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Thinking about thinking...

How positive are you?

By: John Bourassa
Friday, March 21, 2008 11:42 PM

Do you think you are a positive person?  (People who really know that answer are our peers, our friends and family.)

 

Since the decline of the real estate market in the past two years, everyone gradually psyched  down and now they are crying the blues.  I am afraid that having been surrounded by whiners all that time has affected me too, consequently, my performance suffered accordingly.

 

Last week, I found out from a reliable source that one of our local relentless Realtor® icons sold over $32 million in residential real estate in 2007.  In fact, before I went on my own, I worked in the same office as he did for almost six years and that man has always maintained his position among the top .5% of most successful Realtors® in SE Florida, year after year.  This man, now in his 60ies, has always shown an unparallel  positive demeanor.  I have never known him to be negative.

 

I have been pondering over why does he still have that colossal success while most Realtors® are barely surviving?  Because he constantly keeps his battery charged with so much positive energy, I came to the conclusion that he truly believes that the market has never plummeted and  that is undoubtedly what makes him so  triumphant.

 

To prove my theory, I called him and three other local successful icons pretending to have a buyer interested in one of their listings.  I was overwhelmed by each of their positive attitude and self assurance.  Those guys and gals didn’t whimper that the market is bad, instead,  they affirm that this is the best time to buy, that the market is better than ever, that their listings are priced right and they are the best things on the market, and  so on.

 

I hate to bring politics into this, even at the risk to cause Gary Szolosi to have a conniption, but  take Barack Obama, for an example of pure positive attitude.  The inexperienced, young underdog who is stealing the Democratic votes.  Who would have believed?  HE DID – HE STILL DOES!

 

Perhaps it is time for most of us to get a mental tune-up and add positive additive to our consciousness.

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Comments

Gary Szolosi
Member Since '03

Gary Szolosi said:

John I would never have a conniption and admire the political sidewise promotion. Somehow, I believe you may be a Barrack supporter. However, I’ll address that later.

There are few that did not experience a decline in sales in Florida over the past two years. Even those that you speak of, although doing very well are doing less. That is just the true cycle of this business. However you are 100% correct that the attitude is the secret to doing well in all markets. I certainly would hate to compare 2005 to 2007 for volume produced and I have never been in the top .5%. But I am still going strong and feel that there is no such thing as a dead market just one that requires us to change our marketing. The great are quicker to pick up on trends and implement the change. The average agent may be a little slower but realizes when something is not working and does take corrective action.

When we talk about attitude we must be realistic and understand that to be up 100% of the time is not human. Everyone has down times. It is how we all learn from them and that reduced the frequency and duration. You will always be as great as you can be if you work as hard as the best. They have no more ability or brain power when they were born they just learned to channel it in the right direction.

Now for my Barrack comment, he is a dynamic speaker but he is also a politician. He is a true Chicago hard line vote getter and is a formidable opponent but the test is not over as to his ability to stand the vetting of his credentials and his policy changes. I won’t go into all the things I would like to on him but encourage you to tune in next month when we vent on Bounce Radio about the candidates.

John, save the world, vote …

March 21, 2008 10:32 PM
Nathan Blair
Member Since '07

Nathan Blair said:

You are absolutely right.  So many agents sit and wonder why those at the top are still at the top.  The key is that they are SITTING and wondering.  Their attitude hasn't moved them to the level of action of the producer.  I'm as guilty as anybody sometimes, but it's true.

March 21, 2008 10:35 PM
Gregory Bain
Member Since '03

Gregory Bain said:

John, great post. The answer is in our favorite movie. ABC: Always B Closing. Have a cup of coffee.

March 22, 2008 7:43 AM
Carol Ellis
Member Since '06

Carol Ellis said:

John, right now a positive attitude and actions is key.  I came into the real estate business when interest rates were 19%.  The rates dropped to 17.5% for my first new home closing and the buyers and I were happy with the decrease.  I did not let the news affect me then, but this is a different situation.  I am using the information from the news media now to help me adjust the direction I take especially in how to help my sellers.  

I believe a real estate agent in this market will have to be positive, educated, experienced and resourceful to make it.  It is not about working hard, but working smart.

March 22, 2008 8:57 AM
Linda Solomon
Member Since '07

Linda Solomon said:

Wow! Timely post.  I had just finished giving myself a motivational talk  when that little verse in Proverbs came to mind "As a man thinketh so is he." Yep focus and attitude has so much to do with our success.  I started in 06 and I think it was good that I started in these challenging times because I have had to learn super quickly how to be constantly adapting and anticipating trends.  The bemoaning can be such a drag and the thing is it can be contagious but so can being positive.

Maybe we should adopt the slogan "yes we can" after all every cycle has great opportunities we just need to position ourselves to share in those.

March 22, 2008 9:08 AM
John  Bourassa
Member Since '03

John Bourassa said:

Gary,

True.  Those heavy hitters are also down in production from past years.  In fact, that agent who sold $32 mils last year is down $10 mil from 2006.  But, irregardless, of his “misfortune”, he still keeps at the top of his game because of the abundance of positrons lodged in his brains.

Why can’t we be up 100% of the time?  Like the Right Guard TV commercial slogan, “Don’t let them know you are sweating” was a positive attitude undermined in that message.  So, when we are down, we must wear a positive attitude and, even better, we must convince ourselves that everything is good.

As for Obama, I wasn’t projecting any political influence.  I agree with you that he is a politician and a remarkable speaker (humm, so was Bill Clinton). It is difficult to not realize his remarkable political achievements since he decided to run for the Democratic ticket. And that is why I used him as a perfect example of positive attitude.  Here is a man who plunged head first in a pool of adversity only equipped with charisma and a silver tongue to come out the present front-runner.  Noteworthy, won’t you admit?  Obama is 47 years old; coincidentally, Bill Clinton was 47 when he was elected President.  But if people want to dwell on the fact that Obama is inexperienced, what about JFK who was only  44 years old when he became the 35 President of the United States.  

In the history of democracy, no matter which political party runners are involved, the race is not about truth or values but about winning that race and the most and best believable (synonymous to positive) speaker always wins the heart of voters.  Then, we get stuck with their performances.

____________________________

Carol and Linda,

Yes, it is we who need to change, adapt and make it happen.  Remember tat movie, Field of Dreams -"If you build it, they wil come"? If you ain't building it, for sure they ain't gonna come.

____________________________

This is for Gregory only, nobody else is allowd to read this:

Do you know why blondes always smell bad under their left armpit?  Because they can’t find Left Guard deodorant anywhere. (Fair is fair - I'll accept all the bald jokes)

March 22, 2008 9:57 AM
Candice A Donofrio
Member Since '07

Candice A Donofrio said:

[Gary sez: tune in next month when we vent on Bounce Radio about the candidates. ]

I can't wait! http://www.BounceRadio.net

Gary, I also have an Obie supporter coming on in April as well. He will be a fun time for you! And vice versa.

I 'pondered' putting you both on together but I'm thinking 2 hours is not enough time . . .  :)

March 22, 2008 10:28 AM
Gregory Bain
Member Since '03

Gregory Bain said:

John, I think you need to acknowledge that McCann was counted out by everyone except maybe the hosts of "The Daily Show" and the "Colbert Report". It was a pretty amazing turn around.

The "right" thinks it is because all the "good" canidates know the election is lost for the Republicans this year. That is the reason I hear why Rudy and Mitt dropped out. I for one, would be glad to vote in a Republican. They should clean up the mess they made.

As for bad smell; I have not had my nose in an arm pit of a blonde in a long long time. Is it the left arm when they are facing me, or, their "left" arm?

BTW, John, should Gov. Spitzer's hooker pay income tax on that service charge?

Hi Gary! Maybe I'll listen to the radio show and learn something. Do you take call in from the audience?

March 22, 2008 11:28 AM
Barb  Van Stensel
Member Since '06

Barb Van Stensel said:

John, good points!  I'll skip the coffee and drink a Coke, if I may, I might!  

A close agent friend made a really good comment about today's market:  "This market might be an even better one to start in because it educates people much more to the market and realities of the market."  He continues saying "I think the main thing in this market is really positioning the property to show in the best light, and make sure everything is absolutely perfect before it comes on the market.    You also have to make sure everything in the property is positioned perfectly within the price point, which is absolutely critical in the current market."

It is about being positive but more by being responsive to our clients.  This is a fantastic time for buyers to buy right now.  There is so much inventory and you can get a great selection.  Prices for buyers are fantastic; there are amazing opportunities to purchase right now.  The media coverage creates a hesitancy for the buyer's right now because sometimes the national news overshadows the local news.  However, the interest rates are good and financing programs are where they should have been all along, qualifying "qualified" buyers.  

For your Barrack comment, yes he is a great speaker but the issues that he has been addressing, he didn't vote on!  

March 22, 2008 11:40 AM
Gregory Bain
Member Since '03

Gregory Bain said:

John wrote: "the race is not about truth or values but about winning that race and the most and best believable (synonymous to positive) speaker always wins the heart of voters", and that is the truth.

I recently gave away $100 to the real estate agent that could explain WHY a house is not selling. The winner did not say anything profound and their were some agents who wrote some very good ideas and tips in well thought out constructive statements.

I called it the "Golden Pen Award" but, it was really the "what the owner wanted to hear award. The truth was the PRICE, but I prompted agents to write about curb appeal, location, and overall condition of the property. Because the people live there I did not go to the "stageing" game plan and neither did any of the entries.

The owner pick the essay they liked and they did none of the things anyone suggested to make the house more attractive to potential buyers.

I had a $100 worth of FUN!

March 22, 2008 12:28 PM
Barb  Van Stensel
Member Since '06

Barb Van Stensel said:

John wrote: "the race is not about truth or values but about winning that race and the most and best believable (synonymous to positive) speaker always wins the heart of voters", and that is the truth.

Tis true.

March 22, 2008 12:48 PM
John  Bourassa
Member Since '03

John Bourassa said:

Barb,

You are dead-on about "qualifying qualified buyers" and you beat me to the punch.  

Yesterday the Sun-Sentinel newspaper announced in an article that the Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) insurers are sotpping insuring loans in over 9500 zip codes across the Nation, of which Florida, California, Nevada and others are entirely boycoted.  That means buyers won't be able to purchase anything with a conventional loan unless they have at least 20% down or go FHA.  

I was going to post something about the necessity, especially now, to not just pre-qualifying people as loosely as it was done in the past but to qualify them in depth before going out with them out on the field.  That is exactly what we ALL need to do from now on.  Bettrer start doing it now and get used to it  because soon it will almost be a mandatory part of regular real estate practice.  

The bright side of qualifying customers ahead of time is that it will eliminate all those tire-kickers, save us time and precious gasoline money.

______________________

Gary,

1st: I purposely didn't equally mention McCain achievements in the Rep race because that would have evened the argument and it would not have caused Gary to have a conniption.

2nd: Hooking is known to be the oldest profession in the world and despite the most powerful policia efforts to erradicate that line of work, no one has ever been successful.  Frankly, yes, the government should concede to defeat, legalize hooking, tax those career women and like promised from Loto and casino prodeeds, pour that excess revenue into schools.   Only in America!

March 22, 2008 3:38 PM
Lonn Dugan
Member Since '05

Lonn Dugan said:

Anything is possible if you only BE LIEVE : )

OBAMA says HOPE

McCain says FIGHT

All the Above works fine : )

March 22, 2008 4:46 PM
Larry Bertok
Member Since '06

Larry Bertok said:

I turned positive in 2007 and always finding the glass is half full. I had a great year in 2007. I went to a new broker and incressed my production by 75%. I invested in a 32000 square foot hotel, bar and restaurant. I have a radio show on sunday about Real Estate. Then to top it off, I was asked by the radio station and am now doing a live call in talk show Monday-Friday about local politics. Positive things happen to positive people...

March 23, 2008 6:19 AM
Mary Welch
Member Since '04

Mary Welch said:

I read something the other day that really caught my attention. "If you can't stand the cold, stay out of the kitchen". It may not be 'hot" all over right now but there are still people having to move due to health, financial or personal reasons, like always, so hot or cold, it's all good. I'm with Larry, change your attitude and you will be amazed at the progress you make. Thanks John.

March 23, 2008 10:00 AM
Bill Thompson, REALTOR®
Member Since '07

Bill Thompson, REALTOR® said:

I saw a report recently that said the strongest agents are gaining market share right now because weaker agents are leaving real estate. Something to think about! Are these the worst of times or are they really the best of times?

March 24, 2008 3:44 PM
Barb  Van Stensel
Member Since '06

Barb Van Stensel said:

Bill is correct, the strongest agents are gaining market share right now - because they are prospecting everyday, have a system that has been reinvented in today's marketplace and they believe in themselves and that's what sells.

March 24, 2008 7:04 PM
Candice A Donofrio
Member Since '07

Candice A Donofrio said:

[Greg sez:Hi Gary! Maybe I'll listen to the radio show and learn something. Do you take call in from the audience?]

Gregory, it's my show and you are totally welcome to call in during next Gary appearance, coming up in April.

I'll post ya!

March 25, 2008 3:20 AM

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My comments herein are not authotitative; they are humble expressions of my wanderous mind or they are recollections of my past or present real estate experiences, whether they are good or bad. Hopefully, someone may profit from them.