6 Tricks to Great Negotiation Skills!

If honing your negotiation skills is one of your New Year's resolutions, consider these 6 tricks.

Negotiating skills are often minimized or overlooked completely in training and coaching programs for real estate professionals. Yet negotiating is a big part of successful business. There are many reasons that one might be hesitant to go head to head in a negotiation:

1. Little to no formal training on negotiating
2. Usually inexperienced at negotiations and are fearful
3. This is the customer's largest and most important asset
4. Customer's are going through a major life change that can make them feel insecure

There are 6 tricks to making a negotiation go smoothly:

Trick 1. At your presentations, prepare the seller or buyer for how the negotiations are going to go.
By giving a quick outline of what is about to happen, it gives the seller or buyer a sense of control. They will know what to expect, so when something happens, they will know it is part of the normal process. As you review the process, explain all the items that might be negotiated in your market.

Trick 2: Prepare the seller or buyer for the worst case.
It is great to prepare your seller or buyer for the good news, but it is as important to prepare them for the bad news too. Go over both the best case and worse case scenarios so that if a snag arises, the buyer and seller expect it and know that you have a plan on how to overcome that snag.

Trick 3: Research, Prepare, and Plan
Gain information from everyone and anyone you can, including your client, the other agent, the other party, tax records, and past multiple listing records. Make sure that you keep asking questions, don't stop at one question, go three deep using phrases like "why is that important to you?" and "What size do you consider a large backyard?".  The more information you have before the negoations begin, the better you can represent your customers.

Trick 4: Gain the respect of all the parties with simple courtesy and integrity.
This might go without saying, but it can never hurt! When people realize you keep your word, it gives you additional influence in the negotiation. This includes:

• Showing up when you say you will.
• Calling when you say you will.
• Doing what you say you will.

What might seem common courtesy to some, might be overlooked by others and can change the outcome of negotiations.

Trick 5: Maintain objectivity.

Remember who you represent, and make sure that you are always looking out for their best interests. Often, when negotiations break down or get difficult, it's due to information that was passed from one party to the other. Weather it is agent to agent, or buyer to seller, things that are said (or sent in a email) can be misinterpreted and offend one another.

Trick 6: Write an offer that you believe will be accepted.

Again, this might go without saying, but when writing an offer, make it the best you can. Going back and forth more than twice can make the buyer and seller frustrated. To avoid this, include everything that is important into the offer.

Good luck with your negotiations!

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 192 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Cary, NC Real Estate Agents Give Back to Their Community!

At Keller Williams Realty Cary, we believe that to have a fulfilling business, giving back to the community in which you work is a must. That is why every year around the holidays, KW Cary real estate agents partner with the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors (RRAR) for Project Angel Tree. 





Project Angel Tree

Project Angel Tree is an annual community outreach program organized by the REALTOR®  Foundation of the Triangle that provides gifts to needy children. REALTORS® 'adopt' and purchase gifts for the 'angels' (children ranging from newborn to 13 years old). Once an "angel' is adopted, a gift is purchased, gift wrapped and dropped off at RRAR. The gifts are given so local children can have a holiday to remember.

The KW Cary agents rose to the occasion and donated over 150 gifts! We are proud to be partnered with agents who understand the importance of giving back to the community in which they live!

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 192 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Happy Thanksgiving from Keller Williams Realty Cary!

As the holiday season officially begins, Keller Williams Realty Cary wants to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope that your holiday celebrations are full of family, laughter, and most importantly, fun!

At Keller Williams Realty Cary, each year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a potluck in our office where we gather together and share a meal with our KW Family. This year, we were proud to celebrate Thanksgiving by giving back to our community. Through the generosity of our community, the Fashion Victim Ball and our Silent Auction, we were able to present a check for over $17 Thousand to Meg's Smile Foundation. 

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 189 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty Cary Agents Outpace Their Local Market!

Agents at Keller Williams Realty Cary are outpacing their local market! This means their customers are selling their homes quickly for more money, and their buyers are finding their dream homes. Is there any wonder why agent partners have chosen to join Keller Williams?

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 189 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

How to Choose My Niche as a New Real Estate Agent

As a new real estate agent, one of the hardest parts of the business is deciding what you are going to focus on that will set you apart from any other real estate agent in the market. Many real estate professionals identify a specific buyer/seller niche that they will cater to. Choose what you know, what you love, and what you dream about. If you are passionate, it will translate into your every day interactions with buyers and sellers!

When you are passionate about helping buyers find their dream home and helping sellers move into their next dream home, it is important to not be a jack of all trades. The first step is to break your real estate business into three categories:

1. What do you know best?
2. What are you most passionate about?
3. What do you dream of doing?

By answering these three questions, you will quickly find three niches that you can build your real estate business on, and watch your business succeed.

Niche #1: Stick to What You Know

If you're a new agent or have some experience under your belt and are still struggling to identify a niche market you can be successful in, think about what part of real estate you had the most knowledge of before coming into the business. Perhaps first time home buyers, senior housing, divorcing couples, historic homes, ect. Once you have identified the are of real estate that you already know about, make that your first niche.

Niche #2: Do What You Love

Your passion may be something different from what you already know, but when you love something, you'll put your all into it. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, homes with a lot of acreage might appeal to you. If you love to be on the water, homes with water access or waterfront properties might be just the ticket. With the heart of a student, once you find what you love, it's time to hit the books. Study maps, weather patterns, what type of person buys or sells that type of property, talk to other professionals already in that field and ask for help and information. You will be surprised at the information others are willing to share if you only ask. You need to know who buys that type of property and how to reach them. It's all about placing yourself and your marketing in the proper places to find the buyer and seller that is the right fit for you.

Niche #3: Dream Big

Your third niche will be the most difficult to break into, but you could likely take it over with the right mindset. It should be your dream - the part of real estate that you never thought you could be involved in. It could be luxury, commercial, or global real estate. By dreaming big and going after that dream, you will have to work hard, overcome challenges, and grow both professionally and personally. In the end, by working towards your goal, the reward can be huge.

Tips for Making Your Niches Successful

Be Brave and listen for cues

Don't be afraid to be the new guy nobody has heard of. As long as you are working as hard as you can, staying focused on your goal, listening to what your buyers and sellers are looking for, you will have success.

Get Involved

Join organizations that your ideal buyers and sellers are involved in. This is the best way to meet the clients you want. Show them that you have common interests, that you are committed to giving back to the community and they will want to work with you.

Use Tools you have at your disposal

All companies have them, weather it is a program, database management system, scripts, or a marketing suite, the most successful people and companies have systems in place and use them regularly. If you are constantly re-inventing the wheel instead of customizing the wheel that is there, you will quickly fall behind.

Keller Williams Realty Cary located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir, Cary, NC 27511 has 189 real estate professionals. If you are interested in starting your real estate career or want to build your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty is Featured on Franchise Times Top 200 for 2014!

Three real estate companies are featured on Franchise Times' Top 200 list for 2014. This list ranks the nation's largest franchise systems based on worldwide sales and growth of various business sectors. 

Keller Williams Realty landed the number 28 spot, posting a 30.2 percent sales growth. In the latest report, much of the growth in the largest franchises were due to moving more locations abroad. Franchise Times reports that the number of international locations operated or franchised by companies on the Franchise Times Top 200 grew by 10.3 percent in 2013. By comparison, domestic growth was just 1.3 percent.  

To be eligible for the Top 200 franchise list, a franchise must have a sizable presence in the United States and own at least 15 percent of the system's units. The Top 200 list is compiled using companies' own submissions and publicly available information from the SEC and franchises' disclosure documents. 

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511 has 186 associates who specialize in Residential, Commercial, and Luxury real estate. If you are interested in a career in real estate, or looking to grow your real estate business, contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton, Jr. at 919-882-3229 or visit our website today!

You're Invited... Cary, NC Fashion Victim Ball!

At Keller Williams Realty Cary, we believe in serving the communities where we live. Our real estate agents choose local charities to support every year and do so by volunteering their time as well as participating in fundraising events.

Our Fashion Victim Ball is an opportunity for us to reach out to the entire Triangle Area, raise funds for great causes and have an incredibly FUN evening. This year we have chosen Meg's Smile Foundation, a charitable organization that provides gifts/smiles to children affected by serious illnesses who are treated in North Carolina hospitals. In addition a 10% tithe will go to KW Cares, a 501(c)(3) public charity created to support Keller Williams associates and their families with hardships as a result of a sudden emergency.

On Thursday, October 9th, we will dress in bad fashion for a great cause! If you go through your closet and find mismatched clothes, or you go all out and dress in truly bad fashion, this is going to be an evening full of fun, music and laughter. This is our third Fashion Victim Ball and we hope you will share this experience with us by sponsoring a table, purchasing tickets and/or donating silent auction items.

Past recipients of this fabulous event have been April's Angels and The Center for Volunteer Care Giving.

We would love for you to come out and show your support for Meg's Smile Foundation!

11 Things Happy Small Business Owners Do Differently

Being a business owner can be stressful. Happiness in your business requires controlling those stress levels and creating a work environment that is a good mix between business and fun. Here are a few things happy small business owners do differently.

1. Focus on the Motivations for Your Actions

Focus on the 'why', not the 'what'. Know the goals you’re trying to reach with every action, and they will help push you forward. 

2. Choose Acceptance and Compromise, not Resistance

Be open to change. The world is an evolving place, and in order to stay on top, you must grow and adapt along with it. Resisting change can cost you both financially and personally.

3. Focus Less on Fear and More on Love

Have a positive outlook. With a different outlook you can view things you face in your business not as obstacles but tools that will help propel you forward. Look at others not as enemies but allies.

4. Respect and Trust

Treat all with dignity and respect. The happiest business owners are able to make each person they meet feel unique and trusted.

5. See Problems as Opportunities

Don’t let problems intimidate you. Use them to explore new ways of thinking and problem solving, and instead of hindering you, they can help you to expand and grow.

6. Choose Selflessness over Selfishness

Look for ways to give back to your community. The idea of giving back is a way to help make others happy, and it feels good to do it.

8. “Dream No Small Dreams”

Dream Big. If you set a goal and then you reach it, you weren't thinking big enough. By dreaming big, you are giving yourself a goal that will force you to grow along the way of achieving it.

9. Recognize the Power of Kindness

Being kind to yourself and others is key. Happy people are able to understand that forgiveness, love, and acceptance is for themselves and others.

10. Express Gratitude with a Simple Thank You

A simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way, and you might be surprised what a hand written thank you letter can do.

11. A Positive Outlook

Keeping a positive, glass-half-full outlook can do wonders. When an obsticle arises, address the problem, fix it, then shake it off.

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC 27511 has 186 real estate associates who specialize in residential, commercial and luxury properties. 

If you are looking to begin a career in real estate, or are looking for an opportunity to grow your real estate business to the next level, visit our website today!

Keller Williams Realty Earns a Spot on Inc 5,000 Honor Roll!

Keller Williams is excited to have made the Honor Roll for the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing privately held companies. The Honor Roll recognizes companies that have appeared on the list each of the past five years! 

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate. If you are interested in buying your dream home, or selling your home for the most value, call us today at 919-882-3200.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or looking to grow your real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton for a free, confidential consultation today at 919-882-3229 or for more information, visit our website today!

How to Be Successful in Any Business!

Mark Spain, the number one real estate agent in Keller Williams Realty, sat down with our Team Leader, Bill Middleton, jr. Mark shared his insight on how to be successful in any business!





Three things to remember:

1. No business is perfect, make sure you have developed systems to make sure you can handle anything that comes at you!
2. Bigger is not always more complicated! Thing Big, Dream Big, Believe Big!
3. The people that you hang out with, and the books you read are the two things that will change the trajectory of your business!

Keller Williams Realty Cary, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Cir. #101, Cary, NC has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate. If you are interested in buying your dream home, or selling your home for the most value, call us today at 919-882-3200.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or looking to grow your real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton for a free, confidential consultation today at 919-882-3229 or for more information, visit our website today!

Drones in Real Estate... Legal or Not?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is targeting the real estate industry, as the agency begins to come down on the growing popularity of using drones for taking listing photos and videos.

The FAA is beginning by targeting several brokerages in New York City that use drones, delivering subpoenas in a widespread move to learn more about how real estate professionals use the technology to advance their businesses. 

This is the FAA's interpretation of lawful model aircraft use.

The FAA does not condone the use of drones for commercial purposes but is expected to reveal proposed rules for such use next year. Hobbyists For now, practitioners who use drones for their business can be fined — and that's exactly what will happen to a handful of NYC's largest brokerages if they don't stop their drone use immediately, FAA sources told the New York Post.

"We have a mandate to protect the American public in the air and on the ground, and the public expects us to carry out the mission," FAA administrator Michael Huerta wrote in a memo, according to the Post.

It speaks to the risk real estate professionals take when using drones for their listings. The National Association of REALTORS® has long warned that practitioners should steer clear of using drones for their business until the FAA releases solid rules on such use, which is expected by September 2015.

What To Do For The 4th of July!

While we are all excited to celebrate the Independence of our great nation, ultimately, the question always comes up, where are the best Fireworks and activities for the whole family? In the Triangle area of North Carolina, there is so much to do the problem is going to be how to get to them all!

Holly Springs - Join us for the Fuquay-Varina Independence Day Celebration a day early at South Park on Thursday, July 3rd as friends and neighbors gather to celebrate America’s birthday. Click here for more information...


 Morrisville - You don't have to wait until July 4th for fireworks in Morrisville! Kick off your Independence Day celebration with a fireworks display in Morrisville Community Park. Bring your blankets, chairs and snacks to enjoy the spectacular show on Thursday, July 3rd! Click here for more information...


Downtown Raleigh - 

• The Works - Raleigh’s Independence Day celebration kicks off at noon and goes non-stop until 11 p.m. as Downtown celebrates American freedom with 20 bands playing three stages, fun-for-all events, art for sale, fabulous food for sale, eating contests ending in fireworks – in other words it’s The ‘Works July 4th! Click here for more information...

• Red, White and Blue for You! - The Marbles Kids Museum in Downtown Raleigh is having Independence Day Play on July 4th! They'll have fizzing fireworks, sparkler hats, wacky water activities and more! Click here for more information...

• Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration - Celebrate the annual tribute to American Independence at the North Carolina State Capitol on July 4th! This family-friendly event features patriotic music, a kid's parade and more! Admission is free, and open to the public! Click here for more information...

Cary - Start your Independence Day celebrations early in Bond Park on July 4th! Come join us for a parent/child Fishing Tournament. After the tournament, get prepped for the "Parade in the Park". After the Parade, join us for family contests for all ages! Click here for more information...


Apex - Kids of all ages gather in Historic Downtown Apex on July 4th for an Olde Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration for plenty of fun! Click here for more information...

The Ranch Returns!

Widely popular in the 1950s, ranch-style homes are making a comeback among Baby Boomers, first-time buyers, and many in between. Buyers want help to understand the pros and cons to determine if this type of home is right for them.

• Aging boomers can stay put if they already live in a ranch, or they may search for one as they downsize if they want to avoid stairs. Boomers who are still active also find it’s a good choice if they want to bring an older family member to live with them, says Jeff Tanenbaum, salesperson with Halstead Property in New York.

• Mid-century aficionados view some ranches as an extension of that style, particularly when they have a brick facade. The best examples may also include solid hardwood floors, steel casement windows, interior brick work, and a fireplace. In fact, some savvy salespeople market ranches as mid-century homes to take advantage of the design trend’s popularity.

• First-time buyers consider it an affordable option since many are less costly to buy than comparably sized two-story houses. Whether they’re less expensive to heat and cool depends on construction, square footage, and layout. But many with young children also like the idea of one-level living to avoid worrying about blocking stairways with child-safety gates. Furthermore, many in this generation may not have grown up in ranches, so they hold appeal as a new, novel style.

• Contemporary-loving home owners who prefer an open-style loft plan consider the ranch a way to gain that look if they can open rooms without compromising structural support. “Because older ranches usually weren't that large, it’s often not a big deal to re frame a span with beam or joist to carry the [open] load,” says New York-based architect Joe Eisner. The ranch is also relatively easy to add onto, at multiple locations if the site is large enough, says Peter Feinmann, whose eponymous design and build firm is based in the Boston area.

• Nature lovers also find ranch-style houses appealing because they can be adapted with large glazed doors to fashion good flow between outdoors and indoors, says Mark Stapp, executive director of the Masters of Real Estate development program at Arizona State University and former chairman of the board at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Foundation.

• Those who prefer the idea of a mature infrastructure that older neighborhoods provide, such as older styles of homes, mature trees, and maybe a nearby walk-able downtown with mass transit, may also find ranches a better fit than a brand-new neighborhood.

• Older ranches generally were constructed with low 8-foot-high ceilings versus today’s more popular 9-foot-high and taller heights, says Eisner. It can be expensive to raise a roof.

• It also can be expensive to add onto since building a foundation or slab may be pricier than constructing a second story, says architect Alexander Kolbe of EvoDomus in Cleveland.

• They may be less energy-efficient than more compact styles, unless they don’t sprawl, says Feinmann.  

• Some occupy small lots, though the tight property size can be a boon for those who don’t want to spend time and money on yard maintenance.

• Some lack basements and attics, which are good for storm safety and extra storage and permit easy expansion.

Dating back to the 1920s but associated more with housing for burgeoning suburbs after World War II, the one-level, ranch-style home is now becoming the “it” property for a variety of reasons.

Its original appeal stemmed from being quick to build and affordable to buy as home owners gravitated to the suburbs to raise families. However, the ranch style fell from favor in more recent decades as two-story homes and mega-mansions started to turn heads. Many home buyers began to view the ranch as poor man’s housing. But now, many are actively looking for them. One reason for their resurgence is the nicer lots many ranch homes were built on in the ’50s and ’60s. Another reason ranches are becoming more popular is that the price point often offers more 'bang for the buck'. Home owners often re-model upon move in, most times to gain a master suite as some early designs didn't include an en-suite with the master bedroom.

Here are other reasons ranch appeal is up in many parts of the country:

While ranches offer many pluses, here are some points that potential buyers should be aware of:

As with any trend, the ultimate irony may be that the stock could eventually be tougher to find, not only because more buyers are seeing its advantages, but also because the wrecking ball continues to demolish some ranches that have survived.

If you are interested in finding your dream home, or selling your current home, Keller Williams Realty Cary has 176 real estate agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial properties. Give us a call today to speak to a real estate professional at 919-882-3200.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or are looking to grow your current real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton at 919-882-3229 to set up a free consultation or visit our website for more information today!

4 Trends in Real Estate Right Now

The 48th annual conference for the National Association of Real Estate Editors, held recently in Houston, provided a snapshot of emerging trends in the real estate market. 

1.      With obesity an ever-growing problem in the United States, access to fitness facilities and outdoor recreation is taking on increasing importance. According to Will Holder of Trendmaker Homes, buyers now favor communities that have trails winding through them over golf-course developments. 

2.    In the multifamily niche, more and more projects are accommodating occupants' desire for parks, grooming, and sitting services for their pets. 

3.    There's a growing tendency for young people discouraged by tight underwriting standards to stick with renting instead of buying.

4.    Current home owners are increasingly keeping and renting out properties with ultra-low mortgage rates rather than put them up for sale when they are ready to buy another house.

If you are interested in buying your dream home, or selling your home for the most value, Keller Williams Realty Cary has 176 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial real estate.

If you are looking for a career in Real Estate or looking to grow your real estate business, call Team Leader, Bill Middleton for a free, confidential consultation today at 919-882-3229 or for more information, visit our website today!

6 Yard Care To-Dos For New Homeowners

Home owners will be off to a good start with their new yards by following these important “move-in” steps. First and foremost, members of The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national landscape industry association, recommend making safety a priority for your yard by doing the following:

1. Do a walk-thru of the yard and check for any dangers. Inspect the trees and evaluate the health of mature ones. One of the greatest assets in a yard are mature trees — they not only provide beauty but also shade and significant cooling to the home. Make note of any trees that don’t look healthy, may be diseased, leaning or are too close to the house. Consult with a licensed arborist to assess the health of your trees.
2. Evaluate the hardscape. Make sure any hardscape areas – stone or retaining walls, concrete or brick patios, tile paths, or wooden decks — are not heaving or creating tripping hazards.
3. Inspect the drainage around the house. The drainage should not cause any water to stand near or next to the foundation, which will prevent saturation of the soil and affect the foundation.
4. Make a plan to perform routine maintenance and clean up. Clean up any brush or debris in the yard. Weeding and mulching is an inexpensive way to make a yard look great; it also provides health benefits to the plants. Consider planting annuals to add some color and impact to the yard. Learn about your plants and shrubs and how to best take care of them.
5. Check the soil. The soil is the foundation of everything in the yard — grass, plants and trees depend on healthy, well-balanced soil to flourish. Composting will improve the soil. Your lawn care professional or a DIY soil kit available at home improvement and lawn/garden centers can test the soil’s condition.
6. Study the PLAT map. The PLAT is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of the piece of land; this is helpful for any restrictions that could prevent home additions.

If you are looking for your dream home, or need to sell your house, Keller Williams Realty Cary has 170 agents who specialize in residential, luxury and commercial properties. To talk to an agent, call our office today at 919-882-3200.

If you are interested in a career in Real Estate or are looking to grow your current real estate business, contact Team Leader, Bill Middleton today at 919-882-3229 or visit our website!

Find Your Cary Dream Home TODAY! FREE Home Search!

FREE home search! Find your dream home today! We specialize in Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, and Raleigh areas.

Your Local Real Estate Connection

Get a positive, helpful partner for buying or selling a home:

• Trusted resource for answers about the process
• Innovative marketing strategies
• Expertise about neighborhood features
• Ability to target home searches
• Strong negotiation skills
• Support through the closing and beyond

 

Keller Williams Realty Cary

Office: 919-882-3200

Keller Williams Realty Cary
201 Shannon Oaks Cir.
Cary, NC 27511