House Trading

For some time now, I've been talking and writing about a trend I believe is coming and possibly even upon us: House Trading.

Clearly, the baby boomer's life is changing. Many are looking to simplify and downsize. They desire to pass their assets to the next generation with the least amount of tax consequence and while still able to see the transfer. Right here in Rancho Santa Fe, CA about 3 months ago one of the largest house swaps took place; a home in Rancho Santa Fe for a home in Carlsbad.

Century 21 agents Suzy Sheppard and Doug Coward of Auckland's Albany (New Zealand) have recently 'swapped' over 20 homes for their clients. Sheppard said it was all about "matching people" who want to trade up or down and in particular areas. Read: Trading Places Article

Interactive Floor Plan

VHT Inc., a provider of visual marketing services, announced the launch of its Interactive Floor Plan, a customized tool that provides real estate professionals an attractive way to showcase a property.


VHT integrates computer-aided design software with professional photography to give users a room-by-room picture and help potential buyers get a genuine feel for the property's size and layout.

Real Estate Videos by Zipcode

Inman

ZIPVO LLC has launched a subscription-based premium version of its free Web-based video, photo, blogging, news and agent profile service.

ZIPVO.com launched a year ago as a database of real estate videos accessible by ZIP Code or town.Realtors can upload videos to the site for free, embedding them in IDX-compliant MLS listings or in social networking sites like ActiveRain, Twitter, and Facebook.

Recruiting Tools

Friday, September 5th, 2008 I hosted a webinar for Adam Lerman our National Director of Recruiting. Wow, are there a bunch of new things available to brokers, managers and recruiters to make your job easier ... and more importantly get the results you want.

I learned alot, including who the first captain of the Battlestar Galactica was (circa 1978) Okay, that might have nothing to do with recruiting but it did show Adam's many talents including the keeper of television trivia. Missed the Recruiting Webinar?

I've posted Adam's Power Point for you to review. http://my-noodle.com/C21/recruiting.ppt

If you would like to hear the t-con audio recording get hold of John Thorpe, regional services manager in Alabama ... yes that's in the USA: john.thrope@century21.com

Blogging Webinar

Just finished yet another great FREE Internet Marketing Webinar for California and Hawaii CENTURY 21, brokers, managers and agents. Blogging is a fabulous tool for differientating yourself. Do you know the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says less than 4% of agents are using blogging?

Blogging is consumer centric and used to develop a relationship and credibility. This class demonstrated the importance of determining your niche market and aligning your interests, skills and expertise with your future client's needs and values.

I'm hearing rumblings of one of our large CENTURY 21 offices ready to launch a blog dedicated specifically to recruiting. Bravo CENTURY 21 Award-Superstars. Sara Jackson, Linda Wise and Martha Burgoon ... I'm looking forward to hearing your stories and results.

By the way, thank you for sharing your YouTube videos. I'd like to post some of them on these blogs with your permission ... so let me know it's okay. Already Blogging? Want to share with others ... give us your blog address and I'll post it for others!

Reasons for Blogging:

• Branding - how to be a brand within a brand
• Communication
• Lead Generation
• Building meaningful relationships - isn't that what Real Estate is about?
• Demonstrate your expertise
• Niche Marketing -- wow, is this a subject I could go on and on about!

In this Blogging Webinar I shared:

• Blogging Platforms
• Suggested Niche Markets -- okay, don't get me going on niche marketing!
• Ways to Find, Collaborate and/or Write Articles -- not a writer ... not problem
• Adding Video, Photos, Listing and Links - you did come to our YouTube Webinar, right?
• How to Get Visitors to Your Blog
• Sample Blogs Using Niche Marketing

Next Internet Marketing Webinar is October 3rd, 2008 at 1:00 PDT. Let me show you some kick-butt ways using the Internet to promote your Open Houses for October Open House Month.

Missed the Blogging Webinar on September 3rd, 2008? View the Power Point: http://my-noodle.com/C21/Blogging.ppt

Upcoming Technology and Open House Webinar

Join us on Friday, October 3^rd at 1:00pm Pacific Time.

Register now by clicking here.

Make sure you say howdy and thank you to Alia Buttar, Tricia Andrade and Michelle Skipper for being the brain children behind this West Zone Internet Marketing Webinar Series!

Email: michelle.skipper@century21.com or tricia.andrade@century21.com

Stop Spraying and Praying

I don't profess to be a marketing guru, especially when compared to Jack Gettles, regional marketing director in the Pacific Northwest, however I think I learned something at Lake Chalen, Manager Retreat this week. You don't have to hit me over the head with a Wiffel ball bat ... I'm a quick study.

Here's what I learned in case you wanna know. When creating your marketing plan STOP SPRAYING AND PRAYING. Wow, think about all the money we can save but just following this simple rule!

Why would we want to throw good seeds (money, time, expertise and resources) unto rocky and barren soil? That's how my father a long-time missionary would explain it. Want a bountiful harvest of new business? Then, plant your marketing dollars in fertile soil and give your targeted future home buyers the attention they need to grow into clients.

My Italian friend Dorothy Crisci from CENTURY 21 Carole Realty would say it's like throwing spagetti to the ceiling .. when it sticks it's done cookin'. By the way, Dorothy is not only a great cook, she's a top producer, maybe we should ask her about things other than cooking.

Here's a link to Jack Gettles', PRESENTATION.

Some other cool things Jack talked about:

• First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Sales Tools


• National Response Center


• October Open House Month


• IDX


• Creating a Marketing Plan

YouTube Webinar

Above is a crazy in-house video we shot at CENTURY 21 Award in Mission Valley, California. Many folks find themselves either becoming video hams (hogs) or shy in front of a camera. In an effort to have agents more comfortable we used Crazy Bill the Cat as the resistant homebuyer prop. The prop seemed to relax our agents as we enjoyed letting Bill the Cat know what a fabulous market it is today for buying a home.

YouTube! Did you miss last month's Webinar on using video to market yourself, your listings and your open houses? With only 200 t-con and webinar seats available it was a full house. Fortunately, many brokers and managers offered to have their agents view the Webinar in-office using large screens or televison monitors, thus allowing over 500 real estate professionals to attend our two sessions. We learned how to shot, edit, post and syndicate videos. Can't wait to see all the open house and new listing videos.

Want Power Point presentation or Recording? Email me Rebecca.Monet@century21.com or Michelle.Skipper@century21.com. Please feel free to use YouTube Power Point in-office.

BLOGGING Webinar coming up! Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 PDT.

Register now by clicking here.

Baby Boomer Bucks

Where are the bucks in real estate? I believe you'll find the bucks in the wallets and bank accounts of the Baby Boomer. Want a piece of that action? Then focus on their needs, values and future plans. The Baby Boomer appreciates the value of home ownership. They are willing to help and financially support the next generation in their homebuying decisions.

The Baby Boomer is looking at real estate as a way to diversify their portfolios. Second homes and investment properties are a great way to do so. Any smart real estate professional that positions themselves as an asset manager rather than a realtor will be speaking the same language as the Baby Boomer. Check out Brian Brady's article 'Youth Myth' on Bloodhound.

How to Get Recruiting Results Fast

By Mark Whitmer, Regional Services Manager - CENTURY 21

Recruiting is not meant to be done by mail alone. Even when some do respond, they typically don’t pursue being hired. How can you optimize your recruiting activities?

First, let’s take a look at your target. Instead of mailing to every agent or selected agents in a variety of experience levels, consider clarifying your target audience.

According to Author Seth Godin, a message meant for everyone is read by no one. Here’s an example strategy. Choose agents with one to three years in the business. Begin by selecting an office, go to their roster online, cross check agents by the department of real estate website to view when they got their license. Once you’ve narrowed the list in the one to three year agents, check them against your MLS for (1) production, look for at least 3 transactions in the last 6 months as an example. (2) If they are listed in the MLS, they have paid their association dues.

Once you have done this, you have a great list. Now that you’ve identified the agents who are struggling and need to move over to your office, you can compose your campaign. However, postcards alone will not do it. I suggest a combination of methods as follows:

Calling Them

• Make it your goal to personally meet each one on your market. Tell them that. You don’t have to talk about joining your firm right off the bat, in fact it is better if you don’t. Get to know them first.
• When you discover that anyone on your list has taken a new listing, call them and congratulate them. Be the first to commend them before their Manager does.

Hand-written Notes

• The best way to deepen a relationship after a call or instead of a mass mailing is to hand-write to them. Be specific and genuine.
• Make an offer to them as to helping them grow, offer something of value, invite them to a mixer or meeting at your office.

Email

• Only email them once you’ve contacted them by the above methods. Otherwise, you are interrupting them and they will likely ignore your emails.

In this information agent we live in it is easy to just mail out and call it good. People don’t have time to take action on such plain methods, they can be meaningless. If you really desire to help them, you must show them your desire, not just mail