Admin

Ask An Ambassador: Repeat After Me, Big Wheel Keep on...

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com SAL.2002007747

This summer will make 20 years since I started in real estate, and while a lot has changed, a lot of the fundamentals haven't.

It's a people business.

It's a numbers game.

And there's absolutely no reason to reinvent the wheel for much of what we do.  That doesn't mean continuous improvement shouldn't stay front and center, but there's also no need to start from scratch when you're in the 1,268th iteration of a certain task.

To deal with what I have on my daily plate, I have to effectively use my time, and one of the ways to do that is to standardize some tasks.  That's one of the places blogging can come in handy.

Do you have FAQ posts written and ready to reference?  Whether you copy them to an email or just send a link, when I get a home owner asking for their home's photos to be removed from our Sold IDX feed, I'm pointing them to the How To post on our Wordpress site.

Someone wants more info on that listing that sold 2 years ago?  I've got an email for that along with an explanation of where on the home's listing to find the Status.

Need a picture for a blog post?  If I don't have anything of my own, I'm going straight to Pixabay.com, I can almost always find a useful photo.

Writing my 100th subdivision post?  I've got a template for the information I want to include.

Market reports?  Template for that too.

Long tail searches.  Take a wild guess if I have a template?

Don't have a template?  Just take a look at the right sidebar when you're in ActiveRain's blog editor and find the selection.

Again, there's no reason to reinvent the wheel.  The easier it is to perform a task, the less brain strain and the quicker you can move on to your next task.

And perhaps the biggest time saver of all?  Realizing that there's nothing wrong with saying NO.  We're not meant to work with everyone that calls.  Recognize the red flags whenever possible and stick to what you do best.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

Search Homes:  Https://WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com

 FacebookWordpressYouTube Pinterest

 

 

 

 

OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA:


Comments(19)

Show All Comments Sort:
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thank you for sharing the information. Wishing you continued

success. Have a wonderful day and sell a house. Bill

Feb 20, 2024 05:25 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

You're welcome!

Feb 20, 2024 08:05 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Bill,

You make so much sense and yet others are constantly trying to reinvent the wheel! I've been in the business 32 years and you are right, this is a people business! Establish good relationships, create raving fans and you will always have business. You don't have to work with everyone, sometimes its not a good fit and you can pass. Having systems in place make the tasks easier and save you time! You can pass on all those shiny new tools too!

Feb 20, 2024 05:33 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

The biggest drawback with our niche is minimal repeat business. Most are buying their forever home.  I tend to be averse to the latest bright and shiny unless I can see a very clear path to how it will directly help me.

Feb 20, 2024 08:06 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning, Bill.
Your post reminds me of the Vince Lombardi quote "Gentlemen, this is a football." The fundamentals are timeless. In the real estate business, so much can be set up on systems to save valuable time. As with any profession (or life), we can always get better. We still have to continue learning, but some of the fundamentals NEVER change.

Feb 20, 2024 06:09 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I hadn't heard that quote before, but love it!!

Feb 20, 2024 08:07 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Time Management is so important for us. And having templates helps a lot with completing tasks faster. Great blog, as always, Liz and Bill Spear !

Feb 20, 2024 07:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I have enough to do, so minimizing my time wasted is critical.  Certain things are just non-negotiable.

Feb 20, 2024 08:07 AM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

Good stuff, and thanks for the image site reference. A LOT has changed since I last focused on my blog, and finding decent photos/art without paying a subscription service or through the nose for a one off download is one of them. This was helpful. 

Feb 20, 2024 07:44 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Pixabay has been my go to site for a long time.  Just skip past the first row of sponsored photos, everything else is free to use per their license.

Feb 20, 2024 08:08 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh, once the fundamentals are down, there's no need to mess with them unless the environment changes. And I'm totally in agreement with learning to say "NO." We cannot work with everyone.

Feb 20, 2024 07:59 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'm definitely listening for the potential pain points.  The consumer that calls me about needing HOA contact info, and MAYBE I can help her buy a house later...that type of leading me on doesn't work.

Feb 20, 2024 08:09 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - your big wheel brings to my mind another example.  And for me, that the power of adjusting - adapting - accepting (or rejecting).  It can make a difference.  🎡🎡🎡

Feb 20, 2024 08:46 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

All valid things that need to be considered.  I've always loved that ActiveRain is often a source of previews of what could be, and we get to decide if it should be a tool we use or reject.

Feb 20, 2024 10:07 AM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Congratulations, Bill, for celebrating 2 decades in Real Estate! We are license buddies, I, too, got mine in 2004! The biggest learning curve for me was that it is okay to say "no", and at times absolutely necessary to do so, to protect myself, and my time. It's become easier with the years! 

Feb 20, 2024 11:00 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I wonder how many of the students from our classes are still in the business??!

Feb 20, 2024 12:23 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I'm a huge fan of templates (especially my market reports) too, Bill. When clients view them again and again, why reinvent that wheel?!

Feb 20, 2024 01:23 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Exactly, if it's producing the desired effect, keep on rollin'!

Feb 20, 2024 02:47 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Bill:

There's lots of good advice here!

Using templates (e.g., market reports) and standardizing tasks when you can makes so much to save time and be as efficient as possible. And don't continue to spend time on those things that don't work and cost time, or money.

Jeff

 

Feb 20, 2024 01:51 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

And that's the other side of the coin, recognize what ISN'T working and can't be fixed, and remove it for something that can work.

Feb 20, 2024 02:47 PM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

So much has changed yet so much has remained the same when it comes to the fundamentals. Big wheels keep on rolling.... This is my 39th year and I still practice many of what I learned in my early years.

Feb 20, 2024 03:51 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Fundamental human needs don't change much.  The tools we use may change, but what consumers need from us, not that much different 40, 20 or 10 years ago.

Feb 20, 2024 04:11 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I so agree with you Bill!  No need to reinvent the wheel if all is working fine. Simply 'shift' if and when needed.  Years ago while moderating a CRS course I was sick to death of doing the same thing over and over for years - at the time it was postcard mailings which was pre-blogging days and I asked the guy about it.  The instructor asks me - So Anna.........does your postcard campaign bring in a lot of business?  Why yes, of course it does.  Well....then why would you stop doing it?   DUH?  I had to laugh at the silliness of it all. And of course I continued to do what worked!

Feb 20, 2024 03:55 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We used to mail 1000+ newsletters a month, and as Liz had other things that needed to do with her volunteer work, the cost/benefit analysis of continuing them tipped to "stop".  They did bring us SOME business, but the amount of time (and postage, etc.) involved no longer justified it.  Blogging/Wordpress/IDX is more cost effective and less time demanding, and that's time I need for other things.

Feb 20, 2024 04:13 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Featured in BananaTude

Feb 20, 2024 03:56 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Thanks!

 

Feb 20, 2024 04:13 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Here’s open that you sell a lot of houses and the big wheel does. Keep on turning! Wishing you much success

Feb 20, 2024 09:24 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

At this point in my life, I don't need much to satisfy business demands.

Feb 21, 2024 08:03 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I just came back to this one to look at the scale of it and it looks pretty interesting overall

Feb 20, 2024 11:54 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

In 20 years, I am sure you have seen all of the documents grow in size with a lot of legal things being added, haha.

Feb 21, 2024 04:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

We've gone through a number of iterations of the board approved contracts.  More disclosure forms, more pages, everything probably because ONE PERSON did something no one logical ever would have done!

Feb 21, 2024 08:04 AM
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

It sounds like you have created an efficiently run business with systems in place. Many real estate agents don’t approach this business as a business they way you have. 

Feb 22, 2024 11:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Necessity is the mother of invention.  I can't be an engineer/real estate agent/"zookeeper" and have much room for wasted time.

Feb 22, 2024 11:44 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Twenty years indeed seems to be a long time. Often one skips rest and family to make deals. But I have learned to be a better judge on people. Often can tell motivations from the people met. Yes, people relation and numbers game.

Feb 23, 2024 06:24 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Sam, I've given up a lot of the personal life aspects over the years, and it's something that I sometimes regret.  It's easier now to detect who is likely to be a painful client and detour early.

Feb 23, 2024 07:04 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Liz and Bill Spear - your post is definitely pondering worthy. One thing I know for sure, you can't get to where you are going if you keep looking in the rear-view mirror or trying to be someone you're not. And spending money, doesn't guarantee you make money. 

The best advice I received when I began my career was from my sponsor who talked me into becoming a REALTOR. They were a nice married couple and I tagged along for a while with them to Open Houses, etc. He basically told me the same thing. Learn the business. Don't worry about what others are spending their money on in real estate. If you know what you're doing in real estate the right way, you will get business. "Never re-invent the wheel," in business it is a "people's business." He was right. So are you! 

Feb 24, 2024 10:34 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Agreed, too much focus on the past can hinder the future.  Learn as best we can, apply those lessons, adjust and repeat as needed to keep going forward until we can't move forward any longer. 

Feb 24, 2024 11:52 AM
Patricia Feager

Liz and Bill Spear - true and verified by many successful business owners. 

Feb 24, 2024 12:00 PM