As part of the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report we also every year include a look back at the year that just passed and list the Top 10 Newsmakers, Top 10 Events and Top 10 Trendsetters for 2008. 
 
This week I am discussing the Trendsetters. Trendsetters are defined as those companies that during 2008 set forth actions that were different and memorable and could potentially have a far reaching impact on the real estate industry in the years to come.
 
The Top 10 Trendsetters in Real Estate for 2008 are:
 
1. Brookfield …

First off, Happy New Year to all the subscribers, readers and contributors to this blog.  I have heard, and experienced personally, that this blog has great impact on many, many businesses and lives.  I applaud our writers and my friends for bringing the most amazing information to the community in such a great format…. Thank you Real Blogging.  BTW, you MUST purchase Stefan’s 2009 Trends Report!!!!
Now for the backbone of my blog. This one is very personal in nature… If you have followed me in the past… If you can handle some personal …

The most important day you can spend this year is the day you spend reviewing the year.  Too often we forget to review our past experiences.  To be truly successful, we have to invest what we have learned into our future.  By making this wise investment we increase the speed that we travel to achieve greater success.
 
My friend, Jim Rohn, says you are either going to lead a life that is an example or a life that says warning.  The difference between those two diametrically opposed lives is the time …

Pricing recommendations hit troubled waters at two predictable times. One is when clients have unreasonable price expectations that need to be brought into line before the home can be sold. The other is when an agent gets ready to list a property that owners want to sell at an inflated, unrealistic price.
 
Both circumstances require caution. The following presents advice to follow as you troubleshoot your way through to a successful pricing decision.
 
When clients have their minds set on a price that is out of line, follow this process to bring …

As we plan our 2009 real estate adventure, our company leadership is working with our agents in groups and one-on-ones to build  solid executable business plans with activities that drive business online and create a referral business to sustain their future. We chose to make this a very focused effort with multiple levels of accountability which will span throughout 2009.  I keep repeating this:  “There will be a certain number of properties sold in 2009, the number will be whatever the number is.  Your job is to capture the highest percentage of …

As part of the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report that is published every year during the first week of February, the research team wraps their four month study of the real estate industry by announcing the top 10 Newsmakers, Events and Trendsetters for the year.
The second list to be released is the top 10 events that during 2008 had the largest impact and influence on the real estate brokerage industry. Events are defined as those occurrences that transpired during the previous calendar year (2008) that made headlines and captured the …

The chronicles of Kellie Pillors….
I have a young agent who is so tenacious she refuses to see any discord in this market.  Instead, she chooses to see the opportunity of a lifetime.   Why?  Because she is doing the right prospecting to make her phone ring and her closing count is rising.  I met Kellie when she was a succesful rookie at one of my client’s offices in Southern California.  I knew the minute I met her she was a very talented agent and prospector.  It was my great fortune, when she …

Do you have the desire to receive recognition from your peers; to be recognized as one of the top Agents in the country?  If you do, you need to start by taking dead aim daily.  It is the disciplines we do each day that mean the difference between being on top or being part of the crowd.   
Start each day focused on the success of your business.  You want to begin each day by reviewing your business plan.  Focus in on the activities that will lead you to the successful result …

There are three main reasons most people don’t refer to an agent (or any sales person) they used in the past to represent them in future transactions. The agent didn’t do a good job, the agent didn’t stay in contact or the home buyer or seller knows WAY too much about the agent’s personal life.  One of the biggest mistakes an agent can make when cultivating a relationship with a client or potential client is to share their dirty laundry and present themselves in a less than professional manner.  By the way, you …

I know most of you real estate agents and brokers are all over this but you may want to get this information out to your contact database and geographic farm.  I was recently asked by a couple agents if the relief covers years other than 2007, so I know that some of you may not be aware that this tax relief option is available for 2008 and 2009.
There are homeowners out there who should understand this relief plan and what they need to do to implement and take advantage of …