Give Yourself a Gift of Education..Consider Real Estate Consulting!

Consider Real Estate Consulting

There can never be too much education for real estate professionals. That is one of the main reasons to participate on a site like ActiveRain. If you want to see my list of designations, go to the "Alphabet Soup" link below. One of those designations is ACRE® and I am a founding member.

 In tough times, more than ever, real estate professionals need more education, new tools and new revenue streams.   At the same time, consumer awareness and demand for quality choices in real estate services is growing and they want to match that demand with trained professionals who can offer those choices.
The basic ACRE® course can now be taken at no cost. That's right: anyone who would like to learn what consulting is all about can take the ACRE® course and receive access to the members-only Coaching Exchange for one full year, again at no charge. To enroll in the course, just go to ACREcourse.com and click "Enroll Now".

If you want to see my list of designations, go to the "Alphabet Soup" link below. 

What is An ACRE Besides Land? I Am!

Exceptional Service...Without Exception!

Alphabet Soup - Those Letters After My Name...and the Two Letters You Don't See

 This is a great opportunity to learn and, in addition,  earn  a new designation.  By making the basic ACRE® course free, the consulting model can be used by more Real Estate Professionals during these tough times. The result will be more awareness by the consumer and another stream of income for REALTORS.
Go sign up NOW!  ACREcourse.com and click "Enroll Now". Remember the price is right.. FREE!!

Don't Do Anything You Don't Want To

The other day I was talking with a older person whose family was trying to get her to move. I found myself saying emphatically: "Don't do anything you don't want to. But DO everything that you want to." And when I was done, it felt good and right.

I thought about how this simplifies my business and my life:

• I don't want to work with clients who are unpleasant to me or others…so I don't. Life is too short for that kind of aggravation.
• I don't want to cut my commission (which would mean that I would have to cut my service)…so I don't. I get one of the highest full service commission rates in the area, and my clients know they get top value.
• I don't want to drive buyers all over town looking at houses…so I don't. I work almost exclusively with sellers.
• I don't want to ever regret choosing real estate…and I don't. Where else can you work with interesting people, help them reach an important life goal, and be part of a nation-wide community of professionals who become friends?
• I DO want to be assured that my clients get the best possible service. That's why I answer my phone, make my own appointments, and am there for most showings.
• I DO want to create referral business. That's why I use my experience in nursing to nurture clients and help them through the high-stress time of buying a home.
• I DO want to help new agents, the ones who want to learn and stay in the profession for the long haul. That's why I mentor when I can and speak at new agents' training sessions.
• I DO want to sleep well. That's why I don't cut corners or take shortcuts. They just are not worth it.
• I DO want to spend time with my family and friends. That's why I carve out time when I am not available to clients, and never forget who is most important in my life.
• And I DO want to keep growing and learning, even after almost 20 years in the business. That's why I keep taking courses, getting new designations like ACRE, and why I'm writing a book.

I can imagine some people shaking their heads and saying, "That sounds fine, but in business sometimes you have to do things you don't want to." No, you don't. There are always alternatives; you have to figure out what they are and then decide what you will do.

And then there are those who are thinking, "I want to DO those things, too, but the business is different here. I can't make it if I take time off for vacations or chasing people down to make appointments." That's your choice. Just consider what you may be missing by not spending the time with your family, or not giving yourself a rest. And, I actually save time and aggravation for my sellers by making my own appointments.

Like most basic principles in life, it's pretty simple.DO everything you want to, and DON'T do anything you don't want to.

What's an ACRE Besides Land? I am!

With years of experience as a successful real estate agent, I'm still always looking for ways to do more for my clients. There are lots of courses I can take, and I do, to keep up to date. There are plenty of designations (all those letters after my name) that seem like so much alphabet soup.

But once in a while something really new comes along, and I'm able to offer my clients more choices. That's the whole idea behind the Accredited Consultant in Real Estate (ACRE) designation – choices about what services you receive when buying or selling real estate. And I'm very proud to be the first in Baltimore to earn the ACRE certification.

An experienced real estate professional knows the market, knows what works, and knows how to sell a home. My clients get the benefit of all this experience and knowledge. But sometimes, someone isn't looking to sell their home and just needs some good solid advice - how do I help that person? That's where ACRE allows me to help with consulting on an hourly basis. As an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate, I can help you with objective advice about:

• Deciding whether to move or improve
• Deciding if you are ready to buy or sell your home
• What you can do yourself to save money when selling your home without using a discount broker and getting discount service.

Or suppose you want help selling your home but need to know exactly what it will cost? An ACRE consultant has the option of setting a flat fee for services no matter how long it takes. And of course the ACRE-certified professional can always offer the traditional commission arrangement if that is the best choice for you.

ACRE is a whole new approach to real estate. If you'd like to know more, give me a call (410-530-2400). With ACRE there are more choices, and that's something everyone can appreciate.