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The Power of Appreciation (reprise)

11-10-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



My son, Michael, had a writing test a few years ago. My wife, Kim, and I were very anxious about how he would perform. Of course, Kim had invested much time and energy in teaching Michael the things he needed to know (as a home school mom). Then all we could do was pray. To make a long story short, Michael took the test and the woman facilitator said he did very well. We were so pleased! Later that evening I really wanted to make Michael feel good, so I played like I didn't see him on the other side of the room while I started up a conversation with Kim. I went on to talk about what a good job Michael had done and how happy we were that he'd done so well. You could just see him beaming as I knew he could hear every word. Then I said, "Where is Michael, anyway?" He replied, "Here I am, Dad." I said, "Wow, I didn't even know you were there." Expressing appreciation for a job well done. I wonder if we don't tend to point out and harp on the negatives we see in people to the exclusion of recognizing their positive contributions. And when was the last time you said to somebody, "Hey, I appreciate what you're doing and have done and for you being in my life. Thank you"? (I wrote The Power of Appreciation about six months ago, but I thought with Thanksgiving coming another reminder of it's importance couldn’t hurt. Agree?)

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The "Is It Me?" Question

11-06-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



(As this post is being released the unemployment rate has surpassed 10% in this country.) Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Is it me?" It's an easy question to ask especially when you're going through a challenging time. Other translations of "Is it me?" ~ Am I the problem here? Am I my own worst enemy? ~ and that's the reason why I'm having such a hard time selling property? (if you happen to be in real estate) ~ and that's the reason why deals are falling through? No matter what your career field, difficulties have a way of causing you to second-guess yourself. Right? Your confidence wanes. You become hesitant/gun-shy. (You've been there. Could it be now?) And there are different ways to deal with the "Is it me?" question that I could talk about (of course). But I want to go another direction with it to finish this post. And just as way of a reminder: Life can be (and is) very complicated. (Tell me it ain't so.) At any given moment there are a number of factors contributing to each of our own personal situations, both in and outside our control. And could it be that it's not so much "you" but something else "beyond you" that's pressing in and making your situation that much tougher ~ and once you take this to heart you'll actually help to set yourself up for future success by removing the total burden from your shoulders? I feel better already.

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Mother Lode Area Real Estate Numbers

11-04-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



I've got the latest Mother Lode market numbers for you to look at today. To begin with, you'll notice the overall sales picture including all sales classes. CLICK HERE to view October 2009 compared to October 2008. CLICK HERE to view January-October 2009 compared to January-October 2008. You'll also want to notice the graphs including the Mother Lode Residential Unit Sales through October 2009 graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 1 on the above left) along with the Mother Lode Residential Volume Sales graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 2 on the right) and the Mother Lode Residential Average Sales Price graph versus the previous five years (clickable picture 3 on the left below), respectively. (The data used comes from the Tuolumne Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.) As usual, I also have some of the numbers in black and white here:

UNIT SALES: Oct 09 = 62; Oct 08 = 49; +27%

VOL SALES: Oct 09 = $26,671,484; Oct 08 = $13,997,800; +91%

AVG SALES PRICE: Oct 09 = $430,185; Oct 08 = $285,669; +51%

Watch for Calaveras MLS stats to be posted soon.

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10 Things Employees Say When They Get Caught

11-02-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



Have you ever got caught? (If you answered "no", you've just been caught lying.) The fact is every human being on the face of the earth has blown it at one time or another, tried to hide it (especially when we were younger?) and then been found out. And it can (and does) happen in the work setting. (Can you think of a time in your own experience?) So what do people ~ and in particular, employees ~ say when the proverbial lid comes off? Some 'fess up while others dodge. Know what I'm talking about? Which got me to come up with a list. (If you've read this blog very long, you know about me and "lists.") And I'm sure there's much more to add to these, but here are...

10 things employees say when they get caught: (can you think of any more?)

  • I didn't think it was wrong.
  • My manager said it was okay.
  • I punched in on time. The clock must be broken.
  • It was so-and-so's fault.
  • That's how we used to do it at my other job.
  • I was gone before it happened.
  • I was sick that day.
  • It's because I haven't been sleeping well lately.
  • I was here, but in the bathroom.
  • It wasn't me.
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    5 Short Tips on Short Sales (video)

    10-29-09
    Mother Lode Real Estate Master



    In the following video Vicki Cox Colder (2009 NAR President-Elect) offers the following five tips on short sales: (1) Reach out to homeowners and be their advocate; (2) Find a HUD-approved credit counseling agency; (3) Read the listing carefully; (4) Educate consumers on length of time required to approve a short sale; (5) Find out whether seller has recourse loan or non-recourse. Worth your while. (More videos from REALTOR® TV: HERE.)


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