Slogans.  I think every real estate professional should have one.  I do.  Do you?  I was told when I was trying to create my slogan to look inside myself and find deep down what it is that makes me do the things I do and love this career as I do.

My slogan is...and I apologize if anyone has this, I PROMISE I DID NOT copy it form anyone...it is what is in my heart and my reason for doing the things I do.

"It's not about the Real Estate...It's about the people!"

I use it every day!  I use it in EVERY mailing I do, every email, every contact.  It says exactly what my heart and mind say.  I am a very caring person and I mean every word of it.

Houses sell themselves...that IS NOT my job....taking care of my clients is.  My main concern is the people.  

Yes, there may be times when I REALLY, REALLY need a closing but if it is not right...it's a no go.  I really do admire that my companies values are along the same lines....Win-win, or NO DEAL.

So what's your slogan?   

Well....NC legislation is at it again.  I am a (so far) life long resident of NC and I must tell you that this state loves to tax.  I really think if you sit still long enough they are going to tax you for taking up space.

Now...they want to add a 1% home tax to all sells of property.  WOW!  It's not like the seller has enough people digging in the pocket when they try to sell their home.  Now NC wants to get in on the action.

The NCAR (North Carolina Association of Realtors) has already started the actions to help fight this tax.

There is a website dedicated to this fight.  Please visit and learn about this problem.  CLICK HERE 

Hmmm.....I thought Deed Stamps were already a TAX.... 

Here are some facts that may interest you about the proposed NC tax.

You can also get a free yard sign and bumper sticker by visiting HERE 

Pictures.  Real Estate pictures are a pet peeve of mine.  Too many, not enough...NONE AT ALL!!!  What in the world is that all about? 

You've heard the old saying.."A picture is worth a thousand words."  But I have noticed when it comes to the MLS it seems as though it takes a thousand words to get some real estate people to understand the importance of placing pictures of their listings.  

Now let's talk about the quality of the pictures.  The latest trend seems to be taking a quick shot with your cellphone camera.  Now we all know that is some fine photographic equipment.  How hard is it really to take a camera, put a little effort into it and take a good picture. Every agent owes their clients that much.

I was doing some surfing for some picture related articles and ran across this...I promise you if you watch this you WILL enjoy it.

This guy is good!  He is an agent in a place I cannot even pronounce (I think he needs an invite to Activerain).  I just ramdomly clicked a link and his version of a "Virtual Tour" popped up.

Please take a moment and watch this....it is quite funny.

You've heard of it.  But do you know what it is? 

Making your business recognizable is an invaluable thing.  If you make your business all about yourself...what are you going to do when you retire?

Ok, here's a little test.  Identify the following companies by their brand:

• The golden arches.
• The brown truck...we wanna race it.

Ok..so my mind is a little shot today and I could only think of a couple.  But you get the idea.  These brands do not in anyway describe the company as a one person entity.  This is how we must think.  We must prepare now for later in life and how to pass our business along to someone else.

Here are some definitions of branding I found on the web:

Definitions of Branding on the Web:

• A traditional advertising method used to create an acquired response from a target audience based on cumulative impressions and positive reinforcement. These ads are not purchase for the sole purpose generating a click or visitor. They are geared towards increased product or company name awareness and lifelong customers.
  homewithgod.com/adv/adv_glossary.shtml
• A school of advertising that says, "If the consumer has heard of us, we've done our job." Fortunately for agencies, brand value is extremely difficult to measure, so branding campaigns can be easily defended with grandiose predictions of future glory.
  smartbizconnection.com/advertising_glossary_index.htm
• The process by which both a brand and brand identity are developed.
  www.wompro.com/catalogue/category22/product4514
• The process by which the true character and purpose of the company or organization is communicated.
  www.indiana.edu/~urcp/image/gloss.shtml
• is a promise, a pledge of quality. It is the essence of a product, including why it is great, and how it is better than all competiting products. It is an image. It is a combination of words and letters, symbols, and colors.
  www.quintcareers.com/jobseeker_marketing_glossary.html
• Commonly referred to as engraving.
  www.duracard.com/glossary.htm
• The process by which a commodity in the marketplace is known primarily for the image it projects rather than any actual quality.
  www.medialit.org/reading_room/article565.html
• An ad campaign that focuses on introducing, re-introducing or enforcing the brand for a particular product or organization. Branding is one of the most unappreciated aspects of web advertising because so many people focus on click-through rates. This is unfortunate because studies have shown internet advertising to be highly successful in building brand awareness.
  capcomarketing.com/mediakit/Marketing_Glossary/
• the process of building a favorable image for a product or company that differentiates it, in the minds of prospects and end users, from other competitors.
  www.garyeverhart.com/glossary_of_advertising_terms.htm
• Brand is the proprietary visual, emotional, rational, and cultural image associated with a company or a product. The purpose of having people remember the brand name and have positive associations with that brand is to make their product selection easier and enhance the value and satisfaction they get from the product.
  www.denow.com/6gloss/
• While the majority of the roughly 106,000 convenience stores are "branded" outlets selling a specific major oil company's brand of fuel, NACS estimates that about 7,000, or less than 7 percent, are owned and operated by own of the five major oil companies.
  cstorecentral.com/NACS/Resource/PRToolkit/Campaigns/prtk_gp2005_Statistics.htm
• The identification of a product or a service with the parent company; it usually means the inclusion of the corporate signature in the ad or on the product.
  www.bradycommunications.com/perspectives/glossary.aspx
• is the assignment of value to products through naming, packaging, marketing, and advertising.
  www.kuce.org/isc/previews/vae530INT/concepts.html
• A product, service or concept defined by public awareness of name, graphics, or corporate identity.
  www.consumer.att.com/cybershopper/helpful/glossary.html

If nothing else it makes your business look more professional.

I started out with my first domain name for my website as my name (www.jtprevatte.com) which is still active but I do not use that exclusively.  Over the time I have been in the business I have bought many domain names.  There is one that I have gotten and this is the one that I am trying to brand.  It is a name that I can pass on, form a team with, and make all my marketing coincide.

My new logo was made totally FREE from a program I found on the web.  The program had a short learning curve but is mostly user friendly.  The name of the program is, The Logo Creator v5.  You can download the demo program which gives you 16 uses before you either have to delete it or buy it.  I like this program now that I have an understanding of it's use.

My brand is My New NC Home.  My web address is www.MyNewNCHome.com and of course my email address has the MyNewNCHome name included.  Today I have really been working on my brand.  I have been creating a logo.  I think it has turned out quite well.

Here is my first attempt at a more professional logo. 

I know it looks choppy on here as I did not resize it prior to posting.  I was just happy to be done working on that program.   

Ahhhh FSBO's.  If you have ever followed any of my blog you that I love to chase them.  I call it a chase because they don't want to be caught.  They can do it themselves..they don't need no stinkin' Realtor....

I contact A LOT of FSBO's...daily.  Every one I find goes into my database and the hunt begins.  The hunt for those of you who do not know is the tax records, the IMAPP system, 411.com, google....everything I can think of to find out a name so that I can put them on the mailing list.  If, for some strange reason, I cannot find the name I try to at least have an email address.  So if I don't have a name they get a polite short email.

Yesterday I sent out one of my emails to a FSBO.  I do this all the time because anyone that works FSBO's know that it is a crap shoot for lack of better words, a numbers game.  The more you contact the more the chance of success.

I actually got a reply from this one gentleman and I use that term lightly.  The jest of the email was that "if I wanted your help I would not have listed my home on a FOR SALE BY OWNER site and please to NEVER contact us again".

My gut reaction being the guy I am...I wanted to send another email.  But, I am the bigger man.  I want a good image in the community.  But it still gets to me.

I mean...why be rude?  Sure...only like a bizillion Realtors have contacted you since you planted your pretty $1.99 sign in the ground.  That's not my problem, you planted the sign...you KNEW this was going to happen.  Where do these people think we get business from anyway???

It's beyond me as to why they do this, get ugly about it and then list anyway...I can understand the ugliness then as they are having to eat crow...admit defeat...so to speak.

Maybe it IS just me.  Maybe I let that one get to me a little....dunno.

today I was asked by another agent in our office to do the training.  It was on what?  Yep, FSBO's.  I am by no means an expert in that subject but it is one I cannot seem to get enough of.  When I started I knew of NO ONE who wanted to sell their homes...and a wise man told me what FSBO stood for.

F = Fastest

S= Source

of

B= Business

O=Opportunity

I have held this information dear to my heart since.  I love to help people, maybe this is the route.

Do the RUDE Fsbo seller's ever get to you?  What is your course of action to deal with it.

I think the most valuable piece of information I gave the class this morning (all green agents) was that if they think buyers give them the brush off....they ain't (yes I said ain't, it's in the dictionary) seen nothing yet! 

I wrote a blog the other day entitled "Do you ever feel guilty for taking a day off?"

Well apparently some of us need to take advantage of taking a day off.  I was amazed that the post got 51 responses and 547 views!

Do you ever feel guilty for taking the day off? Jeffery Prevatte, REALTOR, ABR

03/16/2007 07:47 AM Bob Sloop

51

547

WOW!  Or maybe it is the fact that some people really do enjoy their work as much as I do and kinda feel guilty when they play hookie.

But I will tell you.  There was a good feeling from playing hookie the other day.  I really got a chance to recharge the batteries, think about things I am trying to accomplish in my business and maybe a few new ways to get that done.

Sometimes we go to the office and go into our protective little corners (offices) and kinda hide away from the world.  Sure we email and we talk on the phone but we are not out there....out there "amongst them" where we really need to be.  Now don't get me wrong.  We need to maintain our office duties...but this is a people business.  Without the people there is no business.

Taking the day off, ok I really NEVER take  a day off, I got a chance to get out among people and talk to them.  Most just made comments like "nice bike or pretty day for a ride"...(people act a little different when you are on a bike and wearing jeans and leather...guess it is the stereotype, don't know) but a few I actually got to talking about them and then naturally they would ask me what I do.  What a perfect opportunity to make some new contacts!

Speaking of contacts.

Do you try to get a business card or contact information from everyone you encounter?

Think about that for a minute.  I went to the appliance repair place the other day while riding and got a part to make my icemaker happy again.  The guy working the counter was really a nice guy and quite knowledgeable about his job.  I really appreciated his help.  Heck, I had no idea what I needed, ok a little idea, but he was right on it. For that I was very thankful.

So...today when I got to the office I wrote up a quick letter to say thank you.  Now how many people do that?  Think that will make an impression on him?  Think I might have a new contact for my files?

So pay attention to EVERYONE you come into contact with...is there a way to make their day and to add to your possibilities list? 

Paid internet advertising.  You know, you set it up so that when someone clicks they get front door service right to your designated website.  Or so....we think.

I guess this is kind of a rant.  A rant due to the fact that I have no way to truly verify rather or not the service is doing what it claims or not.  That kinda bothers me.  I try to build checks and balances into everything I invest business money into but this is a little hard to do with this service.  Sure there is the analytics site....but then again, how do you know that it is correct.

It seems as though some weeks that money is put to incredibly good use and I do have to remember that just one buyer or seller covers more than what I am investing.  There are days when it seems as there are so many good leads that I will never be able to service all of them.  Then there are the days when your daily budget is completely used and nothing, nada...nill.  I guess that is what is bothering me.  Now I know it is human nature as to rather they leave you some contact information or they just mosey on their merry way BUT I find myself asking..."How can I be sure that the money I am investing is just not being falsely justified.  Oh...I know, I will check the analytics site."  But the problem with that is the fact that they OWN the analytics site.  Can anyone see any possible issues with this?

Just my thoughts out loud and on a blog...after all isn't that what a blog is about...to place our thoughts? 

So it finally happened.  The new job offer came in and after talking it over with the significant other you decided it was time to move on.  BUT..there's a small issue.  The issue of what to do with the family home.  Do you hire a Realtor or do you make the trip to the big box store and get a For Sale By Owner sign?  Surely it cannot be that hard.  From what you have observed most Realtors drive big fancy cars, live in mansions, and do very little to make all those big bucks. 

So come Saturday morning you make a trip to the store and pick up your brand new For Sale By owner sign.  Ah...there it is...all shiny and new.  Strikingly handsome sign, a dark black background with those bright fluorescent orange letters proclaiming to the world that your castle, the place you and the family have called home for many years is "For Sale".  Yep, there it is....all 8 1/2" by 11" of it.  A sign this big should have to have it's own permits issued by the city zoning department.  Surely with a sign such as this the buyers are going to come beating on the door and you may just have to run for the house after you have planted the sign.  There are going to be droves of buyers...so many that there is no way this house will be on the market more than a few days.......

"That sign should do it", you say to yourself.  Surely that is all we need to do after all there is so much traffic that goes by here everyday that it will sell quick.  "Honey, I really don't think we need to advertise this house...after all, just look at that sign!"  So you do nothing other than place your brand spanking new fluorescent lettered sign in the yard and wait. 

Meanwhile that guy down the street, the neighbor you have never really spoken to makes his decision to sell his home also.  BUT...he decides to call a Realtor.  You know he is selling his home because you have seen the sign in the yard that proudly proclaims that Jeffery Prevatte of Keller Williams is handling the sell of his house for him.

A few days out of the week you notice that the guy down the street has cars parked out in front of his house.  They are smiling people and have cameras!  Yep, they are going to see your neighbors house that Jeffery is marketing for the owner.  Who's that?  Yes, that must be Jeffery...he has brought clients to the home.   

Thinking back to the course of your week you shrug it off as "I know people have been coming by while I and the wife are at work.  Surely they will give us a call because we wrote our number on the bottom of that sign with a BRAND NEW Sharpie marker and there is no way they wouldn't want to see this house."  "They have just been busy, like we are, with work and family and whatnot....I know they will call!"  So you go back in and sit down in your easy chair and wait.  All weekend you wait.  The phone does ring but it's your mother-in-law..."no sell there", you say to yourself. 

"Next week I will call the newspaper and put a small text ad in the classifieds....that is gonna bring me the buyers."

On Wednesday you come home and notice that they guy down the street has "SALE PENDING" across his sign.  You think back to the time that has elapsed since you have seen his sign go into his yard.  "Um....two weeks...I think" and you think to the time that yours has been so nicely planted in your front yard.  "Hmm...I wonder what that Realtor guy did to get those people out here that I didn't?  They must have driven by and saw my sign before they saw that ugly real estate sign.  Just look at it with the red and white colors and the large phone number and web address....UGLY I TELL YA!"  "I just know that some of those people who are driving by are going to call....." 

Another two weeks pass and you have had a couple of people stop by all of them with a Realtor in a nice pretty suit.  They actually saw your "handsome" sign and came to your door.  Nervously you answered the door because you have no idea who these people are and just hope that they are here to see your house.  During the conversation you search for things to say and run around almost like a crazy person trying to point EVERYTHING out about the house.  Then the buyer asks the dreaded question...."can I get a copy of the Seller's Disclosure Statement?"  "Um.....what the heck is that?"..you ask yourself and do I really need it?  Ahhhh..they must be crazy.  They have no more idea what they are doing in buying this house than I do in selling it."  At a loss for words you just stand there and the potential buyer decides that it is time to exit stage left....

During this time period you notice that the neighbor down the street now has SOLD! on his sign.  You see Realtor Jeffery out in the front yard with the sellers taking their picture by the sign and shaking hands with the successful sellers and the new owners.  Everyone is smiling.  "What the heck?" you ask yourself..... 

By using a Realtor your neighbor has sold his home and is ready to move onto whatever life holds for him in the future.  By you NOT using a Realtor, but instead choosing that mighty "Handsome" sign yours is still for sell and you unfortunately are still waiting for that buyer to come along and trying to figure out what a Seller's Disclosure really is.....

Don't worry...shortly Realtor Jeffery will be down to knock on your door and see if there is anything he can do to help you. 

Selling your home does not have to be like this.  It can be made easy.   Most FSBO's think that they can just put a sign in the yard and wait.  Maybe some do some sort of online advertising through a flat fee type service but nothing else.  In today's world it simply does not pay to put yourself or your family through this.

Go ahead, give Jeffery a call right now and see what he can do to help you with your problems.  It can be made easy.

For free FSBO information please visit my website at www.MyNewNCHome.com. 

Well...as planned I played hookie today.  Ok so I did stop by the office for just a minute to check the email and see if my listing possibility had emailed me.

It was a great day!  The weatherman actually got one right!  Beautiful sunny skies and great temperature.

As I live outside of the city I got some good "me" time in today.  Left the house and went towards the city, through the city out into the country to the appliance repair place (the ice maker on the fridge had quit so I had to get a part).  On the road again after leaving there.  Back through the city with a quick stop to see my wife.  Leaving her office I decided to cut through the back side of Ft. Bragg (can you say desolate?).  Through 3 small towns and back around to the house.  I actually went through a lot of towns today.  Cameron to Fayetteville to Vander back to Fayetteville through the neighboring county to Aberdeen to Pinehurst (yes the golf capital of NC) through Southern Pines....with a quick stop at Sandhills Harley for a few minutes of checking out the bikes and gear, to Carthage and back around to Cameron.  Total about 120 miles.

There is something to be said for being out riding alone through this great countryside that we enjoy.  It really is good for clearing the mind and rejuvinating the soul.  Gives a person a lot of time to think as I was enjoying the beautiful music the Harley Twin Cam 88 makes through that custom exhaust.

So it's back to the grind tomorrow.  The weatherman just said that the good stuff is over and the cold and rain are coming back for the weekend so I really did myself justice.

I HIGHLY recommend that everyone take a "me" day and reset your energy levels.  I know it has done wonders for me.

Your Riding Real Estate Agent

www.RealEstateBiker.com

A little funny for those of you who are Harley fans.  I am not a Harley nut...I had a Honda before this one and you know...you really do meet the nicest people on a Honda.  If anyone who rides any other make wants to modify this please feel free.

Harley's 10 Commandments

I. The one true American- made motorcycle is the Harley Davidson, and thou shalt not put no other motorcycles before it.

II. Thou shalt not bow down and worship nor serve the God of Chrome; for, lo, he is a false god and will not get thy butt home.

III. Honor thy authorized dealer and the motorcycles thy sell, and that thy days may be long and fruitful in the land of Harley.

IV. Remember the weekend, and keep it open. For it is written, five days shalt thou labor, and for two days shalt thou ride thy Harley, drink beer, and have some FUN.

V. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's Harley, nor her manservant, nor her maidservant, nor her ox, nor her cute little butt.

VI. From the throne of thine Harley, thou shalt not stoop to wave at sinners who ride Jap-crap, for Jap-crap is known to be the handiwork of the devil.

VII. Thou shalt not pass by nor turn away from thy brother Harley rider who is in mechanical distress.

VIII. Thou shalt not pose. Verily, I say unto you, it is easier for a poser to pass his gold Visa card through the eye of a needle than to enter into the true fellowship of Harley-Davidson heaven.

IX. When riding thy Harley on the Road of Life, thou shalt not whine nor snivel, and thou shalt not suffer to ride alongside those who do.

X. Park not thy Harley in the darkness of thine garage, that it may collect dust for want of being oft ridden. Ride thy Harley with thy Harley brethren, and rejoice in the spirit of the road and the wind.

Ok...let me just say it.  I am not going into my office today.  Nothing is wrong, no work is being left undone.

Ok, here are the facts...the wonderful weather man has told us that it is going to be a BEAUTIFUL 82 DEGREES today here in Fayetteville, NC.  I am the proud owner of a 1999 Harley Davidson Superglide.  it has been cold and windy for about the past month.  Can you see where I am going with this? 

Yes, that is right.  I have a new listing possibility that I am working with and have already informed her that I am available everyday this week other than Wednesday, today.  Hey a guy has got to have a little fun right?  We can't work ALL the time.

But, as I sit here unshaven and just out of bed I can't help but think that there are reasons that I need to be there.  I like my office, I like the people and the atmosphere there.  Maybe I am like an addict and cannot get enough.

But, I am asking do YOU ever feel guilty for taking a day off?  I don't think I have ever had a career in the past where I couldn't wait to get back to the office.  Most of the time it was just the opposite.

So what are your feelings?  Am I the only one who has this complex?  

Well, the open road is calling.  Time to go get the "Hog" fired up and ready to go.  Take care all.