Conan Dougherty

5 Reasons Why Joining A Private Club Is Like Owning A Pet!

A pet has these responsibilities:

1. You have to feed it
2. You have to walk it
3. You have to clean up after it
4. You have to train it
5. You have to love and nurture it

Being a member at a private club has these responsibilities:

1. You have to be prepared to pay for everything that it needs (split between the other members of course)
2. You have to spend time at your club. Use it for business and pleasure.
3. I haven't figured out how this translates to a private club yet.
4. Great clubs are great because of the members personalities and what they bring to the club.
5. You have to love the club you join and spend time family and friends there.

OK, I am having a little fun with this because my two boys have been hounding be for a dog. I love dogs but there is a lot that comes with owning a dog. A golf membership is very similar to owning a dog. A membership is not just something you buy because you want to be a member. You need to know what you are getting into. And that your experience as a member will depend on your involvement and how you interact with all of the players, staff and members included.

The biggest responsibility is a financial one, you have to feed it. You not only join a club for what it can do for you but to support something that is bigger than you. So when the club needs a new roof or the pool needs to be redone you and the other members will bear the cost of that burden.

The second most important thing to know come from #5, you have to love the club you join. Remember that this is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Sure the expectations might be high and rightly so but let your club manager take care of the little things or the big things that might bother you. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.

If you are not having fun or the little things you don't like around the club are getting to you it is time you got involved with serving at your club. Join the board, join a committee get involved to help make your club a great club.

If that doesn't work take some golf lessons and that will either ruin your game or help refocus whey you joined the club in the first place. Playing golf and having fun.

Most people looking for homes today will start by looking on the Internet. I believe the latest numbers from Realtor.com is that over 70% of home buyers search for a home on the Internet before they contact an agent. What I want to tell you "the 1st time home buyer" is how the buyers agent helps you when you leave your computer.

1. The biggest and best news about buyer's agents is they are Free! There is no cost or fee to enlist the services of a buyer's agent. There is a catch that you must know about. In order for the agent to work for you there must be an official agreement stating this fact. It is a buyer's brokerage agreement. This will state clearly what the agent will be doing to help you with your purchase. Do not be afraid of this, if you are ask questions and the agent will gladly explain everything.

2. The cat will stay in the bag. Your personal information and motivation for buying a home is safe with your buyer's agent. How much you make and how much you qualify for will not be out there for the seller to know. The listing agent is working for the seller and it is their job to find anything that would give his seller an advantage.

3. Your will have more negotiating power. Having a buyer's agent will give you the representation you need to get the best deal for your new home. The listing agent is working for the seller and has a duty to them to get the highest price possible for the sale of their home. Getting you to buy the home is paramount to you getting a good deal. Price is only one part of the negotiations. After your offer is accepted there are inspections that need to be done and if anything is found what gets fixed and who pays for it are now on the table for negotiations. Remember the listing agent is working for the seller.

4. You will have access to all information. The listing agent will not tell you that the list price is what the seller wants to sell for. With a buyer's agent you get information about what the market value of the home truly is and what homes just like the one you want to buy are selling for in that particular market.

5. You will get the best deal. Bottom line is a buyer's agent has a duty to you to find you the property that fits your needs and income at the best price possible.

When you are driving around looking for your new home and call on signs tell the agent you are working with an agent already. See if you're still greeted with the same enthusiasm. Find a buyer's agent to work with. They will not only be working with you best interests in mind they will help you find the best house with the least amount of pain for you.

Some would say September 7, 2008 will be marked as one of the "Biggest Government Bail Out's" in American history. There are plenty of articles out there talking about what has happened and what will happen to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to shore up the stability of the housing market. The question that comes to mind is how is that going to affect the consumer in the short run and down the road?

Short Run:

1. Lower interest rates
2. Consumer Confidence

The government take over of the organizations has already helped increase confidence. We have seen the stock market strengthen and interest rates have dropped slightly. The price of Oil has dropped and the Dollar has gained. These are the short term results we would hope for. The housing market in the Atlanta area will continue to be a "buyers market". Seller's who are upgrading will lose a fraction on the sale of their current home but gain equity in their purchase.

Long Run:

1. Reduce Inventory
2. Higher Fees to Consumer

Inventory will decrease and the market should level off. How long this will take greatly depends on the confidence wave created by the take over. The great Atlanta area still has over 12 months of inventory that needs to be depleted before sellers can "feel" like it is a good market again. Paying off the brunt of the debt will carried by the consumers who are getting new loans.

One quote from Paulson caught my eye:

"A failure would affect the ability of Americans to get home loans, auto loans and other consumer credit and business finance. And a failure would be harmful to economic growth and job creation," Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Has the government just created a bigger bubble that can burst down the road?

Buying your first home can elicit many feelings; Excitement, Joy, Happiness, Elation, Wonder, Anticipation, Stress and Regret. Not always in that order. When our feelings control our thoughts which in turn control our beliefs,it eventually becomes the truth. This major purchase will be one of the biggest financial investments that most people will make in their life. There are two times through the buying process 1st time home buyer's can battle remorse. When they have an executed contract and after they leave the closing table. Here are 5 steps to avoid this from happening.

1. Prayer
2. Council
3. Get Pre-Approved
4. Have A Budget
5. Surrender The Outcome

Prayer is the first thing you should do. That's right I said prayer and some of you may not understand so I will just speak about the practical application. Praying will give you pause during an emotional time allowing you to think clearly about the task at hand. Visiting the house will allow you time to experience the lifestyle in the neighborhood. The more time you are able to spend the more familiar everything will become. No surprises.

Council will help you express your feelings and thoughts. You may have family that is helping you with your purchase. Do not be afraid to tell them your fears and your wants. Your Realtor is also one to speak with about any concerns or questions you will have.

Get Pre-Approved or even approved for a loan should be done before you even start looking at properties. How can you look at homes unless you know how much you can spend. A professional salesmen will insist you get pre-approved before you can start. Knowledge is power and in this case it will guide you to the home you can afford. Don't resist this step it will save you heart ache in the end.

Have A Budget This step is tied to getting pre-approved in importance. You must have you expenses accounted for. How can you know how much home you can afford if you don't have your expenses under control. Manage your money well and you will have no concerns about your purchase. You will be well within your means.

Surrender The Outcome is the last step and by far not the least. If you have followed the other steps then you can rest in your decision. "Remember the Lord in all you do and he will give you success" proverbs 3:6.

Follow these steps to let the truth guide your beliefs which form your thoughts that express feelings. instead of the other way around.