A few weeks ago my life started to change. I was asked to step outside my boundaries and outside of my comfort zone. What happened? I “met” Bryant Tutas- otherwise known as "Broker Bryant" on Activerain. You may have heard of him- he’s one of the best-known real estate bloggers around. His writing is insightful, direct, witty and often very funny. He’s got quite a following.
Anyway, in the past several months I started to notice Broker Bryant’s comments on my blog posts and others. I noticed we were “simpatico”, of like-mind, on many topics, notably short sales. We exchanged a few emails, and a couple of months ago, Bryant asked me if I was interested in doing a joint venture. Among other things, he wanted to know if I would do a live webinar with him about short sales.
Well, ignorant me, I did not even know what a webinar was! I had to look it up. If you don’t know– a webinar is an “online live educational presentation”. Bryant and I would teach real estate agents about short sales. That idea scared the heck out of me, but how could I say “no”? I love short sales! I love discussing them, analyzing them, doing them and answering questions about them. I welcome calls from agents in my area or around the country looking for information or direction on short sales. I love helping the consumer with short sales. And that is what I do all day. So does Bryant.
But what would we have to offer that would be different? There are a lot of “classes” about short sales. The difference here is that we are both practicing real estate agents who spend 90% of our time listing and selling short sales. And we do them from beginning to end. Bryant and I do all our own negotiating, we don’t refer out to a law firm, title agency, assistant or loss mitigation company. (Not that there is anything wrong with that). We are the ones on the telephone on hold with the negotiators- every day, getting sales closed. We think that our practical experience with the day-to-day workings of short sales can benefit others. We want to share what we've learned in a forum to provide concrete knowledge.
It's Wendy!
Wendy Rulnick, Broker Rulnick Realty, Inc.
Sounds good. Have to check the schedule for a Saturday event, though.
Nervous? Wasn't that you in Florida Realtor magazine. I think you are way past being nervous!
That's great, Wendy. Don't worry. I'm sure you will do just fine. The more of these webinars you do, the more at ease you will feel.
Roger - We'll also have the class on MP3.
Sidney - You are the sweetest!
Liz - Thank you for your support:)
saturday will be tough.
Will you be able to offer a recorded recap?
Would love to join you guys.
Corie - We will have the seminar recorded for those who sign up and cannot attend... I am checking on the details with Broker Bryant on the technical end:)
Nervous? You have forgotten more than I know! I understand, last week I was a panelist at The Shift book tour in New Orleans with none other than Gary Keller, talk about nervous. I even wore a jacket which is way out of my comfort zone of jeans and a polo shirt.
Jeff - You are so funny! I bet you did great !
Good for you, that you said "yes". The only thing I've really noted, over time, is that there's always a safety net, and so we should always jump. You'll enjoy this!
Wendy, I LOVE this post!! It really shows how important it is for us to step out of our comfort zones every now and the. You just never know where these things will lead.
I too am nervous and very excited!! We KNOW short sales. Hopefully we will be able to deliver the information in a format where people can learn. Only 95 more hours!!! No pressure.
Wendy...
You'll be just fine. After listening to the dress rehearsal I have no doubt that you're ready. The only thing I've noted is that you're much too hard on yourself :)
Repeat after me "No one is perfect and no one expects us to be" :)
TLW...ROAR!
Wendy--I saw this on BB's blog and just had to come and say that anything that Bryant is involved in is sure to be a huge success--have no fear! This will be no different--you WILL be fine!
Bryant - Why did you have to remind me of the 95 hours? Oh no:)
TLW - You're great, thanks!
Sea to Sky - I do agree.
Debe - I am counting on him. THANK YOU!
Wendy & Bryant- Thank you for your continued excellence in this market segment. Please train our profession on this segment.
Good luck with that!
Congrats Wendy on stepping out side your comfort zone! Love to attend but Saturdays are tough with my showing scheduled. Are you planning to archive the seminar we can listen later?
Wendy,
I hope you have a re-run of these webinars! I'm out of state this weekend!
Kathy Opatka
Ritu and Kathy- We will have MP3 available for attendees -
Sign up for "SHORT SALE BASICS FOR REALTORS" Webinar
Thank you for sharing this post Wendy. Hope everything goes well and good luck!
Thavisak Syphanthong
Wendy...Between you and Bryant (blogger boy) how could you possibly go wrong. I think if this webinar goes as well as I expect it too...you be too busy for us little people anymore..Good Luck Knock-em-dead.
I like the layout of your post. Visually, it flows and it makes it easier to read.
Good luck with the webinar; I know it's great to have active participants; however, I love to time shift. That said, it's great that you'll be offering it as an mp3.
One immediate question about short sales: who maintains the property when it is in limbo? What do you suggest for doing that? I've seen short sale properties with weeds sprounting up around a Realtor's sign; not the best image for a personal brand...
Hey Wendy: Sounds like you are on a fast train to success. Enjoy the ride!
Wendy,
I'm sure you'll do fine and if you are feeling like you are losing it..BB will surely be happy to talk on your behalf...he loves talking:))
Wendy, from what I know of you, you'll do great! You have great passion in what you do with Short Sales and the fact that you get into the thick of the Short Sale will make all the difference to your participants in the webinar. If anyone needs to know about Short Sales and is looking for great teachers, they can not go wrong with you and Broker Bryant. Best to you both!
Hi Wendy,
Congratulations on the webinar with BrokerBrian. I really don't know the first thing about short-sales, but I have to agree with Lynn. You're obviously very passionate about it, and for that reason alone you'll do great. : )
Mark, Realty Dot and Thavisak- Thank you for your well-wishes!
Michal Perry - I think all striving for education is great.
Steve - I blush! Thank you:)
Daren - It is a very good question. The homeowner should still maintain the lawn. I know that is not possible in many cases, due to cash flow issues. However, the listing agent is not personally responsible. On my listings, we ask the homeowner to maintain their property. There is a public perception that the Realtor should take care of the yard-- it just seems like human nature to call the number on the sign, you are right. But multiply 50 lawns by $20 per month- that is a tough call.
Thank you, Sandy.
Neal- Yes he will and he does:)
Lynn and Michael - I appreciate your support!
Hi Wendy,
Sounds like you've attended a Dale Carnegie course!
Mike
Let you knowledge lead and you will be a sucess
LoL on the webinar part Wendy:) I am sure you and BB will do a masterful job!!
Good for you, I certainly think most agents can use more training on short sales or maybe to say it better, the more we learn from other's experiences, the less off-kilter we will be thrown by our own transactions.
Congrats. on stepping outside the box and finding a breath of fresh air. Active Rain is constantly allowing real estate professionals to find each other and to create new relationships that can give as much personal satisfaction as they give knowledge and insight.
Congratulations on your new webinars with broker bryant he is a good guy. I like him a lot
Wendy, I don't think you have a thing to worry about. You also have an excellent partner for this webinar.
Although I am fed up with the few short sales I have done, the fact of the matter is that there are a ton of them out there! I will try to make it!
Great advice and pretty reasonable costs coming from field-tested and practicing agents.
Another way to restate it: "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.... At first."...
You'll be terrific - just keep in mind that The Lovely Wife has a whip.
Good luck! I am sure that all will work out...
I am sure you will be fine Wendy...a billion years ago,...I student taught public address and had a bunch of nervous high school seniors...I used to tell them that when they had researched their topic well...not to be intimidated when they gave their speech....no matter what they know, it is was most probably more than the audience...and there is no shame in saying you don't know but you'll find out...good luck !
Thank you, guys! You are all awesome!
Fantastic idea, regrettable timing. I'm out working Saturday ay 11. :(
J and All - We will have series on MP3 if you cannot make the live session
Sign up for "SHORT SALE BASICS FOR REALTORS" Webinar
Wendy,
Webinars are the greatest invention since spell check. Kind of like TiVo with a purpose. I'd love to catch yours, but will be leaving for a oceanside camping trip on a cliff above Santa Barbara(in about 2 hours..Yiipeee). But, if you have your webinar available for later, I'd love to watch it. Anyone that is willing to share ideas on short sales, is someone I'd like to follow.
Thanks for the webinar, I'm sure you'll do great!