Real Estate and Beyond Blog

SUMMER FUN CONTEST FUN IN THE SUN FOR HARRY AND COMPANY

THIS IS AN ENTRY FOR THE POSTIVE ATTITUDE FOR THE WEARY SOUL GROUP CONTEST!

FUN IN THE SUN WHILE BUSINESS STILL RUNS! JOIN THE CHALLENGE TODAY

We have entered the summer season with school ending and the kids being off from school. What are we going to do for the summer to have fun? Personally, I believe one must have fun at work. So, we do plan family getaways to recharge the batteries. Otherwise, Harry becomes a boring person. I very much look forward to my family vacations in order to create memories for the entire family. Yes, it seems to be tough to take vacations as a real estate agent. However, real estate is a team sport. Plus, today's technology makes it easier for me to be on vacation without my clients knowing I am on vacation for a week or two. As they say on Broadway, "THE SHOW MUST GO ON!"

I know many real estate agents that never take time off and just work every day of the week. Sorry! I am not programmed that way. Now, I could do that lifestyle if I was single. However, that is not fair to the entire family. Yes, there is an entire plan in place while I take time off. My business continues while I am traveling on a daily basis. Offers are still being made on homes, still collecting rent monies and blogging is done with a cup of coffee near the water early AM before the rest of the family gets up.

REAL ESTATE IS A TEAM SPORT! I stand behind this statement and continue to practice it on a daily basis. All great real estate agents have processed and procedures in place. Furthermore, I have cross trained my assistant to handle many functions in place of my temporary physical address. So, THE SHOW CONTINUES TO GO ON for my business.

This year we have decided to visit Colorado for ten days. We want to explore the Durango and Pagosa Springs section of Colorado. We have everything planned out for ten days. We got the entire family in on the planning process. This makes the kids excited as the parents for the vacation. I am so looking forward in getting away with my family to make some great memories.

GREAT TOOLS AND PEOPLE TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN ON VACATION

• Toshiba Satellite laptop computer full multimedia capabilities
• Sony digital camera
• Sony digital video recorder with 80 gigs of memory
• HTC EVO 3D smart phone with text, email and Internet access unlimited data plan
• Full 8 functional web sites 24/7 for the public to view
• Leasing agents to handle my tenant leads
• Docusign to obtain signatures while on the road and submit offers
• ActiveRain on the road cup of coffee by the pool and blog
• Buyer agents on the team to continue to show properties
• Personal assistant to act on my behalf

THE PLAN IS IN PLACE FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS TO TAKE A VACATION. Other real estate agents ask me the following question "HOW CAN YOU AFFORD TO TAKE A VACATION?" I come back with my question "HOW CAN YOU NOT TAKE A VACATION AND MAKE GREAT FAMILY MEMORIES?" Then, I get deer in the headlights. I will pick family over work any day of the week. That is how precious my family is to me.

Here is a great picture of brother and sister together in the woods. We spent the entire day in the woods that day. Our family loves to camp and be with nature. The kids love it. We cook over an open fire pit and make some great dishes such as

• Hot dogs and beans
• Eggs and bacon with hot coffee
• Burnt marshmallows
• Pancakes

I personally believe that vacations must be put into the annual real estate game plan so we are rewarded for hitting our goals throughout the year. Also, I believe real estate agents need to recharge batteries with the entire family. The real estate business is very competitive and can get to one over a period of time. Overall, I wish everyone the best summer of 2012. Be safe and have a great time on vacation this year. Take plenty of photos and share them on ActiveRain.

REAL ESTATE AND BEYOND REAL ESTATE THE FINAL FRONTIER

We were asked to pick a movie that best describes our real estate business. Wow, it was a hard choice for me since I live watching movies. Which movie and which character best describes myself? I finally made the right choice to best describe my real estate career. There was only one true movie for me.

STAR TREK V - THE FINAL FRONTIER-PLEASE CLICK TO VIEW ALL SPEED AHEAD

This movie was about Captain Kirk and his crew was assigned to go to another galaxy to fight a renegade Klingon who threatened the entire universe. There was only one man that could confront and defeat the bad man him-CAPTAIN JAMES T KIRK. He truly was the captain of his own ship and lead his crew to victory each time. Yes, there were times the crew doubted him and his actions. However, Captain Kirk stood behind his decisions and went full speed ahead. There are times in real estate when we must press on even with negative news coming from the television, friends and neighbors. FULL SPEED AHEAD!Captain

James T. Kirk had the following team to handle any mission at all times

• Spoc-great second in command and friend
• Dr. Bones-kept the crew healthy, spoke his mind and not afraid to challenge the captain
• Scotty-great engineer that ever lived and was prepared at all times very resourceful
• Sulu-great crew member
• Uhura-great communications officer kept everyone informed at all times 
• Chekov-great navigator of the Star Trek Enterprise

The entire team was confident in their own abilities and what they brought to the team. They would follow their captain even if it meant death at times. There was a level of trust that was earned over time. Do we have that same team in our real estate business? Are you the captain of your real estate team?

I can relate to Captain James T. Kirk of going where nobody has gone before. I have been practicing real estate for the last ten years. I have done the following items that I believe that are bold and decisive

• Mentored for the first two years
• Created Real Estate and Beyond Team
• Initiated, Produced and Hosted the Real Estate and Beyond Team Radio show
• Hired virtual assistant right out of real estate school
• Learned different parts of real estate such as residential sales, listing, lease options, flips, buy and hold. wholesaling and now property management
• Continue to learn through designation classes and social media events
• Network with professional around the world
• Make it happen
• Became ActiveRain Ambassador in 9 months and still Active

I very much enjoy real estate. I am never bored in the game of real estate. I learn something new on a continual basis. I have a great team behind me to face any challenge like Captain James T. Kirk had on Star Trek Enterprise.

GO BOLDLY WHERE NO REALTOR HAS GONE BEFORE

Make it happen today and beyond

IT IS A TIME TO REFLECT TO BE THANKFUL

Are you running around like a turkey without its head? We are heading into the Holiday Season. It is a time to slow down and enjoy these times with family and friends. However, many Americans cannot wait to have 2009 to end because of losing a job, foreclosed on a home, medical problems and the list goes on. Change is constant in our great country we call America. Personally, I look forward to this time of year because it makes me slow down to reflect on the current year and think about what I want to change about the year coming up. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it gives us time to be really thankful as Americans.

Millions of families across this great nation will have a turkey on their table celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family members that are dear to them. Families must keep traditions during bad and good times so we have memories of the past as we continue to get older. Children must see that one can survive during challenging times. Hope is in all of us.

I just wanted to share my TOP 10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR DURING CHALLENGING TIMES

1. FREEDOM IN AMERICA
2. MILITARY THAT PROTECTS OUR GREAT COUNTRY
3. FREEDOM OF RELIGION
4. BEAUTIFUL WIFE OF NINETEEN YEARS
5. MY CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS
6. MY COMMUNITY
7. CLIENTS
8. HEALTH
9. COFFEE
10. ACTIVERAIN

PLEASE SHARE ONE THING THAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS WEEK. ALL I AM ASKING FOR IS ONE ITEM SO OTHER PEOPLE CAN READ THIS POST TO REFLECT ON THEIR OWN TIME.

IF IT IS SUCH A GREAT DEAL, THEN WHY DON'T YOU BUY IT?

I host a weekly radio show named "Real Estate and Beyond." I have been doing live radio for three years. If you seek further information, then click here Real Estate and Beyond Radio. I meet with investors each and every week. They are seeking to invest in real estate for many reasons. They look to me for advice since I am the expert since I have the radio show. Well, I am an expert in my own field. However, I put many hours back into my profession to sharpen my skills and network. People are coming to me because I have an awesome investor network.

How many of you out there get asked the following question:

IF IT IS SUCH A GREAT DEAL, THEN WHY DON'T YOU BUY IT?

Here is one of the things I say back to the person who asked me this question. I ask the person to imagine that he/she works at Dun-kin Doughnuts. It is their main source to make a living. It is like asking that person the same question.

IF IT IS SUCH A GREAT DOUGHNUT, THEN WHY DON'T YOU EAT IT?

This person would be unable to eat every doughnut because it would be very unhealthy and the human body can only take so much fat. The same is true for real estate. I wish I could take advantage of every deal that comes across my desk. However, I am limited as is every person. I simply explain to the other person that my main profession is real estate. My job is to find investors such as yourself deals to purchase. I make money when the deal closes. Do I take advantage of SOME deals? Yes, I do. I just picked up a great fix and flip deal that closed this week. However, I am unable to take advantage of every deal. I could if I was the US Government. However, it is just me at this time.

DO YOU GET ASKED THIS QUESTION?

PLEASE SHARE YOUR RESPONSE WITH US THIS MORNING.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN ACTIVERAIN? DO YOU? TELL THE TRUTH!

I have been ACTIVELY blogging on ActiveRain since April of 2009 and I have never looked back. I remember when I first started this venture. I thought to myself "Who is going to read my blog post? I have nothing to write about. I am only one agent." I am sure these doubts are familiar with many members within the ActiveRain Community. We cannot let our own inner fears take over our successes in life. The inner voice will take you out of pretty much every opportunity in front of you. INNER VOICE BE QUIET.

Blogging is like farming because both take patience, experience and delayed gratification when receiving the end result. We all want the pot of gold at the end of the rainbox. However, there are no roadmaps to reach that destination. I see many Realtors enter this business trying to do everything in real estate that comes their way just to make a buck. Is that wrong? Yes, it is wrong because the customer does not get serviced in my opinion. I have seen agents doing commercial deals with no assistance from someone experienced in that line of real estate. Hey, I do things differently. I would take less of a competition by teaming up with an expert to learn the process.

I just received these Emails when I got into the office.

1. I am really confused about investing in housing in Phoenix. Yes, housing prices are going down and now is a good time to buy. But, the dollar is about to crash, and houses will be dirt cheap once that occurs. Wouldn't be that the time to buy?  Aren't investors having a tough time renting out their investment homes and finding it difficult to sell their investment homes? I have $30,000 to invest and just feel so leary about being stuck with a house that I cannot sell once I do some cosmetic work on it. What to do. What to do?
2. I need help selecting a Loan program Down Payment: 1,500 Purchase Price: 150,000 Additional. Is it too late to close and fund a house before the deadline to receive the $8K tax credit? Please call me today
3. Please call me back! I have a person from CA that needs a house to sell. He is heading your way this weekend. Thanks

Do you think I am going to get any business from any of these Emails listed above? Yes, I will close all three of them. Why? These people want a Realtor who is ACTIVE.I do not pay for leads. I believe a Reatlor can generate their own quality leads without paying for them. Again, this is my personal style of business. Is that right? Again, it works for me. If buying leads for you works, then you make the decision.

DO YOU BELIEVE?

DEFINITION OF FAITH BY WEBSTER DICTIONARY:

• complete confidence in a person or plan etc; "he cherished the faith of a good woman"; "the doctor-patient relationship is based on trust"
• loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person; "keep the faith"; "they broke faith with their investors"

I am going to leave that question for you to answer. I would love to hear your comments on this post.

 I BELIEVE!

EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM OR EARLY BLOGGER CATCHES THE READERS

My grandma always told me when I was young that "Early Bird Catches the Worm." She was always up early before everyone else to get the work done on a daily basis. This saying has stayed with me into my adulthood. Why? I have always been an early riser because I can get more accomplished in the morning while it is quiet. Plus, I am able to think clearer with a nice cup of coffee while I sit and concentrate. The morning time is the best time for me.

The origin of this proverb comes as early as in John Rays Early Collection of English proverbs in 1670. The proverb means success will come to those who prepare and put in effort.

TOP 10 WAYS TO BECOME AN OUSTANDING REALTOR

1. Treat this job as your own business
2. Be persistent-Do not take no for an answer
3. Stay focused and do not listen to the negative people
4. Continue to take classes to learn new things in real estate
5. Create your own Network-become a one stop shop for real estate investing
6. Become a decision maker
7. Obtain a mentor to guide you through the rough waters
8. Develop your niche in your local marketplace
9. Do not procrastinate
10. ActiveRain blogger daily for sixty minutes

MY FEATURED ARTICLE NAMED ACTIVERAIN DOES NOT WORK. DO NOT BE FOOLED HAS WELL OVER 2,000 VIEWS AND STILL COUNTING. BLOGGING WORKS! WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE?

It is obvious that one must put forth effort and execute a game plan to be successful. I meet so many Realtors that want to be their own island. Why? I think of the television show called "Gilligan's Island." A group of people all doing their own thing end up on an island which are forced to work together to get off the island. It is the same concept in the real estate market. The majority of Realtors think about themselves and do not wish to network with other Realtors simply because they have a scarce mentality. I believe there is enough business for everyone. I had another Realtor in my market calling me to see if I can represent a family member who wishes to purchase a home between $500-1,000,000. What could I say? Yes! Does it pay to network with other Realtors.

I want to encourage everyone to be THE EARLY BLOGGER THAT CATCHES THE READERS!

There is an old saying in grade school that states "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT." This really struck home for me as a young boy in elementary school. If I eat junk food only, then I am going to grow up overweight and unhealthy. This did not make logical sense to me as a child. So, I always make sure I ate my fruits and vegetables along with exercise that include sports growing up in America. Today, I am bring this same concept to my family and really stressing this concept to my children.

OK-I am sure you are asking yourself what does this have to do with the title of the article. There goes Harry using play on words just to read his blog. No, my title of this article is "YOU ARE WHAT YOU BLOG!" Research has estimated that there are well over 1.2 million active Realtors in America. Furthermore, there are about 90,000 real estate agents in the state of Arizona. How does one stick out from the crowd? Why would I want to use you as my Realtor?

Here are the Top Five Reasons Why Realtors Do Not Blog:

1. Do not understand the importance of blogging
2. Too much time
3. Scared to ask for assistance
4. Refuse to change with the times
5. Pride

So, these real estate agents are what they blog-ZERO RECOGNITION ON THE INTERNET

I truly believe that I AM WHAT I BLOG. The proof is in the pudding(Loved Grandma's Pudding). I know many of you are new to ActiveRain. It took me about a month to figure it out myself. I want to encourage everyone to devote sixty minutes per day on blogging for six months. Then, tell me it did not make a difference on your business.

I am going to share with you the ten ideas on what to write about in your blog to obtain Google Juice-This is my game plan.

TOP 10 BLOGGING IDEAS TO WRITE ABOUT

1. Promote your services and what you can do for the client
2. Current market conditions in real estate
3. Post all of your listings
4. Share your own experiences in real estate with others
5. Write about the different subdivisions in your area
6. Write about business owners in your local market
7. Teach people how to invest in real estate to pay for college/retirement
8. Discuss the difference between a short sale and foreclosure
9. Introduce your own network to the world
10. Keep promoting yourself and services offered-share success stories

YOU ARE WHAT YOU BLOG!

BLOGGING IS EASY

SEE PIC BELOW

Re

I am here to tell you that ActiveRain does not work. Many people have told me to stop blogging. Who is going to read your blog? I have to admit that there are many negative people in the world. Perhaps, I should just throw in the white towel and become a traditional Realtor like all the rest of them. I come in contact with many Realtors on a monthly basis since I host a weekly real estate talk radio show. They are down on the economy and business is slow. They cannot find new buyers. They cannot obtain any new listings without it being a short sale.

I QUIT! It would be so much easier just to say those two words. However, I received the following email about an our ago from one of my blog posts:

My name is Suzy, I would like to get more information on either purchasing a home or rent to own with bad credit. I must admit my fiance's credit is horrible however I would still like to try and see what we can do with his credit. If we can get some assistance that would be great.

Thanks in advance,

Suzy

Obviously, this person is looking for assistance by a professional Realtor. That is why she is Emailing me. She needs assistance to purchase a house or rent to own. This is how I know ActiveRain does work for me. I am in full support of ActiveRain blogging. I am hooked and never going back.

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 REASONS WHY ACTIVERAIN DOES NOT WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE:

1. DO NOT BELIEVE IN BLOGGING
2. DO NOT LIST HOMES ON ACTIVERAIN
3. DO NOT USE LOCALISM TO BECOME LOCAL EXPERT ONLINE
4. DO NOT ADD PICS TO BLOG POSTS
5. DO NOT ADD LINKS TO BLOG POSTS
6. DO NOT USE STRIKING HEADLINES TO ATTRACT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION
7. DO NOT COMMENT ON OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOGS
8. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVERAIN CONTESTS TO LEARN NEW APPLICATIONS
9. DO NOT THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
10. DO NOT NETWORK WITH OTHER ACTIVERAIN MEMBERS

BONUS ROUND

DO NOT HAVE FUN

I just want to thank ActiveRain for providing US an inexpensive medium to express our ideas and expressions on to the Internet. I look forward to more Google Juice.

GOT GOOGLE JUICE? START TODAY

CLONING YOURSELF THE LEGAL WAY

I have come to a point in my business that I have to start recruiting other agents in order to keep up with demand or I am going to lose business. I have three or more plates spinning at one time in order to create more business. Well, all three plates are creating business. There is only one of me. So, I have been researching on how to clone myself. Please read my research below and let me know your thoughts.

DEFINITION OF HUMAN CLONING FROM SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND:

Human cloningis the creation of a genetically identical copy of a human (not usually referring to monozygotic multiple births), human cell, or human tissue. The ethics of cloning is an extremely controversial issue. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning; human clones in the form of identical twins are commonplace, with their cloning occurring during the natural process of reproduction.

MY DEFINITION OF CLONING DONE MY WAY:

Find agents who want to really excel in the real estate business and that are willing to work as I train them in this business. Currently, I am searching for two excellent Realtors to be by my side to train them the correct way of doing real estate. Why? I have hit critical mass in my business and I need assistance so that I can assist more people in my local area. It is always better to train two or more at one time so they can help one another as time goes on. I call this the "Buddy System" training method. It has worked for me over the last twenty years in management.

TOP FIVE THINGS I LOOK FOR IN RECRUITING A REALTOR

1. WORK ETHIC
2. WILLINGNESS TO LEARN
3. SUBMIT TO MY LEADERSHIP
4. ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE
5. PERSONAL NETWORK

TOP FIVE THINGS RECRUITS LOOK FOR IN A REAL ESTATE OFFICE

1. TRAINING
2. LEADS
3. SPLIT STRUCTURE
4. EXPOSURE TO LOCAL MARKET
5. BROKER ACCESSIBILITY

TOP FIVE WAYS TO RECRUIT NEW AGENTS

1. PERSONALLY RECRUIT AGENTS IN LOCAL MARKET TO YOUR COMPANY
2. REAL ESTATE SCHOOLS
3. NETWORKING EVENTS
4. OPEN HOUSES
5. ACTIVERAIN

CONCLUSION

There is enough business out there for everyone when it comes to real estate. Most Realtors are secretive and do not wish to work with other Realtors. Why? This is called a scarcity mentality. Personally, I have always believed in networking and sharing information with one another in order to increase all of our skills. This is why I enjoy ActiveRain. We share a personal belief in sharing as we continue to blog on a daily basis. I just want to thank everyone for sharing knowledge to make us all better Realtors.

MAKE IT HAPPEN TODAY

TOP 10 TIPS TO BECOME A BETTER REALTOR

I spent the first fourteen years of my career in Corporate America. Then, I decided to enter into the real estate industry. It has been a roller coaster ride ever since I signed up for this duty. I always thought realtors made easy money. I WAS WRONG! Let me repeat I WAS WRONG! This is the hardest job in the world. This is owning your own business 100% of the time. So, please read the following ways to become a better realtor:

1. Treat this job as your own business
2. Be persistent-Do not take no for an answer
3. Stay focused and do not listen to the negative people
4. Continue to take classes to learn new things in real estate
5. Create your own Network-become a one stop shop for real estate investing
6. Become a decision maker
7. Obtain a mentor to guide you through the rough waters
8. Develop your niche in your local marketplace
9. Do not procrastinate
10. Be a positive force

I wanted to share my personal list with the AR Community. I like #10.

Which number do you like best?