The most wonderful time of the yrar

Hello all,

"The most wonderful time of the year"

My yearly note of appreciation for all of the hard working parents in the office! Please click on the link below.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwcYbo7pjto 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." ~ William Shedd

"He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea." ~ Thomas Fuller

CAST OFF YOUR SAFETY NET!

Taken any chances lately? Have you a had a strong desire or some sense of wanderlust, but feared the consequences, or simply thought better of it? Just remember the old adage, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Of course we all desire a sense of security, and we don't relish the idea of courting danger. But look back on some of your most satisfying accomplishments - didn't they result from taking action that you or others first thought might be risky?

If we always stick to the path most travelled, we'll never discover anything new about our world or ourselves. Fearing the unknown will never allow us to understand it. Only by coming to understand the risks we might take can we develop the confidence and the courage necessary to overcome the dangers associated with trying to achieve our imaginative goals.

Don't allow yourself to be numbered among those who look back and wonder, "What if . . ." A well developed plan of action and some caution in its execution are advisable, but by all means move forward! Staying where you are and following the status quo is easy and safe, but it's likely that your dreams go way beyond where you are now. Don't let those dreams remain unrealized because you're afraid of the hazards involved in making them come true.

Like the ship in the harbor, you were built for greater things. It is the very meaning of life to struggle for what we most want and push the boundaries of our understanding, thereby improving the quality of our life and even of those around us.

Finally, consider the words of Brooks Atkinson, who said, "This nation was built by men who took risks - pioneers who were not afraid of the wilderness, business men who were not afraid of failure, scientists who were not afraid of the truth, thinkers who were not afraid of progress, dreamers who were not afraid of action."

Michelle Ladas

Hello all,

"Michelle Ladas"

I am very pleased to announce that Michelle Ladas will be starting with our company today and will have a dual role. I often tell people the biggest challenge of running the company so far has been the speed at which we have grown, trying to stay in front of it. Without a doubt our biggest weakness with this has been our intake system. When an agent transfers from one company to another the first 30 days can become cumbersome, learning 5-6 new systems at once is not fun. We also run into problems when we roll out things like Paperless Pipeline, Wolfconect... So Michelle's first roll is going to be "New Agent Coordinator" over the next 45-60 days Michelle will be learning our systems inside and out. After that she will be working with the new agents when they come aboard but she will also be YOUR one stop shop for help on any of our systems including:

Website

Paperless Pipeline

Wolfconnect

Remax Mainstreet Design Center & Leadstreet

Children s Miracle Network (program being rolled out soon)

Video Training, we are setting up video in Aspen Hill and she will be training the agents on how to create and edit video.  

Office Events, Golf Tournament...

Michelle's second roll will be accounting assistant working with Doty. We are starting to grow in this area as well and Doty could use a little help (by the way we have 52 scheduled closings the next two weeks so you might want to put an apple on Doty's desk). Michelle will be working with Doty in the afternoons in Germantown. Lastly and for the sanity of Al Cardany Michelle will be covering Carol's lunch break in Germantown everyday. Let's be patient will Michelle gets her feet wet but please welcome her aboard when you see her.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

“All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.”

~ American book title (Robert Fulghum, author)

“The children are watching us.”

~ Italian film title (Vittorio De Sica, director)

BACK TO SCHOOL!

Turns out the children are listening, too. The question is, what are they learning and what are we teaching?

No matter whom we interact with, we should all take some time to reflect upon how our practices are matching up to our ethics and beliefs. We all have the potential to produce a profound effect on the people in our lives, both directly and indirectly. How we choose to act in our encounters helps define who we are: are we good stewards, good managers, good parents?

Consider the language we use when we deal with other people. Those who value power over action will use the language of judgment and superiority: “That idea is doomed..." or "You will never succeed..." or "That project is a waste of time.” Such language only serves to predict its own end and unfortunately, that end is often failure.

Now consider language that recognizes individuality while setting us up as collaborators: “I understand what you want..." or "I can only imagine how hard this is for you..." or "I'd like to help.” As we acknowledge the needs and feelings of others, we have better opportunities to show the same respect we’d expect in return. The encounter becomes a win-win situation.

As we interact with others, a good yardstick by which to measure our actions is to imagine how children would perceive them. Do we play by the rules? Are we being fair? Do we share? Are we doing unto others as we would have done to ourselves? During your next meeting, imagine a seven year old is watching the proceedings. Would you conduct yourself any differently?

Before children start to learn the later lessons of failure and success associated with competition, they first learn to “play well with others.” The politics of the playground still hold some powerful lessons for us, too!

"There, I said it"

Hello all,

"There, I said it"

Donna Pfeiffer on Lisa's team recently had a listing go on the market in Germantown. It was gorgeous, priced right and received 6 offers in the first 2 days. There were 2 offers that were very similar and the winner was chosen on Friday evening. Saturday morning while driving in the car Lisa received a phone call directly from the client of the contract that did not win. She was very disappointed and was trying to see if there was anyway the seller would reconsider. After the call I asked Lisa what had happened, she told me about the two offers and said the deciding factor was the call to the loan officer. The loan officer for the losing contract told Lisa that he had pulled credit but had not verified any of the information, income, assets... The loan officer for the winning contract had a full approval with all of the verification. My comment back to Lisa was "Shame on the agent for putting their client in that position in this competitive market". My first thought after I said it was that I could not believe how easily the words "competitive market" flowed out of my mouth with what we have been through. The second thought was I should probably say something to the agents in the offices. Folks, the bottom line is there is a serious lack of inventory and we are drifting back into a sellers market. If the house is in the right location, priced right and looks great there will be multiple offers. We need to start prepping and preparing our buyers for this. Any listing agent worth their salt is not going to accept a contract in a multiple offer situation without speaking to the loan officer first. It is imperative that you have your buyers go through the FULL mortgage application process before they are writing offers, if not they will be behind the 8 ball. This should be covered in the initial buyer consolation and we have loan officers in the offices at your ready to help you with this :)

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"If you take too long in deciding what to do with your life, you'll find you've done it."
-George Bernard Shaw

"Before enlightenment - chopping wood, carrying water. After enlightenment - chopping wood, carrying water." 
- Buddha

FEELING STRESSED?

Oh - the frustration of it all. The first quote for today deals with the importance of having direction - goals - in your life. You know - we've all heard it for years - our life will be happier, more prosperous, more meaningful if we have a plan, know where we're going, and work systematically at getting there.

If you've tried to do that, you've undoubtedly met with a great deal of frustration along the way. It's like the expression "Life is what happens to you while you're planning other things." No matter how hard you work at your plan, there are those constant interruptions that get in the way, and make it seem so difficult. You are not alone.

As important as the first quote is, think about the second one. A modern paraphrase might go like this: "Before setting and achieving your goals, and having control over your life, your days are filled with trivia, interruptions, hassles, disappointments, family responsibilities, etc. After working your plan and achieving all your dreams and goals - your life is filled with trivia, interruptions, hassles, disappointments, family responsibilities, etc."

Taking control of your life can result in great personal satisfaction, provided you understand it does not bring you to perfection. Intertwined in our desire to achieve peace, success, and enlightenment, there is still plenty of wood to chop and water to carry. The day-to-day responsibilities of life do not disappear. We simply gain the strength to bear them more readily - and with a smile.

So - carry on with your plans and your dreams. They are vital to a great life. Yet remember the words of Jules Renard, who said, "There are moments when everything goes well; don't be frightened, it won't last."

Sales Meeting/Training

Hello all,

"Sales meeting/Training"

Tomorrow we will be holding a joint office sales meeting at Montgomery Country Club starting at 9:30, breakfast will be served. We have not gotten together for a bit so I would love to see as many of you there as possible. It is time to start getting ramped up for the second half of the year. Lisa and I will be doing a listing presentation training in the Potomac office August 29th at 11am. This will be helpful to anyone (both offices are invited) new to listing presentations, is feeling a little rusty or if you would like to pick up a tip or two. Veterans who attend please come prepared to share. We will cover the steps you go through while you are there, pricing and Lisa will show her presentation from her IPAD. Please RSVP to Michelle, we will get pizza delivered after so we need a head count. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." 
~ Victor Hugo

BE IMPULSIVE!

There seems to be a lot of anger in the world today. Forget the national and global squabbles, and just take a look closer to home - on your TV, in the schools, among fellow employees - right in your own backyard

There's another attitude issue that could stand some help - disrespect. It seems like the days are gone when youngsters (even 20-somethings) value their elders, social customs, even the laws of the land. Common courtesy and politeness, even among adults, seems non-existent at times.

Want to be a changing force in your personal world? It's easy, costs nothing, and goes a long way towards making a meaningful contribution for the better. It's accomplished with an electrical impulse. Really. Consider your brain. Everything you think of, each idea you have, each action you take begins with an electrical impulse - a single thought. The thought required to cause change is called an "expectation."

Teachers use this thought daily in their classrooms. They EXPECT students to listen, to observe silence, to walk single-file, to not cut in line, and to learn. They EXPECT not to be challenged, disrespected, or ignored when they speak. The best among them EXPECT nothing less than excellence. Know what? Their students respond positively to those expectations.

The electrical impulse called "expectation" is simple to enact, yet more difficult to enforce. You have to really mean it. As a country, a people, even families, we've grown soft on expectations - and it shows. Fear of offending someone seems the rule. Why not be "impulsive" for the next 30 days with those you love by setting a new, higher standard of expectations. The results will both amaze and delight!

An Election Year

Hello all,

"An Election Year"

There is an old saying in the sales world that there are two things you don't talk about at a cocktail party (you can now through in, "or post on Facebook") and that is Religion or Politics. However when a political event might have an impact on our business it is worth following. In regards to the macro economy big business has been sitting on piles of cash for sometime waiting to see the outcome of the election. Usually in a recovery the money would be flowing into research and development, mergers and acquisitions... This years election has so much riding on it for big business that they simply are taking a wait and see attitude which combined with gridlock in the government has stalled the recovery. What does this mean for housing? To be honest I am not sure and we need to keep an eye on it. In the micro economy people tend to get a little nervous with their wallet as the election approaches. Uncertainty can kill any rally. We had a good winter, a great spring and we are having a good summer but will it have legs through the fall and the election? Low interest rates, low inventory and pent up demand are all in our favor so the odds are good. But... and what I am suggesting is let's store a couple of nuts just in case we have a little pull back this fall. Either way, I really believe that after the election when people realize that their world is not coming to an end because their candidate did not when we are off to the races with a long sustained recovery in housing. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Leaders are like eagles. They don't flock - you find them one at a time."

~ Unattributed

BE FREE!

In Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits," he talks about focusing on the important to the exclusion of the unimportant. In his own words, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."

See if you recognize which motivational trainer espoused this similar philosophy:

"There are things within your power, and there are things beyond your power. Within your power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion; in a word, whatever affairs are your own. Beyond your power are body, property, reputation, office; in a word, affairs not properly your own. Concern yourself only with what is within your power.

The essence of good consists of things within your own power; with them there is no room for envy or emulation. For your part, do not desire to be a general, or a senator, or a consul, but to be free; and the only way to do this is a disregard of things which do not lie within your own power."

If you guessed Zig Ziglar, Howard Brinton, or Anthony Robbins, guess again. Its author referred to it as a "field manual for soldiers." It was carried by Frederick the Great on all his campaigns. It was written by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.

Stephen Covey conveys a similar message when he suggests drawing two concentric circles with a dot in the middle. He equates the dot in the middle to you, the first circle as your area of influence, and the outside circle as your area of concern. He suggests that you concentrate only on the circle of influence, things which you have the power to influence or change. He advises that you disregard those in the area of concern over which you have no influence or power.

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK:

How much time and energy are you wasting through worry and concern over things you cannot control? Focus your energy and your life on the "main thing" beginning now - then watch your circle of influence begin to grow. Do it now!

Shut Down Time

Hello all,

"Shut Down Time"

We never want to stop doing what we need to do for our business or our money making activities. Because, well, we never want to stop making money! Most of the top agents have this on auto pilot. However this time of year and over the winter holidays we need to shut it down a bit mentally, spend some time with family, friends and refuel the tank for the next wave of activity. One of my shut down areas is with the Monday Morning Coffee, this will be my last one for a bit. Please make sure you take the time to relax and enjoy yourself, life is not just about Real Estate.

Enjoy the Coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The beginning of thought is in disagreement,not only with others but also with ourselves."

~ Eric Hoffer

A FEW "NO" MEN!

It’s safe to say that the best results are produced when people work together. Solo projects often suffer from a one-sided perspective and lack of meaningful input. This isn’t to say that you can’t accomplish a lot when working on your own – it takes time and concentration to make progress. Just make sure that you involve other people in your work.

It’s especially helpful when those “team mates” aren’t just “yes men” who always agree with you or fear to offer a different point of view. It’s really essential that the problem is analyzed from at least two sides, and that everyone applies their particular strengths where they’re most needed.

Think about it – there are those who are great at organizing and beginning projects, and there are those who are great finishers. Sometimes we describe folks as “big picture” people, while others are really “good at the details.” Some very creative people easily lose interest once a project is begun, while those who display tenacity might not be so talented at dreaming up the next big thing.

You’ve figured out by now that the point is that it takes both types (or even three or four types) of people to create and complete a project successfully. By involving others whose traits and perspectives are opposite from your own, you’re guaranteeing a better chance of wider acceptance of the results.

While it’s great to have confidence in your work, you shouldn’t be so egocentric that you don’t believe anyone else can offer valuable input or find a better way by looking at things from a fresh perspective. You’ll garner respect and find success when you invite criticism and disagreement. Care to debate it?

Proud Papa

Hello all,

"Proud Papa"

RE/MAX International does two main events each year. The Realtor conference which was in Vegas and the Broker/Owner conference which is being held in Washington DC this August. It is a two day event that features networking, guest speakers, but mostly it is training sessions for the Broker/Owners on business practices, Re/MAX Systems... Our Mark Strosnider was contacted by RE/MAX International and was asked to sit on a panel at the conference to discuss and train other Broker/Owners on recruiting. Mark's skill set in this field has been has been a tremendous benefit to the company and I am so happy to see him get the national recognition that he deserves. Next time you see Mark please give him a pat on the back for a job well done. Best part for me is I get to sit in the audience like a "Proud Papa" watching my competition in awe of Mark on the stage!

If you have clients looking for new construction Clarksburg is where it is happening. Below is a flyer for an open house there tomorrow. Good stuff and I encourage everyone to get there if they can.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

~ Carl Bard

BACK TO THE FUTURE!

Sometimes we look back on past events and wish that we had a "do over." While we should try to avoid regrets, it's still a good idea to analyze what we've done and try to understand how we might have done things better. Of course, there's no changing the past, but that doesn't mean that the past can't or won't change our future.

Maybe there's a relationship that has deteriorated over the years. Perhaps by now you've forgotten who was right or who was wrong, or maybe it's just a question of having lost touch. This is not a case of needing a brand new start, but of reworking the ending.

Since you can't "edit" the past, start writing a new chapter right now! While you have no control over what you have done, you do have complete control over what you are going to do. It can be very empowering when you realize that you actually have it in your command to create the future and the relationships that you want.

And it's not just about relationships - it can be about building wealth if you've squandered opportunities in the past. You simply have to make a commitment and forgive yourself for actions you cannot change. If your dream is to retire in comfort in ten, twenty, or thirty years, analyze your past spending and saving, educate yourself or consult a professional, and take steps now to create the results you want.

Whatever your goals for the future, your real power comes from letting go of the past. Stop worrying about what you have said and done (or haven't said or done) and start focusing on what you will say and do. Turn your negative energies toward positive actions and you'll amaze yourself!

Popular writer and adventurer Louis L'Amour said it well, "Everyone has it within his power to say, this I am today, that I shall be tomorrow." Here's to the future!