Happy Thanksgiving!
During this time of year most of us take time out to be grateful for what we have. If you are alone, have you thought of spending part of your Thanksgiving volunteering to help others who have no one and could use some holiday cheer? Whether it’s helping a neighbor who is struggling, organizing a clothing drive for the needy, or spending time with an elderly family member who is alone, there are plenty of places you can help.
Another great suggestion is Meals on Wheels. You will meet some amazing people but more importantly, the two hours you spend will give you some wonderful memories that will cheer you through the holiday season.
Finally, Byron and I want to personally thank you for being one of our readers. We are grateful to have you with us and stay tuned—we have some incredible things ahead for you in 2025!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Don’t Get Caught in the Seasonal Lull
Every year around November 15, real estate sales typically slow down. Given the continued lack of inventory, mortgage interest rates that have yet to come down significantly, and the on-going confusion from the commission lawsuits, it’s tempting to stay in bed, watch football or Netflix, or just take it easy. If you’re smart, this is where you can get a head start on your competitors for 2025.
Clients in the market this time of year are serious about buying and selling. A lot of buyers and sellers use the excuse, “I’ll just wait until after the holidays.”
Quite frankly, most houses look their best at holiday time. Inventories in many markets have been increasing, and prices have been coming down because of it.
A great way to get your buyers off the fence right now is to search the MLS for all the properties in their price range that have had a price reduction. These sellers are usually very motivated which means it’s a great opportunity for your buyer clients to negotiate a great price.
For the sellers who do wait, the challenge in January is that a lot of other sellers have also been waiting to put their houses on the market. There will be a lot more competition in January making it harder to sell if buyers are still waiting for rates to come down.
The seasonal lull can be a huge win for buyers, sellers, and savvy agents like you who are willing to take advantage of it.
Honoring Our Brave Military Men and Women
This week we take time to honor the brave men and women who currently serve or have served in our military.
If you know someone who has a family member who is away on active duty this upcoming holiday season, if possible, do something a little extra special for that family. Many times, they are struggling financially. This is especially true if their loved one has been injured or died in the line of duty.
Moreover, when you see someone in uniform, always remember to thank him or her for their service to our country.
Four Criteria Every Buyer Should Meet
When you get a buyer lead, do you immediately schedule an appointment to take them out? If so, you need to stop doing that right now.
While it’s still somewhat unclear about how agents are supposed to handle the Buyer Brokerage Agreements, every buyer you work with should meet the four criteria outlined below before you ever put them in your car to look at property:
- If your clients are already pre-approved (not just pre-qualified), ask them to immediately speak to a mortgage professional to obtain a pre-approval letter asap.
- You have interviewed them about what they’re looking for in a property and are clear about the lifestyle and the features they want.
- In addition to getting your Buyer Broker Agreement signed (touring agreement or whatever document you are using), every single buyer should sign the Agency Disclosure. The reason this is critical is if there is a dispute about the commission, the agent who has a signed Agency agreement will be the one who gets the commission.
- They must also have the right “DNA”—the desire, need, and ability to purchase in the next 30-90 days.
If they don’t meet each of these criteria, there’s a good chance they’re not serious about buying. If they’re not ready to transact, don’t waste your time!
A Simple Way to Decrease Stress and Improve Performance
Do you have 20-30 minutes a day that you could squeeze out of your busy schedule that would decrease your stress and improve your performance? If so, do what tech giants Apple, Google, and Facebook do. If you go on campus at these companies, you will see “nap pods” in various locations inside the company. So why do these top companies allow their employees to nap on the job? 
Research has consistently shown that getting adequate amounts of sleep is one of the best ways to strengthen your brainpower. Sleep research shows that dream sleep, which is sometimes called REM sleep, allows memory to consolidate. REM also decreases stress and improves both physical and mental performance.
In contrast, when you’re tired, the brain shifts its functions from the fatigued areas to less effective secondary areas. You may feel like you’re functioning well, but it’s the “second team” that’s really playing.
So, when you’re tired in the afternoon, you’re better off taking a quick 20-30 minute nap rather than trying to power past the fatigue with caffeine or sugar. Try it out and see if it works for you!