Online Newsletter for the Week of May 14

QUOTE: “If you are all alone at the top, you are not a leader. You are a hiker.” Dr. John Maxwell.


PAPERLESS UPDATE: As of 5/10/10, 55 folders (less than 30 days) require attention; 22 folders (more than 30 days) require attention. Some are unavoidable as the transaction is awaiting a form or two but others simply require correction.

HIGH PERFORMERS HAVE AN INTENSE INTERNAL FOCUS, article by Lew Smallwood, http://dynagroup-online.blogspot.com At this writing it will be the featured article but as Smallwood adds additional articles the most recent will appear first, you may have to scroll down to see this one. But while you are there, all of Smallwood’s articles are excellent.

HOW DOES NEW ORLEANS COMPARE TO OTHER CITIES IN TERMS OF UNOCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES? http://www.gnocdc.org/BenchmarksForBlight/

BOOKLETS/BROCHURES: I have updated the Buyer Orientation, Seller Orientation and the For Sale By Owner booklets and uploaded them to http://www.slidellcalendar.com/. They are located in the Document section under Booklets and Brochures.

WINNING BY BREAKING THE RULES, TELESEMINAR: Check it out for yourself: http://www.globalteleclass.com/spsScripts/teleclass.lasso?courseNo=special834ING.   May 18th.

NEW LEAD BASE PAINT REGULATIONS: Resource guide provides information for real estate professionals on EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The information describes the new lead paint safety practices established by the rule and what steps contractors, renovators, real estate professionals and property managers may need to take to comply with the rule. The information includes a one-page summary of the rule, two video FAQs - one for real estate brokers and one for property managers, webinar recordings, printable PowerPoint presentations and information on additional resources for lead paint disclosure and compliance. http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_main

OUT OF TOUCH OR OUT OF MIND; MAYBE BOTH. Great article by Jeffrey Gitomer as to what makes a great salesperson. http://www.gitomer.com/articles/ViewPublicArticle.html?key=ajcdMibak3OZ2Y%2FW6oCSHQ%3D%3D

SEAT BELT USE: This is the new "wear your seatbelt" ad the UK is doing - started by some guy not hired to do it, but because the cause is important to him, he came up with this idea, and now it's being hailed across the world as a beautiful' commercial. ...And now the video has become so popular with the general public that people are forwarding it to friends/family on their own so quickly that it has spread all over the world in a very short time. By the way, when you put customers in your car you should not move one inch without first making certain everyone is buckled in. If the customer has small children they should take their own car complete with proper child protection type seats. http://embracethis.co.uk//

NO PHONE ZONES: There are numerous studies that show cell phone use while driving has caused an excessive number of accidents and some of been fatal. The company policy is that you do not use your cell phone while driving; pull off the road to conduct your business. Unless you are on a long trip how much time would it add to your travels to simply stop to use your phone. Text messaging while driving is ridiculous and should never be done. Join Ophra Winfrey and take a personal VOLUNTARY no cell phone pledge while driving. The life you save may be your own not to mention mine.

DUAL AGENCY DISCUSSION: Attended a four hour CE Class on Agency in Picayune, MS and it was an extremely good course. Since this newsletter is written for both Louisiana agents and Mississippi agents it is important to point out the differences in addition to having a general discussion.

Louisiana. Louisiana is a Designated Agent state meaning the broker can designate one agent to represent a buyer and another to represent a seller. In that regard dual agency would not exist. If a listing agent also works with a buyer as a client or with representation, dual agency is created and agents must adhere to dual agency regulations.

Mississippi. Mississippi is NOT a Designated Agent state and as such when a Mississippi Market Center agent lists a property representing the seller, not only does a dual agency relationship exist with a buyer that the listing agent works with a dual agency relationship exists for ALL agents in the Market Center who represents a buyer for a Market Center listing in Mississippi. Since we have agents licensed in both states, it is very important to understand the difference and insure compliance.

Two Buyers; Same Property: Is it possible to be a dual agent when you represent two different buyers who want to buy the same property? It was suggested that it might be legally possible but as Broker I do not agree. How can you get the lowest possible price for one buyer at the consequence of the other buyer you represent? You simply cannot represent two or more buyers on the same property without also incurring a conflict of interest.

Seller Is A Related: There is no question that you cannot create a dual agency if YOU are the owner and seller of a property. You can only represent yourself and no others. But what happens if the owner of a property is a spouse, child, brother, sister, mother, father, uncle, aunt, etc. Or in other words a relationship to you? In all honesty I have never heard this before but the certified instructor said that you cannot enter a dual agency relationship when one party is a relationship of any kind. This also would apply if one spouse was a builder, designated representative of a bank, trustee for a property and the other spouse was NOT a legal owner of the company, bank, etc. In such a case, the agent could not also be a dual agent for a buyer of those properties. The buyer should be treated as a “customer” in Mississippi or in Louisiana the agent could perform ad ministerial duties for the buyer but not represent the buyer.

2011 TEE OFF FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TOURNAMENT: The date has been set. Friday, April 8, 2011 at Oak Harbor Golf Club. We will be looking for committee members for the next tournament but in the mean time EVERY associate in the Market Center can help. Start collecting local business cards from ALL types of businesses from which a Tournament Database will be created. We hope to sent out announcements before September in order that businesses desiring to offer financial assistance can get the even on their company budgets. Please put the business cards in Gymbeaux’s mailbox but make sure you put your name on the riverside side. Whenever possible any correspondence will also include the recommending agent’s name as well.  http://www.teeoffforscholarships.com/,  it will soon be updated to include the results and comments about the 2010 event.