agents: The Real Future of Real Estate Agents - 03/01/07 09:39 PM
Many of the traditional functions agents have performed in the past are being replaced by the Internet as I write. The NAR 2006 Survey Report of Buyers and Sellers makes this quite clear. If you haven’t read it and care about your future in this business – I highly recommend you secure … (0 comments)
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agents: Lead Me To Your Taker - Slow Burning Hot Topics - Q's & Q's - 03/01/07 09:03 PM
How can the average real estate agent survive?
This is a very sensitive subject. I don't expect comments. Some will know what I am talking about, others will hate that I mention it.
Agents know that Relocation Company Fees have never been popular or inexpensive. 30 to 40% of the sale price … (3 comments)
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agents: 2907 N. Holladay Dr., Cornelius, OR, 97113 - 02/28/07 05:54 PM
Street of New Beginnings Gem!
Street of New Beginnings Gem! Still shows like a model home!!! Brazilian Cherrywood floors, beautiful designer colors, fabulous gourmet kitchen featuring Granite countertops, Stainless Steel appliances, huge island & Knotty Alder custom cabinets. Air Conditioned & ceiling fans. Huge Master Suite with soaking tub. Family room with … (0 comments)
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agents: 14712 SE Duke St., Portland, OR 97236 - 02/28/07 05:29 PM
Awesome Dukes Height, Portland Location!
For additional photos and details visit http//:www.TonyandLibby.com
or call 1-800-395-1151 code 606 for 24 hr recorded information This listing is brought to you courtesy of the Tony and Libby Kelly Group, Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere,
17700 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Portland, OR 97224 … (0 comments)
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agents: Excuses or Reasons to Lower The Price, Instead of Stage? - 02/28/07 10:37 AM
Just this morning - IT happened. I received an email from an agent letting me know that her home seller had decided to lower the listing price instead of stage the property. WHAT?!
Tell me how a home seller can lower the price of their property, in this case $30,000, instead of spending a … (6 comments)
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agents: Remove Your Vehicle Advertising Upon Request? - 02/27/07 01:25 PM
OK - so I'm spinning off from yesterday's blog. A/R member, Elaine Reese, brought up a really good point that I think deserves some additional consideration. Let's chat about clients (or perspective clients) requesting that all vehicle signage be removed before visiting the property. Car wraps, aside, if we have magnet signs that are … (18 comments)
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agents: Whatta Day! Donald Trump & I Are On Inman News Blog! - 02/26/07 05:33 PM
This is what they teach you on The Apprentice?
If real estate professionals are already questioning your ethics for teaching people to use their credit cards to make down payments on investment properties (see discussion on REliberation.com), do you really want to further antagonize them by "typosquatting" ActiveRain Real Estate Network? … (6 comments)
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agents: Point2 Broker - Great Website Solution Not Only For BROKERS - 02/23/07 09:20 PM
A lot has been said in the last few weeks about Point2 Agent solutions and its related services. In fact, many of ActiveRain members already have a website provided by Point2, whether it is the standard free version or one of the two upgraded services. But very little has been so … (4 comments)
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agents: Harford County Maryland Demographic & Housing Profile, Populations - 02/23/07 05:12 PM
… (2 comments)
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agents: Prospecting for Golden Opportunities and Protecting Intellectual Property - 02/23/07 11:23 AM
SIFTING THROUGH THE DIRT AND GRAVEL OF REAL ESTATE BLOGS
SEARCHING FOR GOLD
Treasure Hunting through blogs looking for nuggets of golden wisdom from real estate professionals worth their metal? Keep in mind:
YOU are the basic element for successful golden opportunities.
Prospecting through blogs is worthwhile way to see who you really are and where your professional and personal … (1 comments)
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agents: Are You Relocating and Need to Find a Great Agent? (Part 2 of 2) - 02/22/07 10:25 AM
As part of your search to find the perfect agent to help you find a new home when you relocate, here are some things that you might want to look for (Part 1 in this series talked about HOW to find the right agent)
You will need to do some research to … (2 comments)
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agents: The Flipping Bug - 02/21/07 02:07 PM
Years ago, I was contacted by a young lady that was bit the "Flipping Bug" and was suffering. She was a little panicked and needed help. The agents she called did not want to be bothered. There was no money to be made.
She purchased a small urban property that needed TLC on a … (1 comments)
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agents: Are You Relocating to Carlsbad and Need to Find a Great Agent? (Part 1 of 2) - 02/21/07 09:37 AM
Are you relocating here to Carlsbad, or elsewhere, and need to find a great agent to help you? It is well worth the effort to spend time finding someone to help you find a new home in an area you do not know.
I have some thoughts on how to find that person … (3 comments)
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agents: I Applaud the Beginner! Don't Be Shy - Be Friendly - 02/20/07 09:06 AM
I applaud the beginner. It can be intimidating if you've never done all the things involved in sellingreal estate. You may look or feel awkward learning to give a presentation or cold calling, but persist and you will shed the nickname "newbie" in no-time.
Selling real estate is an endeavor that is … (1 comments)
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agents: Link to Northwest Indiana Multiple Listing Service - 02/19/07 06:17 PM
http://www.willemsrealtors.com/search.php
Our services to all home buyers: We will show you as many houses as you like until you find the right one. We will run comparables to show you what similar houses have sold for in the past few months. We're savvy negotiators and we'll use that to our advantage to … (0 comments)
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agents: Take a Minute Before You Take A Picture - 02/17/07 04:25 PM
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a bad picture leaves the consumer (or agent) with only one word, "huh?"
Not hiring a professional photographer to take shots of the exterior and interior of properties? Then take a minute to:
Inside
Open curtains - let the sun inTurn on lights. Focus on interesting details. Remove trash … (15 comments)
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agents: Stressing Out Won't Grow Your Business - 02/16/07 02:49 PM
Getting stressed won't help your grow your business.
Set limits and simplify.
Assess how you spend your time. Limit-setting is a healthy way to set your priorities and to determine realistic expectations. Pare down demands to manageable steps while taking charge of your time in a proactive way.
Share the load.
Whether at work or … (0 comments)
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agents: Active Rain is helping to build a community in South Jersey - 02/16/07 08:41 AM
When I first joined AR this summer there were no signs of life from South Jersey Realtors. I think one of my first blogs was about the lack of participation from agents in my area. Good News - AR is spreading and more agents are taking advantage of all that the … (0 comments)
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agents: Do you have language skills... Or language resources? - 02/15/07 10:59 PM
I was talking to my friend Ahmed Ammar today about building business, and addressing niches today.
We got into languages and I asked him, "What languages do you speak other than English?"
He said, "Arabaic."
Me, "Well, you should be blogging an English/Arabic blog. And an English/Arabic newsletter. There are many people in … (12 comments)
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agents: Real Estate Wake Up Call - 02/15/07 02:53 PM
A long time ago, when I worked for a company, a few of "old timers" and I used to get to the office by 7am. We pulled up our hotsheets, put together a list of expired phone numbers, searched the newspapers for fsbo's, and had our advertising and contracts done and in the admin's basket … (3 comments)
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agents: American Idol - 02/14/07 10:17 PM
Whose your Idol?
I happen to be found of one agent who left a great impression on me. Joe Capprio is my Idol. He is professional, Kind, firm, and fair! I would decribe him as a top agent. who is your Idol? have you found one yet?
What characterstic impresses you in … (0 comments)
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agents: If I gave you 30 leads a month, would that interest you? - 02/10/07 09:02 PM
I'd be interested in hearing if you think that is something that would interest you or your fellow agents within your market. We have been working for several months, and in January launched our new internet platforms to create that scenario for our agents. In testing the system, we generated a … (0 comments)
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agents: Agent Rant- No Consideration or Basic Professional Courtesy - 02/10/07 07:21 PM
As much as I love the industry that I am in, I believe that the public has every right to be skeptical (of agents). That being said, I ran into a situation that gives me reason to doubt the lack of professionalism and professional courtesy that some agents have. Here's the … (6 comments)
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agents: A Quick Note to Buyers - 02/09/07 04:24 PM
As the buying season begins, I want to help some buyers understand the implications of the season. For buyers that have been looking for 3-5 months and have found themselves negotiating their contracts AWAY from a sale, they should know that things are going to get worse. There will soon be … (0 comments)
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agents: Norwalk Connecticut School Report Link - Public and Private - 02/08/07 04:21 PM
Click on Ruthman Real Estate to get up-to-date accurate market trends or school information.
Education is an important part of family life. Parents should evaluate different school options. The journey of finding a school takes time and energy. Request information from various schools. Visit many high schools and read books on school … (0 comments)
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agents: Home Buyers Aren't Properly Educated About the Forms of Representation Available to Them in Real Estate - 02/08/07 01:32 PM
One study showed that 77% of Buyers Pick the Listing Agent of a Home They are Interested in (many times, on the Internet) to represent them for their purchase. This is one of the WORST things a buyer could do! The buyer is typically raked over the coals by the listing … (0 comments)
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agents: What I expect from a real estate agent - 02/07/07 08:32 PM
I just wrote a blog criticizing a couple of real estate agents in my local market. The criticism was based on actual experiences and it was interesting the response I received from some of the real estate agents that contribute to this ActiveRain community. It does seem that when any agent … (7 comments)
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agents: Wrong Number, But the Right Thing To Do - 02/06/07 12:55 PM
I answered the phone and heard a cheerful voice ask for "Soandso", an agent I used to work with before I went on to be an independent broker. I told caller that "Soandso" did not work here, but I used to be her associate manager and thought "Soandso" was a lovely person, (which … (0 comments)
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agents: Part-timers killing the real estate profession! No Accountability! - 02/05/07 08:14 PM
Do you remember when you first interviewed any broker? The broker was the ultimate professional, upstanding, ethical, the epitome of integrity. They informed you they were there to see you succeed in your new career. Every resource they had was at your disposal, and they were only a phone call away. Their … (130 comments)
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agents: Internet buyers LOVE open houses - 02/03/07 08:42 PM
Five, ten years ago...why run an open house? To pick up business for yourself? To appease the seller? To meet the neighbors? To throw away money on newspaper ads?
How about today? Why run an open house? Consider this theory...with the advent of the internet and broker reciprocity more and more buyers start … (0 comments)
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agents: Hi, This is ... Thanks For Calling. I'm Not Available to Take Your Call... - 02/03/07 03:17 PM
Grrr. How many times do we get that sort of response to our calls. It's inevitable, of course, since folks are busy and can't always answer the phone. And I (like many of you I hope) turn off my phone when I am with a client so I can devote my … (10 comments)
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agents: $1.5 Trillion Worth of 3 & 5 Year ARMs Resetting in 2007 - 02/02/07 04:40 PM
I've written about this before. It is a scary scenario. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, about $1.5 trillion in adjustable mortgages are due to have their rates reset this year. Now that it looks like the Federal Reserve will not lower interest rates anytime soon, many already cash-strapped homeowners/borrowers will soon see … (1 comments)
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agents: Creative Closing Gifts - 02/01/07 03:34 PM
Last night I took the family to a Portland Trail Blazer game. One of the advantages to having a professional sports team that is struggling in the wins department (and attendance) is their need to design creative ticketing packages in order to entice fans. I have to give credit to the … (7 comments)
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agents: Buying a Short Sale - 01/31/07 08:05 PM
As a buyer watching the real estate market, you are undoubtedly aware that there are more "short sale" properties on the market, at least in many areas. A short sale is a home where the market value of the property is LESS than the loan amount owed to one or more … (303 comments)
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agents: Real Estate Botox Versus Real Estate Buttocks - 01/30/07 04:14 PM
Years and years ago, when I first started in real estate, I had the priviledge of having a great manager. Sadly, I have realized that not all real estate managers are not created equal.
"John" had professional management skills that could have had the pyramids built in a day! If "John" could get something done for … (0 comments)
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agents: Recent letter to my agents - 01/30/07 11:59 AM
This is an email that I sent my agents today, and I thought that I would share here too. Please enjoy and leave a comment or two.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For those of you who are in attendance for the class next month, this will be a preview.
When I was overseas, there was … (0 comments)
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agents: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY - A Great Day to Have an Open House...or Is It? - 01/29/07 10:46 PM
One of the most popular sports and TV events in the history of the world (I exaggerate for effect here) is coming in no time at all - SUPERBOWL SUNDAY. Last year there were an estimated 141 MILLION viewers, give or take a few hundred thousand. This is pretty staggering. It's … (44 comments)
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agents: Your Brokerage Company Actually Did That! - 01/29/07 09:40 PM
My previous ActiveRain blog post was about a competitor in my market that treats their agents as profit centers and creates policy that is detrimental to both agent and client and only positive for the company. Unfortunately, I could post like that all day long because I hear so many bad management policies … (3 comments)
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agents: ....Looking Like a Million - 01/29/07 04:48 PM
Do I dare confess to my own fashion faux pas? If I were to describe my "out of office attire" it would be "Ouiser Boudreaux" from Steel Magnolias. I am southern and I like to dig in the dirt. After starting my own company, I went to the bank to deposit some sizable commissssion checks while I … (1 comments)
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agents: Know Your Contract - 01/29/07 10:12 AM
Well, I knew it was going to happen and it just did. As some of you know Georgia has just implemented many significant changes in its purchase and sales agreement. I was fortunate to receive an offer on a listing shortly after the changes came about which was presented on the … (0 comments)
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agents: Your Personal Statistics? Online SIte? - 01/29/07 07:05 AM
So I took a LEAP Training class last week, During that class I got the idea to track every lead that had come in for the month of January and continue this practice for the year, On a Month by Month basis. I was completely shocked by the Percentage of Leads … (14 comments)
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agents: Real Estate is a Contact Sport - 01/25/07 10:26 PM
Ours is a business of people. It's all about people, contacting people, farming, FSBO's, sphere of influence, expireds, lis pendens and any other target audience we choose to service. You can have the nicest materials, have the greatest presentation, be the most orderly and knowledgeable agent there is, but if you don't engage … (3 comments)
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agents: Your Brokerage Company Actually Does That?? - 01/25/07 09:08 PM
I am continually surprised at how brokerage companies treat their best assets...their real estate agents.
Every time I think I have heard the most inane, ridiculous policy, I hear another one that's even worse.
Here's an example. This is a "prestigious" company's new policy regarding listings...
An agent takes a new listing and is charged a $200 marketing … (3 comments)
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agents: Are some Agents really just "Bird Dogs" for Large Agencies? - 01/24/07 12:14 PM
When I entered the real estate business in the 1970's, a common practice was to identify those among your family and friends who would "talk you up" to potential clients. These individuals were known as "bird dogs" and would be rewarded with a crisp new $100 bill after the close of … (5 comments)
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agents: Real Estate Deep Throats Wanted - 01/23/07 06:11 PM
Maybe we can have some fun.....
Here’s the deal. We’re looking for juicy real estate related “insider” tips and news—The real estate news or photos you would sell to the Real Estate Enquirer if such a publication existed.
continue reading here......
… (1 comments)
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agents: Opinions needed on an alternative marketing idea - 01/23/07 10:02 AM
In getting my home ready for sale I have hired a professional carpenter and drywaller to make some upgrades and in conversation, an idea had occurred to me and thought this would be the best place to find out if it is worth the energy in developing.
A group of professionals formed specifically … (12 comments)
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agents: Carlsbad REALTOR Says - KISS, BOW, or SHAKE HANDS...or? - 01/22/07 08:31 PM
So, you are meeting a new real estate or mortgage client from another country and you wonder - do I kiss, bow, or shake hands? How do you know? What if you do the wrong thing?
This is a weighty question, and one you should not take lightly. The correct answer can … (4 comments)
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agents: What is Your Real Estate Agent's Motivation? Ready...Set...Action! - 01/21/07 03:02 PM
Auditioning real estate agents:
What is the motivation behind a great real estate agent? Many agents have desires or monetary goals, but most never necessarily fulfil them. Their drive should not be finance, it should not be fame, it should be the love of real estate.
READY:
A great agent knows how to handle "today," and is prepared for tomorrow. Those agents are ready to deal with uncertainties with certain probability. Great agents have more proven … (0 comments)
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agents: Going All The Way - 01/17/07 06:43 PM
Just how far should you go, and how far is TOO far? That depends. The answer may be personal, or it may be legal. Or perhaps something else.
I had an out of state seller with an investment property to sell. The home (a twinhome) had been a rental for some … (30 comments)
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agents: Listing Agents - What should a home seller look for? - 01/15/07 12:04 PM
I guess many sellers are naive when selling a home. They either make several fatal presumptions. One is that all agents are the same, and the other is that they have more knowledge than the agent, and whom they choose is not important. If it is the later, they list their … (5 comments)
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agents: Virtual Tour Program? - 01/15/07 07:08 AM
Okay, This is something I have discussed with Kelly off and on for about three or four weeks now. We need a really good Virtual Tour Program that is capable of making both Branded and Unbranded Virtual Tours.
We are looking for a Program that will not break us but … (9 comments)
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agents: 100% Financing, ALL credit types!!!!!!!! - 01/13/07 10:31 AM
Visit my website at www.loansforyoulasvegas.com for more loan program details. Your clients can enter their application information directly on my site and receive same day approval. Call me today with any fallout and let me turn it around and get it closed. You have nothing to lose, only much to gain. … (0 comments)
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agents: Trust your referral partners - 01/12/07 08:44 PM
I've been working with a referral partner in another state for some time. She happens to be one of the most highest producing agents in her market. I was referred to her through a friend and over a six month period of time she would send us an occasional loan. One thing … (5 comments)
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agents: Open Houses? - 01/12/07 07:12 AM
What are your thoughts about Open Houses? I know that not all Realtors do Open houses. What are the Benefits? If you do hold Open houses what do you do to make yours stand out from the competition? Do you bring someone with you when you hold a Open House … (25 comments)
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agents: Most memorable sale? - 01/10/07 06:53 AM
Okay, I want to be inspired. Everyone in every profession has at one point or another been touched by a Client, a Situation, A Sale.....I love the Chicken Soup Books, they warm my heart, tell me about one of your most memorable Sales, maybe it was a client that surprised you, … (8 comments)
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agents: The New 101st Airborne.........Parachuting Agents! - 01/09/07 08:18 PM
All of us have had this happen to them before. If it hasn't yet, just wait, it will! Trust me......
You spend all of this money marketing your listing. Finally you get a great prospect who phones you to meet at the home. You show them the home, answer all of there questions, get … (5 comments)
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agents: Home Staging is like dating. - 01/09/07 11:19 AM
I remember when I was single looking for my soul mate to share my life with, you know ... the dating scene. You send out smoke signals, tell people, maybe even place an ad in the newspaper or online that you are searching for a mate. You get several people interested in … (6 comments)
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agents: Online Forms Programs?? - 01/09/07 07:18 AM
OKAY, so all this talk about Customer Databases got me thinking about Contract and form programs, Web based or Actual Programs. I have seen Formulator, that is what my Team uses, It seems pretty good but a little expensive for new Agents, Anyone know of any programs out there less expensive … (24 comments)
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agents: Know Your Dates! - 01/08/07 07:51 PM
No, I don't mean people you go out with, silly. I'm referring to dates in the purchase contract.
Knowing your dates is critical for everyone - buyers, sellers, agents - so that the transaction can proceed as smoothly as possible and doesn't fall apart because one party or the other doesn't do their … (11 comments)
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agents: Lowballing agent commissions and higballing asking prices! - 01/08/07 04:56 PM
Many asked me this year if there is a way to lowball a real estate agents' commission. My answer is very simple, "You get what you pay for!" If you were in need of a doctor and you were about to go into surgery, would you lowball the doctor? If you were … (3 comments)
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agents: Commission, When do you LOWER your Commission? - 01/08/07 07:17 AM
Okay, I have heard all about commission and how to be flexible, I have had several Agents tell me they REFUSE to lower their Commission, My Question is: When do you Lower your Commission? If you personally NEVER lower , your Commission, please explain to me why you have come … (20 comments)
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agents: Over the Hedge! - 01/06/07 01:56 PM
Has anyone seen the movie Over the Hedge?
I know they do not say that the "bad girl" Glady$$$ is a real estate agent but they don't have to.
Here is the evidence:
1. Yes she spells her name on her black escalade with dollar signs. (Three of them)
2. She wears … (0 comments)
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agents: Feedback On "Calling For Feedback" - 01/04/07 06:15 AM
I am amazed by the feedback I have gotten on my blog about calling for feedback. It illustrates a point I forgot to mention in my post: If you put something out there that interests people, you will get feedback whether or not you ask for it.
A few of the responses … (3 comments)
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agents: Is the Grass Really Greener With Another Company or on Your Own? - 01/02/07 11:23 PM
This conversation comes up frequently among real estate agents. Since getting my broker's license I am approached more than ever by other companies. I also get asked regularly, when are you opening your own office?
My response has been consistent. I am happy where I am and have no plans of leaving.
Here … (9 comments)
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agents: ONLINE REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING: 2006 UPDATE - 01/01/07 05:40 PM
A new research report came out from Borrell Associates on 2006 - 2012 real estate online advertising. Below is a summary of the report and a link to view more:
"Despite a 36 percent increase in available inventory to advertise, real estate advertising has grown less than 4 percent since 2001. This … (0 comments)
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agents: Do You Help New Agents? - 12/31/06 04:27 PM
Over the last couple of years I have built somewhat of a reputation in my office for assisting new and inexperienced agents.
Many times new agents just get the cold shoulder from the full timers. They just see them as another mouth feeding at their trough.
I look at them differently. I see … (80 comments)
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agents: Looking for a Good Listing Agent? - 12/31/06 12:22 PM
If you are a serious seller and are setting out to hire a good listing agent, I would encourage you to consider the following. Hiring the right person will help you avoid the things I discussed in my earlier posts (Part 1, Part 2), and probably avoid a long drawn-out sale...or … (2 comments)
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agents: Help! My Agent isn't Doing the Job! (Part 2 of 2) - 12/31/06 10:27 AM
Now that you have that nagging feeling your agent is NOT doing the job, what can you do about it?
Since you are already in a contract (I'll talk more about prevention in another post) you will have to confront the issues. But make sure you have really thought it through and … (5 comments)
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agents: Help! My Agent isn't Doing the Job! (Part 1 of 2) - 12/30/06 08:23 PM
As a seller, what do you do when you get that sinking feeling the agent you hired to help sell your house isn't cutting the mustard? What are the tell-tale signs and what should you do about it? Let's talk about the job not getting done first.
Let's face it...in this market … (1 comments)
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agents: Learning from zefrank - 12/29/06 06:02 PM
Anyone else addicted to ze frank? His video show is extremely fast moving, fun, frequent, and smart... For me, hre represents just about everything I've come to expect from their online entertainment:
http://www.zefrank.com/theshow/
(graphic from this site where you can buy zefrank t-shirts!)
The connection to real estate professionals? The online video … (2 comments)
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agents: We CATER to agents and brokers for FREE! - 12/28/06 01:05 PM
In reviewing our agent and broker registrations on condoDomain.com the numbers have shot through the roof more than 150%. The real estate professionals (YOU) are adapting to new technologies and because of this, condoDomain.com now hosts hundreds of condos and lofts in 33 urban markets for condo home buyers to … (8 comments)
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agents: i'm blogging video - 12/20/06 02:07 PM
Readers enjoy:)
see the Blog Video on You Tube
… (7 comments)
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agents: ‘Housed’ in a World of Search, by Anthony Longo - Founder - condoDomain.com - 12/20/06 01:56 PM
In an ever-growing world of "Search" on the Internet, marketing your company, your listings and yourself has never been more important. With more than 77% of all homebuyers searching for housing online, marketing to these individuals has clearly become the focus for most real estate agents. So, where do you start? … (11 comments)
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agents: You've Got to be Kidding Me!? - 12/19/06 10:01 PM
I love the real estate business! In fact, one of the most gratifying aspects of this business are the people I meet within the industry (i.e. clients, other agents, etc). I guess I must be a people person and look forward to the challenges of learning about people and why they … (7 comments)
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agents: SEO & One Way Links - Free Classifieds - 12/19/06 04:55 PM
We decided to offer a one way link from our site Fast Real Estate to anyone who places ads on our site. We should be rolling in the upgrade over the next few days and we will monitor how it goes. If it's starting to look like the quality of the content … (1 comments)
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agents: Need to take the edge off ? Try the Idiot Test... - 12/18/06 09:09 PM
Take the edge off of your day a little bit, share with us how far you get in the game. Concentrate or it will catch you off guard, it gets pretty hard the further you get in the game. I shared it with several Agents in the Office today, you would … (1 comments)
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agents: Homes Of The Future! - 12/18/06 07:13 PM
Do you ever notice what your kids are reading about? I do notice ... well, I am "made" to notice. I have a middleschooler in the house who likes to share with me all the "fun stuff" he finds on the internet, in magazines and surprisingly, even at school. And today hasn't … (2 comments)
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agents: We Rule! - 12/16/06 05:54 PM
I attended the recent Red Carpet Rendezvous in part, because I am never satisfied with how much I know or have learned. Never. Also, I am taking my MSRE Broker exam this Monday Morning, so I thought the classes would help sharpen me up for the exam, and prepare me for … (0 comments)
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agents: The new wave....will you be a part of it? - 12/16/06 01:03 AM
I've noticed that some of the real estate agents on active rain may not know to much about a new wave that is sweeping through the mortgage industry. At first glance it probably sounds counter productive. Phrases like "ripping equity", "missed fortune investing", and " Fully funded insurance investments", do not … (4 comments)
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agents: Technology Changes Everything…Or Does It? - 12/14/06 08:43 AM
What a difference a few years make. It used to be that if you wanted to buy a house you would get the Sunday paper - on Saturday, of course - and spend hours deep in the real estate section. Then you would spend more hours calling about houses, days driving … (4 comments)
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agents: To leave or not to leave homes on the market over Christmas Holidays? - 12/12/06 05:16 PM
What do you think? Should the sellers leave homes on the market over Christmas Holidays or should they take their homes off the market?
Personally, I like to keep homes on the market. Why? ... majority of homes look very presentable during the holidays and because a lot of sellers take their homes … (13 comments)
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agents: How do you stay safe? - 12/04/06 06:42 PM
How Do You Stay Safe?
In our profession, we can never be careful enough. On the other hand, we don't always have a chance to do all we should for our safety ... we can't always meet with new clients in the office as they may walk away with someone who can meet … (3 comments)
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agents: ABC's of "Why Work with a Realtor? - 12/04/06 02:49 PM
Adertising - Your agent pays for all advertising.
Bargain - Research shows 77% of all sellers felt that their commission was well spent.
Contracts - Your agent can supply standard forms to expedite your transaction.
Details - Your agent frees you from handling many details of selling your home.
Experience and Expertise - In marketing, … (0 comments)
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agents: Recruiting agents - 12/03/06 05:34 PM
I am a broker - owner of a small independent startup real estate office located in Lake County Illinois and as such I am in charge of recruiting for our company ... Mipeco Realty, Inc. I could write this blog with the plan to attract and recruit more agents. However, that … (4 comments)
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agents: Bonehead Agents Sending Lowball Offers - 12/03/06 10:48 AM
Now that I have your attention.......
There have been a lot of posts here about low ball offers and debates about sending them, how to deal with them, are they good or are they bad.
Question: Are agents and investors that send low offers total Boneheads?
Steps to an offer:
Find property (10 minutes)Drive to … (1 comments)
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agents: Old School Real Estate Search: Old Habits Die Hard - 12/02/06 08:48 AM
After watching the interview Trulia conducted with the CEO of Funda, it got me thinking about why newspaper classifieds are still a major part of a real estate agents marketing efforts. Why? Because that's where their customers and clients look and that's where their sellers want them to advertise.
That's right. … (22 comments)
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agents: 79% in 2005, ?% in the future? - 12/01/06 07:55 AM
The stats keep improving, but adapters are not as fast as non agents nation wide. Oh - and what kind of nut would do this "blog" thing? Bernice Ross Explains.
Web strategies
Consumers continue to shift their business to the Web. In 2005, 79 percent of home buyers used the Internet as an … (2 comments)
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agents: Freakonomics review #1 - 11/29/06 04:00 PM
I just finished reading Freakonomics, a bestseller by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner in which they share with the readers how economics has been applied to everyday situations. It is a must read. It is so fun to read that you'll breeze through it and it will change your perception of things.
A chapter … (27 comments)
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agents: Wanted - Your Opinion - Does Staging Make A Difference? - 11/27/06 07:42 PM
Does staging truly make a difference in selling homes? Can home stagers really justify their pricing to home owners whose homes have not sold in the last 5, 7, 9+ months? How do you explain to home owners that staging is merely a marketing tool - not miracle work? And what about the sudden influx of … (8 comments)
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agents: Face Value? - 11/21/06 11:17 PM
Face Value
In the recent blog by Leanne Paynter, we discussed the use of photos on the MLS, and, the lack of photos. For a long time I have wondered why some agents do not use photos and more description. It seems there should be a reason. Speculations run the between: … (2 comments)
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agents: Changing With The Times -- At Last - 11/21/06 09:13 PM
Just read a post by Deb Salkeld (VA) and I was about to comment but thought it would be too long. Her post asked about preferred method of communicating. I remember when I got my first computer, after years of prodding by my son who implored me to "stop buying televisions and get … (9 comments)
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agents: Eco-Friendly Agents - 11/21/06 06:28 AM
Are you an eco-friendly agent?
Among other things, Eco-Friendly Real Estate Agents:
Include as many photos as their MLS will allowHave a virtual tour of their listings availableProvide good directions to the propertyInclude a floorplan whenever possibleIf listing agents took the time to properly market their listings, buyers would be better able to … (28 comments)
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agents: Taking Real Estate to a more comfortable level!!! - 11/20/06 09:01 PM
When it comes down to it, in the end, one just wants to find a Realtor/broker thats easy to get along with, and one that will take the time to listen and work for you until a superior job is done! I do those simple things for my clients and … (0 comments)
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agents: Anatomy of a Team - Part 1 - 11/20/06 08:31 AM
In my short time in real estate, I have met agents who are doing fifty to one hundred transactions a year solo. They do, of course, rely on an assistant or other staff in the brokerage. But the majority of the Realtor work is being done by them. I applaud them, … (2 comments)
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agents: More on Market Conditions - 11/18/06 08:30 PM
Leaders gain respect on the example they set. That means having a positive attitude that things will get better when we do. In this type of real estate market we need to develop creative responses to the opportunities and challenges that exist. By creating a vision within our industry that this … (0 comments)
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agents: Hampstead New Hampshire Market Update - 11/18/06 07:12 PM
Market Up-Date Hampstead New Hampshire
Inventory is increasing in Hampstead…compared to the average on the market totals of about 28-32 homes last year at this time! That is great news if you’re looking for your dream home.
Currently Hampstead has a high of 61 residential homes and … (8 comments)
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agents: Real Estate Agents - 11/13/06 05:26 PM
Real estate agents are a mortgage professionals best friend. There are several ways to "get in good" with a local agent. One way can be to go his/her office pass out some literature about yourself and sell yourself a bit. Think about it , how many other mortgage loan officers in the area solicit … (0 comments)
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agents: Pet Peeve-This really stinks! - 11/10/06 09:23 PM
OK. What is the deal with agents who do not address the issue of overwhelming pet odors in their listings. I know it is an uncomfortable subject but from experience it is an absolute deal killer. Most buyers will not even make it passed the front door if the odor is … (6 comments)
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agents: I'm Getting Calls -- Lots Of Them - 11/08/06 09:01 PM
I've spent the past several weeks working with a buyer. They are a tech savvy couple in search of their first home (unless you count a condo they bought several years ago and are keeping as an investment). They've done their homework and found a number of places they wanted to see. … (34 comments)
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agents: My Favorite Sites - 11/08/06 01:13 PM
Nobody pays me to recommend these sites I wish they did. Each has come in useful for agents to surf information on prospecting, servicing and building their business. I am always looking for additional GREAT real estate sites that offer ideas and education to my agents. So, feel free to make … (1 comments)
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