Patty Bender

Every REALTOR, and/or every Real Estate Company will tell you why they are "the best". But, can they truly back it up. The information below describes in detail the value to a seller when working with a CENTURY 21 Scheetz agent. Hands down, there isn't another Real Estate Broker in the entire city who can match this!

1. LEADROUTER- CENTURY 21 Scheetz uses a software based system that captures Internet generated consumer inquiries into voice calls that are delivered to sales associates' cell phone, allowing the sales associate immediate response.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT: My agent is able to respond to all inquiries within minutes of a prospective buyer requesting information on my home. (Immediate Response Wins)
   
   
2. INSTANT INFO- CENTURY 21 Scheetz provides one phone number to search for any home for sale on their telephone. CENTURY 21 Scheetz is the only company in the entire city utilizing this unique Mobile technology allowing buyers access, 24/7, to detailed information on your home for sale.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT: My agent is notified within seconds whenever someone calls the Instant Info number (814-5555) inquiring upon my home and are able to respond immediately.
   
   
3. REALTOR.COM- All CENTURY 21 Scheetz homes for sale are "enhanced" on Realtor.com.
   90% of buyers begin their home search on-line. Realtor.com is the number one Real Estate web site in the country.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT My home will have up to 25 photos on Realtor.com, a virtual tour, and contact information leading directly to my agent. My agent makes the buying process easy for the buyer! Most agents/companies only have 4 photos of their home on realtor.com
   
   
4. INTERNET MARKETING:With nearly 90% of buyers beginning their search on-line it is extremely important to ensure that your home is showcased where the buyers are looking. CENTURY 21 Scheetz markets on dozens of websites ensuring your home is visible where the buyer is searching!
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT:My home will be showcased all over the Internet. My agent makes sure that my home is visible to the buyer. They provide an abundance of professional photos and a virtual tour.
   
   
5. RELOCATION- Scheetz Relocation Services is the number one Relocation Company in the State. Scheetz Relocation services over 1100 transferees a year and wins award after award from National Relocation companies.
   CUSTOMER BREAKDOWN:CENTURY 21 Scheetz brings more buyers to my door.
   
   
6. MARKETSHARE- CENTURY 21 Scheetz has the number one market share in units sold in the entire Indianapolis Metropolitan Indianapolis Area. See the facts here.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT: I am working with a company who knows how to market and sell properties better than any other company in the city.
   
   
7. GLOBAL PRESENCE: CENTURY 21 is the most recognized name in Real Estate. CENTURY 21 has an International Presence. Read the story here of how the customer from France was looking for a home to buy in Carmel Indiana.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT You never know where the next buyer or investor will come from. I want to make sure that my homes is marketed throughout the world, not just the city.
   
   
8. ONE STOP SHOP: CENTURY 21 Scheetz provides Mortgage services, Title, and Home Warranty services.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT:CENTURY 21 Scheetz streamlines the process, making it easy for a buyer to buy.
   
   
9. REPUTATION:For over 33 years CENTURY 21 Scheetz has provided Real Estate services for buyers and sellers throughout the Indianapolis Metropolitan Indianapolis area.
   CUSTOMER THOUGHT:CENTURY 21 Scheetz is a company I can trust and one that is well respected throughout the city.
   
   
10. SUPPORT:CENTURY 21 Scheetz has a full time IT department, Graphic Design Department, Relocation Department, Professional Photographer, Support Staff, and Management Team that work together to ensure extraordinary customer service to buyers and sellers.
    CUSTOMER THOUGHT: I can be assured that there is a dedicated team to help me sell my home!

What more can I say...It's all about the VALUE!

A STORY ABOUT THE EXTRA MILE!

I received a call Saturday morning from one of our agents who received a lead through our 'Leadrouter" system. Someone from France moving to the states, only knew about CENTURY 21 and started her home search on the CENTURY 21 website. (BRAND MATTERS) From the Corporate CENTURY 21 site she was directed to the CENTURY 21 Scheetz site where she inquired on a home. The inquiry went through our internal Leads Technology program and within 3-4 minutes of the consumer submitting the inquiry, our agent was notified via phone. Our agent, Aniko Greene, contacted the customer and found out that the woman lived in France and was being relocated to the Indianapolis area. She had two small children and was very concerned, even downright frightened, about the move and how it would affect her children. Her children only speak French and she's concerned how they will fit in.

This customer ended up with the perfect agent to assist her. Not only did Aniko contact her immediately (YES LONG DISTANCE TO FRANCE) but Aniko could sympathize with what this lady was going through. Aniko moved herself and her children here from Hungary. They had to start in a new school, learn a new language, find a new home, career, the works. Aniko was able to help this woman realize that she was here to help her every step of the way. The woman was so thrilled to speak with Aniko and have someone who understood that she cried!

Because Aniko is from Hungary and has relatives that she calls rather often, Aniko actually has an 800 international line. This customer and Aniko have been able to communicate back and forth without it costing the customer a penny.

When Aniko was telling me this story I asked her if the woman was renting or buying. Here's the BEST PART - Aniko said, "She's going to lease for a while, I understand that, I'm going to help her find a place and get her children settled, I know what she's going through". This woman will eventually purchase a home, and guess who she will contact to make that happen.

Aniko has sent this woman information on the schools, English as a second language information, and of course housing information - all within a very short time frame!! This is called GREAT customer service. This is called RAVING FAN SERVICE - Going that extra mile, giving that 1% more than the customer expected creates Raving Fans for a lifetime. A Raving Fan client is loyal, and will tell everyone they know about you!! This is the kind of customers we all want and need. With this kind of service, it's possible!!

Go The Extra Mile - Be willing to build the client loyalty for a lifetime! It will pay off...

We all hear excuses everyday. It's always easier to come up with a justification as to why we can't, or won't. The biggest excuse I hear today centers around the word TIME. No one has any time anymore. We are all doing so many "stuff and things". I often find myself working in the business versus on the business, so I know how easy it is to come up with an excuse for maybe something I should be doing!

So, I decided to make it easier on everyone. Instead of wasting time coming up with an excuse, just pick a number. I'm sure the excuse is on this list somewhere...

10:55 AM: I'm sitting in a car on my way to a little northern town called Nappanee IN. My husband is driving, so I've decided to write a little blog. The title of this blog may surprise you. I say it tongue in cheek. It's the comment I hear rather often from a rather busy agent group. I think it's "Politically Correct" to be "reeeaaallly busy", I mean it has to be since so many people are. If they aren't reaeeeelllly busy, they want to be so they can just say the are reaeeeaaallly busy...

When the idea is discussed about doing business differently, connecting online, using social networking to grow your business, the first thing that pops into the head of many is, "Who Has Time?" Do the reaeaaaalllly busy people see the people who are using activerain, linkedin, facebook and twitter as "not busy, not successful". Is there a little piece of them that might think, "well, if they were out selling real estate they wouldn't have time to be playing on all these sites?" Is it possible that thought process might be out there? I think yes!

I've decided to time this blog, to see how long it takes me to write this from begining to end. (10:57 AM) The reason I'm telling you my time is hopefully show that in just a few short minutes this blog will make its way to my twitter page, then my facebook and linked in page in just a few short minutes.

Realtors might be thinking right about now that I'm writing about nonsense, well, maybe I am. But that's not the point. The point is I'm taking a few short minutes to update my blog, when my husband would probably prefer I put the computer away and talk to him. We all have TIME! it's what we choose to do with that little bit of extra time each day that's the difference. (10:58)

If you're thinking this is about nonsense, you still don't get the point. You could in just a few short minutes be writing about your open house you're having today, or the first time homebuyer credit, or that beautiful home you're trying to sell, or a real estate tip you want to share with the rest of us. Talk about your business. Why? CONNECTION...that's why. People are online looking for information, rich information, they might as well find YOU. You should be up top in the search engines. You should be known as the expert! WHY NOT?

We aren't connecting around the water cooler any longer...we don't have to knock on doors (even though I'm not frowing on that). You can link in to thousands of professionals around the country with just a few minutes a day. If you don't, others will. Be a leader, not a follower. (11;03)

It is now 6:53 PM. Driving to Napp town I lost my wireless connection, so thankfully I saved this draft and came back to it when I got home. All in all - from beginning to end, adding a photo, and saying goodbye, 6:56 PM this blog took 11 Minutes.

Congratulations to all CENTURY 21 Scheetz agents - In the middle of what most would call a "tough" year in Real Estate, you've soared above the rest! You've buckled down, you've proven what you're made of. You have achieved top honor!

• CENTURY 21 Scheetz Carmel office is ranked number 1 in the Indiana/Ohio region in sales dollars
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz Carmel office is ranked number 1 in the Indiana/Ohio region in units sold
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz 96th street office is ranked number 3 in the Indiana/Ohio region in sales dollars
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz 96th street office is ranked number 3 in the Indiana/Ohio region in units sold
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz ranked number 6 in the nation in units sold - WOW!
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz Blackwood-Warner Group lead the region, number 1 in units sold, and rank number 2 in the nation in units sold
• CENTURY 21 Scheetz Glenn Bill team ranked number 2 in the region in units sold, and 7th in the nation in units sold

Why does all this matter? Because, here at CENTURY 21 Scheetz our agents know how to sell real estate. They know what it takes to price, market, prospect, and sell!

Congratulations CENTURY 21 Scheetz for outperforming the market in 2008! Congratualtions on persisting in challenging times and coming out on top!

We are so proud of you!