Cool Beans Real Estate

Had a conversation with one of our top producers Dan this evening discussing how to streamline and improve our business efficiency. We share a similar problem in that area.

Dan has a full time assistant and I have a touchy wife to help with all the various administrative activities that comes inherently with the real estate business.

One thing we both agreed upon was that neither of us was using a consistent system to keep things coherent on a continual basis.

The Realtor next to my office out-produces both of us and appears to do so effortlessly. Spends less time in-office, goes to the beach in Florida more and is always look’n refreshed and vibrant.

It’s always scary to me when the Fed’s want to jump into a particular sector of the private economy and “fix” it.

Government momentum has been building in recent weeks to find a panacea for the declining housing market. Will they hit it with the usual sledgehammer inflicting further damage, or actually be helpful?

My question is this, is this a normal cyclical market correction or is this typical political pandering? Is government tinkering warranted?

 Your thoughts appreciated.

We were not all created equal,.. duh! You might be smarter than I am and I can’t do anything about that. If however, I let you out work me then that’s my fault.

 By Anonymous

One of the first things we all learn if you’ve been in the real estate business for a while is that rejection is part of the real deal.

I’m not sure if it is something you can learn or if it’s something you’re borne with. All I know is, if you are not willing to consume prodigious amounts of rejection and shake it off, your ascent to  real estate stardom will be a difficult climb.

Continuous aggressive prospecting is a must and  a cornerstone in real the estate business that doesn't change. 

My personal experience has taught me my approach to improving my business was  not going  to be an overnight metamorphosis. A drive through at the Burger King, so to speak 

After writing a few new chapters in the book of Things Not To Do In Real Estate, I quit trying to please everybody. I’m never going to capture 100% of the market anyway. Not even Microsoft has that luxury. 

I solicit a market that approximates my personality and preference. This shift in think’n has lifted me into the next level as Realtor.

Some people will like you and some won’t. So what!. Stay focused on your goals and keep work’n.

Bon  Apetit’

   When I first started as a realtor I was quite confident that I knew just about everything there was to know about anything. After all, I spent two blissful years of intensive academic study in the third grade with Ms. Radis. I had the educational background and credentials to support my think’n,  I thought.

   As I began my methodical march to setting the real estate world on fire, mystically-magically the inevitable epiphany occured. I must have a personal web site if I'm to create combustion in my real estate career.

   Focused, determined and without further thought and consideration, I march forward with my granite-like sloping forehead and paid the first web tech I could find a handsome fee to build me a nice’n. Noth’n to good for somebody of my caliber, education and obvious ability.

   Flash forward six months. Web site finished and look’n good. I sit back and wait for the  voluminous leads to start bang’n on my phone. Over a period of time, I began to take mental possession of a few critical mistakes I’d made:.. 

• It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to have a professional looking and effective web site. A quick search on Google or Yahoo will reveal that.
• Don’t ever have a web site you can’t readily change without paying someone to change it for you. Your web site needs to be fresh and up to date on a daily basis when possible.
• Your site should be a reflection and extension of your personality. Forget about capturing 100% of the market. Some people will like you and some won’t. So what! Move on.
• Teach yourself a little HTML. It’s easier than you think and you can add a lot of neat stuff to your site.
• Spend a little time inserting keywords and metatags. This will affect your page ranking. A Must!
• Put your web address on all your marketing materials to include your e-mail. A nice tattoo on your forehead maybe.

There is a lot more to an effective web than I cover here. Please let us know what you have learned. It's all good. 

I invite all third grade alumni to my class reunion. See you there.  Curt Harrell

While tinkering and perfecting your ”mouse trap” as a practicing Realtor, it is critical to remember to keep all avenues of potential income open and free of obstructions. Don’t create any barriers to possible income. By that I mean, whatever tools you have in your toolbox to impress a prospective client, make sure the tool(s) you use are polished, up to date and pertinent to your presentation venue.

Most important of all, create multiple avenues for income to flow into your bank account. Something as simple as an ad on the back of your car window, working FSBO’s, or keeping your web site updated regularly.

It’s cliché to say you never know where your next commission check will come from, but it’s as true now as it has ever been.

A monolithic business practice in the real estate business is a kiss of death. 

May the spokes in your real estate wheel be many, and prosper. Good Hunting! Curt Harrell

Something I haven’t considered before when I list a new property. Article by Broderick Perkins

The real estate business is one of the few vocations where failure isn't the last word. You are the master of your destiny.

Got any cool motivational quotes? Bring'em on!

Top 10 Hottest Housing Markets in The United States

1. Salt Lake City, Utah
   • Median Home Price: $233,100
   • One-Year Increase: 21.9%
2. Binghamton, N.Y.
   • Median Home Price: $111,200
   • One-Year Increase: 19.8%
3. Salem, Ore.
   • Median Home Price: $227,900
   • One-Year Increase: 16.7%
4. Farmington, N.M.
   • Median Home Price: 201,900
   • One-Year Increase: 14.0%
5. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa.-N.J.
   • Median Home Price: $274,500
   • One-Year Increase: 12.8%
6. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
   • Median Home Price: $127,700
   • One-Year Increase: 11.8%
7. Reading, Pa.
   • Median Home Price: $157,800
   • One-Year Increase: 11.2%
8. Glens Falls, N.Y.
   • Median Home Price: $175,700
   • One-Year Increase: 10.7%
9. Spokane, Wash.
   • Median Home Price: $197,700
   • One-Year Increase: 10.4%
10. Cumberland, Md.-W.Va.
    • Median Home Price: $109,300
    • One-Year Increase: 9.3%

via Forbes Magazine

Give your business what it needs. Not what you want to give it. Comments?

I’ve always wanted to keep FSBO’s as a spoke in my real estate wheel no matter how busy I am. A methodical, consistent approach that keeps pace with the ever savvy sellers market. Has anybody developed or stumbled across anything that is effective besides calling and mail-outs? Something a little more sophisticated?

Look’n to liven up the inevitable sales meeting. Taking it out of the routine and mundane.

Sometimes you just want to slug your broker for the same old tired beans. Sending everybody’s pulse rate to new record lows. 

Anybody have any new innovative ideas or techniques to share? Wake-Up!!!

Looking To Be The Next Real Estate Tycoon?

THE ULTIMATE INVESTOR TRAINING SEMINAR!

A different look @ working with FSBO's

Bill Nazur takes you through the complexities of buying foreclosed properties, from finding the best deals to avoiding common pitfalls.

Good Reading To Survive By

The Article

Interesting article by Broderick Perkins about the media's play associated with current market conditions.

National Association of Realtors New Tech Blog for our industry. Good Stuff.

TechSmith (SnagIt) has a new file conversion that can convert any dcument to most any file format, to include Agobe PDF. 30 day free trial-then, $39.95 a year. It's worth a look. SnagIt

This is a blog that I joined 3 years ago and today I average about 4 REO listings a month. I recommend it as an excellent sector source of income.

Start Here!

Another document that may be useful in your business if you work with buyers. Looks impressive when bound

Things To Think About

For those of you who work FSBO’s you may find this useful.

Most markets have suffered various degrees of reclining business lately. For anyone who has been in the business for a while you’ve seen it before. This is one big reason I feel new Realtors need to develop multiple sectors of income early in their career. Spokes in a wheel bringing income to your hub. The idea is, when one sector is not performing others are. Its a lot of fun when there all work’n.

Here's one idea that works for me and is an excellent botique supplemental income. Enjoy.

Nothing brilliant here, but  it’s one of the things new realtors fail to grasp. Statistically; 1 in 10 survive the first year. 

Interesting article for Realtor young'ns.

http://www.realtor.org/rmosurv2.nsf/ypnhome

Here's the link: Ref. Realtor Magazine

 http://narblog1.realtor.org/mvtype/theweeklybookscan/

This blog is dedicated to helping any participant become better at the real estate profession by sharing ideas, techniques and technologies.. The idea is that everybody has something to share and learn.

http://reo-kpdk.net

Real Estate Professionals wanting to improve their skills, abilities and income are welcome.