Archive for the 'Resources for Professionals' Category
The Carnival of Real Estate #175 is at TheExitPro.com
Posted by Ben Roberts on February 15th, 2010
I think there was a bit of confusion about the location of this carnival this week. I’ll be hosting it on my new website TheExitPro.com. Head on over and check it out…
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
Focus On The Exit Pro Training and Coaching for Realtors
Posted by Ben Roberts on January 27th, 2010
I’d like to apologize to my regular readers (Bill, I know you’re out there). I haven’t been posting new content to the site recently but I have a good reason! I have cast off my earthly bonds and have created a new national real estate training and coaching business, The Exit Pro. You can learn all about it by visiting our spanking new website at TheExitPro.com. This site is mainly for Realtors in an attempt to give agents a source of Daily, motivational and educational training and support.
Next level Training and Coaching for Realtors
Exit Realty has a great system of international training. The Best in fact. We want to suplement that with daily, weekly, and monthly training and events that will create a community among our members unlike anything currently available in any real estate franchise.
Enough talk. Check us out at TheExitPro.com. You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
EXIT Pro Realty Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner and Virtual REbarcamp November 17th!
Posted by Ben Roberts on November 5th, 2009
Exit Pro Realty is pulling out all the stops during it’s monthly feast and gather by serving up Thanksgiving Dinner and Virtual REbarcamp! So eat, be merry, and learn how to make technology work for your business, all on one day!
Educating Real Estate Agents On How To Use Modern Technologies To Better Their Business Will Never Be The Same!
On November 17th, 2009 dozens of the most respected educators in the real estate industry converge to host the first of its kind, Virtual Real Estate BarCamp.
Virtual Real Estate BarCamp is a 1-Day Learning Extravaganza.
From 11am until 6pm, three concurrent webinar “rooms” will each host 9 different sessions, for a total of 27 different presentations.
There is something for everyone and everything for someone, and best of all, IT IS FREE and attendance is unlimited!
Click below to:
Check out the Session Calendar.
Attendance is projected to be at least 1000 agents, nationwide.
Do not miss out on being part of this ground-breaking event.
Session topics include:
- Social Media Risk Management
- Flickr for Real Estate
- Developing Your Brand
- Online Advertising Secrets
- Facebook for Real Estate
- WordPress Training
- Daily Goal Tracking
- Starting a Real Estate Blog
…and much more, with new sessions being added every day.
And if that wasn’t cool enough, individuals from around the country are volunteering to host In-Real-Life MeetUps for after the event.
Learn all day, and then meet to have a beer with local participants. This is going to be a blast!
We hope to see you there!
Don’t forget about the food!!!
More on the Thanksgiving Dinner/Lunch soon… just make sure and set your day aside on the 17th and come hungry!
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
Agency and Real Estate. How it Works in Arkansas.
Posted by Ben Roberts on October 26th, 2009
Ever wonder why they call us Real Estate Agents? Lots of people do. This article is about agency and real estate and how it pertains to you, the buyer or seller of a home. Many people go through the entire process never really understand how their agent represents them or what duties they have. This is important stuff so let’s get crackin’…
Agency in Real Estate… Who do Agents Represent?
Arkansas law requires real estate agents to clearly disclose to all parties in a real estate transaction which party(s) he or she is representing. Real estate agents typically represent Sellers but can also represent Buyers as well as both Buyers and Sellers in the same transaction (disclosed dual agency).
An agency relationship in real estate creates a fiduciary and ethical duty for the agent to act on your behalf and in your best interest. A fiduciary duty is legal requirement of loyalty and care.
Seller’s Agent
A Sellers’ Agent represents the Seller to protect and promote the interests of the Seller. Any information given to the Sellers’ Agent by another party must legally be given to the seller to further promote their interests. This means that if a buyer does not have representation (as in when you call a yard sign and talk to the listing agent) any information you share can and may be used against you in the transaction. Needs, motivations, financial information, an negotiating strategies are just a few of the issues that can be shared with a seller after a conversation with an unrepresented buyer.
Buyer’s Agent
Smart Buyers hire real estate agents for two reasons.
- Someone is paying a commission on the buyer’s side either way… you might as well get representation for it.
- People have neither the time nor understand of how to go through the complex search, negotiation, and closing process of home buying.
A Buyer’s Agent does the same thing as a Seller’s Agent… but for the Buyer. Try to keep up with me now. The same thing holds true in this situation. If a seller is unrepresented in a transaction (as in a property for sale by owner), the Buyer’s Agent has a duty to tell their client any pertinent information the Seller discloses about price, negotiating strategy, terms, concessions, and the Seller’s financial situation.
Are you getting the idea that it is good to be represented on either side of the transaction?
Dual Agency in Arkansas
I say in Arkansas because not a whole lot of states still offer Dual Agency. It isn’t something to be scared of though. In fact, it can make a transaction go remarkably smoothly. You are cutting out part of the process. Dual Agency actually happens any time the same firm represents the Buyer and Seller in a transaction. It doesn’t even have to be the same Agent in the firm. Both Seller and Buyer much give their written consent to be in a Dual Agency situation.
In Dual Agency the Agent becomes a ‘facilitator’ of the transaction. They still cannot disclose confidential information from one party to another but take steps to make the transaction flow smoothly and mediate any conflicts or concerns during the closing process. Realize that a Dual Agent generally gets both sides of the commission, resulting in a much higher income for the work done. This is why Agents in Arkansas like Dual Agency and will work hard to make a transaction where it exists work for all parties involved.
If you are not comfortable with Dual Agency you have a right to separate representation from the other party to the transaction.
Why You Sign on the Dotted Line
Agency is meant to help you and protect your interests as the Seller or Buyer. I talk with some many Buyers who “don’t want to be tied to one Realtor” and Agents who “can’t give the buyer a good enough reason to commit.”
Here’s what I have to say to that…
Buyers – What are you talking about? When you sign an Agency Agreement with a Realtor they are now your employee. They work for YOU. If you just go around asking Realtors to find you a house they:
- Aren’t going to take you seriously
- Will do a half-A**ed job
Why? Because they have no guarantee that they’ll get paid if they do find you a house.
Realtors – If you don’t have a good reason to get a Buyer or Seller into an Agency Relationship with you then you don’t understand Agency in Real Estate. Explain to the Buyer:
- I will work harder for you knowing that we have a committed Agency Relationship in place.
- I am legally bound to look after your interests and needs in regards to purchasing a home.
- You can dissolve our Agency relationship at any time if you feel I am not the Agent for you.
If one through three aren’t reasons enough I would wonder who the heck you are trying to represent. Seriously people. This is why the general public doesn’t take Real Estate seriously as a profession. You have to be professional. Part of that is making sure you are in an Agency Agreement with the party you represent.
If you need to know more about Agency, have a story or opinion to share, just leave a comment below or contact me. Thanks for reading.
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
Eleventh Annual EXIT International Convention Gala… What Do You Care?
Posted by Ben Roberts on September 28th, 2009
Tuesday September 29th marks the beginning of EXIT Realty’s International Convention. If you search the Internet for this event you’d probably find EXIT agents tweeting about it, your agent’s voicemail may say they are out of office attending convention… but what the heck does that mean? Are EXIT agents going to DC to party? Network? See that sights? What? And why would you care as a home owner, buyer, or seller? I’ll tell you what they are doing… and why you’ll be glad. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
Is Discipline a Dirty Word?
Posted by Larry Robison on September 23rd, 2009
Life requires discipline. If you don’t think so, think again. Every facet of our lives is shaped by the way we discipline ourselves, our families, and our peers. If you want to be truly efficient and effective in your career, you must embed discipline firmly in your life. Contrary to popular belief, discipline is not a dirty word… Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
Interview: Social Media Do’s and Don’ts for Professionals with Jeff Lobb – EXIT Realty International Technology Trainer
Posted by Ben Roberts on September 22nd, 2009
I had a good ten minute conversation with Jeff Lobb, EXIT Realty’s technology trainer about a few social media do’s and don’ts for real estate professionals. With so many ‘newbies’ in the social media world, there’s bound to be some poor decisions being made. It seems like people don’t realize that other people can see and search for the things they say, tweet, facebook, and post. I’m not telling people to censor themselves or be ingenuous. I’m simply saying, “Don’t put your foot in your mouth cause you’ll regret it.” Listen-in on what Jeff and I have to say on the matter… Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: Please leave a comment.
The Carnival of Real Estate Meat N Taters Edition
Posted by Ben Roberts on August 31st, 2009
Welcome to the Carnival of Real Estate - Meat ‘n Taters Edition! EXIT Pro Realty is proud to host CoRE #156 this week with just over 20 quality submissions. So, without further adieu… on with the show! Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 9 Comments »
42 Reasons to Join EXIT Pro Realty
Posted by Ben Roberts on August 26th, 2009
The real estate brokerage model has evolved very little in the past 20-30 years. Each national company has it’s own strengths and weaknesses as well as each regional and local independently owned franchise. Here’s 42 Reasons to Join EXIT Pro Realty…
42 Ways EXIT Pro is “doing real estate right.”
- 10% sponsorship residuals available for all associates – for life.
- Splits starting at 70/30 up to 90% with no desk fees.
- NO desk fees… period.
- Be a part of the fastest growing real estate company in history.
- FREE scheduling for your showings
- FREE automatic follow up on each showing
- FREE automatic listing reports
- NO franchise fees paid on each transaction
- Professional offices with support staff
- FREE wireless access at each office
- FREE black and white business copies
- FREE color business copies
- FREE ‘offered by’ yard signs, customized with your photo available
- NO cost to transfer your license
- 7% retirement residuals available for all associates – for life.
- FREE E-listing web-based marketing solutions
- FREE electronic tours on every listing, email your clients and prospects
- FREE property specific Listing Website on each listing
- FREE electronic property flyers, online magazines, multi-media
- FREE toll-free call capture system, never miss another lead
- RETIREMENT 401K accounts
- ONE TOUCH system, you get the listing, you get the call, not just “floor duty”
- 5% beneficiary benefit for your family – for life
- Fax delivery right to your email
- FREE business cards when you join the team
- FREE name tag when you join the team
- Win company sponsored trips to great locations
- E&O insurance is transaction based, pay only when you close
- INSURANCE – Health, Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability available
- FREE company sponsored parties and picnics
- DISCOUNTS on Realtor Related Services
- Lowe’s Realtor Benefits client program
- Agent Listing Packets – All the forms you need – grab it and go list
- Agent Selling Packets – All the forms you need – grab it and go sell!
- In House Training Programs - take your career to the next level
- Support for Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit organizations
- Cutting Edge LEAD GENERATION – helps increase your business
- FREE Weekly real estate technology training
- FREE web-casting, talking tours, and marketing for every listing
- NEW HOMES TEAM – Work a model home and let customers come to you!
- FREE For Sale By Owner Leads!
- FREE Expired Leads!
EXIT Pro agents can help me out here… got any more?
If you think EXIT Pro might be a good fit for you just contact us or use the form below…
| Discussion: Comments Off
What is Your Real Estate Career Worth?
Posted by Larry Robison on August 24th, 2009
Many years ago I attended a motivational seminar where I heard the question, “What is your time worth?” There are several ways you could view this question but here’s how I see it… Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
