Can You Afford to LOSE a Sale?

While so many Realtors are crying about market changes and having no sales, you would expect an agent to follow up with every lead; even if it was luke warm. Well, I'd expect a follow up even if it had no pulse and couldn't breathe. Follow up is everything! There are leads around you everyday constantly. You just have to see the signs and ask the right questions. Put yourself in the scenario and sales will come.

You'd think as devastatingly as the Florida real estate market has been hit, a Florida agent would act like a shark circling around any lead whatsoever waiting to go in for the kill. Not true. I'm in Tampa right now trying to help my mother in law select the right agent to get her condo sold. It's paid for, so no short sale situation. Over half the sales in Florida are faced with short sales because depreciation set in so quickly. No issue here. She has to move; well she WANTS to get to Birmingham to be closer to family. And, the condo is in a great community very convenient to everything civilization has to offer including the beach. It's a great listing even considering the condo law changes.

Because I'm here for a short holiday weekend, I had to find an agent quickly. After doing research on the internet, I found a team that had excellent web presence and a wonderful philosophy. They advertised a toll free number with a tag line that says, "Call us now. We always answer our phone." Exactly what I was looking for; immediate service. I dialed the agent up on early Saturday morning. Hello, got an answer just like the ad said. Because I'm such a team builder and believe in the team concept, I was excited to speak to this agent. She gave me all the right answers. Told me she was going to show for a few hours and would call me as soon as she got back and would make an appointment to rush over and list the condo. Feeling like I had found the right team, I did no more research. Wrong action! I never got a call back.

What? In this market, no call back. I was shocked and highly disappointed. After all, this team supposedly closed more buyer transactions in '08 than any other Realtor. HOW? They don't call anyone back.

Monday, I went back to the drawing board on the web. Found a lady that was straight to the point; my style. From Ihop, I emailed her off her site, placed my order, and received her call before my breakfast came. Talk about service. Over 20 years in the business. Met me at 2:00 on the same day and TOLD ME THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CONDO MARKET. She actually had the place listed when my mother in law bought it. How is that for a small world? When in Tampa, hire Mary McCall at Re/Max ACR Elite Group. She is the epitome of what it takes to be a success in this market and in any market!!!!

Please follow up with every lead around you. Some people make this business MUCH more difficult than it has to be. Make it easy; follow up!

Experiencing My Own Funeral

Recently, I've gotten to come as close as one can to experiencing my own funeral. I was FIRED. Not for doing a bad job, but for "communication issues." Which is funny because I'm such a communicator; even have a degree in communication. But, God has a way of taking a terrible experience and showing you how trivial it can really be. The support and love I have been shown through all of this has overwhelmed me and amazed me to actual tears; which is odd for me.

The cards, emails, text messages, face book notes, voice mail messages, and phone calls have been incredible. I had 54 email messages in one day saying how much I'll be missed and the little things I did for each individual that made a difference in his or her life and or business. It was very much like reading notes about a deceased. Especially when you read emails going back and fourth across the entire city discussing how you were fired in open forum without addressing you. It was like I had already died. Most emails were very passionate in defending me and my leadership, some were opinions about the company and its leadership, and of course, the President of my fan club, (not really) said a few carefully chosen words about how his experiences with me were "different." Excellent way to say he couldn't stand me; just like speaking of the dead.

These positive messages were the only thing that made the whole situation worth it. Not that I want to experience it again, ever, but wow! Get FIRED and you too can see how much people love you.

When I die, no one will have to say a word because it's already been said. At 37 though, I have plenty of time to screw up, disappoint, and change opinions. Amen and God Bless.