Realtors, Serving You

Today was my first official Monthly business meeting as President of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. I couldn’t have been more excited.  Although official Installation is a little late this year in February, I wanted to wait so that I could share that moment with the members of our Association as we recognize all of their accomplishments of 2011. I’ve spent a year planning for this very important year. Polling members, meeting with Brokers and Agents one on one, asking the hard questions, listening to their concerns, their fears and their struggles as they plow forward through the uncertain and ever-trying economic downturn of a housing and employment recession. Learning how to help, where to apply our energies and talents. However, mostly, I have learned about my fellow Realtors.

Kudos to the Realtor survivors, to those with a passion so strong that they can think of nothing they would rather do, than to serve the public and be the advocates for all homeowners, present and future. God Bless the ones who had to make a change, to survive but who still have that burning desire to help others.

I wonder and ask, “Does the public truly realize the service of the professional Realtor, or understand the level of education, certification, and experience that the dedicated Realtor brings to the table of every transaction?”   The industry of real estate professionals who carry out the duties of residential, commercial, development, appraisal, and property management transactions, are the future-shapers of every community. The ripple effect of the real estate professional and every transaction they facilitate creates work and employment for mortgage companies, banks, loan officers, insurance agents, title company employees, home inspectors, pest control specialists, roofers, carpenters, handymen, contractors, building supply companies and local businesses.

Thank God for the Realtor. Thank God for the customers who use the professional Realtors because they value not just their knowledge of the transaction, but of the service the Realtor gives to their community and the protection and survival they fight for for and support which involve all of these industries.

My opening remarks were simple today,.. another “Thank You,”  for the professional, the Tallahassee, FL Realtor:

You don’t always see was what it took for many of us to get to where we are today. People  don’t always see the thousands of hours that were spent studying for a certification, reading and researching industry news  or walking and talking about advocacy issues that you hope will protect your very right to be in business or homeowners to have property rights. Not many are here to see you breaking the glass ceilings of the personal goals we surpass or to say, “Good Job.”

And, not one of us is here on our own. Everyone has had someone to inspire us, someone who has set the bar in our eyes, someone who we recognize has accomplished much, be it in business, in our community or in their personal lives. In many ways we see ourselves in you, and hope that you see yourselves in each other so that you see we are not just one, but many.

This Association is about you. It’s about those that came before you, and that work beside you or who mentor you today.

This year, your leadership team is here to open doors of communication, to encourage discussions that help develop services, tools and technologies things that you need to grow and develop your business. Our meetings are more than “Marketing meetings,” they are “Business Growth and Development Meetings.”  We are here to give you opportunities within your profession to be a part of changes, of vision, to help you break the glass ceiling of business as usual. We are here to thank you for reaching back to help pull someone else up and over. We are here to support you, in business and in life as you strive to “Raise the Bar”.

This year, I’m striving to acknowledge the exceptional Realtor, the many who have helped others, helped my customers and the many with whom I have strong, and powerful relationships. So, what constitues the exceptional Realtor? A few unique characteristics of “that” Realtor:

• They attempt to balance work and family, and have a very difficult time at best.
• They work 70 – 100 hours a week. ( do the math on that, the next time you see that “fat” check that you think they receive at closing!)
• They take customer’s calls on nights, weekends, and the most inopportune times, and they ANSWER the call.
• They catch all kinds of Hell when a transaction falls apart between buyers and sellers…all while having to reconcile that they will not get paid for another few months..perhaps never.
• During the recession, they have lost their life savings trying to survive on the rare transaction that made it to closing, while loosing their real estate investments, and even their homes and health insurance, yet helping their customer’s keep theirs. Some, for the second time in their careers. Remember the 80′s, 13% interest?
• They are advocates for local communities, promoting amenities in hopes of attracting a population of newcomers, working with Commissioners, Chambers of Commerce hoping to attract business and industry companies that ultimately produce jobs.
• They reach into charities, neighborhoods, communities to volunteer hundreds of hours, giving back, helping others and growing communities.
• They sponsor community events, contribute to the less fortunate, even when that means sacrificing funds that they need to make ends meet.
• They work through exhaustion at the end of their day while getting that one last article to the local paper, or magazine that provides the public with a true sense of market conditions.

Realtors, the genuine, ethical professional puts others first most times. Help me say “Thank You” to those Raising the Bar in their industry and in your community.

You build it, they will come. Economically, we have proven that this works in Tallahassee. Prime example, Southwood. A planned unit, mixed use development still growing, surrounded by a growing commercial area, Publix, Starbucks, etc. all who had a vision for the business to come.  Some are going to argue with this post, saying, “Have you seen the foreclosures in Southwood? Are you oblivious to the unemployment rate in Tallahassee?”  My answer is, “No.” 

I am a third generation Tallahassee native. I not only see what is happening, but I feel what is happening with employment here in Tallahassee. (Remember, I am self-employed 100% commission!) However, what I do see, that most seem to forget, is that people are hanging on here. Tallahassee, Florida offers a quality of life that people seek when looking for a place to live, to raise families, to retire. Entrepreneurs and small business people have a spirit of perseverance. Creativity and community support rise up in times of economic struggle.  Unemployed citizens scramble for any and every possible way for them to stay here in this city. Tallahassee is home to a population that wants to see it grow and who will stay to see it support itself.

City and County officials are increasingly aware of the Tallahassee, Florida’s citizens needs and desires for growth. This year’s elections spurred dozens of community forums where hundreds of citizen and professional organizations and small business owners have vocalized their concerns promising to remain “watchdogs” of these officials to insure a higher level of accountability in the years to come. All more reasons to consider Tallahassee Florida and it’s citizens as a home base for technology based, industrial and medical based businesses.

These are the positive things I see:

• Citizens are what make this city what it is. Citizens have never been more active in participating in not only electing officials most qualified and dedicated to running our government, but in working with these officials to insure that we do grow in the ways that support our citizens.
• There is a huge skilled workforce in Tallahassee. There are brilliant minds, medical professionals, cutting edge mechanics, engineers and computer scientists who are innovative and creative, world recognized artists, musicians and fine arts performers. There are restaurateurs and chefs, graduates of a culinary school who are primed for work, ready to offer their services and grow their careers. 
• There are more than 60,000 students that pass through our college systems and graduate from our universities and community college. Why wouldn’t a business want to employ hungry graduates, primed for entry level positions. Would student’s think about staying here if they knew they had jobs and could advance within a corporation? Students came to Tallahassee because they love our universities. They live here, they know what the community has, and what it needs to sustain them after graduation.
• The Leon County’s school district is an “A”-rated district, with 33,000 undergraduate students. In addition to traditional high schools, the district also offers a non-traditional magnet high school, Sail and an International Baccalaureate Program. Also, Lively Vocational-Technical Center offers a broad range of career-oriented programs.
• County and city governments have collaborated during the recession in seeking to stimulate the area’s economy. The county waived permit fees for the extension of environmental management permits and partnered with the city in helping to finance a downtown mixed-use retail and office building called Gateway Tallahassee. This year, the county created a countywide energy improvement district to help residents finance the weatherization of their homes and businesses and help create “green” jobs — the first such effort by a Florida county.
• Projects to stimulate growth such as the Gaines Street Development Project, affecting Gaines Street,College Town and FAMU Way will provide jobs and bring opportunities for an art-district to expand and develop, all within walking distance of the Capitol, FSU and FAMU universities.
• An Economic Development Council is playing  a big part in helping facilitate growth and development and in developing incentives for businesses considering a Tallahassee location.
• Commercial Real Estate is at an all time low, infrastructure is in place and incentives for bringing business to Tallahassee are in place and negotiable.

Take a look at a few of these commercial properties, what can you do with them? Got an idea? Call me for discussion.

Join Tallahassee Florida thought leaders, consider Tallahassee for Your Business Base. The people of Tallahassee, Florida welcome new business. For business opportunities,  and a list of commercial properties for sale, contact Debbie Kirkland.

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Owned and Operated by Tallahassee Women! You gotta love these ladies who provide entertainment and know how to run a business as well!

Executives, professionals, moms by day and terror on skates by night!

“The Tallahassee RollerGirls is a group of women ranging in age from 20 to 50 years old from a variety of backgrounds each possessing a unique set of talents. These ladies utilize and integrate these talents to successfully run the business that is The Tallahassee RollerGirls. These women are not paid for the time and commitment involved, but do so for the love of the sport. Business aside, the women vigorously train while living and breathing skill and strategy to not only bring the full-contact, fast-paced sport of Roller Derby to Tallahassee and North Florida, but to bring the area a team to be proud of.” from Tallahassee Roller Girls Website

Today, June 5th is their Fan Appreciation Carnival from 3 – 6, followed by a “RollBot Attack” bout with the “Jailbreak Betties” at 7pm at the Leon County Fairgrounds.

For more about the Tallahassee Roller Girls, check out their calendar.

I’m heading there with some friends.. will post some pictures later for sure!

One of my real estate customers, and another friend are on this team and I can’t wait to see them in action ~ Off for my first Tallahassee Roller Girl experience!

Tallahassee Roller Girls on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tallyrollergirls

Tallahassee Roller Girls on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=39982058194

Tallahassee Roller Girls on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tallyrg

Did you know that a Realtor is bound to continue their education according to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics?  Ethics training is paramount and after this comes all that goes into maintaining knowledge of every aspect of an industry that changes more than just about any other industry. Changes in market conditions, real estate law, financing and underwriting, zoning regulations and even building codes to name a few. Few customers realize the amount of education required of Realtors, not just for continuing education, but in achieving designations and certificates of study.

If that is not enough, learning how to effectively market properties, utilizing the latest technology and tools available keeps one not only ahead of competition, but enhances all listings by giving them greater visibility in todays marketplace.   We are moving toward technology in every aspect of our lives, who knew Realtors would need an understanding of technology to be effective marketers?  It is mind boggling considering most Realtors, when they began their careers had virtually no marketing experience. Many veteran agents have time under their belt, but do they use current marketing tools? It is a question customers must ask of their agents prior to listing with a Realtor.

Todays agents must be masters at listings, sales, and marketing.  All of these things are imperative to success. All of these change often, and all are changing with advent of social media avenues. Avenues for finding buyers and sellers and investors have changed.  Marketing methodology has morphed. A good Realtor will know what is working and what is time-worn and ineffective.

Over the past two years my marketing strategies have changed. I’m an avid reader and have been watching trends move from print advertising to the tools that today’s buyer and sellers use on a daily basis. I have attended seminars online and in person on marketing strategies, employed these in my new website, and expanded my visibility into social network environments by providing information about Tallahassee in hopes of attracting residents to our area and in obtaining buyers while establishing credibility with local sellers.

Learning about social media and marketing has helped grow my business, establish my brand, and has given me inspiration to help others learn what I have over the past few years. I have held technology seminars and continue on this path. tomorrow I will be hosting a Virtual REBarcamp webinar education seminar at my office where area agents will learn from some of the best in the business. Together we will learn, discuss and implement new marketing strategies for the upcoming year. The schedule below is what we will follow during this Virtual REBarCamp.

Keep in mind all that goes into your Realtors business and how they utilize the tools of technology along with their knowledge of all that is imperative to know in our industry. Give your Realtor a pat on the back for all that they put into your listings, your home search and your investment analysis!

Virtual REBarCamp Schedule for January 4, 2010.

FloridaSunSales, Debbie Kirkland, Realtor

So  you want to  know what Twitter is all about?  TV, radio, newscasters,.. even Oprah is on twitter now!  My kids ask me what the big deal is… imagine that.. My kids asking me about twitter! Suddenly I feel 24 again.  Anyway…Twitter.. no it’s not just 72 characters insignificant things that  people that talk about their walk to the car, or that they are leaving for work. or arrived at work or that are bored at work. It’s the messages that contain a personal message to NEW acquaintances that share something in common. Whether for a moment or longer engagements between those who converse in real time about a deeper subject matter, or even a common interest in music, there is always something to talk to someone about. These messages turn into conversations with other “Tweeple” who “tweet” with a purpose.. or sometimes just to share a laugh. 

When I first started Twitter, within days some of the Tallahassee folks I was following announced they were having a “tweet-up” – the modern day get-together.  I attended, and met 8 very unique, different, quintessential people who were much more versed than I in what was completely foreign to me.  They gave me the low-down on who some of their cool connections were and where to find great applications to make tweeting easier, etc. They also spoke in “twitter-ese,” and I made notes as fast as I could.. but, that really wasn’t necessary.  All I really had to do, was read, connect to the social media gurus,..examine the applications they talked about.. and before you could say “tweet,” I was up and tweeting with the pros. 

Life changed after that.. I am realizing a dream come true soon. I am going to be hosting a series of social media classes along with 4 young men who are fun, exciting and some of the most brilliant minds in the social media and marketing business. I met every one of these young entrepreneurs right on Twitter. I watched them for a long time.. read their material and examined what I thought were their business strengths, etc. We have even met a few times for talks.. about business and at a few more #Tallahassee Tweet-ups. Next month, We will be teaching Realtors and small business owners the power of social media and what it can do for their businesses.  Things seem to move a little slower here, but more and more folks are catching on to Twitter, to Facebook.. now if I can just persuade a few to devote time to blogging, a new concept to many.

Business-wise, I can tell you that twitter has been responsible for 5 real estate customer referrals and resulted in 3 sales so far. Several more are in the pipeline just waiting to close.  Social networking is as much a part of prospecting as the personal telephone calls I make during the week to past customers and my sphere of influence. Devotion of a little time has certainly been productive, educational and mostly, entertaining!

Happy Tweeting… follow me…..@FloridaSunSales!

Dont Just Watch... Tweet!

I’m sure everyone has them, dreams that keep you up at night, thoughts that are born as you sleep. Did you know that babies dream about 8 hours a day?  That thought brings back many memories of watching my little ones.. smile, coo in their sleep, sometimes even cry. Wondering what, where and how an infant brain with little to no life experiences would possibly have entertaining their young minds.

My dreams are usually ideas, strategies, marketing themes, and random screens. Sometimes,. its’ chapters. A book in my head, a theme I hear over and over. Sometimes full lyrics. funny thing is, I can’t remember actors names, movie scenes, etc. Couldn’t tell you what I said someone yesterday sometimes, much less last week or month!

I’m in a period of my life.. the second wind. I look back on my teen life.. and wonder what I did with all that time, what I wasted it all on. they say a mind is not fully developed until your early twenties, I believe it. I’m a thinker now.. in my teens I was an action figure,.. my twenties a manufacturer of children, my 30′s were a mix of emotions and obsessions. the next decade seems to be a microchip.. on fire. I can’t fuel the fire of the desire for knowledge fast enough, nor sufficiently add to the bank of knowledge, nor quench the desire to experience, to see it all, to do it all.

I’m reflecting as I met with a potential business partner tonight who is near my age.  Amazingly, we share some of the same thoughts and have pumped each other up over the possibilities for our new venture. I’ve noticed it, have you? The connections people have at different times in their lives. Over the  past few months, I’ve met a litany of women who share the same interests, wisdom and humor on, of all places, Twitter. (#Twitterqueens). Who would have thought, me , on the Internet more than my kids. Funny thing is, my kids don’t get it.  My 19 y/o thinks I’m losing it as I literally laugh out loud when talking to the Twitterqueens at midnight. My kids are in their twenties.. the action/emotion stage.  They are not in the micro-processor stage yet I suppose. They just don’t get it.

Social networking has opened up chapter after chapter of experiences, of outlets for sharing thoughts, dreams and general BS that no one else close to you really wants to hear, (aka children). So, with journal by the bed, the lights are off for tonight,.. but the flashlight is handy, just in case a thought has to be recorded.

“Channels are blocked in the mind, from the day.  Lie down in blackness of night, forgotten remnants rush to the mind, or creeping slowly appear in the dreams. ” ~Nathaniel LeTonnerre, translated