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Many home buyers toward are edging toward a tendency many real estate industry scholars are surprised with; smaller scale and more affordable housing. Architects across the nation are reporting a higher demand for home plans that feature reduced sized homes and the American Institute of Architects reported that fifty nine percent of home builders are building smaller scale homes.

As the latest financial tsunami rolled across the financial landscape in late 2007, many home buyers and builders read the writing on the wall and started choosing smaller houses over the giant residences of the prior years. With the lack of money came a desire for a smaller home that worked and the square footage average dropped by over 300 square feet.

These mini-houses can even be erected using re-used parts from other homes or outbuildings to lower the expense. In some of these “cottages” the wood is salvaged from old barns, deconstructed residences or some other source of materials to accommodate the reduced budget of today’s homeowners.

The comparatively low price of 40-90 thousand dollars for a smaller scale home illustrates their true value, especially when viewed in the light of homeowners still receiving luxuries like modern homes.

Some creative California builders even make their small houses versatile enough to fit on either, foundations or wheels. He sells plans for a little under $999 and builds mobile, small homes for around thirty thousands dollars. He relates constructing a small home to tailoring a suit. Each plan has the homeowner in mind and is adapted to fit any specific desire or need they may express. The traditional construction that many small residences have to utilize are space savers like build in cupboards and storage space.

Even big companies like Lowe’s home improvement stores sell a model of a kit home that is designed for owner construction to save you money.

Given the tendency of people with extra room to accumulate more stuff, the little home size helps many people deal with the materialist nature we all tend to have. Many homeowners are taking those exact thoughts to heart and exchanging their energy “McMansions” for smaller, if not more humble homes.

Many people prefer the modern features of larger residences, but you do not have to go without when you buy a smaller home. They smaller scale residences even feature amenities like claw foot tubs and double door refrigerators for those of us who prefer those appliances. With economy in mind and luxury featured, these home are drawing a higher degree of green buyers too.

Featuring reduced energy costs and lower mortgage payments, smaller homes are really an easy sale. residences that have conventional ceiling heights of about 8 feet have a record of reduced energy costs. Regardless of if the climate is hot or cold the energy efficient traits of smaller houses pay off due ot the fact that you are treating a smaller scale volume of air.

In addition to the previously listed traits, a smaller home will also increase the best use of your building lot in many ways. With more room on your lot due to the fact that you home now takes up less space on your lot, you can use your lot to put up solar panels, solar water heaters or grow your own veggies. Putting up that extra concrete pad for a basketball hoop may even be a reality!

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Comments (0) Nov 21 2009

JP Morgan apparently is expecting the U.S. economy to turn around fairly soon, because they are in the process of hiring several hundred mortgage officers from all across the country. If you do not quite recall who JP Morgan is, they are the wall street bank who made national and global news by offsetting over 5 billion dollar in their own corporate tax by purchasing then flagging Washington Mutual in one of the largest bank take overs in history.

Offsetting further tax liability, they also purchased Bear Stearns when their outlook began to sour and bankruptcy looked eminent for them. Bear Stearns was denied a bailout by former Goldman Sachs head Ben Bernanke, otherwise they may have received TARP money as well.

With JP Morgan hiring these loan officers and positioning them across the nation, one is left to wonder why they would be doing this during the greatest recession to hit the globe in at least 25 years. The explanation is that when the real estate market turns around JP Morgan wants to be positioned to best service home loan applicants. With most projections putting a real estate recovery about a year or more out, are they looking at some indicator most of us are missing?

My question is what do they know that we are not hearing from the media? They are hiring when it seems every other business is laying people off? That does not make any sense to me, unless they know something not many other people do.

With everything revealed, I think it will be profoundly obvious that JP Morgan, and the only other remaining Wall Street bank, Goldman Sachs, have been working diligently to establish themselves as the exclusive source of credit, before turning back on the spigots of credit.

Given that these kinds of illogical moves are typically seen when the CEO of a company dumps his stock the day before the company goes public with some bad report, we may be seeing the end of a suppressed real estate market very soon!

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Comments (0) Nov 21 2009

One of the winningest coaches in football history was Vince Lombardi. They even named the Super Bowl trophy after him. His philosophy about winning was remarkable. A Hall of Fame coach for the Green Bay Packers, his principles about “being the best” has been proven over and over again.

Although Lombardi has been gone nearly forty years, his philosophy of winning is as timely and pertinent today as then. He has been credited with coining numerous phrases that hit home with people in business, politics, and sports. Here are just a few that seem to work in every facet of life:

“10-15 minutes early or you are late” as Vince would say. This is so true. Being on time shows respect to your peers. Never being late for a meeting or appointment signifies respect for who you are working for or with. You will always turn out a winner if punctuality is a common practice.

If you are a business manager or team leader and demonstrate confidence, it will always shine through. Lombardi once said “Confidence is Contagious – So is lack of Confidence”. By exhibiting confidence and an up spirit will flow out to others around you. The same results will also occur if you lack confidence. Others will truly follow a manager or leader.

Another coined phrase was “Perfection is not realistic, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence”. If we set goals that are easily reachable, then we can only expect mediocrity. It doesn’t matter if we are an employee with a company or a CEO of a large Corporation or an athlete we can at most be guaranteed “average” results. Establishing higher goals and ambitions, might not guarantee us that we will be the best, but it will assure us to be one of the best.

THE ONLY PLACE SUCCESS COMES BEFORE WORK IS IN THE DICTIONARY – Practice and hard work will reap success. Think of the Lombardi Sweep. The defense knew it was coming, but they still couldn’t stop it. Hard work and “perfect practice” will always win out.

Lombardi thought so positive about winning he said, “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, they why do we keep score?” Don’t settle for “just getting by” or it will become a routine habit. Have the mindset to always be the best or you will climb the business ladder successfully.

These are just a few of the invaluable Lombardi truisms. They hold true and fast today, just as when he was living them during his lifetime. You couldn’t be on Lombardi’s team unless you believed in him and what he taught. Live these principles and you too will be on the winning team.

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Comments (0) Nov 18 2009

Since 2000 it seems that the American economy is changing in every which way. The mindset of the American people seems to be changing as well. We have seen fraud with major corporations, the uneasiness of the stock market, banks folding, bankruptcies escalating rapidly, and the housing market breaking records with foreclosures. We are awed and questioning the stability of our nation.

If employees aren’t getting laidoff, corporations are instituting hiring and spending freezes. The continued terrorist attacks and attempts has left an uneasiness in America. As business owners, employees and our customers are molding into a changed mindset. Our behavior is more conservative no matter what the geographic area or industry we are in. The American public are not making hasty decisions and are more conscience when it come time to make a financial decision whether small or large. As I converse with people every day, I continue to hear complaints but everyone seems to think doing nothing is “good enough” for the time being. Everyone is waiting for everything to “fix” itself.

Yes, we are pretty much powerless to change the situations, however we are in definite control of how we respond and react to the dilimeas. As business sales professionals, we have some hurdles that we need to overcome and rethink some of our skills to continue to rise to the top. Our knowledge and experience is priceless and we need to use these skills to our advantage.

Trusting the process is of vital importance if we expect to prosper and enjoy success long term. It may be a struggle to reach 5 presentations each day, but the need to do so hasn’t disappeared. Customer expectations have increased and we need to be flexible to meet that demand. Let’s examine what our game plan needs to include:

We have to possibly work harder than we have in the past. Our goal is to keep that pipleline as full as possible through increased and consistent prospecting. This will keep our income stream steady and protected. With the new “do not call” rules, we just have to be more creative about how we go about cold-calling. Especially in sales, setting appointments is crucial. It might require making many more calls than we did in the past to maintain the same return on investment.

We already know that the postcard prospecting system can be productive. We may need to improve our frequency and volume. Additionally, using the IBS in email format can get to potential sponsors quicker and for less cost. There are numerous ways to obtain the addresses, usually by visiting company or industry websites, as well as current print advertising sources. Be sure your subject line has strength to avoid being deleted before the message is opened. You can reach hundreds of prospects in a short period of time. The result is usually an appointment, and in my experience, I have found that our closing ratio improves on an appointment versus a cold call. We need a mixture to keep energized and productively busy all day.

US automakers didn’t grasp customer needs quickly and as a result lost market share. Customer needs were different 10 or 20 years ago then they are today. Let’s learn from their experience.

The way we do business is changing and will continue to change. So ask yourself, “Is good enough really good enough?

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Comments (0) Nov 16 2009

You know how hard it is to start that daily commitment to exercise. Well, proactive prospecting seems to be as difficult. We know it is something we must do to gain positive results yet most sales people will try to avoid prospecting like the plague.

We need to have a starting point. Begin by blocking out one or two hours per day to prospect. Yes, we have put it off long enough. Start by using your sphere of influence to prospect. Prospecting, like anything will require commitment and discipline. This time is yours and you are important. Once you start you will feel more important and this will be a positive projection of your attitude when you talk with your sphere of influence.

Have a specific message. Everyone needs to hear the latest news of markets conditions in your area. It’s likely that they have some misinformation and you can become the expert to help them get a more accurate picture.

Sales have always been a “numbers” game. You want to touch as many people as possible. Defining your target market and being organized will help you obtain your goals.

Be prepared with a list of names from your personal Sphere of Influence before you call. Not being prepared with a list of names will force you to devote much, if not all of your prospecting hour, to finding the names you need. Have at least a one month supply of names on hand at all times.

Work in a private and quiet area so there are no disruptions. Do not answer calls from other clients or colleagues. Believe me, they will wait an hour or two for you to call them back. Remember, this is your time and will put you on the path to success. Get in the habit of doing this daily or at least every other day. As time progresses and with each call, your expertise will increase. The more we practice anything, the better we become.

Consider prospecting during off peak hours when conventional prospecting times don’t work. Some of your best work will be done between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, and between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Vary your call times. We are all creatures of habit. So are your prospects. In all likelihood, they are attending the same meeting each Monday at 10:00 AM (or whatever time you can’t seem to connect with them). If you cannot get through at this time, call this particular person in your sphere of influence at other times during the day or on other days.

Be persistent. Be motivated. Be disciplined. These will be some of your best merits. Most quality contacts are made after the fifth call. Don’t stop or give up. Keep pursuing your dreams. Hard work and dedication will always lead to success.

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Comments (0) Nov 15 2009

We are each provided with 24 hours in a day. How we invest this time is totally up to us. The coined phrase “working smarter” not “harder is meant for us to focus on our time better, not to become lazier. Our strategies, whether personal or business minded, to utilize our time management are varied, but we can all agree that making better use of our time, will improve our performance.

One of the most popular “timewasters” is Procrastination. How many times have we told ourselves, “This project can wait until tomorrow?” We find ourselves practicing this constantly, whether it’s an exercise program, a plan to quit smoking or getting rid of the clutter of paper on our desk. Procrastination seems inevitable when we are setting goals or proactively working our business plan.

LACK OF SELF-DISCIPLINE. We are blessed or cursed, depending on your viewpoint, with a non-negotiable need for discipline in our jobs. We might be Independent Contractors, have a Home Based business or work for a Corporation at home. Since we probably don’t punch a time clock, and are somewhat out of sight most of the time, we are responsible first to ourselves to provide the proper mindset of success and the energy necessary to accomplish our goals.

INABILITY TO SAY “NO”. Since our time is limited and we adjust to the schedule of availability of many of our potential customers, sometimes we are forced to say “no” to other requests so we can stay focused on our individual mission. Another area that we also have to have the confidence to say “no” is when a customer is asking for major concessions, either in price or additional services, or both.

We most likely communicate with all different types of clientele. Evaluate the current business model you are using and determine if improvements can be made to become more organized. Improved organizational skills will save you critical production time and increase your net worth.

Be careful not to overload yourself with responsibility. We can easily fall into a trap of doing more than we can handle. Creating a daily, weekly or monthly plan through our initial goal setting which of course, is in writing, will assist us in maintaining our control of time. Aiming for our targets without getting sidetracked, will keep us on the path to success.

Goal setting is vital to our business growth and development. Without written goals there are no objectives. Clearly understanding the importance of this will lead you to the path of success. Daily review of your goals and objectives will keep you focused. We are repeatedly interrupted and are bombarded with distractions each day and must stay focused.

Time is our most precious resource. We must choose our time carefully since it cannot be reused. There are no time machines. Good use of our time will reward us handsomely. Eliminating or managing the above “timewasters” will truly benefit us and expedite our financial success.

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Comments (0) Nov 10 2009

The immediate or future intent of investors, vacation home residents and even full-time residents might be the option to lease their homes if the need arises. Do you think it’s possible to be restricted from renting your home either seasonally or yearly? You own the property so why shouldn’t you be able to fully control how the home is occupied. Well, beware because renting your home may be forbidden.

Many areas throughout the United States, especially in more populated areas have Homeowners Associations. These HOA’s have rules called CC…R’s (Covenants, Conditions … Restrictions). You have an obligation as a homeowner to abide by these rules and regulations. These rules and restrictions mandate how you as the homeowner can use the property.

Restrictions can range from landscaping, paint colors, window treatments and pets. CC…R’s should be read very carefully before purchasing a home to ensure you will enjoy your home the way you intended. Depending on how your Purchase Contract is written, you can usually cancel a home purchase within a specified time after reviewing these documents.

Some CC…R’s restrict owners from renting their homes. Some rules state that the property cannot be vacant for any length of time. Most homeowners are aware of the restrictions. During the real estate boom in 2004-2005 many new home builders would not allow someone to buy a home unless it was their primary residence. Even though many homeowners were aware of their responsibilities, the housing crashed left the homeowners no other choice but to break some of these rules. Of course, it was unintentional.

People’s perception of rental properties usually relates to higher crime rates, declining property values and un-kept homes. Although this is the assessment by many, it is not true in most cases. In the current housing crisis the foreclosures and bank-owned properties are portraying a worse image.

With the declining Real Estate market and more homeowners considering renting their homes, we are starting to see Homeowners Associations attempting to amend their CC…R’s to include rental home restrictions. Many people believe that CC…R’s cannot be amended. Amendments happen regarding all sorts of rules and regulations. Can this be true for rental properties too?

When we agreed and signed the purchase agreement on the home, we also agreed to abide by the Homeowners Association Rules and Regulations. Well, that is just fine and dandy, but can the HOA’s now change these rules midstream?

The issue with amending the CC…R’s after the purchase may be difficult but it can be done. When purchasing a home in a Homeowners Association, read the documents carefully. Consider the long term effects of the restrictions and how they may apply to your investment strategy.

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Comments (0) Nov 08 2009