John Nitzken, Principal Broker John Nitzken REALTORS Lou KY502-639-9264

This title has double meaning - and is intended for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

With the wild and crazy flurry of growing social media networks...is it conceivable that some agents might actually choose to utilize "social" networks to interfere with AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS?

Perhaps "back dooring" or thinking they are "flying under the radar" by requesting to "become friends" with Good Agents' Clients, while there is an existing, strong relationship, between a Seller and an Agent? While there is an AGENCY RELATIONSHIP?

Is it possible that an unscrupulous agent might think they can research listings that are about (about) to expire, find the owner's name, "google" that name for a social network account, locate a "client" of another agent, request "friendship" with a total stranger, and then surface like a "long lost friend" on expiration day?

Think it is possible? I KNOW IT IS!

All Agents Beware. Especially the Bad. May the Bad know that the Good are watching!

Many successes to all my friends in the rain - and may you always be treated the way you treat others!

High Regards,

John Nitzken

Good REALTORS are worth EVERY PENNY!

Have you ever been at a closing with your client and you are the only REALTOR present? I have!

Have you ever showed a home to your clients where the Listing Agent's client had to let you in? I have!

Have you ever had to work over-time with attorneys, insurance companies, other agents, lenders, title companies, appraisers, home inspectors, home repair companies, contractors, neighbors, local municipalities, utility companies, client advisers, etc. etc. etc. to get the deal done? I have!

Have you ever been called by a client AFTER the closing - to help resolve issues that arise, and then worked after the closing without compensation? I have!

Have you ever had someone ask you to work for less, OR even better, compare you to a partial/limited service discount broker who charges fees and then cuts loose his/her "customer" or client to fend for themselves - because after all...their customers/clients GET WHAT THEY PAY FOR? I have!

Good REALTORS are with clients EVERY STEP OF THE WAY - and earn EVERY PENNY THEY MAKE!

Let me repeat...

GOOD REALTORS are with clients EVERY STEP OF THE WAY - and earn EVERY PENNY THEY MAKE!

In this world of who will do it for less...remember that if you are a Good REALTOR - you are A VALUE to your client. You will be with them every step of the way and you will earn every penny you make.

What we do is not easy - we as Good REALTORS just MAKE IT LOOK EASY!

To all the Good REALTORS in the world...hang in there and charge what you are worth. All the good clients of the world need you to be able to sustain yourself so you will be there for them when needed!

If you are like me, we love what we do - and we know the difference between good and bad. Let's hope all the good clients of the world do too.

BEST WISHES TO ALL MY FRIENDS AT ACTIVE RAIN. May your real estate careers be long and prosperous!

With the change of seasons coming up...just a friendly reminder to freshen exterior shots if need be. Once the snow melts and the leaves sprout...pictures like this imply old and "Still on the market"! Half the battle is getting buyers to add our properties to their list of "to see". If the main pic is dated, there is a good chance buyers pass it by.

Regards,

John Nitzken, John Nitzken REALTORS Louisville, KY 502-639-9264

Every day, I am thankful I'm in a people business. I like people and more importantly, I like helping people!

With so many high tech tools available to us, I still rely most on using the oldest tool available to me...my FACE (not to be confused with Facebook!).

We all have needs and as real estate professionals, I believe our greatest need is to be in front of our clients, as often as possible, Face-To-Face. In doing so, I believe we also do best at meeting the needs of our clients.

Use technology to its full extent, to your advantage, but never forget - your greatest and most valuable tool is always with you, and the one you're most familiar with. Now, just let your prospects and clients become familiar with it!

Regards - and best wishes for a very successful year!

John Nitzken, John Nitzken REALTORS Louisville, KY 502-639-9264

My associates and I constantly ask ourselves "what could we have done differently - what could we have done better?" in an effort to continually learn from the school of hard knocks.

Just yesterday, our first time homebuyers' offer was rejected. Not countered, but rejected. We were told "the other offer was much better", by the Seller's Agent. WHAT OTHER OFFER? Multiple Offers? No one told us.

Lesson 1: Although we never were told there was another offer - we as agents, and our clients as buyers, probably should have conducted our activities in a way that presumed there was another offer in the making. After all, the home was priced very fairly. Our market familiarity and knowledge told us so. Why didn't we just come in with our "Highest and Best" offer? Is it really human nature to always try to get something for less than what it is worth? We don't think so. What we do think however, is that often buyers, and especially first time home buyers, get information overload from their advisors. Parents, friends, co-workers, siblings, etc. all give their input on "what to offer". Perhaps if it was four years ago - our buyers might have offered more than the sticker price on this home.

We have to give all parties involved all the information we can to help them make good decisions. Maybe we could have better illustrated the value of this home to our buyers. Maybe they could have listened more to their agents (professionals familiar with the market) and less to their advisors. Maybe we should have been told by the Listing Agent that there was another offer (Lesson 2) and maybe she truly thinks she did tell us (Lesson 3).

Lesson 2: As agents we have an obligation to do what is best for our clients (and our industry). Multiple offers are a prime example of making certain (certain) all parties are in the know. Seller, Listing Agent, Buyer Agent and Buyer. We are sure in this situation that at least 2 of the 4 parties didn't know of the multiple offers (the Buyer Agent and the Buyer)! Who knows what might have happened had every party been informed.

Lesson 3: We often are so busy making moves happen that we sometimes drop the ball. (We'll probably see a professional football player make a fumble or two this Sunday in Dallas). On our end, all the parties involved learned a valuable lesson. On the other end, we hope that the Listing Agent learns a valuable lesson so that she may better serve her future clients and the industry in the highest possible fashion. Maybe she won't allow herself to get so busy in the future, that she misses giving important details. Maybe she'll write things down (and even utilize technology like emails) to keep a paper trail of her thoughts and communications. Maybe we all can do a little better in this area.

In closing...no one is perfect. We'll continue to strive for excellence, not perfection by reviewing our day to days. A long time ago, I learned that we only have one chance to make a first impression. We all know how important first impressions are. In the future, we'll do everything possible to encourage our buyers to put their best foot forward and make their very best first impression.

Regards to my friends on Active Rain! May you all make your best impression...

John Nitzken, Principal Broker John Nitzken REALTORS Louisville, KY