My husband picked up our oldest daughter, Caroline, last week at her after school program. The teacher happened to also be her assistant in the four year old class year. She told Deyton that Caroline refused to participate in a game of Musical Chairs.
Mrs. Stacie just could not understand it. She loved playing last year. My husband, always the perspective of reasoning asked who was playing. The teacher said everyone, except Caroline. Everyone included kids that happened to be a few years older than her.
When we talked to Caroline, she said, "Mama it was all about winning. Should I be made to play a game where I cannot win?" Our preacher's wife happened to hear the conversation. Her perception was that Caroline was essentially a maverick. She was in complete agreement with Caroline. Why should it be about winning? After all it is not if you win or loose but how you play the game.
Perspective
A few weeks ago we met with the owners of our local RE/MAX. We had to tell them our plans for finishing out strong at the end of the year.
One of my key points was that I was shifting my business. I wanted to try to sell the current listings that I have or GET RID OF THEM! My perception is a sign in the yard costs a lot of money to maintain. If the seller is unwilling to work with via price reductions, can I help them in this market? Listings are a passive part of the real estate business. Sticking a sign in the yard is the hardest part of real estate today.
I have found that I really have to work on the seller's perception of the market. I have to get $300,000 for my house! Great, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, what I hear you saying is that you would write me an offer today for $300,000 to re-buy your house? Do you see houses that are better priced with more features that catch your eye? Your perception needs to be that of the buyer's.
I have been working on seller's perception. Each is now signed up just like a buyer for their price range via MLS. They see the short sales that are "deals." They see the importance of reducing this way!
What is the buyer's perception? Am I overpaying for this house? Will the seller's negotiate? Will my loan happen? Will my bank still be there a year from now? What is going to happen to the economy? Will there be layoffs at my job? Will I be able to afford gas?
Also, there are ready and willing buyers. I have been working actively with buyers over the last few months. If I can get them in a house, I get paid. I know they are qualified and we actively talk to the mortgage broker throughout the process.
One of the owner's perception was if I didn't want to take the listings that I could give them to him. Fine with me! I told him I would not even ask for a referral! Why? Buyers are king. They control PRICE. They control the market. Why take a listing right now if you know it isn't priced right? I will not spin my wheels dealing with people that will not perceive this market as a time of lowering their price and competition.
Musical Chairs
We all know the object. The last person standing looses. How would you get an edge on the competition in musical chairs? I remember playing as a child. We would touch the chairs as we walked by. Also, when the music stops you put up one heck of a dog fight. You are always listening intently to the music.
I had a talk with my daughter about her refusal to play the game. Yes, she might loose to the older kids. She needed to watch what they do. She will learn two things: either what they are doing to win or what you have that they do not. It is a little hard to teach your child that she has a USP!
Was she refusing to play because she knew that she would loose? Her perception of winning allowed her create a mental block. Why try if I know that the odds are stacked against me?
Real Estate
Is Real estate in this current market very much like musical chairs? Do we all need to reevaluate our business and do whatever it is to make us money? We need to watch the winners and see what is making them successful.
We also need to reevaluate our perception of success. Is it realistic to say you sold 50 properties last year so I can do it again this year? What is winning in this business right now? Our perceptions determine that for us. Right now, for me, winning is just staying in the game. That is the beauty of perception. It is one thing that is truly ours!
The chairs keep going away one by one. For every house that sits on the market, an agent is leaving the business. We need to be positive and work harder than ever! Some days when all the news is bad, that is all I got.......at least I am still in the game!
My dad always told me that opinions are like A@@HOLES. Everybody has one! Thank you for allowing me to share mine. Anybody else got a perception of this market and what they are doing to stay in the game?
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