2011 Louisville Award for Real Estate Agents, But It’s Not Worth the Plastic It’s Made With

Posted on 01/24/2012 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR

2011 Louisville Award for Tre Pryor

Wow! Look at that! I’ve just been given the 2011 Louisville Award for Real Estate Agents. All I have to do is log into their Web site, commerceaward.com and enter this code they have for me and… wha…??

You mean I have to pay for it?

Why would anyone need to pay for the award they’ve been given? Didn’t their email just say:

Tre Pryor – Rick Shaw Realtors has been selected as the 2011 Louisville Award winner in the Real Estate Agents category by the US Commerce Association.

Did Chritian Bale pay for his Oscar? Did Tina Fey pay for her Emmy?!? This is an outrage!!

Oh, wait a sec… I see now. I have to pay for it because it costs so much. That way, these fake little companies can make some money handing out worthless awards to gullible recipients. Aha! Does anyone actually give them their credit card?

Well… so I don’t have a trophy for being the Best Real Estate Agent in Louisville 2011 but I’ve got their graphic. And by golly, I’ll display this thing proudly for all of 7 posts until it drops off at the bottom of my blog’s homepage.

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Year in Review, 2011 Edition

Posted on 12/29/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR
Chart with highs and lows
Every year has highs and lows. How was 2011 for you?

2011 was a busy year. In fact, despite the market being down again here in Louisville (see this handy dandy chart that compares Jefferson County monthly home sales back to 2006) I actually had my best year yet. Yeah me!

I want to use this post to look back and see what worked and what didn’t. If you know me, you’ll already know that I’m a straight shooter. I don’t steer. I don’t spin. And I don’t care for people that do. So here we go!

2011 Lousville Real Estate Highs

  • Louisville Homes Blog Founder, Tre Pryor, Interviewed by MSN for Real Estate Article
    This one just happened! I’m honored to be considered a subject-matter expert (SME) for real estate, not just here in Louisville but nationally as well.
  • Serving Some Great Clients
    I was blessed to work with some great clients over the course of this year. I’m especially pleased that many of these good people realized that I do put them and their needs ahead of my own and are referring me to their friends and family. You know who you are… you’re the best!
  • Grow Your Business Louisville
    I became a Director with Gold Star so that I could start my own networking group. We meet weekly and I’m blown away by some of the great people that have joined with me. 2012 is going to be awesome. You are invited to visit our club too.
  • Silas Joined the Family
    Family ranks high on my priority list. So when we are blessed with a new family member it’s a personal highlight! My nephew Silas was born this year. Psyched again to hear a little say, “Hey Uncle Tre!”
  • TrePryor version 3.0
    Found a solid database programmer who’s working hard to help me deliver a new version of TrePryor.com in the new year. My plans are for it to be the best real estate Web site in Louisville. (I know I promised it this year but finding quality help can be a challenge.)

2011 Lousville Real Estate Lows

  • Sales Continue to be Sluggish
    There was hope that real estate sales would strengthen in 2011. That didn’t pan out. This December, we’re in the same position as last December, hoping next year will be better.
  • Psychotic Clients, Disloyal Clients
    For people not in the industry, it’s almost impossible to understand how good agents put themselves out there for their clients, generally without any guarantee of compensation. That’s part of the business but it’s not easy, especially for me, because I treat ALL of my clients with the best that I have. This past year I’ve wasted hundreds of hours serving clients who either knew from the outset they were just “playing games” or decided to treat another human being like a machine, with little regard for the agent’s feelings. It can be very hurtful and it’s one aspect of this business that I will never like.
  • Economic Uncertainty
    Global economic problems affect us all. Our economies are so linked that problems in Europe hurt us here in the States. Unemployment continues to be a plaque no matter how our current administration tries to place blame on others. This uncertainty hurt us in 2011 and will likely continue to hinder our economy in 2012.

All in all, the good outweighs the bad. Optimism trumps negativity. And I choose to be excited about what next year will bring. How about you?

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Happy Real Estate Holidays Louisville!

Posted on 11/25/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR
A house is a great gift
What could be a better Christmas gift than a new home? Provided, of course, you can afford it.

Just want to wish all of you a very Happy Holiday season. As we get closer to Christmas, please remember that I always have time for your referrals so if you know anyone looking to buy or sell their Louisville home, I’d love to meet them!

Happy real estate Holidays Louisville!

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I Do Have Some Great Clients!

Posted on 11/04/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR
Photo of another home sold by Tre Pryor
Another Louisville home sold by Tre Pryor. My great clients took this shot and brought it by.

Was just thinking about some of my great clients and one brought by this photo and thought I’d like it. And I do! It’s especially gratifying when my clients trust my expertise to help them achieve their goals. In this case, their dream home came next!

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My Favorite Client

Posted on 11/03/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR

Originally Published: 01/15/2010

My favorite client is the one who trusts that I am going to do everything I can to help them find the best possible home for them.

My favorite client enjoys the process as well.

My favorite client tells me everything they’re thinking, even the small stuff, because you never know what might trigger a great idea.

My favorite client thinks Louisville is a great city.

My favorite client wants to cover all the bases, just to be sure.

My favorite client asks me for help any time they need it, no matter what it is, because they know that I take pride in my service.

My favorite client tells his friends about me.

My favorite client believes in me as I believe in them.

Could you be my favorite client?

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Agents: Do You Have a Real Estate Plan for Yourself?

Posted on 10/23/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR
Photo of Diana Ross
Diana Ross was a diva from a different era. Did she have a musical career plan?

Bet you didn’t think I’d be writing about Diana Ross songs on this real estate blog, huh?

Not sure why I thought of this, but since last month I wrote about a U2 song and back in April I quoted The Beastie Boys, I thought I’d continue the theme with a completely unrelated artist. There’s no 6 degrees of separation with these two.

Here’s the relavant quote:

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?

How does this pertain to real estate? Good question my friend.

As it turns out, there are a million and one ways to conduct yourself in the world of real estate. From the way you prospect for clients—cold calls, flyers, bus signs, radio advertising (to name just a few)—to the way you handle the clients you’ve obtained.

I know agents who work so many clients at the same time they couldn’t possibly have anything more than a surface relationship with them. I doubt they even know their client’s children’s names. They’re too busy working this client to closing then jumping to the next.

The reverse can also be a problem. Spending too much time with any single client can be hazardous to one’s business health because there’s a real chance they don’t buy/sell. It’s my assertion that the average Realtor doesn’t get paid for 66% of their time/work. Surprised? I was too!

So, back to the song. Do you know where you’re doing to? Do you have a plan? It doesn’t have to be an Ivy League business plan with all the data plotted but it needs to be spelled out and written down.

If you don’t have a real estate plan for your career, I predict you won’t like “the things that life is showing you.”

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‘So Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down’

Posted on 09/18/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR

[I took that title from the U2 song, Acrobat. Great song, by the way.]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to give great service to my client and potential clients (leads) without getting being taken advatage of. I’ve arrived at the conclusion that it’s impossible. Simply not possible.

Giving your 100% best effort will not return 100% loyalty to you, as the Realtor, by the home buyer or home seller. It just won’t.

That doesn’t include the number of honest, good-hearted folks who simply change their minds. You’ve served them for hours and hours only to see their current home in Virginia not sell or they lost their job and are no longer in a financial position to buy a new home.

Who’s fault is that? No one.

But, there are those that ditch you for another agent, rather that’s their sister’s uncle, the fast talking lady at the checkout stand or some other agent who has no problem stealing clients from another person.

It seems I just have to toughen up and not let those situations bother me, otherwise… I’d be upset on a regular basis.

A simple word of advice, “Treat others how you’d like to be treated.” The world would be a better place.

Important Note: I do want you to know that MOST of my clients are great people, respectful and fun to work with. I appreciate all of you very much!

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Service with a Smile, Some Clients Ungrateful

Posted on 08/30/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR

I’m consistently amazed at the behavior I witness with certain clients. At times it borders on the outrageous! Some clients clearly are just interested in what they want and could care less about the person providing the service.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been blessed with some amazing clients. Here’s the amazing real estate testimonials to prove it. But, for every person that proceeds through the process and comes out the other side happy and well-served, there are 3 who used me for what I could provide, with little thought to who I am as a human being.

Please pardon me this vent session but it seems I under estimated people’s ability to be self-centered. I mean, would it kill you to lob a text, email or phone call after I’ve provided you with everything you ask for all at absolutely no charge?!?

Apparently so.

If it were up to me, there would be a mandatory written real estate agreement that both parties would sign that outlines both services and responsibilities. Some might say, “No fun!” but everything would be clear and out in the open.

Am I the only one who wants to remove all the uncivil behavior? Hehe… Here’s hoping that’s not true.

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How ‘Full’ Is the Full Service Real Estate Agent?

Posted on 06/19/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR

Alfred is Batman's butlerThere are a myriad of ways to approach a career selling real estate. Many have the perception that it’s a sales job. It is not. It’s a service job. Some don’t understand the different or are bound by different motivations but in either case, the best Louisville Realtors serve their clients.

I’ve told this to clients, “Think of me as your real estate butler.”

The reason I bring this up because I was wondering the other day if it’s possible to be too service oriented? Is every request (or command) made by my clients one that I should automatically merely jump to and perform?

Real estate can be a demanding tyrant. There are no posted hours, only what you deem to be appropriate. I work about 55-60 hours most weeks, some even more. My phone rings after 7pm regularly and after 9pm from time to time. Weekends are the primary playing field for scheduling showings and Open Houses. I don’t even have a day off! That’s certainly full service, in my book.

So with all those demands, along with faith, family and friends, how do you keep your life in balance?

It’s not an easy question nor one with a clear answer but I do believe there must be lines designed at the outset to maintain clear demarcation between “work” and your personal life. If you don’t and the client pool runs you ragged, you’ll soon start to see them as the enemy… and that doesn’t help them, or you.

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So Far This Year and Why Louisville Real Estate Needs to Get on Its Horse!

Posted on 05/26/2011 by Tre Pryor, REALTOR
Horse Race
It’s still too close to Derby time not to use a horse racing analogy.

With the Derby and Preakness behind us, I thought I’d utilize an appropriate thematic in the title. Over on Louisville Homes Blog, I’ve been writing consistently on reasons why people should be investing in real estate right now. Whether that’s improving their own home or taking advantage of the current market conditions to improve their portfolio, there’s just too much to like about Louisville real estate right now.

Most experts agree that sales will rise in 2011 but not by much. So what’s happening? Let’s see where we are at this point compared to last year. This data is for Jefferson County in Louisville, KY only.

Year # of Sales Total Sales Avg Sales Median Sales
2011 2,483 $386,417,704 $155,625 $125,750
2010 2,959 $463,916,035 $156,781 $130,700
Period: 1/1 through 5/15

So let’s see if I’ve got this right: less sales, less totals, lower averages and medians. Check, check and check. Well, that’s disappointing.

Obviously consumers either haven’t heard the experts recommendations on real estate (which I find hard to believe) or else they don’t believe them (the more likely situation). Heck, I’m thinking about buying a new house myself, and I don’t even need one. I just don’t want to look back 5 to 10 years from now and think that I really missed out. (Especially since I’m supposed to be some kind of expert, huh?)

Accurately predicting the future is next-to-impossible but all the signs point towards improvement. Will it happen? Now that’s another story for another time.

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