Wichita Real Estate from Techy Realtor

Top 100 Women in Real Estate update?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:27:38 -0500

Last year Stefan Swanepoel collected and had us vote on the 100 most Influential Women in Real Estate. On a lark, I looked that up this year (actually was looking for one of my influencing woman) - HEY, is influencing a word?

Anyway, I asked Stefan if he would do that AGAIN and he said YES!!!!!

Click Here to see last year's survey

Come on folks, let's find those top 100, and let's vote. Don't know how he intends to start, but I'm guessing if a few email him to help or with suggestions, Stefan will move a little more quickly.

Let's show that we can repeat the success from last year while honoring those who've contributed to our industry - ESPECIALLY in these tough times.....

Michael Jackson Dies

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:25:06 -0500

I know LOTS of people may write about this.

My post is short.

No matter WHAT you think of Michael Jackson, his music shaped a lot of our culture over the last 40 years or so.

On a day that we loose Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and the same week Ed McMahon die, we see MANY decades of our pop culture flashing through our lives.

God bless you all for the joy you brought to us, Lord have mercy for all the pain in your lives, may you rest in peace.

God (and humanity) forgive them for whatever personal issues they had based on human pressure, parental pressure, excess, whatever.

I'm Disappointed with Active Rain

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:26:03 -0500

2 reason really. I've not logged in much for the last 8 months. Office growing, had a fire, website stuff, etc. Got on yesterday after a friend of mine forwarded a VERY offending blog post (Said she was selfish, wanted to keep all the money for herself, just look at her picture).

What a change. One of my OLD posts from 3 years ago had some very strange comments, and a link to a site that sold hebal products and talked about sizing...

Worse, someone I've LONG admired for SEO intelligence had changed their blog. This person could dispense SEO advice that bordered on a GURU of SEO. Mature, helpfull, insightful, etc. I so admired this blog, it was one of the first places I went.

Now, I'M NO PRUDE. 7 years in the Army (25 years ago....) and I can cuss like a sailor. CAN is the operative word. I don't cuss at my brokerage, and NEVER in front of clients. I think we Realtors should try very hard to project to the public something a little more professional - a little more respectful.

SO - Went to my SEO guru's blog, and there was a video in it. I played the video to see what it was about. The video is a happy birthday, and the wish is "Happy F****** Birthday". WOW. I was floored. I lost respect.

I suppose I shouldn't. I'm getting up there in years (53). I go to movies, I have kids. Geez, I LOVE George Carlin and how words are just words. Yep, I'm a christian. Republican, but a little on the liberal side. And I was shocked.

Shocked to find AR wasn't about SEO and helping Realtors as much. Shocked that spammers were running through our blogs. Shocked to think someone would disagree with a post, and attack someones looks over the content.

I guess I'm Naive. Maybe I just haven't changed with the masses at AR. I'll keep coming for now, but this isn't the AR I knew last fall....

Why won't the agent AT LEAST call me back?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:56:38 -0500

I'm a pretty good broker. Been around a while, active at the board. I admit I'm an "out of the box" thinker, but we ALWAYS try to do the right thing.

IMAGINE MY SURPRISE yesterday. One of my agents (Lets call her Agent A) calls me. She wants to know what to do. She's ready to list a home. The SELLER has looked at another home 5 times, and wants a buyers agent now (for the purchase of the next home). Buyer wants representation. PROBLEM - my agent IS NOT PROCURING CAUSE. she wants to know what to do.

I explain (and she already understood) that if she (Agent A) writes the contract, she WILL be providing representation and protection, but MAY not be paid. Agent A is fine with that. I ALSO tell her to call the Listing agent (Agent B) to explain the situation, tell Agent B that she is caught in this, but the client asked. IF Agent B wants to give you a referral, GREAT. If Agent B does not want to, no problem.

SO - Agent A makes the call, trying to find solutions. The assistant at Company B tells my agent how much they like the phone call. Most agents don't bother, and she will call Agent B. She's so happy that we're being up front. Agent B never calls back. 6 hours later, I call Agent B's broker (Broker B). Broker B tells me of 3 phone calls the assistant has had with Agent B. Tells me he likes that we've called, and is sure we'll work it out. Appreciates that we're trying to work with them and believes we're doing things the right way.

One hour later - SELLER calls my agent - leaves a message that her services are no longer needed.

I call Broker B, he tells me he'll look into it. Still waiting for that phone call.

I just CAN'T imagine, that we can't find a way to treat each other with respect and honesty. A simple phone call back. Tell the truth. If what the other agent tells you makes you angry, tell them.

Clients can have representation. If requested, it should be honored. If you don't like it, talk about it. If you don't want to pay, argue procuring cause.

I believe you ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF THE CUSTOMER FIRST ~ work out the money stuff later....

I'm being invaded by "Size Matters"

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:12:45 -0500

I've been away for months. Office fire, 2nd office, growth from 16 to 45 agents in the last 12 months.

SO - today, I've had 2 comments on an active, but old, blog post. Both promising to increase.... well you get the drift.

A good friend of mine recieved a post questioning her on a very personal nature. Calling her selfish, that her she appeared to spend TOO much on food by the looks of her picture (not true by the way), and a drama queen. All over a posting about how hard REO's were 3 years ago.

What's going on in the Rain. Things change in the last 6 months while I was gone?

Spammers getting in? Agents making personal references? WOW.

Guess I'll be watching this a lot more for a while.

Jeff Turner, you still out there? Mary McKnight - are you still here too?

Guess I'm going to search for my favorites for a bit...

Voice2TXT from Alltel

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:11:23 -0500

OK, I know Alltel is now Verizon (sort of). In December we (as a company) moved to a Alltel cell phone system for our Realtors. From that, I tripped over their system of "Voice2TXT". GREAT system, and only $6 per month.

It works like this - someone calls my Cell, I don't answer. They leave a voice message, a computer converts the VM to a text message and sends it to my cell. Now I can READ the VM whether I'm in a meeting, or when I get up in the morning. Maybe I'm out showing clients and don't want to retrieve my messages.

NOW, if I can't call back, I can send a text message back to them. If they don't have text service or the return number is a land line, the same computer converts my text mesage to a "Voice" message. If they answer at the other end they hear the message, or it will leave a recording for them.

Cool stuff, not very expensive, and REALLY increases my productivity. Even in a class or meeting.

I don't want a Bluetooth, BUT:

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:15:08 -0500

I Really Have. People talking in public, the way they look on the ear, never really knowing if someone is on the phone or talking to me.

Hated the Echo or road noise too. Wind? YECH. Bad sound too. Plus, I've never found one that fit right in my ear.

Lately, I've had second thoughts. I find myself fumbling with my phone while driving. And now that my Windows Mobile 6.1 supports voice commands, I'm thinking MAYBE it was time to look into a better Bluetooth headset.

I actually ordered a Jawbone 2. Had some reservations tho. I think the microphone should be near the mouth (Look at pro singers, the microphone ALWAYS is near the mouth). The reviews on the Jawbone said the controls were a little tricky, and I still had the problem of "How do people know when I'm on the phone".

I ran across this Headset yesterday. Zivio by Joby. Many of you have heard of Joby because of their Gorillapod camera - well tripod doesn't describe it well enough...

I'v ordered one of these, and I'll let you know how it works, but for starters, CNET gave pretty good reviews. Big "+" and "-" buttons on the side (I'm guessing for volume), plus a third button for other stuff. MUCH easier controls.

But the REAL kicker is the Boom. Microphone on the end. Close to my mouth (like the old headsets use to be), but thin - light - and yet sturdy. When I have this extended, people will know I'm talking, and I can retract out of the way when not.

The reviews tell me the outside noise is pretty controllable, and even whisper works because of how close the microphone is to the mouth.

I'll still try and restrict use to my car - for safety and legal reasons - and I may use it some when around others. Really looking forward to seeing how this works, and I'll post again once I've used it for a week or so...

Sprinting under pressure, or Running with a purpose?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:57:21 -0500

I'm reading a book called "God is my CEO" at the moment. The above is a title from one of the chapters and talks about Football coaches: do you win one game no matter what the cost, or do you build a program that increases your chances of winning LOTS of games.

SO, I find myself in there with you guys (and football coaches apparently). How many of us are sprinting to the next closing to pay the bills. Then we have to sprint to the next closing, and so on.

I say I'm there with you guys because we opened a 2nd office in the WORST real estate market in some time. When you all have cash flow problems, so do I (since I get a split on your commissions). We're OK, I've made deals, I talk to our suppliers, and I pay bills. The problem we all have when these problems happen is we find ourselves sprinting to the next closing.

Sometimes I have to resist the urge to advise someone to close something because I need the cash. I know you guys have faced that issue as well. In writing a contract, or forcing financing we know is problematic.

In my belief, putting God first means putting the other guy's long term well being in front of my immediate need. At the minimum, I don't believe we make someone else suffer for our difficulties.

Jeff Coors defines the Coors Corp value statement as:

Respect for People

Responsibility for Actions & Results

Relationships with each other

Respect for People - our clients, each other, our suppliers and vendors. Everyone around us

Responsibility for Actions & results: Tricky one here, when our bank account is low, it becomes easy to blame the economy; "Buyers are Liars" mentality; other agents ethics. Fact is, when we accept responsibility for our actions then we can quit giving free rent in our brain for hate, blame, fault. By accepting responsibility we can begin to take action to better our circumstances (talking to people, mailings, calling past clients, etc).

Relationships with each other: In 5, 10, 20 years, what will you remember? The $2500 in your bank account, or thank you note a client sent 3 years AFTER they moved into a home. Better, a referral 5 years later. It IS in the relationship that "who we are is" defined.

We're defined each day by the actions we take, and how we treat our coworkers, clients, friends, vendors. I'm going to stop blaming the banks, the economy, other Realtors, my employees. Running with a purpose still means I need to move quickly and decisively - but maintain a Higher Purpose for LONG TERM success - Then I will succeed, my company will succeed, and more importantly, so will my clients succeed

Acting with Honor

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:05:37 -0500

I was talking with two agents today. They want to form a team and we were discussing the logistics.

Mid way through our discussion, I started talking about what kind of agents are attracted to teams, and what my "Standard" company split was. I made a statement that I would NEVER try and recruit there agents to work for me, and that if one of their team members came to ME looking to leave, that I would insist the member talk to the team member and me (the Broker) TOGETHER about the proposed move.

These two agents looked at each other, turned back to me: "Really? Our last broker tried to recruit MOST of our agents from us..."

I hadn't expected that. I'm thinking to earn someones trust, to convince them to bring their Real Estate practice to my firm, to allow someone to represent my company to the public, and then take food off their table. How short sited.

How funny that those of us in this People Business could ever treat people so badly. Or so short sited. So many of us work HARD to earn the public trust. Work to get the public to recommend us to their friends. Treat folks the way we want to be treated. Because we know that referral is the BEST source of our business. By serving others, we gain so much more.

As a broker, I see my actions to be the example of how I want my agents to treat their clients. The reputation I want my agents to build for me. I hope I get back what I give. I know the other broker did, his brokerage isn't around anymore.....

I've recieved a PERSONAL broker award

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:15:59 -0600

I'm Humbled...

I go to work every day, and I think I have one purpose. Serve my agents, and make their lives easier and more productive. Most days I think I do alright, other days I think I'm not quite up to par.

There are times in our lives that reach into your soul, and give a man purpose, meaning, thankfulness. Birth of your children; Marriage; Seeing the beauty of God's creations (whales, mountains, oceans, etc).

I just received such a moment. My agents (whom I have the priviledge to serve) think I do a pretty good job. I now have a foot tall crystal award that proclaims I've received the "Awesome Broker Award". I'm to add the letters ABA after my name.

Wow. Nearly speechless (not quite, I guess I'm writing this), certainly choked up. Mostly, I know that few times in my life have I been recognized for my service to others, and to have my entire company tell me that I'm doing a good job for them. Quite an honor. Quite a moment. Just hope I keep earning their respect, day in and day out....

Company Phone system?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:09:45 -0600

I'm looking at getting Cell phones for my agents. Seems that Alltel is cutting the best deals I can find for them. I'm guessing that's because Alltel is about to merge with Verizon. Phone I'm looking at getting for them?

the HTC Touch Pro. Looks like this will do EVERYTHING I'd like my agents to have. Text, Email, Word, Excel, lots more.

Alltel lets you hook this up to your laptop (tether) for highspeed wireless modem.

So, I'm thinking as a company we have the contract, and charge the agents every month. Pretty much like they already do, but buying as a company get's disocunts, cheaper equipment.

I'm wondering if any other brokers have similar programs. Successful or failed. I'm a little bugged by the limb I'm climbing out on, but I guess I'm on the hook for them in lots of ways (dues, liability, more).

any thoughts?

Greg Fox Broker for Realty World Alliance www.realtyworldwichita.com

Cell phones for the company

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:13:16 -0600

the HTC Touch Pro. Looks like this will do EVERYTHING I'd like my agents to have. Text, Email, Word, Excel, lots more.

Alltel lets you hook this up to your laptop (tether) for highspeed wireless modem.

So, I'm thinking as a company we have the contract, and charge the agents every month. Pretty much like they already do, but buying as a company get's disocunts, cheaper equipment.

any thoughts?

Greg Fox Broker for Realty World Alliance www.realtyworldwichita.com

We had a FIRE - I've missed AR for a month

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:07:22 -0600

We had an office fire. Nope that isn't the picture!!

Actually, another unit had the fire. I showed up when it was out, and everything looked pretty OK. Little did I know how much Smoke gets into everything. Really bad.

I'm going to be writing about this for the next few days, but let me give you quick background. I'm the broker for a small office - about 25 agents. While I've worked HARD to make us totally virtual, it still suprises me what hoops I've been jumping through

Night of the fire, all the electricity was on. I walked through our unit and smelled smoke, but no visible damage (to the naked eye anyway).

Computers running, phones working, lights on. October 30th - fire day - they shutoff electricity because the unit that burned had all the power panels in it. Our virtual office shut down. Place smelled charred, but no one was hurt. No equipment damage (that I could see). No loss. Except.....

Our power was off for nearly a month. Yowsa. No phones, no office, no servers, no printers. I've been on the run since.

Over the next few blogs, I'm going to talk about tech things we did that made our lives easier. I'm going to tell about those who helped me get through this. I'll be telling you how many hours I've been putting in to get a work space operational for my agents. I believe we have 3 more weeks before our office will be usable. I've made plans to help protect us from future problems. I'm going to try and convince EACH broker to make your office available no matter what happens to the Brick and Mortar office.

NEXT: Best computer practices.....

Buy.com complaint, warning

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:48:17 -0500

I haven't written in a couple of weeks, and here I start with a complaint. Well, warning really....

I bought a Magellan 4040 refurbished GPS on Monday from Buy.com. $149 with free shipping. Seemed like a good deal, and I was looking for one anyway, so I bought it. Thursday morning, I decided I would look and see what other goodies they offered.

Now $99, with free shipping. Normally, I just eat the difference and go on. But $50? 33% off? Big difference to me, so I look to see if they have a price matching. THEY DO!! Yippee. I'm happy about the matching, and I send an email. No refund. I end up sending 3 emails, talk to customer service, and a supervisor for customer service. I don't get the difference. Here's why:

If you accept any promotion or coupon with an item, it voids the price matching clause. Yep, even on their on site. I pointed out that they were offering the same item, with the same free shipping. Doesn't matter. If you accept their Promotional Free Shipping, the price matching is voided.

I think this stinks. I don't mind a lot of things in life. $50 isn't going to make me or break me. But, LOTS of their items have free shipping. SO, if you accept it, price matching is voided. Crumby policy, especially for their own products.

They pointed out to me, if I had chosen to pay shipping at $5 or $6, then they would honor the price match.

SO, My warning dear friend Realtors, read the fine print. Don't accept any promotions from Buy.com. Who knows what other policy's could be voided by accepting "Free Shipping"!!!

Puppy Love

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:19:55 -0500

Last April, my wife's brother died. She was heartbroken. He was taken way too young, and she was left with a big hole in her life - her hero from youth was gone.

The picture isn't my wife, this is my youngest daughter holding our Bischon Frise puppy - Sampson.

2 weeks after the funeral, my wife was still very depressed. Her Brother had been sick for 2 years, but the death was still a suprise. He was in Mexico with his Fiancee on vacation. We had to make last minute, long distance arrangements to get him back.

My next oldest daughter had a bischon. We loved him. Very cuddly, very attached to my wife, but when she married - well the doggy moved with my daughter. We found 2 bischon puppies, and went to get one. We really thought we were getting it for my wife's father. He had a Yorkie that escaped his house and was struck by a car.

Father said "nope, I'm not ready yet". Wife started cuddling the puppy the first night. And hasn't let him loose hardly at all yet.

He gets under your chin to go to sleep. He sits on laps to be stroked, he'll chase things, and then gets worn out to stay by my side.

Puppy has been a Godsend. Sampson has a relationship with everyone in the house, and now my wife is smiling again. Later found out he was born on her mother's birthday. She's been dead for 20 years, so this had way too many coincidences to be chance....

Life gets better

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:01:18 -0500

I've had a rough winter

Who am I kidding. We (wife and myself) have had a very bad 3 years. Brother in law has been very ill, and died in April. Wife has had back surgery, and nerve pain for well over a year. House problems, housing market problems, lawyer issues.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? It really all gets better. Wife had a nerve stimulator installed last week. We worked out a Mortgage plan, and the housing market is starting to return.

Life does get better. Kids are doing good, and while I look at this stuff being the bad stuff, there is good stuff too.

My eldest just started Medical school. My second got married in the spring, and is finishing her masters. My 3rd daughter got married last fall, and is moving into a home she custome built shortly (got her Real Estate license last month too). My youngest daughter started college last week, has a job, and is paying for a new car on her own. And my youngest son is in the IB program.

When we think of the bad stuff, good stuff is worth remembering too...

Whose minding your open house?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:47:20 -0500

Interesting phone call yesterday....

I have a builder I've worked with for 10 years. We've marketed most of his homes, but sometimes a new area comes along that another Realtor has the marketing rights via an agreements with the developer.

My builder friend was pretty unhappy. He was working on his 2 gold course homes, and a teenager with shorts and tee-shirt and 2 girlfriends came along, unlocking his house. Questioning them, he learned this was the son of the onsite agent. He was opening them for the day, and showing the homes all afternoon.

WOW, my builder is angry. Model homes cost a lot, and he want's pro's selling them. He'll be talking to the developer Monday morning.

This does give me cause to consider tho,

I have in the past had my 20 year old daughter "host" model homes. I think I had her host properly tho. She was a college student, dressed for the job, and spent a week with the onsite agent before she was cut loose on her own. And being unlicensed, she could only "Host", not talk price, call me if anything substantial needed discussed.

So, should my builder be angry? Did I do this right? Any out there use young assistants?

New Home market in the Wichita Kansas Metro area

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:30:20 -0500

Right now could be the BEST time to buy a new home for the next several years. Why?

Gas has gone up. Steel is rising (AC, rebar in concrete), copper is going up too. Wichita Kansas is Sperling's #1 housing market in the us with appreciation rates of 4.5%. SO, existing inventory is a Great buy. Increases in all the materials going up 5 - 10 even 15%.

June '06 available new homes were 656 units, and that rose steadily 957 available homes in January of '08. BUT, the available inventory has fallen to the lowest level on the market since February of '07 (919 homes) to 859 new homes. Any of these will be existing new homes will have a price significantly below what the replication price would be.

These "Speculative" homes give you the most for your money, and will give you the most money for your home as they appreciate with the price of the Newer homes that will go up in the neighborhood!

What is a virtual tour REALLY worth

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:07:00 -0500

Fact is, I have no idea what they're worth, and neither do you.

We don't know, because on 21-23% of the listings in the MLS have virtual tours (according to my study anyway). And those that have tours, some of the photos are SO bad, you can't really tell much about the home.

With gas close to $4.00 a gallon (more in some places), shouldn't we eliminate homes that are GROSSLY wrong for a buyer?

WHAT? you say? Not show a buyer a home based on the computer? We already do that. Right number of bedrooms, footage, garage, location. We do it every day.

Pictures are different tho, right?

I don't think so. We can tell (or should be able to tell) what a home will feel like based on 2D photos. We can get space feeling, decorations, yard condition, home condition, lots more.

OK, you say they are expensive. You can't afford them. Look again, RealEstateShows.com is $125 a year unlimited shows (lees if your Broker buys it). RealTourVision is $10 a show forever. Visual Tours are $30 per month unlimited.

No time? How long do you need to take pics while listing a home. And MAYBE, if you're that busy, you should hire it done. Cause gas aint' getting cheaper for a while.

I say VT's will save you money. I say VT's are a service we should provide our FELLOW REALTORS. I say VT's save our sellers time, frustration, wear and tear. I say if you are not using this tool you are so far behind the curve, it may be time to leave the profession.

Points Schmoints - I have comments!!!!

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:27:02 -0500

I know many of you will think this is silly - and it probably is.

I look at all the people bragging about points - and I get that. I want points too. Proud of my points, and I run first and second in my city.

But - I have 900 of you good people that have taken the time to comment on my Blog. I know some of you have had a lot more comments (Jeff Turner for instance, I wonder if he has 900 comments on 1 blog entry somewhere), but I feel privileged that you have read, and were moved enough to leave a comment.

I don't think 900 should be a landmark that others should strive for either. What I think is important is writing to educate, and to express. The reason the 900 comments is important to me is that my ramblings reached you.

And I read my comments. Carefully. I respond (well I hope). I learn back from you thru this wonderful medium. We talk, grow, learn, cleanse....

So, while others are telling you how to get points (and believe me, I like to WIN), I want to thank you that took the time to say something. All 900 comments. Ooops, got 4 more!! Only 96 to 1,000!!!!

My Worst Customer - Part 1

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:05:08 -0500

No names will be mentioned!!

1.5 years in Real Estate, and I get my first referral - the referral company gets 35%, but I'm glad to pay it for the biz.

Air Force guy, moving to town. Took him and his wife around, and they found a new home to build. Next day, we write an offer. House is just past framing, and I take the buyers to the carpet place, tile, cabinets, paint lighting and appliances. All in one afternoon. Closing in 2 months.

Buyer leaves town, and I call on them about once a week. I leave messages mostly, about how their home is coming, what's been installed, etc.

Now, to give them updates, I'm walking in their home as it's being built. About once a week. This is really before digital photos, or email. Cell phones were "Bricks", and I used pay phones a lot. The sellers agent keeps telling me she's not worked with another agent who comes onsite so often. I must be young and stupid I guess, but I thought that's what you're supposed to do.

Walk thru's, scheduling, contract amendments. They are out of town. I think they came here twice during construction to inspect. I've done it all for them.

Closing day - they need to close on Saturday, can't be here during the week. I get a closer (and the builder too) to close Saturday morning. Buyer shows up, and we sit in closing for 3 hours. Buyer is doing an 85-15 loan (2 loans, one for 85%, and one for 15%) - and like an engineer, reads every word of every document in each loan.

I can handle all this, and I'm not critisizing the reading (tho by the second loan, you would think some of the docs would be the same?) - BUT, after closing, I thank them, and hope they are pleased. Wife looks at me and says I did a bad job, after all, I missed that the wrong vinyl was laid in the bathroom. She won't reccomend me to anyone.

Geez. I spent hours here, and I would think the floor company would be the ones to blame for the flooring mix up. Wish I could remember their floor choice. I was destroyed. I thought (and had been told) that I was working way too hard for this client.

I got paid, one of my first "Big" closing checks. Sometimes tho, I'd rather have gratitude....

Is a 15 minute trip too far to drive?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:57:03 -0500

I've had 2 interviews go bad recently, ‘cause 15 minutes was to far to drive. What?

Background: I'm a broker, and I'm in recruiting mode. I've had lots of interviews, and some have told me I'm a great company - BUT 2 recently told me that I was on the wrong side of town. Wichita Kansas really splits east to west. East is more affluent, best shopping, great dining, more nightlife. West is more family, growing fast, shopping is growing.

So I had 2 interviews tell me after spending 2 hours in my office, multi phone calls, emails back and forth, They wanted to be closer to where they live. A difference of 15 minutes driving time.

Understand, I've set everything in my office so an agent can work remotely. I'm looking into an offsite conference room to meet clients on the west side. Some day I'll open a west office.

BUT: I look at my 3500 sq ft office everyday. Me and our office Nazi (my daughter, that a loving term) in the office, and 1 or two agents may stop in for a half hour or so.

And agents don't want to drive all the way across town for that 15 minute drive.

Do agents REALLY spend any time in the office? Is 15 minutes too far to drive?

One Printer - Fax - Copier machine? Does this work in your office? Help me decide

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:44:56 -0500

This is a serious question, looking for your input:

Do you work in an office with one Printer/Fax/Copier?

I've been approched for years by sales people wanting me to get 1 piece of equipment to do my color printing, be a copy machine, BW printer, fax machine, scan to email.

I've resisted. I think having an office of people lined up waiting to fax, while someone else copies, and then a print job gets sent, and so on....

But the sales people assure me I'll save hundreds per year. Plus it will be faster, and more reliable.

Are my concerns founded? Will this become a bottle neck in the office, or do you all have no problems and it works great.

What I'd like to know:

Do you have 1 piece of equipment, or more?

Is it a bottleneck or it works great?

How large is your office?

Thanks for giving me solid feedback!!!

Active in Local Board - new group?

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:02:05 -0500

I've been thinking about this for a while (5 minutes at a time...)

I'm VERY active at the local board. MLS BOD, Pro Standards, Former grievence committe - PR - MLS - chairs, Ed committee member, Lock Box search, MLS search, EO search.

I firmly believe the best way to change is from the inside. I also know we're often isolated from other boards in the country, and on our own.

Could we - Should we - start a new Group? Local Board participants. Start talking to others in the country about issues, practices, policy making. Find out what others are doing.

Give me feed back. Maybe we'd call the the Local Bored group....

Courtesy is dead - Long live the Busy Business man!!

Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:10:50 -0500

I ate lunch with Frank Chapple

yesterday. Great lunch. We talked politics, people, history, and then sales. Frank owned TV stations in the past, and is now engaged in the mortgage business. We miss the old days.

I'm 52, and Frank is - well - older. He speaks of things before my time, so I know this.

I've heard Realtors complain for years about how Mortgage people don't return phone calls. You know the old saying, point one finger towards someone, 3 point back at you...

I can understand some people not calling me back. I'm a Broker, I'm in recruiting mode. Probably pisses them off. Don't want my calls, tired of people calling them. But, what if I'm a buyer? A lister? What about Frank? They don't know him, except that he's been around Wichita for years. He's been head of our Chamber of Commerce, a pilot, very well connected. I started thinking MAYBE the problem is bigger than just my recruiting. Maybe Realtors don't return LOTS of calls!!

I've had 4 people PROMISE to call me back with decisions on moving from their company in the last week. 3 of them didn't call, and won't return my calls. No email, nothing. 1 person had an appointment and just didn't show up. I called, no response. I emailed, and he told me that the morning had gone bad, but he still wanted to meet (Second meeting, finalize plans), he just got too busy...

I've certainly forgot appointments. I've been held up. I've had calls I tried to duck. But I also try and get some sort of response. Like not interested, don't call, Give me time to think about it. I REALLY try to return calls I promise to return.

Realtors spend TONS trying to get quick response, cell phones, text messages, email on phone, contacts from our web to cell. I'm now working with Cell Signs to get homes to text, and text for appointment by the consumer. All this, and we can't call each other back.

I guess Frank and I are irritation, and they would NEVER treat a customer that way, Right? Or another Realtor trying to Coop? WRONG. I get calls from my agent's clients and coop Realtors asking WHY someone won't call them back.

Our industry is in TROUBLE, from the economy, from the inventory, from information access by the general public, from Web access by FSBO's, from bad press. And here we are helping them kill it.

This isn't a threat, but I'm saying publicly: I'm thinking maybe I've out lived my time in this industry. If we can't treat humans better than this, maybe I'll turn my attentions to my photography, my web art, advertising for others. I'm tired of getting POOR treatment....

PS: My Wife say's I'm so DESPERATE to return my calls, I'll write while driving to call someone I DON'T EVEN LIKE just to make sure I don't miss something....