Darren's Blog

National magazine 'news' article only hurts Real Estate Professionals

Darren Hill (Confidence Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:28:14 -0500

In reference to an article I read in the April 8th, 2007 Parade Magazine that came with my Los Angeles Times Sunday newspaper. The article was concerning what the 'journalist' felt was ending the 'myths' of buying and selling real estate, and I am particularly addressing the first 'myth' as to why a licensed real estate professional is not required. Did you read it? Sure there are lots of informed people that read Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, etc., but I bet the majority of our real estate customers looking to sell a home, or buy a home, read magazines such as Parade much more often than off the rack news magazines. Its free. It comes in the newspaper. What is it with the media? They can't wait to sour the real estate market with anti real estate professional material. The one bit that got me was how the only quote concerning why there is no need for a licensed real estate broker in a transaction was from the CEO of ForSaleByOwner.com. Hmmm...what could he say? He is selling his product. Why is there no direct counter quote offered by the author of the article from a member of the National Association of Realtors, or even any real estate professional to give readers an informed choice of opinions? Keep in mind that she says 15% of all transactions are FSBOs, but does she also have research showing how much of that 15% turns to a Realtor after trying to do it on their own, and realizing it is an awesome task? Then I looked at one of the comments from readers of the same article on the magazines website. (Thanks to the people who rallied against the inaccuracies of the text, but there was one that made me cringe.) Its what uninformed people will think, nodding their head in agreement with what the article says. They believe Realtors study for an easy test, pass it, and away a real estate agent goes. Let me tell you. The studies, the investment, the research, the schooling, the dedication I have done and still do is not any small amount of work. Home sellers should understand that there is more to just putting up a sign on their lawn. Having a Realtor assist them is a protection for them and their investment, and we know how to do it because we are continuously trained and held to extremely high degrees of professional behaviour. People looking to buy a home should realize that the negotiating process to get the best home for their investment takes a trained person knowledgeable in the market to handle the transaction.

She does say to those who plan on selling their home without aide from a licensed professional will expect to do a lot of work. I will give her that. Its true. Its a lot of work. But its work that only Realtors are completely capable of handling to reduce the risks involved in buying or selling real estate.

Why are so many people worried that there are people making an income handling a major transaction such as selling a home? Aren't they making incomes off of people, like real estate agents, who are their customers in the business they work or are trained to accomplish?

NewHomeExecutives Confidence Realty CFO Honored by Habitat for Humanity in 1st Quarter Newsletter

Darren Hill (Confidence Realty) — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:11:46 -0500

(New Home Executives) Confidence Realty CFO Honored by Habitat for Humanity in 1st Quarter Newsletter

The Quarter Inch, San Diego Habitat for Humanity's quarterly news letter, reports Stacey Beebe, CFO of (New Home Executives) Confidence Realty and DocuClose Inc. was accepted as a Nominee for their first San Diego "Ground Breaking Award." She was in great company with other outstanding women leaders from around San Diego. Mrs. Beebe later participated in San Diego's first Women's build on a home in Escondido. All the volunteers that day were women. Mrs. Beebe said "It was an amazing day! Building home in San Diego alongside the very women who will be living in a Habitat (for Humanity) home was inspiring." Mrs. Beebe recruited additional home build volunteers and plans to continue her support of the home building projects. New Home Executives Confidence Realty is a dedicated supporter of the Habitat home build projects. They plan to help build San Diego homes, as well as homes in Colorado, Arizona and other parts of California. If you are interested in getting involved in a home build project individually or with New Home Executives Confidence Realty please contact Mrs. Beebe at SBeebe@newhomeexecutives.com or call her at 1-877-454-6500 ext. 707.

Published Monday, March 12, 2007 10:03 AM by Brian Beebe Filed under: Real Estate, Announcements, Events, Industry, Point2

Motivation, Why Bother?

Darren Hill (Confidence Realty) — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:22:16 -0500

Motivation, Why Bother? Then it came to me. I looked at my past, some of the careers I held, and what I learned from all them in my endeavors. In almost every job and position (National Sales Trainer, Retail Store Manager, Wholesale Distributor Territory Manager), the common thread I loved about each was the training aspect. Not just teaching product knowledge, but the whole 'how to sale' and 'motivation' techniques I presented. These are topics I find myself using everyday in my career as a Realtor. I still do training and motivation, but these days instead of 15 to 100 people at a time, it is mostly for that one great listener, me. However, I sure do enjoy having an audience. Nothing I will bring up is new, or revolutionary. Motivation has been written about in thousands of books and articles, talked about at thousands of seminars, and watched on thousands of conference room VCR's. That being said, then why bother? Four reasons - 1. To keep me motivated by remembering all the skills I picked up in 20 years of sales and management so I can be the best Realtor my clients ever had; 2. Maybe, just maybe someone will be refreshed themselves and look at their day just a bit more enthusiastically and be the best in their endeavors; 3. Someone, somewhere, may not have heard, read or watched anyone on sales and motivation, and will pick up a few pointers; 4. Lets face it, I dont know it all, maybe only a hint of it, so I hope to truly learn something new that in its own right will be motivating.I don't plan on doing this alone. I hope to get Ideas. Topics. Feedback.

As a finish for this entry, I wanted to put out this little thought, which I credit back to my Dad, “‘Can’t’ Never Did Anything!" I have used this all my life. It is pretty much my Motto, and how I have always approached dealing with clients and potential clients. It motivates me to take reasonable risks in my personal life. Before I let fear take hold, I remind myself of this, and plunge ahead. What is your motto that keeps you going?

Cheers!

Darren