Best Winter

Hello All,

"Best Winter"

I consider myself a cautiously optimistic person. I believe the office is full of good hard working agents and in the long run things will always work out (optimistic). However I am always looking for bumps in the road or hurdles we need to get through to achieve success (cautious). The biggest hurdle we face every year is the winter slowdown. I usually write a piece this time of year advising everyone to store their nuts because it is slowing down and the winter months can be difficult to navigate financially. All signs in the market and in the offices suggest this winter might have a different outcome then recent winters. Inventory remains as strong as it was in the spring, activity is steady and it seems as if most everyone has business going on. No promises and knock on wood... This could be the best winter we have had in a long time. 

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes softly and sits on your shoulder."

 

~ Anonymous
 

 

DRAW YOUR OWN MAP!

 

Imagine you've planned the trip of your dreams - say from North Carolina to Colorado. You've charted all the roads, have a fist full of maps just in case, and have your priorities straight in your mind. You get started on a beautiful sunny day, and begin enjoying the ride.

 

Late in the day, as you approach the Mississippi River, you drive straight into a bank of heavy fog. You turn on your lights, but still cannot see 10 feet ahead. Just because the highway is out of sight doesn't mean you've lost your way. Continuing on the path you've set for yourself, you soon break out into the sunshine again - still headed in the direction of your dreams.

 

In perspective, consider that the trip represents your life's goal - your first priority. Steering your vehicle down the highway hour by hour represents your efforts to reach your goal. The fog bank illustrates the momentary interruptions and obstacles encountered on your journey.

 

As day #2 begins, you find that you've come to an unexpected intersection - one that's not on your map. Confused, you pull over and examine the map closely. Stay to the right and you'll end up in Colorado. Take a left and you may arrive at an unanticipated, yet equally wonderful destination.

 

OK, let's cut to the chase! Sometimes your priorities change, don't they? Just as you think your goal is in sight, a new opportunity arises. Remember the saying that "life is a journey - not a destination"? What's exciting is that YOU are in control of the steering wheel, and whatever destination you choose is OK - so long as it's YOU who has made the choice.

 

Happy motoring!

       

End of Year Events

Hello all,

"End of Year Events"

We talked about this at the sales meeting last week. There are three all office events coming up, the details are attached. This Rel Estate thing can be difficult, we are fortunate to have an atmosphere of sharing and helping out. These three events are a great opportunity to spend some time with your office mates and celebrate the wonderful year we have had! Short version... Parties coming up and I want to see as many of you there as possible. 

                                   

Thursday, October 22nd 5:30pm-8pm

Park Potomac Office-RSVP to Max!

Tuesday, November 17th 11:00am-2pm

Montgomery County Fairgrounds

PLEASE RSVP to Carol’s Potluck Invite

Monday, December 14th 6pm-10pm

Grillmarx in Clarksburg

Stay tuned for invite!

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Things themselves don't hurt or hinder us.
Things simply are what they are.
How we view these things is another matter.
People think what they will think; it is of no concern to us."

 

~ Epictetus
 

 

DON'T LISTEN!

 

Someone once said, "When I was in my twenties, I worried about what others thought of me. When I was in my forties, I didn't care what they thought of me, and when I was in my sixties, I realized they weren't thinking about me at all." Who hasn't had a parent or friend tell us "What will people think?"

 

How easy it is to let the influence of others govern our actions. By listening to others, then carrying out our lives to the tune they wish us to play, we are but puppets. One of "Aesop's Fables" addressed the same issue.

 

It told of an old man, a boy, and a donkey making their way down a hill. As the boy rode, while the old man led the donkey, they overheard a neighbor comment about the shame of making the old man walk. The next turn in the road saw both man and boy astride the donkey, and the next passer-by shook his head at the shame of putting such a load on the poor donkey. By the time the two reached the final turn in the road, they were seen carrying the donkey on a pole.

 

The message, of course, was that we should not live our lives to satisfy the expectations of others. It is up to us to set a clear direction for our own lives, and then follow that path to the exclusion of others.

 

It's really about choices, isn't it? We get to make our own choices in life. When we fail to do so, we have still made a choice - that being to let others make our choices for us. As the final days of the year approach, it's an excellent time to let your vision take hold, to set a bold new direction for your life in the coming year. Make some choices - no matter what "they" think!

Sales Meeting

Hello all,

"Sales Meeting"

We are having a sales meeting tomorrow and I would love to see as many of you there as possible. We are trying out a new venue at the MRIS building in Rockville and we would love to get your feedback afterwards on the location! We will also be talking a little more on the switch to Mark becoming the primary Broker, great time to ask any questions about it if you like. Below is an email Dana sent out Friday with more information.

Happy Friday. This is a friendly reminder that our next sales meeting is this coming Tuesday, October 13th at 10:00am. Breakfast will be served. The meeting is at a NEW LOCATION-MRIS BUILDING! The parking lot is going through construction so park in any open spot you can find or the garage. CLICK the link for directions - http://bit.ly/1hukpK6 See you there! 

                                   

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Strength of numbers is the delight of the timid.
The Valiant in spirit glory in fighting alone."

 

~ Ghandi
 

 

COMMITTEE COMFORT!

 

It has been said that "a camel is a horse created by a committee." You've probably witnessed the process yourself. You put any twelve decision-makers in a room together, and they can't seem to make a decision at all. Worse yet, they create something that is comfortable to all members - a camel of their own making.

 

Ghandi says numbers are the "delight of the timid." At some time or another, we all want the comfort of being surrounded by others with interests common to us. Maybe it's on sales meeting day when the discussion turns into a gripe session. Maybe it's in the break room, around the proverbial "water cooler," or in a training class we've just taken. Wherever the group meets, the results are often the same - a lack of action backed up by all the reasons that justify the inaction.

 

Ghandi also says the glory is "in fighting alone." Look around. Do you see one or two individuals who spend little of their time with the group? Sometimes called "loners," these are usually also the over-achievers, the top producers in life and business. They know where they're going and they don't need your approval to do it. The committee says they aren't "team players."

 

Being human, it is certainly normal to seek the comfort of others. In the case of those few individuals described as "the Valiant in spirit," however, their strength comes from their accomplishments. In each of us, there is also that "Valiant" spirit - the part of us that wants to strike out on our own. You can do that by resigning from the committees of your life. Elect yourself President and Chairman of the Board of your own future - and make it unanimous!

Phone Vs Email

Hello all,

"Phone Vs Email"

Mark, Al and I are often asked to get involved in situations that come up with agent disputes, deals gone south, bad lenders, egos in the way... Obviously our goal is to always help you work through the deal and get it to the table so you get paid. One thing we notice is a lot of the situations start because of a miscommunication in an email. Email is great for communication however we always need to remember the other side can easily misconstrue the meaning or tone of the email. This can lead to email "battles" that escalate out of hand and cause more damage then they should. What I would like to ask you to consider is picking up the phone and call the other side at times instead of sending an email. I really believe if you make the effort to work things out voice to voice early on many of the issues that arise in an email chain can be avoided. Not meant to be a sermon we have just seen a lot of this lately.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

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

 

~ William Shedd
 

 

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."

 

It'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."

Once a Year

Hello all,

"Once a Year"

We appreciate that most everyone understands that we have some procedures and rules that need to be followed. However "Once a Year" I need to send an email like this to let you know there are some areas in the office we need to tighten up on. This is a general email for everyone and just a reminder for most. We will be keeping an eye on things and will follow up individually when needed. Here are the areas of concern.        

Copiers- The copier bills have been through the roof. We do not charge for copies in the office however remember the copiers are not for marketing in color or black and white, they are for printing day to day business items and small color jobs, 25 or less. If you print more then 25 color copies you need to let us know the number and you will be charged .25 cents each. Please work with us on this, the copiers get very expensive.    

Contracts- All ratified contracts must be turned into the office within 5 business days of being ratified. This is Maryland law and we can incur fines if we are audited. If you have anything you have not turned in get them in immediately. There are several consistent abusers of this, it must stop and contracts need to be turned in when ratified. 

Credit Reports- Staff is under strict instructions not to pull credit reports for rental applications unless they have the money in their hand. We have been paying out our money each month on this for uncollected reports. If you have questions about this please do not ask staff, ask me directly.

Cover Sheets- Cover sheets need to be filled out completely when contracts and listings are turned into the office. Please take the time to do it properly. 

Office Supplies- Office supplies are, well, for the office not your home office or your marketing. Please do not abuse this and I really do not want to have a conversation with anyone on this subject.

We pride ourselves on being an office without copier codes, locked office supplies, ease of operation... we just ask you to always keep in mind that we want to keep things simple and affordable but we need to operate a business.  

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe  

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor sprits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

 

~ Theodore Roosevelt
 

 

BETTER TO ATTEMPT AND FAIL...

 

In an old "Peanuts" cartoon, Sally is making a list while Charlie Brown looks on. Sally says, "I'm making a list of all the things I've learned in life..." In the next panel she continues with, "Well, actually, I'm making two lists." Charlie asks, "Why is one list longer than the other?" Holding up the much longer list, Sally explains, "These are the things I've learned the hard way!"

 

It's easy to chuckle a little at the part about "learning things the hard way," isn't it? We've all done that. There's really a more revealing message though in this simple cartoon.

 

The short list of things we've learned generally contains lessons that required no effort, or lessons we learned passively, while just listening. For instance, we learned simple courtesies from our first grade teacher. We learned historical names and dates from our history teacher. We learned to tie knots from our scout leader. Our parents taught us to share. The list goes on.

 

The important list, the one that's much longer, contains the things we've learned from experience. These lessons are endless, and no matter how trifling the lesson, we learned one every time we took action. We dared to try a two-wheel bicycle and crashed - several times. We tried out for the school play - and made fools of ourselves in front of friends.

 

By attempting - at the possible expense of our pride, our self-esteem, or our physical well-being - we either succeeded or failed (and learned a lesson). It is our actions that produce results and teach us those valuable lessons. Teddy Roosevelt said it right: "Far better to dare mighty things..."

 

Two Brokers

Hello all,

"Two Brokers"

Mark and I wanted to let everyone know we are in the process of making some changes at the Broker level. Paperwork has been submitted for Mark to become the Maryland Broker for the company, I will remain as the Broker in Virginia and DC. There will be very few changes internally with the company, Mark will be dealing with the DLLR and the Maryland Real Estate Commission more and that will cover most of it. As everyone knows Mark and I have always worked hand in hand running the company, that will not change. Since we are a Maryland based company Mark will be the official Broker of record for the company. This is something Mark very much deserves and the company could not be in better hands. I take great comfort knowing my friend will have our backs. Overall you should view Mark & Al as your go to's for contracts, scenarios, outside agent issues... and I will continue to oversee operations, accounting and some training. We are all always available for all of you for any reason. If you have any questions please feel free to get with Mark or I, we will also be having a question and answer session on this at the next sales meeting. We hope you will be okay having two Brokers when needed :)

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe   

 

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Competition will always place your life in the hands of others, while initiative gives you the freedom to choose your own destiny."

 

~ Willard & Marguerite Beecher
 

 

BEAT THE OTHER GUYS!

 

From childhood we learn to win by competing. If one marble player wins, the other loses. If our football team wins, the opposition loses. If we earn top honors for the greatest sales volume or number of transactions, our fellow associates don't. We are taught to be competitive - and we learn the lesson well.

 

In being competitive, however, we must always measure our success in relation to others. First we choose the leader whom we must surpass. Our objective is to exceed the performance of that individual - the current Number One. Then, when we become the leader, we live in constant fear of having our performance exceeded by those striving from below to surpass us.

 

By always competing, then, we are not free to focus on doing our very best. Everything we do is related to what others have done or may do. A refreshing alternative is to put initiative to work. You freely choose your own destiny, then work to achieve it - totally oblivious to what others around you are doing.

 

Initiative begins with a delightful vision of yourself achieving what you think is important. Followed up with action, you achieve not only your objectives, but also the thrill and satisfaction of knowing you are in charge!

Sales Meeting

Hello all,

"Sales Meeting"

Reminder that we are having a Sales Meeting this Friday, Lakewood Country Club from 11-1. October 1st will arrive soon along with it comes changes to the Contract and TRID will be in full effect. These two topics will be covered along with some other fun stuff... Mark will be your host! Please join us for lunch and spend some time with you Co-Workers.

Enjoy the coffee,

Joe

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

 

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

 

~ Goethe
 

 

BE ALL THAT THEY CAN BE?

 

On a recent A&E Biography segment, Oprah Winfrey was being interviewed. She was asked whether she considered all the competing talk shows to be a threat to her own daytime show. She answered with a personal story about running in a marathon.

 

It seems Oprah had always had a dream of running in a marathon. She trained for two years to get ready, and she ran her marathon. Oprah explained that, to her, competition was like that marathon. As long as she was hitting her stride with her goal of winning in clear focus, there was no time to consider the competition. She added that just turning her head backward to see how close competing runners were to her position was enough to rob her of energy needed to win the race.

 

Oprah's view of the competition brought to mind the U.S. Army recruiting slogan: "Be all that you can be!" Note that it doesn't say, "Be all that THEY can be!" Even when your competition has a recognizable face, why would you want to be them? If you want to improve yourself, speed up your achievements, or earn more money, why not just better your own time? Comparing yourself to others is a waste of precious time and energy.

 

Realizing your dreams requires a roadmap. First, you decide on a destination - your dream. Next, you choose a route. For Oprah, that involved hiring a personal trainer, improving her aerobic capacity, and adding strength training to her daily regimen. It also helps to identify some stops or landmarks along the way to help you measure your progress. Finally, you apply all your energy to running the race - and achieving your dream.

 

Oprah's dream was to run a marathon. What's yours?