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Revving up those engines....

By
Real Estate Agent with 1

 Revving up my engines.  I have always done alot of business during the holiday months.  There are alot of factors of why I do tend to be busier now than in the summer months. 

*People want to get their kids enrolled into a new school.  To do this in Queens, NY you need to have either an actual address for the zoned school or a fully executed contract by the time of enrollment.  In my area, by January/February people want to know where they are moving to.  By March all your papers need to be filled out and filed with the school. 

*During the holidays, people gather and start talking.  When this happens, people want to upgrade or down grade.  They realize that their house is too small and they need bigger.  Or the reverse happens, they realize that their home is just way to much to keep up with.  So they decide to sell or buy. 

Don't stop your advertising or slow it down during these months.  Go the opposite - spice it up more and send out your cards(not postcards - real cards and put a magnet or business card in the card) - its good to be in the mix of holiday cards.  People might actually read it - they are getting cards and they want to see who they are from.  

*Buyers are real.  Sellers are real.  The people that are looking right now to buy a home - are buying a home.  Without a doubt.  People who want to sell - really want to sell.  These are serious people looking to obtain their goal.  

*I work the best under pressure.  When I tend to have alot on my plate - and I get into a groove - I can run with it.  I like going from one thing to the next.  To keep me stagnate - is no good.  I will fall asleep.  (no really - I will, not a figure of speech).  Don't let the grass grow under your .. (ahem)

*I do alot of motivational classes.  In the winter months alot of my agents get antsy.  So I take classes and I bring classes into my office.  I like to keep them going.  In the summer, alot of agents are away or they are showing late at night, so to host a big meeting - I can hear crickets in my office, so during the summer I postpone and go light on my seminars.  But, in the Winter - people are around and they want to earn and learn.  So, to host a meeting in my office with food and let my agents circulate is nothing but a good thing.  Educate yourself during these months - don't just take the required CE course, go and do a course on something, mortgages, blogging, computers - get a designation.  It works great for the "one under the belt".

*I am pretty much done on my business plan for the following year, so it already gets the engines revving.  When an agent does this it can't help but bring good thoughts and good motivations to the mind.  I like to get my agents doing this but for some reason they find this "silly".    If you have not done one yet or have never done one - DO IT. 

My point being, is your attitude to sell makes or breaks the deals alot of the time.  If you have a good attitude, know what you are talking about and know how to walk the walk - good things come from it.  If you are the type of person that watches and counts other people's money then the chip on your shoulder is to hard for clients and buyers to look past.  Desperation in any salesperson sends the consumer running.  I like to have my questions answered, I like to deal with the best, I like knowing that I am getting a good deal (unless it is shopping on Black Fridays - I will gladly pay higher so I don't have to venture into a store). 

So, if you don't know it - learn it and get those engines running! 

 

Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
Good points. I have had two great years and have lost some of my punch. You are correct that this is a good time for contacts. Maybe I have had too much football this weekend. I am glad to have the time to do some updating on my websites. Katrina has taken a lot out of the normal sales activity and made many of my clients stressed out with the variety of issues. Eric
Nov 26, 2006 02:35 PM
Ray Saenz
Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX
Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Christine,

Lets turn on the engines and start the road,  nice blog

Ray Saenz

Nov 26, 2006 02:47 PM
Home Design
Alpharetta, GA
Home Design and Real Estate
I agree with you Christine!  My busiest month are the cold weather months.  While everyone else goes on vacation or takes December off, we get busy!
Nov 26, 2006 11:41 PM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
Great Minds think alike!  Send some folks down to Florida!
Nov 27, 2006 02:32 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Hey Christine...I agree winter months...time to recharge...refocus and just plain re energize yourself.  I usually take the downtime to catch up on my reading and work on new training programs.

I also work the buyers I have harder because like you I know if they're looking this of year...they are buying!  Great post!

Nov 27, 2006 02:49 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Hi Christine, I love the Holiday period for exactly the reasons you have stated. Real buyers and real sellers being number 1. Also most of my competition has already revved down. Not me! I'll rev down in another life:)maybe
Nov 27, 2006 04:23 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

Eric - Katrina must have made a huge impact on the Real Estate Market.  That is a sad situation. 

Ray - Vroom Varoom.. LOL

Jennifer - High Five!

Allison - GMTA - you got it. 

Monika  - thank you fot the add. 

Have a great week - month and season everyone..

Nov 27, 2006 04:23 AM
Derek and Mariana Wagner
The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®
Christine- this is so true. I think that so many agents say that the market "slows down" because they do not want to work. Like BB said, "most of my competition has already revved down" - more business for me! The business is still there ... the "real" buyers and sellers. ALl so very true. Great post!
Nov 27, 2006 05:30 AM
Deb Salkeld
Diversified Data Solutions, L.L.C. - Macomb, MI
Your Real Estate Virtual Assistant

What a great way to treat what others have referred to as the "slow season".  Just goes to show - the one who does the work is the one who reaps the rewards.....

Deb

Nov 27, 2006 10:46 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Christine, for me it is all about attitude, and the attitude needs to be to go out and get the business and not sit around for it to come to you. I am never slow, because if loans have slowed down then I am out there making new contacts and forming new relationships. If house are selling then I am busy with loans and working with buyers. It is only slow if you let it be slow. There is a time and a season for everything.  We can't just reap the harvest, we have to take time to plant and water the fields as well.  Good Blog, I enjoyed reading it.
Nov 27, 2006 02:06 PM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

BB - Ooohh.. I missed you before.  I am sorry.  I planning an office meeting today and my meeting was based on additude.  The ole saying says it the best "There are no failures - only outcomes"  I hope that you are having - or had a nice day BB - I missed ya..

Mariana - I could not agree more.  When everyone else is quiet - jump in and grab your bat and ball..

Deb - You are a virtual assistant?  Very neat.  How does one virtually assist?  But you are right - the ones in it - will win it!  Thank you!

George.. You are here.. :>  You seem to have a very good additude.  I can see it in your posts and comments.  I am glad you enjoyed reading it.  Thank you!

Nov 27, 2006 02:11 PM
"JT" Prevatte
Former Agent - Fayetteville, NC
You are hitting the nail on the head with this post.  I have noticed this too that the ones out there are VERY serious.
Nov 27, 2006 02:14 PM