realtor advice: A Simple Phone Call - 11/30/08 01:24 AM
A Simple
Phone Call
I
had buyer clients that were looking to purchase a particular FSBO last
year; they wound up not purchasing the home but, because I had
spent so much time with the Sellers,
we got very acquainted with each other. The Sellers had put their
confidence in an … (30 comments)
|
realtor advice: Are You a Playground Bully? - 11/23/08 09:43 PM
The Playground Bully
Are You a Playground Bully?
After working tirelessly to do the best marketing for my listings and
to provide a TRUE picture of what the properties that I list actually
look
like, I get the call!
**NOTE:
All photos &
clips are represented in … (23 comments)
|
realtor advice: A New COOL Tool... - 11/12/08 12:28 PM
A New Cool Tool...
A
NEW COOL TOOL...
...and it's NOT something that
will make your brain hurt trying to figure it out! I have found the
coolest new tool for business! The company, Syntheny, provides
LIVE operators who answer
as though they were your secretary/personal assistant, not an
answering … (11 comments)
|
realtor advice: Are YOU Providing VALUE? - 11/09/08 12:15 PM
Are YOU Providing Value?
Are
YOU Providing VALUE?
Just as we live our lives with
certain 'moral' standards, we run our businesses based on a particular
'quality' or 'value.' What do you base your value
on?
Boosting customer service is best done by boosting customer relationships.
This is, as … (90 comments)
|
realtor advice: Does it Pay to Work for a Brand Name Broker? Your Thoughts? - 11/01/08 02:03 PM
I have been with Prudential CA Realty for the past 2 years. Before coming to Prudential I worked for a small time real estate brokerage. It was the best move I ever made. My business took off and lo and behold, I'm still doing real estate!!!
One listing I landed was … (6 comments)
|
realtor advice: Romancing the REALTORS - 10/29/08 10:34 AM
Romancing the Realtors
How Do YOU Romance the
Realtors®?
With three
buyer tours last week and an
average showing list of 5 homes each, I made certain to phone to
early to schedule appointments in order to avoid any potential
issues with late return calls from listing agents or Sellers who … (28 comments)
|
realtor advice: To Preview or Not to Preview! - 10/24/08 02:15 PM
To Preview or Not To Preview!
To Preview
or NOT to Preview?
Have
you ever been on a short-notice search (less than 16 hours!) of a
mother-in-law (MIL) suite for your clients?
I took a wonderful couple
shopping for homes in my area, looking for brick ranch homes with
either … (62 comments)
|
realtor advice: Five COMMITMENTS to Boost Your Business - 10/24/08 11:00 AM
Five COMMITMENTS To Boost Your Business
1. Commitment to Mastery: Are you committed to offering only the best? Are you committed to learning everything that you possibly can to become a master of your profession? Think about this--in a busy market, we are able to balance the art of showing homes or … (33 comments)
|
realtor advice: Have You Changed the Way You Do Business? You Should! - 10/18/08 08:49 PM
A recent Article I just wrote for RealtyTimes.Com just published this week. 'Desperate Times Require Drastic Measures' was based on a Blog I wrote in ActiveRain. Since I also give occasional seminars, I listen to loads of agents each week that contact me for information and advice. Sometimes there are no answers. We … (30 comments)
|
realtor advice: NE Patriots- a study in real estate - 09/07/08 03:06 PM
Just finished watching the Patriots Game versus the Kansas City Chiefs..With no way to stop the clock, the top Quarter Back taken out due to injuries during one of the first plays, it was a a victory hard-won...sounds like your real estate practice these days?
I get bombarded on a daily … (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: Data Sharing and a National MLS - 08/22/08 02:25 PM
Data Sharing is here, A national MLS system is a real possibility
Like it or not we are getting close to having national access to MLS systems. It is likely the wave of the future especially with sites like Realtor.com.
Rumor is that NY is very close to a State wide … (7 comments)
|
realtor advice: The Practice of Proper Business Etiquette and Networking - 08/15/08 11:13 AM
While Networking you want to make a rock solid connection with potential clients and referal sources. What can you do? At the top of your list should be proper Etiquette.
Studies have shown that college graduates are missing out on business etiquette skills. Hopefully we can avoid some of this … (12 comments)
|
realtor advice: Southwest Florida * First Time Home Buyers * New Tax Credit Law! - 08/07/08 03:01 PM
I would like to suggest to all the people in Southwest Florida that are First-Time Home Buyers thinking about buying a home? Now is the time to get serious about buying a home, besides having a chance to buy a home at a great price, the recently passed Housing Recovery Bill that was just … (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: Open Houses - 08/07/08 10:47 AM
In recent weeks I've talked with REALTORS I know in different market areas and heard polar opposite views on holding open houses. Our Market Center Team Leader says not to do them is throwing away opportunity and a successful Realtor in the Ft. Worth area says she would never do one … (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: Contract, Addendum, Addendum, Addendum... - 08/06/08 09:34 PM
Contract, Addendum, Addendum, Addendum...
Contract,
Addendum, Addendum, Addendum...
...and
the pain
goes on and on! Are you suffering from RELO
OVERLOAD? Upon completion of a recent relocation package to
turn in to my firm, I noticed that my TOTAL pages--not including the
HUD-1 was 52!
My standard package is … (23 comments)
|
realtor advice: SELLING YOUR HOME - 07/21/08 05:18 PM
… (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: Buying a Home - 07/21/08 05:06 PM
Buying a home can be one of your most significant investments in life. Not only are you choosing your dwelling place, and the place in which you will bring up your family, you are most likely investing a large portion of your assets into this venture. The more prepared you are … (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: Relocating to Texas? You must read this strait talk from Texas Realtor magazine. - 07/15/08 05:32 PM
Tips for Buying
Welcome
to Texas!
Information to help you settle
into the Lone Star State
If you just moved to Texas, you'll soon learn plenty about the culture,
customs, and history of the state. In the meantime, here are a few items to
consider as you get … (0 comments)
|
realtor advice: YOU can make Short Sales Easier - 07/01/08 07:58 AM
Why is it called a short sale? Because, the bank takes it in the shorts!
But seriously:
I have seen numerous posts asking for short sale help. Here is a quick to-do list to help make the process easier, this is a list for the LISTING Agent, as a selling … (14 comments)
|
realtor advice: The FED meets this week, Market update. - 06/23/08 10:40 AM
Market update
The FED Begins its FOMC meeting this Tuesday and we should have the outcome of that meeting about 2pm on Wednesday. In addition to the FED meeting we have a slew of reports on New and Existing Home Sales, Consumer Confidence, 2 Treasury Auctions, ending the week with Personal … (3 comments)
|
realtor advice: Prospecting Pointers - 06/19/08 04:25 PM
Repetition works. Repetition works.
We all know that a key part of prospecting is asking your current clients for referrals. But when do you ask? Consider boosting your chances by asking for referrals at:
•Ø Contract Signing (make it an optional form at signing)
•Ø Throughout the buying selling process … (3 comments)
|
realtor advice: Defeat Consumer Skepticism - 06/16/08 09:54 AM
Defeating Customer Skepticism
Advertisers' daily assaults have left some potential customers with a high degree of skepticism. Win over doubting customers by implementing the following tips:
Don't deliver a canned sales pitch. Building rapport creates a connection of trust and honesty with customers. Use open-ended questions to get close to customers. … (2 comments)
|
realtor advice: Increase Your Search Engine Ranking! Let Your Pictures Do The Talking ! - 06/12/08 10:20 AM
I would like to give a suggestion to all the active rainers out there in looking to increase their Search Engine Rankings. (blogs, web sites, postings on craigslist ect) Creating more key word text into your blog Heading and Body, we all know is a great way to improve your rankings! When you resize your pictures, … (18 comments)
|
realtor advice: Laptop Shopping List for Realtors - 05/31/08 03:19 PM
A few Things REALTORs should keep in mind By Key Yessaad - Real Estate Trainer - Updated 11/8/2008
Real Estate Professionals ask me all the time... "What laptop should I get Key?" and I always tell them: The cheapest one you can get your hands on. That's Right!!! The cheapest as … (2 comments)
|
realtor advice: Florida * Cape Coral * Fort Myers * Wind Mitigation Inspection *New Home Buyers - 05/12/08 06:53 PM
Joe Kendall, Realtor with Sandals Realty writes, As a suggestion to Home Buyers. You might want to check into getting a Home Wind Mitigation Inspection done when applying for home owners insurance prior to closing on your new home purchase? Basically a wind mitigation inspection is a 2 page form with questions about … (2 comments)
|
realtor advice: "Warning - The object in the mirror may be closer than it appears". - 04/17/08 01:37 PM
Hello fellow Real Estate Professionals and Consumers:
I found the E-newsletter article forwarded by NAR on Tuesday to confirm what I have been saying to my Clients -- home sale prices may not get lower than right now, in fact, they may begin to swing upward again without a formal announcement, and sooner than late 2009 as originally … (2 comments)
|
realtor advice: When Prospects Give You the "Silent Treatment" - 02/29/08 01:41 PM
If you've been selling for a while, you've probably had at least one experience in which your prospect suddenly started giving you the "silent treatment." When this happens, it's natural to feel anxious and confused. You may tell yourself, "It's not as if I'm the one who did anything wrong. I … (6 comments)
|
realtor advice: Not Just Business As Usual - 02/06/08 09:31 PM
In voting in the New York primary yesterday, I was keenly aware that I need to look at my candidate selection in a new way -- who will actively and appropriately address the current mortgage/real estate issues which are a primary contributor to the sad and continually worsening economic State of the Union. … (1 comments)
|
realtor advice: Know What Gets Me About Real Estate Listings? - 02/04/08 05:15 PM
It really gripes me, and my clients too, when listing agents do not include pictures with their seller's listings. I can't understand why this is done. With the affordability of digital cameras, why are listing agents unable to take at least initial pictures until more professional shots can be obtained? Many of … (6 comments)
|
realtor advice: Short Sales Part 3 - 01/23/08 10:37 PM
THE BROKER’S PRICE OPINION:Once the Lender has received the short sale application, the next phase of the approval process is the Lender’s independent verification of the value of the home based upon its condition and market conditions in the neighborhood in which the subject property is located. This is usually accomplished … (1 comments)
|
realtor advice: Do you really NEED a survey? YES!!! - 09/18/07 10:44 AM
This is NOT what you want to wake up and see at the end of your driveway.
I know you may not be able to read it. I took the picture from the road at the other end of the driveway .
This is a "Private Property, Do not trespass" sign. … (12 comments)
|
realtor advice: Realtors, You should be scared right now! - 06/09/07 07:11 AM
Why did I start off with this statement? The recent destruction in the Mortgage Backed Securities market has driven interest rates up significantly recently.
That means one thing. Your buyers cannot qualify for as much of a mortgage as they used to!!!
That's right, if your buyer has not locked a loan … (7 comments)
|
realtor advice: Are You Trying to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster? If so, Read This...(Part 1) - 05/09/07 09:30 AM
Most Americans dream of owning their own home, and owning their home free and clear of a mortgage. While that may be a noble goal, they go about it the wrong way. To assist in emphasizing this fact, we will take a look at a couple who are trying to decide … (3 comments)
|
realtor advice: Watch Out for Falling... - 05/08/07 01:28 AM
I was doing some research today and looking into the future of the mortgage market. It never seems to fail that technical indicators portray a good glimpse of the future, and with that in mind, I am off to predict the future of interest rates.
Many of you may know that I … (30 comments)
|
realtor advice: Unique Opportunites Abound - You Just Need to Open Your Eyes - 05/03/07 09:02 AM
Well, most of you know that I returned to flying and I decided to continue my mortgage business. What you may not know is the opportunities it presents to grow my business. Hopefully, you will be able to see some opportunities to grow your business after reading this post.
Building relationships are … (1 comments)
|
realtor advice: Are America's Housing ATMs All Tapped Out? - 04/30/07 02:44 PM
Today saw the release of the US Savings rate, which improved from the last reports. It is still in negative territory at -.8%, but is up from -1.2%.
I know, many of you probably don't follow this number, and some may not even know what it means. Basically, its interpretation is that … (3 comments)
|
realtor advice: Americans Just Can't Stop Spending - 02/01/07 12:39 PM
This morning, an inflationary telling report came out called the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Index. This report is one of the large contributors to determing the Fed Funds Rate movement and it came in at 2.2%, just higher that the 2% the Feds like. Nothing to worry about by itself … (27 comments)
|
realtor advice: Put a Price on Their Heads - 01/28/07 01:15 PM
Put a price on their heads.
I know it sounds a little harsh but I have found that when people call and I take down their name, phone number and email address, that it also helps to put a price on how much money I could make from them. You can do this … (4 comments)
|
realtor advice: Even the Wealthy Need Financial and Real Estate Education! - 01/24/07 12:07 PM
I was reviewing an article in the Wall Street Journal and how it highlighted the fact that even the wealthy are heading back to school to learn about how to manage their money. The article highlighted several courses at various colleges and some companies that offer specialized courses. The biggest question … (2 comments)
|
realtor advice: Knowing When to Place Limits on Your Business - 01/20/07 11:13 PM
The New Year came in full force for me this year and I am faced with a dilema I am sure most of you would like to have. The problem is that I allowed myself to bite off more than I could chew. Actually all this happened last month which is … (10 comments)
|
realtor advice: Turbulence - How to avoid it - 12/13/06 09:51 PM
I was just reading and commenting on Karl Christen's post Good offense is always a better defense. As I was formulating my comment, it dawned on me to make this post about what I have learned to avoid turbulence while flying and how it applies to the turbulence he mentions regarding … (4 comments)
|
realtor advice: How to Receive Your Retirement Money Now, Penalty Free! - 11/27/06 09:04 PM
Now that I am back from my AR rehab experience (which I will blog about later), I decided to start with a post about a little known concept regarding retirement accounts. The information below is for reference, education and added thought only. Seek appropriately qualified individuals for guidance specific to your … (4 comments)
|
realtor advice: Interest Rates and Their Effect on Potential Homebuyers - 11/12/06 09:28 PM
When reviewing a survey that was conducted about a year ago, it reminded me of what really drives potential homebuyers to make that home purchase. In light of the fact interest rates may start rising again, what effect would that have on the real estate market during a recovery, or any … (9 comments)
|
realtor advice: The Taxes are Coming...The Taxes are Coming... - 11/08/06 10:15 AM
OK, the polls are closed (and the recounts pending), but the Democrats have taken over the House and the Senate is still up for grabs. Leaving the issues other than taxes on the table, let's look at the drawbacks to this.
Historically speaking, this means higher taxes to come. The Democrats don't … (4 comments)
|
realtor advice: Interest Rates - How Does it Affect Our Net Worth? - 11/07/06 09:12 AM
While reading a great post by Jeff Belonger titled The Myths about ZERO point mortgages instead of paying points upfront...... and it got me thinking, as he usually does. His post was great and showed clearly how if we go back to basic math, we can come up with good answers to … (16 comments)
|
realtor advice: Today's Choices = Tomorrow's Results (Oh the Irony from History) - 11/07/06 06:21 AM
It has been said many a time that the choices we make today will determine our tomorrow. That is a very true statement and applies to what we do here in th Active Rain community as well.
Why did I decide to blog on a topic well known already? It is because … (8 comments)
|
realtor advice: Telenovela Mortgage Advice - Facts - 10/30/06 08:01 AM
As promised, I watched the show (most of it anyways.) OK, a few things I will point out about my bias, then we will deal with the facts, then my conclusion (opinionated review).
My bias is that I do not like soap operas in general, and dislike telenovelas even more as … (16 comments)
|
realtor advice: Who Am I? - 10/09/06 09:32 PM
Some of you may have heard this before, but I liked it so much and believe we all can gain from keeping this in the forefront of our minds.
I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to … (9 comments)
|
