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I Have That Exit Strategy Somewhere Here In My Bag

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Exit 1In working with commercial real estate investors oftentimes as part of the investment strategy we discuss exit strategy. You know, how long to you plan to own the business? How long do you want to own this income producing asset, etc.? And then how do you plan to dispose of it.

In our personal real estate careers, careers in general, and life overall, there are phases and you don't want to end up saying

I Have That Exit Strategy Somewhere Here In My Bag.

In other words, they and you, are essentially saying you are CLUELESS.

I'm here to tell you that it is all right. The first step in stopping being clueless is to know you are clueless. In today's busy world who has time for planning one step ahead even? Well you really should best you can. Life can throw all those detours and roadblocks in our way of course but if you put in your bag at least a small map of where you are going scratched out on a napkin the next time you are in Starbucks, you will be way ahead of the masses.

Think of the exit strategy as the point in time where where you are closing the one door and the next door (your plan) is where you are headed. There is a fun quote that says when one door closes the next one opens, which is all well and good but the hallways are bitches (pardon my French) <Smile>.

In life make time to plan, do it at the Starbucks, on your summer vacation, under the night sky, in your recliner with the TV off, but do take a little time to map out those exit strategies.

Exit 2

Oh, and by the way, there are some instances you don't have all day to plan your next step, and you have to think quick on your feet.

Like getting out of a speeding ticket <Smile again>.

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I'm with you we need to always be thinking one step ahead it could save us sometime in the long run.

Jun 30, 2009 09:10 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

I think our exit strategies have changed more often that the market!  Lee and I have a hard enough time planning our vacations nowadays!  But as always - very good advice...  <<aren't women fierce???>>>

Jun 30, 2009 09:12 AM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Gary - I must admit I love Thom and Ray's comment, because I was just thinking of this when I read your blog. Exit strategy/plan, I know, we all should at one point have one. Honestly, I don't and I have not thought about one in a long time. Too busy, I guess :)

Jun 30, 2009 09:31 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Gary - I also can identify with Thom & Ray's comment;)  I firmly believe an Exit Strategy is essential in business and in life... though I'm not promoting doing anything too severe on the latter, if you know what I mean.  That list picture is truly priceless.

Jun 30, 2009 09:56 AM
Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

Let's see, I put that exit strategy somewhere...where was it...where did I put it....Oh Man!  I can't find it.  I better get going on this.  Great post as usual, Gary.

Jun 30, 2009 09:56 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Gary, Planning and preparation are essential...like the woman in the 2nd picture! I think she was definitely planning ahead!

Jun 30, 2009 10:14 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I completely agree with not only an exit strategy but, as you say, a plan that must include alternative courses of action. I was going to add one other thought but for some reason was distracted by that last picture...

Jun 30, 2009 10:42 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

I don't have an exit strategy yet Gary, I'm still trying to get the damn door open. LOL!

Jun 30, 2009 11:06 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Gary,

An exit strategy is essential but I'm a firm believer there are detours that come along and you must be able to veer off and not worry over those alternative courses. It is what it is and things will work out. Planning is good but living life as Gods plan is better.

Jun 30, 2009 11:57 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, Loved the last picture and wonder why I never thought of that!  I make plans but don't count on them...what is that saying, Man plans and God laughs?  It's something like that and I find it to usually be true :)

Jun 30, 2009 12:39 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Love your photos! We should always have an exit strategy A and exit strategy B. I think I am sometimes way too much with all of the possible exit strategies!

Jun 30, 2009 12:49 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Exit strategy huh? Now I have to work on that. You have been way to busy, LOL. Thank you oh Obi wan... :D

Jun 30, 2009 01:11 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Gary, you have been showing us your naughty side lately!  Having an exit strategy is a great idea but very few people think about it!

Jun 30, 2009 01:34 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Thom: It's 5 o'clock somewhere. I like that.

Pat: At least one step ahead you are right helps.

Pamela: I agree, women are just too smart with those darn powers they have.

Petra: Work on a plan sometime just to have it as a contingency.

Jason: Edgy Gary in the daytime.

Heather: Don't feel bad, I think we all misplace or don't think about what we will be doing NEXT!!

Wanda: That woman was a real fast thinker.I think women work their way out of more tickets than men even just batting their eyelashes.

Russell: Sorry for the distraction. It got my attention too. That probably happens more with the cops than we might think.

Mary: Kick that darn door!!

Dorie: I agree that living God's plan is better. He does laugh at our plans I believe, but we keep trying.

Carole: I'm giving you ideas for your speeding tickets? Hope it works out for you. <Smile>

Eileen: I like the idea of multiple exit strategies.

Andrea: I try to stay busy and let that hyper brain spill onto the pages here.

Shirley: You are making me laugh. I jazz up a post now and then and move into PG-13 territory. Those that hang around me in the Rain say Edgy Gary makes an appearance LOL. Don't want to get stale, but I have shocked a reader or two along the way.

Jun 30, 2009 02:16 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Gary

I agree that we need an exit strategy, but I don't have an exit strategy for a ticket.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 30, 2009 02:49 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Smiling at that last photo <SMILE>

Jun 30, 2009 03:19 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Gary,

We do not have money (enough), time (enough), and exit strategy (at all). Actually, the more money you have, the less exit strategy you need, but then again, you need time to convert it to money.

And here I lost myself

 

Jun 30, 2009 04:26 PM
Bob Dunn
Sutton Group West Coast Realty - Abbotsford, BC

I had an exit strategy but the world changed. Hmmmm. Perhaps I should have been a cop!!

Jul 01, 2009 02:54 AM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Gary,

I don't know about an exit strategy but I wonder if the cop gave her the ticket...probably not:)

Jul 02, 2009 09:02 AM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

GAry - You unleashed the inner Gary again! Love it. I always try to have an exit strategy, but unfortunately as I get older it's not so easy to get off on the traffic ticket.  

Jul 03, 2009 12:43 PM