Folks, You Have to Farm It to Reap It

So here is something I wonder about constantly. What good is setting up a farm if you don't actually FARM it?!? All that effort and time wasted. Well I guess you can comfort yourself by saying "It kept me busy for awhile" But did that do anything to increase your net worth? Did that put milk on the table and meat on the grill?

Farms take time to cultivate. The roots need a chance to grow. Real farmers know that they can't rush the process. It does no good to tug on the tomato plants and yell "GROW" You need to be prepared to not see anything come from your farm for 7-12 months in the beginning. Most agents give up after 3 or 4 months saying "I tried it but it doesn't work for me" Well, of course, it is not going to grow because you stopped watering it. This is also true if you stop farming your farm. You stopped watering, you killed it, and it is going to take time to bring it back to life.

How big does a farm have to be to be productive? I guess that depends on what you can afford to spend in money and time on marketing. I think your basic farm should be at least 200 people that you know and are in your sphere of influence. Why 200 you ask? Well, that's the basic number for being able to send out bulk mail. Figure the coast at approximately 50 cents per person. That means you need to commit to spending $100 a month on your farm or $1,200 a year.

So make a commitment to sending something to your farm every month. Commit to putting in that much effort to cultivate your farm or please, just stop wasting your money.

Shannon Aldrich © 2011

Your Toolkit Checklist

Question is - What's in your car? What tools do you carry with you in real estate. Whether it is nicely packed into a LL Bean canvas tote, in an actual toolkit, or just rolling around in the trunk of your car, we all have things we need in the day to day business of real estate.

·     Cable ties - They are handy in so many situations. From anchoring an open house sign to a pole so it won't fly away to making sure the brochure box is solidly attached. Use just one or chain them together to be as long as you need them to be.

·     Scissors or Pocket knife - That which has be tied together eventually must be cut apart.

·     Multi Tool - Some kind of combination tool that has both straight blades and phillips head screw driver.

·     Dead Head Mallet - Far more effective than an ordinary hammer for getting signs in the ground.

·     Duct Tape - Use it on anything but ducts. I like the white duct tape for adding temporary information to open house signs. (Don't forget the sharpie!)

·     Markers - Here is the Sharpie. I have a regular pen or two in my bag as well

·     WD40 - You know the old line "If it is supposed to stick and doesn't, use the duct tape. If it supposed to move and doesn't use the WD40"! And nowadays you can get the can with the tube built right in. No more losing the little straw part and losing control over where the WD40 goes.

·     Febreeze - Sometimes you just need a little spritz! I use the anti-allergen pet odor eliminator one.

·     Binoculars - Great for checking out the roof and chimney. Added service for that Buyers often appreciate.

·     Measuring tape- Both electronic and tape measures. Always useful to have a manual tape with you. There are lots of place the electronic one just won't work. I hear iPhone has a app for this. (FYI There is even an app that works as a level.)

·     Extra Batteries - For your camera, electronic measuring tape, etc, etc

·     Flashlight - A thousand and one nooks need a flashlight to see into.

·     Pliers - Twist, crimp, leverage. Love my pliers!

·     Wire - When cable ties won't secure it.

·     Candles/Incense - Emergency smell management.

·     Matches - To light the candles and incense not to set the house on fire!

·     Folding Chair - Just one of those bag chairs you use for picnics. Invaluable.

·     Roll of toilet paper - Go ahead and laugh but we have all been without at some point!

What do you carry in your car that you could just not live without?

Shannon Aldrich © 2009 www.TheRealEstateClass.com