AGBeat Columnist: Erica Ramus
Erica Ramus is the Broker/Owner of Ramus Realty Group in Pottsville, PA. She also teaches real estate licensing courses at Penn State Schuylkill and is extremely active in her community, especially the Rotary Club of Pottsville and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. Her background is writing, marketing and publishing, and she is the founder of Schuylkill Living Magazine, the area's regional publication. She lives near Pottsville with her husband and two teenage sons, and an occasional exchange student passing thru who needs a place to stay.
The REO problem is worse than you think
How REOs are killing the market This week an asset manager contacted me to get pre-listing information on a house about to be foreclosed on. Brokers who do REO work know the drill: check occupancy status, secure the property (change locks), and tell the bank what you think the house is worth if priced for a quick, AS IS sale ...
Leaving a real estate franchise to become an independent broker
Former franchisee This week I changed my real estate brokerage affiliation from a franchise and am now an independent. I’ve done a lot of soul searching about which path to take, and suffice it to say that at the end of the day, I see more value in my own name and my brand, than any franchise. Perhaps I should ...
Top 10 ways to service a high volume of listings – tips from an active broker
A major undertaking I am the Queen of Listings. That’s not bragging. I personally am carrying 52 listings, including 3 developments where I represent the developer. How do I handle so many sellers, and keep them happy? It’s not easy, and sometimes I do screw up and lose one because they don’t like this or that. I have a 100% ...
New 2012 AGBeat media kit available now
- We know you want the most sophisticated audience, and here it is!
Simple solution to the “my relative is an agent” argument
We’ve all been there We’ve all been there: a friend tells us that they wanted to use our services, but a relative has a real estate license and they feel obligated to use that person. Here’s a strategy to use which may be a win/win for all involved! Someone I know casually called and asked me to list his house. ...
Forums reveal continued distrust of Realtors – how we can fix this problem
Buyer’s representation agreement This post is inspired by a day spent reading consumer’s posts/questions on Trulia and Zillow, and fielding phone calls from buyers. REALTORS as a group are told to get out there and “sign up” our buyers for representation. Many buyers are hesitant to chain themselves to us, especially on the first meeting! But we’re trained to get ...
Ridiculously simple way to revitalize your real estate marketing
A simple, overlooked question What is my easiest tip to help with your marketing? Ask every single client, every prospect, “where did you hear about me?” This is so simple it’s scary, yet so often overlooked. Realtors, like most people, are creatures of habit. We spend money just like the others in our office spend money: on monthly real estate ...
Easy tip – use a tool you already have to keep sellers happy
Number one complaint of sellers One of the biggest complaints sellers have with their agents is “I never hear from you!” You put a sign on the yard, enter me in the MLS, then you disappear… right? What happens when nobody calls to see the house? A week goes by, you’re placing ads, no calls. Another week, no calls. Then ...
Why home buyers call the listing agent despite having a buyer’s agent
When a buyer strays Today I got a call from one of my agents who showed houses to a buyer who bought with another agent. It stinks when you have a buyer who calls another agent from a sign, or who buys a property when you’re out of town… or a seller who doesn’t renew your listing contract after you’ve ...
How to fail fantastically at website and marketing copy
Competing against the sad norm I looked up the web page of another agent this morning and there’s her smiling face, and underneath the tag line, it read, “Creating Financial and Emotional Prosperity- one home at a time.” Huh? So if I buy a home from her she’s going to help me create prosperity? How? Emotional prosperity? Are you going ...
Realtors’ guide to budget blowing, $100 at a time
Blowing the Budget, $100 at a Time In this market, it is crucial that we spend our money very very carefully and only use avenues that bring results! This sounds so basic, yet it’s difficult to stick to the “rules” when you’re bombarded with great new marketing ideas every day, and new advertising opportunities. Everything they say is so enticing! ...
Creating client loyalty with a simple phone technique
Clients lacking loyalty? I have been vocal in the past about how clients/customers have short attention spans and lack loyalty to us (their devoted agents). It stinks when you have a buyer who calls another agent from a sign, or who buys a property when you’re out of town… or a seller who doesn’t renew your listing contract after you’ve ...
Want investment in your neighborhoods? Get out of the way!
Huge obstacle for commercial brokers: people As brokers struggle to sell commercial properties one of the must frustrating obstacles we see over and over again is locals (citizens, municipalities, local government entities) getting in our way. Even when we succeed at finding a buyer (hurdle 1) and securing financing (big hurdle 2) we are then frequently faced with local rules ...
Benn Rosales
Conal Campbell
Elijah May
Lani Rosales
Tara Steele
Marti Trewe
Charlene Jimenez