Craig's Blog

Top 10 Differences Between EXIT Realty and the Others

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:08:59 -0600

There is definite change occurring in Real Estate brokerage including mergers, acquisitions, sellouts, roll-ins, conversions and plenty of closings of Real Estate offices. My job is to have my thumb on the pulse of these changes; any hint of someone making a move initiates a call from me to see if they have what it takes to be part of EXIT Realty. You see, I sell franchises, but I am not a franchise salesperson. I treat my career as a relationship building experience; selecting those franchise prospects that will take a leap of faith and invest in EXIT, so I can invest in supporting them in our system. And, I always ask myself this question, "Why would someone join EXIT Realty"? The answer is simple to me and after reading this, it will be simple to you. We have lasted through this turbulent time in our industry because of the strong foundation our CEO and Founder, Steve Morris, built back in 1996 when EXIT Realty was formed. I am convinced we will become the most productively successful Real Estate Company on Earth.

I am going to share ten (10) differences between EXIT Realty and the other choices. But, before you read them, consider this: you can travel the Dixie Highway from Michigan to Florida in a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Lexus or Cadillac. Some are more comfortable, some more efficient, but all good choices for getting you down the road. Then, you have the choice of a Helicopter to achieve the same result. Which makes better sense to you? EXIT Realty is your helicopter. Carefully consider what I am about to share with you and see if they hold the same value to you as they do for us.

Top 10 differences between EXIT Realty and the others

1. Our Unique Operating System (The EXIT Formula). It is simple and it works. It provides additional income streams to agents and their families including retirement and death benefits. Over $175 Million has been paid out to date and it is not contingent on the profitability of the company. It welds agents into a brokerage and allows them to build a business within a business through the power of vesting the agent with the broker. True mentorship.

2. No Service Fees (%). EXIT Realty does charge a minimal Transaction Fee, but it is off the agents portion of the commission, not a 5-10% fee off the top like others. Simply put, you net more at EXIT Realty.

3. Protected Territories. We sell protected territories to allow you the elbow room to grow when you feel it is appropriate, and to have an asset, something of value with your Franchise Agreement.

4. International Single-Call Franchise Support System. Not only do we offer full-time direct Franchise Support staff available to our Franchisees, we also provide full-time agent support services lines as well. We are here for you, live, when you need it.

5. MEMO and EXITtrac. Proprietary software systems to not only operate your franchise, but to track and maintain the agents sponsored into the company so you can see past, current and pending activity. Our software systems are among the best in the industry and available to make it easier for you to run your office.

6. Trend Setters. EXIT Realty recognizes that a high percentage of leadership in corporations are shifting to women. Our U.S. and Canadian Presidents are both highly skilled and experienced women that have both been identified as outstanding women in leadership.

7. Green Initiative. EXIT Realty recently introduced our company-wide "Teal is the New Green" initiative in support of the green movement across the country. In November, we were the Cover Story in RisMedia's Real Estate Magazine announcing this trend setting move to stay ahead of the curve.

8. Available CEO/Founder and Leadership. When is the last time you spoke to your CEO or upper-level management? How available are they when you need them? EXIT Realty is committed to service and support, as well as being available to our people who have made the investment in our company. We are here for you.

9. Technology Tools. Everyone has technology and tools, but, do they have the right technology and tools? Do they have a technology specialist available to answer your questions at your fingertips? We do. We know how important technology is today to compete and we have some innovative and exclusive tools just for our people.

10. Mindset Training. EXIT Realty believes that good agents are born, great agents are trained. While other companies are cutting back, EXIT is forging ahead, keeping the focus on training agents to better service the clients and be more productive for our franchisees. It simply makes good sense.

Based on the feedback I receive while interviewing franchise prospects, I would say we have 10 reasons why you should consider EXIT Realty. These are important, relevant, and imperative to staying competitive today in Real Estate. As a broker, you deserve the best system and support available and owe it to yourself to look further into EXIT Realty to see if it makes sense to you and your situation.

Contact Craig Witt, EXIT Realty Michigan and Illinois for more information. Or, click here to see for yourself.

Craig Witt
877-669-3948
cwitt@miexit.com
exitrealty.com

On The Road Again

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:10:38 -0500

It’s 5:30 Tuesday morning and I’m in my car heading down the road again for a week of appointments. One thing I love is to see the sun coming up over the hood of my car on a frosty fall morning. Few cars are on the road between towns on the rural sections of the highway which makes it very serene and peaceful. I spent Monday following up and planning my week according to my weekly schedule that I follow religiously, it helps me stay organized and be most efficient while away from the office.

In today’s day, I carry my office with me everywhere. With my Iphone, my netbook, my presentation folders and every file I own digitally and electronically accessible via internet on my phone and computer, I am connected always. You don’t have to be big in technology if you simply know where to go and get it; such as having mobile files, I can access anything on the road that I can in the office. (Well, except for coffee, but that’s in my thermos next to me in the seat). While I truck on down the road, I listen to audio books of inspiration and often replay the “60 Minutes with EXIT” CD to get my head in the game. Rather than clutter my mind with songs, I use this road time to prepare mentally for the day and week ahead.

The time before 8am is valuable; no phone calls and rarely emails, it is a time where I can sit back, cruise on down the highway and think about the people I am about to meet. Often going over my notes on previous contacts with my upcoming appointments, I think about their needs, our needs and how they would fit into our company. What is their market like? What is their biggest challenge today in their market and their office? How could EXIT help them in their situation? Are they a good fit overall for our company? All these effective questions play over and over in my mind to ensure I don’t miss anything. I only get one shot at a first impression so I need to make the most of it.

You see, everything I do is relationship building. Franchise sales, recruiting and development takes time. There is no quick kill in this business. If you rush this process, you will seem too eager, too desperate, and most of all, too much like a salesperson that is more interested in numbers than ensuring the message is delivered properly. While I begin my day at my first appointment, I stop into some competing offices in town to door knock and cold call, you know, just to let them know I am in town. You never know who is a prospect in this business. Liken it to driving by a FSBO one day and the next your competition’s sign is on the lawn. You say, oh, I meant to call them but was too busy. Or, they went FSBO so they probably don’t want to talk to me. You never know today, one contact can lead you to your next lead, and save you a lot of time in the process.

After a day of appointments, I type my hotel information into my Tom Tom and head to my home-away-from-home for the evening. Another night alone while my wife back home sleeps in our comfy bed. A little television, some computer time, a Skype Call to my wife to tuck her in, some general planning for the next day, and my head hits the pillow. I ask myself, did I take EXIT and our Region further today? Ring, ring, wake up call. Ughhh. Time to do it all over again. Work out, shower, breakfast and hit the road.

Thursday evening comes and I cannot wait to get home and climb in my own bed. You know, I always think about these things and my travel schedule, but you know what comes to mind more often? Tami Bonnell and her travel schedule. Tami is our U.S. President for EXIT Realty. I may be in a car every day, but she has planes, airports, fast food, speaking engagements, meetings, and much more, EVERY WEEK! She does this for all of us and I so appreciate her efforts, along with everyone in our company that gets up every day to make EXIT a better place to be. Thank you for being part of EXIT Realty. Press on!

Click Here to Experience the Franchise Opportunity

Click Here to Experience EXIT EListings

Click Here to Experience EXIT PromoShop

Click Here to Experience Why the #1 ERA Agent in the World Joined EXIT

Nothin' but Net

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:31:45 -0500

I surf and I surf yet I cannot seem to find who coined this all-popular phrase but I can tell you it is not limited to basketball. Never has it had more importance in Real Estate than now, and those that understand basic finance understand the term net income. Net income is best described as retained earnings after deductions. I am in the Real Estate Franchising business as the Regional President of EXIT Realty Michigan and Illinois, and if I had a dollar for every agent that told me they made 100%, well, you know the rest. Is it that difficult to understand there is always a cost for doing business? Do the majority of agents really understand how to read a closing statement and discern not just their cut but how it relates to their payment structure at their brokerage? It is obvious, there is no free lunch and until EXIT Realty, there was no way to earn more than 100%.

Now, let me be clear on something before I go on, there are many factors that influence an agents decision to work at a particular brokerage, but the split always ranks high in their choice. I was attending the IAR Convention in Illinois last week and spent the majority of my time having conversations with Realtors as they stopped by our exhibit. Overwhelmingly, the very first question they asked me was "what is your split"? Come on. Really? EXIT Realty may offer a generous split at 70% with a low transaction fee, but it is rarely about the split, it is about the net. How much do you take home for you and your family after all the long hours and hard work in this business. And, is what you are making (closing to closing) moving you closer to your financial goals?

EXIT Realty is built upon a bedrock foundation of being a Real Estate Company first, with the added value of an additional income stream that is simple to understand and real. It is the nature of real estate companies to recruit agents. If this is true, why have the most important job in a brokerage be left up to one person? Wouldn't it be nice if you could not only make a comfortable living on your commissions, but the added benefit of residual income? A piece of the action for helping your company grow with the right agents that understand the value of empathy? A back-up plan if you will, a steady flow of revenue tied to the production and leverage of others. It simply makes good business sense.

In the wheel of life, you should have spokes of income to stabilize your financial position. If any one of the spokes break or is removed, the others continue to support you. This simply put is residual income and we at EXIT Realty provide it. Single-level, NOT multi-level. Do you understand what that means? This is not smoke and mirrors, profit sharing, contingent or complicated to understand. 10% off the top, I am talking the gross, for those you introduce to the company, flows to you at each of your recruits closings with no one to hold it hostage; you are in control. Stop thinking about our unique name and start thinking like a business person, one that understands financial stability and leverage and explore our business model. The quicker you join EXIT Realty, the quicker your life will be enriched, and your financial position will be strengthened.

Brokers, now I am talking to you. If you ever wanted to own a Real Estate Franchise, now is the time. We will support you. We provide all the tools, technology and better training than that of our competitors, but with the added value of support from a company that cares about your success. Wouldn't it be exciting to be the first EXIT Realty office in your marketplace? The underdog, the new kid on the block with nowhere to go but up? The ability to create the reputation and image you want, with the strength of our business model behind you. Here is a secret, agents are looking for a new choice of Real Estate Company that is not the old, traditional model. They want more. The new generation of Realtors want more than just their sales commissions. The retiring agents want, well, to retire. But, few have income to do so. Retire with EXIT and earn up to 7% off each agent you sponsored into the company, forever, as long as they stay with EXIT. Is that better than what you have now?

Independents-According to NAR, 82% of all Real Estate business is transacted by a franchise brand. We will help you roll your brokerage into an existing EXIT Realty office and watch your overhead go away and you can either retire or go back to selling. In fact, bring all your agents and you receive up to 10% off each of them! Perpetually! Not just a one time buyout of your desk furniture and old computers, but a perpetual income year after year. Not bad, eh? This creates mentoring whereby the better your recruits do, the better you do.

Franchise contract expired and scratching your head on what to do? Call us, it may be the best decision you ever make for your company. If you qualify, we promise to make the transition smooth and help you grow to the level you want.

Bottom line, your mind is like a parachute. It works best when open. Don't let others make your decisions for you. The grass may be greener at EXIT Realty, that is for you to decide. EXIT is not a good fit for everyone, we admit. However, if you are looking for a positive change in your Real Estate career, look no further than EXIT Realty. You are a Real Estate Professional! Pick up the phone and call me to visit for a few minutes, I promise not to waste your time. Visit our website to locate the Regional Owner or Franchisee closest to you to get started today.

Best of luck to you-

Craig Witt
877-669-3948 Direct
cwitt@miexit.com
exitrealty.com

Need to hear it from someone else that was in your shoes? Click Here

What the Successful Realtors Do That The Average Don't

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:45:42 -0500

Happy Tuesday to all of you professional Real Estate Agents. Today I want to share a secret with you. A secret about success in not only Real Estate, but life as well.

I am currently reading a book called "Training Camp" and it is about what the very best do that everyone else does not. In other words, what do the best of the best do to become the best that is so different than what the average do (or don't do). (By the way, this book was a surprise gift from the U.S. President of EXIT Realty Corp International, Tami Bonnell). It is very simple and there are no secrets. It is about practice. In Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" it talks about how it takes 10,000 hours to become the best. How Bill Gates practiced for 10,000 hours on the only computer available for countless hours which gave him the experience and opportunity to start Microsoft.

Training Camp is written about a young football player trying to get into the NFL and how he takes advice from a past coach/trainer/player from the NFL. You see, it is very simple. The game is not won on gameday because of luck or extra hard effort on that day, it is 95% won before they get on the field or court or course due to all the practice leading up to the contest. Golfers hit a million puts before sinking the winning put at the U.S. Open. Football players condition and lift weights in the off-season, read playbooks, watch hours of play tape, and run countless plays leading up to the Superbowl gameday.

Such is life. The best salespeople in the world have no secrets to tell, except the simple fact that it takes practice to be the best. They all do the same thing. They show up for work early, plan their daily schedule, make calls, follow up, repeat. Did you know this is the secret to the success of most Realtors? 94% of all Realtors wait for the phone to ring and the remaining 6% go out and pursue the public for business. We are salespeople! We sell things! That is what a salesperson does! The most successful Realtors understand the importance of not only practice, but that in order to be the best, they need to do what the others will not do. Let me refer you again to the story of Christopher Gardner and the movie "Pursuit of Happyness" where he states clearly that X number of calls means X number of prospects and so on. You get the picture.

It is very apparent in the Real Estate Business today that technology is taking over the marketing and advertising component of prospecting. To this I say, be careful; all in moderation. Yes it is important to engage the social media to not only compete, but to maintain a competitive advantage and become noticed by potential buyers and sellers. However, there is no substitute for excellent communication and negotiating skills once you get in front of your prospect. Therefore, practice in the arena of becoming a master orator is extremely important. Those that have a daily schedule, make calls, and follow up are noticeably and statistically more successful than those that rely solely on the web to make the phone ring.

I share this with you today because had I not attended Boot Camp Training with EXIT Realty Trainer Alex Szinegh, I would have not had the courage to prospect on the phone. He teaches our associates with EXIT Realty how to break down inhibitions and prospect to be successful. Real Estate is a game of numbers and those willing to put in the time to become the best, will become just that.

For more information on EXIT Realty's Sales Training, Click Here.

For information on how to join EXIT Realty, Click Here.

Interested in Franchise Opportunities? Click Here.

Prospecting is Simple

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:37:54 -0500

The Real Estate business is, as George W. Bush once referred to something, “Not Rocket Surgery”. Would you agree we make it seem more difficult than it is? Then, when things are not going as planned, the blame game begins. Well, it must be the weather, the economy, the ozone layer, those darn banks….blah, blah, blah. Now, granted, there are many factors that can come between everyday life, deals and goals that cause us grief, but often times there is a solution if we keep a cool head and focus.

I am so proud of our Michigan Franchisees for their dedication to EXIT Realty and their perseverance in this business. They are faced everyday with enormous challenges that come with running a brokerage, it can sometimes seem like swimming upstream with grizzly bears waiting with their mouth open. Again, it takes a cool head, a good team and incredible focus. We all play such an important part in all of our success that it must be pointed out how valuable everyone is. Much like a link in a chain, we all play specific roles to succeed in the Real Estate Business.

I believe in subliminal effect. Many times thoughts are formed in my brain from seeing something more than once, or aligning events and thinking there is something to the coincidence. Is it coincidence? So every time you look at your watch it reads the same time or you hear the same line on the radio, then on a T.V. program, then someone repeats the same line. Is that a coincidence? It is a sign, and if you ignore it, you may lose an opportunity that may not come by again.

The key to sales is not going to surprise you. It is a numbers game; always has been and always will be. You ask 100 people if they want to buy something and odds are good at least one will buy. Read any sales book and the one that wins is the one that gets in front of the most people. To support my claim, I happened to be watching one of my favorite movies a couple weeks ago “The Pursuit of Happyness” with Will Smith. There is a line in the movie when he begins his internship at the Investment Company where his subconscious says out loud “It was simple; X number of calls equals X number of prospects. X number of prospects equals X number of customers. X number of customers equals X number of dollars in the companies pocket”.

BAM! (as Emeril would say). This also coincides with the message from our CEO and Founder, Steve Morris, regarding the plain fact that 94% of Realtors wait for the public and 6% actively pursue them. Those 6% control the market. Which group are you in? Do you need an accountability partner to ensure you are actively pursuing the public and prospecting for business? At EXIT Realty, through our simple business model, we have a "built in" mentorship component where everyone cares and everyone shares. It makes good common sense to team up with a partner and work together to build your career stronger.

Click this link to learn more about EXIT Realty, email cwitt@miexit.com or call toll free 877-669-3948 for a confidential conversation.

I Hate Franchises!

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:24:42 -0500

As I travel around the State of Michigan, I am still amazed at the number of independent Real Estate offices that are swimming in debt and waiting for that next deal to close. If you follow the Michigan economy at all, a large number of Real Estate transactions are either Short Sale or Bank Owned. For a Realtor, this translates into additional work, intense negotiating, worrisome customers, and often reduced commissions. Longer time between paydays with reduced commissions can create enormous economic hardship for the Realtor as well as the Brokerage.

The good news? There is a solution and it may be time to consider converting to a Franchise. You see, pride can often get in the way of a good business decision and this is simply that, a business decision. Sit back and look at your specific situation with an open, business mind and ask yourself what makes the best sense for your agents and your company? Is the path you are currently on going to offer you the best advantage and get you closer or further away from your goals? Do you have the tools, training and technology to compete in today's quickly changing Real Estate market? It makes plenty of sense to combine efforts, reduce overhead and "retool" to make your company profitable again.

I have met with many independent Real Estate Broker/Owner's that say "I Hate Franchises"! They find franchising unattractive and I can understand why. They either used to have a franchise and were let down, or see the franchise as a control mechanism to put limits on their ability to run their business the way they want to. Many Franchises offer very little for the high royalties and fees you pay. Instead of a conventional company 100% controlling you, and instead of a 100% company being controlled by you, wouldn't it be nice to have the Broker/Owner and agents vested together to build a bigger, better company?

I have found most independent Real Estate Broker/Owner's are either wanting to retire or return to selling. They are often times "burned out" from managing agents and riding the cycle of Real Estate brokerage ownership and want to simplify their life. Also, I find few of them have good systems in place to hold agents accountable and keep them motivated and productive. An office with negative, non-productive agents would make any Broker/Owner want to hang it up. Wouldn't it be nice if you had a system in place where the franchise company offered training and support for you and your agents with the premise that you were working together?

So, what can you do? First, get your psychological furniture re-arranged. You have to get "you" right so you can make prudent, effective business decisions. Evaluate where you want to be in 5 and 10 years. Do your research on Franchise brands that offer the most value according to your goals, including the welfare of your office and your agents. Make sure you evaluate your best return on investment and truly recognize if you are buying the honeymoon or the marriage. Remember, price is only an issue in the absence of value.

The Real Estate office of the future supports the informed consumer, the mobile agent, smaller more retail office space, state-of-the-art technology and on-demand training for the agents. All of this is available with a franchise. In fact, at EXIT Realty, we specialize in support, training and business leadership offering the lowest franchise fees in the industry with the most solid platform to offer the best opportunity for profitability. So, in the analogy of finding the right shoe that fits well, you owe it to yourself, your family and your agents future to consider a franchise that looks out for you. Best wishes and keep your eye on the ball!

For franchise opportunities in Michigan, please contact Craig Witt for a confidential webinar presentation from the comfort of your office. Part of your market knowledge should be having accurate information about EXIT Realty. Call or email today, you'll be glad you did.

Craig Witt
Michigan Regional President
EXIT Realty Michigan
231-218-0533
cwitt@miexit.com

"New Leadership, New Image, Same Great Company"

Distressed Properties: Blight or Boon?

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:31:28 -0500

June 03, 2009

Distressed Properties: Blight or Boon? EXIT Realty's US President Addresses Power Broker Attendees

Real estate professionals should adopt the role of information provider

EXIT Realty Corp. International US President, Tami Bonnell, recently addressed attendees at RISMedia's 4th Annual Power Broker Forum at NAR MidYear entitled "Maximizing Distressed Property Business". RISMedia's Maria Patterson reported:

Discussing the risks involved in distressed property transactions, Tami Bonnell advised real estate professionals to adopt the role of information provider.

Read the story here.

Ms Bonnell is hosting a live, free Q&A webinar on the real estate market for the general public on June 24th. Visit the homepage of http://www.exitrealty.com/ to register.

Join Craig Witt and all of our EXIT Realty Michigan associates for this important public webinar, you will be glad you did!

I’m Still In Shock Over The Exit Realty Concept!

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:16:27 -0500

Another post from another top agent with EXIT Realty, published with permission from the author, Vince Arcuri at www.headofrealestate.com

I came to Exit for the single level residuals and the UNLIMITED potential they offer. What I am in shock over is the constant offerings of first quality training available via live video and by the marketing tools offered to their agents and brokers to help them...... help US get property sold and closed. The SUPPORT that is offered is just too good to believe if I were not experiencing it myself. I had TWO closings just today that were a DIRECT RESULT of Exit Realty's national marketing. Also, even though EXIT Realty in Tampa Bay is small compared to other brokerages here (and TRUST ME, it will not take me long to open the eyes of Tampa Bay to QUALITY and EXIT will make an "ENTRANCE" into and onto Tampa Bay) the fact remains that EXIT is strong all over North America. Yesterday a man walked into my office. He said he was from Dade County and saw the EXIT sign on the building, turned his car around and gave me a listing on a vacant piece of property he owns in North Tampa. He said he has personally experienced EXIT Realty and the quality marketing and he expected no less in this area. The EXIT reputation got me another BONUS!

I look back on my past 5-6 years in real estate. I was always in a bad mood. Grumpy, fighting with everyone. Just not happy. I made a move to my last office for all the wrong reasons and remained unhappy. When I came to EXIT, I left all that bad luggage behind. I had stayed with ERA longer than I should have. I was the #1 ERA Agent in Tampa since 1995. I figured that when I got knocked off that post, I'd make a move. Then I was #1 in Florida in 2007 and then again in 2008. Then in 2008, I was also #1 in the world with ERA (Team Arcuri). It just was not going to end................................. I was still miserable!

Now, I'm very happy. I made the move to EXIT. My goal now is to be the #1 EXIT Agent in the World! The DIFFERENCE IS THIS: The #1 EXIT Agent in the world will share everything they have with me, and I to him or her. We all work as a TEAM to help other agents be a success! Why? Residuals! When my group (EXIT) does well, I get a paycheck! When my recruits from ERA have a closing, I got ZERO! It was an easy move. The last firm was only intrested in how much they could charge me in fees. EXIT really cares about me and my business.

In a Nutshell: While other brokerages are trying to sneak in ways to make money off their Agents, EXIT is trying to make money FOR their Agents with the thinking that if they help their own agents make a profit, they will not leave Exit ever and THEN the company can profit. They look out for us FIRST and the company is secondary. The other firms look our for themselves first and the Agents second. No wonder so many brokerages are going out of business.

For your opportunity to join the finest Real Estate Company in North America, contact Craig Witt, President, EXIT Realty Michigan at cwitt@miexit.com or visit my website at www.miexit.com.

Another Top Producing Agent Joins EXIT Realty

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:56:52 -0500

Excerpt from: EXIT Realty News

April 09, 2009

Top Producing Agent Joins EXIT Realty Northeast Houston

EXIT Realty welcomes John Buchanan, formerly of Keller Williams®

Humble, Texas (Grassroots Newswire) April 2, 2009 -- John Buchanan, one of Houston's top real estate professionals, joined EXIT Realty N.E. Houston in Humble.

"We're excited to welcome John to EXIT Realty," says A. Keith Hebert, Broker/Owner of the EXIT Realty Northeast Houston office at 3824 Atascocita Road, in the Kroger Shopping Center at the corner of Will Clayton & Atascocita Road. "EXIT Realty is growing and attracting top producing real estate agents like John each and every day."

John brings 7 years of real estate experience to EXIT Realty in the greater Houston metropolitan area. He joins EXIT as Director, Relocation Division, and Director of Public Relations.

John was Rookie Of The Year with Keller Williams® in 2002, has been a Bronze Level recipient & Top Producer every year, was a member of the ALC, and was recognized by Keller Williams® as a Top Listing Agent and Top Units Producer for 2008.

"I'm very excited," Buchanan said. "My clients and my friends in the real estate industry are supportive of this move and are excited for me, too. I can't wait to get started at EXIT. I'm especially looking forward to organizing community events in my public relations role."

EXIT Realty is growing across North America and provides sales associates with the opportunity to earn residual income over and above their own transactions and an enhanced retirement and beneficiary benefit; all of which have been unheard of in the real estate industry until now.

For more information about EXIT Realty Northeast Houston, please call 281-548-EXIT(3948).

Topic Tags: Atascocita, EXIT Realty, EXIT Realty N.E. Houston, EXIT Realty Northeast Houston, John Buchanan, Keith Hebert, real estate agents, real estate industry, residual income

by The Team at EXIT Realty

How Much Commission Can you Earn From 6′ Underground?

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:46:02 -0500

Each week our newest associate from Tampa, Vince Arcuri, posts a blog about his experience since joining EXIT Realty. So, why is this blog-worthy and why would I re-blog his comments? Simple, Vince was #1 in the World for ERA in 2008 and left to join EXIT Realty; a true professional Realtor that now realizes he has joined the best Real Estate company that has true culture and puts their associates first. We underpromise and overdeliver on technology, training, systems and tools that can make your life as a Realtor more productive and profitable.

We know every Realtor has options, but consider this: You can get most anywhere with either a Ford, GM, Chrysler or even a Ferrari in a reasonable amount of time. But, what if I offered you a helicopter? Would that change your perception of efficient travel? EXIT Realty is the helicopter; the choice is clear and the choice is yours. Put your ego aside like others are and take a look at our business model. You will quickly find that it is one that vests brokers and agents together in a partnership for each others success. Our foundation is our culture and our residual system is a bonus.

Read Vince's latest comments and stay tuned for more to come.

Posted on April 7th, 2009 by admin

I got a call from a "headhunter" from RE/MAX today. She was shocked that I left ERA after 18 years! "Why not RE/MAX" she asked me. I told her all of the great reasons why I was drawn to EXIT Realty. I explained all of the great tools they offer me to market my listings and all of the great agents sending referrals nationwide. I told her about Single Level Residuals! Do you know what this person told me? She said that it did not make sense to go with EXIT because I had to rely on the sales of others to make the residual monies. I thought "YEA! That is great ...... right?" She said she would rather take her own money and put it into a retirement account and save for her own "EXIT" from the business. I thought to myself as I was having this conversation, why is every real estate agent in America not with EXIT? The managers of those other firms can't even come up with a rational reason as to why EXIT is not good! This lady was trying to tell me I was better off paying $25,000 to RE/MAX to rent an office space than I was at EXIT?

So I'm better off with another firm? I hire in at EXIT and bring agents in and make 20%-30% more than 100% and that is not good enough. When I was with ERA, the maximum I could ever make (if I could find a broker who would pay me 100%) was 94%. With RE/MAX, say 100% (- the $25,000 per year office fee), Century 21 is the same as ERA and so is Coldwell Banker, so 94% is your cap if you find a broker willing to let you set up shop for FREE (NO WAY NO HOW unless your dad is the owner of that franchise). With EXIT, you can make 200% of your gross income. You can make 300%. This residual plan is SINGLE LEVEL. This is not a crazy "profit sharing plan" like at Keller Williams (who by the way never could explain to me how I was getting my money from the residual plan and neither can any of their agents). If you are an agent, especially if you are under 50 years old, you can really set yourself up for a six figure retirement plan. I plan on staying with EXIT until I DIE (and oh, by the way, my children will continue to pick the fruit off the EXIT tree when I pass away). What is your company going to do for your family if you passed away unexpectedly? Check with your local EXIT broker today and see what EXIT has to offer. If you don't, you are selling yourself, your family and your clients, short of what they could and should be getting from you.

For more information on EXIT, please visit http://www.exitrealty.com

100% of ZERO is ZERO

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:43:33 -0500

I Love this guy! Vince joined EXIT Realty a little over a week ago and has started to blog his experience with the transition. This is as good as it gets, from someone as good as they come. Thanks Vince for posting these blogs in your own words for positive reinforcement on joining the finest Real Estate company in America. There is a reason why top agents are joining EXIT Realty; read below to find out why!

100% of ZERO is ZERO

Posted on March 20th, 2009 by admin

Only a week into my "Exit Experience" and I can see why so many others are joining. So many agents were focused on "my split" in the past few years and now most of them are gone from the business. I love to say 50% of $500,000 is $250,000 and 100% of ZERO is ZERO! I know with Exit, I can earn more than 100% and within a few weeks from now, I will be earning more than 100%. While other brands try and wash down the process, EXIT keeps it simple. Single level bonuses. Easy to track, easy to follow up with.

In this 2009 and most likely, 2010 market, the extra money in your pocket will help you to pay for all that additional marketing you must have (is your broker paying for your marketing or just collecting fees for having a roof over your head?) in place to sell your listings or attract qualified buyers. If you are a Realtor, when was the last time your company gave YOU a quality lead? I know of companies in Tampa where the General Manager is an Agent. His wife is an Agent and the Vice President of the Company is a Realtor as well as her husband. WHO gets the leads there, especially in this market? The brainwashed Agents there are kept in the dark and told to "hang on, big things are about to happen"..... and they swallow that hook year after year while the market constricts. Again, the "Good old boys" keep getting fed, while "Average Joe" keep paying franchise fees. If you are not in "the good old boy network" at your office, you need to ask yourself why you are paying huge franchise fees to a company that is not contributing one dime to your bottom line?

If you take a look at the EXIT model, you will see that the potential to retire while continuing to earn commission dollars is REAL. I made the mistake of thinking it was "too good to be true" for many years. Had I joined EXIT five years ago, I would be making and extra six figures TODAY, in this market, without (are you listening here) W I T H O U T getting out of bed.

If you don't understand EXIT Realty, you should schedule a confidential interview with your local EXIT office today. YOU will benefit, YOUR FAMILY will benefit and your CUSTOMER BASE will certainly benefit! For more information on EXIT, visit my website at http://www.headofrealestate.com

Contact me, Craig Witt, President of EXIT Realty Michigan to hear what the most innovative Real Estate company today is up to! You will be glad you did! cwitt@miexit.com

The Real Estate World will Change

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:45:36 -0600

This message was pulled from a blog on www.headofrealestate.com. Posted on February 26th, 2009 by admin and reposted with the permission of the author, Vincent Arcuri.

As I sit in my office thinking of how the real estate world operates, and I'm talking to Realtor's and Real Estate Franchises, I see the world changing before my eyes. Since I am one of the highest ranking ERA Agents in the world, I feel like I can honestly evaluate all franchises models and tell you why I don't think they can or will survive this downturn.

ERA for example, charges me a 6% franchise fee on every dollar (gross) that I bring in. Newer franchise owners are charged 8% of every dollar. When my contract with ERA expires, they will try and stick me with the 8% number for certain when they ask my company to renew the agreement with ERA. RE/MAX, Century 21, Prudential and Coldwell Banker are similar models.

If you are a new or low producing agent, what you get for that 6%-8% is tons of support and or training and a generic "box" of marking tools to boost your self esteem and make you look like you have experience to the uneducated consumer. If you make $50,000 per year, that $3,000 to $4,000 per year in franchise fees is well worth it. After all, you are giving 50% to your broker anyway.

Once agents start to get it (the few who do) and start to sell more real estate, that 8% number starts to choke us. When you factor in what you get for your money, those figures are so unwarranted that you start to wonder why you pay them. In 2008, my Team, The Arcuri Team paid over $57,000 in franchise fees to ERA. Did I get a free ticket to the ERA Convention? NO! I was in the top three Teams in the world in 2008 for ERA. Has anyone called me? I have been one of the top agents in the world with ERA since 1995. Have I ever shaken hands with the CEO of ERA? NO. Those privileges are reserved for "the good ole boy network", the same agents every year. One agent who is on the lecture circuit with ERA is the wife of a big military man. They live outside the20Base in their town. Her husband sees to it that she gets all the leads from that Base. WHAT CAN SHE TEACH ME OR ANY AGENT? She is jet set across the country by ERA to tell everyone how her magnets are prettier than everyone else's and that is why she is so good! She does not know why she has success! 2 + 2 = 4. It really is insulting.

Agents are getting tired of the "same old same old" and we are expecting marketing in exchange for our dollars. I pay for 100% of my marketing! What was ERA's part in my 2008 success? I really don't know. I saw ZERO ERA ads in Tampa, no T.V. ads in Tampa. What I DO know is that with that $50,000, I certainly could have used that money in the TAMPA market! How do I benefit from handing ERA $50,000 per year and nobody knows your name?

New franchise models like EXIT Realty are the future. They are not taking advantage of their agents and they allow the agent to keep more money and make more money with their referral program. Agents there can make more than 100% of their commissions. MORE THAN 100%! Other franchises like Charles Ruttenberg and Future Home Realty in Tampa Bay charge a small fee off each closing. Models like this are popping up nationwide and those models ARE the future of real estate. GREED will kill the traditional model and in five short years, the Broker landscape in this country will look very different than it does today. The greedy dinosaurs of today will fall to the wayside just like the real dinosaurs of yesteryear.

Again, this blog was reposted with permission from the author, Vincent Arcuri, one of the top ERA agents in the World. This was not written or altered by myself for the benefit of EXIT Realty but rather to give an third-party perspective.

You Can No Longer Afford to be Indifferent

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:05:17 -0600

WARNING: The method in which this blog has been posted is one long story when in fact the article was posted in Real Estate Magazine by RisMedia. The original post is typset perfectly, however once posted it grouped the entire story together. Please take the time to read it, you will be glad you did. By Steve Morris There are those who make things happen, those who watch what is about to happen and the rest who wonder what happened. Some people instinctively know precisely what to do next in order to progress and succeed, and yet the high majority has to be shown the way. The former are the leaders and the latter are the followers. Which one are you? A leader in the real estate business in a brokerage is either the managing broker/owner, the top-producing salesperson or an administrator overseeing secretarial. It’s the individual who leads the pack, sets the tone and radiates an absolute sense of conscious competence. In other words, “they know that they know.” In all expressions of human potential, no matter what the endeavor, energy flows from the high potential to the low potential. That’s simply Physics 101. The ones on top have acquired their knowledge, wisdom, understanding, strategy and timing through book learning, seminars and experience. The ones at the bottom haven’t. Moving from bottom to top is a matter of desire, absorbency and doing what works. To move from here to there as quickly and effectively as possible requires leverage and momentum. In this regard, it’s imperative to surround yourself with good people and systems that are “state of the art.” If you are an associate broker, broker/owner or someone who has a deliberate intention of running their own brokerage someday, then consider the following based on what has been said: 1. There are thousands of real estate agents who are Baby Boomers (50s and 60s) who are going to retire in droves over the coming months and years. 2. Like most people in North America, many of them have no pension to speak of and very little savings. 3. The change in market has eliminated a large segment of the cash value in their homes. 4. It’s going to become time for them to retire but they’re probably in a quandary as to how to do so gracefully. 5. If they quit their present brokerage, much- if not all-of their cash flow stops. These people are between a big rock and a hard place, and old brokerage systems won’t solve the problem. Let’s examine this further. An Agent’s Predicament The real estate industry has always been predicated on the fact that, “you’re only as good as your last transaction,” or in other words, when you stop selling, the money stops coming. From this perspective, it becomes obvious that tremendous indifference concerning a salesperson’s family, future and safety is highly prevalent at all levels of a typical real estate brokerage operation, and runs rampant throughout the entire industry. The entrepreneurial anthem has continued to be, “you eat what you kill,” and while this is fine and dandy in high-rising, long-lasting, positive marketplaces, it smacks of “who cares” when reality sets in and those so-called disposable salespeople simply cannot pay their bills or feed their kids, let alone have any kind of a lifestyle. From 2006 onwards, the foreclosure fiasco regarding sub-prime mortgages has rendered brokerages, salespeople and administrators in America rather helpless, all things considered. The fish are no longer jumping into the boat. It’s time for a reality check. A Change in Approach Change is in the air in real estate. It’s occurring at every level of what we do and what we stand for. For instance, the approach used by many top producers over the last 25 years has been customer-driven, not client-driven. The “Do Not Call List” is starting to change all that. Hunting over the telephone is going to become a thing of the past in real estate, and because of this, the modus operandi of taking listings is going to have to be rearranged accordingly. Up to this point, it’s been all about the numbers game of “taking the customer off at the knees” with sophisticated closing techniques and then letting the MLS sell the listing. The greater the number of listings, the greater the sell-through and dollar return. This, however, as a system, is going the same way as the dinosaurs. Once you’re on that list, you’ve stopped agents from calling. The methodology is then rendered benign. Again, the indifference of a non-service oriented approach has to be eliminated. It simply isn’t good enough. The public wants service. Let’s face facts, they’ve already figured out that the MLS sells their listings. After all, how many double-enders have you done all year-5% or less? The industry is going to have to shift over to client-driven methods-a customer buys from you once, while a client buys from you every time. If they were good enough to deal with once, they should be good enough to do business with every time. Agents are actually going to have to develop a reputation for service again. Imagine that. But today, try to find an agent anywhere across the board who really follows up and follows through with people, with systems and services to the point that the customer would recommend them to others, or come in again for another try at a future date. It’s no wonder that the public is unimpressed with Realtors. They find them to be-let me say this one more time-indifferent. My Own Personal Rant-Maybe It’s Yours, Too The industry allows just about anyone who can pass the “Pittsburg Glass Test” to have a real estate license. If your breath appears on the mirror, they will hire you. After all, as an example, you can get your license in Brooklyn, New York, with course materials lasting just six days and costing a mere $200. This bottoms out at $100 in some places in Florida. In other words, there is practically no educational prerequisite of any consequence and no expense factor to overcome in real estate whatsoever, and, these factors can lure in those who are basically unemployable anywhere else. This makes for a loser mentality. This is an embarrassment to anyone and everyone who considers this to be a career and a reputable profession, as opposed to just a job. We all know that you become what you surround yourself with. The result of this is a pathetic state of affairs. Last year, more than 400,000 Realtors, out of a total of approximately 1.4 million, wrote not one nickel of business from selling real estate and they were allowed to keep their jobs. So the question is, where is management? But then again, nothing from nothing is nothing. If you ever wonder why we took the time to create, develop and build EXIT Realty Corp. International and all that it stands for, you don’t have to go too much farther than this. We learned a long time ago that you can’t soar like an eagle if you’re going to surround yourself with turkeys. An Interesting Comparison While getting my hair cut, I asked the manager of the operation how much it costs to get a hair-cutting license, and how long it would take. I’ve known him for years and he immediately responded saying, “You have to attend 220 days of classroom study and pay between $7,000 and $10,000, depending on the school. Now just imagine that-a solid year of participatory training and that kind of cost factor just to cut hair…and today, most use buzzers. By comparison, you can get a license to sell the largest asset a person will probably ever own for as little as $200 and six days of education. Now you can understand, with this “lack of flesh in the game,” why it’s quoted that 68% of all lost business in North America transpires because of indifference. Most of our industry’s participants just couldn’t care less. They’ve got nothing to lose. So you can see, even with this, that most of the sheep are heading for the cliff. In order to make progress and succeed, it’s imperative to go in the opposite direction. EXIT Realty is purposefully designed to be different but never indifferent. The “same old, same old” is simply not good enough here. Prior to EXIT, there were companies that provided straight commission splits, desk fees, deal fees and multi-level marketing and they have not remedied the situation nor the circumstances whatsoever. None of the problems have been eliminated by those systems. They aren’t geared to provide financial leverage in shifting markets, let alone create a future or generate safety for a family. You could literally work there 40 years and retire broke. There are no retirement or beneficiary benefits whatsoever. They all scream out their battle cry, “Me first!”, “It’s all about me!” and “What about me?” and finish broke or broken. Try to find anyone who ever retired rich as a result of selling real estate to customers on one of these systems. I’ve been searching for 32 years and I haven’t found one yet. The ego-driven attitude of “gimme, gimme” has resounded in real estate for decades. However, when you look at your own life and all of the goodness that has transpired there, am I correct in saying that most of it happened because of giving as opposed to getting? Isn’t empathy what we’re all looking for? Isn’t helping others for their sake important? Isn’t empathy (giving) what you’re trying to teach your kids? With this in mind, we structured our entire system at EXIT around empathy. People helping other people; it generates a more productive, harmonious and compatible workplace. This far outflanks brokerages that are filled with people simply looking out for themselves. Ours is a safer, sounder and healthier work environment. Keep in mind that with those 10 signatures in the example above, (agents sponsored in earning $100,000 each), John would have $1 million in the bank in 10 years, generated by someone else’s energies. Well-what are the chances of you having $1,000,000 in the bank in 10 years based on what you’re presently doing? Interesting question isn’t it? Look at this: If an owner of a substantial brokerage with 60 agents, for example, earning an average of $60,000 each, decided to convert to EXIT, some interesting financial benefits transpire. The broker would sponsor all the agents into EXIT at 10%. Well, 60 people earning $60,000 gross would generate $360,000 a year to that broker with no management hassles. Plus the broker could retire and still receive $252,000 a year. Not a bad pension! If he continues the old way, however, he’ll eventually try to sell the brokerage. Question: For how much and to whom? Will he get all his money upfront, and if not, what and when, etc.? At EXIT, upon retirement, he would generate $504,000 in two years. Try to get that as a sale price on the street on the old system. This EXIT System is great because it means more…much more of everything. In fact, single-level residuals were so impressive to the Canadian government that they paid us over a million dollars in grants for the development of the software program that pays residuals out through e-business. When your government backs you, you’re probably on to a pretty good thing. Since the industry lacks education that’s thorough, effective and appropriate for the jobs that need to be done, we at EXIT have again gone the opposite way. We have the most advanced, most highly refined and most effectively taught educational programs in real estate anywhere in the world. Those who have witnessed it will attest to this. We consider all our agents valuable. They’re the assets of our business. And since selling is the only source of income flowing into a brokerage, whereby everything else costs money, we act accordingly. We respect those people and we do everything necessary to get the very most and best out of them accordingly. Our mission at EXIT is simple and straightforward. We intend to be the very largest and most productively successful real estate company in the world. We are all focused on absolute success and we refuse to be indifferent! Those who have taken the time to listen to the EXIT Formula of single-level residuals know and understand that our mission will become an absolute reality. It’s just a matter of time. Those who have been all wrapped up in a busy market, now have the opportunity to revisit EXIT and take a longer look. Those who do so will recognize the opportunity immediately. Those who don’t will have to put up with the industry’s old ways. EXIT is designed for those who truly want to get the finest return on their invested time from this business. If you’ll explore it, just for a moment, you’ll find a new world of potential that you would have never dreamed possible. We would love to have you join us and become part of this revolutionary movement of progress. If you’re a leader, you will find EXIT irresistible. If you’re a leader’s leader, you will recognize EXIT as a calling, not just a career. RE Now Look at This for a Moment! -All of those Baby Boomers previously mentioned, who will eventually be looking at retirement, have a unique potentiality at EXIT. -During the currency of their stay at EXIT, they can introduce other agents to management and receive a benefit based on closed transactions equivalent to 10% of the gross of the new agent’s production every year the agent stays. This does not affect the new agent’s commission. -When they retire, this reduces to 7%. This means cash flows in from the efforts of others still working, while they’re in retirement. It’s unlimited. -An example (in large round numbers) would be as follows: John sponsors 10 agents producing $100,000 gross into EXIT (any place we exist) and Head Office pays him the equivalent of 10% x $100,000 or $10,000 per agent x 10 = $100,000 of extra money yearly. This is in addition to his commission for selling real estate. When John, retires this is reduced to 7% or $70,000 a year. -Seven signatures equaling a pension of $70,000. Not bad! -You can’t get that anyplace else. In fact, what is your pension when you retire on your current plan? -Perhaps it’s a good idea to own a brokerage that provides this kind of opportunity. -It’s certainly a fine decision to join EXIT in either case. Steve Morris is the CEO and founder of EXIT Realty Corp. For more information, please visit www.exitrealty.com.

EXIT Associates Earn Top Honors in Michigan

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:51:20 -0600

EXIT Realty Michigan recently held their Annual Awards Ceremony at the Soaring Eagle Resort in Mt. Pleasant. The CEO and Founder of EXIT Realty Corp Mr. Steve Morris was on hand to address all the EXIT Associates as well as help present the Awards to the associates. EXIT Realty Michigan not only awards on production, but commitment, participation and attitude. We operate as an empathy driven team surrounding ourselves with only career driven Realtors and concentrating on quality, not quantity. EXIT Realty Michigan is on track to become #1 in Michigan and #1 in North America overall building brokerages with agents that honor production and success. The awards for 2008 were presented to the following EXIT Associates:

Hazel Churchley, Broker/Owner of EXIT Lakeshore Realty in Muskegon was a Circle Award Winner presented by EXIT Realty Corporation at the 2008 EXIT Realty Annual Convention.

-Cindy Antcliff, EXIT Realty Carriage House: Shining Star and Rookie of the Year
-Sandra Larabee, EXIT Hometown Realty: Top Producer GCI, Top Listing Agent and Rookie of the Year
-Janice Waddell, EXIT Hometown Realty: Top Producer Closed Sides
-Ed Kerley, EXIT Realty First: Top Producer GCI, Top Listing Agent, Top Producer Closed Sides, 90/10 Club and the prestigious Top Producer GCI and Closed Sides overall for EXIT Realty Michigan
-Kim Gibbs, EXIT Realty First: Shining Star
-Tad French, EXIT Realty First: Rookie of the Year
-Sam Squires, EXIT Realty Cornerstone: Top Producer GCI, Top Listing Agent, Top Producer Closed Sides, Top Sponsoring Agent
-Kathy Farnsworth, EXIT Realty Cornerstone: Shining Star and Rookie of the Year
-Cheryl Whitehead, EXIT Realty Group: Top Producer GCI
-Shelley Watson, EXIT Realty Group: Top Listing Agent, Shining Star
-Ali Khalil, EXIT Realty Majestic: Top Producer GCI
-Maryanne Jorgensen, EXIT Realty of Elk Rapids: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides
-Steve Parafin, EXIT Realty of Elk Rapids: Top Listing Agent, Shining Star
-Celeste Young, EXIT Realty of Elk Rapids: Rookie of the Year
-Jilane Fenner, EXIT Realty of Greater Cadillac: Top Producer GCI, Top Listing Agent
-Sara Crawford, EXIT Realty of Greater Cadillac: Top Producer Closed Sides
-Don Watson, EXIT Realty of Greater Cadillac: Shining Star
-Carol Zaagman, EXIT Lakeshore Realty: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides, Top Listing Agent, 90/10 Club
-Marilyn Forton, EXIT Lakeshore Realty: Shining Star
-Mike Tomczak, EXIT Realty of Petoskey: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides, Top Listing Agent, 90/10 Club
-Kim Kihnke, EXIT Realty of Petoskey: Top Sponsoring Agent, Shining Star and Rookie of the Year
-Matt Hodges, EXIT Realty Paramount: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides, Top Sponsoring Agent
-Jules Yates, EXIT Realty Paramount: Top Listing Agent, Shining Star and the prestigious Top Listing Agent overall for EXIT Realty Michigan
-Roger Kopernik, EXIT Realty Paramount: Rookie of the Year
-Peggy Eddie, EXIT Realty ZP Schatz: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides, Shining Star
-David Kaminski, EXIT Realty ZP Schatz: Top Listing Agent
-Lee Aldrich, EXIT Richmar Realty: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides
-Randy Onica, EXIT Richmar Realty: Top Listing Agent, Shining Star
-Jenny Taylor, EXIT Sharp Group: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides
-Debbie Lucas, EXIT Sharp Group: Rookie of the Year
-Arthur Vachon, EXIT Success Realty: Top Producer GCI, Top Producer Closed Sides
-Deb Wheeler, EXIT Success Realty: Top Listing Agent
-Kristine Potyraj, EXIT Success Realty: Top Sponsoring Agent
-Jeff Newberg, EXIT Success Realty: Rookie of the Year
-JoAnne Touchette, EXIT Realty Group: Administrator of the Year, EXIT Realty Michigan
-Hazel Churchley, EXIT Lakeshore Realty: Broker of the Year, EXIT Realty Michigan
-Steve and Carol Karas, EXIT Realty of Elk Rapids: Community Involvement, EXIT Realty Michigan
-Bob Squires, EXIT Realty Cornerstone: Top Trainer, EXIT Realty Michigan
-Tia Rieck, EXIT Realty Paramount: Leadership Award, EXIT Realty Michigan

We are so very proud of these associates and their accomplishments for 2008. Their commitment, dedication and support have proven to be incredibly beneficial in not only their own success, but the overall success of the EXIT Realty Michigan Region.

Are you living abundantly?

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:37:26 -0500

Every great wealth building book ever written says we should be living abundantly. Achieving balance in all we do is the goal, right? Enough money and enough time to do all that we want to do in life. That may mean more time with family and friends, time for volunteering or worship; whatever, this picture will look different to each one of us. But, one thing is for sure, you can't get there if you are a slave to the almighty dollar.

THIS CARD IS THE EXIT SUCCESS CARD. THIS CARD REPRESENTS 130 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARD ABUNDANT LIVING.

130 million dollars of passive, additional income paid out on this card and over 34,000 others just like it to EXIT Associates across North America.

130 million dollars over and above real estate commissions for taking listings and making sales. A bonafide system for realtors changing the methodology of "trading time for dollars" and "only as good as your last transaction".

FOR ME, LAST YEAR, THIS CARD MEANT OVER $30,000 IN RESIDUAL, PASSIVE INCOME AND I DIDN'T LIST OR SELL ONE SINGLE HOME.

$30,000+ toward my goal of living abundantly.

Let me ask a rhetorical question. Are you 100% SATISFIED with where you are today?

Everything we do in life has momentum. Nothing is idle. Momentum that takes us closer to where we want to be or farther away. We have to ask ourselves: is what I am currently doing moving me closer to where I want to be or is it moving me farther away?

I'm not talking about the endless cycle of trying to achieve the unachievable goal of 100% of your gross commissions. You can't get there in traditional real estate; there is always a cost of doing business.

I'm not talking about burning like a hot candle for 20 years only to burn out and leave this business with nothing more than some wrinkles, a pat on the back and maybe a gold watch.

I'm talking about growing your own business inside of ours, complete with a residual income stream that represents 100, 200, 300, 400 percent of your gross commissions that continues to pay you into retirement and is paid to your loved ones after you pass on.

What other real estate company is going to do that?

You can't get there in traditional real estate; you can only get there with EXIT Realty!

All the money you're ever going to have is currently in the hands of someone else. The question is, are you ready to leverage the resources of others and go out and get it? Leverage is a win/win position, more money and more time to live abundantly.

Are you currently leveraging or are you being leveraged? EXIT Realty is the key to living abundantly.

Do you know who I am and What I do?

Craig Witt (EXIT Realty Michigan & Illinois) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:25:13 -0500

Often times many of us in the Real Estate Profession operate as "secret agents". Simply said, we take it for granted that everyone just telepathically knows that we are Realtors and in the business of selling Real Estate. Unfortunately, as passionate as we are about our business, others can't get excited for us unless we let them know what we do. The Real Estate Profession is a wonderful career if you make it one. Everyday many Realtors pass by the buying and selling public and don't think of handing them a business card. Thinking, oh, they probably don't want to be bothered by a salesperson, or, they probably aren't looking to buy or sell. This is wrong. Everyone wants to buy, but nobody wants to be sold. We need to start professing our professionalism and treating everyone like they could be a client.

In my business, EXIT Realty Michigan, I sell EXIT Realty Franchises throughout Michigan to qualified individuals that do things different. I am always looking for that entrepreneurial spirit in someone, that Realtor that advertises actively and effectively, is forward thinking, is looking for a competitive advantage, and wants to be part of a growing company. And would you believe, that just like in selling homes, everyone wants to buy, but noone wants to be sold! I meet with prospects often that may not be ready for their own franchise, but they know someone that may be. One lead leads to another, amazing! And, just like popping popcorn, you have to start with a little oil and the kernels (prospecting in a target market), and not leave until you sell something. Isn't this like farming a target market and growing your Real Estate business? Timing is everything. One day, the oil is hot, and the kernels start to pop, and one lead leads to another.

Our unique company is a story of finding a balance in this profession. A balance of quality of life, living abundantly (whatever that means to you), and life after Real Estate, retirement. Our business model provides a means to a happy ending. Being part of building a company is exciting, and having a competitive advantage is priceless these days. I consider myself as not a franchise salesperson, but a Regional Owner that is looking for qualified Brokers that want to get, keep and grow agents, and retire from the recruiting business forever. I take pride and pleasure from helping our franchisees grow with market share and profitability, and have a business that doesn't run them, but that they operate and are in control of. Don't we all seek an enriched quality of life?

If you are looking for something different, perhaps your own business or the ability to retire from this profession with actual bonafide retirement income that never ends, give me a call, I promise I won't waste your time. Let me show you an opportunity that could change your life.