REVIEWS
Outstanding Guidebook for Real Estate Agents/Realtors!
Any agent, new or experienced, independent or franchised, big broker or little broker, can benefit from this book!
Shift is truly a guidebook for real estate agents/Realtors old or new, IN ANY MARKET even though it's marketed as (see the title) helping agents through the current "buyer's market". Many agents - with experience limited to the booming "seller's market" we experienced in the US between between 2001 and 2007 - were (and some still are) SHOCKED by the shift in the market and what that did to their business, income, lifestyle, etc. Gary Keller explains what happened (and how it's happened before and will happen again) and what the options are for real estate agents. Those that choose to tough it out and stay in real estate, can learn viable strategies to get leads, convert the leads to contracts, and close and get paid in the current market. In fact, the strategies can (and will) be aptly applied in any market.
Tip/hint: Gary recommends taking the book to a local office supply store and having them spiral bound it so it can be used as a field guide of sorts. VERY GOOD IDEA. Thanks for awesome book-delivered coaching/mentoring Gary!!!
Good But Not Great
I am glad I bought this book. I bought and enjoyed the Millionaire RE Agent and RE Investor.
That being said, I don't think it is a great book and that's why I gave it 3 stars. I think the author is a little too dependent on scripts and formulas to work your way out of a slump. If he would update it a tad to account for the fact that most consumers are extremely averse to script heavy agents, it would have been better.
But I do like the fact that he is inspiring, and stresses the can-do attitude that hey, no one's coming to help, you have got to do it yourself. I appreciate that inspiration. I wish he would have written more on that.
On the other hand, if you are a less tech heavy agent, you will like his very detailed and practical methods. It is not my cup of tea (yet, maybe the shift will change my mind!).
I Wish This Book Was Around 4 Years Ago
I appreciate the fact that it is with in the agents power to turn things around. However, in order to do that you have to stop and think hard what important steps you must take to succeed. I think anyone new in the busines or has been for awhile in real estate should read this book. I found it to be very helpful and help me focus on what is important in my business.
Real Estate Cycles and Shift in Strategies
Let's face it, we're in a crash and real estate prices in the United States across multiple markets are in a free fall. Gary Keller, in his newest book, SHIFT, accurately depicts this as a cycle.
But in human terms, this cycle is taking an emotional and mental toll on many of our agents and brokers across the country. The knowledge you will gain from this book will help put some reason and sanity back into your thought process.
For instance, you can learn about: 1. When we can get out of this hole, arguing that local markets may swing faster than national averages. 2. How to start being realistic on pricing.
3. How to start understanding market trends in your area; when inventories start shifting from a buyer's market to seller's and vice versa.
4. How to generate leads outside of your comfort zone [example: I have personally seen Europeans come in and start snatching foreclosures -- they are bringing in the euros. Start leveraging your web contacts in other parts of the world.]
5. Research into other real estate instruments such as other foreclosures, tax liens, etc.
Overall, recommended reading for the real estate agent to the real estate investor -- learn as much as you can about your market to give yourself an edge.
SHIFT Happens!
Shift Happens...it is a fact of life. You just have to decide if you are going to let the shift that has occurred in the real estate market knock you out or not. If you are a real estate agent, like me that has had a very successful career and loves working in real estate but has grown weary of the challenges of today's market, before you decide to find another career give yourself the gift of this book. Reading it will re-energize you and make you love real estate again. It provides a very clear plan of action through its Twelve Tactics outlining exactly what you must do to get to the other side. While other less resilient agents fall away, you will be gaining market share that will never be lost when the market recovers. Think about it...the most rewarding things you have accomplished in your life were not easy. How lucky we are in real estate that during one of our most challenging hours, Gary Keller, with his first-hand wisdom of real estate market shifts, along with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan, has provided a road map for how to get to the other side. All you have to do is buy this excellent book and put its tactics to work. SHIFT Happens...do something about it!
A Tip...there is a coupon in the back of the book that allows you to take the book to OfficeMax and get it spiral bound at a discount. It will end up costing you about $2.50. Do it! You will use this book regurlarly as a reference book and adding the spiral binding make it much easier to use.
Endorsements
This sets the tone for sustained success...
"This isn’t the first shift nor is it going to be the last, but it has been devastating in its effect on the unprepared. Finally, we have a guide to preparing for, adjusting to, and thriving through this shift and any others! This sets the tone for sustained success and profitability throughout your real estate career."
- Rick Geha, Fremont, California, Sales Volume: $34 Million
Shifts are a little like childbirth
"After reading this book, we realized that we have been through five shifts in our market over 21 years of selling. We survived, we thrived, and we became better because of the experience. Shifts are a little like childbirth: you don't want to remember going through it, but you sure love the gift that comes from it."
- Kurt and Darla Buehler, Dallas, Texas, Sales Volume: $71 Million
I wish I'd had this book...
"I have been in real estate for a long time and have survived many ups and downs throughout my career—but I wish I’d had this book. It’s a great tool that I could have used a long time ago."
- Sylvie Bégin, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Sales Volume: $22 Million