Last year I set out to complete my CRS Designation. Meeting the requirements to become a Certified Residential Specialist in the field of REAL ESTATE is not an easy task, but definitely achievable. Now that I am through with my classes I will still continue to take the CRS Courses. They are absolutely fantastic!!

Before attending my final class I googled the instructors name here on Active Rain and found out Jackie Leavenworth is a real pro!

After two fantastic days in her classroom, now I know why! She is a funny, energetic, well rounded and experienced REALTOR. From the class LISTING STRATEGIES for the RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST, she taught practical and up to date techniques for Listing and Selling Homes in today's Turbulant Market.

Here is a quick video I took when we were in class. Jackie says we all have "inner Parrots" that talk to us and she was trying to make sure that we quiet our inner parrots. It was absolutely hysterical!

I plan to implement several Strategies into our current Marketing Plan that will benefit my clients including the shopping cart, QMA, and other ideas. Coach Jackie calls them "Jackieisms".

I encourage you to consider furthering your education in the field of REAL ESTATE - check out the CRS Class offerings and especially classes taught by Coach Jackie !

The most coveted and highest professional designation awarded to REALTORS in the residential sales field.

LESS THAN 4 % of all REALTORS hold the CRS Designation !

Now I'm off to Facebook to post a testimonial on Jackie's wall!!

I recently wrote a blog to one of my clients that I have the house listed entitled, "Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller Your House Hasn't Sold".   The purpose of the letter was to let my clients know that the listing agent is ultimately responsible for the sale of the home but the seller also plays a role in making this happen as well.   Even the best intentions won't pan out if the seller doesn't go along with the marketing plan.  Thankfully, with the help of a post where I solicited advice from Activerainers called Need Listing Advice from opinionated AR Listing Agents-Are you one of them?, I shared the feedback with my client and their willing response to the feedback ultimately allowed me to sell this listing in less than 45 days.   If you read the blog you would probably notice that this home sat on the market for over a year before I took over the listing. 

I asked my client why he chose me to sell his home and he had indicated that he was incredibly impressed with my ability to get the word out through the internet.  He wanted to know how I successfully continue to be listed at the top of the rankings in my area and have such high search results on the major search engines - Google, Yahoo, and MSN to name a few.    

That said,  I read a post by  Brian Block's recent post "Preemptive Blogging.....Impress your Sellers with your SEO" and post by Broker Bryant entitled, If you really are "The Expert".....then show them. Push the juice.  which has lead me to write my own blog where I show you how internet marketing and search engine optimization has helped me with my business and also pleased my clients.  The bottom line - All agents are not created equal and it's an agents job to make sure that the home that your marketing doesn't blend in with all of the rest.  You have to make sure your clients home gets the exposure and rises above the other homes in your market.

In addition, I've decided to write another letter that I will use with my sellers in my listing presentations that will demonstrate how successful my strategy has been.  The results are out there - it would be CRAZY for me not to demonstrate my talents and marketing abilities. 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Need T. Sell,

It was a pleasure speaking with you earlier today and I am looking forward to meeting with you tomorrow to get your property on the market. I will send over a preliminary Market Analysis later but thought it would be helpful to you if you did a little research on me first. I just know that you're the type that does your homework.  Here are some links that will give you a great idea of who I am and how I handle my business. They will also give you a sampling of how your property will be displayed on the Internet. So click away and enjoy.  OK here goes:

My web site:

• TracySantrock.com
• TriangleNCHomes4Sale.com
• FMRealty.com/tsantrock
• Localism (Triangle Information)

My blog sites:

• TracySantrock.realtownblogs.com(Local)
• ActiveRain (National)

A little personal info on me:

• My Profile
• Google results for Tracy Santrock
• MSN results for Tracy Santrock  

Top Searches in the Cary real estate market:

• Google Results for Cary NC Real Estate - The most searched term in real estate in the Triangle - I am generally regularly on the top 3 pages either through Activerain, Localism, my blog or one of my sites. 
• MSN Results for Cary NC Real Estate - I am generally on the top 3 pages of this search.

Top Searches for Cary NC Real Estate Agent:

• Cary NC Real Estate Agent - I am generally on the top 3 pages here which is critical to capturing the buyer audience. 
• Yahoo! Cary NC Real Estate Agent - I am generally listed on the top 3 pages here also competing w/over 700 Top Agents in my company.

Fonville Morisey searches and comparisons:

• Google Results for Fonville Morisey Buyers Agent -The results are powerful.  I have 6 of the top 8 listings on Google
• Google Results for Fonville Morisey Listing Agent - These results show you the power of an agent with area wide exposure.  Again:  Top 3 on Google

Top Bloggers in Cary:

• MSN Results for Cary NC Real Estate Blog - I currently have 2 of the top 10 entries on the 1st page!
• Yahoo Results for Cary NC Real Estate Blog - I also have 3 entries on the 1st page at Yahoo!
• Google Results for Cary NC Real Estate Blog - 2 of the top 10 entries on google
• Google results for "Santrock" - Ok, my dad John Santrock (a well published author) is right ahead of me but we are neck and neck.    

Internet Ads:

• Example of Vflyer by Tracy Santrock
• 123 ChimneyRise in Cary
• Heritage Pines Listing in Cary 
• Craigslist

Realtor.com Enhanced Listings

• Only agents that buy an "Enhanced Listing" package are able to write descriptive information on their properties.  I have the ability to Enhance My Listings, Ad Banners, and customize the content readers see online.  Realtor.com is the #1 site for Homebuyers.  Why go with an agent that doesn't offer this service. 

Why Fonville Morisey?

• Why choose Fonville Morisey for your next Realtor® in the Triangle Area

If you are thinking about selling your house in the Triangle area in 2008 keep this in mind:  Just think about the fact that over 80% of prospective buyers start their home search on the internet.  If you sell your home with me you will receive maximum exposure on all the major search engines, Craigslist, and other mediums.  In addition, I will make sure that all of the Marketing that I do on your home online will be syndicated to other content providers like oodle, vast, hotproperties, and others sen below. Your property will receive the exposure needed to sell your home in record time.

If you area an Activerain Member keep this in mind:  In 2008 you will want to use the tools that you have learned through Activerain, ePro, and others to let others know the good news about you and your business. 

  Related Posts: 

Multiple offers in a Buyers Market & the New North Carolina Rules

Fonville Morisey Listing Agent>>First Impressions Mean Everything To Buyers, Especially During the Holidays

Why choose Fonville Morisey for your next Realtor® in the Triangle Area?