For me, it’s absolutely mind blowing how quickly 2010 has come and gone. It truly feels just like yesterday, I was welcoming in the New Year and anxiously awaiting all that was in store for 2010. As I reflect back upon this past year, I cannot help but allow my memories to stop and give me pause. Each year, I have become a stronger business woman with insight and growth that never ceases to amaze me. I continue to meet new people in the business world and have been given opportunities to challenge myself.  Pushing myself and my capabilities to avenues I never thought possible. Social Media and Buffini = Business Essentials I have completely embraced social media and have reaped the rewards of it. Building relationships is a fundamental business necessity.  One sure fire way to do this ... 01/01/2011

It might seem trivial to pay much attention to your real estate signs with everything else you have going on in your business.  You get a new listing, you contact your sign company to go out and put up a post and sign, maybe a flyer box and your first installment of flyers.  After that, you probably never think of the sign again, until you ask the sign company to remove your sign because you closed the sale!  I am here to suggest that you give those signs a little more attention next time. Functional signs = Good first impression You should think of your real estate signs as the first impression you have on a potential client.  First off, your sign should be functional.  The layout should be clean, have continuity with your brand, be easy to read at a distance and be built to withstand... 12/14/2010

Don’t Give Up! I recently attended the Buffini and Company Turning Point Seminar in Toronto. While there, Brian showed us this awesome video. I just had to share it with you. It will certainly make you laugh. But more importantly, it is a little reminder to never give up. Follow your heart. Achieve your dreams. I believe in you.     12/09/2010

Today's Business Lesson is Brought to You by My Four Year Old Nephew... My nephew has been staying at my house for the last little while.  He is four.  He has an inquisitive mind and full of life. In the time I have spent with him, I have realized some fundamental elements about life through his eyes and how it relates to running my own business. What Can We Learn From My Four Year Old Nephew? 1.       Each Day is Anew. Everyone is Unique.  Every morning life is an adventure for this child. He treats people uniquely and doesn't get overwhelmed with yesterdays troubles. Today is simple.  Today is today in his eyes. He completely lives in the moment. It is not to say he forgets about yesterday's trials and tribulations. Just that today is all that matters in his eyes he awakes with aspira... 11/22/2010

Trying to run your real estate business without a system is like trying to catch Bugs Bunny - It just ain't gonna happen. Your competitors will out smart you. In such a competitive industry - you will get eatin' alive - no doubt. What's a Business System? I won't assume everyone knows what a system is. Thought I would explain it first before continuing onto the juicy details. "A ‘System' is a methodical - controlled approach to your business.  Kinda like your business plan (I know you have one) except, it's simplified. Little chunks. Bite size pieces. It's breaking down your everyday business and discovering HOW you're going to handle it." What Do I Systematize in My Business? Everything. No serious, EVERYTHING! Before you even start your business, or for some, you may have already star... 11/15/2010

When you're new to any industry you're often so excited to get started. You're full of piss and vinegar. You may feel like you can accomplish the world because you're the new face in town, you just got out of school and you know exactly what needs to be done. More times than not, because you are new, because you are not seasoned...yet - you may overlook simple situations that could put you in a tough spot and ultimately it could lead to the fail of landing you're first prospective client. Let's have a gander at these 3 mistakes many new real estate sales representatives make and how you can steer clear of them. 1. Talk Less: Yes, it's fabulous that you wish to speak with that new prospective client and tell them in every minute detail what you can do for them. However, while you're tryi... 11/11/2010

I recently performed an assessment on a real estate team. I was hired to interview the team members, explore their daily activities and discuss their views on the team's performance as a whole. I spent the majority of the day with each team member. I asked questions, I observed, but mostly, I listened. It was easy for me to take on this role as I had no prior connection to the team. I went in with an open mind and listened impartially as each member openly discussed their trials and tribulations. I uncovered two factors that severely affected the team's performance Poor Communication Lack of Motivation Communication in the workforce undoubtedly is imperative. Without it, you begin to falter. I decided to tackle motivation (in my blog) first because through motivating your team, you can ... 10/31/2010

The IttyBiz Challenge... Once upon a time, a year or so ago, I was surfing a Virtual Assistant forum where someone had posted a comment about this really cool blog that indeed, I must check out and follow. So...I did. OH NO SHE DIDN'T! Holy Crap! I felt like I'd been sucked into another world. Here I am trying to be all prim and proper, speak "professionally" and God forbid - be myself. Then, I was smacked in the face with a load of bricks...or so it felt This wasn't just any blog. This was a blog written by a woman by the name of Naomi Dunford. Naomi said the "f" word in her blog. She didn't just say the "f" word. She totally flat out said: "Fuck". YIKES! But Wait.... She is successful. She has a readership. She is fucking smart-as-a-whip! Off Comes the Professor Suit I realized so man... 10/04/2010

I picked up the latest copy of Canadianrealestatemagazine.ca yesterday and thought I would share some market information with you. Here is a breakdown per province: Prince Edward Island: One of the most affordable markets in the country. Employment is still a concern, but recent infrastructure projects have helped. Quality of life is one of the major draws. Good-paying jobs drawing in new residents. Relatively cheap housing prices. Opportunities to rent to visitors HOTbuys: Multi-unit rental properties in Charlottetown. Single-family homes around $250,000.00 or less. The abundance of attractive coastline properties. Recreational investment properties on the rise. Nova Scotia: New homes and investment in new infrastructure. Well-positioned downtown gets fashionable makeover. Less expensi... 09/21/2010

For what seems like forever, Real Estate Sales Representatives have marketed themselves as being available to prospects and clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Realtors® have predominantly sold access to consumers. Perhaps it is because agents believed if they were available all of the time, prospects would be swayed to choose them as their service provider. Dirk Zeller recently wrote an article on "What Do Real Estate Agents Sell?" over on RealtyTimes. He discusses this philosophy and his take on it. "Access does not equate to value." "...A Champion Agent doesn't tread the same path as all other agents. A Champion Agent's time has tremendous value." "I care so much for my clients; I take time off, so my family life is sound; I'm recharged for the next week of work, so I can do the b... 09/20/2010

Jeffrey Gitomer. Ever heard of him? Yes? Sweet. Keep Reading. No? YIKES! Allow me to introduce him. Gitomer is: "1. a creative, on-the-edge, writer and speaker whose expertise on sales, customer loyalty, and personal development is world renowned. 2. known for presentations, seminars and keynote addresses that are funny, insightful, and in your face. 3. real world. 4. off the wall. 5. on the money. 6. gives audiences information they can take out in the street one minute after the seminar is over and turn it into money. See also: salesman" He is where it is at with Sales. If you haven't been following him on twitter - you should. If you aren't a subscriber to his newsletter you should be. Remember - let's not miss the boat. Gitomer's philosophy on cold calling goes something like this: ... 09/16/2010

I came across these interesting facts about social networking and the importance of making connections via the internet. Check them out below. Trust me, you don't want to miss the boat on this one. If you don't understand social networking - now is the time to learn. 1. 55.6 million adults (1/3 of the population) in the United States visit social network sites at least monthly.  2. Generation Y will outnumber the Baby Boomer generation by the end of 2010.   3. 96% of the Generation Y are a member of a social network. 4. Almost 66% of active internet users have joined a social network. 5. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world. 6. 80% of Twitter users are over the age of 25. Now, if you thought those statistics were impressive. Have a load of this.. It took the radio 38... 09/14/2010

More than 2/3 of Canadian households are homeowners. The homeownership rate has been rising steadily since the end of the second world war. For most, a home is more than a financial investment - it is a lifestyle choice. If you're ready to get into the real estate market but not sure if you can afford to do so, here are some tips you need to know. 1.      Determine your net worth. Explore if you can financially afford a home and how much you can realisitically spend on it. Net worth = Total assets - Total Liabilities. All of your monthly housing costs should not be more than 32% of your gross monthly income. 2.      Your monthly expenses (housing costs, car loans, credit card payments etc.) should not be more than 40% of your gross monthly income. 3.      Get pre-approved for a mortgage... 09/13/2010

9343 Fourth Line, Halton Hills, On. This beautiful bungalow offers open concept living in approximately 2400 sq ft . For more information contact : Jalaj Arora at Re/Max Real Estate Centre. Direct: 905-691-9427     09/06/2010

Here is some handy tips on your credit score that might prove beneficial to pass along to clients and prospective clients. When considering a real estate purchase, you need to have your credit score as high as possible, to ensure your chances of acquiring the home that you want. What is a credit score? It is called a FICO score. In general, it is a number from 300 to 850, which is calculated from several things. Such as your payment history, which includes money you previously owed, length of your credit history, new credit accounts open, and how you have used your credit. Below are 5 steps to improving your credit score:  1. Paying your bills on time is step one. Unfortunately, in hard economic times we often find the decision is not paying our bills on time but which bill do we pay an... 08/23/2010

I was reading the latest edition of Inc. and came across an article discussing "How to deliver great service".  They broke it down into 10 awesome points on how you as an entrepreneur can deliver great service. 1.      Great customer service begins with you 2.      A culture of customer service must be codified 3.      Employees are customers too 4.      Emphasize the long term 5.      Build trust 6.      Listen 7.      Sometimes it's the little things that matter 8.      If you can't help a customer, point to an establishment that can 9.      Show your appreciation 10.   Treat your best customers better I love this quote from the article "Treat your employees as you would have your employees treat your customers." 08/22/2010

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how often or how easy it is to forget the true blessing we share in life everyday. How grateful we should be and thankful for all of the little things we all too often take for granted. Think you're having a bad day? Feeling stressed? Feeling like you need a break? I urge you to take that break right this very moment. Watch this short clip about a very incredible and inspiration man. I will tell you - it put everything back into perspective for me today. Life doesn't seem so difficult or stressful... Pay it forward and send along to others. 08/19/2010

The nature of connecting people and business through the internet has never been more popular as it is now. The results of internet advertising are phenomenal, which explains the unique and innovative ideas currently being utilized all over the net. As strange as some offers may be, you'll always find someone in the market for them. I came across one such venture with some ideas well worth it ....and some not so worth it! CHECK OUT WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO FOR $5 http://www.fiverr.com/   08/18/2010

3d express coach bus.   Believe it or not, China is developing a fleet of enormous buses that will travel on special tracks, "over traffic, not just with it. Hence, eliminating the headache of being stuck in gridlock traffic. Can you imagine buses that actually run "on schedule"? Please send them our way! Normally, this would be one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" situations, but honestly, I think it will happen, they have the technology. Where there's a will, there's a way. Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment is actually breaking ground on these special tracks for the "3D express coaches" in Beijing's Mentougou district by the end of the year. It doesn't surprise me, weren't we supposed to have flying cars by now? 08/13/2010

Be daring, put your personality out there for all to see!  In the past, Canadians have shied away from bright vibrant colours for their living spaces, due to an uncertain economic and environmental climate, sticking with comforting neutrals like browns and beiges. In 2010-2011, they are predicting a drastic change in that trend. Canadians are looking for a brighter future, and in doing so will be choosing livelier colours to reflect their optimism in their search for that future. Colours such as deep reds and purples, vivid blues and greens, pastels such as baby blues and pinks, and earthy golds and clays will be among the new colours topping the list of next years palette. These new trends for 2010-2011 will bring to light very different, and very unique and individual attitudes to hom... 08/11/2010