Layne Kulwin

Layne Kulwin Training Consultant & Seminar Speaker Wonderful article - and it gives us all pause to reflect on what is or is not working in one's marketing endeavor. However, I humbly suggest that the problems are inherent more toward the "practitioner" and that dilemma needs to be addressed by all brokers, managers, team leaders and individual agents. The clients in today's market are using these tools (blogging) for informational searches, initial guidance, and who knows what else. Ergo, we have to step up to the plate and learn how to meet them where they are coming from - rather than where we'd prefer they were. We have to approach them in the manner that is most comfortable for them - not what is "agreeable" or "user-friendly" to us. Technology today makes blogging extremely easy... but as noted by author Teresa Boardman, too many spend too much time devoted to the most minuscule of details to the point of being obsessive compulsive. Using the FREE tools available on the internet, you can literally create a blog and post it in less than 2 minutes. Probably even less time than that once you know what you're doing. For my two-cents, I'd suggest we (1) get with the technology of today or resign ourselves to be left out in the cold; (2) don't reinvent the wheel or pretend that we're writing a major literary classic when blogging (this is a major problem, I'm sure. Goodness, I've seen agents labor over newsletters for so long they become obsolete before they could send them out to their clients. I can only imagine what "blogging" must do to these "type-A" behavior souls); and (3) if you can't do it... find somebody who can and assign the task to them (i.e. any teens in your neighborhood that would like a part-time job helping you write your blog?). Take heed - if you don't like change, you'll really hate being insignificant!

I have known Larry for some 25 years + and he is one of the finest real estate individuals we have in the industry. A true leader, I worked with him at Coldwell Banker as he led that organization in its growth here in Northern California. APR is truly fortunate to have him at the helm of their organization. And to think... that it all start from a push and a nudge from a family member! Kudos to you Larry. You are a true professional and gentleman. Layne Kulwin Training Consultant & Seminar Speaker

What is becoming a common practice is "suing the agent" for just about anything and hoping that the broker, salesperson, lender, inspector - whomever - will settle out of court for a modest, but tidy sum. It's moved from an ethical or legal issue to a bottom-line what's it going to cost me to defend myself in court. Granted, the costs of defense, depositions, expert witnesses, etc. can overwhelm you... often it is the bottom line that prevails at the end of the day. How sad.