Showings Are Heating Up

In most areas of the country the heat is on, temperatures are soaring and showing property is a sizzling task on some days.  What can you do to make viewing home a more comfortable activity? 

• If you can, roll your car windows down a bit to allow the heat to escape before leaving the office.
• Carry a small cooler in your car with bottles of water. Stay away from juice and tea to avoid staining clothes, the car and carpets.
• Map out the properties so that you spend the least amount of time as possible in the car.
• Try to avoid looking at a large number of properties in one day.
• Leave the car windows open a bit when you are looking at a home.
• If you enter a home that is not air conditioned and the client doesn't like it then move on to the next property.  You will work up quite a sweat touring a home that is definitely a "no."
• If you are looking at a property with a very large yard then schedule that showing early morning or late afternoon.  Your clients will want to see the entire property and all of you will be hot, sticky and tired before you are done. The property will not show well during the heat so it could potentially be a waste of your time too.
• Dress for the heat.  Although we want to look professional a full business suit isn't practical if the thermometer is near 100.  Today's fashions offer many suitable looks for working in the heat.

Showing properties in the summer heat doesn't have to be a daunting task.  Approach it smartly and work with your clients during cooler times of the day to create successful closings.  Use the time during the heat of the day to update your database, contact a few prospects and catch up on emails.  It is also a great time to send work to your assistant to keep you on top of your game.  If you need help contact me and I will keep you on track not matter what the weather is like.

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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996. Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success? Contact Jeri today.

Do You Have Time to Lose an Hour This Weekend?

It's that time of year....time to set the clock back an hour because it is Daylight Saving Time again.  If you don't remember to reset your clocks you'll be lose a precious hour all day long on Sunday.  Before you go to bed tonight change your clocks so that you won't be late all day tomorrow!!

YAY! It's Tax Day....Seriously?

By now you’ve probably completed your tax return and have it ready to mail. Your tax return can force you to take a look at the big picture.  Here are a few questions to ask yourself today:

•  Are you happy with your net income from last year? 
• Does your net income make you wonder why you worked so hard for so little?
• What was your total employee payroll tax for the year?
• Do you wonder where all of the office supplies are that you had to expense out?

If the answers to the above questions make you think twice about your business practices then let me help you!

Did you know when working with a virtual assistant you DO NOT PAY for insurance, employee taxes, worker’s compensation fees, social security and medicare tax, federal unemployment tax, work-related training, office supplies, plus more.  Because virtual assistants work as independent contractors you can deduct the amount you pay them if over $600 for the year.  It can add up to a substantial savings for you! Details  can be found in the IRS Business Expenses publication   http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p535.pdf .

The bottom line – work smarter not harder in 2011.  Contact me today and find out how to go back to selling real estate and quit paying unnecessary taxes.

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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996. Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success? Contact Jeri today.

Don't Forget Your Clients!

It's important that your clients, customers, past clients and sphere of influence know that you are thinking of them and thankful for their business especially during this extremely busy time of the year.  It is easy to send them an email or postcard with a simple holiday greeting.  If you need help with this then call me - it's my specialty to make your "business partners" feel special at all times.

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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996. Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success? Contact Jeri today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996. Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success? Contact Jeri today.

Don't Forget to Thank Your Clients & Prospects

Your clients, prospects and sphere are the roots of your business.  Take advantage of this special holiday to thank them for their business.

Need help with this? Contact me today to find out how we can turn this special holiday into a great prospecting opportunity for you.
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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996. Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success? Contact Jeri today.

Are You Falling Back for Prospecting?

Have you remembered to take advantage of
this week's prospecting event?

It is time to "FALL BACK" an hour as Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday morning, November 7th at 2 AM.  This is a wonderful opportunity to touch base with your past clients, your sphere of influence, your farm area and any other contacts you need to keep in touch with.  

Need help with this?  Contact me today to find out how I can turn this annual fall event into a great prospecting opportunity for you.

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Jeri Winkler, The Secret Assistant, has been working in real estate since 1996.  Do you need assistance in becoming the success you know you can be or help maintaining your current success?  Contact Jeri today.