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When to Hire an Assistant

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Customer Service, Helpful Tools, Managing Your Office, Professional Development 8 Comments

By Scott Newman Your business is on the way up, and everything is perfect because you’re making more money, right? Wrong! As the Notorious B.I.G. once said, “Mo money, mo problems.” One of the biggest as a real estate professional is how to spend your money wisely to continue to grow your business. Today’s blog will focus on when it’s …

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2014 Technology Resolutions

Blog Contributor Professional Development, Technology & Social Media 6 Comments

By Scott Newman Technology is changing our lives – and our industry – on a daily basis. And as they say, you’re either with the times or behind them. With that in mind, I wanted to roll out three New Year’s resolutions I’m asking my agents to adopt when it comes to technology in 2014 and I’d love to see …

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Tips for Working With Friends

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Commitment to Excellence, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing, Working with Clients 3 Comments

By Scott Newman So you just found out your buddy got a big promotion and is now ready to buy a sexy luxury condo in downtown Chicago.  He’s your boy–you’ve known him since grade school–of course he’s going to give you first crack at the business, and you’ve already started spending the commission check.  But before you blindly agree to …

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I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Helpful Tools, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing 15 Comments

By Scott Newman So you’ve made it through the worst of the real estate bubble, you’ve developed a nice client base, and you’re taking over the entire industry – great! If that’s the case, then this blog isn’t for you. Instead, this blog focuses on what we as veterans of the industry can share with the newbies to shorten the …

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Dealing With Unrealistic Sellers

Blog Contributor Code of Ethics, Mark-to-Market, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing, Sellers 7 Comments

By Scott Newman The market is recovering—in some areas it’s even a seller’s market—and that means sellers can once again be a little more demanding…and a little more unrealistic. So your client is turning into a “sellerzilla.” What do you do when your relationship with the client is on the line, but you need to get your point across?  Read …

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Social Media: Are You Doing it Wrong?

Blog Contributor Professional Development, Sales & Marketing, Technology & Social Media 8 Comments

By Scott Newman You’re on Facebook and Twitter four hours a day and you’re telling me you haven’t closed a lot of business lately?  Of course not!  Social media is just a tool in your arsenal — and when used effectively and efficiently it can help you cultivate business.  So, how do you best use social media to benefit your …

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3 Tips to Avoid Financing Pitfalls

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Commitment to Excellence, Sales & Marketing 6 Comments

By Scott Newman Many agents forget that barriers to getting deals to the closing table exist in both good and bad markets.  We are seeing a lot of appraisal issues in the Chicagoland area as over-regulation and timidness on the part of appraisers to push values — despite undeniable appreciation — has resulted in many deals dying at the financing …

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Tips for Buyer’s Agents on Condo Deals

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Condominiums, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing, Working with Clients 2 Comments

By Scott Newman With the market picking up steam, buyers are out there scooping up homes and they’re counting on you as their agent to help them navigate the treacherous waters of their transaction.  When they are buying a condo, that path can be filled with even more landmines, and you have a whole new realm of elements to account …

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Best Practices for Multiple Offer Situations

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Code of Ethics, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing 11 Comments

By Scott Newman Real estate is back in 2012 in a big way. Many markets are seeing price increases in response to dwindling inventories as more and more buyers are getting off the fence every day.  With that in mind — especially since it’s been so long since we’ve had the opportunity to use the phrase “multiple offer” — I …

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Working With High Profile Clients

Blog Contributor Code of Ethics, Commitment to Excellence, Helpful Tools, Sales & Marketing, Working with Clients 3 Comments

By Scott Newman I recently had the privilege to do some work for high-profile clients. While I did enjoy working with them, I was reminded of just how different their expectations can be.  As such, I thought it would be pertinent to review some simple tips and strategies so that should you ever have the opportunity to work with such …