This month’s featured real estate agent in our Agent Success Newsletter is Sharon Detrick or RE/MAX Suburban Northwest in Houston, TX.

Here’s the feature story:

In less than five months this year, Sharon has already closed 5 home deals with AgentEvaluator homebuyers compared with two deals in 2007.

Why the difference?

After adding in references to her proposals that she sends to potential clients, she’s been experiencing a higher response and interest level from those consumers in her services.

Although it varies year to year (she’s been a HomeGain AgentEvaluator member since 1999) she’s definitely seen an increase since having added the references.

“I was hesitant to add in references because I didn’t see the value,” stated Sharon. “Obviously nobody is going to put in a negative reference, but apparently consumers really do want to see what others say about you – and know that real live people have had positive experiences with you as their agent.” Continue reading this post

Ann Marie Clements of RE/MAX Realty Group in Maryland was the Featured Real Estate Agent of the Month in our March Agent Success Newsletter.

Here’s the story:

If you ask Ann Marie what she thinks of today’s conditions, she’ll tell you that it’s great market for a Realtor®. After 20 years in the business, Ann Marie’s business is growing every year – it’s already up 40% from last year!

Ann Marie Clements was also just featured on the March 2008 cover of REALTOR® Magazine in which she discussed her success with finding new clients on Facebook.

How is Ann Marie able to be so productive?

She relies on two main things: referrals and HomeGain.
“I just sold one house for $700k and another one for $480k, both as a result of HomeGain leads,” said Ann Marie. Continue reading this post

A few months ago, we featured Mike Beernink of Century 21 Findley in Georgia as the “Agent of the Month” in our Agent Success Newsletter.

A HomeGain AgentEvaluator™ Platinum Club Member, Mike spoke with me about his business techniques and the essential tools that help him achieve his goals.

According to Mike Beernink, success in real estate all starts with prospecting. Every year, Mike creates a strategic business plan, which always starts with prospecting objectives. “Prospecting is one of the most important things an agent does,” says Mike.

Having been in the real estate business for 8 years in the North Atlanta, GA area, servicing mostly sellers, Mike is had his best year yet in 2007, even in a down market. Mike had closed 36 sides by the end of August last year with his gross closed commission ahead of those in 2006.

Here’s how Mike creates his business plan: Continue reading this post

Today marks the launch of our new Media Center.

The focus of our Media Center is to be a centralized online communication resource for the real estate community.

Real estate agents and brokers can read our monthly Agent Success Newsletter, connect with peers, and get the latest scoop about HomeGain’s online marketing programs, events and company news.

Members of the press have access to a media kit, press releases, videos and company information.

Reporters, journalists and other real estate professionals like home stagers can find out the latest market statistics, analysis and real estate trends.

Basically, if you want to know what HomeGain has been up to, where we’ve been, and where we’ll be, this is the site to visit. Every month it will be updated with new information.

The Media Center website is www.homegain.com/media-center

What do you think? I welcome your comments and feedback!

“The Power of Persuasion”

In this month’s Agent Success Newsletter, HomeGain is pleased to recognize Leonard Klein of Schweppe Burgdorff ERA in Montclair, NJ for his excellence in salesmanship and persuasion. With home sales slow in many markets, the following testimonial from Leonard’s client may provide powerful insight into the challenges of working with today’s home sellers.

The home seller’s testimonial is as follows:

“Right off the bat, Lenny impressed us with his professionalism and quickly gained our trust. He advised us wisely about what work needed to be done and to increase the value of our home, and once the house was ready for showings, Lenny came in (proverbial guns ablazing) with some mind boggling advice to list our house a bit lower than we hoped to sell for. His theory was that the lower price would generate increased interest among buyers. We threw caution to the wind and trusted his advice. Continue reading this post