Tag Archives: Career
Lehigh Valley Real Estate Update for January
Hello to my loyal blogger friends. Here is the full Association market report for the Lehigh Valley. Please take a look and ask any questions you have. I am a resource to you, so if you need anything, please message me. Hope all is well and enjoy your Valentines Day!
Now Interviewing!
We are actively seeking experienced sales professionals in the Lehigh Valley & Pocono areas of PA, and would like to schedule you for an interview. Please take a moment to send me a message with your level of interest in this career or office move. This interview will be the first step in a process designed to determine whether a match exists between your qualifications and interests and our goals for your market area.
This is a difficult Real Estate market, but with a high skill level, the right tools, and a “no fear” attitude, we can cultivate a strong and long lasting business for you. Have you ever dreamed of one day being your own boss? What was it that held you back? First answer I get is the start up cash to open a business, start a lease, build out the office, and purchase your inventory/overhead. In Real Estate you are 1,500 dollars away from taking back your life.
Real Estate is one of those funny businesses where you work under a company name, but work under your own business model as long as you follow the laws and ethics of our industry. For example, as an agent in our company it starts with Century 21 Corp, then Century 21 Pinnacle, and most importantly “Your Name Inc.”
If you are tired of your strict 9-5, 3-11, or worse 11-7am. Get in touch with me today to explore the flexibility of this industry. Classes are now starting for the the first week in Feb Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy. Lets meet up and determine whether or not you need to be enrolled now to change your life.
Respectfully,
Frank J. Renaldi
Realtor
License # RS278600
Century 21 Pinnacle
3001 Emrick Blvd., Suite 300
Bethlehem, Pa 18020
Website: www.FrankRenaldi.com
Office #: 610-691-0535 *7145
Direct # 484-893-7145
Fax #: 610-691-1277
Cell #: 484-788-8682
Any one can hold the helm when the sea is calm. ~ Publilius Syrus
You can only lead with the support of others!
Leadership –
Leadership in Real Estate has so many different holes to fill. Some of these holes are a challenge when all you have is a square peg. Brokers/Managers/Trainers/Recruiters & Agents all have a mountain of challenges to overcome. I refer to the troubles as a mountain for a few reasons. An untouched mountain has no defined paths, a multitudes of unexpected twists and turns, and can be so dark at times you feel there is no light at the end of this journey. I ask you to look at this as a personal challenge to you as an individual. When I hike, I tend to go off the well-known path to explore what it is that’s out there to see. If I ONLY stay on the path, all I will see or find is what everyone else has. As I make it to the top, my goal is now an achievement. How good do you feel when you have achieved something in your life? Your blood starts pumping, you’re no longer exhausted, and dammit not even Hulk Hogan could beat that feeling out of you. Why does this feeling always have to do with the physical though?
Goals in RE
In the beginning of my RE career, I made money solely to live and enjoy life. I still want those goals today, but they are now modified to a much higher level. As an agent, have you set goals for 2012? If you have, who was it that helped you set your goals? Two key players in your goal setting should always be your leadership(Broker/Manager) and your Family. When I say family, I do not mean it in the wife/husband 2.5 children and a golden retriever type of way. What I mean is the people you are closest to; friends, relatives, and even colleagues. They need to help you set attainable yet lofty goals, because they will most likely be a part of your success and have to hold you accountable. I of course have goals defined by #s and $s, but I also have life goals obtained through my income in RE. One of my goals for 2012 is to take a nice family vacation in July to the Dominican Republic. My new wife and I enjoyed this location on our honeymoon and we would like to bring family there with us to share our enjoyment of that island. My goals of increasing business and income for my family have been set, and reached each of the last 3 years. In fact my best year ever is 2011 when everyone is crying it is the worst. Why is that? Leadership….
Leadership = Partnership
2011 has been an eventful year to say the least. I myself, wore many many hats this year in our industry and outside of it. I Served my 3rd year on the LVAR Board of Directors, accepted the honor to sit as 2011 President of LVAR, Board of Director for PAR, and most importantly trading in the role of fiance to the role of Husband. All of these demanded a level of reflection I was not used to in my day-to-day life. I will not rehash details of the past, but as President I had a 1 week period of time before I had to handle my first of many challenges. This was a HUGE test of who I was as a leader. Being self-employed, I was not used to the lives of 2000+ members being effected by 1 decision. Push came to shove and decisions had to be made. I had to put my personal relationships and feelings aside to focus on what my new role was and how it would affect those I lead. I was scared, nervous, and questioning each potential outcome. As a leader I can tell you that there is no one individual that can make anything happen. I feel guilty taking credit for things that were changed, because without the help and support from the other 14 board members, I would have been nothing in this picture. This is where partnership meets leadership.
Every leader must have an equally beneficial proposition for its partners. As I mold into my new roles with Century 21 Pinnacle as a recruiter and trainer, I realize brokerages and agents are business partners, not the roles of boss and employee. I see agents moving companies because someone offers a higher split. Ok, I can see the logic at first glance, but isn’t a company’s value proposition more than just a percentage? What if there are fees behind that %, or empty promises of wealth beyond your imagination? What does your net look like at the end of the year is the question I ask? A value proposition of a company to its agents should follow the old saying of “give a man a fish he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish and he eats forever”. This my friends is where leadership comes into play.
How many of you have hired a real estate coach or 3rd party trainer of some kind? Hands please…don’t be shy! Shame on your leadership if you have. The role of your leadership or its employees is to be your coach, mentor, trainer, and the all around support system for your success. If they are not, here is a box, its time to pack your stuff! I am not at all taking away from education, conventions, or seminars. What I am talking about is in regards to you having to hire a real estate expert to train, coach, and motivate you throughout the year. HELLOOOOO, is this mic on? Doesn’t that seem ridiculous to anyone else? Why do you split your commission or why do you pay a desk fee? Shouldn’t that be part of the value of a brokerage? If you say no, I’m going to slap you. I don’t care how good you are in any business, you always need a valuable support system.
As 2011 comes to a close tomorrow, I ask you to look back at your business and see if you are climbing the success latter, or falling off of it. In this market the strong will survive and the rest step aside. My promise to you, is that I will survive. My conviction to my career is unbreakable and I will spend 2012 dedicating myself to helping others inside and outside of my company.
****Warning, expected recruiting pitch*****
I have assumed the role of recruiter and trainer for Century 21 Pinnacle and am looking for agents that possess the same passion for this business as I do. That light may be dimming a bit over the last few years, but I believe I can bring the best out of you. I would love the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss your 2012 goals and also offer an over view of your business plan. If you don’t have either, please request an appt and we can work on them together. I am willing to sit down and help anyone regardless of your affiliation.
I raise my glass to you and toast….
Here is to the success of 2012, Salute!
Respectfully,
Frank J. Renaldi
Realtor
License # RS278600
Century 21 Pinnacle
3001 Emrick Blvd., Suite 300
Bethlehem, Pa 18020
Website: www.FrankRenaldi.com
Email: FJR731@Gmail.com
Office #: 610-691-0535
Fax #: 610-691-1277
Cell #: 484-788-8682
-Blog Post- Was that in your client’s best interest??? Are you sure??? lol
Money or Sleep?
Shhhhhhh… I’m going to talk about DUAL AGENCY! hahaha. All jokes aside, dual agency is a general practice, at least in the state of Pennsylvania. It is legal, it is ethical(by the states standards), and it can be very profitable….that is, if you don’t get sued because of it. Not sure what the other 49 state policies are, but what is yours on a personal level? How do you feel about the topic? Paragraph 2 is going to be my little soapbox so brace yourselves….
Loyalty, confidentiality, and a good faith effort to get you the most amount of money with the least amount of inconvenience Mr. & Mrs/Miss/Ms. seller. That’s what I am going to do for you. Wait, I have the buyer here….Mr. & Mrs./Miss/Ms. buyer I promise you loyalty, confidentiality, and a good faith effort to get you the most amount of house for the lowest price humanly possible, that’s what I am going to do for you! Uh oh, if I do one of these can I really do the other?
29 yrs old and into my 9th year practicing real estate in the wonderful Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Dual agency can bring a nice paycheck. In times like these, I can see why people are doing it, due to the low number of transactions. But does anyone else have a problem acting as a dual agent? I have done it a few times before and it was either with an investor, who of course knew more than me anyway, so my negotiation suggestions were disregarded(hint of sarcasm), or with an attorney involved where again, my suggestions meant nothing. Even then, I felt a little slimey in the end. Agents are more than welcome to practice this way with proper disclosure to both parties, but does that make it right? I guess if everyone is happy in the end you have done your job, but don’t you feel like you could have done more for one party if you represented them solely? How did you purchase your home(s) prior to being a practitioner? Would you have wanted your agent to take care of both sides?
I’m not sure if I’m looking for these questions to be answered by all or not, but it should make you think. Just because the economy is a bit rough, does that give you the right to lower your representation? Agents across the country, let me know what your states do and how you feel about it. Also, for the public readers I would love to know your thoughts and if it makes you feel any different about one style or the other. I hope everyone has a great weekend and truly look forward to reading your comments.
Respectfully,
Frank J. Renaldi
Realtor
License # RS278600
Century 21 Pinnacle
3001 Emrick Blvd., Suite 300
Bethlehem, Pa 18020
Website: http://www.FrankRenaldi.com
Office #: 610-691-0535 *7145
Direct # 484-893-7145
Fax #: 610-691-1277
Cell #: 484-788-8682
Goals! or Goals? :-/
Let Me Help You Raise The Bar!
Wow, what a question in this economy! Goals can be motivating, insightful, and gratifying. On the other hand, in this economy I hear more and more agents crying that they haven’t hit their goals in years. What to do, what to do?
I will tell you what to do right here right now. Look at your leadership! Why your leadership you ask…Because your leader or coach should be furnishing you with the tools and motivation necessary to not only do well, but grow each and every single year. Why are you in business to do worse each year?
Great booming market 2006
Production – $3,101,098 in sales volume
Tough 2010 Market
Production – $4,006,000
Aching 2011 Market
Production – $4,323,129
Why is a damaged economy an excuse for you to fail? It doesn’t have to be! What will it take for you to stand up, declare your future success, and remove the chronic pessimism from your life? Honestly, I would be interested in hearing what that trigger would be.
There are so many things that can be done to increase your number of transactions. Who is helping you find them? I would like to invite anyone reading this to call/email/text/facebook/twitter/LinkedIn/Google+/ect…so we can set up a lunch to dissect your business and find out what is missing from your business plan. You do have a business plan, right??? If your answer is no, that’s all for another blog. It may be even more important for you to reach out to me.
Now is the time to re-commit or save your dues money. I urge you to re-commit yourself to this career and let me help you massage your business practices. Don’t worry, lunch is on me.
Frank J Renaldi Jr. 