There are several different ways I built credibility.

First of all, like it or not, people make value judgments about you before you even open your mouth.  Think about it.  What preconceived ideas do you have about a bag lady vs. a movie star?  You get an image but the reality is you don’t really know anything about them.  It is in your best interest to present a well-groomed professional image and make sure your staff members comply as well.

This professional image extends to the meeting location you choose, the marketing items you provide, and your presentation.

This is whether you want to borrow money, buy their house or sell them a home.

The first verbal message should be to gain rapport with the guests.  I share that I have lived in the area for 10 years and I have kids in school.  I establish credibility as a member of the community.  We are in this together.  If you lose, I lose – and I’m not gonna lose because I have a lot at stake.

The actual presentation sends one clear, consistent message such as “you loan me money and I’ll give you high interest payments”.  That’s it.  While I have other facets to my business and other interests, I do not waiver in my message.

Sending a straightforward message in an easy-to-understand way, to convey credibility because there is no “small print.”  You let them know this is a simple program.  These are the simple forms.  This is the way it works.  Period.

Current action conveys credibility.  I always mention one of my most recent deals which is usually that I bought and/or sold a property yesterday or within the last few days.

In my presentation I acknowledge their fears and openly address a big one when I show the slide that says, “What Happens to my Investment if Alan Dies.”  They usually chuckle because they thought of that but didn’t want to say it.  I let them know that the corporation is structured to sell properties and their principle and interest will be paid as agreed.  Talk about credibility.  Have I not crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s with this presentation?

Also, If you say you are going to do it, DO IT.

Someone might be testing you by loaning a small amount just to see if you are for real.  Make sure you send them their interest check at exactly the agreed upon time for the correct amount.  I’ve seen this happen time and time again where the lender comes back a couple months later with more money.  Then a few months later they come back with even more money.  You must prove that you are for real and that you do what you say.

If you break that trust, it’s over.

Finally, I build credibility by being reachable.  I have an office that they can stop by.  I have an answering service that picks up my calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and relays important messages quickly.  I have a web site where the lender can see what I’m doing and, they can send me email and I respond promptly.

Credibility is powerful…  Learn to use it to your advantage.

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E-commerce has gained a huge amount of popularity in the last few years that it has become unavoidable not only for businesses but also for personal needs. The main reason for its widespread acceptance is its ease of use. The whole transaction of buy and pay are at your fingertips wherever you need it. These days we see large amount of discounts and offers associated with online shopping which is also a major contribution in making this concept attractive. Not just online shopping but online auctioning has also started to gain popularity among investors.

Similarly, online auctions of foreclosed homes are also available these days. Most people still prefer to bid directly at the county courthouse because it is a place where money is involved and usually people need assured security in such cases. But there’s much to like about online auctions too. Due to some reasons numerous people prefer doing online auctions. Let’s try and list out some of them here.

> Benefits for the bidder

From a bidder’s point of view, it is the extreme convenience and the feeling of being in control offered by an online auction that attracts them. foreclosure auctions may span from a few days to several weeks and the bidder is free to bid at anytime from anywhere in the world. Any person with decent computer knowledge would prefer bidding at an online auction in an environment he likes the most rather than standing on the steps of a local courthouse in sleet storm or amidst the craziness and inconvenience of a jammed hotel ballroom.

Online auctions give you a wider choice of foreclosed homes not only in a particular county or state but in whichever location one prefers. Numerous undervalued properties and good deals can be obtained simply by browsing through the internet for foreclosed properties. This results in an ongoing income asset for investors.

Many websites are rich in variety offering numerous features. Some give the complete description of the property, its environment, its proximity to important places like malls, airports, railway stations, etc. The bidders even get a chance to compare features of different properties before making the final decision. Some sites even have links that lead to direct communication with the seller. Leading websites for online auction even make management of settlement available online. All these can be done by just sitting in the comfort of your home rather than spending days or weeks in the local courthouse.

> Benefits for the Seller

Foreclosing lenders who are usually banks or government agencies will be in a hurry to sell the property somehow and recover their losses. For them the best option is to go for an online auction because the overall procedure takes less than a month for completion. Once the details of the property are posted on the website, the bidding starts within two weeks and will come to an end within the following two weeks. Speed of the process is the USP that attracts the sellers.

Moreover the charges involved in online auctions are much less when compared to the on-ground auction. The seller has to pay the charge, in the form of commission, to the website only after the sale of the property. This is of great advantage when there is a recession in the sale of property but there is abundant supply. An online auction is a no-risk method to move property quickly. Online auctions attract more investors, from all around the world ensuring a global involvement.

Managers of good auction sites often work in cooperation with the sellers. If the home gets a final bid less than that of the reserved price then the customer service manager of the website arranges a negotiation meeting with the buyer and seller so as to meet the reserved price. Usually these talks will end in a satisfactory note to both the buyer and the seller. Thus auction websites act as the marketplace for the buyers and sellers with their ultimate aim being the satisfaction of both parties.