Lynn Minnick
By Lynn Minnick
I was lucky enough to have been picked to participate in NAR’s Leadership 200 and 300 classes this week at my association. I say lucky enough because we’re the largest association in our state and there were only 35 seats open. Last summer I was involved in our two-day strategic planning session, which was a first for me and pretty much blew my mind. (Rumor has it we “younger” members have an in because they’re grooming us to become the future leaders of the association!)
While the courses are definitely aimed at becoming leaders in your association, the information and experience was much more than that, as it should be if you’re going to take an entire day away from showing and listing appointments, right? The classes covered topics such as how meetings are run, Robert’s Rules, strategic and operational planning, conflict resolution, and more.
These are the messages that resounded with me:
1. Always keep your association’s strategic plan at the top of your mind in committee meetings. For those who are serving on association committees, how is what you’re doing going to advance your association’s strategic plan? If it isn’t, it shouldn’t be on the agenda at all. Shouldn’t we be keeping that same focus in our own personal work agendas? Also, do we have the metrics in place to track our progress?
2. Plan more, worry less. Continue reading »
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
It seems that every time I blink there is some new “expert” telling me that I need to take some course, read some book, or attend some webinar. I often have a hard time finding a course to take on something other than “How to use Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.” I don’t understand how some of these courses still exist. I was born in 1980. I know how to use “social interneting” <–(This is an actually a term I heard on an infomercial about using the internet for business…no lie.)
I took a little poll on Facebook asking the question “How many of you are burnt out on social media trainings?” Everyone who responded had the same feelings about it that I do. I think the majority of people these days get how to use social media. It’s time to focus on the basics and improve on the skills that you use outside of social media.
You might be skilled in the ways of the internet, but you still need to have the ability to meet someone in person and actually shake their hand. You need to get out there and show people how you are going to be the agent to sell their home.
Take the time to learn something new and non-social media related. Connect with fellow agents and talk about successes. Simply unplug!
To all the trainers out there…please help me by giving me something new to learn…I really need to get some continuing education and I really can’t handle another class on using social media.
Brooke Wolford is a real estate practitioner with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Woodbury, Minn. Follow her blog at adventuresinrookierealestate.com.
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
I recently attended and volunteered at the Minneapolis RE BarCamp. I was a BarCamp virgin. I knew the concept and felt excited about it. I also anticipated excitement among fellow agents. I didn’t, however, realize how amazing the atmosphere would be.
Agents came in early and could wait to view the session board. I saw many popping in and out of sessions just so that they could get a taste of everything. You would see excitement in their eyes once they realized the concept. The event was free and you learned way more than you normally would learn in the traditional CE course.
This made me look back at educational events I attended throughout the year. I remember just a few months ago realizing that I didn’t have all my continuing educations credits even though it seemed like I was constantly training throughout the year.
I chose the events that I attended based upon what I would learn. Not the CE credits I would receive. Many of the events were not even focused on real estate at all. I chose them to learn something I didn’t know or because of who was speaking.
My point is, don’t focus on your continuing education hours. What you learn should benefit you and your clients. Look into other business areas. There is a ton you can learn from other industries. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box!
Brooke Wolford is a real estate practitioner with Edina Realty, Hastings, Minn. Follow her blog at adventuresinrookierealestate.com.
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
If you are reading this post and are still active in real estate, congratulations! You have survived a year of many challenges. You can pat yourself on the back remember how hard your worked. Feel a sense of accomplishment and embrace every challenge that was put in front of you.
We faced many challenges. We had good times and bad times. From all of it, I hoped you’ve learned something!
Now, let’s look ahead. Here are some things you should be doing in 2011:
Send out quarterly/yearly market updates to your clients. Market updates allow you to share accurate information based on factual data within your local area. I do this in an e-mail to my clients. Thank goodness for 10K Marketing’s “The Thing.” It’s one of my favorite tools to use to share local real estate information with clients.
If you read an article or hear a news story, share and comment on it. Post on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. Use your expertise to expand or argue the story. It’s also a great way to combat negative media attention.
Share your own success stories. I came across a blog that had pictures of their clients in front of their new home they just closed on. I thought it was a pretty neat idea. Continue reading »
Nobu Hata
By Nobu Hata
I am loathed to do this, but I’m going to plug a class. If there’s one class or certification training you take this year, make it NAR’s Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) training program.
I must admit, after hearing about it from the kind folks at REBAC, hearing about my own company’s training program, and learning about CDPE, there was a bit of short-sale overload on my part. Then after hearing that it “focuses on buyers” from a fellow agent, I had pretty much ruled out. Everyday, we struggle to find the CE classes with the most value and the first impressions I had of it turned me off. Boy was I ever wrong.
The six or so hours flew right by. The content was not only relevant, but looks to able to transcend the passage of time and legislation. Since it was such a timely subject, interaction was lively, and agents shared stories amongst each other; I left with names and numbers of folks at different banks should my need for them arise. In the end, you leave the class armed with the know-how to become a “resource” for your clients – past, present and future.
The big plus? You have bonafide NAR certification (that still means something guys), and you have access to webinars that will be constantly refreshed to fit the times.
The reality is this: short-sales, foreclosure, distressed properties; we’ll be dealing with these homes for the foreseeable future. Continue reading »
Kelly Reark
By Kelly Reark
This is a great idea for those in YPN, and all practitioners in general! Doesn’t it seem like you are always spending money on one thing or another? Board dues, electronic key dues, classes, license fees and office fees, on top of money spent to advertise, fix your laptop, buy the newest gadget and more. Forming your yearly budget is a key to success whether you have been in the business for 20 days or 20 years.
This year while you are creating your budget, consider taking the ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) class offered through REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council).
I took this course last year and I am so very glad that I did. It opened my eyes to many pitfalls and services that I was overlooking or not using to my full advantage. The course is one part to earning your ABR Designation, which also requires that you take a supplemental class and complete five transactions as a designated buyer’s agent. Not only is this course a wealth of useful information, but it will help you to reach that goal of representing five buyers through closed transaction! Plus you will have access to some great marketing tools and resources.
Check out www.rebac.net for more information.
Kelly Reark is a native Floridian and e-PRO REALTOR® with Gasparilla Properties, Inc. in Boca Grande, Southwest Florida. Visit her Web site: www.MyBocaGrandeAgent.com and her blog: KellyReark.blogspot.com.
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