Turning Your Everyday Encounters Into Real Business Leads

Have you ever stood in line at your local coffee shop or grocery store and thought about striking up a conversation with the person in front of you, but then decided against it? Approaching strangers is weird, and feels uncomfortable, you may have thought, and they probably don't need a real estate agent anyway.

BUT....they might be considering buying or selling a house - - and even if they're not, you could still benefit from meeting them. By starting a conversation with people next to you on the train, at the bank, and in public places, you can unearth a world of new clients. This method of drumming up new clients is called, "random networking", or the art of turning your everyday encounters into real business leads.

Here is a bit of advice for making connections:

LEARN TO LOVE MEETING NEW PEOPLE. Believe in your soul that the world is a friendly place. People today are starved for connection with others...not just online, but in the physical world. So don't think your words won't be welcomed. Anyone who is in a public place is fair game, and remember that every conversation has value - whether it is with someone who might be a future client of someone who can teach you something new about life.

BREAK THE ICE NATURALLY. Think of some easy quips about what's happening in the moment. For example: "Thank goodness for caffeine", while waiting in line for coffee,or "I like Sour dough bread too, good choice," when standing in line at the deli ordering your lunch or "How do you like your iPad?" People love to share their opinions about electronic toys. Follow up with questions that uncover potential opportunity: "Do you live nearby?" or "What kind of work are you in?"

GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH. We tend to repeat patterns on a daily basis and sit in the same spot, use the same locker at the gym, stand in the same area at the bar. And so does everyone else, which means you're bound to see the same people over and over. You will be a more successful random networker when you go where you've never gone before.

HELP YOUR CONTACTS. If you've met a promising lead, follow up right away to keep the connection alive and cultivate the relationship. Send an e-mail or put a note in the mail with some relevant information related to whatever you talked about. These follow-ups are designed to position you as a valuable resource.

Now it's time to make your everyday encounters into real business leads...too often we assume that people don't want to be interrupted, but they wouldn't put themselves in public if they didn't want to be met. Strangers are potential clients waiting for a hello.

What are you waiting for? Go say HELLO to someone new!

Home Ownership Is Possible Today!

The recent Case-Shiller housing price index showed that prices fell in the first quarter to the lowest levels since the real estate crash began. The "psyche" that the media is portraying has stated that there are more people who desire to rent versus owning now because of the real estate market not being conducive to buying a home today.

According to an article from The London Group, this is just a bunch of baloney. If there are more people who desire to rent vs. own, it's because they should be renters based on who they are and on demographics and lifestyle. Gen Y people, born between 1979 and 1999 are dictating the housing patterns.

Think about it, the 82 million of that GEN Y are just now entering their early 30s, staring, or now settling, into their careers. Many must be mobile to accommodate new job opportunities. They spend the beginning of their adult lives saving money so they can actually place a down payment on a new home. If anything, they are considered temporary renters and are creating a boom in new rental construction and a current run up in rental rates across the nation.

So, what does this all mean?

It means that the outlook for price stability and price increases are much better and that most of the sales over the past five years have been considered distressed sales and reflect price deflation. Ultimately, the collective mindset of the market dictates the flow of the market. The housing market is doing exactly what we all expected which is that the market bottomed out and has been bouncing back over the past couple of years.

While home ownership rates have dropped, and rents have been rising, this is not considered the time to walk away from home ownership as the media would have you believe but rather this is really the perfect time to be a homeowner!

The 411 on Short Sales

Shorts Sales are quickly becoming the norm rather than the exception. Keep reading to find out the 411 on who is doing them and what homeowners can expect on both sides of the transaction.

1. When should a homeowner consider selling home as a short sale?
If your home is worth less than what you currently owe and you would prefer to sell, but don't want the adverse consequences of a foreclosure, a short sale is a viable alternative.

2. How is the high end market different for Short Sales, if at all?
The short sale process is not unique to lower priced homes, however, lately there have been an increasing number of high end homeowners electing to go ahead with a short sale as an alternative to struggling with their payments. In the past banks have been somewhat reluctant to approve high end homeowners for a short sale. Now, lenders are more willing to work with these homeowners that have other assets and aren't always mandating that those assets be depleted in order for their home to be sold at a loss to the bank.

3. What should homeowners expect as the Seller in the process?
They should expect lenders to request volumes of information about their financial situation, from personal financial statements, to monthly income and expense summaries. While daunting and lengthly, up to 3-6 months, the end result could be acheiving your long term goals without being weighed down by an upside down mortgage.

4. What are the effects for Buyers who want to purchase a short sale property?
The process for short sale buyers is similar to a tradtional sale, except that the lender has to approve the terms and conditions of the offer and subsequent sale. Be aware that this approval process is time consuming.

5. For Buyers what are some red flags and/or golden opportunities to look for?
You need to keep in mind the old adage, if it's too good to be true, it probably is. Look out for homes that are under priced, where you may be involved in a bidding war just to end up waiting months to learn that the home was priced way below what the bank will take as an acceptable loss. Be realistic in what you are going after. Homes with considerable upgrades or are difficult to appraise can be considered a great deal, since the brokers price opinion may not relect the value that is seen in the home.

Keep in mind that sellers need to know that a short sale may damage their credit, though probably not as much as a foreclosure. Also, lenders generally will only agree to a short sale if the seller is many payments behind and has received a default notice. Buyers may get a great property at a discount, but they also will need to go through some extra paperwork too. Not to mention, they also need to be prepared to roll up their sleeves if that new property needs fixing up.

Summary: In a short sale, a seller facing potential foreclosure strikes a deal with their lender to accept less than they owe on the property, in exchange for avoiding foreclosure.

Del Mar - Where the Turf Meets Surf

"... And awa-a-a-y they go"... thundering hooves, equine nostrils aspirating loudly, while the constant din of salivating excitement for a hopeful long shot ricochets through the grandstands. Seaside racing in Southern California celebrates the 72nd season of sporting ponies, bets and the Del Mar scene begins July 20.

Since 1937, when Crosby greeted the first attendees at the gate, Del Mar's racetrack has lured many a celebrity, dignitaries, horsemen and families to its seaside locale to try their 'hand' at handicapping thoroughbreds.

Del Mar plays host to six designated Breeder's Cup Challenge races in its summer stakes schedule, earning the winners a berth in the designated BC races including entry fees and travel allowances for the horse and its connections.

While enjoying the races in Del Mar make sure to also take in its village charm and lure. Del Mar takes advantage of a much lauded locale along the coast, and a climate enjoyed throughout the seasons. Beyond the many accolades and reviews, Del Mar Racetrack, the attraction, whatever it may offer...Del Mar is simply irresistible.