This is the theme for Buffini & Company and all our Members in 2010.

Over the past year, no one has been untouched by the economic turmoil. Regardless of how professional you were in your business, you have probably taken some hits either in your income or net worth, but there is solace in a couple of things: you’re still in business…and we have a plan for you to outperform the recovery.

I’m excited for the opportunities this new era in real estate will present, but I also believe that this market will demand that we outperform the recovery instead of waiting for it to carry us along. We’ll need to work hard to get it done and I believe we can do so by out-planning, out-working and out-motivating the competition. At the all-new, 2-day Turning Point I’m going to show you how to do just that. In the meantime, here are my top tips for the next couple of weeks:

-       Attend a Turning Point in the first quarter

-       Participate in the upcoming Blitz starting January 18th

-       Listen to the Conference Call – it’s already online and you’ll have it soon on CD

It’s a good life!

Brian

Last week I was in Toronto presenting our brand new Turning Point to over 1200 fired up real estate and lending professionals. Over the two days, my partner in crime, Joe Niego, and I presented powerful new content on topics like the 16 Referral Systems, the 5 Reasons Salespeople Fail, the Right Way to Handle Money and How to Avoid the Detours to Success. I’m excited to equip you for this new era - not just in real estate - but also here at Buffini & Company.

Next year I’ll be doing introductory workshops in each Turning Point market. These workshops will encapsulate some of the most insightful and funny parts of our past presentations coupled with how to win in this new era. I’m excited for you to be able to refer your friends and colleagues to this new, complimentary workshop that transforms, impacts and improves the lives of people.

It’s a new day in real estate, it’s a new day at Buffini & Company, and I can’t wait for 2010 to get here.

It’s a good life!

Brian

It’s pretty clear that the NFL, or as we say in Ireland, “American Football," has become America’s favorite pastime. It’s a great spectator sport with a lot of action. However, one thing I’ve noticed is that the NFL and its teams are relentless in promoting themselves. During a game, almost every commercial break will include an ad about the NFL itself.

This is very similar to what I mean when I say that the best person to give you a referral is your current client. When working with active buyers or sellers, these are the people you need to be promoting yourself to and asking for referrals.

During the NFL season, these guys work extra hard to promote their industry. Similarly, this is selling and Pop-By season for real estate agents and lenders. If you’re finishing up with our Year-End Sprint, you know that while we are working hard, we also need to be promoting and asking for referrals.

We may not get a chance to go to the Super Bowl, but we do get a chance to build a super business. So…are you ready for some football or are you just sitting on the sidelines?

It’s a good life!

Brian

Webster’s online dictionary defines a vacation as a “scheduled period during which activity is suspended.” Well I’ve just gone through a very busy season so I’m taking a little vacation for a few days with my family in Hawaii. This is our week for a suspension of activity before we jump back into the fray, and now that we’re here it’s a clear reminder of how necessary rest and recuperation truly is.

I hope that when The Blitz wraps up you take time to step back and celebrate your achievements. This has been a tremendous drive by all of you and is a milestone worth marking. The results have been staggering and a mini vacation – even if it’s just a few hours doing something you enjoy – will fuel your momentum. As we head into these final couple of weeks, plan to take some time to suspend activities for just a bit and give yourself the congratulations you deserve at the finish line.

It’s a good life!

Brian

If I spent my days reading the news and listening to talk radio I’m not fully convinced my mind wouldn’t turn to jelly. A couple of times this year I’ve found myself doing so and have noticed how it begins to quickly affect me. So I get back on the wagon of putting the good stuff in and letting action rather than reaction define my days.

Now that does not mean I’m walking around with my head in the clouds; I know that we are in the midst of troubling times and this uncertainty can bring a feeling of imbalance and fear. Thing is, I cannot control the outcome…and none of us can. I can’t predict the future and neither can anyone else. So I focus on activities. I go to work on what my family needs from me today, what you guys need as our valued Members, and what Buffini & Company needs as a company. Because that’s my job!

It is not my job to grind my teeth in frustration or disapproval. Neither is it my job to read comments on the economy from every crank out there with web access. My job is clear and that helps me stay focused.

A recession is a terrible thing to waste. Spring has sprung and there’s work to be done. So write your list, get to work and let’s focus on what we can do to make this a great first quarter

It’s a good life!

Brian

Oh, by the way…for those Referral Systems Members be sure to email your numbers to the Blitz Master, Joe Niego. You can’t improve what you don’t measure so keep sending those results in.

 

What a week! You guys are hard at work and we’re hearing incredible stories. Oh, by the way… we’re hearing these stories from our very own network – not from the cable news network!

The Blitz is beginning to make itself felt nationwide…I’ve had radio interviews recently to explain what we’re doing and how you guys are turning your backs on the fear mongering. When everything you hear is negative, turn to your fellow Buffini Members and remind each other that you are not interested in hearing what you can’t do, but eager to get after what you can. Actions speak louder…and this is an action plan, not a word plan. We’ll leave that one for the politicians!

Here are a couple of stories from this week to keep you encouraged:

• “Week three accomplished! 34 personal notes, 28 calls…two closings, one funding, three referrals from Realtors and two referrals from my client database…” - Ron, Bellaire TX
• “I just wanted to let you know how awesome my Blitz is going… Last week alone I got ELEVEN referrals and TEN the week before!” Heather, Loan Officer, Colleyville, TX
•  “…Boy this blitz is just what I needed…six new listings, three new buyers, four more potential listings, and two more potential buyers!” - Don, New Bedford, MA
• “I wanted to let you know that I wrote 78 personal notes last week.  I made 47 phone calls.  I received three referrals.” Jennifur, Boise, ID
• “Key stats for Week 3: 35 notes, three referrals! Paul, Toronto, ON

For 13 years, I’ve given everything I can to inspire, motivate and encourage our Members. Now it’s you who are inspiring me.

It’s a good life!

Brian

When Buffini & Company launched The Blitz we obviously thought it was a good idea and truly believed it would work. But if we made one mistake it was that we underestimated the level of tenacity, drive and determination that you, our Members, would display.

Less than two weeks into the Blitz over 250,000 Pop-Bys have been completed, more than 200,000 personal notes have been sent and 200,000+ phone calls collectively have been made to your databases.

So far, you folks have generated over 20,000 referrals for your businesses in less than two weeks. Apparently you guys have decided not to participate in this recession, are ignoring the doomsday brigade and have embraced the concept that a “recession is a terrible thing to waste.”

Each day Joe “The Blitzmaster” Niego and myself go over your emails, comments and stories. In the 13 years of Buffini & Company, I can honestly say: this is the most fun I’ve ever had; this is the most rewarding the work has ever been, and I’ll never again underestimate you guys.

Now don’t forget…it is a 90-day Blitz, not a ten day one. Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. So keep up the good work. Let’s break records together. It looks like you guys are going to be just fine in 09.

It’s a good life!

Brian

Hope you had a great holiday and welcome to 2009.

2009 will prove to be a happier New Year for some more than others…for those who have recognized that this market has changed, for those who understand they can’t wait for the customer to contact them and that we’ve got to contact the customer. As Thomas Edison said 100 years ago, “Success comes dressed in overalls and looks a lot like work.”

That’s why we are focusing all our efforts at Buffini & Company, into The Blitz. Beginning on January 15th, 2009, we have outlined a 90-day, step-by-step plan for you to succeed this year. I believe if you meet the current market challenges with a flurry of activity you are going to get a chance to stay in business, have a good first quarter, finish the year strong and recession-proof your business.

If you are a ClubNet or Referral Systems Member, be sure go to buffiniandcompany.com and register for The Blitz to take advantage of this incredible program that’s absolutely free to you. By taking advantage of The Blitz you’ll make sure this will be a happy New Year for you and for those who depend on you.

It’s a good life!

Brian

I just had a conversation with one of the most important leaders in the real estate industry – a gentleman who has tens of thousands agents in many parts of the world. Without any knowledge of what of our Buffini initiatives for 2009 might be, he asked me what I was planning on doing for the first quarter of next year.

When I asked him why, he said he believed that the first four months of 2009 were as important as any time period in the last 20 years…that so many brokers and agents could continue to have long-standing careers in this industry if they could just find a way to have a good start to the year.

When I explained to him about the upcoming Buffini & Company Blitz, he almost shouted over the phone to me, “How can I get all my people involved in this?” to which I responded, “If they’re not Members we can't help them." I don’t tell you this to self-aggrandize our initiatives or myself but just to let you know how confirming it is when an industry leader affirmed our timing for the Blitz.

As a ClubNet or Referral Systems Member, this exclusive program is absolutely free for you to participate in. We’ve put a huge amount of our resources behind this because we want you to have a good first quarter, stay in business, build market share and be one of the great professionals who come out on the other side of this recession with a great business.

This is my Christmas gift to all of you.

It’s a good life!

Brian 

I just returned home from a week in the fabulous city of Toronto. I’ve said this many times, but I truly believe it’s vital to get out of our environment on a regular basis. Visiting another country helps expand your thinking and broadens your horizons. It invigorates you by introducing you to a variety of new experiences…from different foods, different phrases to a different way of looking at the world. Getting out of the country also gives you a great appreciation for the things you enjoy most about your own city, town or neighborhood. And in that leveling of our perspective grow the seeds of contentment.

Right now, with so many people worried about their finances, the market etc. it’s very easy to forget all that we have and all there is to be thankful for.

So, my encouragement to all of you is sometime in the next 12 months, get out and about - as the Canadians say - and go visit a foreign shore. It’ll expand your horizons and be good for what ails you.

It’s a good life!

Brian

Oh, by the way…people have been requesting the fun facts and figures I’ve been talking about recently so they can respond to this market. Feel free to utilize these numbers and maybe together, one client at a time, we can educate the market!

Some facts to know:

• More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 – only 14 U.S. banks have been taken over in 2008
• There are 76 million households in the U.S. that own their home - 24 million of these homes are free and clear
• There are 52 million homes with mortgages - 97.2% of these are not in foreclosure, 93.8% of these homes are current on their payments
  

On a sobering note:

• Over 20% of homeowners with a mortgage owe more than their home is worth
• 40% of all foreclosures are non-owner occupied

How did we get here?

Decade    Homes Sold High    Homes Sold Average

1970’s      3.9 million               3 million
1980’s      4 million                  3.3 million
1990’s      4.9 million               3.9 million
2000’s      7.1 million               5.6 million
Resale numbers – the above does not include new home sales.

Sources: Wall Street Journal / Moody’s Economy.com / RealtyTrac / NAR / Forbes

For some compelling stats on the Canadian market, visit the Economics Publications section on http://www.scotiabank.com