Burlington Township, NJ

Step AWAY From The Christmas Tree and Come Out With Your Hands UP!

 

Every year, my sister and I relive some things from our past that are funny (to us at least).  You remember chrysta, you met her in my thanksgiving post about the Green Bean Casserole.  When we were growing up, there was never a whole lot of money in the budget for a christmas tree.  In fact some years, our trees kinda looked like the classic charlie brown tree.  My mom would send us out with a few bucks to buy a Christmas tree.  Well trees were expensive and a few bucks didn't go very far.

One year my sister and I decided that we had ENOUGH of this scraggly Christmas tree mess!  We also noted that at some point on Christmas eve, all of the lots closed.  There would be plenty of leftover trees that no one wanted. We didn't think they would mind if we borrowed one.

 

 

So we hop into my 1976 Toyota Corolla (mine was brown with black, red

 

and grey primer) and we head off to the nearest abandoned Christmas tree lot. 

 

 

 

 

We look around trying to find the perfect tree. 

We must have picked the tallest fullest tree on the lot.  Thank goodness they left some rope for us to tie it onto the top of the car . 

 

 As soon as we pull away from the lot (tires screeching, pine needels flying everywhere)  what do we see coming down the street????

 

 

You guessed it.  The police. 

We thought for sure that we were going to jail.  But as fate had it, they waved and rode on by us.   Pheww.  We went home and decorated the tree.  The next morning when my mother got up, she was shocked to see the tree and wondered where did it come from.  It is just recently that we shared with her the story of our Christmas Tree Caper. 

Life is short.  Say please and thank you.  Smile and enjoy yourself.

I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas

 

 

Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)

I WANT WHAT I HAVE!

This year has been more difficult than most recent years. I personally faced personal and financial hardship. However, as the year comes to a close, I am happier than I have been in many years. You may think that I solved my problems or hit the lottery. Well if you think that, you would be wrong. I have learned to accept or want all that I have. I could list all of the terrible things that have happened to me this year. Why bother. Out of each incident came an opportunity for me to expand my horizons. Each tragedy gave me a brand new opportunity to figure out how to solve the problem.

During this holiday season, many people are faced with economic difficulties. This year, many will curtail the usual amount of holiday spending. Many will tell you that they are having a hard time paying their bills. Many people will feel down in the dumps or downright depressed. When you start to feel down, think of those who are in a situation worse than yours. If you are living in a home that is smaller than you like, think about the person that is sleeping in a shelter. If you are living in a shelter, think about the person that is sleeping in a car. If you are sleeping in a car, think about the person that is sleeping in a cardboard box. If you are sleeping in a cardboard box, think about the person that is sleeping on a park bench with no shelter from the wind and the rain. If you are sleeping on a park bench, think about the person who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness and only has a short time to live.

What I have learned in 2008 is a new definition of happiness.

Happiness is not having all that you want, but wanting all that you have.

If you expand that further, happiness is not wanting what you used to have, but wanting what you have now. Throughout the year, I have posted many positive messages. I have projected positivity to many people that I speak to on a daily basis. Think about it, you can mope about your glass being half full, or you can be happy that you have a glass and that there is something in YOUR glass.

So as 2008 comes to a close, I accept all that I have and I want all that I have. I accept all of those who I have touched with a positive message. I accept the friends that send positive messages my way when I am feeling down. I accept the economic slow down. I accept the opportunities that the slow down has given me. The lessons that it has taught me about saving and spending less and being more creative to get the job done with less money. I accept my family. I accept the family members I readily claim and those that I would rather remain hidden on some days. Somewhere there is a child that has no family and would give anything to spend Christmas with a family that loves them. I accept the car problems that I had this year. I accept the job I was given of remodeling my bathroom because I could not afford to pay someone to do it. I accept the lessons that I learned from cutting tile to mixing grout and soldering pipe. I accept the difficulties I faced in the real estate market. I accept the deals that I closed this year. All over the country there are agents that are unable to close a single deal.

My list could go on and on. I am happy and I accept my life as it is. I want what I have. I am looking forward to continuing this excitement in 2009.

Everyone have a Happy Holiday

Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)

My Brother

Tuesday and Wednesday, I attended the Triple Play Realtor Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I attended with my real estate partner and brother from another mother Jonathan Palmore (see us in pic on right). Jonathan is truly the brother that I never had. From the first day that we met 3 years ago, we have have a strong bond that cannot be broken. One of the things that I like about Jonathan is that he is truly a nice guy and he is REAL.

I met Jonathan my first day at EXIT Realty of Cherry Hill. He walked into the staff meeting with a huge jug of water, a big smile and much confidence. He went around the table and said hello to everyone. I thought to myself, here is a guy with a really positive outlook on life. Little did I know the personal issues that he was facing at the time.

Since that day, we have attended conferences together, shared training lessons, traded war stories, etc. But the one thing that keeps us together is that we are both positive people. When Jonathan is down, I tend to be there saying "keep your head up brother, it's going to be ok". When I was going through my personal trials, Jonathan did the same for me. It is not unusual for me to get a call first thing in the morning from Jonathan. A call that says nothing other than make today a great day.

Jonathan and I will both be wildly successful at this game called Real Estate. Successful beyond our wildest dreams. I would not have been able to make it this far without him. Everyone needs to have at least one positive person in their corner. In fact don't stop with just one. Things have been tough for some real estate agents in 2008. Ask Jonathan and I how's business and we will both tell you......FANTASTIC.

Jonathan, I love you brother.

Everyone have a great day

Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)

I'm Taking A Few Days Off

Well it's that time of year again. Time for the Triple Play Realtor Convention and Trade Show in Atlantic City, NJ. I look forward to this convention every year. First, because the courses are very good, Secondly, it's close and thirdly, it's inexpensive ($60). For $60, every Realtor in the state of new jersey (new and old) should attend this convention. I attend every year and I always learn something that will help my real estate clients in Burlington Township, Burlington County, NJ.

This year the keynote speaker is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He will be speaking on the topic, A Contract With Our Future. I look forward to hearing him speak. In addition, I will attempt to attend the following courses:

1. Survival of The Prepared: Adapting To Changing Markets
2. Stay on Top Tomorrow with Today's Top Trends
3. Lights, Camera, Action - creating & using videos online
4. Marketing To A Diverse Client Base
5. Seven Secrets to Getting Started in REO Market
6. The Number One Secret of Turning Panic Into Profit In This Complex Market
7. Using Today's Technology To Dominate Your Market
8. Short Sales: The Big Foreclosure Secret
9. Why Be Normal
10. Creative Strategies for a Slow Market: Helping Consumers Achieve Their Investment Goals

So as you see, the next couple of days will be chocked full of information. Because I will be in learning mode, I will only return calls during my call back time after 6pm. As a result of taking advantage of this educational opportunity, I will be able to serve my clients even better in 2009.

I will talk with you all again in a couple days.

Have a great day

Leander

DON'T FORGET THE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

 

Somebody Please Put Me Out Of My Misery!!

 

Every year about this time IT starts.  What is IT you ask?  I am glad you asked because I am going to tell you.  Every year French's start running commercials for IT...the dreaded green bean casserole.  There is a cute little   keeps saying "don't forget the green bean casserole".  

Every year for about 20 years my dear sister Chrysta would make IT for Thanksgiving.  I ate IT for many years and then I said to myself......self, why are you eating this mess? One year I stopped by her house right before the holidays and I finally had to let it out.  I gave it to her with both barrells.  I started by telling her that I hope she was not making that casserole. I went on a 20 minute rant abo

ut all of the terrible things I could think of related to this dish....Like this was a dish that the French's & Campbell's people thought of to sell more French Fried Onions and condensed soup.  Who uses french fried onions?  Who eats condensed soup?  And why would you put those two things together?  

I went on and on and on....my poor sister just sat there and looked at me like I had lost my mind.  When I finished, she said meekly  "but me and my kids like the green bean casserole".  I could do nothing but laugh.  So every year we have a good laugh and she makes her casserole and I kindly say no thank you :)

 

So to my sister, my family and friends

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.....and please, leave the French Fried Onions in the cupboard

 

Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)