S Emo

Picture it . . . the elders of the real estate community placed on ice flows to drift away from civilization!

How many of you opened this post hoping to read that this was now the official plan to rid your market of these seasoned salespeople? NO, that is not my wish nor the intent of this post even tho I've read many comments that come close to this concept recently :0)

This morning as I was enjoying a glass of ice water, and I was again reminded, looking at the glass, that we only see 10% of the ice above the water's surface whether it be in a glass in the form of a cube or in the Arctic Ocean, just a wee bit larger.

80 - 90% of the ice is below the surface and mainly unseen to the majority of us. We don't really know what goes on below the surface of the ocean just as we don't actually see what goes on with our seasoned Realtors.

A modern day Realtor is out there in the social networks, taking advantage of every technological tool available. We see what is working for these Realtors. We hear them proudly declaring their inclusion of these new forms of conducting business. A few will share their actual results but I find too many acting like lemmings racing to the edge of the cliff. Better yet, monkey see, monkey do. They jump on the band wagon without having a full understanding of what, why, when etc. There are so many businesses that are there simply to make money off of Realtors. They come and they go.

What we don't pay attention to with these seasoned experts is what they do that looks to come naturally to them. Maybe it does come naturally or maybe they've been doing it for so long, it has simply become second nature?

These Realtors seem to be known everywhere they go. Always a wave out the car window at people waving back. Known in all the small cafes and diners. They do business with the same shops and businesses year after year. They have often sold the first home to a client that has been loyal to them for 30 or 40 years now. They moved up the ladder with them as job promotions and larger families required a bigger home in a nicer area. They were invited to the children's weddings and then helped them with that all important first purchase. Seasoned agents are called on to help the new Grandparents to downsize perhaps to a nice pricey condo?

They're always thinking ahead, staying one step ahead of the pack. They automatically look for changing trends in real estate purchases. They take in a situation and immediatly try to think of which client could benefit from the change. They look to connect with their age group. The same people who are not computer literate and feel progressive because they have voicemail instead of an old tape answer machine. They don't try to flaunt technology in the face of someone who has no personal need of it. They know that most of their friends and acquaintances do not own cell phones
[on an aside, did you hear that Antonio Bandaras purchased his first cell phone just a few weeks ago? The clerk (about 16 years old) was astonished]

They're working all the time, thinking all the time, connecting all the time. What we see on the surface is just that 10% of their total activity.

In a nutshell, they connect with people of all age groups because they've assisted all age groups with their real estate needs and build relationships with each and everyone of them. That's because, in a seasoned Realtor's mind, that is our job!

That's what I want to be when I grow up - a super star, well seasoned!

Susan Emo, Salesperson, RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd. Brokerage

Gananoque/Kingston/Brockville 1000 Islands Region

613 382 2211

Another reason I don't like doing Open Houses!

It is so important that Sellers understand why Open Houses are not the way forward with regard to getting their home sold. This post of Tina's states very clearly why a re-think is required on the part of Sellers and their agents. Thanks Tina!

Susan Emo, Kingston, Gananoque, Brockville, 1000 Islands Region

Via Tina Allen (Exit Realty Tri-County):

It's a question we get from most sellers, "Can we do an open house?" I cringe everytime I am asked that. I do not care for Open Houses and just finished reading another news article out of North Carolina in which a Realtor sitting at a Model Home was raped at knife point. Our world is in such array today that I just refuse to put myself in that type of situation. This Realtor is lucky to be alive...the rapist could have killed her and just walked out of the home, unnoticed.

I know there are steps to be taken, check driver's license, have them sign in, blah, blah, blah, even with that...they could lie, still hurt and kill you, and at that point who cares if you have some information on a piece of paper that could possibly be false anyway. I think a Broker's Open is fine and even an Open House if you can arrange to have more than one or two agents there at all times. There also needs to be in place a more secure type of questionaire. How can we monitor who is coming in and out? Could we use some type of quick background check to inform us what kind of person is entering the home? I know it seems like a lot and most consumers would not want to subject themselves to what would seem like harrasment to just look at a home, but, if people would think about the lives it could possibly save, could they take the extra pre-cautions for the safety of us agents?

Open houses also allow for strangers to come into the home and check for expensive art, jewelry, security systems, and areas that could be easily accessible. Maybe there's a back door that they notice has a flimsy lock that they could pick easily. Burglars and rapists look for easy targets and what's easier than walking in a home and seeing the complete layout and knowing the family works during the day and goes out of town on the weekends.

I try my hardest to appease my sellers, If they insist on doing an open house, I will try to arrange something that will work for all of us. I do explain my feelings on open houses and have been lucky enough that most sellers understand and do not insist. Usually, they have not even thought of these negative scenarios and are grateful that I did not agree to just leave their home wide open to intruders of any kind.

It's not that I don't think Open Houses are a great way to let consumers walk in and fall in love with a home, but, there is just not enough safety precautions in place. My children probably worry enough with their family members in law enforcement, waiting for the day, someone won't come home, I do not want them to be concerned that their mother who sells houses for a living, has a dangerous job and might not come home either.

Susan Emo, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd. - Brokerage

613-382 2211

GANANOQUE, KINGSTON, BROCKVILLE, 1000 ISLANDS REGION

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

115 ELIZABETH DRIVE, GANANOQUE, ONTARIO

Business is booming in the Kingston, Gananoque and the 1000 Islands region. Come and see for yourself and maybe you'll decide that this is the perfect place for you too!

Susan Emo,
Sales Representative

RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd - Brokerage

Kingston, Gananoque and the 1000 Islands
613-382 2211

I LOVE working with first time buyers and celebrating with them when they find that perfect place in the Kingston, Gananoque and the 1000 Island area!!!

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

135 LAKE ST, MALLORYTOWN, ONTARIO

Come for a visit and stay for a life time. First time Buyers will appreciate the care and consideration provided to them.

Susan Emo, Salesperson
RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd, Brokerage

Kingston, Gananoque, 1000 Islands, Ontario

613-382-2211

Did you hear Susan Emo LOVES working with First time buyers? Another happy couple now living in their own home in Kingston Ontario

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

Old Quarry Road, Kingston, Ontario

Susan Emo, Salesperson, RE/MAX Riverview Realty Ltd. Brokerage

Kingston, Gananoque, 1000 Islands Ontario
613 382 2211