fairfield: Listening to Customers
- 05/22/07 09:23 AM
It is important to hear what customers have to say, whether you agree with them or not. For first class customer service, "The Customer is Always Right". I chose this customer "rant" from a website, The Best of Craigslist: Click on the house.
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fairfield: Following Up - Consumers want Action
- 05/22/07 04:54 AM
Following up with agents and customers should be a number one priority. When an agent tells us that they will fax, call or send a letter by such a time, and it is not here (within a short while of the promised time), we call. If calls are not returned, we email. We also bcc (blind copy) to show that we are doing our job. As Realtors, we get paid to do a job. Alot of that job is keeping things on track and making things go smoothly for our customers. Nothing is more frustrating than having agents "unavailable". Dealing with questions and concerns on a daily basis should be second nature to Realtors. With text messaging, emails … (0 comments)
fairfield: C'Mon, Someone is Going To Find Out
- 05/16/07 01:07 PM
I am not a complaining, (well maybe a little). I agree that a listing agent should want the best possible price for the property they are representing, but do you really expect all agents NOT to do their homework. We got a Buyer interested in a property. We start to do a comparable market analysis using the multiple listing service's information. We even have a SOLD comparable of the identical property next door, built by the same builder. At first glance, it looks like "good comps". But, wait...the identical property that SOLD, hmmmmm.... well, I don't think that is a Kosher number. … (5 comments)
fairfield: A Phillipine Company is Looking for Bloggers
- 05/07/07 07:35 AM
I was just on Craiglist.com looking for a graphic designer when I came across this ad. I thought it would fun to see Activerain's reaction to a company looking for bloggers/writers.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/crs/326189940.html FROM THE AD: We are a wholesale writing and SEO provider operating out of the Philippines. We provide manpower for generating and designing custom content, such as writing blogs, copy-editing, creating ad blurbs, and any other ad hoc writing requests.Our fees are transparent to our clients. We charge on a cost-plus basis... … (4 comments)
fairfield: Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill Home is Pending Sale
- 05/04/07 03:20 AM
Martha Stewart, Westport's Wonder Woman is moving on. The famous farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut is pending sale. The home was originally listed May 22, 2006 for sale price of $8,995,000. After 167 days, (November 6, 2006), the listing contract was cancelled. January 24, 2007 Turkey Hill reappeared on the multiple listing service as a new listing for the sale price of $4,500,000. A reduction of almost a 1/2 off the original price. (I will refrain from any remarks about a K-Mart special.) The six fireplace Federal-style situated on four acres (two acres sold separately to the same buyer) has the luxurious amenities of a heated pool, converted carriage house, glorious gardens, greenhouses and … (2 comments)
fairfield: Business Comes Before Blogging & Karma
- 04/24/07 08:42 AM
I have not had a chance to blog lately. Too much to do and not enough time in the day. But, I am grateful for this blessing. Something tickled me today that I thought I would share real quick. "Real Estate Karma". We had a seller that got discouraged when their house was on the market. Since our service was above and beyond, it was disappointing that when the contract expired the seller listed with someone else in a bigger company. Well, today those sellers called. A buyer contacted them directly to look at it. The house is still listed with the other company, however, … (5 comments)
fairfield: Buy Proven Million Dollar Schemes "Cheap"
- 04/18/07 09:03 AM
Want to "buy" into a novel idea? Best deals for "self-help" and "get rich" books and other material is not at Amazon.com. Nope! Go to Salvation Army and Goodwill. (The link is to shopping Goodwill on-line) Check out your area second hand store. Why pay hundreds of dollars at 2am in the morning to infomercial megalamanics ? The only one getting rich is them! But, then there is that age old burning question as you stand there in the second hand store, "why would someone get rid of such priceless books on making everyone millions?" Hmmmm..... I am no different from anyone else. I am interested in improving myself and … (4 comments)
fairfield: Section 20-328-10(a) of the Connecticut Real Estate Code - Contacts & Address Books
- 04/11/07 09:35 AM
Did you know that your former broker could request the return of all information and records of all files, address books, contact names, prospecting lists, etc, accumulated and pertaining to any business you conducted while engaging as an agent for their company. "Upon termination" of a licensee's employment or affiliation with a real estate broker in Connecticut, a licensee shall immediately turn over to such broker any and all information and records obtained during the licencesee's employment or affiliation, whether such information or records were originally given by the licensee's broker or copied from the records such as employing broker or … (3 comments)
fairfield: Celebrity FSBO: SOLD!
- 04/10/07 02:06 AM
I just thought I would share: A very busy celebrity had a home on the market: For Sale By Owner. I actually spoke with this person a few days ago and their feedback about a know-name agent and know-name company was shared with me like a well-rehearsed speech. Long story short, the listing agent WOULD NOT give the Seller a "virtual tour". Huh? Why Not? Are you kidding? Mistakes make great lessons for the rest of us.
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fairfield: Board of Realtors, MLS and Newspaper Make a Website - Possible Ground floor Adversiting Opportunity?
- 04/09/07 08:06 AM
My usual quest for interesting news in real estate brought me to this (new?) website, MyCTHome.com. I believe it is in the early stages of development because there are no agents listed on the agent search. Using the property search, there is no mention of listing agent names or advertisements. Just a phone number to the broker's office, but no mention of the broker's name. There is an MLS#. Property photographs are watermarked with Source: Coop MLS of CT and CTMLS, Inc. This type of exposure on the Hartford Courant ONLINE ONLY PACKAGES: 30 days online for $99 or 90 days online for $149 My natural curiosity has me asking lots of questions: Will other local … (3 comments)
fairfield: Call Your Trekkie Buyers - Apartment Space, The Final Frontier
- 03/27/07 02:28 PM
I saw this on MSN. Being real estate related, I thought it would be something to keep an eye on. In a world where I can barely make up my mind which drapes to buy (or not to hang drapes at all), a gentleman has made his entire flat in England look like Star Trek's Enterprise. What would "Stagers" do? Exaggerated example: The captain's chair would be better off to the side, then directly in the center of the room? I guess we shouldn't get excited about the listing, he is putting it on eBay. His "prime directive" is to keep all … (0 comments)
fairfield: ...and this just in: Disclose it!
- 03/26/07 02:24 AM
Yesterday, I asked a question about LLC's owning listed property and the listing broker is the owner of the LLC. Should this be disclosed? I called the Connecticut Association of Realtors; Attorney Markoni responded quickly to my inquiry. The answer was simple. If a broker/agent has ANY INTEREST in a property it must be DISCLOSED. I called the Consolidated MLS to see what the rule was for disclosing it on the MLS. It was stated that it should be disclosed "Broker/Owner". So, there you have it. "Disclose" is the final word. Thank you all for commenting and interest. … (2 comments)
fairfield: Walking in Devil's Den
- 03/24/07 07:23 AM
"Quick! The sun is shining! Forward all calls to our cell phones and let's get out of here!" For a little while today, we sneaked away to get some fresh spring air. I put on my old jeans, lug-sole shoes and grabbed the camera. (Sorry, you will not see any pictures of me in all my grubby galore!) On the way to Devil's Den, I was giddy as I skipped beside my husband (he has long strides). The sounds of rushing water is always present in the spring where we live in Weston. It rushes down along our stonewalled property under the street and into a huge … (2 comments)
fairfield: Hide The Medications
- 03/21/07 04:16 AM
I just read Inman's Article on "Open House Don'ts". The only thing I saw missing from the recipe was "be sure the Seller hides their prescription medications". (Inman Article will self-destruct at mid-night.) Years ago, I held an open-house for an associate in a lovely upscale neighborhood. Every guest through the door was neatly dressed and I was not suspicious of any "evil doers". Close to the end of the open house, there were potential buyers going in one direction, and another going toward the opposite end of the home. Placing myself in the middle, I tried to monitor the visitors. Hearing the the medicine chest … (9 comments)
fairfield: Building A Better Business
- 03/20/07 03:44 PM
I love positive feedback. Everyone stands a little taller when they receive compliments. But, complaints are an opportunity to grow as well. Wishing away chronic negativity is not going make everything sunshine and roses. Removing "the negativity" (letting the complainer go) may help for a while. But, if the problem is still there, it is only a matter of time before the complaints start up again. Customer complaints should always have your attention. Right or wrong, making an effort to remedy something is a sign of great customer service. Accountability is refreshing to a strained relationship. Recently, I put together an outline of things that as a broker I could offer to agents. Every … (2 comments)
TITAN REAL ESTATE AGENT - MEDUSA knew the importance of eye contact
I am not sure if I could be in real estate without my eyes. I know of many miracles performed by those with limited or no vision, and I tremendously respect these individuals. But, what would I do as a real estate professional without my eyes? I need my eyes to communicate and to hear what people are NOT saying. Even those who smile and speak may not always be communicating what their eyes are saying. LISTEN TO THE WHOLE PERSON. Pay close attention with with your eyes, picking up all nuances of body language. While making eye contact (not staring), try … (3 comments)
fairfield: "Running with Scissors"
- 03/18/07 06:13 AM
My daughter is in theater and enjoys artsy films. She has introduced me to many indie movies that I might not have ever known about. Most of the time, I appreciate her talent for picking fantastic flicks. Since, Chris, my husband, is playing in an out-of-state racquet ball tournament this weekend, Kate and I vegged out in front of the television and watched "Running With Scissors". During the movie, I kept repeating, "this is beyond creative. How could anyone think these things up?" Then Kate gave me a quick synopsis to shut me up. The movie is based on a real life story..."and you know Mom, truth is … (5 comments)
fairfield: Top of the Morning to You! Hey! Where's the Green?
- 03/16/07 10:28 PM
This is outside one of my downstairs windows. I doubt that I will be making it out to any "pub" to celebrate my Irish heritage (The McIntyre's, The Twyford's and The Archer's). Today will be better spent enjoying some Irish Coffee, watching John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in "The Quiet Man" and rescheduling appointments. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!
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fairfield: Company Selling Back Agent Created Leads - Is Pay Per Clicks That Expensive?
- 03/15/07 11:44 AM
I don't think agents should be sold back their leads for a referral fee on top of all the other fees a company may charge to be an independent contractor in that firm. Do Ad clicks and (the debatable) company scrubbing cost 30% of the sale price of a property? It can get a little pricey for the best placement of "pay per click" ads, but I am guessing most companies have thoroughly researched the best way to utilize "pay per clicks" by having them appear only at certain times of the day and where on the web. (Have you noticed some real estate company … (4 comments)
fairfield: Disappearing Donald
- 03/14/07 02:55 AM
Hey, where'd he go? On February 26, I blogged about stumbling on to Trump University advertising on actverain.com. Today, I took a minute to re-visit this blog and clicked on the site only to find the site being sponsored by many real estate ads. Many (and I mean lots!) of real estate companies, agents and related real estate services are paying to advertise there. Someone (Donald Trump?) is still making money using a misspelled site. From Dynamic Digital Advertising Glossary: Sponsored Websites Sponsored websites are websites that achieve their position by paying for it rather than by optimizing their content to appear in the top search results position. … (1 comments)
Our indepth research is right on target. It includes local, state & national market trends. We go above & beyond the competion to supply consumers with information to make the right decisions.
It is important to hear what customers have to say, whether you agree with them or not. For first class customer service, "The Customer is Always Right".;)
;)
