WOW,  I am at #REBCVB in Virginia Beach, this is brand new to me and it looks like it's new to just about everyone in the room.   Lots of discussion on the uses of social networking and the usage of Facebook and Twitter.  The biggest discussion so far is about personalizing your blog and discussions versus making it too much about a service you might be trying to sell.  There is a guy here they call the realestate zebra.  He has on an interesting jacket and seems to be the go to guy. Tina Merrit is here running the show and as always she is awesome.  Some other people here are in there 70's,,,good for them!  I  will let you know at the end of the day what I got out of this camp.

We just finished tackling a bathroom remodel in our home.  It didnt sound to tough when my wife and I talked about it, that's funny.  We contracted with a plumber and a Tile Contractor, I can do the demo with my 12 year old son, how hard can it be?  Oh my Lord!  At first its not bad you kind of carefully take it apart and then quickly realize that it was built in the 60's and was not designed to come apart.  Just tear it all out, walls, floor, its all got to go.  We quickly realized the floor damage that was next to the iron bathtub, pull up all the floor, down to the beams.  When the house was originally built it had a floor furnace, this means chimney, and it's in this bathroom.  Tear out the wall and start removing the bricks.  Our plumber came in and did all his plumbing stuff, then the tile guy came in, or should I say 2 of his workers did, they finished the job but the man I hired wasn't satisfied with the work and gutted it and started over again,,,you don't here that very often.   Pull up the floor tile, the shower tile ,the pan, all the Duroc, its gutted!  He did all the work himself, it is awesome.   Advice: it will cost more then you plan for, the floor will be damaged more then likely,  it is cheaper then a new house, and I'm a Realtor.

Visual Tour:  http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1936136

I just became affliated with a great company called "Homes for Heroes".  There job is to put Teachers, Nurses, Fireman, Police Officers, and the Military in touch with professional companies that provide real estate services and will discount thier fees to these groups.  Who better deseves a discount then these  professionals?   

If you or someone you know is a Teacher, Nurse, Fireman , Policeman, or Military

check out the great discounts 

Homes for Heroes Source: www.HomesforHeroes.com | tFriends of Heroes| Foundation| Terms of Use| Logout

  I recently had an interesting discussion with my MAPS (Mega Agent Productivity Systems) Coach.  He started the coaching call with the same question he always asks "Tell me something great since our last call?"  I hesitated and said something, and he replied with "what's on your mind", I suppose by the tone in my voice and the lack of excitement in my response to his question he could tell I needed to share some thoughts with him.  This being the first reason why you need a coach.   I explained to him that I had taught a class earlier that day and the turnout was lower then I had wanted.  He Replied " How many students did you want, what was your goal?",  and he added " Don't say as many as possible!"  I replied "I didn't have a specific number", he said "then I guess you hit it".  WOW,  I've been in real estate for 15 years and a manager for 7 of those years, the light bulb lit up!  How could I be disappointed in hitting a target if I didn't have one?  The second reason why you need a coach, he asks questions that make you think.    This discussion continued into "What did you do to assure that you would meet your goal, if you had one?",  "is the fault of agents not coming to your class yours or theirs?",,,It sounds like a leadership issue!  This being the third reason why you need a coach,, he tells you things you don't want to hear!   If your not using a coach,,,ask yourself Why?,  if its about money, how serious are you in succeeding in your career?  Tough Question.

Power Broker Report

The 2009 Power Broker Report is out from Rismedia.  The most amazing thing about this report is how many times you see the name Keller Williams.  Be sure to check out 2009 Companies to watch!

Check out this link for the report: http://tinyurl.com/dxsv6j

Go KW!

Our Market Center is going to be walking in the March of Dimes Walk here in Virginia Beach, 4/26/2009.  What a great cause and a fun time.  If you have never walked in the event at the boardwalk you should try it.  Lots of people, great music, lots of energy and sometimes it's pretty emotional.  Bring your spouse and kids!  If you cant make it to walk and raise funds, please donate $$$ to the cause. 

You can register online or make donations online, my March of dimes website is: http://www.marchforbabies.org/dougwolfe

Please visit and register or make a donation!

 Technology is Awesome!  Our MLS, REIN, has entered the realm of Forms online, True Forms.  This has been a long time coming and as I have told my agents; "REIN is not going to go back to paper so you better learn and embrace this new program".  Actually it's not that new, it's just new to some.  I have spoken with several agents that have been using some electronic forms for years.  True Forms is designed to hold hands with REIN, it also works with Docusign.  Docusign allows you to have all documents signed electronically.  True Forms is included in your REIN fees but Docusign is an additional charge of $12.95 a month.  If you are using the full package of tools,,,no more paper!  Yes, I know some clients may not have email or may not be comfortable with electronic signatures, but more will want this ability then not.  you need to learn this program and become proficient at using it.  Embrace the technology. 

 In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, agents use a purchase agreement that  has a section called the "Cap".  We call it paragraph 13.  The verbiage is that the buyer and seller agree to a certain percentage of the purchase price to be used for items found by an appraiser, well and septic inspector, termite moisture inspector, and walkthru items (referred to on the walk thru addendum).  A couple of issues that agents run in to trouble are how does this work with a Home Inspection Contingency Addendum.  The most important thing to remember is that you only get one bite of the apple.  For example; if your Home Inspector reports that the faucet is dripping in the bathroom, you have 2 choices, ask for it to be repaired or dont ask and accept the condition that it is in.  Either way , you have just waived the item on the walk thru addendum.  BUT, you can still have it repaired under the cap if it is identified by the appraiser, well and septic inspector, termite moisture inspector.  These inspectors do not answer to the one bite of the apple rule.  Why?  Because certain items are required under the law for a clear letter or a favorable appraisel.  The bottom line is that you know your contract and educate your clients so that they can make intelligent decisions.  Hope this comes in handy.

It's a rainy almost snowing Sunday afternoon and one the best salesman training movies is on TV.  Tommy Boy,  if anything, this movie shows you how important it is to have your scripts memorized and a business plan in place.  It's a fun movie to watch, but it does have an interesting message.  How motivated are you to succeed and what motivates you to take your business to the next level?  How willing are you to learn and practice to be the best you can be?  Keller Williams can teach and coach over and over but it's up to you to reap the benefits!

It keeps geting better and better.  KW annonced today that we have grown to become #3 in real estate franchises.  Watch out 1 and 2, it won't be long!

Here's what we looked like for 2008:

• 693 Market Centers
• 74,175 agents

• 2003-current, increased U.S. market share by 161%

• Total Profit Share: $30,505,288

Mark Willis and Mo Anderson 2008 Recap

Q and A with the CEO and the COO,  AWESOME!