Top 10 Ways for Realtors to Spend Money Wisely (under $100 version)

10. A clean car... Carwashes are what, $10? No excuse for a dirty car.

9. A printed map of your area... It will come in handy when you least expect.

8. Supply of movie passes to enclose with Thank You notes.

7. Subscription to Real Estate Professional magazine. Best $33 ever spent.

6. Spiral binding machine for presentations. No more handing out stacks of paper...

5. Professional business cards. Amazingly, many agents use generic cards. Still. In 2007

4. Read a minimum of one good book per month. Preferably business related.

3. Subscription to Zipforms (or whatever is used in your area).

2. Wireless aircard for your computer. Work from wherever you are.

And the #1 Way For Realtors to Spend Money Wisely...

1. BlueTooth earpiece for your cell phone. Two hands on the wheel, please!

Posted Sunday Oct 21

(10/21/07 03:31PM) — Kim Peasley-Parker

Great post and list. As for the car wash, I remember an exercise blog around here. I have made the choice to wash my own car and burn some calories.

(10/21/07 03:34PM) — Daniel Sundberg Foreclosure Specialist

Good list and a great compliment to your earlier post. If you choose not to use an earpiece, most phones come with a speaker option that works great as well.

(10/21/07 03:35PM) — Patrick Harfst, CRS

Kim - That funny you mention exercising... I had a gym membership on my list of candidates for this post, but just did not add it... Makes perfect sense, owever. I work out at 24 Hour Fitness in Gilbert...

(10/21/07 03:38PM) — Patrick Harfst, CRS

Daniel - Correct... but then the caller gets all of your background noise, and you give up any privacy... Not cool in a public setting... but certainly better than driving with one hand, trying to work a keyboard with one hand, etc. Even a redneck bluetooth (a large rubber band around the user's head, holding the phone to ear) works...

(10/21/07 03:38PM) — Chris Sloan Tooele Real Estate

Patrick.. Great list. Dont forget. shined shoes and haircut.

Thanks

(10/21/07 04:06PM) — Gary Bland

I am with you on these simple and most forgotten items. This will stop a few questions from any Buyer.

(10/21/07 04:07PM) — Mike Jaquish Keller Williams Realty, Cary, NC

Zipforms, yes!

And I swore I would never wear a BT headset, and I'm absolutely hooked!

Great lists Patrick!

(10/21/07 04:14PM) — Patrick Harfst, CRS

Chris - You must have seen me out in public recently! I need some new shoes, and always seem to be needing a haircut.

Mike - I remember the first time I saw someone with a BT earpiece... looked a bit dorky, in 1999. Now, I see tons of folks leaving them on their ear, even when not on a call. Fashion accessory, I guess!

(10/21/07 04:17PM) — Rebecca Savitski NC Real Estate Listings

I have not submitted to the BT yet but I am very very close. I just don't want to look silly!!

I actually had a client pull the steering wheel while I was making a Uie, writing showing instructions and talking on the phone.

(10/21/07 04:50PM) — Johnny Park

Membership to MLS and other professional services and organizations too.

(10/21/07 06:42PM) — Ricardo Bueno - Mortgage Planner

I just have to comment that the spiral machine is not as expensive as one might think! And it's definitely WELL worth the investment as it makes your presentation just that more professional!!!

(10/22/07 01:20AM) — Debbie Baldes, Roseville, CA RE Broker-Owner

#10....OUCH! I even get free car washes at my Lexus dealer just never want to wait there to get it done! Maybe I could read part of my one book a month there! :-)

Love these 10 ways....posts!

(10/22/07 06:04AM) — GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES

I love the tips. I do not have the wireless air card. Can it be used abroad ?

(10/22/07 09:48AM) — Patrick Harfst, CRS

Ricardo - I went a step further and purchased a heat-binding machine a few years back. They were being shown at a CRS convention... UniBind is the brand, but they are not cheap. Makes presentations into "books"...

Gita - Air Cards are used overseas, for sure. Whether they are straight across compatible depends... Some phones sold here are compatible for use overseas, some are not. Same for the air cards... Ask your cell provider. God luck!