By Brenda Marshall, KWU Course Writer, Keller Williams Realty International Support Center

Have you taken your business mobile? If not, it’s time to get on the train! Attendees of Mega Technology Camp were treated to a smorgasbord of tips and tricks for leveraging the latest trends in technology meet the demands of the highly mobile consumer population, and ultimately to generate more business.

Clad in a “Geeky Girl” t-shirt, Dianna Kokoszka, President of KW MAPS Coaching, kicked off this session and insisted that attendees leave with at least three ideas to incorporate into their businesses. Among the presenters were three of Inman’s 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders in 2011—Cary Sylvester, Executive Director of Technology, KWRI, Ben Kinney, CEO and President of Home4Investment, Chris Smith of Inman Next and Sue Adler, CEO of the Sue Adler Team.

Cary and Ben revealed that today’s consumers browse on their mobile devices at home as much as “on the go.” More and more, we are using our smartphones in place of our desktops. We use our phones and tablets to watch TV, browse the web, play games, read books, listen to music, send emails and texts, pay bills, so it’s only logical that consumers would expect to conduct real estate business the same way.

So, what does it mean to take one’s business mobile? Largely, it’s about responsive design—ensuring your website is designed to adapt to the user’s mobile device in terms of screen size, platform, and orientation.

A parade of the savviest of the tech-savvy proceeded to educate and amaze attendees with best practices in leveraging technology in real estate. Some highlights include:

• Matt Fetick, Mega Agent and KWU International Master Faculty, decided six years ago that on weekends, his deals would be conducted from the beach, and today, he has truly taken his business mobile. Some of Matt’s favorite resources: virtual assistants, VoIP,  Dropbox, Shoebox, and Dragon Dictation.
• Chris Smith, Chief Evangelist, Inman News, delivered his presentation on his iPad and highly recommended Sliderocket for presentations and Roambi for interactive graphs. Get his entire presentation here: http://bit.ly/mobile-tools-inman-next
• Seychelle Van Poole, Team Leader of Van Poole Properties, shared 5 Tips to Rock Referrals. Among these were using LinkedIn to build relationships with companies and joining national referral groups on Facebook, such as the KW Referral Group.
• Continue reading ‘Taking your Business Mobile – Mega Technology Camp @ Family Reunion’

To an outside observer, nearly two decades of teaching the same course may seem monotonous or even cliché. But, those who have heard Gary Keller teach Quantum Leap just keep coming back for more year after year.

So, why can’t we get enough?

Because Quantum Leap, like its teachers and attendees, continues to evolve. As Gary’s life moves forward, he has more to share—both insights and AHAs. And, regardless of Gary’s growth, attendees hear and learn new things based on where they are. It’s literally a lesson on life—which we are never finished learning.

It’s both funny and enlightening to see Quantum Leap a handful of times and walk out realizing the material hadn’t so much changed, as you did. But, it’s Quantum Leap that’s made you step back and gain new perspective—a feat many rarely, if ever, accomplish.

Thankfully, we got to attend Quantum Leap again on Saturday, and, as to be expected we had some great new AHAs.

“Every minute you live, you’re betting your life on your decisions,” Gary said to thousands from stage at KW’s Family Reunion 2012. “Life is an inside (to the outside) job. If you want the best life experience, put yourself together first.”

Yes, we all have our issues and our challenges, but we also have power over our lives’ trajectories. “You tend to go wherever you aim,” Gary teaches. So, why not aim high? Why not take the time to step back, and take charge of your life’s outcome?

Continue reading ‘Bet your life on your decisions’

WE ASKED Ryan Overmyer!

What does a listing presentation with a distressed homeowner sound like?

The listing presentation is a two step process.  First we do an initial over-the-phone qualification. If the projected terms are acceptable to the borrower(s) we then schedule an in-office appointment with borrower(s) for a final review and to sign documents. I have them sign anything and everything we could ever need. We also schedule a convenient time for the photographer to visit their home.

By the end of the initial call sellers feel so comfortable even after such a short conversation because I’m usually able to tell them what the exact terms and/or outcomes of their short sale will most likely be. I’m able to do this because I speak with so many banks so often. Also be prepared to field questions about credit, a timeline and their individual financial circumstances.

Script: Initial Over-the-Phone prequalification

Seller: I’m interested in receiving more information on how a short sale might be a good option for me.

Agent: Certainly. Would it be OK if I asked you a few quick questions that will help me answer YOUR questions a little more accurately?

• What do you think your home is currently worth?

• Deal Breaker for Overmyer: An anticipated sales price of under $100K.

• How would you rate your home’s current physical condition?

• Deal Breaker for Overymyer: Poor condition.

• Who is/are your lien holder(s)?

• What are the estimated mortgage balances?

• How many borrowers are on the loan(s)?

• Are you currently up-to-date or behind on mortgage payments?

(Note: Give them the most probable outcome of the sale based on their answers to these questions. For this script, we’ll assume there is one borrower with one MajorBank mortgage loan.)

Agent: OK, thank you! Now, let me give you the “cliff notes version” of how the short sale process would most likely go for you. Please keep in mind that the results of your short sale are incredibly bank specific! If you had a lien holder other than MajorBank Mortgage – we’d project a very different outcome.

1. First, we’ll place your home on the market – listed at market value.
2. Then, we’ll retain a purchaser and market value offer for your home.
3. Then, we’ll lock that purchaser in place and assemble your short sale package. Your lien holder will require various financial documents – and we’ll email you a checklist of these required documents prior to getting off the phone today.
4. After we’ve finished assembling your short sale package – we’ll submit it to your bank and begin the negotiation process.
5. Since your loan is with MajorBank, here are the terms we’d expect to receive.*
6. Do these anticipated terms sound acceptable to you?

*Bank terms trend quickly. So it’s important that you giving clients accurate information. If you’re unsure about the probable outcome of the short sale – consult with another short sale expert or wait to offer the expected outcomes until you have reliable information to back your predictions up.