Last week in my Zebra Report I talked about finding your right “fit” at a real estate brokerage and the three reasons why most agents feel they need to leave their brokerage for greener pastures: 1. Leadership is poor, weak, or non-existent. 2. The perception of value has changed. 3. The broker doesn’t [...]
Not a week goes by that I don’t get a question, comment, or complaint from an agent who’s thinking of switching offices. I’m always eager to hear why an agent feels the grass is greener somewhere else. It’s human nature to feel that there is something better out there! And sometimes there is. We’ve seen [...]
As you know, I think there are a lot of things that are important to have in your “toolbox”. Great presentations skills … a unique business brand … market knowledge … and more. But I truly believe that the ability to manage conflict is the single most important skill you can develop. Developing top-notch conflict [...]
It’s been around for over 25 years, it’s the butt of many a spoof or joke … and it’s one of the most finely honed selling machines in existence. What am I talking about? QVC, or course! I know you’re probably wondering why in the world this Zebra Report would focus on QVC. Well, stay [...]
Readers of my Zebra Report know that I’ve had misfortune to be on the receiving end of poor service a number of times over the years. You may fondly remember my rant about meatballs at Olive Garden, or my rave about the staff at Bothell’s Hilton Garden Inn. Today I want to tell you about [...]
Last week in my Zebra Report I talked about finding your right “fit” at a real estate brokerage and the three reasons why most agents feel they need to leave their brokerage for greener pastures:
1. Leadership is poor, weak, or non-existent.
2. The perception of value has changed.
3. The broker doesn’t understand or support an agent’s uniqueness or their business plan.
So, if you’re reading part two of that Zebra Report chances are good you’re thinking of making a move… Read more »
“Nocturne in Blue” is a beautiful design, with a lyrical feeling and a sense of movement.
Although the brand offers multiple rich layers of detail, the design is not intrusive. In fact, the brand has been carefully developed to provide an ideal format to showcase your business.
Read more »
Q: In a recent Zebra Report on “Four Things to Tell Clients Right Now” you suggested we tell clients about the mortgage settlement and the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. How can I share this information without making seem like I think my client might be in a financial pickle?
A: It’s easy to share information like this if you are sharing it with all your clients! In other words, put the information in a newsletter you send to everyone on your database. Preface the information with a phrase such as, “This information may not apply to you, but you still may find it of interest in the event a friend, family, or colleague is facing or has recently been through a distressed sale. I hope you’ll share these details with anyone who could benefit from them.”
Not a week goes by that I don’t get a question, comment, or complaint from an agent who’s thinking of switching offices.
I’m always eager to hear why an agent feels the grass is greener somewhere else. It’s human nature to feel that there is something better out there!
And sometimes there is. We’ve seen a lot of agent movement in the real estate industry in recent years. Sometimes the move is beneficial; often it is not. That’s because agents often don’t ask the right questions before making a move.
But I’m getting ahead of myself! (Don’t worry – I’ll come back to those questions later.) Read more »
Madrona trees are unique to the Pacific Northwest portion of the United States, and are an iconic image in that part of the country, particularly in coastal areas.
We’ve based the color palette for “Wayward Madrona” on a madrona tree’s most notable feature — it’s reddish bark, which regularly peels off the trunk — and then added a lyrical reference he blue of sea and sky.
The watermarked effect of the madrona tree provides a beautiful backdrop for newsletters and other non-photo heavy marketing pieces. When the “Wayward Madrona” brand is used to showcase a listing on a flyer, the design features only the blue portion of the design.
Read more »
Q: Denise, you say that agents should have a “formula” just like they do on QVC. Selling junk on TV is nothing like selling houses. I don’t think your idea will work.
A: Respectfully, I disagree! When I was actively selling I had a formula for everything. Each activity had set tasks associated with it – that’s a formula. Each day of the week had structure – that’s a formula too! And if you look back to the Zebra Report titled “What You Can (And Should!) Learn from QVC”, you’ll see there are a number of ways you can take QVC’s formula into real estate. I can think of lots of ways to incorporate #12 (proving value). Ditto for #8 (provide warnings about the danger of waiting). Or #5 (selling is both visual and auditory) – props are the perfect solution for real estate presentations, just as they are on QVC!
As you know, I think there are a lot of things that are important to have in your “toolbox”.
Great presentations skills … a unique business brand … market knowledge … and more.
But I truly believe that the ability to manage conflict is the single most important skill you can develop.
Developing top-notch conflict management skills is far more critical to your business (and your personal life) than learning scripts, following dogmatic four-step scenarios, or mastering high-pressure sales techniques.
Conquer conflict, and your world will change … dramatically! Read more »
Q: Denise, last weekend was “National Open House Weekend”. I thought my Sunday open house would be busy … but I didn’t have a single visitor! Is this what you’re hearing from agents?
A: Far from it! Many of my clients had very busy open houses that weekend. But those clients didn’t rely on NAR’s campaign to drive traffic – they followed my “before, during, and after” formula for creating great open houses. If you want to up the number of visitors to your open houses, you need to spend a lot of time on the “before” part of the open house equation. If you need a refresher, check out my Zebra Report on open house preparation and the final keys to a successful open house. If you follow my system, you’ll see increased traffic at your next open house!
What happens when you mix rich chocolate brown, cool creamy vanilla, and a stunning backdrop of scenery?
“Welcome to the Northwest”, that’s what!
Washington is home to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the United States, and many agents who live and work in this area like to capitalize on the natural beauty in their marketing. The watermark of majestic Mt. Rainier grounds this design beautifully, without ever feeling intrusive.
If you’re looking for that quintessential Northwest design, look no further!
It’s been around for over 25 years, it’s the butt of many a spoof or joke … and it’s one of the most finely honed selling machines in existence.
What am I talking about? QVC, or course!
I know you’re probably wondering why in the world this Zebra Report would focus on QVC. Well, stay tuned – because I think QVC has a lot to teach us. Read more »
