Isanti - Sherburne - Wright - Anoka County Minnesota Real Estate Blog: November 2008

When I say FANTASY REAL ESTATE I am talking about a GAME we are playing with the offices owned by Re/max Associates Plus inc.

We are playing a game where we add up our points based about about 30 different categories.  We are doing with REAL ESTATE what a lot of people do with FOOTBALL, GOLF, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL. 

You have heard of Fantasy Football, right? Perhaps you play it. Perhaps you need to win your last couple games to make the playoffs.

Yes, we are doing this with REAL ESTATE for the next 11 weeks.  Last week was are first week!  Its our Elk River Office of Re/Max vs other individual offices.  I think the teams must have 10-14 agents per team.

So we do not draft other agents, like you do with football.  W simply have to go out and perform.  I had a good first week.  I am not sure how others did. 

I thought it was funny that someone actually thought of doing FANTASY REAL ESTATE.  I play fantasy FOOTBALL, BASEBALL and BASKETBALL... now REAL ESTATE TOO! 

Your FANTASY REAL ESTATE MVP - Chuck Carstensen!

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

How much better off will you be this time next if you practice the RULE OF FIVE in your business?

What is the RULE OF FIVE?  I learned this a few years ago at a Jack Canfield presentation... The RULE OF FIVE is doing 5 things each day that will bring you closer to your BREAKTHROUGH GOAL!

Do you have a BREAKTHROUGH GOAL?  What is a BREAKTHROUGH GOAL?  This is something that if you accomplished it would really seem almost impossible at this moment.  For example if you sold 10 houses this year a breakthrough goal would be something BIG like 30 houses next year.  It probably does not seem possible but certainly others do it so why not you.  This of course is one example.  You pick YOUR BREAKTHROUGH GOAL.

Once you pick it, start doing 5 things EACH DAY that will move you closer to the goal.  You might not see the physical results right away, but you keep planting seeds in a persistent and consistent fashion and MOVE TOWARD THE END RESULT (BREAKTHROUGH GOAL). 

They don't have to be the same 5 things each day, but they might be.  You may even get others involved in helping with the 5 THINGS. 

The reason why people don't BREAKTHROUGH is because they never take any action. They might write down somethings they want but then the find every way that it DOES NOT WORK. 

LISTEN!  YOUR BREAKTHROUGH WILL HAPPEN!  PRACTICING THE RULE OF FIVE and persisting will get you there.  The results will come!

Breakthrough Strategies - Knowing

Breakthrough Strategies - Begin With the End in Mind

Breakthrough Strategies - Never Give Up

Breakthrough Strategies - Releasing

Breakthrough Strategies - Thinking Right

Breakthrough Strategies - Giving

Breakthrough Strategies - Learn Daily

Breakthrough Strategies - Network

Breakthrough Strategies - Awareness

Breakthrough Strategies (Part 2)

Breakthrough Strategies (Part 1)

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

Its an interesting time in the market now. Especially in a cold state like Minnesota.  Typically there are less buyers out looking this time of year, yet the inventory of homes is still FAT.

So a question I get is: HOW LOW WILL THE BANK SELL THIS HOME FOR?

That can be a tough question to answer.  Sometimes the homes are priced right and they still sell for full price or higher.  Many times the homes are priced close to the right price and sell slightly under asking price.  Its NOT often that the bank will take $50,000 OFF  the current listing price and sell the home. (Its not impossible - just not often).

This scenario is different in the upper price range where a $50,000 price drop might be needed.  On the lower priced homes, say under $200,000, a $50,000 price drop is a quarter of the asking price.  The BANKS typically would rather drop it $10,000 to see if it would sell for that then to take a $50,000 immediate hit on a "low ball" offer.

Overall the BANKS are more willing to take lower offers then in the past.  Especially this time of year in Minnesota!  I think this is the best time to buy a home because of the weather.  So Minnesota home buyers - GET OUT AND BUY!

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

I am not sure how all MLS systems nationwide work, but in the Twins Cities area in Minnesota you can search the AGENT ROSTER and get other agents MEMBER ID codes and then search to see how many homes people really sell.

These sales numbers are not 100% accurate.  I am missing 4 closed sales.  One expired and never got put back active, one was happened out of the MLS area, one was more or less a facilitator transaction and never was listed and the other one I am not sure where it is.

Anyway, I did not search the foreclosure agents that have huge amount of listings, but just some people on Active Rain and some other area "top agents."

I guess I can really feel good about my year.  I am not going to post sales stats but a couple of the top agents in the area for years had only had 2 more sales then me, and another top agent had one more sale then me.  Two of these people promote their selves as "Minnesota Top Agents!"... and I understand that because they had been in the past. 

Until I figure out how to not sound like a smart a$$ (or mean) I will stay away the top MN active rain bloggers stats.

What I would say to all is that its been a tough year for almost everyone.  I am proof that an agent can grow your business in this market. I am also proof that you can sell a lot of houses and blog.  Plus I am proof that you have to do more then just ...stay in contact with past customers, follow up on sign calls, prospect, network...

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

Last year about this time I did not have much going on Real Estate wise. I had a solid year but the end of the year was poor in sales and activity.  Because of this I decided to get serious about PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Learning, growing and developing on my own time was something I was willing to do; in fact is was something I was excited to do!  The more I read and listen to audio programs the more I found that most of the TEACHERS of the material had overcome some adversity and now had gone on to being a leader in their field.

This got me more excited!  So I kept studying and applying what I learned to my life in belief that 2008 would be a great year. 

It turns out the extra time DEVELOPING has paid off.  Even though I have had some adversity to overcome and the year did not go perfect - 2008 has been great.  My sales are up and my income is much higher even though pretty much everyone in my market who did anything last year is down in these areas.

I also have momentum -- huge momentum-- I have never had as many customers as I do now!  So I reflected and looked back at the shift.  I found it was about a year ago when I found a company called SUCCESS UNIVERSITY. 

I also use other material for personal development but found that Success University by far is the most well rounded place for anyone looking to change their life.

Now I am coaching other people and still growing my real estate business.  I thank God I joined Success University.  A lot of people settle for mediocrity...I choose not to be one of them.  You have the choice to.  You can try Success University for 14-days for FREE.  Click Here to find out more.

Look out 2009! 

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

It is interesting to me that an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE now widely being recognized and a success strategy.  I blogged about this about a month ago with this post: Having an Attitude of Gratitude!

In Jack Canfields weekly newsletter he wrote about GRATITUDE as a top success principle.  I told one of my newest coaching clients about how having an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE would draw more business in on our Tuesday call. I don't think he believed me...but hopefully Jack's newsletter that I forwarded him will help.

Complaining and being negative is will negate some of the gratitude effort, so if you like to get involved in the negative talk about the market or about other people this will slow down the power of the attitude of gratitude.

Should I assume we all know how to be grateful? Have you ever said THANKS before?  If so, you are perfectly capable of developing an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE and doing this on a consistant basis will draw more business too you!  Its a easy and fun way to BREAKTHROUGH!

Breakthrough Strategies - Knowing

Breakthrough Strategies - Begin With the End in Mind

Breakthrough Strategies - Never Give Up

Breakthrough Strategies - Releasing

Breakthrough Strategies - Thinking Right

Breakthrough Strategies - Giving

Breakthrough Strategies - Learn Daily

Breakthrough Strategies - Network

Breakthrough Strategies - Awareness

Breakthrough Strategies (Part 2)

Breakthrough Strategies (Part 1)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

What are the top seller incentives? or What can the seller offer to help attract a buyer more quickly?

I don't so for sure so I am looking for some feedback on this.

My thoughts are:

1) Lower the price

2) Buyer Agent Commission bonus

Other then that I have seen things like cars, vacations, and other things offered.  Can someone tell me if those type of INCENTIVES work?

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

Often I race around trying to get SO MANY things done, and when I slow down I find I still have more to do. I think it rings true for others as well.  Today I am getting the feeling I need to slow down and purge a few things out of my life so that I can be refilled. 

By REFILLING then I can LASER my focus just a bit.  That slight adjustment will lead to bigger and better results. I know this message is true for others as well!   

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Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

My regular readers know how I like to give people ideas to help generate extra income.  I picked up this FREE book about one month ago and now I am about three weeks away from launching a program that no other real estate agent in the country is doing.  In this NEW market I felt it was time for me to take charge and do something different.

I am not going to share what I am personally doing. I will post more about it when it lauches, but I am including a link to the FREE book (s & h $4.95) below...read on...

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Now here's where it gets really good.

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Just go to  www.UnstoppableProsperity.com and claim your copy of the book today, and getstarted transforming your future.

To Your Success!

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FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).

Most of the business you get from now until the end of 2008 will actually close in 2009.  Now is the time to start creating a great year.  Someone interested in a great year does not say things like this:

1) "2009 is going to be just as BAD as 2008."

2) "I don't know where the buyers and sellers will come from."

3) "I am hoping to survive one more year until the market turns around."

4) "I don't set goals because I will feel bad if I don't reach them."

You have to be certain right now that 2009 is going to be a great year, even if your going on faith.  Read my previous post linked below on KNOWING!  Peace!

Breakthrough Strategies - Knowing

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get a FREE BOOK to learn more about Internet Business Generating Strategies at this link...

FOR A FREE COACHING ASSESSMENT CALL ME AT 763-635-7228 OR CONTACT ME ON ACTIVE RAIN!

-30-

Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a Dynamic Life Coach; The Discovery Coach- "Helping you discover your talents, desires and purpose." Carstensen is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available this winter).