Trivia Time

Hello all,

"Trivia Time"

We welcome our new friends in Aspen Hill and their zip code to a Monday Morning trivia question. The first person from each office to answer correctly gets a $25 Starbucks card. Please only hit reply and not reply to all, managers can't play. 

How many months of inventory do we have in the following zip codes, 20906, 20854 & 20874?

If you do not know how to calculate absorption rates and inventory levels please pull me aside and I would be glad to show you.

Last shot today to sign up for Verl Workman on Thursday! Need to get a head count.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

~ Aristotle

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING?

Aristotle’s quote seems pretty straightforward: If you like what you're doing, chances are you'll do it pretty well, and will find your work satisfying.

But what about the dozens of smaller jobs that we do on a regular basis and do not particularly enjoy - chores we consider robberies of time, but necessary? You know, housecleaning or mowing the lawn or grocery shopping or washing the car.

The fact is that most of us have too much on our "To Do" lists, and much of our “free time” is spent on what we consider menial work that we often begin to actually resent. Viewed objectively, however, how many of the items on your list of chores have self-imposed deadlines and subjective requirements?

Are you setting standards that are unnecessarily high or that are interfering with your enjoyment of time with your family and friends? When you lament "having no time," stop and consider to what extent that is due to your own personal sense of priorities.

You might re-evaluate what is truly essential. Chances are that duties to which you're giving up your entire Saturday are not as important to others as having time to spend with you. After all, how many of us are introduced, "This is Joe - he really keeps his lawn looking great...” or, “This is Mary - she's a wonderful housekeeper…"? How many of our children tell their friends, "You'll really like my mom and dad. They keep all the windows in our house clean…"?

Put down the car wax and the mop and get out and enjoy some time with friends or family, or - here’s a novelty - just yourself. It’s quite likely that the sun will still rise the next day, and your To Do list will wait for you!

Income Vs Activity

Hello all,

"Income vs. Activity"

There has always been a correlation between the activities we do and the income we make. In watching over the offices it is very easy to detect the ebbs and flows of the income we will be bringing in with respect to the activity we see in the offices. The important thing to remember is the lag time between the two. After the spring market we continue to have strong closing months through the summer but the activity in the offices drop dramatically. Once the activity drops in late June, July and early August the income slows 60-90 days later which is, well now! After the summer agents start coming back into the office, activity picks up and contracts start coming in which makes December usually a strong closing month. Get into the early winter our activity slows down which makes February and March slow closing months... repeat next year. Obviously there is a seasonal component to this which makes it worse but we should all be striving to have marketing systems in place to make sure our business does not stop when we take a break. Don't hesitate if you would like to get with your Manager, Mark or Myself on some ideas on how to do this.  

Sales meeting today, 11:30 at That's Amore.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:
"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."

~ Epictetus

GIVE YOURSELF A LIFT!

Have you ever aspired to be deeply depressed? On your list of major life's achievements, have you included becoming an itinerant ne'er-do-well? Does your daily task list include hanging out at the local pub, gossiping over the back fence with nosy neighbors, or spending time with a loser who does nothing but grouse about how the world has dealt him a lousy hand?

Did that first paragraph seem to pull you down? Did you say, "Ridiculous! Who would want to do those things?" If so, congratulations, you've already received this week's message.

Now, let's give this message a lift. Have you ever met someone with a bright inspiring spirit about them, and thought to yourself, "Wow, I'd like to know them better!" Have you noticed that when you attend a community education course, you leave with many fresh new ideas and a powerful boost in your attitude?

A well-known quote says, "You are what you think about all day long." If you hang out with the losers, your thoughts are likely to be dark and depressing. Spend time with those who possess magic in their attitude and enthusiastic vitality in their work ethic, and your thoughts are likely to soar.

Take a close look at your list of goals for this year. Have you included the addition of positive new personal relationships in your work and play environment? Remember that "to have a friend, you must first be a friend." Consider expanding your sphere of contacts to include those who would inspire you to greatness!

RE/MAX Convention

Hello all,

"RE/MAX Convention"

It is a little early to start talking about a convention that is 5 months away however RE/MAX has a special through the month of October. We did not push convention to hard last year but we will be pushing it this year. This year RE/MAX will be celebrating it's 40th anniversary and the convention will be turned up a notch. It will be a great experience, great education, great energy and they also announced that Stevie Nicks will be performong on closing night. See below for the discount, half off through the end of October. Love to see as many of you join us as possible.

For my Park Potomac friends we will be getting a visit from Kevin Northrup who is our RE/MAX regional vice president on Tuesday at 11:30. It would be great if we could have a strong showing in the office during his visit!

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe                                   

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take . . . but by the moments that take our breath away."

~ Unattributed

GO RETRO - SIMPLIFY!

You've heard that it's good to "take time to smell the roses." You may have also read how Steven Covey encourages you in "Seven Habits" to take time to "sharpen the saw." You no doubt have also experienced the frustration of trying to find even a spare moment for yourself.

Why do so many sources advise taking time off for yourself for thoughtful introspection? Don't they know it's impossible in today's fast-paced world of money, soccer games, career challenges, family responsibilities, church & school activities, and so much more?

In fact, our society is totally preoccupied with all of the above. For those living in a big city, or even the suburbs, the pressure is even greater. Those who live in the country at least enjoy a little peace and serenity at the end of the day.

How did this happen? It's simple - or at least it was in the 1950's. Back then there were two kinds of soap - Lifebouy and Ivory. There were four automakers - GM, Ford, Chrysler, and American Motors. There were no computers or Internet, and long-distance was used only to inform relatives of illness or death. A schoolteacher's most serious behavior challenge was passing notes in class. Families watched "I Love Lucy!" together. There was no MTV. Divorces were rare.

Today the choices that face us each day are awesome. Which of many Internet providers or long-distance services should you use? Which cell phone or notebook computer should you have? Where will you find the money for the special dress, chauffeur, and professional photograph required for your daughter's fifth-grade "Prom"?

The world is spinning so fast, and isn't likely to slow down soon. As usual, relief must come from within. While you can't change the world's pace, you are free to change and simplify your own life. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Most importantly, take time to create those special moments that "take your breath away."

The 2013 RE/MAX R4 Convention in Las Vegas, is going to be the biggest RE/MAX party yet as the network celebrates its 40th anniversary! RE/MAX R4 takes place February 25-28 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  You and everyone at your office are getting a major deal on R4 registration, because your Broker/Owner attended the RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference in Washington, D.C.

The special discounted rate of $250 – half off the regular base price – expires at 5 p.m. MT on October 31, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy the convention at a great rate!

Discounted rate of $250 terms and conditions:

• Includes admission to all educational sessions, the Opening General Session and the RE/MAX MarketPlace.
• Includes a ticket to The Big Give.
• Rate is available for RE/MAX affiliates only.
• Pre-convention courses, social events and guests may be added as of November 1st.
• Cancellation requests received by 12/31/12 will receive a full refund. Cancellation requests received after 12/31/12 and by 02/20/13 will be assessed a $150 cancellation fee and the remaining balance will be refunded. All requests must be in writing and will not be honored after 02/20/13. All refunds will be processed after 03/30/13. 

We can’t wait to see you at R4 in February!

Please click Yes to register for the event with the special discount. 

Excellence is a moving target

Hello all,

"Excellence is a moving target"

This one of my favorite sayings in life and in business. What it means is no matter how good we get at our craft things around us are always changing so we need to be constantly seeking knowledge and making changes in the way we do things to stay on top. I just spent three days at a commercial real estate symposium and I will be the first to tell you that 50% of the time it was a painful experience but very necessary. The other 50% was either a great learning experience or was spent networking with other agents which can be a great energy booster. We need to do theses things to be the best that we can be. The reason I bring this up is I would like to talk about the two training's we have coming up.

                                   

Fall Training Series- The full series is intended for newer agents and or agents who are looking to get a little jump start to there business. Combine this with the Peak Producers class after the first of the year whoever takes both should be well on there way to bigger and better things. However I would like everyone to take a look at the individual classes and see if there is a training that would help them out.

Verl Workman Seminar- This is a one day event and I fully expect as many of you to be there as possible. If you have a closing, something already scheduled... I understand that you can't make it. However if you have nothing going on and you just don't want to go you will be missing out. Verl is a very high energy high knowledge person and I guarantee you will come away with some items that will help you with your business, no matter what level agent you are. There will also be 100+ agents there from our offices and others, a great networking opportunity and energy booster. For our Mortgage and Title affiliates please feel free to invite as many of your people as you like.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe   

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

~ Unattributed

ELIMINATE THE BOX!

It was refreshing to read the article entitled "Thirty Under Thirty" in the REALTOR(r) magazine. Thirty agents under the age of thirty talked about their approach to real estate, and most seemed to "think outside the box." They didn't appear to be bound by conventional rules of marketing conduct.

Think back to when you were a young child. You were totally uninhibited by rules, so you weren't afraid to try new things. Back then, there wasn't even a "box" to confine your thinking or actions. You did whatever worked for you.

Then, you began to grow up and your parents, then your teachers, began building a box for you. "Stay in line, be quiet, don't touch this or that," they admonished. "Good little girls and boys don't talk back, eat snacks between meals, or chew with their mouths open."

The rules got more sophisticated as you got older, and you began to conform. Now you're all grown up, comfortable in the box the world built for you, and it's not so easy anymore to "think outside the box".

Not so for the newcomers - the youth of the real estate industry. They are enthusiastic, energetic, and with their "no rules" thinking, they're going to mop up on those competitors who are too comfortable in their box.

If you've been in the business for more than ten years, you have one powerful advantage over the newbies - real estate wisdom. You're a survivor and know your way around the business. Now it's just a question of combining that base of knowledge with some of the unfettered new thinking of the under 30 crowd. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, after all!

"QE3"

Hello all,

"QE3"

As I always say we need to keep politics or debatable issues out of our business, however when it affects our business we need to know about it and have a talk track. Quantitative Easing is when the Federal Reserve brings liquidity to the market by printing money and buying financial assets from banks. With QE1 & QE2 the Federal Reserve did their thing and brought the money to the market by buying bonds. With QE3 the Federal Reserve plans to buy 40 billion in Mortgage Backed Securities every month until they feel that the economy is stabilized and the unemployment drops to where they are comfortable. Mortgage backed securities are bundles of mortgages that the banks sell in the secondary market to investors. The idea is that if the Federal Reserve buys the securities interest rates will stay low and the banks will have capacity to issue more mortgages. These two points are where QE3 will have an affect on the Real Estate market. One of the biggest problems after the mortgage crisis was that credit was frozen and the banks lost their capacity to lend, people who should have gotten a mortgage were now having a difficult time getting one. So over the next couple of years people who should get a mortgage will receive one and interest rates will remain low courtesy of the Federal Reserve. This may not be a savoir for the Real Estate market but it won't hurt either. Again, not trying to start an argument with anyone on whether or not QE3 should have happened. I just wanted to make sure you could explain it's affects on the Real Estate market with your clients if necessary.

Please remember sales meeting is this Wednesday 11:30 at That's Amore. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship."

~ General Omar Bradley 

FEELING LOST?

Do you find yourself drifting on an ocean of indecision, misdirection, unfulfilled aspirations? Feel like you're not getting as far along as your colleagues, or as far along as they say you should? It's probably time to throw out your compass!

While it can be helpful to look to others for inspiration, don't make the mistake of believing that you can or even should try to achieve the same accomplishments. Using a map of your own making, set your individual course according to where you want to go and how quickly you want to get there.

Indeed, you can set your sights much higher than the "landmarks" or "passing ships" of those people around you who tell you what you should do or what you shouldn't do. You'll lose your valuable perspective of the Big Picture if you pay too much attention to the advice or achievements of others.

Whether you are passing them or they are passing you, don't lose sight of what is guiding you and where. Your dreams and ambitions are the unmoving and constant "North Star" in your life. While everything else around you can change so quickly from day to day, it's your own beliefs and convictions that give you the steady course you need to successfully navigate those changes.

You'll never get anywhere by trying to determine the success or even the path of your journey by the "passing ships" around you. Stay focused solely on what you believe and know to be true, and ignore the nay-sayers! They may be gone tomorrow, but your dreams will be the stars in your sky forever.

Deja Vu All Over Again

Hello all,

"Deja Vu All Over Again"

There has been a lot of talk lately about jobs and the economy, jobs are always the lagging indicator of an economic recovery. The housing market moves in cycles just like the economy and the lagging indicator in the housing market is transactions. All of the right things are starting to happen, percentage of distressed properties are going down, buyer confidence is back, inventory is low, prices are going up and the basic rules supply and demand are taking over. However where are the transactions? Let's take a look at the history of transactions in 2 zip codes, this is over a time period of January 1st - August 31st of each year in 5 year increments.

 Year    20874      20850                                  

1997      409           242

2002     1,181         414

2007      697           374

2012      460           326

Both zip codes peeked in transactions in 2005. The up county zip code is a little more sobering but both show the same trend. It was in the late 90's that the housing market started coming out of it's slump and as things started to improve the transactions started to increase. Obviously after the bubble busted the transactions started to decrease. In my opinion we are in 1997 and it is "Deja Vu All Over Again" however with some mechanics put in place that will limit how far the market can run. For the most part only people who should get a mortgage will receive one. Prices going up should be gradual but the number of transactions coming to the market should go up significantly each year for the foreseeable future. So my question to you is and since we don't get paid unless we close a transaction... what are you doing in your business today to capture as many of these future transactions as you can?

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it."

~ Lillian Hellman

EVALUATE THIS!

So, when was the last test or exam that you took? Or have you experienced a recent evaluation of your work? Many of us, even if we're "the boss," have to go through a periodic appraisal of how well we carry out our jobs. Often, this assessment comes from outside - a supervisor "objectively" examines our performance. But what if you yourself could take the responsibility for your own evaluation?

The trouble with some people is that they give themselves poor grades, sometimes in spite of the fact that others may highly regard their work. Those who lack confidence in their own ability to lead and to succeed often dismiss evidence that clearly illustrates their potential. If you're not happy with your own work, it simply won't matter how others feel about it.

Remember that feelings don't depend on the facts. Feelings actually create the truth. Think of it this way: your feeling of confidence begins with the feeling, and it's that feeling that then creates the confidence! You become self-assured by first believing in yourself. You don't break out of the starting gate, dash first across the finish line, and then begin to believe you're a winner. That's putting the cart before the horse!

Beginning with the belief that you will succeed is the first and necessary step toward achieving your goal. Sometimes you will win and sometimes you will not, that's a fact of life. But as long as you carry your faith in yourself, you'll always possess that potential to win that some people simply lack. They haven't yet realized that improving their performance begins with improving their feelings about themselves.

Roy L. Smith said, "The man who cannot believe in himself cannot believe in anything else." So choose whatever goal your heart desires, but first choose to believe in your ability to reach it! 

Training Schedule

Hello all,

"Training Schedule"

But first... So about 2 years ago the state of Maryland decided that the Broker could no longer be on a team. My wife and her team had a little party and I was gone. However having the five children and other things that keep us busy inevitably I am going to be called on from time to time just to fill in when a body is needed. Last week I was covering a home inspection for the team, everything was going great and the place was in good condition. I had the buyers doing some things so I set off for the water meter read, looked everywhere and could not find the meter. So I went back upstairs and asked the buyers to take a look at something downstairs while I took a look around outside. This was a diversion so I could go outside and call Lisa, so I got my wife on the phone.

Joe- "Need help, looked everywhere and could not find the water meter"

Lisa-"Laughter"

 Joe- "This isn't funny, I need it before settlement"

Lisa" Laughter and You won't be able to find it"

Joe- "Please stop playing with me they are coming outside"

Lisa "It is on a well big guy"

So maybe the state was right...

Save the dates:

We are very pleased to announce that we are rolling out a 12 week training series starting on 9/27 and finishing on 12/20. Subjects include Social Media, Prospecting, Contracts, Time Management.... The entire series is intended for our newer and mid level agents but there might be one or two that will catch the attention of everyone. We could all use a little refresher course from time to time. We are going to back this up with Buffini's Peak Producers after the first of the year. Anyone who takes the 12 week training in the fall gets the Buffini training for free, we are of the mindset that if you take both courses you will be well on your way to improving your Real Estate career so we will cover the $400 for Buffini. More to come.

 9/17- Sales meeting will be at 11:30, venue to be announced soon.

10/18- Also very pleased to announce we have booked Verl Workman to come in for an all day training. It will be held on the main stage at the Black Rock Center. Much more on this to come soon but please mark your calendars and save the date.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Wise sayings often fall on barren ground,but a kind word is never thrown away."

~ Sir Arthur Helps

EASY AS 1-2-3!

Remember the old "Dirty Harry" movies? Clint Eastwood delivered the scowling expression and threatening phrase "Go ahead, make my day." The implication was that Harry's day would be complete if only the criminal facing the end of his gun barrel would just flinch and give Harry the excuse he needed to blow him away.

Okay, that doesn't sound like good fodder for an inspiring Coffee column, but it is a good pop culture reference to beg the question "What does it take to make YOUR day?" Or, even better, "What does it take to make someone else's day?"

You might think it challenging to find a way to really pick someone up, but remember that you don't necessarily have to be "down" to be lifted up. The truth is that we have absolutely no idea when we could be making a life-altering impact on somebody, with just a simple word or act of kindness.

Let someone you work with, out of the clear blue, how much you appreciate their contributions. Or tell them how much confidence you have in their work or their ability to complete an upcoming project with flying colors. You'll be amazed how their expression brightens, their pace suddenly picks up, and everything about them says, "You just made my day!"

We live in an increasingly fast-paced society, where more and better work - completed in less time - is simply expected. Make it clear at work and at home that while performance is expected, it is also nurtured and rewarded, if only with kind words and fair treatment. Soon you'll find everyone around you meeting and exceeding those expectations.

We know the old real estate adage: the three most important features of a property are "location, location, and location." In light of this week's topic, consider that Henry James said, "Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind."