WestWords - August 2023

WESTWORDS

I AM WEST USA MICHAEL

DOUVILLE

RELATIONSHIPS ARE A KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS FROM SUE FLUCKE

CAPTURE NEW INTERNET LEADS ON YOUR WORDPRESS WEBSITE

DRIVE THANK YOU

I AM MICHAEL DOUVILLE

I AM FIDUCIARY

I AM KNOWLEDGEABLE

I AM TRUTHFUL

I AM AN ECONOMIC NERD

I AM COMPETENT

I AM WEST USA

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Michael Douville was recommended to us as a REALTOR® for buying an investment property in the greater Phoenix area. This was the first time we were buying a property located in a different state and our first 1031 Exchange so many things were new to us. He helped us navigate everything and we completed a purchase on a new, to us, investment property in Surprise with positive cash flow each month in an amount greater than we expected. He made it simple and painless. We plan to do more purchases with Michael as our agent.

I really appreciate Michael's knowledge and understanding of real estate market and investment strategies as well as excellent timing. Always felt that people with years of experience in any business sector, have a lot of knowledge to offer. Many people don’t, but Michael is rare, very knowledgeable and kind. I look forward to attending his future investment strategy sessions.

Michael's strategies and expertise allowed me to retire early. First by reducing my work week to only 32 hours, then completely retiring as the cash flow built significantly. Thanks to him, I am enjoying life, worry free!

When you first got your license, I know you still remember the excitement you felt. Then the panic set in and you thought “Now what?!” It was overwhelming; you are now President, CEO, COO, Head of HR, Marketing, etc.

Whether you are in your 1st year, 5th year, 10th year or 30th year, relationships are key to a lasting career. When someone asks what relationships are crucial to you, you name your family, friends, buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and past clients. One of the most important relationships not mentioned is the relationship you will have with other REALTORS®.

When working with a buyer making an offer, do you call, text & email the listing agent to let them know about the incoming offer? What if they don’t respond or respond in a way that makes your mind go “what a jerk?” You want to react in the same way – don’t! Maybe they just had a tragedy hit their family or lost a transaction that meant they can’t buy groceries or make their mortgage/rent payment. Take a deep breath; give them grace. Your buyer is counting on you to be their advocate; be the professional agent-your calm voice & tone could be the difference in getting your buyer’s offer accepted.

If you are the listing agent, remember your first duty is to your seller and when getting an offer or multiple offers, present them quickly, professionally & get back to the buyer’s agent as soon as possible.

When in escrow, communicate often – remembering Article 1 of the Code (honesty to ALL parties in the transaction, including lender, escrow, buyer & seller.) The best words you will communicate to your client will be “it’s recorded!”

If you are brand-new or struggling right now, it would be invaluable to you to have a mentor/coach; someone who has “been there, done that” and knows the habits, methods & tools to lead to long-lasting success. The time you spend with them will be priceless; you will learn so much about this business & the relationship will be forever friendship!

CAPTURE NEW INTERNET LEADS ON YOUR WORDPRESS WEBSITE

BY WISE AGENT

As a real estate professional, you know capturing lead information from your website is important. Leads are potential clients who have shown interest in your services and provide a valuable opportunity to build your client base.

Here are some reasons why capturing lead information from your real estate website is crucial.

FOLLOW UP WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS: Obtaining lead information from your website allows you to follow up with potential clients. Collecting their name, phone number, and email address lets you stay in touch and provide them with relevant information about properties that meet their needs.

BUILD YOUR DATABASE: Building a consistent stream of leads helps you grow your client base and, ultimately, your real estate business. By capturing lead information, you will have a list of potential clients you can follow up with and eventually become loyal clients.

TARGETED MARKETING: Knowing your potential client's interests and preferences can help you develop targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to convert leads into clients. By capturing their information, you can send personalized messages based on their specific needs and interests.

MEASURE SUCCESS: Capturing lead information enables you to measure the success of your website and marketing efforts. By tracking the number of leads that come through your website, you can see which marketing strategies are working and where to improve. To effectively capture lead information, ensure your

• KEEP THE COPY STREAMLINED AND COMPELLING: Make sure your copy supports your overall goal of the page and tells your leads precisely what action to take and why.

• INCLUDE THE LEAD FORM ABOVE THE FOLD: Don't send your leads on a hunt for your lead form; keep it "above the fold" so they don't have to scroll to see it.

• DON'T ASK FOR TOO MUCH: The more personal information you request for on your form, the less likely a lead is to fill it out. Ask only for what you need and fill the rest in as you build that relationship.

• ADD A CLEAR CALL TO ACTION: Use firm and encouraging words for your CTA, and don't be afraid to use a bold color for the button to make sure it stands out.

Once your capture form is created, it'll be essential to build out some follow-up communication in your CRM to start the lead conversion process.

Lead Automation provides you with an instant connection to your real estate leads by sending out an email or text right when they come in. Getting your name and face in front of the lead is a proven way to boost your conversion since most clients work with the first agent that contacts them.

But lead automation means more than follow-up. It can also apply to notifying team members of new leads, automatically categorizing them in your CRM, and scheduling actions like future calls.

Don't forget that your CRM is quite literally a database of information. If you're unsure how to reach out to

HOME WARRANTY TERMS EXPLAINED PT.2

If your clients are shopping for a home warranty to protect their biggest investment, they might come across some terminology that they need more clarification on. Make their search easier with our complete list of home warranty terms, which are explained in detail, so they know exactly what to expect from American Home Shield. Here is the remaining list that we started covering in June:

MEMBERS

We use the term “members” because we think of our customers as a community. When your client has a home warranty from American Home Shield, they are part of the AHS family. We’ve provided stellar service to our members for more than 50 years.

MODIFICATIONS

Sometimes, modifications must be made to repair or replace the defective home system or appliance effectively. For ShieldComplete members, modifications (like gas or plumbing line extensions) will be covered, up to $1,000 per contract term. Non-ShieldComplete members will be covered up to $250 for required modifications.

PERMITS

If permits are needed when repairing or replacing a covered system or appliance, American Home Shield will cover the cost of the permits for ShieldComplete members up to $1,000 per contract term. Non-ShieldComplete members will be covered up to $250 for required permits.

PROS

American Home Shield has a vast network of local Pros who come to your client’s home once they place a service request and pay their Service Fee. These are qualified, independent Pros ready to diagnose covered home system and appliance breakdowns.

PROPER OPERATING CONDITION

This home warranty term refers to repairs or replacements. If your client has recently purchased their home, they may have no idea about the state of the existing appliances and home systems, how they were installed, and if they are working properly; this is especially true if your client had to forego a home inspection. When covered items in your client’s home experience a mechanical failure or general breakdowns due to normal wear and tear, we will help cover the cost to repair them, even if they’ve been improperly installed or previously repaired. And if we can’t repair them, we’ll replace them, subject to the limitations and exclusions of your client’s contract. Our top priority is getting your client’s hardworking home systems and appliances back in proper operating condition.

SERVICE REQUEST

When an item malfunctions in your client’s home, they’ll submit a service request online through MyAccount, pay their Service Fee, and we’ll help schedule a Pro to come out and diagnose the issue.

SHIELD ASSURANCES

American Home Shield members can enjoy our Shield Assurances, no matter which plan they choose:

• Older items, no matter their age—because we realize that every item’s lifetime is different

• Undetectable pre-existing conditions, no visual inspection required

• Items without maintenance records

• Breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance

• Improper installations, repairs, or modifications

• Malfunctions due to sediment, rust, or corrosion

• Removal of defective items—we’ll haul them away - no extra cost!

• Duplicates of the same item, like that additional A/C unit or fridge

SERVICE FEE

The Service Fee is the amount your client pays when they submit a service request; then, we send a Pro out. (This type of fee is standard with most home service plans in the industry.) The Service Fee is what they’ll pay per trade (e.g., plumbing, or electrical) for a professional to diagnose your client’s household problem, then fix or replace it subject to the limitations and exclusions of their contract.

WEAR AND TEAR

Unlike traditional homeowners’ insurance, a home warranty is designed to help cover the cost of the inevitable—when your client’s home systems and appliances succumb to normal wear and tear. Your client’s home warranty plan won’t cover issues caused by storm damage, fire damage, or floods—that’s what homeowners’ insurance is for. Instead, we cover malfunctions that occur due to everyday wear and tear. Your client uses their home systems and appliances daily, so it only makes sense to have home warranty coverage to help protect their budget.

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEE

With our workmanship guarantee, your client has 30 days to contact us regarding an issue with a completed repair. We’ll send a Pro back out at no cost to your client.

With a full understanding of home warranty terms, you are now armed with all the information needed to help your clients understand how American Home Shield home warranty plans work.

BY DEREK RILEY Derek Riley, Market Manager Cell: 480-286-1996 • Email: derek.riley@ahs.com

TODD MENARD'S REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS JULY 2023

NEW HOME INVENTORY VS. ARMLS RESALE

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FREE REMOTE CE CLASS

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