real estate: Alabama Here We Come! - 09/11/16 10:33 AM
Our school considered it a huge compliment when someone approached us about expanding.  Being a South Carolina and Florida broker and having taught licensing courses in both states, I must admit the challenge of another state was huge.  After devoting about six months, however, Alabama here we come!
 
Alabama is one of those states that continually attempts to hone the licensing procedure and to keep real estate agents doing the right things.  I find their process is much more detailed and the presentation of a pre licensing course is more intrinsic than some states.  I think I’m going to like helping people … (1 comments)

real estate: Back to School - 09/06/16 08:20 PM
Labor Day has passed, the days are slightly cooler, clearance sales abound, and Autumn feels like it’s right around the corner.  That can only mean one thing – it is back to school time!  Yaaay! 
 
We are empty nesters and are more in our “golden age,” so back to school has a different meaning to Bob and me.  This is the time of year when some parents realize their jobs are boring or they’ve reached the limit in pay grades or they just need a change.  For many parents, when the kids go back to school, the parents go back to … (2 comments)

real estate: Our Labor is not in Vain - 09/03/16 10:38 PM
Today we observe Labor Day  to honor workers in this country who have contributed to our economic growth.  Reflecting on our economy, I have to believe our labor is not in vain.
Without getting into a political brouhaha my opinion is at this point in our history, we are facing questionable possibilities of our country’s growth or decline.
 
If our labor is in vain, I would think we will all suffer.  History has a way of showing that.  The economic depression of 1920 saw gross national product decline to 6.9% and unemployment over 11%.  Normally, a depression occurs after decline … (3 comments)

real estate: If Our Labor is in Vain - 09/03/16 10:04 PM
Today we observe Labor Day  to honor workers in this country who have contributed to our economic growth.  Reflecting on our economy, I have to wonder, if our labor is in vain.
Without getting into a political brouhaha my opinion is at this point in our history, we are facing questionable possibilities of our country’s growth or decline.
 
If our labor is in vain, I would think we will all suffer.  History has a way of showing that.  The economic depression of 1920 saw gross national product decline to 6.9% and unemployment over 11%.  Normally, a depression occurs after decline … (1 comments)

real estate: Leave a Mark - 08/29/16 10:30 PM
Granddaughters, Grace and Anna, visited recently with their Mom, and after a week of little ones running inside and out and after getting them home safely, it was time to get the house back in order.  While making things “normal” again, I couldn’t help but notice someone had left a mark on the doors going out to the screen room.  In my house, we never leave a mark on glass, and I am a freak about wiping them off immediately.  This mark was different, however.  Upon close inspection, I could see that this mark was left by a little girl’s hand.  … (0 comments)

real estate: Myths - 08/28/16 10:51 PM
Before you get a real estate license you are a consumer who thinks all real estate agents make big bucks while doing very little.  That is one of the first real estate myths that quickly dissolves once you are no longer the consumer, and now become the agent.
 
Another real estate myth is that most real estate agents were quite financially comfortable before they even got their license, so they didn’t need to worry about money.  You can find many agents who struggled their first few years, but through consistent work, they managed to survive and even began making a … (0 comments)

real estate: Real Estate Myths - 08/28/16 10:48 PM
Before you get a real estate license you are a consumer who thinks all real estate agents make big bucks while doing very little.  That is one of the first real estate myths that quickly dissolves once you are no longer the consumer, and now become the agent.
 
Another real estate myth is that most real estate agents were quite financially comfortable before they even got their license, so they didn’t need to worry about money.  You can find many agents who struggled their first few years, but through consistent work, they managed to survive and even began making a … (0 comments)

real estate: Is Your Time of the Essence? - 08/27/16 11:05 PM
All real estate agents will recognize the phrase, time is of the essence.  In a purchase and sale contract, simply put, parties may not drag their feet in attending to the numerous clauses in the contract.  This clause, which is inserted into most real estate contracts, forces each party to perform the way they are expected to perform under the terms of the contract.  All deadlines must be met.
 
Time is of the essence can also apply to your real estate career and can refer to the fact that time is in short supply, that whatever project is at hand … (0 comments)

real estate: Time is of the Essence - 08/27/16 10:58 PM
All real estate agents will recognize the phrase, time is of the essence.  In a purchase and sale contract, simply put, parties may not drag their feet in attending to the numerous clauses in the contract.  This clause, which is inserted into most real estate contracts, forces each party to perform the way they are expected to perform under the terms of the contract.  All deadlines must be met.
 
Time is of the essence can also apply to your real estate career and can refer to the fact that time is in short supply, that whatever project is at hand … (2 comments)

real estate: A Tortoise or a Hare? - 08/23/16 05:28 AM
Many brokers disagree with my philosophies in training new agents.  For me, it’s about slow and steady winning the race.  I tried to teach my new agents to be a tortoise rather than a hare when it came to getting their feet wet.  Lots of brokers believe in the sink or swim mentality, and others want new agents to come out of the gate running.
 
Are you a tortoise or a hare?  Because the market is busy right now, many new agents are impatient; they don’t want to take time to learn properly and to plant seeds that will grow … (3 comments)

real estate: Monday Blues Can Mean Monday Blogs - 08/21/16 01:14 PM
Monday is not the most loved day of the week.  As a matter of fact, many people relate to having a case of the “Monday Blues.”  In an attempt to be positive, however, Monday Blues can actually mean Monday blogs.
 
For me, blogging is always a challenge and Monday is normally a challenge.  Having just returned from a two-week vacation with daughter and two granddaughters, today is even more of a challenge.  I don’t want to work, but I know I have to.  So for me, today’s Monday blues can only mean one thing, i.e. a Monday blog.
 
A … (0 comments)

real estate: Is Title Insurance Really Necessary? - 08/16/16 07:13 AM
Being an instructor, we get asked all kinds of interesting questions.  One question that is pretty popular among students happens to deal with a subject near and dear to my heart, i.e., “Is title insurance really necessary?”  Coming from a paralegal background, I had an opportunity to witness all kinds of peculiar lawsuits.  One I recall vividly was back many years, and I happened to have been a REALTOR® at the time, rather than a paralegal. 
 
A Mr. and Mrs. Buyer purchased a house and closed on their new home after having paid cash for it.  Mr. Buyer appeared … (0 comments)

real estate: The Olympics of Real Estate - 08/13/16 10:54 PM
The U.S. has done outstanding during these Summer Olympics and we should be proud of all of the athletes involved. Watching some of them has been a real pleasure and they have reminded me that you real estate agents have your own Olympics of Real Estate.
 
Sometimes practicing real estate can feel like a never-ending marathon, and sometimes it can feel like a quick sprint.  The Olympics of Real Estate exist daily in our lives as we start with a customer and, hopefully, will finish with a closing.  The in-between time will determine whether the meet is a long one … (1 comments)

real estate: How Can My Granddaughters Remind Me of Real Estate? - 08/11/16 10:27 PM
My younger daughter, Sarah, and two granddaughters have been visiting us from Illinois.  Grace is 5 and Anna is 3.  We have been having the most wonderful time ever because this is the first time Sarah has been here without her husband, Marc.  We love Marc, but this has been a time I can have Sarah and the kids all to myself.  So, how can my granddaughters remind me of real estate?  They are so cute at that age, and doting on them is just part of the plan as you other grandparents already know.
 
We have a 16’ above-ground … (0 comments)

real estate: What’s in Your Wallet? - 08/04/16 09:27 PM
Samuel L. Jackson is one of my favorite actors, and when he appears on TV and asks me, “What’s in your wallet?” I just want to give him everything in it!  He’s that convincing and he creates a sense of intimacy every time I hear that awesome voice of his.
 
I think “What’s in your wallet?” could be adapted to another arena – the practice of real estate.  If I were to ask, “What’s in your wallet?” would your answer reflect abundance?  If not, what happened?  Didn’t you originally get into practicing real estate to make money?  Are you making … (1 comments)

real estate: When They Tell You It’s Not Possible - 08/02/16 09:39 PM
I’m a stubborn person.  If you are anywhere near as stubborn as I am, when they tell you it’s not possible, you immediately want to prove them wrong.  This isn’t a bad trait because it may keep you motivated.
 
When they tell you it’s not possible to succeed in real estate, do you believe them?  When they tell you it’s not possible to become financially independent, do you take that to heart?  When they tell you it’s not possible to weather a turn in the market, do you begin thinking about another job?
 
Many real estate agents had to … (16 comments)

real estate: Now What? - 08/01/16 09:40 PM
So, you got your license – congratulations!  Now what?  What will you do with it?  Where will you “hang” it?  Once you activate it, what’s your next step?
 
We see many new students who aspire to becoming rich by selling real estate.  They get their license, they “hang” it somewhere and they wait for the broker or the mentor or the trainer to tell them exactly what to do.  If they don’t become successful within a few months, they drop out and blame it on the lack of training they received.
 
When I ask a student, “now what,” I’m … (0 comments)

real estate: Commitment - 07/24/16 09:15 PM
Yesterday we tested our July students.  The exam included students from our One-Week Fast Track class as well as our Three-Week Evening Class.  Yesterday was a pretty good example of commitment.
 
Between both classes, we had three students commuting from Alabama, and I don’t mean right across the state line.  Nothing replaces commitment when there is a goal in sight.  One of our students, Ashica, drove from Mobile each day, which is at least an hour from the school.  Another drove from Brewton, AL, which is about an hour as well.  The third student got out of work at 5:00 … (1 comments)

real estate: Real Estate Agents Need to be Nudged - 07/21/16 08:47 PM
When you were in school, you put off doing your homework until the day before it was due.  You wait as late as possible to file your tax return.  You still dislike having to do certain things by deadlines.  Procrastination is something you’ve experienced many times.  If you can relate to some of these scenarios, then you can understand even real estate agents need to be nudged.
 
At the time Florida real estate licensees are issued their license, they have anywhere between 18 and 24 months to complete an additional 45 hours of post licensing education.  That’s a year and … (0 comments)

real estate: Walking in a Real Estate Agent’s Shoes - 07/19/16 10:16 AM
A real estate agent’s world is unlike most other people’s worlds.  It’s terribly difficult to walk in a real estate agent’s shoes unless you are actually in real estate or have knowledge of the real estate industry. 
 
Once licensed, a real estate agent’s world pretty much changes from their former norm.  Training is the first order of business after a license is achieved, and without the proper training, a real estate agent could be setting himself up for failure by not properly establishing the right kinds of habits needed to be successful.
 
In my first year of real … (2 comments)