Mike Hughes' Blog

  Today we are hearing that identity theft is on the rise.  Yesterday I read an article in our local paper about a landlord and prior tenant that had a dispute over $200 in back rent. The prior tenant alleges that his previous landlord took his credit and personal information and posted it on a s...

Markets are not nearly as logical as one would expect them to be.  The stock market, the commodities market... even the real estate market.  Don't get me wrong, the DO move based on logic and reason, and they appear to be very logical... but there is a HUGE component that isn't logical... There a...

A recent meeting with some homeowners who plan to list their home in this market was impressive. The listing presentation was conversational and interactive, rather than a canned, page by page treatise on me, my company and all the wonderful things I can offer - blah blah blah. No one cares and I...

Have you ever heard or read something that left you scratching your head because it seemed to be "unfinished."  Or perhaps the content seemed to have no connection whatsoever to the title or topic?  Do you ever reach the end of a lecture or a blog post and think to yourself, "So what?" If you don...

The evolution of Real Estate sales is an ongoing process. As I look back at the many changes ( most for the good ) I wonder where we might be in another 10 or 20 years. The first day I walked into my office now some 20 plus years ago I was met by the office manager. She sat me down for an intervi...

I would be curious to hear where most of your real estate leads are coming from. I get most of my Sarasota real estate leads from the internet and sphere of influence. If I was really organized and had more hours in the day I could tell you accurate percentages but unfortunately I don't. I can t...

What is Good Search ? Good Search is a search site where you can search your favorite stores online. Anything that you buy through there they donate to the charity of your choice. When you log on set up your favorite charity and everything you spend a % is given back to the charity of your choice...

(Ultimately, price always does cause the sale.  However, condition is key and staging is at the heart of condition.)I find it amazing when real estate agents say "price is what sells real estate." It's usually said within the context of "staging is a waste of time and money." We all know that pri...

In your "Starter Kit" is everything you'll need to get started here on ActiveRain.  Take your time and read through each post in the order they are listed below, this will save you hoursof frustration, anxiety, and that feeling of being overwhelmed when you first join our community.  Welcome aboa...

Are YOU Providing Value? Are YOU Providing VALUE? Just as we live our lives with certain 'moral' standards, we run our businesses based on a particular 'quality' or 'value.'   What do you base your value on?  Boosting customer service is best done by boosting customer relationships.  This is, as...