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We had "Show and Tell" at the office

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Services

 

We had "Show and Tell" at the office yesterday.

Well, not REALLY, but it was close.   About twice a month our office has a "Group Think".  It is a very casual meeting.  We meet in our computer room, which is a sizeable area, pull up a chair and brainstorm about different ideas.

I don't usually go to this meeting.  I just get other things on my schedule and usually skip it.  Last week my broker asked me to come and be one of the "Group Leaders" for the most recent session.  I said I would, but wasn't sure what I was getting myself into or what I would have to offer?

The topic of the discussion was "Getting Buyers off of the fence".    My broker asked a series of questions  of two other agents and myself answered in a group discussion format.  It was great because we have an office of 150 agents and is difficult to cover in a sales meeting.

I found this to have been a really great way to bounce ideas off each other, some scenarios to use when discussing current market conditions with your buyers.

Some of the ideas we came up with were;

Have a "Buyer listing appointment" when I first meet with buyers.  When we have this appointment we discuss this market I tell the buyers that this not a market for flippers if that is what you are looking to do, this is not the time.  If you are looking for a home you should plan on living there at least 5 years and it might be longer, it might be shorter?   But you need to plan on owning the home for awhile.

This market is one where you can negotiate your price and closing fees to help you with cash.

The interest rates are great.  Even if you wait for the market to "bottom out" in regard to price, you may have a higher interest rate that might make your payment higher even with a lower sales price.

The key is the time a buyer should expect to own their property. It is called a market because they go up and down in cycles.  It has always happened, it will happen again.  It is the circle of life, Simba.

There were more ideas, these stuck out the most in my mind.

After we talked, supported and helped each other I was surprised that many of the agents in my office did not use a Buyer Information Packet when they first met with their potential clients.  I brought mine out and shared it will all.  The newer agents, and even some of the seasoned agents, really were appreciative of my sharing with them.

I think this was a very helpful forum for the agents and brokers to have a chance to sit down and really bang around ideas and support each other.

I guess I figured everyone had such a package?   It felt good to help some of the agents that have been having their struggles.  I hope it can add to their confidence and success.

Image from Google images

John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

I think you use the same game plan I use.  Or do I use yours?

Mar 20, 2008 02:26 PM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD
I think that is great that we have these tools and AR to share them.  Thanks for stopping by!
Mar 20, 2008 02:30 PM
Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA
Great information I love these type of open training sessions.. I have watched some top listing agents do a mock appointment ,, not always about the big AHHHAS but the little things that come up that give you the winning edge.
Mar 20, 2008 02:34 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re
Good advice I use a smaller version but we need to educated the buyer or they may not know what they need to do. Thanks for sharing.
Mar 20, 2008 02:37 PM
Nancy Brenner
Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA
Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent
Audrey -

It's a great thing to be able to sit with your peers and bounce ideas off of one another.  I'll definitely suggest doing this at our next Sales Meeting.

I just stopped by your Do you have a Buyer listing appointment?  post - got there via this one - great info for those that haven't read it yet!
Mar 20, 2008 02:47 PM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD
Thanks, Nancy.  You are so nice.
Mar 20, 2008 02:53 PM
Julie Burks
Riverpoint Realty - Sacramento, CA
Sacramento CA, e-Pro, SFR
Great post!  I do not use a buyer packet like you featured and I believe that it would be beneficial....thanks for sharing your suggestions!
Mar 20, 2008 04:15 PM
Audrey June-Forshey
RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD
GRI, Gaithersburg, MD
Julie, Glad to be of help!  Good luck putting one together.
Mar 21, 2008 02:24 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Audrey- Your meeting sounded like a good AR Post, where people share their ideas, and help each other :)  Now wouldn't it be nice if more people did that.  We have too much back stabbing, and dog eat dog in this business, and that harms the consumer in the long run (my opinion of course).  Anyway, I am glad to hear you shared with them....that's my idea of who you are validated :)
Mar 21, 2008 10:05 AM
Andrea Steele Atlanta, GA Realtor
Jenny Pruitt & Associates - Marietta, GA
I do the same thing with buyers.  I usually give the a packet of informative information.  It works great!
Mar 21, 2008 10:09 AM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC
Hi Audrey. My office does something similiar. We call it Thursday Table Talk. We all meet and share different ideas on various topics as well as role play. Its alot of fun and you can gain some valuable insight as well.
Mar 21, 2008 10:45 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Audrey, our office does these most Thursdays, and even an old timer like me can learn a lot.  And yeah, I totally agree that you need a written presentation to leave behind for both buyers and sellers.

 

 

Mar 22, 2008 10:55 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Hi Audrey,

I am not surprised that the other agents in your office hadn't heard of this.  In fact, until your post on the topic and your friendly share, I hadn't heard of it either.  Only the typical relocation packages.  It's great to be able to learn so much here from others, as Kathy said, if this community were indicative of the habits of the industry at large, it would be great for the consumers and alleviate some of the calling out on the profession.

Mar 25, 2008 03:15 PM