Berwick Maine Real Estate Information

My Top Ten Business and Motivational Books of all Time

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:33:31 -0600

Recently Rick Rogala, the Real Estate Marketing Coach from Chicago, put up his list of top ten business/motivaitional/inspirational books, and being the book worm that I am, I thought I'd put up my own top ten. Susan Emo and I came up with an idea to do our own. Susan's is great and has some books not found on the top shelf. Check her's out!

1. The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber. If you want to run a business, instead of having just a sales job, this is an absolute MUST READ. This was life changing for me. Turning the Entrepreneur into a business owner.

2. Book of Proverbs, The Bible. Check out the ramblings of the richest man that ever lived. Chuck full of easy to understand stories, parables and quotes on how to gain wisdom, success and wealth.

3. Emotional Intellegience, Daniel Goleman. This is perhaps the book that has had the biggest influence on my business career. Speaks of recognizing your emotions and those emotions of the people around you, and how that influences your behavior.

4. How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie. An absolute must read. Enough said. Ok, well, one more thing. Did you know Warren Buffett credits a lot of his success to a Dale Carnegie course?

5. The Success Principles, Jack Canfield. Confession here- I am not all the way through this. So far, this is TREMENDOUSLY strong at helping me determine what is important.

6. Good to Great, Jim Collins. Good is the enemy of Great. Don't settle.

7. Richest Man in Babylon, George Clason. A quick must read for everyone who has finances ( I believe that would be all of us!

8. Art of the Deal, Donald Trump with Tony Schwartz. This is Trump before the TV show and a lot of the fame. Back when he was a hungry, smart and aggresive deal maker. Great insight that hasn't been watered down just to pump out a book.

9. Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki. Basic but fundamental book about employees, self employed, business owners and investors. Success doesn't have to be complicated.

10. The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren. Faith is a big part of this book, but even if you are not religious, this book is very insightful and will probably help you get through some sticking points in your business and life.

Honorable Mention:

Snowball, Alice Schroeder

You Can Negotiate Anything, Herb Cohen

The Puple Cow, Seth Godin

Often Wrong Never in Doubt, Donny Deutsch

let my people go surfing, the education of a reluctant businessman, Yvon Chouinard

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey

You'll notice I didn't put a link to Amazon or Barnes and Noble for any of these books. Either go to your library or support your local book reseller. I've never had a Barnes, Noble, or an Amazon list or sell their home with me, or donate to our local causes. BUT I have had employees of our local bookstore , River Run Bookstore in Portsmouth, look at my homes, and donate to our charities!

Joshua Holt

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

Portsmouth, NH

joshholt@calljoshholt.com

Where do you want your buyers to park?

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:18:53 -0600

So we've had a cold snap up here that is sure to stick in the ol memory bank for a while. When you are bringing buyers to look at vacant homes whether REO or unfinished new construction (or a home with frozen pipes), the buyers can get really cold really fast! I was out with some buyers in the middle of this weather this past week, and got a little ticked off.

In Southern Maine and New Hampshire every winter we get cold snaps, and we get snow: It's a fact of life. But when you are selling your home, please remember that you are opening up your home to guests. That means shovel walkways, and sand them. If my buyers are coming in the middle of the storm, don't worry about it. But if these buyers are coming the day after, well, it's time to roll out the red carpet. Plow, snow-blow, shovel, salt and sand. If the buyers are worried about falling on their toosh, they are not going to be looking at how nice your entryway is or how cool your neighborhood is.

So I'm out with these buyers, a very nice young couple from Portsmouth, and low and behold, we should have brought ice skates on these driveways. And to make matters worst one of the the listing agent parks right in front of the entrance to the two houses she shows us! She takes the spot closest to the house so my buyers have to take their own lives in their hands for even longer on this icy surface. If I had not seen it with my own two eyes, I would not have believed it. I had to snap a photo with my blackberry, and quick before I feel on my own rear! What kind of impression did that make on my buyers? What kind of first impression will it make on your potential buyers? Make sure that your listing agent has good manners and common sense!

Joshua Holt, New Hampshire REALTOR
RE/MAX Coast to Coast
Portsmouth, NH
josh@calljoshholt.com
888-349-5678x 3850

Your Southern Maine and New Hampshire REALTOR

If I'm drunk and fall down the stairs… and how some agents perform Real Estate Malpractice (and excessive and shameless Ann Cummings name dropping)...

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:16:15 -0600

If I'm drunk, fall down the stairs and break my leg, I think all of us would expect that the doctor who treats me, would do everything he could to help, not harm me. He would set my legs, put a cast on them, prescribe some medicine and schedule me for follow up treatment. Why should we as Real Estate Agents be expected to provide any less to our clients that are drunk and have a broken leg?

Earlier today, I was doing my typical three time a day vent/rant/discussion/ general annoyance to my esteemed and venerable colleague Ann Cummings, and I was smooshing some sour grapes over how I had lost a particular listing of a person close to me, to an agent that I feel committed malpractice.

So as to protect the names and identities of the innocent (and the not so innocent), this particular agent, let us call her... Thomasa Brady. So Ms. Thomasa Brady is called by Mr. and Mrs. Seller, let us call them hmmm... Mr. and Mrs. Venus Williams. Yes, that would make Mr. Venus Williams a girl, but since this is my story, you are going to have to just deal with it. I told you that I was smooshing sour grapes.

Mr. and Mrs. Venus Williams are behind on their mortgage when they call Ms. Thomasa Brady. Venus and his wife fall in love with Ms. Thomasa Brady when she tells them there house is worth 2.5 million! They're good old friend Josh told them the truth that it was only worth 2 million at that time, but phooey with him. Isn't a Real Estate Agent a Real Estate Agent? This lady says it with such certainty, how could she be wrong? How fabulous is this Ms. Brady? She just made the Williams a lot of money! The Williamses only owe 1.9 million on their house, so life should be good. They have equity (a lot according to Ms. Thomasa Brady) so even with the rapidly clicking foreclosure clock, they feel good putting their home on the market under the "experience and guidance" of Ms. Brady. If she is wrong they will just reduce their price, and sell it where GOJ (good ol Josh) told them to list it.

In reality, what Ms. Brady did, was remove the broken legs of a drunken Mr. and Mrs. Venus Williams.

Fast forward six months. Having overpriced their property under the advise of the smooth talking Ms. Brady, Mr. and Mrs. Venus Williams are now staring down the barrel of the proverbial foreclosure gun. Having already reduced their price from 2.5 million, to the 2 million value it was worth, they have now hobbled on their broken legs to 1.75 million, where they have finally found a buyer! Only, this is short sale territory. Not only will the Venus Williams family not receive any money, they are humiliated, and will receive a death like sentence on their credit. Harming for a long time, their ability to take care of their two kids.

So back to the fabulous, smart and sensational Ann Cummings. So I'm blowing off steam to her about how wronged I was (although she already knew because I've been telling her for the last 6 months). I was the only one that was honest with them. If they had listened to me they would have sold it already. Ms. Brady lied to them to get the listing. She hurt them. She 'committed real estate malpractice???' I say, "but Ann Ann (that's what I call her), she cut the legs off of them to fix their broken legs when just a cast would have done." Ann Ann, in her infinite wisdom (I'm not sure if it is really infinite, but mine is so finite that hers sure does look infinite to me) says, "but she didn't break their legs." No, they were drunk, fell down the stairs and broke their own. It doesn't really matter how they broke their legs: the doctor treats the victim with a broken leg the same whether they were side swiped by a drunken driver or they were drunk and fell down the stairs. Regardless of how the legs got broken, the question remains the same:

Aren't we as Real Estate practitioners, supposed to prescribe what is best for the client?

Ms. Brady knew their situation. Knew they had broken legs. She should have prescribed the appropriate treatment. The problem is, is that there is no standard treatment. There is no one that can say "This house was worth 'x' on this day" with absolute certainty. Not like you can get 45 doctors to all diagnosis that same broken leg with the same type of fracture, and prescribe the same treatment. Actually, quite the opposite as you could find three different opinions of value in the same RE/MAX hospital in which I operate. Ahh, but hindsight is 20/20 and in our case Mr. and Mrs. Venus Williams now have that benefit. They now know for a fact that the home was not worth what Ms. Thomasa Brady prescribed them. In fact, they were prescribed the wrong medicine that led to the loss of their legs! What would we do to a Doctor that prescribed the wrong medicine that led to the loss of a patients legs?

But Josh, it's not the Agents fault that their legs were broken in the first place!

But it is our job to treat the situation with the utmost care, obedience, accountability, disclosure and loyalty. To use our training, knowledge and experience to the benefit of our clients- not ourselves. To me there are a few lessons that I am taking out of this. One, as always, it's about the client, not the agent. Two, I can't win them all. That's right, I am making it a point to stop smooshing my sour grapes right now! Ok, now! Starting now. Well this one is a work in progress. Three, there really should be repercussions for those agents that put themselves above the needs of their clients that it harms them. Like Ms. Brady in this circumstance, lying about price in order to get the listing; or an experienced agent that costs their client a home because of a botched short sale.

I don't know, maybe I've just drank too much of this sour wine I've just made:)

Joshua Holt

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

888.349.5678 x 3850

Serving all The Berwicks and all of Southern Maine and New Hampshire

Monday Morning Motivation

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:26:25 -0600

Needed a little extra something to get me going this morning after the ice storm of last week. For those of you from other parts, please say your prayers for those of up here in the North East that still do not have power or heat! Thanks to Ann Cummings and her great blog post here on Active Rain letting us know about GoGoPin, I have decided to write this post using GoGoPin to help become more familiar with it. As always, Thanks Ann Ann!

Joshua Holt

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

888.349.5678

Serving all The Berwicks and all of Southern Maine and New Hampshire

Penny Sale to Benefit Jeff Chandler

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:10:27 -0600

As many of you in our Berwicks area community may know, Jeff Chandler, a Berwick resident his whole life was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Jeff is married to Gina (Valenzuela), and has a three year old son Landon.

The community has come together to host this penny sale to benefit the Chandler's. It will be held at the Middle School Cafeteria on Cranberry Meadow Road in Berwick (the old high school). It will begin at 10 a.m. and the drawings begin at 3 p.m.. There will be lots of items to choose from and it has been confirmed that the game ball from the Noble High School Football Championship will be there! Also some of Jeff's football coaches from that team have agreed to be there. Coach Suttie (now at Bonney Eagle), Coach Bickford (Head Coach at Oxford Hills) and Coach Descoteaux (Head Coach at Biddeford High) will be there to lend there support to Jeff and his family at this trying time.

For those that don't know Jeff... Jeff is a giant teddy bear that is willing to help anyone. Always with a smile on his face, he has a lot of family in the Berwick area. Jeff went to school in Berwick, graduated from Noble High in 1999, and was a big piece of the championship football team in 1997. His wife Gina and son Landon are the center of his life, and are obviously struggling with this diagnosis.

Many of you long time residents of our community remember Jeff's dad Joe, and how big a piece of our community he was. To this day, the Noble Squires give away the "Chandler Award" in his honor.

I will be away from my computer for the weekend, but anyone wanting more details should call Diane Brown (Jeff's Aunt) at 1.207.457.1703. They are also accepting small and large donations directly I hope there is a great turnout, and a big THANK YOU to all those that have helped to plan this.

Weekly Dose of Motivation and Inspiration...

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:19:30 -0600

I always love a little boost to start my week, so I thought I would share some of the good stuff! As one of my old football coaches always used to say "What a great day to be alive!"

"Private victories precede public victories. You can't invert that process any more than you can harvest a crop before you plant it." Stephen Covey

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18

"When inspiration does not come to me, I go halfway to meet it." Sigmund Freud

Joshua Holt

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

888.349.5678

Serving all The Berwicks and all of Southern Maine and New Hampshire

Upcoming Berwick Blood Drive... Give the gift of Life!

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:22:20 -0600

There is an upcoming blood drive in Berwick. It is going to be held this Saturday, November 29th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Berwick Town Hall. In this season of thanks, why not give a litte back!

For those of you who have never given blood before, it is pretty painless, and only takes about an hour. I've given blood almost 20 times over the past ten years (I had to take a year off after a trip to Mexico left me ineligible) and I really look forward to it. It feels like a pinch when the needle goes in, and then you don't feel anything else. I promise!

Questions? Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.
To make an appointment to donate at a blood drive go to www.givelife.org

Observations of a Real Estate Junkie

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:06:37 -0600

Ok, I started writing a comment to Broker Bryant's post, List with me and just pay whatever you feel like it!!! , in response to Mariana Wagner post about

How to Take Advantage of Struggling Real Estate Agents, as a Home Seller . It has ended up as this.

Both very good pieces, that are great conversation pieces. A few things pop up for me. First and foremost is that we are talking only of situations where the real estate agent is acting in as a buyer agent, and has a fiduciary responsibility to their client. So here I go...

One, I educate my clients on how much I charge to work for them. I have a mortgage, a need for food, a need for clothes and also a wife, and kids that need to eat and be clothed. I work to do that. I have chosen real estate sales for my work. In exchange for my knowledge, time and work, my clients agree that I will be paid a fee. Not ONE of my buyer clients, especially the professionals, has ever balked at this. At this point, I am completely and utterly working in their best interests, and my best interests are aligned with theirs. They recognize this and appreciate it. At this point, I don't even have to think about the co-broke fee; actually I do, but just to let my clients know what it is.

I think my clients understand they get what they pay for. I have had a few decline to see properties because the fee was such that the my client would have had to make up the part of my fee most sellers typically pay. I explain to my clients their options, including just making up the difference in my fee from what the seller is offering or asking the seller to pay it. My clients that have refused to see or make an offer on a low co-broke property, usually decline because they think the seller just isn't being fair. That is their decision.

My second thought is more of an observation. The banks that have REO properties on the market, obviously could have some listing commission pressure. They are handing agents lots of business and might be able to negotiate a lower fee. They could hire a discount broker and handle the deal themselves even. But they DON'T! I wonder why. Maybe they realize they get what they pay for. I have also noticed that they (banks with REO's) up the buyer agency fee when they have a tough property to sell, or really want to move it. Is that because of Greedy buyer agents? Unless the buyer agents are the ones making the decision to sign on the dotted line and purchase the property, the answer is no. If a buyer agent sees a higher than typical co-broker fee and puts the property on their buyers tour, the buyer is still the one that has to make the decision on whether or not to buy it. No amount of debate can change that.

My goal, and I think the goal of most agents, is to make a living. I do this by serving the best needs of my clients and charging a fee to do so. I would ask, what is wrong with that?

Joshua Holt

Honest. Aggresive. Different.

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

603.431.1111

joshholt@remax.net

Daily dose of Inspiration and Motivation

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:16:29 -0500

Quotes of the Day

"The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business-or almost anywhere else for the matter." Lee Iacocca

"Champions aren't made in gyms, champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." Muhammad Ali

"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." King Solomon, Proverbs 16:18

It's a good life!

Joshua Holt

Honest. Aggressive. Different.

Associate Broker, RE/MAX Coast To Coast

Licensed in Maine and New Hampshire

100% Club Member

P. 603.431.1111 x3850

F. 603.431.5779

C. 603.781.2377

joshholt@remax.net

www.calljoshholt.com

www.joinremax.com

Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX. Nobody.

Free Money!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:56:56 -0500

Know a kid looking to pick up a little cash?

Check out this link from TD BANKNORTH.

They are offering $10 to every kid reads 10 books this summer. They put the money in a new or existing savings account for the child! Check it out!

Great way to teach kids about reading and money at the same time. Hey, there's an idea... have them read a book about money....

Or Goats:)

It's a good life!

I'm in over my head! (Part One)

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:45:33 -0500

It's not just a few people...

I talk all day about real estate at work to clients, collegues and customers. I am pretty active in our local real estate market, and as often happens, friends, family, neighbors and acquantinces, want to talk real estate when they see me. That makes for a lot of real estate talking and I have to admit that I enjoy it, because for me real estate is in my blood and I absolutely love it.

Recently, I noticed I have been talking to a lot of homeowners who are struggling to pay their bills. With the price of gas, food and life's other necessities rising by the minute, the good old paycheck doesn't go as far as it used to. And as often happens; life happens. New brakes for the car, an accident on the job, a layoff or even worse, a sick family member.

A lot of these homeowners are struggling to pay their mortgage, or are not paying it at all, and are facing foreclosure on their home. These people enjoy owning their home, and often love the place they and their family live, but have to make that undesirable choice between feeding and clothing their kids (or themselves) and paying the mortgage company. Stuck between a rock and a hard place is not even a good description. I had one person tell me they felt like the world "is falling on top of me." Another said "We wanted to flip, not flop." Some of these people are heading towards bankruptcy, others even worse. I can not begin to imagine how it would feel to be in this situation.

Many of the folks I talk to, have no equity- or negative equity in their homes. Many re-financed or bought at the top of a strong real estate market (like me!), and have had no equity to cushion the downfall in real estate prices.

So what is one to do?

If you are one of the millions, yes we are talking literally about millions of people here, what should you do? Well that all depends on your exact situation.

The first thing is not going to win me any kisses, but it is super important. The first thing you need to do is MAKE A BUDGET! It is hated by all of us, and done by only a few of us, but it is absolutely impearative for you to make any financial desicion. Make your budget and see if you can afford your house or if you are in over your head. This isn't about ego or extreme optimism. Be realistic and honest with your self. There is nothing wrong with admitting you can not afford something. There is something wrong with convincing yourself you can afford something you can not.

Second, if you are behind on your mortgage, or think you are going to be behind, call your lender and let them know. They may be eager to offer you a workout plan, or do something to keep you in your house, bring your loan current and make it affordable. Remember they want their money, and if you can prove you have the capacity to start repaying, they will be more willing to work with you.

Three, if you have equity in your home and are behind on your payments, sell it. Do whatever you need to get your mortgage current and sell your house. Don't wait for long money on the house, just GET OUT! As James Bond famously said "live to die another day." There is no shame in renting for a few years, getting back on your feet and buying a home later on. Do some research, find the best agent in your area and SELL. Don't price the house "aggresively" or "dreamy", tell your agent you need to sell and SELL. Don't pass go don't collect $200: Just sell.

Fourth, if you are "upside down", meaning you owe more than your home is worth, and you can't afford your house, now we're talking crisis. And when we talk crisis you need to focus more than ever, remain calm and make some quick and correct decisions. Talk to you lender, call the best short sale agent in your area (I will be happy to point you to one if you don't know where to start), consult an accountant, call a lawyer, and start looking in the paper for rentals.

In Closing

I plan to go a little further into each one of these in future posts. Some will be exciting, most will not, but I hope to get some information out there so people can be well informed before making a decision so absolutely critical to their future.

Being behind on a mortgage and facing foreclosure has to be one of the most stressful situations a person can face. Getting foreclosed on will have a monumental impact on your future. From future employment, housing, and insurance; to family situations; to self esteem. Having your house foreclosed on is one of the hardest things to deal with.

One last thing, if I could. For married couples, or couples period I guess, money is a tough topic and it has been said that it is the number one cause of divorce. Being in any of the situations described above, requires that both people be on the same page. It is imperative, and more important than ever for your relationship to speak to the other half of your partnership about money, your present situation, and your futures. As recently as last week, I heard about a husband who didn't know they were behind on their mortgage until 5 days prior to entering foreclosure! I have seen more divorces lead to foreclosure and foreclosures lead to divorces over the last four years than I wish to see in a lifetime. For the sake of your family and relationship: TALK!

Joshua Holt

Distressed Property Specialist

RE/MAX Coast To Coast

joshholt@remax.net

I have a problem... Short Sale and a Seller I can't get through to... I need your help!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:15:20 -0500

A little back ground

"Joe" and "Betty" bought a house three years ago when the market was strong. They have lovingly maintained the home. Joe lost his job, and Joe and Betty have not been able to make their payments for three months. We listed their house about two months ago, and went over the whole short sale process. Joe and Betty are absolutely the nicest people in the world the kind of people that would do anything for their friends. They have two young daughters. Betty has steady full time employment, and Joe has a part time job but is graduating from College in Six months and hopes to earn more.

I have done just about a dozen pre-foreclosure sales, and helped (by giving them info, pointing in the right direction) a few others (four I believe) keep their house and avoid foreclosure. I have not run into this particular situation.

The Contract

We found buyers for the house, and in our purchase and sale contract, the sellers added the stipulation that the sellers would not be required to bring anything to closing or they would not close. We have "Joe" and "Betty's" house under contract for 200k, the buyer is set to go, the bank has approved the short sale pending PMI approval. PMI comes back and says they want the sellers to take on a no interest note of about 9,000 (the difference between their mortgage amount and the sales price) over seven years. We are scheduled to close on this May 2, 08.

The Problem

My clients have said "No way Jose!" They do not want to walk away with an emotional or financial reminder of the house. They have lined up a parent who is going to loan them $8,000 to bring their mortgage current. They believe that somehow, some way they will find a way to make the mortgage payment once they catch up. At least this way, they will be taking on the loan and still have their house. I believe very strongly that this is not in their best interest.

The Other Stuff

The BPO on the Short Sale came in at $195,000. The house is located in an area that is going to see further price correction of at least 10% in my opinion. I am told that the PMI *MAY* negotiate if we were to bring them cash instead of a promise to pay. I.E., $4,000 now instead of an unsecured IOU for $9,000; but otherwise, they won't budge.

I can only imagine being in their shoes, but I am sure that I would feel like I failed as a parent and husband, and would be thoroughly embarrased. I think these folks have nothing to be embarrased about, but I really would like to see them make the right decision for their family moving forward. I don't know how to convey that to them though.

I Need Your Help!

I can't communicate to my sellers in a way to get them to see how advantageous this is to them. I think that they are being blessed with an opportunity to get even with the 8 ball with the chance to get ahead, instead of digging themselves into a bigger hole by repeating the same mistakes. The first question I always ask someone in foreclosure is "If you were not behind today, could you make your next mortgage payment?" If the answer is not an astounding "YES", they should sell the house. (Astounding because they have had a reprive for a few months and if they are serious about their finances they would have saved at least part of that money).

I'm hoping that I can get some honest comments, experiences and advice that I can bring to my sellers to help them make their decision, and hopefully make the right decision. I may show them this post and the responses if I think that can help them. Thank you all very much in advance for your help.

It's a good life!

Joshua Holt

RE/MAX Coast To Coast, 150 Mirona Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801