am (8)

I Am So “explicative” Over It!

I am sick of agent calling me to ask, “Will your property 666 Money Pitt Ln, you know, the one with busted pipes, will that go FHA?”

I am so flabbergasted at the question that I can’t figure out a creative yet, flagrant way to respond without coming off hostile or sarcastic.

When I am not sick of these agents calling me with these kinds of questions, I am tired of having to deal with agents who are too lazy to do their own research or at least, have a working knowledge of your profession.  If you are going to be an agent, work with buyers, you might want to have some kind of knowledge of lending products….just saying.

So, in other words, I am sick and tired of these lazy agents….I am. I have been in this business for 9 years, my 10 year anniversary comes up this September and in that 10 years, I can honestly say I have only met a handful of agents who seem to get it. It’s truly sad that our industry is comprised of so many who don’t see our industry as a profession….filled with professionals.

For goodness sake people, what other profession can you tell me that helps consumers make the biggest financial decision of their lives? Now….when you come up with some of those professions, stop and ask yourself, do those professional industries have the same amount of nincompoops in their profession?

Maybe I am just venting…maybe I have just leapt off the wall of reason, two feet into pure insanity but, I am just so done with idiot agents. I am…..I am over it.

Another example, last week, I had an agent ask me, “What should I tell my client?” I almost flipped out. I really almost had a Jeff Lewis flipping out moment. It took everything in my strength not to go off on this agent. I took about 3 seconds, centered myself, and replied, “You tell them the truth, exactly what happened.” She just couldn’t come to terms with it….”the truth”…she said, I said, “Yes”….and her reply was, “I could lose her as a client.” At this point, I wasn’t able to contain myself so, I just got quiet…didn’t say a word….an awkward silence fell on the phone call and after about 8 seconds or so, she just hung up on me.

Our profession is filled with less than professional people. Somewhere down the line, we got caught up and have somehow confused the definitions of Professional and Professionalism. What I mean is, some people think it’s not professional to tell another agent to do the right thing. In both these situations above, I got calls from Managing Broker who thought they were being nice to call me and tell me their agent wasn’t happy with me or that I cost them business. …..ooohh….Let’s just say, don’t call me to complain about me when the just of your complaint is, “Well, maybe you could have been nicer”.

I am not in the business of being nice. As a colleague, I will provide you professional service, I will provide you with quality customer service and that includes telling you when you are wrong. That include telling you, plainly, simply, without ambiguity what needs to happen. If that hurts your feelings, if the truth causes you some compulsion to cry or run to your Broker with a complaint…..well, go and talk with Judge Judy or Gordon Ramsay and see what they would say.

Now, at times….I will admit, my patience is thin and the day has been long and hard so, I can be less than my chipper, over the top friendly self however, I will go out of my way to help you. People who know me, know this to be true…I will help you but, I can’t fix stupid.

So….what do you need to know about me.

  1. I can’t fix stupid: If you are suppose to know something as a professional…..you better know it.

  2. I can’t work with liars: If I smell a lie….I will find it and in and…yes, I will be pissed so, don’t expect any empathy from me.

  3. I will not do your job: If I am not your Broker, don’t expect me to do your job. If I am your Broker, I hired you because; you know how to do your job.

  4. Be accountable: Don’t be afraid of accountability, you won’t grow and become a better person without it.

  5. Keep open to learning: None of us know it all, even I learn new stuff every day but, if you shut down to learning, if you shut your mind down to instruction, I have no time for you.

Agents / Realtors, let’s be professionals, let’s hold each other accountable, let’s stop doing others jobs and create an environment of honest discussion, free flow of ideas and most importantly, an environment where don’t have to worry about hurting feelings when truth is spoken. Sometimes the truth hurts…it just does.

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With 50 + listings in 2011 year's end and 50 + sales in 2011. I have received the following award.

 

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I am now a 50/50 member with Coldwell Banker and have won the International President's Elite award for 2011.

 

 

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE LLC 1 CAMPUS DRIVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054-0642

February 2, 2012

Congratulations! You achieved impressive results in 2011 that entitle you to the use of the President’s Elite designation within the Coldwell Banker brand during 2012. As a member of this distinguished group, you are among the top three percent for President's Elite, for all Coldwell Banker sales associates, depending on the designation you earned. Wow!

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Please share some tips on how to become approved with asset management. I can share some tips from my personal experience. I have just basically attended every netowrking event out there. Join REO networking groups, talk to other agents who have already established relationships with AM's. Also, becoming an area expert an learning the local tenants laws and how they apply to your potential assets. If you have more to share, please do. Thank you!

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I have received my short sale Certificate from Five Star

I am now listed on the REORedBookcom.

The Redbook was passed out this year at the Five Star conference to all the attending asset managers.

Below is from the Five Star website:

"We are looking for the best. The lender and servicing communities are calling for highly qualified, performing, experienced REO agents. And we're answering that call. All members of the FORCE must qualify through fulfilling the following:

REO Certification: We require the Five Star Institute REO Certification for membership.

Experience in REO: For our prospective members who can prove, through verification by FORCE staff, five years of active REO business, completion of the Five Star Institute REO Certification test will be accepted.

Licensing: We require that our agents be properly licensed REO agents or brokers in good standing, and we verify member information and references prior to accepting new members.

Continuing Education: Education is continuous, and mandatory. Members are held to that standard and must log in and participate in Webinar education monthly.

Local Multiple Listing Service Membership: All FORCE members must be active and participating members in the local MLS system in which they intend to broker REO as a member, and be in good standing as verified by FORCE staff.

Errors and Omissions Insurance: All new members must carry errors and omissions insurance with coverage limits per incident, per industry-accepted standard in their local market and provide proof of such coverage prior to formal acceptance.

Liability Insurance Coverage: FORCE members must have active liability insurance policies in place, providing for minimum coverage per incident at an acceptable rate per their local market. Proof of active coverage will be verified by FORCE staff.

Industry References: Prospective members must provide REO and real estate industry references upon applying to the FORCE. References are checked by dedicated FORCE staff prior to formal acceptance to the FORCE.

Code of Conduct: We require that FORCE members abide by our Code of Conduct.

Commitment to Excellence: We require that FORCE members uphold the highest professional standards."

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  • I am wondering how many REO PRO Realtors on here have this designation and are listed on REORedBook.com have you found it to lead to any new business?
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I have received my REO Certificate from Five Star

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Below is from the Five Star website:

"We are looking for the best. The lender and servicing communities are calling for highly qualified, performing, experienced REO agents. And we're answering that call. All members of the FORCE must qualify through fulfilling the following:

REO Certification: We require the Five Star Institute REO Certification for membership.

Experience in REO: For our prospective members who can prove, through verification by FORCE staff, five years of active REO business, completion of the Five Star Institute REO Certification test will be accepted.

Licensing: We require that our agents be properly licensed REO agents or brokers in good standing, and we verify member information and references prior to accepting new members.

Continuing Education: Education is continuous, and mandatory. Members are held to that standard and must log in and participate in Webinar education monthly.

Local Multiple Listing Service Membership: All FORCE members must be active and participating members in the local MLS system in which they intend to broker REO as a member, and be in good standing as verified by FORCE staff.

Errors and Omissions Insurance: All new members must carry errors and omissions insurance with coverage limits per incident, per industry-accepted standard in their local market and provide proof of such coverage prior to formal acceptance.

Liability Insurance Coverage: FORCE members must have active liability insurance policies in place, providing for minimum coverage per incident at an acceptable rate per their local market. Proof of active coverage will be verified by FORCE staff.

Industry References: Prospective members must provide REO and real estate industry references upon applying to the FORCE. References are checked by dedicated FORCE staff prior to formal acceptance to the FORCE.

Code of Conduct: We require that FORCE members abide by our Code of Conduct.

Commitment to Excellence: We require that FORCE members uphold the highest professional standards."

www.thefivestar.com/FORCE

  • I am wondering how many REO PRO Realtors on here have this designation and have you found it to lead to any new business?

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Recently, one of our members sent me some hate mail, yes….I get hate mail and, I wanted to share some of it with you so that I can clarify some points, just to make sure we are all on the same page.

Before I do this, just so you know, I won’t be revealing who this person is so, don’t ask.

Point # 1 –

I am here to make money.

Quote, “I truly believe that you are trying to build something big for yourself

Yeah, was anyone under the impression I wasn’t? I am a capitalist……tried and true. I believe a person’s dedication, commitment, desire, ambition and liberty to follow their own dream is the American Dream. Absolutely I am trying to build a huge network of default professionals for myself and anyone else who decides to join me, walk along side me and pursue their dreams with me. If my ambition and dreams aren’t in line with yours, go find another network to join or start your own. The father of modern economics said that competition leads to the greater good so, if you don’t like me, if you don’t like what I am doing, if you think I am living Satan spawn then……..take a number, get in line, be patient and hold your breath.

Quote, “You know, we don’t really have to have you to get screwed out of our money”

Screwed out of your money……..are you serious? I want everyone to know, since May of 2008 I have made less than $1,500.00 off REOPro. Yep, that’s right, no more than $1,500.00! Just to be even more clear, $1,400.00 of that came from sponsors buying advertisement space. I don’t ask for donations, which would be nice, I don’t charge a membership fee, I don’t charge a set up fee, I don’t charge an inactivity fee (which is where I would make the most money)………I DON’T CHARGE MEMBERS A DIME! What money are members getting screwed out of by REOPro?

I have recommended service providers to this network, service providers that I use myself and find a lot of benefit in using. If you took my word to join any service I have recommended, guess what…………I DIDN’T MAKE ANY MONEY FROM YOU JOINING THEM!

Oh, wait a minute, I take that back……I did make about $40.00 off of 2 people who upgraded their alamode account a couple months ago. I do make money if you purchase any upgrades to your alamode account through the REOPro store but, out of almost 150 orders……I have made $40.00. In fact, it’s been such a failure that I have even thought about getting rid of it but, that is a different topic for another day.

Quote, “What are the benefits to ME when I suggest that people join the site? Does it make ME look bigger and more organized? Or you?? I really think you are self-serving and only out for yourself. I think the Alamode website deal was the clincher for me. Do you really think you saved people money?”

Oh dear golly goodness, is this person serious? What are the benefits to you when you suggest that people join the REOPro site? Building this network gives us a greater pool of resources to pull from. More people joining equals more people writing blogs, responding to forums and organically creates an environment for sharing. Sharing is good, it cost you nothing but, it could change your business. In fact, I am aware of several people who have come on-line, wrote a blog of forum, read the responses, created connections and got referrals to join companies that changed their business. The direct benefit to getting people to join REOPro is so that our community develops and in that we find strength, knowledge, power and the ability to have a voice in an industry where we are drowned out by bank policies, government regulation, inactivity of NAR and consumers. If you can’t see this….why are you still a member?

As for Alamode……hell yeah it saved people money! Alamode guarantees my members who order products and services through the REOPro store a better price than they could get direct. Did you know that….of course you didn’t because, it’s none of your business what the details of the deal I worked out with Alamode are. I challenge you to go to Alamode, order a website and then go to the REOPro store, order the same product and compare the prices. See for yourself.

Quote, “A site like this would be great if it kept out the vultures.”

Keep out the vultures….who do you think I am? I am not the Judge and Jury of the Default Real Estate Industry. Maybe, one day, we can get to the point where we can centralize and control some sort of BBB of the Default Real Estate Industry but, the reality is that I don’t make enough money on this site a year to pay 1 months mortgage payment, let alone pour my resources in with no monetary return.

Better yet, our members have stepped up and become REOPro leaders. For instance, Tim Ventura with The BPO Automation Group have sponsored a service you can find on our main page where our members can go and rate the BPO companies they have worked with, anonymously. This has been great because it allows our members to go in and see for themselves what our members think of a particular company and then you can use that information to determine for yourself if it’s worth your time, money and energy.

What about the “Non Paying BPO Company” Group (their name is something like that) where you can go in and see what BPO companies are milking people out of hard earned cash.

Quote, “. I just sense too much of your own purposes being served here.”

I hope you do get the sense that I am serving my own self purpose because I am! My purpose is to create a network of professionals that can change the direction of the wind! Granted, that may be a bit lofty but, you get the idea. My purpose is to help Agents, Asset Managers, Title Agents, Locksmiths, Land Scappers, and everyone else in this cut throat industry to feed their families. I am hell bent on making this happen and guess what, that means I may end up making a lot of money but, have you ever known a poor person being able to provide you with a job or work?

Just to be clear, I am a LIBERTY loving, constitution toting, private property rights supporting, God fearing, profit motivated, big hearted, loyal as a dog man who believes I can change the world one person at a time so that we all benefit through capitalist principles and if this isn’t what you signed up for, good luck and I wish you the best.

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Hug your AM and then Keep Him/Her Happy

I was surfing Active Rain and found a post that I found to be parallel to what my fist post was about...so here is an adapted reblog of some good points:Top 17 Ways to Keep Your Asset Managers Happy!1 Practice Excellent Communication: Call, email asset managers often. Be available during normal working hours. Market your homes using 1800HomeHotline.com2 Have Timely Responses: Make it so the Asset Managers can easily reach you…not your voice mail…not your assistant..YOU!3 Operate on both a personal and professional level: Cary made a great point….’Treat every asset as if it were your OWN home”.4 Do not delegate your asset manager relationships to any staff members. Asset Managers are your best sellers (remember, they will often list 10-20…50 homes with you. Treat them like GOLD.5 YOU..the listing agent must know the asset. You must know all of your listings cold…know their condition…market competition…know the market!6 Practice MMFI for every asset manager. ‘MMFI’ Make Me Feel Important. Make them FEEL like they are your only client.7 KNOW your inventory. Cary made it clear that you must know the market. Don’t list outside of your service area.8 Its OK to bring in a team member to help partner with you….but, introduce this person to the Asset Manager…let them know that this team member is their personal asset manager contact.9 Be a Problem Solver, not a Problem delegator. Don’t tell the Asset Managers about the problem….bring them the solution.10 Be innovative. When doing an occupancy check..ask the neighbors…walk around the house. Actually…make an effort! 11 TAKE ACTION12 Treat it as if it’s YOUR HOUSE. Don’t wait to be told what to do. Again, treat every asset as if it were your own personal property.13 Get occupancy checks back in HOURS, not in DAYS. They track this….you will earn more assets the faster you report back to the Asset Manager about occupancy.14 Maintain low Days on the Market. They track your DOM….Warning: you will lose the asset if you don’t sell it in 90-120 days.15 List to sell price ration. BPO vs. actual SALE PRICE should be a close ratio.16 What works needs to be done? Get it into Lend-able condition ASAP.17 Do your Cash for Keys correctly. Know the Tenant Protection Act.THANKS TO HARRIS REALESTATE UNIVERSITY
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Changes to Short Sale Laws

According to the Indiana Association of Realtors (IAR Advocate 11/06/09), it is now Indiana state law that lenders must acknowledge short sale offers within 10 days. Under the 2008 law, lenders then have 30 days from receipt of the offer to accept or reject the offer.There is an on-line complaint form that can be filed with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). The DFI uses the complaints to track and establish patterns with certain lenders and use regulatory authority to investigate.Additionally, the Homeowner Protection Unit of the Indiana Attorney General has enforcement authority over the complaints. The complaints should continue to be filed with the DFI, with the field that the Homeowner Protection Unit should investigate marked (Field #18 on the Indiana complaint).We repeatedly hear from agents that the reason short sales do not move to closing is that it sometimes takes the sellers months to respond to offers.I strongly suggest that every agent check and see if their state has a similar law on the books and let the lender know you know about it when submitting a short sale offer. I know somewhere on our future short sale offers will be a sentence requesting a response by a certain date “per Indiana Statute” as a reminder to the lender that there are statute imposed time limits in place. This would also do to notify the lender of the time limits if they were not aware of them.Perhaps we can use our state laws to move our short sales along and keep them from becoming “long sales”.I also strongly suggest that agents working with lenders as short sale reps make their clients aware of any local or state laws of this nature. Be aware that just like a like a REO AM, the short sale AM is most likely dealing with properties in multiple states and jurisdictions and it is our job to protect them and make sure our clients are within the local laws.
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