Mark Your Calendars and Be There, Ya’ll

By Maura Neill

Sure – the economy’s tanked, your market stinks, and money’s tight. I get it. But pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get on down South, ya’ll, for two of the best events you’ll attend all year.

If you’re like me, you’re carefully planning where and when to spend not only your money but also your time. These two events will transform your business – and they’re more than worth the money you’ll spend to get there. And these ain’t your momma’s real estate conferences – from events held in bars, karaoke nights, and live Twitter feeds teaching you almost as much as the speakers themselves, you’ll come away with more information than you bargained for — and that’s a good thing!

March 25-26 – RETechSouth – Atlanta, Ga.

www.retechsouth.com

The RETechSouth Conference and Expo is in its third year and is the largest real estate technology conference in the Southeast. Join the thousands who have traveled to Atlanta “to learn the latest technology tips, engage in discussions about how to enhance their business, talk with vendors about how to improve their products, network with the smartest people in the industry, and of course party together!”

Firsthand, I can tell you – it’s amazing. As technology continues to change our industry, the top minds in the real estate and technology worlds come together for what has to be the coolest real estate event of the year. It’s the brainchild of Brad Nix (@bnix), broker of Atlanta’s Maxsell Real Estate, who can teach you more over drinks than you could learn at a “regular” real estate conference. Read more

Greater Nashville Association Event Highlights Education and Designations

The Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS® (GNAR) chapter of the Young Professionals Network held its “Academic Advising 101″ on Feb. 12 in the Hal Wilson Education Center.

This event provided an opportunity for new and young REALTORS® to get a better understanding of REALTOR® education, designations, and how to earn them.

GNAR President Lucy Smith and GNAR YPN President Hagan Stone kicked off the event by introducing a group of seasoned GNAR REALTORS® to give a brief overview of the major industry designations. They each discussed their own personal stories and experiences working with these designations and also explained how they have helped them to succeed in real estate. Read more

Pants On The Ground: Beyond Your 15 Minutes

By Brian Copeland

I’m really tired of “Pants On The Ground” from American Idol.  It was a moment of time that a few cool people jumped on and then it was over.  Now, seeing the late-to-the-party-people start talking about it just makes me pull out my southern statement of, “Bless Their Heart.”  All that aside, we face the same eminent 15-minute reputation as YPNers.

Many agents today WILL SEE lacking staying power as a trend, thanks to our pop culture influences of trends and passers-by.  Here are four things to remember to ensure you last beyond your 15 minutes in this career.

Change Your Technology Talk. Technology is simply an accent or complement to what we already do.  The basic principles of listings, buyers and referrals need to stay central with technology as a secondary.  View Web strategy and social strategy with other agents and consumers as common as a TV remote.  No one today says, “I have this amazing button box that when you touch it, a magic light comes on a beam people from Los Angeles into your living room.”  The consumers are not impressed as much with your tech talk as much as they are impressed by your ability to apply the tools to the basics.  Integrate your technology plan in your listing and buyer meetings smoothly without trying to be overly impressive on the tools.  Make them a part of real estate life. Read more

Go For ABR This Year

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.

Social Media Does Not Guarantee Success

By Dan Iampieri

Generation Y REALTORS® have written the obituary on colleagues who fail to utilize social media - I respectfully disagree. I know too many top producers who are doing just fine without spending every waking minute checking their status update on Facebook or tweeting their every move to the world.

Don’t get me wrong, I use social media more than most. But, it isn’t a make-or-break tool. I went on a listing appointment recently and the sellers didn’t know what YouTube was. How important is the video tour then? As the son of two REALTORS®, I have seen the obituary written on the older generation, over and over, by the younger generation.

Here are a few times when older REALTORS® were declared “dead in the water” by younger REALTORS®:

1.) When the multiple list system went from binders delivered to the office to a software-based program on the computer.

2.) When contracts went from carbon paper to computer-based programs.

3.) When the “talking house” was the it fad.

4.) When virtual-tours came online in the early 2000s.

5.) When social media became the latest craze around 2005-2009.

An agent asked me the other day if Facebook meant the end of her. I replied “NO!” Facebook and Twitter aren’t for everybody and they aren’t for every buyer and seller. YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA!

What’s most interesting is that according to a 2008 NAR Member Profile the average age of REALTORS® climbed from 52 to 54. What does that tell you? Facebook hasn’t ended the need for skillful, seasoned REALTORS® who know what they are doing! Younger generations have much to learn from those who have been around the longest. Sure, my parents could learn a thing or two from me about Facebook, but I need to learn far more from them!

Dan Iampieri is a REALTOR® with WEICHERT, REALTORS® – Caton Properties in Ellicott City, Md.  Social network with Dan at www.TheHouseMan.tv.