HomeFeedback Workshops! Next 2 Tuesdays!

Many people who previously have not taken advantage of HomeFeedback now want to! We will be holding HomeFeedback workshops for those who want to get started this coming TWO Tuesdays, November 4th (VOTE!) and November 11th in training center upstairs.

We will give you one on one instruction! Simply show up ANYTIME between 2pm and 4pm and Eric will help you get set up.

Now that HomeFeedback is getting its data from the IDX feed you do not even have to enter the listings! It is simple! But you will need to:

Give emails and passwords to your clients.

Enter showing appointments OR use Showing Sync.

Know how to Explain HomeFeedback to your customers.

Simply drop in and we will get you set up! Simple as that!

Technology Buyer’s Guide and Home Seller’s Tools!

The October 30 Edition of our Tech Session is all about Christmas!

Just like the department stores, I thought we’d discuss what your best options are for buying technology (laptops, phones, etc)! It’s early, but so what!

We will also be discussing tools that you use to sell homes. HomeFeedback’s new changes will be discussed, along with a new marketing one sheeter that I am working on. It was based on feedback from a recent tech session and I think it will be effective.

Finally, we will go over a few good ideas that REALTORS in other parts of the country are using with internet leads! We have gotten over 1100 leads in October alone between HomesinLouisville and REMAX.com!! This is great, but we need to get down to best practices that save you time and MAKE you money!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Growing Your Business in a Slow Market

Anyone who has worked in the real estate business during a slowdown can attest there’s always demand for skilled real estate practitioners.  After all, people don’t stop buying and selling just because the market cools.

That doesn’t mean you can thrive by doing business the same way you were a year ago.  This is great time to sharpen your skills and reconnect with the consumer.

To stay on top of the game in a changing market considered these tips.

 

·         Focus on relationship-building. Work hard on developing customer relationships that will provide you with downstream business for years to come.  Real estate is as much of a relationship business today as it ever was.

·          Work your database.  Even if business slows don’t stop contacting prospects and past clients, either by snail mail or email.  Plan to make 12 contacts per year.  Follow up with a phone call.

·         Invest in marketing.  Reinvest 10 to 20 percent of your gross revenue on personal marketing that will get new clients and customers to come to you

·         Use technology to your advantage.  Don’t miss another tech session.  Take advantage of the tech tools and training offered at RPE.

·         Make sure the price is right.  Don’t add to the problem of oversupply and increased absorption rates.  Price listings at market value.

·         Welcome objections for what they are.  Don’t get mad at objections.  Instead recognize them as valuable market signals and become masterful at handling them in a relaxed, but serious way.

·         Strengthen your community ties.  Build your community involvement in a variety of ways: networking groups, charity events, volunteering.  The more you’re out there the more opportunities you create to reinforce your expertise as the local real estate expert, ask for business, get referrals.

·         Embrace continuing education.  Stay up to date on new technology, risk management, and hot marketing techniques.  RE/MAX University online educational opportunities are limitless.  Check out Kentucky approved CE class schedule at www.agenteducationservices.com.

·         Don’t just sit there!  Make it your mission to adapt to changes and be open to new ideas to grow your business.

Stephanie Mattingly on HGTV this Sunday @ 7pm!

Our own Stephanie Mattingly filmed THREE (count ‘em!) episodes of  the popular HGTV series”My House is Worth What?”. She just received word that the first airing will be this Sunday, October 26th at 7pm.

Congrats to Stephanie! Set your DVR!

HomeFeedback Upgrade and Online Leads Management!

This weeks Tech Session is all about two great things happening at RPE.

First, HomeFeedBack is getting an upgrade and will now enter ALL of your listings including photos STRAIGHT from the MLS! Woohoo! This is a huge time savings for you and I will show you how to use it to your advantage! This great system for collecting feedback and communicating it DIRECTLY to sellers just kicked it up a notch!

Secondly, we have kicked our online marketing program in HIGH gear. Think things are slow? Over the last several days, we have AVERAGED a lead per agent per day! (Between HomesinLouisville.com and REMAX.com). Many of these are not “techncally” leads, but rather online registrations on our website. We are going to talk about the difference between the two and how to effectively bring them through the transformation from “registration” to “lead” to “client” to “customer for life that refers their friends to YOU”.  That IS the goal here (building YOUR business)!

Tech Sessions are every Thursday at 10am and 2pm. Oh yeah… if you are reading this, last week’s notes are up on the worksite!

ROUNDTABLE 2008 – Photo Gallery Here!

This year was more than our traditional roundtable. This was a chance to discuss the market, our results, our resources and pick up advice and ideas from friends and neighbors about how to SUCCEED in the coming days, weeks, and months.

It was a time for celebration of people who have been with us from the start. It was a time to reflect on those who have survived previous challenges. It was a time to commit ourselves to success and achievement.

It was also time to enjoy a great lunch together! Here are a few pictures from the Roundtable!

Craigs List How To

Want to use Craig’s List to promote a listing, open house or rental?

The process is simple. If you missed the Tech Session in May, we have a copy of the quick and easy instructions for you! Go to the worksite and look under Technology and the menu item for Craig’s List Instructions will pop right up!

If you do not have the time (or patience!) to set your own up, we can handle it for you in Creative Marketing / Agent Services. That’s what we are here for (to make your life easier). 

Have a great day!

Eric

Listings Syndication? How does it work? Is it a good thing?

This week’s Tech Session is all about Listings Syndication. Don’t know what that is? That’s OK! Most REALTORS aren’t aware of it and how it impacts our industry and your individual businesses.Here’s a sample of the complex stuff that we will break down into simple parts for you:

IT IS IMPORTANT to know this. IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to be able to EXPLAIN it to your customers.

The Tech Session notes will be posted on our Worksite (including the charts and graphs discussed at the Rountable!), but PLEASE COME. The discussions that we have are the most valuable piece of the 60 minutes and I don’t want you to miss out!

See you at 10am and 2pm!

Eric

So Much Fun even Hillary showed up! – CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS!

We had an office cook out on Friday October 10th…Here are the photos!

Stodgy? This place? Are you kidding me? (grin)

8 Tips to Save you Time and Money

Here are just a few quick tips that will help you build up an advertising budget or can help you budget your market funds more efficiently.

1.  Look for items that you can live without both personally and professionally.  (Go through your credit card and really evaluate whether it is “nice to have” or “have to have.”  For me, a cleaning lady is a must have and Barnes and Nobles books are nice to have.  You’ll be amazed at how much money you save once you get started!

2.  Go through all your magazine subscriptions and only renew those you absolutely must have.  We all know we have stacks of magazines that go unread from year to year.

3.  Do you have multiple phone lines at home?  Now that we have Scanning and E-FAX do you really need them?  Consider downsizing or going pure cellular.

4.   Consider taking a Dave Ramsey approach to your spending.  You’ll be glad when you’re debt free and the weight has been taken off your shoulders.  You sleep better too…

5.  Since many REALTORS have multiple listings at the moment, consider choosing one home that is “featured” on the front of the postcard and include the other listings on the back.  I saw one postcard recently that had 6-7 listings on the back of the postcard with basic information.  The agent was able to showcase all her listings with just one mailing.  You can’t get more efficient than that and your sellers are happy too!

6.  Consider an e-newsletter that goes out to your base.  Include a couple of articles that you’d like your sphere to read and get other businesses to co-market within the newsletter as well (interior decorators, lawn and garden, or your favorite hobby or philanthropic that you believe in.)  Really personalize it with some fun pictures and and they’ll read your newsletter every time!  Rachel can easily set up a newsletter for you in Creative Marketing.  Send her the content and you’re ready to go.  A very inexpensive tool in between sending out postcards.

7.  Don’t forget the Lowe’s discount cards.  See Rachel in Creative Marketing to get yourself set up.

8.  Make sure that ALL your potential leads are on a drip email campaign.  It has been proven over and over again that leads will eventually buy so keep your name out in front of them.

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