ypn default feature image

Don’t Be Afraid to Reset and Start Over…

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Professional Development Leave a Comment

By Chris Nichols I love the game of golf! Many lessons can be learned from the sport; and one was learned poignantly on Sunday at the Master’s in Augusta, Ga. Phil Mickelson was within striking distance of the lead in the final round when he was faced with a difficult decision due to an errant tee shot. The choice he …

ypn default feature image

The Curse of the Time Sucker

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Working with Clients 7 Comments

By Melissa Krchnak We all have pieces of our business that can suck our time away from being successful: meetings that don’t feel productive, emptying our inbox, conflict resolution, admin tasks, and chatting with our friends and colleagues. Just yesterday I encountered the worst of the time sucker, the commitment-phobe. This particular person is an over-analyzer who uses that as …

ypn default feature image

Minding the Gap

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Consumer, Helpful Tools, Professional Development, Sales & Marketing 1 Comment

By Jason O’Neil One of the places where I have focused my business is on referrals and past clients. This isn’t unique. But the way I look at it is unique, and it has to do with what I call “The Gap.” Here’s what I mean: According to NAR, in 2011, 69 percent of all sellers said that they definitely …

ypn default feature image

“Why Didn’t I Say That!?”

Blog Contributor communication, Helpful Tools, Professional Development 1 Comment

By Anand Patel We’ve all been there before:  You’re at an important meeting and asked a question that you just can’t seem to formulate the perfect answer to on the spot. But, 30 minutes later, on your way home as you replay the meeting in your mind you come up with numerous things you wish you had said earlier.  Now …

ypn default feature image

Taking an Active Role Within Your Association is Easier Than You Think

Blog Contributor Helpful Tools, Personal Fulfillment, Professional Development, YPN Events 1 Comment

By Brooke Wolford I recently had a meeting for the Metro YPN committee of the St. Paul Association of REALTORS®.  Ron Covert, chief executive officer, joined us to see what was going on with our newly-revamped YPN. One of the questions he asked us was, “How do we get the younger generation involved with the association?”  Seems like a relatively …

ypn default feature image

Maximizing Your Website’s ROI

Blog Contributor Helpful Tools, Professional Development, Technology & Social Media 2 Comments

By Ryan Gervais The first thing almost every new REALTOR® is told when they get in the business is to get a website. New agents usually ask their broker or fellow agents where to go to fulfill this seemingly important task, and they usually choose an out-of-the-box template solution. These cookie-cutter solutions do offer the convenience of getting up and …

ypn default feature image

How to Communicate by Actually Having a Conversation

Blog Contributor communication, Technology & Social Media 3 Comments

By Jared James I was thinking about our culture recently in this time of voicemails, emails, and social media, and it appears that everyone has a greater desire to communicate, but a lesser desire to actually have conversation.Believe it or not, communication and conversation are two completely different things. The actual definition of the word “communicate” is the activity of …

ypn default feature image

A Real Inspiration

Blog Contributor communication Leave a Comment

By Hilary Hale Brown I had the pleasure of spending most of a recent afternoon with Avis Wukasch.  For those of you unfamiliar with this vivacious woman, Texas Real Estate Commissioner, and 2012 Texas REALTOR® of the Year, I highly recommend spending a few moments to read her bio online.  She reminds us all of what we can accomplish in …

ypn default feature image

REALTOR(R) University’s Graduate School is Open for Business!

Blog Contributor Classes & Education, Professional Development 1 Comment

REALTOR® University launched its first Master of Real Estate course, Real Estate Law (RE520), on February 27. The Master of Real Estate curriculum emphasizes the practical skills and concepts the real estate industry demands from real estate professionals and blends theory with real-world applications. Even if you missed the first class, four eight-week sessions remain in 2012. The next session …

ypn default feature image

How Do You Know When it’s Time to Hire an Assistant?

Blog Contributor Business Challenges, Helpful Tools, Managing Your Office, Professional Development, Work/Life Balance 1 Comment

By Alex Milshteyn I am writing this 30,000 feet in the air as I fly to St. Louis, Mo., where I’ll be participating in a “30 Under 30” panel discussion during the St. Louis Association of REALTORS®’ YPN second anniversary celebration. As I’m writing this, I feel very little stress, which is a giant contrast from just a few years …