Larry Bertok

Yellow back agents.

Larry Bertok — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:24:00 GMT

Great title right? Anyway. I have been on many listing appointments lately and I am seeing more and more homeowners left with more questions then answers after they have met with other agents. I am wondering if you have been seeing this as well? Some of the most common questions are. Why was the other agent so much less the others? My answer, you get what you pay for. Why did the other agent tell me my home was worth more then what you have told us. My answer, I am informing you of the price that will help sell your home and not a price that will just help me with buyer calls. Are you finding agents who are just telling homeowners what they want to hear and don't seem to have the spine to tell the truth about your current market conditions?

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." -President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Larry Bertok — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:32:00 GMT

I read this the other day and thought it would be good to share with other agents about our market and our career.

Real estate agents today are entering a period they may not have been through before. It is a time of uncertainty and danger; a time of heightened worry about future developments ranging from interest rates to oil shocks.

The most sacrosanct investment hitherto imaginable (The American dream of the single family home) has been shown to be subject to the same market fluctuations as every other "safe" investment, if pressures great enough are brought to bear. Our country has gone from surpluses to huge deficits, another $57 billion has been requested for Iraq, Osama is still out there and the price of oil keeps climbing while the dollar keeps sinking. We are bombarded daily by pundits with instant opinions about how dire the latest statistic or development will be for us all.

Certainly, as a nation and as an industry, we have some problems (I know: it is politically incorrect to say "problems - one is supposed to use issues." Well, folks, they look like problems to me!), but in comparison to what our parents and grandparents bore, this is NOTHING! This is a situation that can be remedied by hard work, sound business practices, judicious use of truly valuable technology and confidence.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated President in 1933 (and, no, I wasn't there!) just about everything could not have been worse. The panic of October 1929 had ruined the world economy. Grown men sold apples on the street, begged for odd jobs and waited in lines at soup kitchens for some sustenance to sustain them, as they struggled to feed their families. My own father, one of a family of 10 children, was fed corn meal mush three times daily and felt lucky to get it. His baby sister was so hungry she ate paint off the walls of their home and died of lead poisoning.

It was a story repeated daily, everywhere. Farmers lost their lives work. Thrifty people lost their savings. Joe Kennedy listened to his shoe shine boy boast about making money in the stock market and realized if his shoe shine boy was speculating, it was time to bail out of the stock market, miraculously avoiding the common disaster. (We could have used a clairvoyant like that a year or so ago.)

It was against this background that a solemn President took to the microphones to try to communicate with all Americans. He reminded all of us that the nation's "common difficulties" concerned "only material things." That is also true today. "Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment", he proclaimed. "...Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for...This great Nation shall endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.? Truer words were never spoken.

And, so here we find ourselves in a time of crisis; with no guarantee that things will improve, with no absolute protection against how bad this will be except our own talent and work ethic. Many people are afraid. Folks, it's time to realize that opportunity is lurking out there, even now.

We've got this problem exactly where we want it!

As my Father used to say: "Now we'll find out who the real tough guys are."

Look around. Do you see the most successful people in our industry concerned? Yes. Do you see them quaking in their boots and acting like Chicken Little? No.

Neither should you.

Whenever an economic model becomes uneconomic, adjustment and correction follows just as surely as May flowers follow April showers. For a multitude of reasons, the entire residential real estate business, with few exceptions, became a nonsensical parody of responsible home ownership over the past few years and the hangover has set in. There are plenty of people to share blame: those who encouraged Americans to use their home as a piggy bank to buy things they could not afford out of cash flow; those who preached the endlessness of appreciation, those who encouraged people to purchase homes they truly could not afford; institutions that made loans on anticipated appreciation instead of quality of applicant and fairness of the economics of the purchase; banks who solicited home equity lines of credit and made spending equity as easy as using a debit card; those who encouraged a continuing recruitment and hiring of countless unneeded and redundant agents; there is plenty of blame to go around.

Now we will see who the real tough guys are. Substitute "professional real estate people" for "tough guys" and you get the idea. Someone once posited that if all the money in the world were taken away from all who had it and everyone started over again that in ten years, the same people who were wealthy before the redistribution would be, again. Whether you believe this or whether you don't, here's what you had best consider, in my opinion, if you want to come through this period better than before, if at all.

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I really want to make real estate my career? If you're not sure, or not committed, please leave the business and clear room for those who are.
Do I understand that unless I am successfully participating in the Internet with my agency or brokerage, I am not included in over 80 percent of the business? If you don't want to learn how to participate, please leave the business and clear room for those who are.
Am I ready to work harder for every client and every sale? If you are not, please leave the business and clear room for those who are;
Does the current situation have me literally paralyzed, unable to think positively or map out an aggressive strategy? Please leave the business and clear room for people who are not paralyzed.
Am I willing to apply sound methods of selling with the brilliance of technology that makes me effective? If you are not, please leave the business and clear room for people who are willing to adapt.

In every crisis lies opportunity. On March 4, 1933, President Roosevelt closed his remarks thusly: "We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by young and old alike."

It may not be 1933, and we may not be in the midst of a depression, but I submit that a reapplication of the values and attitude invoked back in those truly awful times can bring us through these difficulties. This is no time for whining, this is time to remember that others have had it worse, that we have triumphed over difficulties before, and that we shall do so, again. Now we'll see who the real tough guys are.

We are nearing the bottom, the economists say and recovery is expected to begin in earnest around the first of the year; gradually gathering steam through 2008 and getting back to a good climate by 2009. The situation reminds me of the old saw about what differentiates a coward from a hero. It goes like this: The only difference between a coward and a hero is that a hero is brave a little bit longer." Be brave a little bit longer. Things will get better.

By Michael Parker

The Time has come. Ohio VS Michigan

Larry Bertok — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:37:00 GMT

Today is the day that many college football fans wait for. The Big Bucks! vs Big Wolverines!

I have been a Bucks fans for as long as I can remember and I do look forward to a win today.

With all the i'll tempered post lately I thought this is a good change of pace. So here is the question?

Who do you think is going to win todays game and what will the score be?

Bucks 37 Wolverines 24

Stock Market and Housing Market

Larry Bertok — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:00:00 GMT

I was looking over the news this morning and I came across a post that said “ Our stock market had its worst week in years because of the housing market”. I feel our market not bad at all, in fact, I feel it is a great time for home buyers. Have you noticed that agent’s across the country do not share the same opinion the media does? If fact I feel the panic in the housing market is because of the media’s idea that bad new makes money and good news is a waste of time. I will be on www.wspd.com from noon-1:00PM EST. if you would like to tune in and voice your opinion about real estate, the toll free number is 1-866-321-1370. Click on the listen live tab.

Facts to consider when selling or buying a home…

Larry Bertok — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:15:00 GMT

Buyers and sellers of real estate have the option of choosing what they want to do with one of the most important investments they have from buying a book on "selling your home for dummies" , to hiring a "I'll work on your deal 10 hours because I have to PROCESS four deals this week" internet realtor, to hiring a Full time real estate professional who will keep them informed, generate more interest, keep them from our court, and ultimately sell their home for more than enough to cover the money they would have "SAVED".
It's a well know fact that people who do their research and consider all the facts, overwhelmingly elect to hire realtors. Doctors, lawyers, nurses, school teachers. Anyone who believes in the saying "you get what you pay for."

When you don't rely on the assistance of a professional when completing a "transaction"? It's a disaster! Mistakes are made, problems beyond comprehension happen and money and time is lost. The average person selling or buying a home today understands the importance of relying on professionals who know the ups and downs of home selling and purchasing. Professional who understand that unexpected situations may occur and know how to deal with them and the emotional toll they take. Can these internet companies provide that kind of hands on personal care? When there is a problem (and there are problems) most clients want a live person to speak with in a face to face, rather than an anonymous person on a telephone or keyboard. By the way; would you go to the internet for a "Do it Yourself" or "Discount" surgeon? Or would you prefer someone with proper training and experience to "take care of you"?

I concluded from my own experience, my clients would not even consider using the internet alone to buy or sell a property. It is merely a tool but not the finished product. In the rare instance a seller requests I discount my commission (which ranges from 5% to 6%, but always 3% or more for the co-operating broker), I provide them with a list of my services and ask which ones would they like me to delete. End of discussion. What's most important to sellers isn't how much they saved, but how much did they make. I haven't the time to moan and groan over discount brokers who charge what their "service" is worth.

Lawyer and FHA

Larry Bertok — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:51:00 GMT

Only in Louisiana - you have to love this lawyer--It's too good not to share!

Everyone who has ever bought a house will enjoy this.

A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client who lost his house in
Hurricane Katrina and wanted to rebuild. He was told the loan would be
granted if he could prove satisfactory title to the parcel of property being
offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which
took the Lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information
to the FHA, he received the following reply:

Actual letter:

"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note
that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment
the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application,
we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral
property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be
necessary to clear the title back to its origin."

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows (actual letter):

"Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I note
that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by
the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this
country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know
that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S.,from France in 1803, the year of
origin identified in our application.

For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior
to U.S.ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right
of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by
Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named
Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a
new route to India by the Spanish monarch Isabella. The good queen,
Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the
FHA, took the precaution of securing a blessing of the Pope before she
sold her jewels to finance Columbus' expedition.

Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ
the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created the world.
Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part
of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore, would be the owner of
origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as
we know it, AND the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be
satisfactory.

Now, may we have our loan?"

He got the loan.

Source of this is unknown. I found this and had a good laugh.

The Todays Show and Jim Cramer

Larry Bertok — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:35:00 GMT

I was wondering if anyone saw The Today’s Show when Jim Cramer told all the listeners “don’t you dare buy a home this year”. I was so struck by this I just had to look into Jim Cramer and just how accurate he has been in the past and who he is doing now. I have found that he has more misses then hits when it came to the stock market and now I have came to the conclusion that he is nothing more the just an entertainer trying to please his investors for his tv. show. I plan on talking about him and his statement tomorrow on Sunday from noon-1:00 on 1370 wspd. I think it would be a good idea to share our views as to how our real estate market is and how buying a home is not like buying a stock. If you are interested in listening to my radio show, you can go to wspd.com and click the listen live tap. I have a live show and I will be taking calls so if you have a comment please call in. You can call 1 866 321 1370.

Help them help you! Be a superstar agent...

Larry Bertok — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:52:00 GMT

I have been giving by buyers a housewarming party, I have them invite there family and friends. I will provide hamburgers and hotdogs and sides. I have found that not only do the new homeowners love the idea and can seem to thank me enough, the business form others who attend more then make it worth my time and money. I will spend and average of 200.00 dollars and pick up 2 or 3 more clients. This has been a great ROI. If you have a chance, try it on your next sale. Another way to help even more is to offer the same idea to the buyers of your next listing after the closing. In most cases I have found that the agents who had the buyers for a listing of mine, seldom follow up with them.

Help educate sellers about today’s buyers

Larry Bertok — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:12:00 GMT

More homebuyers are getting a prime opportunity to conduct more due diligence research -- from getting a home inspection to neighborhood environmental screening -- as a way to protect their health and wallets from poor investments.

A housing sales slowdown gives homebuyers more time to look deeply into, under and around their properties, and homebuyers can use the extra time to sidestep common and often costly risks.

According to the nation's leading provider of environmental information reports, Environmental Data Resources Inc., a growing number of homebuyers are following the trend of investigating environmental risks associated with the property and its surrounding area-before closing on a sale.

Environmental due diligence has been a common practice for nearly 20 years in commercial real estate, but a growing number of homebuyers and real estate agents now use home inspectors to gather detailed and accurate environmental information reports to better understand the environmental risks associated with a property and the surrounding neighborhood.

Without a need to rush through sales like homebuyers did in previous "sellers' markets," homebuyers are now able to take time to get important information before purchasing.

This might help when you are talking to your sellers about your market and help them understand the new process in our housing market.

Closing the Days on Market for home sellers

Larry Bertok — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:02:00 GMT

With the housing market flooded with homes for sale, and some agents feeling the pinch, I just don’t understand what it will take for some agents to understand what it takes to get there listings sold. In my area I am finding agents who are listing homes for what ever percent and only offering a small co-broke, and they end up with a listing that expiries. I have talked to many agents and home sellers in the last few week who call me after they listen to my radio show and I tell them all the same thing. If you want to sell sooner you need to offer a better co-broke. Yes it is that simple. I have been offering great co-brokes and me listing are selling in short order.

I also feel the agents who are charging the home owner 5 to 7% listing commission and only offering an average 2 to 2.5 co-broke are not only wasting the homeowners time and money, they are also setting themselves up for failure. I have been counseling my sellers to raise the co-broke before they consider lowering the asking price of the home. I let them know this will have all the agents trying to sell there home first.

My thoughts on this is, agents you need to work for your sellers more and worry about yourself less. If you do this, it will always come back to you…

Brokers fees to agents and favors….

Larry Bertok — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:54:00 GMT

Hi everyone. I have a question about brokers. I understand that there are different pay structures with Real Estate companies. I would like to know your feeling about brokers who do not charge the same fee to all the agents in the office. In this office the fee is not based on performance, it is a flat monthly. When I look at a brokerage I am looking for a broker who I can trust that was they say is true and has integrity. I was talking to a broker and thinking about moving. This broker told me they do not give free rides to anyone but, if I would transfer to their company I would have no fees for a year. I then talked to a few agents and I was told that this broker does not favor one agent over another and will not give brakes with fees. Then I found out a few other agent are not paying any fees. I am starting to feel that this broker has just broken the circle of trust and now I am questioning his integrity. I am interested in your thoughts on this and I am sure Gary will have a great comment on this one.

Advertise your business or homes on Youtube.

Larry Bertok — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 13:15:00 GMT

I have been on youtube for a few months; I have found it to be helpful when it comes to listing appointments. Our local paper wrote a story about how I am going the extra step helping local home sellers. http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=5313 . If you would like to try it out for yourself, here is a easy way to post yourself and or your listings. First I would start with a flash promo about one of your listings. Look in your programs and find “Microsoft movie maker” or “Photo story 3 for windows”. I have found it easy to do with photo story 3. After you make your video or your flash with photos go to your youtube account. If you do not have an account, it is easy to open one for yourself. Click on post a video and that’s it, you’re done. I would suggest your use tag words that will drive other people to your video. If you have and question, I will be here to help.

BTW. New photo Gary? It looks like your having to much fun in the sun...

Bill Gates’ 11 Rules of Life. Food for thought

Larry Bertok — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Bill Gates’ 11 Rules of Life

Rule 1: Life is not fair – get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won’t care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school.

You won’t be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping – they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents; fault, so don’t whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent’s generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they’ll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.

If you agree, pass it on.

If you can read this – Thank a teacher!

If you are reading it in English – Thank a soldier!

Shape up or get out! Just another rant.

Larry Bertok — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:40:00 GMT

All right guys and girls I know our market is not going as good as we would like it. But, we still need to follow the rules!!! I held an open last Sunday and a couple come thru with a list of questions. He told me they listen to my radio show on Sundays and I always put plugs in for any opens I am having and I would say “I will be here from such and such time if you have any questions or if your looking for advice stop by and I will be happy to help” I had my bell rung hard. He story went like this. I found a home that my wife and I really liked so we made an offer on it. I am a cash buyer and the home was listed at 229,900 so we offered 215,900 to start. I told him that might be a little low but it is a cash offer and the first offer. He then told me the counter was list price. To make a long story short. He told his buyer agent they would be willing to pay list price if needed. His buyer agent told the listing agent this, so now this buyer feels the buyer and listing agent were running a scam on them. He told me they want the home but they don’t want to work with ether of the agents. I told him to contact the board about this. My point is, it is agents like this who are killing our reputation as professionals and in my opinion, should do us and them a favor and get out of the business. I am in OH. And will be on 1370wspd.com at 8:30am. Click the listen live for webstream. Ok that’s my rant I feel better.

Have a great Fathers Day!!!

IDX

Larry Bertok — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:25:00 GMT

I had an account with idxpro and I was thinking there might be a better service. Any input?