Time to plan for a successful 2013!!!!

(Quote) Crystallize your goals.Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other peoples criticisms, carry out your plan. "Paul J Meyer"


As 2012 comes to an end we reflect on the events of the past. We let go of what is no longer working and come up with a strategy to be more productive to achieve our highest potential in the upcoming year. I don't know about you but I certainly plan on knocking it out of the park in 2013. Professionally and personally. In my opinion the level of ones success is based on the level of personal growth. The questions to ask yourself are:


a) Was I consistent in all areas of business such as keeping a schedule and time blocking for prospecting, marketing, appointments and lead follow up?


b)Was I disciplined?


c) Was I balanced with exercise, good nutrition, play, and spending time with family?


d) Did I procrastinate or did I approach everyday with passion and productivity?


e) What areas do I need to improve in 2013 to accomplish what I need to accomplish?


f) Will I be focusing on listings only ( traditional, short sales or both), working only with buyers; or will I be working with both listings and buyers?


It is important to be specific with your schedule and what you put in your schedule. Experience has taught me if I have my hands into too many things I defeat my ultimate goal which is to be effective and efficient and give good customer service and increase my referrals. Although I am experienced in all sides of real estate clearly my area of focus has been short sale negotiating for REALTORS. Focusing on that area and doing it well and helping others achieve their goals has helped me acheive mine and all other aspects of the business naturally started to come full circle for me.


My hope for all of you in this upcoming year is to have a plan in place and follow it with all of the passion that you have inside of you to accomplish your goals. Anything is possible when we get our minds right and sharpen our vision and move in the direction of our dreams.


Short sales are still going to be an important part of our market and I am always here for your continued support in closing your short sale transactions. I am happy to sit down with you and help you incorporate short sales into your schedule. I have created a platform that has helped many agents become very successful in marketing, prospecting and pre qualifying. With our help in taking the negotiating off of your plate this will allow you too focus more on prospecting and building your pipeline.


Here are some key points to watch out for in the current short sale market:


1. Bank of America is starting to incorporate a new program for qualified candidates that will allow the second to basically be written off to help homeowners experiencing difficulty to stay in their homes. The second HAS to be a BofA second. The lender will send out a letter to the homeowner to call in to customer care to discuss further options. Please keep in mind when you have a client entertaining a short sale but is on the fence and inquires about this please set proper expectation and let them know that BofA may be their lender but there are specific qualifications and there is no guarantee they will be able to participate. The best advice you can give them is to have them call a BofA representative to discuss if this is a viable option for them. There still may be tax implications so if a client of yours is involved in this program they will want to still talk to a CPA.


2. Lenders want to close on time and as I have said in the past extension's are not going to always be granted and you will most likely see it happening less and less over months to come. Your best option is too make sure that your homeowner is thoroughly qualified for a short sale, you have a complete short sale package and you are on top of the buyers lender. If all parties have done their job properly there is no need for an extension request.


3. Lastly, Clearly we are suffering from low inventories and it has become harder and harder to get offers accepted. I would suggest not taking the first offer on the table. Cash and conventional are always better as government loans have been taking alot longer. You can see how that can pose a problem when a short sale lender wants to close in 30 days and just because you may have a buyer contract with a 45 day close does not mean the short sale lender will honor it. I would suggest giving a time limit of one week of allowing all offers to come in and let all agents know you will be making a decision for example; Wednesday the 21st at 3:00 pm. This will allow you to pick the best offer and also give the buyers agents a good feeling knowing that at least they are in the game and have a shot. But be very selective on a short sale listing. Be mindful. Is there a sale date? What stage of the foreclosure process is this property in? Because if it is a home that has a sale date in 3 weeks that has already been postponed 3-4 times your chances will be less than average of getting it extended.


Lotus Realty Group is here to help. We ask that you contact us before you take a listing so we can give you the proper analysis of your situation and give you the proper paperwork to be fully prepared at your listing appointment. Effective and Efficient is our goal.


REALTORS, what is in your business plan this year? What are you doing to create a system that will allow you to build your short sale business? How often are you out there prospecting and how do you know if you are taking the listings that are going to be successful and not a waste of your time?


Call us today and let us show you a system that works to help you expand your business and effectively and efficiently close short sale transactions.


LOTUS REALTY GROUP
PROFESSIONAL SHORT SALE NEGOTIATORS


At Lotus Realty GROUP, helping people ethically succeed is at the forefront of who we are...