RE/MAX real estate
Office Newsletter - Week of May 13th Edition
Hey Team
If April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, what happens when April Showers bring more May Showers - do we just skip the flowers or is this postponed until June? I read a quote the other day which said, "Welcome to the LV, where it's been raining since November of 2017!" Well, look at the bright side - it's not cold, just unseasonably cool.
Just curious, but is the wet weather keeping buyers away? Based on many of my conversations, I would have to say emphatically - NO! In fact, in many cases the term "multiple offers" seems to be the norm. Obviously, this is not the case for all price ranges, but hopefully you're experiencing a strong spring market and finding useful tactics to compete with other agents.
Remember, it's easy to forget the mundane day-day activities when you're actively pursuing the day's hunt. Just remember, the farmer who continues to cultivate his crops every day prior to making his "daily kill" will continue to thrive and flourish when the seasons turn cold.
Please take advantage of our amazing staff and host of services to ensure your personal and property campaigns are in place. If you need assistance, want advice or just ear to bend - please don't ever hesitate to ask.
Happy Spring and please try to find the "sun" in everything you do.
Yours truly,
Dave
Christopher Mesch
I would like to personally welcome Chris Mesch to our outstanding team.
Chris started his sales career 25 years ago, by combining his love of business and luxury cars as a salesperson at Daniels BMW. Fortunately, his love of homes far surpassed his passion for high end automobiles. Chris is intrigued by every aspect of the real estate industry, from sales, landscape architecture and interior design. In fact, Chris still fuels his interior design passion with his side staging company, called "Staged House of the Lehigh Valley."
Chris is an Allentown native. He grew up in Salisbury Township and owned homes ranging from Macungie to Cherryville. He currently resides on the West End of Allentown.
When not selling or staging real estate, Chris enjoys spending time with Shepard/Lab mix, Augie and his wonderful friends and family.
Chris is extremely excited to bring his passion for this business and get a fresh, new start with our team at RE/MAX real estate.
Tyler Suzdail
Welcome Tyler Suzadail to our amazing team.
Tyler began his professional career in the service industry, as a service manager with Firestone Auto Care and recently elected to join his Uncle Howard as the newest associate of Howard Schaeffer and Associates.
Originally from Coaldale, PA, Tyler is a graduate of Panther Valley H.S. (2013) and received a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from DeSales University in 2017.
Tyler is very excited to embark on his new career and hopes to utilize the skills from his experiences in customer service along with the knowledge of his mentor and Team Leader, to further advance his professional development.
Joshua Salamone
Congratulations Joshua and welcome to our incredible team.
Joshua became a licensed Realtor® in 2017 while attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He worked primarily in the metro Philadelphia area and attributes most of his success, on his ability to provide strategic marketing solutions and transaction management services to his loyal clients.
Joshua is a native resident to the Lehigh Valley for over 20 years and feels his knowledge of the local geography, dedicated clients and extended family, will be a tremendous advantage to leverage his residential and commercial real estate sales endeavors.
Josh is very excited to be back home near his family and continue building his successful real estate business with the assistance of our incredible staff and programs.
Discover The New MAX/Center
In this session we will cover the following tools:
*Updating Your Profile
*Learn how to use the new referral system
*Learn about Tech Tools
When: Thursday, May 16th, 11am-12pm
Time: 11am-12pm
Where: Allentown Office
Save The Date - RE/MAX Night at the Ballpark - Phillies Game!
We all put out an energy, or vibe. How to get it right?
Let's focus on the Ninja Morning Routine. Here is a quick review – there are five activities that make up the Morning Routine, which usually take about 35 minutes.
1. A focus on gratitude.
2. Reading something motivational or inspirational.
3. Writing your affirmation 25-30 times.
4. Review your Life List.
5. And write two personal notes.
There are a couple of good justifications for starting your day with the Morning Routine.
One is the idea of starting the day by being on-purpose, not on-accident.
Thought of the week: You put out and energy, a vibe, into your world, every waking moment.
Open House Host?
The meeting will be held in the Community Services Center Building. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon buffet will be served until the meeting starts at 12:30 p.m.
In addition to an Association update, the guest speaker will be Christopher Ulrich, who is known as “The Body Language Expert.” Ulrich previously presented at a GLVR meeting and was met with praise. His interactive presentation is titled “You Say More Than You Think.”
Several REALTOR® Emeritus recipients will be recognized, including Monna Lou Henninger of Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate, Peter Ramos Sr. of Century 21 Ramos Realty, and Marty Hacker of RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate.
A REALTOR® Emeritus is someone who has held membership in the National Association as a REALTOR®, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, or a combination of both, for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more Associations of REALTORS®.
Registration is required. There is a $25.00 fee if you register for but do not attend or if you do not cancel your registration within 24 hours of the event.
Description: The man has gone by the names Jeff Kaplan, Jeff Goldberg and, most recently, David Kaplan. The man has been described as being in his 60s. He has gray hair, a thin build, wears glasses, and dresses in popular name brands. The man, who has a pleasant demeanor, claims to be on the phone with his wife, who was not able to attend an open house. He always provides fictitious contact information and never follows up.
Back in 2017 and now, the man claims to be looking for his daughter or daughters who work in the medical field. Most recently, he said they worked for St. Luke’s University Health Network.
This individual may be attending open houses with the sole purpose of stealing prescription medications. Please read over this article from the 2017 encounter that details how to secure prescription drugs during open houses and showings.
The revised rules and regulations are available here. They can also be found on the MLS homepage and on the Member Portal under the About menu item and under the MLS menu item. If you have a version of the rules and regulations that doesn't have "NAR Review and Approval – May 7, 2019" on the cover, it should be discarded immediatly.
The following sections have been updated:
Section 1.12 – Initiation Fees – Section (b)
Section 3.1 – General Listing Procedures
Section 4.5 – Rights of Cooperating Broker in Presentation Offer
Section 10.1 – Ownership of Submitted Property Listing Content
Section 10.2 – Complaints of Unauthorized Use of Listing Content
Section 12 – IDX Defined
Section 12.1 – Authorization
Section 12.2 – Participation (Section 12.2.3 and 12.2.4)
Section 12.3 – Display (Section 12.3.2)
Section 13 – Fines for Violations of MLS Rules and Regulations
Section 13.1 - Enforcement and Appeal Process of Violations
Section 14.23 – Orientation
Section 15 – Virtual Office Website (VOW) (Section 15.1 (h))
Important Update on Redfin Program
4 Steps to Becoming a Better Listener
We’ve all fallen victim to it at one time or another. You’re in the middle of a conversation with someone—maybe even a client—and you become distracted. As a real estate professional, practicing active listening and communicating your comprehension to the other person you’re talking to will only serve to enhance the relationships you have with colleagues and clients.
Sometimes, however, it’s easier said than done. Here are four helpful steps you can take to become a better listener and, in turn, provide better overall customer service:
Maintain consistent eye contact.
Body language is hugely important in showing another person that you’re interested in what they’re saying. Of course, you don’t want to stare unblinkingly at the other person, but keeping a consistent gaze will communicate to the other person that you’re listening and not focused on other things around you.
Nod when appropriate.
Another helpful body language trick you can use when having a conversation is nodding. Often, you’ll smile and nod in conversation without even realizing it, but try to be mindful that you’re doing both. Nodding occasionally while talking to someone will show them that you’re not only listening, but that you’re agreeable and want to hear more.
Avoid closed questions.
Asking a closed question often prompts a yes or no response. By asking more open questions, you’ll likely receive longer and more thoughtful responses. This will show the other person that you have time for them and that you’re interested in understanding how they formed a certain opinion.
Remember details.
One of the best ways to become a better listener is to focus on and remember certain details. Nothing shows someone that you’re paying attention better than bringing up a point that one of you made earlier in the conversation—or better yet, from a previous conversation. Doing this while in conversation with a client will make them feel incredibly valued.
Agents, what are some tricks you use to be a better listener?
10 More Questions to Start Your Week
Here is a list of 10 questions you can use to setup an effective sales week.
- Which of your dream clients are you going to pursue for a meeting this week, and what value are you going to trade for their time that increases the likelihood of a getting a “yes” to your request?
- With which of your prospective clients do you need to follow up on a past meeting or conversation where there was no real next step established?
- Of your existing clients, who do you need to meet with to begin a conversation about your new ideas about how to create even greater value for them in the future? What is the next initiative you have on their roadmap?
- Who have you been neglecting? Who do you need to call to let them know you care about them and their business and that you are thinking about them?
- What are you going to read this week that will improve your ability to create value for your clients, provide you some new insight, or provide you with something you can share with them?
- What proactive planning and preparation work do you need to do to narrow your focus and complete the highest value activities, the tasks and projects that will move the needle for you?
- Who do you owe a note of gratitude? Who do you need to thank for giving you their business, helping you with a challenge, or providing you with the advice you needed to get unstuck?
- If you look back over your calendar, looking at all your meetings, who (or what) fell off your radar that you should reengage with now? What does it make sense to revisit now?
- How are you tracking towards your goals? Where are you at this point of the year? What needs to change for you to reach your goal, if anything? If you are ahead of schedule, what are you capable of where you are now?
- What’s broken? What isn’t working and needs a major adjustment or overhaul? Who can help you change your strategy, your tactics, or help you level up your skills?
Use this list over the course of this week to improve your game and drive your results.
Energy Tip Of The Week
Did you know? Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
Zoe Lycett
Mover Concierge
NRG Northeast Retail
3120 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown, PA 18104
Email: Zoe.Lycett@nrg.com
Office: 267-295-5851
Mobile: 484-941-2161
We Have You Covered!
Home sellers who purchase an America's Preferred Home Warranty for a property they sell through you may become eligible for our ListSecure® program.
If their warranty is still active at closing:
- They are provided two years of additional legal protection
- They may receive up to $1000 to cover their attorney fees from a post-sale dispute
Home sellers who purchase an America's Preferred Home Warranty for a property they sell through you may become eligible for our ListSecure® program.
If their warranty is still active at closing:
- They are provided two years of additional legal protection
- They may receive up to $1000 to cover their attorney fees from a post-sale dispute
My Home by ShowingTime
Nothing changes for agents. You may continue communicating with your sellers, have them confirm appointments and receive published feedback the same way they know and love.
Highlights
Sellers will now be able to:
Questions
1. Will sellers need to download anything to see the updates?
No, no additional download is required. Once the update goes live, all the screens sellers see on their desktop, phone and tablet will be automatically updated to reflect the improvements.
Sellers can continue to use the current ShowingTime app. However, an improved seller’s app, My Home by ShowingTime, will soon be available in the App Store and on Google Play.
Again, nothing changes for agents; you will continue to use the current ShowingTime mobile app.
2. Is there any material agents can preview and/or share with their sellers?
Yes, here is a seller’s quick start guide: New Seller's Experience Guide
Additionally, sellers can familiarize themselves with the improvements here: See what's changed.
May Content Topics
Coming up with ideas for fresh content can be tough, so we’ve pulled together some topics we think your audience will enjoy.
Holidays and Occasions
Cinco de Mayo - May 5th
- History of Cinco de Mayo
- Local events/specials
- Party planning tips
Mother’s Day - May 12th
- Raise money for a family in need
- Offer free Mother’s Day portraits at your office/listing
- Post a photo of you and your mom
Memorial Day - May 27th
- History of Memorial Day
- Information about care-package programs for troops
- Go live to host a Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m.
Summer Vacation
- Local swimming holes
- Summer staycation ideas
- Volunteer opportunities around town for kids/teens
General Ideas
- Plants that repel mosquitos
- Pet friendly businesses
- Garden shows/where to see flowers
- Adopt a highway - share the news
- Spring cleaning checklist
- DIY living wreath
- Host a landscaping seminar
- What’s new in your city
- Highlight a historic building/location
Real Estate
- Different house types
- Stages of the home-buying process
- Knowing when to downsize
- Things to look for during a walkthrough
- How to qualify for a VA loan
- Encourage subscription to your newsletter
- Interview a builder about benefits of new construction homes
Tips:
Engaging with your followers’ posts on social media is a good way to stay top of mind.
Julie Rich
Barb Harries
Howard Schaeffer
Jamie Bowman
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 2
Years in Real Estate: 13
Roz Day
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 22
Years in Real Estate: 35
Vanessa Rivera
5/1/2019
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 2
Mike Hummel
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 25
Years in Real Estate: 34
Charlett Kohler
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 28
Years in Real Estate: 32
Laura Gibki
Years with RE/MAX real estate: 5
Years in Real Estate: 17
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