About 2 years ago I became fascinated with tracking my sales and conversion metrics. We are all aware of the fact that the truly successful sales professionals track their numbers and watch them closely. It only makes sense right?

If you don’t watch your numbers closely, how can you tell what works, and what is a waste of your time and/or money? Moving on, I started out using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and entered not just my sales and prospecting efforts for the day, but I also included notes as to how many calls were first time prospecting efforts compared to follow ups. (more…)

Before getting into the explanation of an inactive agent and an active agent we will begin with a short summary of how the real estate Brokerage system works in Ontario. We will refrain from getting into too much detail and thus the following will be a very simplified version.

In Ontario we have a Brokerage governing board called R.E.C.O. or the Real Estate Council of Ontario. A Brokerage is registered with R.E.C.O., pays its fees and dues which include errors and omissions insurance and is then ready to trade in real estate in the Province of Ontario only. The Owner/Broker may work alone as a single entity or invite licensed real estate salespeople and Brokers to join his or her Brokerage Firm and trade in real estate on behalf of the Brokerage. (more…)

Some people, myself included, have this funny thought process that no matter what the project is, they can do it themselves. Well, in many cases this is completely true; there are a great many projects that you can, in fact, do yourself and get fabulous results from. However, not every project is a good candidate for a do-it-yourself.

Take, for example, the job of selling your home, while there are a plethora of agents out there chomping at the bit to assist you in home sales, there are some people who consider home sales just a big DIY project. If you have experience in real estate or are a retired agent, then this might actually be a reasonable DIY project; if your only experience in real estate is buying or selling a home with an agent, this is not a good project for you to take on yourself, however. (more…)

When looking to buy a home, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. Buying a house is a huge investment so you want to make sure and take the time that is required to find the right place. In the end, you will be glad you checked into everything before decided to purchase.

One of the most important things to consider is the location of your home. The location of your home is more important then the home itself, and can be a huge factor in the re-sale value. You can more easily renovate the house then the spot the house sits. Remember when you are thinking about the location of your home to consider the surrounding area, how close is your home to your work? To the grocery store? How is the traffic flow around your home? And how are the schools in your neighborhood? These things are very important to your happiness and you will want to evaluate and prioritize before moving in, because these things are not in your control, and you wont be able to change them later. (more…)

If you are looking to sell your home quickly, one of the most important things to think about when marketing your home is home staging. The first impression your home makes on potential buyers can either make or break the sale. Home staging can cost you extra money, but in the end it can not only speed up the selling process but actually boost the selling price for your home if you do it right.

One of the first things to think about when stating to stage your home is the curb appeal, or outer layer of your house. Make sure that the area surrounding your house is neat and attractive. This is the very first thing a potential buyer will see, you want it to look good so that they will be hopeful before even entering your home. Paint your house if need be, dress up the landscaping and make sure it is all groomed and well kept. Take away any clutter, make it simple and pleasing to the eye. (more…)

Many ask of the importance of home inspection. Why is there a need to do such thing? Some also argue that it is not necessary especially if you bought the house so cheaply. However, this is still essential for various reasons. A home owner or potential home buyer should keep in mind that he has to be aware of the condition of the property he will live in. Otherwise, it will not be safe for him and his family.

The home inspector conducts the inspection. He is trained to check all features of the property. He uses special gadgets and equipment to measure and monitor them. He looks into all aspects of the structure. He verifies that they are working properly. This may include the plumbing, the air conditioning system, the heating system, the water heater, and the electrical system as well other features of the property. He checks and verifies that they are working properly. He takes note of those items that are not functioning well. He also records issues on maintenance and other related repairs. He indicates this in his reports together with all the details of his inspection. (more…)

The whole point of the “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) sign is that the owner sells their property without having to pay Realtor® fees. However, it takes a lot of knowledge and experience to sell a home, as many would-be solo sellers can find. FSBOs are a great niche to get into, if you know how to find and approach their owners.

FSBOs are a great target market. The owners are motivated sellers. You already know that they own their home. They are serious about selling, since they’ve gone to such lengths to sell on their own. They have already done part of the job of marketing their place through their own efforts, leaving you to list it on the MLS. Since most FSBOs fail to sell as owner-sold properties, somebody must be doing the work of selling them – it should be you! (more…)

When you are in threat of foreclosure, expect for people or agencies to call you and offer their help. This may happen right after you file your Notice of Default. Take note that the Notice of Default is a public document filed to the County Recorder’s Office. The filing is necessary because this will start the foreclosure process.

As previously mentioned, the notice filed is a public document. Anyone can have access to it. It is easier for those who have foreclosure scheme to get hold of the information of their target. The first thing they do is to look for vulnerable victims. These are those experiencing foreclosure problems. After that, they will contact the person and offer their help, most likely about loan modifications. After offering their services, they will ask for advance payment and make arrangements that you will not benefit from. (more…)

Real estate agents in Canada, foreign investors who are interested in Canadian properties and the Canadian citizens totally agree that as Canada becomes a more desirable place to live year by year, thus the property investment also becomes more attractive annually. The reason for this is because homes in Canada are high quality and affordable, simple to purchase, plentiful and real estate in Canada holds a good value.

For the past many years, economist experts in Canada have anticipated the decline in Canadian property. Though there was some drop in the sales sector, it wasn’t as bad as the deterioration in countries such as Japan or America. Organizations like (CMHC) Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation come up with their annual reports estimating the decline or the increase of the various parts of the sector. With the help of these reports buyers and investors determine the correct value of Toronto apartments, Ontario homes and other homes in Canada. As yet, the real estate market in Canada is regarded as a pillar of strength the past few years. (more…)

Many people aim to become real estate agents because they have the impression that being one could earn them more money. However, as a real estate agent yourself, you know that this profession could be a feast or a famine, depending on your performance. It is a sad truth that all agents should learn to live with. But you also know when it is a feast, it really is, and that is what most attracts many people who are looking for perfect professions and jobs.

It is important for agents to live in to the reality of the profession, as there are still many who are not fully aware of what being a real estate agent could be. First, what is the actual job description of the profession? In general, agents market properties, find buyers, facilitate showing of estates for sale, and do all the necessary paperwork. Most realty firms end up spending up to 30% of their earnings back into marketing and advertising of properties for sale.

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