The following homework assignment was proposed to us by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. He wrote a post Is it brains, brawn or beauty? and asks these questions:
Well, I like homework assignments so I'm going to do it during a slow Good Friday morning at the office. (yes, I finished what needed to be done so far....besides, I'm a multi tasker LOL).
Here goes:
1) What sets me apart from other REALTORS® in my area? They KNOW me at our location in the Mililani Shopping Center. I am not just an agent but a 'fixture' in the office for office support as well. Anyone walking into our office immediately sees me there three days a week. I'm a long time resident of Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii and grew up from the beginning of the building of Mililani Town. I have had many referrals from clients, friends and family and word of mouth seems to work the best. We are centrally located to the Military bases and my online presence has been a PLUS for all Hawaii Military Relocating to Honolulu County. For this part I have a successful website and outside blog that bring many a contact and take heed to my own philosophy of The First 24 Hours- Crucial Internet Strategy for Listings
2) Why would the consumer choose me to work with instead of my competition? I'm up front and to the point...HONESTY is always the best policy no matter what. I've worked hard in Building a Reputation Over a Lifetime and it shows in my demeanor no matter if it's business or just every day life. I'm me...what can I say. And when someone can see from the outside who I am inside then they know they're getting the REAL (as in Real Estate) Agent. I KNOW MY MARKET and I follow up with all long distance clients long before the Relocate to Hawaii. I also believe that my easy going nature and my boisterous (not really ...but infectious to say the least) laugh allows them to be comfortable. It's more than a transaction...it's a relationship too, right?
3) Once I have their business, what do I do to keep it? I stay in touch with correspondence regardless if they are here or in the Continental U.S. They get reports as each part of the transaction progresses. Most recently my listing Royal Kunia Home JUST SOLD! was a long distance transaction with the seller whom I met only once on a follow up on his home in the beginning. By time the transaction finished we had hours upon hours of phone calls and over 700 pages of emails!
Bottom line....it's the transparency ....the 'no act' person beneath the professional who tells it best when Defining Success and this professional who loves what she does...and THAT'S my self analysis.
Thanks Broker Bryant! That tickeled my motivation and gave me a jump start again!
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally...
I might have to take this homework assignment on and see what kind of answers I can come up with. Interesting introspection!
Nice. Very nicely done, indeed. I may have to go do this homework assignment as well. :-)
Very cool Sally. I will be grading homework assignments later in the week. You done good. By the way 700 pages of email on one transaction is incredible!!!!
Richard: It really gets you going with a 'self analyzation'...that's for sure!
CTS: Good ...he's going to grade them lol
BB: oh...you are going to grade them? Thanks...and I couldn't believe the emails! I burned to cd for office file...lol.
Sally,
98% of our business is repeat business and referrals from former customers...that answers all 3 questions...try us once, you'll never go anywhere else again...!!! Thanks, Fran
Sally all good reasons to do business with you.
Now let's see how hard a grader Bryant is, maybe TLW will put in a good word for you.
Andrea: I think in my area :) In any case...emails for me are black and white and not heresay. They have time/date stamped and easily referred to... :)
Fran: Exactly...and referrals are surely the kindest compliment someone can give )
George: Oh...goodie... Do you have influence over BB's grading? You think she has influence? Maybe I better give her a buzz lol.
Thanks Sally - Tell Broker Bryant that I'm going to do the assignment also. It will be good to see what I can put in it too. It will help with those "why you should work with me" sections on web sites.
Sally - a "slow" Good Friday morning? Fortunately ours was anything but slow. Downtown St Petersburg is alive and well, with sunny skies and balmy breezes.
Sally, I have no doubt it's about transparancy. People like what you write...in blogs and websites and your words convey a message about who YOU are. I've heard as well as many others "I feel as if I already know you."
Hi Sally
I am an email addict. Given that we are required to keep a communications log, it makes sense to communicate as much in email as possible. Following all phone conversations not only do I document phone conversations in my communications log, I send email communication confirming the telephone coversation. It definitely consumes time however time well spent. It helps keep me on track. Thanks for your great post!
Kathleen
Sally - I agree, Honesty is the best way to go. I also keep every e-mail for it is a great reference if you need it. Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter.
Woo Hoo, You took the challenge and came up with all the right answers. I am sure it didn't take much thinking on this assignment because you actually live your answers. Congratulations , you scored an A+
Sally--you simply ROCK--that's why I'd choose you to be my HI REALTOR! Seriously, job well done--you are a good grasshopper!
Your transparency is what makes you so easy to be around. I remember when you started your group and there was trouble - you took it in stride and never backed down. I respect that about you. Have a great Easter!
Ron: I'm sure he's keeping track :) When you're done...click on the link to his post and put your link in the comment section :)
Sharon: Yeah...everyone is getting ready....maybe dying eggs or something.
Carole: Isn't that the whole thing about blogging for business? Yup...for me it's the 'getting to know them' and finally being face to face.
Kathleen: Oh, yeah...the emails ARE the whole thing about keeping track and tracking....yup...it's for me too.
Thanks Sharon....Happy Easter to you too...and yup...emails are a good source to refer back to.
Thanks William...I really do live up to what I preach....walking the talk comes to mind :) I hope I get an A :)
OMG! I missed this assignment! Am I going to fail? =P You always write yours so well that I may as well not even bother anyway. But I wanted to ask how you pronounce Mililani. Is it exactly like it's spelled? I always want to drop a syllable. Or does one of the L's have a different sound?
Debe: Hmmm...a good grasshopper...please clarify lol.
Jeff: That was so long ago it seems....the people that wanted to put a damper on it huh? Yup...that's when i came up with "being positive does not mean I let you run all over me"....I like that. Thanks Jeff...you've been supporting many such as me for a long time :)
Lisa: No failing. Hey...I'm still recuperating from last weekend. I'm going to veg this weekend lol.
Mililani...hmmm.. Mi lee lah knee....how's that lol
Bravo! I can't wait to share the homework assignment with my accountability group. The answers to these questions are the keys to success.
Sally- And you are beautiful on top of all those excellent ways you are set apart. People do tend to gravitate towards warmth and beauty which you so abundantly possess.
Sally - reading about your office in Mililani brought back some great memories for me. My husband and I had our first apartment in Mililani. I have spent time in that shopping center. You are head and shoulders above the rest just based on what I read in your blogs. You deserve all of the success you have achieved. Thanks for sharing and as a former teacher I would definitely give you an A+.
Maybe the assignment can be reduced to one page and then I can do it:) Happy Easter
Sally, I'm not sure if your homework assignment puts me to shame for not doing the same. Or, is it an inspiration?
Hey Neal...hope you had a nice Easter day...relaxing?
Andrew: Inspiration for motivation :)
Sheila: I love it! An A with a +....yup...I do believe I done good :)
Al/Peggy....wonderful...it was a refreshing thing to do ...:)
Katerina: That was nice..thanks.
Amy: Good assignment to do :)
Sally (from Sally)... I tell ya girl.. I would refer you in a heartbeat. Now if only my clients will take me along on the house hunting journey... you can have all the commission... I'll just go along for the ride.
I think you have your next contest in the making!