Alexandria, LA

Social Media such as Facebook is a great tool for reaching out to your sphere. After all, those 565 "friends" probably need a place to live right? Salespeople, especially agents are well represented on my friend list. Some of them could definitely use a "social media makeover". While not perfect by any means, here are some lessons I picked up along the way.

1) Mix Business With Pleasure---2/3 of my posts deal with personal things (kids, yard work, musings). Doing so allows you to remain friendly with your friends.

2) Steer Clear of Political Issues--Hate George Bush, Obama, McCain? Keep such thoughts off Facebook. The thing to remember about divisive issues is that they can be divisive. Why offend 1/2 your audience??

3) It's fine to post a new listing or open house-- No worries, this is keeping you in the public eye. I will post a blog on ActiveRain and put a link on Facebook.

4) Facebook ain't your MLS--- Guess what happens when you post TEN listings? Folks ignore them all.

5) Be The Local Expert---My broker is a master at this (don't tell her I said so). There isn't a crawfish festival in the state that goes by without her advertising it! And guess what? Her people love it!

6) Don't use Facebook to vent--- " I'm working with this stupid buyer who wants a home in Green Acres subdivision. More folks can see your posts than your realize. How would you like to explain that post to your buyer?

7) Don't become that bragging agent-- I closed four homes this week and took three days off! How did I become this AWESOME LOL!! One of my agent friends does this. A look at the MLS data would beg to differ...

If you haven't heard of Taylor Mathews...you soon will!!

He is a wonderful and geniune young man (18 yrs old) from Central Louisiana!!

Check out this YouTube video and fall in love:

I am asking for your VOTE! If you don't normally watch America's Got Talent...watch tonight! Then when it's over please place your vote for Taylor Mathews!

Thanks! After 10:00 PM Central Time text the word VOTE to 4807! You can vote 10 times!

Yesterday I showed properties in the afternoon. In Louisiana this time of year that means super muggy and ninety plus degrees. As luck would have it, we were also encountered a nice mid-afternoon thunderstorm. On the way back to the office I wondered why anyone would be out and about in this weather.

Then I thought back to last winter. Freezing temperatures and sleet were the order of the day. Nothing like trying to plant a giant Century 21 sign when you can't feel your fingers!

For me Spring and Fall are the best times to be on the road. Fairly nice weather without the brutal extremes. On the other hand summer does allow me to show homes in the daylight past 8 pm. Last night I met with an investor late and we had plenty of daylight to prep for our next flip.

Which season do you enjoy most? Which offers the greatest challenge in your market?

Continuing my recent stream of good luck, my wife was able to find a stray nail in her front tire this weekend. After a closer look, it appeared to be a prime candidate for a plug. So Sunday afternoon I increased the air pressure and headed to a certain "Mega Store".

After a nice wait I was greeted by a young man that resembled Billy Idol. Perhaps he thought it was a tricky nail, because he needed to get advice from his manager. Coke Zero in hand, the manager shuffles out of the office. He was the spitting image of a Caucasian Mr. T!

Mr. T and Billy Idol discussed the merits of my repair job. They soon decided that it was too hot to fool with such a small job and sent me on my way. "You will never be able to fix that sucker", and back into the air conditioned office they retired.

This morning I visited a local tire center. Surely they could fix my poor little tire. We are sorry sir, but we won't be able to fix it till tomorrow. Would you mind leaving it here overnight? Let me get this straight, right now it is 830 am, you want me to leave my keys here overnight for a simple repair? Yep, the smartly dressed tech replied. As I left the store I noticed their 100% satisfaction guarantee. Guess that don't apply if the customer is so turned off they leave before the work is done...

At the end of my rope, I pulled into a small service station. A kindly girl with many tatooes fixed my tire in under ten minutes. The costs? eight dollars.

I will need new tires soon. The plug will allow me the luxury to comparison shop. But before the comparison begins I have scratched the "Mega store", and tire center off my list. Honda Odyssey tires are crazy expensive. Their unwillingness to do a ten minute repair means they lost out on a chance to sell me four tires.

Regardless of your product, sales is about one thing, treating your customer right!

No Money Down Loans for Homes outside of Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana

I know many of the buyers in our area have heard that the USDA Rural Development 100% financing program is completely out of funds. Don't worry the money is still available with certain lenders in our area. You just have to know where to look. I have contacts with certain lenders in Alexandria, Louisiana to still receive the 100% financing for your new home. One of the main things to remember is you must just look outside the city limits to qualify. Contact me today and find out how to receive these funds for your new home purchase.

Visit me on the web for more info on these loans at www.DavidBeckhamRealtor.com or www.KW.com

Also I can be reached by phone at 318-880-1270