Everyone's saying, "it's a really bad market." They shake their heads and think that maybe they should consider getting a part-time job until the market comes back. Well, that's one approach. I think that we are made of stronger stock than that, though. I think that we just need to put our creative minds together and come up with some tried-and-true ideas, along with some new thoughts, to generate some business.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

1. If you're not busy, then your weekends should be free. Hold an Open House every weekend you don't have something on your calendar. Don't forget, you have to plan for a "good" Open House. Invitations, ads, signs, balloons, sign-in register, give-away gift.

2. Send a letter to everyone in your database. Get other people working on your behalf! Don't be afraid to ask them to help you get business.

3. Contact site representatives at new home communities. Work out a referral program with them for both the buyers who are not interested in their product, and for sellers who are interested but need to sell their home.

4. Work the expired and withdrawns from the MLS. Maybe the Sellers just need to adjust their pricing, and you can put a new face on the listing with your Marketing Plan.

5. There are more foreclosures happening. Contact one or more of the local banks and ask if you could do the BPO (Broker Price Opinion) on the properties they're getting ready to foreclose upon. You could end up with listings that are now priced right, along with some extra cash for the BPOs.

6. Plan and hold a seminar for First Time Buyers, or How To Sell Your Home in a Down Market, or invite a mortgage person and advertise attendees can get a free credit report and be qualified for a mortgage.

7. Get a list of people interested in your area from your local Chamber of Commerce. Send them a letter telling them all the reasons they should consider moving to your area.

That's it for now. I hope that I've got you thinking.

See you next week.

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