President's Perspective

Make new friends, but keep the old

Move forward with change . . .  but remember the basics

Chris Reese
President

There's an old Girl Scout song sung around the campfire..?.Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold. Such a wonderful yet simple thought that can apply to our lives in several ways.

One thing that's certainly constant in this business is CHANGE. Just look at the many the new tools we've seen introduced in the

last few years. Our Board has been wonderful at bringing us the latest in technology and will continue to do so as our profession evolves.

Some examples of the old ways and new changes are:

OLD -- MLS books
NEW  -- Treo or Blackberry phones with WEB access to MLS data; WiFi at your favorite coffee shop

OLD -- Handheld phones
NEW -- Bluetooth hands-free phones

OLD -- Third Party Vendors downloading MLS data for IDX sites
NEW -- New Wolfnet software conforming to our MLS rules

OLD -- Writing personal letters to clients
NEW -- Emailing clients

OLD  -- Driving buyers to many houses
NEW -- Buyers seeing virtual tours on the Internet

OLD -- Sending clients listings
NEW -- Setting clients up with their own website specially designed for them

OLD -- You telling buyers about the houses
NEW -- Buyers telling you about the houses

It seems we've hardly mastered one new gadget or program before another one that's better, faster, and even more wonderful, is tossed in our lap. We do need to learn the new tools because, when used correctly, they will make our life easier. HOWEVER...with all this new technology, one tends to forget the basics of this business. One fact has not changed -- the only real way to sell a house is still to meet personally with the people.

The best marketing tool we have is ourselves. This is still a people business and the public wants and needs us to help them. I received an ad call the other day and the buyer said, "You mean you would actually meet with us & show us houses?" He said he had called several real estate agents & they just offered to e-mail him listings, have him drive by the houses, and expect him to call them when he finds something.

Remember when the goal of the call was to make a personal appointment? Most buyers don't know the many different neighborhoods, styles & pricing. They still need the hands on REALTOR®, who will personally guide them with expertise to the right house.

If you do your homework, like in the `old fashioned days', and select the right houses for buyers to look at based on their needs, you will realize their dream, (and yours).

I am really looking forward to being your new president. I am out there in the real estate world everyday, and like you, trying to keep up with the changes. I will continue to share my thoughts with you each month through the In Contract. I am YOUR president & want your input on whatever you need help with.

With your help, it's going to be a great year!