Frances Flynn's Blog

Do you love social media?  Is it helping you with your business, or do you want it to?  Many real estate professionals are dabbling in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and many more new online venues, the most recent addition of which is Google +.

The first question that many people fail to answer for themselves is the most basic one: what do I want to get out of this experience?  Is it recreation? Is it more leads?  Is it to help convert people I already know from aquaintances to clients? 

If you are engaging on social media sites and want to make this part of your real estate business plan, I have a few suggestions:

 

1. Be authentic - be yourself.  This means no ghost writers for Facebook, Twitter etc., no virtual assistants making comments or "liking" pages etc. in your name.  (They can post links for you, of course, create your biz page and tidy up your photos but they cannot "be" you online anymore than they can in real life.)  If you have an imposter (assistant)  writing and engaging people on your behalf and they later learn that they were not talking with you at all, they will feel duped (because they were) and will not be happy about the inherent dishonesty involved.  There are ways that the ghost writers or VAs can ADD to your online presence, but they cannot really "be you" and have it be authentic.    When our clients meet us, they may ask us about our blog posts, for instance.  If you hadn't really written what they are asking about, how will that look?  So whether it's with other agents or the general public, keep it real!
   
2. Listen at least as much as you speak, maybe more.  Many agents view Twitter and Facebook (and Linked In) primarily as a place to blast their messages.  There are Realtors who go online and all they "say" is a series of links to listings or to blog posts.  Then they are gone!  No engagement at all.  This is getting the idea wrong - social media is for a conversation, not a series of blast messages!  If you blast, you are boring!
   • Have a look at your Twitter page (your own profile) or your Facebook profile.  What do your messages to the world look like?
   • When you log on to Twitter or FB, READ!  You don't have to read for an hour, but at least scan the most current messages, perhaps of a list you are keeping at least.
     
   • Find someone's tweet or FB post that's interesting, and comment, share it or retweet it.
   • Important:  Try to vary your online "voice" so that some of your tweets or posts are simply comments, some are retweets, some are links, some are responses to someone else's tweet.  
   • Make sure that the links you share aren't all about you, you, you.  (Or your blogs.)
     
   • Make sure that the comments you make aren't all about work, work, work. Sometimes breaking news is shared on these sites and people will find you a great resource if you are the one sharing it.
     
     
3. Be careful about "games" on Facebook if you're trying to have a professional presence online.  It's one thing to mention the Sunday barbecue, but another to have your page filled with Mafia Wars and Farmville.  If your clients are waiting for the CMA and they see you enlarging your online empire through some game, that's not going to help your business to grow.
   
4. If you create a profile for yourself on Facebook, log in at least once a week - if nothing else, just to wish a happy birthday to your connections.  This only takes a moment and it tells your online friends that you care about them as people.  On Facebook you can see your online relationship with others on the right side of the screen on their profile.  If you click on the "see relationship" button and there's no interaction and it's been 2 years, why bother?  Or if they've spoken to you but you've never responded, how's that going to make them feel?  Remember, these are real people online! 
   

Social media sites can be a time drain, so to make use of it wisely, have a clear idea of your goals and implement with the realization that your online connections are also your offline ones who may one day be your clients or the agent across the negotiating table from you.  Keep it authentic, listen as well as share, stay connected and - have fun!

THROW OPEN THE DOORS!

Think open houses aren’t effective in today’s tech-driven society? Think again!

Open houses – if done strategically – can generate more business than you would ever imagine.

Open houses have been around for a very long time. Twenty or thirty years ago, they were one of the only ways to get buyers into a home without an appointment. They were much more effective than printed ads because buyers had a chance to really look around and get a feel for the home. They were certainly the best way to do some low-cost marketing! Buyers simply showed up at as many open houses as they had time for and could quickly get a fairly good feel for their local market.

But then the internet arrived … and it wasn’t too many years later that real estate agents started marketing homes online. Beginning in early 2005 there were a number of articles discussing the fact that the open house – as a marketing tool – was a dying breed.

I disagreed with that theory then, and I still disagree with it today. I believe that open houses can be an incredible source of marketing for a home, an incredible source of business for agents, and an incredible tool for buyers to really explore what they want and need in a home.

According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2010 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers”, 45%* of buyers use open houses as part of their information source. That means nearly one out of every two buyers is attending at least one open house! That’s an important fact for agents – and their sellers – to understand. Open houses are not just a last resort to find buyers for an over-priced listing, or to find buyers at all. An open house can have a very positive effect on the sale of a home.

A lot of agents will say that rarely have they sold the listing where they were holding an open house. That may be true, but remember this: open houses sell other houses. Open houses cultivate buyers and engage them into making positive buying decisions by getting them into houses and off the fence. Open houses can help get a sluggish market back up and running!

If you’ve taken open houses off your list of marketing activities, you need to put them back on your list. Right now – today – you have a better chance picking up a buyer than you did 5-10 years ago. Why? Because today’s buyer has more access to home information than ever before. They’ve already done their research. They have seen homes online and reviewed the stats. When they attend an open house, they’re attending because they have some interest in, or at least some curiosity about, the home. Today open houses are very targeted toward ready, willing and able buyers, compared to open houses of the past. And today’s buyers are savvy buyers. They are very clear on what they’re looking for. When they attend an open house, that house has already gotten their initial stamp of approval.

Have I piqued your interest yet? I hope so! Here are more things for you to think about.

Open houses have a lot of pros and a few cons … based on who you are, what your market is like, and your natural personality style.

The Pros

1. You have a chance to meet with potential buyers face-to-face and build credibility and trust.
2. An open house is a great way to sharpen your client interaction skills.
3. You’ll learn a lot about a neighborhood by doing the analysis necessary to have ready answers to buyer questions.
4. An open house is a very low-cost marketing alternative.
5. You’re creating an informational focus group to get feedback on the listing for you, and for the seller.
6. You receive immediate results – and feedback. You’ll quickly get a sense of what buyers are looking for – and what prices are most attractive to the “right now” buyer.
7. An open house shows that you are proactively involved in your local market.
8. You can pick up a listing in the neighborhood. Many people attend open houses in their neighborhood, not only to see how their home stacks up, but to get to know agents that they might want to hire when they decide to sell their home.
9. You could pick up a buyer for another home without spending a lot of money on marketing.
10. An open house helps you familiarize yourself with the area or neighborhood inventory.

The Cons

1. An open house can be a waste of time if no one shows up. (If you do an open house strategically, this won’t happen to you!)
2. Prep time is needed, and can appear to be a lot of work. (It’s not a lot of work once you’re organized and you have a system!)
3. An open house can be stressful if you don’t like to meet new people and you find building quick rapport challenging. (Role playing can help.)
4. You have to be a great listener, and you need to know how to ask good questions. (Again, some role playing can do wonders for your interaction skills.)

I want you to take a few minutes right now and start a simple two-column list. On one side, write down all of the reasons why you like (or might like) holding open houses. On the other side, write down why you don’t do them. Compare both lists. Figure out what – If anything – is holding you back, and determine what you can do to help you see success with this potentially lucrative marketing strategy.

Believe me – open houses can be a goldmine for you! It’s time for you to throw the doors wide open and join the open house crowd!

If I’ve piqued your interest, stay tuned because this is just the first installment in a series of Zebra Reports that I’m going to write on open houses. Next week I’m going to talk about what kinds of houses get good traffic, and how you determine the right house (or houses) based on doing some highly-targeted research.

*Source: National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 2010, page 46: INFORMATION SOURCES USED IN HOME SEARCH.

Are you a real estate agent working in Washington State?

If so, we want to invite you to attend our “Unforgettable Open House” event on Tuesday, May 24th  in Bellevue, Washington.

We’ll teach you how to design and conduct a truly unforgettable open house experience. You’ll learn the secret “props” needed for success, and how to captivate open house visitors. Discover the art of truly showing a home, rather than simply standing in the kitchen while potential clients walk in (and out!) the door. Hear the simple secret to capturing client contact information, without seeming like a pushy salesperson, “masculine talk” versus “feminine talk”, and much, much more!

We’re offering this amazing opportunity in support of Washington REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® Open House Weekend, which will be held June 4th and 5th this year. Master all of the insider secrets to a successful open house … then participate in the Open House Weekend by holding your best open house ever!  Public awareness of open houses will be high, and their expectations will be as well. You need to be ready to deliver!

There is no charge for the class; however, if you wish to obtain clock hours, a fee of $35 ($40 at the door) will apply.

If you want to create an unforgettable open house experience – one that will generate income for you – you must attend this memorable class! Space is limited, so register today! 

By Denise Lones CSP, M.I.R.M., CDEI - The founding partner of The Lones Group, Denise Lones, brings over two decades of experience in the real estate industry. With expertise in strategic marketing, business analysis, branding, new home project planning, product development, and agent/broker training, Denise is nationally recognized as the source for all things “real estate”. With a passion for improvement, Denise has helped thousands of real estate agents, brokers, and managers build their business to unprecedented levels of success, while helping them maintain balance and quality of life.

POWERFUL PRINT MARKETING TOOLS

This is the fifth article in my series on powerful listing presentations, where we’ll be covering pricing, communication, technology, marketing, and home presentation & photography.

This week I want to discuss the power of your print marketing tools … and why you simply must spend time creating a portfolio of materials that represents your professional expertise and shows your sellers exactly how you’ll market their home.

As I’ve said in each of the previous Zebra Reports about listing presentations, sellers want to see how you are going to sell their home. They expect you to outline the steps you will take, and they want to see “real life” samples. You probably remember from previous Zebra Reports in this series that my term for these samples is “props”.

If you’ve ever taken one of my classes, or read any of my previous Zebra Reports on marketing, you’ll remember that one of the cornerstones of my business is my belief that agents need to develop their own personal “brand”. The materials that we’ve talked about throughout this “Powerful Listing Presentations” series should all be created using your brand.

If the materials you use when marketing homes – the same materials you showcase during your presentation – aren’t beautiful, colorful, and extremely high-quality, you are doing your sellers a disservice. A seller’s home is a huge investment – they deserve nothing but the absolute best from you!

Before I explain what I believe are the most important items, I want to talk for just a minute about what I often see. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven by a house and stopped to take a flyer out of a flyer  box … only to find it printed on plain white paper. And sometimes the colors aren’t even accurate. Here’s an example: That lovely taupe house that I’m standing in front of … with the crisp white trim and black front door? On the flyer it looks dingy yellow and muddy brown! And the interior photos on the flyer certainly aren’t going to get me excited about seeing the home.

Remember – even if the contract and the negotiation phase of real estate is where you shine (and what you enjoy!) you can’t get to that point if you don’t market the house properly and attract buyers to the table.

I want to start by addressing how you present your marketing plan. Do you have something in writing that tells your sellers exactly what you are going to do, and when you are going to do it? Do you have a calendar that you leave with them that they can refer to? A lot of agents over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to marketing.  When you give your sellers a calendar of activities you are reinforcing the fact that you do what you say you will do.

Now let’s talk about all of the printed pieces – the “props” – which you need for a very polished and professional listing presentation. I’m going to give you lots of ideas, but it’s up to you to choose the ones that best fit you and your market.  However, regardless of which tools you use, it is absolutely critical that those tools be created using your brand. If the sellers are interviewing multiple agents, the use of your brand will absolutely elevate you from “ordinary” to “extraordinary” in terms of memorability!

Here are the tools you may want to consider for your next listing presentation:

1. Marketing Binder: One of the most impressive items you can give your sellers is a full-color copy of your customized marketing binder. This is the package that pulls your marketing calendar and all of your samples together into a ‘leave-behind’ for your seller to review and refer to. The cover must have a beautiful photo of the seller’s home. Where appropriate, each of the sample pieces in your binder should also include that photo.

2. Flyers: Regardless of whether you create one-page, two-page or four-page flyers, the photos you use must be amazing. I also encourage you to use high-quality, gloss paper. Remember – your flyer says a lot about you to other potential sellers, as well as to buyers. Keeping the flyer box full of extremely well-done flyers reinforces the fact that you are a true professional.

3. Photo gallery CD: Many agents create a photo gallery CD, which they reproduce and leave at their listing for prospective buyers to take. Print an exterior photo for the CD jacket and include the same photo on the CD label.

4. Advertising: It goes without saying that regardless of whether you are marketing your listings in a newspaper, a magazine, online or on your flyers, including truly engaging descriptions is imperative to attracting buyers. Before the listing appointment, spend some time thinking about the profile of likely buyers for the home. Then write two to three different ads based on that target audience. Preparing in this way will definitely impress a potential seller!

5. Marketing Boards: These boards are the perfect way to present a visually compelling story of how you are going to market the seller’s home.

6. Just Listed postcards: Never underestimate the power of a beautiful postcard. Send these cards to the neighborhood, your database, and other potential buyers. Postcards don’t cost a lot, and your potential sellers will love that you send them.

7. Home Book: This is one of my favorite pieces. You might remember that I mentioned it recently when talking about your communication tools. The home book is a notebook that you leave at the house during the time it’s listed. Include items such as home care and warranty records, the most current inspection report, tax and appraisal records, and neighborhood and community information. Show potential sellers what their home book will look like. They’ll immediately understand the value of the book, and of hiring you.

8. Home marketing cards: This is another idea that my coaching clients have found particularly useful … and that sellers love! Print business cards that feature the home (a photo on the front, and details on the back), and give them to the sellers to pass out to their friends and neighbors. It’s their home, and they are undoubtedly proud of it – so let them be a part of your marketing efforts!

9. Open house materials: Most sellers still want you to hold open houses, regardless of how much other marketing you are doing. It comes up at nearly every listing presentation. When asked, the typical agent simply responds: “Sure, I can do an open house for you.” Or they might even say: “You know, I don’t do open houses and here’s why.”  Open houses can be a gold mine when done correctly! Without going into a lot of detail, here are the open house props that will ‘wow’ the socks off of potential sellers.

1. Open house invitations: Postcards are quick and easy. Let your sellers know exactly who you are targeting, and why.
2. Open house display boards: Many agents use small easels that fit on a kitchen counter or dining room table to present neighborhood information. These could include maps of the area, as well as information on schools, parks, and shopping.
3. Open house feedback forms: Sellers like to know what buyers are thinking! Show your sellers what your feedback forms looks like.  Even better, ask them if there is anything in particular they want buyers to provide feedback on.

10. Database marketing: I talked about this in the Zebra Report just a couple of weeks ago. Show your potential sellers the type of marketing you are doing with your databases, and where their home may be featured in this marketing. Do you feature your listings in a newsletter, or send out your ‘just listed’ postcards to your database as well as targeted buyers? If so, bring samples! Sellers will appreciate your extra efforts to find a buyer for their home.

I want you to remember one thing about marketing that is easy to forget in this high-tech world. Print marketing – if done well – still has enormous impact. While buyers may be looking at homes online, they still want a beautiful brochure or flyer to take home, to look at again, and to share with friends and family.

Remember – sellers expect their home to be showcased in full-color and beautifully presented to potential buyers, both in print and online. Don’t let them down!  With your brand as a starting point, create beautiful printed materials for your next listing presentation.

Next week we’ll feature our sixth and final topic in our “Powerful Listing Presentations” series: home presentation & photography. Be sure to watch for next week’s Zebra Report!

By Denise Lones CSP, M.I.R.M., CDEI - The founding partner of The Lones Group, Denise Lones, brings over two decades of experience in the real estate industry. With expertise in strategic marketing, business analysis, branding, new home project planning, product development, and agent/broker training, Denise is nationally recognized as the source for all things “real estate”. With a passion for improvement, Denise has helped thousands of real estate agents, brokers, and managers build their business to unprecedented levels of success, while helping them maintain balance and quality of life.

Fresh From The Lones Group’s Instant Image Gallery:
Investment Portfolio

“Investment Portfolio” is a great example of a “layered” look in a design.  The strong color palette features the prominent use of blue – a color that embodies a sense of trust and security.  If you’re looking to develop a powerful image, “Investment Portfolio” would be a great brand for you!  It’s just one of the many options available in our Instant Image portfolio of designs.

Whether you want to develop a completely custom brand, or select from one of the amazing designs in our “Instant Image” portfolio, we are here to help.

Interested in learning more about developing your custom branded image? We can help with that too! Please call us at 360-527-8904, or send an email to support@thelonesgroup.com to learn more.

Lately I have been given a lot of incomplete FIRPTAs from listing agents in & near Silicon Valley with the request (or demand) that my buyers sign them.  They explain "we don't have to provide the social to the buyers anymore".  These well intentioned agents have mixed up two choices and provided something of a hybrid that cannot be used to satisfy the requirement of the form. Hence this post.

It's not just happening to me and to my buyers. There's an immense amount of confusion about how to properly complete and handle the FIRPTA form in California real estate sales.  Most of it would be solved if people (buyers, sellers, realty agents, transaction coordinators and brokers) would simply read it and not assume what the requirements are.  (Silicon Valley Realtors have long heard local real estate trainer Guy Berry admonish us in class to simply read the forms.  He scrawls in large letters on the board for his class on the purchase agreement: What does the contract really say?)

So let's do that.  Let's see what the Seller's Affidavit of Nonforeign Status And/Or California Withholding Exemption really says. To begin with, I uploaded the 2 page FIRPTA document onto my Valley of Hearts Delight website, so you can access the entire document by clicking on the link (it will download into a new window - it's a pdf).  You might be surprised, especially if you are taking your information second-hand and have not read this form yourself in the last two years. (And if in doubt about any of it, please contact a real estate attorney for clarification.)

Please continue reading at The FIRPTA Must Include The Social Security Number (Or TIN) (much, much more info!)

Now there's a super easy way to keep track of your business expenses and have it all gathered in one handy place come tax time.

www.TEXTHOG.com Texthog is the answer. You simply text, email, or enter from the web, your expenses for the day, week, or however you keep track and it all automatically goes into TextHog and gets sorted into the categories you set up. 

 

Here's a short video that shows texthog in action.

 

Texthog from Doejo on Vimeo.

 

How's that for easy? And of course there's an ap. Visit texthog to see the options and how you can use it to make your life easier and your tax returns less stressful at tax time.

 

Jim Lee, CRS, ABR, GRI, ACRE, NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer
*****************************************************************
Visit my blog: www.KnoxvilleTennesseeRealEstateBlog.com
Realty Executives Associates, Knoxville, Tennessee
See all Knoxville area Realtor listings at: www.KnoxvilleHomeCenter.com
(865) 693-3232, My Personal Toll Free # 1-800-662-2488 ext. 163
mailto:Jim@JimLee.com

Click here to subscribe to my blog and get up to the minute news and reports about real estate in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area.

 

You probably remember the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland – he was always rushing around and saying, "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date. No time to say 'Hello,' 'Goodbye.' I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!"

Cute in a cartoon. Not so funny if that is your life…and for too many real estate professionals these days, it is everyday life.

Our industry is sick, and I'm not talking about the fact that the market is in trouble. I mean that the real estate industry is breeding people who become emotionally and physically ill. There is so much competition and pressure that agents feel the need to be constantly "on" and instantly responsive. Technology can be a wonderful tool for business, but we've let that become a slave-driver to the point that too many agents are permanently attached to their "smart phones," and buy into the idea that if you don't respond in under five minutes to every phone call or email that your business will disappear. Agents rush from place to place running on not enough sleep, too much caffeine, and an overdose of adrenaline from their own overstressed systems.

As an industry, we are addicted to adrenaline, burning out, and heading for a major breakdown. Can we fix the industry? No…but we can change one person at a time, and in time that will change the industry.

We need boundaries. We need to take command of our time. We need to get off adrenaline, take command of our own health and care, and stop overdriving our systems. Adrenaline is that old “fight or flight” hormone that has been around as long as humans have. The adrenal gland is part of your immune system; when you are stressed, it kicks into high gear and floods your body with chemicals that help you face challenges and cope with difficult situations. Many of us who live in achievement-focused, modern day America are using adrenaline as the fuel that keeps us going. While it’s a great resource in emergencies, as your primary fuel it can have some very nasty side effects. Dr. Archibald Hart's book, Adrenalin and Stress, is an in-depth look at the whole problem and points to addiction to adrenaline as a leading indicator of future heart disease.

Think of it this way: if you have a car that you love and value, and the engine runs best at a steady 3,000 rpm, what would happen if you ran it steadily at 7,500 rpm? That engine would wear out well before its time, and it would die. That engine at 7,500 rpm is your body on caffeine, adrenaline, and self-imposed time stress.

Here's a revolutionary challenge for you. For one week do these two things:

1. Plan to get to every appointment 10 minutes early.
2. Reduce your caffeine intake dramatically.

Sound impossible? Difficult, surely. But here are two who have successfully gotten off the stress train:

Elvis in Chicago says,

"I used to run from one appointment to another. Forgetting to leave room for travel time, I'd multi-task until the very last second. I would leave late, arrive disheveled yet adrenalin pumped.

I used to think a few minutes late, no problem. There was at least one time when I showed up just a few minutes late (no problem) only to find another Realtor^® had shown up early. They were already engaged in the appointment when I showed up. I didn't get the listing. 

On at least one occasion, by leaving with intent to be early I had run into major traffic problem. In spite of the traffic I was still on time. Since changing and leaving early, I have actually been told that in at least one case I got the listing over someone else as the other agent showed a bit late which they felt was a severe lack of respect. I guess the early bird does get the worm."

And Rose in California says:

"I was exhausted and thought drinking caffeine would rev me up. It did for the moment yet the exhaustion was getting worse. I went to the doctor and after tests it was discovered that my adrenal glands were over taxed. The doctor described it like a racehorse that is going as fast as it could and I was still beating it to death. Eventually the horse will keel over. I was pushing my self with not enough rest and by adding caffeine. I was told if I didn't significantly change what was causing my over taxing and caffeine use my health would suffer. 

I started taking steps to do this by taking a couple days off a week, cut out all but one cup of coffee in the morning and that was diluted, blocked my schedule where I stopped reacting to the phone EVERY time it rang.

I found I had more time, less stress, more energy, more focus, sleeping better, just all around better health. And believe it or not, I had more business with people who were respecting my schedule. If you don't have your health you can't work." 

 

We all need to build a healthy foundation. One thing that helps build that foundation is The Real Estate Game. It's about taking control instead of letting your business control you, and the goal is making more money and having a life and business you love again.

Implementing this kind of self-care is not as hard as you might think. A bit of planning, being aware of the stressors that you can control, and then taking action to remove the things (and people) that are making your life less than you want and less than you deserve. Next time I’ll talk more about that. For now, are you ready to stop being a white rabbit and start enjoying the success and life you deserve?

 

 

Patti Kouri, Accelerated Performance Coaching
Helping You Through Self-Made Limitations

Friends, readers and anyone interested in Tucson or Real Estate in general - I am proud to be introducing THE Tucson Real Estate Show!  In Episode 1 - we start at a Tucson "Old West" landmark, Trail Dust Town, and ask the question, "Why another real estate show?"  Hopefully you will like the answer:

 

 

Tom Heath of Sunstreet Mortgage, current President of the Southern Arizona Mortgage Lenders Association and I will be exploring different areas of Tucson, the people that make "The Old Pueblo" a special place and highlighting local businesses as well as interesting places.  One of our goals is to tie in our wanderings with some helpful information about the Tucson Real Estate Market while providing some consumer education along the way.

We launched our all-video website yesterday (so bear with us while we iron out some of the wrinkles) with our first four episodes.  Each week we will have a new segment for you to enjoy.  Future episodes will include the Historic Tucson Trolley in downtown, the University of Arizona Bio Park, St. Phillip's Plaza Farmers Market & more!

Follow us while we search for the elusive holy grail Mr. An - a longtime Tucson figure for his fine cuisine, love of baseball, and try to wheedle an invitation to the grand opening of his new restaurant in downtown Tucson, An Congress - right along the route of the coming Streetcar.  If you see something of value, please feel free to forward to your friends & colleagues.

Episode 2 - "On The Right Track To A Mortgage"
  - from Tucson's Historic Train Depot

 

Specializing in Buyer Representation in the Tucson, Arizona real estate market.

"Never forget - Real Estate Is About People"

You can't turn around these days without hearing about social networking. Facebook is all the rage, and while many people are using it to connect with friends, relatives, and clients, there are still a lot who are not. When I talk with my coaching clients I often find out that they are not yet taking advantage of all that Facebook can offer a real estate professional. Why would that be?

 

If you'll think back to our last discussion, you'll recall the concept of psychic vampires – those things that hold us back from doing what we want and need to for our lives and businesses. Well one of the most common psychic vampires I see is good old procrastination. Too often people know what they need to do, but keep putting it off. They can't find the time. They don't know how. They are intimidated and think they can't understand a new technology. Every one of those is a psychic vampire, sucking the energy out of them.

But we've already learned that vampires are no match for action, and that action doesn't have to be a grand gesture or large change. It can – and should – be small steps in the right direction. Like downloading a checklist. Like actually using that checklist every day. Like setting up a Facebook page for yourself, or getting your 12-year-old nephew to help you do it. And then learning how Facebook can leverage your time and influence.

Like other online social networking sites, Facebook can be a great tool in your life, or it can be a massive waste of time. Real estate professionals cannot ignore modern social networking, so the trick is learning to manage the stress that can go along with learning a new technology. Just like the first time you put a house in the multiple list, you take it step by step. And once you've learned the basics then you can explore more possibilities. But you do need to take that first step. If your own procrastination psychic vampire is holding you back, I've created an easy checklist to help you get started. It will help you create a framework for using Facebook so that you get the best from your time.

This is one example of why The Real Estate Game is so helpful. It helps you isolate issues, take action with nano-steps toward your goal, and provides accountability. Instead of seeing your to-do list grow longer as you become overwhelmed and fall into analysis paralysis, that list gets dwindled down and you are empowered and energized.

There is magic in action. When you simply get started, you rid yourself of one more vampire and begin taking steps in the direction that's right for you and your business. You might find it helpful to look at the earlier articles in this series (see the list below), and don't forget to download the checklists and keep using them. If you have been using the checklists, I'd love to hear how they have changed your day, week, or month. Please scroll down and leave a comment – you can help others who are battling their own psychic vampires at this time.

Time to get started. Take one small step, and I'll see you on Facebook.

 

 

Patti Kouri, Accelerated Performance Coaching
Helping You Through Self-Made Limitations! 

Play The Real Estate Game®

 

Get Rid of Your Psychic Vampires

The Power of One Scary Word: Change

Are You Sabotaging Yourself?

The Top 10 Common Mistakes in Selling – Which Are You Making?

 

Are you ready to Face Up to Facebook?

Download Coach Patti Kouri's

10 Easy Steps to Facebook Success for Realtors^®

 

A couple weeks ago I was reading through the local newspaper and came to the pages listing all the foreclosures that were on their way to taking place. As I read through the addresses one hit me as being very familiar. Too familiar.

As I composed myself from the shock of seeing their name and address in black and white I picked up my phone and called them. What in the world happened I asked? Why did you not call me I asked next? What are you planning on doing now?

As I put the phone down I immediately picked up my laptop and emailed them a list of links for them to contact. Along with the links I asked that they please not delay in trying to contact each of these links the very next day even if it meant taking time off from work to do so.

A few days later I made a follow up call. They found help. There were no guarantees due to the closeness of the foreclosure but there was hope.

Today I received a call. The foreclosure was stopped at the 11th hour. They are safe for the time being. There is still hope that things will be worked out permanently and they will not lose their home.

If foreclosure is on your horizon DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!! Don't wait to the last minute to reach out. There is help out there. Below are the links I sent to them. One may hold hope for you.

http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/foreclose.htm

http://www.mdhope.org/  

http://www.995hope.org/  

http://www.mdlab.org/foreclosure MD Legal Aid  

http://www.peoples-law.org/finding/legal-help/finding_legal_help.htm  

https://www.hopenow.com/  

 

  

About the Author- Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in the Annapolis MD area and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help her clients understand the real estate market and to then be able to make sound real estate decisions. Martha is a 3rd generation Annapolitan who writes about her experiences in and out of the real estate market.

Martha can be reached  at 800-735-5122 X5011 or Martha@TheRealEstate-Lady.com

To search for homes for sale in the Annapolis Md area or to see Martha's listings visit:

www.TheRealEstate-Lady.com

The Information contained in this blog is deemed to be reliable and every effort has been made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible. Martha Brown of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. disclaims any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. This includes but is not limited to any information provided by third parties which is accessed through this blog via a hyperlink.