Posted by Charles_Ca on 3/11/06 2:44pm
Msg #104139

PING: Dean Harris

I know what you are saying Dean but you will find that most of your problems with the Real Estate market are gong to be he same with the NSA market and it is harder to gets established wnce there is less differentiation, more competition and your urchases of your services don't really care. I would recommend that you take a closer look at your RE market becaseu it seems lke you are doing what everyone else is doing and the andswer it to differentiate your self from the pack. If you don't own commercial propelrty you will have an even harder time with commercial real estate becaseu the firsst question by most commercial owners is what "do you own?" It is tough to understand the commercial market if you are not in it and will show. You will find a great reluctance to give a newcomer any hand up.

Reply by Dean Harris on 3/11/06 5:38pm
Msg #104162

Hi Charles,

I don't want to get into commercial. My friend just fell into it.

I've had talks with my broker and other producing agents.

Everyone thinks I'll do exceptional well once I get a few contacts.

There was/is a learning curve with Sales, and I've started to come into my own.

However, if you offered me $10k to give you 5 phone numbers of people I know in this state- I couldn't do it. I have 1 friend who lives a county away and it's an out of sight, out of mind thing.

I'm not giving up at all on real estate. Probably the best thing I can do at this point is pick up some computer consulting/support work and notary work to try to build my SOI.

I'm tweaking this document as it looks poor, but here's the gist of listing services:

http://www.getmyfloridahouse.com/temp/services.doc

I lost my 1st and only listing to the top listing agent in Orlando. The seller wasn't motivated, withdrew his listing and I contacted him. He told me if he sold it and I took 4% I'd have it. He just isn't motivated to sell though.

Here's my latest open house:

http://www.getmyfloridahouse.com/temp/CawoodLakesWindermereOpenHouse/

Doing the same house tomorrow. It's off a major road- decent traffic. I have my own OH signs.

Everyone hates that particular house. It's in horrible shape and black marble with brown carpet everywhere. It is a bachelor pad.

I'm going to have a brochure right on the table- "Comparable Properties For Sale". Listing agent is OK with this.

I have articles in the brochure from the Orlando Sentinel addressing FSBO's, how the market has corrected slightly to make buyers comfy, and for that property an article on what 1 million gets you these days...which isn't a lot.

I also use the Open Houses (if vacant) as a place for people I'm working with to stop by for a casual meet.

I *know* I'd make a great listing agent.

I keep the latest market data from our board on me in case a potential seller stops by the OH:

http://www.getmyfloridahouse.com/temp/orlando.htm

Note inventory this past January compared to last Janauary.

A lot of folks got into the market to 'get rich quick'. I got in it for the long run, so I'm here to stay.

I'm just totally tapped out of funds. My last 'buyer' took 5+hrs of driving time, $45 in gas, $60 in meals, 24 e-mails and 13 calls in 5 days. Signed contract, took good faith deposit and listing agent didn't get back to me for 2 days- which annoyed him and he just got nervous about the market and pulled out. Poof. So the business goes.

You mentioned doing things differently. Well, I was tipped off that small bridal shows generated really good leads. I just can't afford any more advertising in any way.

If you have any suggestions let me know as my 'ears' are open.

Thanks.

-Dean

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/11/06 8:44pm
Msg #104184

Sounds like you are going in the right direction Dean...

listings are everything, buyers use up your time, your resources and are a crap shoot. One thing that people here in California are startng to do is ask for exclusive buyer/broker agreements and it is begining to be accepted. Also the California buyer-agency disclosure forms push in that direction and have to be signed by the buyer. Many Realtors in CA won't sholw proplerty anymore without a signed agency disclosure form. Some of your local Realtor classes in marketing may help, I've found the associations to be a very good soure of information. Have you read Gooder's "Real Estate Rainmaker" book and check the site www.gooder.com they have excellent info. If you'd like to talk RE contact me off this site and we won't take up the time of the notarys. Good luck!