"New Year, New Ways". Billy Graham

The new year is right around the corner, and the topic of new years resolutions is not far behind.  I will be the first to admit, that to date, I have not fulfilled a single new years resolution.  "Aren't new years resolutions meant to be broken", has always been my mindset.  So I am writing today to ask you, the public, what have been some of your past, failed, and successful new years resolutions?

This Christmas, a book by Billy Graham found its way into my possession, Wisdom for Each Day.  I would like to quote this book, for I feel that the portion on new years resolutions is very applicable:
"Give careful thought to your ways...making new years resolutions and not keeping them is a universal experience.  We may be sincere when we make them, but then we find them too hard to keep, or perhaps we forget all about them...[new years resolutions] they force us to look at ourselves - to be honest about our failures and our need to change.  Many new years resolutions are unrealistic or only wishful thinking, but the exercise of examining ourselves and seeing where we fall short is important."

Happy new year! 

I hope that 2011 is filled with many more memories and accomplishments.

Business Planning for 2011

The end of 2010 is approaching extremely fast, and the need for a 2011 business plan is a must.  The economy is continuing on its roller coaster of a cycle, and a systematized and calculated plan will help ease the ride.

Early in the fourth quarter I challenged you to place post-it notes on your bathroom or bedroom mirror, and now I am challenging you to create a road map for 2011.  If you excepted my post-it note challenge, then the business plan should be fairly simple.  What type of business plan am I speaking of?  The business plan is just a simple breakdown of your goals spread over a month.  You then break down your monthly goals into weekly and daily tabulations, thereby allowing you to know, with certainty, what you have accomplished.

I am currently creating my plan for 2011.  Will your 2011 have a plan?

2010 Homebuyer Survey Contains Valuable Information for Agents and Sellers

There was recently an article in Realty Times, by Bob Hunt, that describes the results of a homebuyers' survey.  What that survey found is very important.

The results state, "Buyers use multiple sources of information in the process of looking for a home. Far and away the most used sources are the internet (89%) and real estate agents (88%). What is the third most used information source? Yard signs (57%)."

Our industry and the industries of the world are changing.  Are you changing?  Am I changing?  We should be able to answer questions such as those or else we will be left behind.  The technology revolution has been underway for some time now, and it is not too late to catch up. 

There was an article by Jeffrey Gitomer titled "Be Your Own Santa Clause" (YouTube Video - Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KfiepIaWjA ), and within that article Jeffery describes the need to treat ourselves this holiday season.  He does not mean treat ourselves with candy, food, or clothes, but treat ourselves with knowledge, new books, a seminar, or other useful tool that can increase sales, increase morale, or increase potential.  Relating this back to the survey results, treat yourself to technology, whether it is a new gadget, a crash course, or other treat that will help you stay attuned to technology. 

Thank You Home Ownership

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is drawing near and I can already taste the food.  It is unfortunate though, that surrounding this wonderful holiday, there is much hardship and despair.  Many families have lost their homes, lost their jobs, and or any combination thereof.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), home owners are happier, healthier, and do better in school.  They are also endowed with certain rights to renovate, decorate, save on taxes, and much more.  NAR also cites that housing accounts for 15% of national gross domestic product (NGDP), and that every home purchased pumps $60,000 into the economy, as a result of home improvements. 

So as we remember what we are thankful for this holiday season, I hope that we all take the time to recognize the importance of home ownership and the number of benefits that owning a home provides to ourselves, the public, and our country.  Let us be thankful for our family, friends, health, the roof over our heads, and other individual blessings, but lets not forget those that are helping restore our wonderful nation by helping people save their homes or find new ones.

Change Orders

I apologize for the inconsistent posts, but I have been battling computer issues; my computer has decided to flat-line on me.
 
Anyway, I recently came across an article by Realty Times: HOA Pocket Change Orders

by Richard Thompson (http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20101117_pocket.htm) 

 
The article touches on a key piece of contractual wording to protect the customer; "every project should include a contingency of 10-20% of the total bid for unforeseen circumstances. A contingency gives the [HOA] board/ customer the option to add items during the course of construction. The contingency is not intended to cover major changes to the scope of work that should have been accounted for during the design phase.
 
Two Requirements: To control excessive change orders, your agreement with the contractor should state that:

1. The price of a base bid item will be renegotiated when its quantity increases by more than 10% above what was specified in the original bid document.
2. All change orders are to be put in writing and signed by the board or manager before the additional work is undertaken.

To avoid unnecessary cost overruns, make sure to prepare a well investigated and comprehensive scope of work and never pay for any changes not approved in writing."
 
Also, the article does a wonderful job highlighting a common blunder by many people across multiple industries, the lack of quality control.  Many times minor details can be overlooked, dismissed, or completely ignored, and this is unacceptable!  I feel that there is a disconnect between people and the work that they do, there is no pride of ownership. Tied very close to this very same concept is followup, and follow through. 
 
As a service oriented nation, customer service should be a top priority, and this service does not stop once there is an exchange of services and money.  Good customer service continues days, weeks, months, and years after the initial transaction.  How did the customer feel about the service they received before the exchange?  How did the customer feel during the exchange?  Did everything meet the customers' expectations?  How does the customer feel after the exchange?  Would the customer want to conduct another exchange?  Would the customer refer their friends and family?  These are questions that companies should be asking themselves and that sales staff should have at the forefront of their minds when dealing with customers. 
 

Do you feel the same way?  Are you asking yourself these questions?

Realty Times - Short Sale Disclosure Ruling Goes Far Off Base

Realty Times - Short Sale Disclosure Ruling Goes Far Off Base

This is an interesting case going through our court system that could affect the real estate industry and its brokerages...

Tell me what you think/ please share your comments.

Fall FHA Appraiser Newsletter

The FHA Appraiser Roster has over 52,000 approved appraisers, of which review the FHA Appraiser Newsletter to remain informed, and to see how certain issues could affect their FHA business. 
-Fall FHA Appraiser Newsletter.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/appr/Newsletter10_26_2010.pdf

The Fall issue of the newsletter touches on the 2010 Dodd-Frank Bill, the Primary Elements of the Minimum Property Requirements (MPR), a Case Review, as well as a resource to find answers to Industry Questions.

I found the article useful to better understand the appraisers' approach, and I hope that you find the newsletter useful in your own way.

Fidelity National Requires Lenders to Vouch for Foreclosure Accuracy

Today Fidelity National Financial (FNF) issued a press release, a release that DSNews.com posted on their site, stating that FNF will back any REO sale conducted by Bank of America (BofA).

Fidelity National Requires Lenders to Vouch for Foreclosure Accuracy
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/fidelity-national-requires-lenders-to-vouch-for-foreclosure-accuracy-2010-10-22

This is made possible by FNF producing an indemnity agreement, that BofA signed, stating that they (BofA) will cover all court or lawsuit costs/ damages that FNF incurs in its efforts to protect its policy holders.

This is an exciting event, and one that will surely lead other title companies to follow suit.  Anticipate other title organizations to require the same signed agreement from other banking institutions.  These are truly interesting times.

Goal Setting

The end of the fourth quarter is approaching fast, and 2011 will be here before we know it.  What are we doing to prepare ourselves for the new year?

Admittedly I fall prey to procrastination and even fear on occasion.  However, I feel that many people tend to put off goal setting for the simple reason that it is not fun.  A response I hear is, "why make goals that will most likely be broken or never met?"  Further, the fear of falling short of the goals, the fear of not reaching their dreams, and the fear that perhaps someone may ridicule them for their aspirations clouds their thoughts.

This year, however, I have been instilled with a new mantra, and a new-found drive to overcome my obstacles.  I was challenged to put my dreams into the form of post-it notes on my bedroom mirror, paired with sequential steps to increase their attainment.  I accepted.  This is the first year where I am excited to reach my goals.  I can actually see my success! 

I would like to challenge everyone, that has put-off their goals, and stifled their true potential, to buy a set of post-it notes and lay out their goals for 2011.  I ask that you keep me accountable, and I will do the same for you.

Do you except?