Transaction Management Consultants

January, 2008

proudly presents

S.Y.S.T.E.M News

SaveYourself SomeTime Energy & Money

Sav

This publication is brought to you monthly by Transaction Management Consultants, the premier provider

of real estate coordinating services. For more information on TMC and the services provided to Realtors, Investors and

Developers throughout the country please visit www.ProTMC.com

Technology Corner

Cool tips and services to help you in your business.

Plaxo is an excellent tool for reaching out and keeping in touch. No more struggling to keep your contacts list fresh and current. With the free services offered by Plaxo much of the work is automated. Send ecards, request updates from your contacts that will automatically update in your address book and connect with others via Linken. For a small annual fee they even will provide an automatic back-up so you'll never lose your contact details. For more details go to www.Plaxo.com to sign up for your free account.

**Free Webinar**

Generate extra exposure for your listings quickly, easily and for FREE. Complete details on the events page at www.ProTMC.com

**ORLANDO**

Listing Breakfast 1/23/08

Get connected with others in the industry and network to sell your listings. Call Heather Salvatoriello at 407-402-9703 with question and visit our events page at www.Protmc.com for complete details.

Business in the 21st Century - Virtual Resources to Grow Your Business. February 25 or April 10. Call The Knowledge Shop to register at (407)671-9505 or visit them on the web at www.TheKnowledgeShop.us

Featured Book

Using email marketing to directly connect you with your customers has been simplified with iContact. Signing up for an account today promises to empower your business' online communication needs. Sending personalized emails to your customers and your prospects doesn't get any easier than with iContact. [Sign up for a free trial]

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As we begin a new year many of us make resolutions, set goals and make big plans for our lives and our business. Whatever resolutions you've made it's our hope that you're achieving the results you've aspired to. Here at TMC we've also made a few resolutions and we thought it would be fun to share a few of ours with you:

* Spend more time with our family and friends.

* Volunteer for our favorite charities.

* Find happiness and joy in life on a daily basis.

* Read 30 books this year.

* Travel to Italy.

We'd love to hear your resolutions and thoughts on ours, visit our all new blog at and give us your feedback. TMC Blog

Communication - 101

Plant the referral seeds, early and often

On the surface, the real estate transaction is straightforward. There is a contract, where the buyer and seller agree to certain terms. A date is set, the closing happens, everything is signed, title is transferred and everyone gets paid. Just like on TV, right? Fortunately not! If it were that cut and dry, it would quickly get very boring. Every transaction is as unique as the very individuals involved. This can lead to challenges when communicating and maintaining a satisfactory level of communication during the contract phase. Here’s a few tips we think you may find helpful to maintain great lines of communication with your client:

· Arrange for scheduled calling times. Everyone is busy. How many times have you finished your workday, only to realize that you forgot to call someone you meant to, and now it's too late? Each time you speak with your client, even if it is to simply check in, schedule the next call. This saves time and creates a level of professionalism.

· Keep your emails professional. Most of us have mobile communication devices that feed us our emails when we are away from our computers. Great as these little devices are, they also create the chance for miscommunication by a reply that is too short. If you feel you have to reply right away and your thumbs can’t type the appropriate lengthy reply, send a quick email letting the client know that you are out of your office but will reply in detail, upon returning.

· Check in often. It’s as simple as that. One of the biggest complaints many sellers and buyers voice to others is that their Realtor is just too busy. Especially once the contract is signed. As professionals in the industry we know how busy you are. Extremely busy, to say the least. You're checking in with the lender, title company, appraiser, cooperating agent, home inspector. You're also scheduling appointments, faxing documents, managing all the documents, delivering escrow, etc. You're doing the job it takes to get the transaction closed, but often the clients don't know all these things and feel left out. They often feel the only time they are called upon is when someone needs something, So call or email often, just to check in with them.

Maintaining good open communication is critical in planting the seeds for referrals and repeat business. There are many software options available that you can utilize to aid in providing your clients with a central place to check in on their transaction. This is often empowering for them and provides them a sense of satisfaction knowing that you're working hard and it's all right there online for them to see. If you're finding that you're too busy with other activities to keep in touch, consider hiring an assistant, transaction coordinator or a virtual assistant.

If you've got any tips on communication techniques you'd like to share, please visit our all new blog at TMC Blog and post your feedback.

Michelle's Corner

Have you Read.......?

I confess. I love to read. I read for business advancement, personal improvement, fun, inspiration, pleasure and a host of other reasons. I am also a huge fan of biographies and auto-biographies. When I find a book I love, I am known to sink myself down in a comfy chair and soak it up at lightning speed. No matter what the subject is, each time I read a new book I learn something new and I love to share. Each month, it's my pleasure and my privilege to share a few thoughts on a book I've recently read and a bit about what I learned that I hope you find helpful.

The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss

This recent New York Times Bestseller has made me and many I know think about our work and our business in an entirely different way. Thanks to the internet, many of us can work from almost anywhere in the world. The internet has created a virtual "bridge" whereby companies add new members to their organizations without ever physically meeting them. These professionals are ready to help you with everything from marketing, website design, research, customer service, administrative assistance and just about everything else one can imagine that can be done via phone, fax and the internet.

One of the reasons I feel I connected with this book so much was the reminder that it placed on working efficiently and effectively. In doing so, we can have more free time to pursue other activities like more family time, extended travel, hobbies and of coruse, relaxation. While the title may turn some away, thinking that it's hype and there is no way to only work 4 hours a week, believe me, there is real substance in this book and I know you'll find several new ideas to help you in your business or career.

Here are two suggestions you can start immediately before even reading the book:

Hire a virtural assistant. Hire someone to help with a long needed project, like updating your website or marketing materials, or handling some neighborhood research you've been meaning to tackle. Find someone you can outsource and delegate to will help you find the much-needed time to work ON your business and spend less time working IN the business. Start with a small project and grow from there. Check out elance.com and guru.com for resources to connect with providers.
Start taking extended time off. I know, I know, this one sounds a bit weird to most. Perhaps it's because old-fashioned time management teaches us to find ways to get more work done in our day. But, time off to regenerate, regroup and refocus can often be the best way to inprove the work you do. Remember how much you get done the day or two before a vacation? Hours clocked in your desk don't mean much if you're a business owner or commissioned sales person and not paid by the hour.

If you've read this book we'd like hear your thoughts, please visit our all new blog and let us know what you think. TMC Blog

REAL ESTATE HUMOR

Life is full of funny moments, we at TMC believe the more the merrier, Ho

wever, we understand and respect that when our days are challenging or not going the way we'd like them to, it can be tough to smile, let alone laugh. Honestly, that's when we all need a good laugh the most. So to do our part in helping spread a few laughs, we thought we'd share this hilarious video from a Canadian TV show with you. Just click on our laughing dog to be taken to the video..

Enjoy!!

Transaction Management Consultants is dedicated to helping Realtors, Investors and Developers streamline their contract to close processes. Our team of transaction coordinators are ready to help our clients Manage the Details. For more information on our services, please visit our website at www.ProTMC.com or call (407) 622-4862.