I know her products but *** certified BPO trainer *** i want that certification too.

Send me $500.00 for certification and I'll send you the test, after passing all you need to do is send monthly maintenance fees of $29.99 a month, plus annual renewals of $249.97.

Certification special today until tomorrow noon - pay before 12:00 pm March 2nd, 2010 and only pay $400.00 for the test and certificate.

Cool...whats your paypal account so I can transfer the funds. I'm eager to obtain that certification.

Send money orders made payable to cash.

She pays to support this Forum.

I couldn't have said it better myself........lol

Nicole certified herself. Nicole and I went round and round one day, she used to post here under her own name but then changed her screen name here.

What she didn't know was shocking; for example, she didn't know that Dispo wasn't a mill or AMC but rather a platform. She was quite truthful about her "experience", which if I recall correctly consisted of a few transactions with her father as broker! Yes, well qualified...NOT.

She also seemed unclear that what her father did is what any decent broker would do for any agent. Her inexperience (I don't believe she's been licensed for anymore than 3 years) clearly showed and some mills wouldn't take her today based on date of licensure!

For free, I will offer assistance, not one penny out of your pocket. All you have to do is search on my name! For free! How can you beat that?

Just so you know what transpired previously (2008), I am posting the link to the now-locked discussion! Gulf cetainly had his hands full. My comments and Nicole's appear on page 2. Enjoy!

http://www.agentsonline.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/243070/1.html

Yes there is that as well - Everyone should click on her ad and learn more.

Of course if she really wants to be really really certified - if she pays the late fee and passes the test - I guess I will be forgiving.

Of course reading all the posts before and after, as well as CanDo's posts will help, and probably do more the any ConDo's ad

To all the members...Don't take me wrong... I have purchased her products and she know what she is teaching...I am just want to obtain that certification too.

One day I was eating some Cracker Jacks and instead of a cheap toy I found a certification to do bpos. So that was the start of me doing bpos.

Its just funny. Once something turns into a market trend everyone tells you they can help you get out on top - make more money - improve your credibility. Get rich quick program - with a twist - I just laugh. Can I have some Cracker Jacks - I love those things - nummmm. How many boxes of Cracker Jacks can you buy for the cost of the certification? A much better investment. Shelf life is longer.

Hi everyone,

I find it strange that some people will talk negatively about someone that they do not even know. I work with Nicole and I know first hand that she is the most sincere and ethical person I have ever worked with. Nicole's products are genuine and truly do help agents become more productive and more accurate.

Well, it is a fact that she has come to this forum, gathered info and gone out and sold it. Call that what you want, but it is a fact. It is also a fact that she is very inexperienced in this industry. I do not think she is above board about that either. I do not know if she is unethical, but I do know that she does the type of business that I really find annoying.

Hi Health, heck we're not bashing Nicole at all, just wondering where she got her BPO Certification from. Since you work with her, just look at the Certificate on the wall and let us know.

We're listening, just let us know where you feel we have gone astray.

Believe me, I respect Nicole for doing what she is, and I wish her well - even though I think a different BG color in her photo shoots would be good, and some said to try using her other side as her good side.

We're critics here - work hard and fast and play the same way - come on in and join the fray - and tell Nicole to come on back and join us - I am sure she has some good points of views to share - no kidding.

Hmm... Maybe I will just put up my ad. Since I actually do have a 'BPO Training Certification'. Course mine came from mills so perhaps those won't count since thats only who agents are doing work for...

J~

Cool - I want one too - send me one - please

No kidding - people also get upset because the forum doesn't hand out information on a silver platter - well my friends - this is one of the major reasons. In many people's eyes it may even worse then teaching your competition how to beat you.

But from my perspective - heck the girl is just doing what she can to get by - I almost bet she would rather be doing bpo and reo then talking about them, well after reading that out loud, maybe not.

I do think if you're just starting out or wanting to take your bpo business to the next level - Nicole may have just what you need.

Thank you Nicole - Your ad here should get you a great return.

[quote=Pine]I do think if you're just starting out or wanting to take your bpo business to the next level - Nicole may have just what you need.[/quote]

Yes, she does have what you need.

I lurk here quite often, afraid to post anything in fear of the turbo posting vetran REO snobs.

Yes folks, to read the posts, to learn from them, and to use that knowledge to make money is a crime!

Don't dare challenge the board's REO kings and queens. They have their AMs in their pockets. They won't do a BPO for less than $100. They won't work for the mills. They won't auto accept. They are above it all, but more importantly they are above you and me.

But fear not young BPOer, the kings and queens leave enough scraps for us to feed and grow, and Nicole will help you find them.

Before I am accused of spamming for Nicole, I'll admit it. I am spamming for her. FOR FREE. She and her team have put food on my family's table during lean times, which is a hell of lot more than the REO snobs on this board have done for me.

Sorry Charlie - there is a reason you kept reading here, I assume if you weren't learning anything you would have had better things to do.

I'll take exception to your remarks on that point, I haven't seen another place that offers more then we do - all we ask is that you work for it and don't expect everything you want to be handed to you on a silver platter. Heck - even Nicole likes that part - otherwise she would be out of business.

Keep reading Charlie - you'll learn even more.

Hey, I give you credit for admitting you are spaming for her, that's more than other posters have done.

Don't take the posts so seriously, they are random comments from people on the board and their observations.

The sad truth is there are no real short cuts in making it in the REO/BPO world. Much like any other parts of real estate you market, market market and do your best when you get a shot.

Newbies dont like that message but that's reality.

I just got my mortgage license and have done plenty of studying into mortgages. I should write a book for mortgage brokers and sell it using the info that I have read even though I haven't done a single mortgage yet!! Just because I CAN does not mean that I SHOULD.

I know several agents who have used her software and were very unhappy with it.

Ah, I know the title of my new book 'How to flub your way through QC in 19 easy steps'

I can see the money pouring in now.

:P

J~

J~,

Have you noticed that Ms. Ocean's site is hocking wares that say they auto-accept MSV orders? It made me smile a little - until I clicked on the red X to rid my computer of the trash...

Well theres people that will sell water to drowning men TB. Doesn't make it right but it's the agent that has to worry about whether or not they are following the companies guidelines, not Nichole.

J~

J - well put, but let's not be to hard on Nicole - for all we know she doesn't know what the rules are at MSV.

shall we wager how long her ad will run? I will ante up with 30 days from original post...Im not sure when it showed up...but Im sure it will be gone before the end of the month...

I would think if you were selling something you would ensure you did the research to find out what the rules were. After all, a customer who loses a client isn't going to be likely to refer you to anyone else.

J~

I certainly hope that ad runs for months into years. Just because it isn't for me doesn't mean it won't help someone else. Even if it just offers them motivation - it may pay for itself.

Also - just because I don't see something I need now doesn't Nicole won't have something for me later

[/quote] I would think if you were selling something you would ensure you did the research to find out what the rules were. After all, a customer who loses a client isn't going to be likely to refer you to anyone else.

J~ [/quote]


We all know the rules.

Here's the obvious:

[b]If you don't run an auto accepter for MSV and M2M you won't get any work.[/b]

"If you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose." Bob Dylan

I just had to quote this before he realized who he was talking to and erased it. I'm ROFLMAO!

Wow - you can't argue with logic like that.

If you're a Realtor, by chance have you ever read the 'Code of Ethics'? I won't even waste time asking about religious beliefs - I doubt there is any.

I also doubt there is any amount of civil logical reasoning that could get through - Sorry Charlie - you're all Nicole's, I wonder how proud she is of you

ssshhh....don't blow my cover TB. Let the newb figure it out. This should be great fun!

J~

Apparently that information wasn't covered in the ebook.

Apparently - but pay another 199.95 and it may be in the update LOL

Sorry to intrude here folks, but has anyone seen my MSV auto accepter thingamabob around here anywhere? I was sure I left it laying right over there... No? Well okay then, but if you find it I really need it back because it's been said that it's obvious i wont get any work without it. Although, maybe that wont be so bad, i suppose i could always give myself a certification and write some books or something...

Pine,

Maybe he should just buy my book. I'm sure it's covered under chapter 1 - Everything a book can't teach you.

J~

Question - Are BPO Joe and BPO Charlie the same person?

I am pretty sure that when Health was defending Nicole - she said she was ethical. Auto accept is not and she teaches that. You don't get to pick an choose. As far as being afraid to post, that is just silly - we do not pick people apart for being up front and needing help. If they are trying to cut corners and have us hand them a list - then they do get picked apart. No one handed me a list - no one said hey here you go. I do know one thing - the Queen around my neck of the woods picked up the phone every time a had a real question - and she answered it - and helped me do what I do. Now, I do it for others - but do not ever ask me for a list, or a name or a conact. You have to walk the road I walked and do the work I did - seriously - I am still scared from the maggots in the freezer I had to clean out in 1996 - you do that - you bring fleas home - you pick up the dead cat off the back steps cuz field services didn't - I don't know about the rest of you, but after a day of the crap we do - I sure don't feel like a Queen - they have much better days. You want to learn - I will help - you want to be a pain in the A** I am gonna point that out.

You guys are right. The REO business is wide open for newbies.

All you have to do is sign up, pay a fee, do one BPO, and get the listing.

That's the bill of goods the industry is selling, and that's what they're selling here.

The truth is much different. I've done over 1000 BPOs and not one listing has come from it. None, zero, nada.

The REO doors are shut and have been for some time. Even the mills aren't taking apps anymore.

You snobs need to get a grip, come down from the ivory tower, and smell the coffee.

Please quote this. Hell, put it on a T shirt and wear it to your next conference. Mail it to me. I'll sign it for you.

I hope Over gets a another cup of coffee - before she talks to any clients and customers. Seems to me there are just certain things that run strong and deep within our members, and this is one of those issues. Boiled down in my mind it comes to; We don't care what the rules are, just follow them and give us a chance to fairly compete.

Sorry Charlie - I am not really sure what you're replying to, but it doesn't fit this thread. I'm not really sure if you're griping about something, everything, or what. But let's not start down that road in this thread, move it to an appropriate thread.

Pine - I apologize - going to get some more coffee - you have a great point - I will be more civilized I promise.

Yes, let's get back to the original topic of bashing Nicole.

She doesn't need our love. The mills love her. Her software is saving them millions in QC costs.

While we're at it, let's keep pretending that we're having an open discussion of the issues in our industry.

Pine, I catch your drift ie: if you don't see it our way, we don't want you here.

BTW If you want to call me out the ethics of using an autoaccepter against MSVs site, let's go. I got emails from MSVs QC dept that violate at least 5 federal laws. They could do prison time.

Someone said "autoaccepters don't let you pick and choose". Trust me, when my autoaccepter grabs it's been declined by the primary. Autoaccepters get the dregs: $30 multifamilies, vacant lots, all the crap the primary doesn't want. We're paying our dues. Believe me.

You don't seet ORT banning autoaccepters. They love it. $30 BPOs are getting scouped up in a fraction of second. They recently limited you to X amount of hits per day, and it's leveled the playing field.

Obviously, it's been a while since y'all were in the trenches. You should come down for a look sometime. It might change your view.

Oh, this is getting good. Let me get the popcorn. Somebody grab me a Diet Coke.

Got my coffee. I am not bashing Nicole - I am saying it is unethical to use an auto accepter. Just because you beleive that MSV is violating the law, doesn't mean it is ok for you to use an auto accepter. You think ORT likes it? Then explain something to me - my phone rings with requests to do BPOs for them that the agent in my area - using an auto accepter - didn't finish? I'm a listing agent for them - and they call me to clean up the mess that the agents using auto accepters create. So if you want to believe the only reason I have a problem with someone using an auto accepter is because I am missing the orders - you are wrong. Its because I am sick and tired of working to become a listing agent for them - and I have to run around cleaning up after the idiot that forgot to turn his auto accepter OFF. I am protecting a client relationship that I worked to create - so I have to smile and nod and go do the fricking BPO because some agent just had to get all the orders. By the way - all the "crap" BPOs you just listed above - I don't know what you think we are doing out here as listing agents but that is my inventory you just described. By the way - it may be crap - and it may be beneath you - but that is how I put food on my table - and I sleep very well every night - my code of ethics doesn't say if someone else does it - then it is ok for me to do it. Put that on a t-shirt -
OK Pine - the coffee didn't make it any better.

Feel free to post what you want - just follow the rules - it's not that hard Charlie. I would also suggest you read the rules again, and realize there are moderators here that do their best to remind people to follow the rules. You can tell us buy our red, blue and green font in our names.

I initially had the same feeling about auto accepting (AA) as you, but there was a thread last year that involved King of the Internet that changed my mind on it. Please don't ask me what thread it was, or try to find it. Long story short what is "unethical" about AAing? I don't use it myself, because frankly I don't have to. However if I was a noob, I honestly say I would be all over it.

What is unethical about using modern technology to your advantage in an effort to increase your production? Now if a mill claims they don't not want their agents to AA, then you might have a case. However many mills I feel don't really care one way or another as long as the job gets done on time. In addition, if they don't police their claim that they care, then that claim is meaningless IMO.

Remember no matter what anyone tells you, it’s always about the money in the modern world, and how to maximize profit!

Brad - I disagree - Surprise

So then you're saying it is ethical to agree to terms to get to work for a company, and it is fine to ignore them in any fashion you want, as long as it maximizes 'your' profit?

That attitude would bring every single thing a person says and everything they do into question, and in allaspects of their life. I'm sorry, it just does, there is no way around it.

A quote: "The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing." I see that as a truth, and do not want to be known for not doing anything. It's our values, a mindset, a way of life, and it is what we allow and disallow ourselves to become, and it is our choice.

I try to make myself adhere a higher standard then I do other people, and often I miss the mark. This is one area I hope I can sway just one person to not to lower their standards to believe in what you stated.

Wow. I am shocked to hear how Mills love Nicole Ocean. I gotta hear more about this Charlie. Do tell. Do the mills really just want anyone who can slap a BPO together and pick up 20 at a time through auto-accept and then return 15 late? Do they really want someone who hasn't earned their way into a preferred program or auto-acceptance through their company, getting special privilages?

I'm all ears about what a mill wants Charlie. Please educate me on this.

J~

P.S. Did you purchase my new book yet... you really need chapter 1. I'll send you a PDF copy.

No, not really. What I am saying is that if a mill does not explicitly state that they do not want their agents to AA, then I don't see anything unethical in using such programs. That is simply using modern technology to your advantage.

The policing of mills that have that policy is a whole different matter all of its own.

Why no auto accept - why is it unethical - lets see - here is a little something from someone's blog - look to the right - initials are N.O.
"3 companies in that have specifically requested that their BPO and REO vendors not use any type of auto-accept tool or software. " I don't think I need to name the companies - if you have been told not to do it - then don't do it. I am right with Pine - you gonna fudge something in one part of your life - you're gonna fudge something else sooner or later - and you just end up with a whole lot of ugly inside -
I have enough money to buy auto accept software - so do most folks on this board - but there is no way I am gonna do something that the company has asked me not to do. Not because I might get fired - but because if I work for someone and they want something done a certain way - then I need to do it that way or go work for someone else. Just like J said - they don't just want the orders accepted - they want them done - on time - and with some sort of quality - do it right or go home. The second you find your self trying to get around something because you don't like what is happening - you better go find something else to do - I'm just curious - do you put your shopping cart in the carrousel - tip 20% - put money in the meter??

Oy Vey! What about the other companies besides the three mentioned? I am not advocating doing something that a mill has requested not to do. I'll say it one last time, if a mill does not explicitly state that they don't want you to use auto accept software (AAS), then where is the unethical action? Geeze Louise, I don't even use AAS myself, but I can certainly see where someone would use it. Again providing they do not have explict instructions not to use such software.

Guess what, I have BPOs to go photograph now which I all got from direct assignment.

Brad - when did anyone say it was unethical if a company allowed AA - you got me lost? Just say'in

I just think that saying that it's okay if they don't explicitly tell you not to do it is just rationalizing the whole thing. They have established the means by which they want their orders accepted and AAs are obviously an end-around to avoid that.

Example: No one explicitly tells me every day that I should not lie to them, but I'm pretty sure that's what they expect of me.

Some people will always be able to rationalize things like this, and then there are those of us just have an internal compass that doesn't allow us to do things that others can. To each his own. It just doesn't work for me.

TB,

Wasted words I'm afraid. I saved my breath on this topic a long time ago. Its really sad that as civilized as we are there's still the mindset of 'If I'm not being punished for it, I can still do it'. No wonder our prisons are overflowing.

There was something posted stating basically that if the mills aren't able to keep people from doing it then it's okay even if it's against the companies policies. I wonder if thats the same mindset we should have on other issues.

If we can't stop domestic terrorism should we just not care when it happens? How about people crossing the border. There’s not a fence or guards to stop them so it's okay? Or maybe a little closer to home, Mortgage fraud. There will always be a case or two of this that is floating around that no one can catch. Does that make it right for you to put yourself and a client in a situation where you would do it?

I don't think that the inability to completly put an end to it should open the flood gates to it being acceptable practice.


J~

If the BPO companies don't prohibit it or have concerns, then I don't have any issues with auto-accept/auto-auto find software. I've purchased an auto-accept program myself for one particular BPO mill because it was impossible to get a BPO without this competitive advantage. This same vendor sells auto-accept/auto-find software at around $42 per application. I would buy those apps if they were with actual companies that assign REOs.

So I guess there is both support and opposition for AA, and I too can see acceptance when the company says absolutely nothing about it. However the thread wasn't whether AA is right or wrong - it was about who certified the instructor.

As far as AA is concerned, there have been companies mentioned that do not want you to use AA, and some people even said that was still OK. As long as they don't catch you - you're OK.

So remember that when someone backs into your new car at the grocery store and drives away - I guess it's OK if if they're not caught.

Now for me - that just ain't so

Soon I too will be certified - hey wait - I already am.

[quote=....J~]Wow. I am shocked to hear how Mills love Nicole Ocean. I gotta hear more about this Charlie. Do tell. Do the mills really just want anyone who can slap a BPO together and pick up 20 at a time through auto-accept and then return 15 late? Do they really want someone who hasn't earned their way into a preferred program or auto-acceptance through their company, getting special privilages?

I'm all ears about what a mill wants Charlie. Please educate me on this.

J~

P.S. Did you purchase my new book yet... you really need chapter 1. I'll send you a PDF copy.

[/quote]

Left ear. It's simple: Reduction in errors transferring data from the MLS to the BPO.

Right ear. As to accepting 20 BPOs at once, again it's simple, the mills cap the newbs que.

Any of these make it into your brain?

If a company does not specifically disallow auto accept software then who cares, whats wrong? Some companies dont like it and have put things in place to prevent it.

Should someone not be allowed to use a DSL line because everyone else has dial-up? Its a tool like anything else.

How its used makes no difference, if someone "auto accepts" too may offers and can't get them done on time then so be it. They suffer the consequneces.

Well I imagine that based on your DSL vs Dial up scenario we would need a reason why everyone only has dial-up. Say the city has a communication grid issue and states clearly that dial up should be the only choice. Do you want your tax dollars to go towards developing ways for the city to prevent your neighbor from getting DSL? Because that's the part you don’t understand. How much lower do your fees have to go to cover the extra expense of building a safeguard and monitoring against agents using an Auto-accept program that a company states they do not want agents to use?

J~

Competition brings out the best in products
and the worst in people

I do see things as humours that others don't, I know that already :)

Lol... I am a realist Pine. I accept the world is broken. But just because I know it's true doesn't change the fact I wish it wasn't.

That's the thing. Granted the Auto-accept programs probably work well. As far as a product it's probably good. I'd compare it to building nuclear bombs. Just because you have the ability to build something doesn't mean it should be used without contemplating the consequences. Perhaps I just suffer from a higher social conscience.


J~

So what are you arguing that the comapnies dont want anyone using Auto Accept but ti costs money to defend against? Or that users dont want to spend the money on an auto accept program?

What about someone who has a cell phone with capability to accept orders is that OK with you? Or should everyone have the exact same abilitys to accept orders??

But a direct answer to your question is:

As low as they need too.

And yet on another thread I read about how ridiculous it is to assign an agent a 35.00 BPO. What if my response was, sure, I can get IT to develop a system to keep the Autoaccept from working however to do this I need to lower all agent fees to 35.00. Would that be a better option for you?

A person with a cell phone is a human being who is actually picking up the orders and looking at the address to make sure they can complete the order on time, haven't done it previously. If it's an interior, they already have their cell phone so maybe they'll call then to try to get access.

Auto-accept software does not recognize if the order has already been completed by the agent, doesn't look at the due date, requirements, ect... So the chance increases for the company that by the time the order is looked over by the agent, time has lapsed and they will be calling 24-48 hours later saying 'I didn't realize this was an interior' or 'I don't cover this area' or my personal favorite 'I already did this order last week'.

Then the order has to go back out to an agent that would have had a chance at it 48 hours ago but now we need it rushed so it doesn't go late. How fair is that to you? What happens if the next agent it goes to also has auto-accept and doesn't realize they don't cover that area until 1 am in the morning when they're looking over their orders? It can't be reassigned til the company is open again. What if it was assigned on a weekend. Thats now Monday before we can fix the problem. It's a vicious cycle.

J~

As to the original question... I'm still quite curious how one can simply annoint oneself as "certified" without any conscience or consequence. There appears to be something rather unsavory about that.

Well,I agree SB Cardinal. If Nicole is going to use the certification verbage in her advertising, why not state where you got this certification? Is it wrong of people to asK? What kind of certification and where did she get it? Do tell.

Also, not to keep this auto accept talk going, but if Nicole Ocean is advertising programs that auto accept orders from MSV and M2M among others, why is that okay? She knows MSV, M2M and others do not want folks using auto accept, yet she advertises programs that do just that.

One could certainly make a strong case that her ethics are in question..

With most blast mills, you don't have time to know that whether AA is being used or not. Meaning you have a split second to decide if you want that BPO. Taking more time than that to figure out if you've done that property recently may cost you getting the assignment. That would be especially true of a high volumne BPO agent. I'm sure you know what I mean.

In the spirit of that thought, it would be nice if mills had a way of not offering a BPO to an agent that has done that property within six months. I believe PT has that in their system. The flaw is if its a large condo complex (for example), with many units sharing one street address.

The AA debate reminds me of the abortion debate. If you are strongly pro-choice or pro-life, neither argument from the other side is going to change your stance on the issue, no matter how convincing that argument might be. Thus if you believe AA is wrong (and the mill does not prohibt it), don't use it.

There are checks in the system for orders that a mill has done already. However, since most clients use several different companies to order their BPO's through there are times where an agent has done an order on a property a week ago for the same client but a different company. (I'm sure you have run across this).

It's not a matter of accidently accepting an order that you already did but the fact that if you accept an order you then look at the address at that time and normally will call in within a couple minutes if you realize you have already done the order or if you don't cover that area vs if you use software to get the order, it could be in your queue for an expanded amount of time before you check out the order to see what 'you' accepted.

Back to topic of thread though....

Where did Ms. Ocean get her certification, does anyone of her supporters want to clue us in?

J~

She read this message board and a few other ones that were free to lurkers.

ps...not a supporter...

Well, if my parking lot paint striping business starts to faulter (NOT LIKELY) I have a back up...Whew!

"Doin' bpose" are you certified to perform parking lot striping? I sure am! I certified myself as a parking lot paint striper earlier today! I've never actually done it, mind you, but i saw a guy do it once and i asked him some questions about it, so i figured since i had acquired all this specialized knowledge i may as well have myself certified, by me. I'm working on the manuscript for the training manual right now.

Yeah I remember years ago she came here asking questions. I don't even know if she knew what a bpo was at that time.

One way or the other it doesn't affect me. I guess people will just do what they do.

Wow, I didn't know this post will grow so fast but I am still without an answer of how be certified to certified others.

Well I think she basically was recognized/approved as a certified bpo teacher and granted credentials to teach those courses by the educational governing board in the state of Washington and they reviewed the materials,courses, format etc.... and deemed it appropriate to meet the educational requirements to be considered an Real Estate credit/program etc.... in the state of Washington.

I also took this from her University website......

March 15, 2010 - Nicole Ocean submits the 'BPO Basics 101' course for approval to the Real Estate Commission within the Department of Licensing in Washington state. After approval it will be offered to all Washington state real estate professionals as an accrediated live class that they can come to, learn about BPO's and get clock hours that they can apply towards their continuing education requirements.

If you noticed she has wrong date on her site. It is not even March 15,2010. Yet according to another part of her site she is already approved to teach and as an instructor.

Also on another page of her site it states it again. Here is a portion as followed....
Note from Nicole Ocean:


In case you are not aware of me or what I do, my name is Nicole Ocean. As a national speaker, certified real estate instructor, BPO trainer and coach, I have been teaching real estate professionals all over the United States for the last 4 years. I have been blessed to be able to help thousands of BPO and REO Agents build and automate their businesses to levels previous never achieved. As a speaker, I am accustomed to speaking in both small settings from one hour virtual training sessions to day long classes of hundreds of people within a group setting.

As of March 2009, I became a licensed and Certified Real Estate Instructor through the state of Washington. I am officially the“First Certified Real Estate Instructor in the BPO Industry.”

I specialize in teaching and training real estate professionals on the topic of Broker Price Opinions. I am extremely proud to announce that I am the founder of the first accredited real estate school that focuses specifically on Broker Price Opinions, it's called BPO University. Within this school we offer classes specifically on the topic of Broker Price Opinions and on using BPO Automation and Auto-Accept software. Our accredited classes are first offered only to real estate professionals in the state of Washington and then I’ll take them national. People taking courses from our school get continuing education clock hours that they can apply to their license renewal.

So who knows.. after a while you to might be able to become a certified Real Estate/BPO Instructor. On a positive note at least you won't have to do all the work to get that type of certification. Maybe some good will come out of it???

ohhhhhhh snap! Nice one Delcid

The king has no clothes!!!!!

Thanks DelCid ! for the comprehensive research. My read on it is that Nicole's Syllabus and Course Material was submitted, reviewed and has been "Approved" for granting Continuing Education Credit to the Licensees in Washington who attend her Classes. If that makes her "Certified", then I think it's just a convenient play on words for marketing purposes.

But just having a Course "approved" is no small matter. I've sat in on our State's Real Estate Commission deliberations on the merits of different Classes that the Authors/Instructors have submitted for Approval; and I've been shocked at the volume of Classes that are submitted versus the small number that finally receive Approval for Credit. "Many are Called; but Few are Chosen!"

Even fewer "Approvals" would be granted if it was dependent upon the quality of presentation; the Commission only reviews the Syllabus or Topical Outline and determines the relevance of the material contained towards serving the Public Good. That, in itself, would be a tough nut to demonstrate how BPO Coursework for Licensees in Washington would somehow contribute to the welfare of the General Public . . . . but I guess they were convinced! Some poor Instructors submit their material year after year and are NEVER Approved. They think it's a political game, when in reality, their material is, and remains, INEPT.

Also, I've seen Approval for supporting the issuance of Continuing Education Credit withdrawn after too many complaints about the quality of the education was received from Licensee Participants. Course Approval is always somewhat Provisional, and Real Estate Licensees are a somewhat critical bunch. This still leaves those who already completed the training with their Credit; but prevents others from wasting their money. It's the Quality Control module for BPO Education!

Real Estate Continuing Education Classes can make certain promises about how they will help you in your career. But they cannot claim that you will receive so many Orders or earn bazillions of dollars doing BPOs. These promises are mostly limited to something like Guaranteeing You X # of Credits IF you arrive on time AND sit through the entire session. Then you are certified for the receipt of so many Credits of CE at License Renewal. Congratulations!

The first certified real estate instructor in the BPO industry? Really? And that's why none of classes are certified for CE? She should check her facts. I know of instructors that offer bpo and reo classes for ce.

OK Vermont - first of all I am impressed. I'm sure you put a ton of personal hours into the deliberations - and I am very glad to see that the RE Commission has solid agents like yourself participating. I have served on MLS committees and I can tell you, you are a better person then me. I had to bail.
So now we have a good idea why NO says she is certified. It will be interesting to see how long she keeps her approval - since it is provisional. It did however get me thinking - what classes are out there - that are also granted legitimacy by some higher institution or board. My favorite:

University of California, San Diego
"Underwater Basket Weaving : The course that is used interchangeably with "waste of time college class", but surprisingly it actually exists, both at UC San Diego and at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. According to Wikipedia anyway. Underwater basket weaving involves making wicker baskets by dipping reeds or stalks of plants into water, and letting them soak. "
I think the whole purpose of this thread - at least why I have participated is to point out that just because a class or course or whatever - is out there and now we know - worth education credits toward CE - doesn't mean it has content that reflects the task - job - or qualifies you to go out and be an expert. I think the other point is that there is content that encourages the use of AA - which is a totally different discussion - and is the course content based on the knowledge of the instructor - or simply a collection of other people's ideas. I believe that this course is just to sell a product to agents who think REO and BPO work is the magic pill, and that this course gives them the knowledge to do the job correctly. It is taking advantage of agents who are struggling to make it in this business, and makes them think that they now are qualified.

personally...Im not paying another fee to play this year... the current economic conditions have resulted in....Oh wait...this is AOL....LOL not another BPO....so many orders...so little time...

I think she made an intelligent decision for herself and this real estate market. I don't know her, haven't used her products but she found a niche and it's working for her. She's offering a service that there's obviously a market for... More power to her!

In this crazy market, I applaud all that find their niche, for many of us it's a new job description with the same license.. survive and thrive folks

I enjoy the add she has posted to the right. She is much more attractive that the Progressive Direct lady underneath her. My wifes middle name is Nicole, so I may call her Nicole tonight.

LOLOLOL..... baaaad!

I wonder if I can get a 'Certified Grave Robber' license to teach others how to correctly steal from the dead. Oh wait, that's called archeology. I guess I'll have to find a different niche.

J~

Actually Necrology . . . . but in Real Estate, we try to empty their pockets BEFORE they're buried. It's so much easier.

Thanks, Vermont. I needed that this afternoon.

Of course, there's the other variant, where THEY try to empty OUR pockets before WE'RE buried.

No Necrology is a list of people who have died, especially in the recent past or during a specific period.

Archelogy is the systematic study of past human life and culture by the recovery and examination of remaining material evidence such as graves.

And Real Estate doesn't empty pockets. That's called politicians -They empty my pockets right into their pet projects even before my paycheck hits my bank.

J~

Nicole Ocean is a Washington State Certified Real Estate Instructor (ID# 13655), Washington State Certified School Administrator for BPO University (ID# S1699), and has a Five Star Institute certification in providing Broker Price Opinions. In a practical sense, this means that she is certified in training real estate professionals, completing BPO's, and in offering clock-hours of credit for state-approved curriculum through an accredited real estate school.

To the best of my knowledge, this is a higher level of professional certification than any other BPO training and education focused organization out there to date.

Regarding the question of Ocean's ethics, I believe that she has nothing to fear: automated order-acceptance has been around for years, and the BPO Automation Group has served only to commoditize something available only to large offices with in-hour programmers or were able to pay people to click "refresh" on BPO websites all day, every day.

In terms of goals & ambitions, Nicole Ocean has sought to provide tools to empower individual agents in a market increasingly dominated by large "data-entry mills", many of which outsource some or all of their BPO production to underpaid overseas labor. Why pay an American to enter data when you can hire somebody to take photos, pay somebody overseas to type it all up, and then put the revenue back into a bloated business infrastructure?

Nicole got into BPOs the same way most agents do: in a declining market, you still have to pay your bills, so she started doing BPOs for extra income. She got very good at it, built a team, and stayed up nights & weekends entering data, uploading photos, and managing a couple of local drivers who took photos while she typed everything in. She got into automation to save time & boost production, and started teaching others how to use it to save them time & money as well. She still stays up nights and weekends, and still works the BPO-agent's busy schedule - but now she's completely focused on helping other agents BPO businesses.

The BPO industry is a very tough business, and it's getting more competitive on a daily basis. The good agents keep getting better, and if you don't have the tools to do more work, more accurately, then you get left behind. There's no conspiracy here, just simple math - number of available orders isn't growing as fast as the number of agents willing to complete them. That's why you're seeing $35 dollar payouts, and if you're still spending 2 or 3 hours on each of them, then you're working yourself to death for a minimum wage job.

..thanks Nichole, well said :):):)

Wonderful. America for sale again to the lowest bidder. Is it not enough that you can't buy a television made in this country, nor hardly ever find the shirt on your back being the same way? Do BPOs have to become the same way??? Gezze!!





Who on this MB spends much more than 45 minutes to do a drive-by? Please, most of us here know much better than that. Please keep that kind of rationale for noobs not even knowing what a BPO was prior to very recently.

depending on the company, I average 1.5 to 2 hours per order not counting the photos. The people doing 45 minute bpos either use auto fill software, have an assistant helping, are working for companies different than me , aren't spending the time researching like I do or they're just that much better than me.
Since almost every time I eat an ice cream cone I manage to get it into my mouth, I'm thinking it's not the intelligence as much as better systems and fibbers

No, no, perhaps, and I would like to think so. I do 90% of my buiz just with 3 companies: CC, AVM and CW.

What are you doing Brad - trying to make me feel bad?

I don't follow all of Health's logic, or explanation, but I know that's their party line and she has to stick with it.

But as far as certification goes - what she has doesn't say anything about her knowledge of BPO - it says more about how to become a CE instructor, and who to pay to get a certification. There were no exams or tests that needed passed for BPO/CMA or REO, it was a matter of putting together a course that was relevant enough the applied state law where there wasn't one already or, just using the format the state laid out. Certification is then more about fees paid and courses approved for them.

But she does sound spunky - so more power to her. Reminds me of a car salesman - has an explanation to over come the objection - but it doesn't run and I need a car to drive.

Pine - you find the positive side to everything - what a great quality to have. I'm glad you are here. I will give you that - very spunky crew on her side. My forms are so burned into my brain - that yep - 45 minutes or I get mad. I time myself - if I'm not done in 45 minutes - I can't take my coffee and smoke break.

Just did this one:

RRR exterior

1/1 condo short sale pending

Comps were easy to find

Done in 18 minutes

RRRs form is a PITA and I was on the phone with my dad

Yes, RRRs QC loves me. They just raised my capacity....again.

Seriously? I'll go with the "better systems" explanation because I'm not fibbing and I'm not using auto fill software, no assistant helping...and I can do my orders in a very small fraction of the time you're spending. And they're far superior to what I have seen from others and supported by very low to non-existent QC kickbacks. And I do a brand new market analysis for each one, each time (unless the unlikely scenario occurs that I have two in the same subdivision on the same day). Have you reviewed all the tips & tricks and implemented them?

Most forms I can complete in 20 - 30 minutes. I'm frustrated at 45. If I can't do it in 45 (like Mainstreet), I just quit accepting that company's orders. I may take one periodically to remind myself why I hate them or just to keep them (or me) on the radar or in case I feel like I'm going to starve to death if I don't. But generally speaking I'll keep my masochistic streak for other adventures.

All I can say is you are wrong. I take my photos, enter my data, pull my comps and add appropriate comments based on the subject and the comps I am using. I have never used auto accept software nor an assistant.Aside from photos, ,y orders take between 35 and 55 minutes. I am good with processes, my comps are not difficult to find at all(key)...But sorry to rain on your parade, that generalized statement you made is just plain wrong.

Darn it, Dayton. You just made me blow tomato soup out my nose. And it hurt. At least it did after I quit laughing and cleaned the soup off the dog.

If Health is so in tune with Nicole Ocean, maybe we can put this to bed right now by telling us how many BPOs NO has completed each year since she was licensed. That could be the starting and end point on satisfying the naysayers. I'm not betting Heide's chew toy on it, but we'll see.

LOL - TMI - Dayton - are you drunk or get hit in the head. A gentleman never tells - let alone announces his intentions to the world. I hope this never comes back to haunt you

Oh TB - you paint an attractive picture too, sounds tough to get our of a keyboard too - how bad did you scare Heide?

That girl is used to me by now. She has a great fake coma thing she does. Doesn't even blink - just lays in a complete trance with her eyes open. Sometimes I take her little clippy out of her bangs and let them cover her eyes because the whole not blinking thing freaks me out a little.

ROFL

Highest&Best- Glad to hear that- it gives me hope.

smg- settle down:) my post wasn't an attack and if you felt slighted I sure do apologize..it was tongue in cheek for..."what the heck!?!"

I might be working too clumsy...need better systems, etc. If I was averaging under an hour like many here, I might even have a life..what a concept:)

Just focus Crazy. You can work that time down. Where ever you are spending the most time doing something, pay attention to that and look for work around time savers. Ask the forum or look on the tricks and tips. I know you can get that time down if you put your mind to it.

I am no lightening rod--I do my own. A sit down and get up time for me is average 45 mins. Som are more and a few are less. Again leaving pic taking out. No software aides here. Just me.

If you don't have a large monitor and split the screen with your BPO form on one side and MLS on the other it will take way longer. Or two monitors I guess. But having them as close as side by side on the same monitor seems easier, your eyes jump less.

If I have to toggle back and forth between minimized windows it could take me 2 hours to do one! Crazy, I *know* you can shave your time down. Implement as many things on the tips & tricks as you can.

I do think that the MLS system an agent has is a factor (or at least how skilled you are in using it). I think the conformity of the neighborhoods you work is a factor (duh, rural or semi-rural will always take longer to find comps). It's different for everybody, and for a lot of reasons. I don't think the majority of agents can do them in 20 - 30 minutes, it's just my particular set of circumstances (and that of some others) that makes it possible.

Thanks for the encouragement- I have got it down to about an hour on some forms/ properties and think I've died and gone to heaven on those. I am in an agricultural area and rural/semi rural are probably 1/3 with few subdivisions. I bought the extra monitor and my computer isn't set up to take it but that's next.
I'm getting pickier about the forms/ companies/ properties I accept, except for those on auto assign.
..believe it or not I have an egg timer that sits by my monitor, I set that baby for one hour and try to stay on task..most go over for me but always trying to better the process. Thanks!

You probably have that affect on animals of all kinds, 4&2 legged ones, jk

I bet she has those big puppy dog eyes too - Trinity only does that when I have something to eat and won't share - she stares a hole through me, waiting - thinking - plotting the next move - until I give in at the last bite

If you work strictly in areas that are generally suburban or have a lot of townhomes and condos, 30 to 45 average is a fair amount of time to spend on an order.
If you have some that are semi-rural or a lot of 100+ year old properties, it just takes longer to find appropriate comps.
When I worked in south Florida, most of which was built in the last 30 or 40 years, choosing comps was a lot easier. Now the forms are more complicated, more detailed and the mills are asking for a lot more data.

I agree with you PA. The amount of time is not necessarily the data entry time, the time is in the research. Although I did one of FARVV's Chase thingys last night that was a nightmare. It reminded me of J's earlier post wherein she says their website is held together with duct tape and paperclips. Soooooooo slooooooow to tab from field to field. I found it worked better on my laptop for some reason.

I think FARVV needs to start from the ground up and give us a new data entry product. Seems like when I first started with them (at least 5 years ago) it was easier than it is now.

Wouldn't that imply it might be your computer and not their site? I completed one last night and had no problems.

I agree on the research. Here we are an agricultural area with rural/rural suburbs and then the historical towns with homes that have been gutted and remodeled and those being held together with all the termites holding hands on same street as well as homes torn down and rebuilt...the research part is a biggie. I am so thrilled to get orders that are in normal subdivisions, which are few.
I have also found that not searching youtube between comps has cut down on my order time

I agree that their website (FARVV) has problems. Last night was the first CHASE form for me. After having to rekey and save 4 times, I knew the form pretty good. The first time I saved the form I got kicked off their site. Went back in and the page is blank! then I completed just 1 section and saved, page came back up and various fields were blank. I finally had to complete 3 or 4 fields and save then 3 or 4 fields and save. It was 1.5 hours just for the key entry!

Holy Smoke Batman - the thread has transformed into a BB thread.

I think there must be some witchery at hand, any of you people in the Northeast remember how to get rid of these spells?

I think you are right. My main computer seems to have slowed a lot since I inadvertently got some malware on it. I thought I had gotten rid of the nasty bug, but it may have left some garbage behind. My MLS site seems to be loading slowly as well.

Anyone remember kimclass.com? Maybe she can give Nicole a run for her money. Heck if Nicole is certified, Kim should have her Masters already. Heh Heh

Quick update on this: the 'Broker Price Opinion Basics 101' course got accredited by the Washington Real Estate Education Board on June 1, 2010 for 9 clock hours / continuing education credit. It became the very first and only class on BPO's anywhere to become accredited.

No, it's not. I received CE in the State of Ohio in 2009. It was a 6 hour class. Check your facts before making such a claim.

Great to know, do you remember who the teacher was or the name of the real estate school that offered the class at all?

I should certainly hope so. The instructor clothed & fed me for the first 18 years of my life.

Thanks KT for taking the time to reply to me in my private email inbox. I can do nothing but respect your wishes to not want to share details that would help answer my questions.

I'm different and all about being up-front, not hidding anything about myself, etc.

Also, I try my best to research as much as possible when there are things that are important to me, but there are always things to learn that I am not aware of and I can't be expected to know everything. I'm not perfect, heck who is! :-)

I was hoping for you to post a reply to show credibility. Of course I can't force you to provide names, but think that it is petty to not be more open and upfront. What is there to lose?

Kindly,
Nicole Ocean

p.s. I wanted to take the time to let people on this site know that I've worked extremely hard to get to where I am at today. It's been an amazing journey so far. I want to send out a special thank you to all of the people that have been positive and supportive to me these past few years. You're the reason why I continue to do what I do!

As I said to you via PM, I will not post anyone's info without their consent, there are enough people here that know me, and the instructor, etc.

And, not to be "petty" but if YOU want to show "credibilty" YOU should do some research on your own before making claims that you can't back up. I'm sure it would take all of about three minutes.

Interesting reply KT....I never have understood why so many Veteran members on this part of the forum express themselves many times in their postings as confrontational, negative, closed and in fear of disclosing their name, contact info or just plain being discovered.

After doing some more digging, as you suggested I think I found who you are talking about and my suspicions were right. She teaches a 3 day class with CE credit, but the class isn't only centered on BPO's, it covers Short Sales, Loss Mitigation and a few other items. BPO's is my accredited course's only focus.

It looks like she is doing some very good things though and I'm sure that she has helped a lot of people in Ohio learn more about the business.

I'm all for having people get educated on any area of real estate that they want to learn about. After all knowledge truly is power. It's just that sometimes you've got to seek the answers to your own questions on your own because a lot of people in this business will not bend over backwards to help you...especially if they see you as the competition!

Thanks for taking the time to help me learn more about the question I posted.

Respectfully,
Nicole Ocean

I am a certified Help, Help, Helper for the big bird at the Core. If you send me $500 I will tell you how to avoid irritating clarification requests.

Hint: Next time you get a help, help, help.....send it to spam folder and after that these requests will automatically go there.

This is strictly an opinion Nicole. I really think the condescending tone of your posts hurts your cause more that helps it. If you are indeed trying to lure people over to spend their hard earned do-re-mi, these posts are probably not helping you at all. Obviously that is your intention here if one reads your posts...

Just my perception, I doubt I am alone with that.

I didn't catch that reading her posts.

Again, you incorrect. There is a 6 hr, BPO only, CE class that is offered. It has been around for at least a couple of years.

Pardon me for not wishing to be spammed, called, or stalked by some internet crazy troll- which is why my personal info is not posted here. And of course why I will not post another's info without their OK.

I didn't see a confrontational tone. Perhaps defensive, and it's pretty clear she gets a lot of flax. Perhaps one of the reasons for the flax is that everyone and their cousin is trying to reach into our pockets. Many under the guise of pay me and I'll send you a 30 buck BPO or a usless list of asset management companies with closed databases. Perhaps the flax is due to the fact that we don't want anyone training our competitors, or we perhaps wish we'd thought of this first. I do see a huge difference between the classes with false promises and Nicoles offer of education. Her's is voluntary, if we think we can learn something, we attend, if not we stay home. Many of the other courses are using the totally arm twisting method of "pay me for a useless course or I'll punish you". There's a part of me that says I wish I'd thought of this first, but I certainly can't fault Nicole for having the vision to see a need, fill that need, and generate a profit. Many of the posters her obviously have enough experience to teach a similar course but there are probably many more here that could learn quite a lot. Perhaps the next step for Nicole to consider is taking this show on the road. One doesn't have to be certified at anything to hold training seminars. One must only have the knowledge and the willingness to share that knowledge to succeed. AND perhaps not require the attendees to travel to the far corners of the country to partake of that knowledge. I'd be willing to bet that if something like this was offered in any area, there would not only be a ton of attendees, many on this forum would be willing to participate in teaching it.

"Flax", huh? Possibly she gets wool and cotton too! Then she cards them and spins them, and dyes them and weaves them into brightly colored...

God in Heaven, it's FLAK!

Ouch, you got me!!! LOL.

for anyone that is interested, I've got 2 classes starting this coming monday. Here is the information. They are going to be sponsored by a local charity I own that donates 100% of its contributions to charity (to be read: my bills). The charity has a long name but you can abbreviate it as: C.A.S.H.

*super hot course!*
Course #1: (almost sold out)
cost: $250
title: "August 2010: the month you finished with $250 less)

Course #2: (still plenty of openings)
cost: $1000
title: "how to certify others for nothing, and not be very good at it yourself"

Remember, there are plenty of REO servicers out there and I assume at least a few will mistake this for an actual certification!

Call now, and maybe an operator will answer your call. More than likely you will go to voicemail and not get a response though. Take Care!

A new playah! I love it!

I find it interesting that so many old timers post things about BPO instructors.. classes..or whatever.. Have any of you taken their classes.. implemented there ideas.. www.nabpop or N.O or whatever.. Our organiztion has pulled the best out of these and several others to make our organization good at BPOs.. dual monitors, macros, Data entry and field agents working together to hamer out volume. We did all this when our c21 broker didnt know what a REO / BPO was.. then he was beging for their LIST.. The BPO manual.. etc.. Now what!lol

Yeah, well I've been in this a long time and I figured I would contribute what I could.