Author: Dan Vollmer

Predicting the future after an unpredictable past Let me acknowledge two obvious truths right off the bat: first, at this point there is nothing that can be said about 2020 that has not already been said, and said often. Second, no one knew 2020 was coming, and so clearly no one can tell what 2021 will bring. If the past year has taught us anything at all, it is that prognostication is mostly pointless. Having said that, here are my predictions for the coming year! All kidding aside, while there is much we do not—and cannot— know, there are a few...

Have you ever wondered why some things are the way they are? Such as, why do men’s shirts have buttons on the right, and women’s are on the left? Or why do they keep trying to make a better toothbrush—isn’t it basically as good as it’s going to get? (Yes, I know there are answers to these questions… that’s not the point.) The point is—there are things in life we know are true, but sometimes we don’t understand why. For years, I’ve explained the way commissions work in real estate, because if you aren’t in real estate full time,...

One thing that’s not on your checklist, but should be… If you’ve been in business for any length of time, chances are you have developed some systems and rhythms. Ways to be more efficient. Strategies for providing a high level of service while still getting the grunt work done. Whatever your occupation, when a new client or prospect walks through your doors (either physically or digitally), a process is set in motion. For some of us (think real estate) this process may take months from start to finish. For others, it might only be an hour or two (think...

When and how things shift in the market… Most people who have a passing interest in real estate will say there’s an accepted “schedule” of when is a good time to list your home, and when is a bad time. Painted with a broad brush (or maybe more like a professional grade 18” roller), this is mostly true. And for many years, I thought the same way. Over time, I began to realize that in the greater Lynchburg market, there are a number of “micro-shifts,” which many buyers, sellers and even agents don’t discuss. Here now, let’s talk through...