Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor's Blog

SCREW YOU MR. NEW!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:14:36 -0700

Anyone else running into this (again): our fair-weathered friends: New Construction Developers.

When the market's hot, they DO NOT COOPERATE with Realtors. When the Market depreciates, "Hello wine & cheese parties and 4-5% commissions and we're their best friends."

I for one have seen this trend twice in my career in San Diego: 2004/05 and again now...they love to build homes and burn bridges.

"Thanks for bailing us out Realtors...but we have it from here...well, until the next depreciation, then it's a love fest again"!

Thomas Paine said it best: "These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

I am the Winter Soldier

I sold a lot of new construction between 2007-2012, funny how fake that industry can be. I know this is a rant, but I'm truly seeing 2004 repeat itself here in San Diego with new construction and overbids & multiple offers...didn't anyone learn anything 9 years ago?

What are your thought my Rainbirds?

I Think You'll Find That Here Too...

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:05:21 -0700

I was walking along La Jolla Shores coastline early one morning, watching the local surfers catch their first waves of the day. They look like seals bobbing in the waves between sets. Tourists are walking and jogging along the waters edge (you can always spot them, they are usually wearing brand new San Diego & La Jolla T-shirts & hats, sporting that "glow of fresh sunburn" and are up early because of the time zone change most come from.

As I was lost in thought, meditating on goals, I was interrupted by a man that looked to be in his early 30's and he asked me if I was a local. “Yes, by way way of San Francisco 10 years ago, I am a local these days” I said with a nostalgic chuckle thinking (10 years already, wow, the days are long but the years are short).

He smiled, then asked me “I'm thinking about moving here, what are the people like here and what is San Diego like to live in?”

I simply asked him, “Well, what are people like where you live and what's it like to live in your hometown?”

"Oh, people pretty much keep to themselves, so I don't have many friends. It's stressed out and where I live is kinda depressing and it's tough to find work, so I having nothing to loose by leaving”.

"Well,” I replied with a sigh, “ I think you'll find that here too, unfortunately”.

He half-heartedly thanked me with a grimaced smile and continued on his walk, in his plaid shorts and knee high black sock and sandals, yikes!

I went back to meditating on some goals I'm working on, but it wasn't long before I was interrupted again, this time by a older gentleman that asked me if I was a local. “Yes, by way way of San Francisco 10 years ago, I am a local these days” (Wow, deja vous)!

He smiled, then asked me “I'm thinking about moving here, what are the people like here and what is San Diego like to live in?”

I simply asked him, “Well, what are people like where you live and what's it like to live in your hometown?”

"Oh, it would be hard to leave, I have many friends and people in general are kind to each other and it's a wonderful place to live, but I do like change and San Diego intrigues me.”

"Well my friend,” I replied with a smile, “I think you'll find that here too, definitely”.

We bring "us" wherever we go: new brokerage, new town, new relationship. The real change begins, when we decide to change us, not what's around us.

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.”

Do You Throw Them or Pass them By?

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:36:14 -0700

Everyday we're given choices where we base the decision on whether it will really make a difference. How often to you find yourself saying, "it's not job to do that!"? Picking up the trash instead of walking by. Recycling instead of trashing, turning off the light, conserving water usage, walking instead of driving,etc. Character is as important when we're alone as when we're in public. What are private habits are, reflect in our public persona. Pending your spirituality, actually someOne is always watching.

Opportunities to make a difference are like the starfish in this story...

An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, after a storm, he saw a human figure in the distance moving like a dancer. As he came closer he saw that it was a young woman and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up a starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.

"Young lady," he asked, "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die."
"But young lady, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference."

The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying, "It made a difference for that one."

The old man looked at the young woman inquisitively and thought about what she had done. Inspired, he joined her in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.

Each and every day we make a difference... be it in the lives of your family, the lives of your buyers and sellers or in the life of a stranger...Spring has arrived and brings an awakening for fresh new life.

Will you be a Star Thrower? ~ Author Unknown

It's like George Bailey learned in the classic film "It's A Wonderful Life", we never know the full reach and affect of our love, influence, our words, our kindness or our negativity & neglect. It's a choice and it's cumlative. You are either making deposits into or withdrawls from relationships; I hope to end with a big balance!

I can't sell, There's Nothing to Buy?

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:04:14 -0700

Today's strategy is to sell your current home for top dollar, simultaneously put your Realtor to work finding you that move-up home through either traditional MLS searches or old school letter writing & door knocking houses that fit your criteria in neighborhoods and school systems (etc.) of your choice. This works! One real estate For Sale sign in a neighborhood typically begets 3-5 more neighbors selling within the next few months to a year.

The key to selling today, is having already put into motion your buy-plan. Homeowners are afraid to sell because they feel there's nothing to buy once they do. By eliminating this fear with advanced pro-active house hunting described above, you can have your buy "tee'd up" prior to your sale.

CA Market History

The Real Estate Market is better than ever. Yes, BETTER than ever. I'm the busiest I've been since 2000 with Buyers and sellers. See Realtors are either busy with Buyers or Busy with Sellers, or both. The last 7 years it was Short Sellers and Investors mostly I was working with, this year it's move up buyers Buyers, second home buyers and first time buyers. Interest rates and a recovering economy are to thank. Plus I think America gets tired of trends quick, even bad economies, we simply seem to decide "enough is enough".

Since the beginning of my career, in 1982, starting in property management and now a third generation Realtor, I've been through some very distinct "peaks and valleys' of Real Estate:

1. In the 1980's it was the S&L scandal that corrected the Market.
2. In the 1990's people think it was the ".com and bio-tech boom that shot record high sales in The SF Bay Area at least...well that was part of it, but really it was the Mortgage Industry that got loose and creative with buyers; flooding the Market with more buyers than it had ever seen.
3. Then it was the 2000 ".bomb" that caused a blip in the climb, but by late 2001 we were back to multiple offers through 2005.
4. Now since 2006, we've gone through a huge correction: appraisals and loans tightening criteria (but rates remain low), homes sat longer because inventory is 3x's what it was in 2004, but by 11/2011 we sold that inventory and now find ourselves in an inventory shortage here in Spring 2013.

San Diego's Economy:

San Diego is a 7 industry economy and a destination of thousands of new residents each year. Between the Military, University Systems, Tourist Trades and High Tech/Bio Tech, import & export industries to name a few, we have a constant flow of people moving to San Diego and driving up the economy and down the unemployment rate. This is why San Diego’s Real Estate Market will ebb & flow, but remain strong. The point being, even if you have to pay over asking today, if this is your long term house, you'll out perform the market by the time you sell and you'll have bought when rates were historically low. You live in the payment, not the price.

Rental Help In San Diego

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:31:21 -0700

If you need help with rentals in the San Diego Area, I recommend:

Pam Neillo

New Accounts Specialist

FBS Property Management

Pam@fbs-pm.com

858 487-8519 (direct)

858 487-4004 (office)

619 286-7600 (office)

www.FBS-PM.com

6398 Del Cerro Blvd #8
San Diego CA 92120

Other resources & classified to find rentals & research Neighborhoods:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/apa/

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html

http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/fmr/fmr_il_history/data_summary.odb

Crime:

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/san-diego/crime/

http://www.sdsheriff.net/crimeanalysis.html

http://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/statistics/index.shtml

Sex Offenders:

http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx

Schools:

http://www.greatschools.org/california/san-diego/

http://school-ratings.com/cities/San_Diego.html

Seldom In a Woman, Never in A Man

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:21:41 -0700

Patience!

"Patience is a virtue, get it if you can, seldom in a woman, never in a man."

-Unknown

Passion, PATIENCE and commitment is what it takes to buy a home in today's Market (at least in San Diego)!

Realtors get paid when buyers buy & close escrow. Realtors are happy when buyers buy quickly because of the obvious; paycheck comes faster and profits are higher because time & expenses of creating & performing tour of homes is less. However today's market requires patience and proactiveness.

Realtors have trouble being patient too; our pay is attached to closings, we care too much and take on our clients' pain or we tend to over own the situations. Realtors tend to over-dramatize scenarios. We can be guilty too, we're all human. But, we are the pros that need to set the expectations and remain the trusted advisor, not the host of the pity party. We as agents, can't want it more than our client does, but we can work as hard as they want it.

In the meantime BUYERS, here's what WE do:

You, keep saving your money for a bigger down payment or closing costs.
We, keep looking at the MLS every day.
We, keep driving your ideal neighborhoods, and maybe a few new ones to consider.
You, keep popping into open houses.
I, am going to try yo find you a home at the SOURCE: off MLS, pre-all cash investor, pre-multiple offers and here's how: http://actvra.in/Tgn

(Dear, Mr. Buyer, we Realtors do not get a salary, paid by the hour, nor reimbursed for time, gas, vehicle maintenance nor staff when showing property. We only get paid to deliver the goods; drafting and negotiating deals that close escrow. And despite this fact, my advise is still: please be patient and never,ever,ever,give up).

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."

~John Quincy Adams

Going Old School to Combat Today's Multiple Offers

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:41:44 -0700

A great strategy to combat this multiple offer market is to put me, to work on canvassing and hunting your favorite neighborhood for your ideal house.

As your Realtor I'm supposed to find you a home, not wait for one to show up. Here's how it's done...

The strategy I'm proposing requires patience, but so does this market, so a little more won't hurt! We still monitor the MLS, but that is passive. It's time to get proactive! What I'm about to share with you, is how my family and later myself, created inventory of rentals and resales as investors and Realtors since 1955. We didn't sit and wait on the MLS to offer us our opportunities, we went out and created the opportunities for ourselves It's time to kick it up a notch "old school"!

When I started investing in real estate in the late 1980's, I never bought homes off the MLS, I bought them from homeowners that responded my letters. These were very specific and focused letters, sent to homeowners I targeted because they had houses that matched my specific needs, not wants. They are designed to get a response from the "fence-sitter sellers". They were based on a specific criteria and went only to homes that matched it.

It's a laser-sighted sniper riffle tactic, not a random shotgun-blast approach. I learned this from my grandparents who began investing in real estate in the late 1940's, as well as running Nelson Real Estate in the mid-1950's. They pounded pavement and sought out their inventory.

I have a very effective 2-3 letter campaign, designed to find "hidden listings". These are home owners living in similar houses to the ones you seek on the MLS and in the very neighborhood you were just out bid. They are often wanting to sell but, they do not yet realize it's a great time to sell. Statistically one real estate sold sign in a neighborhood begets up to seven more sellers in that same neighborhood in less than a year.

So here's what I need from you my frustrated buyers:

Be specific on your house criteria minimums: bed/bath/sqft/etc. and be focused on a very specific neighborhood. i.e. the Vista La Jolla single family home community in the UTC area of University City. "your ideal neighborhood".

For this to get results, we drill down on what & where as much as possible so I can train my sights on the specific hidden listings and offer you an off-MLS opportunity!

Yes, it works, I just did a campaign in December 2012 for a buyer in Chula Vista and received 2 responses from a campaign!

Click me to see why are we in this multiple offer market?

Supply & Demand A Tale of Multiple Offers

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:19:19 -0700

Why we are in this market: San Diego Supply & Demand

It's an economic law and it's nonnegotiable.

Supply: Low + Demand: High = Rising Prices.

We have had many years of low output in new home construction due to the economy. Since 2008, the U.S. has been producing about 50% under what we need annually in new housing; approximately 500 thousand units instead of 1 million new units. Our existing inventory is aging too. Almost 75% of our San Diego re-sale homes were built in or before the 1990's and date back to the 1920's. Which means our average resale home is 20-90 years old.

In the U.S. we need 16 million new units in the next 10 years to meet our projected housing demand, based on population growth through: births, immigration and people living longer.

Employment factors and the Banking Industry have prevented prices from running away like they did from 1999-2006, but here in San Diego, we have seen an average 16% increase in pricing across the county, a 43% drop in distressed property inventory and a 33% increase in new home sales since 2011. I started warning buyers in 11/2011, "I'm seeing the pace pick up and prices climb with the increased demand." Buyer that could have bought then and didn't will be kicking them selves as they pay 16-33% higher prices for that same home in 2011, or worse, now they can't afford that same home and must lower their criteria.

The market we've been in since the 4th quarter of 2011 is projected to last through 2015, mostly because new home construction takes about 3 years to show up in the market place and in Metro or San Diego Proper, we do not have many places for new homes, which means areas like Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, San Marcos, Vista, etc. are where we are seeing our majority of new home projects, leaving San Diego proper in a high demand low supply scenario.

It's time to get creative with your Realtors! Here's what I do: Strategy

Aloha Means Good-Buy! in Vista La Jolla 92122

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 11:22:30 -0700

Type in your SEO text here...

8967 January Place
San Diego, CA 92122
Aloha Means Good-BUY!

Thomas J. Nelson

DRE #01261476

Mobile:	858-232-8722
Website:	Visit Website

Price	:	$939,000
Bedrooms	:	4
Bathrooms	:	3
Square Foot	:	2,544
Lot Size	:	7,800
Community	:	Vista La Jolla of UTC
County	:	San Diego
Property Type	:	Detached
Year Built	:	1978

click for more information and pictures

Property Description

Say "Hello!" to a "Good-BUY!" Rarely available in UTC's Vista La Jolla neighborhood, this very updated, detached home offers many upgrades: high-end wood floors, updated windows & paint, newer lighting and HVAC. Gourmet kitchen w/granite & newer appliances, updated bathrooms incl. Remodeled master bath with sunken tub, travertine floors and shower, walk-in custom closet(s), updated manufactured wood deck off the master over looking the lush backyard and pool with hot tub and ...
Other house features: Tankless Water Heater, Winding Staicase, 2 car garage with storage, Upgraded pool tile/decorative features, side yard updated with French-drain and concrete decking providing storage space and a retaining wall housing a flower or vegetable garden.
Location! Very private setting in Vista La Jolla, yet located in walking distance of Renaissance Shopping Center, Westfield Mall, Arclight Luxury Cinemas & Costa Verde Mall, UCSD. EZ drive to 5 & 805.

Features List

Remodeled Kitchen	Updated Wood Floors	Remodeled Bathrooms
Upgraded Pool	Updated Windows	Hot Tub
2 Car Garage	Cathedral Ceilings	Spacious Floorplan
Office	2 Balconies	Familly Room
Winding Staircase	Sunken Tub	Travertine Floors
Custom Master Closet	Lush Backyard	Tankless H20 Heater
UTC's Vista La Jolla	Many Upgrades	Custom Paint

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage : 123 Camino De La Reina 100-South Building - San Diego CA 92108 : 858-232-8722

Goal Setting Works!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:46:26 -0700

Every year in December I steal away for 2 days with my bride to a hotel and we lock ourselves in and review "last year's goals" and then set "next year's goals". It's become a fun tradition we count on more than vacations. It has brought us closer, more in touch with each others small wants and lofty dreams and most importantly we learn how to champion & support each other while on our quest to be better tomorrow than we are today . In December 2012, one of my business goals was to create a farm and secure/sell a listing in Vista La Jolla, one of my favorite neighborhoods near where I live. So I started walking my dog here. Then I met a resident in January 2013, that homeowner introduced me to another neighbor in February 2013 and today, 3/22/13 I present to you....

http://8967januaryplace.epropertysites.com/indexGo2.htm

FEAR!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:25:42 -0700

I recently made the mistake of sending a seller his Preliminary Title Report right before I went into a 2 hour meeting. It had a few credit & lien “blips” on it, but Escrow and I had recognized they were most likely not his, his name being common; this frequently happens that other same/similarly named peoples' credit issues get pulled into the title search.

Two hours later I emerge from my client meeting to find 6 texts of panic and a message, my seller is freaking out. I phoned him immediately and as soon as he answered, he says' “OMG Thomas, I called my attorney, my credit counselor and my lender! They all gave me advice... I have to go to the superior court tomorrow and fix this! Most of this isn't mine, “how could they” do this to me?!? I...

"Mark!” I interrupted.

"yeah?”

"Mark, this happens a lot with common names. It happened to me when I closed escrow on my last house. It happens to about 30% of my clients. Just fill out the seller info sheet and let Escrow sort this out, you do not need to go anywhere at this point; let escrow do their job-they will contact the superior court and run all this down.”

"OMG Thomas, really? I was in such a panic” Thank you so much I was totally freaked out”.

Lesson Number 1.

Never send paperwork to a client when you can't immediately explain it to them. This was my fault for forgetting that I knew it was routine, but my first time home seller did not.

Lesson Number 2.

When you act on fear, fear comes upon you. When you agree with your fears, your fears come to pass. Don't activate your fears, activate your faith (your faith is whatever your higher power is or simply your positive thinking). But, whatever you meditate on, whatever you say when you talk to yourself, is who you become. So, think/act on faith, not on fear. Invite the positive thoughts in and decline to participate in the negative, for whatever you convince your self of will come to pass, because you gave it permission to do so.

“Fear is a payment on a debt never collected”~ Unknown

I do not agree with my fears, I do not participate in them I reject them as soon as I realize that have tried to invade my thoughts. My faith is the “bouncer” to my brain and heart. I pay attention to what I agree with.

"Obstacles are hurtles that the faithful mind regards as temporary and the fearful mind adopts as permanent. So when Fear knocks, let Faith open the door.” ~ Joel Osteen

I'm NOT An Emergency Room...

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:32:43 -0800

Have you ever had a client miffed about how long it took you to respond? Or that you took a day off or God-forgive a vacation? I have. I understand if it takes more than a day, but when they voice-mail or e-mail me at 2PM and I call back at 4:30PM, having been with clients in the interim, I'm always a wonder at the microwave mentality that expected a call sooner-all the time. I'm also concerned about the client that thinks that anything we do is "life or death" circumstances. Yes, we have fires, but I find many client emergencies turn out to be impatient urgency's. Many times I call back in time blocks and problems have already resolved themselves.

I very often explain to new clients, that I time-manage my business like a doctor's office. Just like my doctor, it's an appointment based service and on set (published) days & hours THAT I STICK TO; I'm not a 24/7 emergency room. I'm not paid to sit by the phone and computer on the off chance any client will call. I'm paid because I'm able to schedule appointments all day long with a variety of potential buyers and sellers and folks in escrow. I'm happy because I set boundaries and shut off my computer & phone after hours and Sundays to recharge with my bride, son, pets and hobbies.

Yes, we need as many clients coming in as possible, because we all know some are not going to be a fit and we'll refer them out. We need the ability to NOT work with the "thieves of our joy". We also know some will never finish what they started. Therefore and organized day with a surplus of leads and clients is how we survive, then stabilize and eventually become significant in our careers.

It's OK, in fact expected, that not all leads / referrals will become clients. You have to have a life outside of your career. Your family has to know they are the priority when they are with you in down time. You can't recharge and enjoy your life without your boundaries. So choose the hours and days that work for you, set them as expectations up front when you educate every new client on them day one. If you are a fit, the clients you choose to serve will respect whatever you enforce; so be there when you say you will and don't be there when you promised yourself and family you wouldn't be, and enjoy the good life!

What Attitude Do You Work With?

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:41:49 -0800

Joseph walked into the hospital's cafeteria about 4pm, on a rainy Saturday, the same way he had everyday this week to get his afternoon meal, the only one he took outside his wife's room. He had to do it about this time every day so he timed it right; after his wife's lunch and during the daily blood draw and vital signs and early enough to be back to feed her dinner and med's and a lap around the nurses' station with the walker.

Joseph walked up to the grill and ordered his usual; grilled cheese on sourdough with tomatoes. The chef who'd been there all week making Joseph's sandwiches got it started without a word; he'd been in a bad mood all week as far as Joseph could tell. Joseph wondered when the guy would ever acknowledge him as a regular that week, not a single sense of recognition.

Today one thing was different, instead of the usual three slices of cheddar and 4 slices of tomatoes, the chef only used two slices of cheddar. Joseph was tired from the round the clock care for his wife, the worry and sleep deprivation that came with it. He could tell the chef was in a bad mood and it probably wasn't worth mentioning, but something urged him to speak up; maybe it was wanting his money's worth, maybe finally to have a say in something this week.

"Would you please add one more slice of cheddar my friend?" Without a word or a glance, the chef huffed dramatically and slammed another slice on the bread as it grilled on the cook-top and stormed away. Joesph thought " well, I saw that coming."

Soon the chef returned to scoop the sandwich onto a paper plate and with a false smile said "thank you sir".

"I hope your day gets better, I can see you are having a tough time and I'm sorry for your troubles." Joesph remarked as he reached for the sandwich. The chef at first looked as if we're about to blast Joseph for butting in, but then he looked down at his shoes and with a tell tale deep exhale looked up at Joseph and said " look man, I'm sorry about earlier, I'm going through a divorce and this coming weekend is my turn to have the kids and I got to work here and no one with change shifts with me because of their precious plans. What's more important than seeing your kids?"

"Oh?" Joseph replied, "I can understand why you are so upset, that has to be frustrating. But, at least they know their Daddy is missing them and would rather be with them than at work. But, if it helps, I'm glad you get to be at work. You make the best grilled cheese sandwiches I've ever tasted. Every day at 4PM, I get to take a break for 15 minutes and they have been the most wonderful comfort food to me."

They chef, brushing off the compliment, although secretly flattered, replied, "C'mon old timer, it's just a sandwich."

They may only be sandwiches to you my friend, but to me, they have been the only thing I've been able to count on this week. See my wife came in for a minor tumor removal . It turned into a major surgery at the discovery of multiple tumors that had not showed up on the ultrasound. She's fighting for her life upstairs and my world is spinning. So silly as it sounds, this is more than just a sandwich to me my friend, it's fifteen minutes of "normal" for me, when I get to come down here and decompress and have my meal. I spend almost 24 hours a day in my wife's room otherwise"

The chef was speechless, suddenly his issues seemed small.

"You see you don't got to come into work, you get to come to a job affect lives in your own way. You may not realize how or when, but you offer comfort, even if it's just in a sandwich. Our worlds are in a spin, the days wash together and we're left with more questions than answers when we're here. You have no idea how important the simplicity of a 15 minute break here, with a good meal and a positive attitude serving that meal can make a difference."

My Good Beats Your Great!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:18:12 -0800

"Consistently Good beats Occasionally Great every time." ~Eric Thomas The Hip Hop Preacher

Too many people try to be great, rather than consistently good at what they do for a living. The problem is you can't count on occasionally great because you never know when it's going to show up. Think about it, do you want an occasionally great surgeon or a consistently good one to perform open heart surgery on you. (Well, I know, neither but stick with me on this). Is it better to get on base 5/10 times consistently or hit a home run randomly throughout the season?

I recently received a 6 page, 4 color mini-magazine from a "competitor" and he advertises he's the best because of "this statistic" and "that statistic" . He then sums up his success on the front page in bold, " I work hard, I work 18 hours per day 7 days per week!" After I stopped laughing I though 2 things:

1. "I call B.S.!"

2. If this is true, How's your health? How's Your Family life? How's your quality of life? Do your clients get the best of you or what's left of you?

I truly believe consistently good disguises itself as great because your clients all have the same experience with your service, they can count on you and you are present for them.

Nordstrom is an expensive store to shop in, they carry higher end products and demonstrate excellent customer service. In fact, they are known for both. Why do you think they stayed in busy-business through the last 5 years' economy when so many stores & chains folded? Can you buy it cheaper elsewhere? Yes. Does Nordstrom panic when K-mart has a sale? NO! Why, they target a different clientele with consistent quality and consistent customer service. Customers trust them and remain loyal because of this consistency.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is McDonalds, who do not sell the best hamburgers in the world, but they consistently sell the same hamburger anywhere in the world that folks have come to count on. People eat there because it's inexpensive and they know exactly what they are getting every time. C'mon, would you really turn down McDonald's Franchise money, with over 2 Billion sold?

I hope you have a great, ah check that, consitemntly good remainder of your week!

What Are You Thinking? Food for Thought 02/05/13

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:15:41 -0800

What is it you plan to do with your one and only precious life? Do you have a plan? Have you set & written your goals? What do you say when you talk to yourself? Are you kind to yourself? Would you repeat to a child out loud the things you say to yourself? So is it time to change that talk? Do you have a plan?

"Plan your life or Life will plan it for you.

And guess what Life has planned for you? Nothing much!"

~Jim Rohn

Have you discovered your "Why" yet?

Your "Why?" is that fire in your belly that makes you jump out of bed each morning to meet the day with anticipation and excitement. Yep, I know, I used to think that too; "who jumps out of bed excited for the day ahead? I roll out of bed for coffee and see what the day brings." My friend, if you lack that "fire in the belly" each day, you do not have enough written goals to plan your day around. Goals are your guiding light; daily. You schedule with them in mind, you work with them in mind and create affirmations with them in mind. My goals create a "Christmas Morning Feeling" every day in me. When I wake up and don't feel that way, I'm either sick with the flu or I've drifted from my daily goals practice.

Have you realized your talents? Those natural born abilities that you may even take for granted. Use them! What are you waiting for? Don't die with untapped potential in you, risk it and use them. One of the top 5 regrets of the dying is "I wish I took more risks in my life" (Bonnie Ware from her book, Top 5 Regrets of The Dying) What are you doing for others. Your greatest gift is the gift of you time, attention and using your talents to impact and improve the lives of others. Starting with you, your family, friends, clients and so forth.

A great life is not something you wait for, it's something you create. The great news is no matter where you are in life, what age, staus, etc. you can start today by tweeking something just 5% to see a 50% change. Don't pick everything you want to change, pick one thing this year and focus on it. One 5% change in your life makes a 50% impact on your results. It motibvates you to do more.

"The purpose of life is to discover your gift.

The meaning of life is to give your gift away."

~ David Viscott

San Diego Military Bases: Where To Buy Homes and Commute Advice

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 09:10:49 -0800

While our military is busy serving our country, I'm busy serving them. The U.S. Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Dept. Of Defense, Coast Guard, Ambassadors and retired personal, make up 45% of my annual business in San Diego. As a member of a military family myself, I appreciate their service, sacrafice and their business. My family served in WWI (Army), WWII (Navy) and Korea (Air Force), so I'm proud to be able to give back in my own way, through a great real estate experience when they invest in San Diego Real Estate.

We have several military bases in San Diego County. I serve at least 8 of them in Mid-County, Metro and South County San Diego, listed below from furthest North to South.

Not all are featured on this map:

March Air Reserve Base (North County)
Camp Pendleton (North County)
MCAS Miramar (TOP GUN)
MCRD in Point Loma (U.S. Navy Dept)
Naval Base Point Loma (Sub Base)
North Island NAS Halsey Field (Coronado)
Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (SEALS)
32 Street Naval Station (National City)
Naval Base San Diego (National City/Barrio Logan)
Imperial Beach NAS

I'm often tasked with finding a serviceman/woman or family a home within 20-30 minutes commute time to their base. My first question is always “where are you stationed?” Because, the choice of neighborhoods, out side of safety, school systems and resale value is very much based on which base they will be working out of. My general rule of thumb is to live in the neighborhood of the base where practical (this is not always possible because some are located in or near the most expensive areas for single family homes like Point Loma and Coronado/North Island and then there's 32^nd Street Base which is adjacent to a lower reale part of town: Barrio Logan and National City).

Where to consider buying when stationed here: MCAS Miramar (TOP GUN)

La Jolla/UTC * University City * Sorrento Valley * Mira Mesa * Scripps Ranch * Rancho Penasquitos * Carmel Valley * Pacific Beach * Tierrasanta * Serra Mesa * Clairemont * Bay Park * Linda Vista *

Where to consider buying when stationed here:

MCRDin Point Loma (U.S. Navy Dept)

Naval Base Point Loma (Sub Base)

North Island NAS Halsey Field (Coronado)

Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (SEALS on The Silver Strand)

32 Street Naval Station (National City)

Pacific Beach * Tierrasanta * Serra Mesa * Clairemont * Bay Park * Linda Vista * Mission Valley * Del Cerro/Allied Gardens * San Carlos * La Mesa neighborhoods of: Lake Murray, Grossmont, Fletcher Hills and Mount Helix * College Area (SDSU) * Point Loma * Ocean Beach * Old Town * METRO/ BALBOA PARK NEIGHBORHOODS OF: Kensington * Normal Heights * University Heights * Hillcrest * North Park * South Park * Golden Hill (select streets) * Banker's Hill * Downtown * Imperial Beach Coastal & South areas for Silver Strand Access to North Island is sometimes popular.

Where to consider buying when stationed here: Imperial Beach NAS

ImperialBeach * Chula Vista Neighborhoods of : East Lake & Otay Ranch and South San Diego's Otay Mesa. (Some service familiies choose to live here when working on 32^ndSt. & No. Island, longer commute but straight shot west and North).

Traffic& Commutes East, Mid to South County:

Basically you are in the commute heading North and West in the mornings from most places mentioned here. And the North and East in the evenings.

You'll see traffic start to build by 6:30Am through about 9AM and then by 4:00 PM through 6:40 PM.

Fridays traffic starts earlier, apparentlynobody in San Diego works a full day on Fridays.The Coronado Bridge gates heavy too and the afternoon commute starts at 3PM there as the first wave of personnel leave the base.

Living in Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Imperial Beach, Point Loma and Chula Vista offers a lot of surface street driving that can be a commute in itself.

The above advice is good for all points south of the 56 Freeway and from La Mesa to the Coast.

Worry Is A Payment On A Debt Never Collected

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:08:18 -0800

If you have credit issues you want cleaned up to raise your score and improve your ability to secure a loan or mortgage, I recommend the following:

Eran Sinai

Director

Renaissance Law Group

Credit Restoration, Bankruptcy, Real Estate & Financial Solutions.

"As Heard on 1170am KCBQ week days at 6pm."

www.RLGCreditHelp.com

www.Facebook.com/RLGCreditHelp

OFFICE LOCATIONS:

SAN DIEGO, CA

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA

PHONE 858-654-0404

CELL 619-955-3930

FAX 858-345-1878

Credit Restoration, Bankruptcy & Real Estate Transactions

"Worry is interest paid by those who borrow trouble." G. Washington

Why choose a law firm for your credit restoration?

To get results:

· Leverage in disputing negative items on your credit report

· A letter delivered with our letterhead gets treated more seriously

· We know financial and legal incentives for both creditors and credit agencies

· Legal counsel in restoring your credit

· We conduct all communications with the three credit reporting agencies and creditors

· We effectively dispute questionable negative credit listings that are inaccurate, misleading, unverifiable, biased, or incomplete

· We offer a money back guarantee for credit restoration services

Renaissance Law Group

The Lenders I Put My Name To

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:17:06 -0800

The“rock star” lender and fellow Rainmaker I refer most is:

Direct Lender....

Jason E. Gordon,CMPS, CDPE, NMLS ID #259027

Residential Mortgage Specialist / Direct Lender

Contact

Main Number: (619) 200-8031

Fax Number: (888) 392-7699

Email: jgordon@amerifirst.us

www.JasonGordon.net

Address

AmeriFirst Financial Incorporated

12544 High Bluff Drive,Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92130

Good for VA too!

For A Traditional Institution none are better than...

BRICK & MORTAR in MIssion Valley:

Stephen Gamp
VP, Branch Manager...ask for Michael
Mission Valley Branch
5604 Mission Center Rd
San Diego, CA 92108
(619)291-7368 Phone
(619)866-3213 Fax
Stephen.gamp@citi.com
NMLS ID:725769

For My Investors & Creative Needs Buyers...

Jesse Tenenbaum
Area Sales Manager,
Senior Mortgage Advisor
Board Member
San Diego CAMP
jtenenbaum@firstcal.net

Cell:818.383.4032
Fax:855.502.6871

NMLS#:291922

For My Traditonal VA Military Buyers...

Robin Privitt
Mortgage Loan Officer
Navy Federal Credit Union
Mission Valley Mortgage
Office- 877-522-8028
Direct Line- 619-225-2948
Blackberry-619-869-1264
Fax -866-433-7004

Robin_Privitt@navyfederal.org

and

Kim Jackson @ USAA

USAA Federal Savings Bank

Mortgage Processor

Phone:(800) 531-8781 Extension 41046

Fax:877-698-2310

Kimberly.Jackson@usaa.com

Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Pacific Standard Time

For Lease in Santee: 2 Bed/1 Bath Town-home

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:19:56 -0800

Type in your SEO text here...

9852 Buena Vista
Santee, CA 92071
For Lease in Santee: 2 Bed/1 Bath Town-home

Thomas J. Nelson

DRE #01261476

Mobile:	858-232-8722
Website:	Visit Website

Price	:	$1,200
Bedrooms	:	2
Bathrooms	:	1
Square Foot	:	903
Community	:	Mission Vega
County	:	San Diego
Property Type	:	Condo or Townhouse
Year Built	:	1972
MLS Number	:	120055968

click for more information and pictures

Property Description

Welcome Home! Townhome style condo, with updated kitchen, updated bathroom and vinyl windows. Garage direcly behind unit allows 1 parking space covered storage. Laundry is in garage area. 2nd parking space in driveway and plenty of street parking for guests. Swimming pool is a short walk from the unit. Available now.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage : 2655 Camino Del Rio North #450 - San Diego CA 92108 : 858-232-8722

FOR RENT Updated Hillcrest 92103 Condo in San Diego

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:50:42 -0800

Type in your SEO text here...

4025 Georgia #3
San Diego, CA 92103
FOR RENT Updated Hillcrest Condo

Thomas J. Nelson

DRE #01261476

Mobile:	858-232-8722
Website:	Visit Website

Price	:	$1,275
Bedrooms	:	1
Bathrooms	:	1
Square Foot	:	576
Community	:	Hillcrest
County	:	San Diego
Property Type	:	Detached
MLS Number	:	120061560

click for more information and pictures

Property Description

Welcome Home! this Updated, Top Floor/End Unit Hillcrest Condo...with views! Close to shopping, freeway access Balboa Park. Updated kitchen, in-unit laundry, updated bathroom, new carpet and freshly painted ready for a non-smoking tenant now. Gated parking spot below unit.

Features List

Top Floor	Close To Shopping	End Unit
$1275.00 / Month	Security Dep. $1400	Pet Deposit Required
Updated Unit	New Carpet	Fresh Paint

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage : 2655 Camino Del Rio North #450 - San Diego CA 92108 : 858-232-8722

Top 5 Most Expensive Homes Sold In San Diego 2012

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:06:40 -0800

2012's Top 5 Most Expensive Single Family-Home Sales in San Diego County Real Estate:

The Union Tribune recently (01/13/13) published San Diego's

Top 10 most expensive homes sold in 2012

But, what they left out was the days on market and original asking price; let reality begin!

#1 $16,250,000.00 @ 2928 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014

Now What the newspaper (Union Tribune) doesn't tell you is this took 2 years and 23 days to sell and began at $39,000,000.00!!!

#2 $15,000,000 @ 6292 Camino De La Costa, La Jolla, CA 92037

253 days on the market and original price $17,900,000.00 not a bad price drop, what was really bad was the amateur photos taken by the agent. For $15m hire a photographer! Seriously it looked like an i-phone took the photo's, this was least blurry!

#3 $9,200,000 17576 Rancho La Noria, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

174 Days on market and original price was $12,175,000.00

#4 $9,000,000 @ 1844 Ocean Front, Del Mar, CA 92014

3 years and 14 days on market and original price was $21,000,000.00

#5 6343 Camino De La Costa, La Jolla, CA 92037

255 days on the market and original asking $9,400,000

The news often doesn't share all the details of our Market, thus misleading San Diegans with National figures that are quite different locally. They also give out localized info that is without perspective for the %'s and #'s. Our county is a "honeycomb" of neighborhoods and each has it's own unique personality, perks and Real Estate Market. Get local info from your neighborhood experts.

I serve Coastal San Diego from La Jolla to Ocean Beach, Downtown San Diego "vertical living" and Metro/Balboa Park areas. I also have a couple niche Markets in East & South County. Need info, ask your local Realtor, he or she will be happy to provide you real numbers for where you live.

This is the most expensive home I've tried to get sold, so if you have a 3 Million Dollar Buyer, let's chat!

http://1310sierralindadr.ePropertySites.com

MY / YOUR Escrow Coordinator

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:31:43 -0800

If you are in escrow with me, you may also contact:

Linda Greene:

619-933-6813 or

LindaGreene.TC@gmail.com

...she is my and your Transaction Coordinator.

She can receive escrow related documents for me, from you, answer paperwork questions and send you needed paperwork.

Linda is also a Mobile Notary so if you need documents notarized, you can call on her for that too!

Her fees start at $400.00 per side of transaction and is billed to you through escrow one time. Her fee is covered by me when you are referred to me by a past client or you are a repeat client. I can offer you possible "Nelson-discounts" when you have to pay it.

This will be listed as other commission in your Buyer/Broker Agreement.

Apologies, I can not cover her fee when you were referred by a Referral Program, Rebate Program nor another Realtor, as I have fees already owed to them I'm covering.

I enjoy great service and get great information from my Escrow & Title Office teams:

MEGAN OLIVA, ESCROW OFFICER at:

WEST COAST ESCROW

2655 CAMINO DEL RIO NORTH #301 SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

PHONE: 619-296-4500

FAX: 619-296-4501

Chrys Thomas @

Equity Title

chrys.thomas@equitytitle.com

2655 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 300 San Diego, Ca 92108

760-889-2295

Don't Wish For It, Plan For It...

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:25:09 -0800

Planning a Successful Year Just May Start Here...

• Make excellence your way of being, not perfection; one is achievable by all, the other only byOne,so far.

• Be OnTime!In the military: on time is late and 15 minutes early is on time.

• Finish what you start, start one thing at a time; multi-tasking is a myth.

• Remember that your diet, health and sleep affects your mood.

• Plan your week on a schedule &schedule yourwrittengoals into each week.

• Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable at least once a week; growing pains are good.

• Write handwritten thank you notes, they reflectan effort and yourgratitude; e-mail not so much.

• Know that a problem only becomes a problem when you choose to see it as a problem.

• Read a book a week, invest in a course every month and attend a workshop every quarter; (advice from a multi-millionaire).

• Know the top 5 goals you want to achieve this year; post them where you will see them daily. Plan your days around them.

Living The Good Life!

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 09:41:59 -0800

WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT CAN INVEST $3.25 MILLION TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE?!?

http://1310sierralindadr.ePropertySites.com

Price	:	3,250,000
Bedrooms	:	5
Bathrooms	:	8
Square Foot	:	9,992
Lot Size	:	92,782 sq.ft.
Community	:	Rancho San Bernardo
County	:	San Diego
Property Type	:	Single Family
Year Built	:	2009
MLS Number	:	130001984

click for more information and pictures

Property Description

Majestic custom built Mediterranean estate sits high on a 2.13 acre lot with stunning unobstructed views of the San Pasqual valley. 5 Bedrooms, 8 baths, 2 offices, grand foyer, massive living and family rooms, soaring wood beam ceilings, gourmet kitchen, luxurious master suite, travertine, distressed wood flooring, rare natural stone finishes throughout, antiqued alder crown molding and doors, 3 lanai's, tennis court, resort style pool/spa, and gated winding driveway leads to four car garage.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage : 2655 Camino Del Rio North #450 - San Diego CA 92108 : 858-232-8722

A Plan For Living Today

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 06:28:23 -0800

A peek into my journal...

New Year's resolutions are intentions that do not come true for me because they are not tangible. Goals however, are dreams that I bother to write down and go to work on. I have my "why" for each and my projected deadline for how long I need to accomplish them. I now design my days, weeks, each quarter and my year by scheduling these goals as the priorities I work my days around.

I know my core values, which allow me to focus on the goals in each of my life's "key areas".

Health (mental & physical) * Family * Spirituality * Business & Finances

For example: The greatest of my values is love. The family and the friends I love no matter what. One person caring for another no matter what. No matter the ugly truths, the inconveniences, the personal sacrifices, etc. "Sc'use the humor", but essentially there are two people in my life; those that I can call and say "come bail me out" and they do immediately, regardless. Then there's the rest that would say to me "call me...when you are out". I'd rather live in a tent in a field with my bride and son than a mansion on the hill without them.

I celebrate the culture, heritage and history of my family and friends. I celebrate the differences too. There are at least 8 cultures that make up my family today and I couldn't even count the many that encompass my friends. I enjoy the language, the food, the beliefs, the similarities and the differences at this level. So some of my goals have been to learn to speak the languages and how to cook the foods and understand the traditions of my family and friends cultures which span from Irish/Italian/Mexican to Jordanian/French & Japanese. I ask my elders about our past and I chat with my son and nieces about the future. I invest my life into their lives. I invest my life into life. If you can inspire yourself so you may inspire others, they may just inspire you back! But it starts at home; inspiration. You can't inspire the world if you can't first inspire your spouse or your kids; and be willing to let them do the same for you.

Be willing to risk the unusual or settle for the ordinary! Happy 2013, it's going to be an amazing year; if you design it to be!