Sam's Blog

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Great Networking Tip!!!

 
flowerdelivery
Who are these for?  Wonder who sent them?
 
You know that happens every time they deliver flowers to the office.  Everybody's antenna goes up in the office and the buzz starts.  "Who got flowers?", "Who sent them?", "Wonder why they sent flowers?"

Okay, let's see how we can take advantage of this natural reaction of human nature...

Here's a great way.  Invite someone to lunch and offer to pick them up.  Then, when you get to their office, say that you need to run to the rest room to freshen up a little..."  Then when you get back, say the same.

This will get the buzz going around the office at a peak time of the day when others are coming and going from their lunch.

Here's what conversations will start up...  "Who is that with Bill?"  "Isn't that John, the Realtor?, Wonder why he is here?"  "John must be good if Bill is working with him.", etc.

Besides the buzz that you will create, you will also position yourself to win like Jim Valvano used to do with his NC State basketball team!  The longer you stay in their office, the more people you are likely to see and talk to so make sure to have your name tag on and plenty of business cards on you so you can hand them out!

 
 

 

Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
2 comments • Sam Thompson • March 25 2008 11:04PM

Two things to think about...
 
treefrog
 
That's right, spring has sprung so the end of the slow winter months is over!

lowlakelevel

The next thing to think about is the housing market bottom might be here too!  The pundits are starting to say it on TV and the volatile market might be signs that we are bouncing along on the bottom.  And like this picture shows, there are many things to bump into along the bottom...

So, now's the time to get motivated!

Here are some ideas to help you!

1. Look through the expired listings.  Now they are ready for some more realistic marketing.
2. Talk to some FSBOs.  Offer to help pre-approve their buyers and tell them to call me to do that for them.  If they do, many will end up as active buyers for you because I will promote you!
3. Hold an open house and promote it to the entire neighborhood with our free marketing flyers and listing sheets.  Call me for a demonstration.
4. Call all of your past clients and ask them how they are doing and mention that the housing market is nearing the bottom and rates are great.  Then ask if there is anyone you can call.
5. Wear your badge and get out in the public as much as you can.  Don't forget to wear your smile too!
6. Partner with me so we can help you with our quick pre-approvals, great processing and product offering!  We will help you every step of the way.

 

 

Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 25 2008 11:02PM

Realogy's ERA Brand and Zillow strike a deal.

 

 

Tuesday, Feb. 19 2008

Zillow.com(R) Adds All Property Listings From Realogy's Residential Real Estate Brands

Here's the link.

 

 http://newsgeni.us/out.php?title=Zillow_Strikes_a_Deal_With_Reology

 

 

Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 22 2008 08:57AM

Century 21's uTube Channel!

 

 

 

C21 is smart to take advantage of this exciting way of allowing their agents to promote their listings.  It gives the agent a way to personalize the home and to show the seller how they are marketing the home 'out of the box'!  Once the link is created, the agent and seller can send to their prospects, family and friends.  Soon, everyone will call the agent for their listing too.  And the house will sell much faster. 

 

Check it out here!

 
http://www.youtube.com/century21

 

 

Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
 
1 comment • Sam Thompson • March 22 2008 08:52AM

Zillow rolling out virtual signs

 

 

I saw an article about Zillow rolling out virtual signs and that gave me an idea.  Why don't you include a separate page on your website showing pictures of every house you sold and every house you helped a buyer buy?  It helps your prospects see that you know what you are doing.  Anyway, Zillow has a good idea that you might want to consider but there might be some issues with this.  Read on...

 

Here's Zillows link... 

 

http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/zillowcom/zillow-to-put-virtual-sold-signs-on-homeowners-virtual-lawns/2007/11/15/

 

Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
 

 

0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 22 2008 08:40AM

2 statistics for your business!

I heard 2 important statistics last week that you need to know.
 
28% of the people you meet will know somebody that will be buying or selling a home within the next 12 months.  So...you need to talk to as many people as you can and here's a good script for you!
 
"With the downturn in the housing market effecting other parts of the country much worse than us, housing prices are lower and interest rates are very attractive trying to get more buyers in the market.  So, now is a great time to buy.  There are some great values with low monthly payments right now.  It's probably the strongest buyer's market in history and many think we are near the bottom so it is going to turn up soon.  Do you know anybody thinking about buying or selling I need to call?"
 
The other statistic is that 40% of all buyers will visit a open house before buying a home.  Are you doing open houses?  Why not?  Don't you want some prospects to talk to?
 
If you want to do an open house, remember that the gold is in the promotion leading up to the open house.  So, get out and hand out flyers to all the neighbors and meet them and offer to have a pre-open house just for them.  Make sure to ask if they know anyone thinking about buying you can call!  Remember the 28% rule!!

To do this right, go on our website and create some listing sheets personalized with your photo and contact information.  They are FREE and really help show the buyers if they can aford the house. 

Call me and I will show you how to do this.
 
Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
2 comments • Sam Thompson • March 16 2008 11:11PM

FHA Loan Limits Have Increased!

fhagraphics
 
The best deal in the mortgage industry... 
just got better!
 
With the continuing tightening of the conventional mortgage financing, most buyers I work with now are much better off with a low interest, 30-year fixed, assumable, FHA loan and we are the best lender to do these.  Since the ruling that the non-profit organization grant programs allowing the 3% seller gift contribution is still legal, coupled with the more forgiving FICO requirements, FHA just might be the only game in town for our market very soon.
 
We have some of the best FHA processors in the country that only process FHA or VA loans.  That's all they know and that's good for you to know too because many lenders are just now getting into FHA processing and boy do they have a lot to learn!
 
Don't trust anybody but us for your FHA BUYERS!!  We'll take good care of them and you!
 
Check out the new maximum loan amounts for the following counties:

Most counties in the country and in our region are now set at $271,050 max FHA loan amount!

Notable exceptions in Carolina counties are:
  • Georgetown, SC - $395,000
  • Beaufort, SC - $387,500
  • Charleston, SC - $335,000
  • Berkley, SC - $335,o00
  • Onslow, NC - $306,250
  • Brunswick, NC - $303,750
  • Pender, NC - $303,750
  • Anson, NC - $303,750
  • Union, NC - $303,750
  • Mecklenburg, NC - $303,750
  • Wake, NC - $295,000
  • Horry, SC - $286,250

Click below for all FHA limits for all counties in the US:

 
 
 
 
Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
 
 
0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 16 2008 11:09PM

Reverse Offers - Help the inexperienced agents sell your listings!


upset
 
Do you cringe like this guy when certain buyer's agents show your listings because you know that they will never close and they might take up much of your time for several weeks?

Try this strategy to help get them to the table.  After they have shown your listing 2 times to the same prospect and nothing happens for a few days, meet with your seller and make a reverse offer to them!

This will probably surprise the other agent that is unfamiliar with offers!  Then they will have to start working on negotiations and you can help them get through that too.
 
With so many inexperienced agents in the industry, this tactic can help you and them. 
 
Here's a great idea to help in this process.  Get your sellers to offer our "Special Financing" option to them!  It will only cost your sellers 2.25% off the existing list price but it can help reduce the payments for the buyers with 1/2% off the existing low rates in the market right now.  This will more than double the savings that the same price reduction would have done that will help get your buyers excited.
 
Do this with all of YOUR LISTINGS to differentiate them from all the other listings so you can be the "Top Listing Agent" in town.
 
Call me and I will help you with this strategy.  I am here for you!
 
 
Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

 
 
 
0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 16 2008 11:08PM

Laurinburg, NC - A great place to call home!

 

Laurinburg, NC is half way between Charlotte, NC and Wilmington, NC and just 20 miles from I95.  Our Scottish heritage is preserved in our local schools as seen below with the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Pipe Band and the Scotland High School's Marching Band's Highland Dancers.

If you are looking for a great place to live or retire, this is it.  Only 25 miles from the Pinehurst area and home of a fantastic hospital and medical facilities and vibrant downtown area.

With the strong equestrian programs at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg is slowly becoming a great place to raise horses too with the 200+ equine students with over 100 horses in their program too. 



Link to the local paper:  http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/

Laurinburg Promotional Site:  http://www.visitscotlandnc.com/

City’s Web Site:  http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/

City Data: http://www.city-data.com/city/Laurinburg-North-Carolina.html

Chamber Site:  http://www.laurinburgchamber.com/

Weather in Laurinburg:  http://www.wunderground.com/US/NC/Laurinburg.html

St. Andrews Presbyterian College Site:  http://www.sapc.edu/

Laurinburg – Ameritowns Site:  http://www.americantowns.com/nc/laurinburg

Scotland County Site:  http://www.scotlandcounty.org/

Scotland Roots Site:  http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncscotla/

Laurinburg Tourism Site:  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g49278-Laurinburg_North_Carolina-Vacations.html


Sam Thompson - PHH Mortgage

Senior Mortgage Advisor

www.activerain.com./luckydog1 - SC

www.activerain.com/luckydog2 - NC

http://samthompson.phhmortgage.com/

www.myphhmortgageadvisor.com/

0 comments • Sam Thompson • March 16 2008 05:09PM