By Trisha McCarthy
How do today’s agents, who aren’t REALTORS® and do not have the Association support, stay successful? You hear it every day–closing a deal in today’s climate is challenging. So many moving parts can falter throughout the transaction, and securing a listing and gaining the confidence of buyers with today’s trials is challenging.
Yet, we have a leg up on nonmembers, because we have the Association’s support. The education and resources offered to us are key factors in our business success and give us what we need to close the deal more often than not.
A great example of an Association tool to help us is the Broker-Owner Webinar series. This bi-monthly online series, offered as a subscription, is a forum for broker owners to learn about emerging issues that can affect a firm’s productivity and profitability. The program was launched last year and archived webinars available for viewing include “10 Essential Risk Control Tips”; “Monitoring & Managing Your Online Reputation”; “Office Policies and Procedures”; and, “Growing Your Business with Investment Property Exchange.”
A great listing tool that is very relevant in this challenging climate is MAR’s Job Loss Mortgage Protection Program available only to members. The program offers three types of protection: a REALTOR® or seller pay for the payment protection offered at time of listing for one or two years of insurance coverage; the broker or lender pay for protection if they can guarantee minimum production requirements; or if a buyer selects a Quicken Home Loan through MAR’s program, they receive the protection. All three options provide six monthly mortgage payments on the homeowner’s behalf.
And don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the Nationwide Open House initiative on April 28-29 whereby we host our open houses that weekend and get the benefit of national and statewide promotion on homeownership and the value of using a REALTOR®. I utilize the strategy of Progressive Open Houses in my area. Similar to the nationwide program, a series of open houses are scheduled in an area and people get a paper signed at each open house for the chance to win a gas card. You can organize a raffle in your area during the April Nationwide Open House weekend and I’m sure you’ll draw more traffic and make the experience more fun for all!
Get prepared; use the tools available to you as a member and best of success in the 2012 spring market. |