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What If…A Seller Asks You to Cut Your Commission?

I’m teaching at the Lynnwood Convention Center. The first thing you have to remember is that when someone asks you to cut your commission, they are being motivated by something. Maybe the seller is concerned about closing fees. Maybe a friend of theirs bragged about what they paid. Maybe they are just trying to figure […]

How Will You Prepare Your Business for 2022?

Right now it is the fall real estate season. Maybe, just maybe, in your area you might have the sensation that the market has softened. Maybe just a little bit. And ho-boy, if you have been working hard all year long, this may feel like a long overdue and welcome moment. But I’ve done my […]

Don’t Be Afraid to Niche – It Won’t Limit Your Real Estate Business!

There comes a time in many agents’ careers when they get tired, burned out, and know they can’t continue in the business the way they have. Maybe they are selling across too large of an area that has awful traffic and they are spending more and more time on the road and less time in […]

Celebrate Your 2021 Accomplishments

This year has enjoyed a super robust market. I have had agents from all over the country talk to me about how the pandemic has helped them make some important changes in their business and personal life. A common thread that I see in many of these conversations is comparing this year to last year […]

Time and Money Wasters – They Might Be Dragging Your Business Down!

Have you ever had a leaky faucet? One that drip drip drips all day and night? Maybe one that you know should be fixed, needs to be fixed, but it isn’t your biggest priority? Then the water bill comes and you are shocked to learn that the little drip drip drip has resulted in an […]

What If…A Seller Asks You to Cut Your Commission?

Posted by Denise Lones on November 18th, 2021

I’m teaching at the Lynnwood Convention Center.

The first thing you have to remember is that when someone asks you to cut your commission, they are being motivated by something. Maybe the seller is concerned about closing fees. Maybe a friend of theirs bragged about what they paid. Maybe they are just trying to figure out the differences between you and another agent (because you may be competing against other agents to secure this listing client).

With that in mind, it’s not about having perfect answers right off the top of your head. It’s about opening up the topic for discussion. Both you and your prospective client should be comfortable talking about your commission. Read more »

Branding Spotlight: Stationery & Letterhead

Posted by Denise Lones on November 18th, 2021

Quick—you need to print a report for a meeting in an hour and it must look professional and impressive. What do you have in your printer: Plain copy paper? Generic brokerage letterhead? Or your personal branded letterhead?

Whether it’s a letter to the title company, a house flyer, or multi-page report for a prospective client, your branded letterhead can serve as the foundation for all of these. Simply make sure your margins are set to stay in the white-space of the page, and you can easily print beautiful marketing from your office or home printer. Read more »

How Will You Prepare Your Business for 2022?

Posted by Denise Lones on November 11th, 2021

Right now it is the fall real estate season. Maybe, just maybe, in your area you might have the sensation that the market has softened. Maybe just a little bit. And ho-boy, if you have been working hard all year long, this may feel like a long overdue and welcome moment.

But I’ve done my research. Have you? Because there is something you should know.

Our market is still in dire need of new inventory and there’s no relief coming in 2022. So, how will you prepare for the coming year? Every year, about this time, I’m already thinking ahead. I know that while it’s only the second week of November that just around the corner is Thanksgiving and then BOOM the end of the year will be upon us. Read more »

Branding Spotlight: Annual Report Newsletter

Posted by Denise Lones on November 11th, 2021

It’s been a busy year for real estate markets everywhere, and maybe you’re taking some time in this “slower” fall/winter season to catch your breath—but don’t rest on your laurels. Prime your lead generating pipeline with a fantastic end-of-the-year Annual Report Newsletter!

This is the best project to work on right now and send out at the end of December or beginning of January. Read more »

Attracting Leads to Your Pipeline with Geographical Farming

Posted by Denise Lones on November 4th, 2021

What is your lead pipeline like in real estate? Especially in this market, as we continue to see challenges with inventory and competitive buyers, we have to figure out a way to attract leads. You need a lead magnet!

One of the best lead magnet systems I know if is Geographical Farming. When I was a full-time agent, geographical farming was one of my most successful ways of generating leads. But there have been new challenges over the last few years, and a lot of agents have completely stopped farming.

Read more »

Branding Spotlight: Custom Signs – Beyond the Yardarm

Posted by Denise Lones on November 4th, 2021

Can your clients identify you by your signage? Signs are a staple when it comes to marketing a home for sale. We’re all familiar with the classic yard-arm, but there are a lot of exciting options to maximize your curbside marketing and guide interested buyers. Printing and sign-making technology has advanced so that your signs can have unique shapes, bright and durable colors, and leave the front lawn flawless once removed. Some even have solar-powered lighting to boost your evening exposure. Read more »

Denise Live November Webinar Registration Now Available

Posted by Denise Lones on November 1st, 2021

Registration is now available for all upcoming November episodes of Denise Live and Market Survival Guide episodes. Don’t miss out being a part of our live audience and your chance to participate with your questions and comments! Here’s what we have planned for our Tuesday topics this November: November 2 – Adjusting Your Business to be More Seller-centric, November 9 – The Moment of the Market, Identifying Buyer Opportunities, November 16 – Top 7 Real Estate Client Gift Ideas, November 23 – 3 Ways to Improve Your Communication, and November 30 – Professional Printing, Your Questions Answered with guest Shauna Naf.

Register for Market Survival Guide and these Episodes from our Event Calendar.

Miss a show? Don’t worry! You can always watch recordings from the Vault right here. Not a member yet? Why not become a member today!

Don’t Be Afraid to Niche – It Won’t Limit Your Real Estate Business!

Posted by Denise Lones on October 28th, 2021

There comes a time in many agents’ careers when they get tired, burned out, and know they can’t continue in the business the way they have.

Maybe they are selling across too large of an area that has awful traffic and they are spending more and more time on the road and less time in the houses they are trying to show.

Maybe they are working with clients who don’t take advice and are too much work (such as buyers who won’t be realistic in their offers and you wind up writing offer after offer, driving further and further away from where they started their search months ago).

Maybe they have had an awful transaction with a client. You know, one of those transactions that make you question whether or not you are cut out for this business and causes you to spend days planning your next vacation, cruising social media, watching Hallmark movies, and eating cheese.

Read more »

Branding Spotlight: Calendars

Posted by Denise Lones on October 28th, 2021

Calendars are un-sung heroes, so we’re going to sing their praises today. When you need to organize your tasks and give your clients a visual timeline, there’s really nothing better than a branded calendar. This handout can span your expected timeline, whether it’s weeks or a couple of months. Lay out your sequence of events to help keep your sellers or buyers on track. Knowing what is planned and when it is going to happen reduces stress and demonstrates your professionalism and preparedness. Read more »

Celebrate Your 2021 Accomplishments

Posted by Denise Lones on October 21st, 2021

This year has enjoyed a super robust market. I have had agents from all over the country talk to me about how the pandemic has helped them make some important changes in their business and personal life. A common thread that I see in many of these conversations is comparing this year to last year and previous years. After all, it’s natural to make the comparisons, especially as the year winds down.

However, I want you to use caution you to use wisdom when making these comparisons. This is not the year to rate yourself in terms of number of homes sold or referrals you received. This is the year to celebrate. Read more »

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