At Dickson Realty we’ve just finished organizing our January – March training schedule. This particular session is designed to support and inspire both new and seasoned licensees with a re-newed focus on succeeding in a distressed market. I’m proud to say we’ve recently recruited almost a dozen new or newer licensees and all are looking forward to the cutting edge, extensive training we provide. For our agents, this training is free of charge.
I recently had one of my most seasoned agents ask me, “Why would anyone consider a career in Real Estate Sales, right now”? I have to admit that after 19 years in the business, I have seen easier environments to work in. There are some advantages too:
#1 While many of us “Old Pros” are grousing about how bad things are and reminiscing about the good old days (You know, like 2-3 years ago), a new licensee only sees the market as it is now. Most of us are working twice as hard for half the pay when compared to ‘05 or ‘06. A disciplined, hard working “new agent” is simply more likely to take that reality in stride.
#2 We’re finding that today’s environment requires a completely new skill set. Frankly Short Sale & Bank Owned (REO) transactions are vastly different from the traditional transactions we’ve typically conducted prior to this. Many top agents are strugglling with that reality. Think of the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. I think you can but only if one can throw some of the old conventions out the window. Many have to un-learn before they can start learning again.
#3 Technology and the generation gap. The average agent is around 52 years old. I don’t have the most current stats but in 2007 our typical buyers were in their early to mid 30’s. This creates some real challenges for all concerned; The seasoned agent wondering why their loveable, first time buyers aren’t listening to their sagely advise. Of course the buyer’s frustrated because they’ve already read all that on the internet and formed their own opinion.
We’ve placed a lot of talent and energy into solving these challenges. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to drop me a note DRider@DicksonRealty.com
Popularity: 6% [?]
For the 16th year in a row, Santa’s Magic Ride has soared into Lake Tahoe bringing holiday cheer and gifts to the area’s children with needs. For the 12th year in a row, Dickson Realty has supported this special and worthwhile cause by hosting designated gift drop sites at their South Lake Tahoe and Zephyr Cove offices.
Since 1992, Santa’s Magic Ride has worked with South Lake Tahoe schools to identify children in need and provide them with the special holiday gifts they request. These children’s “Dear Santa” letters and wish lists are distributed to gift-buying volunteers who deliver their presents to designated drop off sites. The week before Christmas the gifts are delivered to the children.
Providing children with the special gift they want is what makes Santa’s Magic Ride so unique and so magical. Through its generous supporters Santa’s Magic has been able to deliver gifts to over 500 children in need each year. Dickson Realty appreciates the encouragement of all of it friends and neighbors as they share their joy and love this holiday season and help support Santa’s Magic Ride.
Gifts are for children from kindergarten through 5th grade; they are to be unwrapped and will be picked up by the Santa’s Magic Ride volunteers by December 14th in the morning. If you just want to donate money to purchase gifts, Santa’s Magic Ride volunteers will be happy to help.
Popularity: 4% [?]
As the Labor Day holiday comes and goes, many people think of the summer season in Tahoe as being over. For exactly that reason it is one of our favorite times of year. For most families, the month of September represents kids getting back to school and the return to “normal” day to day activities. This also means that it’s more difficult to take days off or even sneak in a weekend getaway because of soccer and football and all the other activities the family becomes involved in. This leaves a little window of time (mother nature determines the length of it) where those who can make it up here get to really enjoy everything the Sierra summers have to offer without dealing with some of the congestion and hustle and bustle which can exist during the actual summer months.
One of the best examples is being able to go to the local golf courses, without having to make a tee time, and enjoying the perfectly green grass and great playing conditions which come together at this time of year. After a long winter our courses can be a little rough in the early season, but after a long summer the courses are in their absolute best condition in late August through September.
This is also a wonderful time for hiking and biking with slightly cooler temperatures but absolutely gorgeous surroundings. Or maybe you prefer to relax on what feels like a private beach or take out the boat in what can be incredibly calm and private waters.
You can wrap up your days with a comfortable evening on the deck of one of our many fine restaurants. Not only will you be seated immediately, but many of the establishments will also offer seasonal discounts to all of their patrons.
The combination of colder mornings and numerous ski shop sales also make us start thinking of what brought us here . . . ski season!! Believe it or not, it’s just around the corner.
Popularity: 10% [?]
The first annual Antique and Classic Boat Society’s South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic Boat Show was a huge success! Over 1300 people came to view 58 boats on display in the Tahoe Keys Marina on Saturday, July 19th. Adults and kids alike enjoyed seeing the boats and talking with their owners. A “People’s Choice” and “Kids Choice” ballots for people to vote for their favorite boat.
The “People’s Choice” winner was Rosebud II, a 1953 24 ft. Greavette Streamliner. This beauty is owned by John and Cheryl Cox of Hood, CA and Homewood. The “Kids Choice” winner was Thunderbird, a 1939 55 ft. mahogany and stainless steel cruiser designed by John Hacker and owned by Foundation 36.
The purpose of the boat show was two fold. The Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, Inc. (an International organization based in New York State) has in its Philanthropy Charter, the mission to educate and give back to the communities in which the Chapter enjoys its antique and classic boats. Secondly, the Chapter is charged with the mission of preserving, restoring, and maintaining antique boats and with that in mind, this was a judged show which helps teach about the beautiful boats that are owned and cared for.
The Antique and Classic Boat Society, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter is very pleased to have had this show be such a success that they were able to donate $2,500 to each of the following four charities in the South and East Shore Lake Tahoe communities: The Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Heritage Foundation, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department – Company 3, and Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society. At the awards dinner at Riva Grill on Saturday night the Chapter gave $2,500 checks to Karen Houser, Director of the Boys and Girls Club for South Lake Tahoe kids and their families; Scott & Charlotte Brooke, Board members of Tahoe Heritage Foundation, for the restoration effort of Quic ChaKidn, an historic boat being restored in the boat house at the Pope Estate; Kenin Fairley of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department for equipment for their fire boat; and Bill Watson, Curator of the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society to help maintain the home and property of the historic George Whittel estate.
On Sunday, July 20th, the event continued participants gathered outside of Tahoe Keys Marina and followed Thunderbird along the south shore of Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay State Park. The boats were tied side-by-side all along the north side of Vikingsholm and everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch and the views of the beautiful boats.
Without the sponsors, this event could not have occurred. A huge thank you went to Dickson Realty, the Event Sponsor at the $10,000 Captain Level. And without the Tahoe Keys Marina this event could not have happened. The Captain Sponsors were Tahoe Keys Resort, Peter S. Carter Photography, and Foundation 36. Pilot Sponsors were Jack and Marlys Greenhalgh, Paul and Jackie Mehus, Triano Marine Design, Tahoe Powerboat Company, Picchetti Winery, JT and Lindé Ravizé, Community Ink, and KMTN-TV. At the Crew level the sponsors were Dave and Tammi Lyon, Steve and Cheryl Caplan, KRLT & KOWL radio, and Miller’s Outpost. And rounding out the terrific sponsorships at the Deck Hand level were Tom and Marie O’Rourke, Lakeside Inn & Casino, Hagerty Marine Insurance, and Dirk and Jan Reed.
The Antique and Classic Boat Society, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter looks forward to having another great event next year!
Popularity: 13% [?]
Monday, December 29, 2008 By: Dan Rider
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