Turley, OK

An Open Letter to our Kids

Dear Young Adult,

Now that you're out of high school, can I tell you something important? Yeah, yeah I know. Another adult lecture. Blah, blah, blah. Who's got time for that right? I hope you do.

I'll keep this short. I promise.

First, let me tell you this. I hope I did an okay job raising you. It was pretty easy when you were younger. High school was interesting and tough for both of us, but now you're out and on your own. I hope I taught you well and that you will continue to grow and become a highly successful adult in your life. I hope you'll be so successful that maybe I can work for you someday (after I retire) to help you create an incredible family business that your children and my grandchildren will inherit and profit from.

Secondly, please do everything you can to protect your credit. Ah the credit talk again. I know it's about as exciting as an afternoon lecture about why grass grows. Just doesn't get some folks very fired up. But check this out. I jumped online this morning to read the news and what did I find? A story about a credit card company with an interest rate of 79.9% APR. HOLY COW! Wait...you're yawning. Don't yawn! Keep reading! This is important! Let me tell you why. According to the story reported at foxnews.com, "First Premier targets people with bad credit who likely can't get approved for cards elsewhere. It's a group that tends to lean heavily on credit too, meaning they'll likely incur the steep financing charges."

Did you catch that? This credit card company will target you if you have bad credit. Know why? Because they know they can make some serious bucks off of you. If you charge up $300.00 using their credit card and don't pay it off, you will have to pay about $20.00 a month in interest alone. That's $240.00 per year that you would just hand over to them in interest payments if you don't pay off that $300.00 you charged. Please don't put yourself into that situation. You don't have to. Build good credit. You can click here to read the news story.

One last thing and then I'll shut up. I want to give you the secret to being successful. Are you ready? Here it is. Get up and go to work everyday. Wait! Don't click off yet! Hear me out! Highly successful people know that success comes from making money. Duh, right? Well, you know how you like to sleep in and then get up and go to work for your four hours each day? Other people are taking those four hours that you were asleep and are using them to make money. Even at minimum wage, they still pulled in around $30 bucks during those four hours. I know. I know. I'm preaching. And you don't really want to work at McDonalds and jobs don't offer benefits much anymore. But can I say just one thing real quick here? You gotta put your time in before you can make the big bucks. Sure, some people get lucky and invent things like Facebook and get rich pretty fast. But even those people did their time. They learned what to do and then they did it. You may not like it, but I'm telling you, get up and go get yours. You will move up. You will advance. And you'll be amazed how much money is out there for the taking when you're willing to show up and work and do a good job.

Okay, I'm done. I know you've probably heard all of this before. And I'm sorry if I bored you to tears. I just don't want to see you left behind.

Remember, it's your choice. Success is out there if you want it.

Please want it.

I was talking with another Realtor recently when I told them that I had some buyers who were interested in looking at a property that was about 45 miles away from where I live and work.

Their response back to me was, "I don't drive that far to show properties. I only work in ____________ area."

I thought that was kind of a funny thing to say and yet it isn't all that strange. In our area we have several suburbs surrounding the Greater Tulsa area. Many agents work their little suburb exclusively. Other agents will work larger areas. And some agents, such as myself, work all of the greater Tulsa area. This is why I am willing to drive almost an hour to show a property.

Oh, there are a few other reasons as well.

1. First time home buyers.
2. Pre-approved with good credit.
3. Ready to buy.
4. Picked the property off the list I sent them.

And last but not least...

5. This is how I make a living!

So I drove out to the property and met the couple there. We toured the 2.5 acres and the double wide as well.

Can I tell you what we found?

How about an excellent mobile home with brand new carpet, fresh paint, repaired decks and a great view!

How about a peaceful setting that just thrilled these soon to be home buyers?

How about a place that is ready to go, will do well in inspections and is sitting on a permanent foundation?

And how about this...a following date to get together to write the offer on that very property.

Yep, I'll make a 45 minute drive for that.

I might even be willing to pick off a tick or two!

Ain't life great?!