Sales Tip of the Day 

In a Slump?  Two Ways to Energize Your Daily Routine

The most seasoned sales professionals will occasionally deal with slumps.  They happen for a number of reasons, but the most important part is finding a way out!  Here are two ways to focus your efforts and get back on track:

1. Become the early bird.  Granted, you may have entered a slump because you are feeling burnt out, but there is a clear difference between working hard and working smart.  One way to working smarter could be to get into the office an hour earlier to organize your day, establish your goals for the day (in writing) and strategize about how to accomplish your goals.  This way you avoid getting distracted by interruptions such as phone calls, pressing emails and meetings.
2. Change your office environment.  Often, your workspace can be a reflection of your motivation.  It might be beneficial to organize everything in your workspace, creating order out of chaos, adding a plant, or even by changing out the same old pictures on the wall with new inspiring ones.

If you are finding yourself in a sales slump, give these easy solutions a try!

Hosting a Successful Open House 

Assuming your home is presentable, spotless from top to bottom, priced correctly and located in a high traffic area, here are tips to improve the odds your house will sell at an open:

·         Advertise online (print ads are a waste of money). Write colorful, descriptive ads and place them in web classifieds or open house directories, too. Post Internet listings everywhere.

·         Map Your Open House Signs.

1.    Attach strings of balloons to each open house sign.

2.    Find the busiest intersection closest to your home and put an open house sign at that corner.

3.    The arrows should point buyers in the right direction.

4.    Place a sign every few blocks until you end up at your house.

·         Remove all vehicles from the driveway. Ask your neighbors to help out by not parking in front of your house.

·         Open all the drapes, blinds and window coverings -- let in that light.

·         Do not put spices on the stove to simmer without offering cookies, and do not, under any circumstances, use an air freshener because many people are allergic to synthetic odors.

·         Turn on every light in the house, except lights that produce noise such as exhaust fans without separate on / off switches.

·         Turn on soft music on each floor to help set a mood.

·         Have available four-color flyers filled with quality photos and reasons for a buyer to purchase your home.

·         Put out flyers that contain financing options so buyers can readily determine their monthly mortgage payment.

·         Serve refreshments and snacks or, depending on your budget, maybe a catered lunch.

·         Create a bulletin board of seasonal house photographs so buyers can see what the home would look like at another time of the year. This is especially helpful to showcase gardens during the winter.

·         Set out all documents pertaining to the house:

1.    Inspection reports

2.    Appraisal or comps

3.    Major repairs & warranties

4.    Blueprints for additions or future possible improvements

·  Be upbeat, cheery and greet each buyer who enters the home. Find out what the buyers are looking for and, if possible, show them why your home fits those requirements.

·  And finally, ask for feedback. Ask each buyer what they thought of your home and would they consider buying it. Agents and sellers are hesitant to ask for a buyer's opinion, so just grit your teeth and ask. It's the only way you're going to get a direct answer, and the answer just might astonish you. They might decide to sit at the kitchen table and write an offer. It happens more often than you would think!

The Mortgage Bankers Association application statistics can be an interesting picture of what's going on in the real estate market.   Click here  to view some of the most recent graphs.

GOLF!

Friday, July 15^th -  Golfers needed!  The CCAR "Golf for a Cause" tournament is being held at Mint Valley Golf Course.  Shot gun start at 9:00am with a barbeque to follow at the course.  This is a great opportunity to show your support of the CCAR and networking opportunity, so please contact the CCAR office at 360-560-9987 to sign up today!

Saturday, July 16^{th -}  Red Canoe Credit Union and Fibre Federal Credit Union are proud to invite you to join them at the Twelfth Annual Hit & Giggle Golf Tournament.  New this year, the tournament will be held at Tri Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, Wa.  Shotgun start at 2:00pm.  Please contact Carey Mackey at cmackey@reccanoecu.com or by phone at 360-578-5364 for information.  100% of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

POKER BIKE RUNS! 

Saturday, July 30^th - Longview Early Edition Rotary Poker Run.  Ride Mount St. Helens and make a different in just 200 beautiful miles!  Registration:  8:30-10:00am at the Shamrock Tavern parking lot.  Ride to scenic Mount St. Helens and back.  Prizes awarded for farthest traveler, youngest rider and oldest rider!  For registration or more information visit their website.  

Save the Date! 

Saturday, August 20^th - Credit Union Charity Ride.  Fibre Federal Credit Union and IQ Credit Union are pleased to announce their 6^th Annual Credit Union Charity Ride.  All proceeds from the day are donated to Doernbecher Children's Hospital.  For more information visit the website.

Happy Birthday To You! 

Have we missed your birthday?  Please contact the office of Cowlitz title at 423-5330 to get you added to our birthday list.