BethAnn in Spokane: May 2019 Statistics

What do YOU do all day?

101 Things YOUR Realtor does…

1. Buyer consults
2. Buyer searches (MLS)
3. Shows Homes and other properties (drive, drive, drive!)
4. Contacts with lenders/ pre-approval
5. Phone calls to buyers regarding properties
6. Writing offers
7. Presenting offers
8. Writing addendums
9. Arranging for inspections
10. Attending inspections
11. Reviewing inspections with buyer
12. Writing addendums for inspections
13. Walks through prior to purchasing
14. Reviewing HUD statements prior to closing
15. Ordering Title
16. Reviewing preliminary title reports
17. Counseling buyers through the process, fielding questions and concerns.
18. Ongoing contact with other realtor (listing agent)
19. Checking in with closing agent
20. Checking on loan documents and time sensitive loan information
21. Handling negotiations
22. Keeping written records of the transaction
23. Cold calling
24. Marketing yourself
25. Photography of properties
26. Creating Virtual Tours
27. Market Analysis of properties
28. Pre-listing interviews
29. Listing consultations/presentations
30. Reviewing records (county, taxes, comparables
31. Previewing properties
32. Market research
33. Listing paperwork and input to systems
34. Ordering Signs
35. Marketing property
36. E-mailing, faxing
37. Market preparation advice
38. Installing lockboxes
39. Staging consults
40. Counseling sellers through the process and paperwork
41. Continual market evaluations of listings
42. Regular contact with buyers and sellers
43. Updating Mailing lists
44. Thank you gifts
45. Flyer designs and oversight
46. Delivering/restocking flyers
47. Online marketing
48. Continuing education classes, conferences.
49. Legal counsel as needed
50. Office meetings
51. Agent council
52. Motivational meetings
53. Office organization
54. Price adjustments
55. Brokers Opens
56. Open Houses
57. Print marketing materials
58. Developing business plans
59. Budgeting
60. Vendor interactions
61. Farming (mailing’s to designated areas)
62. Community Involvement and volunteering
63. Attending closings
64. Creative brainstorming for new marketing ideas
65. Writing adds
66. Placing adds weekly
67. Technical training and expenditures
68. Web site updating
69. Uploading listings to internet sites
70. Lunch’s and Dinners with clients
71. Review CCR’S
72. Public relations
73. Continual e-mail and voice mail returns
74. Calling agents for feedback on your listings
75. Safety preparation and plans
76. Handling rescissions
77. Client Appreciation events
78. Car maintenance
79. Ordering materials
80. Meeting with builders
81. Viewing developments
82. Handling referrals
83. Checking on vacant properties
84. Updating data base
85. Attending non clock hour classes
86. TV adds
87. Market Forums
88. Learning new forms
89. Read real estate related materials
90. Statistics
91. Calling on For Sale By Owners, Expireds
92. Keeping in touch with former clients
93. Meeting with broker
94. Being mentored/accountability
95. Daily review of MLS/Hotlist
96. Updating clients
97. Oversight of remodel projects (Flips)
98. Blogging, SOCIAL MEDIA
99. Community Events
100. Covering for out of town associates
101. Listening

Not to mention putting out fires, dealing with frustrations...the list is VERY LONG!

Should Listing agents come out of the Closet?

I am taking a risk by writing this blog post.

I bet you are wondering what in tar-nation is she going to say...

Well I hope you don't see this as unprofessional, or whining.

My intention is to educate the public.

You see...the majority...they think we list their house for free.

I am considering outlining my marketing budget at my listing presentations.

I think they need to know not only the great service we provide- but that is is very expensive for us, and WE ONLY GET PAID (and reimbursed ) if their home sells.

This leads me to a declaration. I hereby swear to you and the MLS universe that I WILL NO LONGER TAKE OVER-PRICED LISTINGS. I have made this promise before, but I am actually fully dedicated to keeping it this time. The just cost me way too much!!!

I think people deserve to know - in detail- that we are investing huge amounts of time and MONEY in marketing THEIR HOME. I think it would help elevate the respect that the public has for Realtor's and real estate agents.

I am going to go first. I am coming out of the closet and it feels weird, but here goes...

I spend close to 1,200$ a month to be a Realtor- and for (mainly) marketing homes. I make choices to do things such as ENHANCED Realtor.com, virtual tours, great website, all kinds of extra's. I can't believe I am doing this. I feel like I am standing in the grocery line naked! (bad visual)...

But WHY NOT? I think the average person needs to understand that we are in business for ourselves, self employed - in most cases certainly no benefits. We work all kinds of hours to accomodate other people's schedules, and yet for some reason the general opinion of us is quite low.

The skills to be a good agent are VAST and the job description has over 100 things that we do to service our clients- both buyer's and sellers.

We are highly skilled professionals with a huge out-go in a very risky marketplace.

One thing that GREATLY effects whether or not we re-coup our investment on behalf of sellers are the decisions that the sellers make, such as condition, presentation, PRICING, and more. These are decisions that need to be carefully discussed in a market where most homes are not selling.

Maybe you think it is tacky that I have come forward with this topic. I hope not. I hope you understand that people have every right to sell their home by owner, and if they choose to hire a real estate brokerage- I think they would actually think HIGHER of us if they knew how much we put into what we do- both behind the scenes and by paying our portions of marketing and the long list of expenses we have to BE PROFESSIONAL Realtor's.

I am so proud of what I do. I am grateful for the many things my broker provides me as well- and I am happy to give them the commision split because they do a great job providing me with a beautiful office, staff, equiptment, training, and so much more.

I do think the general public would benefit from understanding better how our industry works.

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Dealing with Distractions...

Many of us in the real estate business are multi-taskers by nature. However, when your schedule is not set in stone, like an 8-5 job is, there is room for constant distractions.

I bring some of this on myself, by having a mindset that I have a "flexible" schedule and the next thing you know, productive work is out the window and I am the go to person for all kinds of things.

I recently volunteered to spend some time with my neighbor's brand new puppy because she has a "real job". As I was playing with that adorable little thing at noon today, I thought to myself...here is one more distraction, albeit a fun one, that I have obligated myself to. This dawned on me when Duke, the 9 week old wired haired daschund had an accident and I stepped in it and had to clean up a rather poopey mess. It took 4 times longer than the potty break I signed up for. Not to mention I had to go change my clothes!

I would not trade "being my own boss" for anything, don't get me wrong. But in this highly competitive market, with less volume turning, it is important for us as real estate professionals to watch our boundaries and obligations.

Schedule some clear cut productive time at the office, and yes, schedule your time off! As it is, we have a list of over 100 things we do as agents from A-Z. Your time is valuable so feel free to say "NO" and "no thank you" and "I am not available". Stick to your guns.
Time is our most valuable commodity.

Persistence, Productivity and Perseverance all take TIME. Beware of time-wasting distractions. They may cost you!

Stuck in the middle with you...Dual Agency

Remember that old song?
"Stuck in the middle with you?"
How many times have you represented both sides of a transaction? It can be sticky, tricky business. It is very important that dollar signs don't get in the way of cautious careful and dual representation. BEFORE deciding to represent both sides, take a breath - and ask yourself if this is beneficial for all. If you have even the slightest doubt, consult your broker- or bring in a second agent. In most cases you will do just fine. But ultimately, when all is said and done- you want both parties to feel they had the best possible experience, representation and outcome.
As it is, we are in the middle in all transactions. Being in the double middle has both challenges and rewards. Be sure both parties have a clear idea of what dual agency is. As the mother of two sets of twins (now 21 and 13) I certainly seem to be a good negotiator. Seeing double, taking or not taking sides, playing fair, empathy...
Here are a few suggestions when choosing dual agency:

• Give them a clear choice up front for individual representation (my own suggestion) If they are comfortable with dual agency-
  
• Get EVERYTHING in WRITING...every small detail
  
• DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE, DISCLOSE
• Communicate OFTEN with both parties
  
• ASK if there are any concerns that have not been addressed
• After the deal, follow up with both parties and ask how things are going

Most people are wonderful and quite reasonable. But with the extra stress on people when they are buying and selling real estate, stay calm, cool, and professional. Be the glue, be the anchor, be the solution.

The Critical Importance of Self Care for Real Estate Agents!

I just returned from a week's vacation at Priest Lake Idaho. The quiet moments, serene surroundings and quality family time reminded me of how important it is for us to take good care of ourselves. I am speaking in this article to Realtors, and Real Estate Agents.
The past couple of years we have been beat up mentally, emotionally and financially in many cases.

Many of us are weary of the continual negativity in the press, dealing with desperate sellers, and a continual stream of people in financial difficulties. Now, more than ever it is vital that we have an actual PLAN for self-care. Here are some suggestions that I have found to help me rejuvenate in this challenging market.

• Daily Excersise
• Proper Nutrition
• Helping others, serving in the community or church
  
• Prayer, faith and encouraging fellowship.
• Inspirational and Motivational Reading
• HUMOR
• Regular time off
• Sit down meals with family
  
• Enjoying the outdoors, nature.
• Accountability
  
• Simplifying
  

Even when I was on vacation- my husband went to the nearby resort and got a newspaper. Guess what the headline story was? " Home Sales fall to an all time low in 11 years". Just what I wanted to hear when I was on the beach... NOT!

I suggest taking a personal inventory of your life and time. Is there anything that is taking more than giving to your energy? Is there an obligation you can delete? Do you need more time with your spouse, kids, or for your self? What floats your boat and builds up your spirit to be able to overcome the mental battle of swimming upstream in a down market?

September has always been a natural time for me to re-evaluate my life. I find it valuable to embrace the changing of the seasons, and make adjustments that will allow me to be more productive. Sometimes this means cutting out something, sometimes it means adding something.
You only have one body, one life, one family, one chance. Be good to yourself, and it will make a difference in all aspects of your life!

Realtor's Most Embarassing Moments!

I am going to change the name of the guilty because some of these stories are just TOO funny!

I am hoping you will share with us YOUR most embarrassing moment as a Realtor! These are just a few from my office (and me!)

• A guy in my office was showing a home we had toured earlier that day as an office. He was especially impressed with the master suite and could not get a hold of his clients fast enough to see this fabulous home. He left a message with the seller as indicated in the MLS, and was beaming when he was showing the great features of this custom home. As they walked down the hallway to the Master, he said" You are not going to believe your eyes!" ...Swung the door wide open and...You guessed it. Two teenagers who were obviously skipping school were sharing a little "afternoon delight". Mortified the naked teens began to scream bloody murder thinking it was some kind of home invasion. The clients were screaming, the Realtor began to laugh hysterically. BUSTED. He now has a habit of KNOCKING on every door he encounters -even in vacant homes. Imagine the post traumatic stress for everyone involved!
• I was new in the business. I got a call to show a million dollar home. I was super nervous! I offered to pick up the clients at their hotel. After viewing the home, they said they had to get moving because he was speaking at a conference at the hotel. OH DREAD. I had locked my keys in the car. I was so embarrassed. I had to track down my husband who was less than amused to fetch our extra keys and bring them to me while I was stuck making small talk in the freezing cold with these people, who I never heard from again!
• Dan is a distinguished fellow. He was showing upscale homes, when he told his clients he needed to use the bathroom and they could wait in the car. They didn't have the keys, so when he came out he said" Sorry to keep you waiting" He then realized Mr. Buyer was looking down at his feet. He glanced down to see a 4ft trail of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of his shoe. I mean, we all know it, and there is even a book out for toddlers that is called "Everybody Poops" but how embarrassing!!!!!!!
• My associate is a long time Realtor. He has some great stories and this is much better told in person, but he met with some sellers and, well, there home reeked of ciggy smoke. As he sat down to explain the market analysis he was fearing they might not like the valuation, so he cracked a joke. The seller started laughing so hard he began wheezing, and that made my associate laugh- and then the seller’s wife started laughing and then the BOTH began to COUGH and my associate was losing it and he looked down (TRUE STORY) and the DOG was coughing. This struck him so funny, because it was a home full of hacking smokers, and now the dog was coughing that he could barely regain control. He realized at this point that this was no longer funny but he could not stop laughing. Eventually they all quited down, and he resumed his speech about the house. He got the listing, and it eventually sold.

Keeping our sense of humor in this business is somewhat of a survival tool. I can only imagine there must be millions of funny stories in this business! In fact, I may write a book...