the lones group: A Little Patience for the Big Home Market - 07/31/20 05:30 PM

A Little Patience for the Big Home Market
This week I want to chat about big homes. Yes, the big boys... the 4000+ square foot homes that in many markets can often take longer to sell because of their size. After COVID became a reality in March many buyers realized that they wanted to move into a bigger home. A home that they could use for work as well as play. Having more space for their kids makeshift school and their new work from home schedules make for a higher demand for the larger home.
So why is it … (1 comments)

the lones group: Today, I Eat My Words - 07/16/20 10:02 PM

Today, I Eat My Words
Hi everyone, and welcome to this week's Zebra Report. Today, I get to "EAT MY WORDS".
Years ago, when I started the Zebra Report, I had a client of mine ask me if I was nervous about blogging because once I put my thoughts into words I can't take back those words. If I say them and print them, then shouldn't I stand by them? Well technically that is correct, but practically it isn't realistic when things change. It is okay to change your mind and it is okay to change your position on … (6 comments)

the lones group: Amplify Your Business - 07/10/20 05:57 PM

Amplify Your Business
I am so excited about my upcoming Amplify business planning workshop! This is a brand new class - hot off the press and is the first class we have specifically designed to work in an online environment over a period of four sessions.
We have designed this limited-seating workshop to provide that one-on-one friendly environment you have grown to love about our workshops, but have built in exercises and tasks that will both invigorate your business, help your new good habits stick, and incrementally improve your systems and processes.
If you have been to one of … (0 comments)

the lones group: Guess What I'm Doing This Saturday Night? Join Me! - 05/29/20 03:34 PM

Guess What I'm Doing This Saturday Night? Join Me!
Hi everybody, and welcome to this week's episode of the Zebra Report. I've been so fortunate over the years to have incredible people, clients, and associates in my life that give back. I just want to thank everybody out there doing good things. With what's going on in the world right now, taking a little bit of time to make someone else feel special is very powerful.
Today I'm outside. It's so sunny and beautiful. I'm here with all my dogs and something really incredible happened today. Nancy, from the … (2 comments)

the lones group: Perfection is not Power - 05/22/20 04:09 PM

Perfection is Not Power
Hi everyone, and welcome to this week's Zebra Report. Today I am here with one of my favorite things in the world, an incredibly special gift that I received from a very special person. This gorgeous piece of hand-crafted zebra art was given to me by a client of mine, Brian Rosso.  His brother created it for me with some of his friends.
Brian's brother spent his precious time and talent making this and I cannot even begin to express how much it means to me. It was created by a group of individuals that … (3 comments)

the lones group: What's Your Niche Market - 05/19/20 02:27 PM

What's Your Niche Market
Today, I wanted to talk about niche markets. A niche market is defined as a smaller part of a larger market with its own defined area of specialization.
The perfect example of a niche market in real estate is waterfront property. I happen to live on a lake and I have learned a thing or two about lake front living that I had no idea about before I became a lakefront property owner. I've now been here for over 14 years and in that entire time period I would say I have probably received maybe … (17 comments)

the lones group: Leveraging Your Superpower - 05/08/20 01:55 PM

Leveraging Your Superpower
This week I want to talk about your superpower, yes you have one! I want to define it, explain it and show you how to put it to work for you.
There are so many real estate agents in the field today and there are specific reasons that a client is attracted to working with you. There is just that "something special" that you have that they felt they needed or were attracted to. It could be that you come across as being very thorough or detail oriented. Maybe you are friendly and easily to talk … (3 comments)

the lones group: Don't Believe the Headlines - 05/06/20 01:25 PM

Don't Believe the Headlines
I thought it was really important that I address all of the headlines that are out there. You cannot look online. You cannot look in your email. You are probably getting text messages out there about the real estate market.
First of all, I want to talk a little about the fundamentals of our market and why today is very different from our Great Recession back in 2008. I want to talk about then and now. Then, anybody could get a mortgage. Literally one or two or three! Today, not so much. The lending criteria … (0 comments)

the lones group: A Health Crisis, Not a Housing Crisis = Opportunity! - 05/01/20 04:37 PM

A Health Crisis, Not a Housing Crisis = Opportunity!
The fundamentals of a strong real estate market are simple: Strong demand and a healthy supply makes for a good real estate market. But what happens when the world is faced with a health crisis and real estate agents are faced with the challenge of having to navigate unchartered territory?
Whenever I am uncertain about any real estate market-related issue, I always follow the facts. I decided to go into my local MLS today to see just how much opportunity is out there right now for sellers.
Many sellers are … (1 comments)

the lones group: What Covid-19 Means to Inventory in 2020 and Beyond - 04/17/20 10:12 AM

What Covid-19 Means to Inventory in 2020 and Beyond
Whenever there is any type of crisis in the housing market it is critical to take a step back to assess how the current crisis can affect housing in the future. Real estate markets are all driven by supply and demand and without inventory house prices can soar and buyers can be left without product to buy.
Most people may be wondering why I am worried about inventory at a time when buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the Covid-19 crisis to pass. The reason I always worry … (1 comments)

the lones group: Powerful Words to Live By, Thanks Neil! - 04/10/20 11:37 AM

Powerful Words to Live By, Thanks Neil!
With thanks to Neil deGrasse Tyson
National Geographic calls Neil the world's most famous astrophysicist. Since 1996 he has been the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City.
I was recently having a conversation with my CEO Shauna Naf and we discussed a statement he had made which impacted her and that I thought was BRILLIANT. He had said, "In order to be more creative you need to be less productive."
This resonated so strongly with me because for over 20 years … (0 comments)

the lones group: Lessons from the Racetrack - 04/03/20 03:05 PM

Lessons from the Racetrack
Some of my fondest childhood memories were at the racetrack. Yes, that is correct, I said the racetrack. The photo above was taken only a month ago by my sister Debbie at my favorite childhood racetrack.
Let me explain. My father was a restaurant owner and many of his patrons were the trainers and jockeys from the local racetrack. He became friends with many of them and before I knew it, he had bought some racehorses and my years of joy and pure bliss being around horses began. I can attribute my love for all … (1 comments)

the lones group: The Power of Being Still - 03/27/20 11:34 AM

The Power of Being Still
There is no doubt we are in unprecedented times. For most of us, this creates a heightened degree of stress and uncertainty. Over a third of the country has been asked to stay home and our once booming economy has come screeching to a halt. When can any of us remember being told by the government not to go to work?
While this seems somewhat terrifying, we all know that it is for the greater good of all of us. So here we have it, we are being told to stay home and be … (15 comments)

the lones group: What Can History Teach Us About Real Estate? - 03/25/20 09:56 AM

What Can History Teach Us About Real Estate?
There is no doubt that the last few weeks have been a challenge in many of our strongest real estate markets. In many places we have strong buyer demand, but are unable to satisfy that need because of the demand for social distancing.
We have MLS services in some markets that are not allowing open houses. Some MLS are not even allowing new listings to be added - for the greater good. I have agents asking me about their buyers who had great jobs even a week ago who now may … (3 comments)

the lones group: Social Distancing and Productivity Opportunities - 03/17/20 12:12 PM

Social Distancing and Productivity Opportunities
You can't go anywhere without hearing about the doom and gloom of the Corona Virus.  This brings up fear, anxiety and uncertainty for what lies ahead.  We have been down a similar road a number of times before with other viruses and other disasters and one thing is certain, this shall pass and we will get back to normal.
In the meantime, while you may find yourself working out of your home there are many productive things you can be doing to give your business a boost.  And you might also want to take … (0 comments)

the lones group: Anxiety or Covid-19: What is the Real Danger to Your Business? - 03/05/20 05:03 PM

Anxiety or Covid-19: What is the Real Danger to Your Business?
There are many ways to react about the virus breakout. It doesn't seem to matter where you go - the news is talking about it everywhere. It is completely normal to feel concerned, unsure, nervous, worried, and more.
However, the reality is that there is not a lot that any of us can do about the virus other than be informed and be aware of the things that we can do to keep ourselves and our families safe. From a business perspective it may seem like there is … (15 comments)

the lones group: If You Aren't Making Money, Follow the FACTS! - 02/28/20 11:57 AM

If You Aren't Making Money, Follow the FACTS!
I have never spoken to an agent who says they aren't making money and haven't been able to figure out why. There is always a reason, a cause, an excuse and often an absence of completing critical tasks. There is also a trail of obvious facts that lead me directly to the cause, the reason, the problem and then ultimately the solution to the agent's lack of money.
Here are some of my favorite questions I ask agents to help them figure out their challenges and how to get past them:
(4 comments)

the lones group: Are You Overstepping Your Bounds into a Potential Lawsuit? - 02/25/20 10:25 AM

Are You Overstepping Your Bounds into a Potential Lawsuit?
Most of us at some point in our real estate career have found ourselves saying or doing something that makes us wish we could turn the clock back. This may be a result of saying something or doing something that causes regret and we can't undo it. We are left with the stress that comes with knowing one has overstepped their professional bounds. In the moment, it may be difficult to see where that boundary line is as providing great client care can quickly slide into the "uh-oh zone". Here … (14 comments)

the lones group: Is Your Home Office Costing You Money? - 02/18/20 02:26 PM

Is Your Home Office Costing You Money?
When I first started my real estate career well over two decades ago, real estate agents did not work from home. They worked in cubicles in offices and shared work space. There wasn't even an option to work from home.
With the expansion of the internet, apps, email, and dashboards available from the coffee-shop down the street or across the globe, I have watched the industry change dramatically. One of the biggest make-it or break-it changes has been the work from home rage.
Initially I remember agents that worked for me … (8 comments)

the lones group: What an Event! - 01/31/20 04:45 PM

What an Event!
Wednesday was our annual Real Estate Success Summit and oh what a success it was! The event was sold out and I was honored to have the most incredible group of speakers share the stage with me. It was such a special day and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to share my research and predictions with so many incredible real estate professionals.
What I really want to focus on was not the actual event itself but rather the incredible work, energy, brilliance and talent of my team and the special guests and speakers that gave up their … (0 comments)

 
Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding (The Lones Group, Inc.)

Denise Lones

CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding

Bellingham, WA

More about me…

The Lones Group, Inc.

Address: 2200 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office: (360) 527-8904

Join Denise Lones each week as she looks at the world of real estate and the world at large from customer service to the importance of listing presentations in a one-on-one style. Denise has more than 20 years of experience as a successful agent, broker, trainer and coach. Denise is someone in the know when it comes to real estate.



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