Real Estate and Beyond Blog

WHAT DO YOU DO? I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME THIS QUESTION

We all know that being a Realtor is not such a great choice with today's real estate market-Right? How many of you out there agree with me? Wake Up America! I love this real estate market. There are so many deals out there in your own backyard. Anyway, I was at a dinner party function with my wife with about two hundred in the crowd. I knew someone was going to ask me that favorite question "WHAT DO YOU DO?" Everybody wants to know what each other does to make a living. How do you answer this question? Let me give you an example how the conversation went the other night

FRED: Hi, my name is Fred

Me: Hi Fred, get to meet you tonight. My name is Harry

Fred: So Harry, what do you do for work?

Me: I am in real estate.

Fred: Boy, things must be tough right now. My wife is a Realtor and she has decided to get out of the business because of no closings.

Me: Really-that is great for me.

Fred: Excuse me-what did you say?

Me: Well, I figure as more agents get out of the real estate business that will continue to increase my business. People will use me because I am still in the game.

Fred: How do you keep getting business in this market?

Me: Well, real estate is a team sport. One must have a team in place to assist clients with problems. Furthermore, I am always prospecting. Also, my main business is working with real estate investors to find them the best deals.

Fred: How do you advertise?

Me: Well, I have three main areas Internet, Radio and Referrals. That is it.

Fred: Wow, you are on the radio.

Me: Here is my business card. My radio show information is on the back of the card. Hey Fred, I have to get back to my wife. You have my card-please call me if you wish to invest in real estate.

Fred: Great it has been nice meeting you.

Me: Thanks the feeling was mutual

Fred gave me a call the other day to set up a meeting regarding real estate. It does work.

REAL ESTATE IS A CONTACT SPORT-YES-WE HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE!

NICE TO BE BACK IN THE RAIN

I have to admit that it is so nice to be back in the rain. Wow, I have been blogging on a daily basis for the past thirteen months. It is like working for a major corporation when they force you to take time off without pay. However, I have to admit that it was nice to take a week off. I was able to take care of some things around the house that needed my attention. I have to give ActiveRain complete kudos for pulling off what they did in such a short amount of time. You guys are the best and we just want to thank everyone for pulling this one off.

The ability not to log into ActiveRain was very frustrating for people. Many people do not like change and do not know how to respond to it. This is similar to the real estate market. Real estate investors made easy money by fixing and flipping a home in months. Home owners cashed out of their house two or more times. Everybody thought the streets were paved with gold with no end in stop. Grandma said, "Whatever goes up must come down." Wow, the real estate market came down hard. There are over 11 million home owners upside down in their home. Millions of homes are being foreclosed upon each year. We have experienced a major correction.

Real estate agents needed to react fast to change with the times to make living. It seems many agents were not able to make the change so they got out of the market. Change is constant so we must continually be open for change. Currently, I focus on fixing and flipping, rent to own, distressed properties and short sales. I work mainly with real estat investors who wish to take advantage of this market. Are you changing with the times? Again, ActiveRain was a great example that they decided to make the change and do it quickly. Were there some obstacles? Yes! However, everything is in working order. We are all happy because they made a decision to change. You can do the same thing. Make the Move!

I have been in the real estate industry for the past seven years. I spent the first fourteen years in corporate America. I was thrown into the real estate industry. However, I knew I had to obtain a mentor in order to survive in real estate. I needed someone to teach me the ropes. Real estate is very competitive. Many agents do not like to teach other new agents based on creating more competition in the field. Why? That was my question. There is enough business for everyone in this field. Senior agents brag about their knowledge. However, they are not willing to share it. Has anyone else experienced this practice?

Here were my Top 10 Reasons for obtaining a Mentor in Real Estate:

1. Professional-Learn from a pro who has been in the business for ten years or more to obtain the same knowledge.
2. Accountability-My mentor keep me honest with myself at each level. Quit the Long Ranger mentality.
3. Focus-Mentor teaches you how to balance work and life as you start the real estate career.
4. Questions-Mentors are there for you to ask as many questions as possible to increase experience.
5. Mistakes-A good mentor will help you avoid rookie mistakes or walk you through a rookie mistake that happened in order not to do it, again.
6. Goals-Mentor will help you set realistic goals to achieve.
7. Best Interest- Mentor has your best interest in mind. Mentor wants to see you succeed.
8. Investments-Mentor will walk you through a good real estate investment. This will save you money to avoid investing in the next big thing
9. Network-A good mentor has an established Network in place for one to use in real estate. You do not have to create the wheel.
10. Compass-Mentor will keep you going in the right direction at all times. A mentor will help you stay on course even when you want to quit.

I hop these reasons that I mention above motivate you to obtain your mentor this year. I would advise not to wait any longer. The real estate market will only become more competitive. The main reasons for me to obtain a mentor were #1,2, and 8.

There are well over one million plus agents in America. How does a buyer pick an agent? Do they take an online course on how to pick an agent? Agents have over 60% chance of being their agent on the first point of contact. I have found that buyers do not wish to tell their stories more than once to a Realtor? Has this been your experience? I assume the sale when I am on the phone. I give them several reasons to pick me as their Realtor.

TOP 10 WAYS TO STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION

1. Answer the phone
2. Dress professionally in public
3. Web site a must
4. E-mail address with your domain name
5. Host your own radio show
6. Access to great deals
7. Access to private money for real estate investors
8. Develop local network of professionals
9. Mortgage company that offers smooth process for financing
10. Close the deal while overcoming obstacles

Here is my list.

INCREASE YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS BY ANSWERING THE PHONE

"Good Morning! This is Harry. How can I help you today?" We spend money on advertising and blog countless hours in the early morning to make the phone ring. However, I see so many Realtors let their answering service take the call. We are a NOW Generation. We do not want a machine when we call a number. Personally, I just hang up and try another number to obtain a LIVE person. Who can admit doing the same thing when it is important? We all live busy lives with family, friends, work and so on. We do not have time to wait on the phone. Statistics tells us that Realtors have thirteen minutes to get back to someone who left a message or that person will move on to another Realtor. That is amazing. However, I believe it because I do the same thing when doing businesss.

Batman always picked up the Bat Phone because he knew it was important when it rang. Did he let the answering machine pick it up? No, it was always a life and death situation. He knew someone needed his help. Folks, we have to become Batman when it comes to the phone. People call your cell phone because they need your HELP when it comes to Real Estate. Why do we allow the answering machine to get it? How much business are you losing right now? We have thirteen minutes to get back to that person. How about we change the color of our phones from black to red?

I have decided to pick up my phone as much as possible this year. It is amazing how many more people I am connecting with when I do pick up the phone. Also, I have always used an outside operator to take phone calls after hours. I pay $79.00 per month to receive up to one hundred calls. I use this same number when I am on the radio. It works like a charm. People are able to talk to a live person. Then, they Email and text me name, number and description of the message. I call that person back in three minutes after receiving the text message. People always tell me that it was the fastest response they have ever had after leaving a message. I believe I am obtaining more business by being AVAILABLE for people.

My simple strategy is working in the last six weeks after implementing my simple rule. I have obtained three new buyers, two new listings, and three separate groups wishing to buy from the Arizona Trustee Sales. Is it working? Folks, I am living proof that it is working. Please visit www.DeliaTeam.comfor further information. Tune into to my weekly radio show each Saturday from 12-2PM Phoenix Mountain Time KKNT 960 or visit www.960RealEstate.comto live stream. We have pod casts available of our past shows.

MAKE THE CALL, SET THE PLAN, DO THE DEAL$