Thursday, December 6, 2012

10 ways to say thank you at work

ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 6, 2012 – The fast pace of the residential real estate industry makes it easy to take Realtors and the support staff for granted, and to overlook how they contribute to the growth and success of the overall business. For that reason, it’s important year-round, but especially over the holidays, for realty firm heads to say “Thank you” to staff and agents.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the No. 1 reason people leave their job is a lack of appreciation. For business owners, the cost of that turnover can be extremely high.

“Think about what it cost you (your time, marketing, admin support, training, etc.) to attract the last experienced agent who joined your company,” an article in RISMedia says. The article then lists 10 ways to say thank you beyond the always-welcome cash bonus.

One of the easiest ways to say thank you is to give a handwritten, personalized thank-you note to each staff member and agent. In each, highlight the one thing they bring to the company that you appreciate most.

Another idea: Send a companywide e-mail reflecting on the positive events of the past year, with a note on they ways staff and agents contributed to the company’s success.

Some bosses buy flowers or a seasonal plant for the people who answer the phones and work the realty offices’ front desk. This makes the office look nicer, too.

Other suggestions range from having a potluck meal at the office or ordering food if the budget allows; closing the office early the day before the holidays; and recognizing top-performing Realtors and employees with awards.

Finally, the article suggests that thanking staff should last all year. “Make being thankful a part of your company’s culture moving forward and find ways to regularly appreciate the good work that your team is doing.”

Source: RISMedia (12/02/12)

© Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
 

Real estate field attracts younger agents

MIAMI – Dec. 6, 2012 – Realty agents entering the business in South Florida are on the younger side, based on an annual survey of students by one of the region’s larger real estate schools. According to Larson Education Services, about 15 percent of its graduates this year fell between the ages of 18 and 24 – nearly double the 8 percent in 2010.

Southwest Florida is a bustling real estate hub, with more than 9,300 active agents and brokers in Lee County, 6,200 in Collier and 2,800 in Charlotte; but a growing number of them are in their 20’s and 30’s.

Many young people are attracted to the open-ended nature of property sales, with no boss to report to but themselves; and their familiarity with social media and Internet savvy gives them a bit of an edge in the field.

“They’re on top of the tech stuff,” says broker/associate Steve Koffman of Century 21 Sunbelt in Cape Coral. Koffman says about a quarter of the 18 agents on his team are under the age of 33.

Source: Fort Myers News-Press (FL) (11/15/12) Hogan, Dick

© Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
 

Old vs. new? Homebuyers reveal preferences

NEW YORK – Dec. 6, 2012 – What do home shopper prefer about new homes versus older homes? A study commissioned by BHI Inc. examined consumer preferences in new homes versus existing homes among 984 prospective buyers who plan to purchase a home within the next 12 months.

The survey found that consumers generally prefer existing homes over new homes, but many will still consider a new home offered by a builder. Seventy-five percent of the buyers say they’re considering an existing home compared to 20 percent who want a new home. Five percent say they have no preference whether the home is old or new, according to the survey.

For home shoppers who prefer existing homes, their preferences tend to be driven by the mature landscaping, larger lot sizes and sense of community that they say existing homes tend to offer. Some said established neighborhoods tend to have a “warmer inviting feel,” “better construction,” and “better privacy – homes are not on top of each other and cookie cutter.”

Homebuyers who prefer new homes tend to cite energy efficiency, the ability to customize the home to their needs, and lower maintenance costs as top drivers. Also, they say that new homes tend to offer more living space, but that may come at the expense of smaller yard and lot sizes.

Source: “Don’t Let Buyers Shop New Homes Without You,” Inman News (Nov. 14, 2012)

© Copyright 2012 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688