Saturday, April 29, 2017

4 Daily Habits to Adopt for Success in Real Estate & Life

 

Good habits are the foundation of wealth. If you watch successful people you will see their day is filled with consistent habits that save time, improve focus and ultimately help accomplish more daily.

  • Get Up Early. Make the first two hours of your day the most important. It will not only set the tone for the day but will give you a game plan for everything else that follows.  These two hours can be used for activities you enjoy such as exercise, meditation or completion of a project or activity from the previous day. The early morning is free from distraction allowing you to do more of whatever you enjoy. 
  • 20 Minutes Of Learning Daily. It is important in any business to know what is going on at all times. Trying to master every aspect of the business may seem intimidating but is less difficult if you spend some time on it daily. Regardless of how busy you may be you can squeeze twenty minutes of learning into your daily routine. You can find this time on an audiobook driving to or from an appointment or on the treadmill as you get some exercise in.
  • Make Lists & Set Goals. Success is often easier if you plan exactly what needs to get done. Before you go to bed you should plan for the next day. Tackle the toughest task first and go from there. Planning your goals not only makes you efficient but gives you a sense of direction and purpose. 
  • Track Progress. If you don’t know what is working, is impossible to gauge the results? At the end of every day you should take some time to evaluate what you did to build on your progress. If you failed to do anything, you need to ask yourself why and then develop a new plan to stay on track.

You ultimately control where you go in Life . Changing habits is never easy but is essential for growth.  Start by incorporating these four habits into your daily life and see the difference it makes towards your success.


by Simply Chic Home Solutions Sheli Schneider


Friday, April 28, 2017

Powerful Presentations

Powerful Presentations are not reserved for just listing and buyer appointments. Presentation skills should be utilized in any conversation you are having with consumers.


Today’s consumer has a new sophistication level and expects their real estate professional to be as forward thinking and savvy as they think they are.  Presentations to the consumer must be powerful and straightforward without misrepresentations and your message clearly communicated. The consumer of today wants convenience combined with a new level of service for less, in addition to a number of other components that drive the bid to win customer care.


If you feel you are losing potential listings or buyers, then it’s time to make some alterations to your approach. Since we only get one chance to make a first impression, it’s important to avoid blowing it. Many agents deliver a communication style they feel is effective when it actually isn’t. Some agents feel they are showcasing an enhanced level of professionalism that should give the potential client confidence to work with them only to discover someone else has just listed their house. If this sounds familiar, then it’s probably time to work on your ability to actively listen and effectively communicate.

 

Meeting the needs of the consumer by providing the information they think they desire to understand the home buying and selling process can be tricky. Many consumers are not really sure what they want.  So, when making your presentation, it becomes a platform for highlighting your value in a way the consumer is interested in building a relationship with you. Many potential clients want to know you care and showcasing your concern by sharing the information they really need to know is the best way to get there.


The consumer can typically see a phony baloney from a mile away. One of the best ways to build confidence is by being yourself and providing them with the facts of what lies ahead. Don’t hold back…tell them the truth and help them sort through it. If they want to list their house at an unreasonable price, discuss strategies to minimize the risk of hurting their marketability and ultimately themselves. Suggest they secure an appraisal so they get an expert opinion. Telling them the truth while leaving room open for alternate opinions is a great way for you to lead them while they maintain the control they need.


Let’s go through 8 key business boosting elements in preparing for a memorable presentation:

1.  1.   Have a Story and a Mission Statement. Letting others know why you do what you do as well as the Stories to illustrate your experiences in business and life brings your prospective client closer to you more quickly. It’s all about building that strong lifelong relationship. If you need help with ideas for your Story line, visit ted.com or Craig Worthmann’s video on “What’s Your Story”. Get them wired to listen to stories. Be contagious!


2.    2.  The Simile. Clear communication comes from a variety of skills. One of those skills in better understanding between you and your prospective client by using Simile’s. This helps others see what you are saying more clearly. For example…Q: How did you like the painting contractor selected to get your house ready for sale? A: He was like the Leonardo Da Vinci of Painters for his gifted quality and style. Similes help people understand what you do when using the words “like” or “as”.


3.  3.     Layout. People respond to color.  When you make your decision on a PowerPoint or Google Slides or whatever means you select, be sure to use researched color. My favorite is always blue because research has shown it tends to be a good trust color. Some agents opt for an outline or checklist. Whatever keeps you on track and keeps the consumer engaged is great. You just want to make sure it’s your style and not someone else’s.


4.   4.    Questions. Asking questions and listening to the responses is a fabulous way to build that rapport. Too many agents are preparing their comeback instead of actively listening. Start asking questions from the time the interview is booked. You will learn a lot about how to craft your presentation so it is a home run.


5.   5.   Motivation. Find out what is motivating them to buy or sell. Do they really want to move, are they being forced because of their job, and specifically where their emotional state is on the topic. This knowledge will help you achieve better results through better understanding and handling of their emotions while securing their trust and confidence. You don’t want to walk in for a listing appointment with a happy face thinking about that big commission assuming they are happy when they are miserable about moving the kids again.


6.    6.   Active Listening. Understanding how the consumer thinks is a key ingredient to a successful presentation. You can find out how to communicate with your client just by listening to them. People want to be heard and most salespeople are on send rather than receive.


7.   7.    Less is more. One of the biggest issues with presentations is the overkill. Trying to cover too much ground or include things like graphs and technology that the consumer has no understanding or real interest in can be a deal killer. Plan your presentation by framing it properly and focus on your delivery.


8. 8.      In their shoes. In order to connect with different types of clients, real estate agents need to understand the different generations of people today to remain relevant. From Gen X to Millennials to Baby Boomers, you have to know who they are so adjustments can be made in your approach. The younger client uses tech devices to communicate.  Many only want to receive texts or emails.    In order to remain current and compliant, we need to learn new methods to understand how to work with everyone. 


Get out there and practice your Powerful Presentations!


Author:
Cindy Bishop is the Founder and Managing Director for Cindy Bishop Worldwide Real Estate School.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

5 Reasons Why NOW Is the Perfect Time to Invest in Real Estate


By: Real Estate Investor Consultant Sheli Schneider

You work hard for your money, but does your money do the same for you? By hiding your cash under the 
mattress, you gain nothing but when you put your money into a real estate investment, it will go to work for 
you. 

Here's the Simple Truth, Investing is how you become wealthy.

Real estate is subject to timing and there are times when real estate might not the wisest investment. 
However, I believe that right now might be the best time to buy real estate that we'll see for another 
decade. Here's why.

1. Interest rates are still Historically low. 
Interest rates, which have been at historically low levels for the past decade, have been slowly climbing over 
the past year until slightly declining last week. Dropping oil prices will help keep inflation in check. Low 
interest rates lead to low monthly payments which is perfect for real estate investors.

2. Prices are still reasonable.
Prices have climbed since the 2011-2012 market low but those looking to find deals can certainly find 
them! This is especially true for investors who buy bank foreclosures. According to RealyTrac, there were 
over 80,000 foreclosure filings in February of 2017, showing only a slight decline over the past year.  

3. Banks are lending again.
Since the collapse of the real estate market in 2007 and 2008, many banks tightened their lending standards 
to such a degree that obtaining a mortgage became next to impossible. Gradually over the past few years, 
banks have begun relaxing their standards and opening their vaults.

4. Your job is no longer stable.
Job security is not what it used to be. Employers are all too eager to let go of hundreds of employees, many 
who have been with the company for years, in order to cut costs and increase profits. Your job might be on 
the chopping block. 
The best security today is in gaining new skills through knowledge  Real estate investing is one of the best 
ways to gain financial independence so you can make your job optional. 

5. Ten years from now you'll wish you started NOW.
Wealth doesn't happen overnight and investing takes time. I'm not saying that tomorrow you'll be rich if you 
start investing in real estate today. But I am telling you that in 10 years you'll most likely look back at 2017 
and say, "Why the heck didn't I start back then?"

 Real Estate Consultant and Investor Specialist, Sheli Schneider

Samson Properties 
32345 E Constitution Hwy, Ste E 
Locust Grove, VA  22508 
540.760.6325 cell 
540.854.2312 ofc
sheli@simplychichs.com

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Lyme Disease...The Silent Epidemic

This dreaded disease is caused by a bacteria called Borellia Burgdorfi, and is transmitted by ticks.


If you get bit by a tick infected with Borellia, you can get Lyme disease.

Acute Lyme disease turns into chronic Lyme.


Tick bites do not hurt or itch and can easily go undetected, which make it very Hard to tell if you have been bit. The original origin of Lyme Disease is Lyme, Connecticut which is where this was first discovered. 


Walking and playing in wooded areas and high grass is how we and our pets get infected.

There are few  bacteria that are as difficult  to diagnose and treat as Borellia.


On May 25th,  Shep Saltzman will be doing a two hour presentation on all the critical aspects of
Lyme disease:

·        -How to prevent Lyme – probably the most important thing to learn

·        -The difference between Acute and Chronic Lyme

·        -How Lyme disease is treated by conventional methods

·       - How Lyme is treated by alternative and complementary methods

·       - How Lyme disease is diagnosed

·      -  Whether Lyme can be sexually transmitted

·       - Pets and Lyme –  yes they get it (Horses, Dogs, and Cats)

·       - Can Lyme cause death?

·       - What are Co-Infections – the other disease ticks can transmit when they bite you (Bartonella, Babesia, -
  Erlichia, Rocky Mt Spotted Fever, Mycoplasma, Powhasson)

·        -Lab test for lyme and co-infections

·        -Herbs and  Homeopathy – do they work for Lyme.

·      -  What a Lyme literate doctor is.

·      -  Why is Lyme so controversial

·      -  Insurance coverage for Lyme disease


It is priceless information for you and your loved ones (people and pets)


May 25th 12-2 @ his office in Vienna. Register by clicking on the Upcoming Events then the wellness button from our home page on this site (www.cindybishopworldwide.com).


Shep Saltzman is a practicing Lyme Disease Specialist. His practice, Vienna Complementary Medicine, is a fabulous practice and treats many issues that traditional medicine can't seem to do anything about.

You can visit  Shep's health site at
http://viennacomplementarymedicine.com/

HOLISTIC INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE

Shep Saltzman, Lic. Acup, R.N.
Licensed Acupuncturist
Herbology and Acupuncture NCCAOM Certified
Registered Nurse

Chinese Medicine and Lab Work
Nutritional & Herbal Approach
Acupuncture & Homeopathy