Coupon

 We Love Our Clients and They Love Us Too!

Greetings! 

I know it's a bit early, but just like with preparing to sell a home, it's never too early to get started in prep work.  We're going to take a brief break from home staging advice this month; but there is a really helpful tip in the Ask the Stager section.

Spring cleaning is right around the corner and is about so much more than drawer and desktop clutter.  It's a great time to rid of those pesky tasks, people, and situations that deprive you of your time, money, and energy. 

Who will admit to having a "buyer" that has looked at a million houses, but has made no attempt to make an offer?!   This can be very frustrating and robs you of time better spent on more productive activities for your business. 

Read below for ways to avoid the productivity thieves.

Scattered Planning. 

Failure to plan a day is often  the No. 1 reason business owners waste their precious time, money, and energy.  As Realtors, you most likely feel that you must jump through your buyer and seller hoops, but this simply isn't so.  The most successful Realtors are very accommodating while keeping

their boundaries in check.  Start by making sure to look ahead in your calendar by at least 2-3 days.  Knowing what is coming will better allow you plan around what needs to get done vs. what you want to get done.  Make sure to spend a few minutes at the end of each day to return items to their "homes" and see what's on the agenda for the following day.

 

Delegating...Yay or Nay?

Have you ever figured out what your hourly rate is at the end of a year?  This could be a real eye opener for some.  I know it was for me in my business...oy vey.  Knowing this is key when determining where your time is best spent.  While many of us think we are saving money by doing things ourselves, we may actually be costing ourselves hundreds if not thousands of dollars.  It's important to realize when it makes more sense to delegate tasks (bookkeeper, website designer, photographer, admin. asst., etc) and spend your time where it brings in the most money!

Delegation Direction

Delegating can be extremely difficult for many of us.  If you're not quite ready yet, at least get into the habit of recording your day to day tasks and systems.  Write down the steps or actions you perform every day.  This can eventually turn into a document used in the training of staff, employees, assistants, or other help.

38 Hours Lost?! 

In 2010, it was estimated that 38 hours per person is lost each year in looking for lost documents, items, and houses.  Imagine what you could do with an extra 38 hours!

To cut down on distractions and manage things more efficiently you'll want to clean up your act.  Limit email check-ins to certain times of the day so that you're not constantly interrupted.  Turn off sound and visual notifications to keep you present in the moment. 

Sites like Anti-Social and RescueTime are super cool by blocking you from using social media (aka time suck) during blocks of time you determine.

Make sure everything in your office has an exact location it belongs and label if that helps.

The 1,000,000 House "Buyer".

Remember that "buyer" that wastes your time by looking, but never buying?  Is this really your ideal client?  I bet not.

Get very clear on who you want to work with and write it down.  You want two work with people who will value you and your business, return and buy (or sell with you again) from you again, and most importantly make strong referrals.  There are plenty of people who will waste your time if permitted to do so; don't let them.  Stay clear on the buyer/seller you most enjoy working with and they will come.

Persistent Procrastinator?

Do you know why you might be prone to procrastinating?  You'll want to discover the reasons behind this before you can tackle it.  For some, procrastination comes from not really knowing where you're going, what the goal is or what's expected of you.  Set these expectations first and make a task a little less intimidating.  The day and age of getting a full day to work on a project is over, I'm afraid.  However, you can carve out little blocks of time to work on things.  Take a large project and break down into 15-30 minute manageable tasks.  How do eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  (no elephants were harmed in the writing of this article)

Now go get 'em! 

Ask the Stager

Winter can be tough for curb appeal.  Sometimes though snow is actually a great help if a house has lousy landscaping.  It can help disguise beds in need of edging or fresh mulch.

If your home actually features some very overgrown or unsightly hedges, trees, bushes, etc go ahead and consider removing them completely for now.  If you house is on the market when spring comes you can add some very simple plants to fill the spaces.

Our winter has been so warm that you may be able to actually turn over last year's mulch for a couple weeks of "fresh" looking mulch.  You'll want to do this before it freezes again.

Use nice looking and to scale pine urns to flank your garage or front doors.  Adds a touch of greenery and will stay alive through the coldest days.  Typically in mid to late March you can safely put out some pansies for a pop of color.

Consider updating curb appeal in other ways too.  Are your shutters faded?  Bring them inside for a quick paint job.

Is your mailbox dented, rusty, missing a door, etc.?  Replace with a nice looking new model.

Replace old house numbers or sticker style numbers with classy and easily read from the road numbers.

Update dated light fixtures.

Paint the front door.  (may need to remove and bring inside to do so)

This should get you started.  Good luck!

Simply,

Jessica

Where is Room to Breathe Speaking?