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I hope you and your family enjoyed the holiday season. I wanted to share this PowerPoint video presentation on the 2022 Forecast as shared with me by Barry Habib.

Barry Habib is the CEO of MBS Highway and is a Two-time Crystal Ball Award Winner for 2018 and 2020 by Zillow and Pulsenomics for the most accurate Real Estate forecasts out of 150 of the top economists in the US. His knowledge in the industry is highly regarded by mortgage and real estate professionals.

We would like to thank Michelle Petrowski, Certified Financial Planner for this valuable information for divorcing stay at home parents looking for ways to finance a divorce.

Divorce is stressful and can be expensive - and wondering how to pay for it just adds to a client’s the concerns, and the ARP tax changes to various tax credits for children creates 2 unique opportunities that Michelle spoke about at the Maricopa Association of Family Mediators Tax update in August 2021.

The parameters &  restrictions have been changed to favor the less earning spouse for 2021. In 2021 ONLY (as it stands):

1. the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is now refundable for parents with no income 

OPPORTUNITY: A parent with no income that is not working, might not typically file a tax return. However, it may make real sense for them, if separated, to consider filing Federal taxes separately in 2021, go to the IRS portal & fill out status, and file 2021 taxes in 2022 to get the Child Care Tax Credit as this year ONY, it is partially refundable 

OPPORTUNITY: If a parent doesn’t have a job, but needs to start looking and has (or will have) dependent care expenses in 2021, it may make sense to file for unemployment and start looking for employment immediately, as the unemployment income will count for  “earned income” and they can receive a pretty substantial  Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit 

Want further information or assistance?  Please reach out directly to Michelle Petrowski.  

Karen Jones, Founder of Strategy4SuccessNow and Marketing Coach for Real Estate Professionals believes that Real Estate Professionals need to understand how to market themselves. She educates REALTORs on how to use online and offline marketing strategies to grow their real estate business. Karen believes that the Real Estate Industry is a relationship business and thus coaches’ agents about Value Marketing. The Marketing techniques have been time-tested with excellent results.

Too often, people are frightened of asking for referrals.  Is it the fear of rejection, or are they concerned about annoying their prized clients?  If you’re providing truly exemplary service, you shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for the opportunity to provide that same service to other people your clients know!  In fact, it should be the next natural step after asking a client how the service was.

The way you ask this question, however is very important.  Open-ended questions help people to brainstorm, instead of giving them the chance for a simple “Yes” or “No” answer.  Instead of asking, “Do you know anyone else who could use my services?” ask, “Who do you know who could use my services?”  The difference is how they respond is amazing!  

And the best time to ask for a referral is when a client compliments you.  Respond with a sincere thank you and then quickly follow it up with a referral request. For example, "I'm so pleased you're happy with my work. Who do you know that could benefit from my services?"

It’s also critical to expect the referral.  When you tone or facial expressions show that you don’t really believe your client will have a good answer, they won’t have one!  Don’t let your body language change your question into, “I don’t suppose you have any referrals for me, do you?”  Instead, expect the referral like its’ the most natural thing in the world.  With enough practice, it will be!

7 Ways:

1. The client that came to you:
   1. Who do you know that may need my services?
       
2. The person that want to learn and create a plan:
   1.   Do you know anyone that also may need to create a plan?
       
3.   The friend that reached out to you:
   1. Who do you know that may need help in buying or selling a home?
       
4.  Social Interaction:
   1. Create a Group Page that educates about buying and selling real estate.  Routinely ask for the business.
       
5.  Make your general inquiry specific:
   1. Do you know of anyone at work that may be thinking of buying or selling a home?
       
6. Teach your client how to refer you:
   1. Use your digital business card and show them how easy it is to refer to you.  Consider using the Savvy Card.  See mine here.
       
7. Offer Exclusive Services:
   1. Get to be known in your industry to offer exclusive services.  Exclusivity sells.  What is your exclusive specialty that you offer?

You can also use this language in the signature of your email, below your name and contact information.  Every email becomes a mini-billboard, even when you’re out of the office and have your auto-responder set. 

And so I close this blog with a simple question for you:  "Who do you know that could benefit from my service?"

Karen Jones, Founder of Strategy4SuccessNow and Marketing Coach for Real Estate Professionals believes that Real Estate Professionals need to understand how to market themselves. She educates REALTORs on how to use online and offline marketing strategies to grow their real estate business. Karen believes that the Real Estate Industry is a relationship business and thus coaches’ agents about Value Marketing. The Marketing techniques have been time-tested with excellent results.

Too often, people are frightened of asking for referrals.  Is it the fear of rejection, or are they concerned about annoying their prized clients?  If you’re providing truly exemplary service, you shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for the opportunity to provide that same service to other people your clients know!  In fact, it should be the next natural step after asking a client how the service was.

The way you ask this question, however is very important.  Open-ended questions help people to brainstorm, instead of giving them the chance for a simple “Yes” or “No” answer.  Instead of asking, “Do you know anyone else who could use my services?” ask, “Who do you know who could use my services?”  The difference is how they respond is amazing!  

And the best time to ask for a referral is when a client compliments you.  Respond with a sincere thank you and then quickly follow it up with a referral request. For example, "I'm so pleased you're happy with my work. Who do you know that could benefit from my services?"

It’s also critical to expect the referral.  When you tone or facial expressions show that you don’t really believe your client will have a good answer, they won’t have one!  Don’t let your body language change your question into, “I Don’t suppose you have any referrals for me, do you?”  Instead, expect the referral like its’ the most natural thing in the world.  With enough practice, it will be!

You can also use this language in the signature of your email, below your name and contact information.  Every email becomes a mini-billboard, even when you’re out of the office and have your auto-responder set. 

And so I close this blog with a simple question for you:  "who do you know that could benefit from my service?"

Karen Jones, Founder of Strategy4SuccessNow and Marketing Coach for Real Estate Professionals believes that Real Estate Professionals need to understand how to market themselves.  She educates REALTORs on how to use online and offline marketing strategies to grow their real estate business.  Karen believes that the Real Estate Industry is a relationship business and thus coaches’ agents about Value Marketing.  The Marketing techniques have been time-tested with excellent results.