There Are Compliments and There are Compliments

     I enjoy getting complimentary emails but this one was special.
Hello, everyone. This is Bryan White from your 63-hour real estate exam class at Climer School of Real Estate. I hope you all had great success in passing the real estate exam, and I hope you are all having fantastic success with your new real estate license. I wanted to drop you all a quick note to let you know just how great Ron's 45 hour course is. To put it bluntly, the post-license course practically puts the pre-license course to shame. When Ron's not teaching for the test, he lets loose in a way that you really get to learn. The other thing that I found really neat is the level of interaction between the students. We were there learning together in order to pass a test, but in the post-license course, you will be there to learn success principles. I have studied the sales process and sales techniques for the past several years before coming to the logical conclusion that being a real estate agent was the right choice for me. Everything that Ron taught, from the basics to the more advanced sales techniques, was spot on. Everything, while well-explained enough for someone hearing it the first time, was at the same time an addition to everything I have learned.

While you're waiting for the class to begin, start preparing a presentation to give to the class. It doesn't have to be long, but have fun putting it together, and make it entertaining and educational. What could you do? Well, Mary performed her listing presentation for selling customers; Jeff showed us how he works with his real estate license in the business brokerage side of the business. Denzel showed us how to forge checks and more importantly make sure checks we write don't become altered by scammers. I gave a presentation on hypnosis and sales. Litza gave a demonstration of the importance of body language and non-verbal communication. Shawn showed us several iPhone apps that are great for real estate agents to have. In short, you never know what you will learn by attending Ron's 45 hour post-license course.

I have already decided that in February, I will be attending again. I can't wait to see who will be in that class, and I think taking it again will be beneficial for several reasons: Within an hour in class I could tell that no two post-license classes are ever the same, and honestly I think it will be great to get some success under my belt as a REALTOR, then come back for a check up from the neck up. It's also a fantastic place to make contacts, because most of the people taking the class are there as established professionals... Why wouldn't you want other friends in the business? I hope to see some or all of you there. From my experience, it was a great time, a whole lot more fun for everyone, if only because the nature of the class is not to pass a test. I hope you'll join me. It is wonderful to know that all the education that I take between now and January of 2016 is for my benefit and not because I have to do it to keep my license.

Also, please respond to this e-mail and let everyone know what you are doing now. I would love to know, and I would love to keep contact with each of you so that we can all help our own and each other's businesses. I'll start.

I passed the exam August 1. From there I immediately went and hung my license at Z House Realty Group, where the person who helped my wife and me buy our house is taking me on as a sort of apprentice. I have taken training and am BPO certified, though I am quickly finding out that the banks want someone with two years of sales experience. The good news is that I have other agents to work with and we will be doing it as a team so that we can get REO listings. I am also applying Ron's techniques to be able to get myself in front of FSBO sellers, and I am starting to use something he taught in class to find foreclosure victims, so that I can help them avoid the consequences of foreclosure that no one talks about, but are much worse than the foreclosure itself. It's really a great feeling when you all but save someone's life and future, and stand to profit from doing so. Talk about a win/win situation.

So, there's my 30-second update. What is yours?

I look forward to hearing from all of you!

In Real Estate, Your Phone Voice Is Important

     You have done the hard part.  You have advertised.  You have written blog posts.  You have attracted customers to your webpage.  The phone is ringing.

     Do not mess up now.  Rule number one is answer the phone.  If you want to know what your customers want, just ask yourself what you want when you are a customer.  Which do you prefer when you call a business; a machine or a person?  I think we can all agree that a person is the best way for a business to have their phone answered. 

     Just as people will leave your website if they can't find the answers to their questions, they will quickly say goodbye if they can not get their questions answered on the phone.  Know the answers to the questions.  "When is your next class?"  What do I have to do to get a Florida real estate license?"  "Do you have a military discount?" When people ask questions, know the answers. 

     Often, it is necessary to ask clarifying questions.  Make them short, sweet and to the point.  "When is your next class?"  "Do you want a day class or a night class?"  Add necessary information to your answer.  "Our next day class is October 22.  It starts at 8 A. M. The tuition is $220.  Did you want to enroll in that class?"

     Learn to gently close.  Did you recognize,"Do you want to enroll in that class?" as a closing question?  In real estate that might sound like, " Yes it has a pool.  Would you like to see that home now or would this afternoon be more convenient for you?"  People do not mind being closed if they are ready to buy.  The best way to find out if they are ready to buy is to ask a closing question.

     Be pleasant.  There is no excuse for a tone of voice or words that indicate you are annoyed by the caller.  The caller is your potential customer.  The caller has called in hope of becoming your customer.  There is no reason to be anything other than super pleasant. 

     If the customer's lack of knowledge about your product or procedure is annoying, keep that information to yourself.  If you ascertain by your conversation with the caller that they are not a prospect  for your product, that is not an excuse to to be short or rude with your words or tone of voice.  Just nicely say,"I don't think we can help you today.  If you ever do need a real estate class, please call us back. Thank you for your call."

     Answer the phone when it rings.  Give the caller the information they want.  Ask them to buy.  Be nice.  Your business will flourish. 

Florida Real Estate License Expirations

     Twenty Five per cent of the Florida real estate licenses expire on September 30th.  Look at your Florida real estate license.  Your expiration date is right on the face of the real estate license.  Is this important?  Yes.  Have you read my article, " The $12500 Idea" ?  http://ronclimer.blogspot.com/2012/07/real-estate-idea-worth-12500.html 

     If you haven't read that article, it is the story of a real estate agent that did not get his earned commission because his Florida real estate license has expired without his awareness.  I don't want to beat a dead horse but I feel a need to write an article about this every late September and late March.  Florida real estate licenses expire March 31st and September 30th. That is the only two days that Florida real estate licenses expire. 

     You can put a reminder on your phone or computer to remind you of these expiration dates.  I think that is a good idea. 

     I am certain that if someone refused to pay you a commission because your Florida real estate license had expired and was not current and active, you would be upset.  You would be upset but you would have no legal recourse. Pay attention to your expiration date.  Take your required continuing education.  Renew your Florida real estate license on time. 

     If we can help you or answer any questions, contact us at 407 822 3926 or www.climerrealestateschool.com .

Can I Depend On You To Pick Me Up On Time

     At Climer School of Real Estate, people are often dropped off for class by a friend or relative.  This is because the student doesn't have a car or doesn't have a driver's license.  Can I depend on you to pick me up on time?  The keyword is depend.  When you accept the responsibility to pick someone up from an event, it is more than important that you show up on time.  It is imperative that you show up on time. 

     When I teach night real estate classes, I always ask the students, the first night of class, if anyone is being picked up by a friend or relative.  Our classes end at 9:50.  I tell these students to tell their friend that we end at nine o'clock.  I have discovered that many of the friends and relatives are late.  I usually go into a long soliloquy about how and why I will not wait around in the cold empty parking lot with you after class when whoever is supposed to pick you up is late.  I go on and on about how dark and spooky it is in the parking lot at ten oclock. 

    I encouage these people to ask around and see if they have a classmate that lives near to them and would be willing to drop them off instead of their friend picking them up. 

     In thirty years of teaching. I am amazed how many people are late when picking up a friend or relative.  This is unforgiveable.  When you have been charged responsibility of picking someone up, you can't be late.  Triple that if the person being picked up is a child. 

     If you are late, your loved one is in a dark, empty parking lot alone.  What is worse than alone?  What if one of your loved ones classmates agreed to wait in the cold empty parking lot with your loved one?  Who is that person?  Who knows.  Be on time.  Better yet, be early.  It is really important. 

     Promptness is always important.  In this case it is more than important.  It is imperative. www.climerrealestateschool.com

Florida Real Estate License Review Class on Video

     At Climer Schook of Real Estate, we teach our two day Florida real estate exam review.  Many people call this the cram course.  It is exactly what an applicant needs to pass the very difficult Florida real estate exam given by Pearson Vue. 

     When I say this test is difficult, I mean the pass rate is fifty per cent.  The Department of Business and Professional Regulation publishes the statistics every month.  Check it out at http://ronclimer.hubpages.com/hub/The-Florida-Real-Estate-Exam-Pass-Fail-Rate-For-July-2012 .  The pass rate for first time takers was 51% and second time takers was worse than that. 

     One of the problems is not the difficulty of the Florida real estate exam, but the lack of preparation of the people taking the test.  People hate to study.  They hate to attend classes.  We know that at Climer School of Real Estate.  The problem is the material is dull and most real estate instructors present it in a manner that makes it even more dull. 

     If you sat through a dull boring pre license class with an instructor that doesn't really know what is on the Florida real estate exam, you have a disadvantage.  If you took an online real estate class where all you did was read material and answer quiz questions, you don't really know what is important and not important.  If you took a online real estate course from a NOT Florida real estate school, you have an even larger disadvantage.  You have probably been studying stuff that is not even on the Florida real estate exam. 

      What is the solution?  The solution is my two day state exam review class.  If you are near Orlando, come take it in person.  If you are not near Orlando, we sell my two day review class on video discs.  I came into my classroom at the Rosemont Building in Orlando, by myself.  I taught this two day class to a empty room and a video camera.  We put it on seven video discs and you can purchase this.  You don't have to attend class.  You don't have to raise your hand if you want me to repeat something. 

     We already have this on audio discs.  Now we have it on video discs.  May I suggest this?  Go to You Tube.  My user name is Climer School.  Watch my free real estate math videos.  You need this information to pass the Florida real estate exam.  You will not see any math on the Florida real estate exam that is not on one of these nine videos.  This is free.  If these videos do you any good and it looks like I know what I am talking about , invest in the other seven videos and learn the rest of what you need to learn to pass the Florida real estate exam. 

     If we can help you pass the Florida real estate exam, contact us at 407 822 3926 or www.climerrealestateschool.com . 

The Best Real Estate School in Orlando, Florida

     How could we determine which is the best real estate school in Orlando?  I suppose we could go to Google and read the Google reviews for the schools in Orlando.  I suppose we could go to You Tube and watch the nine real estate math videos that Climer School of Real Estate has posted there.  As you watch those math videos, you might ask yourself,"Does this guy know what he is talking about?". 

     Another way we could figure out who is the best real estate school in Orlando is to ask around.  Ask some rookie Realtors where they went to real estate school and would they recommend that school. Call any real estate office and ask the receptionist to let you speak to the new guy.  While you have the new guy on the phone, ask him how he likes working there. 

     At Climer School of Real Estate, we teach a two day Florida real estate exam review.  Many people call this the state exam cram course.  This course is not required by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to get a Florida real estate license.  Everyone that takes this class  is just taking this cram course to learn information to prepare for the Florida real estate exam given by Pearson Vue. 

     Many people, after they have failed the Florida real estate exam once or twice, start looking for this class.  You don't have to do much research to find out where the best real estate exam preparation class in Orlando is.  It is at 5104 N. Orange Blossom Trail. 

     Some people want to take this Florida real estate exam preparation class but they don't have time.  Some people need to take this class but they live in Jacksonville or Miami or Tampa or Pensacola or Destin or Fort Meyers or Saint Petersburg or some place that is too far to drive to Orlando.  We have a solution for this problem.  I have put the entire real estate exam prep class on video.  I also have it on audio discs.  Call Kathy at 407 822 3926 if you want to pass the Florida real estate exam next time but you can't attend class.  Contact Kathy at www.climerrealestateschool.com .

     We get many students in this class that have already taken the Florida Real Estate Commission Course I that is required to get your Florida real estate license.  Maybe they took that real estate course online from a NOT Florida school.  At Climer School of Real Estate , we teach you what you need to know in this class to pass the Florida real estate exam.  I know that because many of my students leave the required  class one day and go pass the Florida real estate exam the next day.  We teach you what you need to know to pass the Florida real estate exam.  If we can help you pass the Florida real estate exam, contact us. 

Free Real Estate License For Recent Military Veterans

     The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has a new attractive offer for recent military veterans.  If a recent military veteran wants to apply for a Florida real estate license, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation  will waive the one hundred and five dollar fee that is required for a Florida real estate license. 

    Here is Joel Roman, a recent U.S. Navy veteran in our pre license class                                          At Climer School of Real Estate we thought we should take a hint from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  We added a discount for recent military veterans for our pre license course that is required to get your Florida real Estate license.  Our tuition is already the cheapest in Orlando.  Our Florida pre license course is only $220, which includes the text book. Recent military veterans get it even cheaper than that.   Check out our website at www.climerrealestateschool.com  or check out the DBPR's website at  http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/VeteransServices.html .  For more information, call Kathy at 407 822 3926

Selling Real Estate is Dangerous, Be Safe

     Personal safety is paramount.  If your personal safety is in jeopardy, everything else is a detail.  Selling real estate, by it's nature, is dangerous.  This is not alarming news.  It is just news.  We are constantly meeting strangers.  We are often in empty houses. 

     Your first protection is awareness.  I never cover this at Climer School of Real Estate in real estate licensing class.  I doubt that any other real estate instructor covers this issue in their class.  It is mentioned very briefly in The Association of Realtors orientation class.  There are a lot of things that we can do to be more safe.  We are kinda like a person that has never been in a boat.  How would this person know that a life preserver is a good thing.  They would not know this.  Someone would have to tell this rookie boater to wear a life preserver.  Selling real estate is dangerous.  Know this and take measures to be prepared.  Here is a couple of suggestions if things go badly.

     Carry a knife.  Why would a lady NOT have a knife in her purse?  It doesn't take up much room.  I prefer a folding knife.  A lady can easily carry a small hunting knife in a sheath in her purse or a folding knife.  I carry a Kershaw knife in my pocket all the time. 

     Another wonderful thing is a flashlight.  At Lowes, you can buy a metal Mag Lite.  Anytime you are going into an empty house, with or without a prospect, take your Mag Lite with you.  It is like a club that shines.  Get yourself one.  Put it in your car.  Carry it with you when you show or inspect houses. 

     Pepper spray is another non lethal choice for personal protection. You can put this on your key chain.  This is not a toy.  If people see this on your key chain, they will not toy with you.

     Anytime you are in a dangerous situation, any of these three things would probably be enough to give you a few seconds to get away.  All you need to do is get away. 

     Don't be defenseless.  Don't be a victim.  In a boat, wear a life preserver.  In a car, wear a seat belt.  On a motorcycle, wear a helmet.  In a dangerous situation, prepare yourself .

     www.climerrealestateschool.com

Please Don't Interrupt Me

     If there is any doubt in your mind that it is rude to interrupt people when they are talking, please take my word for it.  It is rude.  It is extremely rude.  Yet, people do it all the time.  They do it in social situations.  They do it in sales situations.  They do it in classrooms.  Here is my advice. Don't do it.   Do not interrupt people when they are talking unless the building is on fire.  Don't interrupt your boss.  Don't interrupt your customer.  Don't interrupt your spouse.  Don't interrupt your kids.

     If the purpose of you conversation is to persuade or to sell a product or service, interrupting is counter productive.  If the purpose of your conversation is to display your lack of manners and couth, go ahead, interrupt. 

     If you think about this, you are not learning when you are talking.  The secret to sales success is to learn what your customer wants and show him how your product will help him get it.  If your customer has a urge to talk and tell you something that will lead you closer to a sale, do not interrupt him and start talking about your product.  Let them talk. Do not interrupt. 
     You need to realize that the first step to learning this vital skill is awareness.  Most people do not realize how much they interrupt others.  Start paying attention to other people in a social conversation. 
People interrupt other people all the time.  It is rude.  Part of awareness is to recognize that it is rude.

     The second part of the problem is patience.  Today's society has no patience.  Develop patience.  It is a highly regarded personality trait.  Listen to the other guy.  Let him talk.  Listen to the other guy with patience.  As you start to develop skill at this, you will be amazed.  People don't always say what you thought they were going to say.  If you don't develop the patience to listen to other people, you will never know this. 

     Another part of the problem is many people don't care what other people think of them.  They believe it is not important.  We call this arrogance and other synonyms.  In a society, what other people think of you is important.  If you find yourself with a slight amount of arrogance, work on getting rid of it.  It does not help you achive your goals.

     Be aware.  Be patient.  Don't interrupt your next customer. 

      www.climerrealestateschool.com    

Online Florida Real Estate Course at Bargain Prices

     Online Florida real estate courses are part of the territory today.  A lot of people are taking their required Florida real estate course online.  If you want to get a Florida real estate license, you have to take the Florida real estate course online or in a classroom.  If a person doesn't have the time to sit in a classroom for sixty hours, taking your Florida real estate course online makes a lot of sense.

     You can learn what you need to know from an online real estate course.  It has been my observation that most online  real estate courses teach you more information than you need to pass the Florida real estate exam.  That is because many real estate schools that are teaching Florida real estate courses online are not only teaching you what you need to know to pass the Florida real estate exam, they also teach you a lot of stuff from other states that you don't need to know.  It is hard enough to learn what you need to know to pass the Florida without learning what is on other states tests.

     Since it has become possible to teach the Florida real estate course online, many people teaching these Florida real estate courses have never even been to Florida.  They are not Florida real estate schools.  They come to Florida, get a real estate school permit and start teaching" online Florida real estate courses" at bargain prices. 

     Climer School of Real Estate, my school, has been teaching Florida real estate courses before the internet was invented.  I know what is on the Florida real estate exam.  I know because I have been studying the Florida real estate exam for thirty years.  I teach it.  I know it.  I understand it.

     If you take your Florida real estate course online with Climer School of Real Estate, you will learn what is on the Florida real estate exam.  We are not approved to teach classes in any state except Florida.  If you are taking your real estate exam in any other state, we have no help to offer you.  In Florida you can not find a better school than Climer School of Real Estate.  We only have a real estate school permit in Florida.  We do have a real estate school permit in Florida.  Before you sign up to take a Florida real estate course online, be certain the real estate school has a Florida real estate permit.  Check them out at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's website, www.myfloridalicense.com .  Also, read their Google reviews.  You can read our Google reviews at www.climerrealestateschool.com .  Also, find out if there is a fee to retake the exam if you fail it the first time.  Also you need to know if they are teaching you a bunch of stuff that is not on the Florida test.  Unfortunately, there is no way for you to know that.

     Your best bet is to take the Florida real estate course in a classroom in person instead of an online real estate course.  Often this is not possible.  Do a little research before you choose a Florida online real estate course at a Florida real estate school.  The more research you do, the more likely you will choose Climer School of Real Estate for your required Florida real estate course.

     No matter where you choose to take your required Florida real estate course online or in a classroom, we have addtionial online help to help you pass your Florida real estate exam given by Pearson Vue.  We have free real estate math videos on You Tube to help you pass the Florida real estate exam.  Watch these.  If you are taking the Florida real estate exam, these nine math videos will help you pass the first time. Here is the link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gbrphik9Tw&list=UUyBcLU3Ccx-ZxAyemcXWd1w&  index=39&feature=plcp   Good luck.  If we can help you pass the Florida real estate exam, call us.

If You Are Trying To Decide For Whom To Vote.

     Yesterday, we went to see the new movie,"2016".  It is a better description of Barrack Obama.  I think after seeing this movie, I have a better understanding of our current president. 

     If you have not seen this movie, take time to go see it.  It is definitely worth the price of admission.  Understanding Obama's background has helped me in understanding where our country is headed under Obama's leadership.  The main theme of the movie is to show the progress he can make between now and 2016.  Check it out.

Fill The Ice Trays, If You Want A Cold Drink

       Kathy and I just took a week off at our vacation house in Tryon, North Carolina.  This is a fabulous house.  It has a Viking stove and a Sub Zero refrigerator with no ice maker.   It has no ice maker.  We have ten ice trays in the freezer.  Remember that.  I am sure many young people can not remember NOT having an ice maker.  If you don't have an ice maker, you have to fill the ice trays with water so you will have ice when you are thirsty and you want a cold drink. 

     This is so much like selling real estate.  Filling the ice trays with water is prospecting.  If you don't fill the ice trays with water, when you want a cold drink, there is no ice.  What do most people do?  They complain, "There is no ice.".  You did not fill the ice tray this morning.  Of course there is no ice.  This is called a natural consequence. 

     What I like to do is this.  Did I tell you we rent this house out through VRBO?   http://www.vrbo.com/361170#ownerprofile  When we arrive there is usually ten empty ice trays in the freezer.  I do not understand why people put empty ice trays in the freezer.  If you know the answer to this mystery, leave me a comment and enlighten me.  I know for certain that people do this.  Where was I?  I fill the ten empty ice trays with water.  Several hours later, we have ice.  When I get  thirsty, I go to the freezer and fix myself a cold drink.  I like to empty three trays of ice into a plastic bowl and leave it in the freezer.   Then there is ice available anytime you want it.   That way the ice is almost as convenient as having a ice maker.  I fill those trays with water and return them to the freezer. 

     This works fine as long as only Kathy and I are at the house.  When we have other guests, sometimes they don't understand how the ice gets in the plastic bowl.  When the plastic bowl is empty,  you need to fill it with ice and refill the ice tray with water.  If you don't, we will have an ice crisis.  It seems so obvious to me.  It is not.  Many people have a hard time figuring this out.  They can only understand that there is no ice.  Why is there no ice?  There is no ice because no one filled  the bowl with ice and refilled the tray with water. 

     This is selling real estate.  If you have no closing scheduled for this week, what is the problem?  More importantly, what is the solution?  Look and see if there is ice in the tray.  Ice in the tray is listings. Ice in the plastic bowl is pendings.   Do you have any?  Do you have enough?  You can check your MLS and find out what per cent of the listing in your MLS will go under contract this month.  This is a statical fact.  If there is ice in the trays empty it into the bowl and refill the trays.  What is filling the trays with water?  It is prospecting for listings.  Are you prospecting?  Are you complaining because there is no ice?  There will always be an ice crisis if you don't fill the trays with water. You have to prospect for new listings.  Get focused on prospecting.  That is where sucess starts.  Put some water in the ice tray.  Emptying ice from the trays to the bowl is marketing.  You have to market your listings.  You have to market yourself. 

     There is no free lunch.  There is no icemaker.  The water doesn't jump in the tray.  The ice doesn't jump in the bowl.  It starts with prospecting.  Contact some prospects.  Put some water in the ice tray.  You will have ice when you want a cold drink.

     If I can help you learn prospecting skills contact me at www.climerrealestateschool.com