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Christopher Corbett

Austin, Texas Free "How to Build Green On Your Lot " Seminar

FREE How To Build Green On Your Lot Seminar

Join us to hear construction, financing and land specialists discuss the newest green building processes and technologies that can help you save up to 50% on water and energy costs. Seminar will include the following:

· Tips for Searching and Buying Land

· Build On Your Lot vs. Production Building

· One Time Close vs. Interim Financing

· Build On Your Lot Financing

• The Build On Your Lot Road Map/Process

DATE: Sunday, June 28th

TIME: 2:00 pm

LOCATION: Green Builder's Build On Your Lot model home in Rutherford West
10242 Brangus Road, Driftwood, Tx 78619 (View Map)

RSVP TODAY - SEATING IS LIMITED!

Saying Thank You in Social Media

This article is written for the hardworking realtors who look for ways to to do the right thing in their business development.

Have you seen some of the Youtube.com videos blasting poor new home construction? Social Media has helped to even the playing field for the little guy. The little guy can now share a compelling story with the world without spending a dime. Here is a different way to make your simple thank you have that kind of power.

Word of Mouth is a powerful tool that is celebrating a rebirth of cool with a whole new vernacular and medium but the same old basic principles in place. How can we collectively use this medium to touch, reward, and thank the people who choose to do the right thing even when they think no one is looking?

Today's world of social media has really spiraled toward the newest form of sound byte sensationalism. Take advantage of it. Reward the people who take care of your clients and your family. I have posted one idea below. Please comment and add your ideas and I will post a summary of all the valuable ideas.

I often take a few moments each week to send a thank you to the people who have gone above and beyond in taking care of my clients or my family. Last week I took a different route of offering thanks. Linkedin.com is a business/social marketing community for professional adults. I searched each of the people I was going to thank and found out if they were indeed on the linkedin.com community. Almost half of my list was indeed on linkedin.com. Instead of sending them thank you notes I wrote recommendations for their services and efforts which would then post on their page for all of the word wide web to see.

My hope is that my authentic testimonial may someday earn them more business as well as remain a living and breathing online expression of my gratitude. Linkedin.com is a wonderful tool for business development, keeping in touch with old colleagues, exploring new possibilities, and also for saying thanks for a job well done. Take two minutes today to write a thank you. Reward and touch someone in just two minutes.

Please share some of your ideas for saying thank you in today's business environment. Feel free to ask some more questions about linkedin.com.

Christopher H. Corbett, CSP

Sales Representative - Reserve at Westcreek

Capital Pacific Homes - Texas

512.921.4444 cell

512.251.6233 office

512.251.6595 fax

Open Ended Questions to Increase Your Sales (And Save You Gas)

This article is addressed to the hardworking realtors who want the competitive edge in finding the right home for their clients.

We try to deliver ongoing educational seminars and roundtables for realtors here at the Reserve at Westcreek in Pflugerville. More often than not I come away with a wealth of knowledge from both the presenter and the visiting realtor community.

A realtor recently asked me how I had used open ended questions during her last visit to the Reserve. I explained that it was a path of meaningful interruption and honest discovery that my questioning took. Realtors have shared many of their powerful questions and it seems like the most successful of us all agree that clients don't want to be sold, they want to buy. It is our collective responsibility to ask them the questions that they may not ask themselves so they can make an informed buying decision. These questions can really help focus your efforts to be an effective tour guide for your clients.

Please share some of your own best questions! Here we go:

  • "House Hunting is hard work in a world where time has become a precious resource for most of my successful clients." I want to take a few minutes to really understand what you want in home and how we can get that home in your price range in the most efficient and exciting way possible. I have a proven system for procuring great homes for my clients but I need an honest exchange of information so that I make sure it is the right home for you. Please tell me what you expect from me and how I can provide "Perfect Ten Service" (It makes it clear you are committed to a mutual exchange of information.) I think this sets the table for referrals later on and keeps you in charge of the process.
  • Why are you moving? What do you like about your current residence? What do you hate?
  • How would you use this space?
  • What are your pet peeves in a home?
  • Where would you place furniture in this home? (Some people swear by this but I prefer how would you use this space)
  • Where do you shop?
  • What kind of entertaining (if any) do you do?
  • Instead of asking what type or size kitchen a buyer is looking for, ask how they use their kitchen area. Do they entertain a lot, and if they do, is it with large groups that would benefit from open spaces or small dinner parties that would be more comfortable in a formal dining room? Someone who loves to cook would probably be impressed with a chef's kitchen, but the client who would rather bring home Chinese take-out might prefer to see extra dollars invested on amenities in other parts of the house.
  • Describe a typical night in the _____ family.
  • How do you use your spare or recreational time?
  • Lean forward and ask "What is really important to you in your next home?" They need to know you actually care. My mentor Joan Swain gets people to open up to her all the time with this question.
  • What do you think your friends and family would say about this home? (You will find out if there are any other decision makers not currently in the loop. You also find out if pride of ownership and prestige are driving factors that they may have been reluctant to share.)
  • How do you want your guests to feel when they visit your home?
  • Our Dripping Springs Sales Rep. Tim Couch asks "Describe your dream home or the perfect home? After that ask "which items are most important to you"?

Christopher H. Corbett, CSP (Join my Linkedin.com network)

Sales Representative - Reserve at Westcreek

Capital Pacific Homes - Texas

512.921.4444 cell

512.251.6233 office

512.251.6595 fax