Maine Real Estate Education Blog

Masterpiece Marketing

Matthew Ferrara — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:54:26 +0000

The following article is brought to you by Matthew Ferrara & Company. To read more ideas like this, visit www.matthewferrara.com or contact them directly 1-800-253-2350.

© 2009 Matthew Ferrara & Company. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with Permission.

Peter Drucker said that the purpose of marketing is to make sales superfluous. That should come as welcome wisdom to the real estate industry that is comprised of so many reluctant salespeople who won’t telemarket, interact at open houses or even join Facebook (latest numbers show less than 35% of REALTORS with a social networking presence). So what can be done to improve the pathetic listing sheets, the photo-less listings or sea-sick virtual tours that are undermining so many sales? Perhaps a quick art lesson could help.

Imagine for a moment that your career had taken a different path. Instead of spending twenty-four grueling hours getting your real estate license, you spent years getting your masters degree in fine arts. Yet your inner desire to sell remained, and rather than become a museum curator or historian, you pursued the path of art representative. Your job would be to identify unique pieces of fine art – paintings, sculptures, even historical buildings – and find that one, special buyer who had an emotional response to the property. And wanted it, at any price.

Not too unlike the real estate industry, you say? Let’s see…

How would you go about establishing a marketing presence for your art for sale? Perhaps you’d build a marketing brochure or a website. You would use words, photos, maybe even video clips to describe the unique, rare and wonderful opportunity that one buyer would personally enjoy owning the piece of art you represented. Your marketing efforts would try to convey a memorable message, in the hopes of catching the eye – and heart – of the one true client for your exceptional piece.

As an art graduate, new to marketing, you might look around for an example of how others market unique objects. Perhaps you had a listing sheet lying around from an open house you visited recently. You might copy its approach to marketing homes to your fine art. Say, for example, you were selling a painting:

Oil paint

Canvas

Style: Portrait

Blacks, browns and tans

Original poplar wood frame with
newly renovated oak supports

2 total arms

2 total hands

1 full face, 2 eyes, nose

Special eyebrows

Wooded area / setting

Granite

Fabulous view(s)

Custom features throughout

30 in × 21 in

Not too exciting, you say? You didn’t feel the connection? Not quite sure how this marketing approach would attract that “special” person for your painting?

Perhaps, then, you’d make a better real estate professional than art representative.

Of course, I’m being obtuse, but you see my point, don’t you? Then why does so much real estate marketing look just like this? Nobody would dream of marketing the Mona Lisa as a collection of dimensions, paint colors and wood types. Enumerating the “custom” features of the painting – or even the basic ones like hands and arms – would be meaningless. Just what is an inventory of the physical characteristics supposed to convey – that the character in the painting is just like any other person, with similar appendages?

Now go look up some of your listings, and ask yourself if you’re doing the very same thing? Have some fun – look up some multi-million dollar listings on REALTOR.COM and you’ll find similar and sometimes worse laundry-lists of room sizes, flooring types, appliances and exteriors.

Can you see why today’s real estate marketing isn’t making sales superfluous; and maybe making it impossible?

Every home in every market is unique, much like art. And while not every home is a priceless Mona Lisa, there’s a buyer for every one, if you can market it like a masterpiece. Not with the half-baths, but with its story. Telling that something special about each home, that makes something priceless reachable within an affordable price, but cannot be conveyed by a measurements-and-machinery marketing.

Marketing masterpieces of art requires telling the story of the piece. Who created it, who owned it before, how it affected people’s lives, the pleasure and status of owning it, and so on. Owning art – and selling it – requires conveying the invisible but tangible benefits of the piece. It’s unique value.

Consider the current check-list approach to marketing listings these days. Has there ever been a buyer in history who shouted to his wife in the other room, “Honey! I’ve found the third bedroom(s) and granite counters we’ve been looking for!” Worse, when so many “special” features are about as non-unique as a stainless-steel-sale-item at HomeDepot, calling attention isn’t a strategy for conveying value.

Look: Two sinks in the master bathroom. We can spit toothpaste together every morning! How valuable!

Thinking like an art representative can help real estate professionals move their marketing from the physical to emotional level. The Mona Lisa isn’t valuable because it’s an oil-on-wood painting. Buyers desire her because they feel connected to her, somehow sharing her enigmatic smile, sitting larger than the landscape of life behind her. They will pay any price – even steal her – because possessing her means owning every special part of her mysterious history, her creator, and the greater “neighborhood” of art collectors.

The same connection explains why buyers desire a certain home. They connect to something – the movement of light, the feeling sitting in certain rooms, the sounds of the neighborhood. They can always replace the tile or the tub; they might have a harder time fining the same sfumato sunsets in the landscape. They desire the intangibles of the home – the enjoyment of play, the restfulness of retiring there each day – that can attract their attention if you tell the home’s story, not list its specifications.

And today a home’s story can be told – with words, photographs, video and podcasts. But not bullet points. Not comma separated lists. Not abbreviation(s) or (parentheses). The value of a great masterpiece isn’t rattled off with tick-tock precision, nor weighed down in cozy cliches.

Not unless you’re selling art deco. Which, from the looks of some of the real estate marketing out there, may not be too far from the truth. And the commission.

(Enigmatic smile.)

DISCLAIMER: This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. TRELG has not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaims any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

TRELG reserves the right to edit, remove or deny access to individuals or content that it determines to be unacceptable, including, but not limited to, any abusive, profane, rude, defamatory, or anonymous comments.

Save Time with MLXchange Pro

Terri Perron — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:42:10 +0000

This week let’s talk again about time management. There are some time saving tools within MLXchange which some of you may be well aware of and are taking advantage of, but I know there are others who aren’t.

Through a class with Cathy Libby/MREIS and some invaluable information provided to me by Angela Pierce/Maine Agent Solutions, I am able to bring you these very helpful tips. Below is a list of some of these tools and brief description on how they are used.

Purchase a domain name and create your customized MREIS website- remember to speak with your designated broker prior to purchasing a domain name. With a custom webpage you can announce to everyone that they can look up ALL Maine Listings right from your webpage and they will always see your picture and your contact information while searching for their next property.

Once a customer/client finds properties and enlists your services, you can set up a search for them. After you have set up the search, your client will receive a Private Client View email through the Client Gateway. This gateway allows the client to make comments, mark listings according to their likes and dislikes, and the client can even create their own custom searches. The client can also email you directly and ask for more information and/or to schedule a showing. But wait, there’s more! You can see all of this through your client manager in MLXchange. This saves you time spent with clients constantly calling you for information on listings, to schedule showings and to broaden their search criteria.
There’s also the time saving feature of scheduling. You can schedule tasks, to-do’s, phone calls, meetings, even action plans. And since the tasks are color coded, you can see at a glance, whether it is due, upcoming, or past due.
Another feature that will help to save you time, is the 29 pre-written email templates at your fingertips to send as is or to customize, (new clients, follow up with existing clients, property searches being emailed, etc).
MLXchange also has a system to create impressive market analysis and estimates of net costs and closing proceeds.
And if that’s not enough, you can also sync your MLXchange with your OUTLOOK so that you have all the contacts and calendar items all in one place.

If these time saving features interest you, go to your MLXchange home page and click on “My Sidebar” to sign into the MREIS Home Page. Then go to Training Registration, (under My Personal Tools).

I hope you find this information helpful and TIME SAVING!!

Thanks for reading!

This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

This blog may contain links to other Web sites operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience to access the information contained therein. TRELG has not reviewed all of the information on other sites and disclaims any responsibility for the content of any other sites or the products or services that may be offered on or through those sites. Inclusion of a link to another site does not indicate any endorsement or approval of the site or its content.

TRELG reserves the right to edit, remove or deny access to individuals or content that it determines to be unacceptable, including, but not limited to, any abusive, profane, rude, defamatory, or anonymous comments.

What the new Maine Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Law Means

angela — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:55:34 +0000

In a nutshell, this law requires that all single-family dwellings and multi-apartment buildings sold or exchanged in the State of Maine after October 31, 2009 and newly constructed single-family dwellings have photoelectric-only-type smoke detectors and at least one carbon monoxide detector in an area within or giving access to a bedroom. The detectors in multifamily dwellings and newly constructed single-family dwellings must be powered by both the electrical service in the building and by battery. The purchaser must certify at closing that the property is provided with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the law.

The Maine Department of Public Safety is drafting the certification form and will be made available on their site and the Maine Association of Realtors site as soon as it becomes available.

To get a better understanding of the law and how it affects Maine Realtors, watch this video from Linda Gifford who is the Maine Association of Realtors Legal Counsel.

Video from Linda Gifford-Legal Counsel for MAR

Click here to read a more detailed explanation of the new law provided by the Office of The State Fire Marshall. If you have further questions, you can contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 626-3873

With the passing of the new law, now is a good time to spread the word about fire prevention.

October 4-10 is Fire Prevention Week. The National Fire Protection Association has some great marketing materials available for you to use including e-cards, a fire inspection checklist in pdf for kids, a free widget to download onto your site, and more. Call your local fire department, if they are having an event, see if they need a sponsor or see if you can help out by distributing information for them. Consider adding a link to the Maine Fire Marshalls newsletter to your blogs, websites and email signatures. Sharing this information may seem like a small thing to do, but it could save someone’s life.

This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

Is Time Running Out for 1st Time Home Buyers?

Terri Perron — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:15:28 +0000

Is time running out for 1st time home buyers?

I’m sure you have heard or said yourself- “Now is the time to buy, especially if you are a 1^st Time Home Buyer!” And in case you don’t know, time is running out…. OR is it? There has been some talk that the tax credit may be extended into next year and it may also be expanded. It’s anyone’s guess. But according to Ilyce R. Glink, in a July Blog

we’d have to see real estate sales drop off completely, or watch the official unemployment rate go to 11 or 12 percent nationally before the federal government would push through another home buyer tax credit.

There are some truly great incentives to buy a home, for sure!! The 1^st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was introduced as a $7500 “tax credit” which was part of the 2008 American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Act. To qualify for this “credit”, (which in reality, is an interest free loan since “it must be repaid over a 15 year period”), you must have closed on your new home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Then in February 2009, the $8,000 tax credit was brought about as one of 10 provisions of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This is in reality a tax credit and does not have to be repaid. To qualify for this credit, the home being purchased must be your primary residence, you must close on or after January 01, 2009, and before December 01, 2009. There are also requirements that for this credit as well. Another program being offered for 1^st time home buyers, who lives in the State of Maine, is called the Gift of Green Program being offered by the Maine State Housing Authority. This is being offered for a limited time, until the funds run out. There are also restrictions and requirements to qualify for this credit.

The following are questions from the Federal Housing Tax Credit website. Click on the link to be redirected to the site, for answers.

We welcome any questions and/or comments that you may have regarding this subject.

Thank you for reading!

This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

The Real Estate Learning Group. To read more ideas like this, visit www.trelg.com or contact them directly 1-800-796-5308.

Mold Is Lurking

Terri Perron — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:27:55 +0000

Do you have Mold Lurking?

Some sort of mold is lurking in all homes. Most home owners realize that regular maintenance of their home is necessary in order to keep it nice and to help hold it’s value. As a home owner most of us know that if the roof shingles look bad, we fix or replace them; most of us have the furnace serviced annually; we repaint when the paint is dull or chipped, clean or replace carpets and/or flooring, etc. But there is another factor that could be lurking in your home that, if not cared for, could also damage your home as well as your health. This factor is MOLD.

There are many types of mold. The most common is mold spores. Mold spores are extremely small and can not be seen by the naked eye. They enter your home through a variety of hosts such as people, animals, and shoes to name a few. They also enter through an open window, your heating system ventilation and/or your air conditioning system. It is virtually impossible to totally eliminate mold spores from inside of your home, but with regular cleaning and maintenance you can prevent significant problems from arising. Once inside your home, the mold spores settle into your carpet or other porous surfaces. Mold grows best when there is an abundance of moisture; such as a humid basement. A de-humifier in the moist area may be enough to keep it dry and mold free. Another type of mold is “black mold” or Strachybotrys chartarum/atra. Black mold commonly creates respiratory problems, (such as bronchitis & asthma). According to the CDC, (Center for Disease Control), it is responsible for over “100 cases of lung disease”.

Cleaning Mold can be a challenge and you should understand the nature of mold before you begin. There is some controversy as to whether or not bleach should be used to clean mold. Farmer’s Almanac does not recommend it:

There are a variety of mold cleaners, killers, and inhibitors on the market that employ chemicals. Chlorine is commonly and dangerously used for mold clean-up. We do not recommend it. Chlorine bleaches away the mold stain, but the mold always comes back. It wasn’t fully removed from the surface. Conventional mold clean up methods require protective gear to protect you from both the mold and the chlorine bleaching products. Even a small mold clean up can expose you to hazardous products and by-products. Mold and chlorine have both been linked to poor indoor air quality, allergies, and even childhood asthma. Chlorine bleach is just as toxic as the mold in many cases. New research has linked the residue compounds left by chlorine cleaners, called organochlorides, to a variety of illnesses from respiratory disorders to cancer.

However the CDC recommends that:

If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.

Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.

Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.

If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html .

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

In summary, there are many ways to clean and, to some level, prevent mold issues. If you have mold in your home, then you have a moisture problem and that is the issue you must first address and resolve. It is recommended that you contact a remediation specialist for more information before you attempt removal of mold as it is a health issue. Please feel free to send us any comments and/or suggestions!

MOLD PREVENTION TIPS

Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.

Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.

Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding.

Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.

Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

To learn more about preventing mold in your home, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html.

Banned By Facebook!

Mike Mueller — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:07:15 +0000

The following article is brought to you by Mike Mueller http://areweconnected.com/. Re-posted with permission.

Banned By Facebook!

Straight from my email Inbox

Q. “Mike, if I am in business (let’s just say I’m a real estate agent) do I set up a Facebook profile for my business or do I setup a Business Page?

A. Looking just at the Facebook Terms of Service (TOS) Section 3, Point 1:

3. We do our best to keep Facebook safe, but we cannot guarantee it. We need your help in order to do that, which includes the following commitments:

1. You will not send or otherwise post unauthorized commercial communications to users (such as spam).

“Mike, that’s easy! I NEVER send out Spam! NEVER!”

Hold on there Buttercup… Do you ever

· Update your FB status or post listings on your Wall?

· Have your Twitter Stream show up on your Wall. Do you tweet links to listings?

· FriendFeed blog posts to your Wall or Notes?

My guess is you answered Yes to at least one of them (I even did). Is your stream as clean of Commercial Communications as the pure driven snow? (not sure what driven snow has to do with it). Yeah, mine isn’t either. In fact this very blog post which is commercial in nature will soon be tweeted, which will be FriendFeeded to my very own Facebook Wall. Some grumpy old guy in across the country who haphazardly added me as a “friend” might just very well interpret that as spam. I’m Guilty as Charged!

Technically speaking that’s a violation to Facebook TOS and your profile could be wiped away in a heart beat with no prior notice. All your “Friends” gone! Could it happen? Would it happen? Maybe, maybe not – but then again, why risk it?

Breaking News:

Facebook Site Governance: Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (updated 8/11/09)

Section 4, Point 2 states “You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain.“

“But Mike, I see everyone else is doing it. Facebook wouldn’t start deleteing profiles”.

While Facebook isn’t Flickr and isn’t Vimeo (both are actively deleting accounts that have commercial content)

Ask Matt Stigliano about his Flickr Account.
See: http://www.rerockstar.com/2009/technology/an-answer-to-where-did-the-photos-and-slideshows-go/

and http://www.socialphototalk.com/flickr-permanently-deletes-yet-another-user-without-warning/

Ask Tim Ayers about his Vimeo Account.
See: http://642blog.ca/2008/07/08/vimeo-online-video-sharing-sucks-video/

There’s nothing stopping Facebook from doing the same thing in the future.

As a matter of fact - Meet Jim Calabrese who left this comment on my blog

jimcalabrese 1 week ago

Mike,

You are sooo on target. My Facebook profile was disabled. FB’s bot profiled my friends, saw that the majority were Realtors, and assumed that I was using my personal profile for biz. All my posts, messages, etc. were mostly tips that other could use or personal in nature.
I did have a fan page for my biz and promotional content.

From what I’ve seen, most Realtors on FB have violated the ToS using their profiles for business. My advice is to heed Mike’s warning (above) and also, find a way to backup your FB data, because sooner or later they’ll disable you.

Consider the alternative. The Facebook Business Page. It’s easy to start, free to setup. And on Facebook’s site (http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages) they even encourage page owners to

STEP 4: MAKE IT RICH AND ENGAGING

The more rich content you add, the more ways users can interact with it and spread that connection to their friends. Post photos of products, employees, and customers. Add video clips of your bar or restaurant in action. ‘Behind the scenes’ content often works well. List an event for your grand opening or in-store sale. Write a note about upcoming promotions. The choices are yours and all these features are free and unlimited.

and

STEP 6: UPDATE REGULARLY

Updating your Page regularly with fresh photos, upcoming events, and thelatest promotions means your Page won’t just look like a profile, it will feel like one, and that will keep users coming back. Facebook users are used to getting information sorted by what happened most recently. If you keep your Page active, which you can do through mobile integrations and applications, you’ll find that your fans are more engaged and more interactive.

You can also send some or all of them messages by clicking “Send an Update to Fans” in the upper-left of your Page (under the profile picture). Updates are useful for sending out announcements like promotions, sales or events.

What’s the difference?

A Fan Page (Facebook Business Page) has Fans. Those “Fans” have “authorized” you to send them commercial communications – a “Friend” has not. There’s so much more reason to have a Page than just this single legal technicality. However it’s vital as Facebook, and doing business on Facebook grows that marketers understand what is legal and what is not. So the real answer is that you need to start with a Profile. That profile should be for you, your true friends, and your family. That Profile then can create a Business Page to promote you the “Professional” side of you.

PS: ActiveRain has it’s own TOS - when was the last time you read that?

This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

Oh great, not another time management blog!

angela — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:28:10 +0000

Ok, so I have your attention. In the same amount of time it takes you to read this blog, you could be well underway to planning how to best manage your time. Ready, set, go.

5 super easy steps to improve your time management skills.

•1. Have a business plan- If you have two minutes right now, grab a scrap of paper and try this.

Draw a funnel (or a simple V). At the bottom, write what your goal is. Then start at the top and trickle down through everything that it will take to reach your goal.

At the top write Database =
Below write Listings =
Below that, write leads=
Below that, write buyers=

It should look something like this:

$3,000,000 in gross closed sales

Your personal business plan may look different or have more items. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you plan to get there? Set a realistic goal for yourself. Then set your action plans to achieve your goal.

•2. Create action plans for each item- For the example above, you will need:

20 minutes to create a plan to improve your database.
20 minutes to create a plan to improve your listings.
20 minutes to create a plan to improve how to handle each new lead.
20 minutes to create a plan to improve your service to your buyers.

And most importantly,

20 minutes or longer to determine what your goal is.

Let’s say on your database action plan you determined that you needed to improve on the number of contacts. Now you need the time to find more contacts, organize those contacts and stay in touch with those contacts. Allow 15 minutes for each action in your plan. (Yes, only 15 minutes! You don’t eat an entire elephant in one bite!)

Below in a basic action plan you can adapt for your database action plan.

Monday 9:00- 9:15 Input all contacts already in sphere of influence.
Tuesday 9:00- 9:15 Search Facebook, twitter, etc for more names to add to database.
Wednesday 9:00-9:15 Organize all names into groups. Buyers, sellers, sphere, etc.
Thursday 9:00-9:15 Generate an email to send to database. (ie: “I just found this great blog about MSHA’s Gift of Green, please forward this along to your contacts…”)
Friday 9:00-9:15 Reflect on how much you accomplished this week!

•3. Communication- When meeting with a new client or customer for the first time, be honest with them about what you do and when you do it. If you let them know ahead of time what your business hours are the likelihood of you receiving those 8:30pm phone calls is diminished. Most people know when their bank or post office or doctors office is open. Why shouldn’t real estate professionals let their clients know when they are “open” for business? If you reply to emails, create buyer/seller packets and work on listing presentations from 7 am to 9 am let your clients know you open at 9 am. You will be more productive, more organized and in a far better mind set when that phone starts ringing like crazy!

•4. Have Systems in Place-

Using MS Outlook? Use the calendar for a free and simple way to keep up with your time management tasks. Does your computer have MS Office Suite? Microsoft Power Point is a great tool for creating those impressive pre-listing presentations. With the right tools in place, this time management thing gets easier and easier.

•5. Invest In New Skills- With the market and technology changing faster than you can say short sale, it is critically important for agents who want to be the best to learn new skills. Creating your business plan may require a visit with a real estate coach or consultant. The money you invest taking this all important step will pay for itself in a very short time. Decide which areas of your plan take the most of your time. Invest in a class or two on the areas which are your biggest time drain. With classes available on topics covering social networking, computing for the real estate agent and time management how can you afford not to invest? Your time is valuable.

This blog is provided by THE REAL ESTATE LEARNING GROUP to provide visitors and members with information that can foster professional and/or personal development.

TRELG disclaims responsibility for any of the content or opinions expressed on this blog, including, but not limited to content or opinions regarding any products or service mentioned on the blog.

TRELG disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from use of or reliance on information contained in the blog.

Will the newly adopted rules change how you practice real estate?

angela — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:40:31 +0000

Effective July 29, 2009 The Maine Real Estate Commission amended Section 1 of Chapter 400 (Responsibilities of Designated Broker). The new changes to the rules include the following 2 new sections that the Designated Broker is responsible to review, manage and oversee.

H. The registration of any domain name for a web site in order to promote real estate brokerage services or the sale or purchase of real estate through the agency; and

I. The development or uploading to the internet of a web site that promotes real estate brokerage services or the sale or purchase of real estate through the agency.(1)

Did you ask your Designated Broker permission to buy that domain name?
Did you ask your Designated Broker permission to create that website?

Effective July 29, 2009 The Commission also amended Sections 1 and 13 of Chapter 410 (Minimum Standards of Practice) to include:

1. Definitions

As used in the Commission’s rules, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings:

A. Advertise. “Advertise,” “advertising” and “advertisement” include all forms of representation, promotion and solicitation disseminated in any manner and by any means of communication for any purpose related to real estate brokerageactivity, including, at a minimum, advertising the sale or purchase of real estate or promotion of real estate brokerage services conducted by mail, telephone, the Internet, the World Wide Web, E-mail, electronic bulletin board or other similar electronic common carrier systems, business cards, signs, television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and telephonic greetings or answering machine messages.

B. Contact information. “Contact information” means information as to how the public can contact the real estate brokerage agency either by phone or in person at the agency’s place of business as licensed by the Commission.

C. Prominent. “Prominent” means standing out so as to be seen easily; conspicuous; particularly noticeable.(2)

· Did you prominently display your brokerage firms contact information the last time you posted a listing on Facebook?

· What about Twitter?

· Did you ask your Designated Broker permission to post to

Facebook/ActiveRain/LinkedIn/Twitter?

13. Licensee’s Duty

1. Keep the Designated Broker InformedAn affiliated licensee shall keep the designated broker fully informed of all activities

conducted on behalf of the agency and shall notify the designated broker of any other activities that might impact on the responsibilities of the designated broker as required under Chapter 400, Section 1of the Commission’s rules.

2. Provide Documents to Designated Broker

An affiliated licensee must provide originals or true copies of all real estate brokerage

documents and records prepared in a real estate transaction as listed in Chapter 400,

Section 3 of the Commission’s rules to the designated broker within 5 calendar days after

execution of the document or record.

3. Domain Names and Web Sites

An affiliated licensee may not directly or indirectly, through himself or others-

- register a domain name for a web site, or

- develop or upload to the internet a web site,

that promotes real estate brokerage services or the sale or purchase of real estate through

the agency with whom the licensee is affiliated without the consent of the designated

broker.

· Will you provide copies of every blog, every Facebook posting, every tweet to your Designated Broker?

· Will you now check with your Designated Broker before you Tweet?

· What about sharing a listing on Facebook?

· Will you still post your virtual tours to YouTube?

· Will your office need to develop a social networking section for your Policy and Procedure Manual?

· Will you think twice before you start a discussion about your newest listing on LinkedIn?

Any web site developed or uploaded under this Section must comply with the advertising requirements contained in Chapter 410, Section 1.(3)

(1),(2), (3)-Excerpts from Rules of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation-Office of Licensing and Registration-Real Estate Commission can be viewed at http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real_estate/pdf/RulesEffective7-29-09.pdf

Will the newly adopted rules change how you practice real estate? Share your thoughts will us.

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August is Cataract Awareness Month

angela — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:51:51 +0000

August is cataract awareness month. The definition of a cataract from Wikipedia: A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early in the development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colors. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. The condition usually affects both the eyes, but almost always one eye is affected earlier than the other.^[1]

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness among older adults. Yet young people and even newborns can get cataracts. More than 20 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts.

Common causes for cataracts:

Common Causes

Intense heat or long term exposure to UV rays

Inflammation in the eye

Diabetes

Hereditary influences

Smoking

Long-term steroid use

What can you do to help? Team up with your local ophthalmologist / optometrist and plan a Free Cataract Screening Clinic. When emailing, include this link: http://www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/cataract.cfm to your signature line for the entire month of August. Visit 55+ communities in your area and pass out informational brochures. Prevent Blindness America has great PDF’s that you can print out. They also have regional offices though out the country and would most likely be happy to partner with you in your endeavor.

Time Management vs. Procrastination

Terri Perron — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:47:22 +0000

Time Management

Time Management vs. Procrastination…. Which will win?

Yes, there IS a way to do TODAY what NEEDS to be done today. As Nike® is famous for-”JUST DO IT“!

Ok, so easier said than done…. I know….. BUT it IS a must! If you don’t “JUST DO IT” then it JUST won’t get done!

So…. you take your little day planner, IPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pilot, etc… Enter e-ver-y li-ttle item, right down to laundry, groceries, yard work, soccer games, manicure/pedicure; business meetings, networking, tasks, etc. Then when a client, prospect or business associate calls in, look at your planner; and if you have something already scheduled, (it may be that rock wall that you’ve been putting off for 2 yrs, a hair appointment, a showing, a new listing appointment, who knows….), then you graciously inform them that you’re not available for that time slot. This next step is very IMPORTANT: You should give them AT LEAST 2 alternative time slots that you’re available to meet with them. You may need to have some flexibility, but try to stick to the schedule as much as possible.

Then comes the “out of state buyer” or the “full time worker buyer” who may have a very limited time to meet with you. This time may be ONLY during the time that you have planned working on your rock wall. This is when you probably need to be more flexible; you’ll need to re-prioritize and PERHAPS you move everything in order to fit them in. This MUST be the exception and not the rule. If YOU don’t respect YOUR time then you can’t expect anyone else to. This means that you should adopt a fairly structured schedule and STAY to IT, (but not at all costs).

Take the Blog from one of TRELG’s partner’s, Jane Greer. She discusses the benefits of not procrastinating by giving examples of time blocks in cleaning out your garage. Recognizing and rewarding yourself for time well spent is a good way to sustain sound time management. This is a great place to start. Good luck in your time management practices! Please feel free to share them with us! It’s definitely an evolving topic!