So Where Did the Year Go?

From time to time I ask my team to share their thoughts and experiences on our office blog.  Steve stepped up to the plate today.  I'm proud to say that Steve is a daily fixture in our office.  His work ethic is just as big as his smile and sense of humor.  Take a read below and meet Steve. -Brian

So here we are, a week before Thanksgiving... Where did the year go?
I am still trying to wrap up a few transactions before the end of the year.
I am planning to have a booming 2008 with the Success Sessions and the
Business Planning Session, we all should have a great 2008.
I know I awake some mornings and say to myself, "I don't have any business today... What are you going to do about it?"
Well the answer is easy.. the task is the more difficult part of the process, that is prospecting for business.
It is really not that hard to speak to friends, family, past clients, but we feel like we are imposing on them when we talk about real estate.
Four easy rulers to follow:
Show Up
Pay Attention
Tell the truth
Don't get attached to the outcome
A short story about paying attention...
I had a listing appointment a few years back, in Ashburn.. The home was a few years old, and the owners were relocating to Texas. Well, I did my homework, and had all the correct comps for the area, along with a dynamite listing presentation.
The owners told me that they were not after making a killing, they were more interested in moving to Texas.
I knew the house was worth at least 650,000, and asked them where they wanted to price their home. The response back was at about 629,000. Their question to me was what price do I think it should list for? I told them 650,000, and they again stated that they just wanted to move and would be happy at 629,000. I'm thinking, the one across the street is smaller, priced higher, and to boot these folks are letting the large screen TV and the pool table stay with the home.
Sooooo.. I finished my presentation at they told me that they would get back to me the next day, as they were going to speak to another agent.
Well the home listed for 629,000 but not with me, because I did not pay attention...
So I now do a better job at listening to what others have to say and I pay attention...
Well, now I have to prepare for my planing session meeting... Learn more about Steve at http://www.lizik.com/.