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        <title>Atlanta Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/tags/realsourcebrokerscom/</link>
        <description>Atlanta Real Estate Blog - a complete Atlanta Home Guide helping local buyers, sellers and investors make informed decisions through insightful market news and analysis.  Because we focus specifically on the eclectic Intown Neighborhoods (Candler Par</description>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/weve-moved-to-a-new-decatur-location.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/weve-moved-to-a-new-decatur-location.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>We've Moved To A New Decatur Location</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
We've already shared this with a many of you but thought we'd make the details known here on our blog just in case we've not talked personally about it.&nbsp; If you don't already know, our t eam moved office locations this past week.



As part of a larger commitment, we've set out to reduce our impact on the environment in both our personal and business lives (of course, if you know my wife Jesse you know she's got our personal impact down to a minimum already).&nbsp; So far this year we've taken on recycling at home and the office, car pooling whenever possible, installing CFL light bulbs, upgraded the efficiency of our HVAC systems, installed new windows and insulation in our homes and (as our leases run course) we're trading-up for more fuel efficient cars.



Our focus on more environmentally and economically sustainable ways of living also informs our move from a 2200 square foot office in Oakhurst (Decatur) to a more cozy space just around the corner.&nbsp; Although we love our location in Oakhurst Village and will miss it; we made the decision to choose a space that is more energy efficient and more in line with our square footage needs.&nbsp; Our home for more than 5 years, our Historic Oakhurst Village building was in great need of energy saving updates that simply weren't possible.&nbsp; And it goes without saying we had far more space than our efficient team of four needs.



As long time residents and business owners in Oakhurst and Decatur we didn't want to go too far.&nbsp; As luck would have it, there was a perfect spot available at East Decatur Station right off College Avenue.&nbsp; It's just around the corner from our current office and it's our new home starting this week.



As a result of this small change, our office is using nearly 75% LESS electricity and natural gas to operate our office -- resulting in savings of $578 per month just in energy costs alone.&nbsp; That's a smart move, if you ask me.&nbsp; Please make note of our new office address in East Decatur Station. 



Keep an eye out for an invitation to visit a new section of our website where we'll share how you can take small steps toward a huge impact on your energy and money savings.  And if that's not enough to keep you interested ... we'll be sharing some pictures of our new office space soon too.



As always, thank you so much for your continued support of our business.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:42:05 -0400</pubDate>
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            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/is-being-ok-really-okay.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Is being "ok" really okay?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Jeffrey Pinkerton of HillSide Lending recently posted this article on the problem with being OKAY in a service oriented business.  


Have you ever had a waiter or waitress ask you if your meal is &ldquo;okay?&rdquo;  Isnt that a strange question, &ldquo;Is everything with your meal ok?&rdquo;  Its like saying, &ldquo;Is everything with your meal average?&rdquo;  Wouldnt the better question be, &ldquo;Is everything with your meal excellent?&rdquo;  Or better yet, &ldquo;Is everything with your meal finding your great satisfaction!?&rdquo;

What has happened to going above and beyond what people expect?


My waitress never asked me if my meal was excellent! And I'm not talking about my last trip to the Golden Coral either.  That being said, I'm left more inclined to inquire if &quot;going above and beyond&quot; ever really happened at all.  Sure...there are your Nordstroms' of the world, but I'd bet a steak dinner against you giving me the name of 10 more service providers that have really knocked your socks off with service in the last...well...forever, really.  

Jeffrey doesn't end by pinning this one on the waitress though...there is really more to it than that and he sees it very clearly.  In a world being consumed by consumerism, the consumer has more power than they like to let on and the power of an informed consumer armed with penetrating questions is the greatest weapon against mediocre service.  


simply ask this question, &ldquo;Mr./Mrs. Loan Officer, how are you going to ensure that at the end of this process, after everything is signed and done, and closed, how are you going to make sure that I am a thrilled and happy customer?  So thrilled that when I think about getting a mortgage, I am going to think about you?  So thrilled that when I hear of someone else thinking about getting a mortgage, I am going to tell them about you?&rdquo;


In fact, replace the mortgage specific context with any given service oriented business and by answering this question you have the recipe for a successful business.   Afterall, if you're paying $250 for a pair of levi's  questions tend to roll off the tongue quite naturally.

And, Jeffrey, if you're ever in need of a professional endorsement - I'd be happy to oblige. 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:20:07 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/top-producers.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/top-producers.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Top Producing Atlanta Reatlors</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[                                                       
Ben - my brother and the Buyer Specialist on my team for those that don't know - and I rank as top full service agents working the Oakhurst, East Lake and Kirkwood markets.  In fact, from January 1st 2005 to August 30th 2006 we are ranked in the top 100 agents in the State for listings taken and homes sold!  That's no small feat given there are over 38,000 licensed agents working the state of Georgia...
The interesting thing about this...while I rank in the top 100 agents in the state (currently #81), I also rank as #2 in my marketplace (24 and 52 FMLS market areas - which include Oakhurst, East Lake, Kirkwood and City of Decatur).  The #1 listing &quot;agent&quot;  in the area is DUFFY REALTY - a flat fee brokerage that is essentially a For Sale By Owner assistance program coupled with an MLS listing and the #3 &quot;agent&quot; is CENTURY 21 CLICKIT.COM - another flat fee MLS brokerage and For Sale By Owner assistance program.  By the way, don't fall into the flat-fee trap - the true cost of listing your home in the MLS has to be figured using this simple equation:  &quot;the 'flat-fee' you pay upfront not contingent on the result of selling your home&quot;+&quot;3% to the buyers agent working to help your buyer locate/negotiate/assist in selecting your home&quot;.  It strikes me when I see a flat-fee company advertising their services and failing to mention that the buyers agent fee must be calculated to give a fair and accurate cost of sale analysis.  Now, there has been  much debate on who actually pays the buyers agents' fee in the blogosphere - I'll save my opinion for another post. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 24 Dec 2006 06:00:37 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/about.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/blog/about.html</link>
            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>About Joshua Keen</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Your Atlanta Realtors 

Having worked for years under the guise of one the largest Mega-Brokerages in the world, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Joshua decided that it would be worth while to put his real estate and service expertise to better use.  After years of providing top rate tranditional brokerage services, he noticed a trend toward a more educated, value minded market place and decided to pioneer a &ldquo;more for less&rdquo; brokerage concept by opening his own small by design real estate firm, RealSource Brokers in Oakhurst Village (Decatur).   Since that time he has worked closely with his staff to perfect a unique team based approach that guarantees your needs are handled immediately so that your home sells quickly and for top dollar.  Joshua, and his brother Ben, are lead agents of The Keen Team.  They oversee and coordinate all facets of the transaction to ensure that your home sells quickly and easily for the most amount of money possible.



The Keen Team - Atlanta Real Estate Professionals 


The Keen Team is Joshuas support team.  The team is made up of a Marketing Specialist, Business Manager, Buyer Specialist, Mortgage Broker, Closing Attorney and Home Inspector.

Buyer Specialist:  Ben Keen  Joshuas brother and a key member of his Team.  Ben is the Specialist that handles all of the Teams buyer clients.  Bens knowledge of the in town market is unsurpassed and, with his uncanny ability to find &ldquo;that&rdquo; home, he has assisted hundreds of people in finding their dream home.

Buyer Specialist:  Barry Menaker  a seasoned salesperson, Barry has been with The Keen Team since its inception and plays an integral role in helping ALL of Ben's Buyer clients through a smooth transaction.

Transaction/Sales Manager: Adam Keen  A veteran agent and skilled communicator, Adam oversees general office operations and ensures that your home recieves the highest level of exposure possibe in today's market. He facilitates a comprehensive marketing plan and helps coordinate all transactions from Contract to Closing.

Business Manager: Bob Kuyper - a seasoned management professional with 20+ years in Real Estate Sales, Bob is The Keen Team's business manager and acts on a consultant level with the entire team.  His proven strengths in organizational development allow him to successfully manage the daily operations of the Team.  Bob's exceptional leadership skills and follow through make certain that The Keen Team's clients receive the highest level of service and support throughout their selling and/or buying experience. ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:36:40 -0400</pubDate>
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            <author>joshua@thekeenteam.com (Joshua Keen)</author>
            <title>Atlanta Real Estate Blog...</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ Welcome...and thanks for joining me for this, my inaugral BLOG post.   Aside from the obvious benefits of sharing my thoughts and opinions with the world :) my goal here is to create an interactive &quot;forum&quot; that will allow my past, current and future clients to become more intimate with everything that is (and will be) Atlanta Real Estate.  From tips on effective buying and selling...to market stats, new developments, community and neighborhood news...no topic is out of bounds.  So please -- if I fail to engage you with my posts -- don't hesitate to engage me.  Your involvement is both welcome and encouraged.   ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2006 06:31:39 -0400</pubDate>
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