HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We have so much to be thankful for!

Your KWSR Leadership Team is thankful for YOU!!

Do They Really Serve Kool Aid?

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh (or wonder).

It seems that people are so used to being taken advantage of, or being in business with a company that puts the needs of its partners below the company's needs, that the concept of anything different is viewed as 'weird' and 'too good to be true'.

I recently heard something that I haven't heard in years - a comment about the 'cult-like' persona of Keller Williams Realty, with reference to our Agents 'drinking the Kool Aid'. This has always cracked me up, and I always wonder where it first started.

Although I heard it years ago, I felt confident that non-KW Agents in our area felt differently; that they saw our level of growth and success and attributed it to the hard work we have put into building a company of integrity, service and results. Surely they could see that we are just 'normal' hard-working Realtors, right??

One of our area's top Realtors is currently making the move to our company and shared with me the perception that some agents have about our office - that this is where they 'drink the Kool Aid'.

So I asked, "why would they say that?"

"Because the Agents from your office are always so happy and constantly talk about how great your office is," was the reply.

I laughed out loud at that remark! "That's it?" I asked.

"Pretty much. It's just so different than how everyone else feels about their Companies, even if they like their particular office."

Here's a thought: "Agents make 100% of the income for a real estate company. The more successful the Agents are, the more successful the Company is. Why would a Company NOT focus all of its energy on providing the very best tools, technology, support, training and coaching to its Agents? Why wouldn't they seek out the opinions and ideas of their top talent to constantly ensure that they are the best Partner for their Agents?"

If having happy, successful Agents is 'drinking the Kool Aid' then "CHEERS!" and pass the pitcher!

Not ecstatic about your business partnership? Ask one of our Agents what KWSR has done for their business: go to our website, randomly select from our list of Associates and call them. Curious about what we can do for you? Email me today!

"Oh Yeah!"

Ugly Changes to FHA Condominium Loans

Once again from our friends at M Point Mortgage:

HUD Condominium Approvals Effective with Cases Assigned 10/1/09

Loans with case numbers ordered on or after October 1, 2009, are subject to the new condominium procedures outlined by HUD in Mortgagee Letter 2009-19.


1. Spot Loan Condo Approvals are no longer allowed.

2. Any condominium that has not been approved by HUD 10/1/09 or later will require full condominium review and approval by HUD. Only exceptions: FHA to FHA streamline refinances or sale of a HUD REO by HUD’s Real Estate Owned Division. Even on approved projects lender will be required to certify that we have no knowledge of circumstances or conditions that might have an adverse effect on the project or cause a mortgage secured by a unit in the project to become delinquent.

3. Maximum FHA Concentration – HUD is limiting the number of FHA insured loans to 30% for any project. This is a very big change. Per HUD recent HUD conference call, the plan is for FHA Connection to be capable of monitoring. It is imperative that case numbers be ordered correctly with the correct project approval code. If the project is not at maximum concentration a case number will be assigned; if the project is at maximum concentration and not eligible for another FHA loan the case number will not be assigned and a message issued stating that. As loans are paid off within the project Connection will be updated by HUD “freeing up” units for new case assignments.

Keller Williams Realty Tops JD Power Survey Again!

According to a recent article from Inman News, J.D. Power and Associates has found Keller Williams Realty to be the consumer's favorite when purchasing a new home.

For the second year in a row, Buyers have rated Keller Williams Realty higher than any other real estate company for meeting their needs and providing access to the extra services they are looking for.

To learn how the surveys are conducted and more details on the results, go HERE.

Changes to settlement procedures you need to know!

Beginning 8/1/2009 the Federal Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) goes into effect and applies to all mortgage loan applications dated 8/1/2009 and beyond.

Basically, purchase borrowers will now have the same protection as refinance borrowers creating a 3 day period to understand exactly what is expected at settlement regarding closing costs.

Changes from the initial Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs to the final HUD 1 regarding the following items must be redisclosed no less than 3 days prior to settlement:

* Origination and discount points

* Appraisal and reinspection fees

* Credit report fees

* Flood Certification fees

* Tax service fees

* Commitment fees

* Processing fees

* Underwriting fees

* Transfer and Recordation fees

* Realtor Admin. Fees


The Federal Government is making sure borrowers cannot get "jammed at settlement" with new fees and forced to close. Borrowers now have 3 days to understand any fee changes before settlement. This is a good move since it levels the playing field and gets rid of unethical practices by unscrupulous lenders.


It is very important you work with your lenders and supply them with all the information regarding any and all Admin fees that will be charged at settlement so no one gets left short at the table.

This information was provided by my friends at MPOINT Mortgage:

Adrian Cox

Erika Zabell

Thank you!

Making More Money In The 3rd Quarter!

In the 2nd Quarter, the real estate industry received a much needed boost of activity. For the first time in many months we are beginning to hear positive news [CNBC article] about hopes for a recovery.



It seems we are nearer the end than the beginning of the depressed housing market - but it is certainly far from over. Your actions in the 3rd Quarter and beyond may very well shape the future of your entire real estate business!



This is a time of opportunity, and by the time most Realtors have figured out how to react the landscape will have changed drastically. It's not too late to boost your commission income during the current market and to set the building blocks for a phenominally successful near-future business!



In the 2nd Quarter, we focused on creating and maintaining a positive mindset, we built a solid business plan, we implemented systems for each area of our business, we began a leveraged lead-generation strategy, and we lay the groundwork for building a strong social network.



If you missed any of the classes above - don't worry - we'll be covering those topics again in the 4th Quarter (you may also contact me for information on receiving the material or a course schedule from one of our other offices).



What next? Well, in the 3rd Quarter we are building on our solid foundation a business that connects with the needs of today's customers.

We will utilize the latest technology to communicate efficiently and effectively with the greatest number of people. We will sharpen our industry knowledge to better protect and serve our customers. We will also utilize best practices to build our business "teams" with the industry's best talent in every related service area.

Topics will include:
Using HD Video/Digital Media
Building and Maintaining a Strong Brand
Advanced Website Tools
Agents In Action: KW Connect
What Makes a Great BPO?
Marketing, Flyers & Drip Campaigns
Contracts I & II
Social Networking as Lead Generation
Proven Lead Generation Tactics

All Realtors are welcome to join us - please RSVP to Sherine Blahnik , our Agent Services Coordinator, to reserve your seat. You may also sign in as a guest on our intranet site to view our full training calendar.

Critical Path for Buyers

Today in GO F.A.R. we discussed the critical path that we follow when working with Buyers. There are two paths to internalize: our own processes for our business and the processes we use to guide our customers.

Our business processes include:
1) Converting Leads to Appointments
2) Preparingthe Buyer for the consultation
3) The Buyer Consultation
4) Finding the Home
5) Offer and Negotiations
6) Contract to Close
7) Post-close Systems

(from Buyer Mastery, Keller Williams Realty, Inc. 2008)

Client Process include:
1) Pre-Approval
2) Needs Analysis
3) Begin Search
- Buyer Instant Notification System
- Preview Homes (phone/in person)
- Provide Property Tour Notes/Checkist papers
4) Write The Offer
- Create CMA and get GFE from Lender/Title
- Call the Listing Agent
- Get Disclosures
- Create Customer Account in Contract Software
- Have Customer Google address, neighborhood, seller
- Write It
- Send It
- Call Listing Agent to confirm receipt

(from class attendees - GO F.A.R. @ KW Select Realtors in EC: 6/4/2009)

Working With Buyers: Scripts & Questionaires

There's a saying that goes: "You can spend the time on the front end, or you can spend the time on the back end. Either way, you're going to spend the time."

Never has that been more true than when working with Buyers. It is amazing what a great Needs Analysis can do to reduce the number of homes you need to show before finding the right one and writing an offer. Take the time up front and ask the RIGHT questions . . . your clients will thank you and you will earn back HOURS of wasted time!

In this Thursday's GO F.A.R. class (1:30 to 2:30) we will be uncovering the BEST Needs Analysis as well as customer questionaires to help you uncover their core needs, expectations and concerns.

This ONE HOUR class will save you thousands of hours in your career. What will YOU do with that extra time??

Managing Listings: Checklists & Systems

Today in GO F.A.R. we will be looking at examples of excellent checklists and systems used by the country's top Realtors to manage their active Listings.

Taken from the research used to write the Millionaire Real Estate Agent book (Gary Keller et al.), we will finalize and implement our own systems for servicing our Sellers at the highest level while allowing us to manage dozens (even hundreds) of listings without going insane!

Class starts at 1:30 . . .

Purposeful Success in 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008 is now only another year in history. For many, it is good riddance! For some, 2009 is a scary unknown. "Johnny, show them what's behing door number three!"

Now is the time that many reflect on the previous year and wonder why it seemed to be another year of "getting by." We think of the fun events, the trials, the changes and wonder what will happen this year.

And yet, some have already started down their path toward reaching their 2009 goals. Their goals are well thought out, written down, and planned for implementation. They KNOW what will happen this year!

It's not too late! No goals? No plan?? If you start NOW, you can still make this new year one of purposeful success! Contemplate your dreams . . . where do you want to be in twelve months?

Need help goal setting? dconord@kw.com I can help!

Make it a great year!!

GO F.A.R.

FOCUS. ACTIONS. RESULTS.

Today kicked off the newest program offered by Keller Williams Select Realtors to our Associates - GO F.A.R.

Designed to be focused on taking appropriate action and getting quick results, we will create and implement the MREA four models of a succesful real estate business: Economic, Organizational, Lead Generation, Budget.

Tired of theory, or the same old information that you "know" but can't seem to get traction?? Buckle up and get ready to GO F.A.R.

Email me for more information. All local REALTORS welcome!

Price of admission is your COMMITMENT!! :)