Gary Woltal's Blog

The Idea Of Leader Not Manager For The REALTOR

2012-02-12T14:02:49Z

For those who really get it as real estate agents they THRIVE as the ringmaster of events. It is

The Idea Of Leader Not Manager For The REALTOR

We do not "manage" a transaction. We LEAD it. Leadership is too often underrated but VERY important in getting to the end goal, the closing table. We coordinate EVERYONE. People FOLLOW us, come to us as the CENTRAL RESOURCE that sees everything. We are the mouthpiece to talk to everyone. Find agents that LEAD others and are confident with that skill set.

GREAT agents LEAD!!

Mature Is A Code Word For What?

2012-02-11T16:59:24Z

I had a conversation with a client the other day about 55 and older or 35 years old and older ACTIVE ADULT communities. We discussed them as for "Mature" adults. So,

Mature Is A Code Word For What?

Most would say older people, but I disagree. I know MANY quite mature individuals at age 15, 20 or 25.

Mature to me means SMART.

People who have some wisdom, common sense, and learned their lessons in life from their mistakes. They respect people, do not hurt people, are not offensive, are loving, and ABOVE ALL ARE CARING.

People like the singer MIA at the Super Bowl flipping off the crowd may be talented and have good songs and perform BUT NOT BE MATURE. People who act as IDIOTS are not mature.

We all can have an idiot phase to our life, but it wears on you over time and IS NOT FUNNY ANYMORE.

Be mature in life as soon as you can. Intelligent, not vulgar or offensive, or crass or filthy. Your audience will be 100 times wider and deeper than the juveniles idiots attract.

One can grow older in life, YET not grow up. Let that NOT BE YOU!!! BE SMART!!

How Do You Know Your Goal Is Big Enough?

2012-02-10T17:53:17Z

Have you ever thought

How Do You Know Your Goal Is Big Enough?

Simple or easy goals while better than NO planning are really not worth it for you to grow. The key in a 'BODACIOUS' goal is it is not going to be easy. John Kennedy in setting the vision to go to the moon said we are going there not cause it was easy but cause it was HARD. Try new things you never have done before.

It is BIG if you constantly MISS it as you keep working on getting there. THEN you will know it is a BIGGIE. And so worth it when you have footprints on the moon.

The 16 Types Of People On Social Media

2012-02-10T10:34:54Z

I have concluded with the modern day social media venues of blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the like, most of it is lame. Not entirely useless but much of it is akin to water cooler chat in the old time offices and that is where in your mind you just have to feel you spent "enough" time with it during your day, then move on to your "real life." What helps me smile about it is categorizing the commenters, and tweeters, and responders with what I found as

The 16 Types Of People On Social Media.

A really cool psychological behavioral model of either yourself or your "friends" or "followers." Well, at least it humors ME. LOL.

The "Lurker" - Never posts anything or comments on your post, but reads everything...
The "Hyena" - Doesn't ever really say anything, just LOLs and LMAOs at everything.
"Mr/Ms Popular" - Has 4367 friends for NO reason
The "Gamer" - Plays Words With Friends, Mafia Wars, Bakes virtual cakes and stuff, etc., ALL DAY.
The "Prophet" - Every post makes reference to God.
The "Thief" - Steals status updates...good ideas, blog posts, photos, and will probably steal this one.
The "Cynic" - Hates their life, and everything in it, as evidenced by the somber tone in ALL of their status updates.
The "Collector" - Never posts anything either, but joins every group and becomes fans of the most random stuff.
The "Promoter" - Always sends event invitations to things that you ultimately delete or ignore.
The "Liker" - Never actually says anything, but always clicks the "like" button.
The "Hater" - Every post revolves around someone hating them, and they swear people are trying to ruin their life.
The "Anti-Proofreader" - This person would benefit greatly from Spellcheck, and sometimes you feel bad for them because you don't know if they were typing fast, or really can't spell.
"Drama Queen/King" - This person always posts stuff like "I can't believe this!", or "They gonna make me snap today!", in the hopes you will ask what happened, or what's wrong...but they never finish telling the story.
"Womp Womp" - This person consistently tries to be funny...but never is.
The "News" - Always updates you on what they are doing and who they are doing it with, no matter how arbitrary.
The "Rooster" - Feels that it is their job to tell the WORLD "Good Morning" every day.

Homes For Sale Can Be Like A Bum Wheeled Shopping Cart

2012-02-09T17:22:06Z

Ever been to your WalMart, Target, or favorite local grocery store and pulled one of those shopping baskets out of the lineup and start wheeling along and you got some kind of cockeyed wheel amongst the four that won't let the darn thing go straight? I know I am personally an excellent picker of these lemon baskets in case you need me on your team for such selections.

Homes For Sale Can Be Like A Bum Wheeled Shopping Cart.

I am talking about "deferred maintenance" items that slip by. Sellers think their "almost" perfect home is good enough. Trust me, it is not. Inspections will pick things up, curb appeal will have to improve, a door stained or painted, dings removed, roof shingles replaced, sprinkler heads fixed, missing fence boards replaced. These maintenance items missing, creak along with trying to sell your home and your house drives around the store or "shows" like a cart with a bum wheel. What is the feeling a buyer gets?? Neglect and more important it is ANNOYING.

Don't drive with a bum wheel. FIX all deferred maintenance items.

Social Media Is Like, Well, Donuts

2012-02-06T09:55:15Z

Well the Super Bowl is history for another year, and if you had the fortune to host, pop into, attend a party with some friends or family I hope you enjoyed that time. Back to the business of work and for those that are not maybe FULLY immersed in all these social media pathways I thought this graphic I found explains it with some simplicity, and it is like DONUTS. To understand it fully you probably need to know each platform, but keep it in mind. Nothing harder than donuts !!

Speechless Sunday ~ Making It A Happier Workplace

2012-02-05T11:15:44Z

Knowing What Tool To Choose For More Business

2012-02-04T14:10:01Z

Too often we get bombarded in ways to build our business with TOOLS & we may wonder which one? We need to know

Which Tool To Choose For More Business

Listings, referrals, our for sale signs

Direct Mail and Farming, Networking at clubs or civic organizations

Sphere of Influence, working our database, advertising

Social networking, which ones? Blogging, Facebook, Tweets, LinkedIn

Niche specialties

The real answer is choose the ONE or a FEW tools that work for you. Some top agents never blog, some top agents derive 70% of their business from blogging. The answer is it all depends. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

Handling Confusion In Real Estate And Life

2012-02-03T18:02:00Z

Confused states of things in real estate and life have in one sense, fascinated me. I think in addition to all my other skill sets I try to play armchair psychologist and understand the WHY of how people behave.

Why do they not do what they say? Why can't they follow a simple timeline or even specific directions? Why do they even do the opposite of what you expect? Wow human behavior is entertaining to observe if nothing else. But it ALSO can be wearing on the body and the soul.

The way to handle confusion is give it "a little time" to figure it out then just say Hmmmmm.

That "Hmmmmm" sound coming out loud and clear from inside your brain, saves energy, lets you not spend any more cycles beating your head against the wall, shaking your head. You just have to conclude people are who they are even if darn you can't figure them out why they are this way today. Maybe tomorrow will be different with them than today with some more growth by them. People are on different growth paths. But it is living with that ambiguous part of life that just says some days YOU WILL NOT have the answers. You best can control yourself remember, and just let others and the way they are GO. Another step for some serenity in your OWN life.

Peace of mind is a good thing. You deserve that for yourself!!

Groundhog Phil Says Leave Him Alone

2012-02-02T15:15:00Z

OK this year I am standing up for that critter from Pennsylvania. Hey I know a few Pennsylvanians and on the whole they are pretty nice.

Why do we insist on Groundhog Day dragging Pennsylvania Phil out of his hole each year to talk to him? Admittedly Phil this year was probably playing with the squirrels on the golf course cause the only cold around was northern Alaska and Europe. But I imagine

Groundhog Phil Says Leave Him Alone.

I conclude that as on the news they ALWAYS say the report is six more weeks of winter. HELLO. 42 more days past February the 2nd, well that is about when Spring is supposed to hit anyway. With the warm weather of late, I am sure Phil is saying don't blame or credit me either way, I am just having fun playing with the squirrels on the golf course.

A short month this February but a LEAP YEAR with a leap day on the 29th. How do you count birthdays SERIOUSLY if you were born Feb. 29th???

Wordless Wednesday ~ Animal Love

2012-02-01T16:15:05Z

Doors Are More Than Just Doors On A Lovely House

2012-01-31T12:52:19Z

While visiting many luxury homes I am impressed with doors, the double ones, the solid core ones, the ones with windows in them. But as a metaphor in life it made me think of this quotation:

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."

YES, our choices and decisions. Many move us forward, others side track us or are bad for us. Others can open doors or CLOSE them for us as well with pathways to continue or pathways to stop and be no more.

Each day look around you at your DOORS and remember your life is being built step by step by what you do with that handle.

Opening it, goodness or pandora's box, or closing it and moving on to OTHER doors. Keep that image in mind as you go through your day with your selections.

Why You Must Release Any Negativity As Fast As Possible

2012-01-30T17:39:14Z

I've seen high levels of tension in real estate problem negotiation and it is one of many examples in life of negativity. We need to

Release Negativity As Fast As Possible.

Think of all of it in life. Hurts, anger, pain, disagreement, cruelty, insensitivity, regret, worry, thoughtlessness, taking one for granted, selfishness, insult... the list goes on and on what any of us can be afflicted with by another at a given time. But we need to dump it as soon as possible, almost as if we wear a teflon suit. It won't go away quite that fast but to get rid of it:

Distance yourself from the person inflicting the pain, resolve the issue with problem solving or better communication, perceive where they are coming from and it is THEIR problem not yours, focus on YOU and healing and helping YOU or your clients first. WHY? WHY I ask? Why do we have to dump negativity? It robs us of energy and happiness, like a plant blowing in the wind that needs a peaceful state for that contentment butterfly to properly land.

Dump ALL negativity you have. FAST AS YOU CAN!!

Most Failure Is Not Final And Is Needed For Growth

2012-01-29T14:45:52Z

I remember growing up taking the weekly piano lessons and practicing every day. Your failure early on is frustrating cause you hit the wrong notes and don't quite have the whole song down correctly. But

Most Failure Is Not Final And Is Needed For Growth

In our real estate careers and in our personal lives there is MUCH trial and lots of error till we get better. Practice makes perfect you know, so don't let your mistakes along the way embarass you. I remember early on with brand new clients I struggled to even get the key out of the key box on a door. You feel stupid, as a freshly minted agent, but you get past it. Baby steps you know.

KEEP PRACTICING and have confidence that tomorrow you will be even better than today... YOU the concert pianist!!

Four Steps To Find Ideas To Creative Problem Solve

2012-01-28T15:25:34Z

As a business professional or even individual in our personal life to get things done we are constantly called on to be a "problem solver." Often we have to jack ourself up to ADVANCED problem solver and be creative. Thinking outside the box, or no box, or coming up with a not thought of before idea.

Four Steps To Find Ideas To Creative Problem Solve

Capture ideas immediately on paper or electronically as you meditate on a solution once the problem is defined
Expose yourself to new experiences, travel, classes, and a wide range of different people. It gives you a better base to think of something novel
You being DUMB is ok. There are no dumb questions remember your teacher told you? Do not judge any of the massive list of ideas you brainstorm about a solution.
Steal others' ideas. In other words ask other people about solutions. Soak them all in. Two heads or MORE are better than one. Ask your peers, your associates in different fields. You will be AMAZED what other people come up with ideas to YOUR or your client's or individual or family problem

This little list should get you started being MORE CREATIVE and zero in on that optimal solution to get you past a logjam. Do you know the best problem solvers go the furthest in life? Practice this mental faculty as often as possible. Just know those who BLOG more than those who tweet or Facebook comment are the most creative of all, since they WRITE the most. It takes the most imagination to string that many coherent words together. Best of luck to you.

Why Some Deals Bomb And Die

2012-01-27T15:14:38Z

Many REALTORS might say it aint happening with a particular client due to their income or credit rating or sitting on the fence either by buyer or seller. But my lenders point to FOUR things past the price, condition, and inspections...

Why Some Deals Bomb And Die

Dishonesty on the part of seller or buyer. Not disclosing fully, hiding something in someone's financial background. Today EVERYTHING gets found out
Short sales NOT being approved cause lender is not local and does not know values
Bad pre-approvals by loan officer not doing proper investigation of background
Appraisal issues. With declining values, numbers come in LOWER than sale price

In getting ANY deal done the agent has to coordinate all the parties but be aware what obstacles the lenders today are frequently seeing.

Apple Siri Gone Wild

2012-01-26T14:27:34Z

Apple Siri Gone Wild

How Good Are You At Steering?

2012-01-26T13:57:47Z

Steering in the real estate world is an illegal activity prohibited by the Fair Housing Act section of the Civil Rights Act in moving people towards or away from neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity. Don't do that. BUT,

How Good Are You At Steering?

There is a good steering you know. Most people are TERRIBLE at reflection in what they do hour to hour, mainly cause they are so busy. Do you spend too much time on the Internet, or watching TV, or doing meaningless work or play activities. ONLY YOU put yourself on all those paths you have chosen in life.

Re-evaluate from time to time, even looking on a DAILY basis how you are steering your life and those under your charge like children, or those you influence, and steer yourself in BETTER directions. We all can spend way too much time on idiotic stuff and what you might say is a WASTE of your life. Make good "steering" decisions, and you will feel much better at the end of your day, AND at the end of your life.

Explaining Collisions In Your Life

2012-01-25T15:10:51Z

I came upon a traffic light the other day in my direction that had just changed green but tapped my brakes a bit cause sure enough someone RAN the red light the other way. There but for the grace of God I avoided a bad collision. It got me to thinking about collisions in life, things that happen by our choice or some kind of fate. I do think there is an element of both in what happens to us.

It made me think of a movie from years past, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt. I did not like the movie as I initially saw it cause the story was preposterous. Someone born very old and aging BACKWARDS fast in their life to infant stage. BUT the movie grew on me as it stayed in my mind, it is excellent, and one rather rapid set of dialogue by the main character Benjamin Button has always stuck with me as far as the cards dealt us.

Benjamin Button:

Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. A woman in Paris was on her way to go shopping, but she had forgotten her coat - went back to get it. When she had gotten her coat, the phone had rung, so she'd stopped to answer it; talked for a couple of minutes. While the woman was on the phone, Daisy was rehearsing for a performance at the Paris Opera House. And while she was rehearsing, the woman, off the phone now, had gone outside to get a taxi. Now a taxi driver had dropped off a fare earlier and had stopped to get a cup of coffee. And all the while, Daisy was rehearsing. And this cab driver, who dropped off the earlier fare; who'd stopped to get the cup of coffee, had picked up the lady who was going to shopping, and had missed getting an earlier cab. The taxi had to stop for a man crossing the street, who had left for work five minutes later than he normally did, because he forgot to set off his alarm. While that man, late for work, was crossing the street, Daisy had finished rehearsing, and was taking a shower. And while Daisy was showering, the taxi was waiting outside a boutique for the woman to pick up a package, which hadn't been wrapped yet, because the girl who was supposed to wrap it had broken up with her boyfriend the night before, and forgot.

When the package was wrapped, the woman, who was back in the cab, was blocked by a delivery truck, all the while Daisy was getting dressed. The delivery truck pulled away and the taxi was able to move, while Daisy, the last to be dressed, waited for one of her friends, who had broken a shoelace. While the taxi was stopped, waiting for a traffic light, Daisy and her friend came out the back of the theater. And if only one thing had happened differently: if that shoelace hadn't broken; or that delivery truck had moved moments earlier; or that package had been wrapped and ready, because the girl hadn't broken up with her boyfriend; or that man had set his alarm and got up five minutes earlier; or that taxi driver hadn't stopped for a cup of coffee; or that woman had remembered her coat, and got into an earlier cab, Daisy and her friend would've crossed the street, and the taxi would've driven by. But life being what it is - a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control - that taxi did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that taxi hit Daisy, and her leg was crushed.

Lesson is, I do believe there are no coincidences in life with where you are, what you encounter, who you meet, how long these people stay in your life. Everything is happening for a most of the time unknown reason, and you just have to let life unfold. Point is, their karma is what they do to you, but YOUR karma is how you treat them back.

Your Business Is Like Corn On The Cob

2012-01-24T16:46:17Z

Do you know your business is

Like Corn On The Cob?

What you plant today in terms of cultivating the seeds of prospects and taking them through the whole "growing season" will yield that sweet corn on the cob sometime in the future. Many factors may derail your plantings or accelerate its growth like harsh weather (snags) or fertilizer (smooth cash clients) and some deals (seasons) will be longer than others (short sales).

Remember what you plant today and nurture, is ALL what your future holds.

Speechless Sunday ~ Dogs Are Family

2012-01-22T12:41:54Z

I found this story today, and thought I would share it, as it tells me a picture is worth a thousand words.

This photo is of a dying homeless man's last wish was to see his dog one more time. Yurtie, a female dog used to live with Cedar Rapids 57 year old Kelvin Mc Clain in his car.

Unfortunately, Kevin became ill with lung cancer. Hospice employees say it was the most touching moment ever. And it was their last time together. Kevin died shortly after he met the dog. Yurtie now lives with a new family.

On a day when famed Penn State Coach Joe Paterno succumbed also to lung cancer let us remember to be nice to everyone while we are alive and in the end it is all about love.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

2012-01-21T18:38:28Z

Thank goodness for friends. We have extended friends that are stronger than mere acquaintances to use as sounding boards in our life and then those maybe COUNT ON ONE HAND great true friends we can count on no matter what in our life. You know those FAB FIVE cause even in your hardest times THEY are a great support system for you and don't leave you in adversity. Always remember and cherish those TRUE FRIENDS. Nothing like 'em

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

No Hanky Panky With Settlement Vendors In Real Estate

2012-01-21T11:01:44Z

In real estate I am amazed how many clients think there are kickbacks in terms of money to agents for partnerships with associated vendors. There is with ethical agents

No Hanky Panky With Settlement Vendors

Agents recommend title companies, lenders, all sorts of associated settlement services. But RESPA prohibits receiving compensation to the agent depending on who is selected and agents should remain NEUTRAL with those selections.

I'll scratch your back you scratch mine is fine but not in settlement.

This Little Light Of Mine

2012-01-20T16:42:52Z

I like to capture quotations that are either something wise someone once said like from a Benjamin Franklin or these gurus that I suppose live on mountaintops, or the humorous ones that zing you with an element of truth about the world in jest that sticks with you.

Today I found one on a tea bag image concerning LIGHT. I don't know if these are like fortune cookie teabags but I need to get them.

Bud Lite ????! lol

Wordless Wednesday ~ Be Happy For This Moment

2012-01-18T16:37:13Z

Gary Woltal's Blog

The Idea Of Leader Not Manager For The REALTOR

GREAT agents LEAD!!

Mature Is A Code Word For What?

One can grow older in life, YET not grow up. Let that NOT BE YOU!!! BE SMART!!

How Do You Know Your Goal Is Big Enough?

The 16 Types Of People On Social Media

The 16 Types Of People On Social Media.

Homes For Sale Can Be Like A Bum Wheeled Shopping Cart

Don't drive with a bum wheel. FIX all deferred maintenance items.

Social Media Is Like, Well, Donuts

Speechless Sunday ~ Making It A Happier Workplace

Knowing What Tool To Choose For More Business

The real answer is choose the ONE or a FEW tools that work for you. Some top agents never blog, some top agents derive 70% of their business from blogging. The answer is it all depends. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

Handling Confusion In Real Estate And Life

Groundhog Phil Says Leave Him Alone

Wordless Wednesday ~ Animal Love

Doors Are More Than Just Doors On A Lovely House

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."

Why You Must Release Any Negativity As Fast As Possible

Dump ALL negativity you have. FAST AS YOU CAN!!

Most Failure Is Not Final And Is Needed For Growth

Four Steps To Find Ideas To Creative Problem Solve

Why Some Deals Bomb And Die

Apple Siri Gone Wild

How Good Are You At Steering?

Explaining Collisions In Your Life

Your Business Is Like Corn On The Cob

Speechless Sunday ~ Dogs Are Family

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

No Hanky Panky With Settlement Vendors In Real Estate

This Little Light Of Mine

Bud Lite ????! lol

Wordless Wednesday ~ Be Happy For This Moment

Be Happy For This Moment

For This Moment Is Your LIFE !!!