Conventional Guidelines Changing for Short Sale Waiting Periods

The changes to conventional guidelines regarding short sale waiting periods are going into effect on August 16, 2014.  Below is a chart that shows the changes.

To read the detailed information on these changes, click here.  Thank you to Sue Lechman with AmeriFirst Financial, Inc for providing the chart!

Until Next Time, Jacki

[CLASS] FHA 203K Vital for Today's Agents

Don't miss out on this class taught by Sue Lechman with special guest speaker Frank Keel (HUD Local Listing Broker).  This class is being held at Keller Williams Sonoran Living office in Scottsdale, AZ.  Please RSVP to me and I'll save you a seat.

Until Next Time, Jacki

[Lunch and Learn] Insider Tips on Buying a HUD Home - PLUS 203K Myths Debunked!

On September 4, 2013 we have an upcoming Lunch and Learn.  Now I don't usually blog about classes, but this one is going to be awesome and you should be there if you're a Real Estate Agent in the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas!


We have the following panel of experts:

• Frank Keel - HUD Local Listing Broker
• Steve McKamey - HUD Local Listing Broker
• Rich Egly - HUD Local Listing Broker
• Matt Hoover - HUD Local Listing Broker
• Sue Lechman - Mortgage Consultant and Certified CE Instructor
• Tom Corzine - 203K Renovation Specialist

Not only can you join us for lunch, but this is a fantastic opportunity to get your questions about HUD Homes and 203K loans answered from THE best sources in the Valley.  This is a fun group of professionals with a TON of knowledge.  Email me and let me know if you can make it.

I'll save you a seat!

Until Next Time, Jacki

iPad for Realtors: Contract to Close with D. Patrick Lewis

I'm hosting a class taught by D. Patrick Lewis called iPad for Realtors: Contract to Close.  I've hosted this class a few times, and all the agents who attend have GREAT feedback.

So I thought I'd blog about a few tips Patrick is dropping the class.

[Class] I Love Video Marketing for Realtors

Ahhh...Valentine's Day.  The one day of the year that we set aside to let the ones we love know about it.  Hmmm.  In my opinion, if you're only celebrating your loved ones once a year, they probably don't feel very loved.  But hey, I digress.

Of course, we love being successful in our businesses, too!  So join us on February 14th for a Lunch & Learn at Keller Williams Sonoran Living for this month's marketing topic: "I Love Video Marketing."

Top 5 Takeaways from Top Producing Real Estate Agents

Top producing Keller Williams Agents (left to right):
Andrew Monaghan, Mandi Ross, Jon Brath, and Lou Rugolo

Ever since 2004, I’ve worked with top producing Realtors, rookie agents, and everything in between.  Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are certain qualities that successful agents all have in common.  A recent panel at a Mega Agent Mastermind meeting at Keller Williams SonoranLiving was a fantastic reminder of what separates the successful professional Realtors from the “hobbyists.”

The event was a panel discussion with four Keller Williams Mega Agents.  Each shared their expertise, what was working, how they got to where they are, and what they’re doing to achieve the next steps in their business. 

I thought the key takeaways from these four top producers were so important and vital to the business of any real estate agent that I HAD to share them with you.

[INFOGRAPHIC] Real Estate Marketing - How do you measure up?

So you're in real estate. It's so much more than just showing homes, listing homes, and writing contracts. You are in business for yourself. As such, you need to be thinking about keeping your client pipeline full. This means marketing your business! 

Below is an infographic based on a recent survey of over 2,000 agents nationwide. If you're a Realtor looking for help trying to figure out how to organize your marketing plan, contact me. It's what I do! The best part...if you're in Arizona or California, I can provide this help for you at no charge! I work for AmeriFirst Financial Senior Loan Officers John Reising and David Krushinsky...reach out to me and I'll explain how it works. 

Meanwhile, take a look at the infographic below. Do you fit into the mold, or does your marketing budget look a little different?

There's Power in Personalization: Article by Eileen Harris

Here's the last of the winning articles from the "I Can Relate: Business Relationship Tips" newsletter contest. This entry was received from Eileen Harris, a Realtor with Zip Realty. Eileen is a Real Estate Agent in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and other areas within the Valley of the Sun.

In her article, she hits on the importance of personalization in building her client relationships, and just how much it effects her bottom line. I hope you enjoy the article!

Jacki

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"There's Power in Personalization"

by Eileen Harris

As a Realtor, each month, I send out my company newsletter by email to all of the clients in my database. It is a well-written, informative newsletter that I enjoy reading each month and I'm sure my clients enjoy it as well.

Last month, I sent out 750 newsletters by email. My response: 4 clients telling me how nice the newsletter was and thanking me for sending it.

At the same time, I sent out 10 cards from my Send Out Cards account. Response: 1 client wanting to buy a $500,000 home!

Do the math: 4 responses to 750 emails = less than .01%

1 response to 10 personal cards = 10% (+ the potential for a big commission!)

Sending cards is a no brainer; just a couple of minutes and a few clicks can reap big benefits, personally and professionally. There is power in personalization. Send a card NOW and tell a few friends.

To Whom Were You Referring?

Referrals. With them, you are a success. Without them, you might as well hang up your entrepreneur's hat and go back to Corporate America.

So why is it that so many entrepreneurs don't understand the true value and meaning behind referrals? Or how to give and receive effective referrals? It's important enough that I thought I'd take a couple of minutes of your time to visit the topic.

If you want to give and receive effective referrals, the first thing you need to do is get out of the "I don't want to interfere" mindset. If you are stuck there, then you need to realize that people WANT you to interfere. I'd give anything (well...almost anything) to have someone, ANYONE, give me the name of a good yard maintenance company. Do you have any idea how often I complain about the fact that I can't find a good one? (Well, maybe you do if you've ever heard me get on the topic). I've been a single parent living in the same general area for the past 3 1/2 years. I've tried so many yard maintenance people, it's not even funny. And they are all either too expensive, too unreliable, or both. PLEASE...interfere here! If you know of any good landscapers in the NE Phoenix area, I want to know!

People need to be led to other people. So don't hesitate. REFER!

Meanwhile, I'd personally like to give more referrals. So please...just ask! If you are in need of a professional service or product but don't know where to turn, let me know! Financial planners, insurance agents, lenders, car mechanics, doctors, the list goes on and on.

Also, did you realize that I'm connected to a network of real estate agents all over the US and Canada? Even Dubai! So if you're in need of a Realtor anywhere, just ask me. I can make sure you have one that's going to be able to handle your real estate needs...it's better than taking your chances by just calling an ad in the paper!

Anyway, where referrals are concerned, there's so much more to say! But I'll leave that for another time. For now, just get in the habit of asking the people you trust "Do you know someone who..."

Until Next Time,

Jacki