Kerrville, TX

Is it possible to go through the holidays and not accumulate extra pounds and still enjoy all the goodies?

Yes, the answer is Yes!

When December rolled around, I asked myself that question. I really did not think I could make it through but I tried one day at a time. I limited my intake of cookies, candy, cakes, pies and even all the regular food. I tasted everything I wanted. Sometimes, I even took two bites like yesterday when I had two pieces of Baklava. It's very high in calories but the bites were small and spaced hours apart.

I have been weight reducing since summer. I have dropped a lot of pounds but I still have more to go. I just didn't want to have worked so hard and let the holidays ruin all that hard work. So, I decided to let my portions be smaller and stay that way no matter what was served or what I was cooking. Portion control is a big part of losing weight and keeping it off.

I am happy to say, today, I weigh the same as I did two weeks before Christmas! To me, this is a huge accomplishment since I had several parties and lots of people to cook for. Maintaining during this time makes me have even more determination to be in good shape by summer. I plan to have my ideal weight by then. I have made a goal for myself for Spring Break and another for end of May. Making small goals and making them attainable makes it easier to lose the weight and keep it off.

Good luck to you on your weight reduction too! Let's all get in shape! Good health is our most valuable asset!

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection www.reretx.com

953 Main

Kerrville, TX 78028

(830)257-2520

2011 is over! Let me repeat that. 2011 is over!

For most people in the real estate business, 2011 was not that good. To say, good riddance and welcome 2012 is a good thing. 2012 brings with it new hope, new ideas, new goals and a chance to start fresh.

Do you have your business plan in order? If not, take time this week and write a plan for yourself and your business. Make goals and make a plan to reach those goals. Simply working harder or longer is not the answer to increase your production. Getting results is the answer. It takes time to evaluate and re-evaluate your performance but it is worth the time. If things did not go your way this year, look at what you did and how you did it. Things must change but not just for the sake of changing. Evaluation is the key. Before you can change things and put new plans in place a thorough evaluation is needed to see what went wrong or how things may have changed.

Agents and brokers both need to stay abreast of the market and new technology. Experience, education and availability are important too. Sometimes, however, only subtle changes need to be made to turn things completely around. If you have trouble with evaluating yourself, let someone else help you. Be honest with yourself and not afraid to sincerely critique yourself. It will pay off in big dividends later.

Keeping track of the numbers; how many appointments, how many listings, how many contracts written, how many contracts closed. Results is what we want.

Happy New Year and may success come your way this year. Make your business plan results oriented.

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection www.reretx.com

953 Main

Kerrville, TX 78028

(830)257-2520

It's cold outside! I don't want to get out of bed and go to work on a Saturday! After all, it's almost Christmas and I have a million other things to do. But that's what good REALTORS®do!

Saturday and Sunday can be your most prosperous days of the week.

Your clients work all week long and the only time they have to look at homes is on the weekend. So, you must work on the weekend if you want to sell homes to most people. Today, we have lots of agents who don't understand this concept and do not want to agree with it. I see them sitting in the empty offices during the week waiting for the folks to come in. They get disappointed. They stop prospecting. They get discouraged and say the "market is to blame". Is it really?

Or is it the agents who don't want to provide service and convenience to their clients who are to blame?

Make your clients feel Welcome.

If your production is less than you want, try working the times of day when the other agents are not working.

Get to the office Early! Stay at the office Late. And work the Weekends! This is when clients have time to work with you.

Increase your production this next year by being available at more convenient times for your clients. See if your bank account doesn't grow?

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection www.reretx.com

953 Main

Kerrville, TX 78028

(830)257-2520

Real estate sales are picking up! Finally, the cooler weather and a little rain here in the beautiful Texas Hill Country has spurred folks to get out and start their search for their new home. Our phones are ringing and prospective clients are walking through our doors. The search is on!

Buyers are coming to the Hill Country for peace and relaxation. Many are retired but many are not. Those that are still working want to invest in a property now and use it as a second home in an area that affords abundant opportunities for recreation. When retirement time comes, they will be ready.

Hunting season is almost here as well. We've had buyers looking for that piece of land that they have dreamed of for a long time. With interest rates low, now might be a good time for you to buy.

If you need more information on Texas Hill Country land, give us a call. We would be glad to help in your search for the perfecet getaway.

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connecetion www.reretx.com

953 Main

Kerrville, TX 78028

(830)257-2520

Does your office have weekly sales meetings and weekly training meetings? We do.

I believe everyone should attend both and I encourage my agents not to miss the meetings. First of all, how will they know all the changes that take place during the week with the listings and sales if they do not attend the sales meetings? How will they further their knowledge of real estate if they do not continually learn and keep abreast of changes within the industry? Our training sessions provide for this type of training.

If I were wanting to sell my home, I would want to list with an agent that kept up to date with the changes in the office and in the MLS. I would want an agent that cared enough about me and the business to keep informed of changes in the laws and continued to improve their skills and knowledge of the real estate profession.

So, looking at this from the seller's point of view, I am adamant about training and attending meetings. I think every agent should be also. It is not an option, but a necessity if you want to be the best agent you can be.

Ricki Eichler Real Estate, your Texas Hill Country connection www.reretx.com

953 Main

Kerrville, TX 78028

(830)257-2520