Perrin's North Central Washington Real Estate Blog

Here is a story that in todays climate it is impossible to believe. But it did happen... it was a different time and expectations were different. I use it to illustrate how things have not only changed but continue to evolve...usually for the better.In 1974 I was a VP with a large regional mortga...

Do you maintain a sphere of influence list, client list or mailing list? Is there a difference?You bet there is!When we first start out we are advised to create a sphere of influence. This is a list of people we could be expected to mail or contact about Real Estate and get at least a familiar re...

I had a buyers agency relationship (written).There was a property that my buyer was interested in and it was listed by a discount firm that only offered 1% to the buyers agent. They also let the seller do all their own negotiation (high level of service).I was able to negotiate a price 3% under t...

We are in a profession that from time to time suffers a loss of a Realtor due to some creepo out there that decided on an apparently easy target. There are lots of things we can do to make our jobs safer and NOT turn clients away. But do we? Here are a few ideas:  New client? Always meet at the o...

I track my source of leads. Logging each...referrals, sign calls, floor calls, internet, etc. Partly from curiosity and partly from wanting to concentrate my advertising dollars where they do the most good. In my case I find (as I am sure many others do) I spend the largest percentage of $$ (abou...

I got in a discussion the other day with another agent. I wanted to use the words "and assigns" following a persons name. The reason being the individual was in the process of forming a couple business entities and was unsure, without talking with their tax person, whether or not to take title in...

There is a hidden jewel in Wenatchee. Anyone interested in locating to Wenatchee or already living here should take the time to get acquainted with The Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee.Built about 5 years ago for approximately $7MMin public and private funds it is a treasure to the local commu...

Recently, on one of my blogs, someone mentioned "niche marketing".  As the market is getting bigger, rules are getting more complex and clients are demanding more, there has been a growth in the so call niche marketing adherents. A few years ago we would simply have called someone a specialist. O...

Finance Today's 50-plus adults account for: More than $2 trillion in incomeOver 50% of discretionary spending power - 2.5 times average per capita80% of personal wealth in financial institutions50% of all discretionary income - $13,286 per householdIn addition, the 50-plus: Own over 70% of the fi...

First I am a bit of an anachronism. Also more than a little traditional. With that said, my question is do we, or should we dress for success?I think the old saying "the clothes make the man (or now woman)" still has validity. Our business we are meeting strangers and first impressions are import...