Time Management

This week we were excited to announce the publication of the first book in our Real Estate Playbook Series: The Playbook to Healthy Time Management. We spent the past year working on this piece in order to memorialize strategic time management skills for real estate agents so that they can increase their efficiency on the job while protecting their precious time for friends and loved ones. When we coach our agents to be the best that they can be, we believe in coaching them to live well rounded lives. Life is not all about work. Our agents are passionate about real estate and they are thriving in this market but by utilizing the skills outlined in this book they can have the best of both worlds.... a great career and a great family life. CLICK HERE to find our book on Amazon.com. As always, we appreciate your feedback.

Certified Distressed Property Experts

While many have already started their long weekend, one group of dedicated RE/MAX agents is just finishing up their final class for the Certified Distressed Property Expert course. Christina Lazrak, Ann Marie Duross, Deb Malone, John Bielefeld, Natasha Carter, Jon Crandall, Malcolm Fulford, Maria Silva, and owners Stacey Alcorn & Andrew Armata, just completed a three day program learning how to help homeowners who are in a distressed property situation. In today's market and economic climate as many as two out of every four home owners find themselves in a distressed real estate situation where they can no longer afford mortgage payments and/or they owe far more on their property then it's worth. The intense CDPE program detailed for these agents exactly how to work with lenders and home owners in order to successfully negotiate a short sale or help people modify their mortgage contracts. The lender short sale process is complicated, time consuming, and difficult to manage for those that have not participated in expert training. These agents are now poised to help the thousands of homeowners in our market who are in need of expert advise on how to successfully negotiate with lenders to get properties sold quickly and hassle free. Other agents who recently became Certified Distressed Property Experts include Kristen McKenna, Mary Alcorn, and Roger Martin.

On The Grow

Over the past two weeks there have been all kinds of great announcements at RE/MAX Prestige regarding the addition of three new offices. We are very excited to announce that RE/MAX Colonial of Groton became part of our team adding 17 new associates and number one market share in Groton and surrounding towns. With the merger of RE/MAX Colonial RE/MAX Prestige became the largest RE/MAX office in New England. As well, we announced the purchase of RE/MAX Teamwork with offices in Wilbraham and East Longmeadow. With this merger we were excited to have more then 40 new team members join our firm. As well, we were very excited to venture into a whole new part of the state. These three new locations make RE/MAX Prestige the 5th largest real estate firm in Massachusetts as we anticipate closing approximately $500 Million in transactions in 2009. We are very excited about these new developments. The market is hot hot hot as buyers are seizing the opportunities available in the marketplace. It's tough to say for sure if the real estate market is bouncing back but all indicators are pointing to yes.

Real Estate is Like Life

Real Estate is like life... there are ups... there are downs... and most of the time it's just steady living, working, and being. This past week, RE/MAX Prestige has had it's share of highs and lows. We enjoyed a fantastic St. Pattys Day as most of our office descended upon Boston for the annual RE/MAX Awards gala. It was truly awesome. The Lazrak Duross team accepted the prestigious Chairmans Club honor, one of only 14 teams in New England to achieve such status. As well, Dan O'Connell, Jim Dolliver, and Dennis Page, accepted the prestigious Platinum Club award. Dan O'Connell and Dennis Page were recognized for the Lifetime Achievement award and Kevin Durkin for the RE/MAX Hall of Fame. We also had 37 other agents accepting awards at this occassion.

Tragedy struck our RE/MAX family this week when our own Michelle Rivera lost her teenage son suddenly. It was heart breaking news and our prayers are with her family during this time. It was amazing to see the Prestige family rally support for Michelle offering to do anything they could do ease the pain.

As we were all realing from the tragedy, a bit of sunsine emerged, when Jenn Davis announced the arrival of her new son, Jacob.

Tragedy and triumph.... real estate really is like life.

What Happens In Vegas....

Last week, Andy and I were in Las Vegas at the 2009 RE/MAX International Convention where we had the opportunity to learn from some of the best speakers in the country. The two most memorable keynotes were from Chris Gardner and Howard Britton. All were moved by Chris Gardner's story of perseverance and triumph in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness and he's even more amazing in person. Ask, believe, NEVER give up, then receive...was the powerful message he eloquently delivered on Tuesday. Real estate coach, and owner of Star Power Systems, Howard Britton's message was concise, "Don't just learn to weather the storm... you must learn to take off your shoes and dance in the rain!" Howard featured agents that are thriving in this market, earning more then previous years. What are the traits of such successful agents? According to Howard the 10 Traits of agents thriving in this market are:

1. They create their own happiness. Most embrace positive affirmations regularly.
2. Like Sully, the heroic pilot who landed his plane in the Hudson, successful agents have great attitudes and rather then panic at the changing market, they calmly and swiftly seek solutions.
3. Typically they are spending 70% of their time prospecting.
4. They apply the mentor learning model - they learn from others.
5. They use scripts… if you’re not selling a lot of real estate you’re not using good scripts.
6. They work every lead by constantly and aggressively following up until told to stop.
7. They call their database for buyers and ask "Who is the next person you know that is going to move?"
8. They are being seen – attending more public events.
9. They are embracing social networking to make deeper connections.
10. They are frank with their sellers.

We spent three days accumulating powerful tools for agents to utilize in their businesses. We look forward to putting this knowledge to good use. Make sure you come to our monthly sales rally on Wednesday, March 11th, where we will unveil new tools and announce exciting changes that will help you excel in your business.

A Day of Celebration

March 17th RE/MAX agents from across New England will gather for a fabulous day of celebration in Boston at the annual RE/MAX Awards Gala. This is truly an exciting day because RE/MAX Prestige will be taking home tons of awards. We are proud of our agents and proud of our career development staff because this list of award winners not only demonstrates that we have career driven agents who will persevere no matter what the market brings, but it also proves that the training, education, and continuing career development we bring to our agents works. While most offices are cutting back resources we continue to put funds back into the career training programs at our offices. Our per agent production exceeds any office in the marketplace and our agents are proving day in and day out, they are simply the best. Here is a recap of the 2008 award winners. If you're interested in joining us for the awards gala please email Stacey at salcorn@remaxprestige.com. We'd love to have you celebrate success with us on March 17th. Congratulations to Dan O'Connell, Team Dennis Page, Team Joe Zingales Team Jim Dolliver, Nancy Rogers, Bob Barcelos, Julie Duran, Tuyet Tu, Christina Lazrak & Ann Marie Duross, Derek Amato, John Hughes, Len Lochrie, Barbara Miller, Joan Morrison & Barb Dwyer, Angela Zhang, Jon Crandall, Kevin Durkin, Deb Malone, Bryan Perreira, Jim Serino, Ed Bisson, Nina bisson, Kevin Gettings, Kerry Nicolls, Ed Rosamilio, Paula Rosamilio, Meghan Maraghy, Amsi Morales, Pat Courtney, Matt Milonopoulos, Dave Nicholaou, Diane Lareau, Dianne Raymond, Patsy Chinchillo, Brian Kasprzyk

RE/MAX and Boston Celtics Promote Home Court Contest

Now in it's fourth year, the RE/MAX Home Court programs makes dreams come true for three New England families. The winners receive a driveway resealing and painting of the Celtics logo, Basket sanction, backboard, net, portable electronic scoreboard, ball rack, basketballs, team apparel and the NEWEST feature, a bedroom makeover! The winner will also participate in a basketball clinic in their hometown, hosted by a Celtics Player and/or Legend. If you know of anyone who wishes to enter go to http://www.nba.com/celtics/promotions/home-court.html