Chris Lambos - Way Out West (Nashville, TN)

This Might Not Seem Important To You, But...

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:05:13 -0700

...I just wanted to say "hello" to Mirela...

Come on, everybody...say 'hello' to Mirela...

1...2...3...HELLO MIRELA!!!!

Mirela?????

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:06:41 -0700

Are you back???? Has it been 10 days yet????

My State's Obesity Rating - Nothing To Cheer About!

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:12:45 -0700

Tennessee's Obesity Rating - and The Road To #1!

On July 27, in the 'Letters To The Editor' section of The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, a gentleman officially challenges the citizens of Tennessee to do their part in elevating our rank as the 3rd most obese state in the Union to the lofty #1 position. So I offered the following Tongue-In-Jowl strategy (in bold):

That's a tall order (no, a big & tall order) considering we must outscore two offensive juggernauts (I'm talking perennial powers Alabama & Mississippi).

Here's how TEAM TENNESSEE can top the Portly Poll for years to come (Can you say "DINEasty"?):

1. Don't Stop At One Serving: The foundation of any weight-gaining regimen. All-You-Can-Eat buffets are mandatory during training camp.

2. Eat Snacks: Snacking between meals is crucial, considering Alabama is the home to Golden Flake potato chips. Some experts say that serious snackers can add 1000 to 1500 extra calories per day to their diets (that's an extra 100 to 150 lbs you could be hauling around by this time next season)

3. Add Deserts: An extra 500-800 calories after meals is the icing on the cake in overtaking our formidable opponents to the south.

4. Drink Alcohol: Many relish these empty calories in non-competitive applications, but libations such as beer and whiskey are considered staples in competitive caloric consumption. Why? Given the choice, your body will burn alcohol before anything, so while your body is burning the booze, guess what happens to that 12-bagger of Krystal hamburgers after 'last call'?

By following this regime, Tennessee will undoubtedly move up 2 slots in the national polls and finish 2009 as America's Most Obese State. For those fellow Tennesseans who do not wish for such an accolade, you can take the opposite approach like I did. That's right, NO DESERTS...NO BOOZE...NO SNACKS...NO SECONDS. I lost 18 pounds in 4 months by saying 'no' (and never noticed I was on a diet). Time just flies by since I NEVER deprive myself. Fried chicken and cheeseburgers are no strangers to my menu selections, folks. I just don't eat as much as I use to, nor am I tempted to.

There are healthier ways to shed the LBs...but my cholesterol is down as is my blood pressure. It can be safely construed that there will be nutritional modifications in the future. At some point, my body will reach a plateau and require a 'change of direction'. As a matter of fact, I have have adopted a few minor changes just recently. But for now, I'm losing weight, practicing portion control (which now seems normal) and learning a lot about behavioral modification - THE KEY to long term success.

This week, I am incorporating 'walking' into my regimen. In a few months, I will add weight resistance. As you can see, I'm taking things in stride - not rushing or speeding up the process...just exercising the utmost patience - which pays dieting dividends(though I hate to use the word 'diet'). As my Doctor reminded me at my last appointment- and he's SOOO right about this:

"Sometimes evolution is needed - not revolution"

The Agony of Defeat

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:10:23 -0700

Are you timid? Not a people person?

Probably not if you have been selling real estate for any significant amount of time.

But do you know some agents who are afraid to ask for business? It's not difficult to ascertain which agents are and which ones are not - just check their production #s.

So-called experts can give hundreds of reasons why this is the case with some people, but 15+ years in this business has helped me narrow the list down to just one:

FEAR OF REJECTION

In some ways, these agents equate rejection with defeat. There seems to be some level of finality - as if one 'no' means 'never'. Why is that?

The problem is actually quite common - not just in real estate, but life. The appointment books of therapists are full with patients struggling with loneliness and isolation.

A few years ago, I spoke with a new agent who was plagued by this phobia:

"Try to imagine defeat without despair...think about making multiple mistakes on a daily basis...being told "no" ...being left out of a social events...spilling coffee on your new client...think about having all of these events happening to you incessantly without ever experiencing or reacting with despair...

...what would life be like?"

The initial response to that question was laughter - no tears...And with that, I interjected:

"It's as if there was no rejection or defeat to begin with...right?"

He got the message. In a few short weeks, the new agent almost looked forward to being 'rejected' (after a little time for practice of course) and developed this fearless intensity...asking for business at every turn. From his Doctor's waiting room to the drive-thru window at his bank, the guy was asking EVERYBODY for business...AND BUSINESS FLOURISHED.

If you let fear of rejection (or defeat) dictate any part of your life - be it business or relationships - you're really not living - just existing. You MUST challenge your unnecessary reactions to these false notions. Once challenged, all related anxiety and despair will cease to exist...

...and DEFEAT will be DEFEATED.

The Preserve At English Mountain

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:17:25 -0700

The Preserve At English Mountain - your front-row seat to The Great Smoky Mountains

W H A T I S The Preserve At English Mountain?

The Preserve At English Mountain is an upscale gated residential mountain community located 8 miles East of Sevierville, Tennessee at the foot of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A group of developers came together with a mutual vision and common purpose: To unite the beauty of East Tennessee with the need for housing in a way that creates a unique living space for homeowners in a diverse natural setting.

2200 acres with 1100 acres trusted to conservation where homeowners can hike, meditate and commune with nature.
$1 million Gate House houses a hospitality area, meeting room and the community's postage center.
Gated entry
Helipad
Underground Utilities (City Water, Sewer, Electic, Security/Data/Voice Communication
Unrestricted views
Elevations up to 2800ft.

The typical homeowner may commute to work in Knoxville, but many homes will be considered 2nd homes. Due to it's location, The Preserve is no more than a day's drive from many locales in the Eastern and Central Time Zones.

Baby Boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 per day. Many of them will be purchasing 2nd homes in the next 20 years. The Preserve's prices, as compared with other North Carolina communities, will certainly attract many to the area.

Buidling sites are priced between $150,000 and $450,000

For more information, contact:

Chris Lambos

The Realty Association

(615) 589-1124

or visit.

www.chrislambos.com

I'm Leaving AR...

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:53:19 -0700

...for a few days.

I will be working on my travel business. It's a lot of fun. Don't forget to book your next vacation with me: www.cruisinchris.com

Bye Mirela...Sylvie...Tamara...Liz!!!

The Preserve At English Mountain

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:08:16 -0700

The Preserve At English Mountain - your front-row seat to The Great Smoky Mountains

W H A T I S The Preserve At English Mountain?

The Preserve At English Mountain is an upscale gated residential mountain community located 8 miles East of Sevierville, Tennessee at the foot of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2200 acres with 1100 acres trusted to conservation where homeowners can hike, meditate and commune with nature.
$1 million Gate House houses a hospitality area, meeting room and the community's postage center.
Gated entry
Helipad
Underground Utilities (City Water, Sewer, Electic, Security/Data/Voice Communication
Unrestricted views
Elevations up to 2800ft.

Buidling sites are priced between $150,000 and $450,000

For more information, contact:

Chris Lambos

The Realty Association

(615) 589-1124

or visit.

www.chrislambos.com

Just In: MeMe Welcomes ME!!!

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:25:52 -0700

M & M (Mirela & Me...lol) are friends. She asked ME to join MeMe and post one of MY comments on her blog. I don't think it's worthy of being a separate blog entry, but hey....that's just ME... :)

Thanks for the invitation, Mirela!

Who is your favorite musical artist? I have 3 older sisters (one was 16 when I was born). Anyway, I cut my teeth on their hand-me-down Beatles 45s (Beach Boys too). My sisters use to laugh at me when I would sing "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at the ripe age of 4. But, as you can imagine with all sisters and no brothers, they were trying to get me to sing the songs of David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman and other guys who graced the covers of 16 Magazine.............I had to draw the line.

From there, I discovered more controversial material by The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John (Yes, Elton was controversial...my parents confiscated my Goodbye Yellow Brick Road LP after reading some of the lyrics). Then, I went through my Jimmy Buffett phase from 77-79.

Then, High School: Lot's of fun music from the likes of Cheap Trick, Hall & Oates and REO Speedwagon. Today, there is nobody recording anything worth listening to, so my IPod is packed with all of the above (minus Bobby & David)

As for classical music, I lean towards '1812 Overture' by Tchaikovsky but 'Fanfare for the Common Man' and 'Symphony # 5' are up there.

Whoops! I forgot about my Paul Simon, James Taylor, Johhny Rivers & Roy Orbison phases...perhaps another time.

Who is your favorite artist? Henri "Le Douanier" Rousseau A bit cartoonlike with many of his works, but Sleeping Gypsy is a masterpiece in my book. I like the Impressionist style (mainly Claude Monet). And Cubism is cool too.

If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them? Howard Hughes. People that could literally buy anything except happiness: I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THEM.

Who has been the person in your life that has had the greatest impact on you? My Mother and Father

What did you want to be when you grew up? An Architect.

If you could do anything what would you do? Live in my parent's old house where I grew up.

What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know? We (my family)were the first people to stay on the 11th or 12th floor of the Xanadu Princess Hotel after Howard Hughes left (He owned the hotel and occupied both floors until he flew to the Acapulco Princess weeks before his death). This is where I became interested in the life and times of Howard Hughes.

This is me standing on the 11th floor balcony (left corner of building) back in March of 1976.

What's your favorite game? Quarters, Chess

If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why? Right Now (or the 1960s).

When you look into the mirror, who do you see? I see someone who lost 4.5 lbs last month WITHOUT dieting. I also see a guy in dire need of a suntan.

What is the most interesting job you have ever held? Producing a TV pilot

What is the worst job you've ever had? Sacking groceries

What is your biggest missed opportunity? Not hiring Jerry Seinfeld to host the TV pilot (He was a nobody in the 80s)

Not moving to Myrtle Beach, SC and working for Mirela!

Thanks for all the fun, pal!

Ohhhhhhhh Mirela....

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:12:01 -0700

OHHHHHH MIRELA...I FEEL YOUR CHEEK PAIN!

As for classical music, I lean towards '1812 Overture' by Tchaikovsky but 'Fanfare for the Common Man' and 'Symphony # 5' are up there.

Whoops! I forgot about my Paul Simon, James Taylor, Johhny Rivers & Roy Orbison phases...perhaps another time.

Who has been the person in your life that has had the greatest impact on you? My Mother and Father

What did you want to be when you grew up? An Architect.

If you could do anything what would you do? Live in my parent's old house where I grew up.

This is me standing on the 11th floor balcony (left corner of building) back in March of 1976.

What's your favorite game? Quarters Chess

If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why? Right Now (or the 1960s).

When you look into the mirror, who do you see? I see someone who lost 4.5 lbs last month WITHOUT dieting. I also see a guy in dire need of a suntan.

What is the most interesting job you have ever held? Producing a TV pilot

What is the worst job you've ever had? Sacking groceries

What is your biggest missed opportunity? Not hiring Jerry Seinfeld to host the TV pilot (He was a nobody in the 80s)

Not moving to Myrtle Beach, SC and working for Mirela!

Thanks for all the fun, pal!

Familiar with WorldVentures?

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:32:46 -0700

I have a friend in Ft. Pierce who has just bcome an affiliate of WorldVentures. If you are not familiar with WorldVentures, please visit http://www.newtravelbusiness.com/ .

My question is: Do any of you happen to know of someone in that area or within 30 miles who is also an affiliate? You may be one of them as there are many real estate agents across the U.S. who are involved. If you happen to be an associate or know of one, please let me know. I'd like to have my friend team up with someone locally in order to help coordinate marketing presentations.

For the record, my friend is a veteran of the building supplies business in Ft.Pierce/Port St.Lucie area since the mid-80s.

Thanks so much! We both appreciate your assistance.

Yours truly,

Chris Lambos

My Answer To My Commissions Drought

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:02:11 -0700

My real estate business has been solid and consistant ever since becoming a licensed Affiliate Broker in 1993. The country was fresh out of a real estate recession and values were beginning to skyrocket.

My timing was perfect.

Though we have been hearing many accounts of agents closing shop during these trying times, I had been getting my fair share of commission checks - until December. From subprime lenders going belly up hours before closing to hesitant sellers who get an earful on a daily basis regarding plummeting home values, something had to give.

Two weeks ago, this 15-year veteran said "Enough - I want a commission check NOW!"

I was fortunate enough to get a phone call from an old friend who owns an automotive repair business just minutes before plopping $100 down to have my palms read. I knew he had the answer, but I had to answer a few of his questions:

1) Do you like to travel? I said "Yes...when I have money in my pocket". 2) Would you like to take 5-Star vacations at 2-Star prices? "Absolutely...but don't forget I need at least a 2-Star commission check to pull this off" 3) Would you like to travel for FREE?. "OK, I'll borrow the money from my sister...how can I do all this?"

At that point, I was introduced to WorldVentures (or WV as I refer to it). WV offers DREAMTRIPS (DTs) which take you anywhere from 12-day trips to Egypt to 5-Star 'All-Inclusives' on the Riviera Maya. By offering DTs, WV can be best described as the Costco of the travel industry. You pay to become a member, and your membership entitles you to pay wholesale prices for 4 and 5-Star vacations.

WorldVentures Logo

Another product is becoming a Leisure Travel Consultant (LTC). With this, you take an online course as well a an online exam covering the basics of the travel industry. You also receive your very own travel website with WV's exclusive POWERSEARCH technology (more powerful search than the competition). From here, travel and vacations can be booked while commissions are generated. In WV, you can also earn 'travel points' which can be used to pay for your own dream vacations.

Two weeks later, I'm meeting tons of new people (yes, these people buy houses too) and having fun telling others about this wonderful opportunity that WV presents. Our CEO turned American West into a $1 Billion dollar business - WV is next.

Once again - My timing was perfect!

To learn more how you can 'Make A Living..LIVING' while this real estate market makes it's adjustment, please visit www.newtravelbusiness.com . It's truly one of the best business models I've seen in a long time. In my opinion, this IS the future of the travel industry.

If your real estate commissions never quit coming in during this economic downturn and are ready to book some spectacular vacations to celebrate, please visit www.cruisinchris.com .

Now that my financial situation is improving, I hope to see you on some tropical beach very soon!

-Cruisin Chris (Realtor and LTC)

ATTN: Treasure Coast

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:11:04 -0700

I have a friend in Ft. Pierce who has just bcome an affiliate of WorldVentures. If you are not familiar with WorldVentures, please visit www.newtravelbusiness.com .

My question is: Do any of you happen to know of someone in that area or within 30 miles who is also an affiliate? You may be one of them as there are many real estate agents in the USA who are involved. If you happen to be an associate or know of one, please let me know. I'd like to have my friend team up with them in order to help coordinate marketing presentations.

For the record, my friend is a veteran of the building supplies business in Ft.Pierce/Port St.Lucie area since the mid-80s.

Thanks so much!

Chris Lambos

Nashville/Bellevue Real Estate Market

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:24:25 -0800

Inventory is up but prices remain steady for the most part. This is an excellent time to buy a home for the long-term in Middle Tennessee but especially in my area of Bellevue. There are many fine homes that are 15 years old or less that can be purchased from $95-$116 per square foot.

The Middle Tennesse economy is strong. Healthcare is as famous as our Music Industry. Nissan National Headquarters just located here.

With more people moving to Middle Tennessee than leaving, A few experts are calling for a 6% minimum appreciation in home prices.

New Member

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:12:07 -0800

Hello!

I joined ActiveRain just a few days ago. I'm addicted. Looking forward to taking advantage of all of the features! Any advice is welcomed!

Thanks and have a super 2008!

-Chris

Day 1

Chris Lambos (Poplar Hill Realty) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:19:37 -0800

First day member on active rain. Posted a blog (never done that before). Anyway, glad to be here. Nice to have a 'Realtor Respite'.

-Chris Lambos