Did you know that according to many studies, the gens X and Y will be the dominant force in our market? No matter what your generation, think about understanding the others.  The Internet has made the gap between generations more significant than in the past so embracing it may be something to think about for those of you that want to stay current in your business. Since all the Social Networking has caught fire, how we communicate has changed in leaps over a VERY short period of time.

What does this all really mean? It means that if you are working with our Seniors, don’t be frustrated if they don’t text or check email on a regular basis, if at all. This is not to say that Seniors do not use the Internet, many of them do. All I’m saying is to be able to make that shift. If you are a Boomer, you probably know how to use a lot of the networking and Internet resources but your younger clients expect things instantly because they have grown up with all the information in the world, literally, has been at there fingertips within seconds.

The study has been very interesting to me and I have learned volumes. There is a way to deal with everyone if you take a minute and try to understand where they are coming from but no doubt we are in a quick evolution in the world of communication. 

If you haven’t seen the YouTube Video “The New World Of Work” take the time to view it. Sums it up pretty well.  Here is the link if you haven’t seen it.              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL6GTqvtYHM

What are your thoughts?

Carol

Carol Moson, CRS, ABR. e-Pro, GREEN, SRS, SFS, EAH Certified
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
770-973-9700 x 289

http://carolmoson.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/your-footprint

Today we are all looking for ways to save money and the habits we develop now will probably stay with many of us for the long term.  We all go through our home and our “stuff” periodically to de-clutter and get rid of what we no longer wear so perhaps it’s time to do the same with our resources.   Here are some VERY simple things to do that will save you money and the planet as well immediately. 

If you don’t believe in global warming or believe that we are wasteful check this out…

 Did you know….?

 ♦Vampire Electricity -  a lot of our  appliances  still use electricity even when they’re  turned off?  Did you know that as much as s 75% of the electricity used by home electronics and small appliances is actually used while they ARE turned off? 

♦If you run your dishwasher with only  full loads you could save as much as 20 gals of water per load or over 7000 gals/year? 

♦If you clean your dryer lint trap each time you use your dryer you could save up to 5% per year –and if everyone did this it may be an equivalent savings of 350 million gallons of gasoline per year?

Did you know….?

The U.S. sends more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than any other country

 Since 1980 the number of miles Americans drive each year has grown 3x faster than the U.S. population and almost 2x as fast as vehicle registrations

Just some things to think about -
This IS our current footprint….can we all walk a little more softly? Imagine the positive impact just these few things could have. With little effort we can help sustain our world for many future generations to come – just a thought…

For these and more go to  http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/energy-environment-2007/tips_environmental_home_a1.asp?caret=4c    153 ways to green your life.

Aha – here are 10 more very simple things we can all to do help sustain our planet.  You don’t have to be an avid conservationist to do these 10 more things (first 10 posted yesterday.)

Click on the link   

Permalink: http://carolmoson.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/it-may-be-green-to-youit-may-be-green-to-you/

As an instructor of a new Designation Course by NAR – Green, I have been talking up the concept of Green. The first response is usually a little distant but then talking about every day savings actually generates interest:   Here are 10 things you can do today, right now, to be Green. You see, being green is not necessarily buying organic foods, detergents, etc , it is just asking yourself daily – What Can I Do Today To Make The Planet A Little Better. We all need to live here for a long time so let’s make it the best planet it can be.

 OK – here are the 10 (you probably know them – just don’t do them)

1. Don’t run the water while you are brushing your teeth. Turn it on and off as you need it. Same for washing dishes

2. Unplug ALL electronics when not in use OR get a multi strip that will turn off several at one time

3. As your lighbulbs burn out, replace them with the new energy efficient bulbs that last 5-10 years, depending on what you buy.  YES they are more expensive but they last 5-10 years.

4. Turn of lights when you leave the room or are done in your closet

5. Try a small space heater if you only use one small area instead of heating an entire floor of space

6. Be sure to have all clock (programable) thermostats and program the heat/air to adjust appropriately when nobody is home during the day.

7. Put on a sweatshirt and lower the heat just one degree

8. Use re-usable water bottles instead of throwing away plastic bottles.

9. Try to find a use for food items you were going to throw away. (i.e. the other half of the lime or rest of the pasta)  You’ll be amazed at what you will come up with and you’ll save money and resources too)

10. Plan your driving route so you can use your gas and time wisely.

See how simple?  It IS easy to be green!

Carol Moson
CRS,ABR,e-Pro,GREEN,SRS
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
678-414-0760

I don’t know about you but this “outside and inside the box” thing is a little overplayed.  REALITY….There is NO box so why would you make one and put yourself in it?

POINT – market is changing, the buyers are changing and the sellers have been deeply wounded

QUESTION: With the point above as a thought don’t we have to change our business model at least a little bit?  Does change = outside the box?  If that is true for you let’s re-think the business model you are using.

Thoughts:  Get back into the basics of our business AND learn something new.  Many agents have asked me what to do.  The quick and dirty answer is…..do the things you don’t want to do.  This means touching base with people you have already done business with (warm touches).  It also means you MUST embrace the new age of technology AND grasp an understanding of the generational differences because in todays’ business world that is a very key component to success. Don’t be afraid to do something new and work at losing the “box” mentality.

RE: generational understanding – many feel that particularly the Y generation will change the workplace and even though you may be an independent contractor you still work in the world that will change.

Believe that knowledge is power and seek classes and/or designations that will mobilize you forward. All businesses are so competitive today so why not seek to have the competitive edge?

 Check out this link from NAR

 http://www.realtor.org/archives/designatioartarchive1996aug   

Carol
Carol Moson
CRS,ABR,e-Pro,GREEN,SRS
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
678-414-0760wh

Carol’s going – Are You?

http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dgwrfmf_240fq7zmqr6&hl=en

Got ABR?  This is the perfect time to renew yourself.  Today’s buyer is different  so stay ahead.  Find out how or business is changing and what we need to be doing differently.

In today’s crazy world of Real Estate, more than ever agents need to focus on what they need to do to stand out from the other thousands of agents.  The key is in knowing what to do and it is not that hard to figure out – the question is do you want to do what it’s going to take?

First you may want to look at your market and see what price range and neighborhoods ARE selling, in other words, where is most of the activity occurring in your market area.  Also try to find out what age group is buying and selling in your area.  Many of us continue to do the same thing we have always been doing just because we are accustomed to doing it that way.  REALITY CHECK— the world of Real Estate is not the same as it was last year OR the year before and won’t be the same ever again.

Social networking, blogging, smart phones, Web2.0, etc are just some of the things that have changed the way business is done.  Depending on your niche, you need to understand how you need introduce yourself, communicate and gain respect and loyalty.  You cannot complain that a customer/client was not loyal if you did not take the steps you need to to retain them.  More than ever you MUST sell your value.

So…the question remains….What IS your plus factor. With all the agents available and all the information at their fingertips through the Internet, what are you going to do to “sell yourself”. What’s your target market and how will you be appealing to them?

Some suggestions:

Develop a buyer’s book for first time buyers, investors and sellers who have to move. There will be many similarities but there should also be some distinguishing pages for each of the three categories.

Do a newsletter with relevant information that people are concerned with.  How do you know what that information is?? Ask people – ask your friends, neighbors or colleagues what they are concerned with, do research and write a newsletter.  Our own www.realtor.org is an outstanding resource for information on anything that is going on in the Real Estate world.

Think about what you want to accomplish this year, make yourself a very simple, one page business plan that outlines what and when you will do the things you determine you need to do and then you must just do it. No excuses, you have to do it.  It’s like the exercise machine.  It’s there but not effective because it’s not being used. 

You can have fabulous ideas, but if not implemented that’s all they are – fabulous ideas. While this year may remain challenging in the world of Real Estate it is also an opportunity to re-invent yourself.  Good luck and most of all be loyal to yourself and your goals. YOU are the ONLY one that has control of what you do.

So….what’s YOUR plus factor?? 

http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dgwrfmf_197gxxxd4fm&revision=_latest

http://carolmoson.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/remax-spolights-carol-mosonremax-spolights-carol-moson/

RE/MAX Regional periodically chooses an agent to spotlight recognizing achievements and goals. It is truly an honor to be chosen as that agent for this edition of  “The Wire”. Please review so you can see for yourself the dedication and committment Carol has to her chosen profession -  Click the link below to read the article – this blog is Carol’s  ”Brag Blog”

http://docs.google.com/View?docID=dgwrfmf_197gxxxd4fm&revision=_latest

http://carolmoson.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/green

Back to Green…. The Green Designation Course from NAR is out in full blast. Many of us, as instructors have begun to teach our peers how to be a source of resources for their buyer and seller clients. The Green Designation is a course that everyone will benefit from AND prepare you for the future. We are going Green so you may as well be on the rise of the wave and have the edge.

While the course does go into a lot of detail we have prepared a very short snippet of the knowledge you will gain by taking this designation class.

 Come Join Carol January 27th and 28th for the Core Classes and January 29th for the Residential Elective

A Sneak Preview     http://www.flickr.com/photos/34222219@N02/sets/72157612400959208/show/

http://carolmoson.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/ownersfallingbehind/

OK- Here’s quote….(from USA Today)

Are Some Owners Purposefully Falling Behind?
Housing experts are growing increasingly alarmed that programs to bail out troubled home owners might have the unintended consequence of encouraging people to miss mortgage payments in order to qualify for easier loan terms.

Such initiatives typically require that borrowers be 60 to 90 days late on payments to get a mortgage reworked.

In an attempt to prevent abuses, lenders are scrutinizing home owners’ financial status–by poring over tax records, pay stubs, investment accounts, and bank statements–to determine if they really need a loan modification to avoid foreclosure.

Source: USA Today, Stephanie Armour (12/10/08)

Haven’t they left somthing out?I don’t know about you but you but I have spoke to several homeowners who are not in trouble now but know they will be and when they call their bank IT IS THE BANK telling them that they need to be behind in order to be considered for a special circumstance and refi.   There is something fundamentally wrong right there!!!   Let’s see – be 90 days late and REALLY ruin you credit because 60 days wouldn’t ruin it enough and then we’ll see if you are in tough enough shape to help.  I don’t get it!  Don’t get me wrong, I understand ther are those that will always abuse and take advantage of the system, but for the most part, those that are asking for help genuinely need it and are trying to save the angst of being late on their loans.

What’s your opinion?