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Tribute To A Lady / Decision Making

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Real Estate Investment Institute 1retiredsage

 I I teach investment real estate, among other real estate and mortgage subjects. A lot of what I'm into is what I like to call "opportunity investments" most would say "distressed properties" but this is a misnomer since even the most dilapidated property doesn't know it's distressed. Properties aren't distressed, people are! The key to profiting on such opportunities is recognizing them and making a good decision very quickly. They say "opportunity waits for no man" I believe it.

I'm a firm believer that in real estate and in life that a person should know what they want, study the subject, and then go looking for it, so that when they find it there is no ambiguity. When you know what your looking for it doesn't take forever to make a decision.

In my real estate this has almost always been the case. When Brenda and I were getting married we wanted a house of our own, we were in contract on our first home in less than an hour and a half from the time we saw it, we closed, complete with a new mortgage 8 days later. When I left banking to go into real estate I purchased our second home and recorded the deed less than 5 hours after first seeing the house! Our third house, I owned 15 minuets after hearing about it, without even seeing it. Our dream home was under contract less than 2 hours after I heard about it, and that included a large breakfast I shared with the listing REALTOR®! In all but our first home we weren't in the market of a house, opportunity presented itself and I made a decision!

In real estate I've never made a quick decision to act that I regret, I only wish I could say the same about thing I turned down! In fact over the years I've only made two decisions to act that I regret, in both cases I let my objections be worn away, one took over three years the other almost eleven! I've written many times that I carry two option forms a sheet of carbon paper and a blank check at all times, in fact now days It's often replaced by my laptop, an a CD copy of "Lawyer In A Book" (see http://www.reii.org) and a portable printer. When a seller makes an offer or says he'll accept your's option the property, I recommend 7 to 30 days, do your due diligences, but never walk away from a willing seller.

So much for real estate I want to tell you about my best decision, my best deal ever. In 1969 I found myself suddenly out of the USMC I'd failed a physical and they canceled my contract for OCS. A friend introduced me to the recruiter for a finance company and I accepted a job. One major car accident later (I had a 50 mph collision, while parked getting gas) I started my new life a few days latter. Almost a year latter my sister was getting married, after one of her showers my Mother started calling me. Mon had found the perfect girl for me! No self respecting 22 year old could let his mother set him up, so I stayed away (I lived and worked 60 miles away) only showing up when I had to and always with out letting my mother know I was coming! Mother then announced that I'd meet the perfect woman for me at my sisters wedding, I had a problem! My solution, I had 3 weeks to work on it, was to take a date to protect me. Of the single women I knew there was only one was acceptable to introduce to my family let alone spend most of 24 hours with. She was a really nice kid, fun to talk with but nothing serious. She was the oldest of twelve and wanted to be just like her mother. O'my God! As the oldest of 5 myself I knew two things, I wanted kids and 2 were plenty! A couple of dates later I explained my problem and asked her to protect me. 36 hours before the wedding she called me. Bill do you know anything about the measles? I had them as a kid, why? She said "Daddy installed a phone for a family that had measles last week and everyone, but Mother has them." I hope I was polite! This was late in the day September 15, 1970 and I don't remember. I couldn't let my little sister down! Could I?

I went straight to the Church, maybe I could avoid my Mother until she was to busy to meddle with my life, maybe something would happen.

I was to Usher then stand up with the happy couple, could I suggest to my sister that she run away, could I threaten the groom? That was an interesting idea, I was 6 inches taller and 50 pounds more muscle. No Shirlie, my sister would never forgive me, I was wrong we just didn't know it yet.

People started coming in, I seated those on the brides side. There at the back of the room three girls I knew the tall one, a curvy red head with a mouth that went from ear to ear and chartered like those wind up teeth. She and the other two worked with Shirlie. I seated them. Could I take her to the reception, no way. I keep going back to talk. Mother will be there in 15 minutes. We talked some more. She introduced me to the other two, the older one was my age and seemed very nice. I spotted Mother out side the Chapel, I ask the older one to step out side with me. I asked her to the reception, explaining everyone had a spouse or date and my date had the measles, she agreed. Thank God. I never mentioned I needed protection. I avoided Mother as much as possible.

All of the women at the reception giggled at me, they'd been to the showers. Mother was still trying to get me alone, I avoided her. 12 hours latter Brenda, the nice one, and I had talked a lot, sitting in my truck next to her Mustang we decided to get married. Actually she asked me, I made a decision. We discussed eloping then, but we really didn't know If all we had to do was drive to Ohio, 70 miles or much fathers south and she had her last semester at WMU to get her degree. We got out a calendar, she graduated on my birthday April 16 we were married a week later April 24, 1971.

April 24, 1972 we had my parents to dinner at our home, my Dad raised a glass and made a toast to my bride. I flippantly (yes, I can be flippant) added thank God I avoided Mother's choice. My Mother and My bride choked on their wine spraying our new formal table cloth, my father just laughed! I'd been had. Wonderfully so.

Today is our 36 anniversary. I've loved her every day.

Brenda has patiently put up with all my follies.

Brenda has held my hand when I needed comforted, my head when I needed to cry.

She has shared my public triumphs, and lovingly patted my back when only we knew.

She is the reason to rush home at the end of the job and she encourages me at the start of each day!

She has known all of my faults and failings and has loved me most of my life.

I believe you are who you associate with. Personally, I strive to be the man Brenda sees in me. I love her.

I remember this is a real estate form. In real estate and in life. Know what you want, recognize it, make a decision, and commit yourself. With luck may you find your Brenda.

Bill

Posted by

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

wja@reii.org      Cell 832-259-7078,      Houston 832-582-8415,       Las vegas 702-516-1569

     http://www.reii.org  Back Cover One House At A Time http:www//reii.orghttp://www.flippingforfunandprofit.info/ http://www.billarchambault.com   

From my past: GRI 1975, FLI 1974, Catalyst from a client 1974 an agent that makes things happen, REII, The Real Estate Investment Institute 1995.

http://www.reii.org

©William J Archambault Jr   ©The Real Estate Investment Institute   ©REII

Comments (16)

Keith Jeppson - Salt Lake City Real Estate
Everest Realty Group - Holladay, UT
Congrats on 36 years William. That's 11 years longer than I've been married. I hope we can make it that long. That is very uncommon in our society.
Apr 24, 2007 10:13 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

OK , too where are the tissues.

We are on 27 years also. Keith. 36 a long time  but with that much love I'm sure it went fast.  My mom & dad hit 63 years before my dad's death.

Thank you for sharing.

Apr 24, 2007 10:21 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Kathleen,

We discussed it this morning, Brenda agreed to extend my option another 44 years and then go month to month.

Bill

Apr 24, 2007 10:36 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Keith,

You'll make it, you just have to be committed and love each other.

Bill

Apr 24, 2007 11:07 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
Apparently she liked the terms or did you offer options she couldn't pass up?
Apr 24, 2007 12:26 PM
Anonymous
Amy
Happy anniversary Mom & Dad!
Apr 24, 2007 01:37 PM
#6
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com
THANKS for sharing your story and this wonderful tribute! Many Blessings for the next 36.
Apr 24, 2007 01:49 PM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590

Bill, you sappy jarhead.  I'm tearing up a bit.  What a nice tribute.  Brenda is lucky to have a man like you.  I feel like I know you, Brenda, Amy, and Eric like kin from your generous and open sharing.

You're a great man to model, Bill. 

Apr 24, 2007 06:33 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Hi Love,

Your Mother and I enjoyed your call earlier. Talk to you Friday.



JaneAnne,

You are welcome. Nice to hear from you.



Brian,

Thanks for the very kind words.

As usual we disagree only on little things. I'm the lucky one.

Bill

Apr 24, 2007 07:44 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Bill,

What an awesome tribute to your bride!  Thanks for commenting on my blog and leaving the link to this touching post.  I started reading at 4:00 a.m.  It's nearly 4:20 now, because I had the pleasure of re-reading the post.

Mike in Tucson

Jun 05, 2009 11:20 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Bill, that was a wonderful story! Congratulations on nearly 40 years with the woman you love!

Oct 16, 2010 07:56 PM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Old post. Great story. While the whole story intrigues me, I am most interested in how quickly you bought those homes!

Oct 17, 2010 03:01 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Maria,

Thank you!

Bill

Oct 17, 2010 04:34 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Melissa,

Thank you!

Regarding the closings it's simple, know what you want (even if your not actively looking), know your business (I was trained by the very best), carry a well stocked brief case!

I've often had clients in contract with in minutes of leaving of the property. I've often put home buyers in contract while sitting in the car after a showing, then going back inside calling the listing agent to ether listen to my presentation or get their ASAP!

I've had REO's in contract within 10 minutes of the Sheriff's sale.

As a buyer's broker I often optioned properties when I saw them, but these were investment deals.

I teach real estate, professional real estate, as a fiduciary agent to a level you've probablynever seen! That's why I support your webanar, agents need to learn from and build on the best! I had 10 years whit FLI, the very best people centric group and slightly more than that with the CCIM's ( I'm not a CCIM) the very best educated real estate people.

You know you can call me any (reasonable) time. 832-259-7078

Bill

 

Oct 17, 2010 05:06 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Bill I missed this when you first wrote it but I am glad that I read it today.  You certainly do not let grass grow under your feet.  My 36th Wedding Anniversary is Tuesday, but it took, be a little longer to get to the alter than you :)

Oct 17, 2010 01:36 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

George,

October 26! I'll try to remember. Just in case Happy Anniversary!

Bill

Oct 22, 2010 01:59 AM