Realty World Northern California & Nevada

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Is that what your clients or the individuals needing your expertise are asking themselves right now?

There is a game out there that has to do with finding “Waldo.” Through the way that the maze is laid out in colors and shapes it is very hard to find good old Waldo. However we know that he is there so we keep concentrating to the point of devising every imaginable way to seek out and locate Waldo.

Are we a “Waldo” in the Real Estate business that we chose as a profession? Do our clients or future clients have to devise every conceivable way to find us? I would ask you to truly analyze your business model as it is at this very moment.

Many of the “colors” and “shapes” that we are hiding in are such things as cutting back on our marketing each day, improvising something new everyday and specializing in nothing, or spending all of our time in short sales and REOs and forgetting the true real estate market that is gaining traction everyday!

No matter what is going on in your life right now you need to wake up everyday knowing that there are people outside your front door that are looking for the professional that is knowledgeable and professional enough to get them through the present slowdown in the market. There are people that want a professional that will call it like it is. Quit promising falsehoods and work with an action plan that with make things happen! Now is the perfect time to increase your visibility so that you stand out from the masses. Today is an open opportunity to show your wares and prove your value as a professional. Consumers crave pure knowledge and the understanding when it comes to real estate right now, yet above all they want someone to just take the time to enlighten them!

The real estate profession qualifies you! Move away from the pathway of criticizing, being judgmental, and being pessimistic.

You know politicians do not own the concept of “Town Hall” meetings! Politicians use them to get close to the public and give the public the opportunity to ask the questions that are important and maybe personal to the individual, the community, or the families. Neighborhoods need the real estate professional talking to them, not “hiding” totally behind flyers. Families need the real estate professional talking to them in their homes not “hiding” totally behind a newsletter.

Where are you?!

Know that Trust, Integrity, Loyalty, and Responsibility cannot be built by hiding; it is built by being face to face with the public.

The truth of the matter is the fact that if you are not in the best of health both physically and mentally, your business is going to suffer, especially in today’s new business model.

For your own sake and for the sake of your business you need to put in place a very strong action plan to take control of those things that you can control.

Day in and day out I hear from individuals that are totally frustrated and overpowered by the stress they are under due to the pressures that the real estate profession that they chose as a vocation is placing on their lives. Many times it comes from those that are very organized, have direction in their personal lives and business. Many of those that I talk with are on the threshold of a panic attack, if not worse!

Take A Break!

In so many cases we are our own worst enemy. It is not the Lender, Title Company, Appraisers, nor work associates, it is us! We tend to find ourselves loading ourselves with too many ‘to do’s’ on our ‘To Do List’ and not allowing time to recharge our inner soul that drives us. Achievement in our lives needs to be on a scale that allows us to shut down from time to time.

Do not allow your ‘To Do List’ to be the all controlling factor in your life. Instead turn it around and list those things that Do Not Need to be completed each day. This also pertains to behaviors and individuals that consume the force that allows you to be the best that you can be.

By the way those ‘electronic devises’ that we rely upon so much today need to be controlled. They ensnare us into thinking that we are productive and it does not allow one to shut down because we fall into the thinking that we are ‘busy’ when it is only a perception of being busy.

Refine your schedule for ‘your’ time! Everyone needs to be free from the pressures of the daily grind. This is so important, that if necessary, schedule your shut down time in your day planner and respect and hold it more hallowed than the time we put aside for our clients and business!

Live in the present and complete each undertaking well before moving on to the next one. The word ‘multitask’ handicaps so many in today’s business world. You need the ability to clearly see each undertaking, complete it fully before moving on. You need to be able to be organized and have the ability to sort out and define each task so that it can be completely accomplished.

And then there is my biggest pet peeve that chips away at the foundation of our lives, families, and business. Learn to say ‘NO.’ Yes, it is very hard to learn how to say ‘no’ to someone, however this goes back to the point made earlier, concerning behaviors, individuals, and undertakings that consume us. Don’t lie when you say ‘no’ state the facts and reasons even to the point that you just need some free time to organize your thoughts.

Once again, for your mental and physical well being: Take A Break!

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I am truly stepping out on this one, however in my many years, and believe me there have been many, I have learned that the best way to control your life is to understand and have a working knowledge of those things that will allow you to meet everyday prepared with a sword of defense.

In raising six children, who are all gone from home now, I have always wanted to arm them with information so that they can have a great life and enjoy within reason those things that they need, not want. At the present time I caution them on unneeded purchases, watch out for any debt, yet invest wisely as we live in very unstable times.

I was emailed an article that gave me some great understanding of where the economy truly stands today.  A major concern pertaining to the economy and any hopes of a recovery is the unemployment figures. I learned more in depth about the degrees of the “U” (Unemployment) factor released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Did you know that the U-3 rate is 9.7%?  Of course you do as it is on the news and in front of us constantly.  Here is my new area of knowledge:  “U-6.”

The U-6 figure of unemployment is as close to the true realistic unemployment figure as you can get.  This figure contains the official unemployment rate, and then includes discouraged workers, who are people that are available for work but have stopped actively seeking work.  It also includes the marginally attached workers who are able and willing to work but is not actively seeking work.  Now, the last additive to the number are those that are forced to work part-time because they are not able to find a full time job.

My concern in educating my children and attempting to stay on the leading edge knowledge wise in order to keep my sword of defense as sharp as possible is driven from many things, however, more so being that the U-6 figure presently sits at 17.9%, a far cry from the 9.7% that we are told on a daily basis.

Be sure you are keeping up with this, and other statistics, that affect your world and those around you. This will help you make informed decisions and help you inform others who rely on you to make theirs.

More than ever, due to dramatic changes in the economy over the past two years, the principles of credibility and trust are essential in building, or in many instances rebuilding, relationships. No matter what profession you are in, there are many people you reach in the business world who are struggling during these times.

Realizing that the pendulum is constantly swinging, the time has come to re-evaluate our professional model. Honestly, no one knows which direction the pendulum is moving. It is time to adjust from traditional relationship building processes and move toward building long-term relationships that are not pressure-based on one hand and taken for granted on another.

The economy of today needs to be understood fully by all in society through continuous study. With this, you will be ready to transfer hope to those you service, build relationships through educating and enlightening individuals to give them the direction and confidence they need to make home buying and selling decisions. From this, you build trust, loyalty and credibility, and become the source of direction and confidence in this interesting time.

Build confidence in those around you and be in front of people, in all forms of media, so they can grow from your knowledge and offerings. People want direction from people they can trust – make that person you.

As I witnessed things unfold early on the day of the annual Realty World NCA event, it was impressive to watch brokers and agents all meeting and greeting each other. The thing that hit me the hardest is that this group of people that considers themselves real estate professionals, also considers each other close friends, to the point of being ‘family’ members. The conversations started off not with business talk, but instead with catching up on subjects such as family members, trips taken, mutual friends, etc., before moving to conversations of the market.

As the morning progressed, brokers worked in harmony in the Broker Council Meeting because they had a mutual cause, instead of as individual owners. Sharing ideas showed that everyone could work together to make the system work, even when there were two brokers existing within blocks of each other.

The general buzz of the day was great. In the vendor area people gained knowledge from service providers, working together in educating each other how they used that particular service in their office, with their agents, or how it cut costs by doing it a particular way. The sharing of ideas and thoughts carried from one table to another.

The unity of how the speakers were received was powerful. Individuals took topics presented into their lives as individuals, and had the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts during breaks.

This continued throughout the day with everyone in attendance, all truly appreciating the opportunity to be together as friends and fellow professionals.

Dennis Stewart
Vice President & Regional Director
dennis.stewart@rwnc.net

Real estate professionals, it’s all up to you. 

In today’s real estate industry, it’s vital for realtors to realize that you are the only messenger that can take the good and positive news to the throng of individuals and families who need to be educated and directed.

As we know, the news media uses a negative spin on most everything for sensational impact. But you, the ‘messenger,’ needs to research the news and find the true interpretation to deliver the positive side… or, what isn’t being said. With all the foreclosure news, bankruptcies of major corporations, and unemployment, it’s a reminder that the economy has a ways to go before there is stability. But it has to start somewhere and the signs of the day show that things are changing once again; this time, in the right direction.

Just two weeks ago, the pending home sales showed a very good increase, rising 6.7% from the previous month and 3.2% from April of last year. This was the third straight month the index has increased, which is a key indicator that the new and existing home sales reported are showing steady increase over the same period of time. This is a strong statement that the housing market is finding its way to stabilizing. April figures on personal incomes increased, which has not occurred on a monthly basis since last September. On an annual basis, personal incomes have increased, albeit not in large numbers, but an increase nonetheless, which fights off much of the doom and gloom that the news media reports so bluntly.

Another great indicator is that consumer confidence jumped in May to the highest level since September of last year. The consumer needs to be on a steady diet of positive confidence building news.

Today’s messenger must study, understand, and deliver the facts about the positive changes in the real estate market. In a previous blog of mine, Differentiate vs. Directional, I mention a statement that carries a significant message: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Remember it… because it’s up to all of us as real estate professionals.

Dennis Stewart
Vice President & Regional Director
Dennis.Stewart@rwnc.net

Over the last eighteen months there have been so many shifts in the real estate market, the usual negative media coverage, plus the mortgage meltdown. But, now is the beginning of a new era to become a professional “messenger” and move away from the sales characteristics we’ve built over the years.

The real estate industry has finally transformed the true, committed professional toward an elevated mindset of “service” rather than “sales.” It’s the real estate brokers and agents who are educating and guiding buyers and sellers, most of whom are probably shell-shocked with the blitz of media negativity that they may be concerned with making a move.

Based on all indicators, the market is bouncing into a stable recovery mode. This is indeed the opportune time to be positioned in front of past clients, buyers, sellers, first time homebuyers… even those in distress situations as well as investors to arm them with the information they need to make a sensible decision. Be the leader in this forthcoming recovery, not the follower. Differentiate yourself by the expertise you display in your blog and Q&A communities, and your website.

A fresh addition to your professional arsenal should be a video presentation of you, your listings, success stories, your communities, and your satisfied customers. This gives anyone who visits your site a visual journey! I enjoyed a video the other day where the realtor narrating the presentation gave his audience something I’d never seen before. He spoke about the sounds he heard outdoors, the smell of the mountain air, showed an area where you could relax next to your own stream. Oh, and by the way, he also presented the home, but it was shown with a unique perspective.

Don’t find your direction, know your direction. How will you present rising interest rates to your client base? It’s going to happen, so you’ better start learning how to convey this to consumers.

Be the messenger… the clock is ticking, and the time is now!

Dennis Stewart
Vice President & Regional Director
Dennis.Stewart@rwnc.net