the lones group: The Power of Data
- 11/17/23 09:43 AM
The Power of Data This week I want to talk about data - yes data! This is not a boring data conversation we are having today because having the right data is crucial to understanding your market and your business success!
When you research and you begin to uncover and understand data - whether that is new construction starts in your area or how pending homes have changed from month-to-month, or how your town is updating its comprehensive plan - you will discover new opportunities for your business. Suddenly that data has come to life!
Having information has become one … (2 comments)
|
the lones group: Where is Housing Headed?
- 11/14/23 11:49 AM
Where is Housing Headed? 2024 will be a pivotal year for the housing industry. Do you have the information you need to take advantage of tomorrow's opportunities?
Robust housing unit goals, mortgage interest rates, energy code compliance, extreme lack of housing inventory, all-encompassing state housing bills, a struggling commercial real estate sector, an uncertain economy, and more have all left their marks on the housing sector this past year. What can we expect for 2024?
I have already been digging headfirst into the data, cutting through the hype, and doing the research needed to provide YOU with the full story. … (2 comments)
|
the lones group: Accessory Dwelling Units Are Coming
- 11/01/23 05:42 PM
Accessory Dwelling Units Are Coming This week's Zebra Report comes from our CEO, Shauna Naf, who recently returned from the ADU Academy in Berkeley, California, hosted by Earth Advantage. Please enjoy. - Denise
Accessory Dwelling Units are not new, but their adoption into Single Family Residential zoned cities on a more consistent basis is a fairly new phenomenon. Driven by the need to create more housing and density in our urban areas, cities and states are allowing these to be built in backyards, as well as carving out spaces in homes to accommodate them - think basement, garage, and attic … (12 comments)
|
the lones group: Focus Your Mindset
- 10/20/23 04:33 PM
Focus Your Mindset Today I want to talk about mindset and what is going on in our world. Agents are really nervous right now. I can't blame you for being nervous, upset, and horrified by what is happening over in Israel, I feel exactly the same way about it. Now, I also want to talk about how your mindset around all issues affects real estate.
You should be aware that you aren't the only person watching the news. Buyers and sellers are also watching the news and they are nervous too. They are wondering whether negative news should influence a … (7 comments)
|
the lones group: Accessory Dwelling Units: More Than a Way Out of the Housing Crisis
- 10/13/23 02:59 PM
Accessory Dwelling Units Not Just a Way Out of the Housing Crisis As you probably already know from reading our Zebra Reports over the years, we are passionate about housing. For years, I have shouted from rooftops that our housing starts were not keeping pace with the numbers needed to house our growing population. Now our national housing shortage is in the millions – and Washington State and our local governments are changing building guidelines to help get us back on track.
Just one of the ways they are doing that is by allowing ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units. These are … (11 comments)
|
the lones group: Where Will Your Business Be in Six Months?
- 10/09/23 10:43 AM
Where Will Your Business Be in Six Months? When is the last time you gave yourself space to think about your goals? As many of us are caught up in the day-to-day of running our lives and our businesses, we need to take some time to reflect on a few things:
What are we doing all of this for? Are we on track? Without the vision, the action plan, and then making sure we follow the action plan, we aren't likely to make the forward momentum that we should.
If you have 15 minutes right now, grab some paper and … (9 comments)
|
the lones group: Branding Spotlight: Vegas Born Real Estate Services
- 09/29/23 08:59 AM
Branding Spotlight:
Vegas Born Real Estate Services We are so pleased to present updated branding for Vegas Born Real Estate Services! Designated Broker and Owner, Crystal, came to us looking to take her already-established brand and logo up a notch. The Vegas Born logo already included a collection of instantly recognizable Vegas landmarks. Our goal was to take it up another notch with a little polish, providing additional interest with area-appropriate fonts and energy.
From the start, Crystal knew she wanted a gold-and-black color palette, so we needed to find the right textures to fit her vision. Charcoal stone with gold … (1 comments)
|
the lones group: Wake Up Washington! HB1110 and HB1337 Are Now Law
- 09/22/23 09:26 AM
Wake Up! HB1110 and HB1337 Are Now Law AND THEY ARE CHANGING HOW YOU WILL DO BUSINESS!
This week I want to talk about what is changing in housing here in Washington State, with two new housing bills that Governor Jay Inslee signed-into law this past May, 2023.
The first one I want to talk about is HB1110. For those of you who don't know about it, please look it up. This legislation was designed to increase middle-housing opportunities in areas that were traditionally zoned single-family residential (SFR). That means that there are huge changes that have happened regarding what … (2 comments)
|
the lones group: The Real Remodeling Timeline
- 09/15/23 04:03 PM
The Real Remodeling Timeline As interest rates continue to cause gridlock, several of the agents in my ENCORE coaching group have indicated that would-be sellers on their potential client list are considering sticking with their low interest rate mortgage and are choosing to explore remodeling instead.
From what I can see, one industry that has it worse than the real estate industry when it comes to gridlock is the residential construction industry.
Builders are currently stymied by:
Interest rates (on their own projects) Labor shortages in both their own companies as well as other companies they may sub out to … (2 comments)
|
the lones group: Creating Connections with Community Pages
- 09/01/23 01:23 PM
Creating Connections with Community Pages As brokers and agents, we are all tied to our communities and there are so many great ways to get involved too. Some of you reading this today volunteer at shelters, support boys-and-girls clubs, are part of a Rotary Group or community lodge, or maybe you care for aging pets or are a member of a local activity group. These are all great things you can do in person that build your presence within the community and expand your sphere of contacts – and help you feel good too! But how do you illustrate connections … (4 comments)
|
the lones group: Processes and Procedures
- 08/22/23 12:35 PM
Processes and Procedures This afternoon I was teaching my Encore coaching group and we were discussing referral processes and it really made me think about how important it is for agents to have a procedure for everything in their business. For example, what is your process for:
Taking a new listing? Closing a property? Post-transaction client care? Every part of your business needs to be procedure oriented. The reason for that is threefold. First and foremost, it saves you time and energy. Second, it streamlines your business and adds a rhythm to your business that is regular and ongoing - … (0 comments)
|
the lones group: Appreciation: The Secret Weapon in Your Seller Toolbox
- 08/11/23 10:48 AM
Appreciation: The Secret Weapon in Your Seller Toolbox When someone is thinking about a move, they aren't necessarily focused on the future - they are thinking about why the home they are living in doesn't meet their needs now.
The challenge in the current market is that sellers want to move, but when confronted with the financial reality of a higher monthly payment due to interest rates, sellers freeze. They are caught between wanting to improve their living situation, but being too uncomfortable with the impact on monthly payment.
There may only be so much that can be done about … (4 comments)
|
the lones group: The Power of Transaction Process Visuals
- 08/08/23 10:09 AM
The Power of Transaction Process Visuals As busy real estate professionals, you understand the ins-and-outs of a transaction and can operate one like clockwork. However, buyers and sellers are often unsure about the process, even if they just bought or sold a few years ago. Furthermore, the buyer side and the seller side operate both dependently and independently of the other, so providing a road-map of the milestones is important for all parties to be able to see the big picture.
A list of transactional milestones does not cut it. This is a complex process with many moving parts. Only … (10 comments)
|
the lones group: What is Your Move Mark?
- 07/27/23 06:06 PM
What is Your Move Mark? Virtually everyone has a challenge with their home. Maybe they wish it were just a little closer to town, want a soaking tub in the primary bathroom, have less upkeep, or more energy-efficiency. Most people will live with a few of these issues until it just becomes too much and they see another option that meets their needs better than their existing home.
The challenge we have right now is that second part of the equation - seeing another option that meets their needs better than their existing home. Little inventory available means that the … (3 comments)
|
the lones group: Summer Market Opportunities
- 07/25/23 03:22 PM
Summer Market Opportunities Today I want to talk about Summer real estate market opportunities - not just for selling, but for your buyers too! This is a fantastic time to be out there in real estate. Summer is a perfect time for both buyers and sellers.
First, let's talk about buying opportunities. If you have buyers right now that have not been able to find what they want, I desperately want you to get back in the MLS and scour for all listings that have been on the market longer than ninety-days. Those 90+ day opportunities are there because sellers … (6 comments)
|
the lones group: Parking Matters
- 07/14/23 10:28 AM
Parking Matters As urban and suburban areas across the country struggle to add more density to their city centers, the issue of parking is going to become a weightier topic and one that you as a real estate professional need to be aware of.
Some cities have done a great job of developing with walkability in mind. Cities like New York and San Francisco have robust transit systems that get people moving around the city. So, what if your city doesn't have that system in place? What if they have only recently had that system in place and people haven't … (1 comments)
|
the lones group: Brand Refresh: Sharon Scott
- 07/07/23 10:17 AM
We have been working with Sharon Scott since 2005 when Shauna built her first brand (one of Shauna's all-time favorites, by the way!). Sharon's life and business has changed since then and it was time for a real new brand.
Over the years we have done a few partial refreshes, but now it was time to really dive in. Her brand style previously was eclectic and bold, but this time around she needed a brand that was more-refined.
Clockwise from top-left: Letterhead, homebook cover, envelope back/front, business cardBut don't think we didn't try the more eclectic route! Multi-color camouflage and bright orange … (2 comments)
|
the lones group: Breaking Through Housing Market Gridlock
- 06/26/23 04:10 PM
Breaking Through Housing Market Gridlock There is no doubt that buyers are in a tough spot with the rise in mortgage interest rates. Many buyers have simply assumed that they can't make a move because mortgage interest rates went up last year and haven't come back down. Although it seemed that the long-term interest rates (which relates to mortgage interest rates) might come back down if inflation stabilized, inflation is still higher than the Federal Government's target. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that inflation in January was 6.3% over January 2022 which has declined by May to … (4 comments)
|
the lones group: Consistency Now Means Opportunity Later
- 06/16/23 09:21 AM
Welcome to this week’s Zebra Report. This week I want to talk to you about how your business should respond when the market is going through a period of limited turn-over and whether agents’ natural reaction to cutting back on marketing is the right one.
This week a client asked me whether they should continue geographical farming. All of a sudden, their farm over the last six months had gone silent. No responses to any of their mailings. Right now, we are in a market where inventory is low, we have higher interest rates, and the middle of that market has become … (7 comments)
|
the lones group: Improving Your Call-to-Action
- 06/09/23 09:40 AM
Improving Your Call-to-Action There's a skill to marketing and today I want to talk about calls-to-action. A call-to-action (or CTA) is when you prompt your reader to do something. So, if you are sending out a market update mailer, your call-to-action might be something like, "Call me if you want to learn more about the market or get quarterly updates on how your property is performing."
Clients who are using our Club Zebra mailer content or who are part of our LeadMagnet service don't have to worry about this - we take care of crafting a solid call-to-action for them. … (11 comments)
|
;)
;)
;)
