TAGGED!  by

     Angelia Garcia

If you haven't checked out Angelia's blog, you should. She's warm, sincere and humorous.

Here are the guidelines:  (As if you don't know by now)

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
6. Tag five people to do the same

[The one book that this cannot be is the Bible]

At the time I received my Tag, I was working on my laptop next to the bookcase. My choice was easy. This time of year, at a time of reflection, Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, is appropriate. It's about Frankl's life in Nazi death camps and his lessons for spiritual survival.

Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.

Page 56, Starting with the Fifth Sentence:  When we new arrivals were counted, one of us was missing. So we had to wait outside in the rain and cold wind until the missing man was found. He was at last discovered in a hut, where he had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Then the roll call was turned into a punishment parade. All through the night and late into the next morning, we had to stand outside, frozen and soaked to the skin after the strain of our long journey; And yet we were all very pleased.

                 Hope. Faith. Joy.  No Matter What.

Since everyone has grown annoyed with being Tagged, I'll spare my round of victims. Is that allowed? 

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

                       H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G S !

This year has been far from Ordinary for me.  Among the Many, many instances that seem to want to "break" my spirits, there were just as many that caused Great Joy.  My New Year's Resolution is to drink more from the Glass of Great Joy and be in a state of Thanksgiving throughout the Year.

If your Glass is always Half Full, the Impossible starts to happen more often.

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

Ever received an Offer or Counteroffer that Ticked you off?

 A Skilled Negotiator never takes it personal.

One of the Greatest Services provided to a Client is the Art of Negotiations.  Being Combative is Rarely Effective. It also runs the risk of having the Seller or Buyer becoming less likely to budge on price and/or terms.

Some Agents believe in order to be a Good Negotiator, they need to be Standoffish, Argumentative or Confrontational. Not True.  If you Wouldn't respond Favorably to it, why Would Anyone Else? 

The main Focus is to protect the Client's Interests.  It's not in their Best Interests when your Personal feelings Dictate your Actions.  Stalling tactics, avoidance, and being a Dope sends the message that your Client doesn't wish to do business.  

How does it benefit the Client by chasing off an interested Party?

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

It's NO Secret that Clients are harder to get to the Closing Table these Days.  So much So that There's Been Much Talk regarding Realtors getting Regular Gigs.  It's a very difficult decision to make if you've been in the business for a while. 

You get used to the Somewhat Flexible schedule and the Mobility. Not to mention the Closings.

What if there was a way to earn Extra Income and Remain in the Business while Filling up your Pipeline? Where you can Apply the Skills you're Already using in your Day-to-Day Operations. Below are a Few Suggestions in hopes to Give a Few People an Alternative to Giving Up Their License.

Concentrate on Renters. The Leasing Inventory has increased Substantially in most areas. Check your Local MLS and you'll Find Homes, Duplexes, Townhomes, Condos, above Garage & Basement Apartments, Lofts, and Office Space for Lease.  It's a great way to obtain referrals. Tenants are found to be more inclined to Provide Leads. Also, look into Apartment Locating.

Property Tax Consultant. You can assist those wanting to Dispute Their Property Tax Assessment. Providing an extremely detailed CMA with photos along with tax records, which you can usually find by researching property rolls at the Tax Assessor's Office, is usually enough. Sometimes attending hearings with your Client is necessary.

Marketing or Advertising Consulting or Free Lance Photography can also make for Excellent Part-Time Income. 

Positions Usually Requiring a Full-Time Commitment:

Real Estate Assistant
- Prepare Market Analysis
- Set up Buyer Appointments
- Take Virtual Tours
- Enter Listings
- Create Marketing Materials
- Hold Open Houses
- Data Entry

Real Estate Office Manager
- Directs and coordinates activities of sales staff
- Screens and hires sales agents
- Conducts training sessions to present and discuss sales techniques
- Confers with agents and clients to resolve problems
- Confer with legal authority in accordance with state laws 

Property Manager
- Collects and processes rents
- Monitors financial statements
- Supervises on-site staff
- Maintains occupancy goals
- Carries out evictions  

Apply the Skills you're already using to Stay in Real Estate.  Each One of these will put you in a Wonderful Position to Drum Up some Business while Holding on to Your License.  Hope this Helps. 

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

Richardson was ranked as the 18th best place to live in the United States by Money magazine. This ranked Richardson the 4th best place to live in Texas behind Round Rock, McKinney and Carrollton. 

Despite declining economies in other parts of the United States, Richardson has had Substantial Increases in its Economy in the past 3 years.  

- Highest concentration of high tech workers

- University of Texas at Dallas - leading the nation in computer science degrees 

- DeVry University & ITT Technical Institute

- Major Employers include: Nortel, Countrywide Financial, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Verizon, AT&T Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Fossil, Samsung, Elcan/Raytheon, Fujitsu, Cisco and so on....

- Richardson has more than 30 parks encompassing 850 acres

- The community enjoys 16 miles of city hike and bike trails

- The cost of living in the DFW Metroplex is significantly lower than most major U.S. metroplitan areas, according to the ACCRA.

Additional Reasons: The People, Jobs, Nightlife, High-Quality Golf Course, The Arts, and Good Food

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

The Best Way to Chase Away a Buyer is To Keep Their Focus  A W A Y  From Your Home.

I contacted a FSBO with a client dying to purchase in the Neighborhood. 

The Tour was Horrible. The home reeked of musty Drapes and age-old soiled carpet. It was too Dark; Had no Comfortable Walking Space.  It was very cluttered with offensive items. Among them were Deer Heads, a Bronzed Panther Statue, fully equipped Gun Cabinet, and live but caged, Iguana and Python. 

The fact that the Home had Gorgeous Recent Updates and was in Excellent Condition meant Nothing.  It was being overshadowed by the many Negative Distractions. And Although the Home boasted of a Wonderful Floorplan, My Buyers had a Very difficult Time trying to imagine it in their own version of Home Sweet Home.  I know, H a r d  to Believe! 

Fortunately, my Buyers' wait wasn't for very long. A Home in the Neighborhood became Available 2 weeks later. I feel the FSBO's Home better suited their needs however, First Impressions Reign Supreme.

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

Today I Received a long awaited call from the last Family Member refusing to leave the Houston area during Hurricane Ike's devastating presence.  Surprisingly, like the rest of my Terribly Unwise Friends and Family choosing to stay, they were perfectly fine. Only mild Discomfort from the Electricity being out a few days and not trusting running water. Even then, they were given access to their fully powered office building.

The People I spoke to that refused to leave all said the same thing, "I didn't know it was going to be this bad." Talk about Adults needing a Spanking or Time-Out or Something.  I guess I can say what I would have done in that Situation, but what it comes down to is actually having to make that decision. 

Most of the People do Regret Remaining in the area.  All except a Feisty Lady in her 80's who refused to leave her home and experienced Heavy Rain and a power outage for 24 hours.   

For an estimated $20 billion worth of property damages, the People I know are extremely lucky or greatly protected.  My Heart goes out to Them and to the Ones dealing with more Severe Challenges. 

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

Recently I've been searching for a Mortgage Broker and haven't found the Open-Arms reception I thought I should have.  Each time I call, it's for a specific home with an interested Homebuyer.  After providing all the details regarding the home and the FICO scores of my Buyer, I then request a GFE (Good Faith Estimate.)

Then the shuffle begins.  I've heard everything from, "I'll get back to you" to "Well, how much are you making in the deal" and everything resembling disgust in between. What I'm not hearing is the reason why an Agent requesting a GFE is Inappropriate or Taboo.

My usual Mortgage Broker has been ill and may be Retiring Soon. I've been spoiled. I revel in the Great Response, Great Communication, Great Loans and Perfect Consistency. There isn't any Question or Explanation I need addressing that isn't received favorably. I only have Good Intentions.

I admit I'm weeding out Predatory Lenders when I request a GFE. I'm not

trying to wear that Hat by any means. I've even been told repeatedly not to

 open that Can of Worms to reduce liability.  However, if I'm Aware my Buyer is

getting a Bad Loan and don't Speak on it, I feel I should be held Responsible.

If the Mortgage Brokers are offended by my Request, perhaps I've saved my Buyers some Heartache. 

I Can Live with that.  

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

Today should be a Day of Gatherings and Rest. Hopefully you get the opportunity to do as little as possible today. If not, don't worry about it, you're not alone. Most people are going to run themselves ragged with Entertaining, Cooking, Cleaning, Yard Work, Errands, and Honey Dos.

Agents Resting? Forget about it. Sellers and Homebuyers' Free Time becomes Agents' Scheduled Time.

*There's Calls from Fellow Agents

*Open Houses

*Going on Listing Appointments

*Lengthy Showings for Out-of-Town Buyers

*Catching up on Paperwork

*Revising Marketing Strategies

And so on and so on



If you are one of the few and laid back to watch a little of the US Open, spent time Reading a Good Book, or ate Heartily in between naps, Here's to YOU!


Either way, whether you decide to make it a Labor Day Holiday or a Day of Labor, Enjoy! 

                                      And Remember

Free Comments and Graphics

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County

GO!  

No Wait.  Writer's block.  From an All Day long Chatty Cathy to.... Umm, Well, Errr.

Eagerly awaiting the "fuel" to shoot off like a rocket, but finding it to be a slow, more time consuming ordeal.

How can this be? At the end of a Typical Day, 5 blogs minimum, should flow effortlessly; And yet Nothing. 

Maybe revising the allotted blogging time from late night to first thing in the morning will help.  That could work if the more creative juices would flow in the morning and a typical day wouldn't start before 6am.  Lunch time? What lunch?! 

Lack of Inspiration? Absolutely not! The benefits of Blogging can be found in numerous Articles, Newsletters, and of course, Blogs. It's taken quite a while (4 years from the first remembrance) to get fired up enough to begin blogging but nevertheless, the inspiration is here.  So what's preventing it now?  Potential ridicule or critique from a lack of originality or eloquence? Not too sure. I'll get back to you on that.  

One thing's for Sure, Everyone is Unique and full of Opinions and have the potential to Contribute SOMETHING to the Land of Blogging.  

Blockage or Hesitation. Ready, Set, and Just GO ALREADY!

Buyers or Sellers, if you or Someone you know, is Thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in Richardson or surrounding areas, give me a Call. Experienced Out-of-the-Box Thinking Realtor with Guaranteed Results.

Richardson, Plano, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Mesquite, Dallas County, Collin County