BCRealtor's Blog

6 Months out of Real Estate and definately not missing the pain (just the rain)

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:43:35 -0600

Just wanted my active rain associates and friends to know that I turned in my shop, my computers, and my Brokers License and took a new job as a manager for a senior citizens community. Negatives? - much less pay. Positives? - Stable hours, weekly paycheck, and lots of appreciation for the effort I put forth. I take the time to spend a few minutes with my residents and they just glow from the attention. A few extra minutes with most of my real estate clients (buyers or sellers) during the last few months I was active just left me more bruised and bloodied.

I am one who dearly loved helping people find just the right house but I was having a very difficult time throughout 2008 and the first 1/2 of 2009 finding people (You know those folks with hearts, feelings, compassions, excitement , enthusiasm, and yes APPRECIATION.)

31 October came and went and without hesitation I let my license expire I had no desire to be tempted by an "upturn" in the market, I have not missed the queasy nights - sick t my stomach over more bad news I had to share with a seller because the bank "tightened" their restrictions on the loan they were previously happy to give and now telling me and my sellers that the buyers are no longer qualified or they need a bigger down payment - which of course they never have.

For those of you having banner years, tearing it up and having a blast, God Bless you, I will be sure to call one of you next time I want to buy a home. Enjoy, treat each and every client like it is your last, and continue to have a blast.

When all else fails.....ask for help!!!

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:17:02 -0600

I have been a broker for 16 years and in the business for 19 and I truly am floundering for the first time. I read a couple of recent articles from Realtors who have suggested that their clients rent their house while seeking employment elsewhere. Sounds like a great idea, in fact it is (was) such a good idea that this is precisely what I have been doing for the last year, that was until the banks are now telling my clients "NO!" They won't allow them to buy another house because so many people have been "dumping" there supposed rental after they get into their new house, that they have ruined for those who really needed this as a way out of a bad geographic (economically speaking of course) area.

So the question remains what to do now??? We have houses selling for 40 and 50 cents on the dollar because of the great many bank owned properties. Our sales volume for the county has fallen by 50% - YES 50% in the last 3 years, when people ask me how much there home is worth I have a hard time not starting to laugh, "I have no idea" is the thought that goes through my head but that isn't very professional, so I proceed to tell them about how tough the market is right now and explain that the home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and our current buyers are all deal shoppers and if they have to sell now they are going to have to be prepared to take less than what they paid for it. (this is just the start of the conversation.

Where do we go from here? I really want to roll up my sleeves and turn my business and my attitude around for 2009, but I am just a wee bit lost. Can someone help give me some direction and answer the following questions for me.

1.) What do you do with a seller who has to leave due to a job and they are 25% upside down in the value of their home and the banks won't let them rent it out? (OH, I take that back - they will let them rent it out but they won't allow them to buy another - kind of a difficult situation for someone who has been a homeowner for 20 plus years.)

2.) How do you work with buyers in a marker where houses are selling for 50 cents on the dollar and the buyer wants to offer 50% less than the asking price??

3.) When do we get back to those warm fuzzy feelings when you helped that nice young first time home buying couple get their first home and they are so appreciative because you helped them save a couple thousand off the price and held their hand through the entire process?

4.) How do you approach a home owner who is looking to you for answers to sell their home when it has been on the market for 2 - 3 - or even 4 years.? I moved into my current home just under 4 years ago and my neighbor directly across the street has been for sale that entire time.

5.) I always try to look for the silver lining, yes there are some great buys out there, but where do you find a real buyer - someone who wants to live-in and care for the home not someone looking to make a fast buck by buying and flipping in this crazy market?

6.) I don't have a killer instinct - I never have - my joy in this job has always come from being kind to people and helping them. It appears that the sellers are hopeless and the buyers are ruthless - so where am I to go in a market such as this??

I truly would appreciate some insight into these questions as I ponder how to continue in this business for a 20th year. Thank You in advance - And I wish everyone a warm and memorable Christmas. My three boys are all home for the holidays - and my home is busy, noisy, and happy once again - God Bless and Merry Christmas!

When I say I am Christian......

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:41:23 -0600

One of my young friends on Face book sent this Poem to me and I believe it deserves re-posting. It is my prayer that we could keep this spirit throughout the year and remember what is really important in life. I can promise you that after this last year one thing I have learned for certain, the size of your bank account doesn't determine the level of your happiness, nor does working yourself to death, or worrying to the point of not sleeping - done it all!! I can most assuredly share with you - Don't Try It!!

I know it is hard - especially for those of us who are "independent contractors" We have chosen our path(s) for a reason and usually that has to do with our strong personality's and faith in our abilities, but many of us are in that very special place where the pavement meets the road and guess what - it is a tough spot - but we can learn a lot from being here. "Let go and let God". My ulcer has settled down, I sleep at night (not great but much better) and I'm smiling again. Does This mean I set on the couch and wait for God to make my life wonderful? Of course not but it does mean I don't worry about things I can't control, I leave that up to him, and I focus on using the gifts he did give me to do the best I can every day.

I have lost a Mother, a brother, and teetering on losing a business all in 2008 - but I am happy and content because I have learned so much, and appreciate life so much more - my ego has shrunk - I truly for the first time understand I can't control it all- and OH what a great relief to lay that burden down!!

As I prepare my Business life plan for 2009 - I can assure you that it will be much different than the plans of the last 15 years, a little more about LIFE and a little less about Accomplishments, and money.

here is the Poem I promised you.

WHEN I SAY I AM CHRISTIAN.....

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I 'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

By Carol Wimmer

Getting paid for what you know

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:56:18 -0500

I have seen 13 straight downward quarters in my real estate market. Almost 1/3 of my fellow Realtors have fled the business, and the banks are getting a little "tight" with the money they have. It would be an big understatement to say it is time to get "CREATIVE" in earning a little extra coin.

What I have done to help pay the bills is unbundled my services and advertise this "unbundeling" in my storefront (I'm located inside a large shopping mall) also in the local Realtor magazine and newspaper. What type of services am I being paid a fee for (not contingent upon the close of a Purchase Agreement).

here is a partial list. If you would like more detail on any of the specific services please email me and I will get back to you with whatever detail you need:

1.) Consulting fee (in office or at your home)

2.) Contract writing (buyer/seller using me just for the paperwork)

3.) Escrow Adjustment (in home or office service).

4.) History of sales on your street

5.) Home Price (different than CMA more in-depth on home and market cond.)

6.) Marketing Plan

7.) Website creation for home

8.) Professional Picture Potfolio of home

9.) Staging

10.) Write rental/lease agreement

Again this is just a partial list. I have not listed my pricing because this will vary depending upon the part of the country you live in. This unbundled of services has accounted for over 50% of my income the last two years. I can honestly say that without having stretched beyond the typical Purchase Contract commission I would have been one of those who left the business for lack of income.

We have garnered a significant amount of knowledge as we work through all the problems associated with closing a real estate transaction. It is nice to get paid for some of this knowledge and not have it tied to the final outcome of the PA.

and the world continues to turn.......

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:34:50 -0500

Just a couple of days shy of 4 months since the last time I have posted. Lord it has been a long painful year. My business is having its worst year since my rookie year (1991) I lost my Mom In February and I just buried my younger brother (47 years old) who passed with pancreatic cancer. Bend, bend, bend, but with Gods help do not break.

I long for this year to be over. 3 years of a continuing spiral downward in business in Southwest Michigan has me looking at want ads, and on-line job opportunities for the first time since I decided to become a Realtor some 18 years ago.

I do not write to ask for your sympathy I write to vent, I write to help ease the pain, I write out of frustration, and because I can and because I still believe that tomorrow is another day - That something good is just around the corner for those of us who refuse to stay down. We all have tough times, can't hardly get through life without them, but it is how we pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off that speaks to the character within us. I am tired, I am worn, but I am standing and as the world turns again tomorrow I willingly go with it.

I have missed being active in the rain. Depending on what path(s) are open to me I longingly look forward to re-establishing friendships, colleagues, and mentors once again. May Gods grace and blessing smile upon all of you and I truely appreciate any prayers sent my way.

$19,000,000 in sales first quarter of 2008!!!!

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:25:11 -0500

Sounds awesome if you are an individual, pretty darn good if you work in a "team" environment, not bad for most offices. But the 19,000,000 I am referring to is the total amount of sales for OUR ENTIRE REALTOR ASSOCIATION in Battle Creek Michigan. We had approx 250 agents over that time frame If you do the math figuring an average sale price of approx 100k (was 121,000 2 years ago and continues to drop like a stone).

Simple math tells you that 250 agents sold 190 homes, less than 1 home per agent for the first quarter. so take 3/4s of our average sale which would be $75,000 the commission on that is $4,500 on average now split that between two office so each office gets $2,250, now give the agent his take after the broker and fees and if sales were split equally all our agents lived on a whopping $1,125 for the first twelve weeks of this year!!

Needless to say as a broker with office expenses that run in 5 figures monthly and a small office of only 3 people, you might say things are just a wee bit tight around here. This is actually our third year with declining sales and we have been bleeding money for the last two. Were it not for investments and rental property this boy would be out of the market.

I can only hope we have gotten close to hitting bottom, 3/4ths of our sales last quarter were REO or foreclosed homes in one way or another, and it is nasty out there. I pride myself on helping people buy a home. The folks buying now are all ruthless sharks who care nothing but about making a buck - you can tell me to toughen up, change or get out, but I want to THROW - UP when these vultures even get close to me.

My goal and desire is to still help those who want to buy a home not get rich off of other peoples misfortune, people who value, God, family, community and country. (Not just Me, Myself and I). They are still out there but hard to find and I can only hope that I and my office can hang on til things turn around. A major economic boost has been enticing my community for 3 years (a casino) but it has been one delay after another after another, home owners have been sitting on the market 2 and 3 years with promises of an economic boost and every month another front page article explaining another reason for a delay.

The sun is shining, things are turning green, (while we had a frost last nigt - spring is definately in the air) this is when life should be at its fullest with the most hope and the greatest expectations - but the sellers barely notice. They use to take the sign out of the yard and mow around it to make ithe lawn pretty and neat - now they dont bother a few tufts of grass aren't going to make the difference and it is that kind of emotional let down that permeates the market in our area.

18 years in the business and I have never seen anything like this - all we can do is ride it out - keep abreast of the news (good and bad) hold our sellers hand and continue to try to give the honest helpful advice until we have moved through this economic slump. Hope others across the country are feeling less pain than those of us in the real estate profession in Southwest Michigan.

God Bless All - and pray for better times!

To Be Me Is To Be Free (no more franchise!)

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:31:01 -0600

Lets see in the last month - Mom died, my book is getting published, I've sold exactly 1 home so far in 2008, I've closed one real estate business in the last two weeks and opened another, and I showed homes for the first time in ages this past weekend (I use to only list homes for the last 2 years) with my previous company. In all this turmoil one very real fact has presented itself to me. I LOVED SHOWING HOMES THIS WEEKEND!! It was so rewarding to talk intelligently with a client about the positives and negatives of the different homes we went through. After seeing six homes he was ready to make an offer.

This is a man who has been shopping for two years off and on, working with different Realtors. He walked into my office we sat and talked I explained buyer agency to him, expecting to have to shop him for awhile, I was so pleased that he not only made an offer on the first time out but made an offer within 2% of the asking price in a fairly strong buyers market iin our area.

Of course the home is worth the asking price and then some, but you just gotta get a little off the price in the market we are in. So many strong emotions I have felt from rage, to depression already in 2008 but what I felt this weekend was akin to love. I was confident, comfortable, and a little giddy as we traversed through the different homes. No pressure, no leading questions to get the buyer to make a decision. Just simple information so that the buyer was in a strong position to make a decision if he wanted to - and when we were done that is exactly what he wanted - to make a decision to buy a home, and he did! God, I love this job, and I look forward to the challenges that will come from a tough economic year, from the complexities of technology, and from having to have my little ole independent company compete against all those big franchises. bring it on - I can and will succeed in this crazy profession called Real Estate!

P.S. Yes that means goodbye Help-U-Sell - Hello Stauffer Realty. I have rolled out a program where I offer over thirty different services (and prices) to my clients who need any type of real estate services. One of my more fun services is critiquing for a seller an analysis done by a fellow realtor. Sounds strange but I can think of at least three reasons why a selelr would ant me to do this and for the low low price of only 75 dollars in office (150) if I have to come to you per analysis it is quite a deal.

Ten Truths Realtors Care not to Share

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:39:15 -0600

"A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder."

Thomas Carlyle

I hope the title of this blog got your attention because it is the name of my new book ( I wrote it last summer because business was so slow, and I had to do something) - I just signed a contract with Publish America this week and if all goes well hopefully it will be out late this fall.

I am a goal driven person. When I was 14 years old I compiled a list of 107 things I wanted to do (including dying at the age of 107). I have accomplished 80% of the items on this list at the early age of 50. Some of the highlights were to the first inmy family to earn a Masters Degree (did that in 1987). Run a Marathon when I turn 40 (actually ran 4 before my knees began complaining). Be a landlord (never had a house growing up parents always rented) - but I now own 6 residential homes. So you get the idea. You can't get where you want to go in life if you haven't set a pathway to get there.

I have three goals that pertain to writing. One was to get published and I have at least written the book (found out this was the easy part - getting published - much much tougher) signed the contract so this should happen this year and I am ecstatic about this chain of events. The second was to have 2 books on the New York Times best sellers list at the same time, one being fiction and the other non-fiction. (this I realize is a little more lofty goal) - but getting this first book published will open some of the doors that will help make that goal easier to attain.

Anyway back to the book, please don't be offended by the title. Titles are suppose to be catchy to help sell books. While I do speak of several things that Realtors do to annoy their clients and the public in general, I don't say anything that isn't true (or that at least that I don't believe is true is probably more accurate).

Perception is reality so we will have to see how my colleagues feel once the book is out versus the consumer (buyers and sellers). Unlike many Real Estate books this is aimed to help the seller and buyer save money not necessarily a "how to" book for Realtors. My fellow Realtors could benefit from reading it because they could pick up a dozen or more tips on how to give exceptional services and learn how to treat clients with the respect and courtesy they expect.

My contract does not allow for me to print excerpts from the book but once it comes out I will give a synopsis of it here in the rain. Many people told me to "self-publish" and maybe I would have made more money that way, but it is extremely satisfying when someone else reads your work and they decide it has enough merit for them to want to spend their money to put a nice cover on it, clean it up and promote it to the general public.

Anyway as bad as our local market has been it is good to have discovered what "happy" feels like again.

Death - The Great Equalizer!

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:31:26 -0600

My Mom died quietly in her sleep over the weekend. I have written her obituary (my father couldn't do it). I've arranged with out of town family that are coming in for the funeral. Made arrangements for the funeral service and reception afterwards, and yes found time in between for a few tears and a little grieving.

My Mom was a strong, quiet woman, who was fiercely proud of her husband and children. She believed in God and America (ya'll wondered where I got that from didn't you - well the apple doesn't usually fall to far from the tree). In addition to my Mother's death I have taken on a professional consulting job for 6 months to help pay the bills since real estate has been soooo slow in our area.

The point I wanted to make in this post was not to have people feel sorry for me because my mother has passed (I know she is much happier where she is now) but to simply relay the fact that 2 months ago active rain was the single most important part of my future in real estate. Death, and the need for income NOW has given me quite a different perspective. I find I don't even think about the rain, unless I have a few moments in the wee hours before I close my eyes to sleep, and with my mind filled with loving memories of my mother not-at-all lately.

People are kind, helpful, and considerate here in the rain, but life is screaming at me to take care of today - and after the train wreck of my current circumstances is uncluttered than I hope I can find my way back here to commiserate with my fellow Realtors and Friends and continue my effort to ascertain that the rain is in fact a viable source for future real estate transactions.

For those of you who are religious and want to say a prayer my Mom's name is Vivian, and her husband of 52 years (my Dad) is Jack. Take Care and I'll be back when the tracks have been cleared of the wreck.

Note: I have also looked to my grand-father as my guardian angel over the last 15 years or so. He will have to make room on my shoulder for an even more tender angel than himself. Ihope when time permits this even will allow me to show a softer side of myself as I extoll the virtues of a loving mother, rather than just droning on about how to conduct yourself properly in a real estate transaction.

Are you willing to do what is required to make ends meet?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:58:51 -0600

To my friends, associates, and fellow Realtors - I just wanted to apologize for being "off the Rain" for so long. I had already adjusted my budget drastically for 2008 (tightening the belt) knowing 2008 was not going to be pretty in Michigan, but even so, early into January, it was clear it wasn't going to be enough so I explored my options and took a part time consulting job to help save a local community resource in town.

The good news is it gives me flexible hours so I can schedule meetings and such around my listing appointments, Real Estate obligations, and closings (yes, I do attend those still occasionally). Quite honestly I would recommend it to any of you out there who are just sitting in the office, frazzled from inactivity, and suffering from analysis paralysis. Focusing about 1/2 my time on something completely different I find that when I do speak to somebody about Real Estate I have more energy, and deeper conviction in what I am sharing with my customers and clients.

My ability to separate the tasks and keep my mind active all the time has been very therapeutic, and has restored my interest in making sure I am focused and properly positioned for 2009 (when I expect our local market to start to see dramatic improvements). So my question to those of you out there slowly going out of business - what are you doing to allow yourself to continue to do what you are passionate about?

Because of this new task in my life I have very little "free time" Every free minute I feel obligated to be working on this additional consulting job (because they are paying me well for my time). Therefore I won't be able to get out here and share much in the next few months. I will take the time to check in on my favorite blogs.

Wish you all great success in the first quarter of 2008 and I really am interested in what you are willing to do to help secure your future as 2008 unfolds.

Why Set Fee Commissions and why now!

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:22:39 -0600

No catchy pictures or blinking lights in this one just making a point and saying "Hi"

I was talking with a fellow Realtor who has a "discount real estate firm" in another state over the holiday weekend and I suggested to him that we start a "set fee" or "Discount Brokerage Group" on Active Rain. Then I figured I better check (carefully) to see if one already existed and here I have been on active rain for almost three months now and I found it! Been there all along (at least since I've been active - just didn't get to it right away.)

When I was grumbling a little because of the lack of comments on what I thought were some pretty informative, solid posts a couple of Rainer's suggested that I find the right group to belong to, and while I have joined several appropriate groups, most of the people on the "Discount brokerage Fee" group will know exactly where I am coming from.

I am not a slick salesperson who saw a way to take advantage of all the huge dollars floating around in real estate by coming in and undercutting everyone's commissions. I have worked earnestly in this business for almost 18 years. My families sole source of income has been real estate during that entire 17 plus years. I have served as the local president of my real estate association. served on the board for over 6 years and am currently a local association director again (after taking a five year break from the politics that go on in local associations.) I have been a state director for the association and also served on a couple of national committees. The point? It was because of my knowledge of the changes that have been taking place in our industry over the last 5 years, because I was on the forefront, staying in the know, attending NAR conventions, and picking up 7 designations along the way that it was CLEAR TO ME that the way we have done traditional real estate had to change.

Technology and specifically the Internet has educated our buyers to the point that they are not in the dark as to the buying and selling process. They have access to the homes, they can get as much or more information than we can give them as Realtors - and they are starting to ask the questions, the questions that make most of us in this industry uncomfortable, like why am I paying you so much for these limited services you are providing me? What have you done during this 4 week process that makes you worthy of a 5 digit check?

It is difficult in a market that is down to sell homes for a set fee, because you have to do volume to covers the cost of running the business, and when only a certain percentage of homes are selling and you can only get so much of that percentage yourself, well those doing what I am doing know the pain. But they also, probably like me - sleep very well at night know that we are giving a quality service to our clients at a fair price, and surviving through a difficult market will only make us that much stronger when we come out the other end of it. I believe for southwest Michigan that will not be until first quarter of 2009.

I will keep you all updated on the progress but I look forward to sharing some happy success stories with my fellow "set fee" brokers who understand that the name of the game is change and right now we are in the right place at the right time. Soon set fee will no longer be practical (all too soon) but for now this is a good place to call home for the real state industry, our clients love us and we can live with ourselves.

Note: I look forward to sharing stories and ideas with those of you who get "the set fee" process.

Christmas Tradition (forgiving the father).

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:07:09 -0600

No not that Father (You notice I didn't capitalize "father" in the title.) But my real flesh and blood father. We haven't been very close for many years, mainly because he hasn't shown much interest in my children and that is very, very disappointing to me. Now that my children are 20, 18, and 17 it is a little late to develop that grandpa - grandchild relationship but it isn't too late for me to forgive my father for whatever his reasons were for choosing not to get close to my three awesome sons.

While I am mad at my Dad about his actions (or lack thereof) towards me and my immediate family I am also proud of him, especially this time of year. Every year for the last 8 years he has fed all the police officers or city officials who get called in to work on Christmas day in his town (Lansing Michigan). There is a community room that he is allowed to use for the day and from 5:00 o'clock Christmas eve til about noon on Christmas day he has comfort food that he prepares for any and all officers who have to work on Christmas.

I talked with him a couple of days ago and he is afraid he is too old to stay up all night this year, and the gentleman who helped him last year is not available. So...... I offered my services, it will take me away from my family on Christmas eve, my dad lives an hour away and I would have to leave him after I help him make breakfast for the officers so I could get home at a reasonable hour (8 or 8:30AM) so I could spend Christmas day with my family.

Dad served over over 40 officers and city officials last year including a pest control guy who got called out Christmas day, while I am a little uncomfortable not being with my immediate family Christmas eve, I am excited to be a part of what my father has created as a tradition in his town, and be able to help him carry it on.

What are your family Christmas traditions?

Entertaining or Traveling this Christmas?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:20:20 -0600

If you are like me (with big families on both sides) the answer is probably Both! My wife's family Christmas is the Sunday before, My family Christmas is the Sunday after, and actually on Christmas day we plan on a fairly quite Christmas at home with my three sons.

Since the answer was both what does this entail in preparation for Christmas?

For traveling,

1.) Make sure vehicle is winterized and seats are all put back in Van (since kids are home from college)

2.) Have "Extras" in the back like salt, sand, small shovel, hand warmers and blankets (for emergencies)

3.) Make sure to check the list twice of all the family, kids, girlfriends, boyfriends, and significant others are not left without a gift to open.

4.) Make the "Famous" Stauffer deserts (usually homemade Pralines, chocolate chip cookies, Chocolate Sunday Cake)

5.) Take extra wrapping paper ribbons and bows to take care of any last minute gift wrapping for those family members who just don't remember these things

6.) Pep talk with the "Boys" to remind them they only have to put the smiles on their face and be nice for a few hours (1 long afternoon and evening) and the pain will soon be over.

7.) Pay someone to let the dog out, feed the cat and dog (they are spoiled they like company) and take dog for walk whil ewe are gone

8.) Make main dish to share at Norma's family Christmas

9.) Buy a bottle of scotch cause that is what the cook drinks and we all want the main cook happy!

10.) Remember to take 3 or 4 games to keep everyone focused (and not fighting) after the eating is done.

11.) Pack Extra batteries because somebody always gets something that needs batteries and the giver of the gift well intending well didn't remember to put them in with the gift.

Okay got one side of the family out of the way now for a quiet Christmas at home with just me the wife and the three boys - very little prep here maybe make up some chili the night before have some egg nog ready and a little rum, brandy, or bourbon (for the eggnog). Pleasant day watching the adult boys make use of the gifts that we got them.

Entertaining at Home:

1.) Go buy the turkey and Ham, condiments, potatoes, veggies and such

2.) Make sure who plans to attend so we will have proper seating available for all

3.) Make sure everyone has a gift

4.) clean carpet before everyone comes

5.) Do general cleaning of house - we usually straightened up regularly but do not really clean and we must be looking good for the Holidays.

6.) Stock up on the bar and extra fridge full of soft drinks and juices

7.) Make extra deserts

8.) Call to confirm that everyone knows when dinner is (Parents didn't show up at all lat time making spouse very unhappy) and other siblings were almost all late - so VERY IMPORTANT to make sure everyone on same page this year.

9.) Cook the meal (Yes, I the husband actually do the cooking for the BIG events). - believe it or not I enjoy it!

10.) Have deserts and snacks ready for the early arriver's

11.) Make sure pool, fooseball, ping-pong tables are all cleared off in the basement - Oh yes and the air hockey table and dart boards are turned on.

12.) find the ashtrays - clean and set them out for the few smokers that are left

13.) Have meal, make small talk, play games, open gifts, more small talk

14.) Clean up

No wonder the divorce rate skyrockets in December! However I know many of you would believe that after reading this that it might sound a little like I am complaining because there is so much to do - but I enjoy sharing with my family (and my wife's family) and I actually look forward to doing these activities every year. (Granted some years more than others), but I am one who is happiest when I am busiest, and real estate hasn't exactly taxed my time the last couple of months, so I welcome the distraction and look forward to tackle the new year with vigor after this short interruption of family life.

Merry Christmas everyone and whether traveling or staying home, I hope your Christmas is filled with warm happy memories shared with loved ones!

What are your Christmas traditions? what do you look forward to this time of year? what do you dread?

“You Like me You Really like me”........Meme

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:29:56 -0600

Unlike most of you who were probably surprised to be Meme'd - I was not. I read Jeff's blog about Meme's and he said he was looking for volunteers - so I did just that. Having been on AR for just over a month, I have loved the acquaintances I have made, enjoyed sharing my thoughts (posts) but am still settling in, and from reading posts from some of you that have been here a long while, it is obvious there are several different levels to the rain and by being "Meme'd" I believe it gives me the opportunity to "expose" myself to more of you and hopefully build additional relationships. So - I was not surprised when Jeff followed up and Meme'd me per my request (thanks Jeff). That being said most of you know the drill so here are the 5 things nobody on the Rain knows about me yet.

•1.) I love babies(the cute little wrinkled kind). There is nothing that can remove one's stress like holding a new born baby, the miracle of life is something that has never lost it wonder for me. When I finish with real estate in another 3-5 years I will do one of two things, get a nursing degree and try to find work in a neo-natal center or open up my own daycare. The decision probably depends on whether I convince myself to go back to school once again. That leads me to fact #2

•2.) I Love Education - I have 8 years of advanced education (college) 3 degrees (From New York Regents while I was in the U.S. Army / Michigan State University - degree in marketing / and an MBA from Campbell State University in North Carolina) I also have earned 7 designations since I have been in real estate. It has always been my philosophy that you are either growing or dying, and standing still to me falls into the "dying" category so I am always pushing myself forward to be the best I can be.

•3.) My wife makes me a better person - Norma and I have been married for 25 years, she has followed me through several states, the military, college, corporate life and many strenuous years in real estate. She has given me three terrific sons (2 now in college) and while keeping me focused and in line she has single handedly raised our three boys into great young men. I have lost several Realtors who don't understand her, they find her to brash, or direct, but the one thing you can say about my wife is you always, and I do mean always know where you stand with her - and I love her.

•4.) Service before self - This is the rotary motto, which I have been a member of for several years, and it fits nicely with my personal philosophy about life - if you have checked out my personal site on active rain you will understand where I am coming from. My priorities are God, Family, Country, Work, Community and then self. If I live within these priorities I am in harmony with myself and happy. When I find myself unhappy it is usually because I have done something out of priority list that gives direction and purpose to my life.

•5.) Floyd Wickman: Most everything I learned in real estate that has been beneficial to me I learned from Floyd through his sweat hogs class back in 1991. I was a new agent in a powerful RE/MAX office and knew nothing about the Real Estate business. I was the first rookie my broker had ever allowed into his office. I didn't want to let him (or myself) down, so I took The Sweathog class after only 3 months in the business. For those who have worked with Floyd over the years you know what he taught me. He taught me "the words" he gave me the words that worked like magic to help me place myself successfully in front of FSBOs and Expireds. - Thanks Floyd!

There are 20 other things I could share but this is already long, and since I plan on sticking around for awhile, I am sure I will get Meme'd again by someone who didn't check to see that it had already been done to me before, so I am starting that second list just so I'll be ready for the next time! Here are the folks I've tagged - because this is how Memes work

Sandi Lincoln - because she was the first one to subscribe to my blog

Laura Everett-Osiadacz - because she has the right attitude

http://activerain.com/garywhite -Cause he has been kind to me as a new AR and is a fellow Michigander

Experience the season, Calhoun County Michigan

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:01:08 -0600

http://www.calhouncountymi.org/default4.htm

Above is the link to our county website. One of the things that I had wanted to accomplish by blogging is to raise the awareness of our great county and help highlight all the advantages there are in living in our area. Our official county site is well done and is a good resource when one is considering visiting our moving to our area. We truly do have activities for all four seasons. Exceptional golf 7 months of the year. In the fall you have an unbeatable color tour, apple cider, and great football. Winter the golf courses are great for cross country skiing or sledding. An unbelievable amount of lakes for fishing and boating come spring and summer. I know I won't get much traffic to this particular blog because it is so specific to my own area, but what better place to sart if you want to raise the visibility of your county than exposing the county site to Active Rain?

Bored try this!

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:35:31 -0600

If you are fidgeting in your seat and just need a short break this is just for fun, click on the link below and use your mouse, move it up down, and sideways to control the eyes - and just have FUN keeping time to the music! You are welcome to sign up for the site if you would like. I have never received any kind of virus from them, and they do come up with a lot of creative, entertaining links if you spend a lot of time on line (as most Rainers do) this could be a good place to bookmark.

http://www.funlaugh.com/eyes.html

In the "Spirit" of the season?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:30:52 -0600

Christmas is just a couple of weeks away and if you have just been unable to get yourself into the proper mood (and I do mean The Proper mood). This just might help. Have a safe and blessed Christmas season! I have sunscribed to this site for awhile and they have never sent me anything bad (no bugs) so if you spend alot of time on line (and I know you do) this is a good place for a little "break" froom the stresses of life (a little like the rain).

http://www.wepraisehim.com/Christ5.html

Realtor - A Deadly Profession?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:14:24 -0600

I just heard the news that one of the people that were killed at the tragedy in Omaha yesterday was a Realtor. The Realtor was working in the mall trying to raise additional income to help make ends meet. I don't know the persons name, but think we all should take a moment to reflect this time of year how lucky we are for all that we have been blessed with and not dwell on the things we cannot control (like market conditions). My prayers will be with this Realtors family, and all the others whose lives were turned upside down because of someone who felt they needed to make an impact on life (even if it was negative) before they died.

Realtor - A Deadly Profession?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:14:23 -0600

51st out of 50 for devalued homes in the last year

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:43:00 -0600

This was the lead story on the local 11:00 o'clock news last night in Battle Creek Michigan. However local Realtors have become accustomed to this type of lead story - were getting to the point where we are fairly numb to it. The last 2 years have been shall we say....challenging in the real estate market. We seem to be at the top of all the bad lists and the bottom of all the good lists. (highest unemployment and near the top for foreclosures are just 2 examples).

One of my best friends is Number 1 in the state for U-haul rentals because soooo many people are leaving. His problem is he has to hire drivers to go get moving vans because they are all going one way (out of state). Oh yeah what were we fifty first out of fifty for? Our house prices have devalued greater than any other state (and i guess either the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico since we were 51 out of 50!)

Am I complaining? no, many Realtors in my area have taken part time (or even full time jobs) It looks pretty clear now that 2008 will be a close repeat of 2007 so I expect that many of my colleagues who have been fooling themselves that they are still Realtors will make the final decision to put the license in escrow or pull out completely. Our Local dues are paid annually in the summer - so I think many will hang on until that time and then we will see a fairly large exodus of Realtors because they won't want to cough up that somewhat sizable chunk of change.

As for me? I am sharping my saw, tightening my belt, cutting my expenses, and preparing to pick up the pieces from the Realtors who are abandoning their clients. I plan on having an better year in 2008 than I had this year. The planning is done all that is left is the implementation and I can't wait for 2008 to roll out some new programs that I think my clients will appreciate. I won't stand still like many of my fellow Realtors who appear to be waitiing for someone to come up to them and tell them "Oh, by the way you were out of business 8 months ago".

Help - what is my next step?

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:14:53 -0600

I have a client who has had trouble selling her home (surprise, surprise) An investor approached me and started asking me questions about the property. He told me upfront that he buys homes on short sales and was interested in this particular property , he had me do a CMA, asked me my opinion on value based on a "quick sale" and current market conditions. I called my seller to confirm it was "Okay" to share my opinion with this gentleman, she said please do. He went and contacted the bank directly and made an offer and he and my seller are dealing directly with the bank on a short sale and are acting like I don't exist. The seller will be getting nothing out of the sale, and the bank isn't my client so how do I collect my commission?

Keys to a Successful Post

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:07:50 -0600

First and foremost what is a successful post?The answer will differ widely depending upon which active rain participant you talk to. To me for a post to be successful it must have these two basic elements. First you have to have something of value to share. Doesn't always have to be a great idea or tip, you might have discovered something that day that was an "Ah Ha" to you and you thought somebody else would appreciate knowing it. The post must have some intrinsic value either emotionally, intellectually or spiritually - if not don't bother sharing it. However - You could have the most sophisticated, intellectually well written, knowledge laden web site in all the world but if nobody sees it....(The tree falling in the forest thing). Therefore timing is important when you post. successful ingredients for a post include the following:

1.) Catchy Title - If you don't spark our interest with your title doesn't matter how good the content you will probably get passed by. A great example of a "Catchy" title was the rainer who titled a post "I'm a D Cup" or something to that extent, not my style but you can bet it got my attention and I couldn't help but click to see what the post was really all about.

2.) Quality content - something that elicits an emotion or is beneficial to the person reading it.

3.) Timing - most important of all especially for those of us who are fairly new to AR or do not post very often. Those of you with great reputations already have dozens if not hundreds of Rainers book marked to your site so regardless of when you post people will catch up with what you've said. But to us newbies - with something to say - timing is everything. Most of my posts have been late evening or weekends, and they tend to get "covered up" shoved to the back of the shelf before many people have actually read them. I believe to maximize your exposure for those who don't post often I would suggest posting Monday morning, you will catch the people catching up form the weekend and if you have a fresh post sitting out in the queue you have a better shot of getting noticed and making friends with some of the regulars when they "recognize" your contribution. Timing is not only important in the sense of when you place the post but also the information posted (tax time, budget time, busniess planning time) certain times of the year it is more practical to give felllow rainers an idea than others.)

and since I am still new to this and have lost this post twice trying to attach recent past posts that I think would be of value to my fellow Realtors here are a couple of titles written out (sorry couldn't get the link to activate properly) that you might want to go back and check out if you missed because they have good information on them. Success to all!!

How to guarantee clients for life (no kidding).

2008 I just can't wait!!

We can't give it if you don't ask (part II)

Recipe for Christmas success.

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:36:18 -0600

December 2nd, the Christmas tree is up, the lights are strung, the nativity set has been polished and set up (both at work and home.) Thoughts of Christmas start to take prominent position in your mind. Want to have a great Christmas? Here is a simple recipe to do so.You and I both know things are slow, it would be real easy just to sleep in late, go shopping, rent a couple of movies and take some down time - because after all who is going to buy a home in December. Let me tell you; Not A Good Idea! - first you'll feel guilty for taking the time off, guilty for being lazy, and Christmas will not be as much fun.

Better idea would be to get to the office early Monday morning , Dress up, if you don't have business to follow up with and aren't in the mood for doing any cold calling work on 2008 budget. Got the Budget done? work on your 2008 business plan (should really be a life plan inclusive of fun things to do, books to read, vacations to take, time spent with family, and of course all of the usual work goals.)

The point? Get the juices flowing - feel good about the day, and have something positive happen. Over 18 years December is my third busiest month. I attribute the success in December to the fact that I treat every day the same. I step up to the plate every day and try to hit a home run every day. So many Realtors tend to "let down" this time of year that my numbers get better not because of what I do but what my fellow Realtors fail to do. Don't be one of them, get motivated, get pumped, have some fun, do some December business so you can REALLY enjoy Christmas!

How to Guarantee clients for life (no kidding)

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:48:24 -0600

I just responded to a post and it prompted me to share this as a post (Thanks Kathy from Delaware). I started something back ten years ago when I first left RE/MAX and opened my own Mom and Pop realty shop. I wanted to differentiate myself from what all the other Realtors did. I wanted to show my clients that I really cared so what I did was I gave my clients an annual party. Not just any party but a BIG BLOWOUT.

In the past I have rented out a summer camp (for boating and swimming) for my clients, had a pig roast on the spacious grounds of my church, rented out the community center and pool at a condo development where I had a lot of sales, and so on and so forth. We had activities for both children and adults alike (giant buble blowing for kids is a big hit!)

To make the party a huge success I would keep track of all the jobs and professions of my clients and try to use their services to benefit the rest of my clients. One of my clients was a professional photographer so every year each of my clients get a free 8 x 10 photo of their family (it is a warm glow I get when the Christmas card I get from my client is a copy of the picture that was taken at my party that they got for free from me!).

Another of my clients was (she has moved to North Carolina) was a massage therapist and I would hire her whole staff to give free massages to everyone who wanted a free massage. Another of my clients was a caterer and I have her help with the food. Still another was a DJ and he is also now my best friend (isn't this a great job - we get to meet people and make great friends in the process). Any way he supplies music for the event and also helps me call the BINGO - Yes we play BINGO for great prizes, prizes my wife helps me pick up all year long usually form the end clearance racks at Target store and we give awesome gifts that cost us little to nothing. The best gifts we give away (on a cover all) is to two different clients and it is a certificate for 30% off my listing fee when they decide to sell their home.

Anyway this is the best thing I have ever done. It is fun, it is talked about throughout the town, and my clients love me for it and look forward to it every year. In truth I no longer do them because 3 years ago I bought a Help-U-Sell franchise and with the current market I can't afford to have the party anymore, but my clients still call me, still ask about the party, and want to know when I will start them up again.

2008 I just can't wait!! (Do you have this enthusiasm? you should!)

John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:02:09 -0600

I am just putting my finishing touches on my budget for 2008, and early on in the process I got a serious wake up call. Yes the last two years have been difficult in Michigan, yes I haven't quite hit my targets the last two years, but what became a crystal reality was that if I ran 2008 like I did 2006, and 2007 I was going to be out of business come 2009!

A couple of choices came to mind, I haven't looked at the classifieds for a job in 15 years and that wasn't a real consideration (although I do plan on going into my third career in another few years) but I decided long ago that I would never be chased out of Real Estate, I love this business, and it has been good to me - When it is time to leave I will leave it on my terms - so what to do? It was simple, I rolled up my sleeves and got serious about what I had to do to assure my self success in a down market. It didn't mean just writing down that I will do more sales next year. I looked at the expense side of my budget and made hard choices about where the fat was.

By the time the cutting was done I have removed $56,000 from my expense line for next year. It is easy to give a number it means nothing without perspective and where those cuts came from. I will only gross about 130,000k this year so cutting 56,000 in expenses will go al long long way towards making next year a much better year even if I don't sell one home more than I did this year. What did I actually do to make those cuts? I will be happy to share with you in hopes that you can experience the same joy I am feeling now over having made some decisions that should have been made awhile ago.

1.) I took 2 homes I renovated anI had for sale (one for 18 months one for 1 year) and I have put an ad in the paper to rent them out. Rented they will go from being a loss of 26,000 a year to a net gain of 3 or 4 thousand. (as of this writing I rented the second home out tonight YEAH!)

2.) I cut my home magazine advertising down (again) from a picture and a small ad for each home to just a 1/3 of a page ad telling about my great website and how everyone can see 24 high def color pictures of all 70 of my listings at my website www.SouthwestMichigan.helpusell.com and then I list all 70 of my homes, mls number price, location, bedrooms and baths. That is it just a list of my homes and directing people to my website. I will go from 4 pages on average in the home magazine per issue to 1 - a savings of 14,500 for next year

3.) I advertise a 5 x 7 list of my open houses in the newspaper every Sunday, I am going to have a local lender put a 2 inch tag on the bottom and advertise what ever he wants and charge him the cost of 1/2 the ad. What does he get out of it? My appreciation and his message attached to a list of homes that people actually look at every month. This idea will save me 2,500 per year.

4.) My office is located in the only enclosed shopping mall in my area, it receives about 8 million visitors a year (considering our town is only about 65,000) thats a lot of feet. So I am going to rent out a piece of my storefront window to a lender and help with my rent to the tune of about another 1,500 savings a year

5.) IDX Referrals: I receive many requests to see homes from people off of my IDX (other Realtors listings) many in cities that are too far away for us to want to work. For next year I have implemented a process where my office manager contacts these folks and asks them if they would like the Agent who has the home listed to show it to them? (I know, I know - this is a whole different discussion) If yes I get their information pass it on to the listing agent and ask for a referral fee. If they say no I am happy to pass them on to a buyer agent if they are a qualified buyer. Either way if it is a true interest with a real buyer I will get a referral by just asking a few questions and passing it on instead of ignoring these leads that are out of my area. conservative expected revenue for next year 10 referrals with expected referral fee of $1,200 each, or a net gain of $12,000

6.) Adjusted my phone system relying entirely on vonage (on line - Internet phone system) and cell phone savings approximately $1,000 per year.

7.) Cut out miscellaneous print advertising I do every year (creative ads I write more to make me feel good than actually generating any business) savings approx $3,000 per year.

8.) Enforce policy of only one trip to a home (for listing) Owners come to me after that. Savings in gas, time, and paperwork (when they come to me I only print what I need and don't print anything unnecessary, saving ink and paper. Savings per year approximately $1,000

there were a couple of more misc. smaller things but you get the idea. Easy to have a business plan and talk about what might happen but these are real costs to me this year that I have Promised myself I will not have next year and have already put the wheels in motion to make everything I have just listed in this blog happen.

It is impossible to explain the free feeling I am experiencing knowing I am going to have a good year next year even if I sell LESS than I sold this year - I wish you all a great 2008 and to ensure It you might try the same exercise that has assured me a great 2008 - look at the expense side of your ledger and try to see where the fat really is!