RE/MAX Center Agents Share Technology

We want to thank Maria De Leon for sharing this information on another Contact Management System. This one looks interesting because it integrates with Microsoft Outlook and you can manage all your contacts from your email program.

As many of you know, I’ve been using Top Producer.  However, I just downloaded the trial version of EurekaWare for Realtors.  This Contact Management System integrates with Microsoft Outlook.  It is very user friendly… and from what I can tell so far, it is absolutely awesome!  It keeps dated notes, all the details of properties shown or of interest by adding the FMLS# and even shows the pictures, Seller and Buyer info, files emails and activities in each Contact in their contact folder.  It has a To Do bar which allows you to view all your day’s activities on your calendar… everyone you have to call, email, meet, or other activity scheduled, etc… without ever leaving Outlook.

So far, I like it better than Top Producer.   You can even create drip campaigns but I’m simply going to continue to use Lead Street since I like it so much.  Best of all… it’s only $99!  And no monthly fees!  It’s tied to Realtor.com but if you want to tie into MLS / FMLS, you can upgrade for $49 onetime fee.  You can sign up for 30 days for free.  You don’t even have to give them a credit card for the trial membership. You can visit their website and View EurekaWare Features.

Here’s to a more organized and fruitful 2010!  I know we’ll make it… together.

RE/MAX Regional Services Agent Wire 02/04/10

What you really need to know…

SUPERCHARGE YOUR SALES IN 2010. Mark Your Calendar for the RE/MAX Regional Sales Seminar and Recognition Event

Register for the Verl Workman seminar and recognition event in your area.

NAR Short Selling Webinar still available to view

“Today’s Changing Short Sales Environment” webinar hosted by the NAR and co-sponsored by Bank of America Home Loans is still available to view online.

RE/MAX Network Continues Expansion

Several former competitors have joined the RE/MAX Network, bringing with them more than 650 individual Sales Associates.

Foreclosure Search Now on RE/MAX.COM

RE/MAX has teamed with RealtyTrac, the No.1 foreclosure listing web site, to provide over 1.3 million pre-foreclosure, auction, and foreclosure listings.

Get Optional RealtyTrac Subscription at Discounted Rate

RE/MAX Affiliates who wish to receive additional data on properties can sign up for an optional RealtyTrac subscription at a reduced rate.

Super Exposure! RE/MAX Ads Air during the Super Bowl

RE/MAX sponsorship includes “The RE/MAX Broadcast Center,” and the “RE/MAX Outstanding Play of the Game”.

Tech Tip – New iPhone App Lets You View Webinars from Anywhere

Cisco WebEx have released a new iPhone App that allows you to view our bi-weekly webinars from anywhere

2010 Peachtree Road Race Registrations Opening Soon

As a Peachtree Road Race sponsor RE/MAX affiliates get coveted early registration privileges for the 2010 Peachtree Road Race to be held in Atlanta on July 4th 2010.

Senate Bill Would Overhaul Georgia Property Tax

47-page bill features more than 40 changes in the current property tax system.

2010 REtechSouth Conference

As professional full time REALTORS we constantly strive to stay on top of the cutting edge technology that is available to us. WE research this opportunity and that opportunity. we constantly get bombarded with email (SPAM) about the latest and greatest “Silver Bullet” to add to our ammunition belt. Would you like a Here It Is, All In One Place, Two Day “Local” Conference where you can see and hear from the experts in real estate technology.

The Atlanta Agents Forum has teamed up with REtechSouth to offer discount admission for our readers to this exciting 2 day conference. Make the dates on your calendar…March 25 and 26 at the Gwinnett Center. The Panel of Speakers reads like a Whos Who of real estate experts. These people are not just speakers, they practice what they preach. Follow the REtechSouth Discount link for a 10% discount on admission to the conference.

If you are looking to maximize your exposure and results while providing the greatest return on your investment REtechSouth is the one conference you will not want to miss. There is something for every technology user from beginner to advanced. Attendees will be afforded multiple sessions on a wide variety of technology topics. Just select the ones that interest you.

REtechSouth is the largest real estate conference in the southeast. It is held annually in metro Atlanta and aims to teach real estate industry professionals how to better utilize current technologies along with how to incorporate new technologies into their business. The current state of affairs in the real estate market make this the “Must Attend” conference of 2010.

NAMAR Helps Homeowners Keep Their Home

NAMAR has launched www.unnecessaryforeclosure.com to educate Atlanta area homeowners on options to avoid foreclosure. The Web site offers a list of nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping consumers avoid foreclosure, warning signs of predatory lenders and information on mortgages that could lead to trouble for homeowners. Detailed information on short sales and the short sale process and the tax implications of foreclosure is also available. Among the most useful pieces of information on the site is a list of common solutions that can be reached with a lender, such as repayment or loan modification. NAMAR has produced a series of videocasts to help consumers understand their options and give tips on how to avoid losing one’s home. These videos can also be found at www.UnnecessaryForeclosure.com.

We have also developed a brochure for REALTORS to use to help their clients. You can download the brochure and customize with your information or there is a standard flyer that you can download and attach your business card.
 
Click Here to Download Custom Flyer 
  
Click Here to Download Standard Flyer

Proposed FHA Policy Changes

In an effort to help FHA better manage risk; several proposed policy changes were announced today by Federal Housing Authority Commissioner David Stevens. The purpose of these proposed changes is to help strengthen the FHA’s capitol reserves while addressing risk management.

Follow the FHA Policy Changes link to see the complete press release. A summary of the proposed policy changes are:

•    Increase the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) to 2.25%. ETA Spring 2010
•    Update the combination of FICO Score (Credit Score) and Down payment Percentage for new borrowers. ETA Early Summer 2010
•    Reduce Seller Concessions (Closing Cost Contribution) from 6% to 3%. ETA Early Summer 2010
•    Publicly Report Lender Performance Rankings and hold lenders more accountable.
•    Increase monitoring of lender performance and compliance with FHA guidelines.
•    Loan Originators and Underwriters would assume liability for loans they originate and underwrite.

So what do you think of these proposed changes? How do you think they will effect buyers and sellers?

Mandatory RESPA Reform

Effective January 1, 2010 RESPA was reformed. Many of you have heard about RESPA Reform and have probably even been to a seminar or webinar to explain it.  I wanted to take a few minutes to give you a little background on RESPA Reform.

First off what is RESPA? RESPA stands for the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act. RESPA Reform was enacted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the intent to help protect borrowers applying for home financing by standardizing the industry. In doing this they feel that they have established a more thorough explanation and disclosure of loan terms and fees via the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and Settlement Statement (HUD-1). The Department of Housing and Urban Development set standards with the lenders that will only allow certain fees to change between the time of issuing the GFE and the time the borrower goes to closing.  They feel that this change also allows a borrower to shop lenders and to be able to understand the differences that they are quoted.

Since this was just started January 1st, you may not have had the opportunity to see a new GFE or HUD-1.  The way that the guideline is written the HUD-1 does not need to be the new revised HUD-1 until they are doing a closing that the new GFE was given to the borrower.

Advantage Mortgage Partners an affiliate of  Wells Fargo has given us some great pamphlets that can help you do understand the revisions.  Please feel free to pick one up at any of the RE/MAX Center locations.

For additional information on RESPA Reform feel free to contact Linda Stratton at 770-329-4175 or Roxanne Gaigelas at 770-797-7003.

Best Practices for an Initial Meeting

So you have an initial meeting set up with a potential buyer. What do you intend to cover with them? Of course you will want to find out what criteria they are looking for in their new home and you will want to discuss their price point. After all this initial meeting is all about them right? If we were to take a survey this approach is probably the approach that most agents employ when meeting with a prospect for the first time.

Separate Yourself from the Crowd

While you definitely want to focus on what the potential buyer feels is important, why not help educate them at the same time. How many agents do you think discuss the different types of Agency or Lead Based Paint with a buyer at that initial meeting? Is it safe to say not many? Do you have a questionnaire to go over with the buyer to help determine what level of service they are looking for? At a recent training class Tom Gillette shared one that he uses and gave permission for it to be shared. Think of how these questions could help set you apart in that initial meeting. Ask the buyer if they want you to:

•    Tell you the lowest price the seller will take.
•    Help you develop a negotiating strategy.
•    Tell you if I think the property is overpriced.
•    Disclose to you that the current use of the property is in violation of Zoning laws or deed restrictions.
•    Tell you the amount of any counter offers made by seller.
•    Provide you with a Competitive Market Analysis and interpretation to assist you in knowing what to offer.
•    Disclose to you known defect in the property.
•    Disclose to you if I learn the seller will take less than the list price.
•    Assist you in making an objective comparison of competing properties.
•    Make available to you all properties you would be interested in regardless of whether it is listed with a real estate company or not.
•    Disclose to you, (if I know), that the property has been the site of a homicide or suicide.
•    Provide advice on what clauses to include in an offer for property to protect your rights.
•    Educate you on the process so you can become an informed consumer.
•    Provide you with first opportunity to see any properties newly listed.
•    Suggest financing alternatives that would be in your best interest.
•    Tell you how long a property has been on the market.
•    Work with you in a way that is legal under Georgia law and ethical in accordance with the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

Ask the buyer to tell you which of these services they want you to provide them with and then rate the importance of each one on a scale of 1 to 10. Can you see how asking these questions will put you in a better situation with a buyer during that initial meeting?

During the initial meeting provide the buyer with GAR Form # F14 The ABC’s Of Agency and Gar Form #F13 Protect Yourself When Buying a Home. Then explain to them that by Georgia Law you are prohibited from representing them in a transaction as a client without first entering into a written agreement. You can also explain how commissions are paid and that in most transactions your services do not cost them anything because the listing broker actually pays you through the cooperative listing agreement. They still may be hesitant to sign the Buyer Broker Agreement and that is fine. After all they can sign it at a later date. You should however have them sign the Customer Acknowledgment Form #F6 in which they acknowledge that they are solely responsible for protecting their own interests.

Do you think that taking an approach like this will help separate you from the crowd? Let us know what you think.

FMLS Makes Changes to Enhance Listings

Square Footage Added To Listings

For years we have been asked why square footage is not shown on listings. FMLS, due to popular demand is now including Square Footage and the source of the Square Footage. The Square Footage is displayed in the Legal, Financial and Tax section of an FMLS listing. The default source for square footage shown is the tax records. If need be the value can be edited. If the value is edited a new source must be indicated. The Square Footage Source Options are Tax Record, Not Available, Builder and Appraisal. While it is not guaranteed to show on every listing, this is a definite step in the right direction.

Enhancements to Sold Listing Data

Keeping up with the changes and current market trends FMLS has made several enhancements to Sold Listing Data. Previously, sold property information was stored in the FMLS database for 3 years. This has been increased to 5 years and a new field has been added to the sold information called “Lender Mediated Y / N. This field should be used to indicate whether the property was a “Short Sale” or “Foreclosure” on FMLS Form #118 – Notice of Closing

Maximum Number of Photos Increased

As we all know, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” and you can put a price on multiple pictures. The more pictures and descriptions you include with each listing the longer visitors will spend online viewing the listing. We can now upload up to 20 photos of each listing.

Thanks for listening to our requests FMLS. For these changes you get a “Y’all Done Good”!

Protect Your Idenity During The 2010 Census

THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE;

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers, by the BBB.

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the  2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

How To Tell The Difference

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit  card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

What Information to Provide

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR  ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social  Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON  GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.  No Acorn worker should approach you  saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in  person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Watch Out For Email Scams and Viruses

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the  U.S.  Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit  http://www.bbb.org.

A special thanks to Susan Kliesen for bring this to everyone’s attention.

I have set my goal for the year

Week one of a New Year…

I have set my goal for the year….

Brian Buffini is the first person I heard that made this simple statement…
Win the day…Win the week…Win the month…Win the year…

When I set my goals for the year I knew I had to focus to accomplish my goals.  Even the first week presented some major challenges for me.  The key for me to reach my goal is prospecting… asking great Realtors to join the company.  But just as you, I get pulled in a lot of direction.  I won the week… 51 weeks to go…I talked to 5 Realtors about joining RE/MAX Center.  I don’t know if any of them will join but I was able to stay on task and perform the activity “prospecting”.  My intent is to speak with 5 Realtor every week this year…No matter what other issue(s) comes up…

I borrowed this idea from Eileen Howard and made a few changes to fit myself.  She sets her goal at the start of the year.  Then she sets monthly goals at the start of each month.  Throughout the year she is constantly reviewing monthly where she is at.  In the past I would set my goal for the year but not review monthly.  I was missing an important piece of goal setting…measuring the results…

I know where I want to be at the end of the year and each month I will set my goal for that month.  I will then measure my results monthly.  I know the road blocks… This week we upgraded the DocSTAR system and we have a new server being installed next week.  I have to move some furniture around at Dacula and Johns Creek.  I am working closely with Holly Fogel and the staff.  I am constantly answering contract questions and I have contract disputes to deal with.  I have to plan for the sales meeting and additional training for the coming months.  Then there is the Broker Owner panel that I am on next week and the following week another Broker Owner focus group.  Oh and then I do have a life…So I have plenty of excuses not to prospect…I can always tell myself tomorrow I will get back to prospecting.  My hope is to stay on task for 12 months…Winning the day, week, month and year.

If there is one thing that the past two years have taught me…that is I need to focus and accomplish more in a shorter period of time.  I need to work toward completing task(s) and measuring the results of my efforts.  I must adapt to the change and look for the opportunities.

Of course you need to define your own goals.
What if you created one new client a week?  52 new clients a year…
What would it take for you to win the day, the week, the month and the year?