Day 8 Fashionable Communication
14 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
Okay, today I’m going to go on a social media tangent…
Make yourself available and walk on common ground with your customer to be in their world and to connect in a fashion that is most natural for them. Take a look at the stat’s for cell phone ownership by age based upon a sample of 3001 individuals by Princeton Survey Research Associates between Aug. and Sept. 2010 from an article about Americans and their gadgets-(see table below by the Pew research center)
- 85% of all Americans own a cell phone
- 96% of 18-29 year olds own a cell phone
- 90% of 30-49 year olds own a cell phone
- 85% of 50-64 year olds own a cell phone
- 58% of 65+ own a cell phone
Social Networking – Our latest addition, based upon 2009 studies shows that
- 75% of adults age 30+ have profiles on Facebook, a social networking site
- 19% of all adults or a status updating site like Twitter
This modern way of communal communication doesn’t replace word of mouth but it has broadened it online. It reveals that people are sharing in a routine fashion touching a broader territory.
We have seen the etiquette of this social communication is more delicate in it’s nature and if exploited posting too much commercial messaging on Facebook will cause it to be turned off- so share but share discreetly and be the hit of the hood…
Day 7 Common Denominators for Success
08 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
What are the common denominators found in successful women? I attended the MapCon 2010 Women’s Chamber of Commerce conference for women today in Austin at the Renaissance Stouffer Hotel. There were a few common denominators in the message delivered by several speakers today about their journey to success…
1) Decide that Enough is Enough – Example: Australian Best Selling Author, Annette Sym of ”Symply Too Good To Be True”, sparked a dramatic weight change from 220 pounds to 150. During this amazing personal journey she created a multimillion dollar home based weight loss cookbook series.
2) Adapt to Trends, Reinvent yourself - Karen Mccullough, national speaker and branding expert, Author of “The Seven Women Project”, When preppy clothing had lost it’s flavor in the late 80′s and went to trendy Madonna fashion , Karen sold her retail clothing chain that specialized in conservative chic and re-branded herself. She brought that talent to Fortune 500 companies and allowed herself to move to public speaking and consulting.
3) Let it Go – Have a Sense of Humor -Each speaker’s message resonated with the reality that at some point you have to stop worrying about what people think and let it go. It’s the only way to free your mind, enough to decide upon and follow your own path to success.
As I enter the third quarter of 2010, I realize that although hardship is present in our economy, you have to mentally lighten the load in your own mind before you can begin to be equipped to lead others to the correct decisions they must make, with regard to real estate, and in life.
The photo is to honor my friend and colleague Kitty Puckett, with Wells Fargo Advisors, Arboretum, who invited me to today’s conference. She has been a tremendous support and mentor to me over the years.
I came home and connected with several sellers following this day’s event. This don’t quit attitude kept me up till 11:17 pm. Time for bed.
Day 6 Being there for YOU in October 2010
07 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
We are not consecutive but we are numbered…
I have wanted others to be there for me in the past month (following the bicycle wreck about a month ago). It’s time for me to let go of it and be there for others. Today I took time to interact with both clients and friends and it made me realize that it’s not always about feeling complete by finding people who are thinking the same, rather it is about hearing and being there for other human beings and allowing this connection to make me feel whole.
What it really boils down to is our experiences shape us to become who we are. As I get older I hold myself accountable for so much more than I used to. My contributions in the field of real estate are greatest when I can reach out and change an outcome or create an opportunity for someone that would not have occurred without the interaction…
I do not want to make decisions for others I prefer to empower those who wish to be assisted. My pursuit is to find the ones who are willing to accept that they need guidance and who will allow me to do so. Every day brings a new piece of information in the puzzle of life. Real estate is just one piece in that puzzle. If you are out there and need my help, I am prepared to help sort through the choices and help you make a smooth change!
In the meantime I will equip myself with every tool it takes to put my clients and their listings at the top of the heap!
Day 5 -Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow
21 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
I call this Day 5 ….
On Monday morning I accessed my awareness of personal matters by journaling my thoughts on family, finances, relationships, career, and health (“Life by Design”, T. Ferry). I need to be clear so I perform at a high level to guide others. I then wrote my own affirmations to visualize and make things happen.
I do this with every client that I represent who allows me to. It is critical to know what you want in order to attain it.
On Tuesday, I was set free and I am blogging a day late as someone I care deeply about flew into Austin unexpectedly. My other friend was instrumental in helping to make it happen. I was unprepared but ready to receive a lot of love and support from people who saw that I deeply needed emotional support following a bicycle accident on 9/2/10.
My commitment to consistent physical activity remains a constant but this was a complete mental workout.
I recognize where I am at emotionally. This frees up a mind to take action on what I do best. BUY/SELL REAL ESTATE.
Today I want to quickly share THE NEWS on my listing that has gone to short sale at 11204 Thorny Brook Trail which is listed below market at $145k everybody I felt it could benefitand by directly contacting a group of individuals in the area. This is unfortunate and I will do all that I can to ease the burden and help the family make a smooth transition.
Here’s a snapshot of the pool area. This is a fixer upper with 4 bedrooms and slightly over 1900 sqft.
Short Sale with a Pool
Day 4? Avid Cyclist Collides with Dump truck September 2nd…
19 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
I am happy to be alive! What? Really? Here’s where I have been (since 9/2/10). Since my last post, I’ve been healing from a wicked cycling accident that occurred shortly around 9am on Sept 2nd on east Parmer Lane. If you’re not from the area this is a major road that travels NW/SE. On that very Thursday, I woke up in the hospital with a plastic surgeon stiching my forehead following a collision with a dump truck. Huh? Yes, that is what I said. I collided with a dump truck. Exactly how this occurred is still being confirmed. The injuries include : a) Fractured skull, b)Fractured scapula, c)broken bone near shoulder, d)two broken ribs, some head injury, e) an ear that was injured and an f)a nice scar on my forehead and an array of g)blacks and blues. I am fortunate to be alive. My wake up call was clear. Funny, though my wits are intact I am still in a lot of pain. I was moving along contentedly prior to encountering the so called dump truck. I was told that this truck was parked in the bike lane on a major road. It is not my belief that this is entirely true. I fully intend to uncover the truth.
IN THE MEANTIME, Where do I go from here? I got an email from my coach who asked me to join others in a boot camp to kick up business momentum. I said YES of course and beginning tomorrow I will be joining the ranks of others to return to prospecting to re-establish my 365 day endeavor, where I left off with you on the September 2nd.
It’s hard to belive this has happened. I spent the morning reading and reflecting on “what is holding me back” from achieving my life’s dreams. I answered many hard questions regarding my relationships, attitudes towards myself as a preparation which will stabilize me so that I may proceed. I have been scarred by this incident but will not allow it to go unrecognized == rather, I intend to radically place it at the forefront of this story and earmark it as a turning point in my future.
Day 3 Is Your Cup Half Empty or Half Full?
02 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Real Estate Tidbits Tags: Austin Texas Real Estate, Real Estate News
To check in with you on my 3rd of 365 days to Freedom, we started out the morning a bit earlier with a 30 mile ride to the East side which really gave me a Cup Half Full attitude towards the day. Came into contact with about 8 new folks today and am working to maintain a listing which will foreclose by next week. Trying to work with the bank holding the note to allow me to continue to sell the home, rather than taking a cup half empty approach and just letting it go to foreclosure. We take foreclosures seriously and do everything we can to prevent them, esp. in our backyard of Avery Ranch. Where are all of the buyers???
Sept. 1 earmarks early Fall in Austin. There’s a ton of inventory expiring at this time like leaves falling from a tree. It’s the season when sellers lose hope and gain fear (aided by constant drama offered by news and media sources). When the market falls, even though it’s the best time to invest and spread any cash that might be realized from a sale, everyone runs…
As Warren Buffett said (he turned 80 this past Monday):
There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult.
(Cup half empty)…
What on earth is everyone running from? It just looks like it’s too hard to finance anything and that mentality is what is controlling our markets worldwide.
In 2010, What do consumers expect of their agent?
01 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
9pm, end of Day two. I had 6 discussions with prospective clients including several discussions with existing clients and spent a few hours to web consultants.
When the day was over I reflected on my interactions with clients.
A question came to mind: According to 2010 standards,,, What do our clients really expect from us? (the agents)
Stefan Swanepoel said in a discussion this past week at a Tom Ferry event that based upon a study by the California Association of Realtors
Consumers Want:
- A Better Understanding of Market and Mortgage Process
- Improved Negotiating Skills
- A Better Understanding of Short Sale/Distressed Properties
- Quicker Response Time
I would like to revise these responses based upon my own experience – 20 years in the biz:
Consumers Want: (in my opinion)
a) the lowest rate – regardless of where it’s coming from
b) the lowest price (upgrades and all)
c) a short sale to go through – at the expense of their soul
d) to be responded to N-O-W, by tweet, FB post, text, email or phone
It used to be clients fully relied upon us (agents) to find homes. As the internet became the primary source of data, that burden shifted to them, BUT- agents/brokers still remained involved. It empowered the buyer – but because the searches often lacked direction, some confusion was added to the process. Google maps and GPS’s only take you so far in a real estate deal. With short sale negotiations a mystery, timing a closing an impossibility, and reading a closing statement more confusing than intended, buyers are moving back to the need for representation all over again.
Buyer’s needs haven’t changed. Where they find information has – but when it comes to the process of turning interest into a reality – “The Song Remains the Same”.
My point? Clients still need to be coached on where and what they should buy, and their state of confusion continues to to grow from exhausting themselves in reviewing an excessive amount of inventory falling into several categories they’re unfamiliar with (foreclosures, short sales, resales). The need for agent representation has become stronger, although their willingness to commit has dwindled. (Why I ask? Is it the REALTOR’s fault for not stepping up to the plate with confidence/the right skills?)
Where do we (as agents) go from here? Do we further educate or just decide to interact when called upon? I believe there is a need to return to our original role of being the information source by building trust and educating consumers on “how to”. We can now choose our communication source – mobile phones, websites, social media – and we must consent to which medium suits them best.
In today’s market we are needed more than in the past. We are to be the tech experts using online signatures and we must never forget our original role of consulting and representing performed in traditional and non traditional ways.
We’re needed now more than ever in a market that continues to decline to levels that are unprecedented. (We perceive prices to be almost FREE). We’re having to coax them more and more and reason them into a purchase, in an era when buying a home may be one of the best investment decisions they make as we enter the next decade!
I’m empowered, ready, able and willing to get the job done for the chosen candidates I represent.
Day 2
31 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
If at first you don’t succeed, get up off your tush and go again. I woke up at 7:15 today after a 6:30 wake up call came at 6 and I fell asleep thinking I had another 30 minutes (boy do i love sleeping). One thing is certain, no one is responsible for what happens in your life, you are. Uh Oh, too bad for me. MOVING ON…
Started day at 10:30 in the office after 1.5 hours of cardio. Tony Robbins says that you have to start out a new discipline with a regimen that is not going to kill you, otherwise you’ll never be able to feel successful enough to master the discipline and begin to enjoy it (which ultimately helps you continue doing it.) I know this is true to the core when it comes to exercise. So…. I am going to continue today without setting my contact goals too high. I do believe I should be able to have at least 20 new conversations today and even though 40 seems to be a better number to me (that might lead me to a quicker outcome), I’m going to approach today as Tony’s advised using Tom’s numbers of working towards 80 to 1 to achieve a successful outcome.
In this process people’s lives DO MATTER and they must make their own decisions BUT I will positively influence every person I can to take action towards fulfilling their own dreams rather than “settling” and this will set a course that will help me achieve mine!
Okay, time to pick up the telephone! I made one call already on the way home.
Part two day one- Taking the good with the bad
31 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
in Real Estate Tidbits Tags: 365 days to freedom, Intero Austin, Lisa Marie Contaldi
I had 10 new discussions today (planned on a whole lot more). Throughout the day I navigated through an array of distractions, including a foreclosure that occurred on a short sale listing, a client that wanted to take their home off the market and a high end lease that took some energy but ultimately it was a good first day.
Had One appointment who is a personal friend and met a few of her friends and shared lots of laughs and really connected.
When I returned home I saw one of my request for friends on facebook replied to me as well.
I ended up with 13 total new conversations. 67 to go? Tomorrow is another day.
10:07 pm – I am going to get ready for bed, do 25 pushups, 100 situps. Then read till I fall asleep. Ready for a long workout in the morning! (In other words, I ate well)
Day 1 – Old Habits are Hard to Break
30 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Rise=7:30 am …Since That alarm did not go off because I woke up naturally at 7:30. I just moved forward boiled my tea, jumped in the car and off to the gym. Out by 9:30,
10 am In office – Started with my oversized sticky note – daily action plan for the week to organize my day.
10:16 am Quick affirmations…
I am going to have as many new conversations as possible today… The goal is over 40. Have already pulled a few leads from prior evening.
This morning I reflected upon who might possibly read this blog, then I came to the conclusion that you have to be willing to be 100% transparent to those you are blogging to. That means you just have to LET GO of the concerns that relate to being transparent and move forward…
Short Sale Leads
Intero Austin Site
Intero Real Estate Corporate Site
