Iowa

Here are some focus points which I use on myself whenever I need more discipline in my life (nearly all the time!).

I'll start with the premise that Marshall Sylver is 100% correct when he says, "we'll either have discipline or regrets, so we must master discipline". To accomplish big goals, we must convert them to plans. Here are just a few of the ways to discipline oneself, in business and life, given in the first person as positive affirmations.

1) I work hard to get my technology working.

As an abstract random person, I have more trouble with this because I am a cornucopia of exciting, fresh ideas. I am constantly seeking out new ways to work more efficiently and effectively. Unfortunately, this means that if I purchase a new gizmo to help me to do something better, I have to have the discipline to actually implement the tools I've invested in, or the company has invested in. We abstract randoms need the support of concrete sequentials, though we have lots of trouble understanding each other, so I have to force myself to finish what I've started to gain the efficiencies I

2) I like to use a vision/dream board to help me clarify what I really want. Again, Marshall Sylver recommends to not create goals, but to create plans. Plans are more concrete, and thus more motivational. Knowing why, what, and how are prerequisite to actually doing something, if we are to perform the task effectively and efficiently.

3) I let go of MWA's (minimum wage activites). I allow others the privilege of serving me with tasks that are not necessary for me to personally accomplish. I reduce my stress level by allowing others the to accomplish some of their goals, which includes helping others (i.e., me!) . When I let others do these jobs, I often find they are better at it than I, and this makes us both happy! I accomplish more when I let go of MWA's!

4) I've learned the six levels of deligation, and I am clear with those to whom I have deligated responsibilites. When I chose to deligate any authority, accountability, or responsibilities, I make sure we communicate well requiring expectations, so no one is disappointed. Sometimes, parents and even grandparents mess this up when they ask a child to do something then don't follow through with their expectations. That's a presciption for disasterous results in child rearing, and it is magnified in the work place. I accomplish much more when I make sure I'm clear with expectations and deligation.

5) Always be grateful and respectful of others. Be thankful for the clerk working the drive-up window at the fast food restraurant; and when they do a good job, I say, "thank you for being good at what you do" (and being thankful to God that they have a job, and that God has allowed me to have a different one!).

6) Be respectful of the earth. When you see liter in front of your path, stop and pick up a few pieces and be thankful to the God-given beauty that you're helping to restore. If you're a smoker, don't use the earth as your ashtray.

7) And, if you're a REALTOR, always give more in service than you receive in compensation. Don't just satisfy your clients, amaze them. Whenever possible, go the extra mile and you're never regret it. The referrals will just pour in to you and in a few years, you'll have a very solid client base which is continually growing simply because of how you've mastered the basic skills of good business.

I was just pulling up to TJMaxx when I got the call at slightly past 9pm on April 16th. I answered it cheerfully, "Hello this is Matt with Remax Concepts." "That's what I like, an agent who answers his *&^*($# phone!" Barked the caller. "Oh no" I thought. Many things raced through my mind but I replied "That's the best way I've found to help people. How can I help you sir?" Laughter

"Matt, This is LL." Of course I knew LL right away. He's only the top AR blogger in the state. Instantly my pulse beat faster as I informed him I knew exactly who he was, how great it was to have him calling and again asked how I could help him.

Seems he had someone special to him that needed to find a home in my market area. He'd been reading my AR blog and comments and "liked what he read" so he chose me to assist, even though his broker was part of a corporate referral program which did not include my broker. I was flabbergasted. I wanted to say enough to impress him but not so much as I'd sound like a total dork. Apparently it worked. The next day the referral form arrived from the corporate office. I had that thing signed and back in under 15 minutes.

After that I had to meet the prospect, establish rapport, help them select homes to view, drive all over two counties, look at dozens of homes, get an offer accepted: at midnight, get everything turned in, get past inspection, etc, and take it to close. All that however, was the easy part. That's what I'm trained to do. All that I couldn't have done if I hadn't had a prospect. All that I couldn't have done if I hadn't been on AR and quite possibly couldn't have done if I hadn't answered my phone that Thursday night.

So I met some super nice folks who I could help and who helped me, LL and his special somebodys, and sold another home. I love my job, and I love AR.

Well, it happened. In spite of a lot of REALTOR lobbying against the proposed mandatory septic inspection requirement at transfer, it passed as has now become law. Unless your transfer was recorded prior to July 1st 2009 you will be required to submit to a certified inspection process to record your deed in many cases where you have a residence with a septic system.

Some important points:

• The new law requires pumping at transfer, unless it has been "properly" completed within 3 years prior.
• Failing systems will be required to meet new code specifications.
• Inspections must be conducted by an inspection certified by the DNR.
• Inspection form will be required to be submitted with transfer.
• Inspections will be good for 2 years even if property transfers again.
• Property abstracts will include the inspection results.

Exceptions are:

• The law only applies to transfers of property containing one to four dwelling units,
• Exemptions for transfers which the consideration is $500 or less
• Intra family business organization transfers
• Properties which will be razed or demolished
• Foreclosures, Transfer by trustee, Execution of a Judgment

This law is a benefit for the States groundwater and for buyers, but could be a burden on a seller, septic business owner, and agents. The burden on the seller is the potential liability for updating of older systems if even only one component is failing. Septic business owners will have to become certified. The burden for agents then will be in ensuring that the inspections are performed, meeting with inspectors, and making sure the documents are filled out correctly and delivered properly.

All in all I think the laws is postive for consumers and groundwater but will take a little getting used to.

June 30th is the last day in Polk County to file for the Homestead Exemption and have the benefit be applied to this year's taxes. Home owners may always file after July 1st, but the Homestead will only be applied then to the next years taxes.

If you're unfamiliar with the Homestead Exemption, or other home owner tax credits, you can read about them at the Polk County Assessors website, which is an excellent source of information.

Home owners in other municipalities may enjoy similar programs as well. Basically what the Homestead Tax Credit program does is reduce the taxable value of your home by $4,850 if you are an owner occupant, meaning that you live in the home as your primary residence versus renting it out to someone else or having another primary residence. This results in a savings of around $142 per year for the average taxpayer. Hey, Every little bit helps!

There are currently 45 tax credit programs available in Polk County. CLICK HERE to view the complete list.

About Remington Financial Group, Inc - Hard Money

Since 1993, Remington Financial Group, Inc. (RFG) has had a successful history of securing hard money capital and financial services to sophisticated real estate owners and developers nationwide.

RFG specializes in hard money loans, a higher-risk loan, which is usually based on the quick-sale value of a property. Hard money loans are often issued for financially distressed properties that carry greater risks that most conventional banks are not willing to absorb. RFG issues hard money loans in cases where there is sufficient collateral and a promising business or financial plan.

Securing financing for transactions starting at $1 million and moving upward, RFG offers an extensive network of private and public lending partners, dramatically improving successful close rates for borrowers in need of a fast closing loan. With a successful track record of closing hard money transactions, Remington delivers expertise and competitive transaction options, even in challenging market conditions.

Hard money loans may be issued for any range of non-traditional properties or non-traditional borrowers - including property owners who may have missed a mortgage payment or real estate developers that are looking for immediate action.

RFG is interested in securing financing for companies that operate in expanding market sectors, such as manufacturing, resource development and service providers. Remington will consider securing financing on a diverse variety of commercial properties, including mixed-use, apartment buildings, assisted care facilities, business investment capital, corporate loans, real estate, special purpose properties (such as car washes), construction loans, hotels, land development, retail, office or industrial properties.

Remington Financial Group - What is a Hard Money Loan?

A hard money loan is easily recognized by some distinguishing characteristics, most notably its ability to close quickly. Although a hard money loan typically carries a lower loan to value and more costly rates and fees, borrowers continually turn to this unique loan because most times it can move from start to close in 30 short days.

Loans often times must close quickly for any number of reasons. Sometimes the timing is a requirement to take advantage of a good price on a commercial property. Other times borrowers must meet fast closing dates in order to avoid foreclosure. Regardless of the reason, hard money is a viable and valuable loan type.

It's also important for brokers to understand that a typical hard money loan does not have a pre-payment penalty associated with it. So, if the borrower is in a position to repay the loan early the lender will not impose an extra fee.

Remington Financial Group, Inc. - When to Use Hard Money

A hard money loan is easily recognized by some distinguishing characteristics, most notably its ability to close quickly. Although a hard money loan typically carries a higher loan to value and more costly rates and fees, borrowers continually turn to this unique loan because most times it can move from start to close in 30 short days.

Why would a borrower need to close a loan in 30 days? It turns out there are many reasons that a quick turn around might be necessary. Two examples include:

Taking advantage of a low cost property

A borrower is aware of a piece of available property that is near the site of a soon-to-be-built shopping center. The land owner will sell the property at a lower cost, but only if the deal can close in the next 30 days. By securing a hard money loan, the borrower will pay higher rates and fees, but can close quickly knowing that she will earn a significant return in a year when the shopping center's construction is complete and the land's value has increased.

Avoid foreclosure

An individual's lender is about to foreclose on his property unless he can repay a certain amount within a short time period. The property is worth $10 million and the borrower owes $1 million against it. If the property is foreclosed upon, all of the property's equity will be lost. Although a hard money loan carries high fees and rates it enables the borrower to meet the aggressive repayment timeframe and save the equity in the property.