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Monthly Archives: March 2010

Facebook and Superlative Open Office Meetings

Mar 19, 2010 by Phil Sexton

Instead of scheduling 1 on 1 meetings to answer technology questions that I receive, we’re going to try something brand new! Based on the feedback from this open office post we are going to answer the questions in the bullpen or conference room of the Paradise Valley branch.  Come one come all.  It doesn’t matter which company or industry you’re apart of – everyone is welcome. Yes you.

Question 1: Can I make a facebook fan page for my subdivision?

Answer 1: Yes, it looks like there are already a couple of fan pages for your subdivision, but they appear to be automatic-posting hubs, which means there is no real value.  Take a look at facebook fan pages for real estate agents.  I’ll be happy to meet with you in order to get it set up.

Facebook Fan Page Open Office Meeting: Monday March 22nd @ 11am

Question 2: Will you help me figure out how to edit my Superlative website?

Answer 2: Yes, what would you like to know?  (Insert questions about importing google maps, slideshows, and calendars. Install a live chat link, feature blog posts, and team bios.)

Superlative Open Office Meeting: Tuesday March 23rd @ 10am (or after the regular PV office mtg)

Invite you friends. Bring your computers. Let’s work together!

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Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMI) coming to Arizona

Mar 19, 2010 by Phil Sexton

The Arizona Association of REALTORS® is working with the SMMI to bring this class to Arizona. Also see their calendar for free upcoming facebook classes.

Social Media is Simple to Engage In … But It’s Easy to End Up As a Car Wreck

Consumers can now engage with real estate professionals on the terms of the consumer and with the consumer’s approval and permission; leading to a better understanding of consumer wants and needs through effective engagement and listening.

The two-day Certified Social Media Marketer (CSM) designation course teaches you to:

  • Understand the difference between interruptive and consumer permission-based marketing and how Social Media allows the consumer to avoid receiving advertising and marketing messages they wish to avoid.
  • Comply with the National Association of REALTORS®’ Code of Ethics Articles 12 & 15, understanding how changes to those articles affect responsible interaction on Social media platforms.
  • Avoid misrepresentation, plagiarism and reputation issues through proper risk management techniques and safety awareness.
  • Implement Social Media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, LinkedIn, et al.) as part of an overall strategy.
  • Develop business strategies for social networks, social bookmarking, blogging, micro‐blogging, lifestreaming, file sharing, and related tools.
  • Understand etiquette, branding and the effective steps to connecting with consumers in a manner that contributes value to the consumer’s community online.
  • Implement systems to protect client data and privacy.

Date: March 29 & 30
Location: Phoenix Association of REALTORS®
Cost: $249* course fee includes one year Institute membership ($99 value)
*($50 discount off regular registration fee of $299)
C/E: 14 general credit (AAR school)

What past students say: Testimonials

You’ll leave the course with a written plan with actual strategies to close REAL business using social media.

And, you’ll learn how to manage your risk when using social media – go to budurl.com/SMMIAZ to sign up!

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Do you know about FHA 203k rehab loans?

Mar 18, 2010 by Phil Sexton

If not, you may want to either read this lengthy info on the HUD website, or you are welcome to attend this free…

FHA 203K Learning Seminar

Presented by Alex Jovicich – New Front Group, Joe Prestia at Valley Services, and Margo Rockas and Matthew Belmont of OnQ Financial.

They will be discussing 203K purchases, repairs, and other questions as they relate to contracts and escrow processes in a 203K FHA purchase.

Where:
John Hall and Associates Tatum Branch – Kiva Room
11211 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85028

When:
March 31st 2010 at 12:00pm

Who:
Everyone.  Yes you.  No need to be with John Hall & Associates or in the real estate business.  This is open to ALL.

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Real Estate Agents Gathering To Work? (#RETT)

Mar 17, 2010 by Phil Sexton

(They're green for St Paddy's Day)

I like full circles. Here’s a good one with an added twist on the end.

First There Were Bullpens

Agents would come and work in their real estate broker’s branch office.  Why?  Partly because they had to in order to gain access to listing information, office equipment, and/or to meet clients.  Some of the benefits of having to come into the office were camaraderie, energy, and from what I hear a sense of community.

Insert Technological Advancements

Affordable technology changed the game.  Agents starting buying copy and fax machines, computers, and scanners for their home offices.  Realtor essentials started flocking to the internet – most notable, the MLS.  (I still hear campfire stories about MLS books.)  Add on cellphone technology and company intranets and now you have eliminated the *need for agents to come into the office.  With many individual offices comes much less camaraderie, energy, and from what I hear a smaller sense of community.

Online Networks

Twitter and facebook emerge and help identify that even though people may work on the road or out of their home office, they still like to connect with others in their industry.  Ideas are shared, good practices are shared and there becomes a renewed sense of camaraderie, energy, and community – primarily based on interacting online.  The difference with these online communities is that there are no lines in the sand based on what company you are with, or whether you’re a lender or title rep, etc.  Everyone starts sharing with everyone. These connections turn into face-to-face gatherings like barcamps, tweet-ups, and the sort.  Some are work related, some are purely social.

#RETT

A group of forward thinking real estate industry folk (Dean Ouellette, Nick Bastian, Jay Thompson, Justin Mchood, Shane Hollenback, Bill Risser) take the face-to-face work meetings to the next level.  In addition to regularly communicating via the internet, they decide to also meet face-to-face in order to share ideas/work together on a more regular basis. (They call it Real Estate Tech Tank – aka #RETT.) It’s similar to the open collaboration of ideas that are being shared in the online communities, only now it’s face-to-face.  One person’s comment about #RETT was something like “it sounds like the bullpens have made a come back”.  I kind of agree…

The Twist

The “bullpens” being used for #RETT are open to everyone, not just members of a particular company.  That is a huge twist.  Now product sales guys, lenders, title reps, Thompson’s Realty agents, Realty Executives agents, and John Hall & Associates agents can all sit around a table working on their individual tasks or listening to a presentation together.  Camaraderie, energy, and sense of community are back in the face-to-face world!

There are other #RETT locations popping up around Arizona.  It appears to me, people like working around others in work environments.  There is now a #RETTphx at the Phoenix Association of REALTORS® and a #RETTredrocks in Sedona.

My Comments

It forces me ask myself, is it time to open the John Hall & Associates real estate offices to all?  Would it be better to have open office work environments where all are welcome regardless of what you do or what company you are with?  I guess if it started to get *crazy* it could cause the the elimination of the twist and offices would go back to being company specific?  But then maybe there would be a renewed sense of camaraderie, energy, and sense of community?  Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree at a 100% brokerage.

I’m definitely looking for feedback on this one, what do you think?

(If you don’t want to post publically, feel free to email me – psexton at johnhall dot com)

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Scottsdale Meeting Rewind

Mar 16, 2010 by Phil Sexton

Phil’s Topics:

We’ve updated the Online Exposure of John Hall Listings form on the intranet.  There is both a PDF version and a Word version.  The Word version is for those that would like to edit the sheet before adding it to your listing presentations.

The Intranets’ Discussion section has seen recent activity with printer cartridges, open house signs, and diamond rings being posted in the “For Sale” section.  And a used computer in the “Wants” section.

RE BarCamp is scheduled for April 9th at the Scottsdale Stadium.  Several people in the meeting attended last year and described it as high-energy and said there is non-stop learning.  Please RSVP on rebarcamp.com/phoenix

Several more sponsors have stepped up to help with our charity golf tournament to benefit MDA!  The tournament is May10th at Troon North.  Opportunity Tickets are $20 and get you a chance at winning some awesome prizes.  More information available at JohnHall.com/mdagolf

Slydial.com is a website I learned about at the AAR Winter Conference last week.  It allows callers to go directly into someone’s voicemail.  More about it in an article I wrote for the new AAR blog.

Demonstrated the new flexmls map overlays.  Talked about the unique benefits for Flexmls IDX subscribers as well.

Warning about emails containing viruses.  Please don’t open attachments from emails about google resumes, hallmark cards, ebay order confirmations, or amazon order confirmations.

WEMAR YPN event tonight at One Lexington from 4-7.  Happy hour and Trustee Sales Q&A.

Jim’s Topics:

ARMLS has posted their February stats.  Cromford Report is being updated again.  We looked at the fact February’s year-over-year monthly price appreciation was positive for the first time in over 40 months.  Expect the news sources to be reporting on it soon.

Tom Ruff’s newsletter is worth your read (available once logged into cromfordreport.com).  He has tracked what has happened with the trustee sales from February a year ago and reports back some crazy appreciation numbers for those that have been resold.  Tom also explains the tax assessor values from the notices we just received.

The short sale seller advisory now has a built in receipt – page 5.  No need to continue using the John Hall specific receipt form.  Also, mentioned is to make sure and add your CE credits to the ADRE website.  Be sure to click some of the links in the SSSadvisory so you are familiar with where the answers are to the questions you get asked. Phil adds, if you have the words “Short Sale” on your website anywhere, it may be a good idea to link your visitors directly to the advisory.  The SSSAdvisory is available from the Phoenix Real Estate Toolbar or AARonline.com

The Arizona Foreclosure Workbook linked from page 2 of the SSSAdvisory.  (This is good to link from your website if you have the word “Foreclosure” anywhere.)  A few noted pages; 14 (How to Write A Hardship Letter) and 25 (IRS Debt Cancellation and the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act).

The CEO of ARMLS Bob Bemis is doing quarterly meetings around the valley that all agents are welcome to attend.  Jim shared a few of the good slides from Bob’s presentation showing membership numbers, top rule violations, and Top Ten frequently asked questions on their helpline.

The AAR newsletter was highlighted.  If you’d like to learn about BPO’s, more about HAFA, or just know what forms were recently updated all is included in this months’ issue.  Jim’s legal hotline question of the month seemed to stump a few agents in attendance.  The first bite at the apple was a nullity!

Be on the look out for Tax Credit information to be publicized from AAR and ARMLS. Participate in National Open House Day – April 10th.  No, Jim doesn’t feel the tax credit is going to be extended again because NAR isn’t even asking.

Miss a meeting, miss a lot!

See you at PV next week.

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Luxury Homes Division – March’s Meeting

Mar 14, 2010 by Phil Sexton

Knowledge is a powerful thing and our guest speaker will increase that for all of us at the next Luxury Home Division Meeting.

The speaker will be Karla Childers of AZ Vacant Home Solutions.  Karla and her business partner, Debbie Fishell have found that many realtors and home owners do not have adequate knowledge to review or discuss the proper insurance needed in different home occupancy situations with their insurance representative. This can result in clients paying higher than necessary premiums or having the wrong policy altogether resulting in rejected claims.

With 20 years of insurance background, Karla will discuss 3 main insurance policies and which is the correct one to have when a home is occupied vs. vacant to prevent cancellation of an policy or denial of a loss. Many homeowners and realtors don’t understand the insurance consequences of property exposure and, more importantly, liability issues that result from the incorrect policy.

They will also go over statistics showing current numbers of vacant homes in Arizona and the issues surrounding them, as well as providing several solutions. A comparison will be shown between a vacant vs. renting vs. using staging and house-sitting services. They will discuss ways to reduce the owners holding cost while their property is for sale and how they can have an ‘edge’ to get a faster sale at the highest possible price. This reduces liability and puts more money in the owner’s and realtor’s pockets! Everyone benefits.

Their goal is to get our real estate economy moving and stimulated. A healthy growing economy helps everyone on so many levels.

Luxury Home Division Meeting, March 17th at 8:30 am in the Paradise Valley Office. Luxury Home Tour to follow the meeting.

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Savable Map Shapes – Flexmls Feature Friday

Mar 12, 2010 by Phil Sexton

Today feels like a good day to pick on subdivisions.  If I’m searching for a home in a particular subdivision, trusting the subdivision field can be scary. I usually get more results when I draw a shape on the map outlining the subdivision than I do when using the subdivision field.  The only problem is that until last week, it has taken too much time to always be drawing exact shapes whenever I want to do a subdivision search.  That has changed with last week’s map overlay upgrade.

Is the mapping 100% accurate, no.  Do I trust mapping more than I trust the subdivision field, yes.  Here’s one example why I trust map shapes more than subdivision names.

Active Search Results for:

Subdivision Field: westwing mountain = 49

Subdivision Field: *westwing* = 53

Map Shape: Outline of Westwing Mountain subdivision = 58

This shows me the map shape is more accurate than human entered subdivisions.  The problem?  It took too long to always be drawing exact shapes around particular subdivisions…    Until Now!

Time to get to the flexmls feature part of this flexmls feature friday – savable map overlays.  Now I can draw an exact shape around Westwing Mountain, save it, and use it over and over again.

To create a shape, go to Preferences – > My Map Overlays.  Follow the prompts.

If you like video tutorials, here’s a good one.

Happy f-cubed!

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Are you able to drive to Prescott next Thursday?

Mar 5, 2010 by Phil Sexton

If you can, you should.  It’s your State REALTOR® Association’s annual conference.  AND Arizona just so happens to be one of the most forward thinking State Associations in the country.  These people get it – they’ve already signed up.

You can learn from Amy Swaney, Meghaen Duger, and Evo Terra all in the general morning session.  Does ‘something for everyone’ come to mind?  Amy spoke last year, that’s where I got a picture of these slides that are still one of the most popular posts on our blog.  Meghaen is a Lobbyist for AAR and she’ll be talking about the laws that affect us REALTORS®.  Evo Terro?  Have you listened to Digitally Expose Yourself?  He is full of spot-on technology advice when it comes to doing business in the world of 2010.  Keep in mind, the general session is the warm-up act for what’s to come…

  • Mini RE BarCamp
  • Short Sales – Seller & Buyer Legal Considerations
  • Killer Listing Presentations
  • Agent 2.0: Technology Tools
  • Short Sales – Getting the Transaction Closed
  • Financing Options for Your Buyers
  • Social Media & Ethics
  • Disclosures on Short Sales/Vacant Homes
  • Green: Top 10 Things You Need to Know
  • Road Warrior: Run Your Business as a Mobile Office
  • REALTORS® Property Resource

All on Thursday. Seriously relevant topics for Arizona real estate professionals.  I’ve only shared what’s going on Thursday because last year I was only interested in going to Prescott for 1 day, no over-night stays.  Now that I’ve been and am getting to know some of the other REALTORS® around the state I’m going up Wednesday and staying the night. I’m not gonna lie, as much as I enjoy learning from some of the brightest minds in our state, I *really* enjoy the downtime.  Some may call it – the networking.

Quick rant about the word networking. It’s not my favorite word.  To me it implies much more work than fun.  I want a word that implies more fun than work, but is still taken seriously.  (Because having fun is serious.)  What’s a good word for participating and having fun with your friends at a work conference?

Okay, I’m back.  If you’re interested in the fun with friends part (aka networking), there’s a pretty solid rumor going around that on Wednesday night a bunch of folks are going to be getting together at the Raven around 9pm.  You may hear this referred to as a tweet-up because twitter and other social media tools are such an effective way to get people together.  The Raven was selected because of its lovely atmosphere, with spacious… just kidding, I heard they have a good beer selection.

For more information about the Winter Conference check out Sage’s article over on the NEW AAR Blog.  Hopefully I’ll see you Thursday! (and Wednesday night???)

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Diane Flannigan left her heart in San Francisco

Mar 4, 2010 by Marge Lindsay

I was told many years ago that the only thing consistent in our industry is change. It appears that this is true!

It is with mixed emotions that I tell you Diane Flannigan will be leaving John Hall & Associates.

It has been a wonderful three years since she joined us. But Diane’s heart, as the song says, has been in San Francisco. She loves the Bay area. She loves the climate. As anyone who has ever talked to her knows, this is where she has always wanted to be and she’s said she hopes to retire there. Yes, she is going back.

Coldwell Banker had a need for a national trainer and will soon have her covering at least three states doing what she loves. We thank her for the time here and the wonderful contribution she has made to us individually and through the company.

We will miss you Diane, but wish you success and happiness as you enter another stage in your career.

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Marge Lindsay teaching GRI 203 in Phoenix, AZ

Mar 4, 2010 by Phil Sexton

Are you working towards getting your GRI designation?  If you are you know about the *required courses you must take.  Maybe you’ve driven across Arizona to find ones that fit your schedule.  Well, this friendly annoucement is about one of the required ones, GRI 203, that is being offered at the Phoenix Association of REALTORS®.  John Hall & Associates’ Associate Broker Marge Lindsay just so happens to be teaching it!

As it’s described on www.AZGRI.com:

203: The Agency Course (3-contract law/5-agency law/3-real estate legal issues/3-disclosure) is a two-day *REQUIRED module designed to clarify most of the confusion surrounding agency law in this practical approach for today’s professional.

For more information and the sign-up form, check out this PDF file.

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