In an effort to be on top of my continuing education requirements, I thought I would try and take some classes that may have some residual value.  I started out last year as just a plain old Realtor.  Now half-way into 2009, I am now an E-pro and well as a designated ABR member.  Next step, CRS? GRI? CDPE?  I realize now that these designations, while exposing you to some great ideas, don't seem to hold much value outside of any other class.  We plaster these designations all over our marketing.  In fact, we're encouraged at the classes to do so, being told this will increase our production by 10, 20, 30 percent.  But who on earth has any clue what these mean?  How many Realtors know what some of these designations mean?  My experience has been that no one outside of the real estate bus... 07/21/2009

Last week, I attended a seminar that guaranteed everyone 3 new listings in the next 3 weeks.  I was certainly intrigued by the notion, but entered a little suspicious.  I won't mention the name of the presenter, but he's apparently traveled the country teaching agents how to be successful.  So what was his magic bullet to attaining those 3 listings?  It was simply in the marketing.  He told us exactly what to do.  A proven technique that had allowed him to acquire 25 listing a month.  He tld us he would send out 1,000 post cards with this statement, "I'll sell your home in 39 days or I'll sell it for free."  Not a bad call to action statement.  Now, if you're like me, you're wondering how someone can make this type of guarantee in this market.  And now the catch.  He would set up the ap... 07/09/2009

I became a Realtor in 2005.  I missed a good portion of the 'Good Years', but still entered when times were good.  Not only good, but easy and not very business like.  I can remember wasting time in the office just waiting for the phone to ring.  And the amazing thing was, it rang.  Now everyone talks about working twice as hard to make half as much as they used to.  And more and more Realtors are either putting their license on ice or have picked up full time jobs and are using real estate as supplemental income.  While I agree that things certainly became harder, I can say I'm so happy it happened for two reasons.  The first is that it has forced me to become a better business person.  I've learned to watch my bottom dollar very closely and make every dollar accountable.  If it's not ... 06/22/2009

There's been recent talk in my office about how difficult it is for loan officers to get things done and how we as Realtors have to be prepared to allow them more time and latitude to do their job.  My response?  'Hogwash!"  The 'good' loan officers are still completing files in a regular amount of time.  This market has been difficult, but the silver lining in all of it is that it has cleansed our industry of a good portion of incompetent professionals.  Now this isnt' to say there still aren't loan officers and Realtor's alike who shouldnt' be conducting business, but I can say I've witnessed a large number of people who should be out that now are.  That's why now is the time to align yourself with a great loan officer.  And I'm not talking about the loan officer that your brokerage m... 06/03/2009

I was having a conversation with a colleague today and we discussed the ability to prospect and work with current clients at the same time.  As most Realtors experience, it's a hard thing to balance, which is why we often see a roller coaster of business.  You make your phone calls, you knock on doors, and you send out a plethora of marketing material when you have no business, and it often works.  But once you have the business, the prospecting goes on the back burner because you time is consumed by these new clients.  I believe finding balance is probably the hardest aspect of this profession.  Showing homes?  No-brainer!  Market a listing?  Easy-peasy!  Write up a purchase agreement?  In my sleep!  Ask me what next week looks like?  I have no idea. In the winter, I scheduled 1-3 hour... 05/28/2009

The spring market is here and inventory is dropping.  There are more multiple offers being written right now in Minnesota than there were in the past 2 1/2 years.  First time homes buyers, as well as investors, are becoming increasingly active in our market place.  And they're all buying foreclosed properties!  To obtian one of these great deals, buyers are writing well over list price and closing as fast as possible to appease the banks.  and once you've won the foreclosure sweepstakes... in comes the dreaded bank addenda.   This is the addendum that state your buyer will fore-go all of their legal rights, will pay for de-winterization, use the banks title company, give up your first born,  so on and so on.  All of a sudden this incredible deal has started to make your buyer uneasy and... 05/01/2009

After weeks or months of looking for just the right home, the end is finally here.  You have a fully executed purchase agreement between buyer and seller, and the only thing standing between your buyer and their new home is the home inspection.  The only thing standing between the agent and a paycheck, for that matter, is the home inspection.  When I first started in this business years ago, I thought it was my obligation to be at the inspection, from start to finish, to ensure that, me the expert, knew exactly what was happening with the transaction and what issues could possibly be present.  An then a couple of years ago, I'm ashamed to say the worst had happened.  My personal agenda ssubconsciously stepped in the way of good judgment.  We performed the inspection and a number of item... 04/01/2009

I'm always amazed at the number of home buyers who stroll through an open house at the model of a new construction site.  Now granted, a large portion of these people are just looking for fun during the Parade of Homes. But a surprising number are serious, pre-qualified buyers, ready and willing to purchase a home.  And so often they have no representation!  What a scary thought.  I equate this practice to going into a court case against a lawyer and you don't have a legal background.  You think you're coming out of the courtroom a winner?  Best of luck to you.  The same can be said when you go into a model home by yourself.  If you think the agent sitting in that house is there to do you any favors, just remember who's paying his bills!  Now granted, more often than not, the agents in ... 03/23/2009

If you're like me, you are with a company who provides you with your own personal website. It's fairly basic, but it has the potential for many great services. But it often doesn't provide everything. I consider myself a very frugal person. If I have the option of hiring someone to design the finishing touches of my website or do it myself, I pick the latter. Of course I don't want it to reflect poorly on myself and I'd like it to hold value to my customers. In the February issue of Realtor Magazine, there was an article which talked about these useful, and free, website additions called Widgets. They provide anything from mortgage calculators, to staging tips; pretty much anything you could think of. Get the Mortgage Payment Calculator widget and many other great free widgets at Widget... 02/27/2009

Well, the word is out that now is the time for all first time home buyers to take advantage of an amazing opportunity.  Rates are low and inventory is sky high.  and now that Obama has passed his 'magic bullet' bill, it provides even more incentive for first time home buyers to make a move.  But who else is in position to take advantage of this market.  One obvious answer is investors.  These are people who have money and have resources.  They have the ability to swoop up 100 homes, sit on them for the next 2-3 years and sell when the market recovers.  Aside from the first timers, the people in the best position to take advantage of this market, in my opinion, are move up buyers.  These are people who have lived in their home for the last 5-10 years, have maybe outgrown their current re... 02/20/2009

I see so many agents enter this profession with a dream in their eye and a willingness to show the world a thing or two.  In fact, I can remember myself being in that same position.  I was ready to show what I could do and how to treat a client with with their best intentions in mind.  So I waited... and waited... and waited.  Turns out, my phone didn't start ringing off the hook once I received my license.  Turns out there's more to this job than just takng clients as they come and doing the best you can with them.  So much of your success depends on how well you prospect.  When I first started, I was told to do as many open houses as I can and tell all of my friends and family.  So I did that, and it worked; a little.  I was able to pull a couple of clients off of open houses, and was... 02/13/2009

Why is it that so many of the 'very successful' agents I know are a train wreck in other areas of their life?  If it's okay, I'd like to try and anser my own question.  In this job, the harder you work, the more success you find.  And to be in this profession and be successful, you have to driven.  This seems to be a dangerous recipe.  Because when we start to put the work in, and we start to see the fruits of our labor, we tend to becoem more driven.  It's at this point when we must decide to either show that demanding client 3 more homes or go see Billy's baseball game.  I wonder how our divorce rate compares to other professions?  Or for that matter, what about spiritualty or personal fitness?  I would strongly encourage everyone to take a step back and take a long look at their live... 02/11/2009

CHECK OUT This STUNNING LUXURY Homes - Your breath will be taken away when you step foot into this beautiful luxury home. Join us this Sunday for your chance to veiw this amazing home. Open house at 5949 Bradbury Court on May 4th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Property information   04/30/2008