SoCalCRS Blog An informational site for CRS members, and candidates for the CRS, in the Southern California CRS Chapter region. Members and non-members of the SoCalCRS Chapter are encouraged to ask questions, post comments and become active in our chapter.
Here is the 2009 Meeting Schedule for the Southern California CRS Chapter. I will post more details as I get them.
You will see that we have scaled back from 4 meetings to 3.
BUT the good news for members is that we will be hosting smaller regional meetings in different areas, hosted by the AREA VPs. Stay tuned for more details about locations and topics.
AUGUST 7 - Membership Meeting (Pasadena)
Venue TBD
Speaker will be ShERMAN SMITH with an in-depth look at how to properly handle and close short sale listings
DECEMBER 4 - Installation and Membership Meeting (Dana Point)
Also, be sure to plan to attend the NAR meetings in November here in San Diego. Our Chapter will be sponsoring a special event - stay tuned for more details
I recently attended the Real Estate Bar Camp held in Orange County in Newport Beach, along with a number of other CRSs. You can follow all the comments about the event on Twitter by following #rebcoc
This was not a Southern California Chapter of CRS-sponsored event, but I came away with some great learning that I wanted to pass along.
This program contains new words, dialogues, scripts and methods to separate even the most seasoned agents from the crowd. Gain an edge for your listings and for your
marketing with this one-of-a-kind presentation on new pricing techniques. Learn the difference between "pricing" and "positioning" and the true difference between
"comparables" and "competition." Agents around the country have increased their listing inventory, decreased their days on market and increased their income after attending this powerful, fun and enlightening course.
REO 101 – The Basics: Date: July 17, 2009 9a.m.- 4 p.m.
Cost $99 for this CRS® Sponsored Event (normally $149)
Overview of the REO Marketplace
BPO Business Module for Immediate Cash Flow & Future Listing Opportunities
Proper BPO Preparation
Hands-on BPO Training Session
The BPO/REO Resume
Registering for BPO Business & More
REO 102 – You Get An REO Listing… Now What?
Date: July 31, 2009 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost $99 for this CRS® Sponsored Event (normally $149)
How to Effectively Manage REO Listings
Cash For Keys – a Win/Win Scenario
Asset Preservation
Property Tracking/Property Management Systems
Marketing to Investors: Cash is King!
The Who, What, When, & Where to Register for New REO Business & More
WHERE: San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR), 4845 Ronson Court, San Diego, CA 92111-8040 (858)715-8040
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
RESERVATION HOTLINE (661) 972-9642
VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER & DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Class admittance policy on these Southern California CRS® Sponsored Classes: Your confirmation will be emailed to the email address you provide with your paid registration. Without record of your payment, attendee will be required to pay with a credit card on the day of the event prior to admittance to the class/meeting. If payment is later verified, attendee will receive a refund. No unpaid guests will be admitted. Sorry no refunds for non-attendance to these events. Paid-at-the-door limited to space available and we cannot guarantee admittance-reservations are recommended. All Real Estate Professionals are welcome. CRS® Designation is not required. These workshops are for career enhancement. No DRE credits are available. Each paid attendee will be issued a certificate of completion by mail after successfully passing the provided quiz with a 70% or better correct score at the conclusion of each session. Contact the workshop provider with any questions. SILVER LINING WORKSHOPS (661) 972-9642.
Class admittance policy on these Southern California CRS® Sponsored Classes: Your confirmation will be emailed to the email address you provide with your paid registration. Without record of your payment, attendee will be required to pay with a credit card on the day of the event prior to admittance to the class/meeting. If payment is later verified, attendee will receive a refund. No unpaid guests will be admitted. Sorry no refunds for non-attendance to these events. Paid-at-the-door limited to space available and we cannot guarantee admittance-reservations are recommended. All Real Estate Professionals are welcome. CRS® Designation is not required. These workshops are for career enhancement. No DRE credits are available. Each paid attendee will be issued a certificate of completion by mail after successfully passing the provided quiz with a 70% or better correct score at the conclusion of each session. Contact the workshop provider with any questions. SILVER LINING WORKSHOPS (661) 972-9642.
On July 1, 2009 we will sponsor a 1-day class on Pricing Your Listings in Today's Market. This class is open to all and should be a sell-out. Folks using the methods in this class are having tremendous success, and you can too!
Stay tuned for more information on the LOCATION, PRICE (a great value) and other details.
Here's the link to the website so you can read more and register.
This will be another terrific (and FREE) learning experience on technology and social media, and who knows what else. At it's at the beach, at the Blule Beet Bar Cafe in Newport Beach on June 25.
While this is not a SoCal CRS event, you can bet some of us will be there. Will you?!
Here is another opporunity for you to learn more about technology adn social media iin a fun, lively atmosphere with some of the best folks in the business.
RE Bar Camp OC,a FREE 1-day event open to all, will be held on June 25 at the Blue Beet Cafe in Newport beach (on the beach).
I recently monitored the CRS 201 LISTING STRATEGIES class in San Diego. This is really a terrific class to take in this market since many of us can always use new skills and strategies in order to land and sell listings.
One of the fun group exercises was developing a list of marketing ideas, both for marketing listings but also ourselves. The list was so good I decided to share some of it.
CRS 210: Building an Exceptional Customer Service Referral Business
Building an Exceptional Customer Service Referral Business is a highly interactive course designed to deliver all the essentials for refocusing the student’s business plan to a customer service centered, repeat and referral business. The information provided will help identify the expectations of the “new consumer”, the “new behaviors” necessary to meet those expectations and specific systems to make the agent’s business more productive, more profitable and more enjoyable.
Attracting a higher caliber client
Meeting the expectations of the “new consumer”
Dialogues and strategies for building a referral database
Delivery systems to generate a successful referral business
When: May 19-20, 2009
Where: Victor Valley Association of REALTORS®, 11890 Hesperia Rd., Hesperia, CA 92345
[760] 244-8841
Time: 8:00—5:00
Tuition: $275 for the first 25 who register on or before April 6th, $325 after.
Concellation Policy: No Refunds
To register for CRS 210 call the Victor Valley Association at 760-244-8841 ask for Karen King or Diane Smith
Listings are the mainstay of the real estate business, and being successful at obtaining them is essential. In today's competitive market it is even more challenging.
There are lots of strategies an agent can use to ensure success and beat out the competition. This very popular 2-day CRS course will do just that, and get you on your way to completing the CRS designation.
Description: The quality of an individual’s listing skills can give him or her a strong competitive edge. Only those professionals who learn proven listing strategies will win over the client and increase their conversion rate. Listing Strategies provides students with the important skills necessary to conduct successful listing presentations, price a home to sell, close the transaction and market and promote effectively. The course takes students through an actual listing presentation that helps them understand the key steps in this process and create a system for success.
Course Content:
• Conducting an effective listing presentation
• Seller guidance and counseling
• Pricing a home to sell
• Closing techniques
• Marketing plans and servicing systems
• Sellers’ needs and motivations
Course Topics:
MARKETING
CUSTOMER SERVICE
LISTING
When: May 21-22, 2009
Where: San Diego Association of REALTORS®, 4845 Ronson Ct, San Diego, CA 92111
Time: 8:00—5:00
To register for CRS 201 visit www.sdar.com under education.
A common complaint I hear from CRS members, and an excuse often given for not joining or rejoining the Southern California CRS Chapter is "I don't get any referrals."
Certainly getting referrals is one of the benefits of being a CRS member and, in particular, part of the local chapter. But it is definitely not the only benefit. But this post IS about that issue.
The question, perhaps, is "why do you not get referrals?"
Or put another way, "Are you referable to?"
Anyone who is an active member of the CRS organization will be listed in the on-line database and thus searchable by other members looking for a referable agent. But that's not enough. Here are some thoughts:
1. Are you attending any meetings? We have them throughout the year and they are an excellent way to meet other Southern California CRS agents face-to-face. The personal contact can go a long way toward separating you from the rest of the pack in your city if someone needs to refer to your area. If they know you, vs. the other "faces" in the directory you will likely get the nod. And how about Sellabration?
2. Are you setting yourself apart in your on-line profile? Part of membership is being listed in the on-line database.
I am amazed at how many members I see who do not have a PHOTO nor list a WEBSITE. Most agents I talk to will not refer to someone who does not display their photo. And not having a website, or listing one you do have, is a red flag for most people because of concerns that you are not tech savvy or do not use technology in your business. This could be a red flag for consumers, too (Know that displaying a photo on the National CRS database or in their print directory costs more money than a plain display ad, but it worth the visibility - BUT your member photo on the Southern California CRS roster is FREE!)
And what about the other information that CRS allows you to list in your profile? Your designations and languages, for example. And how about your areas of specialization? You should include as much information as the profile allow, incouding listing your social media network profiles
And WHEN was the last time you updated your profile? Is the address and contact information all up to date. If they can't reach you, you won't bet getting a referral (and I have run into this a number of times personally)
3. Are you visible? People have to know you are, or at least be aware that you exist, in order to refer to you.
You can improve your visibility by attending meetings, and having a complete up to date CRS member profile with a photo.
Continuing your education is also important - not only do you improved your skills but this is yet another means to interact with other CRS and non CRS members to get you name out there.
Participating in the Southern California CRS Chapter Board of Directors is a great way to increase your visibility, plus learn a heckuva lot and help the Chapter continue to meet the changing needs of its membership. We can always use more help...in technology, membership, programs, fund raising for Chapter with a Heart and so on. Simply ask one of the current members (visit the leadership page of the website).
4. Do you refer to others? Yes, reciprocating referrals is a great way to enhance your volume of referrals. You refer out, and that person may refer back. Plus it's a great way to increase your business.
5. Use the SoCal CRS Website. We have a roster of all our members and this can be searched by ANYONE looking for a potential agent to refer to. Wile the roster contains any information you have listed in the national CRS database (see item 2 above), as a Southern California Chapter of CRS member you can also enhance your member profile on our website to include you photo and any other information you wish to include. You can read more here on how to create and update your SoCal CRS member profile on our website. NOTE - This is a benefit for SoCal CRS Chapter members ONLY and you must have a log in ID and Password for the website to make these changes.
6. Participate in Social Media. You have heard the buzz and hopefully are participating at some level with Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogging and more. If you aren't you should so you can build connections with other agents in teh businss (including those who are not CRSs or members of our Chapter). But that's beyond the scope of this article, so stay tuned for more on this topic.
So instead of complaining about not getting any referrals, and using this as a reason to not be part of the Chapter, why not seek out the ways you can ENHANCE YOUR REFERABILITY?
ALL SoCal CRS Members - Here's an important announcement from one of our Platinum Sponsors for 2009, Old Republic Home Protection
* * * * * * * * * * *
Old Republic Home Protection and CRES have teamed with you, the real estate professional, in mind to create: Old Republic Home Protection's CRES Preferred Coverage - A CRES Qualified Home Warranty Plan! This Plan qualifies CRES Members for:
E&O Deductible Reduction* up to $2,500
$25,000 of Seller's E&O* - a great listing tool
Unmatched Coverage and Service provided by
Old Republic Home Protection!
Choose Old Republic Home Protection's CRES PREFERRED COVERAGE
To order visit theToolbox at www.orhp.com and choose Old Republic Home Protection's CRESPREFERRED COVERAGE! This is a CRES Members Only benefit. For CRES Members, contact your ORHP Account Executive to schedule a meeting or discuss how the CRES Preferred Coverage Plan helps grow your business.If you are not currently a member and would like information, please contact your ORHP Account Executive or forward this email to your Broker.
Partnering in your success,
Old Republic Home Protection (800) 445-6999 www.orhp.com
You can read the full article about what I learned at this meeting from Gov Hutchinson, who spoke about the impact the Government Bailout is having on the real estate business.
Here are some photos from the Southern California CRS Q1 2009 meeting held yesterday in La Quinta at the Mountain View Country Club. Many thanks to Mike Duncan for arranging this meeting space.
More information coming soon on the learnings and the happenings from our meeting. Sorry we missed you!
Did you know that your CRS profile on-line in the National Database will now include your profile links to several social media sites?
Those of you "in the know" about the advantages of participating in social media networking are probably members of one or more of the most popular sites (I personally recommend the first 4)
ActiveRain - blogging site
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter - microblogging site
Hi5
Orkut
MySpace.
Now you can include profile links to those sites in your on-line profile. Plus you can add two additional ones (I included my Plaxo Profile)
Simply log in to My Advantage on the CRS site and click on the link to Update Your Member Profile. Add the correct links from the individual site then save.
REMEMBER: You can follow the SoCal CRS Chapter on Twitter - @SoCalCRS
SPECIAL THANKS to our Area VP, BARBARA DUDECK, for again coordinating the registration and finding SoCal members to staff the booth during the day.
I was there the day before to set up the booth and wanted to also say a SPECIAL THANKS to VICKY CAMPBELL, who helped with setting the booth up and for helping Barbara dismantle it on the day of the Expo.
I was at the RE Bar Camp in Los Angeles on April 2 so could not attend the Expo but understand the turnout was good and there was lots of interest in the CRS designation AND the Southern California CRS Chapter.
A SPECIAL THANKS also to the SoCal Members who helped to staff the booth during the day, greeting attendees and sharing information about the CRS designation and our Chapter. We couldn't have done it without YOUR SUPPORT. Thanks!!
Alas, folks were busy during the Expo and no one took any photos. But here's a pic I took during set-up the day before.
Here are some thoughts on the recent RE Bar Camp in Los Angeles (actually Pasadena) where about 300 folks gathered to share and learn about social media, blogging, video and technology in general.
RE Bar Camps are an excellent venue for learning and networking - GO to one if it takes place in your area or nearby, or start one yourself
Network with other top producers and gain fresh perspectives on hot issues.
Gov Hutchinson teaches
“ How Will the Government Bailout Affect Your Business?”
Friday, April 24, 2009 ~ 8:30am
Gather with us for our many networking opportunities:
· Come to our Real Estate Leaders Meeting and Luncheon on April 24th at Mountain View Country Club to hear Gov Hutchinson address the legal issues of the upcoming government bailout and how it will effect Real Estate.
The Southern California CRS Chapter is organizing a golf outing on April 23rd at 2pm at Mountain View Country Club.
Join us for a social gathering at Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant at 7pm on April 23rd. The address is 78-164 Ave 52, La Quinta, CA 92253. Please RSVP on the attached reservation form.
Suggested local accommodations: Embassy Suites La Quinta, 50-777 Santa Rosa Plaza, La Quinta 760-777-1711 / Homewood Suites By Hilton, La Quinta, 45-200 Washington Street, La Quinta 760-391-4600
Location of Networking Meeting on April 24th: Mountain View Country Club, 80-375 Pomelo, La Quinta, CA 92253. The entrance to Mountain View is on Jefferson between Ave 50 & Ave 52.
Cost: Early bird price SoCal CRS Members $35.00 & non-member $45.00. After April 20th —SoCal CRS Members $45.00 & non-members $55.00. Speaker and lunch included. No refunds will be given.
If you plan to golf on April 23rd, you must register by April 9th. The cost is $50 payable NOW to SoCal CRS.
If you plan to attend dinner at Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant at 7pm on April 23. The cost of your meal on April 23rd is not included in our registration fees.
Here's a VIDEO message from our Chapter President, DEBORAH KNISS, about our upcoming Chapter Membership Meeting on March 14 and some things the Chapter is doing to help YOU with YOUR BUSINESS in 2008. We have an outstanding line-up of speakers, starting with Bernice Ross. We hope to see you at our next meeting. (NOTE: You may have already received this message in an email from Kari Casarietti)
As always, we want to hear from you regarding what you need to be more successful in your business. Please don't hesitate to let us know at any time. I will post a list of the current board members and Area Vice Presidents - any of them would be happy to speak with you about any questions that you have and to discuss how we can better serve you.
Be sure to check out our website from time to time as we update the information and add more features.
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There were some good learnings coming out of the 
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