Loyalty or Latté - 01/31/09 01:21 PM
As we move forward into 2009, the question comes to mind - are you loyal to the business, your clients, your training, your efforts, yourself and your company or are you just here for a cup of latté?
With the business, are you focused on your plan and goals?  Are you working your Daily Accountability Sheets to accomplish your action plan to reach your goals?  Are you holding your team and yourself accountable to do what it takes to be successful in the business or are you putting out fires and being reactive?  Until you put your activities on paper and … (1 comments)

Best Business Practices - 01/23/09 03:47 PM
Due diligence and ordinary care are probably terms that you remember hearing in your pre-licensing classes when you first got your real estate license. I think now would be a good time to recap on what those terms actually mean. Providing excellent service to your clients is one key in this business. You work by referral right? And in doing so, you make sure that your service to your clients is superior, so that they refer all of their family and friends to you…correct? Well, in ensuring that level of service to your clients, you need to do your due diligence.
… (0 comments)

Be Intentional - 01/23/09 03:43 PM
Let’s get started with the quote that leads me to this email…”The secret to your success is determined by your daily agenda” – John Maxwell. Keep this thought at the forefront of you mind and you will become intentional in your actions daily which will reap you great rewards. Areas where you need to be intentional include relationships, your efforts, your education, your business and business plan as well as your thoughts.
In relationships, it is important to listen to what the other person is saying to learn about what is important to them, to understand them and to help them … (1 comments)

Leader....are you one? - 01/19/09 03:34 PM
Leading is about commitment. You must be committed to learning, communication, team building, accountability, adaptability, persistence and focus.
To be a leader in our field, you must know what you are talking about. Clients and customers today are more savvy than they were in the past. With 24 hour news channels, the internet, and “water cooler” talk people have access to more information and are better educated than ever before. It is your job as an industry leader to disseminate this information and relay if the information is accurate, up to date, or relevant to our market. Your education process can … (0 comments)

Challenges for 2009! - 01/15/09 01:41 PM
This year there will be a theme to the year and the messages we send out – challenge. Let’s start with the market. We will be challenged to find move up buyers who can afford to actually move up. We will continue to be challenged in many areas and price points getting properties to appraise as many locations haven’t seen the bottom yet. As we have seen many times recently appraisers are being pressured to provide extensive market insights and forecast values as lenders are cautious. We will be challenged by the media and their continued negativity about the real estate … (0 comments)

Where are we in 2009? - 01/10/09 01:32 PM
In speaking with a cross section of Realtors and builders, there are buyers out there. Several builders are seeing increased activity, we are hearing agents are getting more sign calls, they are writing contracts, and our listings are selling. We continue to see that builders are making deals with buyers – now is a great time to look at a new home as an option.
Consumers want accurate, up-to-date information from the internet and insight from agents that they can’t get from the internet. Get educated, get involved, know the market and your competition. Rates are great. Need to get the … (0 comments)

My Top Ten List for 2009 - 01/09/09 08:54 AM
10 - Foreclosures will slow down as more short sales go through and loan modifications become more acceptable to banks
9 - As loan programs continue to change or become obsolete, more loan officers will leave the lending business
8 - Adjustable rates will go lower as the Fed continues to lower its rates and will help boost sales in some areas
7 – Locally, new home sales will be flat as developers stay firm on lot prices. However, if demand happens to decrease substantially, prices will come down as builders will “write down” lot costs on land they are currently … (1 comments)

Become Leaders in Real Estate - 01/09/09 08:53 AM
My great friend, Kent Eley, gave me a book for Christmas by John Maxwell called the Maxwell Daily Reader. As many of you know, John Maxwell is one of my favorite authors. It is a great book that everyone should get if you don’t own it already. On January 7th, he writes about the Law of Influence in which he touched on 7 points leaders possess to get others to follow them. I believe these points are critical to a successful real estate career and felt compelled to share the segment with you and relate it to our business. He believes … (0 comments)

2008 Year in Review - 01/07/09 09:52 AM
As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the year and what affected real estate in 2008. We had many challenges that faced us…the mortgage melt down, an increased number of short sales and foreclosures that hit the market, prices were sent in a downward spiral, we acquired RE/MAX Mountain View, gas prices escalated to all time highs midyear, the financial crisis on Wall Street, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taken over by the Government, banks and stock brokerage firms merged, the stock market crashed, the Stimulus Package was released, the $7,500 tax credit for … (1 comments)

 
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Scott MacDonald

Scott MacDonald, Broker of REMAX Gateway

Chantilly, VA

More about me…

RE/MAX Gateway

Address: 4090B Lafayette Center Drive, Chantilly, VA, 20151

Office Phone: (703) 652-5777

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