Jason Elrod - Real Estate Broker

So there I was, looking for some rare herb in the frozen north of Azeroth.  Just hanging out waiting for things to re-spawn.  I'm a Blood Elf Mage and I need to get this certain weed that only grows in this particular region.  I had just finished laying down some frosty smack on the locals in order to have a little alone time with myself when BAM!!! In jumps this lvl 50 Tauren Shaman tossing totems everywhere and making a general ruckus.  He yells to me 'Whats up!!!!' then breaks into what I can best describe as a horrible tragedy of a dance routine.  I return the favor with a wave and my own rendition of the Napoleon Dyanmite dance revolution.

Then a funny thing happens.... he whispers me about a loan transaction I have going for some clients of mine and says that if we get into contract this week he can get them a great rate.  I make note of it and whisper back asking about an out of town investor that may be interested in a small commercial lot and ask him if he knows anyone who may have one they need to sell.  He says he will check and get back to me by end of business tomorrow.  Then my dang herb re-spawns and he grabs it before I have a chance to see what is happening.  Before I know it he is off and running over the next hill (with MY herb I must say) yelling that he will give me a call at my office in the morning to setup lunch.

See, I play World of Warcraft.  So does my family and some of my good friends.  Every Friday evening we get together online and hack and slash our way around the virtual worlds.  Neat thing is, several of my clients and some of my business associates also play.  A conversation starter for sure, but weird enough, also a business tool.  I have talked with people both near and far about everything from purchasing property to funding commercial developments.  When I say 'people', I should really be saying things like 'a little gnome warlock' or the 'Fabio looking night elf druid' or the 'crazy cow-headed shaman who stole my herb' (Grrr).

Point is, there are chances to network just about anywhere you look.  By taking a step out of the box you would normally prospect in, you can open up a whole new 'World' of opportunity. :)

Now if I could only convince the IRS that my Warcraft account is a business expense....

Have fun and maybe I will see you online.

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Jason Elrod

Realtor / Blood Elf Mage

• Land (raw, sub-divided, developed, undeveloped, etc)
  
• Residential Homes
• Luxury Homes
  
• Commercial Properties
• Multi-family properties
• Farms
• Horse Property
• Investment Property
  
• Mortgage loans
• Credit Reports
• Financial Statements
• Financial Planning
• Home repairs
• Inspections
• Taxes
• Contracts
• Disclosures
• Advisories
  
• Zoning laws
• Property use laws
• Home Buyers
• Home Sellers

My particular soapbox for the day is pretty much spelled out in the title.  Is your business defined more by who you are as an individual or by what you do for your clients and the systems you have to do it?

 As a real estate professional, I think that question is more important to your sanity and ability to grow a business than just about any of the others out there.  It speaks to the foundation of what you are building your business upon. 

 I see time and time again (with both new agents and veterans alike) this tendency to try and build a sort of 'cult of personality' and sell that to the general public.  Catchy advertising phrases and glamor shots spread across marketing materials and stuffing mailboxes all in an attempt to grab as much 'mindshare' as possible.  Then, when the phone doesn't ring off the hook and the bill comes in for all that 'great marketing', the agents feel personally rejected and downtrodden because 'the market' is beating them down.  However, if you pick yourself up and keep it up you WILL get business from this particular method.  But what happens when YOU get those clients?  Do YOU handle all the appointments?  Do YOU handle all the paperwork?  Do YOU hold every open house, show up for every inspector, update every web page, answer every call?  Are YOU the expert in marketing, negotiations, vendor coordinations, paperwork, technology, inspections, repair, photography, etc....?  IF SO, how many clients can you handle a day?  A week? A month?  And can you give them all the same level of service that you would want?

 I am 100% positive that many agents out there are living their careers in this manner.  I know that I have fallen into that particular trap before.  It is not only easy to fall into, but many time very ego satisfying to say that 'YOU' are the one one stop shop who made it happen by burning the midnight oil.  'Super Agent Syndrome'.  Also known as 'Guaranteed Burn-out 101' or 'How to let your business and clients run your life.'

 I think that it is actually MORE IMPORTANT to have your systems in place in the long run than to continue try the SAS route.  What many people don't realize is that they already have systems.  Commonly known as habits.  The trick here is to know which of those habits support you and your business and which don't.  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  It is a fact so don't feel bad about it or get into a huff.  A mentor of mine once said to me 'Know your role and own it.".  Know what you are good at and do that.  For everything else, develop a system (or beg, borrow or buy someone else's) and work that.  To develop a true real estate 'business' that can sustain and grow, you need to be able to work on it, not be it.  Once you start to codify the systems that work for you, it gets MUCH easier to both grow and expand your business.  Also, the quality of your service will INCREASE the less you personally have to do.  What I mean by that is even if you are a one person shop, as long as you have consistent systems for producing a certain result, then you are not going to be worried about what to do next.  You won't have to continually re-invent the wheels of your business.  You know the kind of excellent result you will produce for your client consistently.  And when you do begin to busy enough where you can't handle it all yourself, it will be much easier to hand some of these personal systems off to an assistant or another employee.  Better yet, when it comes time to retire, you will be able to hand off the entire thing to someone else (for some good residuals) and know that your business will continue to grow and function.

 With the proper systems in place you will be able to sell consistent results.  Consistent service.  Consistent excellence. Combine that with your personal branding and be known for your results and business skills as opposed to just another pretty face on a postcard.

 Sorry for the ramble but I have been hearing too many 'poor me' gripes lately and had to vent someplace.... 

:) 

It is always a good idea to know what is going on in your neighborhood.  A good  way to keep up it to visit your local county seat and check out all of the current projects on the books.  Whether proposed or in progress, many projects can have a big impact on how a community develops and grows. With that in mind, here are the current proposed projects in and around the Granite Bay Area according to the Placer County Community Development Agency.

Check out this article over at Granite Bay Homes and Lifestyles that shows just a few of the projects currently on the books.

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Jason Elrod

'Your Real Estate Consultant'

Well, it is that time of year again where the lights go up on the houses and the trees make there way into living rooms across America. Credit cards are being stretched and the stress levels are up. I see people around me running here and there trying to get 'the list' taken care of and wondering how they are going to put up with the relatives and the credit card bills that are sure to follow. Songs of the season provide background noise that brings a surreal feel to the whole hustle and bustle whirling about. Christmas time is upon us and it seems to me that a small pause is in order.

That being said, I am going to share with you my recipe for staying sane during the holiday season and maybe, just maybe finding a way to connect with that elusive Christmas Spirit.

10 steps to finding the Christmas spirit.

1 - Hold the door open for a stranger. It sounds simple but this can really make the day for someone. It also makes you feel good inside for doing something for someone else. Oh, and say Thank You when someone holds the door open for you.
2 - Give to your local food bank. The anonymous gift of food (a can or two will do) can make all the difference in the world to the family who needs a little help.
3 - Give an anonymous child's gift to your local orphans home. A new toy (for boy or girl) dropped off / donated to your local childrens home can bring more joy and hope to this world than you could possibly believe.
4 - Call an old friend and wish them a happy holiday. Make it someone who you don't' talk to all the time. Make it a surprise and random.
5 - Read a christmas story. A cup of hot cocoa and your favorite christmas story will be sure to slow you down and get your more in touch with what you liked about Christmas as a child. Read it out loud to your own kids if you have them and give them the gift of time with you. It will be remembered long after that plastic, blinky, super toy under the tree has broken and been added to the local landfill.
6 - Watch your favorite Christmas TV special. We can all remember the tales of Frosty the Snowman or perhaps the Year Without Santa Claus (Heat Miser anyone?). See my comments about slowing down with the cup of cocoa or some egg nog I mentioned above. Note, this doesn't count as the same quality time as reading to your kids but is good for 'extra credit' if you watch it with them.
7 - Make cookies and give some away to your neighbors or friends. Making a good old batch of sugar cookies with plenty of sprinkles can be a lot of fun (especially if you add some spiked nog to the baking process). Plus, home made cookies are great gifts for those adults on your list. Forget buying that $10 random gift and go with the cookies. Everyone will find a use for the cookies and you can rest assured it won't be re-gifted at the next office party.
8 - Leave work at the office. For once this year, leave all that 'extra' work at the office and enjoy a little home time. Even if it is just you, a glass of wine and that holiday classic 'A Christmas Story' on TV. Your sanity depends on some down time. Give yourself the gift of just being you. Think balance during this crazy season and it will serve you well. I promise.
9 - Wish those around you a Merry Christmas. I know over the last few years there seems to be some kind of war against wishing people a 'Merry Christmas'. Too much political correctness if you ask me. I think that if you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas then do just that. Don't think you have to go with a generic 'Happy Holidays'. Be specific and say what you feel. Be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or what not, make your well wishing a reflection of your beliefs. And if a 'Happy Holidays' is your way then go ahead and make that wish. Bottom line with this item it to spread the joy.
10 - Take the time to think of all the good things in your life. Pick a day and set aside an hour or two to just reflect upon all the good things you have in your life. Health, job, family, friends, a good book you read or a great movie you saw. Anything and everything you can remember about the last year that brought a smile to your face or warmth to your heart. Take a moment to remember how it felt then, and let that feeling come to you again and enjoy it once more. Joy and thankfulness can be found in the strangest places sometimes and it can be as simple as a good joke or a beautiful sunset. Take the time and remember it now. See the sights, hear the sounds and feel the feelings again. Take as much time as you need to get that feeling back now, and then take that with you through the rest of the year.

I hope this helps bring a little sanity and joy into your life this season and even if you just try a couple of the above suggestions, I promise that it will go a long way in bringing the Christmas spirit home.

So have a Merry Christmas and make sure to spread the word.


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Jason Elrod