Trey's Blog: January 2008

We live in the country. Therefore our 4 cats (sometimes more)  are "Kuntry Kats" and as such, we expect them to earn their keep around our little ranch which is appropriately named KAT Ranch meaning the Khris And Trey Ranch  after my wife and yours truly. 

Now I need to preface by saying we don't raise cats, and our four cats are all "fixed." We have only taken pound kitties or rescue cats and prefer the cross breeds as they seem to be more resilient and better suited to the country life. Simply stated, they survive better, don't expect a lot, even though they are all fat and spoiled, and run faster to escape our herd of dogs, than urban cats ever could. And they do their designated jobs.

As I stated they all have jobs. One is in training to be our resident mouser.  In the past month I have personally observed him do his job two times and with quick precision.

Another male, our oldest cat, is the resident leader. He is at the top. He makes sure stray cats are kept away and don't stay too long. Stray cats like to mark territory and it isn't pleasant.

One of or females is our designated, "Bed Kitty" and has the special privilege of sleeping on the bed of course.  That's her job. Not many training sessions required.

And our fourth cat, another female, is in charge of gopher and mole patrol and I might add has taken some real trophy specimens.  I never knew gophers got so big.  

Now twenty years ago you wouldn't catch me near a cat.  I have always been a big dog man.  One day while showing a vacant home in the country, I heard a little squeak and observed this skin and bones kitten who had been abandoned chasing dinner.  I admired his survival skills and I picked him up and took him to a vet in town, then brought him home. My wife wanted to know if I was alright because she knew I despised cats. Well fast forward a few years and I have lost count of all the cats we have had. I really have learned to admire and like cats, but even so still make them work for dinner.  :-)

This week I have really realized how important e-mail is to our profession. Mainly to me... it is in communicating with clients. In the past we had to call clients at their jobs to keep them posted. This probably irritated their bosses and staff.... with the agent constantly calling and calling to update. Now we just drop a quick e-mail and they can check it out at break time or anytime if their company doesn't mind.  I am finding that some large corporations or government  jobs don't like e-mails on personal business at work or on employer time. Now I only have heard of a few.  Have you run into this  issue at all?

Back on topic.  Before email:

• We made Lots of phone calls.  I still like phone calls when possible to keep the personal touch.
• We would physically drive over and deliver messages and documents. Most company's didn't want their fax machines being tied up with personal stuff.
• We used the U.S. Mail  even to send something across town.

Actually I believe e-mail was a greater invention in some respects than the copy machine. I wonder what new piece of equipment or service is on the horizon that will change the way we do business like e-mail did?

www.aggiecastles.com

No doubt one of the keys to success in a real estate firm is a quality staff including your receptionist, and other employees. There is nothing more important than a friendly voice greeting potential clients and making them comfortable. First impressions count when shopping for a home And when shopping for a broker.

It is really unsettling to be greeted by a grumpy receptionist or one with bad manners.  I recall one office that had the same receptionist for many years. She had this terribly raspy smoker's voice and until the smoking ordinances came into effect, she always had a butt going at her desk.  Pretty bad indeed.  I can only guess at the lost business experienced by that office due to her.

It is so important to have a well trained staff that is dependable and on time.  Seems that many businesses feel that the reception position is not that important and therefore they hire minimally qualified people that just don't last.  Been there...done that.  It doesn't work.

Go for the gold when selecting staff.

I remember this same question coming up from an individual in the mid 80's when things didn't look so promising for agents...and particularly so for new ones.  I thought about it. What did I tell that person back then?......

Well I am not absolutely certain, but I believe it went like this:

• You know you can do well if you treat it like any other job.
• Go to work each each day with a positive attitude. 
• Study what successful agents do.
• Design a plan to uniquely promote you and your special skills.
• Get involved in your community.
• Always follow up!

Well fast forward 20 years and I am  pretty sure that those are the same basic suggestions I am giving prospective agents today!

Funny how some things change overnight and others concepts never really change like hard work, perseverance, and honesty.....it truly works in any profession.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!  and I'd shake your hand if I could but since I can't , here go:

 We're excited about a Good year in our area!

Our Chamber of Commerce does a great job! After attending the Annual Economic Outlook Conference put on by our local Chamber of Commerce this week, I certainly came out of it revitalized and motivated.  They do an OUTSTANDING job...and I emphasize outstanding, each year in presenting a diverse and highly informative program, that gives business and particularly real estate professionals , some wonderfully useful information to share with clients and other business associates.

I was in the bank making a deposit Friday and noticed a banker-friend on his computer reading the same data we received at the conference. We chatted and agreed it is highl useful to both our professions.

Thanks Chamber of Commerce!  http://www.bcschamber.org/

Several speakers from Texas A&M, the state of Texas, and our own  Visitors Bureau spoke at the event. The one speaker that really stood out to me was our own  Convention and Visitors Bureau  president and CEO, Barry Bigger. He is truly an eloquent speaker, gentleman, and the kind of leader we need at the helm of the bureau. http://visitaggieland.com/

Good job Barry!

www.aggiecastles.com

Wonderful New Patio Home by  Classic Homes

Spring Meadows Subdivision

MLS #44822      Approx 1973 sq. ft. heated    3 BDR.      2 Baths  

• Perfect for retirees or anyone seeking to size down without sacrificing quality.
• Elegant finish and decor throughout.  
• Minutes to Pebble Creek Golf and Country Club
• Quiet Cul-de-sac setting
• Short drive to Medical services  http://www.csmedcenter.com/
• Convenient to the University     http://www.txcyber.com/

Price  $ 228,000

M. F. Trey Thurmond , Broker. CRB, GRI

3 Decades of Service

http://www.treythurmond.com/

979- 229-8465

www.aggiecastles.com

My wife and I went to see the new Rambo , last night.  Rambo is as bad as ever, tough dude! I noticed this time however that Sylvester spent more time behind the machine gun and the boat motor than he did hand to hand combat and he seemed a little stiffer ...old age will do it to you every-time. 

All in All it was just another Rambo movie...lots of blood, guts, and gore. The evil war lords rape, pillage, and murder everything that breathes and the Christian missionaries get caught up in the fight.  Good guys won though, thanks to Rambo!

I have to admit the scene with Hogzilla chewing on a missionary's leg was even a bit much for this old backwoodsman's taste.

I really wish we could send Rambo to Iraq and Afghanistan and just get it over with.

Oh, the showing was in the largest theater of the 16 at the theater complex and it was packed.  When the lights came on it was about 20 to 1 men in the audience and  all the wives and girlfriens immediately covered their faces.

When I go to a Chick flick with my wife I don't cover my face....What is the deal?

The word now-a-days is " Short Sale" 

Well I have been a short seller for years. That is right. I used to be 5'-9''.  Now I am 5'-8 1/4''.  It is a known fact ...people get shorter as they grow older.

 I certainly have! 

On a serious note I understand the concept of short sale. Nothing new here....I just am amazed at how the concept has become a side business "ancillary business" for so many. There are manuals, and even books on the topic, professional speakers on "How to Short Sell"  Nothing "Short" of amazing!. 

When I saw the Basketball team's rating after the loss streak they have experienced recently I told myself to stop being negative about the team, and think positive. They were still up there in the ratings,  so I figure the experts know more than me.....give them a chance.

The word around our office whenever Aggie Basketball comes up is "Wake UP Aggies!"

 Lately it seems to us that overall the team just isn't putting forth the effort needed. They watch the ball instead of going for the ball, they watch rebounds, and they look tired. We believe they can wake up. Hopefully the Coach told them to.