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Reflections about what I have learned growing my Real Estate Business!
Reflections about what I have learned growing my Real Estate Business I was clicking around and found this contest on Active Rain. The question was raised: ‘What have I learned about growing my business?’ First let me say, what a thought provoking question. Well not wanting to bore any of my readers, never the less, I have to give a bit of history. I started out being a Realtor on the East Coast, in Boston, MA to be specific. That was a hundred years ago when we had a Two Page Purchase Agreement and today the Purchase Agreement with all the Disclosures is thirty pages long. Now I am in Beverly Hills, CA and sixteen plus years in the local market as a Realtor. My first listing agreement was done over the kitchen table hand written with a “black pen” The latest listing I took two days ago was done via DocuSign in my home in a T-Shirt and Shorts (This gives you an idea that time and technology has changed a great deal over the time period.) on a side note I should have been in shorts and T-shirt 16 plus years agoJ. I have modified my way of growing my business yearly as well as monthly and sometimes even daily. The common thread in all this was: watching the investments and the returns on the investments, not just money, but time, effort and energy. Over such a long period of time I have made some good as well as some bad decisions. Initially I had to carry lots of dimes to make calls on the road; today I have a smart phone and I text, email, leave voice mails and once in a while talk to someone about the property showing. Mostly I sit in my home office and am on my laptop 12-18 hours a day depending what day it isJ. I used to send out Post Card to my nearest base to the tune of 20,000 post cards per month. Today I send out about 1000 cards a month but I spend comparable marketing money on the various internet portals. So getting back to the question, what have I learned? 1. To stay positive no matter what adverse situations are in the economic, political, world and local arena. 2. Keep up with the changes such as technology ( beeper, suitcase Motorola phone, small cool hip mobile phone, to top of the line Blackberry Smart phone) Dell Desk Top, Dell Laptop and I could go on and on…. 3. Learn from other people, peers, friends, acquaintances and even enemies… 4. The importance of keeping up with my market i.e.: what the prices, styles, activity and trends are. 5. Most importantly what I consider the ultimate tool to grow my business was and is: To provide the BEST CLIENT SERVICE individually tailored to each and every client! 6. I am of the belief that I never wanted to be a clock watcher, my client base is international. That email question I receive at 12:30am local time might be 9am somewhere else and the potential client does not realize the time zone differences and wants an answer now! 7. Give an honest answer to any question, sometimes this will cause a loss of a client, but in the...
read moreWhat is an uninsured Deed:this question was asked from me the other day
The question was asked from me the other day: What is an uninsured deed? The simple answer is when a deed is recorded without any owner’s policy of title insurance! This generally occurs when family members pass properties on to other family members with a Quitclaim Deed or they add a co-borrower on. Why should this be a concern? Well the answer is simple. I will use as an example my closing of the other day. The property was in bankruptcy and the seller took back the deed but without doing any title insurance. Next thing you know is we were looking at The LLC Documents, then who was authorized to sign do documents any way I could go on and on. So the simplest way to see what an uninsured deed look like is when there is no title company or title order number, no escrow number showing g on the document and then the clears way is that it is handwritten document. Finally if that did not catch your attention, then look for the time it was recorded and it was NOT 8:00 am in the morning. Clearly it was not insuredJ If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations...
read more857 Loma Vista St, El Segundo, CA, 90245 Just Listed! $649,000!!!
JUST LISTED: 857 LOMA VISTA ST EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245 $649,000.00!! THIS PROPERTY IS A FIXER. IDEAL THIS PROPERTY IS FOR A DEVELOPER WHO WOULD EITHER ADD ON ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET OR START FRESH. ALTERNATIVELY IT WOULD BE GREAT FORSOMEONE WHO WOULD LOVE TO LIVE NEAR THE BEACH. THIS IS A PROBATE SALE WITH COURT CONFIRMATION. THE SELLERS ARE SELLING IT IN “AS-IS” CONDITION. OFFERS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED UNTIL 9/10/2013. PLEASE SUBMIT ALL CASH OFFERS ONLY WITH PROOF OF FUNDS & ON A CAR PROBATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT FORM. CONVENIENTLY CLOSE TO LAX AND THE BEACH! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreWordless Wednesdays: One of Grimmet’s clients!
Wordless Wednesdays: one of Grimmet’s clientst! Going down memory lane, nice to know he was satisfied with their service too! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreOn these Hot Days make sure you hydrate yourself as well as your pets!
On these Hot Days make sure you hydrate yourself as well as your pets! In case you have not heard: Breaking news is that the temperatures will remain in the 100 degree range in the majority of the Greater Los Angeles area. On these hot days make sure you have enough water to hydrate yourself as well as your four legged friend. Dogs need to drink too. So often I see people walking their dogs and the dogs tongue is hanging out and panting. This is a clear sign your pet needs some water. As the temperatures hover over the 100 degree mark in the San Fernando Valley as well as Downtown Los Angeles, please make sure that you both have enough water to hydrate yourselves. This post is not meant to be condescending, rather just a quick reminder from your Pet Friendly Realtor as a public service message. While I am on the subject do not leave your dog or dogs in the car either, bring them with you where ever you go. They will thank you for it with lots of kisses and tail waggingJ. BTW it is hot even in Marina Del Rey, CA we have had 79-81 degrees daily! So this advice applies even on the Beach Cities of Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and even Malibu! If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreHow long to keep certain financial records has been the age old dillemma
How long to keep certain financial records has been the age old dilemma! This post is intended to give you some guidelines as to which documents you should save that might be needed for a smoother closing and or jut to make your life simpler. The most often asked and number one question was: how long to keep tax returns? The answer is not as clear as one would expect. My answer is seven years. The reason that is, because The IRS ha a three years rule to audit your tax returns if they suspect a “good faith error”. Three year error also applies to you, if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund. The IRS also has six years to challenge your tax return if they think you under reported your gross income by 25% or more. Hence my reasoning to keep the tax records for seven years! IRA Contributions records: to me it is clear you need to save them permanently. I would suggest you keep these records indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax in this money or to assure that no one make errors and you can prove that you contributed to an IRA or numerous IRA funds. After all this is your money! House or Condominium records: Keep al records documenting the purchase price and the cost of all permanent improvements, such as remodeling or additions to the property. All expenses related to selling or ad buying the property, such as escrow costs, legal fees and including taxes paid. This will make life easier for your accountant when he or she is trying to figure out what your capital gains tax burden will be when you sell the property. I hope I made you think about the most important documents and how long to keep. Keep in mind this is not an all inclusive list, but in my opinion these are at the minimum the most important documents that you should hold on to. If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreSpeechless Sunday: well not quite:)
Speechless Sunday’s: well not quiteJ Diane and I decided we needed new sheets and new hampers for our new bedJ so organized as Diane is; we needed to get two hampers for the different clothing to be placed in the two hampersJ. Anyway we went out to run some more errands and long and behold look who took over the new hampersJ Well Jill of course, the other two cats were sleeping and totally oblivious to the new additions to our household. If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreRed Sox Won & Tampa Bay Lost! Life is good!
Just in case you missed it because you were busy: The Red Sox won and Tampa Bay Lost. Division Champs are looking good. Thanks to Oakland and more specifically ex Red Sox Coco Crisp the Red Sox are in a better place than yesterday! To all the baseball fans and more specifically to all the Red Sox fans. Boston Strong Tee Shirts are still selling and part of the proceeds go to victims of the Boston Marathon Injured Victims. If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreDo you know what a Ding Dong is? Do you know what a Ding Dong looks like?
Do you know what a Ding Dong is? Do you know what a Ding Dong looks like? Chocoholics do you know what a Ding Dong is and if you do, please let me knowJ? We discovered this great place which I will have to blog about later. Hint it is in Culver City, CA and it is on Washington Blvd. Let me know, I do not want to cloud your judgment, look at this picture and tell me if I am wrongJ If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations...
read moreFilm on the sidewalk: Do you know what I am referring to?
Film on the Sidewalk: Do you know what I am referring to? As I was walking out of our unit I noticed next to the sidewalk a small piece of trash, upon closer investigation, I recognized that it was a developed film. Needless to say I wanted to pick it up and look what was on itJ since we were in a rush to go somewhere that was not an option. Then after two or three steps later, I thought I should take a photo. My initial plan was to do a Speechless Sunday post. The more I thought about it, I was wondering how many people actually still know what a developed film is? Movies are Digital, Photos are Digital. The good news is I read a blog post the other day that the average Realtor in the United States is somewhere in the late ’50-‘60’s hence they would all know what this wasJ Nevertheless in deference to the internet audience and internet generation I felt obligated to write not just post a picture about this treasure I sawJ. It also bought back memories of about 15 -16 years ago when I would take three rolls of pictures of my listing and hope that there were three or four that would project the property in the best light for potential buyers to come to my listingJ So if you did not know what this picture was, I am glad I was able to enlighten you. For those who recognized what it was I hope it brought some fun memories back. On a side note when we came home it was goneJ If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
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