It's been years now since I was in the "courting mode"! But I do remember that with each subsequent date she and I became closer and more connected. And whether the outcome was short-term or life-long, the process of building that relationship was well worth the effort!
As real estate agents we've always heard that good business is built upon relationships. And I believe that to be true even in today's volatile market. Unfortunately, we are all products of today's ...."rush to close the deal paradigm" and sometimes ignore the part that nurtures the relationship.
Because of what is happening in our industry, I believe that we are going to see less people coming into the business, Furthermore, I also believe that many "marginal" agents will fall along the wayside. The net result will be that those of us who elect to stick with it will eventually have more business when the market stabilizes and the new generation begins seeking the American Dream of home ownership.
How will we respond? First, I suggest that we stay on top of all the technological advances that compliment our business. Secondly, that we revert to the "full service" approach to selling real estate that has proven to be so effective. And lastly, we offer good counsel to everyone we come in contact with in an effort to develop relationships that will not only feed our business long-term but build lasting friendships.
By the way, my last personal relationship took 7 years to build......but it definitely was worth it!
Your comments are welcome!
Ken Eidenmiller, Broker/Trainer
No I mean it .....stop the press from "scaring America" into a recession. Now there is no doubt that our financial markets are going through a serious "adjustment period" and that new regulations and disciplines are definitely in order. And I am not ‘minimizing" the severity of problems associated with our banking, housing and stock markets. But give me a break! Here are some recent headlines that typify how news agencies no longer just report the news but rather contribute to the uncertainly and panic gripping the nation:
At the time this article was written, here are a few of the headlines:
USA Today - "U.S. Stocks Poised for steep drop"
The Boston Globe - "Economic signs in Mass. point to a recession"
The Wall Street Journal - " New loan fix unlikely the last"
The Philadelphia Inquirer - " Markets brace for stock plunge today"
The Miami Herald - " Credit market sees signs of squeeze again"
Need I continue? When did our news agencies stop reporting the actual news and begin predicting it? And furthermore, at what point did the 6pm weather forecast become critical news from the "Severe weather center" rather than just a weather update report?
We have got to put a stop to the doom and gloom that is promulgated by today's press! The era of sensationalism must end. We must put our financial infrastructure back in order and get back on track. This can only be accomplished through hard work...with a calm and steady hand!
I (for one)... am putting a moratorium on sensational news! Won't you join me!
I welcome your comments.
Ken Eidenmiller, Broker/Trainer
Everywhere we look people are talking about the economy. Speak to most real estate agents and you'll hear such words as...downturn, decline, buyer's market and foreclosures. For us the bottom line is that no time in recent history has the need to return to the fundamentals of marketing and selling real estate been more important!
It has always been about adding value to our services as real estate professionals. Let me repeat this...."It has always been about adding value to our real estate services"! Those agents that choose to constantly provide more services and information... will inevitably do well regardless of the trends in the housing market.
I have friends in the business that made good livings in real estate when mortgage rates were 17% - 18%. Remember those days? And those same people are doing greater business today because they are constantly adding more value to their professional services. How? Here are just a couple of examples:
Harriett, an expert in foreclosures now rents a touring bus each month and invites home buyers and investors to accompany her on a tour of the most recent foreclosures in the area.
John loves being in front of people and therefore teaches a night course at the local college to consumers on "How to buy and sell real estate in today's ever-changing market".
These are just two of the many creative ideas that are producing results. Let's face it....there are still people buying and selling homes! It may take a little longer now to find them.. but they're out there. By adding more value and nurturing relationships we'll be able to not only survive but to flourish in today's precarious real estate market!
Here's wishing you much success in the days ahead!
Ken Eidenmiller, Broker/Trainer
I live in Hickory, North Carolina and recently ran across some facts about our fair city! I've always known what a great town it was but never realized how fortunate we are live in a place that compares so favorably to other locations throughout the U.S. The following stats are representative figures comparing 2007 to 2008:
Cost of Living...................... -12.79% below the U.S. average
Population growrh.................+8.49% over 2006
Median home prices..............+3.71% over 2006
Unemployment rate..............5.60%
Cost per student per year......$4275, the U.S. average is $6058
Student to teacher ratio.........15 students
Wow! These are just a few of the reasons for living in our area. If you can think of others, please comment.
Ken Eidenmiller www.HickoryHomeBuyer.com Prudential Hickory Metro Real Estate
Remember the old Abbott and Costello routine..."Who's on first?" This beloved sketch had it's beginning in the 1930's in a touring vaudeville revue called "Hollywood Bandwagon. Since then it has been performed countless times and in 1956 a gold record of "Who's on First?" was placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame museum in Cooperstown, New York.
Little did these comedians know how prophetic their routine would be in describing today's real estate and financial markets. Think about these comparisons as you enjoy listening to the following link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M:
1st base - Who? ............................Today's buyer
2nd base - What?.............................Today's lender
3rd base - I don't know.....................Today's government
Left field - Why?................................Today's media
Center field - Because........................Today's real estate agent
Pitcher - Tomorrow.............................Today's broker-in-charge
Catcher - Today.................................Today's seller
Confusion, confusion, confusion!
And the routine concludes with the profound declaration, " I don't care!"
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My areas of expertise include ( but are not limited to ) the working with first-time home buyers, investors, primary and secondary home buyers throughout our entire multiple listing area. Call me!
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