Challenges for 2009!

This year there will be a theme to the year and the messages we send out – challenge.

Let’s start with the market. We will be challenged to find move up buyers who can afford to actually move up. We will continue to be challenged in many areas and price points getting properties to appraise as many locations haven’t seen the bottom yet. As we have seen many times recently appraisers are being pressured to provide extensive market insights and forecast values as lenders are cautious. We will be challenged by the media and their continued negativity about the real estate market. We will be challenged to take people off the fence and help them make decisions about buying now – your education will help you better communicate with them.

We challenge you to think. Use your brain and question what you see, hear and know. Don’t expect someone to give you answers – find them for yourself. Come up with answers to your own questions and make a decision.

We challenge you to work. Work your sphere – have consistent continuous contact with them. Work to grow your database - develop a business to business referral network, hold open houses – the right way, join associations, coach youth sports, get out there! Work on your presentations and presentation skills – practice and rehearse answers to your most frequently heard objections.

We challenge you to have a business plan and work that business plan. If you don’t have one, what are working towards and why? Would you invest in a company that didn’t have a business plan? Where are you spending your money and are you getting results from the dollars spent? Take the time to write one and be a professional in this business. We are here to help with several formats for you to choose from. When you have a plan and work that plan, you give yourself more energy, focus and determination and get presented with more opportunities – don’t miss out!

We challenge you to get educated. Go to trainings, real estate information exchanges, seminars, conventions, and be a part of your appropriate mastermind group. Another area to focus on for your education is previewing properties – 5 a day. You’ve got to be educated on the market. At the present time, our inventory has a vacancy rate of 39%, print out a list of vacant homes to see on your way work, home, kid’s practice, the grocery store – wherever you go and pop in and see them! The last area we will challenge you on today for education is – we challenge you to get a designation. Separate yourself from others in our business and go the extra step to get a designation.

We challenge you to pick your company carefully. In order to stay positive, upbeat and energetic, you need to be around people who are as well. The attitude trap is contagious – both positive and negative – choose wisely. This also applies to the company you work for as an agent. We are looking to help you grow through programs we offer, trainings we provide and by the support we offer our agents.

We challenge you to get into social networking. It is one of the best ways to catch up with “old” friends to add others to your database and keep them up to date with your real estate activities. This is one of the fastest growing segments in society – ride the wave and get rewarded!

We challenge you to read one book a week on our business, selling, marketing, or anything to get you educated. The more you know, the more you can communicate your value, the more business you will do and the more likely you are to receive referrals to grow your business!

We challenge you to embrace change! Our market is changing, prices are changing, financing options and rates are changing, and let’s not forget the way we do business is changing. The days of order taking and waiting for the phone to ring are long gone – you gotta go get it.

We challenge you to be on your game at all times – the client’s expect it and you should be ready. Know your numbers, the numbers in the market, trends, etc. Become the expert. If you don’t know foreclosures, short sales or some other area of the business attend a seminar or set up a lunch with someone who is an expert to be able to communicate how that area affects our market. It will come up in conversation so even if you aren’t involved in some aspect of the business, people are curious and will want to discuss it with you – learn today.

We challenge you to have focus. Focus on your activities, your thoughts and beliefs, your plan, and your education as it will shape your business. Additionally, be persistent and consistent in these activities to produce results. One and done doesn’t get it done – you gotta repeat for success!

We have always challenged you to make the right choices about your career – that isn’t going to change this year. We challenge you to choose to do more of what you did last year as well as more of what we discussed above.

We challenge you to change your work habits, your thought process, activities and choices you make about your business to add to your success. Get it? Got it? Good!