Jane Macken

I am trying to put a positive spin on a negative experience. My client made an offer on a property that was listed at $625,000 (no picture) and was on the market for 170 days (Short Sale). The bank wanted two weeks to do a BPO and then countered at $675,000. My client countered at a price under the $675,000 and we sent 44 pictures to demonstrate that the property was in disrepair and needed work. The bank held firm so we let the property go. The next day, the property was listed as NEW on the MLS and did not show DOM from previous listing (first MLS violation) and the Listing Agent used one of my pictures (second MLS violation). The positive is that our Real Estate Board took action and fined for the first violation and removed the picture for the second violation. It was a matter of principle.

Another cause for concern is that some Listing Agents are under pricing their listings to encourage our Buyers to make offers. Then, the Listing Agent comes back with a higher price in the form of a Counter. Unless the Listing Agent has a BPO and Negotiator assigned, I recommend passing on making an offer unless you can justify your offer based on comps, not just condition of the property. Otherwise, we are just being used. What are your thoughts?

"Slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects" is a quote from "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Their message teaches us an important lesson about other cultures and the importance of relationships. Understanding the uniqueness of each person and their culture is important in Real Estate. These relationships build a trusting community.

Greg Mortenson, an American, committed out of passion to build a school for the children in Balti (Pakistan). Once construction began, he drove the workers hard without significant progress and built resentment from the workers. Haji Ali, a Baltistan, told him that if he wanted to thrive in Baltistan, he must respect their ways. Haji Ali said, "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honoree guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die." Greg Mortenson learned an important lesson about other cultures. He followed this tradition and the workers accelerated productivity and completed the school in a relative short time.

What an incredible example of caring and compassion for others and serving others and the community. It is important to understand other cultures in forming trusting relationships.

If you haven't had the opportunity to read, "Sarah" by Kayleen Johnson, you might want to pick up a copy and read. She is an excellent example of giving back to the community and serving others. Sarah Palin is making a difference in the male-dominated world and went head to head with the previous powerful governor of Alaska over issues having to do with ethics and openness in government. She doesn't back down from adversity when she knows she is right and that what she is right about is for the betterment of society. What are your thoughts?

Do you have a behavior that you don't like about yourself? When I wrote "The Art of Managing..., I was talking about our hidden Self...it's the other side of us that we don't want others to see. Working on Self as helps you rid those negative thoughts and feelings. "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert supports my belief. She says, "People who want to change behaviors or overcome fears, need only to vividly visualize themselves behaving in the desired way and eventually without conscious effort they will simply begin to behave differently." I truly believe that when you replace those negative feelings and thoughts with positive, you inevitably end up helping everybody. What are your thoughts?