Archive for the ‘General Blogging’ Category
Clearing a Clogged Dishwasher Drain Line
Friday, December 4th, 2009Four Qualities for success
Monday, January 19th, 2009Four Qualities for Success
by Barry Lebow
www.thesenioragent.com
I am fascinated by why some agents do well, most do poorly and why only a few reach extraordinary heights of success.
In my studies I came across Francis Galvin, a cousin to Charles Darwin and someone who was without a doubt a true genius and scientific pioneer.
Galvin did a study of 200 of the most eminent people in history (up to late 1880s anyway) and found that most shared four common traits.
1. Power of Organization. The first trait is exactly what sets out the superstar agents from the herd. I have never met a top producer who was not organized and who did not keep exacting notes and diaries (or at least have assistants who will).
People will pay top dollar to have someone help them with music or sports lessons, but only top producers systematically go over and over sales techniques to perfect their closings. They are organized in the sense that not only are they on top of things, they are organized as they rehearse and roll play to get to and stay at the top.
2. They are persistent. The old saying of “you stop selling when either you or your client is dead” holds true. They believe in what they are doing and they do not accept rejection as defeat.
3. They have good health. Boy, this hits home for me. My father is 87. He is frail of body, and only gets out a few days a week because but his legs don’t carry him as well as they should.
My father was a superstar salesman all his life. How many people do you know who made $3.5 million in commission on one deal? My dad did and at 87 his mental health is the same as when he was at his peak. He called me the other day to ask if I had clients for a particular deal he was working on. How many 87 year old hustlers have you met lately?
Mental health is a key to success in sales. Being of good body is important. Great salespeople and leaders of industry must be able to go the distance and today that includes good mental health as well as physical. You don’t exercise? Then start, now, today. Exercise can clear the head, release powerful endorfens and regenerate you.
A few years ago I could barely walk due to a severe fall through an apartment building roof, today I suffer a lot of pain but damn it, I still can walk miles and love to dance. Hire a personal trainer if you can afford one and if not, walk around the block every day.
4. A Modicum of Ability. I had a little trouble with this concept of his until I figured it out as the genius within us. Something in you makes you unique, something gives you that drive, that one concept that can take you to new levels, like when David and Gail Liniger created RE/MAX despite the critics and the words, “it can’t be done, you can’t single handed change real estate.” Yep, it can be done and watch out for more changes in the future. We are evolving.
I just finished reading about Robert Allen. He wrote a major book on buying real estate with nothing down. I am not a great advocate of his work, but one thing about his program truly intrigued me. He was challenged by a reporter who thought that he was a sham artist. Allen challenged the reporter that he could go any city, go to the unemployment line and pick a couple and they could not only buy with nothing down, they would make a lot of money.
Skipping most of the details, here is what intrigued me the most about the story. Working with the mayor of a city, they invited the unemployed to a lecture that could turn their lives around and make them money. A lot of people showed up but by the coffee break most had left - they learned that it actually took some work. Of those who remained he chose one couple, they went out and used his techniques and made $100,000 in one month. I am not concerned about the nothing down aspect or the profit, what intrigues me is the parallel I see with society and our real estate industry.
All of the tools for success are there, making a $100,000 and more is not that difficult for a working agent but when it comes to working at it, most leave by the coffee break. I study market reports and what do I see? The top producers concentrating their grip on the industry across North America. In Toronto today probably 5% of the Realtors control 95% of the action! I would bet that this trend, with some variation exists in most cities.
Are they smarter? Not really, but they are more focused - and here is another thing - they embrace education. They do not go to mandatory education just for the credits they are there to seek a spark of an idea. They will travel to get the right education and they will hire a coach.
Funny thing, Galton set out his study in the 1880s of 200 successful people and nothing has changed since then. A new year, in 2009 you can go for coffee or stay to learn. Doing nothing usually ends up being the most expensive thing one can do.
Superbowl Apetizer
Monday, January 12th, 2009Green Chile Rollover Bites
1 (8-ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
2 (3-ounce each) packages cream cheese, softened, cut in half
2 (4-ounce each) cans ORTEGA® Diced Green Chiles
1/3 cup milk
1 large egg
1 1/3 cups dry bread crumbs
1(1.25-ounce) package ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix
Garnish: ORTEGA Salsa - Homestyle Recipe (Mild), OR any flavor
Preheat oven to 400° F. Grease baking sheet.
Separate dough into four 3 x 6-inch rectangles on cutting board; press seams closed. Spread half block cream cheese onto each rectangle; top each rectangle with half can chiles. Fold rectangles in half lengthwise; cut each into eight pieces.
Combine milk and egg in small bowl. Combine bread crumbs and seasoning mix in shallow dish. Dip each bite into milk mixture; roll in bread crumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with salsa.
Makes 32 servings.
New Year Home Makeover Tips
Friday, January 2nd, 2009New Year Home Makeover Tips that Are Easy and Inexpensive
With the New Year here many people find it as a new beginning. Many make resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, exercise more, etc… While other’s take this opportunity to give their home a makeover. With a little work and some imagination it can be done with ease and quite inexpensively. Here are just a few ideas to spruce up your home.
Before you begin, start with a notepad divided into three columns, and walk around your home, noting in the appropriate columns what you like about your home and will not change, in the second column list things that don’t necessarily need to be changed, but can be if you find something you like better, and finally in the third column make a list of things that you feel definitely need to change…
Next, sit down and figure out your budget, it’s a good idea to start with the front of the house and work your way back. You don’t have to give every room a makeover all at the same time either, begin and finish one room or area before moving to the next. This will give you the opportunity to take time to coordinate the rooms, and spend avoid spending a lot of money all at one time.
Your entranceway or foyer often is the first impression guests will get of your home, you want them to feel welcome and give them the impression that you take good care of your home. You want to make sure that it is bright and cheery and free of clutter. If your home does not have a foyer, consider putting a fresh coat of paint on your front door.
The first and probably the easiest way to brighten up a worn drab room is to apply a fresh coat of paint. The colors that you select for your home set the mood. Before your run off to the nearest store, stop to decide what type of statement you want to make. Color enhances a home, and can make its occupants feel more content and peaceful. When deciding what colors you want to incorporate into your home, keep the following in mind: If you want to convey a message of togetherness and strength? If so your best bet would be to select warm colors which include various shades of red, orange and yellow. Perhaps you want to give a feeling of peace, tranquility, stick with shades of green, blue and violet.
Because neutral light dramatically affects colors within a room, before you decide on what color you want, take into consideration the rooms lighting, beginning with paying close attention to how or when each room is exposed to natural light from windows or doors. Here are a couple things to keep in mind: Rooms facing north receives less direct sunlight than a room facing south. Rooms exposed to the sun during late afternoon and evening will take on an orange tint, and rooms that are exposed to sunlight in the morning often have a white glow.
After establishing what time each room is subject to natural light, you should consider what type of interior lighting you use. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
If you use Incandescent lighting often casts a yellow glow and typically makes warm colors more vibrant and incandescent halogen lighting which emit a white glow does not distort colors and compact fluorescent light bulbs produce a warm and inviting light.
You can add some pizazz to the room by incorporating pillows, lamps, lamp shades, paintings, and throws that have colors that knickknacks that contain colors that include your primary color or dominant color, adding secondary and accent colors., a good rule of thumb is to use the dominant color for 60% of the room, 30% for your secondary color and only 10% that compliment your walls. A nice touch includes green or flowering plants in decorative vases. You can complete the new “look” with throw or area rugs, no matter if you have wall to wall carpeting or hardwood flooring.
If you find that your kitchen needs a pick-me up you can accomplish this quite easily, before you consider major renovations, keep in mind that sometimes all you need is a fresh coat of paint, new window treatments, tablecloths, and other knickknacks which can transform a drab kitchen. If you find that your kitchen cabinets are in good shape, but are drab and worn, consider applying a coat of paint and replace kitchen cabinet knobs as an alternative to completely replacing them. To freshen up your sink area, replace faucets.
One of the most used rooms in your home is the bathroom. You want to make this room a “room of impression”. It probably is the easiest rooms to update frequently without having to spend a lot of money. A few pictures, a new shower curtain, a coat of fresh paint, new hardware on cabinets, new towels, and a few throw rugs may be all that it takes to make a dramatic change. If you don’t have time to “clean” your home everyday, make this room a priority, as a clean bathroom gives unexpected guests the impression that the rest of your home is in spic and span shape as well.
In recent years, many homes have been built with great rooms that flow from the foyer to the living room, dining room, and kitchen, also referred to as an “Open Floor Plan” While most like the open airy feeling, some feel that they cannot achieve a ” cozy” feeling . A great way to divide this open space is by using Shoji screens (privacy screens) which come in a variety of colors and sizes, typically they are four feet tall and anywhere from two to four panels, so you can determine how much or little space you want to create with them.
There is no hard and fast rule to follow to create a home that will reflect and compliment your personality, Creative and unusual twists make your home unique. Don’t be afraid to try out different things, the end results can always be reversed or redone.
Tax Break For First Time Buyers
Saturday, December 13th, 2008Opportunity of a Lifetime for First-Time Buyers
For aspiring home owners who find their goal stubbornly elusive, newly enacted legislation providing a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for first-time home buyers might just be the opportunity of a lifetime.
But like so many of the good things in life, time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity. Only homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 are eligible. Use the links below to learn more about the tax credit.
A 30 cent “O” ring
Friday, December 12th, 2008Last Wednesday I received a call from an agent that I did an inspection for a few months back. The client finally obtained possesion of the home, moved in and made some of the repairs noted on the report. In the process the spout (diverter) for the tub was sealed at the base because of a water leak that was noted on the report. Unknowingly the homeowner sealed only the exterior of the diverter and was now forcing water into the wall and flooding the surrounding area. When I received the call water was seeping up through the tiles in the opposite room and the adjoining bathroom 5 feet away and through 2 walls away from the actual leak. After removing the caulking and the diverter I discovered the “O” ring used to seal the diverter had been damaged. I went to the auto parts store down the street and purchased a new ring for .30 cents. Thats right .30 cents! Thousands of dollars to homes occur daily from water problems. Most of these problems can be located and fixed with minimal effort or cost. Take a few minutes to dig around under your sinks, behind toilets, the refrigerator, your washing machine….These areas are seldom visited and many times leaks go undetected for some time before they are noticed. Sometimes with devestating results. If you do find a leak dry it up and then monitor it to try and diagnose its roots. If you cant make the repairs with confidence then call a professional. Remeber that I am always just a phone call away and I am anxious to help you in preserving your homes integrity.
Until next time…Happy Homing!