RECR's Blog

My good friend Matt Stigliano (@rerockstar) is working his way into REBLogWorld and could use our help!! A couple clicks wont hurt you. ;-)

With the real estate industry evolving at the rate that it is, many agents have adapted to include the ability to be as mobile as possible.  Gone are the days of meeting at the office or heading back to the office in order to get anything done. In fact, a good number of agents don’t even have an office. Their office has 4 doors, not just one…and it sports 4 wheels and bucket seats.

There is a mindset that needs to be adapted in order to effectively go mobile. You have to be really self-motivated. And, you have to realize that when you leave your house, you are working. You must also be able to be in contact at all times. And, you must be able to access anything you need at any given point in time. With that in mind, there are several things that one must possess in order to master the art of mobility:

1.    A good smart-phone – Don’t be cheap! Get a good smart phone…an Iphone or a Blackberry. And make sure you have a good data plan (I prefer the unlimited versions). More important than that, make sure you take the time to learn how to use it and put the tools available to you to your best advantage! There is no point in having it if you aren’t going to take the time to learn to use it.

2.    A good laptop – This pretty much goes without saying, but…when you get a computer, get something that seems to be WAY more than what you will actually need. That way, you won’t have to get a new one in a year because the cheap P.O.S. you bought isn’t big or fast enough. Get the super-gigantic hard drive. Spend the extra money for a hefty RAM upgrade. Also, invest in an external hard drive for back-up. Laptops are not that rugged…and are prone to injury.  They are also prone to be lifted by unscrupulous individuals, if given the chance. Losing all your data will suck far more than losing the laptop.

3.    A flip camera (or digital video camera) – These will automatically make themselves a useful tool the first time you have to preview a home or make an online tour of a new listing. I would recommend you get both a video camera…and a still frame digital camera. Both have distinct advantages depending on the need.

4.    Docusign – Or, some form of reliable electronic document signing and processing software. (If you don’t know what Docusign is, hit up @Docusign on twitter. Tell her @TheRealClint sent you.) This is an absolute requirement. This way, you can sign offers, amendments, contracts, etc, right on the computer and then email them wherever needed. This way, you don’t have to worry about printing documents, having to get the required signatures, making copies, etc. From a time management standpoint, this ability to eliminate these types of useless delays is a major advantage.

5.    GPS – Clients can tend to be a bit uppity when you miss appointments because you got lost on the way there. And, nothing is more embarrassing then having them sitting in your car and not knowing how to get to the next home they want to view.  Besides, you’re not a taxi. This isn’t a pleasure cruise. Get them where they want to be and do so in the quickest, safest way possible. Again, avoiding useless delays will be rewarded.

6.    MiFi or USB mobile broadband card – Again, don’t be a cheapskate here…get the mifi if it is available in your area. You will not be sad that you did. If not, make sure you have some form of broadband air card. You will need access to the internet on a screen larger than 2in X 3in at some point in your mobile career…and having one of these will make it much easier than trying to pirate wifi signals in hotel parking lots or having to find a Starbuck’s.

7.    A portable printer – Yes, a printer. That way, you can immediately print copies of documents and provide them to all parties in an extremely timely and efficient manner. Your clients will appreciate the added touch.

Remember, this isn’t just about mobility. This is about professionalism as well. Your reputation is on the line here. And, since you aren’t in an office, you had better be as good as possible because there isn’t any coffee pot to direct them to or free cookies to have them munch on while you get your proverbial "poop in a group". Don’t attempt to go totally mobile unless you plan on NOT falling victim to inadequate equipment and preventable delays. Both of which will cost you in the long run. If you are going to be mobile, you have to be able to handle any situation at that moment (as much as possible, anyway). And, these little technological marvels will make your life MUCH easier along the way.

If you would like more information on Real Estate Client Referrals and how we can help you get more clients, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058. Or, hit our fanpage on Facebook!

I love my sons...probably more than they will ever know. But, there are a few things that I have learned having sons that has lead me to do a couple things:

1. Apologize to my parents -- If you are a man...and you have boys...and you have not apologized to your parents yet, you are probably going to Hell. :-)

2. Pray for forgiveness -- See #1 above. Same concept...same destination.

3. Call neighboring states to see if any of my previous exploits have lead to warrants for my arrest.  So far, I'm good.

But, I have learned some new things about boys that I just had to share with you all.  I have shared parts of this list before...but, it was over a year ago.  And believe me, if you have boys...A LOT can happen in a year.  If you have a son or ever were a son or have brothers or sisters with sons, this will make perfect sense to you as well.

THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY SONS

1. A king size water bed holds enough water to fill the bottom floor of a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep. I have since gotten rid of the water bed.

1A. Jumping on a real bed is way more fun than jumping on a water bed.

1B. Attempting to fly across the bedroom jumping from dad's bed can result in injury...either to yourself or to furniture. Or a wall.

1C. A 42lb boy flying off of dads bed can punch a hole in sheet-rock the size of a Buick.

2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3. A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape.

4A. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

4B. It is also strong enough to smack a super-ball down the hallway harder than Tiger Woods on the first tee.

4C. Superballs can chip teeth.

4D. Dentists laugh out loud at you for getting your teech chipped on a super-ball.

5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.

5A. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit.

5B. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

5C. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

6. Standing up in the bathtub is dangerous.

6A. Standing up in the bathtub to go pee...totally hilarious!

6B. Watching older brother completely freak out when younger brother pees in the bathtub...absolute RIOT!!!

7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late.

7A. Hide your spare house key and spare car key somewhere above 5' off the floor. Or, your boy will flush that set of keys also.

7B. RotoRooter has a 42 minute response time.

8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9. A four-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 37-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

9A. Starting a fire on your deck is hazardous.

10. Certain Legos will pass through the digestive tract of a 1-year old Boy.

10A. This also holds true for certain jewelry, money, nuts, bolts, and various bicycle parts.

11. "Play dough" and "microwave" should not be used in the same sentence.

11A. This also holds true for eggs and hot wheels cars.

11B. Hot wheels cars will ignite if left in the microwave long enough.

12. Super glue is forever.

13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

13A. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

14. To a 1yr old, there is nothing funner than a wooden spoon and a steel pot.

14A. Correction: Same point, only with a dozen steel pots.

14B. The resulting headache cant be stopped by an entire bottle of Advil. Try vodka. Best results are achieved when you use it on the boy, not you.

15. VCRs do not eject 'PB & J' sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

15A. Also true for oatmeal, tuna fish, and dad's wallet.

16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

16A. Neither do blankets, stuffed animals, or anvils.

16B. Pillows only soften the landing when you actually land on them.

17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

18A. A sippy cup that was lost under the couch for more than a week requires a bio-hazard sticker and Haz-Mat team for proper extraction.

19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on.

19A. Plastic toys do not like ovens.

19B. The fire department in Lolo, MT has a 7 minute response time.

20. Fish can have seizures if "stimulated" enough.

20A. Banging on the side of the fish tank with a sippy cup is considered "stimulation".

21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

21A. It will, however, make cats dizzy.

21B. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

22. Before you buy a boy a bunk-bed, make sure he doesn't own Superman pajamas.

22A. Owning Superman pajamas doesn't mean you can fly.

22B. A 40lb boy flying from the top bunk and crashing landing into a bookshelf makes an ASSLOAD of noise!!

22C. It will happen again. Trust me.

23. There are 4 major food groups: Hot dogs, cheese, chips, and chocolate milk. The rest is useless rabbit food.

23A. Pizza may take the place of the first 3.

23B. Nothing can replace chocolate milk.

24. 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

25. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid. (Trust me, it works...)



If you would like more information about Real Estate Client Referrals, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058. Or, follow Clint on twitter at www.twitter.com/TheRealClint.

Every once in a while, we here at Real Estate Client Referrals gets an email from a member agent that just makes us smile.  And, lucky for us, it happened twice at the end of this last week.

RECR does not solicit testimonials. We feel that the best way for us to get a testimonial from anyone that uses our services is to provide a superior product and superior service and support. If we do our jobs right, we will get people commenting on it and receive testimonials.  And, so far, this theory remains true.

Suchita Kahlon in British Columbia writes:

“I have been with Real Estate Client Referrals since March 2009. I have already closed a number of deals from the leads that I have received!! RECR is an amazing and reliable referral system and, even when the market was slow, was consistent in sending me solid leads. It’s worth every single penny that I have invested!!  RECR is the best investment that Realtors could do for themselves. ”

Beverly Hicks in Colorado wrote us and says:

“I have been with Real Estate Client Referrals for the better part of 4 years now…and I think they are fantastic!!  I had two closings last month (August, 2009) from RECR and I have two more this month (Septemeber, 2009)!!  One of my leads generated 4 closings, 1 listing, and two more potential buyers!!  In this market, where it is so hard to get deals to the table, it is great to have a company like Real Estate Client Referrals as a lead generating tool.  They screen the clients so you don’t get bogus people and the referrals are receptive to you.  I have never had any person get upset with me for calling.  For the record, I am a REAL real estate agent …you can look me up.  This company is so great!! I really believe in the referral system and in RECR!  I won’t use any other referral company!!  Their program is fantastic!! It is the best marketing investment that you can make!!”

If you would like more information about Real Estate Client Referrals and how we can help you have the same success, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058. Or, if you prefer, email to clintmiller@recr.com. Or, follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/recr or www.twitter.com/TheRealClint.

After reading Robert Swetz's contest post, I knew exactly what post I wanted to enter with...

Robert....Awesome contest.  Happy to be a part of it....and best of luck to all that enter!!




Being Thankful Isnt Bragging, Is it??!!

First and foremost, this post really has nothing at all to do with real estate...more about life in general.  So, I hope no one is offended by the fact that I'm thankful as all Hell about what I have and I'm not afraid to tell the entire world about it.  Negative people be warned. 

Secondly, you may learn more about me than you ever wanted to know by reading this.  Fair warning again.

See, I was just talking with several agent friends of mine on Twitter...and someone said something that really struck a cord with me.  We were discussing the difference between positive and negative people...and one of my friends said that some people simply focus on misery...and even went to so far as to say that seeing people being happy and focusing on good news is bragging.

Is being thankful for the good in your life bragging???  I surely don't think so!  And, quite frankly, I feel sorry for the people in the world that do feel that way.  I'm sorry if my being thankful for what I have makes you feel bad about what you think you don't have...Chances are, you really do have it.  You just refuse to see it.

When a hurdler lines up for his race, he focuses on the red tape at the end of the race...not on the hurdles.  The hurdles are simply things you have to overcome to get to the red tape at the end.  See, to me, being negative and thinking negatively about everything is a gigantic waste of time, effort, energy, and mental space (something I'm in short supply of anyway).  I have far too much going on in my life to spend a good portion of it focusing on things that do not help me move forward. 

Why in the world would anyone want to purposefully make themselves or anyone around them feel like crap?  Psychiatrists say that people with low self esteem tend to think of the world as being a ‘glass half empty' place mostly devoid of positivity and productivity.  And, in order to make themselves feel better about themselves or their situation, they feel this carnal need to take down those that appear to be above them; Bashing their attitude, achievements, family, friends, even their lifestyle simply to make themselves feel better. 

Well...to all of you people that think that you're insults, your snide comments, your emotional tirades are having any affect upon my ability to be thankful, you are sorely mistaken.  And, to prove this to you, I have compiled the following list of things that I am thankful I have/lived through/been exposed to/seen/heard/felt.

I'm thankful that...

1. I was born into a poor family. We grew or shot our food, chopped our own wood for heat, and busted our humps for every dollar we needed to survive.  I was never handed anything, but I never went without.  The work ethic I have as a result of my up-brining is enviable to most and amazing to others.  To me, it's just the way it should be done.  My parents are well off now...as am I.  But, not for a lack of hard, hard work.
2. I graduated high school and college.  I was never a perfect student, but I'm only the second person in my direct family lineage to have done so...and I'm proud of it.  Education is important.  In fact, knowledge is the only thing that can combat ignorance.
3. I was married when I was only 22.  I married the first girl I had ever dated in college.  I'm telling you this to lead up to #4...
4. I sat by my wife's side for the next 3 years and watched her slowly succumb to the effects of a rhabdomyosarcoma inside her heart.  Yes, she had a cancer tumor in her heart.  2 open heart surgeries, 3 trips to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and enough chemo and radiation to kill a small village, and she never complained.  Not even once.  I became a man in that time.  And, Im a better man for having had the experience.  It has made me a better father, a better husband, and a better man.
5. I owned a bar at one time.  I recommend it to everyone that thinks they know how to handle a business.  Try it some time.  It is quite frankly the hardest thing I have ever done.
6. I overcame alcoholism.  While I had the bar, my wife died and I poured myself into a bottle.  I drank solidly for almost a year.  One day, I woke up and had a 24oz White Russian for breakfast...and quit at that moment.  I sold my bar, gave up my apartment, and moved.  I still have a beer or 12 now and then...but, I know my limits now.  And, I am thankful that I refuse to go down that path again.
7. I have had too many jobs to count.  I have a very vast working knowledge of everything from renting movies to sales to inspecting airplane parts and knowing how to run a CNC machine.  I can discuss the GDP or the CDC value of a milling head versus the CDC of a countersink drillbit.  And, thanks to a good number of folks on ActiveRain, ReelSeekr, Twitter, and many others...real estate.
8. I married a second time...and adopted 3 beautiful daughters.  I love them so much.  And, I am proud to have them in my life.
9. I still am called ‘Dad' by them even though their mother and I are divorced.  We are far better friends than we ever were a couple.  Without having been down this road, I never would have known what it would be like to reconcile with someone on a level that can hardly be described by some.
10. I walked away from a severe drug addiction that nearly cost me my family, my health, my possessions, and my life.  I spent 3 years in the grip of methamphetamine.  Again, after waking up for the first time after being awake for nearly a week, I quit my job (my source of my addiction), sold my possessions, and moved back to Montana.  I quit cold turkey.  And, I have never looked back.  Strength is measured in different ways.  But, little can match what I had to go through to overcome this addiction...and still have to do to maintain my freedom from its continual attempts to rule my life.
11. I overcame a severe depression.  Yup, all of this pretty much send me over the deep end.  Clinically depressed, even on medication for it.  After 2 years of being on the meds, I went to my doctor and told him I didn't need them any longer.  I had learned how to deal with life...and learned that there is a positive side.  Again, strength is measured in weird ways. 
12. I met my current wife!!!  She is truly the love of my life...and I would not be where I am today without her love and support.  She is 14 years younger than me and a two-time college graduate.  And, I could not be prouder of her.  It is true that love knows no bounds. 
13. I have two glorious sons!!  Both of whom are perfect in every way. 
14. I have a fantastic job!!!  I make more money than most in my community and I live a very wonderful life.
15. My job is not my passion.  I use my job to help support my passions...my family.  I require my job to be able to provide for them.  Without them, all I would have is my job.  And what existence is that...?

My life has been far from perfect.   But, it IS my life.  And, I have used the things that have been given to me...the choices I have made...to make myself a better person now than what I was.  The key word here is ‘WAS'.  Without these negative things that have happened...positive ones too...I wouldn't have the outlook on life that I do now.  I wouldn't be me.  Im proud of who I am and where I have come from...and no emotional black hole is going to take that away from me.  No negative influence is going to force me to view anything that has happened to me other than in a positive light.  After all, we are talking about a great person here....Me.  And, if that is bragging...then so be it.

If you would like information about www.recr.com and how we can improve your bottom line, please contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058 or simply follow me on Twitter by clicking on www.twitter.com/TheRealClint

Ok...I have a confession to make: I am a Tweetaholic. 

More than that, I'm a BAD Tweetaholic.  I don't mean that I'm highly addicted to social networking (although that is certainly true).  I mean that I am guilty of using Twitter incorrectly. 

Yup.  I'm a bad tweeter.

Twitter was originally designed as a micro-blog - a short snip-it of what is occurring in your life at this exact moment stylized in 140 characters or less.  So...nothing worth of a full-blown blog...but, a snapshot of what is happening right now.

"I'm at Starbucks meeting with clients"

"Just closed on a $372,000 home! Party time!"

"Working on a blog post about being a bad Twitter user"

"Just washed the dog and now my house smells like wet St. Bernard"

You know....that kind of thing. 

But, what it has turned into is something so much more for me.  And, I am guilty of being a bad tweeter.

I am guilty of using it as a way to communicate and establish relationships with agents across the country and around the world like some kind of wordly rolodex.  I am guilty if using it like a giant global chat room; a resource center that I would never had been able to tap without using Twitter. 

Yup...I'm guilty alright.  Guilty of using Twitter to my FULLEST advantage!  I have learned more and met more supremely qualified people on Twitter than I had ever hoped to when I started this experiment.  I have relationships with some of the industry's top dogs and have developed friendships with some of the best, most qualified people I have ever had the opportunity to meet. 

I'm guilty of talking to my friends daily and knowing what is going on with their kids, their dogs, their farms, their commutes on slick roads, their caffeine addictions, their blogging habits, their successful attempts at becoming a blogging coaches, their followers and un-followers, their radio shows, their peculiar habit of wearing a tux to their closings, their work habits, their successes, their failures, their favorite foods, their favorite music, and even what color of underwear they have on currently.  And...I share mine as well. 

Oh...and the crimes get worse!

I am guilty of tapping into the business power of Twitter as well!! 

Yes, I said business power!  (And if you don't think there is business power in Twitter, you are very wrong...)

I have used Twitter to access agents (my customers) and am currently working with many of them on www.recr.com SOLELY because of my involvement with Twitter.  In fact, since I joined Twitter over a year ago, I can attribute nearly $30,000 in COMMISSIONS for myself alone just to Twitter and the people I am working with on it.

Yup.  I'm guilty. 

I'm a bad Twitter user.  I'm a bad tweeter.  I'm a bad ‘Twit'.

But, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

If you would like information on www.recr.com and how we can get you more closings, you should contact Clint at 800-977-7058 or follow Clint on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheRealClint

Anyone with any form of connective brain tissue has seen that the way real estate used to be is over.  “Times”, as they say, they are a-changin’.

Correction: Times have changed!!

And, if you have any hope of moving forward and being a viable part of this ‘new’ version of real estate, then it is time to reinvent yourself.

Sure, you can cut expenses in order to help survive.  But, cutting expenses wont generate more leads.  It surely wont help you attract the right agents to your team or brokerage.  And, it definitly wont help you or your existing agents be more productive in the future. 

So, in this brave new world of existing agents trying to figure out how to survive, less people buying homes, and damage control happening at just about every level, you must figure out a way to generate more leads, become more productive, and attract the right people to help you along your journey.  Without these three key pieces of being successful, you will ultimately fail regardless of how thin you shave your budget.

With that in mind, there are several things you can consider in the process of re-inventing yourself or your brokerage to make it stronger in the future:

1.    Office size – In this world of wireless internet at just about every corner store and bistro that has a coffee maker, the size of your office really isnt that important.  Most agents are mobile anyway.  There is really no need for the huge lavish offices that agents have maintained in the past.  Sure, you might be committed to a lease, but have you thought about what you are going to do when that lease runs out?

2.    The average age in your office – Take a good look around.  If you are surrounded by a bunch of people that grew up watching “Leave it to Beaver”, you might be in trouble.  The real key to your success would be in being able to pull off a balancing act worthy of a spotlight and a Master of Ceremonies: How do you keep your seasoned professionals and top producers successful while simultaniously attracting the younger agents you will need for your future success?

3.    Speaking of “Top Producers” – Top producers are usually the ones that are more resistant to change than others.  (Why fix what has worked so well in the past, right?)  The key to that question is this: IN THE PAST!  Just because it worked well 10 years ago doesn’t mean it will work well in 10 years.  10 years ago accessing the internet with a phone was Star Trek-esque.  Now it is so common-place that we have Facebook and Twitter apps for our smartphones.  Who knows… in 10 years we will probably be able to pull up the internet in a holographic form right in front of us at any given point in time.  Give your top producers a reason to change and help them make that transition as positive as possible.  Help them get started in social media.  Show them the advantages to expanding their sphere.  After all, the future holds good things…if youre prepared for it.

4.    Where to find younger agents – Simple: Social Media!  What is your plan for using social media?  Do you have a plan for your social media marketing?  If not, you should.  And, part of that plan should be using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to help you attract those younger agents that you need…that and expanding your sphere and getting more clients.

5.    Make it all work together – Make sure your website is fully functional, optimized (including your social media outlets), and set up to track your internet inquiries.  Doing this right will also help you with your office space issues as you will need less and less space to get your job done.

6.    Online follow-up – Speaking of online inquiries, you absolutely have to have a system in place for following up with your internet-generated leads.  NAR says that about 50% of all online inquiries are not answered.  50%!!  That is business that you are just letting go of……Can you afford to do that??  Make it a goal to follow up on your internet leads 100%.  If you can’t do that, perhaps it would be best for you to hire a virtual assistant to help you reach that goal.  Because, if you cant follow up on your internet leads, they will find someone that will.  How much money have you left on the table?? 

Im not going to sugar coat this point – Some of these are going to require an investment.  Whether that be monetary or mental, you must be willing to invest in yourself and your business if you want to survive in the future.  Either way, this investment should be viewed as such, not just an “expense”.  If you truly want to be a player in the future game of real estate, you must have these things handled.  And, you best get on it quick before someone else hungrier than you passes you by…

If you would like information on Real Estate Client Referrals, please give Clint a call at 800-977-7058.  Or, feel free to follow him on Twitter.

I follow Kevin on Twitter...and think this is one of the best things I have read in weeks!! 

Im reposting this because I think it needs said.