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REALTOR® WANTED in Greater Vancouver...

By John Grasty

Real Estate Sales Representative with for real estate results in the Tri-Cities.

December 01, 2008 06:58 PM

As I prepare my business plan for 2009 and beyond, I can't help but think what a waste to lose talented people who have sacrificed so much to become a REALTOR®.

One bold prediction made to me by a local licensee was that we will lose 30% (=2945) of all the licensees before the market turns.

Who knows when the market will turn, but should that prediction become reality we will be at 6873 licensees, which is back to where we were in mid-2003.

Some of the goals I want to take on in my business plan will likely have to wait because I haven't given enough thought how to leverage, or find someone to help me. Assistance with Web 2.0, Top Producer, showing listings, etc., would really help me get business focused and growing in the North-East sector.

Chances are there are other REALTORS® throughout the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) who are going through the same process, thinking about how a few certain skill-sets, such as paralegal or a second language, could help them produce even more business.

Before any licensee makes a decision to leave real estate, try sending out a trial balloon; you never know. Please feel free to post a comment listing your skill-sets, preferred location, and a return email address.

More here [...]

John in Port Moody

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John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Skill-sets that could possibly provide leverage for me personally include those mentioned above:
a second language, paralegal, Top Producer, Web 2.0, plus: copywriting, virtual assistance, PowerPoint, some familiarity with the Tri-Cities of BC, and others I haven't yet thought of.
If you live in the area of the Tri-Cities please contact me (in full confidence) if you're interested to chat.

Dec 01, 2008 07:00 PM

James Wong Vancouver Richmond

Vancouver, BC

Chinese Realtor, Vancouver > Richmond

Thriving and making money as Realtors in a down housing market like now required major chances in how we prospect and connect with oru clients. There are past clients, home owners and new prospects who still need our service. A mortgage program like MMA can be a useful source of prospect and income for any Realtor.

Spending productive time prospecting and adjusting one's marketing expenses are necessary. There are great trade-up opportunities for home buyers out there in today's market.

Dec 02, 2008 02:38 AM

Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation

Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC - Port Coquitlam, BC

Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team

How about good old fashioned prospecting, prospecting, prospecting. Keller Williams has a great program called 'Shift' its here deal with it. The Shift has been here before and it will again, dynasties are built in times like these.

What to do about it, 'the wheel' has already been invented...reach out and take it, no need to re-invent one.

Dec 02, 2008 04:48 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Thanks to James and Scott for taking the time to comment and offer alternatives.

Your prospecting ideas and programs could be very beneficial if you are prepared to share the "how" details, perhaps through your own blogs, with those colleagues who might be struggling.

The point of the blog post was acknowledging that the market has indeed changed so why not offer an "olive branch" to some of our fellow Realtors who are having difficulty; your ideas could definitely offer other positive options.

Dec 02, 2008 11:57 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I think we are going to see the same fall out rate here in the states before the end of January when the Realtor dues are due again. It is sad, to see so much talent go before they had a chance to make it. But, I feel a lot of those people became agents right as the market started to slide the wrong way and were never even given a chance to prove themselves.

Congratulations to on your first year here on Activerain and hopefully it is in your 2009 business plan as well.

Look forward to seeing you around,

Dec 06, 2008 09:47 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

I extend my best wishes to your colleagues in the States; let's hope there's not too much fall-out.

Okay Todd, where does it say how long I have been on Activerain?

Activerain is in the draft business plan but at two different levels of activity. One level, which I hope makes the cut when it gets to the specific objectives, is with an increase of activity. The other level is maintaining the status quo.

I appreciate your comment Todd; thanks.

Dec 06, 2008 10:44 AM

James Wong Vancouver Richmond

Vancouver, BC

Chinese Realtor, Vancouver > Richmond

John - Did you have much luck to network and get other BC realtors to join an AR group like Canada, eh or Beatiful British columbia? There are tons of info on AR blogs for any realtors to adopt and navigate through this real estate down turn in Canada. Keeping up with prospecting and develop a good follow up system should help. There are still many sales being done out there - the question is whether one is positioned to do some of those deals.

Jan 03, 2009 05:51 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Hi James,

Congratulations, I see you're with Remax now.

For the AR New Year membership challenge I invited almost 30 Realtors to join and only one joined. social networking or media marketing isn't catching on amongst Realtors to the extent I thought it would or should yet.

I agree with you about the sales being out there; with my BP in place I'm personally expecting a solid year.

Despite the snow, I showed a couple of condo apartments today. One of the listing Realtors told me that he's had lots of enquiries this weekend, although he also had a couple of cancellations.

Happy New Year.

Jan 03, 2009 05:06 PM

James Wong Vancouver Richmond

Vancouver, BC

Chinese Realtor, Vancouver > Richmond

Thanks John. I am busy showing condos in Richmond and Burnaby for different buyers. There are also buyer interest on million dollar homes in Vancouver westside. Prices definitely are down a fair bit, and both home sellers and buyers are slowly adjusting to the new reality.

Some buyers are waiting on the sideline, but others are looking and making offers at prices that are 5% to 10% lower than the past 60 days' prices. They might get lucky as some sellers were accepting offers at prices 6 months down the road.

Wishing you a great 2009.

Jan 04, 2009 05:40 AM

Rich Jacobson

Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

I hope everyone here is going to take the time to travel to Seattle on Friday Feb. 13th to attend the REBarCamp. This would enable you to learrn many of the skill-sets you discuss here....

Jan 28, 2009 03:43 AM

maggie chandler

chandler realty - Vancouver, BC

i was told by REBGV employee that one third of realtors in REBGV did not make one sale last year, so they anticipate a 33% drop out this year. obviously these people should not be in the business as they are doing no business...probably have another career. cheers, maggie

Mar 04, 2009 10:36 AM

John Grasty

for real estate results in the Tri-Cities. - Port Moody, BC

Your Tri-cities REALTOR, neighbour and volunteer.

Hi Maggie,

Re: "obviously these people should not be in the business"

I couldn't agree more with you and in fact did a subsequent blog post.

How can a part-time Realtor be working in the best interest of their client, or fulfill the obligations?

While I understand people have to make money to pay the bills I think the "Jimmy Patterson Policy" applies as explained in this Doug Todd (Vancouver Sun) January 30, 2009, article excerpt.

Excerpt from: From the Ashes: Ex-premier Glen Clark's surprising new start

...But what about that almost infamous story that went around decades ago, the one about (Jim) Pattison's policy of each month terminating the lowest-selling car salesman at his dealerships?

(Glen) Clark knows the story well.

"It's a true story. But let me defend him. I'm 100 per cent on his side, which might surprise people, because it sounds horrible."

That story is unique because it applies only to commissioned salespeople, said Clark, who added he has come to work closely with such people in the sign and car businesses.

"In some cases people are on 100-per-cent commission. So if you're not selling signs, or selling cars, then you're not feeding your families. And so you should actually be doing something else that makes a living."

Clark said he has nothing but admiration for the super-confident people who tend to do commissioned sales. But he said: "Letting go a commissioned salesperson is not like terminating somebody on the green chain or an assembly line. It's not a heartless thing. I really, genuinely say that." C Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Perhaps it's time for part-time Realtors to disclose to buyers and sellers, rather than them discovering after the fact. This might help improve the professionalism full-time Realtors strive for.

Thanks for commenting Maggie.

Mar 04, 2009 11:33 AM