Recently activity has gained momentum in our office. It's been interesting with the new set of issues popping up on transactions. To me some quite unique but other's, same problems, different customer.
I am not perfect nor am I actively selling but I can assure you some things never change!
If you are struggling to get your transactions closed or you want to sell more real estate, think about these things.
1. Do you know the difference between lease option or lease purchase? Not sure ask!
You will come across this if you haven't already.
Seller's who really want to sell may consider one of these options.
Don't be embarrassed, know what you are talking about!
2. Train during your workday, I am serious really include training in your workday, no more excuses.
Real Estate is changing, the consumer is changing, we can't stop change so roll with it.
Top 8 topics I would fully understand
- Ethics Training Every Year
- Sales Contract Training Class every year
- Pre-Foreclosure, Short Sale and Foreclosure Training
- Understanding the Loan Process
- Effective Communication
- 1031 Exchange
- All Modern Day Technology
- Understanding the different generations
3. Treat your job as a profession and business-It's you Inc. so don't forget it, every thought, every word, every action will and does have an impact on how people see you and that perception will determine how many people you do business with.
Plan...Plan...Plan...If you plan for vacation, why wouldn't you plan for your business?
4 . Review your listing inventory year to date- How many overpriced listings did you have? How many listings expired?
How many of your seller's withdrew? Study it...Ask yourself...WHY? WHY? WHY?
That way preparing for 2008 you'll have a better idea at what changes you need to make to turn expired into sold.
5. If you are not in front of a prospect, get on the phone, phone shy then try postcards, e-mails or call your sphere.
Face it you need people to sell houses, so get yourself out there.
Still not inspired then add 5.
6. Protect your license-Use already prepared clauses in sales contracts when possible, we aren't attorney's. Use proper verbiage when addressing your customers with agency.
In many instances YOUR implications are as strong as written agency. More and more lawsuits are taking place every day for various reasons.
7. Screen your prospects thoroughly-If a seller does not need to sell, don't list it!
If a seller is unreasonable with price, don't list it!
If a buyer doesn't want to put an offer in now because they want to wait, you made the error!
Screen that lead... Do lawyers take every case?
NO...
Lawyers expect payment, their objective is to win, they too look for repeat business.
8. Start your day 1 hour earlier and plan that first hour with a to do list.
You will find that you need fewer hours to either work at the same pace or you will start to see you do have free time.
End your day 1/2 hour earlier with a to do list. If you are like me you will always have roll over to do's and find some last minute item you can do before you leave.
9 . Real Estate is so unpredictable-Use Free time wisely and Start Christmas Shopping,
Start addressing Christmas Cards, Clean out your car, don't forget your banking and dry cleaning.
All the personal tasks we sometimes forget to do.
You never know when that cash buyer might call.
All these things just clutter our minds, just do it and add it to your DONE list.
10. Rest-Get a good nights sleep,after you awake spend at least 20 minutes alone in silence.
A great way to hear your own thoughts and create new ideas.
You will find your patience and understanding will improve, tolerance and human error won't feel so brutal.
Try it...you will be amazed.
Midori, fantastic post. I think training every day is so important and your list of things to keep up to date on is right on the money. At the start of every year, I set a goal for education for the year, whether it is to obtain a new designation, learn about a new aspect of real estate, etc. This year, I've obtained a license in an additional jurisdiction (D.C.), earned my CRS, attended Sell-a-Bration, and I'm starting with broker licensing classes later this month.
This post should be a guide for us all.
Hi Nick-Thank you...its hard to get up early..maybe try 1/2. I like sleeping in myself. Thanks for visiting.
Cyndee-My pleasure...Thanks for stopping by.
Brian-You go Brian...I have told associates this is the year to kick it up a notch with getting involved, obtaining new designations and take training. Only the strong survive. I too have been training and am working towards CIPS. Thanks for stopping by.
Midori,
That was a great list, sure to inspire many! :)
Midori
Great post and good advise. I use the things to do list religiously and it gives me a sense of purpose every day and yes I almost always have some carry over. Often times I find that the carry over is stuff that often is not necessary at that time.
Midori,
Training is very important to new agents as they need to constantly be updated on changes whether it is in the market or contracts or office policy. Now if I can learn to tie up a buyer with rope so they will buy a property then I will feel better:) Thanks!
Great post Midori...I rated it a 5
I bookmarked it too....in case I'm even "considering" slacking off! LOL
I love the new picture!
I love the "Ask Yourself WHY?" But it should be spelled WHI as in what did I do that I could have done better. Agents always seem to find a way to blame it on the seller, but it really all goes back to the listing agent. Even if the listing agent shouldn't have taken it in the first place.
Great post!
Great Blog Midori!
It really gave me more to think about.
Hi Midori, your list is the definition of comprehensive. You really put a lot of thought into this. I especially liked # 9 about "Use Free time wisely and Start Christmas Shopping, Start addressing Christmas Cards, Clean out your car, don't forget your banking and dry cleaning"...
Even down time and slow periods can be productive or fun, depending on how we look at it. Later...
Suzanne-Thank you..I hope so....Thanks for stopping by and commenting
Gary-I have to laugh, many times the to do's I roll over are things I just don't want to do! Other times you are so right, it's because it wasn't that important to begin with! Thanks for commenting Gary and see you on your post.
Neal-Training is important to everyone including myself. I took two training sessions last week! Sometimes the trainer needs new thoughts and ideas, I would think an agent would too!
Also when it comes to buyer's, I have learned that sometimes buyer's are not buyer's, we just don't take the time to find out. We assume because they have money, they got pre-qualified and they said they wanted to buy but never committed to a closing date. "It doesn't matter, I just want to get a good deal." "Let's see what the market brings!"
If a buyer drags their feet, they were never the ready, willing and able buyer and most often times its the agent who fails to screen them properly. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Broker Bryant-I can't agree with you more. Everyone needs to be uplifted and reminded why they sell real estate in the first place. My rut is gone, I notice when I am not up to par the people around me are less than enthusiastic. We can't have that can we? Thank you for the compliment, I am real happy with my photo too! Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate it!
Joan-Thank you for stopping by my friend, yes, sometimes I have to refer back to some things as a good friendly reminder! Believe me you should see some of my bookmarks. Last week I was really not with it and I tell you many of you helped to uplift me and you probably didn't realize it. See you on your post.
Vicki-Hope you find them useful and they help. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, see you on your post!
Monika-Hmmmm, good I was thinking maybe I was not relaying the message to agents clearly! Seriously, if agents would take a few really good tips and implement them in their business gradually, it would eventually become second nature and they could see the benefits by the additional income generated.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting...
Ardell- Thank you!!! I feel very strongly about taking responsibility for our own actions. We have a huge obligation to our customers. Sometimes it is their only asset. I get so tired of hearing how the seller this, seller that...Just say NO when necessary. Hold ourselves accountable! Thank you for your input as always a real pleasure.
Jacqueline-Good, now just do it! Go get your share of the market.....Thanks for stopping by and see you on your post.
Jim-Continually training is the key and I agree I have quite the book collection. I do whatever it takes to improve my skills. Face it each generation gets smarter! 1/3 of the population is children...our future. I recently sat through 2 training sessions at the board. Even a trainer needs to learn.
We run a high risk of competing with banks in the future. That is why we must show the public we still want to work. As long as the public wants us....we will work. Thank you so much for commenting and I will be sure to see you on your posts!
Sally-Girl, I think you know what I am talking about here! I have really depended on the inspiration on the network lately. We all need to embrace one another and keep motivated. I know you among other's can snap me out of a ugly mood. Thank you so much for commenting.
Marti-Thank you for stopping by. We sometimes neglect our personal lives and down the road it eventually catches up with us and we miss golden opportunities because we are not ready for it. I agree with you it is all perception as to what we consider fun or not. Get those everyday chores out of the way save your brainpower for the big things.
Ryan-You are so right, I get the best education on Activerain about many parts of life. My motivation, inspiration and training.... We are so fortunate to have found so many cooperating minds. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Cyndee-Thank you....you always make me smile!
Bill-Thank you and I appreciate you reading....see you on your post.
Thanks for the post- great motivation and information. I have already done some of the things you mentioned but you brought up some other good points.
Thanks again.
Excellent post, Midori. I've bookmarked this so that I can review it again every few days until it all sinks in.
Jo
absolutely great post Midori! Wake up and take charge of your life.... Great advice and happily I follow many of your tips!
Bob and Carolin-Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Marcella-Good for you....Thank you for commenting and see you on your post
Julie-Yes I have been slowly working on 2008. This year has been awesome for me next year even better...it's all about the planning and following through. Thank you for commenting and see you on your post
a great deal of thought goes in to planning a successful day. thanks for your ideas.
I am starting to document how I am spending my time daily, and becoming more aware of ways I can improove on it.
I noticed that I need to jot down a lot of things the older I get <smiles>
Thanks for your great blog read
Gita-Just do it! Now is the perfect time to start planning and recapping your successes and mistakes. Make 2008 your best year ever! Thank you for commenting.
Frank-Our office is gaining momentum because of attitude, work ethics and our management. We firmly believe we will be successful if the agents are successful. I am proud of the associates they are doing things they never dreamed or thought they have to do. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Hi Jo-Ann-thanks for stopping by.....I have so many bookmarks that I read and reread. Great inspiration here on the rain.
Great tips! Well put!
Christian
wwww.CallTheKellers.com
Deb-It seem we have some things in common. Thank you for commenting and I have a back porch where I sit and watch squirrels, beautiful birds and get ocean breezes. How is that for inspiration.
Janie-Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it! So happy you have implemented some things for a better you. Also, I love your posts! See you on yours.....
Valerie-One of the best books I have ever read is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living...It has helped me through the years. Whenever I get overly stressed I remember certain thoughts from that book. You are right don't waste time worrying just get out there an do something.....Thanks for commenting.
Gary-You got it...the key words....experienced or new....we need to continually update ourselves. That is the only way to stay in this business. Thank you so much for commenting and see you on your post!
Christian-Hi, thank you for commenting and stopping by.
WHERE IS THE BEEF?
Hi Midori, do you remember that 80's commercial? That's how I've been feeling lately,but I think things are picking up now listings and sales-wise and I am ready!
Great Post Midori!
I NEED my 20 minutes inthe morning of alone time. Even if it means getting up at 5am to have it! This is a wonderful post and right on target!
Midori, love the blog you’ve got some great information in here. One comment that really got to me was,
“Real Estate is changing, the consumer is changing, we can't stop change so roll with it.”
In today’s real estate market things are moving so fast, you really have to run to keep up with the consumer and technology. Being a real estate agent on the Internet is a must these days with all the tools available to consumers online.
Keep up the good work.
JR-Thank you....See you on your post.
Candy-Happy you agree...I hope other's take heart especially in 2008. Let those seller's sell who needs to sell.
Allison-Hi, thank you for stopping by. I need that early morning to myself too! Happy to see that you are so busy. Keep it going....I'll see you on your posts. I
Lola-hi, thank you....great job on the week in review! Thanks for stopping by.
House Front-Thank you for your kind words...change is inevitable....I say as a profession let's be ready!
Sarah-Wow, Thank you....I really think all of us need to sharpen our skills. I have learned so much from the people on the rain. Aint it great? Thank you so much for stopping by.
Midori-
Thanks for a wonderful and informative post. Great words of wisdom. Hopefully I will use them.
Midori, at first I thought this was a Linda post. Ha ! Ha !
Use your time wisely, when you not busy with clients, build your business and work ON it.
Pamela-Thank you....implement one of the tips each day another words on the 8th day try 8 of the items...it will help you get accustomed to working differently. Sometimes we try new things briefly to never use these new things to its maximum and really finding out if it really really works. Try it, you will see.........
Missy-You are so right, I just gave a list of ten things to do to make things better and easier for ourselves. When we have time to breathe or relax, we need to balance....busy times....slow time...balance. You will find your workday might get a little shorter and you will have accomplished more. Thank you for stopping by, Missy, always a pleasure!
Chris-Thank you....and thanks for commenting
It is always helpful to be reminded of what it takes to keep your edge. Great post.
Karl
Karl-Thank you and thanks for commenting
Nora-Thank you see you on your post!
Nestor and Katerina-I can't agree with you more! Let the seller's who need to sell, SELL! thanks so much for you input and see you on your post.
Frank-Hi, yes, activity breeds activity. I can't agree with you more.
This is a great post. Thanks for the reminders.
Wow, what a good post! Thanks and keep up the good work.
Richard-Thank you.....I am always happy to help.
David-by all means save it and use it any way you like. Thank you for commenting, I will see you on your post.
Mike-thank you for commenting.
I was particularly impressed with the education aspect of your post. We are professionals. How would we feel if our doctor never updated his education but practiced ancient medicine? I certainly would be looking for a different doctor. I am certain that there are Realtors who only take the required continuing ed classes, but I refuse to be one.
One of my daily affirmations is:
I am a professional: I will do something everyday to upgrade my education.
Great post!!
Firstly, great inspirational post Midori.
Secondly, Deb, great comment! I am a professional: I will do something everyday to upgrade my education.
That's sure as heck write down stuff and read every morning stuff!!!!! Thank you!
After all, isn't that why we are all up so late (except you left coasters), reading on AR?
Regards all,
DavidC
Hi Sharon-Thanks for stopping by.....yes use your time wisely....
Deb-what can you expect from a trainer right? Well when I actively sold....I always wanted to be better...I It's important...we always need to improve. Great Affirmation....I can't agree with you more. Thanks for you feedback and see you on your post.
David-Thank you....yes Deb, hit it on the head. Read...Read...Read....my eyes will never be the same. Need stronger reading glasses now! Thanks for stopping by.
great list....keep up the motivation
Anne