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Over the past few years, coaching has gradually risen to a billion dollar industry while out pacing the growth of the consulting business. How does coaching differ from consulting? Coaches work on bringing out the best that’s already inside you. In small business coaching, the focus is on the “bigger picture” of what it is you want to create for your business (and your lifestyle), and talk about what will keep you motivated to move forward on your dreams, goals and tasks.

A coach focuses on developing YOU to your highest potential, as well as developing your business. They encourage you, support you, applaud you, and empathize with you. They help you to discover honest insights into where things aren’t working. They share their personal experiences helping achieve your goals overcoming any obstacles. Coaches show others how to do what they have already done and help motivate people to action. Good coaches give hope to others by example, sharing the steps they took to achievement. With people looking for quick solutions these days, a great coach is invaluable allowing people to learn from others mistakes. If you are a realtor - you have a great opportunity to leverage your skills to have another form of cash flow.

Good coaching systems also have good accountability systems in place. It is one thing to talk about how you can achieve what you are looking for, it is another for the person getting coached to take action. With no action there is no journey to achievement.

Coaches also help them prioritize projects and goals. They help you plan your work and work your plan—but they don’t necessarily give the actual strategies to execute, steps to take, business or marketing plans to follow, nor do they give financial or legal advice.

So why is business coaching hot? Over 85% of small and medium-sized businesses fail in the first five years. There is a huge market to help these small businesses. Most people starting a new small business have one or more of the skills required, but typically not all of them. Coaches show you how to find those skills that you are missing. But it is not just the tools; it’s the accountability that makes coaching work. Most business owners are not accountable to anybody. The current economy has people scrambling to find support, direction and additional income.

Why real estate agents? Agents are self motivated, run businesses (many from their home), know success principles and more importantly already know the skills needed to sell a product they believe in. Even more beneficial is that real estate agents and brokers already know how to serve others first with a product or service that is valued.

With home based businesses, personal franchises from the home, becoming one of the hottest growth industries, there are many individuals that need such a service. Although the coaching profession has experienced strong growth, coaches can run into the same problems that have crippled consulting businesses. Their clients spending is limited and the business owner is expecting a good return on investments. Business coaches have to prove their value to the small business owner.

A company we think is going to explode shortly is a women’s coaching service. Throught their services a customer can get their basic service (web coaching) for free and it goes up from there. Self Directed coaching - $19 a month, Advanced Telephone coaching $39 a month, Master Program In Person Coaching - $59 a month. Very affordable for many.

From a business perspective as a realtor, times are getting tougher. You can also run this as a business yourself bringing in extra income or build a thriving organization which generates substantial income. There are many different ways to choose for additional revenue so there is a solution that works best for you. The company is first to market and there is no other home business or personal franchise that we know of in this space.

As a realtor, you are not alone in many of the challenges facing our economy. Business people all over the world are experiencing some of the very same challenges you face every day. You are more prepared then many because of your experiences, training and knowledge. We see great opportunities for realtors to help develop a support systems and solutions. You are not only business people but people who show leadership in your lives.

About The Author:

Andrew Van Valer is a noted real estate investor, author, speaker, coach and CEO of http://www.Zyzyrgy.com and writes on a variety of subjects related to finance, debt reduction, personal franchises and home based businesses. To visit the largest online personal franchise community of 50,000 members and to find trusted solutions for the leading low cost of entry home based businesses go to http://www.cashflowpotentials.com

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When taking the California Real Estate Broker’s Exam, it is important to understand the structure of the test so there are as few surprises as possible. The exam is five hours of testing–2 1/2 hours in the morning, and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon. There is a break in between the two sessions, during which the examinees have to vacate the testing room. This is important to know because you will want to utilize the halftime break wisely.

I suggest you bring some nutritious food with you to eat during the break. Do not waste your time going to a fast food restaurant and satiating on whatever you can find. Bring some quality protein, a slice or two of quality whole wheat, grainy bread, and some fruit and veggies. This will provide fuel and energy for you in the afternoon without making you drowsy. Bring something to drink that is not loaded with sugar. You do not want a big surge in your blood sugar level, only to crash in the afternoon. Also bring some of your best study materials to peruse during the halftime break. Don’t just let the time fritter away. Make it as useful as possible. The first half of the test will alert you to the kind of questions you can expect in the afternoon.

The test is randomly distributed within all topical areas. That is to say, you do not exhaust all of the “appraisal” questions in the morning so that you will not see any in the afternoon. All topics are randomly distributed throughout the day, and are likely to be seen on both halves of the test. There are a total of 200 questions on the exam; 100 in the morning, 100 in the afternoon. It is like two 100/question tests, but it is graded as one 200/question test. A score of 75% must be obtained to pass, or 150 correct answers out of 200. Restroom breaks are permitted, but you are probably better off not having to utilize them. You will need to show a picture ID and you should have the authorization letter from the state. You may bring a pencil and a simple four-function calculator into the examination room. Bottled water, purses, and cell phones will be kept in another room, so for many, it is better to leave them in the car. Their security is not guaranteed. Knowing this framework will assist in keeping you comfortable, and having a successful experience with the exam.

Dwight E. Norris
714-514-9444
dwightenorris@yahoo.com
http://www.NorrisLive.com

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Are you a stressed-out realtor? Many real estate agents are under a lot of stress and this can negatively impact their health, relationships with family and their career.

Kaizen is a Japanese term for “improvement” or “constant, positive change”. It is the philosophy of making small changes in your life so that, over the course of time, you make large-scale improvements. This is not New-Age mumbo-jumbo and it won’t cost you a cent; in fact, it will probably save you money!

For many real estate professionals, stress is a constant, looming enemy. The urge to be constantly available to clients, coupled with the hit-or-miss nature of many real estate transactions can add up to a huge amount of stress. If you’re not naturally neat and organized, you will also suffer, as this can complicate your day.

Many people in our profession look at the big picture and solely at results. The idea that change must be done in one fell swoop is what causes you to stress out. The idea that you must “cold-turkey” your mind into organization, follow-ups, lead generation, and the other minutiae of real estate is what might end up killing whatever chance you have to get ahead.

So, what if you jettison all of your ideas about “just doing it”? I’ll tell you something: You can’t make things worse then they are by focussing on tiny incremental changes that are geared to improving your life for the better, continuously.

Here’s an example:

1. You realize that you haven’t seen your wife in three weeks, except for fifteen seconds between the bathroom and the kitchen every day. Your children are starting to not recognize you. You want to make sure that you give your business and personal life enough time to maintain the health of each. Do you:

a) tell your family that they should be grateful that you’re working so hard to feed, clothe and shelter them and you’ll be around on the weekend. Maybe.

b) abruptly take the week off from the office, turn off your cell phone and tell yourself that the lost commissions and recommendations aren’t worth as much as your family time

c) Go to bed at 11:45 instead of midnight

“What?!” I hear you saying. “It’s obvious which one was designed to be the ‘right’ answer, but what the hell will going to bed earlier accomplish?” Lots.

You see, one of your problems is that you likely stay up too late, working or trying to relax after a hard day with TV or the Internet. Then, you sleep just long enough to enable you to head to the office or to meet with a client. This is not the road to happiness and long life; it’s the road to early divorce, health problems and burnout.

A week later, go to bed at 11:40. Then 11:35. Then 11:30. Eventually, you’ll be getting a good night’s rest and you’ll be much more alert at 7:30 when your 13-year-old daughter casually mentions that she wants to tattoo her boyfriend-of 3-weeks’ name on her arm.

Kaizen is not just a way to solve your sleep deprivation; it is a way to change your entire life. Look at your life and see where you can make changes. Then make one, tiny change that isn’t too hard to do. When that doesn’t seem so onerous, make another tiny change; just enough to be a positive one. Start setting small goals. Instead of the big one of spending more time with your family, gradually make some changes to your lifestyle, like scheduling in family time, making business hours for yourself and setting client expectations to coincide with your work-life balance.

As you go along, you might notice that, like a bicycle on a curve, that the changes you are making sweep you on an ever-faster road to a positive lifestyle. You become used to change, paying more attention to your activities and seeing how you can use your time and money more wisely. You will not just change your life for the better; your family’s and client’s will improve as your changes start to positively affect their lives. Kaizen is not one change made to improve one’s lifestyle; it is a constant cycle of seeing things you want to change and making them possible with small steps.

The result is that you are going to be a happier, calmer person, more able to roll with what life throws at you. You will feel happier about the changes that you are making, because they are going to be so small, you will barely notice the energy it takes to do them. Your family will be happier because you will gradually have more quality time for them. Your clients will be happier because they will be getting more quality time out of you.

And it all starts with one infinitesimal change.

Joshua Sloan is your San Diego real estate agent at SanDiegoRealEstateBuzz.com. If you’re looking for Vista CA real estate for sale, Joshua can help.

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According to Nationwide, property prices slid 1.7% further in September 2008, the eleventh consecutive month of falls with an annual change of 12.4%. According to Halifax, house prices fell by 1.3% with an annual fall of 12.4%. The Halifax and Nationwide data is taken from the survey prices when mortgages are approved.

If however you view the Land Registry statistics in August 2008 the annual fall was only 4.6%. Why the big discrepancy? There are a number of reasons: the Land Registry uses the prices of what houses actually sold for, not for what they were valued at, they do not include Scotland and Northern Ireland and there can be a time delay of 3 months in the Land Registry receiving the data. It also only records the houses that have been sold and bought at least already once since 2000.

So let’s look at what the experts are predicting for house prices:

On the relative optimistic side, the mortgage brokers, John Charcoal, expect house prices to fall by 15% maximum. The estate agency, Savills, expect prices to fall 25% in total by the end of 2009 and to stabilise in 2010. Howard Archer, chief economist at Global Insight expects house prices to fall 18% in 2008 and a further 15% in 2009. Capital Economics expect that the fall will be 35% from the peak in 2007. Nationwide do not provide a percentage figure but predict that there is “little to suggest that the market will turn around quickly”.

How far house prices will fall depends on a number of factors. Crucially, banks are not willing to lend to each other and as a consequence banks will lend their precious cash only to the lowest-risk customers. With fewer customers coming into the property market, the property market will continue to fall. The public that can buy are generally postponing buying property until the market has bottomed out, and in doing so house prices fall further.

So what will happen after the fall hits the ground? With interest rates likely to be cut to 3.5%, and food and fuel prices coming down affordability should be easier. Once the banking crises rides itself out with the losers having lost and the winners having survived, will property prices rise and if so, when?

Savills predict that house prices will start to rise in 2011 reaching 2007 peaks by 2012. The National Housing Federation predict that prices will rise by 25% by 2011. You could argue that they both have particular interest in the prices rising and so are taking an optimistic view. However, also the Centre for Economic and Business Research believe that prices will rise by 30% rise between late 2009 and 2012 due to a shortage in new build.

This financial crisis is global. It is likely that there is worse to come before the market stabilises and when the recovery comes it will be within tighter boundaries of regulation and responsibility. This may make it a slow but, hopefully, a safe recovery.

Susy Copus writes about all aspects of the property market. Her work has featured the UK Property Search Engine, Wheres My Property, and Renovate Alerts who find property to renovate.

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Many real estate development firms are taking a careful approach to dealing with potential projects in today’s markets. With real estate on shaky ground, a conservative tactic is likely to be the one that will pay off in the long run. Keep in mind, however, that development firms are not shuttering their doors or walking away from the market. They are simply retooling their efforts in regard to construction and development.

So, how are today’s successful real estate firms holding their own in this time of economic trouble? Many are taking these approaches:

• Focusing on preparation work - Some developers are simply using today’s lower prices to prepare for the future. This means they are buying up tracts of land to develop on down the road. Much like the land barons of days gone by, they are purchasing - but not building - on speculation.
• Site work - In some locations that are known for traditionally hot real estate markets, developers are preparing their sites for construction, but stopping short on the bricks and mortar. This action will enable them to jump right in with new residential developments as soon as the market turns. The idea here is to have the latest, greatest development on the market as soon as the economy turns around.
• Zeroing in on needed residential - As more and more homeowners are losing their property to foreclosure, some real estate developers are trying to cater to their needs. Condo and apartment complexes, for example, that will accept people with shaky credit are in high demand. Some development firms are stepping in to build housing that will fill the needs.
• Commercial development - While residential development has all but bottomed out, commercial construction continues in many areas. Development firms are finding new life blood building shopping centers, office complexes and other similar buildings.
• Government work - Some developers are working closely with government agencies to help fill their needs. As many government construction projects continue through despite the economic downturn, this avenue is a solid one for keeping work going and people employed. This is precisely why many government agencies are continuing to build. Smart real estate development firms are filling the needs on this front.

To find out other tactics real estate development firms are taking to stay afloat, click here!

http://www.102tips.info/real-estate

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If you think that a real estate developer gobbles up land, puts buildings on it and then makes a big sale for a huge cash reward, you have the layman’s understanding of this challenging field. When the surface is scratched a little deeper, you will discover that the facts about a real estate developer job reveal a great deal more to this field than just buying and selling.

So, what are the facts about real estate development that you might want to know if this field appeals? Here are some points that go deeper than the surface:

• Developers do more than buy and sell land - For a real estate developer to be successful, the individual or company must have a knack for market research. Not only does land have to be bought, developed and then sold or leased for money to be made, but the proposed project has to make sense in the community. Getting the correct zoning, permits and government approvals takes knowledge and know how. Making sure the developed property will actually appeal to buyers or renters is also vital.
• An individual can be a developer - Individuals all over the world can technically be categorized as real estate developers. Any time a person buys a piece of property, adds improvements to it and then sells or leases it for a profit, development has taken place. While some of the world’s most noted real estate developers are actual corporations, individuals, couples and families can also get in on the act if they have the backing to do so.
• The field demands multiple disciplines - Successful real estate development companies don’t rely on an individual’s skills alone in most cases. These firms also have a broad team of professionals onboard to help with purchases, permitting and construction. The disciplines that feed into real estate development include geology, law, market research, marketing, accounting, economics, architecture, drafting, surveying, clerical and more.
• Education is essential - If you intend to land a real estate developer job working for a firm, your degree will matter. To actually be the buying, selling and developing point person, a degree in real estate development can be a good springboard. For the sub-fields, degrees in the desired area are often a must.

A real estate developer job can provide an excellent career that is challenging and rewarding. If you’d like to explore more facts about the field, click here!

http://www.102tips.info/real-estate

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For a successful land developer, a skilled real estate business broker can prove to be a valuable resource. Professionals in this line of work are uniquely qualified to work with developers to not only assist their clients in selling property, but also in helping communities get the resources they need.

Developers often rely on real estate brokers to help them:

• Locate property for development - While a developer might work on a national or international scale, the real estate broker tends to work on a micro-level. This means the broker is able to zero in and find property available for development when a developer shows an interest in an area. A commercial developer, for example, might have market research that shows a retail plaza is needed in a certain community. The broker would, in turn, help locate land the developer might be interested in building upon.
• Perform localized market research - Real estate brokers who want to make large land scales often put an emphasis on market research. It is their bailiwick to know what a community truly needs in regard to construction. While developers will generally do their own research prior to making a purchase, they do pay heed to what local developers say in regard to localized need.
• Find buyers for developed properties - While some real estate developers hang on to their properties once they are developed, many do not. When the latter is the case, the real estate broker would provide the service of helping find potential buyers. This is commonplace in the business of developing residential properties, for example.
• Navigate local government processes - With land development and real estate laws differing from state to state and often community to community, the local broker is often the “expert” n the area. While a developer will hire representation, the initial information about zoning, permitting and other regulations tends to come from the broker.
• See a need or potential - It is not out of the question for a real estate business broker to actually lobby on behalf of clients and the communities they serve to find a developer for certain property. If, for example, there is a need in a community for more commercial, residential or industrial development, the broker might be the one making contacts to potential developers.

There is more to what a real estate business broker does than meets the eye. To learn more, click here!

http://www.102tips.info/real-estate

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Being a real estate business manager in today’s ever-changing market is no easy feat. Proving successful at the position can be even more challenging. But, what happens when a business manager works for a developer? The complications can be even greater.

If you’re interested in this unique field and want to be a success at it, the following tips for managing real estate in today’s market can help. Developers are frequently using these strategies to help keep their firms successful in the present while building their positioning for the future when the economy rebounds:

• Scaling back developments - In many large markets across the United States, successful real estate managers are finding that smaller, more affordable developments are garnering interest. Rather than offer large, expensive homes, for example, some developers are looking at true “starter” properties. Many who are taking this approach are seeing sales where others are not.
• Buying land for the future - The buy now and develop later approach is also taking place across America. With real estate pricing low and availability high, many developers are buying property on speculation for future building. This tactic has worked extremely well for real estate development companies in the past. This does, however, require a great deal of patience as property purchased today might have to be held on for some time to see a big return - even with development.
• Going only with “sure things” - Real estate managers are not building much on speculation these days. Instead, they are taking property they have in holding and are developing it on an as-needed basis in many cases. Commercial developments with pre-sold, or pre-lease customers, for example, are appealing. Government contracts, too, are showing promise.
• Smart speculation - Some real estate managers are still willing to go out on a limb, but only to an extent. Rather than bank on 3,000 houses being needed in a community, they are going out and are carefully researching the markets before they build. Apartment developers, for example, are finding their niche is in demand at the moment. As more people adjust their finances to streamline expenses, the need for complexes in many communities is fairly high. The successful real estate business manager seeks a niche with a need and fills it.

If you’d like to find out more about being a successful real estate business manager, click here for information.

http://www.102tips.info/real-estate

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As financial markets crash and credit crunches even tighter, today’s real estate commercial developer is faced with an ever growing number of challenges. Still, for the smart developer, hitting it big is quite feasible. It all comes down to the strategy a developer chooses to take.

While home construction and development is down all over the place, commercial construction continues. The difference in today’s market, however, is that developers are finding themselves catering to “sure things” or they are holding out for the turnaround in the markets that will no doubt come.

To enjoy better than average chances for success in commercial development of real estate in today’s market, these tips can help:

• Buy now, build later - Many commercial developers are taking advantage of today’s low prices to stake out land for future development. While this approach will require the capital and patience to hold on to land for some time, it can pay off down the road with big returns. Just think of the “land barons” of yesteryear. They bought cheap, held out and then developed when prices were through the roof.
• Seek out big-name tenants before construction - Some real estate developers on the commercial end are continuing to build like nothing has happened with the markets. This is because they’ve found anchor tenants that can float a development with ease. Large, well-known stores, big companies and so on can all serve to supercharge a commercial development. Sign them on in advance and a project can succeed in today’s marketplace. What happens in commercial retail development, for example, is that the big anchors draw in other, smaller tenants so occupancy tends to be where it is supposed to be at opening.
• Seek out government contracts - While retail/commercial development takes a special touch in today’s market, developments that happen to have government anchors are continuing to shine. As government scrambles to keep more people working, its construction projects are continuing. Real estate developers that want a “sure thing” in today’s market are finding government contracts are worth looking at. Keep in mind that even small governments, such as municipalities, still have construction needs. These agencies tend to be very good tenants for the real estate commercial developer.

If you’re interested in learning more about strategies for today’s real estate commercial developer, click here.

http://www.102tips.info/real-estate

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The beautiful Latin American country of Panama has done a lot of growing up in recent years. Known primarily in the past for it’s engineering marvel the Panama Canal, recently Panama has been earning accolades as a destination for; retirement, tourism, offshore banking and real estate investment.

Panama: Economy is Booming

Over 40,000 new cars were added to the roadways in Panama City last year alone. Money collected from the tourism industry now generates more income for Panama than the famous Canal. Panama has it’s own currency the Balboa which is pegged directly to the US Dollar. The US dollar notes are used as the paper currency in Panama with the Balboa only existing as minted coins. Couple this with one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America and you have a very desirable environment for investment, especially from a North American perspective.

Tale of Two Oceans

Panama City is located near the mouth of the Panama Canal on the Pacific side of the country. A drive up the Pacific coast brings you to many exclusive ocean front villages including; Coronado, Playa Blanca, Punta Barco and others. Only a one hour drive will bring you to the Caribbean side of the country where the lifestyle is more like that of Jamaica. The Caribbean is not as built up as the Pacific side but for many people this is what they prefer about it.

Real Estate

Panama City is turning into a world class metropolis with many high rise buildings dotting the skyline and many more under construction. There are many exclusive areas to choose to live including; Marbella, Balboa, Punta Paitilla, Coco del Mar and up and coming Punta Pacifica and San Francisco that offer a wide range of apartments and condominiums for sale. For family living the former US Canal zone (Amador Heights, Albrook, Clayton) area offers a nice selection of single family homes and spacious lots.

For those interested in living in an old Spanish colonial style village Casco Viejo — the oldest city on the Pacific Coast of the Americas — has become a desirable place for real estate investment, encouraged by the Panamanian government which is offering incentives to anyone who restores buildings in this area.

For those who want to live outside the city, like retirees, there are many beautiful planned communities in the interior or along the coast. Popular destinations include; Chiriqui, El Valle and Altos de Maria. Bocas del Toro, known for its crystal clear waters and laid back atmosphere has become a popular real estate investment destination in recent years as well boasting an airstrip and a plethora of hotels and beaches to satisfy the would be investor or traveller.

Real Estate Investment Opportunities

The government of Panama has made it very attractive to foreign investors by creating a number of laws and incentives to encourage people to bring their money to Panama. The highlights of the incentives available include; no income tax on foreign derived income as well as no property taxes for 20 years on new properties purchased. Retirees who make Panama their home are also offered a suite of incentives from 50% off hotel prices to 25% off airfare and more.

Geography

People who make Panama home have the ability to choose from a plethora of different climate and lifestyle choices. Whether you prefer the fresh, cool air of the mountains, city life with ocean view or living in a villa in an old colonial Spanish village it is all available to the would be real estate investor. The climate is steady most of the year and Panama is not subject to earthquakes, tornadoes or other tropical storms like it’s neighbors to the North and South.

Nice Neighbors

With the United States in close proximity as well as the fact that the U.S. built the Panama canal you can bet that their influence in Panama will continue as long as Panama exists as a country. The Canal serves such a vital role in the US and Global economy that the U.S. is forced into looking after little Panama and it’s Canal.

To view Panama preconstruction projects for sale or other Panama real estate please visit the author’s website.

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