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Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!" (Hamm Homes)

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Ambassador
1,452,919
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I can't imagine having to be civilized at an uncivilized (to me) hour!!
 

Jul 07, 2016 01:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I joined a couple of these groups, but they kept wanting to meet at 7am.  Who eats breakfast before 9?  I dropped out of the groups.

Jul 07, 2016 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,574,666
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I tried and found the group to be like a bunch of vultures clawing at my carcass for business. I am just not a "clawer" I guess!

Jul 07, 2016 02:24 AM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Long, long ago.   It was at 8:00AM.  Then 7:00AM.   Way too early for me.

Jul 07, 2016 08:05 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Absolutely.  I belonged to one and did a lot of business with members.  

Jul 07, 2016 01:22 AM
Rainer
465,398
David M. Dwares
Title Professionals Corp. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Title guy with a broker license

The only way to know is to try it for yourself.  I tried and didn't like it.

I didn't feel comfortable giving out business cards of and referring clients to other professionals (insurance agents or chiropractors, for example) that I only knew through sharing coffee and croissants.  I had no knowledge of their professional competence and decided it wasn't for me.

I know many people love them and swear by them so I maybe I am just too antisocial in the mornings.

 

Jul 07, 2016 01:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,160,899
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Will Hamm I tried, did not receive any business.

Jul 07, 2016 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I tried this a few years ago, and it didn't work for me. But look at the size of my town. Less than 2,000 people. It might be a good thing to do in a larger area. 

Jul 07, 2016 12:35 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I formed my own group and ran it for several years and also joined a lunch group for several years.  I don't feel any of them grasped the concept that they are suppose to talk to the people they know and ask questions like real estate agents do.  We ask lots of questions...

Jul 07, 2016 12:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

A few of my newer agents have participated for period of time.  Too organized and expensive for some.

Jul 07, 2016 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I don't know if it would help my business or not, but it would definitely help my hunger.

Jul 07, 2016 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I do not do breakfast meetings even at the local board. Sorry!

Jul 07, 2016 04:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I did really well with one 10 years ago !

Jul 07, 2016 03:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Will Hamm I've gone to a couple of BNI meetings for a member who couldn't make a meeting. Members weren't looked on favorably, if they didn't bring a referral to the group. The stress of having to attend every meeting and bring a continuous flow of referrals to me wasn't worth the hassle.

On the other hand, I belonged to a commercial real estate networking group that turned out to be very effective. We all had like needs and were willing to share our resources and business with positive results.

Jul 07, 2016 03:20 AM
Rainmaker
695,753
Nicholas Crane
Woodland Companies - Cadott, WI
Managing & Appraising Forest Land

I have had working breakfasts (game planning) , and networking lunches at conferences.  I have not had a networking breakfast group, but I am sure it would help my business. 

Jul 07, 2016 03:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,711,988
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Will, I tried a few where I met great vendors but didn't benefit much from any of them. Some required membership fees which I paid, some required volunteer hours, not for me. 

Jul 07, 2016 02:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,289
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I have not but there are abundant opportunities to find success.  Of course, you can find a lot of "crap" too but you never know until you try.

Jul 07, 2016 02:49 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Absolutely it can be beneficial.

The reality is, "IT will be whatever you make it."

Some go thinking three people will meet them today and meet none.

Others go knowing they will introduce themselves to three people to whom they will share their well thought out purpose and learn of the others purpose.

My experience has been the established groups are of little help to the newbie. Where as brand new groups have not yet established the alliances and reciprocity indebtedness.

 

Jul 07, 2016 02:38 AM
Ambassador
5,049,466
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I went to a couple anumber of years ago and while I met some vendors that I now use fairly regularly I did not find that it benefitted me for my business. Some work, some don't, I think depending on how they are structured, the attendees, etc.

Jul 07, 2016 02:09 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Yes, I think it, 'can't hurt, might help' Will Hamm.  You never know who you will meet, nor what that first impression of each other will be like.  And people do refer people to others, so it could open more avenues than what seems apparent.  No, I have not tried it yet, though I am currently checking out groups! 

Jul 07, 2016 01:43 AM
Rainer
66,409
Kartik Subramaniam
Adhi Schools, LLC - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Market Analysis--Educational Content, Adhi Schools

I think it definitely has the potential to be beneficial. My perspective is a little different being at a real estate school, but I attend similar industry functions with my employer (who is also a broker) and we've found them to be beneficial. Depending on the type of event you can meet people who may not be real estate agents but are somehow connected to the industry like appraisers, concrete suppliers, etc. that can become valuable contacts or provide a different perspective on a problem you're currently pondering. 

They can also just be fun, so worst case scenario you don't think you made any valuable business connections but did have a good time. 

Jul 07, 2016 01:37 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Will,

We tried several and then started our own, and yes we benefitted.  You have to find one that resonates with you.  A

Jul 07, 2016 01:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I've done it in the past... no results. I don't like breakfast networking events in any case, since I devote my early morning hours to quiet work in my office.

Jul 07, 2016 09:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I am not into it Will. I network on my own.

Jul 07, 2016 01:09 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

For some it can be a great source of business. Depends..are you a morning person?

Jul 07, 2016 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have a farm group that I have breakfast with once a month and it works out well

Jul 07, 2016 06:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

The BNI (is that what you mean by breakfast networking group?) that we belong to has been absolutely invaluable to our business. We've had a nearly nonstop stream of referrals from the BNI group for 3 years. 

Jul 07, 2016 06:39 AM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Yes, Le Tip. First problem was, I don't eat breakfast except for tea and everyone really chowed down! It actually made me feel uncomfortable. Secondly, mostly, everyone was selling services such as chiropractors, massage and facial people, and professionals such as accountaints and lawyers,  small business owners and others with stuff that can easily be purchased at fairly low costs. To be a real estate agent where you need a listing or a buyer, that is a whole new financial investment. Didn't want to seem "cheap" not buying some of their services even though I really didn' want or need them. Over about 3 months, I got nothing out of it except for possibly gaining a couple of pounds and paying out quite a bit of money I would not normally have done.

Jul 07, 2016 06:31 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I suppose if one is NEW to the area and knows NO ONE, then the breakfast is better than nothing.... but there are better ways to network and with more powerful people....

Jul 07, 2016 05:38 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

When one tiny grain of sand is moved on a beach, the whole beach is affected. Any exposure will have an impact on an individual & business

Jul 07, 2016 03:33 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

I do think it would help but I haven't tried it.

Jul 07, 2016 03:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

There are a few agents in my office that do a network group & they do well with it.  I still haven't started/gone/officially joined a Linked In network group in my area. Pretty pathetic.

Jul 07, 2016 03:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I have not tried this.

Jul 07, 2016 02:07 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Susan Emo nailed this one!! 

Jul 07, 2016 10:09 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Yes. Face to face networking is very effective.

You can get the same results in a Lions Club or other service club.

Jul 07, 2016 09:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I have not but I know of agents who have had a lot of success from their networking group.

Jul 07, 2016 04:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Regular networking will help and has proved so. A hit and miss approach is just that and people see through that you are not a giver and just want to get.

Jul 07, 2016 03:26 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I don't do mornings or breakfast

Jul 07, 2016 02:22 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I have seen plenty of the around, but being a business owner and captain of the ship, this is the most critical time for me to be in the office.

A mid afternoon coffee meeting would be possible some days.

Jul 07, 2016 09:40 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I echo what Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC said ... same experience for me ... Chamber of Commerce ... that kind of networking is not for me. 

Jul 07, 2016 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

In East Dallas we have 2 meeting per month.  I try to attend at least one.  A good way to meet people and network.

Jul 07, 2016 03:15 AM