Do you find yourself focusing mainly on the problems facing you in business, life and leadership positions?  Are you constantly "putting out fires"? It's time to start focusing your time, energy and thoughts on the solution instead of the problem.

Say Yes instead of No

Use these problems as a way to offer different opinions and solutions, instead of looking at them as a blockade to your goals.  Avoid saying "No" and say "Yes" instead!

"Much of the difficulty in getting to "yes" is our mindset." says Chris Nichols on the Top 5 Real Estate Network.  He offers a few interesting thoughts from explorer Lewis Pugh who swam in the most extreme conditions at the North Pole and at the base of Mount Everest. "First, (says Pugh) there is nothing more powerful than the made up mind. Second, just because something worked in the past doesn't mean it will work in the future. And finally, what type of mindset do I need to have to complete a task?"

"The real estate market is ripe with opportunities disguised as problems." says Nichols. To be successful in real estate, you must find the solutions and not focus on the problems.

Read the full article at Top 5 Real Estate Network.

Posted in Traditional Marketing

Less clutter, less stress, less work.  "The less I have, the more convinced I become that less is better." writes real estate broker, Teresa Boardman on Inman News.

Our homes and offices are filled with stuff we no longer use, have outgrown or possibly never used but couldn't part with- i.e.: that lovely hot pink vase your Aunt Mary gave you for your birthday.

Well now you can join a group of people who have pledged to "Get Rid of Clutter" this year.  Connecticut real estate broker, Linda Davis started a group on Facebook for people who want to de-clutter. As a Realtor, Linda sees the pressure of dealing with all that clutter when you move.  So she decided to start this group as a way for people to connect and encourage each other to de-clutter their lives.

"I have watched my clients struggle with excess stuff when it's time to move," writes Boardman, and it isn't a pretty picture. They put it in boxes and haul it with them to a bigger house which they now need because they have so much stuff."

Clutter is a huge obstacle when selling your home.  Seniors, especially, are often reluctant to part with belongings they have had for 30 years or more and resent the disruption to their lives.     

One thing at a time, is how Davis suggests you do it.  She takes pictures each day of something she has gotten rid of and challenges her "friends" to do the same.

De-clutter your office too.  

"Nothing creates clutter like a real estate office in the home." says Boardman.   "I found boxes full of stuff that I'll never use again."    

Be Responsible with your Old Equipment

New technology has left us with piles of old equipment that needs to be recycled properly.  Sometimes, there are places that can re-use old office equipment and computers, but if not, make sure you contact a reputable recycling center.

Having Less is More Efficient

The less clutter you have to work around, means you will be better organized.  

"Having empty drawers in my office is very cool." writes Boardman.   "Being able to put everything away means that there are no more stacks on the floor. I have room in my file cabinets and even on my desk and no plans to fill the space with new stuff." 

This is a great time to start working on the clutter in our lives, at home and at the office. "Spend 2013 dealing with one item at a time until you have an empty drawer or two of your own." suggests Boardman.  "It is very rewarding and maybe even life changing."

Read the full story at Inman News

  photo credit: ☺ Lee J Haywood

Posted in Traditional Marketing

Real estate is notoriously slow during the holiday season.  Here are some tips to network and pick up new business during the Holidays. 

Be Prepared

Inventory is very low right now because a lot of sellers have taken their home off the market or are waiting until after the first of the year to put it on the market.  "I think January 2013 is going to be a busy one." says Theresa Boardman for Inman News. "Unless, of course, we fall off the fiscal cliff and go into yet another recession."  Take advantage of the slow season to market yourself. 

Boardman offers a list of what you can do to prepare for new business in the New Year.

Network:  Go to all those holiday events and meet people.  This is a great time to catch up with past clients, friends, neighbors, vendors and even competitors.

Revisit this year's goals:  How did it go?  Assess what worked and what didn't work and then start working on next year with measurable goals, tasks and a budget.

Blog About It!  Your customers do a lot of online research before they contact you-especially in the winter months when it's cold.  Start blogging about informative topics that captures their attention... such as, "Tips to Sell Your Home", "How to Price Your Home", "What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent", etc.  

Take pictures of local sites in the area.  These will look great on your website and can be a blog post, as well. (Read:Do You Have a Content Strategy?)

Read About It!  There are great business books on the market with fresh new ideas.

Reach Out:  Make it your goal to make 5 phone calls each work day in December to wish past clients and friends Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Update:  Now is a great time to upgrade your office equipment to take advantage of holiday sales and get an end of year tax deduction.

Streamline Your Online Identity:  "Use any spare time to tweak online profiles, websites and blogs and get rid of accounts that are not being used." suggests Boardman.   

Take Time for Yourself:  Get a little exercise every day, even if it's just going outside for a walk.  It's a great way to clear the mind and relieve stress, says Boardman.

Her last piece of advice is that even though business is slow, don't let it slow you down. Use these great tips to start strong in the New Year.

Read the full story at Inman News.

photo credit: eveos

Posted in Traditional Marketing, Blogging, Real Estate Market Conditions

An Open House is a lot of work for both the seller and the REALTOR®.  Sometimes do you wonder if all the fuss is worth it?  According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 45 percent of all buyers used Open Houses as a source in their home search; proving that an Open House is a valuable tool in the home selling process.

Though the exposure for the home is great, it exposes you, the agent, to potential risks.  The NAR offers these tips to make your next Open House a safe one for all involved.

1.    Work with a partner if possible.  Try never to be alone.

2.    Make sure your office and family know where you are and call in often to let them know everything is alright.

3.    Make sure your cell phone works at the home and preprogram emergency numbers on speed dial.

4.    Have a sign-in book.  Ask for full name, address, phone number and email.

5.    When showing the house, walk behind the prospect and avoid getting trapped in small rooms. Direct them, don't lead them. Stay between the prospect and the exit.

6.    Inform a neighbor, next to the home that you will be having an Open House, a kind courtesy for them to let them know of increased traffic, but also ask them to keep an extra eye out for anything unusual.

7.    Be familiar with the floor plan of the house, including other exits and escape plans. Check all rooms to make sure everything is as it should be.

8.    Don't assume that everyone has left at the end of the Open House.  Check all the rooms and the backyard prior to locking up the house.

9.    Be prepared to defend yourself if necessary.

A real estate professional faces many risky situations every day; Open Houses are just one of the potential risks of the job.  The NAR offers a free safety webinar to help you stay safe on the job: Every Agent's Five-Step Plan for Open Houses.

Read more about Open Houses and Safety at NAR

Posted in Traditional Marketing, Real Estate Industry Trends

With the nice weather around the country, it seems everyone is getting outside and doing a little spring cleaning in their yards and around their homes.

Don't stop there!  Take the spring cleaning bug to your office and get ready for the busy selling season. "As you head into the busy time of year, you don't need clutter or distraction getting in your way." says Sean Carpenter on Inman next.

Here are a few things to take care of when you spring clean your office:

1.       Clear away all the old flyers from builders, old listings and piles of newspapers.  "If in the process of cleaning, you discover a stack of old multiple listing service books beneath the rubble, seek immediate assistance and professional help!" quips Carpenter.

2.       Clean out your database.  Much as the gardener clears away old, dead debris to make way for new growth, it's time to think quality over quantity when it comes to your database.  "If you have 300 names in your list, yet only 200 of them are people who would truly do business with you or refer you to someone they know," says Carpenter, it's time to purge.

To be effective in your marketing, you need to have a clean database to make sure the money you are spending goes to the right customer base.

3.       Get Organized:  Taxes are (or should be) done, so put away all documentation for 2011.

"And didn't you say to yourself last year, "Next year, I'm going to get my stuff in order a lot earlier"?" asks Carpenter.  Now is the time to implement a new system for tracking your expenses and budgeting better so you have money for your taxes and marketing expenses.

4.       Hire a Professional:  "You always suggest that for-sale-by-owner sellers use a professional to market and sell their home, so wouldn't it make sense that you use a professional, too?" says Carpenter. Make sure you are on track for next year's taxes by hiring an accountant.

Read the full story at Inman Next.

photo credit: ernestkoe

Posted in Internet Marketing, Traditional Marketing