RE/MAX real estate
Office Newsletter - Week of December 9th Edition
We've started an office Facebook Group to make it easier to connect with each other in a private environment.
Have you got a client with items for sale? Post them here!
Are you looking for a particular type of property? Let us know what you're in search of!
Need an item you can't seem to find anywhere else, or are hoping someone else is trying to get rid of for a low, low price? Drop it in!
Want to see our Open Houses? New Listings? Recent Sales? We hope to see you soon!
December
Tech Office One-On-One Hour Training
Calendar Now Available!
November SmartCharts Are Now Available!
Example of Subdivision
These reports can be based on cities, counties, zip codes, and certain subdivision
Annual Appreciation
GLVR MLS Receives Version 8.3.14 Upgrade
- “Edit” Option Added to Full Display
- New Tab Display
- Reorder Search Results Using Drag and Drop
- Results display listings in same sequence as MLS numbers entered in Speed Bar
- Print Listing Notes
- Create Multiple Personal and Contact Carts
- Criteria tab is now enabled after using the Refine > Narrow tool
- Client Portal will remember the users last selected view mode
- News Widget Enhancements
- Driving Directions are now available in My Listings and Concierge Approval Screen
Video: Know Your Role in Fair Housing
- Emotional support animals and the Fair House Act in housing
- Familial status discrimination
- Sexual harassment and unlawful retaliation against those making complaints
- How to avoid steering claims in the age of big data
- HUD’s criminal background guidance and disparate impact analysis
- The requirements for NAR’s Code of Ethics prohibiting discrimination against protected classes
The video highlights these scenarios and provides risk management tips to real estate professionals on how to meet their obligations under the Fair Housing Act.
Ninja Business Planning Week 3
Let's start our Review of what we have done. Here are documents that you will use.
There are two Business Review forms. One is very very thorough and the other is a more simplified version. You can download both and choose which best suits you.
Thorough Business Review
Simple Business Review
The second form we use is the PRE BUSINESS PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE. Go ahead and download that one now.
Thought of the week:
You are creating the steps for a great 2020 right now!
Do You Really Want More Sales?
Remember that business goal you set at the beginning of the year? You know, the one where you enthusiastically declared how this year would be the banner year? The one where you were finally focused on racking up more sales for more income? Your plan may have included commitments to doing a better job of connecting with more people to convert more prospects into profits.
As we enter the final quarter of the year, it’s often inevitable that your focus and commitment get lost in all of the everyday distractions that riddle the job of making sales.
So…
- Are you at least halfway to your sales goals?
- Have you stuck to your commitment to contact more people daily?
- Has the consistency of your prospecting converted to more sales?
- If you’re not where you expected to be, now is the time to monitor, readjust and refocus on your plan.
Successful professionals are willing to invest in proven routines that, when done with purpose and consistency, yield more sales, more income and, ultimately, the success you seek. When you’re highly connected to your why for what you’re looking to accomplish, the habits and actions necessary to get there become a “want to” instead of a “have to.”
Here are a few tips to help you reignite, revitalize and refocus in order to get to the profit zone:
1. Talk to more people…every day. This isn’t about cold calling people and asking them if they plan on moving anytime soon. No one wants to be solicited for “leads” to help you make your sales quota this month. Your purpose is to provide value to your sphere of influence, your database of past clients, prospects and farm area. Instead of asking, think about sharing relevant information or data of interest that can save them time and money. Everyone wants to be “in the know,” which means they’re always curious about upcoming trends as they apply specifically to them—their home, their investment, their well-being. When you shift your message from a high level to a hyper-local level, the interest level and engagement increases.
2. Make it personal. Let them experience you as their “celebrity authority.” Use video email or video on social media to share short bits of information that are interesting or pertinent to your target market. Shoot your video on-site instead of at a desk in order to show that you’re actually visible in the areas where you’re offering information or points of interest.
3. Don’t overcomplicate the process. Sales is about talking to more people more consistently. Lead generation platforms help you identify prospects who have shown interest in buying or selling, but those leads may be months or years to the point of conversion. Take advantage of the people that already know, like and trust you. Plan three ways to touch them during the year:
- One face-to-face meeting
- One meaningful touch (personal birthday message, congratulations on new job, happy anniversary, etc.)
- One letter of value
Nothing changes until you change. Stop burying yourself in the “busy” of your work, and start focusing on the dollar-productive routines that will get you to where you want to be by the holidays. They’re just around the corner, and the time to start is now.
The Kingdom of Service
“Not what I have, but what I do, is my kingdom.”
Thomas Carlyle,
(December 4, 1795 - February 5, 1881) Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher.
Building a career in real estate is less about the tools or inventory at your disposal than what you do with them. This basic truism is so banal it's almost not worth mentioning, except that people seem to overlook it year after year. You might work with a great office, have the latest lead capture and smartphone technology at your fingertips, and have a stellar inventory at your disposal, but if you don't take your commitment to service to your highest possible level, you'll consistently fall short of your goals.
How you serve is far more valuable than what you sell. With this in mind, I thought it might help everyone if we take a look at three of the key tenets of service:
1. Speedy Response: Being first goes a long way to making an impression. When leads come to you through email, Twitter, Facebook, or voice mail, how fast are you with your response? If you receive a message on Saturday morning, do you wait until Monday to follow-up, or do you fire off a quick response (or make a call) Saturday afternoon? Calling on a Monday is run-of-the mill. Calling on a Saturday afternoon is good. But calling twenty minutes after the message on Saturday morning? That's exceptional. Get that human interaction started as soon as possible. Let them know there's someone on the other end.
2. Education through Information: Sometimes clients want basic information, and sometimes they're asking for information because they're trying to figure out the answer to a question they haven't asked you yet. Knowing the difference is important. Always provide the information a client requests, but follow-up with a question of your own to the client: Is there a question I can help you answer in regard to [THE INFORMATION THEY REQUESTED]? Occasionally you have to help clients verbalize the question that's on their mind. When you can helpfully educate (versus hard sell) a client, you're building value in the relationship.
3. The Double Es, Enthusiasm & Empathy: Here's the rule: Want it as bad as your client wants it, and suffer when your client suffers. It's inevitable that over time you might forget the high emotional stakes in a real estate transaction, but if you do, your client will feel it. In no way should you allow emotional highs and lows on your client's behalf cloud your professional judgment, but if you treat your client's transaction with the attitude of a jaded agent, you're falling down on service.
Mind well how you do what you do, and you will gradually build a kingdom based on superior service.
Energy Efficiency Tips from Carson Wentz
Eagles Quarterback Carson Wentz shared some of his favorite energy tips with us. These tips are easy to follow and can save you on your energy usage. Most importantly they are Carson approved.
Business Development Manager
NRG NE Realtor Channel
Office: 267-295-5836
https://www.nrghomepower.com/energy-choice/energy-solutions/concierge/
Publish your Website
2D, 3D, Panoramic, oh my! What's the difference, really?
Understand the real meaning of each kind of real estate marketing media with this quick glossary
Real estate is a visual industry. Words and descriptions play their role, but imagery is the first and foremost tool of any real estate professional.
That’s why it’s important to be fluent in the language of visual marketing. Not all visuals are created equal, and not all visuals are used in the same fashion. Here’s a primer of the imaging tools at your disposal, why to use each one, and how to make them work best for you.
2D imagery – 2D is more commonly known as traditional still photography. 2D is an effective and necessary component in displaying any property. However, they lack context. Often shot with a DSLR or even a smartphone, the use of 2D imagery alone will often present a static perception that’s distorted from reality, making what’s in-view appear better or worse than what’s seen in-person.
When used most effectively, 2D imagery offers a high-quality and easily shareable view. With a well-arranged collection of photos, many of the highlights of a property can be seen but only from a single vantage point. What can result from this lack of transparency is an unreliable gauge of interest for the property.
360 panoramic – These are similar to static 2D photography, but with a twist. This next step in interactive and immersive visuals allows you to feature different rooms and highlights of a property but giving the viewer the ability to “pan” around from that single vantage point.
The use of 360 panoramic images injects an extra layer of spatial context when they’re included. The rotation gives insight into how a room or feature is connected to the rest of the property. Still, this view is limited in that the user-specific areas of interest can’t be investigated more closely and often times come at the expense of higher resolution imagery.
True 3D virtual tour – The understanding of 3D virtual tours differs greatly from one person to another. Is it a fancy slideshow that goes from room to room? Is it a video that guides you through a property? Is it 360 views stitched together, jumping from location to location?
Ultimately the underlying common denominator is a more immersive and self-navigated experience for the end-user. However, the capabilities, value, and experience can vary just as greatly as people’s understanding of its definition.
A true 3D virtual tour experience involves depth and the data collected in the process of reality capture. The result is a ‘digital twin‘ of a property that can be accessed by anyone, from anywhere, on any device.
It’s important to note that not all 3D virtual tour experiences are created equal. The fluid navigation, resolution, and access to information are all key differentiators. Ask yourself, is the movement natural? Is the image clear? Can I embed other forms of media? Is it easily shared and posted wherever I choose?
Video – Video is everywhere and is among the most engaging assets that are available today. Simple to use and visually appealing, a well-done video can give a quick and impressive look at a property and all its features.
Similar to 2D photos though, the set nature of video doesn’t allow for immersive client experience and can also leave one wondering if the production quality over accentuates their interest in it.
Video is a great way to attract eyes and get clients in the door. There are also options that bridge the static images of a 2D photo and the motion of a video, like a GIF format. Technically a number of photos set in motion, this is another highly-sharable, highly-engaging asset best suited for social media and other marketing purposes.
Matterport 3D™ is an all-in-one, one-of-a-kind platform that offers all these options (including schematic floorplans, measurements, and Mattertags) for uniquely valuable client experience and agent assets.
It’s simple to use and can create valuable efficiencies from your listing presentation to the closing process, including eliminating time from multiple shoots and post-production. You can order Matterport through our Marketing Form.
Top Ways to Earn Referrals This Holiday Season
The holiday season is the perfect time of the year to check in with your clients. Without regular touches like the ones listed below, former clients can easily forget that you’re still an active agent in their area and may not refer you to their friends and family.
Here are some of the top ways to check in with your former and current clients alike as the holidays roll around:
Give away branded goodies. Whether you’re mailing them out or dropping them on your clients’ front steps, be sure that all the gifts you give out this winter are useful and include some sort of branding on them. This is a much more thoughtful gesture than the typical card or email blast that many agents send out.
Have a holiday contest. Creating a sweepstakes for your clients online is an excellent way to get them to engage with you and your brand while keeping it fun. Be sure to check in with your broker about any restrictions when it comes to wording or the actual gift your giving away. However, a “Guess the number of candy canes in the jar” contest on Facebook is on-theme and easy for your clients to participate in.
Throw a party. The most work, but undoubtedly the most memorable way to interact with your current and former clients this holiday season. Show them how appreciative you are with an ugly sweater party. Many agents who choose to go this route will utilize space in their office to have the event. An added benefit? Many of your former clients will tell your current clients about the great experience they had buying a home with you.
Agents, what are some other ways you’re driving referrals this holiday season?
Kelly Kozyraki
Bob Stoker
Toni Dimola
Donna Freda-Hertzog
December 13
Pam Landis
December 17
Sharon Becks
Chris Miller
12/1/2019
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 22
Kathy Parcel
12/1/2019
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 26
Years in Real Estate: 32
Amy Luizza
12/5/2019
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 6
Michael Bernadyn
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 5
Years in Real Estate: 6
Ginny Wolkoff
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 2
Years in Real Estate: 13
Denise Rich
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 7
Years in Real Estate: 16
Julie Rich
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 7
Years in Real Estate: 9
Karen Basak-Carey
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 17
Years in Real Estate: 33
Valerie Lamonica-Reitz
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 1
Years in Real Estate: 20
RE/MAX real estate
Let us know about your open house TODAY!
Email: joel@LehighValleyHomes.com
Website: www.LehighValleyHome.com
Location: 3120 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA, United States
Phone: 610-770-9000
Facebook: Facebook.com/LehighValleyHome
Twitter: @jdiaz01