century 21: I am a Passive Aggressive Marketer
- 01/10/07 04:01 AM
When I got in the business I decided on a few things up front. I will not cold call anyone.I know lots of people and I need to be sure they know I am a Realtor.I will never sell anyone something they do not want or will hurt them.I will have fun at all times.One for the first things I did was to be sure my picture was on all my ads, signs and literature. I was fairly well recognized for several other activities in our community, but not necessarily as a Realtor. I don't like name badges or looking like every other … (47 comments)
century 21: Getting Lean and Mean for 2007
- 01/09/07 10:15 AM
One of the problems I ran into after entering back into the real estate business was that I began to balloon up. As real estate agents we do not do much in the way of physical activity. I climb the occasional set of stairs to a 3rd floor condo. I may even walk across a parking lot or two, but that is about it. Our sales meetings usually have refreshments, all of our training classes supply food. Not veggie platters either if you get my drift. The worst of all is the non stop flow of treats to out office. The loan officers, … (20 comments)
century 21: Taxes First and Then Maybe a Train Later
- 01/07/07 08:18 PM
Starting January 1, 2007 our excise tax on Oahu was increased to 4-1/2% from 4%. The money is to go towards a rail system. Here are a few of the problems with the direction this train or may I say the train wreck is heading.
First from my selfish side; realtors have to pay the tax twice. We pay it when we get paid our commission and then again when we spend our money. The worst part is that we will not be able to use it. Our line of work requires a vehicle to transport our clients from house to house. Starting this … (10 comments)
century 21: Are You Going to CRS Celebration?
- 01/06/07 06:41 PM
After changing my mind back and forth I went ahead and made my travel plans today. I found very reasonable airline tickets, got a great price on a room across the street at the Tropicana and registered online for the convention. Everything looks great except one thing. I looked up the weather report for Las Vegas. 34 Degrees! What was I thinking. The weather in Honolulu is 80 degrees and sunny. I guess a swim in the pool is out of the question. Maybe I will get a pair of electric socks. Do they still make them? The weather aside, I will be … (7 comments)
century 21: Realtors Love Their Toys, Sometimes More Than People
- 01/04/07 07:58 AM
I fall in this category, do you? I can not live without my electronic toys (tools). My life as I know it would not be the same without my Treo Phone, Laptop Computer, Sprint Broadband Card, Digital Camera and various memory sticks and cruzer drives. That is what travels with my in my brief case. When at home or the office a scanner and various printers make the picture a little more complete. Now I know you are looking at this modest list so far and saying what is the problem? These seem like normal tools for a Realtor. The problem is the appendage part that applies to … (10 comments)
century 21: Are You Taking Steps to Protect Vacant Listings?
- 01/03/07 09:42 AM
I know this issue varies from community to community and neighborhood. On Oahu we have a new problem to deal with. The stealing copper is becoming a major problem. Drug users have begun to climb under vacant homes and saw off the copper plumbing to sell for scrap metal. I have been lucky so far not to have it happen on any of my listings, but it happened to two of the listings from our office in the last few months. Believe it or not, thieves climbed under the homes, turned off the water and sawed off the pipes one by one … (11 comments)
century 21: Is the Grass Really Greener With Another Company or on Your Own?
- 01/02/07 03:23 PM
This conversation comes up frequently among real estate agents. Since getting my broker's license I am approached more than ever by other companies. I also get asked regularly, when are you opening your own office? My response has been consistent. I am happy where I am and have no plans of leaving. Here are some issues with many of the agents who think the "Grass is Greener Somewhere Else": They did not do enough research before selecting the company they hung their license with. They did not fully understand what level of support they would receive or know what would be expected of them.Many … (9 comments)
century 21: Despite the Slowing Market, My Goal is to Double Sales in 2007
- 01/02/07 05:09 AM
I have been giving this a lot of thought over the last few months. What will I do to make this a great year for business and family? 2006 was an eventful year to say the least. Since rejoining the industry three and a half years ago I have continuously taken classes and gained my GRI and CRS designations. My final major education goal was get my broker's license which I did last year. My foundation is now in place and I am ready to take it to the next level. On a personal side I went on an aggressive diet program … (23 comments)
century 21: Do You Help New Agents?
- 12/31/06 08:27 AM
Over the last couple of years I have built somewhat of a reputation in my office for assisting new and inexperienced agents. Many times new agents just get the cold shoulder from the full timers. They just see them as another mouth feeding at their trough. I look at them differently. I see them as an opportunity and a possible nightmare. I hope that with the help of our brokers and caring experienced agents they will become opportunities. To start with they will be hitting the streets representing our office. What type of reputation do you want them spreading? They will also at some … (80 comments)
century 21: Will Hawaii Have the Next Heisman Trophy Winner?
- 12/31/06 07:51 AM
Colt Brennan, the University of Hawaii's quarterback had a season legends are made of. Colt completed the best statistical season by a quarterback in the history of NCAA football. This season he threw a NCAA record 58 touchdowns. He had a total of 5549 yards passing, while completing 409 of 559 attempts. His average passing efficiency was 185.96. His great stats tell only part of the story. He was one of the runners up for the Heisman Trophy. The reason given for him not being seriously considered was that he played for UH and didn't have a tough schedule. Well let's look … (11 comments)
century 21: Are You Involved in Your Community? If Not, Get to It.
- 12/28/06 03:25 AM
I know most top agents have strong community ties. If you do not, you should really think about giving back to the community that is feeding your family. You get a several benefits from volunteering: You help improve the community you live in and are selling homes in.You make many new friends and increase your network.I find a many of my clients look me up because they or one of their friends know me from one of my community activities.Your clients and other agents will respect you a much more.It gives you a great sense of pleasure to know you made a difference.Here is … (41 comments)
century 21: Cliff 2, Hang Gliders 1
- 12/27/06 04:42 AM
I received an e-mail this morning from my older brother Russ Prothero who is a great Realtor with Re/MAX in Branson, Missouri. He sent a link to this website: http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html and went to talk about when he was younger how he wanted in the worst way to buy a hang glider and fly if off the cliffs in Waimanalo here on Oahu in the early 1970s. His wife won out and he never did get his hang glider or experience free flight. I responded back to him about a hang gliding experience that happened in Hawaii only a few years later, just … (11 comments)
century 21: Thank You Governor Lingle for Your Veto
- 12/26/06 06:58 AM
I just received word that Governor Lingle vetoed an increase in the HARPTA tax. HARPTA is our state withholding tax that is taken at the time of closing from out of state owners. HARPTA is currently 5%. Our wonderful liberal legislature utilizing their finite wisdom decided, decided it would be a great idea to slap out our state investors by raising the tax to 8.25% beginning January 1, 2007. I am so delighted to see our Governor step up to the plate and do the right thing. We in Hawaii depend on out of state money to drive our economy. Folks, Hawaii … (10 comments)
century 21: Going the Extra Mile for Your Clients
- 12/26/06 06:33 AM
All top agents do things that average agents would not think of doing for their clients. Looking back on 2006 I thought I would start a list of a few I have done this year. Please add to the list, I think it will be a fun read to see some of the things agents have done in 2006 to go the extra mile to service their clients.
I have done contract signings in several unusual places. On the side of a fire truck while my client was fighting a brush fire.In military base housingOn the hood of my car at the military base gate (escrow … (18 comments)
century 21: A Special Thank You to a Top Agent and Great Friend
- 12/26/06 05:43 AM
I realized I tend to write too much about the negatives I see in our business. I thought I would change the tone and write about something positive that happened to me this month. The reality is we have an industry made up of some really great people and a few who should be in another line of work. I love this business and couldn't imagine doing anything else until I retire. I hadn't shared with the group about my last month. I have been in and out of the hospital this month. The first week of the month I had surgery … (12 comments)
When I got in the business I decided on a few things up front.
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