Another great meeting as well as a great turnout. Thank you Everyone for attending including our managing brokers from Kirkland and Seattle! As Shari put it so well, it takes a community coming together to learn, grow, contribute and be prosperous!
A huge Thank You to our guest speakers – Denny Andrews and Matt Biondi of Biondi Media who have put together a system for our company that will help bring our online visibility to the top! And everyone can help just by sending an e-mail! This helps YOUR online visibility as well as RE/MAX Northwest – it gets your name out there for the public (buyers & sellers), and our name out there for potential recruits. To post information online just e-mail: remaxteamwork@gmail.com. See below for more details, Denny’s powerpoint presentation will be available to you on our blog.
Message from Jerry:
Most common disciplinary action on MLS: #1 - ‘pocket listings’ – fines up to $2,000 for advertising listings before they are active on MLS. #2 – soliciting listings – fines up to $5000, #3 – not following showing instructions – even if it is vacant do call if the instructions say to call before showing a property, and #4 – leave your business card at the property when showing – if you don’t have a business card, leave a note with your contact information.
WA Realtor update: Four of our own RE/MAX Northwest brokers on the board – Karen Schweinfurth incoming president, Jerry Martin, treasurer, and Rich and Nanette Bergdahl. Check our your local and state associations – get involved, it is well worth your time. And the money contributed towards the associations has helped in the cause to keep the state from assessing more taxes to your commissions.
Inventory issues: King Co has about 1.5 mos of inventory, Snohomish Co has 2 mo of inventory vs. a healthy market has 4-5 mos of inventory. We are seeing multiple offers come in as well as escalation clauses. Be prepared to have these conversations with your seller when listing a property and be familiar with the necessary forms. You MUST have a form 19 signed prior to accepting any offers if your seller wants to entertain back-up offers. You MUST have a letter on file with the MLS if there are any restrictions on showing or seller wants to wait to review any offers. As always – Jerry’s door is open if you have any questions or issues.
Kijan Bernard – Technology:
Have you considered updating your Operating System, recent Windows upgrade now free, but consider whether it will work for you. Please contact Kijan for more information or advice.
Mark Hedman - Mortgage:
Rates have been a bit volatile recently but are still amazing which is keeping the industry busy. Quick turn arounds are still possible in special situations. HomeStreet has 2 new Jumbo products available, underwriting is in-house. Rates are expected to increase, but there are mixed messages from the industry leaders on if/when this might happen.
Shari Jansen – Recruiting:
Shari introduced our company to Biondi Media who is now helping us to increase our online visibility as presented by Denny Andrews. Denny is also updating our ‘Join RE/MAX’ tab on our current company website to create more buzz. Shari is reaching out to experienced producing agents and we are seeing a lot more of these folks coming to see what we are all about. Shari has RE/MAX brochures for you to leave at your Broker’s Opens that answer the question of “Why Join RE/MAX”. Please invite a broker with you to the RE/MAX Northwest sponsored class by Annie Fitzsimmons on February 26th so they can meet our wonderful team of brokers as well as see the value added services we bring to our agents. And keep the suggestions coming for more classes/speakers – Shari would like to implement an educational program here to have value added classes on a regular basis in all 3 of our offices.
Go Team!!!
