Nicholas Caron

They say a missed showing is a missed commission. Your clients expect you to be available 24 hours a day to show their homes. We know that is not possible and thus lock boxes and unassisted showings have helped to solve that problem.

I know I might be saying something that might irk some people but I wanted to have a discussion about availability.

Have you ever tried to set up a showing with an agent that said "I only work Monday-Friday?" or "I do not do weekend showings." I have experienced this and my response is that this is when my client is available to see the property, will this work for you? Most of the time I get the same response above, but a few times I have had the Realtor make an exception and schedule the showing. I thank them for their time and move on.

Are Realtors allowed to have a life? I mean we have families, friends, and activities that we like to do like everyone else. We get sick and have to deal with family issues. I try to make myself available as much as I can, but sometimes I cannot be there.

How do we deal with this? If you work in a friendly and non ultra-competitive office you might have another agent go on the listing for you. If the property sells then you probably will give them a little referral fee. This creates a win-win situation. It allows you to be "available" when you are not, creates some office cohesion and allows another a Realtor a slice of the pie. If not? Try to offer another time you are available so the other agent can schedule a time that works for them.

I am a Realtor and I like to run. I have made a marketing t-shirt for when I run races and go to the gym. Two years ago I ran twenty road races. While I love to run, I have been yearning for a bigger challenge. I am not talking about a marathon, but a race that would test me both mentally and physically.

I believe I have found that race in tough mudder. This race I have chosen is an 8 mile course with 20 obstacles on top of Mount snow in Vermont in May. Here is a link to the course. http://toughmudder.com/events/new-england/mount-snow-course-map-2011/ This is unlike anything I have ever tried so in addition to running I am mixing in some weight training. This is going to test me in ways I have never been tested and I am looking forward to it.

The primary reason I ran this race was for the challenge but that reason has changed. I found out this race raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Here is a brief snippet about the wounded warrior project goals.

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
  
  Read more: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/412/875/#ixzz1DffPpW8c

I have learned more about the cause and I want to help wherever I can so I set a personal goal of raising $1.050 by April 30th. Don't worry I am not out here to ask for your money, although if you would like to here is the link where you can. http://www.RaceIt.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=2837&fundraiser=884

My goal is to spread the word about a great non-profit organization that is working to help our service men and women who are fighting daily so that we can live our lives and keep our freedoms. Please visit the wounded warrior project website so that you can learn more about this organization and its goals. http://woundedwarriorproject.org/ Thank you for your time.

This topic is on a lot of buyers, especially first time buyer's minds. They are concern of not only finding a great neighborhood for their families, but what will the prospects of a good re-sale value on their home if they decide to sell. Here are some tips.

•1. Look at schools: Families know the importance of good schools and often look at the quality of school systems as a top priority. I recently had a client choose a neighborhood based on the services it provided for autistic children. Another reason to consider schools, resale value.

•2. Exam the clues: Take a drive around and look at the for sale signs for homes and businesses. Think about what you value in a neighborhood. I am a runner and enjoy access to paths and woods for trail running. Unlike a lot of people I do not drink coffee, but if I did I would want to make sure there was a coffee shop close by.

•3. Services: Check out the services that the neighborhood offers. Are the parks and streets cleaned and well maintained. Does the neighborhood have a library, police, fire, and medical facilities in a close proximity? The answers could give you insight on the financial health of your neighborhood.

•4. Talk to the citizens. Many of them will be very candid of the state of their neighborhood. In fact one of the people you talk to might end up being your neighbors. Take the time to get to know a neighborhood before you decide to purchase your next home.

Everywhere you look you hear "inter,est rates are at historic lows." For most people it should be a no-brainer, now is the time to refinance your mortgage to capitalize on this historic opportunity. But is it always worth it? The whole point of the refinance is that you save money on your payments.

Here is some information you will need to determine if refinancing is right for you.

• current interestrate
• remaining term
• estimated closing costs
• term on your proposed refinancing loan

The part that most consumers forget is the closing costs,(ie. what it costs you to refinance your loan). If the closing costs are high say $5,000 and you will only save 250 a month, it would take you two years just break even. That is another factor is determining if it is the right time to refinance (the estimated years you plan on staying in your home.)

• You watchTV.
• You read the newspapers and web articles.
• You hear what your friends, coworkers, and customers are saying.

The market is flat-lining. Prices are falling. Credit is tight. Now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are low.

This negative news and the uncertainty of the economy, government, and job market have created a perfect storm and have put a beating on the way we make a living.

How do you face this wave negativity and feel like your not just treading water?

1. First thing you need to do is to adapt to the market. We are experiencing record low mortgage interest rates, yet we are battling a tight credit market. You can show potential clients the amount they can save with the current rates versus the projected increase in rates. This may be all the push that they need.
2. Study your competition. How are they marketing themselves? What are they doing to differentiate or add value to potential customers. If you are in slow market, now is the time to get educated on foreclosures, working with VA or FHA loans, or jumping aboard the current "green" push. Why not invest in the most important assets you have, yourself and your knowledge base.
3. Breathe. Really take a breath or two. Most of us have been in business long enough to know there are ups and downs in the market. The market will eventually improve and you want to be there to capitalize. Taking a few moments each day to calm and relax can do wonders for your stress and your business.