Lyndon Sommert

Remember, the Purpose of an Ad is to get the calls - not to sell the property

Follow the step by step system for the body of your ad to maximize your
number of prospects

Step 1 - Use your ad skeleton and make a list of all the features of the
property, minimum 20.

Step 2 - Physically cross off the features that the majority of people are
not seriously looking for.

Step 3 - Your goal I to have 3 or 4 features left. Isolate them and add
filler that is not features. Your goal is about 25 words Including
you and your company’s name and contact number.

Step 4 - Test it, tell your ad to some honest people or business
associates. If they are striving for more information you likely
have a winner!

Resale housing prices bounce back up with strong September sales

Edmonton, October 5, 2009: Although sales were not at record levels in September, they compared favourably with sales levels last year and settled in for the third best September ever. Only sales in September 2006 of 1,844 residential units and last September (1,729) were better than the 1,704 sales pegged last month.

“We have experienced strong sales through the third quarter,” said Charlie Ponde, president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton. “At the end of the first quarter YTD sales were down over 21%, and after six months they were up almost 2%. The last three months have had strong buyer demand and year-to-date sales are up 5.3% over the same period last year.”

The strong sales also boosted prices of both single family and condominium properties. Prices dipped slightly in August after showing steady gains all year but bounced back to mid-summer levels in September. The average price of a single family dwelling was $371,947 and condos were priced on average at $245,546 (both up 1.4% over August prices). SFD prices are up over $20,000 from where they were on New Years Day.

Higher prices have not resulted in greater listing activity. 2,564 homes were listed in September resulting in a 66% sales-to-listing ratio as compared to September 2008 with over 3,100 listings and a 55% S/L ratio. The slower listing activity dropped inventory to 6,032 from 6,445 units last month but there is still almost four months of inventory at present sales volumes.

Duplex and row house properties sold on average for $299,964 and the combined Average Residential Price was $327,235 in September; up 2% from September 2008.

“Homes are selling slightly faster than last month and much faster than last year at this time,” said Ponde. “I expect that sales in this market will show continued strength through the fall and early winter.” The average days-on-market was 44 in September; down four days from August.



Highlights of MLS® System activity

September 2009 activity Record for
the month* % change from
September 2008
Total MLS® System sales this month 1,911 -0.80%
Value of total MLS® System sales - month $633 million -0.30%
Value of total MLS® System sales - year $5.61 billion -0.40%
Residential¹ sales this month 1,704 -1.45%
Residential average price $327,235 0.70%
SFD² average selling price - month $371,947 2.70%
SFD median³ selling price $349,900 1.20%
Condo average selling price $245,546 -2.70%

¹. Residential includes SFD, condos and duplex/row houses.
². Single Family Dwelling
³. The middle figure in a list of all sales prices

Spruce Grove Real Estate Stats - October 6, 2009:

Active, residential real estate prices in Spruce Grove had an average listing price of $376370.

Currently the most expensive listing in the area is $1750000, while the lowest priced property can be purchased for only $145000.

An excellent way to compare real estate prices is by using price per square foot of living space. Spruce Grove has a current average price of $261 per square foot.

This is for homes that are averaging 3.1 beds, 2.3 bathrooms and 1448 sqft. Click on area links below for areas stats, area news and active real estate for sale.

Sphere of Influence

#1 prospecting tool

If you do not already have your list of people that know your name,
you Must have all pertinent information and the name, address, phone
number, e-mail, ect.

Keep adding to your list as you do business. i.e. potential clients and
prospects that you have sold. Make a copy to keep at home and enter
clients on computer program.

There are several different inexpensive computer management programs
available.

Communication is the key to building a FREE workforce and long term
success.

To create an optimal number of Referrals you need some kind of
contact at least every 2 months. (Once a month pretend)

What to send

1. Revenue property information with examples and testimonials (this
can be sent twice a year)

2. Current listings you office has availably.

3. Discounts for products or interesting things about you company or
yourself.

4. Personal card – see following page

5. Email – no more than twice a year.

6. Use your imagination (and make it look good).

Remember - one physical phone call or meeting, per client, per
year. “If you know of someone buying or selling in the near future,
please let me know.”

Objections with Commission

The problem most agents have, is their inability to know what to say and do when clients act defensive and negative. It is only human and normal for people to be fearful and defensive when making a decision to spend thousands of dollars. Silence can be difficult, but objections are oppertunities to move forward.

It is all about telling stories of other people in the same situation. People need to feel that they are not alone in how they feel about the situation.