Today’s market is definitely different from the market place of even two years ago… vastly different!  Even though interest rates are low, there is a greater selection of inventory on the market, and property prices are way down, buyers are still hesitant to purchase.  The prudent real estate agent realizes that today’s market calls for a different level of service and for a shift in marketing to achieve effectiveness.

People watching is not only fun, it can be very educational as well!  Because of my speaking/training business, I have the wonderful opportunity to travel to many different places, and observe people of every age from various backgrounds and cultures.  I watch and learn new things, gain new perspectives and oftentimes, I gain a deeper appreciation because of a new understanding. 

I enjoy these experiences and have found that I can learn a lot of new things right here in the good, old U.S.A.  It is of great interest to me to observe how something as simple as living in a certain area code of the U.S. effects communications with people from certain other area codes in the country. 

This morning, while enjoying the rare pleasure of actually sitting
to drink a cup of coffee and watching Good Morning America, I happened
to catch an interview with Stephen Dubner, one of the authors of the
well-known book, "Freakonomics". In the interview, he offered the
"Freakonomics" perspective on real estate, which I found to be very
interesting and thought provoking. In my opinion, there was some advice
that is perhaps worthy of consideration, however, most of the advice
and information missed the mark. (You can see the interview for
yourself by clicking on the following link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3458730).

Sitting
in today …

In today’s changing world of real estate, with a shifting market and a record number of real estate licensees, how do you compete”?? More than that, how do you compete and win?

I believe the answer lies in the ability to have "the edge" over others in the marketplace.”? So, how do you go about getting, having, and maintaining "the edge"”?? It takes knowledge, skill, and the willingness to do those extra things that make the difference.

In this series, we will discuss how-tos for getting the edge in several aspects of the real estate practitioner’s business.”? First, let’s consider an opportunity for getting "the edge" when it comes to acquiring property listings.

How do you keep up with all that paperwork”?? Do you find yourself carrying files back and forth from the office to the car to your house”?? And, how do you keep up with all the”?records and”?documentation needed to cover your assets”?? Oh, the challenging world of real estate!”?

When I began my real estate career approximately 18 years ago, I happened to be one of the lucky new agents who had an excellent in-office trainer/coach.”? She focused on topics as we came to them in our real-world practice such as agency, disclosure, representation requirements, contracts, negotiation, integrity, professionalism, and ethics.

I was taught that when a listing agent receives an offer, the terms and conditions of the offer are kept confidential.”? Those terms and conditions are not divulged to other agents within the office, other agents outside of the office, to other buyers - the terms and conditions are not divulged to anyone other than the owner of the property, the person the listing agent represents.”? If a listing agent “shops the offer”, it is considered unethical behavior.”? Do you agree?

And, who hasn’t been the victim of an unethical listing agent who has shared the details of the offer, perhaps”?with the listing agent’s own buyer, or to another agent with interested buyers within the listing agent’s office”?? Despicable behavior!”? Right”?? Isn’t this the way you were trained”?? As a general rule, I believe this is the thinking, the belief system, of the majority of agents practicing today.

Recently I received an e-mail that included suggestions for living life (author unknown).”? The e-mail made me think about attitudes and people skills”?that increase productivity.”? I have come up with a beginning list of ten things.”? I invite you to reply to this blog and add your suggestions”?to this list.”?

Powerful Success Habits!’Read on to discover habits you can”?develop and incorporate in your life to make a difference in your level of success.”?

There are many other powerful habits that can be developed to help us achieve success as we have defined it. These success habits apply, and are basically the same, whether we are talking about personal success or success in leadership. Attitude, people, relationships, action, success ‘ they are all intertwined. Let’s examine a few additional success habits:

I believe that discouragement is one of the devil’s greatest tools. Think about that. What happens when you are discouraged? You give up! You say, “Oh, what’s the use…” Your thinking becomes negative and unproductive. You no longer believe in yourself. Your “stinking thinking” limits your ability. Discouragement builds and paralyzes from the brain to every part of you.

Success Habit #2: Fight Discouragement!