After sharing what happened to one of my real estate listings (it was taken and posted on craigslist as a rental property) at a BNI (Business Networking International) meeting, I was surprised that several other people in our group were either aware of or have had something like this happen in the recent past. It opened up an discussion about the do’s and don’ts of using the internet and the use of common sense when doing anything online.
One very important thing that craigslist will tell you at the top of each page is to deal with people who are local. As soon as you see a phone number or any other indication that the people you are dealing with are out of the country or not local, you should stop all communication. The other thing is to never give out any sensitive information to anyone you have not met face to face. Just a sample of that would be SS #, birth date, address and phone numbers. You will want to go see the property BEFORE submitting anything to the person with the ad. This way you know you are dealing with someone real and legit.
Please follow all good practices for doing business online.
With all the different types of marketing opportunities we have today it’s still the referral business that gives most businesses the best return on investment (ROI). The main reason is that a referral normally comes from someone who either knows how you work or has been a client or customer of your business. When someone can personally testify to your expertise and experience, it goes a long way.
One of the best ways I have found to get referrals is by simply giving referrals. As a Realtor who works with a lot of people new to an area, I am able to give out many referrals from dry cleaners to plumbers. What I find is these same people I refer to send me clients as well. You can also join a referral network like BNI as well to get started giving referrals and eventually getting them in return. The key is to remember the phrase, “givers gain” and become the number one giver to other businesses. Once you grasp this concept you are on your way to building a great referral network!
Last Saturday was a wild and wonderful day in the Life of this Realtor. I was able to watch by lovely daughter complete the Country Music Half Marathon and then go over to the East Park Community Center and witness the kids building a couple of raised beds and planting a learning garden that they will be nurturing throughout the spring and summer months. It was heartwarming to watch these young children clamor for the attention of the adults that were assisting them with their planting.
The pride of ownership they had in “their” plant as well as the enthusiasm they displayed over the watering and caring of these plants was fun to watch and inspiring. I have always been so proud to be associated with the Metro Chapter of BNI (Business Networking International) and the work we do for each other in bringing referrals and business to one another and now have yet another reason to feel blessed to be a part of this great group! If you would like to join us, we are having a visitor’s day on May 19th and I would love for you to be my guest. All my contact information is at the bottom of the page.
I am so proud to be a part of an organization that continually supports our community. That organization is the Metro BNI that meets every Tuesday morning from 7:45 to 9:30 at the East Park Community Center on Woodland Street in East Nashville. We donate money to the after school program for the kids that utilize the center. We are also participating in an ongoing garden activity that will teach the kids how to grow their own food.
On Saturday, April 25th starting at 12:30 pm the members of the Metro BNI Chapter, along with a local e-commerce company, Bevoworks.com, and a raised bed manufacturer from Bell Buckle, TN, Urban Garden, LLC, will be helping the kids at the East Park Community Center build and plant a raised garden that they will be responsible for throughout the growing season. We are planning to get together with the kids several times this year to discuss cooking with the fresh vegetables and herbs as well as just having some fun with the kids who are taking an interest in gardening. If you are in the neighborhood, please join us. I know the children in the area will be extremely excited to see you there.
Though this has been a difficult time for many Realtors, my business has continued on in a “steady as you go” way. I have been able to complete my CRS Certification during this time as well as list and sell homes. Have there been times I have wondered if I’m doing the right thing; of course there has been but the proof is in the pudding and I am convinced that without BNI and the people I have come to know in the Metro Chapter, I would not have been able to keep it going this year.
While other Realtors have retracted I have practiced what I have learned in BNI and other organizations before this and have reached out and expanded my reach and my business and my business has grown in a down market. I am writing this to encourage you to do the same and to get involved in a BNI group; hopefully the Metro Chapter.
The Metro Chapter is having a Visitors Day on May 19th, 2009 at the East Park Recreational Center on Woodland Dr. in East Nashville from 7:45 AM – 9:45 AM. If you would let me know that you are coming I will make sure there is a space for you. The cost is $10.00 and you will get to meet other likeminded marketers as well. If you have never been a part of a group like this you owe it to yourself to come see what we are about. I hope to see you there!
I recently attended a weekly BNI (Business Networking International) meeting and heard one of my favorite members talk about a home he represents and the battle against mold. Apparently, it is easier to prevent than I had ever thought. It has to do with the vents that you find going to your crawl space. Here are the rules you need to follow religiously:
Keep the vents closed in winter as this keeps the cold air out during this time of year. However, make sure they are open from spring through fall so the air can circulate throughout the underside of the house. This helps more than anything else to prevent mold from forming in your home.
This simple rule, if followed, should keep the mold at bay. What an easy thing that we can do to help our homes stay safe.
