The Week in Review ...your Wilmington Connection December 21, 2008 Wishing you and your family every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. With the New Year around the corner.....everyone has the same question in mind. What will happen to the real estate market? Are we at the bottom? When will it bounce back. Some say late next year other analyst say not till 2011. Local Home Sales The average price of homes closed here in November was $252,331, while the median price - the point at which half of homes sold for more and half for less - was $194,000. Those figures compared with $273,460 and $205,000, respectively, in November 2007. The figures for the first 11 months of 2008 showed a drop in average price of 5.5 percent compared with the same period in 2007, while... 12/26/2008

An experienced realtor knows the warning signs of a home purchased that is bound to be a money pit. Over time and through the inspections that an experienced realtor will have conducted, help them know what to watch for in order to protect their clients.  These things are the areas that when you are looking at paint and carpet your realtor will be looking at foundations and roofs. Here is a basic explanation of the inspections that will help keep your investments safe.  These inspections cover areas of the house and property such as appliances, utility meters, electrical wiring, plumbing, fuse and circuit breaker boxes, furnaces, water heater, sinks, toilets, bath tubs, central air, or swamp coolers, and any other electrical or water system that is part of the property.  A home is a sig... 12/26/2008

  They've got the spirit in Wilmington, NC. Lots of lights, lots of characters. The Holidays are here. This is 17 Th St in Wilmington. 12/17/2008

Day 9:  I've been reading Gary Keller's book "Shift" and reached page 75 last night.  If you don't have a clue what Time Blocking is then you need to check this page out.  "Why do I need to do Time Blocking?", you may ask.  Well, here is why.  You MUST generate LEADS.  If you aren't doing any kind of lead generation then you are in big trouble.  Not generating leads on a day to day basis in a hot market may suffice but will put you out of business in a cold one.  We are in a cold market and you have to "RAMP IT UP" says Gary Keller.  Here are two excerts from pages 72-73: "You're going to need a lot of leads and that means you're going to have to do a lot of lead generating.  You must do it everyday.  You must do it several hours everyday.  You must do it every work day for the rest of ... 12/16/2008

Day 6:  By now everyone should have an idea of how this program works.  You are held accountable only by yourself.  If you want your 5 Things to Change then you must be driven in your efforts and see that you accomplish them.  The Group is here for support.  Everyone has different Things They Want to Change.   From here on out we will refer to these Things as Goals.  Are you on the right track to accomplish your Goals?  Have you given yourself a daily schedule by Time Blocking?  Are you doing your Proactive Activities?  Are you posting your daily blogs on how successful you day was? Everyone should be blogging about their Proactive Activites and how productive they are being.  Remember, there is no place for negativity in this group so be sure to find the positive in everything you say.... 12/14/2008

Day 5:  Today I met an attorney and passed him my card.  I don't think that I've ever met an attorney like him.  He was compassionate and seemed to care.  I look forward to the business that I will receive from him.  I also met a Realtor from Philly.  I gave him my card.  I look forward to any business that he may send me as well. Talk it up.  No matter what you are doing.  Talk it up.  Get to know people and they will remember you.  Stay positive and up beat.  They will see how great you are.  When you meet people, you have to assess their loyalty.  If you think that they are someone you would like to do business with then ask them, "Who do you use as your Realtor?"  If they don't have anyone then ask them if they would use you.  If they say yes then ask them if it would be okay to sta... 12/13/2008

Day 4 was a fun day for me.  I decided to work a half day and then spend time with my wife and children at Disney On Ice.  What a great day!  Not only was I able to work with clients in the morning but I got to see those beautiful smiles on my children's faces as Mickey and Minnie Mouse pulled out onto the ice in their little red car. I'd like to take this time to tell everyone what my 5 Things I Want to Change are: 1.  Improve my financial situation 2.  Spend more time with my family 3.  Grow my real estate business 4.  Become more physically active 5.  Become more active in my community  I want everyone to know that all though this program is about "100 Days to Change", you don't have to work every single day.  If you would like to do that then more power to you.  I for one find it be... 12/13/2008

Today is Day 2 of "100 Days to Change" and we have had some great responses to the task of writing down the 5 Things You Will Change.  We've had some great statements of personal affirmation and empowerment statements.  We know that Positive Attitude is a must as we move forward.  We also know that we MUST Persevere.  It is just the begining of the 100 Days but we know that we will be tested along the way.  We know that at sometime we will feel like not doing the proactive activities and will want to do something else less productive.  That is when the group will play the biggest role.  We must Persevere! As we are in Day 2, it is time to role out the next key element which will lead us to CHANGE.  I'm talking about Proactive Activities. What are Proactive Activities? Let me give you so... 12/09/2008

Today is the first day to "100 Days to Change".  It's kind of like the first day of school.  No one really knows what to expect.  Some people are still trying to find the class and others are in the right room but may not have what they need in their book bag.  If you're just finding your way to the room then come on in and have a seat.  If you found the room but haven't purchased a composition book for your journal then that's okay; pick one up today.  The first homework assignment was for everyone to write down 5 things that they want to change.  Prioritize the list with #1 being the most important.  I want you to post these 5 things as a blog.  We have to work together as a group in order to help each other. Now that you have the 5 things that you want to change I want you to write t... 12/08/2008

We have arrived.  It is time to start "100 Days to Change".  If you haven't already picked up your generic composition book, the kind you find in any drug store or Walmart, then do so.  It's the black and white patterned one with the solid black binder.  If you are unclear then just get some sort of notebook that will serve as your journal.  I asked other group members to write down the Top 5 Things that they want to Change.  The response was great!  If you haven't already then do so and prioritize your list with the most important in first position.  Work your way down.  Don't rack your brain.  If you are having trouble then you are trying too hard.  Your list does not have to directly pertain to real estate.  If you have personal Changes that you would like to make that's okay to.  Ju... 12/08/2008

The Week in Review .....your Wilmington Connection December 7, 3008 Keller Williams had their 2nd Annual Fashion Victims Ball last night.It was a success with alot of hard work for our team. First it's hard to believe we raised so much money by looking so awful. and wow.....its hard to believe that clothes like that exist. Smile. Currently in the Wilmington area there are 2728 properties on the market, at the moment about 9 % are under contract which equates to 256. Homes are still getting about 95% of their list price. The 1 million above are actually only getting 92% of their list price. In the last six months 1276 homes have sold. with an overall average days on market being 200. What Will 2009 Bring?   With 2009 rapidly approaching, we must consider the changes that have occurred in... 12/07/2008

Wilmington NC Realtor featured on National TV Show HGTV's MY House is Worth What? Come November 30th , there could be an influx of new residents as Seasoned Realtor Tina Abraham with Keller Williams Realty helps put Wilmington in the national spotlight, highlighting Wilmington as an fantastic coastal town. Wilmington NC (Press Release) November 18, 2008 - The episode which airs Sunday evening (November 30th, 2008) at 7pm on HGTV, gives the Wilmington community, an opportunity to remind prospective buyers around the country of the very best qualities of the region. Tina sees this as a powerful opportunity to remind prospective buyers of the benefits of buying a home here. "This is the perfect opportunity to "shout out" the great things Wilmington has to offer," says Tina, "....Wilmington... 12/07/2008

Explore the historical homes in the coastal city of Wilmington, NC today and tomorrow. The Latimer House on 3rd Street is where you can buy tickets for this tour called - Old Wilmington by Candlelight - Silver Bells and Oyster Shells, A Carolina Christmas by the Sea. If you go to the Latimer House website all the houses on the tour are shown with their addresses. You can buy tickets at the locations show on their website or at Latimer House. Tickets are $ 30 today and tickets can also be used tomorrow. These homes dating back to early 1800 have significance in Wilmington as they were the residences of ship captains and merchants and built in the style of the day. There are even slave homes to view.  Queen Anne style, tudor type and Craftsman style homes are open for viewing and decorate... 12/05/2008

Hello All.  We are down to 2 days before we launch Our "100 Days to Change".  What is "100 Days to Change", you may ask.  It is a networking group which has been formed to generate synergy among all of its members who are looking to get a jump start and carry an increasing momentum into 2009.  We will communicate through an open forum and discuss results from a list of proactive activities.  Networking is the key to this group.  The proactive activites will be the means to fuel our pipelines.  Everyone is encouraged to participate however their willingness will greatly decide how successful they are.  I am looking for change in 2009.  I am going to grow my business.  Do you want to grow your business?  Oh, and by the way, this is a Free group. Keep looking up! Please ReBlog. 12/05/2008

Does anyone out there know what I'm talking about?  I'm talking about CHANGING!  We are about to embark as a group on a journey for the next 100 Days to Change our positions in this real estate market.  We are going to live by our slogan of Change.  Eat, breath, sleep, shower, play, work will be all inclusive with Change.  I don't want people to sign up for this group who are simply saying they want to Change.  I only want people that ARE GOING TO CHANGE.  It is a mindset.  You have to be in it...  You have to immerse yourself in the belief that you are going to change.  Thanks to the advice of Becky King, Wilmington, NC and several others from ActiveRain I picked up "Shift" by Gary Keller.  It was great reading while I was sitting in the courthouse waiting to see if I was going to be p... 12/05/2008

Hello All.  We are down to 3 days before we launch Our 100 Days to Change.  What is 100 Days to Change, you may ask.  It is a networking group which has been formed to generate synergy among all of its members who are looking to get a jump start and carry an increasing momentum into 2009.  We will communicate through an open forum and discuss results from a list of proactive activities.  Networking is the key to this group.  The proactive activites will be the means to fuel our pipelines.  Everyone is encouraged to participate however their willingness will greatly decide how successful they are.  I am looking for change in 2009.  I am going to grow my business.  Do you want to grow your business?  Oh, and by the way, this is a Free group. Keep looking up! Please ReBlog. 12/04/2008

  Yeah - a new place for the kids to enjoy their movies on Fri and Sat nights - a new mega complex theatre coming to Wilmington. This will be in the Belle Meade complex that faces out on Carolina Beach Road.It had been in the works for a while but the final planning board approval just came through. This will help out that strip mall established at the back of the Belle Meade subdivision which was built on the old Belle Meade plantation. It will be a welcome addition to this growing part of town. Yeah!!!  12/03/2008

Thank you for setting me straight.  When I was speaking with Becky King of Keller Williams she said that this book was a must read.  By the immediate response that I have received from the ActiveRain community I know that Becky is genuine and truly a professional.  It's not too often that you find a fellow real estate agent working for another agency in the same market offering such helpful insight.  If there is anyone out there that would like to join a self-help, free networking group then check out "100 Days to Change". 12/03/2008

I just got off the phone with Becky King, Realtor at Keller Williams in Wilmington, NC who said that I should pick up "A Millionaire Real Estate Agent".  Has anyone read this book? 12/03/2008

I began doing real estate just over 2 years ago and I've been told that I got in at the wrong time.  I'm tired of all the negativity on the news in regards to the economic status of the country and the declining housing market.  Personally, I'm ready to change my current financial situation.  I've created a group where we can coach each other.  What we are doing is setting a goal of "100 Days to Change".  I've got the support of other real estate professionals who want CHANGE too.  What we are going to do are various proactive activities which will propel our business.  Every day I will reach out to individuals in my group and provide direction.  By working as a group I believe that we can provide support to each other and coach ourselves to CHANGE.  If you would like to be a part of th... 12/02/2008