Our current real estate market in Las Vegas (and around the country) presents an interesting test for all involved... from the buyers, to the sellers to the practicing real estate agents and also for the brokerage firms  I've been living and working in Las Vegas since 1992 and this is my first experience in a "challenging market".   Fueled by local and national media with a slant to reporting the negative, "newsworthy" hype of doom and gloom, buyers are afraid to purchase, waiting for the  elusive "bottom of the market" before jumping back in.  Sellers are holding on to every ounce of equity and hope which has led to only about 30% of the current Las Vegas inventory of available homes to be priced properly for a sale based on current supply and demand.  And real estate professionals are either thriving, surviving, trying to adjust or in many cases giving up.

The following points are my observations and best advice on how to Thrive  (not just Survive) in Today's market.

  1. You ARE the Creator of your Reality.  Check in with yourself often.  Are your thoughts positive or negative - towards or away from what you desire? Do you find yourself slipping into the negative muck and mire - from the media or the glass is half-empty real estate agents around you?  Be deliberate and intentional in your thoughts and actions.  Focus on what you want not what you don't want.
  2. Educate yourself  about the market, understand the stats and trends.  Become an expert in short sales, REO, foreclosure process.  Make sure you are receiving current market data from local sources.  For Las Vegas, I recommend the Equity Title Market Condition Report and Salestraq Fast Facts. Read Forrest Barbee's recent post on the Las Vegas Market October 2007.   Check out the great information including audio conference calls on Mark Stark's Blog.
  3. Learn how to better present the history and current market story to your buyers and sellers.  Update your buyer and listing presentations with supporting graphs, statistics, etc.  Take sale-able, properly-priced listings!  Use all of your available company marketing and advertising tools.
  4. Get back to the basics now.  Do you have a solid SOI/Referral system in place?  Are you prospecting  daily?
  5. Have a written business plan with specific goals.  Track your expenditures and return on investment.   Know what's working and what is not and make the appropriate adjustments.
  6. Adopt a daily ritual to start your day in a positive mindset.  Some suggestions...morning meditation, prayer, exercise, read your affirmations, review your goals, eat breakfast, review your day's tasks and schedule.
  7. Exercise and eat properly for you.  I recommend yoga!
  8. Show up - Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually.  Now more than ever it's important to get up, do your morning mindset ritual, get dressed for success and go into the office or that first appointment.
  9. Have a daily activity plan and work it - know how many calls, face-to-face contacts, emails, mailers, contacts you must make before you call it a day.  Challenge yourself with daily goals - don't go home until you have at least one appointment for example.
  10. Get an accountability partner or hire a coach. Ask for help.  Help each other.  Form a support and accountability group.

Contact me for a free one-hour consultation
jan@janobrien.com

702-858-9191

 

 

27 Comments on How To THRIVE in the Current Real Estate Market

NOV
10
2007

What a great list. Thanks for sharing. We typically put the most important things on the back burner, instead of the front burner in times like this.

11:07am • #1
614,723 Points 244 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Well done Jan! All very good points. I've been doing this for 14 years and this is the hardest market I have ever seen by far BUT people are still buying and selling real estate. I just have to make sure they are using my services to do so. My plan is very simple: I get up and go to work everyday no matter what. Forward movement creates opportunity.
11:24am • #2
Localism Sponsor

Jan, we need to work something out where you can coach me.  I'm not kidding.  Being freed from my old position and the new opportunities I have right now with where I'm at has given me wings!  BUT I don't know where to fly and I want to work on my sales skills because I've never sold anything before!  I don't want to waste my time with the wrong people, I want to build relationships with people that are worth my while!

Call me sometime, ok?

12:01pm • #3

I like this list.  It seems like with the market slowing, many agents are just sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring and that's what we should not be doing.  We need to get out and do those activities to make things happen!

4:41pm • #4
168,112 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great blog & list.  Yes, you have to be pro-active & positive.  That is not only necessary for this market, but for all of the time.  That will lead to success!  My morning ritual is to have a cup of tea, check out AR (Yeah, I know I'm an addict, but see at least I put the cup of tea first - actually I only make it first.) & scan part of the newspaper while planning out the rest of my day, which I usually have somewhat formulated the night before.  If you allow yourself to 'play around,' then that in itself will only increase and lead you into a rut. 
4:51pm • #5
292,918 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

The market is mainly good or bad between your ears.

I got my license in 1978; in the early 80 rates were 18-20% and we thought the world was coming to an end. It didn't and it won't this time either.

5:20pm • #6
233,860 Points 3 Featured Posts

Great Post, The title changes our focus from survive to thrive. What we think about becomes our reality. A philosophy we need to have is a WINNER PHILOSOPHY.

W  hy are you in real estate? On this planet? What is your purpose?

I   magination, Imagine your success in your mind

N  ever give up. Success has a way of testing you

N  ever stop learning

E stablish good habits

R esults. Measure your progress

5:40pm • #8
532,541 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Great post Jan!  Cannot wait until a buyer of mine wants to buy one of your listings so we can do a deal together :)

Nice attitude and WOO HOO!! 

5:46pm • #9
What advice could you give to mortgage professionals? Gil Kerbashian.
6:30pm • #10
112,201 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great list. I am now working on a new business plan & have many of these in it. I think I need a coach or accountability partner though to keep me focused.
7:49pm • #12

Great post.

I'd probably be much better off it i'd stop reading the bubble blogs, but they're almost addictive. 

8:02pm • #13
576,721 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Hi Jan, you pretty well covered the bases.  Doing what works still works....that means using the basics and educating yourself too.  Nice post Jan.
8:29pm • #14
362,077 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
An accountability group is a great idea.  It is difficult to stay positive with all the nagativity.  I think it is important to remind each other of all of the benefits of this type of market.
8:36pm • #15
135,827 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

All very good observations...I do think that a positive mental attitude will help keep you motivated to work every day no matter what. There are many things we can do when times are slower...like all those things we couldn't get around to when times were busier! Showing up is #1, not just in our career, but in life in general! Great job!

8:55pm • #16
537,176 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jan - that's a great list and it's so important to strive to Thrive rather than just Survive!
10:40pm • #17
NOV
11
2007
480,920 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great comments here.  I liked reading your blog.  It is very informative
9:20am • #18
160,969 Points Outside Blog
Great and informative post. I think we all could learn something from this post.
12:23pm • #19
124,468 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Some very good suggestions. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
12:29pm • #20
239,635 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

That is a great "Top Ten" list. Thanks for sharing!! Sometimes we all forget :)

1:41pm • #21
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
To Gil - I recommend the same advice - just adapt it to your profession! It starts every day with your attitude - be intentional.  Choose the positive, productive thoughts and take it from there.  Wishing you success in your life and career. Jan
5:26pm • #22

I agree with all of the above and would add:

 

Make a schedule with time for business development, prospecting, lead follow-up, returning calls and appointments. Follow it consistently and it will pay off.

 

5:59pm • #23
1 Featured Post
Thanks for the tips.  Basically, get back to the basics.
8:24pm • #24
NOV
15
2007
The daily ritual is the most difficult for me. Doing anything is a consistent manner is so challenging. With spiritual growth, family, and business. Every days schedule is different.
10:12am • #25
AUG
11
Sorry. Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever. I am from Guinea-Bissau and also now am reading in English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Mm lens, channel operations, auto switching capable receiver dsp." With love :), Chiara.
Chiara
7:55am • #26
SEP
01
Great. Now i can say thank you!. I am from Belgium and too bad know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Kevin is a body in olaf's blood use who is common." Waiting for a reply ;), Dionne.
Dionne
2:20pm • #27

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Jan O'Brien - Real Estate Coach (Business, Life and Blog Coaching)

Las Vegas, NV

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Prudential Americana Group Realtors

Address: 10777 West Twain Avenue, Suite 105, Las Vegas, NV, 89135

Office Phone: (702) 312-7070

Cell Phone: (702) 858-9191

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