Our Birthday Wish for You – Make Memories
Each year Byron and I celebrate what we call “festival month,” the month between our two birthdays. It’s a reminder how precious our time with family and friends is as well as how quickly the years fly by.
As I look back over the years, the one thing I would do over would be to spend more time with the people I’m closest too rather than events just to take out another client. Today I can’t even remember those people’s names. What I do remember, however, are those times where I did take the time to create special memories with loved ones.
So, our wish for you is that you take time to create a special memory today and every day. You and your loved ones will be glad that you did.
How Dependable Are You?
Dependability is one of the most critical factors needed for real estate success. When an agent is dependable, you can count on them to do what they say they will do, show up on time for appointments, and to follow-up on what they promise. They utilize their time wisely and keep focused on the job at hand.
When agents lack dependability, they lack effective time management skills, allow interruptions to disrupt important activities, and often fail to make good on what they promise. If you want more clients for your business, dependability is a must.
If you need to upgrade how dependable you are, a great place to start is by always leaving at least ten minutes early for every appointment. If you’re waiting for your clients, use that time to listen to informative podcasts, do a quick Facebook or Instagram post to one of your clients, or take a quick video to send to your clients about a timely topic.
Off to Real Estate Connect in New York City
Real Estate Connect in New York City promises to one of the most important events of the year. AI is transforming every part of our business and one of the founders of ChatGpt will be on stage with Brad Inman to discuss the
ramifications of this rapidly evolving technology.
Another major topic will be the commission lawsuits. I just finished a rather scathing article for Inman which I hope will run next week. (It will be in the next edition of RealClues.) As of January 17, another copycat lawsuit was filed naming 36 defendants in California including many of the largest brokerages in the state, all the MLSs in the areas in which the plaintiffs did business, as well as CAR and a number of local associations.
The rest of the agenda looks amazing, and I am happy to announce that Kenya Burrell-Van Wormer and Kat Winston who were featured in last week’s RealClues will also be on the main stage at Connect.
Of course, one of the best things about being in the Big Apple is that next week is restaurant week—looking forward to sampling some of the best of the best food in Manhattan.
Seeking the Next Gen of Innovation
While we don’t generally cover a lot of “Proptech” and “Fintech” in RealClues, my good friends Kenya Burrell-Van Wormer and Katherine (Kat) Winston who are part of our Awesome Females in Real Estate Conference, are venturing into
the VC space. Their primary goal is to help the “underrepresented, underestimated, and underutilized” entrepreneurs, realtors, and innovators who have a great idea that can benefit the real estate industry and take that idea to market.
What’s especially remarkable about what they’re doing is that they are the first women of color to venture into this space.
If you or someone you know has a great idea that could help agents, lenders, MLSs, or other companies that serve the industry, please share this article with them. It could be a win-win for both that person and our industry.
Personally, I hope you will join me in wishing Kat and Kenya tremendous success.
Four Buyer Criteria Every Buyer Should Meet
When you get a buyer lead, do you immediately schedule an appointment to take them out? If so, here’s a great change to make in your business for 2024 that will help you to close more deals with less work.
Before you ever put a client in your car, make sure that they have met the four criteria below: 
- They have a pre-approval letter or agree to immediately speak to a mortgage professional to obtain one.
- You have interviewed them about what they’re looking for in a property and that you are clear not only on the features they want, but their lifestyle and what matters most to them.
- They have signed an Exclusive Buyer’s Agreement that states they agree to work with you exclusively. If they haven’t done so, at least have them sign your state’s required Agency paperwork for you to represent them as a buyer.
- They must also have the right “DNA”—the desire, need, and ability to purchase in the next 30-60 days.
If they don’t meet each of these criteria, there’s a good chance they’re not serious about buying. Don’t waste your time!