I often get asked, “How long does it take to be successful in this business?” The next most common question is “How many hours do I have to work to be successful?” Both questions are the opening to a discussion that is different for almost everyone who asks it. The first question leads to my return question, “How do you define success?” Success is different for everyone. It means different things to different people. To me, you must have a target to aim for and measure against. While time frame is important, does it really matter how long it takes as long as you get there? It also matters that once you reach what you consider to be successful, that you can stay there! Longevity matters! But to be specific, I have always maintained that a successful originator be able to average 8 to 10 units per month consistently year…
Posted On Monday, 13 September 2021 00:00 Written by
“The first step in getting what you want from life is deciding what you want.” Ben Stein  Your mortgage is usually the biggest debt you have. It is usually the one debt you keep the longest too.   Getting the right terms on your mortgage will impact your financial struggles and successes through life.   Imagine  Describe what you want in your home.  What are the amenities in the house that are a necessity? Describe the surrounding area where you want to live. Do you want to be in the city, the suburbs, or out in the country?    How long do you plan to keep the home and the mortgage? What other activities will be a part of your lifestyle?  Will your home be located near those events and activities? What other financial events do you expect over the next five years?
Assess How much can you comfortably afford…
Posted On Monday, 13 September 2021 00:00 Written by
I wanted to share success stories from the street of real originators and managers who are using the strategies to improve the number of opportunities and create new relationships. It never gets old when execution leads to, or even exceeds anticipated results! Running the bank route. In an effort to create new opportunities from small banks and credit unions, they followed the plan and selected ten locations within 10 miles of their starting point (office) in each direction N/S/E/W. Following the schedule, they would be able to visit and connect with forty locations every month. The second week they ran into a small bank that was closing their mortgage division and this manager was able secure a complete branch office and about 35 million in production when he hired the whole team as a unit. The branches still refer their mortgage opportunities to the same team they know and trust,…
Posted On Monday, 06 September 2021 00:00 Written by
Julie Timms began her real estate career in 1979 in Hilton Head Island, SC and in 1985 opened her first brokerage, a Coldwell Banker franchise. In 1998, Julie and her husband, Bernie Timms, decided to downsize and open a small independent brokerage. In all those years Julie’s has focused on one thing – the success of each individual client. Julie’s desire for excellence in her business has led her to achieve the following real estate designations and certifications: ABR, CRS, CCIM, CLHMS, e-Pro, GRI, RSPS, TRC.
Posted On Thursday, 02 September 2021 00:00 Written by
Here we are at the end of August, two thirds of the way through 2021 and we have about 90 days left to generate opportunities that will pay us in 2021. The most important things to focus on are where you are now, and what you need to do to complete the year strong and move into 2022 with momentum.  With an increase in both purchase and refinance applications last week, 3% on purchase and 1% on refinance, we get the news that home inventories are up better than 5%. All opportunities to make yourself focus on what you can do to get in front of business. Now is a great time to review every pre-approval you have issued this year but didn’t close. Are they still looking, are they taking a break, or did they close with someone else? The first two present an opportunity to help move them…
Posted On Sunday, 29 August 2021 00:00 Written by
Will the different generations of home buyers get what they want during the changing real estate market trends?  Homebuyers are welcoming in a positive shift because more houses are becoming available for sale with even more coming before the end of 2021.  The extra supply of homes for sale is slowing the still-rising prices of homes across the country. The median home price in June 2021 was up 12.7% --down from 15.2% in May 2021.  The measure of median home prices over the last year have been skewed because most of the homes sold were in prices above $500,000 to over 1,000,000 dollars.  Aspiring home buyers had to work harder to find homes in the lower price ranges.  That trend is making a turnaround.  More newly listed properties are smaller and less expensive compared to last year.  Younger homebuyers have a better chance of snapping these homes up.
Posted On Monday, 30 August 2021 00:00 Written by
Amy Stoehr – CEO of Real Estate Masters Guild Encouraging and supporting like-minded real estate professionals who want success, profitability, balance and significance as their operating model. I've been training with, teaching for, and learning from the real estate industry's brightest and best since 1993! My mission since 1998 has been to have a profound impact on improving the quality of people's business and personal lives. I spent nearly 12 years with one of the real estate industry's most influential trainers, Howard Brinton STAR POWER Systems. Their foundation of best practices from best agents simply made sense. And the synergy and family atmosphere nurtured there is one I continue to seek out when I attend conferences and create in our live event environments. On the personal side, I love to hike, and I put this to the ultimate test in September 2019 by summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. That adventure became a life-altering experience that led to the creation of Kilimanjaro Kidz Education Foundation - I hope you take a few…
Posted On Thursday, 26 August 2021 00:00 Written by
“You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation.”  Picturequotes.com  How strong are you financially?  Is your source of income stable? If something personally earthshaking should occur, do you have enough savings to cover your expenses for three months or even a year?  Are you investing in things that continue to build your wealth even while you sleep? For example, real estate has historically been an effective hedge against the effects of inflation.  If you own your home, your net worth is probably looking better and better, with the values on homes appreciating at over 15% year over year. (Median home prices have risen at a higher percentage, but affordability is not calculated on median home price. Affordability is determined by comparing household income with the appreciation rate.) Lawrence Yun, the chief economist with the National Association of Realtors, predicts that home prices will continue to rise over the…
Posted On Monday, 23 August 2021 00:00 Written by
Sonia Gaby Martinez immigrated to the USA in 2000 after her country went through critical economic and political issues. After working in sales for several years in her original country Ecuador, Gaby's first job in the USA was at a tie factory sewing ties by hand,  later and with very little English Gaby became the receptionist of a Real Estate Company in Hallandale, FL.  She obtained her real estate license in 2006 and has been servicing Sellers and Buyers since then. In 2013 Gaby and Her husband founded Xtreme International Realty, a full service Real Estate company, one of the fastest growing real estate firms in Broward County with over (200) associates.  She mentors new agents in their real estate career. Gaby is married and has 2 children 15 and 20 years old.   A little more about me: Selected as 2018-2020 Miami Real Estate Board Governor, 2021-2022 Florida Realtors Director, Voted as one of…
Posted On Friday, 20 August 2021 00:00 Written by
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