Christian Real Estate Professionals : Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)

When I started using Twitter back in the fall of 2008 (I had joined many months earlier, but barely used it up to that point), I was a little stumped by all of the lingo and the fast pace of the platform:

What is a "retweet"?  Why do I have to use an "@" symbol in front of everyone's name to talk to them?  Is anyone really listening?

Over time, I became much more comfortable with the platform, and it has been invaluable to me as a business tool.  I connected with my radio co-host there.  I recruited some people to work for our company.  I had real-world dollars in my pocket because of the things that I learned there and the people I met, some of whom I got to know in person as well.

In an effort to share some of the things that have worked for me, I am starting a series of posts about Twitter and its usage.  If you're looking to learn how to use Twitter as a legitimate tool to grow your business and your base of connections, you will probably want to follow along.

Today's tip (as you probably noticed in the title above) is this:

START OR JOIN A CONVERSATION

One analogy that I've heard and used to describe Twitter is that it's much like a big party.  If you are hanging out at a party, you will probably be part of many conversations throughout the event.  Sometimes the conversations get a little more in-depth, and sometimes they even get private.  Other times, you're just kidding around with friends and having a good time.  Most things that you can do with regard to networking in person can be done on Twitter as well, although I am not suggesting that Twitter or any other social media tool should replace face-to-face meetings.

HOW TO START A CONVERSATION

I know that this seems really rudimentary, but we've had so many clients ask this that I thought it would be pertinent to include here.  Think of how you start a conversation in person.  Do you mention a blog post you just wrote?  Well, maybe, but only if you describe it somehow and then chat about it afterward.  The same applies with Twitter.  Simply broadcasting your posts to the tweetstream with no commentary is valueless, in my humble opinion.  You can include them, to be sure, but only as part of a larger plan.

Try these ideas:

• Mention a cool article or video you have seen
• Take a poll
• Ask a question of any kind ("what is your favorite TV show/movie/80′s song?")
• Say something funny  - anything truly funny will usually get a good response
• Promote others by retweeting stuff you find interesting or wise

HOW TO JOIN A CONVERSATION

Unlike being at a real-life party, Twitter offers you the opportunity to join conversations with little chance of personal rejection.   If you spot something of interest, respond to it, as in, "Me, too.  That book changed my outlook on life in general."  If you see something funny, respond accordingly, "I laughed so hard just now that milk came out of my nose."

If you see a discussion about something that looks interesting or about which you can converse, just jump in and participate.  The worst case is no response at all, and you haven't really risked much, right?

Again, I recognize that this is pretty basic stuff, but I'm trying to illustrate that Twitter isn't mysterious or difficult.  It can facilitate things if you use it the right way.

I hope this is helpful for you.  I would love to hear your input below.   Thanks very much for reading!

Next Twitter tip (coming soon): Promoting others

As I detailed in my last post, I am attempting to lose roughly 40 pounds of excess weight over the next few months.  I was simply tired of feeling sluggish and out of shape, and I had watched a season of "Biggest Loser: Couples".  I figured if the guy who weighed 526 pounds could run, so could I.  :)

At any rate, in an effort to keep my photo current, I decided to switch it out tonight.  I am roughly at the mid-way point for my weight loss, having dropped almost 20 pounds so far.  Mainly, I am feeling stronger, thinner, and healthier, which is what matters.  I probably won't switch it again until I meet or exceed my goal.

I have placed both photos below for comparison purposes.  I decided to stick with the "thumbs up" pose.

Thanks to those of you who have commented on my previous post, and also to those who have emailed privately to encourage me.  I appreciate the support and accountability more than you know. 

Thanks for reading!

Recently, I decided that it was time to lose some weight.  I was the heaviest I have ever been, and although I don't think most people thought of me as overweight, I was/am.  At 6'4", I just carry it better, which means that it doesn't show as much on my frame, but I was nearing 250 pounds.  Officially, I think my highest weight was 248 or so.

I started eating better (meaning less junk), and lost about 10 pounds over a couple of months.  I also started exercising a bit more - mainly walking when I had time.

This past week, I made a bigger commitment, and set some tangible goals as well.  I am doing the only things that have ever worked for me when it comes to weight loss.  I am counting calories and exercising daily.  Nothing overly hardcore, but enough that I should be able to continue to lose a pound or two each week.  I think this will result in a lifestyle change, as opposed to rapid weight loss from Atkins or something similar. 

I started the week at 237.6 (the joy of digital scales, huh?).  This morning, I was 233.4. 

I heard about an iPhone app that has been helping, called Lose It!.  It enables me to easily track my caloric intake and to add exercise, which means I "earn" more calories.  My wife, son and I are all trying to lose roughly 30 pounds each. 

My goal weight is 210 or less.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to hit this by late September, but my wife has a high school reunion event and I am hoping to be close when that happens.

This past week, I have been biking with my son, walking, some running, swimming, weightlifting, and doing calisthenics.  Using another iPhone app, "100 Pushups", I have worked up to doing 32 real pushups over the past week.  On the first day, I could do exactly 4.  :)  My longest set is 11 thus far.

One of my other goals is to be able to do 3 or 4 real pullups.  I don't recall ever having done ONE pullup properly in my entire life, so this goal is far loftier than it may appear at first glance.

I've found so far that it's much easier to lose weight when we are supporting each other, and I've also discovered that I have more time to exercise than I thought.  My energy level is much higher already, and I feel stronger and thinner.

If you actually read this far, you're probably wondering why I decided to share this level of detail.  Two reasons:

• It will allow me to look back and track my progress
• I think it will be motivational and hold me accountable to know that many other people know my goals for this

Thanks very much for reading!  I'm off to get another glass of water now.  :)

Yesterday afternoon, I had to show properties for a few hours, and my wife kindly took the opportunity to take our four kiddos shopping for a Father's Day gift.  Her destination was Fry's Electronics.  If you're not familiar with Fry's (I have no idea if they are nationwide), it's basically a giant warehouse with every gadget, game, and TV that you can imagine.  They sell phones, and speakers, and computers, books, CD's, cables,  you name it. 

It's one of my very favorite stores.  Frankly, it's difficult for me to go to Fry's without getting anything at all.  This is what's known as an exercise in willpower.

While she was shopping, her first impulse was to buy me a movie or DVD series, then she realized that with Netflix, I can get pretty much any movie I want, many of which can be streamed directly to the TV from the internet, or enjoyed on the computer.

Then, she thought of getting me a CD.  However, she knows that I have an iPod, which makes CD's less appealing overall since it's so easy to buy songs via iTunes.

How about a new book?  Well, I have a Kindle, which has an application that allows me to read from my laptop, iPhone, or the device itself.

She settled on a gift certificate. 

My point in sharing this is to illustrate the fact that technology has completely changed the way we consume information and entertainment.  I recognize that this isn't exactly an earth-shattering concept, but this was a real world example of how quickly things have changed in our household.

I remember when I had a massive CD collection, and lots of DVDs, too.  Although we have steadily purged books, we still have roughly 1,000 of those in the house.  I haven't counted, so it could be more.

Prior to that, we had cassettes (sold or gave them all away) and albums (kept many of those since we have a working turntable and some of the classic ones are worth money).

I guess I just find it intriguing and exciting to realize how little space we have to use to entertain and inform ourselves now.  We can even screen out many of the ads on "regular" television with Tivo/DVR devices.

So, here are my questions for you:

• What item(s) other than the internet and your cell phone can you not live without which didn't exist 10-15 years ago?
• What do you foresee as indispensable 10 years from now that is in formative stages now?

I would love to hear your responses.  Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted at: 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors

We recently listed a handful of units in the Courtyards at Onion Creek development in south Austin, minutes from downtown.  As with all of the units, Unit 1102 boasts an amazing finish-out, including:

• Wood flooring
• Hardwood raised panel custom kitchen cabinets
• Granite counter tops
• G.E. stainless steel appliances with gas stoves
• Built-in microwave and dishwasher
• Stainless steel double-sink
• 9 to 18-foot ceilings with crown molding in living and dining areas in two-story homes
• Direct vent fireplaces with gas logs and glass doors
• Ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living room
• Pre-wired for security system
  
• Generous storage areas

This 2 bedroom unit has 2 full bathrooms, and 2078 square feet per the tax records. 

It's priced to sell at just $219,000.

Along with the purchase, the new owner will get a membership at the Onion Creek Club valued at $10,000!

This particular unit is vacant and ready for immediate move-in.  The entrance to the community is only a few hundred feet from I-35, and the distance to downtown is about 8-9 miles. 

If you're interested in setting up a time to take a look at this property or any other home in the Austin, Texas area, feel free to call me anytime at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  You can also search all Austin Tx real estate for sale by visiting our website at www.austintexashomes.com.

One of my favorite things about being a real estate broker/agent is helping my buyer clients to negotiate the best deal on the home they have chosen.  Having represented hundreds of buyers over my 13-year career, I've found that each situation is unique, and that's part of what I enjoy.  The mental challenge makes it....fun?  That may be too strong a word to describe it, but the strategy part is intriguing to me.

I have a bit of advice that I wanted to share with home buyers with regard to making offers:

• Yes, it really is possible to offend someone so badly that they won't sell to you.  No, it's not common.
• If you make an offer that's below the asking price and it gets accepted, don't start second-guessing yourself and wondering if you could have offered less.  Many times, it's possible to hit the sellers' sweet spot, meaning the number they had in mind in the first place.
• If you make an offer that is well below the price suggested by your Realtor, don't be surprised if you get a firm counteroffer, or even a counteroffer of full price.  This doesn't mean that they don't want to sell.  It means, "Please get serious and try again."
• Just because a home has been on the market a long time doesn't mean that the seller will reduce the price a lot.  They may be unable to do so, and that is reflected in the days on market.  Truthfully, that home could end up as a short sale later, but you might be wasting your time to pursue it now.
• If a home has been sharply reduced, this also doesn't mean that you will be able to steal the house.  They may be bottomed out and near the price that they can reasonably accept.
• If a property has been on the market for less than one week, the chances of negotiating the seller down very much are slim indeed.  Why would they want to come off of the price so quickly?  If you were in their shoes, would you?

While we're at it, I also have a bit of perspective to share with buyer's agents:

• Don't be afraid to write up an offer well below the asking price, as long as it seems halfway reasonable.  You might be surprised by the reaction.  Then again, don't be shocked to get a pseudo-offended response, followed by a solid (meaning viable) counteroffer.  Some listing agents like to act upset on behalf of their clients, THEN they present the offer.
• Tell your clients the truth as you see it.  If you think a home will go at or above the asking price, tell them so. 
  
• As I see it (and it's just an opinion, mind you), your job is to help your clients get the home they really want/need at the best price possible.  This doesn't mean you have to squeeze every dime out of the transaction when negotiating, as long as it's a solid purchase/investment.
• You probably won't win any big points with a listing agent by sending over a CMA or other justification for your price.  Just tell them that this is what your clients were comfortable paying, and leave it at that.  If you can say it honestly, you have leverage.  There's no need to be pushy. 
• If you have to chip in a little bit of your own commission to make the deal work, do it, but only do it if you have no choice.  I once gave up $3,000 toward repairs after we hit a stalemate.  My commission check on that sale was $84,000.  "No brainer" for me, right?  Think about your priorities and don't let your pride get in the way.
• While I don't think being overly prideful is the way to build your business, you CAN gently remind your clients of the work you have done for them (e.g. "I think this was a productive day of showings." or "I think that technique/idea I had worked well, and I'm happy to see the deal you got on this place."). 
  

Whether you are in the real estate business or not, I hope you found this to be helpful.  I don't mind sharing what has worked for me.  Feel free to share your own ideas below.

Thanks for reading!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dborman2/3290560161/

The title quote/lyric above appears in the song "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon.  I used to sing my son to sleep to that one when he was a baby, and it remains one of my favorites. 

I was reminded of that line the other day when I was eating lunch with my family at a nearby restaurant.  Every once in awhile, I have something happen that reminds me of how blessed I really am, and that was one of those moments.  It wasn't anything specific, just being with my wife and all of our children laughing together and enjoying each other.  Whenever I think of it at times like that, I take a mental snapshot so that I can "refer" to it later. 

I am truly happy and content with my life.  Of course, I've had my share of struggles, but I don't think I've ever been more comfortable in my own skin than I am today. 

Kids grow up too quickly, and I remember when we found out that we were expecting our first child.  Now, that same child seems to be officially starting puberty, if his questions and concerns are any indicator.  This makes me feel a little bit old sometimes, but it's just part of life.

Rather than focusing on business and goals, which are transient, I try to put people first, because they matter.  I often imagine what my life will be like when I'm truly old (assuming I live that long).  Will I care if I have a nice home or lots of money, or would I prefer to have loved ones who know that I did the best I could to love them unconditionally?  I'm not saying that money is utterly unimportant, but it's not my #1 concern, nor will it ever be.

Some of the happiest people I know have little material wealth. 

Don't miss out on the life that God has planned for you by getting bogged down in the details of your business.  I promise you that you are here for a reason, and it's not just for work.

The question above is one that I have heard dozens of times over the years.  Some home buyers hear about the deal that their friend or relative got when they bought a home, and they're curious to see if this is the norm.

In a nutshell, there is no standard formula for real estate prices.  Just as there is no "national" real estate market (markets are local), there is no set percentage that can be negotiated off of a listing price. 

My answer to the question in the title is as follows:

"I wish I could tell you that you can get 3% off, or 5%, or any specific amount, but this is something that has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis once you find some places that interest you.  We'll have to see how long it's been on the market, whether or not and when they reduced it, stuff like that. 

A home that needs some work might be easier to negotiate than one that's in perfect condition, or a place that's vacant might mean they're making two payments already. 

Truthfully, I can give you a better answer once you've found a place that you want to pursue."

A little long-winded?  Perhaps, but it's also the best answer that I can offer.

If you are a home buyer reading this post, I hope this comes in handy.  If you're an agent, feel free to steal this answer for your own purposes.  :-)

I'm not typically one to advocate memorizing scripts for various situations, since it's more natural to put things in your own words, but if you're new to the business, this gives you an outline to start from. 

Thanks for reading!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drachmann/327122302/

Today, I stumbled across a video that is probably my favorite YouTube selection of all time.  It's infectious, fun, and I see something new every time I see it.  Additionally, it never fails to bring a smile to my face, so I hope it brightens your day. I am posting a version with "heck" in the title in case you want to share it. The original version has been viewed about 29 million times.

I won't ruin it by explaining every nuance here, but I will point out that watching this piece gives me hope for humanity.  It's just plain fun, too.  :-) Frankly, it makes me wish I'd thought of it first, and it inspires me with its creativity.

There are three versions (different years) - this is the most recent iteration, and it took 14 months to make. I bet you can't watch it just once. Make sure you watch it in its entirety - there are some clever and amazing parts.

Enjoy:

From time to time, I run across truly difficult people.  If you've been in real estate for any significant amount of time, chances are that you do, too.  Sometimes, I even get comments from my own clients along these lines:

"I can't deal with this guy.  He doesn't seem to want to sell this house.  Maybe we should find something else."

Clearly, you could hear something similar from the sellers, although they typically don't have much leverage to back out of a deal.  At this point, an inexperienced agent might give up and move on to the next home.  I have a couple of quick tips/phrases to help you salvage your transaction (and your commission):

If you're working as the listing agent, you could say, "I recognize that the buyers are being jerks, but they're also the first ones to bring an acceptable contract price for you." 

If you're the buyers' agent, try this one: "When we wrote the offer initially, I know that you thought this was the right place for you.  Don't let the seller's bad attitude change that."

These phrases often help to put things in perspective for your client, and it can "reset" them a little bit.  Clearing the air is a valuable sales tool if used properly.  You know how they're feeling already.  Why not put it into words and empathize with them a little bit?  I promise it will help.

One of the things I have said for many years is the following:

"I understand that you don't like the (buyer/seller) very much, and truthfully, I don't like the way they're acting, either.  Just keep in mind that we only have to deal with this person for about three more weeks, then you won't have to talk to them again or deal with them.  They won't be living in the house with you, I promise."

That phrase alone has saved many sales for me personally, and for our company in general. 

Why is that?

Well, there are two reasons:

• It shows that you are paying attention to the dynamics of the sale AND
• It uses humor to de-fuse a potentially volatile situation.

I sincerely hope this comes in handy for you.  Typically, when I share this with my own agents, I am happy to hear positive results later.  Thanks for reading!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobmouse/4052848608/