As a journalism major you would think I would know the inventor of the "three-dot" column off the top of my head - Jimmy Breslin, perhaps? I'll have to look it up shortly. But I'd rather not let that detail get in the way of a few random thoughts in three-dot bandit style ...
Read yet another article this week encouraging buyers to negotiate the commissions their agents receive before beginning their working relationship. Two interesting sidelights - one, the agent writing this article suggested offering a $1,000 non-refundable retainer to the buyers' agent at the outset. "Mr. and Mrs. Buyer, ready to buy? Great, make the check out to me and we'll get started." - a great setup for the agent, maybe not so great for the client. Two, the article said if your agent isn't willing to accept the flat rate suggested, move on to the next because there are many, many underemployed agents in the Valley right now. Absolutely correct ... and for the cost of helping a new agent learn from their mistakes on one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, you too can sponsor a starving agent.
There are two reasons why agents are underemployed in the Phoenix market - they either are brand new and haven't built the business, or they haven't built the business over time and they deserve their underemployed status. Would I have made this argument when I got my license two-plus years ago? Of course not. But that also was $8MM in sales and three-dozen transactions ago.
Want to support an underemployed agent, many of whom double as friends and family? Take them to Oregano's for a slice and a pop ...
Spent most of yesterday preparing the initial mailing to Westbrook Village, with preparing defined as printing and sorting letters and stuffing envelopes. Today will be spent putting together the bulk of the content for the website. One of the group members, Gail McCarroll, had a great idea (later named by John Vescova in my office) of "Life After Westbrook." I think it's going to turn out pretty well ...
Speaking of the website, here's the world debut of the banner:
If all goes well, the website will be up and running by Halloween ...
There are no numbers to support this contention, but I'm seeing signs of the market picking up. Internet leads are on the rise, Tobey's ears are getting perky, and this week I received two offers on a property that had been on the market unloved since June. And another two calls came on the property after it came off the market. It's anecdotal, but I'll take it ...
Off to Ahwatukee tomorrow where I hope to see the Arizona Fury Boys 97 United's first-ever victory ... think good thoughts.
(c) Jonathan Dalton, 2006 / Jonathan Dalton's Arizona Homes | 
