The Massachusetts Real Estate Guy

The "Un-Christianity" of some "Christian" Real Estate Agents ...

I might get hate email or comment posts for this ... That's okay... I need to get this off my chest...

I REALLY hesitated writing out THIS post, believe me, but this bothers me...

A couple of months ago, I had a phone call from an agent in another part of the country...

Through my blogging, he found me and contacted me concerning a referral he wanted to hand over to me ...

Which I deeply appreciated, don't get me wrong. I was curious as to why he singled me out. I was hoping it was due to my blogging, my qualifications on various important topics in real estate. Maybe he liked my online "personality"... who knows? 

Whatever it was, I was a little "curious"...

So, he called. Asked me the usual. How many years, my area of service. 

Then he asked me a bizarre, really bizarre question. I NEVER imagined THIS question could be construed as a "qualification"...

If this type of question was asked by a potential employer to a job interviewee, I can only imagine the civil right violations and the potential for lawsuits it may have opened up.

"Are you a Christian" real estate agent?  Because my friends, they asked me to find them a "Christian" real estate agent."

Like I said, I was absolutely floored ...

It took me a moment to regain my thoughts. The first thing I thought was  "I'm NOT dealing with THIS jerk."... "Who need this?"
 

He kept asking that same question, "Are you a Christian" real estate agent? over and over again. If anything, I felt he was (unintentionally) sort of "taunting" me ...

I was flabbergasted.  Stunned, was more like it.  I couldn't believe it.  I immediately mentally tried to answer to myself, "what does it matter?"

I mean, we do live in America, don't we?

Plainly speaking, I was insulted.  I didn't want to deal with this narrow minded jerk.

So, I quickly collected myself, and explained I just didn't feel comfortable answering his question. He gave me a long, "drawling" kind of laugh, like he verbally exposed the devil in a lie, and then I told him someone else would be calling him.

In other words, my marketing efforts and blogging made someone else a potential commission because I didn't like the position I was put in by this "Christian"...

A Christian, mind you, who acted very "Un-Christian like".

How Christian? Eh?

What irks me is the indirect discrimination the referring agent practiced. 

I just didn't like it.

Whether or not I'm a Christian has nothing to do with the issue, and I'm not looking to get anyone in trouble. I am looking to expose a very important, very frustrating, issue at hand. The issue of how religion can be used to practice prejudice in a "commission" only, independent contractor status type of hiring. 

LOL, what's even funnier is, up until now, I pretty much have tried to keep religion out of my real estate discussions. Didn't even think of it, to be honest. I mean, really, when you think of it, who cares?

But it's wrong. You know it's wrong. It can be construed as a violation of housing laws.  I want NO part of it, on any end. BUT IT'S WRONG..

I honestly don't even go there, in terms of religion, when dealing with the public. However, I worry about agents like the guy I am writing about, because if he did THAT to me, what did he do to others?

I never considered someone's religion to be of paramount importance when I went to a Doctor, hired or recommended an accountant, a lawyer, chiropractor, or auto mechanic. 

Christian Real Estate Websites have been under fire before for similar allegations, as I found out when I did a "Google" Search.
I guess my gripes were someone else's too, a while ago...

Which begs the question; would most of these "Christian" real estate agents work with non Christians in terms of helping them buy or sell property?

I think you know the answer to that ... and that's what I don't like, the "one sidedness"....

Let me turn the tables and ask, are they saying they are more honest than everyone else?

Does that make everyone who doesn't meet "their" standards liars? Unethical? 

What was that Jesus said? "Let he without sin cast the first stone"

Yeah, right ...

How dare they?

And that, my friend, is the honest "Truth"... no matter what my religion is ... or yours, for that matter....


 

This week’s comments – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly…

Each week, certain events continue to amaze me…

This week, I approached a couple of owners who are in danger of foreclosure; there seems to be a mass wave of a hypnotic trance that “immobilizes” the majority of them; they won’t call their lender to discuss their situation. If they do, and the results are unfavorable, they won’t consider a short sale.  They won’t seek guidance or advice; pretty much, with the vast majority of them, they bury their head in the sand and act like eventually, this will go away..

It won’t happen that way.  I can understand the “paralysis” these folks go through; however, a time for any action MUST be taken.

Foreclosure is THE worst option anyone takes. Maybe you won’t care about this now, but you;’ll care later. Maybe in 3 years, 5 years, 8 or even more…

You can say anything you want, but the facts are the facts…Eventually, you should care.

… especially when there are SO many resources to help you too..

Chances are, your own lender doesn’t want you to wind up in foreclosure…

It’s like talking to the walls with some of these folks. It’s so frustrating to see this pattern of “self destruction”, repeated on a daily basis.

And now, did you hear the news?  “They’re” expecting a whole new wave of foreclosures, a THIRD WAVE, of foreclosures, to come crashing down…It’s supposedly going to be MORE DEVASTATING, MUCH MORE DEVASTATING, THAN the last two.

It’s expected to be SO bad, that I personally am get involved in the short sale and reo aspect of sales much more intensely than ever.  I swear, I try, I really do; I try to tell people NOT to slide in foreclosure. At least give it a good fight. Don’t do the disappearing act!  Don’t go through the embarrassment of having your name splattered all over the “Notices” section of the local paper (They do print upcoming foreclosure actions, you know).. Wanna be secretive? Do a short sale!

Let me repeat .. If YOU want the Whole World NOT to Know Your situation, THEN DO A SHORT SALE!  You’re going to leave the house one way or another, if you can’t stay! Might as well leave with your dignity intact!

Maybe you’ll even be able to buy another home in a couple of years. Start over again. AT a better market condition for those buying. 

VERY UNLIKELY IF YOU GO WITH THE FORECLOSURE ROUTE!!

Places and cities I personally have NOT seen get bank owned and short sale listings are now starting to creep up. 

There’s NO other way for me to say this. 

I want to “bust” all the misconceptions and fallacies people may have or may have heard of in terms of short sales versus foreclosures.  If you have a problem, call me at 508-365-3581 or email me and let me see if I can help you.  Anywhere in the country. I will get you the help you need through one of my referral networks and contacts.

Sure, I may make a commission or a referral fee.

BUT YOU ALSO GET ME!

Most likely, you won’t pay anything, anyway…

Honestly, I know now how “Ben” felt being surrounded by the zombies in the original classic horror movie;  “Night of the Living Dead”..

I don’t mean to be nasty, and I am trying to say this with a LOT of LOVE, but the frustration of watching people totally give up is very very sad; it “gets” to me.

For every person I may anger with this post, I hope 5 others get the help, advice, and solution they may be able to get.

Technorati Tags: Short Sale,Worcester,Metrowest,help,foreclosure,avoid,massachusetts,Ma,Mass

Unscientific Study: Most Foreclosures I see nowadays are Former Short Sales Mishandled…

I’ve been noticing this and here’s the situation; unless the lender “killed” the sale by potentially cashing out more on the foreclosure if the borrower had PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) which gave the lender(s) more than what they would make with a short sale,  a good amount of current foreclosures were previously listed, and at sometimes RIDUCULOUS prices, as either short sales or just badly overpriced listings.

Which means there is a responsibility that real estate agents who are Realtors® have to follow, and THAT is;

according to the 2009 Realtors ® Code of Ethics;

Standard of Practice 1-3

Realtors^®, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.

To go to someone’s house and list a property at an overpriced number because “the owner told me” is like allowing “Dr. Kevorkian” to prescribe medication because the patient simply has a bad day…

So, why does this sort of thing happen?

I suspect it has to do with one of the following…

1.  The agent doesn’t know how to do a short sale and figures, “well, this is a hopeless case, anyway, so I’ll just list it and if the miracle of 2009 happens, great! If not, I don’t care anyway, or, at least I tried”…

2.  The agent REALLY doesn’t know what they’re doing …

3.  The Seller gets TOO selfish and says “Hey, if I don’t get anything outta this, let’em take the house.”…

What about the credit rating?

Honest to God, if a seller can sell at a Short Sale, and doesn’t, that is probably one of the dumbest things they do!

You don’t have to be behind in payments to do a short sale! You only have to prove “Hardship!”…

So many people get so much bad advice; so much confusion… It’s ridiculous! 

Yes, short sales are tough!  Yes, short sales are a pain!  Yes, Yes Yes!

BUT..

If it’s the only way, it’s the only way…

I have done a good number of short sales. The process is pretty much the same. The work is brutal. BUT.. The reward is good, and believe me, I’m NOT talking financially speaking. I’m talking the knowledge I helped someone… A negotiated settlement is always better than a court judgment in most cases. At least you know what to expect.  

How Lighting Adds to Home Value

Given the state of the economy, many homeowners simply don’t have the means to undergo major home improvement projects before they decide to put their listing on the market. While many believe that value is only added by tearing a room down and recreating the entire look, it’s simple to take an easier approach to renovating your space through home lighting. Whether the kitchen in need of another task lighting source or you just want to highlight a decorative corner in the living room, it’s best to research some fixture options in order to bring out the very best in your home.

Many families spend a large amount of time cooking and entertaining in the kitchen, an area of the home that requires special attention during light fixture installation. Recessed lighting is a smart option as these bulbs prove to be powerful and effective yet are blended in nicely within the ceiling so as not to take away from the room’s overall style. If your kitchen includes an island, a lighted hanging pot rack or set of decorative pendant lighting will add instant appeal and value for when potential buyers are coming to visit. Pot racks not only feature a decorative light fixture but also give you the opportunity to store your cookware sets in one central location while freeing up countertop and pantry space for other kitchen accessories.

In terms of enhancing your home’s exterior, invest in a set of landscape solar lights to line the front side of your home or along the driveway. For a more decorative option, consider adding a set of post lanterns that are available in a variety of styles from traditional to modern in order to complement your home’s design and provide a safe environment at night. With the simple addition of exterior lighting, you’ll be able to accent each side of your home and garden, creating an attractive curb appeal for potential home buyers in the market.

Where housing is headed...

Interesting article.

Asbestos Alert and Information

In the 26 plus years I have been in the real estate profession, I want to bring up a topic that, for some reason, apparently isn't discussed widely. That topic is asbestos. 

I received an email from Jesse Herman of The Mesothelioma Cancer Center a couple of weeks ago with some information that I am going to pass on to you folks here. I apologize to Jesse; I have been "straight out" with work, previewing properties and writing offers. I am admitting I neglected this blog; hey, all I can say is, something sometimes has to give. 

However, the subject of asbestos is a very serious matter.  Working in Central Massachusetts, I see (and have seen) A LOT of properties with asbestos insulation over older heating systems. Encapulation and removal are probably the two most recommended methods to deal with pre-existing asbestos. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD RECOMMEND AS A "DO IT YOURSELF" JOB!!! Bad enough I'm a former smoker, the last thing in the world I would want to do is attempt to touch asbestos, breathing all those "little guys". That's what this post is about. the dangers and the consqequences.  Besides, I think it's illegal to attempt to remove or encapsulate asbestos. Please correct me if I am wrong. 

I am going to take the information Jesse provided and paste it here on this post, plus provide a separate link to a pdf file with the same information. Again, if you are either contemplating buying or selling a property with asbestos, you should have information so you'll know beforehand what's involved. Here is the information ...

Due to the state’s 400 year old existence, there are hundreds of businesses and homes in Massachusetts that have utilized asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos became a prominent building material in construction around 160 years ago. Asbestos use became widespread throughout the 20^th century as a form of insulation, piping, brake lining and flooring because of its fire resistant and versatile qualities.

Although many buildings have undergone renovations and have had asbestos deposits removed, there is still a chance many contain the toxic substance. Many schools and public facilities depended on the substance for heat, sound and fire insulation.

Potential Massachusetts homebuyers or those remodeling older homes, it should be known that the inhalation of asbestos fibers can present many serious health concerns for you and your family. This is not to make you frightened because asbestos exposure is easily preventable by taking simple precautions. There are now many eco-sustainable options that make the use of asbestos obsolete.

From 1980 and the year 2000, the state suffered 613 casualties as a result from mesothelioma, a malignant lung cancer that occurs only through asbestos exposure. Accounting for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the U.S. alone each year, the amount of asbestos incidents has lead to mesothelioma attorneys fighting and advocating victim rights. Manufacturers were aware of its health damaging components but continued shipping the product anyways, leaving millions of employees and individuals exposed to the substance.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will help and assist citizens in the disposal and removal of asbestos. According to state and federal laws, the removal must be performed by abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic materials. If asbestos is in good condition, it will not pose any health hazards. It is highly recommended for home and business owners to not disturb any suspected asbestos, as this can make its fibers become airborne. The failure to remove asbestos

materials prior to remodeling, renovation or demolition activities may result in penalties from exposure, decontamination and higher costs.

In the state, construction practices are upgrading methods to suit better lighting, heating, cooling systems and environmentally habitable insulation. Some eco-friendly alternatives to asbestos insulation include: cellulose, which is becoming a popular new green insulation material. It is chemically treated to reduce levels of mold. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and is then treated to be fireproof.

These options have been shown to reduce annual energy costs in the home by 25 percent. The move to a greener lifestyle will build on the change to healthier methods of building products, home remodeling and renovation.

Downloads:
Asbestos Infomation     Asbestos Illustration

Link to Asbestos.com

I've been very busy lately... Reo's, Short Sales, Multiple offers...

Yup, sorry I lagged in writing posts, but I've been very busy lately, mainly with short sales. 

I think I'll try to at least type a couple of sentences every couple of days, instead of writing a major big post once every so often. Probably easier for everyone to read, too.

Based on activity, I can tell you, properties are "flying" off the shelves!  Some are being sold within the hour! 

It doesn't matter if it's a bank owned or a "human being" owned property. If it's competitively priced, it'll move!

If you prefer to think that's a property being "given away", you stick to your opinion, let me not try to change your mind. I frankly, am too busy.  

But I personally am seeing multiple offer situations, with bids over and sometimes even WAY OVER asking price.  It's a war out there! 

A client who lost out on a couple of multiple offer situations asked me; "I thought it was a buyer's market out there!" 

Yes, my friend, it is.  When you're looking at a property (3 family) that's on the market NOW for $100,000 and probably has offers over $110,000, that's still better than $300,000... what THAT property may have sold for in 2004.

Yup, it's a buyer's market, all right...

I heard rumors that seem to be coming true.  In terms of short sales and reo (bank owned) properties,, I hear that soon enough you will start seeing a reduction in the availability of reo bank owned real estate and a rise in "short sale" properties.  This makes sense, what with the government stepping in and trying to slow down the foreclosure rate.

It's great news BUT "things" need to happen... to make this process smoother.

Number 1, in terms of short sales on government loans, I heard that lenders will be REQUIRED to pay 6%.

Couldn't be happier with that. Any "Realtor" haters out there, go work twice as hard for half salary and THEN stop by and comment on THIS blog....

Number 2, Lenders will NOT be able to pick and choose their own choice of appraisers.  They will have to use an appraiser who will be in a rotating pool.

I can see why this is happening, to reduce lender fraud, and for that, I have NO problem with this. 

However, as a friend of mine, who was previously in the mortgage industry, pointed out to me, it also elevates the appraisers who DON'T know what they're doing or are horrible appraisers to a new level..

I've observed over the years that REPUTABLE lenders tend to pick REPUTABLE appraisers. Scumbags pick Scumbags. "Birds of a feather flock together..."

Well, we'll see how THAT turns out...

I looked all over for more training on short sales.  With the short sales I've done in the past year I can tell you, I've learned a couple of things;

1.  I will either handle the short sales myself or ask my clients to get legal help. As for loss mitigation companies, I couldn't see what extra advantage they bring to the table.  Lenders prefer to work with LICENSED Real Estate agents anyway, in my view.

2. Sometimes lenders pull tricks out of their hats in the last possible minute, like the case I had where they "all of the sudden", in the last day before the closing, wanted the seller to take a non secured loan for a lot of money (let's say for this discussion, $40,000), because when it came down to the nitty gritty they were going to make more by foreclosing the property due to the private mortgage insurance! What a cruel, cruel thing to do in the last minute.

3. What attracts me to short sales the most is not that they are much much more difficult; what attracts me is the fact that a person who does a short sale may be in a position to buy again and start all over in around 2 years!  Having a foreclosure can be devastating....

I think it's about time short sales are standardized and possibly even regulated. Waiting 2 and more months for just an answer from some of these lenders is bad, bad for the buyer, bad for the seller, bad for the lender. Any ideas, anyone?

I've written enough now. Gotta go to an appointment. In the meantime, comment away!

The harder it is to show your unit, the harder it is to sell it...

This is what I had to deal with when I went to show a condo in Framingham yesterday...

Ahem...

In fairness to the agent who had the unit listed that I went to show, he DID in fact have the lockbox labeled, but the above scene, add a heavy downpour, and so on and so forth, IS PLAIN RIDICULOUS!

I mean, come on... really..

Most of these boxes were NOT labeled.  That's the problem.  They should be, with Company, Agent, and Unit Number. Yup. UNIT #.  Unless you are an REO using one of the same stupid combination codes. the unit numbers SHOULD be on the box.

Or get a new code.

Or better yet, use the "Supra" electronic lock box.  They're $20, for Pete's sake!

My client got tired and I can't blame him.  Having to "hold" 6 (I think)  boxes "up" while I was struggling to use the keypad to get the lockbox open (the agent did in fact, use an electronic lockbox, THANK YOU!), in the rain, AND it was getting dark... well, it WAS a scene...

and my client said, "forget it"..

That's okay.. I'll find him something.  However, when I'm going from one property to the other, these little things get ridiculous.. RIDICULOUS!..

and the agent that listed the unit, hey, he did have his box labeled..

Everyone should have... I didn't know he did until I had to look at some of the others.

In the pouring rain...

15 companies that may not survive 2009?

One of my fellow agent partners from Keller Williams found THIS article. Even though I heard this stuff before, I really didn't care then...

Here is the excerpt from the article, which first appeared at the WXYZ - TV (Detroit) website.

"5. Realogy Corp. - which employs about 13,000 people. The biggest real-estate brokerage firm in the country is suffering from double-digit declines in both sales and prices. The company, which includes Coldwell Banker, ERA and Sotheby's franchises, carries a huge debt load that goes back to the 2007 real estate implosion. It is also facing legal problems over it's attempts to refinance its debt."

Just before I left, I did in fact, receive an email from "corporate", imploring us fellow agents to ignore these "rumors".. and nothing could be further from the truth.  Basically, the email was telling us to understand everything was fine with Realogy. The email sounded sincere; I had no reason to doubt it or second guess it.

My take?

I really DON'T care...

It doesn't matter to me. Real Estate agents are "independent contractors", meaning we are self employed. I "choose" to affiliate myself with Keller Williams, and my system and way of doing business is very complimentary to their "model".  I am very familiar with the Coldwell Banker "model".  I've worked that model from 1997 through 2004, and again from 2006 through January 2009.

If Realogy folds, I'm sure Coldwell Banker will be acquired by another real estate entity.  Who knows who it could be? It could be one of the remaining real estate "models". It could be Proctor & Gamble, for all we know. How about Microsoft? Now there's a scary thought LOL.. (Just kidding),.. Maybe a reorganization will occur. Maybe Coldwell Banker will stand on it's own. Maybe Chrysler will step in (Chrysler Banker?).. Who knows? Who cares? 

I don't. I don't think the general public does. The only ones who really really care are the employees, understandably so, and the stockholders.  To me, real estate is a person to person, consultative business. Yes, it involves sales, but, at least in the way I practice real estate, it's consultative in approach. That's why I have "clients".. not just "customers"... I don't need "corporate this. and corporate that." Sure, there's some "corporate" at Keller Williams, but then again, there's also "culture". And that is what made the biggest difference for me.

The recent layoffs, shutdowns, and office consolidations  that took place didn't matter to me in least.  That is a by product of a tough economy, which is the best "efficiency expert" anyone could ever hire.

Seems like Gary Keller's books, "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" and "Shift" really come to play here.

The whole industry is changing. For some that's great news. For others, that's another nail in the proverbial coffin.  BUT... make no mistakes about it, the industry is changing.

"Change is the essential process of all existence..." If you're a real estate agent, a potental or present seller, buyer, whatnot, try looking ahead for any possible insights. Use the past as history and look forward for direction.  

This guy here to the left would agree... (Mr. Spock)

I am very happy and proud to return to Keller Williams Realty...

This week, I left my Coldwell Banker office in Worcester to return to the Keller Williams office in Westborough, the first Keller Williams office in New England. The Keller Williams office I first joined back in 2004.

Coldwell Banker Worcester - Park Ave is a great office.  everyone in that office are all super and they are true professionals.  Having been both a Coldwell Banker and a Keller Williams agent, I wasn't intentionally comparing, but that's what happened.  I just had to go back to Keller Williams.

What it is for me is philosophy.  With Keller Williams, my business is mine, not the company's. 

I couldn't take the feeling of "corporate" anymore...

I was affiliated with Coldwell Banker from 1997 through 2004, and then I changed to Keller Williams.  I was with both the Westborough and Worcester office through 2006, changing back to Coldwell Banker in April 2006.  I suppose you may say I've "been around"...

Keller Williams is THE MOST AGENT CENTRIC COMPANY I've ever seen.  It's all about the agent, not the company.  The agent is the one communicating with the buyers and sellers. The agent is the one doing all the running around, the driving, the work.  The agent is the one taking care of the business.

The Keller Williams model understands that real estate is a local, people to people business. National ads don't matter to me. My clients are all local.  I do my best to service them, not my company.

Simply put, the Keller Williams model is the only one that I'm aware of that an agent can enter into and come closest to running their own business without actually opening their own business, and STILL have the support of a major real estate franchise behind them. I'm sure their are other models; I either am unaware of them or my opinion may beg to differ.

I can run my business MY way, without having a "corporate" shadow behind me.  That alone was a problem for me. There is a feeling of "togetherness" with Keller Williams I haven't seen elsewhere. It really is unique. Of course, there are restrictions everywhere you look, and Keller Williams is a corporation, too.  For someone like me, who's been in real estate for over 26 years, I prefer an environment where I am allowed to be more of a business owner.  I'm talking "the little things" here.. More flexibility to design and buy business cards. An ACTUAL Website (Not Webpage), with Keller Williams, with an IDX from Wolfnet. Wolfnet is a great IDX.  These "little" things make a big deal to me. Even when I bought my signs, they were MY signs; my phone number.  Price?  Around $240 or so for 5 signs, with a couple of riders. Less than $50 a house.. Reusable...

It's a "no brainer.."

I read a book, "Small is the New Big", by Seth Godin.  That book was a "revelation", and a "confirmation."

"Revelation" in the sense if it's "corporate", that doesn't necessarily mean it's right. "Revelation" in the sense that "corporate" at times may tend to think a little bit much too much of themselves.

Of course, this is MY opinion. Everyone's entitled to theirs...

The books are open at any Keller Williams office, The agents really do have a stake in the success of the company.  I couldn't grasp that concept at first. It was just a mind boggling concept that I couldn't get into and had to leave and come back to appreciate.  Knowing you are business partners with the agency you're affiliated with can have the potential to "bring:" you to a new level.  The agents actually have a say in the management, the everyday operations, and the general direction of the company.  Profit sharing may be available and although it shouldn't be depended on, it's a nice potential bonus.  When agents recruit agents, they do it from their heart.  When some agents take turns running training classes, they do it from their heart.  At least they're supposed to. At least I always did. 

Of course, "corporate" isn't normally keen on that...

I am an independent contractor.  I like to "feel" that way. "Corporate" and "Independent Contractor" seem like a contradiction to me.  They can't mix well, at least for me...

The support services from Keller Williams are the best I can find.  Every company has it's unique features.  So does Keller Willams.  The training," oh my God!"  At Keller Williams, there is SO much training available. On a daily basis.  Free.  Sure, you can also get advanced stuff like coaching and materials you may pay for, but believe me, most of it is free. In a market like this, training and support are necessities, not luxuries.  Repetition is the key to success in learning. That's Keller Williams' strongest asset.  The best way to learn and master a topic is by teaching it.  I used to love public speaking, and I REALLY missed it.  Nobody likes to be "muzzled" after a while.

How about the client's needs?  Well, if you know me personally, you know how fanatical I can be about that.

The internet is the portal to market homes today. With "KWLS", a listing is added in all the important websites; ie., Googlebase, Trulia, Zillow, etc...

I get an "instant notification" via email from any website anywhere, including my website and other websites via my smart phone. 

My own signs. All the calls go to me.

In March, Openhouse.com, owned by Realogy,  will allow any agent or company to DIRECTLY input listings for open houses.  Right now, it can be done, through an "FTP".  The system will be infinitely easier in March. It costs the agents NOTHING. Zip, Nada. Not a flat penny..

The internet is the place everything's happening.

So, what else was "the frosting on the cake"?

I bought and read a book by the the CEO of Keller Williams, named "Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times"...

I haven't read any other book or been able to even find another book that comes even close to what this book does.

This book helped me because as a real estate agent in tough times, I needed a guidebook on what to know.  For my clients, it explains to me and gives me the information I need to provide data to buyers and sellers about what they should know about today's market.  You have NO idea how I felt after reading this book. This book was 100% information. I met Gary Keller and Dave Jenks a couple of years ago and I can tell you, they both are two of the most "down to earth" guys out there; they seem to truly care about their agents  concerns and are only interested in helping everyone succeed. They left a lasting impression on THIS guy. 

What else can I say? I want my past clients to know that I'm always there for them; that I will never change improving or "tweaking" what I can, and through my return to Keller Williams I am looking forward to providing the very best I can of myself.  I am in the Westborough office at 276 Turnpike Road.

My address is as follows;

Keller Williams
Jim Gatos, Agent Partner
276 Turnpike Road
Suite 221
Westborough, MA 01581
508-365-3581

Primarily, I am at the Westborough office because through Westborough, I can be accessible to my Metrowest clientele through Route 9 and 495. I can be accessible to my Millbury - Grafton clientele through Route 20.  I can go to Worcester through Route 9. Clinton through Route 135 to I-290 or "the back roads"... Hudson-Marlborough, and even Sterling - Lancaster are within driving distance.  Of course, Auburn and Oxford - Webster - Dudley, Leicester, and Spencer are accessible too.  The location is an added "plus"... 

The services both the Worcester & Westborough offices give to their agents are top notch; I spoke to both the Worcester and the Westborough office but for my needs, Westborough won out.   Both offices are great.  Both have "super" "Team Leaders" and I can say from experience Kathleen Goneau, the Team Leader (manager and trainer) at my office is UNBELIEVABLE!  I don't have the 5 plus hours of typing I need now to type how great she is!  Maybe another time...

Through this blog, I will be showcasing in the forthcoming posts the many great features of Keller Williams and what I can do to better service my clientele. I welcome any and all questions, as always. 

Here's a video from Keller Williams Realty concerning the "Shift" book I was talking about. If you're interested in obtaining any of Gary's Books, including "Flip!" and "The MIllionaire Real Estate Investor", let me know... Contact me Here...