Broker Bits

OK, made you look. This year has been a little slower than the last few, and there are many reasons for that. However, there are even MORE reasons to give us hope for near-term improvements. There is so much positive news out there about the economy, the slowing of inflation, employment news . . . but, is anyone seeing it? Are you seeing it?

Now, I intentionally misled a little bit with my negative headline. I mean higher interest rates have slowed down our "on fire" Mobile/Baldwin real estate markets, but I'm not going to be negative here, just wondering . . . have you guys heard of "Negativity Bias"?

You see, us humans are hardwired to spend more time and focus on negative images and messages than neutral or positive ones. Weird, huh? It's true. In fact, in 2014 a European newspaper decided to make the change to positive-spin stories only. And in ONE day, th...

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Last week's Summer Celebration event was a lot of fun and exciting on several levels. One specific exciting new piece of information was our NEW messaging strategy and logo extender, Expert Real Estate Advisors, that can be used in our marketing efforts.
 
This new messaging is not just a catchy new phrase that is intended to make us feel important, it is a reminder that as Bellator REALTORS®, we have set a higher standard for ourselves. 
 
Check out these definitions according to the Merriam Webster dictionary:

Expert = "One with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject."

(Does mastery sound familiar? Hello Ninja mindset!)

Advisor = "Someone who gives advice." 
 
Experts and Advisors provide 

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Wow! What an exciting time to be a Bellator Real Estate agent. Thank you all who attended this week's Summer Celebration event at Baldwin Realtors and got a first look at the rollout of our new messaging campaigns. I love how this really captures who we are and I personally want to thank you all for your input on this messaging. This came from you - from us. 

Expert Real Estate Advisors

We ARE NOT mere salespeople. We work daily at learning and becoming more knowledgeable and experienced in our field. It's our job, NOT a hobby. We're grateful to own businesses based on helping people with the largest investments of their lives and using our expertise to get them...

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In my little real estate world, a certain question, or request, from buyers' agents has been popping up lately that was not typical in years past. I have seen it in several different forms, but it is all the same: Buyer agents asking, requesting, or demanding a commission rate higher than what is being offered in MLS.  
 

Three times in the last month, I've experienced the following:

1. An offer written on a listing where other provisions state, "Commission to selling agent to be X"  (the request was higher than the MLS offering).
2. Prior to an offer being written, the buyer agent requested a higher commission. I said no, and the offer came without the request.
3. After countering an offer and prior to the receiving the buyer acceptance, the agent called and said that we have an agreement, and then the agent requested a higher sale-s...

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THRIVE. That word has been echoing in my spirit for at least a month. For most people, this market isn't exactly conjuring images of thriving, but I feel constantly hopeful. Optimistic. Really delighted about the whole thing.

I am not afraid, though I hear various fear-based words & predictions from average agents  --- "suddenly" we're back to business as usual; "this market isn't for the average agent" --- but it IS for people who know who they are, have systems they can and will deploy, and for those whose identity is firmly in place. 

Merriam-Webster has defined "thrive" as:

• To grow vigorously 
• To flourish
• To gain in wealth or possession
• To progress toward or realize a goal DESPITE OR BECAUSE...

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