Real Estate Team Player

Real Estate Team Player

There is a lot of buzz out there in the industry today about the emergence of “teams” and how dominant they can be in their market. Is this the wave of the future and are we going to see the sole practitioner move into the background?

I don’t think so as long as we have top producers like Margaret Rome of Baltimore, Maryland who dedicated herself to building a successful solo career by structuring her business and personal life. She shared her philosophy and commitment to helping other agents in the industry in a recent interview where she highlighted some of the key elements that make a successful solo agent.

· It is critically important for the agent to be the one that communicates with the client. If you don’t, you can’t be sure that they are looking at the right properties for the right reasons.

· Outsource those tasks that take your time away from interacting with your clients.

· Maximize the use of technology to insure timely communication and the delivery of the specific information the client is requesting.

· Your website should answer every question about you that the customer has – just as if they sat down and interviewed you.

· Be a specialist and choose to work with those clients with whom you can build a relationship; which primarily come from your referral network.

· Focus on customer needs and wants and insure that you are prepared and ready to deliver.

· There are 3 key questions to set before every seller to set the tone for building a relationship of trust:

1. Are you 100% sure that you are ready to sell your house?

2. Do you have any questions a out the company I work for?

3. Are you 100% sure you want to use me as your real estate agent?

· All showings should be conducted by the agent; your clients need to be certain that you are in charge and delivering on your promises.

· You need a blog and if you can’t write you should hire a writer and provide them with the ideas and subjects. It will dramatically improve your web traffic.

Is the team concept for you or are you the committed sole practitioner? It has a great deal to do with your personality. Are you a “Type E” personality? If you are it may very well impact which path you take. You can find out by going to going to www.typeepersonality.com and taking their short quiz. Margaret found out that was a real key to her success as a solo agent.

She summed up her thoughts with 5 guidelines to becoming a successful “non-team member:”

1. Really work only with people that you like and respect.

2. Get all the tech tools you will actually use.

3. Maintain “constant” email access and respond immediately

4. Keep in regular contact with clientele and other agents.

5. Never stop learning.

If you want to ensue that you are staying up-to-speed with all aspects of the real estate industry, you should check out membership in iSucceed.com. There are over 200 top producing agents like Margaret Rome that have provided you with all of their tips, tools and strategies.

Source: http://www.realblogging.com/are-you-a-real-estate-team-player

Simple Real Estate property Tips

Simple Real Estate Tips

People everywhere are looking for some sort of Real Estate or some sort of home.

There are several types of people relating to Real Estate.

The first type of people are first time buyers. A newly wedded couple are in an apartment and they need to move to somewhere bigger. So they go looking for a house.

The second type of people are those that have already been an a house for several years. They find out that they bought a "lemon". They are searching for a new house.

The third type of people are those who just want a new house just to have a new house. So they go looking for a new house.

There are things that all three of these types of people need to keep in mind.

Interest rates
Pre-existing problems to the house
Money

Money in fact is the most important thing. It all revolves around the other things. If you don't have the money of course it doesn't matter what the interest rate is.

Make sure that you find a good real estate agent. Find one, preferably a recommended one from a friend or neighbor. Make sure that they know what they are doing.
Realtors can be a blessing and then other Realtors can be a curse. Of course Realtors will get there share, but if you get a good Realtor that will help you no matter what, stick with them.

From personal experience, don't get ripped off on your interest rate. Make sure that it is locked, if that is what you are getting. Have it in writing and have it faxed to you or mailed to you. Even if you have the mortgage company lock your interest rate over the phone, I don't know how else to tell you to make sure you have it in writing. It is as important as having your heart.

Keep in mind when you search for a new house, that you take a look at the structure of the home the foundation and how everything is made. Don't be afraid to ask the owners of any problems that are not seen with the naked eye. e.g. plumbing, fixed foundation problems etc.....

This tip is pretty self-explanatory. If money is a major issue with your family. Get the money problems under control

Last but not least, buying a home is no joke. It is a life-changing decision. It is a step to another part of your life. Whether you are a first time buyer, looking to get out of a lemon, or just want a new house. Make sure(I hope I am not wearing that phrase out) but it is important that you do make sure you know what you are doing, pay attention to everything that you do including mortgage interest rates, Realtors and the house itself. It is that important.

Hope this has helped you somewhat. Good Luck!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenia_McDonald

How Understand Commercial Property

How to Understand Commercial Property

Have you ever heard other investors talk about commercial property, but were unsure about what they meant?

Its okay we have all been there.

One of the main problems about commercial property is its diversity. For example what is commercial property? What properties fall under its characterisation?

Simple.

Commercial property is commonly classed as containing a diverse group of structural types and uses. Yes we know, this doesn't exactly help you narrow down on its meaning, but there's more.

We can help you to break down commercial real estate into 3 distinct categories that will soon have you investing in the rental properties you want:

Multi-Family Commercial Real Estate

These consist of duplex homes* and other constructions built for habitation of multiple family groups, for example apartments, semi-detached, terraces...

*a duplex real estate property can fall under either residential, multi-family or commercial. In simple terms, a family may buy one and choose to rent out the other side. If a buyer does choose to do this it will be recognised as a residential unit. Alternatively, an investor may buy want to one and rent out both of these units. This changes its category and makes it a commercial property.

Retail Space Real Estate Properties

Or you may call them shops. These are single buildings used to house clothes, electrical or consumer stores. These can also be found on a much larger scale, for example shopping centres and restaurants can fall under this characterisation.

When opting to invest in a retail real estate property. Valuations are either be based on size and land value, retail sales per square foot or on the possible investment return you can generate from your rental property.

Of all these commercial types, these are probably one of the hardest commercial properties to invest in. They are prone to - depending on the location you are investing in - to sitting empty with no tenants for months on end, and for not generating a consistent monthly cash flow.

So if you want to invest in retail properties, only invest if you are confident that you can make a profit from them.

Office buildings and Office Complexes

Is exactly what the title describes them as: they are a single building designed solely for office use. You can expand upon this property investment though by either turning one office building into a group of offices or by buying the surrounding buildings (of the same structural type) and turning them into a cluster of offices.

A few things to remember though when you invest in an office building is that if the offices are grouped under a single ownership they will be listed as commercial office rental properties.

This will enable you to rent out your property investments, and earn a positive cash flow every month, whilst letting your tenants pay for the mortgage. You will have to pay nothing.

Plus if you do choose to rent out your offices, they can be valued based on your rental return on the property rather than per square foot or its land value.

And that's it.

Commercial property doesn't have to feel like an obstacle. By applying these 3 simple terms to your investments you will know exactly where you stand when you come to invest, plus will be able to pick out the right deals for you.

Perfect.

So get investing, and let commercial property open your investment horizons.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Woodford