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Liz Carter,Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

My first cousins...my heroes! Family stays in touch thanks to Internet from Savanna TN to Katy TX, happy memories of Liffy aka Liz Carter

My first cousin Tommy sends me one of these type cards every weekend. He is the one that lives in Savannah TN and sent the pictures of the terrible tornado that ripped through the sate a couple of weeks ago. Even though we don't hardly see each other anymore with this part of the family being in Texas, we do stay in touch especially via the Internet, and phone calls. I have lots of great, fun, and happy memories of the times we would visit when I was growing up.

I used to get in trouble because I wanted to hang out with my boy cousins, and not the girl ones. I was always kinda of a tomboy, and jumping off bridges 20' high into the creek, going hunting, fishing, etc. was a lot more fun to me than playing dolls  . Tommy and my other favorite first cousin Buddy even took me "snipe hunting"...if your not from the south, basically they take you in the woods at night supposedly to hunt "snipe", which of course there is no such thing, and scare the heck out of you. Because this snipe was fond especially of little girls, and was really bad. They stuck me under a tree in the dead of night, and ran off, till my crying brought them back to rescue me...my heroes!

Another fond memory was them deciding to teach me at age 12 to shoot a shotgun. They were young too so instructions was kinda loose, and I ended up on my butt with a sore shoulder for about a week. But of course I did'nt tell on them...my heroes!

Then they decided to teach me to dive in the mountains of TN at also age 12! So you can see why I wanted to hang out with these guys :) since they were not so brilliant, but boy did we have fun during those summers in TN :)

Hope you like this Sundays card as much as I did...it's from my hero!

Were all grow up now, but the memories are forever, thanks Tommy and Buddy for all the fun and you are still "My Heroes". Liffy aka, Liz Carter, Katy Texas www.lizcarter.com.

The Three Basic Things You Need To Do TO Be Successful In Real Estate Sales

There is THREE basic things you need to focus on to become successfulin your career as a Real Estate Sales Person.

    1. List a saleable home
    2. Sell it
    3. Tell THE WORLD

sandie acordSounds simple, but it isn't. The key word in point 1. is SALEABLE, that means you know the market and you have developed the sales skills to convince the seller of the right price that will cause the home to sell. There is no self life in having an unsaleable listing. It is expensive and exhausting, you can do all the flayers, prospecting, ads, Internet marketing, etc. but if a home is overpriced it will not sale...period. You must know the market and have the data to back up what you are saying. You have to know how to present it to the seller in a logical manor, and have the statistical data to prove what the right price is.

If you have done step 1. correctly, step 2. will occur in any market, an up market, a down market, a normal pretty housemarket. If a home is price correctly it will sell.

Step 3 is were most agents really fall off the track, they work hard to get a listing, get it sold and closed and stop there. That is not the way to build a business, that's when you work begins. Following is a short list of things you need to do once the property is sold.

    • Place a sold rider with your name and phone number on the home
    • Call at least 200 homes in the area were you sold the home
    • Knock on 40 doors, 10 on each side of the home you just sold and 20 across the street
    • If you do want to send out sold card, make them different (this is the least effective, you must talk to people, not just mail things out. If you do mail a sold card, then of course still do the first three in addition.

The script works every time, and you can down load the Just Sold Script at www.mikeferry.com. Don't change it (I did for years before I "saw the light" and just used the script verbatim, it has worked for thousands of top producing agents for 32 years all over the US and Canada. Agents coached by Mike Ferry average 75 homes sold per year. While the national and Texas average is only 2-3 homes sold per year per Realtor.

The Just Sold Script:

  1. Hi this is Liz with Liz Carter & Team Realty, I'm very excited to tell you I just sold your neighbors home, Mr. and Mrs. Jones.
  2. Normally when I sell a home a couple more homes come on the market right away, so I was wondering, when do you fokes plan on moving?
  3. Never...Never, really well where did your fokes happen to move from?
  4. Denver, that's exciting, how did you happen to pick this area?
  5. Schools...Schools, great, well if you were to move, where would you move next?
  6. Well we were thinking about Windsor Park Estate...Windsor Park Estates, gosh that's a great area, and by the way when do you see yourself moving?
  7. Maybe when schools out...When schools out, thats great, did you want to be sold by then or start selling now?
  8. Well we would really like to be there at the end of the school year so the kids can get adjusted...That's terrific, did you realize that in todays market it could take 4-6 months to get a home sold?
  9. No we had no ideal...No ideal, really, well what would be the best time to meet with you and your husband, so I can show you how I can help you get what you want in the time you want, won't that be great? Is today at 3 good for you or would tomorrow at 4 be better?

Of course now you are simply closing and setting the appointment. You will want to get a pre-listing package to them before you meet with them and of course always call back to confirm the appointment and pre-qualify them. There is more to the script, and also there is the pre-qualifying script you can download on the Mike Ferry web site. This is what agents do who want to succeed at a high level, don't sit around and wait for someone to call you, get on the phone and go find the people who need YOU to help them buy and sell Real Estate!

Trust me, this works I have used this and all the other scripts for 16 years, and I have averaged selling 200 homes a year for 10 years in a row. I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have, just let me know.

Make 08 your best year ever, and try these three basic things to increase your production dramatically.

I very seldom send out a sold card, I normally just call, however there is a subdivision that is in the $500,000-$1,000,000+ range I am breaking into so above is an example of the sold card I sent to that area. I have just sold two homes in Lakes of Buckingham and really like the area, so my goal of course is to be the Realtor they remember and will call when they get ready to sell or buy another home in the Katy, or Houston, Texas area. Since this area is four times the average sales price in Katy, TexasI included a pocket calendar that I had mailed to all my past clients along with the sold card. I mail something to my past clients four times a year, and call them often, plus I do a monthly newsletter to my past clients. 85% of my business is generated for past clients or past client referrals. That's another thing...remember to stay in touch with your past clients.

www.lizcarter.com

Liz Carter & Team Realty, it's a Family Affair with Rock Solid Leadership! What it's like to have your family work together in Real Estate

I ran across this and felt like I should share the thoughts of Robin Crow, speaker and author of the book, Rock Solid Leadership. This totally resonates with me, as owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty I completely share these ideas on leadership. My Real Estate Co. is small but mighty, efficient and FUN to work at. There are only nine team members including myself. We have averaged selling over 200 homes a year for 10 straight years. Before I had a team, I was the stand along independent Realtor. Even then I sold 60 homes a year with no help, so of course I was working 24/7 for 20 years. Then I met my mentor and Real Estate coach Mike Ferry, and began to develop my team. It was the best decision of my life, because now I have a life, and give better service to my clients. However with having others you are responsible for (there is that word again), there comes a whole other set of difficulties, problems, personalities, etc. to deal with. You have to adjust the way you think and act and learn to become a leader as well as a salesperson. This is not an easy task for someone who never had to worry about being responsible for others, their actions, income, keeping peace, motivating and all the many other things involved when it's only YOU. One of the first things you must do as a leader, is lead by example. Be the hardest worker in your business, the first to arrive, and the last to leave. Learn to praise in public and how to criticize in private without hurt feelings. To add to that my Real Estate Company, team has evolved into having 75% of the team being family members. Believe me that comes with its own set of challenges. However after 32 years of being in this crazy world of Real Estate sales, I would'nt have it any other way. The benefits of working with a team and your family far outweigh the challenges.

Allow me introduce my wonderful family/team to you.

My sister Sandra Parker, buyers agent (back row far right), her daughter my niece Nina Murray, closing manager (second row on left), Ninas sister my niece Denise Acord, assist. closing manager (front row far right on bench), Nina's daughter my great niece Sandie Acord (3rd generation & my prodage', beside me middle of bench), me Liz Carter (bench far left), my husband Bill Gronvold, Realtor (back row, middle...only man so guess he's easy to spot :). Non family team members, Monday Miller, listing manager (back row far left), Chelsea Brewster, client care coordinator (back row 2nd from left), Jean Amedeo, buyers agent (back row 2nd from right)

I am truly blessed to have this wonderful group to work with, I can't imagine life without my family on my team!

Enjoy,

Responsibility
(an excerpt from Rock Solid Leadership)

Bear Bryant, the legendary Alabama football coach, was once asked what was the key to his coaching success. He thought for a second and said, "When we win I give them (the players) all the credit and when we lose I take all the blame." He smiled and walked away. When things go wrong, great leaders take full responsibility for the results. No excuses. Harry Truman made this clear when he uttered his famous four words..."The buck stops here!"

In one of Ronald Reagan's cabinet meetings, General Colin Powell presented an idea he was passionate about. This discussion went on for about an hour with Reagan asking tough questions because he felt the proposal had flaws. In the end, however, he said, "Colin, it's your call. If you think it will work, we'll go for it."

A few months later, however, Reagan was grilled at a news conference because the plan had failed miserably. One of the reporters asked the question, "Whose idea was this; yours or someone else's?" Reagan didn't hesitate. He said, "I take full responsibility." He then glanced at Powell sitting in the front row and saw tears welling in his eyes.

After the news conference, Powell walked over to a friend and said, "I'd do anything for that man."

Let's take a second and look at how taking responsibility applies to my business, Dark Horse Recording.

  • When people under my employ don't come across warm and hospitable on the phone, whose responsibility is it?
  • If my electric bill skyrockets because one of my employees left all thirteen central air systems on over the Christmas holidays, whose responsibility is it?
  • If one of my biggest clients starts recording elsewhere...because we weren't up on our game...perhaps a grounding problem...or some of the equipment wasn't working to 100% satisfaction...whose responsibility is it?
  • If my bills don't get paid...If my invoices don't get collected...If lightning strikes and wipes out Bill's computer files in the front office because they weren't backed up...whose responsibility is it?

IT'S MINE.

I guess you can see where I'm going with this. Bottom line, these things are all MY RESPONSIBILITY.

Remember, failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target. That's why successful leaders focus on responsibility over blame. Many people want to wear the cloak of leadership, but remember, with it comes the burden of responsibility.

Look what happens when you HANG OUT IN THE RAIN, and start Bloging on Active Rain! My Google Search Engine Analyst after only 30 Days for www.lizcarter.com

I am so excited and had to share this great news! I just received this Google Search Engine resultsfrom my web host, Best Image, Number 1 Expert. They had done some tweaking to my web site and this is their results. However I would like to personally thank Justin Smith, know to my friends on the Rain as The Tomato man for all his hard work. After years of just "having a web site", that had fair rankings, it was not until I got involved with Active Rain, that a whole new world was opened up to me. I swear when I first got on Active Rain I posed a question to AR, "WHAT DOES SEO STAND FOR?"...how embarrassing, but I had to share in case there are "OTHERS" out there like I was.

Don't be afraid to ask this wonderful group of people on Active Rain anything...they are like FAMILY, and you never know what you might learn! So be don't be afraid to ask dumb questions.

Hang out in THE RAIN, Blog your heart out, make friends, and it will help your Real Estate business I promise.

Contact Justin Smith - Blogging Coach {Blogging, SEO, SEM, SMO}

Picture of Real Estate - Other: Justin Smith - Blogging Coach {Blogging, SEO, SEM, SMO} (Real Estate Tomato)

Of course I must take some credit too  for my wonderful blogs I've written...not the first ones of course, those were a little rough around the edges. Again the more you are IN THE RAIN the better you get, just like everything else in life, it takes time, hard work, and practice to get better! OK, Justin let's get #1 on all searches...I always want to be #1 at ever thing I do, so that's not asking too much, Is It?"

You can do it Justin, and I'll keep blogging

From:Stacey Pfeifer [mailto:stacey@bestimage.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:00 PM
To: Liz Carter
Subject: Google results one month after 3.5 title and meta tag upgrade.

Hi Liz,

Our Search Engine Analyst always does a 30 day review after upgrading any template SEO that is on the site. We had upgraded your site to our most recent optimizations to the title and meta tags and he is finding these results. This is a standard inquiry so it may or may not take into account any new work that Justin is doing. I'm fairly sure that's impossible to say/track, but good news in any case:

Google results one month after 3.5 title and meta tag upgrade.

Results I found in Google for these searches :

katy texas real estate http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 2

katy tx real estate http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 6

katy real estate http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 8

katy homes http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 17

katy homes for sale http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 12

katy texas homes http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 8

Sugar land tx real estate for sale http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 7

Houston texas real estate listings http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 14

katy luxury homes http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 5

Houston golf course real estate http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 11

Sugar Land Texas real estate listings mls http://www.lizcarter.com/ result number 5

Thanks,

Stacey

I use the Houston, Katy, Sugar Land MLS statistics not only for my knowledge but also to grow my business. Ideals on staying in touch with your past clients to make your Real Estate business SOAR!

A different way to look at market stats., not only do you as a professional Realtor need to be aware of them, and have a total understanding to be able to explain them to your clients. Think about using them as a tool to get more business by staying in touch with your past clients. This is one of the areas that most Realtors are lacking in...they never or hardly ever call there past clients. That totally baffles me, since they represent one of your largest sources of new business. CALL YOUR PAST CLIENTS, and ask for business, give them information and become there "Real Estate Resource For Life"...which is my slogan too. Liz Carter & Team Realty

 I have 3000 past clients in my data base (I use Top Producer), and I

call them once a quarter, I also mail something to them every quarter, and e-mail them once a month. One of the things I e-mail is the MLS stats. In Houston, which includes Katy, Sugar Land, Richmond,and all the surrounding areas has a simple easy to read monthly newsletter that you can download and e-mail (below is the example I use). Always send something of value, and everyone wants to know, "How is the market?". 85% of my business comes from past clients, past client referrals. I spend very little on advertising, almost -0-. According to NAR only 3% of your business comes from advertising. I am spending most of my advertising dollars on the Internet,but even that does not come close to the amount of business that comes to me because I gave a client great service, and they become a resource for life. But your clients will forget you, even if you did give them outstanding service if you do not stay in touch. Adopt that simple formula and your business will SOAR!

1. Call every past client once a month

2. E-mail them something of value once a month

3. Mail them something once a quarter

Three generations of my family working together helping 2nd generations of clients!

Dear Liz and Bill, Hi, just thought you might be interested in the latest Houston Assoc. Market data research. I am always looking for things to send you to help keep you informed or that you might enjoy. Please remember that my business is based on referrals from great past clients like you, so when you hear of anyone that needs to buy or sell a home please call me. Of course if I can help you with anything in 08 don't hesitate to call.

Wishing you and your family a GREAT 2008.

Thanks for the privilege, Liz

Before you dive into selling or buying a home...

...Talk to someone who knows the waters!

Liz Carter & Team Realty
http://www.lizcarter.com/ 281-391-SOLD (7653) toll free 800-783-4041
E-Mail:
liz@lizcarter.com

The MLS Press Release includes residential home sales statistics for residential properties and new homes listed by 22,000 Realtors® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties.

January 2008 Sales
2008 OPENS WITH A CONTINUED DECLINE IN HOUSTON PROPERTY SALES
January sales of single-family homes hit the lowest level in three years while year-over-year average home prices continue to rise
HOUSTON - (February 19, 2008) - Consumer worries about the nation's real estate crunch and the traditionally sluggish Christmas-New Year holiday period combined to slow property sales across greater Houston during the first month of 2008. On the heels of one of the best years on record, January sales of single-family homes dipped to the lowest level since January 2005, according to statistics released by the Houston Association of REALTORS? (HAR).

Total property sales for January 2008 registered 4,353, which represents a 17.2 percent drop compared to January 2007 and marks the fifth consecutive monthly decline; it's an improvement over last month's 23.5 percent fall. Properties sold during the month totaled more than $811 million compared to nearly $890 million in sales one year earlier, an 8.8 percent decline. The average price of a single-family home rose 4.9 percent last month from January 2007 to $190,233, representing the biggest increase since last August. The median price of a single-family home dipped 2.8 percent to $139,000.

"It's not unusual to see a decline in property sales at the beginning of a new year, when consumers are generally recovering from holiday spending," said Michael Levitin, HAR Chairman and principal of HTownRealty.com. "The latest numbers suggest that consumers may also be reacting to news reports about the troubled national real estate landscape, despite the fact that Houston has enjoyed a comparatively robust housing market, thanks largely to local job growth. Home buyers in Houston stand to benefit from low interest rates, affordable pricing and a good selection of inventory."

January Monthly Market Comparison
All listing categories combined, Houston's overall housing market in January saw mostly negative results. The average single-family home sales price rose while the median price dropped slightly on a year-over-year basis; both total property sales and total dollar volume fell.

The number of available homes (active listings) at the end of January was 50,709 properties, which was a 13.4 percent hike versus last January. The figure was an increase of 1,143 properties from December 2007, reflecting the sales slowdown.

Month-end pending sales - those listings expected to close within the next 30 days - reached 4,269, which was down 11.3 percent from last year and signals another likely decline in sales next month, based on volatility in sales figures. The month's inventory of single-family homes for January came in at 6.0 months, a slight increase from December's 5.9-month figure which was the lowest level Houston recorded since April 2007. This compares to the January 2007 single-family homes inventory of 5.1 months.
ALL CATEGORIES JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2008 PERCENT CHANGE
Total property sales 5,105 4,353 -17.2%
Total dollar volume $889,882,307 $811,658,699 -8.8%
Average single-family sales price $181,282 $190,233 +4.9%
Median single-family sales price $143,000 $139,000 -2.8%
Total active listings 44,685 50,709 +13.4%
Total pending sales 4,812 4,269 -11.3%
Months inventory* 5.1 6.0 +18.1%
* Months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active inventory based on the prior 12 months sales activity. This figure is representative of the single-family homes market.
Single-Family Homes Update
The average sales price for single-family homes was $190,233 in January, up 4.9 percent versus the same period last year when it was $181,282. The overall median price of single-family homes in January was $139,000, the lowest level since January 2005 and 35.1 percent below the national single-family median price of $217,600, according to statistics released by the National Association of REALTORS®. These data continue to demonstrate the higher value and lower cost of living found in the Houston market.

Additionally, total sales of single-family homes in Houston in January came in at 3,620, which was 12.0 percent lower than January 2007 but an improvement over last month's 16.5 percent decline.

The most dramatic year-over-year sales activity was observed in Houston's low- and high-end single-family home markets, with increases of 32.5 percent among homes priced below $80,000 and 30.3 percent among homes priced above $500,000.

HAR also reports existing home statistics for the single-family home segment of the real estate market. In January 2008, existing single-family home sales totaled 2,980, which was a 10.6 percent drop from January 2007. At $129,900, the median sales price for existing homes in the Houston area was down 2.9 percent compared to the same period last year. The average sales price of $174,737 for the month represented an increase of 3.0 percent from last year's level.

The Days on Market statistic for January rose to 92, the longest period since February 2004 and well in excess of the 81 days recorded in January 2007.

Townhouse/Condo Update
At $128,250, the median price in the townhouse/condominium segment in Houston rose 9.6 percent from January 2007 to 2008. The average sales price for which a townhouse or condominium sold in the greater Houston area was $160,455 last month, which was a 9.1 percent year-over-year increase from January 2007.

However, there was a notable downturn in the number of townhouses and condominiums that sold in January. In the greater Houston area, 344 units were sold last month versus 487 properties in January 2007, translating to a 29.4 percent decrease in year-over-year sales.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in January

  • Single-family home sales at lowest level since January 2006;
  • Biggest increase in average single-family home prices since August 2007.

Thanks for the privilege, Liz Carter Broker/Owner, Liz Carter & Team Realty281-391-SOLD (7653) 800-783-4041 fax 281-392-2910 If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click the link to Unsubscribe: Unsubscribe.

This is simple and very cost efficient, but PLEASE call your past clients, they want to help you. I will be happy to share my scripts of what I say, and my mailers with you, just ask. One last thought, this is a great market for a true professional for several reasons. 1. Most agents who should have never been in the business are leaving in droves. 2. The agents that have the knowledge & sales skills flourish in this market, people need you more than ever before. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"! So get going and have a great 08, Liz