Corona, CA

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

Sir Winston Churchill

I am a history buff and have always loved that quote. Listening seems sometimes to be a lost art. Think of how many people in your everyday encounters really listen to what is being said to them. Truthfully, every now and then I find myself zoning out while thinking ahead to other things on the horizon when I am in conversation with someone. It's a really horrible thing born of always being in a rush and trying to be a step ahead. I find I do this way more than I should, kick myself a few times and get back on track. I do this a lot with my kids. I get really impatient for them to get to the point. But guess what? If I'm not really listening I miss the point!

I hate to admit that I have done this with a client or two in the past. In business this can be a real killer. What is your client really saying to you? Are you so jazzed in presenting yourself and your service that you run over them with a steamroller of facts and statistics? I think this was my biggest mistake when I first began talking with potential clients. I was so eager to sell my service that I didn't really listen, I mean really listen. I reviewed the conversation in my head, thought of things I should have said and then stopped dead cold. I realized what I missed and should have said because I wasn't really listening. Has this happened to you before?

Listening to things we may not want to hear falls into this category also. How does service improve or business grow if one is not open to listening to constructive criticism or alternative ideas? I have gotten some great input for my business by listening to clients and mentors. Sometimes listening to things not so pleasant but none the less valuable.

I am not saying anything new here. Listening is first and foremost the most important part of any business arsenal. Unfortunately it can seem rare in today's hurry up world. How many times have you felt rushed at a visit with your doctor? How about the clerk that is speaking on the phone while trying to wait on customers? Do I want someone having that recollection of my business or service? Would you?

Reminding myself to listen effectively is an exercise I must do on a daily basis. An exercise that brings great rewards to me, my business and most importantly my clients. Who knows who will be listening to them after I have long left the scene.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

Corona home buyers (and sellers) will be happy to know the first time homebuyer program, which was scheduled to end November 2009, has now been extended until June 2010.  Homebuyers who may have been searching frantically for a home to meet the deadline will now have a bit more time to capitalize on the terrific $8,000 credit.

Cameron Novak
Corona & Riverside Short Sale Agents
The Homefinding Center^TM
Corona, California
951-212-7479
 

Don't look now... inventory has dried up in Corona!!!

If you haven't been paying attention to the housing market in Corona over the past several weeks, you're in for a surprise.  Inventory has dried up... and when i say "dried", I mean as in Raisin!  There isn't even many short sale listings (which are usually last on a home buyer's list of considerations).

Amazing how many people keep propagating the story that there will be a GLUT of foreclosures released to the market which will fuel even farther value drops.... DON'T BELIEVE IT.  I've been hearing that one since last year... somehow it never occurs.

It's a great time to buy, and if home ownership sounds good to you... get off the fence and get into a home of your own!  Trying to time the housing market is like trying to time the stock market... futile!

Cameron Novak
Corona & Riverside Short Sale Agents
The Homefinding Center^TM
Corona, California
951-212-7479
 

Madison avenue makes tons of money for ideas in advertising. Donatella Versace makes money for her fashion ideas. Ideas and creativity are a commodity that many pay top dollar for. If creativity, innovation and problem solving were so easy, everyone would do it and there would be no Madison Avenue or Versace.

How do you put a price on creativity and the ability to envision a plan before it even is put on paper? How do you put a price on problem solving and the ability to improvise?

One of the most common complaints and misconceptions about Staging is the cost. Staging is too expensive and not worthy of the fees being charged. Why should Stagers be paid at time of service instead of when the property closes? After all, how hard is it pick colors, pare down floor plans or pick out "knick knacks".

Staging is advertising; very cost effective advertising when you consider the potential returns. Think about it. Staging is live advertising that people can reach out and touch. How much is that worth? Especially when it doesn't come across as high gloss and contrived.

If it involves little skill or creativity, why has the industry emerged? Anyone can do it, right? Why denigrate the worth of this service?

As a seller, I have listened to agents we interviewed brag about how much they spent in advertising and getting the word out about their listings. "Nobody does more." I have heard this common theme from homeowner clients who have not seen the results of all this marketing and advertising. Well how much did all that advertising cost? Advertising a listing that shows poorly for a typical listing period is way more expensive than Staging.

A simple Consultation, depending on the company, can range from $500 on the high end to about $150 on the low end. This many times alone is all that is required to get a home ready to show and shorten time on the market. How much was that print spread that just shows the outside of a listing and not always in a flattering light? What will generate more interest, that or photos taken of a ready to show listing loaded on multiple Internet websites for all to see.

Consider the price of ideas and then take your pick.

AccentPositives provides effective and economical consultations on site and online. We Service the Inland Empire area of Southern California.

I've been reading posts, listening to the news and the talking heads and I have an idea. Not an original one to be sure. But one worth posting.

Small business seems to have been completely left out of any economic stimulus, with the government figuring that all their printed dollars used to bail out Wall Street and Auto Manufacturing will somehow filter down to small business. I'm no economist and I hope that some of that money does... but I know that there is something I can do personally and I am challenging each of us to do the same.

Patronize a small business in your community TODAY. Make it your goal to do business with small, professionally run businesses. Alternatively or in addition, give/donate to a local charity who can help our local troubled neighbors to get through this tough time.

I'm thinking of all I have to do today and how I can use my neighborhood businesses to get it done. I'll have to buy more moving boxes. Check. I need a hostess gift. Check. My car needs an oil change and a wash. Check.

What are you going to do? Please post it! Or better yet - post what you've done to help your community small businesses tonight after your done.