Keith Strawn

Anyone have experience with www.homefinder.com?

A seller has asked me about it. I am not very familiar with it?

Any thoughts. As always, thanks for your help.

Because Beaufort is a waterborne town, boats are commonplace on the rivers and creeks that thread the area. But, when you see a cruise ship -- even a smaller one -- approaching Beaufort, that is something else altogether. Last night, as my son and I rode our bikes into downtown Beaufort, I looked off to the right and saw The American Glory steaming towards us. It was quite a site, seeing the lit up ship cruising beneath the fading light of the early evening. The American Glory is part of <a href="http://www.americancruiselines.com/">American Cruise LInes</a>, whose ships frequently visit Beaufort this time of year. The cruise line specializes in "inland" cruises, as opposed to the ocean-bound vessels of Disney Cruise Lines, and the like.

I've seen some mind-blowing displays of laziness in 9-plus years as a full-time real estate professional. But I just saw something that really tops anything I thought I'd ever see --

A local agent listed a home, utilizing the photo taken by the previous listing agent.........with the previous agent's sign in the picture of the front of the house!!!

Let me back up, and let's be totally clear about this.

Realtor A has listed a home previously listed by Realtor B. Realtor A used some of Realtor B's photos. In this "new" photo utilized by Realtor A, Realtor B's sign is visible in the yard.

Hey, we've all seen agents use another agent's photos when they pick up a previously-listed house.

And, in this situation, let's be honest, the new agent is cutting corners by using the old agent's photos. But, geez Louise... using a photo with another company's sign in it?!?!? How lazy are you?!?!?

Hey, listing agent, this seller just entrusted you with the marketing and sale of their home. Get off your lazy butt, and go take some pictures of your new listing!!!

Okay.....I give up. How do you post listings?

Best Regards,

Keith Strawn

Lowcountry Real Estate

Okay, you've spent your two weeks "earning" your real estate license....... Now what? Even in a good market, this can be a tough business for a new agent to get traction.

One of the first things I did when I became licensed in 1999 was undertake an email campaign aimed at successful-looking Realtors around the country.

Of course, not knowing much about real estate, and not knowing any of these agents personally, I had to rely on appearances, so i sought out Realtors with attractive websites, lots of listings, etc. I created an email template, which identified myself as a new agent who was eager to learn, and I asked these agents if they wouldn't mind giving me a few pointers on how I could increase my chances of success as a Realtor.

I was really moved by the number of Realtors who took the time to share some pretty thoughtful ideas on what needed to be done by me, or any new agent, to succeed. A year later, I did the same thing, this time identifying myself as an agent with a year's experience who was ready to take it "next level."

This was a great exercise, and I gained a lot of valuable insight into the minds of some really successful agents.

I would encourage all of us who have been selling real estate for a while to encourage young Realtors to spend a few minutes on Active Rain each day. Everything I was hoping to learn by contacting successful agents around the country can be found every day on Active Rain.

Just today, for instance, i read blogs which discussed maximizing time, the importance of follow-up calls, etc. It's almost like an ongoing training class put on by conscientious Realtors around the country.

So, to all you new agents out there who want to run a smart professional, integrity-based business, this is a really good place to start.