JL's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog: January 2010

 I talk to a lot of agents and salespeople in general who are a little more than depressed about the current market. It's understandable as frankly, times are hard for a lot of folks. But there are some tried a true methods that will bring you success in virtually any market and most of them are common sense.

 10 - Make the call - I know how hard it can be sometimes to pick up that 20 pound phone and make the call. The last thing you want to hear is another no, but you have to reach out to people if you want new clients. So when you get a lead, use it, and make the call.

 9 - Follow up - When you make the initial contact with someone, try to assess their needs and see how you can help. Most Realtors fail at follow up so if you do it right, you remain ahead of the pack.

 8 - No lead is a waste of time - Every lead is worth working so do the best you can. One thing is for sure, if you don't work a lead it's a wasted lead. That doesn't mean it would be a waste of your time to work it and there's only one way to find out.

7 - Do what works - If you notice something you are doing is creating opportunity for you, then keep at it. Whether it's open houses, blogging, first time home buyer seminars, or just talking to anyone that will listen. If it works for you then keep doing it and it will keep working.

6 - Be consistent - What ever you do to advertise yourself and your business requires consistency for success. You yourself need to be consistent in your efforts to promote your services.

5 - Learn the value of time - Time is a valuable thing and you shouldn't waste it. Spend your time during the day managing your business and making efforts to draw in more business. If going home for a two hour nap in the afternoon doesn't benefit you, then skip the nap and hit the bricks.

4 - Stop fearing failure - One the fastest ways you can fail in this life is to constantly fear that you will fail. It's called a self fulfilling prophecy and that's not a road you need to travel down. At some point in life, we all fail, but that's usually the first step toward success. Edison said that most people fail because they didn't realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

3- Be available - No one works 24/7, that's a myth that Realtors like to spread around. But, that doesn't mean you strictly work a 9 to 5 schedule either. You have to be available when your clients are available.

2- Don't second guess yourself - If you make a decision, then stick with it and move on. Second guessing yourself gets you no where and it helps no one. It's the rest of the world's job to second guess you and why with unemployment so high would you want to put others out of a job. Let them do their Job and you keep doing yours.

1 - Get over rejection - Rejection is not a fun part of life, but it's part of life none the less. This business will make that fact painfully obvious at times, but you have to press forward. Some will say no, but some will say yes and that's why you ask the question. If I told you how many ladies told me know compared to the those whose number I got, you'd likely wonder why I didn't give up dating a long time ago. It took me a year and a half to get my wife to date me. Notice I said wife. We've been together for 9 years and married for three. You have to be persistent in life and in business, and in the end it pays off for both.

 One thing is for certain today, people like convenience. People love the advancements in technology that allow them to do their shopping from their living room, and run through the drive thru to pick up dinner. It makes things easier for many people, and of course there is our favorite thing, convenience.

 But real estate is and always has been a people business. In the end it is people that you are here to help. People buy homes and sell houses and it's their best interests that you are here to protect. And since you are in a people business, and it's people that you represent, then in the end you have to be around people. Every time you interact with people, it creates an opportunity to get to know someone and a chance that they or someone that they know may need the services that you provide.

 I know how nice it can be to pull into the gas station, pull out the old debt card, and pay at the pump. Then jump back in your car, drive away, and go on about your life. But when you do this, you don't interact with people. You don't walk in, talk to the cashier, or anyone else who may be waiting in line as well. Like I said, you never know who will need your help or where you will meet them.

 The same can be said for anything else that has a drive thru. I know what a hassle it can be to get out of your nice comfortable car to walk into a place, but there are benefits to doing such a thing. First and foremost is your opportunity to interact and engage other humans. And even if you don't meet your next client, you benefit from a few extra steps in your day and burning a few extra calories. So since you represent people, try taking every chance to put yourself in front of people.

 My Grandfather watches the Price is Right all the time. It's been one of his favorite shows for as long as I can remember and I had to endure it many times as a child. There was one particular game that was played by contestants that comes to mind when I think about real estate. Remember the game where there was a row of products and the contestant had to pick the right price for each product and if they got it wrong they lost?

 Well guess what, that says a lot about pricing a home for sale. You have to pick the right price if you want it to sell. Otherwise, you get to hear that incredibly annoying buzzer and the sigh of the crowd that lets you know you just lost. That buzzer represents your home for sale expiring from the market.

 If you don't price your home right, then there is little to no chance that the home will sell. Especially this day and age. Other sellers have learned how to be realistic and more importantly, they are not playing games. They are attempting to sell a house. So if you want your house to sell, I strongly suggest that you think long and hard about the Price is Right and how many people walked away disappointed because they didn't get it right.

 As always, pricing a home for sale is something of a guessing game. But you can be prepared by taking a look at comparable homes that have already sold in the area. Based on those homes that have actually sold, you can come up with a realistic price that will give you the best opportunity to avoid the sound of a sighing crowd and a blaring buzzer as you walk away empty handed.

 Nothing in this life lasts forever, not agony or opportunity. There are a lot of people out there today who are in agony due to the current market, but there are also a lot of people out there who have an awesome opportunity as well. No down turn in the economy, including the Great Depression, has lasted forever. So the good news is that at some point, those who suffer today will find relief.

 The flip side to that coin is that those who balk on the opportunity of today will miss out on their chance to take advantage of today's market. There are several key factors that make now an excellent opportunity to become a homeowner.

 Mortgage rates are at historic lows. They can't stay there forever and at some point they will rise.

 Home prices are down. For the most part, across the board homes are now cheaper than they have been in a long time. At some point those prices will rise.

 Inventory is up. Due to a decreased number of buyers in the market, the number of homes for sale is up. This gives you plenty to choose from in your search and less competition depending on the home.

 Yes, nothing lasts forever. Those who suffer today will get better tomorrow and those have an opportunity today will watch it slip away in time. Obviously if you are not ready to buy a home or you're incapable of doing so, then the opportunity doesn't matter to you. But, if you are capable and you have been thinking about doing so, then you need to seriously consider getting off that fence and seeing what opportunities lie before you.

 I believe it's time that someone shares with you a huge secret that seems to be lost on a lot of people. It may very well seem like a simple solution to a lot of problems of today, but I can assure you that it's an often overlooked epiphany. It's something that I can credit my Mother for sharing with me a long time ago and it has served me well over the years.

 It's a secret that if more people took the bull by the horns and took to heart, might make their economic standing a little better. I know you're thinking that maybe I'm blowing smoke here, but I promise that if you follow one simple rule, your life could be a little better. Are you ready to learn what this drastic measure to improve your situation is?

 IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT, THEN DON'T BUY IT!

 Learn the difference between what you want and what you need and if you don't need it and you can't afford it, then don't buy it. It's simple, but it's profound, and far too many people cast this common sense solution aside in pursuit of objects that are not a necessity. If you have a family, they need food and shelter. But if there are only three of you, then you don't need a huge home with 5 bedrooms. You just need a comfortable living space with a payment that you can afford.

 You need food on the table and heat when you and your family are cold. You don't need a 52" flat screen and a sound system. I assure you that as hard as it may be to believe, you can live without either one, I have done it my entire life. Your needs are basic, but far too many people mistake things that they want with things that they truly need. Keeping up with the Jones family is not a bright idea, because these days the Jones family is broke and covered in debt. So why would you want to be in the same shape?

 I've had a credit card since I was 18 years old. I got it for emergencies and to help establish credit. I am now 29 years old and I have yet to use that credit card. Not once, not ever, not never. If I was in an emergency and there was something that I NeededI would use the card, but most people don't use their credit cards for that purpose. They use their credit to run out and buy a bunch of crap that they are perfectly capable of living without, because they think they need it.

 Unfortunately there are many people out there today who are out of work and desperate, and this post is not for them. When you're scratching to survive and provide for your family, then all bets are off and you do what it takes. But for those out there who have a job and their head above water, use a little common sense. You can drop below water a lot faster than you think, and that's just it, you have to think. So if you can live without and you can't afford to truly buy it, then do yourself a favor and pass on it. Try actually saving money until you can buy it. 

 Believe it or not, the title is true. While there are many things that you can do in this business that requires aggressive effort, there are things you can do that could be considered a more passive form of marketing. You just have to think a little and come up with something different.

 Take for example the extra curricular activities of your children and their school. If your child plays sports at their school, then chances are you attend the games and there are other parents that attend them as well. Of course, conventional wisdom tells you to walk around, get to know all the parents and ask for their business. That's not exactly a bad way to go about it, but you can be a little more relaxed in some cases.

 I for one don't particularly like to feel as if I am bothering someone when they are trying to cheer for their children.

 There are however ways to remain in front of others without feeling like you're pressuring people. Do you have virtual tour software? Something like Visual Tours will work just fine, so will many other video editing programs and slide-show programs that will allow you to upload your information.

 Just take a good camera to the game or dance recital or any other activity you may attend. Then take some time to put together a slide show or tour of the pictures or video that you have procuredfrom the event. Make sure your picture and information is uploaded for all to see. Then you can simply email a link of it, or give a copy of it to the coach or the principal of the school and they will likely be more than willing to share it with other parents who are probably already on an email list with the school. It can be an easy way to let people know who you are and what you do without having to secure all their emails personally or feel like you are harassing them when you should be paying attention to your child as well. And this is just one example of how to do this.

 Forest Acres, SC Homes for Sale

 If you follow my blog, in the upcoming months you're going to hear a lot of information about a beautiful new community called Rockbridge Village in Forest Acres.

 One of my favorite spots in the community is the nature trail in the picture to the left. A wonderful boardwalk invites you to waltz your way through the hardwoods and get back to nature.

 The nature trail is accessable right off of the main road in Rockbridge Villageand all residents are welcome make their way through the surrounding woods and wetlands that back up to this wonderful and relaxed community.

 Forest Acres, SC Homes for Sale - Rockbridge Village

 If you're familiar with the city of Forest Acres near downtown Columbia, SC, then you know it's been quite a few years since there were any new homes for sale in the area. Well, that's a situation that has now changed. With our model home well on it's way to completion, Rockbridge Village is ready to start welcoming new homeowners to the community.

 Rockbridge Village is located only minutes from downtown Columbia, SCon Rockbridge Road off of Trenholm Road. Right near the heart of Forest acres and next door to the beautiful RockbridgeCountry Club. Enjoy taking a look at the site map of the community and stay tuned for more information on this exciting and beautiful new community.