Tips : Real Estate Tips and News

• Nov. 16, 2006 - Marketing to GenXers

According to NAR...

38% of recent home buyers were under 35 years old
Half of first time home buyers were between 25 and 34 years old
First time home buyers accounted for half of all homes purchased in 2005.

So how do you market to these "GenXer's? You start by understanding them. I you ARE a GenX, you already understand them. They are just like you. However, if you're like me, these "kids" are young enough to be your children, and you don't REALLY understand them. You may think you do, but you don't.

Mariana Wagner from Keller Williams in Colorado Springs has written an excellent article called The Secret Life of a "Generation X" Cosumer... My Story. While everything she points out doesn't apply to every member of this generation, there's enough good stuff there to make it worth the reading. So much of it applies, not only to real estate, but to any business that hopes to market to this group.

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• Nov. 15, 2006 - Choosing A Real Estate Career

So you've been at this business awhile. You've survived the first few years, when most agents fail, and have proven that you've got what it takes to make a career out of real estate. So what happens now? People start coming up to you and asking about the business. We both know that people who aren't in real estate think that it's a simple job with big paychecks. They've got the paychecks right, they are big sometimes. But then again, when you calculate the time and expenses you put into getting that check, it's not nearly as much money as everyone thinks.

So what do you tell someone who thinks they've got what it takes? Tell them to go get a copy of Your Succesful Real Estate Career by Kenneth W. Edwards. Amacom just released the updated 5th edition a couple weeks ago and it's a great source of information for anyone who is thinking about a career in real estate.

Dave Liniger, founder of RE/MAX called a previous edition, "A hard-hitting and comprehensive guide for anyone looking into a real estate career.

So why tell you about a book that will help others compete against you? Because if more people understand the difficulties and stress involved in a career in real estate, especially the effort to get started, maybe the less unqualified, unprofessionals there will be in the business.

You can buy the book direct from the RealtyU bookstore for $18.95 or follow the link to Amazon and get it for $12.89.

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• Nov. 10, 2006 - Good Advice on Preparing for Winter

With 4" to 8" of snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, I'm reminded of what I don't like about living in Northern Michigan. Snow and cold can be hard on your body, on your car, and especially your home. Ann Cummings over at Real Estate Ramblings in New Hampshire has some excellent advice for getting your home ready for winter. Take the time to check it out, before the snow flies in your part of the country.