Keep Your Eye On The Prize

If I don’t do it now, imma try it again, and when I do accomplish it imma try it again. 

-Dwayne Carter

At some point in life we all reach a fork in the road. Some may look at this as an obstacle but it isn’t.  However, doubt seems to cloud our judgment as we stand slightly indecisive about what direction to take. It’s natural to experience a bit of anxiety as you’re faced with such huge decision. Nonetheless, it is easy to lose sight of our purpose, and hard to stay clear of goals we aspire to accomplish. Your vision can be crystal clear, but what good is that if things aren’t mapped out and executed well? There has to be a solid strategic plan, as well as an effective exit strategy. If not, you’ll end up going around in circles or becoming over whelmed with thoughts of what could be.  My advice to you?  Keep it raw, funky, trust your intuition, and have fun. Look at it as an experiment. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way. Being proactive always blossoms inexperience into experience. Besides, it’s what builds wisdom, character, confidence, and success. One can possess all the talent in the world, and never reach their full potential. I guess the question to you is… how hungry and determined are you? Always keep your eye on the prize and take into account why you started your journey. it’s ok if you’ve dropped the ball. Pick it up and keep striving for excellence.

Be Clear, Stay focus!

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: Create a Facebook page to market your property. It’s an excellent way to gain exposure if executed the right. 

P.S.

Follow me on: Facebook and Twitter!

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

5 Options For Agents Ditching Distressed Properties

 

Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.

- Henry Ford

First, let me start by saying, this was not my initial plan.My intentions was to post something totally different today. However, a monkey wrench was totally throw in the mix. I woke up this morning and proceeded with my daily routine. As I was about to post something new on Facebook, a little birdie told me to checkout the link I posted on there yesterday. So, I did, and BAM…the content that I was trying to pass along (because I found it to be a good article, and I’m sure my readers will too.) was no longer accessible to the general public. So, me being the problem solver that I am, I decided to post this on my blog.

Enjoy!

5 options for agents ditching distressed properties

Source: inman.com

How to capitalize on boomers, trade-ups, global clients

Over the last few weeks, I have spoken to a number of top producers who have decided they’re simply not getting paid enough to put up with the hassles of either listing or selling a short-sale property. Their new mantra: no more distressed property sales for my business!

The same goes for writing broker price opinions (BPOs) for lenders who have foreclosure inventory. Getting paid $50 to drive out to the property, take measurements, and do all the work to determine the sale price is simply not a good return on their time. In fact, it barely covers their mileage expenses.

Given that distressed properties are still a major portion of the market, where can an agent specialize and still make money without having to wait months on a deal that may not ever close? If you’re fed up with the distressed-property game, here are five alternatives that can keep your business strong without having to ever utter the words "short sale, REO (bank-owned property) or foreclosure."

1. One-third of the population owns their property free and clear
If you’re not willing to deal with short sales, then prospect for potential sellers who have been in their property a long time. In fact, most title companies can provide you with a list of property addresses, their owners, as well as how long they have lived in the property. These are great candidates for listings, especially in the higher price ranges.

A key challenge that move-up buyers face is obtaining reasonable jumbo financing. If a homeowner owns his or her property outright, the owner could carry a first or second mortgage to close the gap between a conforming loan amount and the purchase price. Given that jumbo loans are so hard to find, a seller-financed first mortgage can generate a 6 to 9 percent interest rate on the amount borrowed. This is considerably better than putting the money into a CD or savings account.

Also, many move-up buyers have substantial down payments and top-notch credit. In some respects, making a private loan may be a better choice than putting the money in the bank.

2. Investment properties
Professional investors tend to be contrarians. They buy when others are selling and sell when others are buying. Today is the ideal time for investors to purchase real property.

In most areas, the bottom has finally hit. Interest rates appear to be increasing again. The outlook for commercial deals looks pretty abysmal because commercial financing has dried up, except for loans that roll over every five years. What’s the alternative? Two- to four-unit properties that qualify for normal residential financing. Depending upon the price, these properties generally qualify for conventional or FHA loans.

With so many people facing foreclosure, many rental markets are reporting great demand. Furthermore, given the low interest rates, residential investment properties can be a smart move because they’re much more likely to produce cash flow. The one major concern is how investment properties will be treated as part of the health care reform bill. The Bush tax cuts will expire in 2011 and the new bill calls for increased taxes on capital gains and dividends.

3. Global clients
In many places in the world, you can buy a home only if you pay all cash. Consequently, global buyers can be great candidates to purchase because they often can complete an all-cash transaction. Global clients also tend to have a higher close rate compared to domestic buyers.

Also, don’t ever assume that there aren’t global clients in your market. Many companies are bringing in foreign nationals to work in a wide variety of businesses, especially in technology. If you are fluent in another language, have your home page translated into the language(s) you speak.

You can also do periodic blog or social media posts in that other language. Again, most buyers and sellers are more comfortable around people with whom they share similarities.

4. First-time buyers
In some markets, first-time buyers represent up to 65 percent of all transactions. The great thing about first-time buyers is that they don’t normally have to sell another piece of real estate to make a purchase. Also, they tend to purchase entry-level homes where there still is plenty of financing. To locate these buyers, prospect high-end apartment rentals as well as single-family residences that are currently leased.

5. Boomers downsizing
One of the biggest trends right now, provided they can get financing for their current sale, is boomers downsizing in preparation for retirement. A typical pattern is for boomers to buy a piece of property to try out the lifestyle. If they like it, they will sell the house where they raised their family. The result is two sales rather than just one.

Ignoring the distressed-property market means you must work much harder to generate leads. Nevertheless, this may be an easier option that spending hundreds of hours doing BPOs or waiting months to hear that the bank turned down your client’s short-sale offer.

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: People love the latest and greatest thing that appears to be “IN”/“Hot”. Why not have an exclusive showing for that house you seem not to be able to sell. Treat it as if it was a pocket listing. Of course it’s not considered a pocket listing because more than likely it’s listed on the MLS. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t treat it like one. RSVP a group tour and give that exclusive feeling to it.  

P.S.

Imagine how many ppl shared this article on their Facebook and Twitter. Be a servant and get your social-buzz on.  

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

Picking Up The Pieces

None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody – a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns – bent down and helped us pick up our boots.

- Thurgood Marshall

 

Every morning I politic with my sister on the phone. Its become our daily ritual. Even though she’s 8 states away, it feels as if she’s down the street from me. Well, that’s only until we hang up and I start missing her all over again. However, We talk about everything under the sun, but 75-85% of the conversation is strictly business. It’s cool, because She and I are able to bounce off of each others ideas and concepts. It’s almost like taking it to the boardroom but in a virtual way. Man, you have no idea how effective and therapeutic this is for me. I’m able to dump my ideas on the table and piece them up like a puzzle.

Which leads me up to a few months back. I spoke about an ad campaign that was being worked on by yours truly. For those of you who don’t recall, check out Newbie Tuesdays. Anywho, glance to your right and check it out-Project 4 The Love of Real Estate. I have been pondering on this for some time now. It didn’t take long to come up with the concept, but revealing it to the world is a different story. Blame it on that pesky perfectionist trait I carry. Some may considered it to be a curse, others say it’s a blessing. Hey, live it-love it. I’ll give more details about the campaign at a later date.

 Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: Roll up your sleeves and take extreme measures on that house you seem not to be able to sell. Round Robin Auction might not be a bad idea for you. Stop stressing and making excuses about “the market being slow.”  There’s a buyer for every home, in any market condition.

P.S.

Check out my Facebook page and feel free to scribble on the wall. I’m definitely trying to plant my seed over there. Don’t be shy, become part of the family.

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

Brand New

 

The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings.  

- David Weinbaum

 

Happy Saturday! 

Something great has happened this past Tuesday. Fiercefreelancer.com officially reached it’s 1000 mark. Yes, that’s 1000 visitors within 2 months. Yeah baby! 

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. If you are a frequent visitor, you may have noticed the little hiatus I’ve been on. I know what you guys are probably thinking. Just to clear the air, I have not thrown in the towel. I”M STILL HERE! Many of you have reached out to me via email asking:

Q: What’s new with you?

A: Well, I had to re-evaluate something’s and do what was best for me. My focus wasn’t at the level it should have been. But, I’m back in full effect. Now that I am on track, I’m able to focus more on the investment side of my business. 

Q: What’s going on with the blog?

A: I’m trying to get back into the swing of things, but my plan is to update more frequently with great content. Hopefully this will keep you guys coming back for more, and spreading the word to others.

Q: What direction do you plan on taking the blog?

A: Stay tuned and you’ll see. Hopefully the blog blows up like my YOUTUBE page did. 39,962+ views in 2 months. pretty impressive..eh?

Q: What about the series of post?  

A: Keep your eyes open for it. 

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: If you have a listing that has been on the market for like 4ever, consider doing a JV (joint venture). Collaborate with a fellow realtor, or investor who’s strong in the marketing department. In order to survive in today’s market, Leverage is key! 

P.S.

Feel free to give feed back. Leave your comments, and don’t be afraid to email me with any questions or concerns. For all emails submissions, make sure you click the contact section on the right and fill out the submission form. 

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

Newbie Tuesdays

 

It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. 

- Moliere

 

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Okay…so, I’ve been working hard on this whole “accountability” thing. It’s funny, because I tell my children all the time, how they should be accountable for things and here I am struggling with it. Over the past weekend I spent the majority of my time doing some prospecting, and putting together a new marketing campaign. I’m still working out the kinks, but it’s coming along pretty well. So, look out for that. I’m also working on a series of blog post, which will include interviews with some interesting people involved in the real estate industry. Stay tuned! This will be juicy.

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: When pricing your listing, price to sell and stick to one price. Find creative ways for your client to get involved and become a little more flexible.  Don’t chase the market, set it.

P.S.

If you are a home owner with problem property, or a real estate agent/broker/investor with fussy listings that just aren’t selling, email me today for possible solutions.

P.P.S.

My post title has nothing to do with the day. I’m aware that today is Wednesday.

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

Indymac Boys Get Sweetheart Deal

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help, or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.  

-Colin Powell

 

Check out the sweetheart deal the Indymac boys were given by the FDIC. The billion dollar question is…“Does the government really wanna clean up this mess? ”

And just when you thought things were getting better. Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Huh?

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: When taking on new listing, make sure you’re passionate about it. Commit yourself 110% and give the client all you have. Build a strong team of specialist and delegate. You will become more efficient, solid, and effective. If you don’t believe in what you’re selling, why would anyone else? 

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw Fletcher

Back 2 the Basics

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.

–Marilyn vos Savant

 

A few months ago I watched the season premier of The Property Shop, on HGTV. I’m not sure if I’m a big fan of the show, but I am a fan of the broker, Tatiana Londono. Love…Love…Love…Her gutsy style used in order to stay at the top of her profession. In this particular episode, Tatiana almost dropped the ball while working with a high profiled client. For whatever reason, this broker thought she was above and beyond her farming roots. Maybe it’s because she experienced the “High Profiled Clientele” syndrome. Who knows! Did she successfully survive the deal? Of course—but like some agents in today’s market, Tatiana had to be reminded of her “grass root” of real estate in order to do so. Not a bad thing—actually, I find it to be genius. See, from a fierce marketing freelancer’s prospective, it’s all about making the old new again, and the new timeless.

If you are a real estate professional who aspire to be successful in today’s competitive market, you have to do what others won’t, to achieve what others don’t. Be as unconventional as possible to obtain conventional goals. Dig deep and pull out a tall glass of ingenuity. Why not stand solid on shaky grounds, buckle your boot straps, and use every possible resource you’ve ever came across thus far.Sell each listing as if it was your first! You didn’t hear? Marketing is the new accessory to real estate.

Donald Trump said it best, “I learned to focus less on the problem and more on the solution”

Happy Listing,

Shaw

Real(her)State

 

There is no great genius without some touch of madness. -Seneca

                                                                

OMG! I almost feel like I’m losing my mind right now. It’s a constant battle that I face each day while on the path to success. This has to be one of the toughest journeys I’ve experienced thus far. My stress level is unbelievably off the chart, and I can’t seem to get in sync with the right rhythm that’s needed to get into a zone. It’s a bit frustrating. But, none the less, will I let it deter me from my goals and aspirations. Being a stay at home mom and dealing with 2 teens, a 10 month old, entrepreneurship, and keeping my head above water-can be very overwhelming at times. It’s definitely a struggle-A struggle worth fighting for. So, I’ve decided that I am going to become more accountable. The fact that I’m publishing post onto my blog means a lot. A few months ago, fear stopped me from doing so. I must say, It’s certainly a work in progress. However, I really need to network and connect more with like minded people. Trying to breathe air into the one thing your so passionate about can be pretty tough. It takes a certain amount of integrity, tough skin, determination, and confidence in order to bring a vision to life. When all odds are against you, what do you do?  Tread water, or jump in the deep end and fight for dear life?

Wikipedia say’s…

An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. He or she is an ambitious leader who combines land, labor, and capital to often create and market new goods or services. …   

I say… 

An entrepreneur is a visionary with tunnel vision, who happens to suffers from temporally insanity. He/She possess many obsessive traits, insomniac behavior, and the inability to comprehend the word NO. Passion is what drives him/her, hunger is what create the grind, and hustle is what evolves into success.      

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: Find new creative ways to get the buzz circulating. Give each listing its own identity and stop treating them all the same. Don’t look at it as just another listing. Join forces with the seller. Prep your listing and client to be the best home marketed on the block.

P.S. Stay posted for the pre-launch of fiercefreelancer.com.

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw

Follow Me

 

If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough.

Hooray! I’m finally jumping off the deep end. This is the beginning of the end of the life I’ve become accustom to. I’ve awaken from my paralysis and It definitely has been a long time coming. Care to join me? If you are reading this, you’re probably a seller, buyer, or real estate related professional in need of a breath of fresh air. Or maybe you know somebody, who know somebody, who know somebody that’s looking for effective real estate/marketing solutions. In that case,you’ve reached the right place. Spread the word and get the rotation flowing about this fresh, hot, buzz worthy must read blog. Bookmark it, RSS, and join my mailing list. Sit back, relax, and get ready for the pre-launch of fiercefreelancer.com.                                                           

Fiercefreelancer.com REAL ESTATE MARKETING TIP OF THE DAY: Shake it up a little and take risk .Competition is extremely fierce. Therefore, it’s extra important to stand out from the rest.  The market place has changed around you, so should you. Change is good.

SHE(SO)FIERCE,

Shaw