open houses: Let's All Ride the Open House Merry-Go-Round! - 07/31/10 01:49 AM
Ah, the Open House Merry-Go-Round. 
Do I do them?  Do I don't?  Do I do them?  Do I don't?  And round and round the debate goes.  And the ride never seems to stop.  "Yes, they're great."  "No.  They don't sell houses."  "Yes, I pick up buyers."  "No. They are waste of my time."
No doubt, you fall on one side of the argument or the other.  It seems like I read more blogs here at Active Rain that fall more on the, "No, I don't do them" side of the argument, than I do supporting open houses. 
For me, I do open houses … (57 comments)

open houses: Lessons from the Funeral Director - 10/21/09 01:56 AM
Life is funny.  You just never know where you're going to learn your lesson each day.  But almost every day, I learn something from someone.  And sometimes it happens in the most unexpected and weirdest of ways.
Like yesterday, for example.
A gentleman in our church passed away sometime Sunday night and was found Monday morning.  So I went to the funeral home yesterday to pay my respects.  It was about noon and when I pulled up I thought, "The place doesn't look open.  I hope they're here."
So I went up to the doors.  There were two entrances.  There were … (40 comments)

open houses: The Ultimate Facebook Open House No No - 09/11/09 03:39 AM
You're on Facebook now.  You're using it to connect with people.  You're loving being in the community with people right?
If you're a smart agent, you're probably putting your open houses on Facebook.  I do.  I usually put the listing or some pics and the time and then I invite folks to come see me.  Some people show up.  Others Facebook me to say hi.  Sometimes other agents who are on Facebook during their open house will say something too.
And that brings up the Ultimate Facebook Open House No No.
Ready?  Here it is...
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put a remark … (7 comments)

open houses: 5 Tips for Getting a Career in Real Estate Up and Going Fast - 09/10/09 01:15 AM
When you're new to Real Estate, it is important to get the wheels of your new career spinning as quickly as possible!  Getting that income stream flowing is critical when you work a commission based business.  Try these 5 tips for getting your new business up and running quickly.
1. Get Jennifer Allan's "Sell With Soul" book.  You can find Jennifer here.
This book helped me to get focused and taught me how to understand prospecting and SOI.  Good stuff!  You can contact Jennifer through Active Rain or go directly to her Sell with Soul website here.
2. Take the Brian … (13 comments)