Spend It Well

"We're all going to earn a little bit more money, but none of us is going to get any more time."

Art Moody

For many of us, the warm afternoons and cool mornings that accompany Spring also bring with them a new beginning.  In the real estate market, we've just stepped into our prime time, or most active buying and marketing period of the year.  And, thus far, it only comes around once a year.  The question we have to ask is, "Are we ready"?

As we, as Realtors, meet with our clients, are we prepared to assist them, cousel them, advise them, encourage them, and lead them to a positive solution?  While many things have remained the same in the past year, many aspects have also changed.  With the abundance of Foreclosed and Short Sale properties entering the market, the ground has certainly shifted.  As a result, properties values are drifted lower.  Financial options have changed as well. 

Have you had a chance to look at the Obama Administration's new Making Home Affordable Program?  Have your clients?  If not, have you informed them of the options available in this package, or other home owner loan modification plans?  How about buyers?  How do the market changes affect them?  What is your plan for counseling them?

Over the years, I've rooted for many sports teams and individuals.  As a fan, there are few things more rewarding than cheering for a team that has all the parts needed to do well.  Not just one or two superstars, but a team of complimentary members that perform each of their roles well, but working together, are even better.  Their synergy allows them to perform at an even higher level as a team working toward a common goal (victory), than their individual, separate efforts by themselves.  Unfortunately, while the team may have an excellent record year after year, often, they fail to achieve the ultimate objective, the championship.  In considering this, some of the teams that come to mind include the Buffalo Bills of the 90s, the New York Yankees (2001-2007), and more recently, the Dallas Cowboys.  Each of these teams appeared to have the best athletes money could buy, but couldn't "close" the deal.  They each had the top athletes in the prime of their career, but couldn't climb that last step.  Was it a lack of focus?  Preparation? 

While many armchair quarterbacks have speculated as to why each of them failed to win their respective championships, frequently, the "why" of failure is anything but simple.  What we do know is, our prime time, or season when we're at our best, is finite.  In other words, it won't last forever.  So, it is vitally important to make the most of it.  Spend the time wisely.  Prepare yourself.  If others, like clients, are depending upon you, do your best to make sure they're prepared as well.  

 Most of us aren't as organized as we'd like to be.  However, in our attempts to achieve goals, we ‘d be well served to remember Benjamin Franklin's words"

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."           

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