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23 Things You Would Never Wish For

08-27-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



Do you have a "wish list"? And I guess if we took a survey most people's wish lists might include items like: a new car, a new house, a new swimming pool, a new Plasma TV, a new Wii game system, a new job as the President of the United Nations (okay, maybe not that one), more money, and so on and so forth. (What would be on your list?) The neat thing about wishes is they sometimes come true. (Can you point to any in your own life?) But then there's the other side of the coin. Sometimes things happen that you would never have wished for. Right? I came up with a list of these. (If you've been following my writing lately you know about me and "lists.") This list includes some silly "non-wishes" (to lighten the load) along with some very serious ones. And I guess the thing I gain from this list is that sometimes what we wouldn't wish for (just like the things we would wish for)~they happen to us (because they can and do happen to anybody). The question is: How will we respond? Some people become paralyzed while other people prevail and are the better for it. Here's the list (what would you add?)...

23 Things You Would Never Wish For:

1. Soggy cheerios.

2. Burn toast.

3. Toilet paper rationing.

4. Everyone forgetting your birthday (maybe you would wish for this?).

5. The other team scoring the winning touchdown.

6. Best friend stealing your girl (/guy).

7. To die before your time (btw, no one really does).

8. A disease.

9. Bad debt.

10. Children gone astray.

11. Broken relationships.

12. Being in the President's shoes.

13. Spouse having an affair.

14. A loved one passing away.

15. House burning down.

16. Another person's failure.

17. No weekends / Mon-Fri work week perpetually.

18. Having to lick one hundred and fifty-three stamps.

19. Evil to prevail.

20. A child dying before a parent.

21. Mom and Dad to get a divorce.

22. A job loss.

23. Drug/alcohol addiction.

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Lookie Loo or Genuine Buyer~How Do You Tell?

08-25-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



In a market where you're hungry for buyers, there's a susceptibility (all the more) to investing too much time with fakes. I think the term coined is "lookie loo's." It refers to those who aren't really interested in buying, they just appear like they are. This whole thinking of mine about fakes was stirred when I came across A Brief History of Photo Fakery at nytimes.com. It's definitely worth your while and fun to check out the pictures which you've likely seen before, but you may not have known they were doctored (and even before the time of Photoshop!). I found myself going back and forth between slides to try and see if I could notice the tampering. The fact is I couldn't tell. (Maybe you'll do better than me.) And I guess that's the core issue with "lookie loo's" versus genuine buyers. It can sometimes just be a hard thing to separate the real from the fake. I asked two real estate professionals how they do it. Both their answers were questions that they ask potential clients: "Are you pre-approved?" and "If you find a house you like, are you ready to write it up (the contract) through me?" So how do you personally protect yourself from "lookie loo's"?

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9 reasons why the other guy got the client

08-21-09
Mother Lode Real Estate Master



Sometimes a person does things that keeps business away. (Ya think?) He may not even realize it, but it's happening nonetheless. And did you ever wonder why so-and-so got the listing (if it's real estate) and not you? Or the job? Or the offer? Or whatever the focus may/could be - is? And sometimes it can be the littlest thing if we just did it or stopped doing it (if it's rude) or had a grasp of it (if it's knowledge) and we'd be making better head way/moving forward/gaining momentum. With this in mind I've come up with a list of nine reasons why the other guy got the client (and not you). The thinking behind it is maybe it's time to mimick him (or her)? Only you can determine that.

9 reasons why the other guy got the client:

  • He didn't cuss.
  • He smiled.
  • He spoke positively.
  • He was cheerful.
  • He was polite.
  • He communicated service.
  • He demonstrated expertise.
  • He knew how to harness the power of the internet.
  • He used breath mints. (Thanks @accesssonora)
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    Social Media Starter for Realtors (in the Mother Lode)

    08-19-09
    Mother Lode Real Estate Master



    With so much talk about social media and it's uses for business these days it's hard to know where to begin (if you happen to be thinking about beginning). And as it relates to real estate, how might you use Twitter, Facebook, blogging, etc., to enhance your own personal business strategy (and make money, too)? Well, to try and help you cut through all the chatter, and if you happen to be wondering about this, the following video (by Paul Montelongo) is a good, initial step in the right direction. And even if you don't do anything other than what happens to be this gentleman's third point to "research competitors," I think it'll be worth your while. So what are other realtors in the local area doing with social media to gain buyers and sellers and set themselves apart as the go-to professional? To find out just google a person's name and see what they have going online. You better believe that buyers and sellers are doing the same thing in their search for a realtor. And so if they google your name versus another's and they find that the other person has his listings not only on a website, but on Twitter and Facebook and LinkedIn and ActiveRain, who do you think they will choose as their representative? I know the measuring stick is much more complicated than that. I'm just trying to make a point. The video is definitely worth the time at just over six minutes.

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    Homeowner Tip #14: A Child-Proof Home

    08-17-09
    Mother Lode Real Estate Master



    Lots of perils that can injure children are lurking in our homes. Here are some tips to help make your home safer:

  • Put safety stops on all cabinet doors and drawers. Knobs should be too large for children to swallow.
  • Store chemicals, cleaners, medicines and liquor in upper cabinets — locked and out of sight.
  • Provide safe storage for sharp objects such as knives and scissors.
  • Cover sharp corners on counters, tables and hearths.
  • Place all electrical outlets, especially those near water, on a ground fault circuit interrupter (it instantly shuts off electricity if there’s any leakage of current).
  • Keep cords for draperies and mini-blinds out of reach.
  • Buy hardware that limits how far windows can be opened.
  • Set water temperature at no more than 120˚.
  • Install hardware on the bathroom door that can be unlocked from either side.
  • Install windows and mirrors with protective film that prevents shards from flying when broken.

    • For more home and family information, call Sugar Pine Realty / GMAC Real Estate at 209-533-1675.

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