Twitter & Facebook Can Kill The Deal! - 03/24/11 05:28 PM


A few days ago I posted an article "I lost a sale because of facebook!" which hit a nerve with some agents and brought up a very important subject about Social Media Ethics and Best Practices. Social Media (ie: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even ActiveRain) are weaved into the fabric of our everyday communication.
Currently, Social Media Ethics are not yet covered in our real estate education requirements. I think this subject is important to understand, so this is a "working" article (I'll be updating based on comments and suggestions) on the possible threats social media can have on … (0 comments)

I lost a sale because of facebook! - 03/21/11 12:44 PM
I had heard a very interesting story this weekend. Jim  the real estate agent, was looking for a home for Morgan in the price range of $650,000. After 3 months of looking at properties he and Morgan found the perfect single family home in Huntington Beach, Ca. Negotiations ensued for quite some time. Morgan was asking for a $15,000 concession on price which would bring the home to the par average of comparable homes on the block. However, the seller was not budging.  Morgan had a Facebook account. Some how, some way Morgan found out the seller also had a Facebook … (75 comments)

What are the most used legal documents for real estate? - 03/19/11 06:41 PM
What are the most commonly used legal documents you use in your real estate business (besides the obvious listing and offer contracts)?
 
Do you use a Buyer -- Agent exclusivity agreement?
 
How about co-listing agreements? Or do you typically just use the "trust" system?
 
Are most of the side contracts really that important?
 
 
… (1 comments)

Weekend Optimism: "The Sale is around the bend..." - 03/19/11 11:38 AM

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” - Dr Wayne DyerOne way to keep motivated, persistent, and keep your mojo going as you show properties and/or hold open house is stay OPTIMISTIC! A good trick is through positive affirmations. Even if you write and repeat them, affirmations can still be just words lost in the sea. You must use them correctly, continuously and with conviction. You can also improve the success of your positive affirmations using additional steps. There are activities you can complete to prepare you physically and emotionally for receiving … (2 comments)

TurnKeyFlyers.com Pitch Video - 03/16/11 02:58 PM
We've been working on our new demo/sales/pitch video for our home page and need your help: What do you think? Any feedback, changes, suggestions? Our new pitch video:
Compare that to our current video:
An our original (lol):
Your support and feedback is highly valued... Thanks! … (1 comments)

New Pitch Video - what do you think? - 03/16/11 02:48 PM
We've been working on our new demo/sales/pitch video for our home page and need your help: What do you think? Any feedback, changes, suggestions? Our new pitch video:
Compare that to our current video:
An our original (lol):
Your support and feedback is highly valued... Thanks! … (0 comments)

Mortgage Changes in Canada - 03/16/11 12:57 PM
Canada is taking preventative measure to avoid another housing-mortgage meltdown. The Government announced policy changes to they way financial institutions cut mortgage deals. Here is are the highlights:
 
Cap the Amortization Schedule
Reduce amortization period form 35 to 30 max where loan to value exceed 80%. This will cause higher monthly payments however save in interest charges over the course of the loan. Ex: a $300,000 mortgage @ 6% for 30yrs vs 35 will cause an $88 higher payment but realized interest savings is $70,900+!
 
Borrowing Cap
Refinancing: Canadians can only borrow 85% of the home value down from … (2 comments)

4 Reasons Why Buyer's Don't Pull The Trigger - 03/16/11 12:25 PM
Getting a listing isn't hard, finding a buyer and getting the home through escrow and sold is the challenge. Here are 4 reason why buyer's get cold feet or refuse to pull the trigger:
1. Loss in Property Value - Buyers are afraid that the financial meltdown is not over and that the global economic problem will only get worse. In their head they're thinking, "What if it's not over and are house drops in value like it did the Smith's?"
2. Overwhelming Maintenance Costs - More buyers are scrutinizing the details more than ever. Landscape cost, pluming fixes, flooring repair/fixes, … (1 comments)

Do you use Financial Advisors? - 03/15/11 08:10 PM

I'm curious, do agents have a strategic relationship with Financial Advisors? Similar to having a working relationship with a particular mortgage broker.
What other relationships should a newbie agent forge to become successful in real estate?
… (0 comments)

New Group for Real Estate Product Reviews! - 03/15/11 02:33 AM
I've been getting a few emails from AR members asking me opinions on certain products and services relating to real estate, so I decided to make a group and publish are few of my reviews and opinions. I just started so please join-in on the conversation and share your thoughts on what works and what doesn't!
 
Join the group here: http://activerain.com/groups/productreview
… (0 comments)