I Finally Moved my Blog!

It has taken me what feels like an eternity to do it, but I finally have my blog set up on my own domain using WordPress. MyHosting.com made that set up super easy, so thanks to them – I have been using them since 1997 for hosting services. I am working with Jeremy Blanton from 210Consulting.com and getting it set up, so pardon any little FUBARS that occur along the way. Also a huge thank you to Jeremy for putting up with my demands at reasonable and unreasonable hours as we hammered out design and layout and still do – as a former Sr. Web Designer and Developer I am probably a nightmare client for him, okay definitely a nightmare client. #ownit

I originally intended to use Genesis for the theme, but Jeremy wants me to use Headway on this (it is great), so I will use Genesis for my pure real estate site – their agent theme is awesome, I just don’t have the time to do my own customization right now. Thanks to my friend Chris Brogan for introducing me to Genesis (you can get Genesis through an affiliate link on his site like I did).

So – stop by and visit, watch it evolve too! http://www.mayaREguru.com

Thanks!

My Kids Don’t Get It

Lindsay in her Moonbounce - courtesy of Laurie Bick

Today was one of those days. My kids don’t get it. They don’t get how fortunate they are. They have a roof over their heads, clothes on their back and food on the table. I try to remind them they should be grateful, to tell them what others don’t have.

It doesn’t work really well. I need to find a new method. A better way to show them what life can be how others are not as fortunate as they are. Gratitude is essential in life, I want them to be grateful and thoughtful. To have the right perspective.

I have been wrestling with ways to try to bring these very real facts to them, instead of the vague concepts they only have. Exposure is the answer. Tomorrow I begin planning for that exposure by contacting organizations that service those in need. To give back even more.

My family is going to make a weekly commitment to volunteering at a shelter or soup-kitchen. To help feed and care for those less fortunate than we are. There is a very fine line in today’s economy between the “haves” and the “have nots” – the edge is so close to so many. I want my kids to appreciate life, be grateful for all they have and generous with others.

I hope by showing them a little more of the world they might have a greater sense of their place in it. To never forget, to always be grateful, to always be thoughtful and always be generous.

That is the commitment we are going to make. How about your family, what commitment will you make?

You Call THAT Clean?

Most Sellers spend a lot of time preparing their homes to list on the market. Decluttering, packing up the things they can live without and cleaning the house, all to make it ready for sale and give it that unrealistic “No one lives this way” appearance that a buyer wants to see. I laugh when I arrive at a Sellers home for a listing appointment as they profoundly apologize for the “mess” they feel their home is, I remind them that part of my job is helping them identify what needs to be done for final sale prep and that they have not seen my house.

No one lives like this. A kitchen staged for sale.

Real estate agents are trained to look past the contents and see the house, so never worry about the condition it is when we get that, instead seize that opportunity to ask us what you need to do. Be sure to have a pen and paper ready.  I am in the process of creating a check-list for my sellers to use for final prep.

What I find the most interesting though is how I find a house when I am showing it to a perspective buyer. Floors swept, carpets vacuumed and raked, counters gleaming, all the obvious details are handled, but not the overlooked “forgotten” bits that whether consciously or not are noticed by a buyer.

Before you declare your home ready for showings, stand in the center of the room and turn slowly looking from floor to ceiling and back again. I bet you would be surprised what you missed. The following is a list of the top 8 most overlooked items, in my experience, I see in many listings that should be cleaned.

Top 8 Most Overlooked in Cleaning

1. Quarter-round molding and floor molding. People just don’t seem to notice that part of their home. They sweep, vacuum, scrub and prep the floor surfaces but don’t give a thought to the molding. The buyer notices this and psychologically it can impact their opinion of how well the home was cared for. Depending on the surface I recommend the following; wood surfaces – clean with a wood cleaning product with orange oil, it really makes it look new (careful along carpeting) spray the cleaner on to a rag or paper towel to apply, for painted wood I like Formula 409, it is a great cleaner, use a rag or paper towel, if you find a really tough mark try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser but use it sparingly as it will remove paint.
2. Carpet edges! Your vacuum has an edging tool for a reason. If you have never used it you might want to call in a professional as it might be beyond your vacuum cleaner at this point. I find that if you edge your carpet once a month it will keep it as clean as the rest. When you do edge be sure to also vacuum the molding thereby preventing the need for the first item on my list.
3. Doors. Most people don’t seem to realize that those lovely 6-panel colonial doors have surfaces that will catch and hold dust. Go look at yours, I bet unless you are the best housekeeper in the world you will find dust. In bathrooms it can be worse as the moisture will congeal the dust into something more. I like using antibacterial wipes, or Formula 409 works well too.
4. Light switches. May I just say “ick” to what I see on light switches sometimes. They are touched so often and get particularly filthy. They require a bit more work to clean – I go with my default Formula 409 but also bring cotton swabs into the mix to get the tougher to reach places.
5. Ceiling fans. I don’t care if you keep them on at all times (I do in my house), they still collect dust. I like the Swiffer Dusters for this task, but if you have a cathedral ceiling and no ladder you might need to call in some help.
6. Architectural details including those lovely looking yet useless ledges found in some of the newer and grander homes. Nearly every time I show one of those style homes I find a lovely layer of dust.
7. Walls! If you have pets or kids check your walls, especially corners if you have cats. They love to rub a corner and will leave marks. I use anti-bacterial wipes on those regularly to eliminate them.
8. Kick plates on stairs. If you have white kick plates check for scuffs from shoes. Use the Mr. Clean Magic eraser for those and stop wearing shoes in your house!

It is amazing the psychological impact these little details have, I could go on with many more but lets start with the obvious.  A few not so obvious: air intake on the refrigerator (also improves performance and energy efficiency), the oven, blinds and I could go on.

Is there anything you notice that I missed?

Heading to your First Real Estate Bar Camp? Here’s a Primer

With a couple real estate bar camps this coming weekend (Raleigh, NC; Rye, NY and Ocean City, Maryland), the OCMD team wanted a blog for the site to help people get a flavor for what to expect, so here is my contribution, hope it helps!

You registered (or didn’t go ahead and show up anyway) and are ready to head to your first Real Estate Bar Camp, what next? It can seem like a potentially intimidating experience, not knowing what to expect or who to expect to encounter. What do I bring? What do I wear? How do I prepare for an “unconference”. All those thoughts and more pour through the head of a first time attendee, I know because I was once that attendee. So let me walk you through the process a bit.

When you first arrive, look for signs that direct you to the event – sometimes they are professionally printed but more often hand-written on poster boards. If you aren’t sure or don’t see signs, ask anyone your see, chances are they will know are looking for the REBC event themselves. When you arrive head right over to the registration desk. Volunteers will be there ready to welcome you and check you in. Depending on the individual camp (they are all run slightly differently at registration) you will get a badge to write your name on. On the badges they typically have at least two places to write your name, the first for your real name, the next for your Twitter name (don’t worry if you don’t have one, you aren’t required to), often there is also a spot for your hometown.

Bobbi Howe and I hanging at the bandstand at REBCSF in July. Casual and comfortable.

After you have checked in and received your badge, there is usually an area where the “Board” sits. The board is what will form into your schedule for the day. It is a living document, people fill out 3×5 note cards, or similar, with what the session title is and their name then they pick a time and location. Sessions often run from 30-50 minutes depending on the camp and the schedule.

In theory everyone attending should be prepared to lead a session, but don’t worry about that. Just watch the board and take note of the times and places of the sessions you want.  Remember it is a living document so it will change.  A final visit before the opening of the event is a good idea, but people filter past the board all day long.  You will notice that at the end of each session, people checking locations and changing their choices.

Your organizers will have an opening session. Usually your organizer will introduce the team and give you some brief overview of that days event, sometimes they have a someone do “opening remarks”, but not always.  They will review the concept with you and anything special or specific to the venue. There may be some space restrictions like which rooms are not available for use. Once that is over you are on your way.

If you identified the first session you want to attend this is when you will head over there. Find a seat, chair, floor, window, wall-leaning, whatever you want – it is all casual.  Once the session begins the person leading the session will introduce themselves and anyone else who might be there to offer assistance.  Once the session begins if you feel as though the topic isn’t what you thought it would be, or you decide you aren’t interested it is ok to get up and leave. In bar camp that is called “voting with your feet”.  It is accepted and understood. Not everything is the right fit for everyone.

The whole point of being there is to get information you find useful and meet new people, expanding your personal community and network. People will “lobbycon” which means they might sit in the main hall talking, you should feel free to step into any conversation.

Everyone should feel comfortable and welcome, the real estate bar camp events are inclusive of everyone.  No matter your experience level don’t be afraid to offer a though, or participate in a session.  If someone is doing a session you have some expertise in step right up to the session leader and offer your help.  The more the merrier.

That is really the basics of the event, now for the less pressing questions.  I am often asked “How do I dress?” “What should I bring” and many more questions of similar context.  As for attire – comfort is key, some might wear business clothes, business casual, depending on personal style.  I am often found wearing jeans and a t-shirt at bar camp so when I find that perfect spot on the floor I am comfortable (if you see me on the floor like that, don’t worry I love sitting on floors and get tired of explaining that every time a thoughtful person offers me a seat, so thank you in advance for your courtesy).

What to bring? I often bring my laptop but rarely take it out, if I had an iPad I would have it with me everywhere, or a netbook.  I definitely bring my Sprint Hotspot to share a wifi connection if someone needs one. A notebook is the best thing to bring so you can jot down any notes or great ideas you get from a session. A camera or flip is fun to bring too, to capture photos or video of sessions you really like.

So that is really the essence of real estate bar camp, pretty simple and casual. Everyone is there to interact with each other and welcoming. Don’t think twice about introducing yourself to someone.

My 5 Essentials for Real Estate Bar Camp:

1. Wear a smile and comfortable clothes
2. Everyone is a human being, all on equal footing in the universe. Don’t be shy.
3. Be ready to participate
4. Ask lots of questions! If you don’t get it ask.
5. Have lots of fun.

Got any questions or did I miss something important, please feel free to comment and add your question or insight! The more the merrier.

Photo courtesy of Deb Madey

My Perspective on Perspective

They say attitude is everything. I disagree, I think perspective is everything. Perspective determines attitude.  How

It is all in how you look at it.

you look at life is based on your personal perspective, which then in turn leads you to your attitude about life.  This can be applied to all things I believe.

Let’s take the “Glass Half-Full/Half-Empty” debate as an example. They say if you side with “half-full” you are an optimist, with “half-empty” you are a pessimist.  What if you looked at it this way “I can always add more if I need it.” Where does that leave you?

I am a realist, always have been always will be. My motto is “Hope for the best but expect the worst, then you are never disappointed.”  That’s my perspective on life. Maybe it was my training while attending an Art college, always looking at different perspectives and angles that tainted how I view life. I see the shadows, vanishing points and contrast that might not be visible to someone else (linear perspective).  It effects all aspects of my life.

People often say you should “look to the past to gain a better perspective on the future”. What does that do? It helps you improve and grow, as an individual and as a species. I look at the past and find the lessons that will benefit the future. I say it is all about perspective, even when it comes to how we use perspective. You perspective is set in life generally in your youth, how you see things and interpret things. How thin-skinned you are or how thick-skinned will also influence your perspective. It is how you respond to others or acts, as well as how you choose to treat others and the ways you choose to act.

But this is all just based on my perspective. What’s yours?

Discovering the Undiscovered Talent

I am hoping to get a little crowdsourcing love here. 

I am working on a project and am seeking fresh new real estate social media and blogging talent.  It can of course be someone who has been doing it for a long time and just isn’t known to me, that is still fresh to me. If you know anyone who you think is interesting, insightful, doing something new or using the platforms well, would you mind pointing them out in the comments below?  Sharing them with me and here shares them with everyone. I would love to find at least 20 “fresh” people (fresh is open to interpretation).

There are two purposes to this.  The first is that I want to connect with those people and read their blogs.  The other is an opportunity to be a on real estate panel at an upcoming event.

The more the merrier!! I hope you all can help.

The Listing Appointment: Setting Expectations

When I first started in real estate I was not confident enough in my own experience and skills to properly set expectations at a listing appointment.  I often didn’t “win” the listing or ended up pricing it improperly at the sellers request.  Gaining that level of confidence is the most important thing a real estate agent can do, but it isn’t easy.

Some of the things I have learned and use in my appointments help set me apart from other real estate agents. Sellers have told me they selected me because I had a sense of confidence. That confidence was hard won from experience pure and simple.

Here are some of the things I do for all listing appointments:

1. I do research. I run comparables and study them. I drive by the house before the appointment to help me get a sense of curb appeal.
2. I check the previous records in the MLS and even pull any available public records to see when the current owner purchase it and what the mortgage situation might be.
3. I preview any comparable properties in the same neighborhood that are also for sale. The seller will ask me about those when we review the active properties, I like to be able to answer the questions with authority.
4. Discuss pricing. I also tell my potential clients what my pricing strategy, experience and theory is before we even discuss price. That seems to help them understand my reasoning and support it. But we decide together. I am not opposed to testing a price slightly higher than I recommend as long as the client is clear in understanding a review after 7-10 days is a must and quick adjustments might be necessary.
5. I explain how I market the house. The websites I list on: where, how and why.  I explain the difference in some real estate sites in how they accumulate listings and information.
6. I always discuss the “offer” process, reviewing what they will see and expect.  Including reviewing “Buyer Assistance” so they are prepared for it.

I often leave an appointment with the listing, but sometimes I leave with the expectation of hearing from the Seller at a future point. I often do and sometimes I don’t. I watch those houses I don’t list – especially when they had an unrealistic price expectation – and I watch the price drop while the days on market increase.

Do your best setting expectations and your job will be easier.  It pays off when there are market changes as your client is more willing to listen and trust you.

What do you do differently to set expectations at a listing appointment?

Why Do You Socialize?

I wrote a post yesterday about my experience and feelings on automated direct messages and people failing to “engage” so today I want to know, why do you socialize?

One of the comments I got on yesterdays post was that everyone is selling something. Are they? Are you? What are you selling? I think there are a lot of people that are selling or promoting intentionally but how they do it is what makes the difference in my opinion.

If you own a business and you use social media to build a network of people who might be interested in your service and humanize those efforts I think that is great.  If you are a business that just sends out your URL and nothing more, offering no value or reason for people to notice you, I think that isn’t great.

I never started interacting in this space to build business; I started because I like people.  In the last two plus years has that changed? Yes it has, as I discovered that I could do both at the same time, a much more effective use of my time.  I have fun and I get to help people with real estate and now with social media. I learn something new every day.

The most difficult part of social media I believe is that a lot of people don’t “get it” – get how to interact, engage and grow. I am a people watcher and I enjoy analyzing what other people are saying and doing. I observe the patterns and the nuances. I look at their bio’s and blogs; sometimes I pick a specific person and try to find the “secret” behind their interactions.  It is just what I do and how my brain works, I enjoy figuring things out.

We all have something to sell. Whether it is a product, service or ourselves as human beings – we each put something out there hoping someone will respond and show interest.  The human need for validation is strong. I talk about “own it” a lot, to me that means coming to terms with the things we are not comfortable with, no matter what that is. So maybe it is time to own your own reason for being here? Sales isn’t such a bad word is it?

Why Not Be Social? When Social is Lost.

Sometimes I wonder if people really understand why they are using any social media platform.  Are they there because they were told they should be? They were told it was “cool”? To sell something?

Most people seem to get it.  They converse, share and work together to build a new community.  The key word in the

This is what it is all about. This crowd is gathered as a result of social media.

term social media is “social” not media, in my opinion. I see the reasons for being there is to engage, interact, build a community and establish a network of new contacts. People are interesting, meeting new people is fascinating.  At least that is how I view it.

Over the past few months I have sought to find interesting new people to connect with on Twitter who I might not ordinarily encounter. In doing so I have been asked by some why I followed them, how I found them or what I want from them.  I reply – I am curious, I am interested and nothing more than to learn.

The genuine purpose of being in the social media venues for me is to learn, grow and make new friends.  That enriches my life. From reading what others say, from having conversations and a variety of interactions I get so much. The ones I often like the most are the people who are the least like me, who bring me insight into a world I might not ever have encountered. Those that share their stories, triumphs and dreams are the ones I find the most fascinating.

There is a lot of talk about transparency in social media. I am not sure how true that transparency is, yet there is really no way to measure or judge another person’s “transparency.”  I just choose to accept the people I meet and the stories they share as truths. The inherent trust in the space is the reason why we all tend to do that.

There is something bothering me.  So many times I receive a “Thank you for following me!” automatic direct message on Twitter.  I usually ignore them, but I do see them and think “they don’t get it do they.”  Once in a while they are just too much.  Of the 100+ direct messages I receive a day – at least 70% are auto generated in response to a new follow I added.  I want to lecture each one, to explain to them what they are missing.  I don’t have time and my words may fall on deaf ears.

Lately I seem to be getting a lot of “If you are really human and not a spam-bot please follow me on facebook…”.  Why?  You sent me an automated message and asked me to follow you somewhere for interaction. If you truly got the whole reason for being here, wouldn’t you take a moment and SEE who just followed you?  You send me an automated message and ask me to prove I am human?

I unfollow those people when I notice now.  Let’s not forget the “twitter validator” types.  If you don’t care to discover people and be here for the right reason, I don’t need to clutter my stream with what you might have to say.

To those I say rethink and reexamine your reasons for being on any social platform. I know I am reconsidering why you are there as I trim you from my stream of friends.

Do you look at it differently? Disagree with me? Totally agree? How do you handle those “engagement failures”?

Maybe I am Wrong?

It happens occasionally – I am wrong once in a while. When I am, I am always happy to admit it!  I hope I was wrong in my “doom and gloom” predictions of last week (too early to tell).  That would be the best “wrong” ever!

After price reductions on a majority of my listings last week, I have seen a sharp increase in showings. I am also seeing an enormous upswing in my Internet based inquiries, five since Friday.  It might be too soon to revise my predictions (I am still confident in their accuracy) but I am very happy to see more activity in the market.

Or, it could be that the price adjustments made were just the right medicine and the desire result of those adjustments is what I am seeing in the market activity.

Added Note: At an office meeting, the increase in activity was seen throughout our market, all were also in agreement it was “dead” prior to last Thursday or Friday. (3:42 pm Eastern)

How about your market? More activity?