, but in some ways they are dwarfed by the man-made disaster that is currently afflicting the housing industry all across the nation. For the third-quarter of 2007, Realty Trac reported more than 446,000 foreclosure filings, including default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions. That places U.S. homeowners on the track to getting booted out of nearly two million homes in a single year. For the people losing their homes in foreclosure, the loss is no less devastating than losing a home to a fire or flood. In some cases, the experience is even more tragic-after all, those families who lose their home to foreclosure don't get an insurance settlement; they don't have money to rebuild. Nearly two million families are going to lose their homes to foreclosure, yet I haven't seen a single governor declare a state emergency. I haven't heard the President identify any national disaster areas. Although I agree that a federal bailout could do more harm than good-rewarding the lending industry for rolling out risky products and making bad decisions-I think the government could do more for homeowners. If the government is worried about the money, perhaps it can force the lenders who created this mess to clean it up, or lenders can voluntarily step up to the plate. Countrywide Mortgage recently announced its decision to assist homeowners by refinancing or modifying $16 billion of loans, primarily to assist 82,000 borrowers who took out adjustable-rate mortgages and face higher payments to keep their homes. Some analysts feel that this will encourage the resumption of risky lending to risky borrowers, which is a valid concern, but in the current situation, drastic measures like this may be necessary. When we see the images of Southern California burning and the floodwaters from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we don't hesitate as a nation to send rescue personnel and resources to those areas. We should take the same approach with the current mortgage meltdown and foreclosure epidemic. Real families are hurting from this national disaster. We shouldn't make matters worse by bailing out the culprits, but we do need to tend to the victims. Ralph Roberts is a real estate fraud expert and activist and co-author of Protect Yourself from Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud: Preserving the American Dream of Homeownership (Kaplan, August 2007). Visit FlippingFrenzy.com or contact Ralph at RalphRoberts@ralphroberts.com or 586.751.0000.
Ralph R. Roberts GRI CRS Achieving Success with the Strebor SystemCommentary by Ralph R. Roberts activerain, Oct. 31, 2007-A while back, I realized that my last name, "Roberts," spelled backwards is "Strebor," and I designed a system for effectively implementing any plan for success. When you're ready to put your plan into action, follow the Strebor System: S: Sticktoitism is the dogged determination required to ensure that you follow through on your plan. The Strebor system starts with a positive attitude that gives you the enthusiasm, optimism, commitment, and sticktoitism required to pursue and ultimately achieve your goals. Although some people are born with eternal optimism, others of us have to work at it. Here are some suggestions on how to put yourself in a better frame of mind: - Identify your sales heroes. Success leaves big footprints, so follow the trailblazers to lessen the burden of your journey. Over the years, I have followed in the footsteps of my heroes, including Julia Rowland (my grandmother), Tony & Noel Fox of Fox Brothers Real Estate (my first mentors), Ira Hayes, Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, Art Fettig, Joe Girard, Earl Keim, Lee Iacocca, Norman Vincent Peale, Mark Victor Hansen, Og Mandino, Tom Antion, Les Brown, and a host of others. Tip: If you are a part of an agent team, make sure that everyone on your team is contributing to creating and maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace. Deal immediately with any conflicts that arise, shut down the gossip mill, and find a way to relieve tensions and create an environment in which people are eager to come to work the every morning. I encourage you to put the Strebor system into action in all areas of your life. I have found it effective for achieving both personal and professional goals. Remember, however, that it all begins with a positive attitude. I invite you to write to me at mailto:Ralph@RalphRoberts.comand let me know what you do to pump yourself up and start each day with a positive attitude. Ralph R. Roberts, official spokesperson for Guthy-Renker Home and author Advanced Selling For Dummies and Foreclosure Investing For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons), can be contacted at 586.751.0000, or visit http://www.aboutralph.com/. Ralph R. Roberts GRI CRS THE 10 "TEN" Commandments of SELLINGThe 10 Commandments of Selling Success By Ralph R. Roberts ACTIVRAIN, Oct. 31, 2007-There are no secrets to selling success. Every salesperson knows what he or she must do to attract clients, grow business, and boost revenue. Sometimes, we just get so caught up in the day-to-day drudgery of doing business that we forget what we should be doing to build our business. The following ten commandments of selling success can help you refocus your energy and enthusiasm on the factors that contribute most to your selling success: 1. Practice your craft. Practice selling at work, at home, at the airport, in the taxi, at the grocery store, and wherever else you happen to be in contact with other people. The key to selling is being able to establish personal relationships with your clients. Practice by making meaningful connections with everyone you meet. Work on being successful in all areas of your life. Without the strong relationship I have with my wife and children, I would not have achieved the same level of success in my career. Success feeds on success, and, unfortunately, failure feeds on failure. Encourage everyone around you to set goals and pursue their dreams. Surround yourself with success. Ralph R. Roberts, official spokesperson for Guthy-Renker Home and author of Advanced Selling For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons), can be contacted at 586.751.0000, or by e-mail at RalphRoberts@RalphRoberts.com. aboutralph.com. Ralph R. Roberts GRI CRS Trick or Treat for Mortgage FraudTrick or Treat for Mortgage Fraud Kudos to nationally syndicated political cartoonist and Editorial Cartoonist for the The Columbus Dispatch, Jeff Stahler:
At a time when state and federal authorities absolutely refuse to fund Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud prevention education & training, it's good we have people like Stahler, who, through their everyday work, reach more people than any federally-funded effort ever could. FlippingFrenzy.com activerain What Do Mortgages Have To Do with Death?
By Ralph R. RobertsThe origin of the word "mortgage" is intriguing. It is a French word generally believed to be derived from two Latin words-"mort" (meaning death) and "gage" (meaning pledge or something of value that's forfeited if the debt is not repaid). In other words, we may be able to blame the current mortgage meltdown on the French!Although you might feel as though you are signing your life away when you take out a mortgage, that's not really what the word means. The part of the word dealing with death applies to the passing away of the agreement. When the homeowner eventually pays off the loan, the lender's claim to the property is dead. If the homeowner fails to make payments in accordance with the mortgage, the homeowner's rights to the property cease to exist (or die).A mortgage is a contract that enables people to purchase property without paying the full value upfront. In essence, a mortgage pledges the property to the lender (the mortgagee) in the event that the borrower (the mortgagor) fails to repay the debt according to the conditions stipulated in the mortgage.Although a mortgage is the most common way to finance the purchase of a property, it is not the only way. The seller can also finance the purchase of the property by way of a Land Contract or Contract for Deed. Instead of allowing the lender to place a lien against the property, a Land Contract or Contract for Deed typically contains a forfeiture clause. The clause states that if the loan is not repaid in full, the property reverts to the possession of the seller (the person who financed the purchase).To answer the question posed at the beginning of this article, mortgages actually have little to do with death, unless, of course, you take out a mortgage to buy a funeral parlor. Mortgages have more to do with life-being able to purchase a home you cannot afford to pay cash for, so you can enjoy your life and raise a family sometime before you hit your golden years.Ralph R. Roberts GRI CRS
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RALPH ROBERTS Washington Township, MI More about me… RALPH ROBERTS REAL ESTATE MACOMB COUNTY Office Phone: (586) 751-0000 Cell Phone: (810) 533-3448 Email Me
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