Steve Hoffacker's "Home Sales Insights"

Nearing Halfway

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:56:20 PDT

Can you believe that the daily odometer has turned over to June? Incredible.

We have already traveled 5/6 of the first half of 2012 and 5/12 of the entire year. We aren't quite to halfway, but we can see the flag from here.

If we were playing football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, or any other game with a halftime, we'd be getting ready to go into the locker room after a few more plays and get a rundown from the coach on what we have been doing right (if anything), what we need to improve on (hopefully not everything), and what we need to focus on immediately upon starting the second half.

As we get ready to aggressively take on the second-half, we'd look at strategies and objectives. Are they realistic or do they need to be adjusted? Did we misjudge the caliber of our opponent (the marketplace or specific competition) or all we playing rather well and just need to maintain and sustain what we are doing?

There's still a whole month to go before we get to halfway. Still, we are near the point of that midyear assessment.

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For more information about my sales training, consulting, and teaching programs visit my website at stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog (Sales Quips) on the real estate network Active Rain. © 2012, Steve Hoffacker. All Rights Reserved.

Graduation Optimism

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:49:21 PDT

Coming fresh out of college, ready to apply all of that knowledge and those untested ideas, college graduates have an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm that they bring with them to the workplace.

They have a great outlook as far as what they hope to accomplish and are looking for opportunities where they can get started. They have been preparing their entire lifetimes for this moment to enter the workforce and begin making their mark.

Such enthusiasm is genuine and fun to be around. They aren't ready to jump right in and run the company but their excitement is worth having.

In my podcast message today, "Graduation Optimism" I suggest we take advantage of this fresh enthusiasm.

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Show Your Klout As You Post

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:33:30 PDT

As salespeople - especially those in real estate (new homes, resales, commercial, leasing, or remodeling) - online social networks help us to connect with each other, expand our influence, meet new people, and generate business.

Real estate salespeople generally are reluctant to embrace many of the social networks that are available. Time is a consideration, but should not deter you from have a participation plan.

You definitely should be on Active Rain, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and YouTube. All of these sites are free to have a strong, basic presence.

Then, you're ready for Klout which is a free site that takes into account your activity on these other sites plus ones like Google+, Tumblr, Blogger, Flickr, and FriendFeed and gives you a number between 0-100 to reflect your overall online stature and influence.

You quite likely have seen a small orange box with a white number in next to someone's name on Twitter or other sites. This is their Klout score. Klout even rates people who aren't members, so there is nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up.

Klout lets you give a "+K" to others (one at a time and usually up to 10 a day - although it can be less or more) to recognize their areas of expertise, such as real estate, Realtor, their city, a hobby, coffee, blogging, social media, training, and more.

I love giving out +Ks. I invite you to join the fun and get in on the action.

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Check Your Batteries

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:46:07 PDT

As we look forward to a little rest and relaxation over the summer months, it's a great time to recharge our batteries to regain our enthusiasm, excitement, drive, and focus.

How can we identify if our batteries are running down - and then do something about it?

We can't change our batteries like we do a flashlight, but we can recharge them. There are so many activities that will do this, but the primary strategy is to unplug for a little while and let the enthusiasm build back up.

In my podcast message today, "Check Your Batteries" I talk about ways to recharge ourselves over the summer and throughout the year.

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A Welcome Sign - "Made in USA"

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:20:44 PDT

It's good to see more merchandise on shelves that sport the "Made in USA" label. We used to take a lot of pride in American made items and in being able to by mostly domestically-produced items. Then it became almost impossible. Now, it's slowly coming back.

Walmart is reintroducing more products that are made in America. This was Sam Walton's theme when Walmart began. It was posted on the outside of its stores. Then to remain competitive, Walmart changed to almost all made in China. Now several brands are bearing the “Made in USA” mark - the Mainstays brand of glassware, for instance.

Nice to see this trend. It means jobs for Americans and revenue for America.

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Intensity Gets The Job Done

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Tue, 29 May 2012 09:58:23 PDT

The Miami Heat came to play last night. They rebounded, defended, and played with overall intensity. Even when their shots or free throws didn't connect, they kept focused on the game. Solid takeaway lessons for all of us.

Once again, the 3rd quarter is where they made their statement.

The doldrums that plagued them while playing Indiana in Games 2 and 3 of the last round seem to be gone - at least for now.

There was a chance that Boston, coming off a hard fought series against Philly would be primed and ready to take command of the series. There was also a chance they could be tired. There was a chance that Miami could be rested. There was a chance they could be flat.

One more game in the win column. Seven more to go for the trophy.

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Freedom Isn't Free

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:29:01 PDT

On this Memorial Day, we acknowledge the tremendous, selfless service that our men and women in uniform have give to the cause of freedom to defend what we enjoy in America.

The fact that we can own our businesses, sell a product for a profit, associate with whom we like, and so many other freedoms that we enjoy stem from the protection and defense that our armed forces provide.

We especially acknowledge the sacrifice that so many have made - not returning from the battlefield or leaving a part of themselves there. The is Memorial Day, and we remember.

In my podcast message today, "Freedom Isn't Free" we remember the cost of freedom.

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We Honor Those Who Served

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Mon, 28 May 2012 10:47:22 PDT

We remember, we honor, we won't forget!

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So Close To A Victory

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:10:12 PDT

Whether you like auto racing or not, I thinks you'll have to agree that it's exciting. There was a time when people watched it for the spectacular crashes. Now, racing is quite a bit safer than it was. Accidents still happen, but drivers often walk away.

Today's Indy 500 remembreed and paid tribute to last year's winner Dan Weldon, who unfortunately did not survive his accident last fall in Las Vegas.

Still, this race was extremely competitive and hard contested. It set a record of 35 lead changes - eclipsing a 52 year record from 1960 (29 was the old record).

When a late race crash brought out the yellow, no one pitted even though there had been some concern up until that point about having enough fuel to go the distance. No one would give up track position. It was that kind of race.

Then the final restart and more lead changes. Taking the white flag for the last lap, Franchitti was ahead, but Sato pulled along side heading into turn 1 and was prepared to take the lead and presumably the race. Then he crashed. The race was ended under yellow, and Franchitti won his 3rd Indy 500 title.

The question is this, what would we be willing to do? To make a sale? To submit a proposal? Would we be willing to crash and burn for a change to come out on top? Would it be a finish first or not finish at all moment?

Just asking.

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An Edge Really Helps

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:48:00 PDT

Having a plan is important - probably no one will dispute this. Depending on how it is formulated, it can give us a competitive advantage that will allow us to come out on top and succeed.

Last Saturday at the NASCAR All-Star Race, Jimmie Johnson was able to determine what it would take to almost guarantee a victory and put together a plan. Then he and his team executed the plan to perfection. It was a textbook case on how to analyze what needed to be done, putting together a plan, and then working the plan.

In my podcast message today, "An Edge Really Helps" I talk about the importance of having a plan and how than make all the difference in achieving success.

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Playing Like Champs

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:16:02 PDT

I like sports - especially football - for the business and sales lessons we can learn. Football season is coming but right now, basketball is the game.

As poorly as the Miami Heat played in Game 3, with D-Wade scoring no points in the first half and only 5 for the whole game, he came back in Games 4, 5, and 6. LeBron, too.

I guess anyone can half an off-game, but with the stakes what they are, and the salaries what they are, we can't really tolerate anything but a superb performance.

The Miami Heat played like champs tonight. They had a job to do, and they did it.

The Indiana Pacers were a formidable opponent, winning 2 hard fought games. Miami just happened to win 4, and that was the number needed to advance in the playoffs.

It takes 16 wins in the playoffs to claim the Larry O'Brien trophy. The Heat are halfway there with 8 wins.

Miami has home court advantage throughout the playoffs as long as the keep advancing.

Interestingly, every time the Heat scores 100 or more points in the post-season, they win. Going into the locker room at halftime, they trailed 53-51, but I knew they would score 100 and that they would win. They did.

Just watch for them to score more than 100 points in the remaining games and get ready for them to win those games. Much different from the Game 3 total of a mere 72 points.

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Preparing For Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:01:30 PDT

Summertime is a favorite season of many - with its outdoor activities and relaxed pace that accompanies it. We all remember summer as being that magical time of year when we were out of school as we were growing up.

Nevertheless, summer is a tricky time because we have to remember to work even though we might not feel like it.

While not officially here for a few weeks yet, Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the beginning of summer - running through Labor Day weekend (the other bookend of summer).

Summertime is a fun time. It's hot, it's outdoors, it's active. There is so much to do - including vacations. Let's get ready for some fun (but not neglect our work).

In my podcast message today, "Preparing For Fun" I talk about the fun times we are anticipating during summer.

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Paying Hommage To The Legends Of The Sport

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:39:10 PDT

NASCAR is not as young as some people might think.

As NASCAR announced its 5 new inductees into their Hall of Fame, the first name (Herb Thomas) won the season championship in 1951 and 1953 - before many of you reading this were born.

Back then, this was just a part-time pursuit and those were just regular cars modified for racing - hence the name "stock" cars. The drivers had other full-time jobs.

This is just the 4th class for the relatively young NASCAR Sprint Car (formerly Winston) HOF in a seasoned sport.

Congratulations to this year's class (actually the 2013 class): Herb Thomas, Leonard Wood, Rusty Wallace (55 wins and chosen in his first year of eligibility), Cotton Owens, and Buck Baker.

Just when you think all that hard work may have gone unnoticed, you get elected to the HOF.

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How Fast Is Enough?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:06:33 PDT

We live in a fast-paced world. So many things are so much faster than they were even a few years ago. Take the way we email and text, for instance.

Speed is tricky. We can harness it or be a slave to it so let's control it and not be controlled by it.

Maybe we need to step back for a minute and realize that we are fatiguing ourselves with this fast pace – that we need to factor in some down time to smell the roses and recharge. We’ll still be able to get everything important done.

In my podcast message today, "How Fast Is Enough?" I talk about the pace at which we do life and the importance of pausing now and then.

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Camping Out On Google Page One

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:58:18 PDT

Being listed on page one on Google is a goal many of us work toward. Sometimes it is so illusive.

Today was a remarkable day in that respect. Not only did I make it onto to page one, I essentially owned it for "Sales Books for Realtors." Imagine being on page one, and being #1 (out of more than 14 million results). Then add #2, #5, #6, and #8.

Thanks to everyone who has already begun using and enjoying my books. If you have yet to get one - or you know someone in real estate who could stand to improve their sales business - my books are available on my website and Amazon.

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Integrity Makes A Huge Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:40:37 PDT

Think integrity is important to our business dealings? It's everything.

When we have our integrity, we can hold our heads high. We can look everyone in the eye. We can be at peace with ourselves knowing that we are true to our values.

Consider this: "Wicked people bring about their own downfall by their evil deeds, but good people are protected by their integrity." (Proverbs 14:32 GNT).

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Miami Heat Get Back To Business

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:47:35 PDT

Miami Heat demonstrate grit. They fight back and win.

In tonight's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs in the NBA, the Miami Heat were struggling. It looked liked Indiana would have a commanding 3-1 lead going back to Miami on Tuesday.

Indiana took an 8-point lead into the locker room at halftime. In the 14 previous games this season when they had at least an 8-point lead at halftime, they had gone on to win.

Well, the 3rd quarter began the Heat's comeback. D-Wade and LeBron combined for 28 of the Heat's 30 points that quarter.

Miami went on to win by 8, and the pair combined for 70 of Miami's 101 points - a playoff record.

Big difference over the lackluster play in Game 3. Let's hope that carries over to Game 5.

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Check The Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:42:34 PDT

If you check the calendar, you'll notice there are still 11 more days until June 1st - the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic. So what's with Alberto being a named storm already? What's more, watchers are concerned about unsettled air in the Gulf that could develop.

I like it better when storms don't start until mid-late August.

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Take Time To Celebrate

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:15:03 PDT

When we have a goal or an objective - and earnestly work toward achieving it - and we get there, we need to reward ourselves with a little time off, a dinner, ice cream, or something special. It doesn't have to be expensive or particularly long, but it does need to be something. We need to acknowledge our achievement to ourselves.

It could be a graduation, competing a new book, cycling or running a specified distance in a good time, losing a certain amount of weight, winning a bid, making a sale, or anything that we have worked for and succeeded.

We just need to do something a little special to mark the occasion. Could be something as simple a quiet walk on the beach, a meal, a drink, or a golf game - alone or with friends, family, or associates. Could be a new outfit or jewelry.

In my podcast message today, "Take Time To Celebrate" I talk about the importance of commemorating an achievement.

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Showing The Way In Charlotte

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:15:04 PDT

Tonight. Jimmie Johnson joined Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Jeff Gordon- very impressive company - as the only drivers to win 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup (or Winston before that) All-Star races.

While tonight's victory by Jimmie Johnson and his Lowe's Chevrolet Team 48 at Charlotte Motor Speedway did not count in the championship points for the season, it counted for the $1,000,000 prize money, and it counted as 2 wins in a row. Last week he won #200 for owner Rick Hendrick.

Tonight. he won the first segment and gained an incredible advantage that propelled him into the lead for the final 10 lap segment. His crew won the pit crew competition on Thursday, which also factored into the strategy tonight.

In the past 13 All-Star races, Jimmie had been the only repeat winner. Until tonight, there had been 12 winners in the past 13 races. Now, he repeats again.

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Coffee Wins Again

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:34:16 PDT

What's a dark liquid with outstanding aroma served and consumed several times a day in a cup? That's right. Coffee!

Coffee is a wonderful beverage, and every attempt to prove it ain't so comes up short.

There have been many recent studies trying to show that coffee increases cholesterol and blood pressure and that it contributes to other conditions. All ended up proving that coffee had substantial health benefits of one type or another. It is a great anti-oxidant as well.

Now we find, in the largest study on coffee ever done on some 400,000 people, that coffee - for reasons not totally understood - promotes longer life. That length has not be quantified as yet - other than it has been measured in general.

It seems that there are some 1000 different chemicals and properties in coffee - most of which have not been studied.

For now, let's just raising our cup or mug - and they say that 4-5 cups a day is a good amount - although less is OK, too. Just drink it black.

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Remembering Those Who Remember Us

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:47:56 PDT

A big, heartfelt thank you to all who served, to all who are currently serving, and to those who may someday put on the uniform.

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Historic Space Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:44:45 PDT

In a bold move for private enterprise and as a new chapter in manned space flight (potentially) SpaceX (a California-based aerospace company) is planning on launching its Dragon space capsule in just a couple of hours (before dawn this morning) from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The launch was supposed to take place a couple of weeks ago but was delayed. SpaceX is optimistic about the success of the launch but stopping short of guaranteeing a success.

The Dragon will go to ISS (International Space Station) and dock with the ISS. In the future it will carry supplies and equipment. Eventually, it can carry human cargo.

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Bring Your "A" Game

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:15:09 PDT

We can never afford to be less than our best. That sentence sums up how we need to act as professionals. We can never have an off-game.

Taking the lesson from the NBA playoffs, I note how sloppy and uninspired play can be by people who are supposed to be at the top of their game and in post-season, championship form. This is inexcusable and indefensible.

They forgot to bring their "A" game. Uninspired performance is never acceptable. We must be our best.

In my podcast message today, "Bring Your 'A' Game" I talk about the importance of always - yes, always - being ready to play and play well.

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Finally, #1 and #200

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Hoffacker) — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:36:30 PDT

Finally, the NASCAR Sprint Cup season has produced 2 long awaited and very important wins - at the same race.

Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson and Lowes Racing #48. Jimmie lead the most laps, including the final one at Darlington Raceway's "Southern 500" tonight. This is Jimmie's first win of the season.

More importantly, it is Rick Hendrick's 200th win as an owner. Jimmie, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kayne, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Henrick's four drivers - have been close to victory this season, but this is the first win for the team in 2012 and the 200th win for the organization.

The only other team to achieve the 200 win achievement is Richard Petty.

Congratulations all around. Well done

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