Connie Goodrich, CRS (McKinney Realtor) Texas

Ever feel like these monkeys when you in a listing presentation? The house has condition issues, the sellers do not want to hear about your recommendations and they certainly do not want you to utter what the true indication of price value. They want you to see the home through their eyes, only hear the good things and speak fairy tale endings for their sales price they will receive.

Don't be a monkey and mimic what the sellers want you to act and do. Be honest and upfront as to recommendations. Speak from fact not fear of losing a listing. An opportunity that will not sell is not a true opportunity. This is what I would call a headache or stress inducer.

Don't monkey around with a listing that is not in line with the market or seller who are not willing to appreciate you professional honest input. Let someone else put the monkey on their back.

As we celebrate the birth, inspiration and vision that Martin Luther King, Jr gave to us let us remember that we should hold on to our dreams, visions, hopes for what we believe will come true.

I have a dream speech will be recall throughout history as one that inspired many to take action, to rise above reach and to accomplish what your heart aspires to do. It is a speech that should remind each of us to never give up, fight for what we believe, hang in there and turn challenges to positive.

I have a dream to do great things with my real estate career. I have a dream to touch many lives in a positive manner and make a difference to them. I have a dream that our economy will course correct soon and our businesses will take off but in the mean time I will work hard to maintain being positive and turn challenge into opportunity. Dare to dream.

As an appraiser by past background I know one simple truth, price cures all. Over many years I have come across all kinds of homes with all types of challenges that are on the market for sale. Even the most challenged home can be sold for the right price.

Home backs or fronts a very busy road with lots of traffic. The location will impact some buyers from even looking at the property. There is some point in the pricing that will be an incentive for buyer to purchase. One huge benefit is if the home is in excellent condition and has taken pains to highly style the yard. There is a price that a buyer will pay for the home because of the location and low price or amenities to the more affordable level. Home has a view of a water tower or commercial. How do you overcome the problem to the buyers. Price cures all.

It often is hard to know where to price position the home with challenges unless you are fortunate to have recent sales that have a similar problem and are similar to the home. If you have a lack of good data to draw price information it is recommended to start your list price at a reasonable level and agree to reduce the list price after a certain amount of time on the market or showings. There will be a point where the showings will increase and interest level is higher. Then you will know you are close to the right price. This advice also applies to the unique or functionally challenged home as well.

Just remember no matter what the issue, there is a buyer for every home. There is a price that will eventually attract the buyer to the home. This does not mean that you are trying to fire sale a home but you are just adjusting your price to reflect the buyer's acceptacne level in the market.

A referral, YEA! But NO, it was solicitation for a product that Realtors can't live without. Yes, I got a phone call where they got my name from Active/Rain. No surprises as AR is for real estate professionals and related businesses. This happened to be, you guessed it, for web site opportunities. Next it will be for postcard services and I can't wait to hear from software that will triple my business (maybe I should listen to that one).

I really don't mind email advertising or postal contacts (I think I just opened myself up to a ton of them now) but I do mind the phone call. It interrupts my day. In the recent past I had registered my cell number with the Do Not Call National Service but that does not deter. I'm by nature a nice person so I just politely tell the caller that I appreciate their call but I have no interest as I am hanging up. I do not go off on the caller to tell them I will turn in their name which may result in them paying huge fines (now I really have opened myself up for calls, she is nice).

I just was in hopes that Active/Rain would be my safe place to network without intrusive calls. My friends, my source for a good laugh, wonderful tips and insights. Not a directory for the solicitor. Silly me to have thought that the members could enjoy without concerns of the dreaded solicitation call.

So I stand firm with my phone in the air and say NO TO SOLICITATION PHONE CALLS, just drop me an email. Better yet, send me a client referral and I will glady respond to that call.

Come out come out where ever you are! Feel like you are in the midst of the game Hide & Go Seek? In today's challenged market the buyers are truly like gold and the key is to capture the opportunity when a buyer potential arises. Easier said than done but a reminder of a few foundation basics and ideas may help increase that opportunity moment.

By design I have always gravitated to listing homes with my ratio of 80% listing sales to 20% buyer sales being the norm for many years. Now that listings (well priced and great listings) are not moving as expediently as in the past I have adjusted my business to focus on buyers, getting more serious buyers as clients and bringing increasing my ratio stats. Makes sense as more buyers closed in today's market will transcend into more income. Certainly efforts to obtain good listings will continue but for 2009 I have put in my business plan a focus shift.

So where do I roll over the stone to find those buyers? I have a simple list I've started and hopefully with your input will be able to enhance.

• Effort in developing more effective dialog to convert sign calls to clients.
• Internet - employ better hooks to pull in the inquires and screen for potential clients.
• Buyer seminars - outreach to currently renting sources (homes, apartments)
• Develop a campaign targeting rental property occupants.
• Better partnering relationships (on site sales reps, vendors, mortgage company, etc.)
• Networking - conscience effort on affiliation choice where opportunities exist.

I feel that action alone on the above will give results. Would love to have more ideas!