Newsflash! Hidden Secret Uncovered, You Really Can Automate Your BPO Orders! By Nicole Ocean

I Might Get In Trouble For Posting This, But Am Willing to Take the Risk!

I have been putting off writing this blog for a few months because I wanted to be better prepared and to learn as much as I could about an extremely tight lipped tool that helps BPO and REO Agents fully automate doing the data entry side of their BPO orders.

It now has become painfully obvious to me exactly how TOP producing BPO and REO agents are able to do hundreds of BPO’s per week and earn tens of thousands of dollars doing a very high volume of BPO orders. I thought that it was because they had a big team set up and had a huge amount of volume of work. (I am sure this applies to some of these agents, but I venture a bet that the true TOP producers use this automation software and still use assistants to help manage all of their workload)

Before I go much further let me just tell you that if you are reading this blog and actually do BPO yourself, (no matter if you are brand new to the business or a seasoned pro) and you don’t already know about this tool then you will feel like you struck gold. At least that is how I felt when I first learned about it and it has helped bring out a new found enthusiasm for when I do the data entry side of my BPO orders.

Ok, I am not trying to keep you in suspense here, at least not intentionally, so let me jump right into the main course and drive right into what I like to call the ’meat and potatoes’ of my blog.

 Here I go, I guess I have officially opened the ‘can’ and I am ready to ‘spill the beans’ onto the table so that I can share them with you. (Just so you know, what I mean when I write the analogy, “spill the beans,” this catch phrase pertains to a specific software application that is available online that you can use to help you set up a way that will automatically fill in the blank spots within your BPO forms.)

 I won’t get into too much detail about the software itself here, but want to let you know the basics. There are two main choices of software and software providers that you can use to help you automate your BPO orders and even your monthly reports for your REO listings.

There is a FREE version of the software which is a bit more limiting and you can’t use it to fully automate filling in all of the data entry side of your BPO, but it fills in all of the redundant, very repetitive boxes. This feat alone saves tons of time and headaches by no longer having to ‘recreate the wheel’ each time you do a new BPO order.

The other version is one that you can purchase for around two hundred dollars and will give you free reign to fully automate almost all of the date entry side of your BPO orders and monthly reports. Plus you can easily have it tailored to meet your own specific needs very easily as well. 

(One of the companies that offers the software to help you do this charges a hefty monthly subscription fee, I think that it is just too much to pay when there are other better choices available. (I know from my own personal experience that sometimes the hardest part about learning about something foreign and unknown to you that not everyone knows that they really have a choice in the matter).

See it in action for yourself, check out this video that I made of me using the software to help me fill in parts of my BPO order:

http://www.nicoleocean.com/automatebpos_video_screenshot.jpg

Here is a quick breakdown:

The paid version will allow you to:

**Almost all of the blanks within your form (including all of the data about your comps as well as the redundant questions you are asked on each form).

The free version will allow you to:

**Automate almost all of the redundant, repetitive questions that are asked on each BPO order, but you can’t fully automate all of the comp information using this version.

I also want to let you know that  am in the process of writing a new eBook on this topic specifically. Plus, I use the software myself to help me do my own BPO orders. I can tell you that there is no other eBook available online right now about what it means to completely automate your BPO orders, what software to use to do it, a step-by-step guide into exactly how it works and how to make it work for you, plus even how order it. The eBook is titled, “All You Ever Wanted to Know About Automating Your BPO Orders.” Keep your eye open for it!

So, if you are like me and are completely feed up and tired of having to fill out the same boxes on each one of your BPO forms and want to break away from the monotonous side of doing BPO work then this software can be your savior. Best of all it will help you save time, frustration from doing repetitive tasks which will free you up to being able to accept more work and in turn make more money and so much more than sit at your computer plugging away all day doing your BPO orders. (I’ve been there and done that!)

If you are interested in finding out more about the eBook’s release date feel free to email me and I’ll add you to my pre-order list.

You can reach me at: 360-223-2482 or sales@nicoleocean.com

Alright, I’ve got to get back to my BPO orders now, but I hope that you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it! Let me know your thoughts, comments and questions!

I’d be glad to help assist you,

 Nicole Ocean

 BPO Trainer/

 nicolesdreams eBooks

 www.nicoleocean.com

In the meantime, keep doing a great job with your BPO work!

 

Why Some BPO and REO Companies Aren’t Accepting New Vendor Applications by Nicole Ocean

It is definitely true that some BPO (and even REO and Asset Management) companies have either closed their doors to accepting new BPO vendor applications or will still let you apply but it may be quite some time until you hear back from them with your first BPO order.

The ironic thing is that I had experienced this too when I first got into the business over 2 years ago. The difference with me is that I didn’t take their “We are currently not accepting new vendors at this time,” as if it were set in stone. To prove this point I signed up with FARVV about 2 years ago when I was signing up for multiple other companies and I received an email from them 1 year after I registered asking if I still wanting to work for them….crazy huh!

Some of the same companies that are still turning away new people even turned me away 2 years ago when I tried to register with them. That didn’t stop me though, because I have worked with over 30 different BPO, REO and Asset management companies in the 2+ years that I have been doing BPO’s full-time.

Here are the top 3 reasons that I’ve found as to why they may not be accepting new vendors:

1. Too many new people applying and they are overloaded….it would just be a matter of time before they’d get to you, but it could take quite awhile (It helped me to follow up with them by calling them after submitting my application and checking in with them about what I was facing and what to expect. By doing this extra step I received work the same day I’d call in. This little but very necessary follow-up sure helped me stand out from others.

2. The person applying simply does not have enough experience or time in the business. Some companies required that I have at least 2 years in the real estate and/or the BPO & REO business, while others required that their agents have REO listing experience in order to join their company as a BPO/REO vendor. (Some companies focus on having a selling point in that they do not have inexperienced vendors working for them so that their potential clients that would give them BPO/REO work over another company that may not be as strict)

3. The companies are happy with their existing relationships that they have with their current vendors and are satisfied (enough) with the quality of work that they are doing for them. Plus, it is always harder to start from scratch by working with someone new where they don’t know what type of track record or accountability a new vendor offers.

To wrap this up, you can’t wait for the various companies to call or email you. You’ve got to be proactive and go out there to get business. Just like you do in your real estate sales side. Plus as I am sure you are already aware of both industries are highly competitive thus anything you can do to stand out from your competitors is bound to get you closer to what you are working hard to achieve.

Wishing you the best!

Nicole Ocean

nicolesdreams eBooks

Your #1 Source for Broker Price Opinion Education and eBooks!

www.nicoleocean.com

Standing Up Against The Backlash I Received From Some Members of Agentsonline.net

One of my past customers wrote me a note after questioning what the advantage was of joining my BPO and REO forum. After replying back to him about how my BPO forum is different……

**(I’ve got over 140 BPO and REO topics, over 995 comments. Plus I do not accept any outside advertisements like most of the real estate forums that are online today and lastly it is no longer a free forum where just anyone can access it. I’m looking for people who want to participate and share by having a positive, active voice) **

My past customer also made a mention of another real estate forum named www.agentsonline.net where some pretty negative comments were said about my decision to change the policy on my BPO and REO forum that is located at my website: www.nicoleocean.com

(Here’s a quick FYI here about the policy change: my BPO and REO forum at my website used to be free, it is no longer. Keep reading to learn more about why I decided to make the change and what my opinion is of the negative comments that were said about my decision on agentsonline.net)

I went on to tell him that “I do know what some people were saying about my decision about the forum and about me as a business owner/real estate agent and BPO trainer.

Unfortunately, most of the people that were complaining within BPO/REO and Foreclosure section of www.agentsonline.net were doing so because I revoked their membership to my forum and/or were unhappy because I changed my forum policy. Most of these very same people who commented were guilty of joining my forum to keep tabs, to take advantage without participating or giving back and in the end I feel are two faced. I’d rather not help those type of people.

Although, it was hard for me to hear such harsh criticism from people that I’ve never met or spoken to and vice versa, and most of these people didn’t purchase any of my products thus I feel couldn’t speak intelligently about the quality of my material, I accept it for what it is though, it’s their own personal opinion. I am completely ok with other people expressing their opinions, reactions and feeling towards my decision and if anything I am trying to fill a void with my forum because it has always been an accepting, positive and non-judgmental place for people to help each other and ask any question without fear of retaliation. I feel that the BPO/REO and Foreclosure section within www.agentsonline.net is filled with some extremely fearful, harsh and negative people who are afraid of anyone who will be their competition.

So I take this situation as a learning experience and am moving forward. I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished overall and feel blessed to have been able to share my knowledge of the BPO business to all those that have in turn gotten into the BPO and REO business and experienced very rewarding opportunities because of what they learned from me and my BPO products.

I hope that after reading through the posting for yourself and learning first hand about both sides of the story that you see the value of joining the forum. I would like to recommend that if you do join my forum that you should feel free to ask any question you want without fear or hesitation of experiencing any type of backlash!”

Thanks again for everything,

Nicole Ocean

www.nicoleocean.com

nicolesdreams eBooks

www.nicoleocean.com

Call me at: 360-223-2482

sales@nicoleocean.com

 

Want to Know Why You’re Not Getting BPO Work? by Nicole Ocean

Greetings!

 I’ve decided that it’s time to speak out about explaining why some people don’t get BPO work right away after signing up with various BPO, REO and Asset Mgmt companies.

 Over the past 2 years I’ve spoken with handfuls of other real estate professionals who are wanting to get into the Broker Price Opinion business. Times and opportunities are getting tougher for those who are just coming into the BPO and REO business.

 A lot of people that I speak with don’t understand just how important it is to be educated about the current status of the BPO industry as well as be informed about just how much competition there is within their current local market. You can go to www.reonetwork.com to see who your local competitors are.

 From my experience the BPO industry has become even more competitive than a year ago and for good reason. In the past few years there has been an explosion and impeding implosion within the lending industry (“the sub-prime mess,” where the clean up process will be around for awhile.) Plus, many real estate markets across the U.S. have suffered from declining markets, REO and short sale driven markets as well as homeowners and homebuyers being affected by the economy. 

With all of these factors staring us all in the face, more and more real estate professionals turned to and found out about BPOs and REOs and thus decided to dabble in BPO work. Many people decided to do BPO work to help supplement their income while others may be doing them to get REO listings (this is where BIG money is at) and then there are those that are just trying their hardest to simply stay in real estate. I commend all of you, no matter your motivation! You are smart for seeking out opportunities and alternatives that are only going to help your real estate career. Give yourself a pat on the back!

Here are some of the suggestions and explanations I share with people about why they aren’t getting BPO work?

**Existing competition with more time and experience in the business**

**Not enough volume of work to support the current amount of BPO vendors**

**Companies became a lot more strict about only hiring people with experience**

**Some companies have closed their door on accepting new vendors**

**The person applying to be a BPO vendor didn’t do something to “stand out,” from other or given the companies that they are applying to a good reason to hire them.**

**These same people stop pursuing the possibility of becoming a BPO vendor for companies because they only take the time to sign up at their website and do no other type of follow up**

Lastly, I would recommend that if your expectation is that you can sign up with a new company today (10/20/2008) and think that you will get work tomorrow you need to adjust your expectation level. Not to say this kind of thing doesn’t still happen for some people, but for most you have to treat your BPO business venture just as you do your real estate sales career.

I think the key to anything is to be as educated as possible about anything that you want to master. So, as you jump into the BPO world with both of your feet planted firmly on the ground, don’t be afraid of having to sweat a little bit to get what you out of the BPO and REO business. You can do it! Hopefully, with this blog you understand more about why it is harder to get BPO work and you can take this information to help you achieve your immediate need to get BPO work.

Plus, if you have a need to ask some pretty specific, hard to get answered questions, feel free to give me a call 360-223-2482 or visit my website: www.nicoleocean.com Plus, I’ve got a wonderful resource where you can read through over 140 different BPO and REO related topics, it’s called the, “BPO Student Forum,” check it out at my website!

Best of success to you!

www.nicoleocean.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warmly,

Nicole Ocean

 nicolesdreams eBooks

 www.nicoleocean.com

 www.nicolesdreamsebooks.com

 360-223-2482

Broker Price Opinion Training Coming to An Office Near You! By Nicole Ocean

Welcome Brokers, Managers and Realtors!

I am now offering ‘In-Office’ personalized training and consulting on Broker Price Opinions to all local real estate professionals in Washington state. Give me a call today to schedule a training session in your office today! 

The Training Can Be One-on-One or for a Group.

Within my training, I incorporate lessons that are based from my own personal experience of doing BPO’s full-time for the last two years as well as from my bestselling ‘How to’ manual on BPO’s. The training session can last from 1-4 hours. After each training session, students will receive their own copy of my BPO Manual to take with them, plus they will also receive a FREE 1-year membership to my BPO and REO forum where they can access over 140 BPO and REO related topics.

 

Click Here to See a FREE 12-page Sample of the BPO Manual.

The BPO Manual offers, 60+ pages of detailed instruction, plus company names and direct links to sign up with 120+ National BPO, REO and Asset Management companies whom offer Broker Price Opinions, Property Condition reports and more.

Topics covered within the manual includes detailed instruction on:

* What Exactly Is A BPO?
* Who is Allowed to Complete BPOs?
* Sample BPO Form
* Directory of BPO & REO Companies (13 pgs)
* Where Do I Find More BPO Companies?
* What Do I Need to Sign Up?
* How Do I Complete & Fill Out a BPO Form? (12 pgs)
* How to Get More Orders?
* Staying Organized
* Creating a File Folder System
* Setting up an Order Tracking System
* How Much Can I Expect to Make?
* When Will I Get Paid?
* Beating Out the Competition
* What Type of Equipment Do I Need?
* Vendor Rating System
* Wrap Up

 

Retail Value: $55.00

Everything you need to get started is included in this BPO Manual.

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Topics covered within the BPO training includes detailed instruction on:

• What exactly is a Broker Price Opinion?

• Why are they ordered and who orders them?

• How much you can expect to make and when you’ll get paid.

• Looking at and understanding the various BPO forms.

• How to correctly fill out a BPO form from start to finish.

• Which companies to sign up with to become a BPO Agent.

• Ways to organize, manage and track your orders.

• How to beat out the competition.

• What type of equipment will you need and how to use it.

• How to sign up and what to expect when you first get into the BPO business.

• Understanding Quality Assurance and the Vendor rating system.

• How to get REO’s from doing BPO’s.

• A ‘Q & A’ section at the end of class.

• Plus, so much more!

 

Students will leave my training session with a solid foundation into the business and will understand the fundaments of the BPO business as well as have everything that they need to get started in the business right away!

The BPO Training Class Cost:

 

1-Hour Class	$150/ Per Person*
4- Hour Class	$250/ Per Person*
One-on-One Coaching	$39.99/hour**

Remember the BPO Manual ($55.00 Value) will be included for each person that attends the BPO training class. Plus they will also receive a FREE 1-year membership to my BPO and REO forum where they can access over 140 BPO and REO related topics. ($39.99 Value)

*dependant on your office location and any travel expenses that are required. A minimum class size may be required for any training class outside of Whatcom and Skagit counties.**One-on-One Coaching may be used either over the phone or with me coming to you. The BPO Manual and access to the BPO & REO forum will need to be purchased separately and will not be included in the hourly fee.A deposit will be required up-front to ensure securing your place within the currently scheduled classes. The remaining payment will need to be paid at the beginning of the class session.

 

Let Me Open Your Eyes into the Exciting World Beyond Doing Real Estate Sales Alone!

You can reach me at: 360-223-2482

Email me at:
sales@nicoleocean.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT NICOLE