“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.”
Robert Frost
The secret to success in real estate - and in life - is much closer than many of us realize: it is right inside our head.
During my years of helping Real Estate Teams thrive, I have found three distinctions that separate the successful from those who constantly yearn. It is based on attitude. And the good news is, by shifting your mindset, you can see dramatic results.
Filed under: Tip Of The Week — Corcoran Consulting & Coaching @ 8:08 am
How Agents Can Capture a Piece of the Second-Home Market
Yes indeed, there is a delectable and juicy sweet spot in the real estate market today and it is growing sweeter every day… the second-home market. If this next statistic doesn’t cause your mouth to water, you’ll want to pursue another profession, nearly 40 percent of total home sales last year came from Americans buying second homes. Yes, 40 percent and yes, second homes. That’s a record!
What is the really good news? I believe this is just the start of a long, tempting and tasty buffet table. Why? The buyers are baby boomers (those between the ages of 42 to 60) who are at the peak of their earning potential. That means this is the first of several scrumptious courses being served directly to you - the broker and agent.
Who can blame these boomers? They’ve learned that their first home, and all its equity, yielded some serious wealth. So they figure, why not go back to the well?
The obvious question is - How can you earn a spot in the buffet line? Here are four tips to get you that spot:
For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Home Sweet (Second) Home” for you to review.
Commitment for the Week:
Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!
Make A Commitment : I will get familiar with my market’s needs!
Deadline: _________
Filed under: Tip Of The Week — Corcoran Consulting & Coaching @ 10:58 am
Do you have goals? Are they written down? Have you shared them with anyone else? Listen as Bob Corcoran talks about the importance of Goal setting and what pitfalls to watch out for. Post your commitment below on when you will have your goals determined, written, and posted.
Fannie Mae has come out and actually put legislation in place instructing their servicers NOT to negotiate your commissions up to 6%. Here is the actual excerpt from their release:
No Negotiation of Pre-Foreclosure Sales Commission
Servicing Guide, Part VII, Section 504.02: Contacting Selected Borrowers
Effective March 1, 2009, closing of preforeclosure sales may not be conditioned upon a reduction of the total commission to be paid to real estate agents to a level below what was negotiated by the listing agent with the borrower, unless the fee exceeds 6 percent of the sales price of the property in aggregate. Servicers are reminded that they must continue to obtain any approvals that may be required by interested third parties in connection with preforeclosure sales. Here is the original link. (click on Miscellaneous Servicing Policy Changes)For more information on how to break into the Short Sale Market, go to www.CDPE.com and get certified today! Tell them Bob Corcoran sent you!
For more information on how to break into the Short Sale Market, go to and get certified today! Tell them Bob Corcoran sent you!
For more information on how to break into the Short Sale Market, go to and get certified today! Tell them Bob Corcoran sent you!
Have you ever had a crisis in your career? Maybe we should ask how many have you had today? Let’s face it, a great Client Care Coordinator is first and foremost a problem solver, and because of this, the front desk will often become a crisis management center. This center is where all problems arrive and are expected to be solved within a short period of time.
How can we become better at crisis management? Before we can begin to answer this question, we need to start by admitting that most of us deep down are cowards at heart. Yes, we may come across as confident and strong, but at our core, we fear like every one else. We fear that we may fail, or worse yet, that someone won’t like us. We often don’t face each crisis as quickly or as effectively as we could; and occasionally, we don’t face the crisis at all. Soon it is too late.
By accepting our natural aversion to crisis, we can then begin to unravel the simple techniques all of us can use to be better crisis managers. There is an old saying, “It is not what happens to us that matters, it’s what we do about it.” This is one piece of sage wisdom that definitely applies to crisis management.
For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Crisis Management 101” for you to review.
Commitment for the Week:
Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!
Make A Commitment: I will implement the five simple strategies for every person to deal more effectively with their next crisis.
Deadline: _________
Home sales have begun a slowdown in many markets throughout the country. As a real estate agent, you must contemplate your future actions very carefully. Rather than be afraid of a slowing real estate economy, in order to be successful, you should view these changes in your market as an opportunity.
History dictates the best agents will continue to succeed, and many will even increase their production in such difficult times. While this may seem hard to believe at first, consider that in a strong market just about anyone can sell real estate. When homes are selling fast, inferior competitors may very well beat you out of listings, and gain the allegiance of buyers, simply based on the strength of their personalities. On the other hand, when the times get tough, many of your less professional competitors will falter as the easy transactions dry up. More importantly, consumers become much more likely to pay attention to the credentials, experience and quality of service that the better agents can provide.
By being confident regarding your professional skills, competency, and ability to survive, you can make plans now for a more successful future. You need to decide to take action now to ensure your success.
For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Flourishing in a Slow Market” for you to review.
Commitment for the Week:
Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!
Make A Commitment: I will learn to accept that the only thing that remains consistent in life is change, starting NOW!
Deadline: ________
Filed under: Tip Of The Week — Corcoran Consulting & Coaching @ 7:52 am
How Rainmakers Can (and Must) Keep An Eye on Their Bottom Line
“If you don’t watch your money, someone else will.”
Anonymous
The bottom line is - to stay in the real estate industry today, you have to operate like a business. To operate like a business, you must know your finances. A new breed of agent is entering the industry, one who knows business. In some markets, this new agent is slowly siphoning off business from the agents who are like the frog in a pot of water, a frog that doesn’t know it’s getting hotter and hotter - until it’s too late.
For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Teamonomics” for you to review.
Commitment for the Week:
Show us your comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!
Make A Commitment: I will check my P&L at least once a month!
Deadline: _________
Austin, TX— Laura Duggan of West Austin Properties, an Austin, TX real estate specialist, has developed a marketing strategy and website that is focused on assisting distressed homeowners find information and investigate options to avoid the foreclosure process. As an expert in foreclosures and short sales, a real estate transaction option that banks will consider instead of foreclosure with specific guidelines, Duggan is determined to provide essential knowledge to homeowners in Austin facing this unfortunate circumstance.
Visitors to www.TravisCountyForeclosureHelp.com will find information regarding the process of foreclosure, what effects foreclosure has on a homeowner, and ways to prevent the foreclosure process from continuing. The website features easy-to-understand informational tools such as a list of frequently asked questions, a glossary of terms and free reports as well as resources that allow the homeowner to get their questions addressed in a confidential manner. In addition, the website offers the homeowner information regarding short sales, often a viable solution to foreclosure that can save a distressed homeowner from the damaging effects foreclosure has on their credit.
“I feel that it is important in today’s economic conditions for homeowners to know that they have options other than the foreclosure route,” saysDuggan. “Statistics show that 50% of homeowners facing this stressful situation often ignore the issue and that doesn’t have to be. There are options such as a short sale, especially if the homeowner works with an experienced REALTOR® to provide them assistance in showing the lender the hardship situation and other real estate documentation.”
Duggan’snew website provides visitors with a description of how the short sale process works, how it compares to a foreclosure, and how a homeowner may be able to qualify for a short sale. As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Duggan has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress. Earned by completing detailed and thorough coursework via the Distressed Property Institute, real estate agents with the CDPE designation are armed with the necessary tools and information to help distressed property owners avoid foreclosure and continue their lives.
For more information about foreclosures and short sales in Austin, TX, please feel free to visit the website at www.TravisCountyForeclosureHelp.com, or to contact Duggan directly at (512) 345-1252 or by emailing Info@TravisCountyForeclosureHelp.com.
Filed under: Tip Of The Week — Corcoran Consulting & Coaching @ 9:50 am
In 2008, Congress enacted a $7500 tax credit designed to be an incentive for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home. The credit was designed as a mechanism to decrease the over-supply of homes for sale. For 2009, Congress has increased the credit to $8000 and made several additional improvements. This revised $8000 tax credit applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “2009 FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT” for you to review.
Congratulations to Collier Swecker and Mark Carlisle of the Mega Agent Team of Keller Williams of Birmingham, AL for being recognized as the “Top Group” for Keller Williams in Alabama.Collier and Mark were also recognized as the top listing and selling agents in their office for 2008. The Mega Agent Team received the Most Improved Business award for their gains from 2007 to 2008 for their office. Collier Swecker received the Keller Williams Rookie of the Year Award for our office as well. You can visit Collier and Mark and the Mega Agent Team at www.MegaAgentRealEstate.com
