in this issue…
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™
• ABoR 2012 Installation Banquet • WCR Monthly Meeting • NAHREP Installation Reception • Platinum Top 50 REALTORS Awards Ceremony • and much, much more!
Associates in Progress
Austin Based Texas Proud
page 25
page 35 TM
DECEMBER 2011 • VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 8
‘Tis the season to be weary: tips to get through the holiday madness Know when to slow down
by Stacy Hale
T
Visit us online 24/7 at www.myRealtyLine.com
P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708
TM
austin
RL
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Printed on recycled paper.
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Paid Permit #715
o say that “things slow down” for REALTORS as the holidays approach would be a bit misleading. Sales and showings may grind to a near-halt, but then in come the holiday parties, family events, and greeting card mailings — and before you know it, you’re just as busy (if not more) than you were the rest of the year. Here’s our advice on how to manage all that jolly juggling and come out ahead.
Perhaps the key to keeping your business healthy during a whole season when everyone has their mind on other things is to accept that “business as usual” just doesn’t apply in November and December, and instead focus on creative ways to incubate your business for many happy returns in the New Year.
Block out time Plan your vacations first and then work around them. Know when you won’t be available so you won’t have to answer your cell phone while everyone else is caroling. This simple step, according to Melissa Mandry of Keller Williams Lake Travis, will do wonders for your stress levels and make you more proactive — not to mention ensure that your clients aren’t surprised that you’re on Christmas vacation. And after taking time away from your business to relax and spend time with your family, you’ll be even better prepared to jump right in and make the most of January.
Don’t be in the dark “After 31 years in real estate, I’ve learned not to show properties after dark,” says Carol Strickland of Amelia Bullock REALTORS. “If I can’t have the buyer back home by 5:30 when the sun starts setting, I’ll usually reschedule the showing.” There are several reasons not to show properties to buyers after dark in the cold winter months: it doesn’t feel as safe and homey, you can’t see all the exterior features, it’s cold, it’s
harder to find addresses, and homes just don’t show as well. Not to mention it frees you up in the evenings to spend time with your family and prepare for the holidays with Christmas shopping, decorating and time to relax when the pace is set at triple time. The same goes for open houses. While throughout the rest of the year you might schedule them for late afternoon or early evening, consider inclement weather and holiday rush hour traffic, and consider a lunchtime or weekend open house instead.
Just go with it Take comfort in knowing that everyone else is doing what you’re doing — preparing for the holidays. Many sellers pull their listings during the holiday months, and as you may know, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This time of year is less convenient for showings and closings, schedules are hard to coordinate, and the home will be fresher in January as a new listing anyway. For Terry Godbold of Reliable Property Management, these months are a season of giving and understanding all the while maintaining responsibility and flexibility. “My effort is trying to keep all the people happy all the time,” Godbold says. “Is that possible? Not hardly. During the holiday season we here at RPM take it a day at a time and try to keep smiling!”
Find your groove and set the stage On the flip side, there’s no need to write
www.ameriprofunding.com
Upcoming Events Thursday, January 10 NAPMW Monthly Luncheon Norris Conference Center 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 12 ABoR/HBA 2012 Housing Forecast Renaissance Austin Hotel 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sente Mortgage Business Planning Bootcamp Sente Mortgage Office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, January 25 CCIM New Year Kick Off Social The Daily Grill at The Domain 5:30 to 6 p.m. More at www.myRealtyLine.com off the whole season as a loss. On the contrary, less surface activity in your sales process can free up valuable time for lead nurturing and all those business-building activities you’ve been meaning to invest in all year long.
'Tis the season to be social Networking opportunities are
a natural by-product of the holiday season. Think about it: Christmas parties, office parties, neighborhood parties, tree lightings, community socials, professional luncheons, charity events, family gatherings... the list goes on and on. Your colleagues and potential clients are making time to get out and be social because, well, that’s just what you do this time of year. “This is the time to network, drop off a gift basket, knock on doors and hand out candy canes,” says Melissa Mandry. “People expect
Front Page: Continued on page 14