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 behaviors below 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 comitment 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

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

“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 comitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

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

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 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

Would you like to create loyal clients? Would you like to get paid for working? Then you must get every buyer that you would like to work with to sign an exclusive agreement! Let’s say you went to the dentist without an appointment. The dentist gave you an exam and did some fillings and then you left without paying. You complete your dental work with another dentist. Do you think that would ever happen in the real world? No Way! Then why would you run your business like that?
By studying scripts and dialogues, and role-playing them daily, you will be confident, professional, and get the majority of buyers that you meet with under contract!

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Overcoming Buyer Agency Objections” 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 buyer agency signed with all of my buyers!
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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 real estate agent is first and foremost a problem solver, and because of this, a top producer’s 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.

Let us leave you with one thought that we have learned over the years, “The hardest escrow to close is the one you get upset over!” To reduce the amount of stress you feel when dealing with any crisis or problem, there is a simple solution: create more escrows. When you have more escrows, you won’t be depending on that one closing to pay your car payment or your mortgage. This knowledge will free you to be more confident and more courageous when dealing with your next crisis.

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 commitment 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: _________

Bob Corcoran

Learn how to keep talks constructive so that everyone in the transaction comes out a winner

In the frenzy of a transaction, the line between negotiation and manipulation can sometimes be gray. Negotiation is the ability to bring about compromise between two or more people while manipulation seeks to satisfy only one’s own wishes.

Real-life examples of manipulation include encouraging a seller to accept an offer exactly as written without negotiating a better deal for your client; advising your client to accept an offer before presenting other offers later the same day; or withholding your comparative market analysis to help get a lower list price.

The negotiation process during a real estate transaction should never involve any form of manipulation. Unfortunately, sometimes we can venture off into this area without realizing it. To avoid this trap, keep these tips in mind as you work to negotiate the best deal for your clients.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “Do You Negotiate or Manipulate?” 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 how I give and receive feedback.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

The reasons you call the agent who showed your house are:

1. To jog the agent’s memory about the house so that you may be able to get a second showing.
2. To answer any questions or concerns that the buyer expressed so that the house will be reconsidered.
3. To get the impressions of the buyers or agents that might help you to better market the house.

Note: Don’t expect agents to give a full critique of the house. If they showed 15 houses, they honestly may not remember it in detail. If an agent doesn’t call you back, it means the buyers are not interested.

For additional information and guidance on this topic we have posted an article on our website entitled “The Purpose of Feedback” 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 call the agents that are showing my homes.
Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran