time management: The Daffodil Principle: What are you doing with the rest of your life? - 01/17/07 08:43 AM
  Do you take the time to look for or look at Daffodils? A true story from Linda Foltz.  Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over."  I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead.  "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house, I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and … (2 comments)

time management: How do you qualify Buyer motivation? - 10/10/06 12:55 PM
How do you keep the music playing? How do you know when your previously “I want to buy tomorrow” buyer’s motivation has left, without a forwarding address? I really enjoy working with buyers and have found over the years, that the motivation to take the next step sometimes can be very elusive, if there at all.
My experience tells me that you have to re-qualify and support buyer motivation often, sometimes, each time you meet with the prospective buyer. Not all buyers have the personal confidence to step up to the plate at the designated time. Many need a lot of … (13 comments)

time management: When do Purchasers Make Offers? What if it is your day off? - 09/29/06 09:00 AM
Have you ever paid attention to when buyers are ready to make purchase decisions? Not counting relocating families who have to make a quick decision, is there a pattern? I am usually prepared to show properties some portion of all seven days ( yes, I do take time off) and, over the last year, started to pay attention when people made their purchase decision. While, there are a lot of factors that impact on when a contract is written, I found that 53% were written on Saturdays, 12% on Sundays, a surprising (to me, anyway) 24% were written by motivated folks … (2 comments)

time management: "Buy from Me or Get Out of My Car!!!" - 09/25/06 09:42 AM
Back in 1989, before the huge market collapse, I attended a seminar entitled: “Buy from Me or Get Out of MY Car!” It was a half-day well spent in discussing who gets in your car when. It’s not just a matter of being financially qualified.  It’s also important that the Buyers you are working with today - have an understanding and an expectation that if the “right” property is found today, they should give serious consideration to preparing an offer for contract. Too many agents, both new and experienced, are sometimes just grateful to have someone to show houses to – … (21 comments)

time management: Living a Balanced Life in a Crazy Business - 09/15/06 05:29 AM
How many times have you heard these statements from other agents?
"I can't take a day off!" "I feel like I'm working from 8am to 10pm!" "There's no time to do the things I enjoy." "I haven't had a vacation in years!" "Those people are driving me nuts with calls at all hours of the day!" "I've got no life."After many years in this business, I am still wrestling with strategies for working more time efficiencly, fewer hours and for taking time off without feeling like "there's just one more thing I gotta do...." What do you do? … (5 comments)