Real Estate Industry Leaders

With summer in high gear, education is typically the furthest thing from a real estate agent's mind, but the agents at EXIT Realty Music City in Nashville, TN, have thought of nothing else.

Several have teamed up to take courses from Commercial Basics to Power Point. Many have signed-up and paid to take the "Green" designation, a new course being offered by the National Association of REALTORS^® for the real estate associate interested in learning more about the environment.

Administrator, Taisha Mason, sat down with three savvy women in her office to see why real estate education is so important to them.

Cindy Beam, pictured left above, who has 69 continuing education credits over the number needed to renew her real estate license said, "Education always helps the associate in dealing with clients, and being able to answer their clients' questions intelligently with knowledge from your education. For example, the new ‘Green' designation provides associates the need-to-know information on ‘Green' appliances and features in new home builds so they can explain to their clients properly when they are asked."

Linda Anderson, pictured right, who has the GRI, ABR and e-Pro designations also believes that real estate education is the most important aspect of the business.

"You must have the ability to inform your clients of updated news, rates and financial reports, plus help them with their mortgage needs," she explained. "It also teaches you how to deal with many types of people and helps to keep your business thriving. I plan on investing in a lot more education this year."

Currently GRI and ABR certified with plans to obtain her SRES designation as well, Cindy Holmes, pictured left, added, "The more education you receive, the better you understand how to negotiate the ins and outs of the business and the up-to-date changes that happen. The more you gain, the better you can work with other associates and the better you can represent your clients," she said. "Also, the more education associates receive, the higher it will elevate our profession."

The EXIT Recruiter Newspaper is a publication of EXIT Realty Corp. International.  For more information, please contact us.

In an announcement to EXIT Realty Associates this week, Founder & CEO Steve Morris launched the annual competition for "Nasby's Knuckles". 

Morris said, "In October 2005, on stage at our prestigious International Convention Gala at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Texas, I presented Mr. Bill "The Bald Eagle" Nasby with a special trophy for becoming literally the world's best door knocker in real estate [pictured, left]. This award consisted of Bill's knuckles cast in bronze.

"In recognition of Bill Nasby's philosophy of creating your own reality and his ability to pass down his wisdom to others in order to initiate business as a result of deliberate intent, a positive mind-set and door knocking, "Nasby's Knuckles" has been a formal trophy designation presented at each of EXIT Realty's Annual Conventions."

Last year's winner was David Watt of EXIT Realty Advantage in Fredericton, New Brunswick (pictured, right).

EXIT Associates can click here for entry information.  Entries will be accepted until August 21, 2009.

KHBS 40/29 TV News reports that Northwest Arkansas is seeing a housing boom.  In an interview with Larry Robison, Associate Broker with EXIT Pro Realty in Rogers, Angelica Duria reports:

In the past six weeks, the area has seen a rush of new home buyers. REALTORS said some homes are selling in just days.

EXIT Pro Realty is currently working to close on 46 new home contracts in Bentonville, and the group believes that number is only going to get bigger.

Read the story and see the video here. 

For more information on EXIT real estate franchise opportunites in Arkansas, please contact:

Scott and Laura Roussel, Regional Owners
EXIT Realty Arkansas & Oklahoma
laura@exitarok.com 
800.509.3948

On June 18^th, 2009, Julie Boyd-Elrod, Regional Owner of EXIT Realty Texas NE hosted an incredible event featuring Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International.  Ms. Bonnell super charged the audience of EXIT Realty's Brokers, Sales Associates and their guests on the topic of "Attracting What You Want in Any Market".

Ms. Bonnell's presentation was joined by EXIT's Realty's newest addition to its already unbelievable training team, Mr. Jeff Lobb, as their technology specialist. Mr. Lobb not only wowed the audience with his diverse business and technology background, but also with his hands-on, usable solutions for today's real estate professional, including EXIT's extensive technology toolbox accessible through the EXIT Resource Center.   Mr. Lobb has been a REALTOR^® for over 21 years and has more than 10 years experience in the internet and technology fields both with Fortune 500^® companies and startup ventures.

Jeani Thomas Richie, Broker of Record at EXIT Realty Canyon Lake was in attendance and reported on the event in her blog, "that's really musing..."  She said:

Tami Bonnell gave a very inspirational and motivational presentation in the morning session to the broker/owners and was accompanied by Jeff Lobb, who is our Technology [Specialist]. One of the first things he asked the broker/owners was how many had heard of Active Rain and the second question was "How many of you are on it?"

I raised my hand for both and then proceeded to give a testimonial about my blog and the listing I got through it recently. His point was that the broker/owners need to know what the tools and forums are so that they can inform and train their agents on what is out there and how to use it to build business.

Read the rest here.

Mike Murdock, Broker/Owner of EXIT Realty Pro in Canton, TX said, "I was blown away by what I learned here today.  I pride myself on staying ahead of the curve with best business practices and technology to better serve my customers and clients but today I better understand how truly advanced EXIT Realty is on their training, tools and services".

For more information on EXIT real estate franchise opportunites in Northeast Texas, please contact:

Julie Boyd-Elrod, Regional Owner
EXIT Realty Texas N.E.
julie@exitrealtytexasne.com 
214.227.6613

The Web Development Department at EXIT Realty Corp. International is pleased to present this month's techinar entitled, "Horn Tooting 101" to be held on Wednesday, June 24th at noon.

Do you know the "6 Rs of media outreach"?  Avoid the "hope and pray" method of public relations and learn how to toot your own horn effectively so the media and the public will look to you for your expertise in the real estate market.  This month's Techinar features Tom Connors, Sr. Director of Client Services at at company behind EXIT Shoptok.

Creating and managing effective press releases and social media posts is one of the best ways to secure top-of-mind positioning in your market. EXIT Realty Corp. International has invested in the success of our Associates by automating much of the press release process. EXIT Shoptok allows Franchisees to select from among pre-built press release templates, update them with local information, and immediately distribute the press release to the right contacts at their localized media outlets - all this at no cost to the Franchisee! 

The techinars are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month and feature experts who assist EXIT real estate agents in wading through, and succeeding in the world of real estate technology.  EXIT Associates can register for the event by logging into the EXIT Resource Center.

For more information on the real estate company that is re-inventing real estate across North America, please contact us.

Is it still reasonable to dream the dream of home ownership? Although the white picket fence comes in many forms nowadays, from condos to co-ops, from townhomes to bungalows, the dream is still a realistic one for American families this June, Homeownership Month.

"It's not just a platitude to say that this is the best time in years to buy real estate," says Tami Bonnell, President of the US Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International. "The National Association of Homebuilders recently announced that housing affordability has jumped to its highest point in the past 18 years and the National Association of REALTORS^® reported that existing home sales rose in April."

Industry insiders know this is good news but it has left consumers with many questions. In order to address those questions, Ms Bonnell will be holding two free, half-hour webinars for the general public on Wednesday, June 24^th at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the sessions. Now anyone can ask an objective, experienced real estate executive for the real scoop - and get a straight answer. This is a must-attend event for anyone who is thinking of buying or selling real estate or wondering about where the market is going.

To participate, visit the homepage of www.exitrealty.com and click on either the 4:00 link or 7:00 link to register. You will need an internet connection and speakers to participate.

Barbara Korabel, the new Broker/Owner of EXIT To Green Realty in Saugerties, NY was recently awarded "2009 REALTOR^® of the Year" from the Ulster County Board of REALTORS^®. Here, Barbara remembers the journey that brought her to EXIT Realty and to this prestigious award.

After about 6 months in the business I called John Farrell, Regional Owner of EXIT Realty Upstate NY and it was then I knew I wanted to be a part of the team. That was two and a half years ago.

[Before coming to EXIT Realty] I needed to get my feet wet a little more so I continued to work for [a franchise location of a different local company] where I sat for two months waiting to be shown the ropes. I knew I was not going to get any help there and I needed to catch up with the agents who had a huge [sphere of influence] and twenty years in the business. I soon introduced myself to every business owner in the town where I have lived for over twenty-two years; but that didn't teach me what to say when I got a listing appointment.

So, treading water, I went on my first listing appointment and I didn't get it.  No one else did either because they were just not ready to sell and I didn't know the signs. The moment came when I went to the top producer in the county and asked if she would teach me. Politely she refused and that started me thinking about educational classes.

I soon became an educational junkie racking up at least seven designations within two years and two more this year. I felt sorry for all the new agents in the same position so I decided to volunteer my services with the educational committee. The following year I was nominated to chair the committee and that's when I proposed to allow $99.00 from each board member's dues to be given to an educational budget. Of course members had to vote on it and I thought it was a lost cause.  I got up spoke about the advantages and savings of almost $3,000 per person and lo and behold it passed.

At the REALTOR^® of the Year award luncheon, I connected with Cindy Welch, Franchisee of EXIT Welsh Realty in Kerhonkson who convinced me to come and show support for EXIT Realty.  Good things happen when you join EXIT and I've found my home thanks to John Farrell who never gave up on me.

For more information on joining EXIT to Green Realty in Saugerties, NY, please contact:

Barbara Korabel, Broker/Owner
EXIT to Green Realty
bkorabel@earthlink.net 
845.255.0019

For more information on EXIT real estate franchise opportunities in Upstate New York, please contact: John Farrell, Regional Owner
EXIT Realty Upstate NY
john@exitnys.com 
607.760.5000

Anne Squires, Franchisee, and the Management Team at EXIT Realty on the Rock are going for the gold recently achieving #1 in listings and have attracted 80 real estate professionals. 

"Anne is underway with plans for a new office location coming this fall," said Joyce Paron, President of the Canadian Organization of EXIT Realty Corp. International.  "She is creating a first class office with an in-house training resource centre."

For more information on joining the winning team at EXIT Realty on the Rock in Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact:

Anne Squires, Broker/Owner
EXIT Realty on the Rock
annesquires@exitrealtynl.com
709-576-6667

For more information on real estate franchise opportunities across Canada, please contact:

Quebec - Chantal Desharnais
Canada excluding Quebec - Ed Martens

*on June 1, 2009 as a brokerage in MLS listings

EXIT Realty Corp. International's annual convention is the event of the year for real estate agents across North America.  This year's host venue is the newest jewel in the Gaylord crown; the National Resort and Convention Center in Washington DC, and will be take place from September 29th to October 3rd. 

In a personal invitation to all EXIT Realty Associates yesterday, Steve Morris, Founder and CEO said, "This gala event will prove to be our absolute finest and best one to date, bar none.  It will be spectacular in every regard."

A wonderful mix of fun, motivation and education, speakers this year include:

Stedman Graham, best selling author and renowned speaker

John G. Miller, author of "QBQ!" and "Flipping the Switch"

Walter Sanford, real estate expert, trainer and coach

Bob Proctor, best selling author of "You Were Born Rich" and featured teacher in "The Secret"

Susan Harrison, EXIT Realty's Sr. VP Web Development said, "I'm in awe of Christina Luis and our entire convention team.  I don't know how they manage to out-do themselves every year, but they do - this year's event will be no exception!" 

You're going to love every moment of it," concluded Morris. 

EXIT Associates can register for convention by logging into the EXIT Resource Center.  For anyone else interested in attending this event, please contact us.  

EXIT Realty Texas N.E. invites you to attend a special event this Thursday. 
Please e-mail Jennifer Kuhn at jenn@exitrealtytexasne.com to confirm.

For more information on EXIT Realty franchise opportunities in northeast Texas,
please contact:

Julie Boyd-Elrod, Regional Owner
EXIT Realty Texas N.E.
866-825-3492
julie@exitrealtytexasne.com