Leonard's Blog

What Happened?

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:22:42 -0700

Well, I took off for the summer, I am well aware off recovery efforts that needs to take place when one takes off for awhile, but really... Since the week before school started I have been actively lead generating and keeping in direct contact with my database and nothing! How bad can it possibly be? I am not so uneducated or covered that I could not see the recession coming but for crying out loud! Tell me I am not the only agent out there screaming at the top off my lungs to get the word out that it is okay to buy and sell! Are you guys telling your clients that the media is stark raving mad to lead Joe Public to believe that all that is going on is affecting them NOW! Am I the only one who tries to voice that the thing to do is NOT STOP BUYING AND/OR SELLING? It is either that or I am the only one with clients silly enough to need to hear that from me. So which is it? Tell me.. What do you think? /

Very Young Agents

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:27:45 -0700

Thank You for all the comments. Thank you also for all the compliments. That is a good picture, and surprisingly recent.

I never thought of college kids. We live about 27 miles from A&M Commerce. Maybe we will go over there for a few days and see what we can shake loose. I will talk to you guys soon and I will let you know how he does on Tuesday. If he does pass and any one out there knows of anyone who will buy land or homes off of an 18 year old, our website is:

http://northtexashomes4u.net

Request Joey!

Very Young Agents

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:38:47 -0700

OK Guys, here is one for you. My son is 18, he is going to take his agents exams on Tuesday. He has always had a good head on his shoulders, and far be it from me to ever discourage a child from doing anything illegal, immoral or fattening.

The question is: Who do you know that would buy property from an eighteen year old?

WHAT DO U THINK?

Open House

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:40:40 -0700

Thanks so much for all the comments about open houses today. I have really been concerned that it was in fact extinct. I am so glad that so many agents have the mind set to get back to the basics and the openness to still use innovation. I have had a 5 hour open house today and worked many files on my laptop and had more than six solid leads! So to all you naysayers...... nanny nanny boo boo

Open Houses

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:42:40 -0700

As a child, I can remember my parents going to open houses even when they were not looking for a new home. The new house smell and looking at the beautiful new furniture was always fun. Every time I walked in to a model home, or one that was staged and cleaned to sell, My sisters and I used to jabber about whos room would be whos, where we would sit at mealtimes, etc. There were always plenty of families walking around, sometimes we would even go with friends.

I can remember distinctly that there were always a few people waiting to talk to the hostess/agent and ask questions.

Would the kitchen appliances stay? Will the seller consider painting? Could the home be sold furnished? Sometimes the agent and/or hostess appeaared to be overwhelmed.

Well here we are in the 21st century. I still enjoy open houses. I still live vicariously in a home every time I view or stage an open house. The smell is still the same in an open house and being able to actually see and touch decorating styles leaves HDTV in a pale comparison.

Here is what I do not understand.....

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OPEN HOUSE?????

Right at this moment I am sitting in a gorgeous. expensive patio home. The community is quiet and historical. The residents have narry an unkind word to say about the area. There are sitting gardens and a lovely walking trail on the perimeter. This is a beautiful summer day, and I am bored out of my skull.

In defense of a dying art, I did get several leads on the fourth of July. It just seems as if every one likes to view from the internet. There are many agents who hire others to conduct open houses and will not be shy about stating that the only reason they will conduct one is for the benefit of an old-fashioned seller. I have had countless open houses without even one agent. buyer, or even the neighbor show up.

We (our team: http://northtexashomes4u.net ) have advertised endlessly for open houses and knocked on many doors trying to persuade residents to find out what there is to offer so they can "pick their neighbors". Still nothing. Keller Williams is trying to revive this service-oriented dinosaur by having an open house tour for agents and buyers one Sunday a month. I have kept this effort a matter of prayer for revival.

So tell me what you think of the open houses in this day and time.

Do you still have them? Go to them? Do you have success or failure stories? As far as my opinion goes, I will continue to have them as long as I can. I will teach any new agents that an open house is an art form that can only be mastered through trial, error and persistence. Still, are we at the mercy of the internet and other media channels?

WHAT DO U THINK?

HELLO ALL YOU RURALISTS CHAPTER 2

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:44:00 -0700

There is even more I am curious about since I blogged Hello All You Ruralists. As long as everyone who still works chooses to move back to the city, where are all the empty nesters and retirees?

I seem to remember a time when we got tired of the BIG CITY as we matured. If any of you are out there and blogging, I am positive there are many, many agents who are online that can help you find your retiree(?) nest in the country.

And for those of us who have mothers and fathers who have retired in the past several years, (I almost gave the age up didn't I) what are mom and dad doing? Is Florida getting all of them?

Of course I am the best agent for Fannin and Hunt counties in northeast Texas. If you are even thinking about it, log on to:

http://northtexashomes4u.net

Even if you guys want to buy land to leave the kids and save those tax dollars, give one of your rural agents a call. We do not really want to drive to the BIG CITY to make a buck if we can help it.

Just think about it:

In your own little way you will be saving a small portion of the ozone layer, that is one car that will not commute today.

You will help boost the economy, or revive it a little in small town America, and

Your good deed for the day will be finished because you will make one lucky agents day.

Now, for my blog responses, WHAT DO U THINK?

New Website for The Leonard Team

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:35:40 -0700

Hello everyone, if you can take a moment from your day,

Log on to our new website:

northtexashomes4u.net

We really want some opinions on our new website! What do you think. I know the wolfnet URL is not up and running yet and I know the importance of that.

On the other hand, any suggestions? Do you like the POWERPAGE?

I APPRECIATE ALL OPINIONS, EVEN THE COLORFUL ONES

HELLO ALL YOU RURALISTS!

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:02:54 -0700

Just for the sake of my own curiousity, I would like some comments on the state of your rural America. How do you feel about living life in the slow lane?

If you commute to work, how are the gas prices treating you?

Is there any way to really make money from the comfort of your own home?

Are your rural town populations flocking toward the city to save not only on gas but to have more of a choice on grocery and sale items?

How has your life changed because of the economy, and how do you think the next president will change things?

Let's sound off for the night.......

I know that I am not the only one suffering from the blast of everythings price increase. What do you think?

WHAT"S UP WITH THAT?????????

Where in the *!@# is Leonard anyway?

Leonard Team (Keller Williams) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:29:56 -0700

Well? Does anyone really know anything about Leonard, Texas? Leonard is approximately 65 miles northeast of Dallas. Leonard boasts to be the "Biggest, Little Town in Northeast Texas". The commute to Mckinney, Anna , Melissa and points south is smooth and easy. Leonard has a large population of people who work in Dallas and points surrounding. It really is the area to look into if you want to escape the inner city feeling of the immediate Dallas suburbs.

The children are still taught to refer to their elders as "sir" or "mam". You can still allow your children to ride their bikes to the library, or get a float at the old-fashioned soda counter at the pharmacy.

THE TOP FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LEONARD:

5. IT IS NOT PRONOUNCED Leeeeoooooonard, IT IS PRONOUNCED LENERD.

4. THE SIDEWALKS REALLY DO ROLL UP AT 10 PM., WEAR YOUR STEEL TOED BOOTS.

3.THERE IS NO LOOKING OUT OF YOUR KITCHEN WINDOW INTO YOUR NEIGHBORS BATHROOM.

2. RUSH HOUR IS STILL DEFINED BY THE SPEED OF YOUR HORSE.

1. THE STOPLIGHT THAT WAS ORDERED IS ON TWO DAY PRIORITY PONY EXPRESS.

Let's talk about our small towns, how small is yours and what is your Top Five list?

There is not one thing I have had comments on on localism.com