Barry Owen

NO ONE Succeeds alone!

Every business relies on LEADS to bring new "Listings" (Customers/Clients) and must develop appropriate LEVERAGE in order to sufficiently navigate the intricacies of the business and serve the needs of the clients.

We build LEVERAGE through:

- adoption of sound MODELS (Success Leads Clues - follow a business model that is working for other professionals in your field - MREA)

- Innovative creation of SYSTEMS which enable EFFICIENCY and FLOW so that the mechanical aspects of our business happen automatically in a uniform and consistent manner

- Our relationships with and THROUGH PEOPLE

Many folks understand LEVERAGE in theory, but have great difficulty when it comes to implementation because of those darned LIMITING BELIEFS swimming around in their heads and coming from other people in their environment.

A few of those limiting beliefs might be:

"It's costly and I don't have enough MONEY to sufficiently leverage my business."

"If I have to HIRE someone, I'll have to TRAIN & MANAGE them, I don't have TIME for that!"

"I don't know HOW!"

Done right, Leveraging your business does not have to cost a bunch of money or time and is not all that difficult.

Consider the power of BARTERING . . . Wikipedia defines Bartering as:

"Bartering is a medium in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/or services without a common unit of exchange (without the use of money).^[1] It can be bilateral or multilateral, and usually exists parallel to monetary systems in most developed countries, though to a very limited extent. Barter usually replaces money as the method of exchange in times of monetary crisis, when the currency is unstable and devalued by hyperinflation. Bartering is still common in the present, usually used within the Internet on sites like Craigslist.^{[2] "}

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

My favorite termite inspector leverages my time by handling the termite inspection without me having to meet him by dealing directly with my Sellers . . . He gets a LOT of business from me because I tell ALL of my REALTOR friends how great he is. He's leveraging my time while I leverage his Lead generation.

My favorite home inspector does the same . . . and is a very reliable resource when I need home maintenance advice and/or referrals for sub-contractors.

My favorite home maintenance company bids any work I might need within 24 hours of my call ALWAYS and has NEVER failed to complete the work on time . . .and he handles the details directly with the client.

My favorite Title Company handles virtually ALL of my contract to close details by maintaining contact with all parties to the transaction and solving issues as they arrise . . . They call me weekly to up-date me.

A tech savvy newly licensed agent can barter with a seasoned veteran . . . "I'll spool you on the current technology and set up your leverage SYSTEMS while you MENTOR me to develop my business"

NONE of this costs extra MONEY or TIME!

Where do YOU need leverage?

What do you have in your "bag of tricks" that you can trade for what you need?

"Get this" bartering/leverage thingie, and you'll find yourself with plenty of time for generating ample leads to fuel an extremely lucrative career.

I'm just sayin'

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 - Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen's Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

A little birdie told me a rumor yesterday.

She said that the Senate passed the bill to extend and expand the tax credit for home buyers . . . Now, it'll go back to the House of Representatives and then to the President's desk for signature.

My internet research for validation of the rumor netted nil, so I am still a tad hesitant to sing out victorious yet.

BECAUSE . . . I don't trust politicians :-)

Anything could change in the bill, and there's still a chance it could stall in the house . . .

Let's just hallucinate together for a few minutes and imagine that it's true (Pinch yourself).

Last I saw (Excerpted from the Tennessee Association of REALTORS weekly news digest), the bill under consideration looks something like this:

• Credit available for purchases before May 1, 2010. Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
• Credit remains at $8000 for first-time purchasers. No change to definition of first-time purchaser.
• New $6500 tax credit for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010. Repeat buyers must have lived in their homes consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
• Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return. Current law $20,000 phase-out retained.
• New anti-fraud limitations are imposed.

We (Professional Real Estate Experts) all have until April 30 to help the general public understand the new rules well enough to perform quickly enough to be able to take advantage of this.

I'm assuming that most of these "repeat Buyers" will need to sell a house before being able to buy another . . . and most markets are typically darned slow (seasonally) between now and April 30.

A possible "silver lining" is that there's an extra 60 days built in for the closing - thus actually adding @ 30 days extra marketing time - thereby leaving 30 days for loan approvals (cutting it tight).

Just for kicks, what kind of new purchases might start happening as a result of this new legislation?

Who will potentially start buying as a result of this?

Who do we need to educate about the benefits of listing their house TODAY so as to be able to sell it soon enough to take advantage of this tax credit?

We research and find those who have owned a home for 5 consecutive years within the past 8 years.

Let's just say they've all got great credit, and they can qualify for a mortgage of @ 1/3 of their income . . .

$125,000 income limit for single return - $10,417/mth x .33 = $3437.50 Mortgage payment ... This takes them in range for a $300,000-$500,000 home purchase.

$225,000 Income limit on a joint return - $18,750/mth x .33 = $$6187.5 Mortgage payment . . .

HOLY COW!

So a couple filing jointly can potentially (in my market assuming 5.5% interest rate) buy up to nearly a MILLION dollar home and be eligible for this $6,500 tax credit.

What segments of your market are stagnant these days?

In ours, it's that middle range and high end from @ $300,000 and up.

Many of the repeat Buyers who are interested in moving are frustrated with the inventory out there because much of it is "old and stale" . . . an influx of new listings might just start a little fire.

so . . .

Don't wait!

NOW is the time to LIST HOUSES because 5 1/2 months is NOT much time considering it includes ALL of the holidays AND the Winter ...

List them - Get them under contract - and find a new home for the Sellers by April 30, 2010.

As we sometimes say here in the South: "THAT dog'll HUNT!"

I'm just sayin'

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 - Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen's Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

Whether the economy is rolling along swimmingly or bucking like an angry Bull, some areas in your community always seem to "perform" better than others.

Values hold relatively steady and sales continue to happen.

These are the areas in which folks want to work and live especially when times get tough.

What of the other, less fortunate areas of your town?

Some "fickle" pockets were doing quite well in the good times, and screeched to a sudden HALT with the market shift . . . while other "Problem" areas just never seem to gain much traction in any economic environment.

Business people (REALTORS) tend to migrate towards the resilient areas because, after all, we DO have to eat therefore we go to work in the areas where inventory is selling (or get out of the business).

The issue with this as a business strategy is that those "stronger" markets get crowded, and this scenario quickly creates an ever-increasing gap from the increasingly depressed areas.

Why should the average REALTOR CARE about the depressed market areas in the marketplace?

Wouldn't it be easier to put on the blinders and stay on the path of least resistance . . . in a market segment where the work is more enjoyable and ALIVE?

I can think of a few good reasons to pay attention to these depressed pockets:

Great business people effect CHANGE in their communities and CREATE markets in Dead Zones. This is a HIGHLY LEVERAGED strategy for HUGE success. It requires high risk tolerance and patience and HARD WORK, but pays off in the long run with HUGE financial gains and a better place for everyone to live.

The depressed pockets in your market "bring down" the overall market success ... and may ultimately negatively affect the popularity of your city or community for incoming family and business relocation.

I believe that REALTORS and other business people are quintessentially positioned to be powerful influencers when it comes to creating stability in their cities.

We ALL have the capacity to build our communities.

Our community is our collective legacy.

How do we do this?

Instead of putting on the blinders and running AWAY from the problem, how 'bout running TOWARDS it with the sole purpose of discovering wherein lies the real root of the problem?

ACTIVELY and INTENTIONALLY engage yourself in being a part of the solution.

You can do this at any level from working on the streets with people in poverty to joining Boards of Directors of organizations which have the potential for effective positive change.

If you don't know of any organizations doing the "right stuff", start one!

I think if you really want to do this right your first move should be a visit with Principal and Parent Teacher Association Leader (If there is a PTA) of the local Elementary School . . . then the Middle School . . . then the High School . . . and ask them questions about their student body . . . LOTS of questions.

This is where you will learn what is REALLY going on the community. You'll learn more about the socio-economic make-up of the area and what the real root problems are.

Identify the SINGLE issue (opportunity) you discover in those meetings that tugs on your passion strings and commit yourself to CHANGING it in a positive way.

Move in concentric circles out from the school and work your magic.

Create a stir within the larger city to bring awareness to the issue and passionately advocate to the community leaders to join you in your effort.

Find Corporate sponsorship and support.

Make the SCHOOLS the focal point of everything you do - The gathering place . . . The "Safe Place" in the community.

All of this will result in a better market . . . a better city . . . and a REAL legacy.

I'm just sayin'

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 - Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen's Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

The short answer is that you probably cannot ever have too many leads.

Gary Keller emphasizes this with the "Over-kill ALL the time" approach.

If you're not reaching your goals each month and you have high anxiety that you don't have enough prospects in your pipeline, you are going to need to DO something about it and quit fretting.

We are entering that part of the year when NOW income is especially desireable, right?

I am coaching with several folks who brag of a "full pipeline" of leads for "after the first of the year" and are approaching panic when they think about the next 2 months.

When I wrote about "REALTOR Holiday" a while back, my challenge was for you to continue to lead generate CONSISTENTLY . . . ALWAYS!

If you are anxiety laden, you don't have enough of something . . . leads, prospects, clients . . . What is it?

Here's what I often hear:

"I have PLENTY of leads . . . I just don't have many prospects for the next few months, and I need money NOW!"

Here's how I respond:

"Quit whining! Your problem is that you do not have enough leads!"

So . . .

It's time to step out of your comfortable little zone and start doing some DIFFERENT things to generate MORE leads.

Oh yeah! . . . LOW COST ideas . . .

Knock on doors in your Target Area of Expertise.

Hang out with the "Natives" by hosting a Pot-Luck party for your target area on a random afternoon - Do this BEFORE the "normal" holiday parties commence. This takes very little coordination effort and is a very low cost way to come into contact with your sphere.

Announce your "Holiday Potluck Party" by going door-to-door with a flyer for it . . . Encourage everyone to bring their whole families.

Invite your "Mets" database to the party (through Facebook or email invitation).

Oh! . . . Be sure you've got a few of your "For Sale" signs strategically placed to stimulate random discoveries by the attendees that might lead to conversations about real estate,

Host Open Houses in your Target area during the week when people are coming home from work (4-6 or 5-7) . . . Use reflective pointer signs (It's getting dark EARLY).

Talk to strangers!

Attend every function you hear about in your community.

Don't be bashful . . . Be BOLD!

ASK for appointments!

ASK for Referrals!

OK!

Now quit stewing about things and get out there and DO this. There's no time for procrastination whatsoever . . . I figure you've 2 good weeks to get this ball rolling.

I'm rootin' for ya!

I'm just sayin'

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 - Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen's Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

Today is October 30 . . .

The day before Halloween

Wikipedia tells me Halloween "celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half" . . . has some elements of a festival of the dead. . . . Some believe that the border between this world and the Otherworld becomes thin on Halloween, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.

Halloween is "also a time to take stock of food supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. All other fires were doused and each home lit their hearth from the bonfire. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames.^[10] Sometimes two bonfires would be built side-by-side, and people and their livestock would walk between them as a cleansing ritual.

Another common practise was divination, which often involved the use of food and drink."

Hmmm . . . I believe Halloween is a pivotal day in the definition of your success in the coming year (2010).

Each Halloween marks the "right" time for you to cast your vision for APRIL 1 - 5 months away . . . and to prepare yourself and your business to maintain your momentum through this "Darker Half" of the year.

Ward off those evil Spirits who would try to distract you . . . Spirits that might invoke:

Seasonal Depression

Loss of focus on key Business habits

Offering you permission to party in lieu of keeping your eye on your goals

Providing limitless opportunities to over-spend, over-eat, and drink excessively.

Have fun, but tame those Spirits beginning NOW.

The last thing I want for you is for you to "wake up" some time in January and realize that you are deeply in debt with few (if any) viable leads for your business . . . in a cold sweat of fear.

So . . .

Go ahead and set yourself a BIG GOAL for the month of April 2010 . . . and then set a goal for March - Then February - Then January - Then December - Then November . . .

And beginning TODAY, set your sights on that April goal and GET MOVING!

That BIG April goal will pull your through your "way-points" of the other months and the "Darker Half" of the year.

I'm just sayin'

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
30 Burton Hills Blvd Suite 175
Nashville, TN 37215 - Green Hills

Call me: 615-568-2123
Text me: http://www.mycricket.com/sendtextmessage/ 6155682123
email me: barryowen@kw.com
Visit The Owen Group http://www.theowengroup.net
http://www.owengroupnashvillehomes.com
Barry Owen's Internet Portal to all blogsites, websites, and social networks
http://tnrealestatetribalhub.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/barry-owens-web-portal/

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!