Colorado Springs Real Estate

More Realtor.org Website!

2009-03-31T17:05:00.001-06:00

I thought it was kind of neat to see all of the NAR commercials running so frequently the last couple of weeks during the NCAA’s “Road to the Final” Men’s basketball tournament on CBS (even if my team did get booted in the Sweet Sixteen round.)

The timing seems great, not only with the warmth of spring here, but even to the extent that the content of the commercials seems right on, plugging the updated stimulus package ($8000 tax credit for first time home buyers, etc).

I believe we have to hand it to NAR on this one, as they’re obviously trying to enhance the products and services we offer to our clients.

But not only that have you noticed that NAR is now offering many eProduct versions of the tools and services made previously available only “For Sale” – now for FREE on it’s new web site Right Tools Right Now?

Many of you may find this a pleasant surprise because according to NAR “nearly 300 previously ‘for-sale’ resources will be offered at discount or for free in the following categories: Education Tools & Publications, Conventions & Events, Technology Services, Research Tools, Enhanced Services, Online Training and Association & Board Resources. In some cases, new services have been created and offered at no charge to better help members in this time.”

Just thought I would pass this along, but let me know what you think as well as some of the areas you find most helpful as you put it to the test!

Why Integrity is So Important to Keller Williams Agents

2009-03-26T15:30:00.002-06:00

How pleased should all of us at Keller Williams be, not only in our hearts, but also towards one another, that on the very walls of our business we have written and displayed the beliefs and values listed below?!!

As most of you at Keller Williams already know, we call them the WI4C2TS, but you have to make sure you read it the right way, as a question, in order to understand it properly. See what I mean? You have to ask yourself the question like this, “Why 4c 2t’s”?

You almost have to ask yourself the question a couple of times to get the hang of it. So, let’s give it a try together, alright? Okay, here we go. On the count of three, all together now, 1, 2, 3…

Why 4c 2t’s?
Why 4c 2t’s?
Why 4c 2t’s?

Alright! That’s good!

So, since you asked, let me take a moment to answer your question, “Why 4c 2t’s?”, and as I do, keep in mind that what I really want to touch on today is the “I” in our corporate belief system which stands for “Integrity”. Here they are...
Our Belief System: WI4C2TSWin-Win - or no dealIntegrity - do the right thingCustomers - Always come firstCommitment - In all thingsCommunication - Seek first to understandCreativity - Ideas before resultsTeamwork Trust - Together everyone achieves moreTrust - Starts with honestySuccess - Results through people
Everything that our WI4C2TS belief system stands for is important, but notice how the “I” in “WI” combines with the “W” to ask the question “Why?”?

So, why is that then? It’s because the “I” in “WI” stands for “Integrity – doing the right thing”, and it’s by integrity and doing the right thing that our entire corporate belief system functions and flows!!!

Let me explain how and why by using a couple of examples.

Think about all of the wonderful accounts of integrity you’re already familiar with from different times and different cultures, and even all the wonderful accounts of integrity you’re familiar with from our own time and our own culture. In one way, it’s only by looking at these accounts that we can truly learn and understand what integrity is all about.

Take Esther as an example integrity. Esther is a great example that comes to mind from the ancient Hebrew culture. Esther risked her life to save her people, the Jews, upon whom an edict of annihilation (a holocaust) had been decreed by the King of Persia. She unlawfully appeared before the very King that had decreed destruction on her people, acknowledging that, it just may be, that she had “come to her royal position for such a time as this”. Casting off her fear she took action, saying, “I will go to the king, even though it’s against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Her decisive action resulted in a complete and supernatural reversal of the entire situation. One Night With the King - Movie Trailer

Yes, the very essence of integrity is all about - putting others first - especially when we have to do so at our own expense or peril.

Take William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army, one of this nation’s longest standing charitable organizations, as an example of integrity from our own time and our own culture. (By the way the Salvation Army’s motto is “Doing the most good” because 83 cents of every dollar donated is directly allocated to assisting people in need which is a phenomenal stat for an organization this type!).

At the turn of the last century, William Booth, by that time well into his 80’s, and approaching the very the end of his life, having been asked to address his troops in what would be perhaps his last appearance, instead sent out that famous telegraph that summed up his entire life’s work. And his one-word telegraph simply read… “Others”

So it’s easy to see throughout history that integrity is what real leadership is all about, and that’s why integrity is so important to Keller Williams Agents.

But there’s also another way that we all truly learn and understand what integrity is all about. Integrity in real time and space is most often perceived and understood, not in terms of its presence, but in terms of its absence. And consequentially, if we as Keller Williams Agents ever cease to move in integrity, we don’t simply diminish in power the impact we have on our customers and associates, as some may well suppose in their minds.

No, that’s far too simple. If we ever cease to move in integrity we actually redefine ourselves in terms of an absence of that which makes us Keller Williams Agents at all.

Shouldn’t then we all determine never to be absent in this regard? And isn’t that also what makes integrity is so important to Keller Williams Agents?

Are you GREEN?

2009-03-24T15:19:00.002-06:00

Have you ever heard it said that in life there are basically three kinds of people? Well there really are you know.

There are people that WATCH things happen – and we call them Spectators.

There are people that MAKE things happen – and we call them Facilitators.

And then there are people that are just always saying, "WHAT HAPPENED?!"
(and we call them “Taters” =).

Well for all you Facilitators out there, here's the latest:

NAR's new Green Designation which just became available in November 2008 may be the very best way to bring real value to your clients, not to mention your own business, your own home, and even the environment for that matter. And the impact this designation has really is in just that order - it impacts your customers, then it impacts you (your business and your family), and then, as result, you can be assured of making a long term residual impact, if you will, on the environment.

And that's what makes the Green Designation such an attractive option to a lot of real estate professionals, but not a lot have acted on it yet.

Naturally, there are those who may be hesitant that the term "Green" could somehow impose a controversial label on their business that they may end up being uncomfortable with in the long run, but keep in mind, the new Green Designation isn't mostly about changing weather patterns across the planet, it's mostly about bringing value and the ability to communicate that value to environmentally conscious consumers.

So by all means don't let any hesitancy that the term "Green" invokes in your thinking frighten you into becoming a Spectator (or even a “Tater” for that matter)!

The new designation is really about meeting the needs of environmentally conscious consumers interested in saving money while at the same time preserving the environment. The Green Designation will show you how to save green ($$$) with every innovation from bamboo flooring to passive solar heating, and allow you to become an expert in that area as you communicate these savings to environmentally conscious consumers with "just the right message, to just the right people, in just the right way, at just the right time."

To find out more about The Green Designation, and other related topics start with this article - Accolades Grow for NAR's Green Designation, and then, there's more at The Green Resource Council as well as NAR Accredited Designations & Courses .

More Websites to check out!

2009-03-17T19:46:00.001-06:00

WOW....so I got such a great response regarding "Cool Websites to check out", I thought I would post a few more websites that I thought were GREAT!....if you did not read the original blog....you need to check it out~

Anyway, here are a few more sites that I think are pretty cool!

1) www.eagentfeedback.com - This is the cheapest feedback site I have found....for less than 10/month you can get feed back for your all your listings....it allows your sellers to access the website to view the feedback that they have received. It also emails your seller with the feedback that other agents leave. This is a great site for the price...other sites charge anywhere from 15 to 20 a month! I love this site!!!!

2) www.google.com/maps - another name for this site can be STREET VIEW!!!! If you have not checked this site out you MUST! I can't stress this one enough! For your clients that are out of town, and want to see what the neighborhood to a house is like...all they need to do is enter the street address. Once the map has located the street. Click on the little yellow man in the top left hand corner of the map. Drag him onto the map and you can actually view the street from STREET VIEW. This is the coolest site I have seen in a long time! GREAT FOR THE OUT OF TOWN BUYERS!!!!!!!!

3) GOOG411 - Oh my GOD! How great is technology today? So you can text GOOG411 with the name of a store, city, and state and it will return, by text the top 3 matches. How cool is that and best of all it is FREE!!!!!!!! Yes you heard me correctly, FREE I just LOVE GOOGLE :0)

So Until next weeks top 3 website, I hope you have a great time surfing the web. You can also check out my website and go to "websites to check out" to see past websites that I found useful.

Communication

2009-03-17T13:41:00.002-06:00

Ok...so I feel a little stupid!

I was talking with an agent today and we were on the subject about how to communicate a listing presentation with a seller when the seller lives somewhere else.

My thoughts on the matter were to use http://www.gotomeeting.com/, which allows the seller to view your computer screen anywhere in the world and the seller and agent can phone conference in and do the listing presentation that way. I was feel pretty good about coming up with that solution...but then another agent had a GREAT idea that I have not thought of before.

The other agent said why not use http://www.skype.com/ and do a live video conference with the seller...so they can see you face to face. What a GREAT ID. I totally use skype for personal reasons, talking with my niece and nephew or talking with my brother or sister. But for some reason I never drew a connection with using skype for business purposes.

Sometimes the answers are right there in front of us...we just need someone to open our eyes to them.

If you have another suggestion as to how you communicate with sellers or buyers when they are out of state, please let me know...I am all ears!

Thanks much

Cool Websites

2009-03-14T21:54:00.002-06:00

Cool Websites

So I just found some really cool websites that I thought I would share with everyone.

The first site that I came across was http://www.atmynumber.com/ This site allows you to use your cell phone number as an email address. When someone emails you at your phone number, it will forward the email to your normal email box.

The second site that I came across is http://www.awesomehighlighter.com/ This site allows you to highlight anything on any web page, make notes, etc and then email it. What a great way to communicate with clients and friends!

The last website that I came across this week was http://www.theradio.com/ it is a FREE music service that you can listen to while online. The great thing about this website is you can put in an artist and it will play like artist. Also, when you come back to the site, it remembers what you were listening too. Love it, Love it, Love it

Just thought I would pass this along.

If you want to learn about more great websites, go to my link page called "Websites to check out"

Top 25 Accident Spots in Colorado Springs

2009-03-08T09:29:00.004-06:00

As Colorado Springs has grown, so has the traffic. We all have those intersection that we dread to go through, but should we? Listed below are the top 25 accident prone intersections for Colorado Springs.

1 BRIARGATE PY/N POWERS BL
2 PALMER PARK BL/SPACE CENTER DR
3 RANGEWOOD DR/VICKERS DR
4 S NEVADA AV/SOUTHGATE RD
5 LAKE AV/VENETUCCI BL
6 N POWERS BL/RESEARCH PY
7 BARNES RD/N POWERS BL
8 N CAREFREE CR/TUTT BL
9 E FOUNTAIN BL/S UNION BL
10 AIRPORT RD/S ACADEMY BL
11 N POWERS BL/N UNION BL
12 DUBLIN BL/N UNION BL
13 AUSTIN BLUFFS PY/STETSON HILLS BL
14 MILTON E PROBY PY/S POWERS BL
15 E BIJOU ST/N CHELTON RD
16 AIRPORT RD/S CIRCLE DR
17 E ST-ELMO AV/S NEVADA AV
18 E COLORADO AV/E PIKES PEAK AV
19 E BIJOU ST/N CASCADE AV
20 N CAREFREE CR/ORO BLANCO DR
21 N POWERS BL/S CAREFREE CR
22 E PLATTE AV/N MEADE AV
23 BARNES RD/TUTT BL
24 NEW CENTER PT/S CAREFREE CR
25 E PLATTE AV/N ACADEMY BL

Source: http://www.springsgove.com/

Eri Toll and PPAR

2009-03-08T08:24:00.003-06:00

On Wednesday the gazette had an article on Pikes Peak Association of Realtors (PPAR) not allowing Erin Toll to access the PPAR database for "fishing expeditions". All I have to say about the subject is WAY TO GO PPAR! (OH...you can go to the article by following this link.)

If Erin Toll needs to get into PPAR then have her go get her own real estate licenses and pay the doubling of the fees that she raised earlier last year for new Realtors and/or transferring Realtors!

Oh Friday I had the pleasure of hearing Terry Storm speak to the subject. He is willing to work with Erin, he just wants to know what she is looking for. The Gazette mention that Erin would be looking for the following things "signs of over appraised properties, pockets of homes going into foreclosures, and other indicators of mortgage fraud" I may have a simple mind, but I can't believe that the use of the MLS system would give here this things.

One: We are not appraisers.
Two: If there are five homes on a street going into foreclosures, is it the real estate agents fault?
Three: We are not lenders: We are Real Estate Agents!

I do believe that we need to catch the "bad guys" but I just don't feel, from the limited knowledge that I have on the subject....that Erin Toll can do that by looking at data on PPAR. As the bottom of each MLS print out says, "Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed." It is our job as Realtors to help our clients verify and know what they are buying. The information provided through PPAR is placed by our fellow Realtors....and it is our job to verify the information for our clients that are wanting to purchase the home, example would be square footage....we verify that the square footage stated in the MLS is the same as it is on the assessors office. That is a check and balance system. Regarding Price of home...I hope everyone does a cost market analysis before submitting an offer or taking a listings. Again check and balance system.

So again....bravo to Terry Storm and his team at PPAR. I applaud your efforts and say WAY TO GO!

Market Watch!

2009-03-05T07:02:00.004-07:00

On March 2, 2009 Wall STreet Journal's ONline Network reports that Keller Williams REalty Climbs to the Third-Largest Real Estate Franchis in the United States. The artical commented that Keller Williams outpaces market with financial model, agent-centric initiatives.

For your reference I have posted the article below

Keller Williams Realty Climbs to Third-Largest Real Estate Franchise in United States

Company Outpaces Market with Financial Model, Agent-Centric Initiatives

Last update: 1:05 p.m. EST March 2, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas, Mar 02, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Keller Williams(R) Realty Inc., announced last week at its annual convention in Orlando, Fla. that it is now the third-largest real estate franchise in the United States, surpassing RE/MAX(R) International. According to Steve Murray of REAL Trends, a leading source of analysis and information in the residential real estate industry, the Austin, Texas-based company claimed the number three spot with 72,794 U.S. associates at the end of 2008.

"The success of Keller Williams Realty can be directly attributed to the hard work and perseverance of our associates and the soundness of our economic and organizational models," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. "While others might be looking at this market and seeing fear and uncertainty, we have always approached it as our opportunity to shine and grow. And that mindset has paid off."

The company has been gaining ground for the last three years, outpacing pervasive downward trends in the real estate industry. From 2006 to 2008, Keller Williams Realty increased its associate count by 52 percent, market share for its offices increased 83 percent and agent gross commission income went up 35 percent. Currently, the company has 679 offices operating in the United States. The company also shared more than $30 million in profits with its associates in 2008 through its company-wide profit sharing program.

"Through profit share, our phenomenal coaching and training and our technology offerings, we are offering agents their own 'bailout plan' for this market," Willis added.

The company also announced that after years of searching for a partnership to provide its associates with affordable health insurance, they are moving forward with a solution.

The soon-to-be-launched Keller Williams Health Providers Program will include options for major medical, limited medical, catastrophic coverage and a separate cancer plan. The health insurance coverage is the first step toward a total wellness program for associates.

"We have always been very aware that as independent contractors, our agents face barriers to obtaining health coverage," said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty. "We know that for many, this new option may alleviate some of the stress that they face in today's economy. After all, our associates are not just our partners - they are our family."

Last fall, the company also announced the launch of KW Commercial, a new division of the company dedicated to providing commercial real estate associates with specialized technology, marketing tools and resources. KW Commercial already has more than 220 active brokers across the U.S. and Canada.

"Our growth in the last year and now becoming the third-largest real estate company in the United States was a true team effort and a company-wide win. We are so grateful for all of the leadership and commitment our associates have shown to power through this shift," added Willis.

About Keller Williams Realty Inc.:

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with more than 690 offices and 74,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners.

SOURCE: Keller Williams Realty Inc.

For more information on Keller Williams visit us at www.kwrealestatecareer.com

What is a team leader?

2009-03-04T20:30:00.002-07:00

Keller Williams has a different management model than most real estate companies. Instead of having an office manager, we have what is called a team leader. So I thought I would let the world know what exactly a team leader does!

Posted below is a simple Q&A of what a team leader is!

Q: Is "Team Leader" just another name for "Office Manager"?

No! The typical office manager is an administrator. Team Leaders are focused on growing agent's businesses and their market centers. They coach, consult and train their associates at every level. As the CEO, they set the standards, provide the vision, maintain the culture and inspire achievement.

Q: How do they do that?

By being in relationship with each existing associate and cultivating new relationships within the community. By understanding their businesses, goals, dreams and aspirations, they can insure that agents are effectively trained and coached into greater productivity. Team Leaders know the agents who work in their community; they seek high minded professionals to join the market center and enhance their team.

Q: What qualifies someone to be a Team Leader?

Team Leaders go through an extensive screening process, as Keller Williams has determined that only a small percentage of the population will thrive in the position. First, an effective team leader needs to be highly social (a real people person); assertive; and dedicated to serving their associates. They have been successful in sales and enjoy an excellent reputation. They embody the KW culture and have great vision for their market centers!

Q: Do Team Leaders receive special training?

Absolutely! From day one they enter into a course of study that insures their success in this leadership role. TL's are highly learning based; they love to take advantage of training. Seminars, classes, coaching and mastermind sessions are all things that a Team Leader incorporates into their calendar, so they may serve their market centers at the highest possible level. All of this translates into a leader who has the knowledge, experience and skills to take their associates into greater production and profitability.

Listings on Craigslist

2009-03-03T07:36:00.003-07:00

CRAIGSLIST LISTINGS

TRUE STORY

So I have a friend that is an agent and she posted one of her listings on Craigslist. Little did she know that someone copied her listing, used her photo, and just changed the phone number and email address. They listed her property as a property for rent when it actually wasn't even for rent. She discovered that the scam went like this.

1) This guy is using other Realtors photos and listings to list the properties as for rent
2) When someone calls on the property, he tells them it is available for rent.
3) He convinces the clients' to send in a security deposit to hold the property.
4) He disappears and is never seen again.

So all this to say, if you list your property on Craigslist, you might want to take the time to check out the rental section and make sure this is not happening to one of your properties!

What does ten dollars get you?

2009-03-02T07:54:00.005-07:00

In today's economy we all are looking at cutting cost. But how do we go about doing that. Some real estate professionals have looked at cutting advertising, others have looked at cutting back on technology.

My thoughts on the subject are in toady's economy we don't need to be cutting back on the things that can produce us business.

So I have a simple solution....what if we all got together and combined our dollars, just ten dollars a month and have the following built for us?

Websites

Blogs

Micro sites

Ecards

Reporting capabilities

Our own MLS system with IDX functions

Automated Lead Generating Systems

24 Hour Online Training and Scripts

Here at Keller Williams that is just what we have done. You can find more information about all the technology we have to offer at http://support.kw.com/pages/eagentctour/ or http://www.kwrealestatecareer.com/

Do you have PD?

2009-03-01T06:29:00.003-07:00

Do you have PD?

As we age....we all tend to go see the doctor more and more. With the doctor visits comes more medicine. For us Men that may mean even more medicine (the little blue pill).

But what about our career? As our real estate career mature does the same thing happen to it, as what happens to us men as we age? I think it might....we tend to let things slide, don't stay in shape or stay on top of the game. So what is the answer?

Check out the video below. Once you have watched it, if you feel like your career needs a jump start, give Matt a call at 719-685-8152 or check out http://www.kwrealestatecareer.com/

Keller Williams Takes the Lead !!!

2009-02-28T07:45:00.006-07:00

Keller Williams is "A Company of Destiny"

On February 24, 2009 Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis made the announcement that Keller Williams is now the 3rd largest real estate company in the United States. This announcements was made at Keller Williams Family Reunion in front of 6,800 agents. The excitement was exhilarating!

Listed below are the numbers for the top five real estate company's in the United States

Listed above are the Top Ranked Real Estate Franchises by Agent Count.

For More information on Keller Williams go to my webiste

Free First time Buyers Credit

2009-02-28T07:37:00.002-07:00

Hey guys,

On March 12, 2009 Keller Williams Clients' Choice of Woodland Park will be holding a FREE workshop to answer all questions and learn how you benefit from the improved stimulus package!

You can qualify for the $8000* Tax Credit if you....
1)Have not owned a home in 3 years
2)You have never owned a home

When: March 12, 2009
Where: Woodland Park Library - Lower Level
TIme: 6:15 - 7:30pm

If you have any questions please call 1-800-882-5628 ext. 8000

*Some restrictions may apply