About Cochise County, AZ

There was a recent newspaper article about how the economic crisis was brought about by the housing crisis (no argument there). The article went on to say that the people who "got us all into this mess" should be made to volunteer at local food banks and homeless shelters to see first hand the "results of their actions." Of course, like many other articles on this subject, real estate agents were made out to be the bad guys.

This got me thinking and ultimately I did some calling around to various real estate offices in the area. It seems that, at least in my area, real estate agents are incredibly generous people. In fact, several agents I spoke with actually have, and will continue to, volunteer at the very places mentioned in the article. Others volunteer their time and efforts to school functions, hospitals, and even simply visiting older people in the community who live alone. These hardly seem like the same people the article was talking about.

Maybe we, as real estate professionals, should "toot our own horns" a bit more. Perhaps, the National Association of Realtors, should be tooting our horns a lot more on our behalf. In any event, as a whole, it seems like those in our industry really are getting a bad rap...touted as being selfish, self-centered, money-grubbing ne'er do wells. When, in actuality, many if not most of us are "out there" assisting where we can and otherwise doing our parts to improve the lives of those in our communities.

Of course, I've written a rebuttal to the newspaper in question, but I suspect this is not happening only in my area. So, I'm asking all of you...how do you "give back" to your community?

With the Memorial Day now behind us, and I do hope everyone found a service person and said "thank you," it's now time to get back to the ole grind-stone. Actually I know some of us worked all weekend, and I did see several open houses hosting barbecues, but I do hope everyone took at least a little bit of time off.

Many real estate professionals that I know personally have stopped taking time off recently, apparently feeling that by going out and 'beating the bushes' every day for a period of time they will single-handedly turn the real estate market around, at least locally. What this is really doing is turning several agents who were already tired and stressed-out into agents who are REALLY tired and stressed-out.

While, no doubt, their efforts will eventually produce results, at what point do you have to stop, take a step back and re-evaluate what you're doing in this market? Is going out every day and going door-to-door, or sitting in a booth at the local coffee shop really going to find that next client? Maybe. But might there be other ways of attracting clients to you as well...ways that don't mean you have to sacrifice a holiday with your family or time off for yourself? Probably.

Even in the very small rural area that I work in, there are opportunities to get out and talk to people that you can take the family to...one recent example is a graduation "party" for this year's high school seniors. There were activities for everyone...including some valuable "prospecting" for myself. My family was never the wiser because they were all involved in their own activities.

Another example would be charitable events. There was a recent golf tournament in my area to benefit the children of a father killed in an accident that drew participants from all over. There will be another event to benefit the local food pantry. Volunteering at the community center, senior center, animal shelter or your local visitor's center are also great ideas to get out there and be productive that might just prove to be more beneficial than sitting in a coffee shop or canvassing the same streets for the umpteenth time.

My whole point here is that in this market we really need to be creative in order to attract the clients to us. As others have posted, it isn't ALL about social networking sites online...it has to be about going out and seeing the people as well. Let's just make sure we're working smarter rather than harder and making the most of the time we put into building our businesses...otherwise we just might build the business but tear apart the more important aspects of our lives...family.

Action>>>

Back in my 20's I had grand ideas that I thought could change the world but those ideas never made the leap into action — and it was probably a good thing they stayed ideas. I’ve always been a “thinker” and it’s too bad I didn’t have a great mind. When I was in my 30's I began making the transition from thoughts to actions — or, rather, I began putting my thoughts into action —

But becoming is different than thinking about it. My wife taught me a lot about becoming the other. When I thought of leaving a 15 year career to go into real estate, I was terrified of failing and went into my theorizing phase, thinking it to death. She believed in me and said she knew I would succeed and with her support, I made the leap. I was always wondering - How does she make the tough decisions without ever seeming to over think it? She never sits around in an anxious state wondering what actions to take.

Becoming takes commitment. Until you commit and take actions the ideas are still theoretical. One reason a lot of agents in real estate are never successful is that they never become real estate agents, they merely have a license, and real estate is an add-on to hopefully generate a little extra money. Many of them plan to transition into it full-time once they are successful, but they get stuck in a catch-22 where they can’t commit until they see success and they can’t see success until they commit.

I couldn’t enjoy the joys of being a father until I became a father. I can’t reap the benefits of being a friend until I become a friend. We become many things during our life, mother, fathers, professionals, writers, friends, stamp-collectors, etc. but we never get there solely by thinking — we have to experience in action and become.

The key is commitment and action — throwing yourself into what you want to become, taking theory, putting it into practice and learning to the end from experience, always prepared to change and grow. Part-time real estate agents will not reap the benefits of the profession until they commit and take action. There is nothing wrong with being a part-time agent, if that is what you choose, but if you want to be a real estate professional, and KNOW real estate, and reap the rewards of the profession, then you’ll have to become one.— the proof is in the commitment and the action, the becoming.

I’ve made the commitment to succeed in real estate — I’m becoming. It’s the only way to KNOW, for me. I can listen to the experiences of others and learn some, but I’ll never know for myself until I do it. Common sense and reason go a long way, but what I’m talking about is much different of course — people have succeeded at real estate,— and the only way you or I can is to commit and do it. We’ll never KNOW until we do.

Real Wishes Foundation by Southern Arizona Association of REALTORS®

Topic: Real Wishes Foundation by Southern Arizona Association of REALTORS®
Guest: Patti Miller from Rio Verde Realty and Deb Deshae from Long Realty

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05/09/09 Today we are going to talk about the “Real Wishes Foundation” with Patti Miller from Rio Verde Realty and Deb Deshae from Long Realty from the board of Directors of the new foundation.

Bradley Snyder - Sierra Vista Rrealty

www.bradsnyder.com

“Open House” is a radio show dedicated entirely to the subject of Sierra Vista and Cochise County real estate. My name is Brad Snyder and I'm a REALTOR and Property Manager at Sierra Vista Realty and I host the show. This program has been designed to bring you news and information you can use. Each week I will have guest experts including REALTORS, appraisers, remodelers, and many others talking about what they know best and answering your questions and concerns. My goal is to inspire, empower, and enlighten as we discuss issues that effect homeownership and yes….we will even talk about this weekends open houses.

The broadcast is designed to be a resource for anyone interested in selling, buying, or just protecting your investment in Sierra Vista and Cochise County. I hope to bring my unique experience and passion for Cochise County real estate to a community of listeners.

The New Oakmont Subdivision by R.L. Workman Homes Podcast

Topic: The New Oakmont Subdivision by R.L. Workman Homes
Guest: Lindsay Arnold and Avi Trustman from Sunhaven Realty

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05/02/09 Aviva Trustman and Lindsay Arnold from Sun Haven Realty talk about the new Oakmont Subdivision.

Brad Snyder - Realtor, Property Manager in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sierra Vista Realty
www.BradSnyder.com

“Open House” is a radio show dedicated entirely to the subject of Sierra Vista and Cochise County real estate. My name is Brad Snyder and I'm a REALTOR and Property Manager at Sierra Vista Realty and I host the show. This program has been designed to bring you news and information you can use. Each week I will have guest experts including REALTORS, appraisers, remodelers, and many others talking about what they know best and answering your questions and concerns. My goal is to inspire, empower, and enlighten as we discuss issues that effect homeownership and yes….we will even talk about this weekends open houses.

The broadcast is designed to be a resource for anyone interested in selling, buying, or just protecting your investment in Sierra Vista and Cochise County. I hope to bring my unique experience and passion for Cochise County real estate to a community of listeners.