Multiple Offers

Hello all,

"Multiple Offers"

Not everywhere but we are seeing multiple offers more often, certain areas and price ranges. I am going to offer up a couple of suggestions on how to handle them to avoid some of the problems we are seeing.

Once you know there could be or will be a multiple offer situation you need to set a firm time when all agents have an opportunity to submit best and final offers for review. This time frame needs to be fair to the seller and the buyer agents and must be adhered to. After your sellers selects the offer that is best for them to work with you need to let the other agents know they are out right away, there is no further opportunity for them to change the offer because they lost. You and your sellers can still negotiate with the winning offer if it is not exactly what they are looking for, closing date inspections...  

As the listing agent if one of the offers is yours or one of the offers is from another agent in the office I strongly recommend you have the offers reviewed  by a manager as well as the sellers before selecting the winning contract.

The main reason for following these simple guidelines is the buyers and the buyers agents can become very upset if they are on the losing end. Being able to tell everyone that they had an equal opportunity to win but their offer was not the best is what is fair and all we can do.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." 

~ Henry David Thoreau

 

SOUND FAMILIAR?

 

How many times have you told a friend or associate about a bold new idea for succeeding, only to have them shoot down the idea? How often do you hear a parent tell their child, "You can't do that!" or, "You're too little (or too short or too ugly)." With just a word, a child's future can be stunted. The alternative is to believe in yourself. Take a look at a few of those "You'll never amount to anything" comments made to the wrong people:

 

"You have a perfect voice for broadcasting, but you should get a job as a secretary. We're not using women." - What announcers for NBC told Sally Jesse Raphael when she applied for a job after graduation from Columbia University.

 

"It's a cutthroat business and you've got no chance of success." - So said an accountant for Estee Lauder, founder of a multibillion-dollar cosmetics empire.

 

"You have a nice voice, but it's nothing special." - That's what a teacher told Diana Ross after she auditioned for a part in a high school musical.

 

"It's too hard to crack into the late-night ratings. Television isn't ready for a black talk show host. This is America and you can forget it." - That's some conventional wisdom offered to Arsenio Hall prior to his acceptance of Paramount's offer to host a late-night talk show.

 

A dream, an idea, a vision of greatness - all can be shattered by a word or two from a total stranger. If you are the one with a dream, keep it to yourself as you methodically achieve all that you desire. If it's another who tells you theirs - encourage them to nurture it to fruition. Remember Thoreau's thoughts on this: "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

Trainings

Hello all,

"Training's"

It was great to have a full house at our Listing Presentation Training last week. Hopefully everyone who attended got a little something out of it. Our business is forever changing and keeping up with the trends through training has and always will be the key to success! Tom Ferry, Brian Buffini, Mortgage Affiliates, Title Affiliates, Mark, Myself... The opportunities and options are endless in the office. In the Wednesday email they are all listed out and there is some great stuff coming up this week and in the next several months. I strongly encourage all of you take the time to read the weekly email and choose the training's that are best for you. There is usually a correlation between Agents deciding they don't need training and their businesses going backwards. Lisa and I have 5+ training trips across the country set for this year...  Learning never ends. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." 

~ Francis Bacon

 

SOW GOOD SEEDS!

 

James Bender, in his book "How to Talk Well," tells of a farmer who grew prize-winning corn. Each year he won the blue ribbon at the state fair. When asked how he did it, the farmer explained that he shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

 

Pollen from ripening corn is carried by the wind from field to field. If the farmer's neighbors grew inferior corn, he felt that cross-pollination would steadily degrade his own prize-winning variety. If he was to grow good corn, the farmer felt he first had to help his neighbors grow good corn.

 

Having a good attitude and achieving your goals works the same way. How you view the world is affected by the attitudes of others, and vice-versa. Surely you can think of a time that someone else's dark outlook on life caused you to have a bad day. Your positive, can-do attitude can be easily cross-pollinated by the negative thoughts of others.

 

So . . . why not share your award-winning, success-oriented approach to life with your neighbors? By simply sharing a smile and a kind word with those around you, you can improve everyone's outlook. That thought can be carried a step further, too.

 

Can you imagine a farmer purposely planting corn in a field adjoined by a field full of briars, thorns and thistles, owned by a farmer with no intention of improving it? While it's a noble cause to improve the lives of others by sowing good seeds all around, it is sometimes necessary to do your farming elsewhere. By spending your time with others who share your aptitude for excellence, your own personal value will increase.

 

When picking a field in which to grow your dreams, choose your neighbors wisely - then sow only seeds that improve everyone involved. It's your choice.

General Sales Meeting

Hello all,

"General Sales Meeting"

Reminder we have a sales meeting this Friday from 11-1 at Lakewood Country Club. Love to see as many of you there as possible.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life,

the whole aim and end of human existence." 

 

 

- Aristotle 

 

 

WHY ARE YOU WORKING? 

 

When is the last time you sat down and analyzed your goals and dreams? At least once a year, you should review your financial situation to try to determine how much closer you are to achieving your goals from the same time last year. Every step you take should bring you nearer to your dream. 

 

Of course, you need to evaluate your dreams every year, too. Sometimes you imagine something that you want when it is simply the "heat of the moment," before you've thought it through to its logical conclusion. When you look back a few months later, you say to yourself, "What was I thinking?" Sometimes it's only someone else's ideas that affect or determine our own desires. 

 

Your dreams don't have to be of "castles in the clouds," but also avoid setting your goals too low! While respectable, if all you're working for is to make sure you don't miss a mortgage payment and you can cover your credit card bill, you definitely need to take the time to determine what would make you happy beyond just making sure the bills are paid. 

 

You shouldn't have to feel that you're working simply because you have to. If your work itself doesn't make you happy, at least try to see that your work can help you to achieve those goals that you dream of. When you feel you are wholeheartedly pursuing your happiness, then you can put yourself wholeheartedly into your work. 

 

When you make your happiness and the happiness of others your purpose, you'll find the journey to that destination all the more enjoyable. Seeking joy and peace is not selfish - it is as Aristotle said, "the whole aim and end of human existence." Take a good look at where you are now and where you want to be one year from now, ten years from now, twenty years from now. Apply your heart, body and mind to shaping your future - take whatever you have today and run with it! 

Better Start

Hello all,

"Better Start"

Quick vacation coffee this week. End of the 1st quarter last year we had closed 75M, end of the 1st quarter this year we have closed 93M. Everything is pointing towards a strong Real Estate year! Thanks and let's keep it up.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

Looks like a repeat...

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"The tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss." 

 

 

~ Thomas Carlyle 

 

 

TAKE A SIESTA! 

 

When setting goals and planning our future, we sometimes fail to look far enough ahead. Consider the following story: 

 

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. 

 

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while." The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs." The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" 

 

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, then stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life." 

 

The banker scoffed, "I'm a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You would eventually open your own cannery and control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise." 

 

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied, "15 to 20 years." "But what then?" asked the fisherman. The banker laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions." 

 

"Millions? And then what?" The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos." (!!!) 

 

So . . . what are you working for? The IPO or the good life? Stop working toward "someday," and appreciate your success on this day. Take time to enjoy the siesta! 

Office Updates

Hello all,

"Office Updates"

Try not to do this to often in My Monday email but some office updates that I would like to address.

Aspen Hill Closing- Megan has begun a position on the Michelle Yu Team as the administrator and we are starting the process of shutting down the operations in Aspen Hill. A final time frame for shut down has yet to be determined, the office will only be operating as a satellite office moving forward. Understaffed, phones have been forwarded to Potomac, internet and the copier are still in place. A general rule of thumb should be if you need to use the office but are unsure of the capabilities please check with Paulette, Mark or Myself. 

Admin Fee- We are heading into the 4th month of the admin fee change to $395. Everyone has done a great job of collecting the new fee and it is appreciated. The grace period for anyone forgetting to charge the new amount will be ending at the end of this month. Again, thanks for your cooperation on this. 

Contracts- My every six month reminder that contracts need to be turned into the office in a timely manor once they are ratified. Let's set a goal of being caught up and have everything turned in by mid week.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"The tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss." 

 

 

~ Thomas Carlyle 

 

 

TAKE A SIESTA! 

 

When setting goals and planning our future, we sometimes fail to look far enough ahead. Consider the following story: 

 

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. 

 

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while." The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs." The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" 

 

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, then stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life." 

 

The banker scoffed, "I'm a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You would eventually open your own cannery and control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise." 

 

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied, "15 to 20 years." "But what then?" asked the fisherman. The banker laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions." 

 

"Millions? And then what?" The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos." (!!!) 

 

So . . . what are you working for? The IPO or the good life? Stop working toward "someday," and appreciate your success on this day. Take time to enjoy the siesta! 

Golf Tournament

Hello all,

"Golf Tournament"

Attached is the flyer for our 9th annual Golf Tournament sponsoring Childrens Miracle Network and Clarksburg Baseball. It is an event that is near and dear to my heart, a great day out with colleagues and supports a couple of good causes. We will be promoting this in the office over the next couple of months, it is our one and only charity fund raiser throughout the year. Hope as many of you will participate as possible. 

Clarksburg Baseball has been part of this for 9 years, the money they receive from the event offsets the rising field costs and allows them to make youth baseball affordable, we proudly support them. I understand this does not sit well with some of you. I fully appreciate and understand everyone's opinion on this subject. It is something we have been doing for a long time and we can't turn back at this point. They need the support to operate. 

If you choose not to participate in the event because of this I would like to ask you to make a donation directly to Childrens Miracle Network which is the main sponsor of Remax. The accounting department can help you and we will have a representative at a sales meeting soon to talk about it.  We only ask once a year for all of you to give back and you have two choices on how to do it! Fun day with the office or a small donation, both will go a long way to help others.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true." 

 

 

~ James B. Cabell 

 

 

THE SKY IS FALLING . . . NOT! 

 

"The glass is half-full." "The glass is half-empty." "Looks like a beautiful day!" "I think it's going to rain." "I'm happy." "I'm depressed." "I'm an optimist!" "How can you be an optimist with things the way they are?" 

 

OK, we all know the difference between an optimist and a pessimist - right? In some of Steven Covey's material, he states that "no one knows enough to be a pessimist." Pessimism, more often than not, is generated by inner fears, most likely fears "of the unknown." Hence, "No one knows enough to be a pessimist." 

 

Consider the child about to learn the art of riding a bike. "I know I'm going to fall," proclaims the child - just before taking a skinned knee. After a week of practice, is the child still fearful? Once bike riding becomes second nature, i.e. once the child "knows" enough about bike riding, the fear (a.k.a. pessimism) disappears. 

 

Just as the child's pessimism ("I'm going to fall...") precedes the skinned knee, our other pessimistic thoughts may precede our worst fears. By substituting a positive thought for a negative one, therefore, is it not possible that the action that follows might also be positive? 

 

Add to that positive thought an extra measure of learning and knowledge, and it's highly unlikely there will continue to be room for either the pessimism or the subsequent negative action. From one optimist to another, heed this advice: "Don't worry - be happy!" 

Funny

Hello all,

"Funny"

Lisa had a listing appointment last week and when she walked in the owner thanked her for being on time. The owner went on to say that he had an appointment earlier and the agent was an hour late because he got lost. The funny thing the owner said was when he spoke to him on the phone the agent positioned himself as an expert in the area. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"The path you're on looks different when you turn around." 

 

 

- Cynthia Copeland Lewis 

 

 

 

LOOK BACK TO THE FUTURE! 

 

Life has been described as a path, a direction in which we travel over time - rather than a single event. Each of us gets to choose the direction our path will take us. By making those choices, we also clear the way to achieving the objectives we've set for ourselves. 

 

When we fail to choose the path we will travel, that is also a choice. In that case, the path we travel becomes less distinct with more twists and turns than we would have liked. Each side path we encounter tempts us to change direction. Lacking any roadmap of objectives we might have chosen, we often end up somewhere - else. 

 

Regardless of the quality of our choices, we can get a clear understanding of where we are likely to end up - just by turning around. By simply looking back at the path we have been following, much can be learned. For example, is the path behind us straight, or filled with curves and detours taken? Is it paved with solid, masterfully laid stepping stones, or filled with muddy ruts that zig-zag around every obstacle? 

 

Chances are that, as teenagers, most of our paths seemed to have had many twists and turns. As we matured and learned from our mistakes, however, it is also likely that we began improving the direction and quality of the path we travelled. The more attention we paid to the path, the more enjoyable the journey became. 

 

Want life to be a most pleasant journey? Build your own roadmap - then start paving!