John Henderson’s Blog

In my last blog, I asked for your opinions on the practice of “relisting.” I was surprised by your responses. As a reminder, relisting consists of a real estate agent canceling a listing and then submitting it again as a new listing. By relisting, the number of days a home has been on the market starts over, and some real estate agents believe this is an important factor in selling a house.

As a brief aside, I have a friend who works at an animal shelter where they are very successful at finding homes for both dogs and cats. Interestingly, the cats don’t always move very fast, and the shelter workers found that by if a cat doesn’t find a home in a couple of weeks, they change the names of the cats, and they find homes faster (dogs don’t seem to have the same desirability problems). Apparently, people don’t want cats that have been on the market too long, either.

Cat adoptions aside, I believe relisting in real estate is a serious issue. What I’ve found is that some agents and brokers believe there is nothing wrong with this practice; some think it is unethical; the vast majority of you don’t care. I agree with those of you who think the practice is unethical. When an agent relists a property for the express purpose of deceiving a buyer into thinking the home is a new listing, the agent is misrepresenting the property. It might help sell the house, but it might lead to legal action against the seller, and possibly disciplinary action against the agent by the Department of Real Estate. So, while it might help cats find new homes, it’s something to steer clear of in real estate transactions. Remember, the best agents avoid any actions which may hurt their clients or themselves.

When students attend my one day exam prep class to learn how to pass either their salesperson or broker exams, they learn that misrepresentation by a real estate licensee in California might result in fine of up to $10,000, civil liability, or loss of their real estate license.

What to learn more? If you’re interested in starting or furthering your real estate career, the Real Estate Centre, has a program to meet your needs. Details of our courses and programs are available at the following links:

New to real estate?
Get started in real estate with our Jump Start Program:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll-salesperson.htm

Ready for your broker’s license?
Find everything you need:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/bkr-course-descriptions.htm

Need help passing the real estate salesperson or broker exam?
Enroll in our live exam prep class:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll.htm

Still have questions? Call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718.

Recently in class, a student asked for my opinion of “relisting.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, relisting basically consists of a real estate agent canceling a listing and then submitting it again as a “new listing.” By relisting, the number of days a home has been on the market starts over, and some real estate agents believe this is an important factor in selling a house. For a great discussion of relisting, watch the following story (running time: eight minutes) which appeared on ABC’s Nightline click on the link below:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=4316775&page=1

I have some strong opinions about relisting. What do you think? I’d like to here from you. Do you think relisting is a creative sales technique or an unethical practice? E-mail your thoughts to me at johnhenderson@realestatecentre.biz. I’ll include a summary of your comments, along with my views in my next blog posting.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in starting or furthering your real estate career, the Real Estate Centre, has a program to meet your needs. Details of our courses and programs are available at the following links:

New to real estate?
Get started in real estate with our Jump Start Program:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll-salesperson.htm

Ready for your broker’s license?
Find everything you need:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/bkr-course-descriptions.htm

Need help passing the real estate salesperson or broker exam?
Enroll in our live exam prep class:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll.htm

Still have questions? Call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718.

Let’s assume you attended my One-Day Exam Prep Course. You passed the California Real Estate salesperson or broker exam. Now you have the opportunity to make a great living in your new real estate career. All your hard work is wasted if you present yourself in a bad light.

As a real estate agent, your job is largely about presentation: the way you present yourself, and the way you represent your clients can make or break your career. Last week I picked up a flyer for a property listed for sale. Like most people, I’m curious about how housing prices are changing, and this flyer offered me a real life view. The house is newly remodeled, and listed at over $1-million. The flyer was printed in black and white, and water stained. What does this say about the agent and the house he or she is presenting for sale? Given the fact that the listing agent could be looking at a potential commission of $60,000+, it seems to me that the listing deserves better.

It’s possible that the real estate agent or broker didn’t have the time or skill to prepare a more professional flyer. If that’s happened to you in marketing properties, you might want to check out www.vflyer.com. The site offers a variety of services to help with marketing (both online and print), including flyers specifically designed for marketing real estate. The basic services are free, but be aware that they also charge for some services.

Please note, I am not endorsing this website or its services. I don’t have any direct experience with www.vflyer.com, other than playing with some of their templates to get an idea of how they work (in my limited experience, they worked well); it is just one of many sites and service available to real estate agents to help you market your listings in the professional manner they deserve.

Anyone in the business of real estate knows how important perceptions are. If people perceive you as a real estate professional who takes their job seriously and produces results, potential clients will find you. As you can see, in terms of perception, one little flyer can do a lot. And so can one little blog, which is why I’ll add, my final tag: If you’re interested in starting or furthering your real estate career, the Real Estate Centre, has a program to meet your needs. Details of our courses and programs are available at the following links:

New to real estate?
Get started in real estate with our Jump Start Program:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll-salesperson.htm

Ready for your broker’s license?
Find everything you need:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/bkr-course-descriptions.htm

Need help passing the real estate salesperson or broker exam?
Enroll in our live exam prep class:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll.htm

Still have questions? Call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718.

In class this past weekend I discussed a number of new bills and proposals related to the real estate industry. Today, the senate banking committee announced an agreement on a new housing bill to help troubled homeowners. Here’s the latest information, hot off the web:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=747149495

For those of you who were in class, please remember my discussion of how new legislation will, and will not, impact the California real estate salesperson and broker exams.

For those of you were did not attend my class this weekend, but are interested in starting or furthering your real estate career, the Real Estate Centre, has a program to meet your needs. You can find details on our courses and programs at the links below:

New to real estate?
Get started in real estate with our Jump Start Program:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll-salesperson.htm

Ready for your broker’s license?
Find everything you need:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/bkr-course-descriptions.htm

Need help passing the real estate salesperson or broker exam?
Enroll in our live exam prep class:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll.htm

Still have questions? Call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718.

When our students pass the California real estate exam and start a new career, more and more of them are using the Internet to market houses for sale. Often, your online listing is the first contact buyers have with a property, and it’s that impression can make or break the deal. If a potential buyer likes what he or she sees online, and the price and specifications are all in the right range, you’re much more likely to get buyers to contact you. Given this important fact, I’m surprised at how often real estate agents and brokers overlook the chance to showcase the best features of their listings. Here are a few suggestions you might find helpful:

1. If the front of the house is overgrown or unattractive, instead of taking a picture of front of the house and yard, focus on the front door, or even show the front door opening into the house. This will visually invite a potential buyer into the house, rather than turning the person off with an unruly looking exterior.

2. When taking interior photos of a house, be sure to try and capture as much of the room as possible. Choose a digital camera with a good wide angle lens. The wide angle setting on your camera should be 28 mm or less. While you can focus on a selling feature (like a fireplace or French doors), remember, you’re selling the house, not the furnishings.

3. Along the same lines, make sure beds are made and clutter is picked up before taking photos in an occupied residence. If sellers are moving out, and the property will be empty, you may want to suggest that they leave a few key pieces in each room to help make rooms more approachable for buyers. For many people, it’s hard to picture living in a house that’s completely empty, and even a few key pieces will peak their interest. Talk to the seller of a vacant house about the benefits of “staging” the home by having well chosen rental furnishing moved-in so that the home shows well.

4. If you make a reference to an important feature in the house (like green tea granite in the kitchen, a wine cellar, or a 1000-jet spa tub), be sure to include a photo of the feature you’re describing.

5. This last point is obvious, but often overlooked. Check your online listings regularly to make sure that the photos are working, and any links in the listing are active. And, have a friend proof-read any text you have with your photos to make sure there aren’t any typos. If you show this level of attention to detail in your online listings, both sellers and buyers will feel confident that you’ll display the same attention to detail while working on their behalf.

By now you’ve realized that there is nothing new or revolutionary about the points above. They’re all very obvious and simple. But sometimes we all need a reminder of the little things that make what we do even better. And, remember, online listings are not just for potential buyers. Sellers also look at online listings to find out which agents are active in their areas, and use this information to help choose a real estate agent when they’re ready to list their homes for sale.

As always, if you’re interested in starting or furthering your real estate career, the Real Estate Centre, has a program to meet your needs. You can find details on our courses and programs at the links below:

New to real estate?
Get started in real estate with our Jump Start Program:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll-salesperson.htm

Ready for your broker’s license?
Find everything you need:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/bkr-course-descriptions.htm

Need help passing the real estate salesperson or broker exam?
Enroll in our live exam prep class:
http://www.realestatecentre.biz/enroll.htm

Still have questions? Call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718.

There are two real estate related statewide propositions (Proposition 98 and 99) on the upcoming California ballot. A good analysis of the measures can be found in George Skelton’s column in the May 1, 2008 edition of the Los Angeles Times. The full text of Mr. Skelton’s column can be found at the link below:
http://www.latimes.com/business/taxes/la-me-cap1-2008may01,0,4066644.column

I mention this column not only because voting is important, but also because both propositions deal with a topic I discussed in an earlier blog: eminent domain (“Real Estate and Baseball,” April 11). Eminent domain allows the government to purchase property from private individuals in order to construct projects for the public good. Sometimes when governments purchase properties under eminent domain, these properties are then been given to private parties (like developers): the public gets some benefit from the construction projects, but a private entity also benefits.

Each of the propositions on the upcoming ballot has different sponsors (and different goals), but both seek to limit the circumstances where the government can take property under eminent domain. And, as with most propositions, other issues (such as revoking some rent control ordinances) are included in just to confuse things. In case you’re wondering, should both propositions pass, the one with the most votes will take effect.

Check out Mr. Skelton’s column, and read the propositions carefully before you decide which (if either) to vote for. You can read the full text of both proposed measures on the California Secretary of State’s website: http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/index.shtml.

I’m not advocating pro or con for either proposition. My interest in them is solely in the fact that they’re related to California real estate, which is a subject I am passionate about. For those of you who are now excited (or enraged) and ready to vote, voting takes place on June 3, 2008.

If my talk about eminent domain has sparked your interest in real estate, maybe it’s time to get a real estate license. The information you learn in the prerequisite courses will not only make you smarter person, you’ll be an informed homeowner, renter, and/or investor, and maybe find fame and fortune in a new career. If you already have your real estate license, maybe it’s time to get your broker’s license to re-energize your career.

Regardless of whether you’re new to real estate or advancing your career, The Real Estate Centre offers a full range of courses, both live and home study. For more information call our office at 310-410-9718 or visit us online at www.realestatecentre.biz.

I can already hear the groans from anyone reading the headline above. Like many of us, real estate agents livelihoods are closely tied to their cell phones. Without cell phones, smart phones, e-mail, and text messaging, it would be difficult for real estate professionals to get their jobs done. In many ways, these technologies have made our jobs easier, and much more efficient. They have also made driving much more dangerous.

To keep us all safer on the roads, a new law goes into effect on July 1, 2008 prohibiting drivers from using cell while driving unless they use a hands-free device. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, starting on July 1, you can be pulled over and ticketed for talking on your cell phone while driving. Fines for talking and driving start at $20 and go up from there. You can find details on the new law, and answers to all of your questions at the link below:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/

In real estate it’s important to respond to your customers quickly: a sale sometimes depends on it. But no sale is as important as being safe. Don’t risk your life or the lives of others, talk and drive responsibly.

Now that my safety sermon is done, keep in mind that you can also use your cell phone (although preferably not while driving) to call the Real Estate Centre to enroll in a variety of courses to further your real estate career. If you currently have a conditional salesperson license, we can help you complete the required coursework for a 4-year license, in as little as 6 weeks. If you’re an experienced real estate salesperson thinking about getting a broker’s license, we can customize a program to help you complete the necessary coursework in just a few months. Or, if you’re new to real estate, and still need to pass the state licensing exam, check out our one day exam prep class, over 90% of our students pass their exams on the first try.

Whether you’re just starting out, or moving up in your career, we can help. For more information, call the Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718, or visit our website at www.realestatecentre.biz.

I recently ran across an interesting video segment on CNBC about real estate foreclosures. Anyone who reads the newspaper or watches the news on TV knows that foreclosures are at an all time high, with little relief in sight. The CNBC story looks at a different area of foreclosures — foreclosures of high end homes. Clearly from this report, the credit crunch has hit all economic classes, including owners of expensive, upscale properties.

The report also touches on the increase in auctions where homes in foreclosures are sold at greatly reduced prices. With so much auction inventory available, real estate investors are being tempted to get back into the game. You can view this CNBC story in it’s entirety at the following link:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=720203325

Understanding the real estate market, including the foreclosure process, presents great opportunities for anyone with a California real estate license. If you’re tempted to jump in and take advantage of the down market, getting a real estate license is the first step. As a licensed real estate salesperson, you’ll have access to opportunities before others learn about them. You’ll also have an in depth understanding of the real estate market, and know where to find information to help you make sound, informed decision about investments.

Sound interesting? For more information, contact The Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718. If you’re new to real estate, our Jump Start package is the one for you. If you’ve taken a class or two in the past, we’ll customize a program just for you. You can also find information on The Real Estate Centre, and all of our course offerings online at www.realestatecentre.biz.

So, you really want to get your real estate salesperson or broker’s license, and you finished all the required courses months ago, but it’s easy to put off taking the test. Studying isn’t much fun and you’re not feeling motivated. So how to you find a class with a teacher who can motivate you, and give you the edge you need to pass the real estate licensing exams? The answer to that question can be summed up in two words: John Henderson.

For the entire month of May, John Henderson is teaching EVERY prep class offered by The Real Estate Centre. That’s right, regardless of location or date, for the month of May it’s all John, all the time.

What’s so great about that? John Henderson, the founder and owner of The Real Estate Centre, is an attorney and real estate broker. John is the author of the Real Estate Centre’s one day exam prep courses, he’s the guy on the CDs, and over the years he’s helped over 100,000 people pass their real estate licensing exams. This is a great opportunity to learn from the best.

Still not convinced? Worried about the current slump in the real estate market? We won’t deny that your worries are well founded. But think about this: historically, slumps in the real estate market are common, and historically the market bounces back. The downturn was in the early 1990s, and there were many more before that. Each time the market slows, people worry. And each time, the market comes back, as strong as before, if not stronger. The current real estate market is a difficult one, but if history is any indication (and it is), it won’t stay that way for long. And, when it does start to improve, wouldn’t it be nice to have your real estate license and be primed to move up with the market?

It’s the perfect time to lay the foundation to either start a new career, or move to the next level of your current real estate career.

So, if you’re one of the people who jumped on the bandwagon a year ago, completed your coursework, but never took the state exam, join John’s May teaching marathon and pass your exam. In no time the Department of Real Estate will be sending your salesperson or broker’s license (suitable for framing).

If you’re new to the field, enroll in the three home study courses required for the salesperson license, spend a fun-filled day with John Henderson, pass your state exam, and in as little as 3-4 months, you’ll have your real estate license.
If you a real estate salesperson ready to move to the next level, it’s fast and easy to complete the home study courses for your broker’s license. Then spend a day with John and you’ll breeze through the broker exam.

Sound easy? It really is. Call The Real Estate Centre at 310-410-9718 for more information. Or visit us online at http://www.realestatecentre.biz.

Baseball and real estate – they don’t seem to have much in common, do they? Well, if you live in Southern California, they actually have a lot in common. Did you know that Chavez Ravine, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was taken by eminent domain? Here’s the story:

Chavez Ravine was named for Julian Chavez, on of the first Los Angeles County Supervisors in the 1800s. It was the home generations of Mexican Americans who lived in a tight-knit community.

In 1950, the city of Los Angeles used the power of eminent domain to purchase the property in Chavez Ravine with the goal of building public housing on the land. The power of eminent domain allows the government to purchase property from private individuals in order to construct projects for the public good; the city planned to use the land to build 10,000 units of public housing. By August 1952, the residents were gone and Chavez Ravine was essentially a ghost town.

For a variety of reasons, in 1953 the LA City Council decided the housing project was not feasible. At the same time, the city of Los Angeles desperately wanted its own major league team. With a promise of Chavez Ravine as the site of a new stadium, the city struck a deal with Walter O’Malley to move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. City officials deemed a baseball stadium as serving the public good, and the rest is history.

Real estate plays a key roll in much of our lives, from where you live, to your favorite sport. Have you ever thought about a career in real estate? If so, the first place to start is by getting your real estate license. Interested? With the Real Estate Centre’s Jump Start program, it’s fast and easy to complete the required course and get your real estate license in just a few short months. To start the process, you’ll complete three home study courses (real estate principles, real estate practice, and one elective). You’ll complete all of the work at home, at your own pace, and take the online final at your convenience. Then, in my one day live exam prep class, you’ll learn everything you need to know to pass your salesperson licensing exam.

For more information on the Real Estate Centre’s programs and course offerings, go to www.RealEstateCentre.biz. Or, call us at 310-410-9718.