Stephanie's Blog

I just purchased the new Flip Mino Video Camera for $149 from Target last week and since then my life has been caught on camera! Filmed documentary style, this camera is so simple, fun and convenient to use.  Like writing that first blog, it takes a bit of practice, but soon I'll be able to link my Youtube videos to my website, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and my Blog. This is truly how social media can be used to capture a variety of audiences.

Last week I filmed a documentary style video of my client's "Closing Day" and sent it to her in an ecard (this will remain confidential unless she agrees to release it online). 

Just today I filmed my children going off to school, added music, and created something that will shed tears from me for years to come!  How long did it take me? Less than 10 minutes (2 minutes of filming, 30 seconds to upload as the camera plugs into the USB port of my computer, 2 minutes to create the video and add a title and credits, 1 minute to select music, and then upload anywhere I want.

The videos are transferred into the computer as a WMV. file so no need to purchase software to convert it for later use on Youtube. As a matter of fact, it offers a Youtube share feature right on the Flip software.

If you don't have one of these cameras yet but are curious about making and uploading videos, this is the simplest to use, and the batteries recharge everytime you plug it into your computer.

9/26/2009

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey- 9:00-11:00

35 Hinsdale Heights, Hinsdale- 1:00-3:00

48 Mountainview Rd, Chesterfield- 10:00-12:00

142 Daniels Hill Rd, Keene- 3:00-4:30

55 Windsor Court, Keene- 11:00-12:30

21 Birch Street, Keene- 1:00-2:30

553 Rte 123A, Stoddard- 11:00-1:00

561 Rte 123A, Stoddard- 11:00-1:00

142 Rte 9, Chesterfield- 11:00-12:30

76 Howard Street, Keene- 11:00-12:30

61 Liberty Lane, Keene- 1:00-2:30

59 Gilsum Rd, Keene- 12:00-1:30

9/27/2009

103 Route 119W, Fitzwilliam- 1:00-2:30

This is the deal of the century and first time buyers are the lucky ones.  When I purchased my first home 8 years ago the market was similar, great rates and we got a killer deal on a foreclosure home.  After fixing up the home and strategically selling it at peak market before the 2005 downturn, the sweat equity put into the home really, really paid off.

I call the first home purchase a "step home". (See Video Link)  I call it a "step home" because it's the first step to building your equity in an investment that will eventually lead you to your dream home in 5-10 years.  

But be smart about it!  If you've just lost your job and the timing isn't quite right for you now, then it's not YOUR time and you shouldn't feel pressured.  Only YOU know when the time is right for YOU and your family.

This year I've worked with more first time buyers than any of the 8 years I've been in real estate.  This has been the year of the first time buyer! 

www.stephaniejacques.com

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9/19/2009

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey- 9:00-11:00

67 Forest Street, - 12:00-1:30

3 Forestview Rd, Keene - 10:00-11:30

20 Gates Rd- Unit 19C, Marlborough- 10:30-12:00

55 Windsor Court, Keene- 12:30-2:00

185 River Street, Keene- 11:00-12:30

175 River Street, Keene- 11:00-12:30

270 Wentworth Road, Walpole- 11:00-1:00

23 Kapper Drive, Keene- 1:00-3:00

43 Partridgeberry Lane, Swanzey- 12:00-1:30

97 Highland Circle, Swanzey- 10:00-11:30

38 Skyline Drive, Keene- 2:30-4:00

9/20/2009

13 Rte 119W, Fitzwilliam- 1:00-2:30

103 Richmond Rd, Winchester- 1:00-3:00

39 Base Hill Rd, Keene- 1:30-3:30

37 Base Hill Rd- 1:30-3:30

54 Pine Avenue, Keene- 1:00-2:30

Today I received a call from a sweet man looking to buy a home of his own after 60+ years of marriage to his wife.  A real do-it-yourselfer who was unwilling to give me his name, quickly opened up to me and asked me if I'd be the one getting paid if he bought a particular property.  I explained about the choices buyers have for representation and he went on to inform me he'd sold his own home recently without an agent. I congratulated him and agreed to answer questions if he had any, after he asked for some help.

Again he asked about my getting paid and immediately told me over the phone that he wanted to work with me.  It warmed my heart because I know the do-it-yourselfer type and I also know that he was in over his head, and to be told he wanted to work with me without first meeting assured me I'd taken that conversation in the right direction.  We spoke a bit more and closed with an appointment for the next day. I actually can't wait to meet him and know we'll already have an interesting, rich conversation in the car.

When people call in during my floortime it's always a question of "how can I best help them."  Most people want quick information and expect a quick answer.  It's very infrequent anymore that someone calls in on a paper advertisement, which he did.  This person did not use the internet.  He did not have access to an agent because he hadn't bought or sold through an agent in several decades.  He also wanted quick answers but the type of questions he asked were no longer the types of questions one receives while working at the front desk of a real estate office.

"Can you mail me the property disclosures?  How much are the taxes?  Is it near a grocery store?"

Today's buyers who have access to the internet know how to do an internet search for anything from zip codes to maps and directions to MLS listing information to town/city data on properties.  I think it's important to use the paper ads to advertise the types of property generally being sought after by those still reading the paper.

Do a demographic study!

We had this conversation in my office the other day, and the other week, and the other month...it tends to repeat itself, as it should.  What should we put in the papers now?  I still believe we should advertise those mobile homes in coops and parks as well as the downsizer retirement homes.  It may not look like your company lists the "big stuff" but are those readers really looking for that anyway?  My observation is, maybe not the majority.

9/12/2009

20 Gates Rd, Marlborough- 10:30-12:00

494 Rte 123, Stoddard- 11:30-1:30

155 Roxbury St, Keene- 12:00-1:30

27 Park Ave, Keene- 2:00-3:30

81 Summit Ridge, Keene- 10:00-11:30

61 Hilltop, Keene- 10:00-12:00

48 Martin St, Keene- 12:30-2:30

17 Hillcrest, Keene- 1:00-2:00

46 Robbins St, Hinsdale- 12:00-1:00

135 #4 Rd, Fitzwilliam- 10:30-12:30

28 Skyline Dr, Keene- 10:00-12:00

94 Kennedy Dr, Keene- 1:30-3:00

19 East Diane Circle, Keene- 11:30-1:00

28 Owens Dr, Swanzey- 9:00-11:00

77 Prospect St, Keene- 12:00-2:00

9/13/2009

84 Kendall Rd, Keene- 3:30-5:00

38 Rounds Rd, Chesterfield- 1:30-3:00

28 Owens Dr, Swanzey- 1:00-3:00 (also on Weds 4:00-6:00)

Set aside the old expression "making the phone ring", MY Smartphone was "writing" to me...email that is.  Nevertheless, below are the five places my last leads came from:

1. Postcards sent to Spofford Lake NH searching for that perfect lakefront home for my Connecticut buyers. One email came in already on 100 postcards sent just last week.

2. Former client referral to a best friend. Last year I sold a home to a teacher at the Keene Middle School.  She ended up buying a beautiful home, just the style she'd desired, and now her former roommate will be my next buyer.  Great people refer great people so these are the best source of quality business for me.  If I've enjoyed working with their friend, it's very likely we'll hit it off too.

3. Return buyer/seller.  For years these folks have said they will be back and sure enough they are ready.

4. Activerain prospect.  After one year on Activerain, a direct lead has come through from a local potential buyer.  Though we have yet to communicate by voice, a couple of emails have been sent and I look forward to actually speaking further about this person's needs.  I'm particularly interested in how much their search matched my own tastes...horse-type property, land, berries, privacy, etc.  These are all things I appreciate of my own property.  Is it possible this person knew that from getting to know me online first?  Maybe. This, I find, beneficial to the consumer looking to find the right agent for their particular needs.

5. Twitter! Yes, Twitter.  While describing a property type my buyer was seeking, I was contacted via direct tweet about a future potential seller interested in offering their property if it was a match.  Turns out it wasn't entirely in the same price range but the desire to help and offer the lead from this prospect was valuable.

As I look over this list I see a nice blend of prospects coming from various angles.  I think ultimately this stems from a proactive marketing plan that reaches people in more than one way.  I can't wait to see what will come in the upcoming year as I develop my social media marketing plan even further...more surprises to come in what I will offer my "friends", "followers", and prospects.

www.stephaniejacques.com

Amen to this...

I was recently working a cobroke transaction with a buyer's agent. The agent did not carry a cell phone and also did not offer a personal email address. Instead, communication had to be done through leaving messages at the office or by emailing the office email and having it printed out to be handed to the agent. If there was a simpler way of communicating with this agent, I was not made aware.

When I first entered the real estate world, this is how I conducted business. This was what was expected to be the best you could communicate with each other. But times have changed and troubles can be fixed so quickly with proper communication tools.

Commission paid to me as an agent is earned in the speed of delivery I offer to my clients. I invest in expensive communication tools to benefit my client. This is a part of the value package I come with as their agent. Even if the client does not subscribe to these methods of communication, they are assured I will be operating in as close to real-time as possible to address problems (and they do arise, especially in this market) immediately.

Back to my transaction described above, I have nothing further to add because I don't like to complain, but I am going to be reluctant to do business with them again in the future.  Unfortunately I have no choice because my clients pick the house and the listing agent comes along with the package. The skill to be able to adapt to various business relationships and work as a team is necessary to succeed in this business:)

www.stephaniejacques.com