About Albuquerque's Northwest Albuquerque

Tumbleweed Snowman In Albuquerque

Snowmen come in all shapes, sizes and forms. In Albuquerque NM you might just spot this cool tumbleweed snowman. Hey we work with what we have. Right? So when in Albuquerque do as we in the "Q" do and enjoy a tumbleweed snowman!

If you’re considering the purchase or sale of an Albuquerque, Rio Rancho or surrounding NM home please contact me John McCormack. I am the owner, operator and Realtor of Albuquerque Homes Realty and I’m ready to exceed all you real estate expectations!

Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque was updated earlier this year. Not only does it look great, but there are great things about the services it offers too.

The hospital has been under construction for a long time. Parking has been terrible and it seemed like ages since I was able to drive my elderly mother up to the hospital and drop her off anywhere that wasn't a hazard to her health.

All that's changed now with the new entrance. There is plenty of parking and there is a nice drop off place right in front of the hospital.

Of course the look of the place has changed quite a bit too. It's no longer a westside embarrassment.

It's not all about the new look, there are new services too, including a new birthing center.

One of the drawbacks to living in NW Albuquerque has been the lack of healthcare options. Between the New Presbyterian Hospital just up the road and the newly update Lovelace Westside Hospital, that's all changing rapidly.

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Applying "Continuous Improvement" to My Real Estate Business

The concept of "Continuous Improvement" is one that I have embraced for quite sometime now. I have applied it to my real estate business because I think it will solidify my goal to remain a "going concern" for many years to come.

There are three key areas that I look at on a quarterly basis then make changes as necessary:

1. Technology

2. Customer Service

3. Education

Technology. What technology is out there that could make my business more efficient? Is it cost effective? How complicated is it? What's its useful life? Is the investment worth it? Sometimes even after careful study it still does not pan out. In 2007, I decided to buy a HP 2605dn Color Laser. It does great work, it would help immensely with my prospecting. The cost was $375, which I thought was very reasonable. Well, after using it for 6 months I decided that it was not a useful investment after all. Four new cartridges cost as much as a printer, and each cartridge is good for printing 2000 pages. That printer is sitting in my storage. When I get the chance I will donate it to GOODWILL.

Customer Service. How effective is my customer service processes? Am I using the appropriate mediun to communicate with my clients and customers? How are my Presentations? (Buyers, Listing, FSBOs,etc). Do I prioritize prospects effectively and not waste their time or my time? I look at each process to see if there is sometinig I need to change. Active Rain has been a great source of information for me, because I read what others are doing then tailor some of their ideas and apply them to my model.

Education. I believe that as my knowledge of all facets of real estate increases, I am able to provide better service. Despite the fact that we are required to do 30 hours of CE courses every 3 years, I make it a point to go beyond that. I look at courses that I think will help me with my business, and I take them. Like everything else I consider the cost-benefit factor. If the benefit outweighs the cost, I will schedule the class, if not I will move on. I currently have the CRB and the CCIM Courses on my radar.

Continuous Improvement is helping me manage my business in good times and bad. It is a concept that we should all consider.

Why in the world would an intelligent person vote against his own self interest?

In our current political discourse, it appears that those who get the most air time repeat the same thing over and over again. The Mass Media always seem to find some ordinary looking guy or gal to say things that makes me wonder, "Why in the world would an intelligent person vote against his own self interest?" I went searching for the answer...The Economist came to the rescue.

In its August 13, 2011 edition, in a segment called Economic Focus, it provided a very plausible explanation in, "Don’t look down: The poor like taxing the rich less than you would think." Here is a brief excerpt: "Economists have usually explained poor people’s counter-intuitive disdain for something that might make them better off by invoking income mobility. Joe the Plumber might not be making enough to be affected by proposed hikes in tax rates on those making more than $250,000 a year, they argue, but he hopes some day to be one of them. This theory explains some cross-country differences, but it would also predict increased support for redistribution as income inequality widens. Yet the opposite has happened in America, Britain and other rich countries where inequality has risen over the past 30 years."

Lord have mercy on the american people.

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Requesting your Support for NinjaGinga

It is seldom that one makes these request, but I thought that this one is worth the effort.

My friend Ginger Montes, who goes by NinjaGinga on facebook, made a fan page, and she is looking for some support. I thought it wopuld be a nice gesture to have my Facebook Fridays and other Active Rain Friends checkout her FanPage and like it. I know she would be elated. She is a great gal. She and her husband Evan are so much fun. Get ready for some great Energy!

Here is the link to her Page: NinjaGinga