Antoinette 's Blog

RAINMAKER IN SAN FRANCISCO

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:34:58 -0600

I would really like your comments on the seminar in San Francisco the 2nd of December I thought there was really valuable information I thought they would teach us more how to use Activerain and that is where I was disappointed -please let me know your thought

RAINMAKER IN SAN FRANCISCO

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:35:37 -0600

I would love to get your comments about yesterdays seminar in San Francisco although I received a lot of valuable information I was disappointed not finding out more how to use Activerain. Also, I found the visual presentation was hard to see I came with three people from work and they were also having a hard time seeing everything. Did anyone experience headaches as all three of use got one and I never get headaches. I do believe Brad Anderson was very informative.

FOR EVERY DOG AND CAT OWNER

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:36:33 -0600

Subject: Please tell every dog or cat owner you
know

Before Spring gets here, and we start to work in our yards

Even
if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Yesterday
one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and
wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving
friends and family.

Over
the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa
Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way
it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their
garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough
to eat and dev oured a large helping. She vomited a few times
which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting
lethargic in any way.

The
next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning
walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died
instantly.

Although
the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further
investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic
to dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's,
and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of
the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety
of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all
dogs won't eat it.

Cocoa
Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and
other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal
ingredient
called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells
like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will
ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in
the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using
in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in
your gardens.

Theobromine
is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is
toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic
quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to
caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of
garden mulch made from cacao beanshells developed severe convulsions
and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the
ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts
of theobromine.

PLEASE
GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION! You would think no one
would want to use this stuff for fear of killing a neighbors pet.

How to stay motivated in 2009

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:18:54 -0600

How are other people staying motivated in this market here are few of my suggestions. I start each day with affirmations then I start calling at least 6 past clients just to say hello and ask how they're doing (hour of power). Send out notes to people I have met and then I get on the social network sights. Any more suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Have you reached a plateau

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:05:18 -0600

Every professional hits a plateau at some point in his or her career. Plateaus come in many forms, some are financial, others are motivational. Maybe an agents productivity is down due to the bottoming out of the cyclical real estate market, while another has been distracted by other forces allowing someone not to fully concentrate on ones work. Whatever the reason, the effect is usually the same lower productivity and a decrease in income. I would like to know your thoughts on how do you keep focused in this market and not hit these plateaus.

Does Activerain Charge $49.00 a month

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:51:17 -0600

Can anyone answer this question I invited a fellow agent to join activerain and he said he went on the site and it was $49.00 a month either he was on a wrong site or does it have to do with being invited by someone? I re-invited him I have never known anyone getting charged for being on activerain. Since I have all you wonderful people reading my blog has anyone ever used Plaxo and how is that different from Activerain.

Social Networking

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:35:20 -0600

I just started to really get into this social networking and it is amazing the people you connect with I know some professionals say they don't see the value of social networks and are too busy to participate in them but frequent users argue that it makes great business sense to create a presence on-line where prospective home-buyers and sellers would be looking would love to hear some of your success stories

INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:59:37 -0600

So while headlines trumpet a national lending crisis and plunging real estate prices, the fact is that many of the Bay Area's (San Francisco Bay Area) mature neighborhoods remain sound and historically strong

In the past 10 years bay area homes (San Francisco Area)have appreciated more then 110%

On average homes have doubled in value 8.6 years

Mortgage rates continue to remain near historical 25-year lows.

Sticking to our principals has seen decades of tough and good times!!!

STRATEGY FOR THRIVING

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:40:16 -0600

Make careful choices, make wise investments by doing so, you can survive-even thrive during hard times.

Business philosophy has always been based on investing and planning for the long term. That same approach has also been invaluable to helping your clients identify their best options when selling or buying a home.

Although, we can't control economic cycles we can help our clients make the best possible real estate decisions.

$15,000.00 Credit that passed last Wednesday?

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:34:29 -0600

Has anybody heard that the 15,000.00 credit that passed the senate last week might not pass of course ths would not go in to effect until the president signs the bill but all of a sudden I'm hearing this might not pass can anybody give me any feedback thanks in advance

HOW TO GET A BETTER FICO SCORE

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:14:22 -0600

Pay down your revolving debt-don't move debt around to several credit cards

Be current on bills and stay current-if paying bills on time is an issue consider paying your bills on-line or consider having automatic payments

Don't open a lot of new accounts- instead maintain your current accounts

If you're having trouble making your payments- contact your creditors you would be surprised how willing they are to help you especially now in this economy. I once heard Donald Trump speak about when he was having all the financial problems and how he contacted the banks directly and worked things out you can do the same

GOOD LUCK!!!

SELL-A-BRATION CRS Designation

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:56:23 -0600

I just attended the Convention for Sell-a-bration in San Francisco what a great event, great classes and I met some wonderful people from all over the world!! I learned new ideas and shared proven results with different people -made some great connections. If anybody attended this I would like to get your feedback on this event.

Retirement plans

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:45:34 -0600

A friend told me if you're 70 1/2 plus and you are having to take required minimum distributions from your retirement plans in 2009 you do not have to do this-no penalty and you do not have to make it up in 2010 -I would like your feedback on this as this would be great advice to having clients check in with there accountants

SELL-A-BRATION CRS Designation

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:54:43 -0600

Are any of you Certified Residential Specialists attending the Sell-a-bration conference in San Francisco starting on the 5th of February through the 7th. This is my first conference that I will be attending and I sure would like to hear from other people what their experiences have been attending this conference in the past.

SOME SUGGESTIONS ON FINDING NEW PROSPECTS

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:26:59 -0600

1. Get the best of your team, I mean your top electricians, painters, contractors, attorney's, doctors, gardeners, title officers and tell them you would like to refer them and that you want to develop a relationship beyond what you currently have- so this is how it works-I want to refer you, but here is the fair trade. If you hear of anyone who is thinking about selling or buying you call me. Plan on doing a big promotional campaign and tell them you will give them a title and a little promotional ad.

2. Back to the basis-DO OPEN HOUSES - have a chart on an isle with the nearest schools, hospitals, shopping and transportation also a great idea is to have the school scores. Also, send an invitation to the surrounding homes with an invitation to the open house.

3. Partner with a contractor or builder when you find them a property for them to purchase before it goes into the MLS they usually will give you the listing when they build a new home or remodel the home.

4. Build a relationship with a relocation company.

5. Prospect to people who have income property you never know when someone may get so fed up with their tenants that they might be willing to unload.

What ARE SOME NON-RECURRING CLOSING COSTS

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:59:10 -0500

Transfer Taxes

Title Insurance and other escrow fees

Recording & Notary fees, wire transfers

Appraisal

Doc Fees

Credit Reports

Flood Cert Fees

Courier Fees

Application Fees

Processing Fees

Origination Fees, discount fees, or origination fees.

Fees related to the loan traditionally paid by the borrower

The maximum usually allowed as a credit for non-recurring closing costs is usually up to 6% depending on the loan to value.

TEN THINGS TO DO TO GUARANTEE YOUR ESCROW WON'T CLOSE ON TIME

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:52:43 -0500

Use an out of area lender

Quit your job

Buy a new car

Apply for new credit cards

Get a pre-approval letter from a lender who has not verified assets,income,credit

Decide at the last minute you want to change lenders

Purchase a vehicle without telling your spouse

Decide at the last minute you want to hold title in a trust

Hold back money in escrow at the last minute

Don't tell the loan officer before the appraiser is sent out that there is no bathroom or kitchen

SOME TIPS ON HOW TO BLOW IT WITH YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:44:19 -0500

If you're going to be in good standing with your SOI here are some tips on what not to do. The personal relationships in your life are to important to risk.

1. Don't return social phone calls or RSVP'S

2. Ask a friend to lunch and ask for referrals

3. Speaking negatively about the real estate market

4. Send out marketing information with misspelled words and typos

5. Confront a friend in an angry manner because they used another agent

6.Tell everyone how depressed you are because real estate is in the tank

7. Take on business you're not qualified to handle

8.Attend a friends party and give a sale-pitch to everyone there

9.Call your friends once a month asking for referrals

10. Have a cocktail party and talk about real estate the whole time

11.Pass out your business cards at a party when no one has asked for one

12. Contact your friends when you're looking for business

13. Asking if anybody needs an agent in another area so you can get a referral fee.

I was at a party several weeks ago and two agents were there- at the end of the party they started to hand out there calenders-I thought this was in bad taste and the hostess apologized to me NEVER DO THIS!!

MANNERS DO IMPROVE OUR IMAGE!

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:41:09 -0500

In this tough market it is always good to remember our manners when showing properties. Always call with enough time for the sellers to be ready for a showing. Ring door bell, knock before entering the property if you think someone might be in the house announce yourself as you enter. Leave your business card. If no one is home please turn off all lights and lock all doors. If you see any problems with the property a leaking faucet, overflowed toilet contact the listing agent immediately. If you pull up to the property and for some reason your client does not want to see the house call the owner and let them know you will not be showing there home or call the listing agent. Never speak negatively about the property in front of the owner. I know these seem like common sense items but it is amazing the agents that don't do any of these.

THE NERVE OF SOME REAL ESTATE OFFICES

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:25:24 -0500

So here is my story I list this house with a for Sale sign on the property. Property closes -I have my sign take down and I notice the next week the Buyers agent put up a sign that said Sold with her firms sign- it just so happens a friend of mine knows the new buyers -the new buyers signed a consent form that allowed their agent to post a sign up for 15 days (making it look like she was the listing agent) to me this is too much!! I did call the buyers agent on this and she said it was her company's policy is this tacky or what?

Living Trusts

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:10:48 -0500

Can I ask this question-why are so many people scared to have a living trust prepared? I think the majority of people I deal with do not have a living trust why? if something happens don't they realize that without a living trust that everything would go through probate-or how about the people that do have living trusts and they forget for some reason to fund it with title to their homes.

This is especially important if you own real estate in different states, otherwise probate will be required in each state where the properties are located.

LETS TALK ABOUT GOOD MANNERS

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:05:58 -0500

In this day of modern technology let's talk about proper etiquette at the following places:

Client meetings- when meeting with a client turn off the phone not unless you're out on counter on there transaction and you need answers while they're with you- but if you're in the car, showing property -never answer your phone let them know that you return all calls but for now all my attention is with you.

Office meetings-turn off the phone and leave your PDA in your office focus all your attention on who is speaking at your meeting. If you have your PDA with you it is rude to keep checking your e-mails

E-Mail- stop sending out e-mails that have nothing to do with real estate like chain letter, prayers-etc. so please don't abuse this communication tool. Also, when sending an e-mail watch your tone so be very careful how you write your e-mails. Use spell check and be brief and to the point.

Lunch- so many of my colleague's when I'm having lunch with them take calls during lunch -I know sometime you are waiting for a certain call but excuse yourself and go outside nothing is more irritating then hearing people talk on there phones in a restaurant.

SOME ITEMS TO LIVE BY

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:25:02 -0500

Expect good things to happen and they will

Be grateful for everything good in your life. Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want in your life. Be grateful for the now and will generate more good things in the future.

Visualization-when you visualize you create powerful thoughts and feelings of having these things in the present

Stay positive

Live in the moment

CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THIS QUESTIONS FOR ME?

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:19:31 -0500

Under my profile for some strange reason I put real estate sales instead of real estate agent-I swear I can't change it -I posted this question under Q&A but I never heard back from active rain can someone advise and please don't tell me to go to my profile and click on edit -I have tried- but to change this it isn't under that Thanks in advance

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

Antoinette Galindo CRS,GRI,SRES,e-PRO (Alain Pinel Realtors ) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:58:03 -0500

Here are some pointers even the seasoned agents need to go back to open house 101

Advertise make sure you go the extra mile maybe with a picture of the house or bold the advertisement to get your advertisement noticed.

People need to get to the house make sure you have enough signs

Get to the open house at least 15 minutes before pickup any papers in front of the house- if the house needs to be swept in front sweep it!! Have plenty of flyers

Advertise on Craigslist and your local MlS for the open houses plus there are a lot of different websites you can advertise on free

Make sure the house shines in the event your clients are not the neatest people explain to them the benefit of having a clean house. Advise the sellers to declutter areas and put personal items away

Play music I have a portable player for my IPOD and I take it to evey open house

If the house has a fireplace and the weather is on the cool side light a log (get permission from the seller first)

Greet every person at the front door (do not sit) remember everybody that comes through that door may be interested in finding an agent to list their house

If the weather is warm have bottled water for the people coming through the open house

Open all blinds and turn on every light.

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION!!!

any other suggestions?