College Bound

I just have to pause for a moment and share my experience of the day.

Our son Tyler has flown from the nest and landed at www.mtsu.edu where he will find himself and learn much . . . and perhaps discover what he's going to do when he grows up. This is Middle Tennessee State University. Having grown up in Nashville, you would think that I would know ALL about MTSU, but the truth is . . . somehow I missed out on the fact that such a great school was only a few miles down the road.

My high school - Montgomery Bell Academy - didn't seem to have MTSU on its radar whatsoever . . . perhaps MTSU was not "Ivey League" enough.

We (Deb & I) knew that Tyler was considering MTSU a while back. We had no reason to discourage this and the more we learned about the school, the more enthusiastic we became. Suddenly, we found MANY highly successful folks in our sphere who had graduated from MTSU . . . and then we learned that it is one of the largest schools in the SouthEast.

Size can be intimidating . . .

So today as we drove to Murfreesboro to Check Tyler into his dorm, my expectation was complete mayhem. Imagine 25,000 students with parents in tow descending upon the campus in the period of 48 hours.

Our experience was phenomenal.

As we drove on to campus, we turned into the wrong set of dorms . . . There was a nice man at the entrance who promptly gave us a map of the campus and very specific directions to Tyler's dorm.

So off we went . . .

As we approached the dorm, we saw the road divided by orange cones - another "host" directed us to pull to the curb in front of our dorm - there would be people there to help us unload the car - and there WERE . . . and these nice folks then directed us EXACTLY where to park.

We parked and Tyler registered at the dorm and got his key . . . and a veritable army of volunteers gathered ALL of Tyler's belingings and carried it to his room for us . . . and then told us there was free lunch just across the courtyard.

WOW!

Now, THESE folks have a SYSTEM - A FLAWLESS system . . . and ALL of those folks were VOLUNTEERS. I can honestly say that this was a completely different experience than the one I had when I checked into my first college which was MUCH smaller.

Driving away, we felt very good about leaving our son at this university.

The population in our house has (sadly) now decreased to 4 . . . although Tyler knows that our door is always open, and we are hopeful he will find his way home often.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The weather in Nashville is beautiful - Wish you were here . . .

By some strange stroke of luck when we returned from our week in steamy Pensacola, FL the humidity in Nashville seemed to have vacated the premises . . . The nights feel a lot cooler, and it is TOTALLY perfect weather for being outdoors. Today, we decided to go for a swim at the YMCA . . . The water was COLD . . . and the air was cool and breezy even though the ambient temperature was reading @ 94 Degrees.

This clearly is my favorite weather. We know that this could very well be (most certainly is) an "Indian Fall" meaning that the heat and humidity will likely return with a vengeance soon . . . so we know to squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of it.

I'll never forget hearing Gary Keller (a year ago) the visionary leader of Keller Williams Realty talking about the "Market shift" that was happening with ferocity in many parts of the nation. He was emphatic about the importance of guarding your mindset and continuing to do the right things . . . Take action and continue doing the fundamental business practices that lead to business success . . . His wisdom was that the market conditions are simply like the weather. It'll hit some areas and miss others . . . and when it's stormin' you've gotta take cover and continue on.

For Buyers and Sellers of homes, these have been confusing times at best. The media has very intently and consistently been singing the mantra that the sky IS, in fact, falling. This is pure doom and gloom media hype.

Here in Nashville, the weather hasn't been so bad. In Our office in Green Hills, our associates have really buckled down and studied the market conditions carefully. We have been coaching and consulting and training every single person every single day . . . We are following Gary Keller's direction . . . There is NO way this "bad weather" is going spoil OUR party or the party of our clients.

And guess what?

Our numbers are showing . . . PROFIT EVERY MONTH for the office . . . and we are NOT going to relax until the storm passes.

SO . . . If you are not . . . we DO wish you were here. We're seeing Buyers getting great deals and many Sellers walking away from closings with smiles on their faces. Our values have not declined significantly and most folks can gain on their purchase any percieved loss they had on their sale . . . This is actually creating a scenario in which many people can "move up" when in "better" (appreciating) markets they could not see a way.

If you're considering a move in and around Nashville, give us a shout. We're friendly folks and darn good at what we do . . . and without question, we have the BEST team assembled to be the ultimate resource for you . . . Our relocation expertise and connections are WOWING everyone who moves with us. The Owen Group and Keller Williams Realty Green Hills ROCK!

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The "Dehumanizing" of this age of Technology

I read Seth Godin's blog this morning - Old Marketing with New Tools and it really got me thinking (as his blogs often do) . . . and I was thinking along the lines of what I am teaching and preaching as I coach and consult with Real Estate Agents to help them achieve higher and higher levels of success.

Seth talks about using the new technology to PERSONALIZE your contacts more rather than following the traditional/conventional avenues that most folks are doing as in generating MASS mailings, using auto-responders etc . . . all things which have in large part been instrumental in dehumanizing our interactive human experiences.

I'm good with leveraging technology in more friendly and personal ways. that's innovation . . . but it's not what I'm preachin'

I say we need to focus on getting back to good old fashioned "slap on the back, belly-to-belly, fun lovin' shuckin' and jivin'" . . . Let's build communities by practicing our interpersonal skills instead hiding of behind our technological cloaks.

So . . .

I'm advising REALTORS (and ALL Sales people) to get back to personal calls, drop-by visits, door knocking, and HAND-WRITTEN NOTES of gratitude . . . Let's communicate in the most effective ways imaginable with our "public"

Now . . .

I'm not suggesting that you abandon your technological prowess - It still has a useful purpose - Continue leveraging that power to maintain sustained contact with your sphere of influence and identify your "inner Circle" of people (Seth Godin seems to be shifting to call this your Tribe). Whatever you call it, this inner circle contains the most valuable people in your world - Your WEALTH DETERMINERS . . . and these people deserve ALL the personal touch you have time to spread.

And then when it comes to making contact with prospects you've never met . . . email and telephone are all the rage - Let's say you have your house listed for sale and the listing expires off the system - BAM - 6 phone calls from REALTORS before 10 AM trying to get you to meet with them so THEY can convince you that they have the magic pill that'll sell your house . . .

and

One REALTOR stops by and knocks on the door - You answer - She very appropriately introduces herself and states that she is aware that your house has expired from the active. She just wants to meet you and give you the opportunity to learn the techniques SHE uses to sell houses - She offers immediate and/or gives you the opportunity to meet with her later. She hands you a professional folder with some useful information about selling a house in this market and then respectfully leaves.

Who's got your attention? The 6 early phone calls or the PREPARED door knocker?

Hey, this is where the rubber hits the road. The technology is cool and all that but let's keep it in perspective and not abandon our REAL relationship building skills.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/ - The Owen Group is a very talented group of REALTORS who stand poised and READY to serve the needs of Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee.

www.activerain.com/barryo - Barry's other blogsite

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Getting your home SOLD in 60 days . . .

Here we all are - Many of us are in the same pickle . . . Gotta sell our current home before we can move on . . . or before those wicked Mortgage people call their notes . . . and it seems that within a few days of our decision to sell the house, 42 of our neighbors come to the same decision . . . The real estate market in your neighborhood has now shifted from "Less than Desirable" to what we called in the military " "A fugly CF" (CF = Charlie Foxtrot = Cluster F__!)

What to do?

Here's what NOT to do!

Do NOT dive into this thing with the goal being to "save a buck or 2" by seeking out real estate professionals who are quick to work for reduced commissions. Sure, you might get lucky and find a REALTOR who will accept 1/2 the commission and still get the job done . . . but I have a question . . . Who's bearing ALL the risk?

YOU ARE!

What if this low budget alternative comes without a plan? What if that agent does not have a solid network of other REALTORS who will go out of their way to sell his/her listings?

The result is that your house may sit on the market for a undue period of time thwarting your ability to see your way to your goal (a new house or salvation from your monstrous debt).

From past "Shifted Markets" we know that REALTOR commissions actually tend to RISE. That is, the real estate professionals who are REALLY on their game CAN actually get homes sold in 60-90 days even in an inventory glutted marketplace . . . and these folks who overcome the obstacles and deliver the prize (a closing) have more "worth" to the Home Selling public than the agents who (for whatever reason) cannot seem to be able to get showings.

In most cases, you DO pay for what you get . . . so my advice to a motivated Home Seller in today's market is to quit worrying about the"nickles and dimes" as much and pay particular attention to the RESULTS orientation of the REALTORS they are interviewing.

While I'm on a rant . . . another thought . . .

Statistically, 67% of all home Sellers only interview ONE REALTOR before making a choice . . . and 75% only interview TWO REALTORS. Heck, most people spend more time deciding which TV to buy for their Living Room than they spend interviewing and selecting the "RIGHT" REALTOR to handle the sale of their largest single investment (their home) . . . and THEN . . . to add insult to injury . . . They dicker on the commission structures which in my book is akin to biting the hand that's feeding you.

I say (With chest puffed out and standing tall) - INTERVIEW AS MANY REALTORS AS IT TAKES to find one who will tell you the truth, stand his/her ground on the worth of their services, AND deliver on their promise to sell your home quickly.

The commission percentage becomes a pretty moot point if your house does (or does not) sell.

We, the Owen Group, are poised and ready to "GET'R DONE" for any and all Sellers in Middle Tennessee who are willing to "pay the price" . . . We have an elite club of clients who have already sat at the closing table this year. We have "openings" for new clients who are MOTIVATED and READY to MOVE!

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville,TN - Green Hills
www.theowengroup.net

Barry's other blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo


Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Oh - You're selling your house?

Just thought I would end the week with a little dose of reality.

When you sell your house, do you know where Buyers will most likely be EXPOSED to information about your house? Many Sellers believe that the good ole Newspaper Ads and Real Estate Magazines will do the trick . . . This is CLEARLY not so.

Based on a recent study, more than 36% of all Buyers find their homes by working with a REALTOR. REALTORS have finally become comfortable enough with the internet revolution that they are learning how to optimize that medium to sell homes . . . Realtors have also learned in the recent Market Shift that NETWORKING with other REALTORS might even be a more powerful marketing tool than ANYTHING.

Over 20% of Buyers find their homes on the internet (Most of those ultimately use a REALTOR to transact the deal) . . . and guess how the properties got on the internet in the first place? A REALTOR lists the house and proliferates the internet with information about that listing. In my group, we post our listings to the internet search engine @ every 2 days for optimal exposure. The "hard cost" of this medium is relatively low (A newspaper ad typically costs @ $100) . . . But this mode of advertising IS somewhat time intensive . . . The internet savvy REALTOR generally has to hire a support person to manage this marketing effort on the internet.

20% of Buyers find their homes from the Real Estate SIGNS in the yards. They know the neighborhoods of interest and are cruising the streets . . . and they call from the signs. If you are selling your home, you MUST put a sign in the yard - Do NOT be incognito.

If you're doing the math, you know that 76% of the Buyers find their homes by DIRECT REALTOR actions (Networking, the internet, and Signage) . . . the remaining 24% find their homes through ALL of the other marketing combined.

Clearly, print advertising is passe . . . Open Houses are random (though they DO provide a good source for Buyer leads for REALTORS) . . . a Small percentage of houses sell because of referrals and neighbors who bring the Buyer into the neighborhood.

My point? In the 15+ years I have worked as a Real Estate Professional, there has NEVER been a time when the role of the REALTOR has been more critical than now. It used to be that the REALTOR could run a bunch of ads and sell the house . . . Today's market demands a whole different (more professional) approach which ostensibly does not "cost" as much but CLEARLY requires more skill - Social skills and time management . . . Networking to sell houses takes MUCH more effort than running flashy ads in the newspaper.

Don't push your REALTOR to run ads and host Open Houses . . .If you want to push Your REALTOR, ask him/her how you can help them attract people to view your house . . . Offer to host a party for prospects and other REALTORS . . . Do some networking yourself and drive any leads you capture to your REALTOR.

We're all in this thing together. If you want to get the highest price with the best terms, team up with your REALTOR and trust the process :-)

We, the Owen Group, have this whole thing boiled down to a science and hope you will contact us when you have a real estate need.

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!