I missed a call on my desk phone while speaking to a REALTOR on my cell. I called the front office and inquired as to who was looking for me. "Oh, it was a man who said he wants you to list his house. He said he'll call your cell," came the nonchalant reply.
I was anything but nonchalant in my reaction.
"Nice! You didn't get his name and number? Oh, I'll wait for his call then." I wondered whether it would materialize.
Not 2 minutes later my cell phone did ring and it was indeed the same man, calling me to list his home for him. Now, please understand, I am trying to keep my excitement in check so the man doesn't think I am a total dork. I don't usually get calls from people who have already decided they want to list with me. I do the same as most other agents. I have my listing presentation and go on listing appointments fully expecting to be hired but still having to go through the "interview process." This was different and I would have been doing somersaults if my body allowed such things.
I have been working really hard this year to develop a web presence. Active Rain has bumped up the results I get from my efforts. Unbelievably so! I get emails and phonecalls from people that tell me they saw me on the web quite frequently now. But I've never had someone just call and drop a listing on my lap. Until now!
Of course I jest about not needing a listing presentation. I'm not that cocky. Really. But it's no joke that those of us who are making the effort to become the local experts will be laughing last and laughing hardest. Dagnabit, it feels good!!
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
None of this information is to be deemed legal or financial advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for same.
Maggie - first of all - congratulations! I'm glad to see your investment of time and effort in AR paying off.
Second - you need to have a serious talk with your front office. Policies and training need to be changed if a listing call can come in and they don't even get the person's name and number! No office should have a "casual" attitude toward such calls.
Best of luck with your listing.
Maggie - WOO-HOO!!! I'm so excited for you!!! It is just downright cool to get those calls - they already know they want YOU! Way to go!!
Ann
Yahooooooooooo! Good for you....
Now get someone to train the jokers at the front desk! :)
Hi Maggie.
I closed a sale yesterday from a long time tire kicker (4 years) who spotted me on Active Rain. He had been looking and looking and looking, my guess is that he saw me in cyberspace and remembered me. It was a tough negotiation but at the end of the day he said to me "you were worth every penny". So congratulations and persevere.
Congrats Maggie, that is AWESOME! That is what this is all about, God bless Active Rain!
Hi Maggie...congrats! It is indeed sweet when your efforts and hard work pay off. With more than 80% of prospective buyers now beginning their searches online, people like you will continue to soar.
Best wishes...Jay Burnham
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts
*** YAY, MAGGIE!!! ***
Good for you!! You might feel like this was a nice, easy one and that it just fell into your lap. But noooooo, I think this was the result of all those hours you've spent blogging, showing off your skills and personality and teaching people about your area.
You DID work hard for this and you deserve it!! Doesn't Broker Bryant tell us about how, thanks to AR, he has people "pretrained" about his methods when they call him to list? You're "training" your potential clients!! And it's WORKING!!
Get ready for more to just "fall into your lap" -- your blog IS your presentation!!
Brian - thank you! I was too happy to speak with them yesterday when this happened. But you're absolutely right. A message should have been attempted.
Ann - thank you! I ran around the office telling whoever would listen afterwards. I think they may start paying more attention to the "kook with the blog" after a few more of these. lol
Fran - thanks! LOL I'll have a talk with them on Monday.
Denise - what a fabulous compliment he paid you! Good for you. This guy did bring up commission on the phone and although I've been trained on how to put that off until meeting in person I decided to take a chance and gave it to him right them and there. He had no problem with full service, full commission. He wanted it!
Janie - thank you! I have seen you quietly taking over Localism in Miami. Thank goodness it's a big place otherwise I'd have to start worrying. LOL Congratulations! Got my Expo tickets yesterday!
Jay - thank you for your thoughtful comment. I had gotten hold of the fact last year that the majority of buyers search online. It wasn't until I discovered Active Rain that I found a way to actually show up on their searches. It truly is amazing.
Sarah - thank you! Of course you are right that it was the payoff of work, but I still looked at it as gravy. Everything about this place is so amazing.
So did they give you the listing or not?
What is it?
Maggie, I would agree with those above that said this is a result of your hard work and dedication to providing "free" advice online. I had a prospect email me to ask for help in building a new home. I helped them find the right community and builder ... but it wasn't Synergy Homes. As a result of my so called "expert" position online they trusted me to discuss their needs ... but I had to turn them over to the right home builder and it wasn't me in this case.
Danny - hi! I couldn't pinpoint whether the Rain was what led him to my site. I do try to find out to see what's working out there. I couldn't be sure this time.
Jennifer - thanks. Yes, I am feeling like I can write 10 Localism posts tomorrow (today I have a full day of appointments)!
Diane - Nick M. wrote the other day about how he dealt with one such telemarketer. It was funny. Pretty soon you'll be able to tell them "are you near a computer, let's see how I rank right now." and shoe them you're doing better SEO and for free. I've been lucky, I have not gotten any of those calls!
Neal - so much for reading between the lines. The papers will be signed Monday. I need to see the home to make sure my CMA is right on. It's a SFR 4/3 2660SF mid to low 400's. Is that what you meant?
Caroline - I still kick myself for not jumping on the blogging bandwagon when I first heard of it 2 years ago. Better late than never I guess. I'm glad I'm blogging now! =)
John - thank you! I had never heard that saying but I like it very much and will be remembering it!
Steve - you have to pat yourself on the back for doing the right thing and helping them out with your expertise. I am sure it will be repaid to you a hundredfold in time. I've always believed that what goes around, comes around.
Blog Boy Broker Bryant - hello! Thank you. I do look forward to that day. May I be only half as successful as you....I'll be happy!!
Broker Maggie...
Now didn't I tell you that always doing the right thing brings the right thing back to you?:)
Welcome to the world of Real Estate success. Cha Ching. LOL.
TLW...ROAR!
Maggie,
Yes that is what I meant and I was just busting your chops...congrats!
Wonderful. I have the same experience with buyers. "I read what you say on your web site and I want you to be my agent".
It works and it's been working for me for 12 years now.
Maggie- I don't want to correct you, but I believe the title should have read "Listing Presentation - Schmisting Mesentation." Unless of course, the "shh" sound can be successfully used on word two. In that case we would forget the M and use the shh. As in:
Grocery Store - Schmocery Schmore. Yes. And it's fun to say too.
I just thought "presentation" should get the same treatment.
As far as the listing: Good for you!!! I am so happy that you decided to develop a web presence and you did just that. That's called setting and achieving your goals and the best of us do that. Good for you for being the best of us!
Hey Broker-Maggie,
Great work, you make me proud to know you!
Great job, Maggie, and congatulations. Things seem a bit disorganized in your office - that kind of call is not something that should be left hanging. There needs to be a better procedure. Hopefully what he wants to list at is in line with your comps, and all the other stuff you would cover is a presentation with be acceptable! Keep us posted.
Jeff
In my first day of training as a real estate agent with a prudential franchise, there was some role playing done. Instead of having a good agent come in and do the part of the agent who wants listing - they had the top producer do it - who happens to be the daughter of the president of the company (hence the power of the book of business)... her 17.5M/yr attitude came out in her listing presentation without a doubt.
7% seems high? Well I do x,y,z... I'll take your listing for 5% as you requested but what in that list shall I leave out??
They asked all the rookies what we learned... I was last. I had no idea because I thought it was stupid. I said "Sometimes cockiness isn't a bad thing..."
Sometimes it isn't! Sometimes it is the control and attitude that a seller WANTS you to have. If you watch the Reality shows like Million Dollar Agent - they're ALL cocky - even the rookies! And some sellers WANT that because they think it will be a listing that will sell quickly and for the right price...
Great job getting your SEO up ... I'm proud of you - my South Florida AR Buddy!
Rock and Roll! It's nice to see that it's working for you and that your efforts are paying off...I'm still waiting, but I'm confident that it will happen!
R.B. "Bob" Mitchell
ValueList Real Estate Services, inc.
Good going, Maggie!
Sorry I'm late getting back. I had a most eventful day yesterday. Thank you all for stopping by!
Ross - those who have seen the value of Active Rain and make use of all it offers, will excel, in my opinion. Congratulations to you for being one of those!
Midori - you say the sweetest things. Thank you. I have to admit that I am lacking in the Localism department. I have gotten stuck in the socializng, fun part of Active Rain and have not focused a lot of effort on Localism. I need to change that!
Billie - you can always manage to make me smile. I like the sound of that cha ching. Can you do one more? lol
Neal - my chops are sore. No one can bust 'em like you. Where are my chops anyway? :) Thanks.
Lenn - your experience makes me hopeful. It's hard to argue with a proven track record. Done right, marketing on the web works. Thanks for stopping by!
Beth - thanks for the nice words! As for the origin of dagnabit, I am not sure where it started, but the first time I heard it was on the kid's cartoon show Hey Arnold! (the footballhead) about 5 years ago. His grandpa would say that...I think! My memory's not what it used to be =)
Timothy - thank you! Your enthusiasm is contagious. My day's off to a good start already =)
Karen - you and I think alike. I actually wondered about morphing "Presentation" into something else at first. I couldn't come up with anything that sounded right so I let it be. My friend Karen (umm, you!) had a great post about SEO and the first 4 words in a title which I need to be paying more attention to. =) Thanks for the congrats!
Lynda - hi! Thank you. You're always so sweet =) Right after I finish my replies I'm going to go open that email you sent me. Thank you!
Laura - hi =) thanks for the nice words. It feels good to have my efforts start producing results. Yay!
Hi Jeff! - No, my office isn't disorganized, just a case of a receptionist who failed to push for a phone number. It did make me wonder about the exact workings of the phone system...like how many rings it takes before a call at my desk bounces back to the front. I'll be doing some testing at the office this week! Yes, you're right about the comps. I'm hoping the number in his head is in line with reality. If not, I will try to educate. I will definitely keep you posted!
David - you're right. There is much to be gained by being confident in yourself. I believe it shows to others that you know what you are talking about when you speak with confidence. I didn't know you're licensed as a real estate agent too. Did you start out in sales? Thanks for the kind words!
Thesa - thank you! I guess I'm having a hard time looking at AR as "work" because it's fun. Whatever it is, I'm glad I found it!
Yvonne - I've seen how you have been busy here in AR. It's only a matter of time for your results to start. I am sure of it.
Hi Roger! The number 1 probably came about because you may have clicked on the icon next to the link icon in the comment box. It numbers your lists. No worries! Feel free to call me. I have to tell you however, that I haven't been doing anything more than some Localism posts and not too many at that. As I've mentioned before, I need to get serious about Localism. That is what drives our key word results. I need to go re-read Karen George's posts for more tips.
Valerie - no, you're cuter! lol Blogging is the best thing since sliced bread. How did I get along without it before?!
Debbie - yay!! I extend congratulations to you! Some of the listings are so hard to get that an "easy" one every once in a while doesn't quite balance the scales but it sure is nice!
John - wow, thanks! I sure hope I have a sale to talk about later. Listings are fabulous but we all know it's closings we want =)
Christy - I had a really hard time keeping it in check too. I kept wriggling in my seat, the excitement just wanted out. When I hung up that phone I let it loose! I can't wait to hear about yours. It will happen!
Daniel - thanks. AR is definitely a part of marketing I will never give up. I see what it is capable of doing. Yes, it takes work, but the returns more than make up for it. Make the most of it!
Bob - keep that confidence going. As long as you're posting to Localism and using your key words in your posts, you will start ranking in searches and the rest should follow.
Ashley - thank you. You reminded me of that old song, Barbara Ann. Rockin and a rollin, rockin and a reelin, Barbara Ann. Now I won't be able to get it out of my head today!
Doreen - awwww, what a lovely thing to say. I can't imagine anything nicer than being a blessing to people. Thank you.
Hi Sally - thank you! That is such a cute graphic. I'm saving that one!
Beth - I just did. lol It felt good. It made me realize that now that I work for myself and I don't have a boss acknowledging my good works I really need to do it myself. hmm! Thank you.
Greg - thank you. I look forward to hearing all about the convention. I only noticed the day after that I had missed the dates. LOL Please keep me posted!
Ryan - thank you. I do look at it as "play time" because of the fun I have here. But I need to put in some "work" time on Localism. You're doing a great job with your blog.
Maggie, as always, thanks so much for your kind words. I appreciate the feedback. I'm just trying to keep up with you ;) Ha!
Bob - hello! Thanks for your loyal support. I appreciate it! Where do you get all those cute graphics? I think I may steal this one too.
Ryan - ha! now who is flattering who? =) You're doing a great job on your own and there is no catching up required. Really!