Suzanne McLaughlin

Yesterday, I wrote a short comment on one of my associates blogs about a problem I was experiencing with one of my buyers acquiring a property. A short while later, Larry Beitag sent me an email offering to help. Now, Larry does business in Illinois, and we are in Minnesota. However, through his knowledge and referral base, he put me in touch with someone here in Minnesota that can help us with an FHA deal.

Let me tell you, my buyers were impressed that I could get this all accomplished in a few short hours from a contact in New Jersey, to one in Illinois to finding the right lender here in Minnesota. I want to thank Larry and Brad for all their expertise and expediency in helping my buyers. It was amazing!!!!

I've been reading many blogs lately that have to do with focus and positive thinking. I have reread a number of books on the positive mindset.

If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right (or left....behind). When you arise in the morning, you decide how the day will go. Will you meet everyone with a smile and a firm handshake. Keep your expectations right next to you?

Affirmations are a great way to do this. Mine are right on the bathroom mirror. When you remember that you are breaking a habit, whether it is mindless snacking, smoking or harping on yourself, you need all the help you can get. Give it to yourself! And spread it around. Everyone could use a cheerful compliment, or even a comment.

When I go grocery shopping, I greet all the clerks, stockpeople, and exhibitors with a smile and a cheery hello...now when they see me, they remember that. And guess, what? I've gotten three referrals from one grocery store alone....

Keep a smile with you, be enthusiastic, ask questions, love what you do and you will be surprised that amidst all the doom and gloom, your life will change for the better.

Now, I'm working on dreaming my goals. And it's starting to work...I'll keep you posted!!!!!!

President Obama's speech didn't mention housing at all. But, in the subsequent questions, he did mention that it was third in his list of things that needed fixing. Where is NAR now. They are our strong arm. They should be lobbying on our behalf and on the behalf of the thousands of homeowners that need help NOW! Without housing, the rest of the economy won't recover as quickly. We need jobs, housing and credit. Life without those three will be a soup line. We can get out of this with your help. Call your representatives today and tomorrow!

I had two couples through an open and later in the day had a woman call me. They all had the same questions on a theme. What can we do now and how will that affect us with the new legislation going through the Congress and the Executive Office. Well, the short answer is....we'll see. The long answer is don't put off your home-seeking quest regardless. Quite a bit of this will be resolved in the next month, we would think. And, if it continues longer, we can gauge our responses...such as the purchase date ...to make it more in line with your best interests. But, this is the time to buy. There has never, almost, a better time to purchase a home since the 40'a or 50's for government incentives and then you had to be a GI. So moving on opportunity is the best incentive to move right now. Up or down or sideways. Get more home, get less home or get into a better location. MOVE!

I just read a post from one of my best buds. He reminded me that we are all doing what we are called to do but from our own viewpoint. Where is yours?

Do you need an "attitutude adjustment"? Is there still some concern for the client in all your decisions, or have you gotten to the point that you need that paycheck?

We all at the end of the day want to be able to provide for our families, but, with any luck, we still have within our dwindling group a stand of REALTORS who will still compete with fairness and a sense of deceny. Who will make certain that, whatever the cost, the client receives the best representation and the best of everything the REALTOR can deliver.

Let's make certain that whenever you deal with the public and each other, we all treat each other fairly, respectfully and with the most courteous and ethical conduct we can. Our reputations rely on it!