Larry's Blog

Memories...

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:10:15 -0500

Hi everyone. It has been a while since my last post and I thought I would borrow the office computer for a while to write a story about a memory.

First, yes, I did say borrow the office computer. I am very hard on all of the equipment that I own. I drop my cell phone several times each week and wonder why people on the other end say that my voice keeps fading. I just dropped my lap top at a clients home several nights ago, and wouldn't you know it, it didn't like that so it stopped working. I apologized to it and said that it was an accident, but to no avail. It wouldn't listen to me.

Now, I am faced with having no method of communication, no way to research properties or to see what the competition is doing. But, it is what it is and we all move forward. After all, it will be repaired within one month. Ouch...

So here I am, writing a blog about memories. The reason that I am doing so is because I really was feeling quite sorry for myself with the impending delay in communicating with others because of the fall. But then I began thinking about my grandchild. About how adorable she is and how happy I am to have her as my screen saver on my cell phone. I then remembered, while looking at her photo, that I could attach most of the important sites to my phone and be able to be a part of the real world, despite the loss of the lap top.

Then it hit me. We will get through this life despite ourselves and our opposition to change and to trials. We are in the biggest trial of our Real Estate Lives right now, and to be quite honest, we are going to experience growing pains because of it. Growth in our own attitude towards life. Growth in our ability to cope. Growth in the method of selling and listing homes. And on-and-on it goes. We will grow if we allow our self to.

The choice is ours.

Make it a great day and I'll see you at closing.

Larry Stanul

Anticipation... Hope... Frustration... Disappointment.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:04:36 -0500

Emotions are like the wind, they change regularly and with that change comes attitudes that can sometimes affect the decisions that we make every day. Whether good or bad, our actions and decisions are usually the direct result of the mood that we may be in at any given time.

Have you ever worked with a client who, for whatever the reason, had mood changes that were so baffling that you didn't know how to react? One minute they are happy and filled with anticipation on finding the perfect property only to have that happiness and hope turn into despair and frustration?

I recently had the opportunity to work with a beautiful family in the search for their next home. After several showings of a half a dozen homes or so, the decision was made to write an offer on the home that was most suited for their needs. Now, keep in mind that this couple has lost two other properties by having a home sale contingency on the offer. Not having their home sold, another offer came in on those other homes and forced them to either remove their home sale contingency, or to walk away. Not having the confidence in the sale of their home, they elected to walk away and watch their dream home disappear.

The stage is set, the home that far exceeded the other homes that they lost has been discovered and the offer is made. Their anticipation was evident and we all were very pleased at our discovery. The offer is submitted only to have the listing agent call and state that another offer has been made by another agent who also felt the home was worth the offer. The owner of the property, who happens to be the lending institution, has given each prospect the opportunity to re-visit their offer. The bank informs the listing agent that the highest and/or best offer will be accepted. I immediately call my client to inform them of the situation. I urge them to raise their offer and to even remove their home sale contingency. After conferring with each member of the family, they decide that they really want this home and are determined that they are not going to lose another home. Their offer is increased, the home sale contingency is removed and they even move the closing up by 15 days making the banks carrying costs a little less.

We submit our adjusted offer and wait. And wait... and wait somemore. Thursday turns into Friday. 5 pm comes and goes and still no resolve to the offer. After contacting the listing agent, I find that the bank has to take the offers to a group of bankers to review and decide on one of the two offers. Monday will be the day that the decision is to be made. Or will it?

After contacting my clients, their hope of getting their dream home turned into frustration at not have a resolve before the long weekend ahead. This frustration turned into disappointment in a 15 minute phone call and the happy couple soon turns into strangers who, for reasons of attitude, changed by their emotion into one of anger. They began making comments like, I don't want the home any more. I feel that it is not meant to be. I don't care if they take my offer or not and on and on.

I had all that I could do to assure them that this is normal operating procedure and all good things are worth the wait. I told them that we gave it our best shot given the circumstances and also tried to tell them that I too was disappointed in the delay.

My point here is this. We need to be more than Realtors with many of our clients. We need to be good listeners... good sounding boards for them to bounce off their attitudes and frustrations. In other words, Counselors in their time of challenge. What you say and do in this critical time of the process could make or break any deal.

Are you a good listener?

Larry Stanul

Does Life Get In The Way Of Your Plans???

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:32:39 -0500

The title of this blog is from an award winning song by John Lennon. When you come right down to it, truer words could never be spoken. Life does in fact get in the way of our plans.

Today is a day like any other. I am sure that many of you got out of bed and began your day like every other day in your life. Bathroom stop, think about the days activities, say good morning to family, or in the case of a single person, your pet, or if alone, just meditate on the days coming events. In my case, I am thinking about an offer that I recently wrote and as with many of my offers, another offer on the same home on the same day is presented to the buyer. So I find myself biting my nails wondering if I did a good enough job in convincing my client to offer more than my competitor' client did. Go figure, the market is slow for over a year and homes are sitting for even longer. My client and I find the perfect home and wouldn't you know it, another offer at the very same moment.

That's Life. Frank Sinatra made a song very famous talking about it. Listen to the lyrics of it and you will soon realize that life is full of ups, downs, sideways and maybes. Yes and no, now or later.

How do you react to the set backs of your life?

This blog today is not to educate. Not to advise. Not even to entertain. No, I am writing this today to talk about life and all that it offers all of us.

As in many of my prior blogs, I write of being positive; glass half full; good attitude and the like. I am here to remind all of us to get up each and every day with an attitude of happiness.

I am a movie goer and sometimes quote a great line that some other person wrote for the movie to give it that wow factor. To tug on your emotions and feelings so that you leave the theater with that statement on your mind. In the ending of Tombstone, Val Kilmer, playing the part of Doc Holiday, tells Wyatt Earp, played by Kurt Russell, that there is no normal life. There's just life.

You need to find your happiness in whatever that may be.

Don't let life get in the way of your plans today. Take it one step at a time. Take everything in stride and choose to be happy. I find that when I have a good attitude, I make those around me happy too.

Enjoy life. It's the only one you will ever have. Make the most of it. Happiness cannot be found in gold, riches or success. It is from within.

Have a great day.

Larry Stanul

Hang On To Your Hats...

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:15:58 -0500

I am amazed at the amount of client inquiries that are surfacing of late. The phone doesn't stop ringing and the amount of interested buyers are coming out of the woodwork. I for one am extremely happy about the turn of events from a year ago.

It seems that there are a number of reasons for this increase in buyer activity. I, in my opinion, think the reason cannot be attributed to just one event, but rather to a combination of events. Stimulus??? Perhaps. Low interest rates??? Perhaps. Lower prices on all existing inventory??? Maybe. How about buyer and investor confidence? How about the simple fact that most believe that an asset such as real estate will have value despite economic times? Seems there is more optimism being reported by our news casters of late. There are more people talking up the opportunity that now exists in our country.

Confidence... this, is what I believe to be the reason for the recent surge in activity. Now, don't get me wrong, one month of activity does not set a trend. It is a beginning point however. A start to whatever lies ahead. Our entire financial system is based solely on consumer confidence. Let's help make this confidence happen by our attitude and by what we say and do. Let's take this opportunity and make the best of it. Talk up the benefits of home or investment purchases at this time.

I was watching the Today show yesterday and was pleased to hear what was said by a well-known personality. She said, for those of us who don't have any money after all expenses, try to get out from under your debt load. But, for those of us who have been blessed and have good disposable income, go out and spend some of the money. Take those who are less fortunate than you out to dinner, a movie or whatever. Help our economy. Remember, big begets big. By this I mean your spending habits will help our situation more than you may think. The more money you spend, the more workers hired or not laid off and hence the additional money earned will eventually wind up in our economy by those individuals spending also.

I am not suggesting that we all go and spend foolishly as if there were no tomorrow. Rather, think about what you can and cannot do. Do what you can to help stir this economy. It is catching and there are more and more reports about a recovery looming just around the corner.

I for one, am gearing up for one of my best springs since I began this career 6 years ago. Are you?

Larry Stanul

Lender vs Lender... The Short Sale.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:48:56 -0500

I recently was asked to set up a showing with a lead from RE/MAX Lead Street. Our companies way to distribute inquiries from the Internet. I was pleased to oblige and immediately called the Lister to set up the showing request.

I was somewhat amazed to hear the response from the listing agent. Seems the first mortgage holder has allowed this property to be marketed as a short sale. There is a second mortgage on the property also with a very nominal balance owed. The property has had several offers which, according to the listing agent, are all very good offers considering the circumstances.

I was a little stunned when the the listing agent told me the story of this property. Seems the second mortgage holder will not release their position unless 2/3 of the balance owed be paid with the proceeds of the sale. The first mortgage holder has refused to pay this much out of proceeds and has offered a 7% payout.

Now, neither bank is agreeing to the terms of the other lender and hence, the home will be going into foreclosure within the next several days.

Can you believe this? Nationally, statistics given by Re/Max state that short sales yield the lending bank 70% of their loan proceeds. Foreclosures yield a whopping 40%.

What are they thinking???

Can anyone help me with this behavior? Has this happened to you and is this the norm with a depressed sale condition?

Thanks in advance for your clarification.

Larry Stanul

Sunday, Sunday.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 08:01:15 -0500

Hello and welcome to another Sunday. For those of you who never have open house, this will not mean anything to you. For those of us who once again, feel that the open house is a good way to show your home, here we are.

After a one year sebatical, I am again opening my homes to show the public just what this property looks like. I have changed a number of things with my preparation to show the home however. The first, and probably the most controversial, is the fact that I no longer advertise the property in the local newspaper. This was very difficult for me to do as I used to spend in excess of $30,000.00 annually for newsprint and other printed media. This is a new era and I think the impact of newsprint has outlived its price/value ratio.

Now, internet marketing, opens on local MLS sites, opens on Re/Max.com and other real estate sites is where I place all of my energy. Also, don't forget the placement of the signs. Very critical point and one that may hurt your open if the signs are not placed in the right locations.

My question to all of you is this. How many of you feel like I do about media advertising? How many feel that open house still works, or better yet, is beginning to work once again? Or, am I all alone in this tool of marketing my homes?

I would love some feedback and some help in this matter.

Thanks and have a great Sunday.

Larry Stanul

You Left A Hole In Me...

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:01:14 -0500

I was reading another forum the other day and came across a piece that so moved me that I knew that I needed to post it here for all of us to see... many of us to remember, but most importantly, for us to digest and use in our daily walk of life.

Have you ever worked with someone who, because of life itself has become hard and course? A person who not only made you feel inferior but one who also was demeaning in their tone of voice? I have and it is not a pretty picture. The mood that I was left with after our conversation was one of anger and hurt. Now, I am a big boy and I am supposed to be able to let water run off of my back and move on with life. And to a great degree, I always do. But there was a hole left in me the day or the moment just after the conversation.

We need to remember that whomever we talk to, whatever we say to someone will have a lasting effect on some of us. Maybe a deep hole, maybe a gouge, maybe just a scratch, but a hole none-the-less.

I have been trying to be possitive with most of my posts here because the times that we are in dictate this from me. Not all is lost just because our economy is not doing as well as we may be accustomed to. So, I try to lift the hope and spirit of all of us. I hope that it has worked to at least some of you.

So, here it is... the story that I was talking about. It meant something to me and I sincerely hope that it will move some of you also. Move you to always remember that we are all in this scheme of life together. None of us will ever leave this life alive and we all need to treat others, no matter how inexperienced or inept they are, with respect and with an attitude of our peers, clients, friends and lovers too.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

By Michael Josephson
When I confronted my daughter after she hurt another child with a mean comment, she cried and immediately wanted to apologize. That was a good thing, but I wanted her to know an apology can't always make things better.

I told her the parable of Will, a 9-year-old whose father abandoned his mom two years earlier. Will was angry, and he often lashed out at others with hurtful words. He once told his mom, "I see why Dad left you!"

Unable to cope with his cruel outbursts, she sent him to his grandparents for the summer. His grandfather's strategy to help Will learn self-control was to make him go into the garage and pound a two-inch-long nail into a four-by-four board every time he said a mean thing.

For a small boy, this was a major task, and he couldn't return until the nail was all the way in. After about ten trips to the garage, Will began to be more cautious about his words. Eventually, he even apologized for all the bad things he'd said.

That's when his grandmother stepped in. She told him to bring in the board filled with nails and instructed him to pull them all out. This was even harder than pounding them in, but after a huge struggle, he did it.

His grandmother hugged him and said, "I appreciate your apology, and of course I forgive you because I love you, but I want you to know an apology is like pulling out one of these nails. Look at the board. The holes are still there. The board will never be the same. Your dad put a hole in you, Will, but please don't put holes in other people. You're better than that."

Have a great and productive day.

Good news. I just heard on the Today show that this spring may be the best spring in real estate sales in over three years. That mortgage rates may fall to as low as 4%. Wouldn't that be a blessing for all of us?

Let's not make holes. Let's do this together. Team, Team, Team.

Larry Stanul

Is It Sunny For You?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:02:24 -0500

May the sun always shine in your face and wind always be at your back. May the sun never set on an unhappy event in your life and may it never rain on your parade.

Wouldn't this be a wonderful way to live our lives? Always sunny weather. Never any hardship or stife.

I know I would love it. Or would I? Would I then never appreciate the good times? Would they become so mundane that they would be second nature to me and go unnoticed?

I remember several years back, while visiting a very good friend of mine. She and her husband lived in Sarasota, FL. And on an island no less. Wonderful memories of our visits with them. Any way, my wife and I were jogging one beautiful winter morning. The reason that I mention winter is for those who have not visited Florida in the Winter, you don't know what you are missing. Warm, dry, sunny weather. Love it.

Anyway, back to the rest of the story. We were passing an old man and as is our MO we always say good morning to everyone we meet. He looked at us and didn't say a word. We said a few more words to him. They were, "isn't this a beautiful place? The ocean here to our left, the causeway here to our right. Beautiful sunshine above. What could be better?" His response was somewhat surprising. He said to us, "That ocean looks no more like water to me than a plowed farmers field in fall. I see it everyday and I am so used to it that I don't notice it anymore."

How sad. Living in paradise and he thinks it's not better than a farmers plowed field.

This story has so many valuable lessons for me and if you think about the story, for you as well.

For those of us who have been in the Real Estate Profession for many years, you have experienced the sun shine. You have experienced the good times. Now, times, they are a changin. We need to change with them. But, I promise each and everyone of you who make the commitment to change with our times, that the sun will shine again. That the wind will once again be at your back and that the rain will never fall upon your face. And I promise, you will appreciate those times much more than in the past.

We all need reality to set in from time to time. This is that reality check.

Take care and A HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU.

Larry Stanul

The Media and Panic

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:12:29 -0500

As I sit here watching "Meet The Press" this Sunday morning, I am amazed at some of the comments and verbiage that is being used in this economic crisis. There are words such as: Crash, Panic, Hysteria, Fear, Trepidation and many more that are causing to some degree, the current lack of confidence in our economic system.

I have felt for many years now, our news media, as good and necessary as they are, have over the years Created the News rather than Reported the News. And there is a difference.

It reminds me of a story that goes something like this. And please forgive me to any of you who really know the entire story if I get some of it wrong.

An older man who was blind had a hot dog stand that he owned. He had been in business for many years and while he never got rich, he was able to support his family in a modest fashion. As the years passed, he continued to sell his hot dogs and never once raised his prices. He sold and sold and sold his hot dogs. People loved his product for a variety of reasons but one of them was because he had a good dog for a very fair price.

Now, one day his son came home from college and was a very learned man. He was educated and being young, believed many of the articles that were being written in newsprint and other forms of media. One of the articles that he read and believed was a basic principle of economics. Every product has a price point and in order to make more money, you need to either sell more product, or increase your price, or both.

He told his dad that he needed to increase his prices so that he could begin to enjoy a better quality of life. After all, higher prices equate to more profit and more money for you dad. Now remember, dad was blind and couldn't read the newspapers and therefore never new about such things as price point marketing and P & L statements. All he new is that he made and sold Hot dogs and paid his bills.

He, being a good and loyal father, dedicated to his family, began to listen to his educated son and believed that his son knew what he was saying. He raised his prices. Now, after increasing prices, sales were the same for several weeks but then gradually began to fall. He asked his son what to do as now his daily income was falling a little. The son said, dad, your profit margin is not what it should be, you need to once again raise your prices. Dad listened to his son again and raised his price one more time. This time, the amount of hot dogs sold dropped dramatically and many of his daily customers found another hot dog stand and began buying from a variety of other vendors.

Soon, the old man had to close his stand as he didn't have enough money to pay his daily rent for his vendor station.

He made one major mistake. He listened to his educated son, who had all of the good intentions to help his father, but lacked the common sense to let a sleeping dog lie. The father, as long as he ran his own business, doing well enough to support his family for years, began to listen to another, panic and finally fail.

Sound familiar?

We all need to go about our business daily as if we know how to generate business and maintain our client base. Report optimistic news about the opportunity that exists right now. And never portray the panic that is being reported on all of our news media at this time.

Turn off your TV's ... don't listen to all of the reports about a looming crash...

Do you want to be a part of the solution, or a part of the problem? The choice is yours.

Larry Stanul

The Jitters... Do you have them?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:33:39 -0600

With the ever increasing trauma in the financial world, there are more and more individuals who are beginning to panic. They are pulling their money our of the market with standing orders to sell all of their stocks. At least this is what national headline news is saying.

It is true that there is more concern and panic in our economy than we have had in a long while. Another announcement is that GM may be filing for bankruptcy. Just heard it 5 minutes ago.

I have always been a very staunch supporter of the free economic system. Supply and demand economics will always work themselves out and will insure a balance of price, quantity and quality. Well, that was the plan. Seems that over the past several decades, we have tried to manually adjust some of the key areas of this supply and demand equation.

Now, I am not an economist and am not trying to stir emotions to the point of boiling. I am only reporting what I am hearing so that I may better understand just what is happening.

With all of the scare in the stock market, doesn't it make perfect sense for anyone you talk to to once again look toward real estate as a safe, long term way to save money. Granted, the real estate value has eroded along with stock prices. Or have they?

When companies like GM announce they may file for bankruptcy, what does that do to the piece of paper that has your name on it and reads, One Thousand Shares of General Motors Corporation. Par Value, $25.00? If you said that it is worth the paper it was written on, you are right.

Now, take that home that was purchased in any town USA. Your property is tangible. It is real and yes, the value has been on the decline. But, it still has a value. If you are not forced to sell due to other financial hardships, that real estate will have value today and in the future. It is a safe investment. We got ourselves into a real jam with the greed and availability of home ownership, just as with other avenues of investment. But with real estate, there will always be a value. Something.

I know that for a long time, we allowed ourselves to be lulled into thinking that real estate will always be worth more tomorrow than today. We now see that this may not always be the case. We call this decline in values a Market Correction. Just as in stock market terms.

Market correction can be a good thing. I know that it is hurting many people who have become overextended due a variety of reasons. Always remember however, that we all need a place to live. Our home will always have value.

This market has allowed many of us to once again re-connect with our clients, peers and circle of friends and family. Not as a social gathering alone, but as a time to help, counsel and offer suggestions for a solid plan to get past this time of trial.

If you take the time to help those around you in the area of expertise that you all possess, you will yield rewards that are not measured in currency alone.

A piece of mind that we did our share to help get through this time of trepidation.

Good luck.

Larry Stanul

Tax Credit... Not Tax Loan.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:56:12 -0600

$8000.00 Federal tax credit. If you only owe $2000.00 in taxes at the end of this (2008) and buy a home after Jan. of 2009, you will be eligible for the tax credit of $8000.00 in the form of a Government check , a reduction of the amount of income taxes that you owe, or a combination of the two. Do we all really understand this? I suggest that you get on the computer and do as much research on this topic that you can.

Home prices are at a low point in our economic cycle of ups and downs. Do you know what this means? You will never be able to time the market perfectly by design, but right now is an absolutely perfect time to buy that next home.

Now, $8000.00 TAX CREDIT + LOWEST HOME PRICES IN OUR ECONOMIC CYCLE, adds up to the WOW!!! factor. The same WOW factor that you will see in the face of a home buyer when they find their dream home.

What are you waiting for? Why haven't you called everyone that you know? Everyone in your circle of clients, friends and family? Call your bank and ask for a buyer information seminar. You co-lead the program. Offer refreshments. Don't offer refreshments. BUT, DOIT.

After a long career in finance, I KNOW that many, many people may have heard about this but really haven't let it sink in. Or, they just don't understand it.

This is the biggest thing to happen to our profession in a very long time.

Get the word out... Today.

Good luck to all of us.

See you at the closing.

Larry Stanul

A good day... A bad day.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:52:11 -0600

Did you ever have one of those days when everything went your way and whoever you talked to or interacted with was positive? Didn't that make you feel great? If you are like I am, you probably became happier and in turn treated everyone around you differently. You were more enthusiastic, joyfull and probably filled with anticipation.

Happiness is contagious. It sinks into our very being and the result of this is the feeling you give others.

Just think if everyone around us were happy most of the time. Just think of how we would feel and how we would then make all of those people who we come in contact with the same. Happy.

Every day starts with an attitude. You wake up each and every morning and when you do, you have a choice to make. A choice to be happy today, or a choice to just go about our business without any thought about how we feel. We are now open to the attitude and mood of those around us.

It reminds me of a story that I have heard many years ago. You may have heard the same story, but it has so much merit that it deserves to be heard again.

A little boy once fell into a large bin of horse manure. He was covered from head to toe with the horse increment and was heard making a lot of noise by all of those around the barn. He was not crying however. No, instead he was singing and whistling his head off. When some bystanders came over to see what the commotion was all about, they saw the boy in the pit of manure singing and whistling away. They immediately asked him, "Hey, you there in the pit of horse manure. Why are you so happy? You're covered in horse crap?" The boy looked up at them and said. "With this much horse manure everywhere, I know there is a pony in here somewhere." He took a bad situation and turned it into an opportunity and an adventure.

Now, we know that we won't fall into a pile of horse manure in our lifetime. At least I hope we don't. But, we do have our trials and setbacks. They occur when we least expect them. How do you react to them? With determination to get past it, or, with anger, sadness and defeat? Because, after all, it is what it is. How do you get through the day?

An employer that I once had worked for said it like this. "When you are not happy, it is usually because of your attitude. So, the way to happiness is very simple. Change your attitude or change your life."

Take everyday and live it as if it were your last. Treat everyone around you with respect and be happy at all times. No matter the mood that you are in. I promise you, your attitude will rub off on those around you and in turn they too will be happy.

This real estate market is making many of us unhappy. No sales means no commission income. But it is a time to re-group. A time to learn about our profession. A time to educate ourselves to become better agents when the market returns. And it will return!!! Let's make the most of every day. I choose to be happy. Why don't you too.

What's your attitude today?

Larry Stanul

The Extra Mile

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:13:14 -0600

I have only been selling real estate for a little over six years now. One might say that timing is everything and that my timing sucks. LOL. I got into a new career that has been on the decline ever since I entered this profession. I never experienced any of the boom years that so many of you have had the pleasure of seeing and hope that before too long that I will see and enjoy the times that I know are ahead.

I work with every client, prospect or inquiry as if they are going to buy their next home from me, or, that they will be realistic when I propose the market price for their home when they sign the listing contract. I go the extra mile and give them the service that they expect. I explain more than required about market conditions, about competition, about interest rates and how the current economy will affect the purchase or sale of their home. I am sure many of you do this too. It's just good business.

However, I also am a resource of knowledge that many of us possess. I work with those who may be transferred to my market and are not looking to buy but are looking to rent. For a year perhaps, maybe less time or maybe more. None-the-less, I go the extra mile to search for a rental property for them. I know that if I do my job and do it well that I have a better than a 50-50 chance of getting the nod when and if they decide to stay in my market and purchase their home.

An example of this has just happened recently. I sold a beautiful home for a Dr. about 2 and 1/2 years ago. However, I have been in touch with them ever since. I send them information about the economy, about the lake that they are building on, about real estate in general. Yesterday, the phone rings. He calls to hire my services for an investment property costing up to two million dollars. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from him, but was prepared for his call because I expected his loyalty to me, his Realtor. I became intertwined in his world and never let him forget who I was. I always treated him as if he were my only client. Going the Extra Mile...

Dividends can be defined in several ways. My persistence and friendship has now yielded a large dividend to me. If I succeed in finding the right investment for him and his partners, I will be rewarded generously.

The point I am trying to make here is that I did not treat him any more special than I treat all of my customers.

I keep in touch with each and every past client that I have been involved with. Some come back and secure my advice and service one, two or more times. Others, I may never hear from. But in every instance, I make them feel special. I want them to know that they can call on me for anything at any time. I still have past clients from my banking days calling me to inquire about the current financial situation. These clients will know who to call when they need their next home or business. More importantly, they will refer me to their peers and friends.

Dividends? Yes! Big Dividends.

So, if you need a tip today about how to get it done, remember to treat everyone as if they were your only client. Make them feel like the special person that they really are. After all, without your customer, you would be hard pressed to make a living. They are the reason we are here.

Larry Stanul

Team, Team, Team... No one player any more important than the other.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:16:58 -0600

How many of us really are team players? Do you feel that you are the reason that you are a success? Do you really think that the company that you are affiliated with would not do as well if you were not a part of their team?

There are only a handful of us that can really say that we are a one person operation. Most of us need to rely on the talents and support of others. This is called a team. Your team consists of a variety of people. Your co-agents. your operations staff in your brokerage. The secretarial staff at the office. The receptionist. Don't forget your lender, your title company, your appraiser, home inspector. What about the client? The buyer or seller? These are just a few of your team members.

What about your family? Your significant other? Your children if you have them? They are a part of your team also.

If you think for one minute that your success is a result of you doing it alone, you are way off base.

On the other side of the coin, if you are not successful and are looking to blame your significant other, your co-agents, your operations staff or someone other than yourself, you are also wrong. The team lost and there is a reason. It is now time to regroup and see just what whent wrong. But we all lost, as a team.

We will win or we will lose in all areas of life but we will always win or lose as a team. Not one player more important than the other.

Let's all look closely who are team is made up of. Who are they. Identify each and every one of them and always remember, that we need to work as a team at all times.

I know that when you take an attitude that your team is unified, you will be a success in whatever you try to accomplish. Whether in real estate or in family life or in social settings. Teams are all around us.

Who is on your team?

Larry Stanul

It's Saturday. Do you know where your customers are?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:11:48 -0600

The weekend is upon us and here we are. Spending that much needed time relaxing, watching TV, wasting away the hours until that dreaded day, Monday once again passes through our life.

Is this how you feel? Do you wish the weekend would never end? Then, my friend, you are in a career that needs to be changed.

Everyone of us is hopeful that the economy will take a turn for the better sometime during 2009. It may and then again, it may not. What are you going to do in the meantime?

In a prior career, I found that my days were spent doing what I loved. The time just seemed to fly by and I never had enough hours in the day to accomplish what I wanted to. Real Estate is like my other career. Time is never enough, even with the depressed, oops, wrong word, slow economy I find myself finding something to do to try to establish myself as a true professional and find more and more clients. I am building, building and building some more. To the point that I may not have enough hours in the day once this market picks up. What a problem to have. I only hope that I am able to put my body in 1st gear and punch the accelerator hard enough to get off the line with my customers demands.

I am saying this because many of us right now, while you are reading this, are probably asking yourself why you are in this career. You are trying to assess your life to determine if the wait is worth the reward. All I can say for you is that you need Passion for this work. You need Passion for any career that you choose. If you don't have it, then it is just a job. Waiting for the time you can take that vacation, or spend it watching TV.

Think about your life right now. Are you Passionate about your work as a Realtor? If you are not, try to establish that Passion once again. If you can't get it back, then it is time to move on.

Once this market turns, be ready. Be ready for a surge large enough to swallow you. Think possitively and be an optimist. Think big.

The reward will be amazing.

Larry Stanul

These Shoes are made for Walking.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:24:26 -0600

Shoes... how do yours look? Are they new, old, stylish? Tennis shoes, walking shoes, heels, flats, loafers or whatever? Do they shine or are they dull, dirty, muddy, scuffed?

Now, I am the first to know that the economy is difficult today and that many of us do not have the money to purchase new items of clothing, such as shoes. This is a given. BUT, have you ever looked closely at people who you admire? People who you may respect because of their success in the profession or occupation that they have chosen to be involved in? Take a look at their dress. Neat, clean, pressed and matching. And all of it is topped off with the correct pair of shoes.

The single most important thing we can do in our business is to dress as if we are truly a professional. Dress for success.

Years ago, our bank holding company actually hired a professional "Dress for Success" consultant. They came into our staff meetings on a quarterly schedule and instructed us on the correct, professional attire that insures our success. Now, many of us are saying to ourselves, but business attire today is casual. How casual is it, really? Tennis shoes? Dirty, loose fitting jeans and loafers? I don't think so.

The single most item of dress that is most noticable is your shoes.

SHINE THEM. Take pride in how you look. You may not sell more real estate by a clean, shined pair of shoes, but I would venture to say, that your client will look at you with more respect and feel that you are truly a professional. This will give them more confidence in you and also will give them a piece of mind that they have the best available agent working with them. In turn, they will refer you to their peers and friends and family when asked about buying or selling a home or business.

This is not a command. It is not a proven method of doing business. But I do know, when you look professional, you will act professional. Ask anyone in uniform.

It will even make you feel good about yourself.

Look good, feel good. They go hand-in-hand.

Try it.

Larry Stanul

What is the Temperature in your town?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:04:25 -0600

There are a number of situations that are causing quite a stir in the real estate profession of late. There are also the same number of situations that are affecting the auto industry. Now, we cannot afford to listen to what is being said about the slow down in sales, the lack of bank financing, the mood of the buyer, the persistence of our sellers wanting more for their home than it is worth.

No... we need to do business as usual. We need to understand that all markets are not affected the same. Some of us have experienced the best year in your history of selling real estate. Yes, in 2008. Why? What did you do right? Were you just lucky? I don't think so.

People tend to listen to others even if the news is bad. How many of us have changed our way of doing business because of the reports that are broadcast every day? Sometimes, the news reports are changed several times during the day and most of the time the new report is worse than the one before.

Listen to them? Yes, of course. You would be a fool to ignore market conditions. But, fear the outcome because of what you hear? No... never.

My Broker, Bill Stas, told me on more than one occasion that he got into real estate at a time the market was tanking. Not as severely as this, I suspect, but wasn't good just the same. Remember the 22.5% prime interest rate of the 80's? Homes didn't sell then either.

Bill told me the story of when he began his career and how real estate was in a recession. He tells me his story not because he is trying to scare me but to let me know that during his first year in this profession, he exceeded all expectations of his company and that he was one of their most successful agents. He received awards, sold many homes and listed more than a first year Realtor would normally do. Why???

He didn't know the market was bad and went about his business the best he knew how. He persisted in doing what he was told to do to get listings, to work with buyers. But he didn't let market conditions affect his performance because he didn't know that the market was bad. Bad as compared to what? Last year? He didn't have a last year.

We all need to move on with what we do best. Secure buyers... many of them. Help sellers, yours and others too. FSBO's are on the decline. This market allows us to really shine in the eyes of our clients. We are the professional. We know what sells homes. We are educated in areas of financing and what can and cannot be done today. As a matter of fact, we are more equipped and prepared than ever before. We have technology and information at our fingertips. We can qualify our buyers and we can really prepare our sellers for the reality that exists in the market today.

What is the temperature in your town? Is it 30 below or is it 80 above? It really doesn't matter. After writing blogs on AR for a bit, I read the responses to find that many agents out there have had an absolutely stellar year last year. Did they let the market sway them to put their head in the sand? I think not.

Let's make 2009 a year to remember. Business as usual? I think not. But business to be had? An astounding yes.

Good luck and I'll see you at the closing.

Larry Stanul

Condo's... what happened?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:37:31 -0600

I live in the Mid-west and am located in Waukesha county. Waukesha county has been blessed with numerous lakes and just as many golf courses. It would make one think that the life-style would warrant one to consider a condominium home which would allow more free time for the recreation that is so prevalent in this area.

Why then, has the condo market seemed to have dried up? More and more associations are becoming insolvent and many of the new condo projects are being turned back to the bank. Now, the sales of these homes is subject to bank approval while prices are dropping to critically low numbers in certain areas.

Does anyone see a recovery in this market? If so, when do you feel this may take place?

How do you feel about this style of living altogether? I know that certain parts of the country require this style of living due to restraints on land availability. But, I am concerned that we may have seen the best of times with this method of home ownership. Maybe for a while, maybe for a long while.

Larry Stanul

Technology... Photography... Computers and PDA Cell Phones.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:35:15 -0600

Look at all of the technology available to us today. Never before have we been able to reach so many so quickly. Just at the touch of a finger we can connect to anyone, anywhere.

I have been reading some of the responses to my most recent blog and one in particular caught my attention. Enough to write a few lines about what they had to say.

"Post as many photos on your listings as you can." What words of wisdom. Buyers are finding a lot of our inventory and the inventory of other Realtors on line. Without the help of an agent. How do your listings look? Are they wordy with all kinds of descriptive statements such as, "Elegant, Park-Like Setting". "Nestled in a Forest of Evergreens" Why not show them the park-like setting? Why not show them the private back yard filled with evergreens? It may sound easy to simply take photographs and then post them on our property listing because it is easy to do. I can't think of an easier way to show what we are selling than by posting photographs.

Now, there are photographs and then there are photographs.

Did you ever research properties for a prospect only to have the photos that are posted in the listing too dark? Too small? Not enough of the room displayed?

A wonderful friend of mine, Linda Hanson with Keller-Williams, really was a wonderful inspiration for me. She taught me how to take pictures. Now, I must tell you that giving someone the credit for teaching me how to take photographs is a feat in and of itself. You see, I am a professional Photographer and have been for the better part of 30 years. But my area of expertise is in landscape and wildlife portraiture. I take wedding photos, anniversary celebrations. Valentines day church receptions. Not pictures of homes and rooms. There is a right way and a wrong way to photograph a property.

Make this home you are trying to sell come alive. Make the room look big, make it look brite. Give the home exterior that look of having curb appeal. It's easy if you try.

Do virtual tours whenever possible. We at Re/Max are blessed with a company that provides tools such as The Re/Max Design Center. The Design Center has thousands of virtual tours and brochures and flyers and thank you cards and on and on. I use them. I have been told by my customers and clients that they were very impressed with my sales tools. They then would compare me with another agent that just presented the customer with an MLS data sheet and nothing more.

Now we all know that homes sell for a variety of reasons and not just because you take great photos of it. But, the real benefit here is the customer who thinks we are so much more professional than the other person. This is what I call, customer satisfaction. Do you think that my customer is going to tell others about my ability? Do you think that they may take this flyer or brochure to their office or place of employment and show it off to their peers? By the way, I couldn't get cheaper marketing if I tried.

The other items I mentioned on my title to this blog are all important. I think the introduction of the PDA Cell phone is perhaps the greatest piece of equipment any of us can possess. That is, if you know when to put it away. At such times as a family vacation and the time you spend with your significant other or other clients. LOL

So, let's take the extra time to take another 10, 15 or even 20 photos. Let's be creative in our photography. If you need help, simply look at some real estate magazines. See just what catches your eye and emulate this type of shot on the property you are listing. I guaranty that you will reap big dividends.

Larry Stanul

Fewer Agents... More Business.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:43:34 -0600

We recently had a staff meeting in our office and were given the statistics from RE/MAX regarding the staggering number of real estate agents that have thrown in the towel. While I feel bad for these individuals who couldn't or just didn't want to continue in real estate, I look at the opportunity that this is presenting to those of us who, for whatever reason, will continue to move ahead with their career.

Opportunity is all around us. Working smarter and not harder is where all of us should be going. This is true in any profession at this time. Everything is changing and I think is changing for a very long time. Maybe forever. Nothing we did before can be looked at as what we should do today. Nothing. Clients are extremely knowledgeable today and know what they want in many cases. We need to listen to them when we are fortunate enough to have a prospective buyer. We need to once again, look like the professionals that we should be. Dress for success. Look the part of someone who knows what they are doing.

Granted, certain markets are tolerant of certain styles of dress. Jeans, boots and the like. But other markets require a well dressed agent presenting themself professionally at all times.

Learn to read the buyer. Find out who the decision maker is within the family. Try to determine their personality type as this will help you to really understand what they want from you.

Most importantly, answer you phone. Or, if not available, call them back within an hour or so whenever possible. Nothing worse than someone never answering their phone. I was given a referral from an Illinois Realtor last week. When I answered my phone and discussed the prospect with her, I asked how she found me. She replied, "I am a Re/Max agent and looked on line. But after 18 phone calls within your market, you were the first one to answer their phone." What a statement... Isn't the call important? It should be.

Let's all reexamine our performance. Look at ourselves from the eyes of a client. Remember, you may have done this job for years, but for that client who is looking to you for guidence and comfort, it may be the first time they are going through this process. Don't you feel good when your Doctor tells you everything in language that you can understand. Is there for you when you call. Think about it.

Larry Stanul

Helping others in a time of their need.

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:31:46 -0600

I am happy to say that because of my two children, I have enjoyed the company of two of the most wonderful animals anyone could ever want. Benie and Shasta. Benie, who has gone to doggy heaven, was a beautiful Hybrid. Part Wolf and Part German Shepherd. She was a real joy and gave my son and our entire family, 14 years of love, courage, dedication and joy. A perfect dog for a young man. Shasta, a 13 year old Yellow Lab, is the sweetest dog anyone could want. Loves you to death and is loved by all around her. Anyone who has ever met her has always commented on her happiness. Shasta, like Benie was for our son, was the perfect companion for our daughter. Compassionate... always there to cry on when your life is in sorrow.

The story of the two dogs takes a bit to explain, but in an abbreviated version of the story, it goes something like this. My son, who was going through some tough times with his marriage, decided to move to South America for a while. Just to get his thoughts back on track. His beautiful companion of over 11 years, Benie, was too old to make the trip. Also, he left in June and that being summer here in the United States, eliminated Benie from even getting on the plane. So, we as good parents said to our son, Steve, we will take Benie for you and when you come home, she will be yours once again.

My daughter, who was in and out of relationships, felt that her life was not being fulfilled due to her having a pet for 9 years. Not just any 9 years, but the 9 years right out of high school. She attended college, she had boyfriends and basically, had the life of leisure for many of those years. But... due to having her wonder dog, Shasta, she felt that she was held back from really experiencing the life of a college girl. So, when Steve asked us to take Benie, Michelle also requested us to take Shasta too. We agreed as we couldn't have gotten better pets if we had raised them ourselves.

Now, keep in mind that both of these dogs were living the dog life. Hiking, camping, boating, mountain climbing and on-and-on it goes. They were having a real dogs life. But, their age was gaining on them and they weren't the animals they used to be. So, when our children asked us to take them to Camp Med, we agreed with open arms.

Let me say that the past four years have been the best four years anyone could ever have experienced. We had our children back. Both dogs had taken the personality of their masters. Steve's dog was loyal, funny, happy and very adventurous. Michelle's was happy, loyal also, but very kind and loving. Wanted only to please and to be touched all of the time. She always had her face next to your leg.

The most difficult thing I ever had to do was to put Benie to sleep. My son had returned to America and came to our home. He once again met his loyal friend, Benie. Benie however had changed. She was deaf. She was losing her eye sight. She couldn't get up once she laid down without the help of one of us picking up her rear legs and holding her steady for a minute or so. In short, she was becoming an invalid and needed help at all times. Her dignity was also being compromised for our satisfaction of not having to say goodbye. In all of this, she was always a lady and never messed the home. Never.

So, one sunny day, two years after he gave her to us, we gave her to God. She was alert and happy. She died as peacefully as she lived. Always a lady. We miss her terribly, but realized that our selfishness to not lose her was the only reason we kept her alive.

Enough of this moment and on to the reason that I am writing this.

There are more dogs and cats and other animals being turned over to Animal Shelters than ever before. Their owners, for a variety of reasons, can no longer afford to keep them. I beg all of you in this wonderful business we call Real Estate, to remind your clients of this dilemma. Maybe, just maybe, one or more of them will take your lead and when they purchase their next home, they will fill this home with love, fur and happiness.

There is no greater gift than a friend. And there has never been a greater friend than mans' best friend.

Larry Stanul

Business ... As Usual?

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:38:21 -0600

Newspaper advertising seems to be passe these days. Very few people are showing up at open house lately. Market is continuing to fall, maybe not freely, but fall none-the-less.

What is this all about? Are we doing something wrong or are we just victims of our economy? I think both.

I have been in this profession known as Real Estate for a little over six years. I don't have the experience that many of you do when it comes to slow times in this business. Many of you have already experienced times similar to these and are adjusting the best you know how. Is it working?

I have always believed that hard times create opportunity. They open doors that were not there before. Our paradigm needs to change however and we need to think out of the box in order for our business to work once again. If we do things like we always did before, good luck. Now I do know that there are certain markets that are still growing. At least that is what I read daily on the internet news. But for most of us, times are tough. They are poor at best and we need to scramble to get that home or building sold.

Remember when listings were the name of the game? I think Buyers are who we need today. We need to find that special person or persons who have financing in their pocket, have their home sold or don't own a home. Are being transfered here from another part of our world and are your captive for the duration of the home buying experience.

Where do we find these people? Do they exist?

I recently read the statistics in my market on agents and their sales for all of 2008. I was shocked to learn that many of the top producers in this business, had very hard times in 2008. What happened to their proven method of securing deals? It changed.

I don't have the magic answer for you but I am here to say that for each and every one of us who have experienced a traumatic year last year, that there is hope and that there is business to be had. We need to find it. We need to change how we do business. We need to BLOG... Post on Forums... Create Web Sites that are seen... get involved in community affairs once again... tell people about this economy by holding seminars with your local lender. There is so much that can be done to educate our buyer.

Wealth is created in tough and hard times just like we are in today. It always has been. Prosperous times will create wealth also, but at a pace that is equal to our inflation rate at that time. But real wealth, asset management and growth are usually gained in times like this. Let's tell the clients in our markets about this fabulous opportunity.

It's easier than you think.

Good luck to all of us this 2009, the year of change, opportunity and growth.

Larry Stanul

How to prepare for the upcoming surge in real estate sales

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:49:59 -0600

Hello all. Yes, I am a firm believer that the new year will create multiple opportunities in this business known as Real Estate. We have seen the worst, I believe, and are ready for the surge of sales in the coming months.

There are many reasons for this but the two that are most obvious are pent up demand and monumentally low interest rates that are about to surface next year. The talk from the banking community is that a 4 to 4.5% interest rate scenario for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage are likely. This coupled with the lowest home prices in decades will stimulate sales in just about every market.

One more factor is the loss of multiple thousands of agents during the past 18 months.

You can do the math... low rates, low home prices, less agents to sell the same inventory all add up to a phenomenal year ahead.

Get ready by planning for the surge. Have a goal, get a mentor, become coached, yes I said become coached. I live in Wisconsin and we are very spoiled about our quarterback situation here in our state. We have been blessed to have Brett Favre for 16 years. THe best in the league, ever. He too is coached. Every game there is someone who coaches him, the most successful quarterback in the history of the game. You too need coaching. If you think that you don't, then you are looking ahead for a falling short of where you should be or where you think you should be.

Let's all have fun.

Good luck in 2009

Larry Stanul

1343 E Wisconsin Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:01:08 -0500

This business mall has outstanding visibility and great traffic. Only 3.5 miles from I-94. Building is zoned B-5 and would allow almost every type of wholesale and retail facility. Only exclusions are heavy manufacturing. 7 parking slots guaranteed with numerous other parking available. Units are 2500, 3750 and 5000 SF. Can be leased at 5-9 per foot or purchased at $90.00 per foot.

Can I help you buy or sell a building? Please call me with any of your commercial real estate needs.

Sincerely,

Larry Stanul

RE/MAX Realty Center

262-751-1386 www.activerain.com/larrystanul www.localism.com Then Wisconsin, Then Waukesha County, e-mail: larrystanul@remax.net www.larrystanul.com

W228 S6954 Enterprise Drive, Big Bend, WI 53103

Larry Stanul (RE/MAX Realty Center) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:38:15 -0500

This prime commercial 2427 SF unit is perfect for your business. Propery has one bay and one dock entry from the rear and has 625 SF of office space buidout. Office consist of 2 separate offices, one showroom and one unisex restroom. The property is only one mile from I-43 and is an outstanding buy at $229,900.00

If I can help or assist you in any of your commercial real estate needs, please feel free to call on me.

Let my experience work for you and it will show! You have my word on it.

262-751-1386 DIRECT www.activerain.com/larrystanul www.localism.com/larrystanul then Wisconsin, then Waukesha County www.larrystanul.com e-mail: larrystanul@remax.net