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Every Day Is "Game Day" In The Real Estate Business

By Barbara Todaro

Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

July 02, 2010 03:19 AM

Every day is Game Day in the real estate business. There really is not an "off season." When you work on commission only, you had better be sharpening those real estate skills and improving your daily plays.

If I were to guess, I'd say that the majority of agents do not have a business plan in hand. Every day is a free fall and that's exciting but very dangerous. At some point, you will land like a ton of bricks. It will be a hard hit, if it hasn't happened already.

It's never too late to turn your business around. You are the creator of your own destiny in the real estate business, and if you have a purpose, short term and long term goals and a method to accomplish them, you're well on your way to creating stability for yourself.

Do you have a game plan? If not, there's no time like the present. I imagine if you're presently without a game plan, you have a lot of time on your hands to create one!!

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Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

2 out of the last 3 years I have closed stuff over the Christmas. My business is really starting to pick up too.

Jul 03, 2010 09:49 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Gene....that's great....keep it up....

Jul 03, 2010 09:54 AM

Frank Castaldini

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in San Francisco

Love the title. I've grown a bit weary of titles lately. I really like this one. It's Fourth of July weekend and I'm trying to take some time off but reality is I'm still manning the phone. Can't say I mind...too much. Happy Fourth to you and all!

Jul 03, 2010 10:23 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Frank.....yes, this is the 4th of July weekend, and my team member Lorraine Kuney manned an open house today from 1 to 3 and I blogged about it....she had 3 visitors and two want to make reservations....she's now hunting down their buyer agents!!! the third visitor has just started her search but likes what she sees.....that's a great open house and yes, it's the 4 th of July weekend....I'll take that business and celebrate when the market changes.

Jul 03, 2010 10:27 AM

Speed Equity® Mortgage Acceleration System

Speed Equity® - Olympia, WA

We help your clients Own Their Homes Years Sooner

You're so right Barbara. It amazes me how many people in general do not have a game plan and simply go through their entire life on "normal" auto-pilot mode.

Jul 03, 2010 10:31 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Harj.....There are more agents who are in this category than those who are prepared with a business plan....

Jul 03, 2010 10:45 AM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Plan your work and work your plan. I'm a definite minority in that before I even got my license I had a business plan. I interview with real estate companies before I started the exam. I wanted to find a place to work and make sure it was worthwhile.

I'm currently updating my business plan. It is half way through the year.

Jul 03, 2010 05:41 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Mike....and I bet you're a top producer in your area.....congratulations.....

Jul 03, 2010 07:33 PM

Anonymous

Terkel Sorensen

Hey Barbara,

I LOVE it, that is so simple, yet so right. And I for one have forever been haunting my buddies wiht this - and the technology and all things sharp and tools...
The way I see it, it is my own responsibility to sharpen my tools, but so many seem to think it is the brokers, the title rep, the someone else's... And when I tell them they dhould leave the business, well, that just does not seem like a popular choice. I am just sick of whining I guess.

Jul 04, 2010 03:11 AM

#129

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Terkel.....thanks for stopping by and commenting....we are the creators of our own destiny.....broker/owners should have some responsibility in the whole scheme of things in that they should provide some direction and mentoring to agents.....but the agent needs to know and control his/her own business.....the broker/owner may assist with some thoughts and direction.....the agent needs to step up to the plate and play the game like a professional not like the bat boy.....operate your own business as it should be run and don't blame others if you fall on your face....it's your own fault, no one elses....if you need help and are not receiving it where you are, leave....there are many offices that provide help....or maybe one should rethink their profession!!! I think you have a handle on your business, Terkel....enjoy the 4th.

Jul 04, 2010 03:29 AM

Tom Waite

Thomas Waite Real Estate Broker - Cypress, CA

So Cal-Apartment Bldg Investments

Barbara: Great Post! Well thought out presentation. Thanks for the tips and your extra effort in placing them in a concice ordered presentation. Great post, i agree totally. And, Maybe, this should have been labled the luckiest ideas for another collegue to find.

Jul 04, 2010 07:07 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Thanks, again, Tom.....

Jul 04, 2010 07:22 AM

Laura Filip

Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX

What can we do for you today?

Barbara, you hit this one right on the head, Most Brokers do not have a plan at all. So with that said how do we get from point A to point B to Point C. With a plan that happens each and every day. I know what my goals are and adjust the plan each and every day to achieve that goal. Have a great day and keep on making Rain. We need it in the Great Lone Star State

www.TexasAPlaceToCallHome.com

Laura Dee Filip Broker of Filip Properties

Whitesboro TX 76273

903-564-5911

Jul 04, 2010 10:25 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Laura.....you accomplish what you do because you have a plan "each and every day".....most have no plan....it's a business on a wing and prayer.....enjoy the rest of the 4th in the Great Lone Star State!!

Jul 04, 2010 10:36 AM

Ty Lacroix

Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Barbara: So many go through the motions and say they want to earn x amount but have no detailed plan how to achieve that income.

Jul 04, 2010 02:16 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Ty.....that's too common today.....and agents admit to it.....they have good intentions but I think most do not even know where to begin....

Jul 04, 2010 02:27 PM

Dr. Paula McDonald

Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX

Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Good post and I agree. It's game day all of the time except during your off time, however you always need to be on the lookout for business, because it can be anywhere including the car wash, restaurant, waiting in line at the movie, etc. You also need a yearly business and strategic plan so you can plan the type of business you want to pursue and the type of clients along with a target client list. You need to plan the plays for game day. David Hamilton

Jul 05, 2010 11:15 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi David....thank you for commenting and I hope Paula is gaining strength every day.....your comment is correct....you mentioned "except during your off time"......then I think you realized that in the real estate business, everyday is game day....even on your "off time" because you never know when that builder will appear and a conversation begins and then before you realize what happened, you are the listing agent on a large subdivision....and that was on your "off time".....it's like NO OTHER BUSINESS.....but it's fun....thanks, David.

Jul 05, 2010 11:27 AM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

That's good advice Barbara. Advice that I need to follow.

Aug 28, 2010 05:25 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good luck with your plan...

Aug 28, 2010 05:43 PM

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