TOP STORY: We did ... so should you!
Power Hour success
If there was ever any question about the difference that a solid hour focused on a single goal could make, Masterminds cleared it up last month. During the Power Hour kick off, approximately 300 team leaders dispersed, armed with their cell phones, some new scripts, and lists of cappers in their markets. Within the hour, 748 recruiting appointments were made. Now that is powerful! Want to become the next Power Hour success story? Stay tuned and show up!
Mega Camp and Masterminds: unbeatable combo
The perfect mix of theory and practice
Make your plans now for a powerful combo of educational events tailored to keep you ahead of the game. The best minds in real estate will present leading edge strategies at Mega Camp, August 25-27. Follow that up with a focus on implementation during Masterminds, August 26-28.
These two power-packed events are being offered back-to-back in Austin to create the ultimate business-building opportunity that will allow you to both learn and do.
And to kick off your week on August 24:
America plays one of Austin's premier venues to benefit KW Cares and One World Theatre.
Keller Williams Luxury Homes® gets you in front of the right audience
Membership in the Luxury Homes by Keller Williams program grants you big discounts on advertising in high-end media.
If exclusivity and prestige are important to you, discounted advertising in Unique Homes, The Robb Report Collection, duPont Registry and The Los Angeles Times will ensure that you are known among your niche.
Access information on the Intranet, under the Resources tab > Luxury Homes to learn more about the benefits of membership.
Ready to take on the current market realities?
A new Fast Track course and designation make you the specialist
Starting May 20, MAPS Institute is offering a new Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) Fast Track and Designation.

85 percent of homeowners experiencing financial distress say their first contact will be to a licensed agent. Yet, less than 1 percent of agents consider themselves foreclosure or distressed property experts.
Agents who earn the CDPE will distinguish themselves as qualified to help struggling homeowners, and will, at the same time, increase their business in a changing market. Being recognized as a market leader that is prepared for economic change is one of the most powerful positions to put yourself in today.
Click here for information about the new Distressed Properties Fast Track course,
or take this course for a test drive by signing up for the free Distressed Properties coaching call today !
Register today for the latest free MAPS coaching events.
Mon., May 12 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST |
Alex Charfen |
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(Webinar) |
Mon., May 14 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST |
Joel Rico |
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Mon., May 19 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST |
Joel Rico |
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Wed., May 21 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST |
Pat Mancuso |
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Wed., May 28 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST |
Dianna Kokoszka |
Click here to see our entire free call schedule.
Keep your eyes open for this icon. Each week, we will provide you with new content that you can copy and paste into your blog or other client communications - strengthening your status as your local market expert.
Below is our latest piece for your use; David Reed's second column, What interest rates really mean.
Financing Solutions with David Reed
What interest rates really mean
The Fed did this! The Fed did that! Rates are up! Rates are down! Aaaagggh! Okay, now exhale. In turbulent economic times the media can’t wait to report what interest rates are doing. Pundits prognosticate, forecasters forecast and soothsayers sooth. When should you buy a home based upon interest rates and when is it the right time?
Visit David Reed's Website |
The fact is that interest rates, while important, have little impact when it comes to buying a home. Alright, alright, I’ll admit: it’s important…but it’s not a deal-killer.
There is a fixation on what rates are doing. A fixation on what rates will be in the future and what rates were in the past. I’ve heard potential home buyers tell me, “I’m not sure I want to buy now because rates are ¼ percent higher now and I think I’ll wait.” I say, “Wait for what?” I say let’s not look at the rate but instead concentrate on what that rate actually represents … your monthly payment.
Let’s look at what an interest rate move of ¼ percent really does to a $200,000 mortgage. Say a 30-year interest rate at 6.00 percent “jumps” to 6 ¼ percent. Shall we sit on the sidelines, thinking such a move is suddenly unaffordable? No. The payment on a $200,000 loan “jumps” by about $32 a month!
Now let’s get a bit more draconian and look at a ½ percent increase and the monthly payment increases by $64. Putting that into daily financial terms, $64 is about a tank of gas. While not insignificant, it’s hardly a reason to stay on the sidelines of home ownership. Right now, buyers should have more urgency than ever. Home prices have declined enough to make buying more affordable than it's been in recent memory and interest rates (whether at 6 percent or 6 1/4 percent) are historically low. It's time to act.
Are rates important? Sure they are. But are they the end-all? Heck no. Interest rates over the past few years have been in a very tight range, with few major swings. Just remember what interest rates represent, your monthly payment, and pay less attention to the headlines.
Written by David Reed, author of Mortgage 101 and Mortgage Confidential. |
Media takes note of Your First Home
Keller Williams experts have their say
| Your First Home in the media |
As Your First Home: The Proven Path to Home Ownership continues to grow in popularity, the media are starting to take notice!
Your First Home and its authors have been prominently featured in three recent articles. Follow the links to the right to visit The Washington Post Express, RIS Media and Cyberhomes.com Websites and see how much of an impact Your First Home and Keller Williams Realty are making on the real estate world!
Click here to order your copies of this powerful book and use it to help potential first-time home buyers get off the fence and into their new homes.
Market Center Leadership Corner
Action Training and Leadership and Motivation
New courses available within your region!
You've taken the time and put forth the effort to recruit a great team ... now what?
Newly revised into two, one day courses, Action Training and the brand new Leadership and Motivation courses offer the tools that you need to leverage great talent.
Check the calendar at www.kellerwilliamsuniversity.com or with your region for course delivery dates.
Show your recruits the education that Keller Williams University provides
If you are reading this, you already know that one of the key benefits of belonging to the Keller Williams family is the emphasis that we put on education, and the variety of targeted learning offerings that we provide.
Now you can convey this to your recruits by downloading, printing, and displaying some of our course covers in your training room.
As one associate who already uses this technique noted:
"We learned that as we were doing interviews in the training room, the recruits' eyes could not help but wander up to the wall. Without having to say anything, these recruits truly "got it" when we talked about the real strength of KW."
Access these images by logging on to the KW Intranet, under the Marketing Tab, and clicking on KWU Course Marketing Materials and Downloads. Then send the files off to your local printer and you have inexpensive, powerful images that convey the scope of training available through Keller Williams.
Save money, build your business 
Free Vendor Catalog
Get a copy of the FREE Approved Vendor Catalog with information on discounts and special programs designed specifically for KW Associates to help them build their businesses and save money.
Contact approvedvendor@kw.com for your free copy.
R-T-C-K and FSO make you the best leader you can be
Designed for team leaders and operating principals, R-T-C-K focuses on the 20% of leading a KW market center – Recruiting, Training, Consulting and Keeping talent.
Includes all new courses, developed with the help from top leaders—all delivered in just five days.
Franchise Systems Orientation (FSO) provides you with courses to define the models, systems and skills required for market center productivity and set the stage for achieving profitability ASAP.
Room block extended from May 12 to May 19!
Book your accommodation at the Austin Airport Marriott South now!
Ask for the KW discounted rate of $159 a night.
Comments or questions for THIS WEEK@kw? We want to hear from you!
Contact us at marketing@kw.com.


