John Hall & Associates - Phoenix Real Estate Brokerage

Ever feel that way?  Well, everyone does, it’s human nature but it is particularly likely if you sell real estate. It shouldn’t surprise you when you consider the uneven commission only income stream, wishy-washy buyers, and desperate unrealistic sellers. Now top that off with a spouse who wants you to get a “real job”, and it feels like everyone is simply out to annoy you.  It probably isn’t true but just knowing that won’t help much.  Try this:

Close your eyes and take a long deep breath.  It may or may not help much but it will give you a moment to relax and refocus.  Learn to let it go.  Chances are that the annoyer has moved on to other things, you should too.

It’s NOT about you!  It never is.  People act out of their own self-interest and 9 times out of 10 - ignorance.  Consumer focus groups have shown us that about 93% of consumers have no clue what you do to earn your commissions.  That’s why you spend hours showing them properties only to find out that their cousin Ethel just got her real estate license and is going to write their offer.  She’s a full time hairdresser though and “could you maybe review the paperwork just to be sure it’s right?”  Sounds to me like you forgot to educate your prospect.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.  One of the biggest stumbling blocks to higher productivity is perfectionism.  A lot of real estate agents keep “getting ready to get ready”.  Education is a wonderful thing but if you know it and don’t practice it, what’s the point?  Some agents actually keep attending classes so they can feel productive without having to actually look for a live prospect.  You don’t have to be perfect but you do have to be there!

Lower your expectations.  Yep, you heard me right.  Set those high expectations about yourself but don’t be unrealistic about others.  I have found that when I am disappointed in others it is because I expected them to act differently.  It’s like being angry at a dog who barks, they’re dogs for goodness sake, they bark.  People are just people, they don’t live their lives to fulfill your expectations.

Now, watch the video again - you might just be the monkey!

Diane Flannigan is the Director of Career Development for John Hall & Associates.  In her dynamic ‘Skill Series’ set of real estate agent training classes, she teaches agents how to improve their mindset along with their presentation, counseling, marketing, and negotiation skills.

Did you get a chance to read this article from the Wall Street Journal?  

It’s a good one to help motivate buyers.

Dru showed us her blog post that highlights this really cool graph on the NY times website… 

Is it better to rent or buy? 

Well, that depends on lots!  But a few of the variables this graph takes into consideration are…

          ◊  What’s the cost of the home?

          ◊  How much are you paying for rent?

          ◊  Are homes in the area appreciating or depreciating?  

          ◊  How long do you plan on staying put?

          ◊  Are rents going up or down?

          ◊  What’s the interest rate on your mortgage?

          ◊  How much is your down payment?  

          ◊  How much are the property taxes?

Pass this along to your buyers that are having trouble answering this question for themselves!  

It’s title is “Ignore the Headlines” - D. Patrick Lewis (Scottsdale associate) wrote a blog post on ActiveRain about it - check it out…

Thanks D. Patrick for bringing it to our attention!

Look for Mr. Jim Sexton in the Arizona Republic this weekend.   He will be highlighted in the real estate sections’ Broker’s Corner.  Just in case you’re not a newspaper kind of person, here’s the article. 

The Big Game 

When you say “Big Game” in Arizona you can’t help but think of the football game in Glendale, even if you’re not a football fan.  Arizona also hosts other big games like the FBR Open and the Barrett/Jackson car auction; there is literally something for everyone.  Even those who aren’t sports fans can’t help but appreciate the fabulous weather, stunning scenery and warm hospitality.  But, the REAL “Big Game” in Arizona is real estate.  I hope that the “white noise” of a negative national press in the financial sector doesn’t obscure the positive aspects of what is happening in Arizona.  Local real estate gurus in their 2008 forecasts give us high marks in comparison with the rest of the country predicting a population growth of +2.7%, employment at +2%, personal income +5.5% and retail sales at +1.5%.   This is when the knowledgeable players get in the game, to take advantage of interest rates at historic lows and the abundance of housing choices.  Even the rise in foreclosures gives real estate a boost whether you are a buyer occupant or an investor.  When you consider the fact that according to the National Association of REALTORS®, the value of homes nearly doubles every ten years, this would be the perfect time to get off the bench and start playing.

With all the bad news from the economic sector of our economy, you may have missed some of this; Forbes magazine ranks us 3rd in its “Best US Cities for Jobs” list, Business 2.0 magazine rates us a top destination city for relocations and one of America’s hottest job markets.   And, CNN ranked the Phoenix/Tucson area as one of the top 10 “megapolitans” in the U.S.  

You have to ask yourself, how bad is the economy when a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl costs approximately $2.3 million?  Don’t wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait.  Whether you are a Patriots or Giants fan, its time to get off the sidelines and get into the REAL game in Arizona - real estate.

Jim Sexton sent me this article from Broker Agent that he enjoyed.  As I read it I could hear Lou Holtz saying, “The only thing that is going to change you from where you are today and where you are in 5 years from now is what you read, the people you meet, and the dreams you dream.”  This is a good one to read.