Some boundary invasion is very clear. Other forms are subtle enough that we may not recognize them for what they are and wonder why we feel irritated when they occur, or if we even have the right to feel irritated. All of the seemingly harmless activities that are listed in the PDF document involve boundary invasion, if they happen habitually.

Incidentally, you may want to use this list to check on yourself, too. Many boundary invaders are quite unaware of what they are doing.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Ways That People Invade Your Boundaries” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will review my boundaries and make the appropriate changes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”
W. Edwards Deming

You should be used to it by now - the buyer’s market has settled into its big, cushy, leather, easy chair and is resting comfortably. It is like the guest who just won’t leave, so you have to learn to live with him for a while longer. One of the best ways to do this is to sharpen your negotiation skills.

During the last five years of the hot seller’s market, negotiation skills weren’t quite as important as they are now. All you had to do was put the house on the market with a reasonable price and let the bidding begin.

Now things have changed. Today, we’re seeing a more traditional market where buyers have their share of homes to choose from. So the negotiation game among sellers and buyers (and their respective agents) has reached a new level of importance.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Negotiation Tips For a Buyer’s Market” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will work on my negotiation skills and focus on solutions!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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?

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 commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment : I will get familiar with my market’s needs!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Addressing the problem will only work and help you in the short term if you do not look at the source of it! It is not about time management, but personal management.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Benefits of Your Time Well Managed!” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will Manage My Time!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Yes, you can thrive…if you know your scripts!

As fun as the last few years were, to be in a piping hot real estate market, it is now time to accept and embrace the new reality, the buyer’s market. You have two options:

1. You can moan and groan.

2. You can thrive.

Those who wish to moan and groan, well, you may want to go find another email to read. Now, for those who want to thrive, first you must know a little about buyers. NAR has found some rather revealing habits of homebuyers.

” 77% of homebuyers used an agent to buy their home.
” Buyers searched for a median of two weeks on their own before contacting a real estate professional.
” Over three quarters of homebuyers used only one agent in their home search.
” Buyers ranked reputation as the most important factor when choosing a real estate professional to assist with a home purchase.

The first rule in marketing is to know who you are targeting. Keep learning who buyers are and what their modus operandi is. After that, the best way to thrive in a buyer’s market is this - know your scripts.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “How to Embrace and Thrive in Today’s Buyer’s Market” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will learn my scripts and practice them daily!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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 commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will check my P&L at least once a month!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Does your job or business demand that you be accessible 24/7? In an era of ubiquitous cell phones, pagers, Blackberrys and WiFi internet access, it is easy to keep in touch with the office from anywhere. No doubt, many of you find that this is a mixed blessing at best.

While technology gives increased mobility and connectivity, it can also erode the boundary between your professional and personal life. That’s why it is increasingly more important to set reasonable boundaries and stick to them. For most of us there is a constant pressure to work longer, implement more marketing, or get that report in early. It is not easy to draw a line and say things like “I am leaving on time, and the world will not end if I don’t finish “x” by 5:00pm.”

Though we all value hard work and realize putting in long hours sometimes comes with the territory, if you are unable to set reasonable limits on your job’s time demands, you’re risking a lot. When your health and/or family life begins to suffer, it is not only going to diminish your quality of life, it will also reduce your productivity on the job.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Setting Work and Life Boundaries” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will learn from my mistakes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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:

Please, take a few minutes now to consider this burgeoning and lucrative market. Are you positioned to meet this market’s needs? If not, start putting these ideas in place so you can be first in the buffet line.

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 commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment : I will get familiar with my market’s needs!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

Everyone knows commissions are negotiable, up as well as down. So, why is it that every time the discussion comes up with a seller or buyer, they want to know how much we will cut ours? Despite that, there are agents today who are getting above-average commissions. Others are maintaining their “preferred” commission. While still other agents are beat up on a daily basis. What is the difference among the three scenarios? A combination of skill, market knowledge and a willingness to negotiate makes the difference. Before we tackle the how, we believe we must look at the reasons behind the prevalence of commission cutting. With the growth of the Internet and the dawn of online, do-it-yourself realty, sellers and buyers feel they must bring up the question about reducing commissions. It is a matter of principle to both sellers and buyers. If they feel they can get you to work for less money, and often they can, why should they not ask? Too often, we are thought of as being just like other competing companies. They have looked at one, and they think they have looked at them all. Most sellers and buyers think it is only your commission that distinguishes you from another agent.

Nothing is farther from the truth. To warrant the commission we deserve, we need to create credibility to support what we are asking for. Often, the battle is lost even before it gets under way. The seller or buyer asks for a cut, and the agent agrees…simple as that. When agents are asked why they do not give their all to overcome the objection, they have said if they do not take it at a cut, someone else will. Or, they needed the listing or sale, or their broker said to take it no matter what, and on and on.

Other reasons why sellers and buyers ask are they need every penny they can get (protecting their net), the other agent said they would take it for less or they feel the commission is the most important thing to them. They are bargain basement shopping. This is the type of seller you may want to decide not to do business with. Smart agents know when to walk away from a seller or buyer. Remember, if it is not salable, it is a liability, not a listing.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Overcoming Commission-Cutting Requests” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will role play for 30 minutes each day!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

“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.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Change Your Mindset and Thrive in Your Business This Year” for you to review.

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will connect in abundance while having fun!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran