Temple Schneider'Callahan - Ventura, CA

Good Morning! It's Sunday October 11th... Brandon's (my husband) birthday today!! Happy Day!!

I had an "ahh ha" moment recently and I thought I'd share it with you! I was reading about a famous mountain climbing resort over in the Swiss Alps. They have this one "beginner mountain," and several times a month, different companies bring their employees as a group to climb up the mountain together. It's a special exercise that is meant to build camaraderie and teach teamwork.

It's about an eight-hour hike to the top of the mountain so the group normally gathers at the base about eight in the morning. At the beginning of the morning, they are really fired up and enthusiastic. Everyone can't wait to make it to the top and have their picture taken together to celebrate their accomplishment. It's a pretty unique accomplishment...

About halfway up, there's a little restaurant. So the group goes into the restaurant, takes off their hiking gear, sits down by the fireplace and eats lunch. It's a very warm, cozy setting. Here's the interesting part; The article said that on average - after they had gotten warm and comfortable, less than half of the people continued climbing the mountain! It wasn't because they weren't able to do it, nor was it too difficult! It was simply because they had gotten comfortable. They lost their motivation to press on and excel. In essence, they tasted a little bit of success and they thought, "Well, this is good enough..."

A lot of times, this is exactly what we do in our lives. We have a goal or a dream. It could be a goal to pay off credit cards, a plan to lose some weight - or a vivid dream of owning your very own home! At first, you may start off excited and strong, getting your Loan Officer all the paperwork he/she asks for right away, finding homes to look at online, and courageously signing the Offers your Realtor writes - but over some time and a few unaccepted Offers, complacency settles in. The apartment you're renting may not be a bad place to live, but it's not where you're really supposed to be. It's just average; just good enough.

My ahh-ha moment happened when I realized that we are created for more than average! We are created to excel! You are created to stretch your faith - believe we can achieve the unseen, and celebrate our accomplishment at the top of the mountain!

Maybe today, you've taken a little break. Maybe you're comfortable where you are but I want to encourage you to put your hiking gear back on. Stir yourself up! Don't settle for halfway; decide to go all the way. You keep climbing, believing,and pressing forward into that wonderful new Home that God has in store for you!

Hi there,

Here's some information about my experience choosing a new Broker, that you may find helpful. I've been selling homes for almost 6 years now, and due to my Broker electing not to Broker anymore - I had to find a new Broker to work under. I sat with two different Brokers in person, and spoke with 2 others on the phone. In the end, my husband and I were very enthusiastic to work with ERA Cusick Realty. (By the way, I didn't know this before, but "ERA" is a National real estate franchise, and is gaining popularity here in California...)

Here's the scoop. ERA is a company that gives it's agents LOTS of extra tools, free education online and bonus market advantages, that the other Brokers could not compete with (in our eyes). The one program that really hooked us on ERA was this one: The "Seller Security Plan." This program is basically a GUARANTEE to sell your clients home... OR ERA WILL BUY IT THEMSELVES. When Brandon and I heard this, we pretty much whipped out our own pens to sign. Honestly, how can you go wrong? When you're at a listing appointment, and you tell your potential Seller that you can GUARANTEE that their home will be sold in 180 days or less - how can they refuse?? Done. Where do I sign?

Of course, we did totally fall in love with the nurturing "Momma Bear & Papa Bear," 30 year Realtor Veteran's - the Cusick's - who are the Brokers. They are a really fantastic, dynamic and lovable couple. High school Sweethearts at that!! Man, the fact that Deb & Alan dedicate themselves purely to "mentor" and "supervise" their Agents - as opposed to selling real estate alongside you as another competitor- was a huge advantage to us. What more could we ask for? These two amazing "Oracle's" of Ventura County Real Estate, were just there to mentor and guide us through the trials and tribulations via Life In Real Estate?? To provide us with all their knowledge, their wisdom and their experience...?? Yet, not also compete with us for the same listings - like all the other Brokers we spoke with?? Wow. We were just in awe - and so grateful for their genuine Agent-Growing philosophy! We are actually thinking about asking their kids for permission to adopt them...

If you have the chance to sit down with these amazing people - do it. You will be very happy that you did.

Alan & Deborah Cusick ... ERA Cusick Realty

4732-A Telephone Road

Ventura, Ca. 93003

Office: 805-650-1885

The City of Ventura is indeed the "City of Good Fortune" with its surrounding mountains, mild year-round climate and beautiful beaches... There are lots of historical sites, bike paths and parks. You'll find amazing views and often times, the amazing views are actually beachfront!

The parks system includes over 700 acres of parkland and facilities serving various interests from sailing, surfing, tennis, league sports, skateboard parks, and picnic areas. VThe park system even includes two par-72 championship golf courses!! Ventura is just a super place to live!

For more info on Ventura... Email me directly at Temple@RealtorTemple.com

Good Morning - We thought you might like to know about an amazing program called "Hero Care."

When you - or another Community"Hero" you know - buys a home via our services, we can help them to take advantage of what HeroCare offers to it's Home-Buying Heroes. It's a non-profit organization, saying "thank you" in a remarkable way!

If you qualify as a "Hero," then you are elligible to receive a large $$$$ REBATE $$$$ back on the sales commission from your home purchase when you work with us!

Here are the Details:

Who is a "Hero?"


Military;

Active/Retired/Reserves... (Navy, Air force, Marines, Army)
Law Enforcement:

Sheriffs (in Courthouse too)
Police

CHP Officers
Firefighters, EMT's...
County workers (City workers too!)
Local / Federal Government Employee's,
Teachers (Private & Public),
School Bus Drivers, School Custodians

Medical Professionals: Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, Paramedics... (Any person employed by a Public/Private Medical System!)

Heroes get a whopping 20% of the sales commission Rebated BACK TO THEM at the close of Escrow! For example, that's roughly $2,000.00 back to you on a 400K home purchase!! Incredible??

Isn't it wonderful that the Heroes that keep our Communities safe and nice to live in - get a hand up?

Please pass this blog onto any Community Heroes that you know!

For more info call: Free Recorded Message: (805) 861-8272... Or email: vcHeroCare@gmail.com

Hi there - happy Wednesday! So, those of you who know me, know that I've been powerfully single, kid-less and independently operating- up until about 12 months ago! Haha! :-)

Now, I'm powerfully *Married*, WITH-kids, and INTER-dependently operating!! LOL! Yes, I have become a Step-Mommy to two amazing, bright, inquisitive and competitive kids (ages 6 & 8)! Yes, they are just like their Daddy! :-) ... We are finding that they would benefit from having a grounded Step-Mommy, with sanity intact, and after some careful evaluation - I've discovered that I need some new education!! LOL. I was perusing the child-psychology section at my local Barns & Noble, and I found what might be - outside of the Bible - my saving grace. This book may help some of you other frustrated and hopeful Parents out there. This book is called, "1-2-3 Magic" (Effective Discipline for Children, 2-12), written by Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D.

The basic idea in this book is that when a child act's out, a Parent begins to count to three. If the child does not stop the obnoxious behavior by "3," they get a time-out, or whichever consequence works best for you. It may be a privilege that gets taken away, etc. Sounds elementary, right? I thought it wouldn't work either! But it does! Here's the catch: You must be SILENT after you say the number. The pregnant pause is what lends power to this strategy. Here's an example of a typical situation, first without "counting," and then, *with* "counting."

Without "Counting:"

Mom's making dinner, it's 5:45pm. Dinner's served @ 6pm. "Jennifer is 6."

"Can I have a Twinkie?"

"No, Honey."

"Why not?"

"Cause we're eating at 6pm."

"Yeah, but I want one."

"I just told you that you couldn't have one."

"You never give me anything."

"What do you mean I never give you anything? Do you have clothes on? Is there a roof over your head? Am I feeding you in two seconds?!"

"You gave Jeremy one a half hour ago!"

"Listen, are you your brother? And besides, HE eats his dinner."

"I promise I'll eat my dinner."

"Don't give me this promise, promise, promise stuff, Jennifer! Yesterday, you had a half a string cheese at 5:15pm, and you didn't eat anything at dinner!"

"Then I'm going to kill myself and then run away from home!!"

"Well be my guest, I'm sick of this."

WOW.. That was what might happen *without* counting...

Now read THIS!!

With "Counting..."

"Can I have a Twinkie?"

"No Honey."

"Why not?"

"Because we're eating at 6pm."

"Yeah, but I want one."

"That's 1." (Now remain silent Mom!)

"You never give me anything!"

"That's 2." (Now, bite your tongue again Mom... Stay silent.)

"Ohh alright." (Followed by a grumpy, pouty exit.)

WHAT A DIFFERENCE???? I LOVE IT.

Give it a try and let me know what you think...!

Have a blessed day and may the Holy Spirit give you strength!!! :-)

- Temple