La Quinta California Real Estate

We all know there are various ways to get listings. My top way is through referrals of other clients. Everytime I take a listing I make sure they clients know I need referrals. I also be sure to let all my friends and neighbors know to refer clients to me. When I get a listing I also door knock on at least 20 neighbors to be sure that I can get this homes listed too if and when they want to sell.

I also email and call past clients regularly to ask for referrals. I recently got a nice referral check on a past client who we referred to an out of area agent last year and just got teh commission now.

Referrals are my preferred away to get clients.

On a scale of 1 - 10, how do you rate your service to clients.

1. Do you contact them at least 2 a month whether or not they are buying or selling real estate at that time?

2. Do you send comps for their home at least once a quarter?

3. Do you let them know of good deals in their area for their family and friends?

4. Do you have the join you for dinner, lunch, or a party at least 2 a year?

5. Do you chat with them on facebook?

6. Do you send cards or notes at least 2 a year?

7. Do you keep them updated on the services provided by your team members?

8. Do you remember their birthday with a card?

9. Do you call once in a while to see how they are doing and who they know that wants to buy, sell, or lease a house?

10. Do you invite them to open houses?

Many years ago, I read a book called' What Happy People Know." I learned from reading the book that  most people know this. Some people just choose to live differently.

The bottomline is that you can pretty much be as happy as you make your mind up to be. There is good and bad in everyday. It also makes a difference on how you look at life. Do you look at the glass half full or the glass half empty?

Do you write a list each day of what you are grateful for and what you want to attract?

 Do you enjoy each day for the joy, peace, calm?

Do you enjoy the time with friends and family?

Do you feel happy to bring joy and love to others?

Happy people know they are happy no matter what9 is going on in their life or around them. They attract happiness, joy, peace, love and radiate it to others.

How many times recently have people noticed that you are happy?

Awhile back, I wrote a blog about how I was so frustrated with the real estate market. One of my clients saw the blog and thought I was doing poorly and they should find a different agent. I sure learned my lesson about venting on a blog. I have had a very good year selling homes. My frustrations are with the market - lack of inventory of really good homes, banks that are not flexible, sellers who do not want to sell but have to, challenges with loans for well- qualified buyers, and on and on each day.

Even with all of the challenges and frustrations, I do love being a real esate broker associate.

Here are some reasons I love being a real estate broker associate.

1. I love helping people buy and sell homes.

2. I love looking at homes.

3. I love the people I would with. I have a wonderful broker, great team of 4 agents, super assistant, amazing escrow and title officers, great home warranty rep, incredible lenders, fabulous handyman, house cleaners, painters, and on and on.

4. I have perfect clients- really nice people who are appreciative and know I am working hard for them 24/7.

5. I love real estate more than anything I have done in my life. It is my passion.

There are many reasons why I feel sellers need to provide a 1 year home warranty. I have many sellers who are resistant to buying a home warranty and I advise to please get one to protect themselves.

Even homes that have been properly maintained and seem to be in excellent condition, need to have a home warranty. You never know when a hot water heater, dishwasher, garage door opener, or air conditioner can have issues.

When the new owners can get the issue fixed for $55, they are happy. This saves alot of stress, time and money, after the closing for the sellers.

I am surprised more each year as we see what the home warranty covers on homes. I would say from what I see that most homes have claims averaging about $500+ per year.

This is also good for landlords to use on their  rental properties. It saves them money and headaches of repairs.

Be sure to get a home warranty and use it. This can apply for your home too.

Here are 5 great ways to get more listings.

1. Contact owners on Foreclosureradar.com who have a sale date listed to sell their home short sale

2. Put flyers on cars in apartment parking lots and garages telling the tenants they can buy for less than rent

3. Have real estate attorneys and bankruptcy attorneys refer you clients for short sale listing

4. Pick an area near your office and talk to working in the nearby businesses about buying and/or selling. Do this once each week to keep up the relationship.

5. Take little gift bags to the expireds and include all the information on listing with you and comps for the area. Pretty soon neighbors recognize your gift bag.

These are some great ways to get buyers and sellers in your area.

Each year as Mother's Day arrives, I miss my children. My husband is wonderful to honor me in their absence and my son and daughter send cards, flowers, and calls. I also understand there are many mothers who do not have families nearby and miss the joy and love of this day. What will you do to honor some mothers close to you on Mother's Day this year? Here are some ideas to make Mother's Day extra special not only for your mom, but other moms you know.

1. A brunch for them on your patio

2. Email cards

3. Photos of them and their children

4. Flowers of course

5. A massage or facial and you get one too

6. A champagne toast together

7. Plant some flowers for them by their front door for continued enjoyment

8. A movie together - even a Netflix or red Box movie together

9. A walk on the beach or in the mountains

10. A meal taken to their home and dropped off

11. Invite 4 moms for a potluck together to share stories of past times with their children

12. Send or deliver them photos you have of them with their children.

13. Set up a skype call for them with their children

14. Place an ad in the paper wishing them a Happy Mother's Day

15. Honor them on Facebook

Today is a beautiful day in La Quinta, California. However you are spending this gorgeous day, I hope it is fun, enjoyable, and lots of good memories.

My husband and I are spending a quiet day at home. we hosed the patio, washed some windows, and did some odd jobs around the house.

My friend Leanna is going on along hike in the mountains.

My friend Cathy is joining friends for a fun BBQ.

My friends Skip and Trish are attending services and then enjoyiing a nice brunch and wine tasting.

My son Andy is taking some children surfing at Waikiki Beach.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I wish you a wonderful day and a Happy Easter.

Here are some things I think are great about being a realtor/broker associate

1. You can answer the phone and make deals wherever you are

2. Pretty much everyone knows someone who wants to buy or sell or lease a home

3. The checks you get when the deal is done are a good size

4. You don't have to see or deal with challenging clients once the deal is done - unless they want to buy or sell another home

5. You can set your own hours. You may work alot of hours, but you do have your freedom.

6. There are many things you can do with a real estate license besides selling residential real estate - commercial, title, escrow. leasing, investing, etc.

7. I like the connecting with people.

8. Closing a deal is a real high for me.

9. I like making alot of money and real estate is known for high income

Today was a victory day for me in real estate. I was on Waikiki Beach relaxing and my biggest deal ever - $3,900,000  home closed escrow.

After 10 years in real estate and working hard selling over 1000 homes, the buyers bought the 1st house I showed them and the escrow was easy flow.

I am very grateful and happy and proud. Our area of La Quinta, California has been hit very hard by the housing bubble bursting, so I am very happy to be on the upswing again.