Aaron Poling

I am sure everyone remembers their real estate priciples class, when eveyone you talked to stressed to pick a broker and office that would provide training. I took their advice seriously, I figured if everyone in the business was telling me the same thing it had to be important. That advice was one of the reasons I chose to work for Long & Foster. When I had first got started I had tons of in office training that really helped. Then they sent me to a training they have called Star Builders. This training takes rookies from several of their offices and have them train together, so it gives the newbies a chance to network with each other. Our trainer was a top producing agent, Carol Harold out of the Foxcroft Ave, Martinsburg WV office. The trainer gives you real world advice and prepares you for both sides of a real estate transaction, from start to after closing, because the agent is a very successful active agent you are getting "real life" scenarios thrown at you. The course also covers how to build your business, technology, how to find business with prospecting and farming, how to prepare yourself for business, etc... I feel so much more prepared for the real estate industry after completing Star Builders. I have to thank Long & Foster for caring about their agents, my manager Margie that made me enroll in class, and definetly Carol Harold my instructor who is willing to share her knowledge and help other agents, in and out of the classroom. Thanks Aaron

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

www.aaronpoling.com

I just got this picture from one of our Local Real Estate attorneys. Having been a builder for a long time I have been to many closings but always being the buyer or seller. This picture was taken by Amanda Steiner one of the closing attorneys, the picture is of myself and the attorney that conducted the closing, Dave Pill. I consider both attorneys very good friends of mine, which would explain why they had me pose for this picture of me recieving my first check from a real estate closing as a real estate agent. I want to say thanks to Amanda, Dave and everyone at Pill and Pill. In my opinion they have set the mark that all professionals should strive to reach. Their team is second to no one. Thanks Aaron

See How Happy I Look!

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

I have written a few previous posts about online classes that I have taken through Realtor University. I have always been very intrigued by commercial real estate, coming from a background including a lot of commercial construction. Realtor University has just started offering a class entitled Discovering Commercial Real Estate. I decided it was a class I couldn't pass up. The class is not going to make you an expert in commercial real estate but it does give you all the info you need to make an informed decision about whether commercial real estate is for you. After taking the course I am definitely going to persue commercial real estate but I have a better understanding of how to do it and what niche I can fit into. I hope this can help someone! Thanks

Check out the course at: http://www.learninglibrary.com/realtoruniversity/

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

www.aaronpolingsblog.com

We are approaching my favorite weekend of the year, the annual Apple Blossom Festival weekend. It isn't in my home state of West Virginia but it is only about a fifteen minute drive south on I81 from the West Virginia border. There are lots of activities for everyone. It's a great weekend to check out the area. Its also a great time to do some networking. That's what I plan on doing! Below I have outlined some of the major events going on this weekend but I suggest logging on to www.thebloom.com so you don't miss anything.

Friday, May 1^st

11:00am

Bloomers Luncheon

Men's Commonwealth Luncheon

11:45am

Stag Luncheon (ill be at this one)

5:00pm

Firefighters Parade

9:00pm

Fireworks Display

Saturday, May 2^nd

10:00am

Weekend in the Park

1:30pm

Grand Feature Parade

8:00pm

Country Music Party

Rock n Roll Dance

Jazz Party

Sunday, May 3^rd

10:00am

Weekend in the Park

I Hope to see you Out this Weekend!

Aaron Poling

Long & Foster

www.aaronpolintsblog.com

When i take on a listing, i belive that the mls system is our most powerful tool. I would also like to say that the picure on the mls is the first thing that customer and agents look at. In most cases if there is not a picture the listing will not even get looked at. Below i have listed a few things about listing pictures that i do.

1. Do not submit a listing without a photo. This is something that i cant personally belive that agents do.

2. Post multiple photos. It doesnt take too long to snap a few photos while your already walking a house. Please tell me that you are walking your listings.

3. Edit your photos. It only take an extra minute to run your photos through Publisher or any number of other photo programs.

4. Take some spring time photos. If the pictures of your listing has something covered in snow please take a new photo. This also applies to new construction photos, when the house is complete, take a fresh photo.

5. Clean up your photos. If there is a trash can in the photo, move it before you take a picture. If your taking your main picture and there is a window unit a/c, see if you can get it moved. There are lots of these examples but just use common sense. Make sure you have homeowner permission before moving anything.

6. Take neighborhood photos. With lots of developments there are great views, or amenities that would be great to show as part of your package. Not too many agents do this, so you can set yourself apart.

These are just a few ideas, but the point is pictures are a valuable resource so dont ignore it. You owe it to your lising and to yourself! Thanks for reading.