Team DiMuria

Why Do Some Agents Rock on the Internet While Others Flounder?

2008-07-31T20:28:00Z

I have really examined this issue because Mona and I do about 85% of our business directly from the Internet. It may be our website, or our blogs, or our e-mail follow up system that comes from our web hits, but it is directly from the box I am presently typing on... and the leads that come in because of it.

I have watched many agents come and go who all commit to working the web and finding a way to make it a center point of their business. I have also watched many experienced agents who have in the past done a considerable amount of business try to use many of the talents that worked for them in the past...and translate it into web business.

Here are my thoughts on why they struggle:

1. Many experienced agents are trying to shortcut the system. They bring in someone to do their follow up or write posts for them...or teach them what to do. The issue that made them successful under the traditional real estate market they have worked in for the past number of years just does not apply here. You can not farm out your talent. If you have been in real estate for say 20 years...you and only you have the knowledge that will be required to make this work!!!! You can not hire some kid for $10 an hour to come in and ghost write your posts...or set up your website...he or she will not know real estate!

2. Many newer agents see the potential of the web. They are in many cases being told by their office manager that the best way to get started in the business is to mail out postcards to the 100 or so people they know best to announce the new job, start holding open houses, start taking phone ups, start looking at FSBO's, start looking at expired's, pick an area to farm, and if you work hard enough you will be successful (sound familiar?) and if you have a considerable amount of sales talent and luck this will be successful.

The struggle comes because you and only you must embrace the technology and put a majority of your efforts into it.

1. Do not take every client that comes available to you...only those that work in the area you wish to concentrate in (this is a very difficult concept to grasp but might be the most important concept of all).

2. As hard as it may be take your time to shop what website and blogs that fit you best and commit to be on them for a specific number of hours per week (at least 10 hours) yourself...no one else...your ideas can only come from you!

3. Advertise your website and or blog on everything you do. If you get a listing make sure your website is prominently displayed on all brochure box material, tour material, etc...

4. Keep on top of all new technology and employ those technologies that best fit your business.

5. Do not take the easy way out...do not allow someone to convince you that they can host your website without much input from you...can write your blog posts for you...can make your website into a money generating machine...only you can do that!!!!!

4th of July Wishes!

2008-07-04T15:45:00Z

Let us not forget to think a little bit today about all the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who are putting their lives on the line for their Country. You may or may not agree with the wars in both Countries...but please remember that the young men and women who are putting their lives on the line do it on order of our Commander in Chief.

Many years from now we will look back and with some perspective and decide with clear minds if the conflicts and wars we are now in helped make our Country safer or helped reduce the threat of terrorism...but today we need to honor those who despite their personal feelings go out every day and perform the tasks that our Country calls on them to do!

Today above all others we SALUTE OUR TROOPS!!!

Who is going to win the Pres election...and does it matter

2008-04-08T15:49:00Z

I keep wondering...who is going to win Barak or Hillary....or McCain for that matter. Do you think the eventual winner is going to effect our real estate business. I see programs that all three are either supporting or not and I wonder if any of them even have a clue what pain people who lose their homes are going through.

I do agree with McCain on the issue of investors. We should not be bailing out people who invest in real estate for profit no more then we should bail out those who buy stocks or bonds. My feeling is I need to pay for MY home, MY kids college, MY bills in general...not YOURS!

Hard work to get a first time buyer bought

2007-08-29T21:02:00Z

I have a couple of first time buyer listings. We are getting offers...but the banks are no longer looking to do 3% seller contribution and we are having a very difficult time with appraisal. We are spending quite a bit of time educating out sellers on mortgage brokers vs. bankers and the "strength" of the offer based on terms. One thing we are doing is requiring a pre-approval from our in house lender. (the buyer does not have to use the lender...it just lets us know the terms are at least possible). Any others having similar issues?

CBS News tonight

2007-07-23T20:46:00Z

Another shot at realtors vs FSBO will be on the CBS NEWS with Katie Couric...watch out...they are looking to boost her ratings so I predict we will get a real hammering!!! I bet this is the topic of discussion on Tuesday!

Closing gift idea

2007-07-22T16:56:00Z

we have started giving our clients florescent light bulbs as closing gifts. I is a real win-win for the agent...you help you clients save money (one florescent bulb uses the same energy as 4-5 regular bulbs) and you show them you are socially conscious by giving them a gift that helps reduce global warming. Our clients love it so far!

Stop calling it discounting!

2007-05-20T21:33:00Z

I think one of the big issues we have is the word discount. I think a better term is limited service. Limited service brokers are those who charge less...and give clients reduced services. I do not think a sign, a lock box. and a flier is full service! If you truely do everything a full service agent does and reduce your rates...more power to you...I may think you are foolish for not seeing the value in what you do...but I would respect your decision. When an agency says For sale buy owner, or help you sell, or assist to sell, they are telling you in the name that they are limited service!!! Stop allowing them to call themselves full service! Value what you do, tell your clients about it, and ask them which of the services you provide they would like to eliminate so you can match the "full service" offered by the limited service brokers.