Jane Macken

With the 2011 just around the corner, many of us are focused on our setting our goals, intentions, and resolutions. While this is a wonderful and exciting aspect of every New Year, one of the most important things we can focus on this new year is appreciating ourselves - first!

If you're anything like me and most of the people I know and work with, you probably have a tendency to be hard on yourself, or at least to think you have to achieve your goals or do something "good" in order to pat yourself on the back and appreciate yourself. What if we started with self appreciation, instead of waiting until we think we deserved it or had time to do it?

What we're really after is a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, and, most importantly, self appreciation. We think that if we achieve our goals, we'll be happy and feel good about ourselves. However, as you may have noticed throughout your life - not only is this not true, it creates a great deal of stress for us in the process.

Without appreciating ourselves our goals are meaningless. By taking the time to appreciate ourselves, three incredible things happen. First of all, we put ourselves in the best possible position for the fulfillment of our goals. Second, we give ourselves first what we're going after ultimately - a positive sense of who we are and what's valuable about us, right now. And third, we make ourselves available in a genuine way to be there for others and appreciate the people around us.

Take care of yourself and appreciate who you are as we move into 2011.

For all of us Realtors, I just heard today...we must be aware whether we are representing the buyer or seller that the seller must have permits for all the remodeling work that was performed on the house since the ownership. Conventional lenders are now requiring copies of signed off permits on all work on the home before they will lend. What are your suggestions when dealing with a seller who is resistant in obtaining copies of the permits because the square footage doesn't match what's on the County Records? What would you do? I would greatly appreciate your expert knowledge in this area.

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?