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Style - Is It Time To Let It Go?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Alliance Group Real Estate Services 01298719

 

      Imagine if you were stuck in time fashion wise and you were still wearing all of your high school cloths.  If you are attending High School this is fine, but if you are not, we have an issue to discuss.  The good news is that we can spot you and your high cuts a mile away and so can you.  All you need to do is look in the mirror and ask, "I wonder why I can't find a good perm?"

 

      Seriously, we look back at the trends and wonder, "what the heck was I smoking???" right?!  The truth is that sometimes we are pulled my culture, media, and others to believe that the style of the times is the way to be and we sometimes subscribe.  Remember the leg warmer phase?  We'll say the same thing about Silly Bands and Skinny Jeans for men if we're not already....

 

            What's this have to do with Real Estate? What if an overleveraged lifestyle looked at ridiculous as a rolling up in your Gremlin?  

 

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What if we woke up one day and decided as a culture that we are done working harder to get more stuff and all that junk became an outdated symbol of an old life of over consumption? 

 Is it possible that we are entering an era where free fun, family, giving back, compassion for the world, and sharing our gifts were in style? Regardless, wouldn't it feel amazing if you did?

 

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            In my business I spend time with people daily.  Happy people and not so happy people.  What I have found is that those who have taken an honest look at their Real Estate and Investment portfolios and made the adjustment from the 2005 to 2011 are happy the did.  Those who are still stuck in 2005 and all the pressure of holding that lifestyle up are simply not.

 

Cost - Free.

 

 Get a Handle On Your Home First

  

Why?  It's the biggest payment and if there are not enough to go around you have to decide.  If your last refi or home purchase can be chalked up to "bad timing" you may need to have a Real Estate makeover.  And, when you are liberated from useless debt with a payment you can afford, you will rejoin the ranks of the stylish San Diegans who are enjoying life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

 

 

An Online Home Evaluation will provide with:

 

  • An accurate analysis of your home's current worth (not an automated Zestimate, a real one),

 

  • Look at the next 10 years (If we stay and do nothing, or if we modify, or if we sell and repurchase after 2 years with a plan and credit improvement) It's all in color and right in front of you so you can make the best decision for you and your family with no pressure.

 

 

www.SDHomePlan.com

 

Request An Online Home Evaluation

 

Family fun-Free.  San Diego beaches - Free.  Sun - Free.  Happiness - Free.  You can afford this.

 

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Show All Comments Sort:
Jerry Murphy, CRS, SRES
Long Realty West Valley - Anthem, AZ
Anthem, Phoenix, and Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

Hopefully we've done a reset as consumers.  But I think Americans have short memories these days.  Once things pick up I think a lot of the pent up desire to BUY will resurface again.  Maybe some of us will have learned the lesson though.  Great post Rebecca and best of luck to you.

Mar 17, 2011 02:06 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Rebecca, now many people like less is more, but when they are so underwater with their homes as far as values in some areas, they just scream and literally want to STRATEGICALLY default. We've done the reset in Texas so often with overbuilding and prices going backwards this last hit was minor in comparison to the rest of the country. NOTHING NEW here.

Mar 17, 2011 02:09 PM
Mike Mayer
Mike Mayer, Broker/Owner - i List For Less Realty, LLC - Lafayette, LA

Actually I kinda miss my old worn bell-bottom blue jeans!

Mar 17, 2011 02:52 PM
Rebecca Austin
The Alliance Group Real Estate Services - Carlsbad, CA
Broker Associate, Sales & Recruitment Manager

Gentlemen...the blue hair will remain a vague memory in my mind only and the shoebox will remain in the closet!  I forgot about the glasses, but now that you mention it, I do recall they magnified both brows and cheekbones!  lol

Its funny what we buy into to keep up with the Jones.  Gary, there are those who are "strategic thinkers" but all of my clients are ironically the opposite.  The appointment I just completed are current and have been paying their mortgage and their expenses with their credit cards.  Today, they are over $260,000 upside down with over $20,000 in credit card debt.  This is not unique in my market and its cases like this that have compelled me to build my own brokerage, write a book, and do a radio show.  Families need to know that there is a better strategy.

Jerry, I know that the market will turn and there will be those who choose to buy more than they need.  There will be agents and lenders who are happy to take the commission.  My vision is there will also be businesses like mine who are commited to the best outcomes for all.

Realtors, keep up the good work and be thankful that your dedication is truly helping people; now more than ever....

Mar 17, 2011 04:54 PM
Anthony Daniels
Coldwell Banker - San Francisco, CA
SF Bay Area REO Specialist

I would swear that the couple pictured above came through my brokers tour the other day.

Maybe not.  The couple in question showed up driving a Pacer, not a Gremlin.

Mar 17, 2011 05:19 PM
Sarasota & Manatee Counties FL
SaraMana Properties - QuickFreeMLS.com - Bradenton, FL
QuickFreeMLS.com - Listings In Paradise

Interesting blog post! thank you for sharing it!

Mar 17, 2011 05:49 PM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

It is hard to live now with so much debt.  Its best to keep the payment low and have fun with other things or save if possible.

Mar 17, 2011 06:01 PM
Brian Doubleday
Brian Doubleday - IML RealEstate - Orange County, CA Broker - Ladera Ranch, CA
Ladera Ranch, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo
Great post, I love the photos and I think you have some great points on reasonable payments
Mar 17, 2011 08:11 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

We have some agents going around in ActiveRain that have those 80's style pictures on their blog.. .I know we had Kool & The Gang. .but that is not cool anymore.

Mar 17, 2011 11:40 PM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Rebecca,

What a great lead in to your analogy!  My shoebox will also remain sealed.

Mar 18, 2011 01:57 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Beautiful analogy!!! Wish every home owner from that time can get this message

Mar 18, 2011 02:43 AM
Ira Bodenstein
PNC Mortgage - Montclair, NJ
NMLS#: 445143

Very thought provoking...thanks for the post.

Mar 18, 2011 03:01 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

There is one thing that I have learned in real estate-Change is Constant. One must be able to read cycle trends. Where are you in the market right now? This will determine ones strategy.

Mar 18, 2011 03:05 AM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Man...I miss those tube socks going up to my knees, throwing bleach all over my faded, bell-bottom blue jeans to create just the look, flannel shirts, long hair parted in the middle, driving around in my Chevy Nova in high school, listening to REO Speedwagon, throwing a frisbee, playing hockey.  Okay, the clothes, I cringe when I look that I actually wore tube socks sometimes and other personal things! Ouch.  I still love to throw a frisbee though with my son and listen to R&R:)

Mar 18, 2011 03:21 AM
Rebecca Austin
The Alliance Group Real Estate Services - Carlsbad, CA
Broker Associate, Sales & Recruitment Manager

I'm cracking up this morning with your memories.  I totally forgot about the bleached jeans!! (I took a razor blade to mine as well)

Harry, I'm in San Diego and we've been watching markets like DC for signs of recovery.  Now we are hearing that our market is also one to watch as well which makes sense because of the high numbers of relocations that we see.  However, we've got a lot to cycle through.  The sense is that lots want to move here and few want to leave.  Perhaps that will mean a sensible flat recovery followed by a reasonable increase.   

Mar 18, 2011 04:13 AM
Maggie McFarland
RE/MAX Pearland - Maggie McFarland - Pearland, TX
Pearland Realtor, Homes for Sale in Pearland Texas

First of all - great picture! Second - realy good perspective!

Mar 18, 2011 04:41 AM
Shari Song
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Federal Way, WA

Good post Rebecca. We all need to re-evaluate our lives and investments every so often. I certainly hope this change away from overconsumption lasts. It is a much healthier lifestyle.

-Shari

Mar 18, 2011 05:30 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

I have a couple of friends that still wear the rock t-shirts and leather gloves without fingers. Amazing.

Mar 18, 2011 08:46 AM
Dennis Neal
Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

Changing with the times is a must for all of us.

Mar 19, 2011 09:34 AM
Randy Elgin
Option One Real Estate - San Antonio, TX
Sells Affordable Homes for sale in the San Antonio

Thank you for sharing this. Just commented about pictures on business cards. I try to keep my residential BC up to date and my commercial card doesn't have a picture. If it did it would be me in a suit.

Mar 21, 2011 03:00 AM