The is the story about how the sea captain gets through the storm. He persevere by keeping his eye on the horizon. In that parable, the storm is all of the obstacles we might face and the horizon is his goal or desired destination. It speaks to the way we get through the obstacles of our work, relationships or just everyday life. It illuminates the critical importance of knowing where we are going…or the dreaded goals. Goals serve as the GPS for your life. If you don’t know what they are how do you know where you are going, what questions to ask, what decisions to make, how to prioritize activities, what obstacles to fight through. Just as your GPS, you may take a detour but your internal GPS will reroute you back on course.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL A HOME??
Most Sellers assume that spring is the best time to sell their homes. I get asked the question every time I go on a listing appointed. The REAL answer to that question is that the best time to sell your home is WHEN YOU ARE READY. Every season has its advantages. Statistically most homes come on the market during the second quarter (about 40%) followed by the fourth quarter (about 25%).
10 Day Goals- CORNERSTONE GOALS.
I am a written goal person. I know you have heard of the Harvard study that on the 25th reunion they did a survey of who had written goals. It turned out 20% of the attendees had written goals. The interesting thing was that those 20% accounted for 80% of the net worth. I do annual goals and 3 month goals but had never heard of 10 day goals until recently.
I was listening to one of my podcast that talked about CORNERSTONE behaviors. Those small additions to your life that make big changes. Brian Buffini, the podcast author, talked about how it is harder to stop a bad habit then it is to start a small, CORNERSTONE, habit. I saw this for myself overContinue Reading
Getting Past the Eyes.
When at a networking event it is critical to see those attending as people instead of a potential sale or business contact. The Mastermind Group, Business Before Breakfast, sponsored by the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, discussed what questions would they ask a person that they had just met at a networking function. It was unanimous that this is NOT the time to make a sale or ask for business. It is the time to find resources, find out how to help the person you are talking to, gather information and most importantly ask questions. It is not the time for a sales pitch.Continue Reading
POUR ME
This blog is NOT about my personal trials and tribulations but about the opening of a great new eatery in downtown Danbury called POUR ME Coffee & Wine Bar. I was inspired to go there this week by a Woman to Woman networking event hosted by my friend, Patty Lennon. I have been to many of Patty’s workshops and events and just love the energy she brings into a room. Need to get inspired, hire Patty as your business coach or just hang around her for 5 minutes. Women’s’ Networking Events have a special dynamic. About 30 business women attended. I saw many local businesswomen who I know, reconnected with some I had lost touch with and met some new resources. For example I had just been asked by a close friend if I knew of anyone who does office arranging to maximize productivity. Sure enough, who did I meet for the first time, an impressive woman from Fairfield who does just that. I texted my friend as soon as I got home…social capitol points for me!! All in all an enjoyable evening and time VERY well spent.Continue Reading
I Don’t Work From Home.
There is a growing tendency in business and especially in Real Estate to work from home. I believe (and have zero statistics to back me up on this) that this stifles creativity and reduces productivity. I do not work from home. I will write my blogs, listen to a podcast or prepare a training session in the evening but during the daytime I keep regular “office hours”. Business and success is about connection and you cannot do that working from home behind a computer screen.Continue Reading
I Have a SECOND Team.
I had written about my Real Estate Team and how they make me better by challenging the status quo and keeping me accountable. I also have a SECOND Team that is equally responsible for my success. Notice I did not say Second String Team. My Second Team are all A+ Members of my team. They are the people who I learn from, get advice from and who help me to solve problems.
My Second Team are my resource partners. They are my Attorneys, Mortgage Professionals, my Tradespeople, Building Inspectors, Social Media Consultants, Computer Technicians, CPAs, Financial Planner, and Credit Counsellors. And the list goes on and on. They back me up and make me look good. It has literally taken YEARS to establish these relationships and is one of the major things that sets me apart from my competition. If I have a problem or question, I know who to call to get answers.Continue Reading
Single Women Are the Second Largest Group of Home Buyers.
Did you know that after married couple (65%), the next largest buying group is SINGLE WOMEN?? Even though, statistically, women have lower incomes than men, they buy homes at three times the rate of single men (18% for women 7% for men). My opinion is that many of these single men are still living in their parents’ basements!!!Continue Reading
I Love Statistics!!
I was OK in Math throughout High School but I never LOVED it until I became a Realtor. Statistics tell stories. They help you put complex topics into simple terms that anyone can understand. Statistics answer questions with undeniable facts. The PROBLEM with statistics is that you need the wisdom behind the number to be able to correctly interpret what they are telling you. The statistic might say prices are falling 4%. Are they really falling or is the high end buyer not in the market, causing the median sales price to fall?? This is where knowledge meets wisdom and having a Realtor with “feet on the ground” selling 40+ homes locally each year makes a difference interpreting the numbers.Continue Reading
PROVIDE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE!
Good service is no longer enough to ensure a steady stream of business and referrals. Good service is the expectation that your client has when they hire you. The focus now needs to be on providing a memorable experience. When you prospect it is no longer FIND ME-SELL ME but rather KNOW ME-HELP ME. The ongoing loyalty isn’t built through exchanging plastic cards but through creating these amazing experiences. It will be what differentiates you, sets you apart and builds loyalty and raving fans.Continue Reading