This was always something I was so bad about.  Trying to make everything
perfect before I moved forward to do what I wanted to get done.

After learning that technology changed all of this I look at it differently and
the best ADVISE I can give my colleagues and friends – “JUST DO IT”!

So,
If you want to start a BLOG – do it today! 
If you want to create a new website – do it today!
If you want to get a Facebook Page, Twitter Account or Linked in – do it today!  

Do you see what I mean – no more procrastination.  JUST DO IT! 

“Dream BIG – for there is no MAGIC in small dreams! “

After traveling to 41 different countries I have seen so much on these trips.  Busy
people trying to get to a business meeting, many tourists, retired people and tours.

It always amazes me what some of these travelers have to go through.  My last
trip that I am still on now was to St. Petersburg, Russia.  Well, it started with the
Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport where I had to stand in line with ocean of
people trying to get to my gate —– lesson here is get to the airport EARLY so you
don’t have to stress.

Secondly – going to another country – Russia for instance – you must have a VISA.
It takes about 14 -21 days if you are not in a hurry, but if you are make sure you
order it in time.  Next arriving in another country – currency exchange can be very
tricky. They charge way too much fees at the airport.  The new thing on this trip that
I found out is that hotels will NO LONGER exchange money.  You have to go to
an ATM or Currency Exchange office.   Shop around to get the right rate.  Then 
when you want to exchange your left over money as you are coming back home
CHARGES ARE HIGH.  I had $110 left over in Rubles and they wanted to exchange
them with me for only $76 – that’s a huge cut – pretty bad, right?

Luggage – do not pack too much and be aware of the weight limit of 50 lbs. You
will have to pay $25 – $50 for overweight luggage.  If it gets lost, make sure you
have enough stuff in your carry on – because they don’t give you much – toothbrush
and toothpaste and that will not be good enough if you are planning a presentation
or doing something very important like attending a wedding.  

Converter is a MUST!  If you want to roll your hair, use technology – you must have
international converter. Food – be careful where you eat and what you eat.  
Beef tongue may be a delicatessen in Europe, but you may not love it like
the locals do.   

International travels also requires that you are flexible.  Be patient, be
ready to take on any challenge that comes on.  Few of my colleagues were
robbed in Russia on this trip.  One on the public bus and the other on
while walking on the street.  These are professionals and you may think
you are smarter than they are – but remember they are EXPERTS in this
field.  

Lastly, it is much better to travel with a companion or with a group so
Plan your trip so that you have someone going with you.

Enjoy your travels – Dagmar Sands – Real Estate International, Inc.  

After traveling to 41 different countries I have seen so much on these trips.  Busy
people trying to get to a business meeting, many tourists, retired people and tours.

It always amazes me what some of these travelers have to go through.  My last
trip that I am still on now was to St. Petersburg, Russia.  Well, it started with the
Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport where I had to stand in line with ocean of
people trying to get to my gate —– lesson here is get to the airport EARLY so you
don’t have to stress.

Secondly – going to another country – Russia for instance – you must have a VISA.
It takes about 14 -21 days if you are not in a hurry, but if you are make sure you
order it in time.  Next arriving in another country – currency exchange can be very
tricky. They charge way too much fees at the airport.  The new thing on this trip that
I found out is that hotels will NO LONGER exchange money.  You have to go to
an ATM or Currency Exchange office.   Shop around to get the right rate.  Then 
when you want to exchange your left over money as you are coming back home
CHARGES ARE HIGH.  I had $110 left over in Rubles and they wanted to exchange
them with me for only $76 – that’s a huge cut – pretty bad, right?

Luggage – do not pack too much and be aware of the weight limit of 50 lbs. You
will have to pay $25 – $50 for overweight luggage.  If it gets lost, make sure you
have enough stuff in your carry on – because they don’t give you much – toothbrush
and toothpaste and that will not be good enough if you are planning a presentation
or doing something very important like attending a wedding.  

Converter is a MUST!  If you want to roll your hair, use technology – you must have
international converter. Food – be careful where you eat and what you eat.  
Beef tongue may be a delicatessen in Europe, but you may not love it like
the locals do.   

International travels also requires that you are flexible.  Be patient, be
ready to take on any challenge that comes on.  Few of my colleagues were
robbed in Russia on this trip.  One on the public bus and the other on
while walking on the street.  These are professionals and you may think
you are smarter than they are – but remember they are EXPERTS in this
field.  

Lastly, it is much better to travel with a companion or with a group so
Plan your trip so that you have someone going with you.

Enjoy your travels – Dagmar Sands – Real Estate International, Inc.  

        10 Codes of Conduct for Successful Partnerships

1.  I will communicate with the other members with honesty and
integrity, and accept responsibility to create a safe and
trustworthy partnership that honors our deepest values while
making a positive impact in the world.

2.  I assume full and complete responsibility for my behaviors
and actions and give the other members responsibility for theirs.

3.  I will, as a conscious decision, choose patience over
impatience, compassion over judgment, flexibility over rigidity,
“letting go” over “needing to control,” gratitude over complaining,
and unfailing optimism over doubt.

4.  I will, as needed from time to time, find the courage and
strength I need to deal with any challenges our partnership and
the other parts of my life bring our way.

5.  I will care for myself physically, emotionally, and
spiritually, so that I have adequate reserves in place to
contribute to our partnership as I have promised.

6.  I will focus on having fun as a way of being, so that we have
an enjoyable and fun partnership.

7.  I will let other members know using a phone or face-to-face
meeting when I am upset, troubled, or angry so that we can work
together to stay in harmony.

8.  I promise to work through and resolve any conflicts that come
up in a manner that creates a resolution we can all be happy with.

9.  I will tolerate and accept our differences with the goal of
learning to celebrate our diversity.

10.  I will, when the time is right, end this partnership
respectfully and with grace, respecting other member’s
contributions and appreciating everything we’ve been able to
achieve together.

I read these at the Mentor Financial and thought these were great tips
that should be shared with others.  

Dagmar Sands
Real Estate International, Inc.
www.WorldClassRealEstateBroker.com  

        10 Codes of Conduct for Successful Partnerships

1.  I will communicate with the other members with honesty and
integrity, and accept responsibility to create a safe and
trustworthy partnership that honors our deepest values while
making a positive impact in the world.

2.  I assume full and complete responsibility for my behaviors
and actions and give the other members responsibility for theirs.

3.  I will, as a conscious decision, choose patience over
impatience, compassion over judgment, flexibility over rigidity,
“letting go” over “needing to control,” gratitude over complaining,
and unfailing optimism over doubt.

4.  I will, as needed from time to time, find the courage and
strength I need to deal with any challenges our partnership and
the other parts of my life bring our way.

5.  I will care for myself physically, emotionally, and
spiritually, so that I have adequate reserves in place to
contribute to our partnership as I have promised.

6.  I will focus on having fun as a way of being, so that we have
an enjoyable and fun partnership.

7.  I will let other members know using a phone or face-to-face
meeting when I am upset, troubled, or angry so that we can work
together to stay in harmony.

8.  I promise to work through and resolve any conflicts that come
up in a manner that creates a resolution we can all be happy with.

9.  I will tolerate and accept our differences with the goal of
learning to celebrate our diversity.

10.  I will, when the time is right, end this partnership
respectfully and with grace, respecting other member’s
contributions and appreciating everything we’ve been able to
achieve together.

I read these at the Mentor Financial and thought these were great tips
that should be shared with others.  

Dagmar Sands
Real Estate International, Inc.
www.WorldClassRealEstateBroker.com  

In our business – Real Estate – it is so important to be surrounded by a good TEAM.

Why? Things never happen unless you have TEAM players help you make them happen.
When you are looking to purchase a home here is what a good TEAM you will be
working with:

1. Your Realtor will sit down and discuss the entire step by step process with you.
2. Your Realtor will connect you next with his/her Lender who will prequalify you.
3. Your Realtor will show you only properties you can afford and criteria you share
with them that are important to you and your family.
4. Once you make an offer here is the rest of the TEAM you will meet:
a) Inspector that will inspect your home.
b) Appraiser that will be appraising your property.
c) Handy Man that may be needed to get necessary repairs done before closing.
d) Termite Company that will provide the letter showing there are no termites.
e) Moving Company that will help relocate your belongings into your new home.
f) Locksmith that will change your locks and make new keys for your new home.
g) Carpet Cleaning Company – that will freshen up and clean your carpets.
h) Real Estate Office Assistant/Secretary that will be handling your file.

There are many other people behind the scene that are involved in this process.
They are all their as TEAM players to make sure of ONE THING… Your Satisfaction!

Buyers and Sellers can do many things through technology and on their own, however,
they still need a good solid TEAM to make sure things with the most important
purchase in their lives is handled by a professional TEAM.

Whenever you need our help, our TEAM will greet you with a smile and we
want to make sure to live up to our MOTTO – “We want to be your Realtor
for LIFE… Not just One Transaction”!

Please contact us if you need our services, whether you are referring your client
that is relocating to Atlanta, GA, Johns Creek, GA, Suwanee, GA, Duluth, GA, Buckhead
or any metro Atlanta, GA area or you are a relocating buyer or seller that needs
to sell their home – We are here to SERVE YOU!

Dagmar Sands – Real Estate International, Inc. – World Class Real Estate Broker

What happened with Vendors today and SERVICE?  What happened to the good ole saying Satisfaction Guaranteed – or your MONEY BACK?  Today you pay twice or three times the amount and many times you get shady or not so great service.  Am I the only one that feels this way?  I don’t think so.

Here is an example of few of the latest experiences that I have had.  Contractor whom I was going to use wanted to charge me these unbelievable prices.  When I asked for a written estimate that is itemized I found out that I was being charged $250 for a permit which I didn’t think as a homeowner I needed.  Well, I went to the county and got it myself – the cost was only $30.  Yes, I understand it takes time, gas and money to go get it – and I could understand being charged double, or triple for this item.. but come on…. 8 times the cost?  Highway Robbery that’s what I call it.  Ok, next item on the list was $150 – so I googled the item on the internet and it only costs $26 – WOW… and then I find out week later after I pay for this item – they didn’t even install it. 
I could write an entire book about contractors – would love to hear your story about if you see the SERVICE lacking these days or is it just me?   I honestly don’t think it is me, there are just way too many people waiting to get a job for some of us being ripped off like this.

I had to share this and want you to know – BEWARE of some vendors out there.  Do your homework, do your research and let’s stop these companies that take advantage of others. 

Thursday Jan262012
What to Do in a Slower Market
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 4:22PM
Interview with Dagmar Sands, FIABCI-USA President

Making money in slower market can be challenging. For over 30 years, I have
been both a real estate practitioner and consultant. I know that when the market
changes, you need to maximize your business efforts. Even simple steps can make
a huge difference in your earnings!

After a recent meeting at the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI),
I asked Dagmar Sands, FIABCI-USA President and CEO of Real Estate International Inc.,
Atlanta, to share her top strategies for making money in this market. Dagmar
recommends that, as the market adjusts, you should first update your business plan.
Go back to using some of the basics you used earlier in your career or try some
new ones to build your network:

- Join groups online. Invite new people to learn about what you do! Go to
www.meetup.com and start your own group. You can call it “Investors Group of _______”
to attract investors you could not contact on your own. Join discussion boards,
such as FIABCI’s, and post what you want to share.

- Use tech tools. Plant seeds today to harvest later. Tell everyone what you do!
It’s called shameless self-promotion, and it works! Send broadcast e-mails to
clients and others. Use blogs and podcasts. Add video and audio programs to your
Web site. Hyperlink with other professionals. Add your listings to www.kijiji.com,
www.loopnet.com, www.PropertyLine.com, www.HeartSmartProperties.com and
www.Craigslist.com. It’s free and can result in huge exposure! If you have
a storefront office, add a plasma TV so that after hours you can display properties
from yourself and other professionals.

- Give speeches about your business at a Chamber of Commerce, consulate office,
or local board function.

- Do more door-to-door calling. Hand-deliver material to clients and prospects.
That personal touch makes a difference.

- Create new partnerships. Work with banks and credit unions to help sell their
foreclosures. Partner with veteran investors who are investing in China for
high-yield returns. Do joint ventures with syndications with developers.

- Read how-to books. Endorse and send books you love to clients and others
as gifts. Add a personal note. I endorse the “The World is Flat,”
“Never Eat Alone” and Dr. Margot’s books, “Commercial Real Estate Career
Education and Resource Guide” and “7 Steps to Find Your Perfect Career.”
Most people keep books so it is a great advertisement.

- Write articles or a newsletter of tips on market conditions. Send
them to current and past clients and ask for business referrals.

- Attend classes. Use any extra time to take your continuing education
credits. Take a course in a new business area that is offered at
a conference so you can both learn new information and meet people.

- Start your own local Investor’s Club and hold monthly meetings.

- Attend C.A.R. functions and monthly CREW meetings. They are a perfect
way to build your business network and reconnect with members you
haven’t seen lately.

- Advertise your unique specialties (i.e., entertainment facilities,
international properties). One FIABCI member specializes in clients
from Israel. Another uses auctions to create urgency and sell properties
for higher amounts.

Dagmar Sands is very successful in the real estate business. She
follows the philosophy: Don’t be afraid to be a “purple snowflake.”
Try Dagmar’s strategies. You can make a great deal of money in a down
market if you stand out, show you are unique and set yourself apart
from your competition!

Dr. Margot Weinstein, CIPS

Dr. Weinstein, CIPS, is CEO of MW Leadership Consultants and a practitioner,
consultant, educator/trainer and writer. Contact her at
www.drmargotweinstein.com or by e-mail, drmargot@drmargotweinstein.com.

We have put together tips, techniques, interview with business leaders
on Youtube. Please click on www.YouTube.com/DagmarSands and share some
of these tips with your friends that are looking to list or buy a home.

We want to share with you anything that works for us so that you can
make 2012 the BEST year ever.
Sincerely,
Dagmar Sands – World Class Real Estate Broker

Ok… first let me share this with you! Being a Top Producer you have to
be willing to do what other’s are not ready to do. That means set your
goals in writing, have a definitely period and time when to accomplish
your goals and have someone hold you accountable accomplishing them.

It seems easy and it is – as long as you make this a habbit for 2012.
Use all the latest networking, technology and free tools that will help
you to stay on track. Use tools like XOBNI.com to get yourself organized.
Use tips like social media updates you can get from so many different
groups. Join our network and listen to our monthly conference calls and
most of all – GET OFF the routine you’re on and CHANGE your habbits.

I promise – 2012 is the New Year to create habbits… Help yourself by
having a sound Mastermind Group to get you to this goal. Good luck
and I hope 2012 is the best year for you!

Dagmar Sands – Real Estaet International – World Class Real Estate Broker