J U L Y 2 0 1 5

N E W S L E T T E R

INTERNET LEADS: WHO’S THE BESTjEFF JABbORA

It is estimated that approximately 90% of all home buyers and sellers in 2014 first started their search on the internet.Whether they were looking for an agent to list their home or a home to purchase; most people start online first.Over the last decade we have seen a huge increase in companies, platforms, and services that generate internet leads. Just as the real estate market continually changes; quality, credibility, and price of these services changes by the day. A very common question in the real estate industry is, “what internet leads company is the best?” The answer to this question is, “it depends.” It depends on what you are looking for, what your budget is, your individual market, etc. You must also take brand preference into account. Ask a room full of people if they’d rather drive a Ford or a Chevy, or if they’d rather have a Coke or a Pepsi. A Pepsi drink will not care if Coca Cola sold more product; they prefer the taste of Pepsi. This same general concept applies to most things in life. When searching for internet leads generation companies, here are a few ideas to make sure you purchase what is best for you:

·Use Google to Search around Everything seems to be on Google these days. Do a simple search of the company with the word “reviews” and see what comes on. Read as much as you can, join a blog and post questions. You’d be surprised what you can gather in 10 minutes of research.

·Ask Friends If you are looking into the company, chances are you know of other agents that already use the company or have had experience in the past. Ask other agents, post on social media to reach the masses. You might even be able to set your friend up with a referral or finder’s fee from the company if you do choose to go with their services.

·Find out all of the details Make sure you find out all of the details involved; cost, service, length of contract, etc. Make sure you read the contract cover to cover. What you may think is a month to month contract may actually be a 12 month contract. Maybe the price increases after your 3 months, you never know. Make sure to read the fine print. It is also essential that you verify what the actual service offered is. Are you looking for an incubation system, or a fully integrated CRM and lead management system as well?

·Ask for a demonstration and training Any legitimate vendor should be able to give you a live demonstration of their back end systems before you purchase. They should also offer you some type of live training option to learn how to fully use the system. Be weary of companies that will leave you in the wind after you sign their contract- because they are definitely out there.

· Ask for a trial period Some companies will offer you a trial period- maybe not for free, but often times for a reduced rate. Even if you have to pull the full monthly or quarterly rate, it will be worth it. Before signing a lengthy contract, why not try the product first? This is common practice in today’s market, and is often times expected if not offered right off the bat.

· Calculate your budget Calculate this into your monthly or yearly budget; is this something that you can afford. Conservatively estimate your return on investment from this product and calculate if the cost to benefit ratio weighs in favor. As a general rule of thumb, come with the mindset “If I can close two transactions this year from this platform, will I at very least get my money back?” Two closings is a very conservative number; if you can’t do at least that the product is not worth it. Factor in the average sales price in the market you are targeting and see if you’d make your money back, and hopefully profit off of 2 closings. Most importantly- be sure to follow up with your leads! The only bad lead is the one that you don’t follow up with. There are companies out there that will help you to “incubate” your leads through sending regular updates and tracking client activity. As we all know, there is no replacement for that personal touch that can only come from you. One of the many benefits of working with Allison James Estates and Homes is keeping 100% of your commission! With the extra money you have at every closing, afford yourself the luxury to try different platforms and see what works best for you!

Jeff JabboraDirector of National Growth and Developmentjjabbora@ajicorporate.com866-463-5780 x6

We now have a one stop area to view all upcoming events! Our ‘Event Calendar’ is located on your WOLFConnect homepage dashboard. You will be able to view and register for upcoming live events including happy hours, workshops and also webinars. We are continually working to provide the best educational resources for our agents which is why we also have outside webinars from the best in the Real Estate Industry including Inman News, SkySlope, LoneWolf, NAR etc. Please feel free to sign up for as many of these events as you would like! programs.

UPCOMING EVENTSARE JUST A CLICK AWAY

TIPS FORCOMPLIANCE

Victoria MudieNational Events Managerevents@ajicorporate.com 866-463-5780 x5

Jennifer DavisAgent Relations Specialistagents@ajicorporate.com 866-463-5780 x4

Don’t forget to upload your HUD’s or Final Closing Statements within 72 hours of your close. We cannot finalize transactions in our systems until all the required documentation has been uploaded to the checklist. If there is an item on the checklist that is showing as required but is not applicable to your specific transaction please add a comment next to that item. Your broker can then review that item and if not required can change that item’s status to “If Applicable.” Please keep your COE (close of escrow) dates current. If you have a transaction that has been extended please be sure to upload the contract amendment, if applicable, then notify the processing department of the change. This will ensure we are not bugging you for a Final HUD before your transaction has actually closed.

darren hawkins

As we know, the best and easiest way to get paid is directly from escrow. But some escrow companies will not pay the agent directly and require that the entire check be sent to Corporate. To make sure you get paid efficiently, it is very important to verify that escrow is sending the check to the right address, which is our corporate office: 2888 Loker Ave., Suite #206, Carlsbad, CA 92010. Once we receive the commission check at corporate, we scan and upload a copy of the check to your skyslope checklist immediately, so that you can see when the check arrived at corporate and can estimate how long before your direct deposit will be sent out. After the check clears our account, we issue your direct deposit on either the next Tuesday or Thursday, whichever day comes sooner. Please note the following items that can slow down payment of your commission: no skyslope file, your skyslope file has not been approved by your Broker, commission tab of skyslope file has not been filled out or has been filled out incorrectly, and CDA has not been issued. Before looking for payment on your commission check, please make sure that all of these things have been completed first. And if you ever have questions regarding payment on your commission check from corporate, please call me.

Darren HawkinsAccounting Departmentaccounting@ajicorporate.com866-463-5780 x3

COMMISSIONCHECK PAYMENT

Laura Hawkins

I would like to start off by saying how happy I am to be a part of the Allison James Corporate Team! The staff and agents have given me a warm welcome and made me feel at home.

This month I would like to thank all of the agents who make my life easier by having a complete SkySlope file for each and every transaction that comes their way! It is extremely important for everyone to know that you MUST have a SkySlope file for all types of transactions. Whether it is a simple referral or rental we need to know about it and your broker needs to be able to see any and all executed documents for review.

It is equally important that all of your SkySlope files have a completed commission tab BEFORE it is approved by your broker so that we can quickly and efficiently process your Commission Disbursement Authorization.

Above all else, please remember that we are only a phone call or email away to help you out if there’s ever a moment when you need a little help.

Laura HawkinsProcessing Department(866) 463-5780 x2

HELP US HELP YOU

BROKER HIGHLIGHT

Gary Firth is our Managing Broker in the State of Washington. He has been with Allison James Estates and Homes since March of 2010. Mr.Firth specializes in the

Vancouver area in Washington. He has been in the Real Estate business for 25 years, and has spent the majority of that as a Broker. Gary has extensive knowledge in REO’s and all aspects of the Real Estate Industry. We are very happy to have him

as part of the Allison James Estates and Homes Team!

Gary FirthWashington

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHT

Jill Lemons

Our National Operations Manager Jill Lemons has been with Allison James Estates and Homes since January 2012. Jill has been in the real estate industry for going on 33 years, working in every aspect of a

transaction from contract to closing. She has been a licensed Broker in the State of Florida, served as the Acquisition Manager for the second largest school district in the State of Florida and during such

tenure contracted, acquired and developed over 500 parcels of land, was employed as a Real Estate and Planning Paralegal for top law firms in the state, worked as a Production Supervisor with the number one Title Underwriter in the State of Florida and a National Title Company and Builder as the Building Closing

Manager.

Jill is married to her husband Dennis for 26 years and they have two daughters, Teresina (19) andAngelina (9) and we can’t forget about her trusty sidekick, JT the cat. .

We are very happy and extremely thankful to have you as part of the AJI Corporate Team!

National Operations Manager

AJI GRATEFUL LIST

Allison James Estates and Homes is very grateful to have such amazing agents, every month we will choose 3 agents who will be receiving $10 VISA Gift Cards as a token of

our appreciation!

Active on Social MediaPatrick D’Agostino

In our day and age, Social Media is essential to expanding your Real Estate Business.

Patrick is always active on Social Media, and makes sure to post updates almost everyday!

Veteran AgentSaul Romero

Saul is our Veteran Agent of the month, he has been with AJI since May of

2008!Thank you Saul for growing with Allison James Estates and Homes!

Agent ReferralsKrista Knight

referred several agents to work with AJI last month, thank you for your Agent Referrals Krista!

$10

UPCOMING JULY WEBINAR

Join us for our upcoming July webinar ‘CFPB Guidelines’ Shelly Hoiseth Sr. Loan Officer with Movement Mortgage will be hosting this webinar and

discussing all of the changes which agents nationwide need to know in regards to the CFPB regulations.

Date: Wednesday, July 15thTime: 10:00-11:00 AM PST

Location: Live Webinar

AJI TOP PRODUCING PANEL All of the Agents on our Top Producing Panel closed over 80 transactions last year! Join us to

find out the strategies and business practices these agents use everyday!

All of the agents on our Panel did over 80 transactions last year! Do you want to know how they were able to close so many deals? What strategies do they use to be considered Top Producers in their area? The Panel shared some of their best business practices and marketing strategies

that they have used to succeed in the real estate business.

JUNE WEBINAR

AGENT HIGHLIGHT

Teresa Flewellen

Teresa Flewellen has been an agent with Allison James Estates and Homes since January of 2014. She is a great agent who always makes sure to keep her files in compliance, and provides her customers with top notch customer service. We are very happy to have Teresa representing Allison James Estates and Homes!

Jonathan Marshman

Jon Marshman has been with Allison James Estates and Homes since February 2014. He lives and specializes in Southwest Florida. Jon is a pleasure to work with, and we have received calls of praise here at the Corporate Office regarding how professional Jon is in what he does. We are so glad to have Jon representing Allison James Estates and Homes!

We recently found out about this great product and had to share it with everyone! Nextdoor.com is the Social Network just for your neighborhood, this app connects you with your neighbors all online.

Once you are registered for Nextdoor.com you will be able to build your profile, on there you can include that you are a ‘Realtor’ and provide your contact information. All of your neighbors will be able to see that. Your neighbors can also post if they are thinking about putting their house up for sale, or even recommend you as a Realtor to other neighbors.

If you haven’t created your account on Nextdoor.com, you are missing out on marketing yourself to the people who are closest to you..your neighbors!

FEATURED APP

AJI CORPORATE VISIT HIGHLIGHTS

Here are a few highlights from our recent trip to North Carolina, Virginia, and New Hampshire. We had such an amazing time visiting with our wonderful AJI agents over on the East Coast. We are looking forward to seeing you all again very soon!

New Hampshire

North Carolina

Virginia

INDEPENDENCE DAY FACTS & THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826--the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

One of the 26 known July 1776 copies of the Declaration of Independence was found behind an old painting purchased at a flea market for $4.In 1991, one of 24 known copies at the time of the declaration -- and one of only three known to be privately owned -- was auctioned for $2.42 million. What's even more staggering is where it was originally found.According to The New York Times, "the previous owner, who was not identified, had told Sotheby's (art auctioneers) he bought a torn painting for $4 in a flea market in Adamstown, Pa., because he was interested in its frame. When he got home, he said, he removed the painting -- a dismal country scene -- and concluded the frame could not be salvaged, but found the Declaration, folded and hidden in the backing."The 25th and 26th copies later surfaced. The 25th was sold in excellent condition in 2000 for $8.1 million. The 26th emerged at The National Archives in Britain in 2009. It had been hidden for more than 200 years in a box of papers seized during the Revolutionary War from Colonists.

The Declaration of Independence was placed in Fort Knox during World War II.Two weeks after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, two national treasures -- the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution -- were transported under armored protection from Washington to Fort Knox. According to History's website, "under the supervision of armed guards, the founding document was packed in a specially designed container, latched with padlocks, sealed with lead and placed in a larger box. All told, 150 pounds of protective gear surrounded the parchment. On December 26 and 27, accompanied by Secret Service agents, it traveled by train to Louisville, Kentucky, where a cavalry troop of the 13th Armored Division escorted it to Fort Knox. The Declaration was returned to Washington, D.C., in 1944."

As far as the declaration's placement in the National Archives Building goes, on Dec. 13, 1952, it -- along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights -- was officially delivered to the archivist of the United States, Wayne Grover, and enshrined at the National Archives in a ceremony two days later, attended by President Harry S. Truman.

Did you know that being an Allison James Estates and Homes agent gives you access to a Movement Mortgage Loan Officer anytime?

Thanks to our ongoing relationship with Movement Mortgage, this is an exclusive loan service only for AJI agents. It’s easy, all you have to do is dial 888-886-2425 to reach a member of the Movement

Mortgage Team anytime!

Here are a few reasons WHY to contact a MM Loan Officer

● Any last minute loan questions ● If you would like to contact a loan officer in regards to approving your client for a mortgage ● Any questions regarding how the loan approval process works to provide better service to your clients ● Find out how working together as a team with the loan officer will ensure a smooth transaction for your clients ● Learn how Movement Mortgage can offer 6 hour underwriting, 7 day processing, and just 1 day to close

Shelly HoisethSr. Loan Officer

Agents, have you logged into the Allison James Estates and Homes Secret Facebook Group?

This is a great way to speak to other AJI agents, receive referrals, and also find out anything new that is happening with the

Company! Add Jessica Crumbaugh or Jeff Jabbora to be invited into the Secret Group.

Like the Allison James Estatesand Homes Page On Facebook!

Corporate Directory

Corporate Office line extensions have changed. Please see the list below with the updated information.

PROCESSING DEPARTMENT - 866-463-5780 x 2processing@ajicorporate.com

-Commission Disbursement Authorization Questions-Commission Disbursement Revisions

-File Approval

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT - 866-463-5780 x3accounting@ajicorporate.com -Monthly Plan Fee Questions

-Plan Changes-Questions regarding Commission Checks

AGENT RELATIONS - 866-463-5780 x4agents@ajicorporate.com

-Onboarding Training and Questions-Commission Instructions from Escrow-SkySlope or Wolf Connect Questions

NATIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT - 866-463-5780 x 6jjabbora@ajicorporate.com

-Referring an agent to join AJI-Questions regarding Onboarding Paperwork

Ingredients

Vegetable oil, for frying1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly choppedJuice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving

2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar1/2 cup mayonnaise

Kosher salt12 corn tortillas

3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Freshly ground pepper1 1/4 pounds skinless halibut fillet, cut into 2-by-1/2-inch pieces

1 Hass avocado1/2 cup fresh salsa

Directions

Heat about 3 inches vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, toss the cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, honey and mayonnaise in a

bowl. Season the slaw with salt.

Warm the tortillas in a skillet over medium-low heat or wrap in a damp cloth and microwave 25 seconds. Wrap in a towel to keep warm.

Mix the flour, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow bowl. Dredge the fish in the flour mixture, then fry in batches until golden and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted

spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Season with salt.

Halve, pit and slice the avocado. Fill the tortillas with the fish, avocado, slaw and salsa. Serve with lime wedges.

Per serving: Calories 777; Fat 45 g (Saturated 7 g); Cholesterol 103 mg; Sodium 529 mg; Carbohydrate 66 g; Fiber 9g; Protein 31 g

Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/baja-fish-tacos-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Baja Fish Tacos