Hawaii Randy's Real Estate Opinions: December 2006

I know most top agents have strong community ties.  If you do not, you should really think about giving back to the community that is feeding your family.

You get a several benefits from volunteering:

• You help improve the community you live in and are selling homes in.
• You make many new friends and increase your network.
• I find a many of my clients look me up because they or one of their friends know me from one of my community activities.
• Your clients and other agents will respect you a much more.
• It gives you a great sense of pleasure to know you made a difference.

Here is a list of some of my activities in my community:

• Commissioner, Hawaii Civil Defense Advisory Council
• Vice Chair, Leeward Region of the Honolulu Board of Realtors
• President, Hawaii Chess Federation a 501(c)3
• VP, Mililani Chess Club a 501(c)3
• VP, Mililani Drug Free a 501(c)3
• VP, Mililani Garden Homes 1 AOAO
• County Vice Chair, Hawaii Republican Party
• Coached indoor soccer
• Volunteer for American Cancer Society
• Volunteer for American Heart Association
• Volunteer currently and in the past on several School parent groups
• Worked 4 years in the State House of Representatives
• Volunteered on many political campaigns including the Governor's

My intention is not to brag, please believe me this is not my intent.  I am trying to make a point.  Look over this partial list of things I am currently involved with and things from the past and just think about how big is my network of friends.  When I decided to go into real estate, one of the factors in my decision was the shear number of people I know and that know me.  What a natural line of work for an experienced salesman who knows so many people.  The list doesn't even mention all the people I have done business with for over 20 years locally.

Do I exploit these areas, absolutely not!  I am not stealth either.  Mine and my wife vehicles have my signs and on them.  I have golf shirts made up that have my name, company and designations embroidered on them.  I wear them almost 7 days a week.  I also have large signs at the malls in our community with my face and slogan, making me well recognized. I never push my business on any of the other volunteers; I don't need to and feel it is tacky.  People continuously approach me or send me referrals.  I can't even go to the store without someone stopping me to ask about the market.

I do send my Christmas Cards to most of my volunteer contacts, but do not solicit them in any other way.  I also donate websites to most of these groups, some have a donated by banner on the bottom and some do not.

So the question is, are you involved in your community?  If the answer is yes congratulations, if the answer is no, what are you waiting for?

One last thought... 

A new agent in my office two years suggested I cut back on all this volunteering.  After all it was taking time away from my business.  He also thought I was spending too much money on marketing and stated he would never make that mistake. He is no longer in the business.

If you volunteer in your community in ways you think other agents should consider please share that with us.

Aloha to all and have a Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian)

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Mililani Links:

• Mililani Town Association: http://www.mililanitown.org/
• Mililani Drug Free: http://www.Mililanidrugfree.org/
• Mililani Chess Club: http://www.mililanichess.org/
• Real Estate Sales: http://www.hawaiirandy.com/

Mililani Blog Posts:

• Welcome to Mililani - Part 1 the Shopping Centers
• Welcome to Mililani - Part 2 the Planned Community
• Welcome to Mililani - Part 3 the Surrounding Communities
• Mililani is Pet Friendly  
• Mililani, Hawaii Directory of Schools
•   
• 12 Great Reasons to Buy a Home in Mililani, Hawaii
• Mililani - Q1 2007 Real Estate Sales Activity of Existing Homes
• Real Estate Sales In Mililani Seems to be Picking Up
• Real Estate Sales Activity in Mililani
• Mililani Townhouse Sales are on Fire!
• Mililani, Hawaii - A changing market, many opportunities
•   
• Mililani Chess Kids are Still Flashing Their Stuff
• Mililani Middle School Brings Home State Chess Title
• Mililani High School Cheerleaders Take Their First State Title
• A Sunny Day of Chess and Real Estate in Hawaii
• Mililani HS Wins OIA Softball Title
• Are You Involved in Your Community? If Not, Get to It.