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Top 10 Ways for Realtors to Spend Money Wisely (under $100 version)

By Patrick Harfst

Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives - Phoenix AZ

October 21, 2007 08:16 AM

10. A clean car... Carwashes are what, $10? No excuse for a dirty car.

9. A printed map of your area... It will come in handy when you least expect.

8. Supply of movie passes to enclose with Thank You notes.

7. Subscription to Real Estate Professional magazine. Best $33 ever spent.

6. Spiral binding machine for presentations. No more handing out stacks of paper...

5. Professional business cards. Amazingly, many agents use generic cards. Still. In 2007

4. Read a minimum of one good book per month. Preferably business related.

3. Subscription to Zipforms (or whatever is used in your area).

2. Wireless aircard for your computer. Work from wherever you are.

And the #1 Way For Realtors to Spend Money Wisely...

1. BlueTooth earpiece for your cell phone. Two hands on the wheel, please!

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Kim Peasley-Parker

AgentOwned Realty, Heritage Group, Inc. - Sumter, SC

Great post and list. As for the car wash, I remember an exercise blog around here. I have made the choice to wash my own car and burn some calories.

Oct 21, 2007 08:31 AM

Daniel Sundberg

Crystal Springs Real Estate - Kentwood, MI

Good list and a great compliment to your earlier post. If you choose not to use an earpiece, most phones come with a speaker option that works great as well.

Oct 21, 2007 08:34 AM

Patrick Harfst

Realty Executives - Phoenix AZ - Gilbert, AZ

Kim - That funny you mention exercising... I had a gym membership on my list of candidates for this post, but just did not add it... Makes perfect sense, owever. I work out at 24 Hour Fitness in Gilbert...

Oct 21, 2007 08:35 AM

Daniel - Correct... but then the caller gets all of your background noise, and you give up any privacy... Not cool in a public setting... but certainly better than driving with one hand, trying to work a keyboard with one hand, etc. Even a redneck bluetooth (a large rubber band around the user's head, holding the phone to ear) works...

Oct 21, 2007 08:38 AM

Chris and Berna Sloan

Group 1 Real Estate - Tooele, UT

Tooele UT

Patrick.. Great list. Dont forget. shined shoes and haircut.

Thanks

Gary Bland

Century 21 All Islands - Lahaina, HI

I am with you on these simple and most forgotten items. This will stop a few questions from any Buyer.

Oct 21, 2007 09:06 AM

Mike Jaquish

Realty Arts - Cary, NC

919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Zipforms, yes!

And I swore I would never wear a BT headset, and I'm absolutely hooked!

Great lists Patrick!

Oct 21, 2007 09:07 AM

Chris - You must have seen me out in public recently! I need some new shoes, and always seem to be needing a haircut.

Mike - I remember the first time I saw someone with a BT earpiece... looked a bit dorky, in 1999. Now, I see tons of folks leaving them on their ear, even when not on a call. Fashion accessory, I guess!

Oct 21, 2007 09:14 AM

Rebecca Savitski

BSR Real Estate Group - Cary, NC

NC Real Estate Listings

I have not submitted to the BT yet but I am very very close. I just don't want to look silly!!

I actually had a client pull the steering wheel while I was making a Uie, writing showing instructions and talking on the phone.

Oct 21, 2007 09:17 AM

Johnny Park

AmREDS - Bakersfield, CA

Membership to MLS and other professional services and organizations too.

Oct 21, 2007 09:50 AM

Ricardo Bueno

Diverse Solutions - Los Angeles, CA

I just have to comment that the spiral machine is not as expensive as one might think! And it's definitely WELL worth the investment as it makes your presentation just that more professional!!!

Oct 21, 2007 11:42 AM

Debbie Baldes

Calling Boise Home - Boise, ID

ABR, SFR, e-PRO, CHS

#10....OUCH! I even get free car washes at my Lexus dealer just never want to wait there to get it done! Maybe I could read part of my one book a month there! :-)

Love these 10 ways....posts!

Oct 21, 2007 06:20 PM

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I love the tips. I do not have the wireless air card. Can it be used abroad ?

Oct 21, 2007 11:04 PM

Ricardo - I went a step further and purchased a heat-binding machine a few years back. They were being shown at a CRS convention... UniBind is the brand, but they are not cheap. Makes presentations into "books"...

Gita - Air Cards are used overseas, for sure. Whether they are straight across compatible depends... Some phones sold here are compatible for use overseas, some are not. Same for the air cards... Ask your cell provider. God luck!

Oct 22, 2007 02:48 AM

Kaye Thomas

Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA

e-PRO, Manhattan Beach CA

Short and to the point.. great suggestions..

Oct 22, 2007 05:10 AM

Dione Sage

Nova Home Loans - Gilbert, AZ

This blog is full of wonderful suggestions, Great job. I especially like the #1 reason and your comment about two hands on the wheel....excellent job

Jun 07, 2008 09:20 PM

Terry Lynch

LAR Notary and Closing Services - Saint Clair Shores, MI

Patrick

Great post. I can't argue with any one thing on your list. I have never heard of the magazine, I'll google it next.

Jun 09, 2008 03:57 PM

Top 10 Ways for Realtors to Spend Money Wisely (under $100 version)

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