Viewing by month: September 2009
Respect your business if you want respect
Although CENTURY 21 is an international network, and nationally we are pretty much like a very, very large family, all of our real estate offices are independently owned. And that means all of our real estate franchisees are running their own small (or not so small as the case may be for some!) businesses. One thing that interests me immensely when it comes to small business is...Read complete post
Customer service lessons
Excellence in customer service is something that most of us expect when we’re paying someone to do something for us. Actually, maybe excellence is too strong a word. Although excellent customer service is what we all hope for, I think most of us just expect to be treated with respect and warmth when dealing with people. Not too much of an ask you would think. I’ve...Read complete post
How important is a home inspection?
I am always interested in stories that real estate agents and home buyers have about property inspections. Having worked in real estate for so long, I know how important it is to have a home inspection, and but I also know that some people shy away from them. As a buyer it’s important to know what you’re getting into when you’re buying a property. Chances are we...Read complete post
Sticking to your real estate guns
I often hear real estate agents complain that they lose listings solely based on their commission rate. This is a common gripe, and when I read and listen to the musings of real estate agents outside of the country, I have come to think it is a universal problem. It seems around the world, real estate agents are being judged on their commission rate over anything else...Read complete post
Green real estate
I’ve mentioned before that thinking green in real estate is becoming increasingly important. More than ever people are considering their impact on the environment. I read recently that it’s even having an impact on the wedding market with couples wanting sustainable weddings. So it’s not really surprising then to realize...Read complete post
Choosing a real estate agent shouldn't be that hard
Finding the right agent when you are looking for a home is an important aspect of the property buying or selling process. You need to know that the person you’re entrusting with what is likely to be one of your biggest financial decisions is professional, honest, and hardworking. Often people also want to feel they have something in common with their agent too. This sounds...Read complete post
Focus in real estate
Changing your mind is a right, and it’s a right that people exercise often, frequently much to the frustration of others. When you’re in a people oriented business like real estate, you have to accept that people will change their mind, but that doesn’t make it an easy thing to deal with. When someone tells you what they want, you’re not crazy for...Read complete post
Real estate is a people game
There’s no denying that real estate is a people game. Yes, it’s also about property and sales and competition but essentially when you’re dealing with property, people are intrinsically linked to that. Actually, even if you look at it from a sales perspective, you can’t separate people from that process either. So it never ceases to amaze me in real estate...Read complete post
In real estate, marketing counts
It’s common knowledge in business that one of the first things to be cut in times of economic strife is the marketing budget, much to the dismay of marketing managers everywhere, including in the real estate game, and on occasion here at Century 21. When the GFC hit last year and then continued into this year, media outlets everywhere reported downturns in advertising spends and brands that...Read complete post
A real estate rule to live by
One thing that peeves me immensely is people who over promise but under deliver. One of the first rules of good business, especially when you’re marketing services like we are in real estate, is that it’s better to under promise and over deliver than the other way round. When you think about it, it’s actually common sense. No-one likes to be let down, especially...Read complete post