contributing Frisco Real Estate Opinions, Ramblings & more!

Systems, Programs and Tools. When Enough is Enough?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:29:40 -0600

Education is a huge part of learning and growing in this business. We attend seminars, we buy books, we employ systems and we use tools. After a few short weeks, we feel that these items that we spend a few good dollars on aren't quite working out. We push it aside and head back to where we started: Ground Zero. We feel that we just wasted our time and money in these items. Hmmmm..... squander, squander, squander some more for the next few months. Repeat Step 1 again.

How many of us feel this way? We buy alot of stuff to supposedly better ourselves for the business yet it doesn't seem to work out? Is it the system or does the problem lie within ourselves? Hmmmm......

I have to tell myself this pretty often. There's nothing wrong with the seminars, workshops, books, tools, systems and programs. They ALL work. It's a matter of COMMITTING: following through what I sign up for. Commitment is a big word and Time is what I feel lack of.

So, the next time before you buy another "thing" to help yourself get better in the business, ask yourself how much COMMITMENT you are willing to put in. Commitment comes with DISCIPLINE, DETERMINATION and SACRIFICES.

Don't say you were disappointed with the programs and systems. Don't say most of them are crap. Some people's successful careers are built upon these very good training - to which you call crap. Maybe examine within yourself. Could the problem be you?

I'd like your thoughts.

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for fresh business ideas, often creative and unique. It is my intentions to bring you effective blog contents that will could make you feel that it was worth your time to subscribe.

*************************************************************

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

It is a competitive market, hence it is important that you choose to work with the realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Systems, Programs and Tools. When Enough is Enough?
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Simple Tips for Your Maximum Blog Exposure

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:46:47 -0600

If you have not read Sharon Paxson's blog titled Blogging for Points - What's the Point? She mentioned many of her views on blogging - of which I completely agree with. If you have not read her blog, you don't know what you are missing. I am just surprised it has yet to make FEATURE and deservingly so.

I'd like to expand my views on this subject, particularly on my take on How to Increase Your Blogs for maximum exposure. Maximum exposure means more interests, more points, more friends/ associates for you. All in all, it is a good thing. The fact that Active Rain created the Point System is an ingenious method of keeping members coming back to it very often - no matter how much you admit that you do not care about the point system.

My blogging strategy for the past six months have moved to the next level (per Broker Bryant's comments). I did not planned for it and it happened by accident. I started sharing alot of "How-To" posts, some transparency posts as well as some tips, tricks and advice on taking your blogs to generate more business and readership for members. In a short time, I gained more subscribership than I ever did before. (This is what I think is going right).

Here are some of my experiences on maximizing blog exposure:

Keep the topics interesting
It may be something that is easy for people to read and understand, digest and take away with. It should be easy for others to comment also. Some hard and difficult topics are often dry and uneasy even though they may be right. But if it is completely agreeable and you said it well enough on your blog, there is really no reason for others to leave pats-on-the-backs type comments.
Topics can also be controversial. Those really keep readers really wanting to share their views.
My experience is to keep the blogs to one topic at a time. Keep it Simple & Short concept here works.
I have tried a post with 5 points and 1 with 1 point each, I think readers prefer the simpler blogs to digest the information.
White Spaces
Format your posts with white spaces on your blog. If you write your 2 paragraphs or 15 sentences all in 1 paragraph, it is hard to read. You will lose reader's interests very quickly. I'm a big fan of adding colors and font size changes to your blog. This also add visual interests for the eye.
Timing your posts [IF YOU READ NOTHING, YOU MUST READ THIS]
I have experimented with this enough to know that Active Rain can take only 1 good post at a time. Sharon's blog talks about writing 11 posts in 1 day. She adds that there is not enough time for readers to go through every single one. How true!
Believe it or not, timing when to publish your blog is also important. While blogs are read and commented throughout the day, I think it receives its maximum exposure in the mornings and in the late afternoons/ evenings. Active readers usually read blogs either one of the first things in the morning or late in the day. To take advantage of this fact, post your blogs either in the mornings or in the early afternoons. If you want to publish 2 blogs in a day (I have done that and done it on several occasions), the maximum exposure is to do one in the morning, let it be read and commented throughout the day and publish the 2nd later in the day.
Read also, Strategies for Active Rain Success for more tips on topics to write about for maximum points.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Simple Tips For Your Maximum Blog Exposure.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Should Your Short Sale Debt Be Forgiven?

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:13:29 -0600

Yes, a controversial question: Should banks forgive your short sale debt? By that I mean, your credit gets hurt a little, but you walk away with tens of thousands of dollars forgiven?

How fair is it to your neighbor who purchased his home at or around the same time, perhaps paid around the same price. The difference is that he could continue to pay his mortgage, did not displayed economic hardship and will continue to make his payments he promised to pay back when he signed the mortgage note?
His home value fell just as much as his "short-sale" neighbor did.

How fair is it to your bank who lend you the money you signed your name to promise to pay back?

Whatever happened to "promises" we make to people? Shouldn't our words and actions be worth the weight in gold?

If Short sale for properties are acceptable in this society, shouldn't we extend our mercy to car loans and other consumer related loans?

What if the situation is turned around? What if we are not in a bad economic crisis? What if the properties we purchased all doubled its value two times in two years we owned it? Should we share our profits with our bankers who helped us in the first place?

I may have touched the emotional side of this circumstance. I know bad things can happen to good people. I understand that. But in a world where we first spend, spend, spend and never had to think about the re-paying consequence, it has contributed to some of the problems we have today.

I'm sorry but I dont know if I should feel bad when I show houses in and around my area with Short sale as part of the description. Some of these houses are showcase and model home qualities. By that, I mean fine furnishings, top of the line home decor and furniture. What should I think?

I believe that there are many good neighbors around here who will pay back every penny that is owed. Those that have to take the short sale route doesnt make them BAD people. We do what we have to do. But our promises to re-pay must be placed as a very, very high priority.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Should Your Short Sale Debt Be Forgiven?
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Blogging as Your Passive Powerful Prospecting Tool - Revisited

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:20:26 -0600

When I wrote a blog about Your Blog as an EFFECTIVE prospecting tool, I think I couldn't say it quite well enough as my dear friend and past coach did - the queen of SOI (Sphere of Influence) herself, Ms. Jennifer Allan. If you had missed her recent FEATURED POST, Phooey On Prospecting... I just wanna do my job, you ought to read it. Her opinions were articulated well in her blog about what she enjoys best: facilitating real estate transactions.

I'd love to share a little transparency with you about my past and from there, how I made the best of both worlds through blogging. The only reason I share this with you is so that you too will take blogging seriously because it will turn your world upside down, if you let it.

When Ms. Jennifer Allan became my real estate coach in 2007, I had some bad habits that I picked up prior to meeting her. I brought with me some bad business vices that I am not excited to talk about. In addition to that, I was shy. The shy little me chose JA as my coach because her personality was very much like mine (in many ways). We didn't like cold calling, door knocking and people pestering. We enjoyed working and selling real estate through people we know (SOI) and also referrals of our SOIs. What we felt (I must say "me") uncomfortable doing was talking to people we dont know about asking them to purchase real estate or better yet, asking for referrals.

Since the coaching sessions, I have been "out on my own" for a while now. JA and I remained very close friends. We constantly email each other, bounce back ideas back and forth. During this time, I have also been actively blogging. Now, I am about to reveal the main objective about this blog:

Seasoned in real estate for a while now, I still don't like to prospect. I have never acquired the art. I cannot do it naturally and when I do things unnaturally, I fumble and fall. I definitely don't sound like I'm the expert in the area by then. What I did alot of is preview, preview, preview. Whether they are existing homes or communities, I combed through them. Then, I come home and blog about these places and even more real estate experiences along the way. I KNOW that I do much more work and study the areas much more thoroughly than most agents in my area. I don't speak for the sake of saying things. When I exert my opinion, I have experience and knowledge to back up my conversations. I have confidence when people/ consumers/ potential clients come to me for real estate assistance. Yet, I sucked at prospecting.

In the real estate world, if you don't prospect ie. generate leads to gain more clients for the upcoming months, you will not stay in the business much longer. I understand that. So, how did I put this very important fact vividly in front of me but at the same time hate talking to "strangers"? "Would you like to buy a house today?"

I blog. You blog. Consumers/ potential clients are attracted to information and the providers that proudly exhibit/ share these information. As you become the information provider on your platform, you exhibit expert qualities. Expertise in the home buying/ home selling process, expertise in your area, expertise in your field. Gone are the days that you withhold information to make you feel smart and important and the world had to come to you for it. If you still think that way, you would probably be left behind pretty soon.

Blogging lets me prospect passively. It is an effective prospecting tool for my business because my business thrives on it. When someone calls for information about real estate in my area, I shine. If I had to make that contact first, I suck. My blogging style is conversational. Hence, readers feel as if I am talking to them instead of reading a book - with formal and proper grammar. Many of my clients read my blogs - consumer-related or not for a while before they decide to call me. But when they do, they are ready to get the process started. I am ready to take it from there.

So, for those who hates to prospect: Unfortunately you have to do it to stay in business. There are active and passive methods available for you. Decide what suits your personality and take it to the moon from there. Good luck.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Blogging as Your Passive Powerful Prospecting Tool Revisited.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

The Commitment That Goes Both Ways

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:37:41 -0600

Question: I am beginning my house-hunting process. What type of real estate agent should I work with to ensure my interest is protected in this transaction?

Answer:

Congratulations to your first step in home ownership. There are many financial, tax and emotional benefits to owning your own home. Something you call your own. I remembered when I first became a home owner, the first thing I did was to paint the walls - simply because I can! I remembered that feeling as if it was yesterday. Your question/ concern is valid and justifiable so because:

ALL real estate agents represented the seller by default - even if they had never met or talked to the seller. That means they have a legal responsibility to disclose to the seller any information given to them by the buyer.

So, as a buyer, how do you protect your interest in the transaction?

Your answer is simply with a written exclusivity agreement to work with a real estate agent. The paperwork is called the Buyer's Representation Agreement. In this document, it clearly defines both parties' obligations to one another. COMMITMENT TO BUYER: Hence, your buyer's interests are contractually protected, above the interests of the seller. Your agent will not disclose any information you do not wish to share with the sellers and if he/she feels that sharing some important information will put you in a better negotiation position will first ask for your permission.

Here in Texas, the Buyer's representation must be created in writing to be lawful. It must also have a time period: when this relationship begins and more importantly, when this relationship ends. If during this time you are not satisfied with the service you have been given, you may request for a Termination. Discuss with your agent if there are any fees involved. All real estate agents are independent contractors and each company have a different policy about this issue.

COMMITMENT TO AGENT: Having this agreement in writing also protects the agent who has been working hard for you, spending countless hours on research, showing you - the buyer the properties.

If you are interested in understanding the importance of the Exclusivity Agreement from the real estate agent's perspective, read also, Working Exclusively Is an Important Message Your Client Needs To Know.

Note: All contents are original. I write consumer-related real estate blogs based on my experiences with other real estate clients. They make the best teachers. Consider subscribing to my blog.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). The Commitment That Goes Both Ways.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

This Christmas, Dont Fall Into Buying Frenzy

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:50:06 -0600

Join me for my weekly bible study to start off this week with some quiet time to ponder and reflect about what is important. This week, the focus is about This Christmas, Dont Fall Into Buying Frenzy. As you read/study this with me, I hope that you take some time to reflect on what is important to you.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God gave us His most prized possession. He gave it to us with a heart of sacrifice. Christmas is NOT about shopping and buying gifts. Over the years, Americans have continue to buy, buy and buy more. The news media and economists make market predictions about sales figures, trying to figure out if we are in a recession or not, in a bull or a bear market. This economy has fallen trap into a buying frenzy while forgetting the true meaning of Christmas.

The Giving of Yourself

Your presence cannot replace receiving a gift. Teach your children well, about doing without this Christmas. Drop the "It's all about me" attitude this Christmas.

When I wrote to Broker Bryant and another good friend a while back to see their opinion on my continuation of sending out my marketing pieces through the holiday season. Both responses were, "Of course you should! Most agents go on their "mental" vacation and lack off, so this is a perfect time for you to continue doing them diligently". I completely agree with them because I understand that ultimately my spring production depends on my holiday activities.

But looking at my beautiful precious sweet little baby boy sleeping tonight, I realize that I am not going to have too many Christmases with him where I would make an eternal impact. I decided that I too will be one of those agents that will go on a mental "break". I would not totally go on a complete break, but take a step back at my marketing efforts. I wont kill myself if I dont meet my target. I want to spend this next month, Thanksgiving through New Year's Day enjoying my precious gift from Heaven.

Let him sleep for when he is awake, he will move mountains.

It's not about gifts. It's about giving of yourself this Christmas. I challenge you this Christmas to bless a needy family this year instead of buying another sweater your mother doesn't need or another toy your child has too many of.

Matthew 6: 19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Please watch this music video (not suitable for young children. Scenes from the movie The Passion of the Christ). Please dont fall frenzy into a buying spree and in 10 years, have nothing to show for.

We are the Reason by David Mecee

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). This Christmas, Dont Fall Into Buying Frenzy.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008. How Did You Spend Your Day?

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:19:31 -0600

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Although a day late, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I did take the opportunity to spend a full day with my family and no real estate involved. Hence, no Active Rain yesterday. I must be sick! My family deserves my full attention this Holiday season. How was your Turkey Day?

Mine started at 2:00pm on Wednesday when my husband came home early from work. Then, we took the baby out cycling around the neighborhood. The weather was BEAUTIFUL - in the low 70s.

Thursday was great. We were smart this year. We didn't cook a full Thanksgiving dinner. Just the turkey. We bought everything else. The Honey-glazed ham, corn medley, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots. We have the whole family together. It was a grateful Thanksgiving dinner we had with family and friends. We invited 2 friends who didn't have a place to go for Thanksgiving and how could we not have them share this special day with us?

My husband will be proud of me this year. No shopping on BLACK FRIDAY. As a matter of fact, I'm getting ready to go to work. Today and tomorrow. Showing homes around the Frisco TX area to a very nice and courteous out-of-town couple who will be relocating to the area soon. Although I will be away for a few good hours this holiday, and away from my family, I am grateful to have clients to serve this holiday season.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? How did you spend your day? Tell me about it.

Photos of my Turkey:

It tastes real good. The Alton Brown of the Food Network recipe. It has never failed me. All the credit given to my husband though. He was the cook. But I did all the washing after dinner.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Happy Thanksgiving 2008. How Did You Spend Your Day?
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

What's Your Dream House Look Like?

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:55:48 -0600

Since this is Thanksgiving week and a relatively "short" week for some, I thought of writing a fun post. In a "dreamy" mood, I imagined my dream house and what it would feel like working from home today. (In case you didn't know, I am a homebody). I love spending time at home when I don't have to work. I'd like to share my Dream House with you and hopes that in return, you too

would share how your dream home looks like. Please feel free to blog about it and perhaps tag it My Dream House. It'd be so cool. I much rather like this than more of the Memes I have been seeing.

So, here goes:

My dream house is relative small by Texas and Frisco standards. 2,800 square feet would be ideal. And it would be a one-story with a gameroom as my office upstairs. It has 4 bedrooms, a formal dining and formal living and a large spacious kitchen that opens to a tall vaulted 2-story ceiling. It would also have a wood beam across it. The most important part about this house is that as soon as you open the front door, your eye is drawn to the beautiful backyard through a wall of unpaned windows and glass doors. It sits on a wooden deck, with beautiful landscaping around it. This lot also backs up to a creek or wooded trees. When you are on the backyard/ patio deck, it feels like you are in a log cabin on vacation.

There would be an exterior access to the upstairs office so that my clients do not have to walk pass my home. My office would be at least 400 square feet with my office desk, a conference table, a wine bar and set up for entertaining purposes.

I have come close to seeing my dream home minus the bonus office room. It very well have to be built but I am not sure if I want to go through that process again for the third time.

So how does your Dream Home looks like? Can you tell me more about it?

P/S: These are some pretty bad pictures. I didn't get to visit the house when the sun was not glaring. It is ALOT prettier than it looks in picture. Believe me!

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). What's Your Dream House Like?
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

An Active Rain partnership testimonial went well!

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:19:42 -0600

I wrote many blogs about letting clients find you because of your content and the information you provide. As for us, real estate professionals, where else better could we think of when we need vendors and service providers but on the Active Rain platform? My blog about How Your Blogs Can Attract The Clients You Want to Work With also applies to the vendors and service providers we find for ourselves and in our business. This truth is proven exceptionally TRUE when I found my new local lender, John Cannata of Reliant Mortgage, Frisco TX.

My "vacation" transaction did not go well with my previous lender. In fact, I am still furious thinking about it. So, as soon as I got off the plane that early September morning, I had only 1 goal in mind: to find a new lender that will work and share the same work ethics as me. One of my pet peeves is Follow-Up Communication. I cannot stand people not following up and following through. Thus, I make it my point to reflect that in my business. I would call just to say, "I got nothing to report today. But I'd still like let you know that". I think that's good follow-up skills. When people are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, that's the least we could do. I know I'd definitely appreciate that - even if there was no progress.

Needless to say, John Cannata of Reliant Mortgage, Frisco TX did just that. I am super impressed with his top-notch service.

On the client side, he under-promised and over-delivered. How?

He locked my client with an interest rate - very excited about it to begin with. He had already felt it was a great deal. By the time we signed papers at closing, it was even 1/8 lower than what my client was promised. On the closing fees, he was the lowest by far in comparison to rest of the 4 quotes my clients received. What more could a consumer want? I ended up looking like a HERO to my client - which is always nice.

On the business side, again, he took care of business when and where he should. How?

It seems that the lower than promised rate and low closing costs were not quite enough for John. He continuously updated us as the loan process progressed. At one point, the Lender had questions during Underwriting, John and the Title Company took care of it immediately. Like most closings, there is a last-minute glitch. Sellers were not going to attend closing so papers must be delivered and returned in time for my client's closing. John had prepared for a Plan B and informed me every step of the way. Luckily, we never did have to execute it, it was very comforting to know that he had a plan. Even though I was not a part of the problems and neither was I a part of the solutions, I appreciated the fact that John had informed me about the progress.

Now, that's what I called knock-off service.

If you are in the North Texas area and you are in need of an exceptional mortgage broker, I would definitely recommend John Cannata of Reliant Mortgage, Frisco TX to you. This mortgage broker has by far out-performed every one that I know. I am not saying it simply to give him a boost. I'm giving credit where credit is due.

I want to thank John for his outstanding promise and commitment to me for following up and following through and I want to thank Active Rain for becoming the platform for making this business connection possible. All in all, it was a great transaction and a great day here in North Dallas, Texas.

We went out for a Celebration Lunch this afternoon. A good mortgage broker is so awesome to feed. Yippee!

Much to your success.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Search Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Value my Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). An Active Rain partnership testimonial went well!
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Good luck figuring this out

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:37:10 -0600

I don't do too many re-blogs in the past and I think this is my 2nd re-blog post in 2 years out of the 650 posts I have written. I think this is worthy of a re-blog because as real estate professionals, I think it is important that we not only provide market statistics (remember, numbers are numbers anyways), but make an effort in sharing your opinions on what those numbers mean to the publlic.

Let's all make an effort in spending our quality time in posting exceptional market reports so that it is worth our reader's time reading our reports.

I can't say it better than Bob Stewart can. Also, if you need a new T-shirt for Christmas, Bob has a challenge for you below.

This is one of my recent Market Report. Please tell me how I can do better.

Via Bob Stewart - ActiveRain:

I have been pouring over posts for the last hour and there is one kind of post that just confuses the heck out of me. It's the infamous market report post. I have seen some fantastic market reports posted on ActiveRain in the last few years. There are a handful of people that I will actually stop and read a market report if they post it and I come across it. However, most of them fall into the 'very mundane' (common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative) category.

If I was the average Joe Plumber looking for information about housing in my home town, I can promise you that a blog post with a bunch of stats about average sales price, days on market, inventory levels and whatever other BORING garbage your MLS will automatically populate would not do anything for me. Why?

BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS MEAN!

You are the real estate professional (supposedly). Do me, the consumer, a favor and INTERPRET the data for me. Take those numbers and make some sense of them. Tell me what inventory level means in relation to me buying or selling a house.....why? Because I don't know the difference between 50 days on market and 100 days on market. Anybody with access to the MLS can pull those reports up and copy and paste them into a blog. Not anyone can interpret the data and make it worth me looking at.

How would you feel if you walked into your financial advisors office and he/she took out a bunch of excel graphs and said, "here you go, good luck figuring out what to buy, but if I were you I'd really pay attention to this market cap number right here". It's almost laughable yet day after day I see real estate professionals posting market stats with no explanation of what they mean.

The only thing I can figure is that you withhold the explanation in hopes that someone will be so awed by your magical statistics that they will immediately pick up the phone and call you for your expert opinion. Do yourself and them a favor and just give them the explanation while you have them on your post. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe withholding the explanation is helping drive call volume, but it seems far fetched to me. If I land on your post today, the chances I am in the market to buy today are not very high. Most likely I just started getting really interested in the market but I am still a ways off of purchasing. But if you were to give me good solid information that I could understand and present it in a fashion that made me think you knew what you were doing above and beyond you know where the control+c and the control+v button are, there is a great chance I'll be coming back to see what you think next month and the month after until I am ready to buy.

As consumers have access to unparalleled amounts of information your position as professional is incumbent upon you being able to INTERPRET that information for them.

Please Please Please interpret your boring stats for me!

(I'm sending an ActiveRain T-shirt to the next three people that send me a link to a market report post that I could actually learn something from as a consumer because the shirt says 'your personal real estate think tank' and not 'good luck trying to figure out what the *&$# I'm talking about')

(rant over.......I'm going home to start my vacation)

Views of Spectacular Fall Colors of North Dallas 2008

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:35:30 -0600

Photography is one of my favorite past time. Since this week is short (Thanksgiving), I took the opportunity to relax a little. Hence, this was the outcome.

This is one of the prettiest Fall colors of North Dallas I have seen since I have been here 12 years ago. I just had to bring out the camera to shoot these majestic views. We don't get these colors very often. We could go from Summer (90 degrees) one day to Winter (35 degrees) the next!

Please enjoy these photos.

Search Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Value my Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Can You Stand Those "In Your Face" Blog Customizations?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:34:03 -0600

Recently, I stumbled upon an "In Your Face" Active Rain blog customization that took me jumping off my chair when I saw it. I also recalled Jason Crouch's comments about this very topic - how much time it takes for the blog

customization to load the page - especially when you do not have high-speed internet connection. Back to my "In Your Face" blog, it took a long time for the page to load even with me on high-speed internet access. While I waited for it, I had "stage fright". Now, I cant get that picture of our my head. [Hear me SCREAM here].

Banners and backgrounds should not take long to load. 3 seconds and you lose your viewer, which could be a potential client. This could be a costly mistake. Remember that we live in a microwave society and most of us do not have patience. People are just that realistic unless your blog and content mean something to your reader. But then again, it should take no more than a few seconds to load.

Be considerate when selecting the style of your banners and backgrounds. Unless your revenues of your business is largely supported by the National Dinosaur club or the Local Bee's club, your background should be as generic as possible. Even basic colored backgrounds with no pictures are totally acceptable. Some of them I have seen around here are pretty classy just by the color itself.

Much to your success.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Search Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Value my Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Can You Stand Those "In Your Face" Blog Customizations?
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

No One Can Serve Two Masters

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:35:38 -0600

Join me for my weekly bible study to start off this week with some quiet time to ponder and reflect about what is important. This week, the focus is about No One Can Serve Two Masters. As I study this, I pray it over my life, my thoughts and my business.

Several related scriptures in this study this week:

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

This week's study was something that came to mind when I heard about a family at my church who was recently separated. I know that they are just one of many families like them in America today. This family of 5 - a father, mother and 3 daughters are going through some challenging times. It began with this tough economy we are in. The Dad lost his job and the mother is a stay-at-home mom. The Dad had an executive position at his workplace and he was laid off several months ago. Long story short, they are talking about a divorce - mainly because of financial hardship. But this financial hardship became unbearable. Husband and wife always ends up quarreling. Dad sought a shoulder to cry on outside of his home. I truly believe that it was never his intentions to find someone - especially from the opposite sex to be the moral/ friend support. But it seems that there is a 3rd person in the marriage now.

This devastation, like many of them are facing in America right now. It is probably easy for me to say, No one can serve two masters. But I do know that when you are in trouble, you are always more susceptible to the devil's attacks. It will hit you where it hurts. Marriage and family are core priorities in God's world so when we put this scripture in perspective, I hope that more couples/ families who continue to face economic hardship, that they must know what the devil is capable of but we must yield higher and stronger than that.

My God will say, "Who would dare be against me, for I am with you".

No one can serve two masters. Either this or that. Here or there.

I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). No One Can Serve Two Masters.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

Plantation Resort Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate Market Report

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:50:04 -0600

Plantation Resort - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate (Residential) Housing Report.

5 closed (Sold) transactions.

Currently 32 homes available on the market.

Lowest $130,000
Average 3 bedrooms. 1,800 square feet at $170,000. DOM 70.
Highest 4 bedrooms. 2,100 square feet for $234,000. It took 202 days to sell.
Total real estate value of $853,500 not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:
Information provided is deemed reliable and taken from the North Texas Real Estate Information MLS Systems.

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	3	0	0	1	1
Breakdown %	60.00	0.00	0.00	20.00	20.00

What to take away with this market report:

It is important to note that PRICING is key when reading this report. In order to successfully sell your house, your biggest chance comes in 30 days or less. The highest success of selling your house also takes the least amount of time (30 days or less).

When comparing to the same month last year (2007),

5 sold transactions (in 2007)

Lowest $165,000
Average 4 bedrooms. 2,800 square feet at $230,000. DOM 127.
Highest 4 bedrooms. 3,800 square feet for $344,000. It took 244 days to sell.
Total real estate value of $1,149,901 not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

The Absorption Rate* for Plantation Resort - Frisco TX real estate market is approximately 28 weeks or 7 months.

How To Digest ALL These Information

The Absorption Rate is the time it takes to sell the available inventory at its present rate. It would take Plantation Resort - Frisco TX real estate 5 months to sell its available inventory at its present rate. The good news about Plantation Resort is that the sales data is no change from last year. Plantation Resort - Frisco TX's busiest real estate season is from April until August. As we get into the winter months, the sales performance will slow down.

This information is deemed correct for the Plantation Resort - Frisco TX real estate market as an entity. Each community and neighborhood has its own numbers, and average days on market. To find out about your specific information, please contact me for further details.

It is a competitive market at Plantation Resort - Frisco TX. Hence it is important that you choose to work with the Realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

Value your Plantation Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Search your Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Much to your success...

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for the most updated real estate information for the northern greater Dallas TX real estate area. It is my intentions to bring you effective blog content that will could make you feel that it was worth your time to subscribe.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Heritage Lakes Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate Market Report

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:33:19 -0600

Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate (Residential) Housing Report.

5 closed (Sold) transactions.

Currently 23 homes available on the market.

Lowest $216,000
Average 4 bedrooms. 3,300 square feet at $257,000. DOM 126.
Highest 5 bedrooms. 4,300 square feet for $310,000. It took 275 days to sell.
Total real estate value of $1,285,400   not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:
Information provided is deemed reliable and taken from the North Texas Real Estate Information MLS Systems.

0-30 Days 31-60 Days 61-90 Days 91-120 Days 120+ Days

No. of Listings 2 1 0 0 2

Breakdown % 40.00 20.00 0.00 0.00 40.00

What to take away with this market report:

It is important to note that PRICING is key when reading this report. In order to successfully sell your house, your biggest chance comes in 30 days or less. The highest success of selling your house also takes the least amount of time (30 days or less).

When comparing to the same month last year (2007),

2 sold transactions (in 2007)

Lowest $198,000
Average 4 bedrooms. 2,500 square feet at $258,000. DOM 80.
Highest 4 bedrooms. 3,300 square feet for $318,000. It took 147 days to sell.
Total real estate value of   $516,000  not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

The Absorption Rate* for Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX real estate market is approximately 20 weeks or 5 months.

How To Digest ALL These Information

The Absorption Rate is the time it takes to sell the available inventory at its present rate. It would take Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX real estate 5 months to sell its available inventory at its present rate. The good news about Heritage Lakes is that the sales data is up 60% from last year. Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX's busiest real estate season is from April until August. As we get into the winter months, the sales performance will slow down.

This information is deemed correct for the Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX real estate market as an entity. Each community and neighborhood has its own numbers, and average days on market. To find out about your specific information, please contact me for further details.

It is a competitive market at Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX. Hence it is important that you choose to work with the realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Value your Heritage Lakes Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Search your Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Much to your success...

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for the most updated real estate information for the northern greater Dallas TX real estate area. It is my intentions to bring you effective blog content that will could make you feel that it was worth your time to subscribe.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Heritage Lakes - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate Market Report.

Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate Market Report

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:07:10 -0600

Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate (Residential) Housing Report.

10 closed (Sold) transactions.

Currently 33 homes available on the market.

Lowest $178,000
Average 4 bedrooms. 3,000 square feet at $216,000. DOM 50.
Highest 6 bedrooms. 4,300 square feet for $245,000. It took 214 days to sell.
Total real estate value of $2,168,011   not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:
Information provided is deemed reliable and taken from the North Texas Real Estate Information MLS Systems.

0-30 Days 31-60 Days 61-90 Days 91-120 Days 120+ Days

No. of Listings 5 3 1 0 1

Breakdown % 50.00 30.00 10.00 0.00 10.00

What to take away with this market report:

It is important to note that PRICING is key when reading this report. In order to successfully sell your house, your biggest chance comes in 30 days or less. The highest success of selling your house also takes the least amount of time (30 days or less).

When comparing to the same month last year (2007),

10 sold transactions (in 2007) - Exactly the same number

Lowest $167,000
Average 4 bedrooms. 3,400 square feet at $236,000. DOM 108.
Highest 5 bedrooms. 4,300 square feet for $390,000. It took 382 days to sell.
Total real estate value of   $2,363,057  not including real estate sales not listed on the MLS systems such as for sale by owners and home builders.

The Absorption Rate* for Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX real estate market is approximately 14 weeks or approximately 3 1/2 months.

How To Digest ALL These Information

The Absorption Rate is the time it takes to sell the available inventory at its present rate. It would take Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX real estate 3 1/2 months to sell its available inventory at its present rate. Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX's busiest real estate season is from April until August. As we get into the winter months, the sales performance will slow down.

This information is deemed correct for the Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX real estate market as an entity. Each community and neighborhood has its own numbers, and average days on market. To find out about your specific information, please contact me for further details.

It is a competitive market at Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX. Hence it is important that you choose to work with the realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

Value your Panther Creek Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Search your Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Much to your success...

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for the most updated real estate information for the northern greater Dallas TX real estate area. It is my intentions to bring you effective blog content that will could make you feel that it was worth your time to subscribe.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). Panther Creek Estates - Frisco TX October 2008 Real Estate Market Report.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.

The Last Minute Lesson

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:41:10 -0600

Have you ever worked last minute? By that, I mean you receive a phone call from a new lead at Noon and this person is eager to see house by 2pm? Your schedule happen to be open that afternoon? So, you naively said Yes?

Yup, that was me recently. And I learnt my lesson AGAIN though I vowed before, never to work last minute again. This time, believe it or not, God saved me. This person called back 30 minutes later to say that he was in a fender, bender. Hence, he could not meet me. I'm not a bad-hearted person. I never wished that upon anyone. But I was glad it happened. I take this lesson as a sign never to WORK LAST MINUTE AGAIN. I really learnt it this time.

No matter what anyone says, this time onwards, I promise never work those last minute notices again. If the clients are serious enough and values my expertise would then respect that I have policies and procedures on how I run my business. I need to repeat this to myself again and again while I wrote this blog. I have a system on how I work my buyer clients. First, I schedule a face-to-face meeting at neutral location. I don't invite them to the office because I work from home. I go through an introduction and have a list of questions for the clients. This is also where I set client's expectations and tell them what they can expect from me. I get a commitment on working exclusively with me along with discussing of financing and pre-qualification letter from a lender. I need these two items before I start the house-hunting process. Most buyers want to skip this process and move right on to looking at houses.

I did not do all of these and scheduled an afternoon appointment that day. I didn't feel comfortable meeting a stranger at a house he wanted to view in a few short hours. I told my husband where I was going to be and I know of a client who lives in the neighborhood. Yet, I still didn't feel comfortable. Butterflies were rolling and tumbling all over my tummy. My heart was pumping 100 mph. I could hardly think straight since I made the appointment. My heart didn't feel safe. Until I received the phone call to cancel the appointment did I feel like myself again.

I fear for my safety. It is hard not to think of people that way in this society we live in no matter how safe we feel the areas we work in.

Thank God I have Him watching over me. No matter how great a deal I think fell into my lap, the next time I will never risk my safety that way again. No money in the world is worth that risk.

For The Consumers:
I must first apologize about these last-minute calls, hop into the car and go. It definitely won't happen in my books anymore. There is no amount of compensation worth the risk. Most real estate agents have policies and procedures in taking the home buyers through the process. Please don't catch us off-guard. If we - the real estate agents are the right ones for you (one who understands the process with knowledge, experience and expertise), aren't we worth the wait in getting started off with the right foot? Thanks for your understanding in this matter. We are indeed in a different world we live in today.

Much to your success.

Note: All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for fresh business ideas, often creative and unique. It is my intentions to bring you effective blog contents that will could make you feel that it was worth your time to subscribe.

*************************************************************

Contact:
Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

I proudly serve and sell real estate in the northern suburb cities of the Dallas metroplex. If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in neighborhoods of Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area and other surrounding areas and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact me immediately.

It is a competitive market, hence it is important that you choose to work with the realtor who knows these communities like none other. I employ a systematic market approach in selling your home - an intentionally unique proposal that most real estate agents do not use. If you care to be on your way to a successful closing, contact me immediately to see how different my proposition will be.

Search Frisco Dallas TX Homes Now

Value my Frisco Dallas TX Home Now

Copyright © 2008 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY). The Last Minute Lesson.
Do Not Copy. Serious actions will be taken. Re-blog is allowed for Active Rain members on the Active Rain platform when the content is taken in its entirety and credit be given to Loreena Yeo and 3:16 team REALTY.