Yes, you read my title correctly; I had a busy week last week, in Daytona Beach real estate.

As I’ve been stating since this year started, my business has picked up tremendously. Many of you have attributed it to my attitude and decision to have a personal slogan for this year: “Real Estate is Great in 2008!”. (I really should just add a new page to my web site, just for my annual slogan.) Whatever the reason, I’m having a great year. But it’s not exactly what I expected... sometimes God works in mysterious ways.

I’ve mentioned in several of my other real estate blog posts that I have a condo-conversion project listed in which the seller decided to start renting the units, since the sales were so slow. Well, in the last 3 ½ months, we’ve rented 24 of the 42 units.

Ironically, when I listed the project, I had a feeling God was going to open some different doors. Well, considering I’ve never done any rentals before, I’d say this is definitely a different door! And although the money may not be as much as real estate sales, I'm staying active in the industry, and I'm getting paid! No 2nd job will be necessary for me! (I have other listings and full real estate closings as well.)

And to clarify, I’m not doing any property management. The seller has a building superintendent that doubles as the building manager. I just show the units, explain the terms, collect the initial application fee, deposit and first month's rent, then give the tenant his or her keys. I also update the building chart, as to which units are still available. So far, the project has been fairly enjoyable. Very early in the process, I learned the best ways to keep things running smoothly.

As for advertising...

• I first took as many great photos as I could.
• I then created slide-show videos of the models and posted them to my personal real estate channel on www.WellcomeMat.com.
  
• Then I embedded the video widgets on my personal real estate web site, where I created a page specifically for the condo sales and rentals in this project.
  
• And of course, I placed several of the units in the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTOR's® Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which includes all the great photos and a thorough description of the property, the location, the area, and the special events that are close by.
• The seller paid for a large banner that hangs off the 3rd floor railing, indicating the great leasing incentives, and it has my cell phone number on it. Plus my 2 company signs with my name riders, and the temporary signs that I set out when I'm in the office there.

But I believe that more doors are going to open for me, from this project. The full extent of what God is doing, is yet to be seen. But I know that for me anyway, Real Estate is Great in 2008!

Real estate buyers, if you want to buy an affordable condo in Daytona Beach, Florida, contact Lisa Hill today to view this beautifully remodeled building: Surfside Villas Condos. Or view my full web site that is packed full of blog topics and links, MLS listings, Real Estate Video Tours and Slide Shows, Market Updates and much more at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com.