Play is Done. Back to Work

Okay. I know the first question on everyone's lips is; "Is Dave still alive?" Well, let me tell you YES! Looking out my office window I notice that trees are changing colors quite rapidly all of a sudden. Of course I should have known it was time because my beloved Detroit Lions played last Sunday and football season always signals the seasonal change.
I hope you all had a wonderful summer. My wife and I enjoyed a few days at the beach as well as a weekend with some of our great friends at our friends home on Hess Lake. We also gained a son in law this last June. Life has been quite an adventure for us in so many ways this year.
Unfortunately some things are not changing. There is still a lot of unemployment and uncertainty in our area with no relief in sight. I think all of us are feeling some discomfort in one way or another.
I am trying to take the example of a small tree in my backyard as an example for life. Each year this tree has the most beautiful, dark red leaves that change to a dirty reddish brown about this time of year. Then they begin to fall off leaving the tree looking forlorn and lonely. It stays in that state for a few months until warmer weather and nuturing rain bring it's dark red foilage, once again to full bloom. But the tree is different each new spring. It has grown taller and stronger with each passing year. Like clockwork it sheds it's dismal look to dress itself in healthy splendor. I need to look at life like that. We all do.
Times are tough. No doubt about it. But we have to believe that we can return taller and stronger. I know I can always use some more height.

What's It All About?

Ever since I was laid off, permanently, back in August of 2008 I've struggled with the available options for my employment. I was greatly discouraged when I found that many jobs required a college degree. That's not surprising but a lot of the time they didn't care whether or not the degree was in the field you were applying for. They just wanted you to have a sheepskin. One of the biggest surprises was when I applied as a delivery person for the Scooter Store. You know, the place that sells motorized wheel chairs. They turned me down because I did not have a degree. What the heck is that about? Another surprise came when I applied for a position in McDonalds management training. Actually I told them that at that point in time I would take any position they offered me. They very politely told me, in very politically correct language, that I was neither old or young enough to be considered. That's a pretty depressing thing to be told that McDonalds doesn't want you. It's pretty much assumed by everyone, I believe, that they can get a job at McDonalds.
Well, I'll quit rambling and get to the point. We're told all of our lives to find our passion and pursue it. I can't believe that it took this long for me to realize what my passion was. It was right in front of me the whole time. I don't think I ever pursued it because I felt like there wasn't any money in it. And when I did find out that a lot of people make a lot of money doing it I felt I was too old to take advantage of it. Now the problem is that I've narrowed it down to the exact part of my passion that excites me and I'm trapped in ways that will not allow me to pursue it. I've even tried thinking outside the box, begging for donations, and even looked for investors, but to no avail. What do you do when you finally realize what you want to do with your life and there doesn't seem to be any way to make it happen? What do you do when you're 52 years old with no money and retirement around the corner? What do you do when it seems like everything you've ever tried to do failed?
I apologize for airing my frustrations and worries, but it is my blog. And I know not many people will see it. If you're young and happen to stumble across this just remember this: GO TO SCHOOL AND GET A DEGREE! This will go down as one of my greatest regrets in life. I was and still am totally unprepared for what life hands us. I know that many people with degrees don't work in their field of knowledge, and many that do hate what they do, but it's something to fall back on. Even if it's delivering motorized wheel chairs. No one can predict where employment trends are heading and where you will work, but with a degree you stand a chance of doing something. Talent and ability won't always get you where you want to go. I found out the hard way. Unfortunately, I can live with failure but I think my wife and kids have put up with enough of it. Live your dreams but have a fall back plan. That's my 2 cents.

Farewell East Newhall

I had a surprising shock to my system the other day. I was in Wyoming, Michigan, at the corner of 36th street and Burlingame getting gas. I looked over to the northeast corner to look at the very first school I attended. Much to my surprise all I seen was a pile of rubble, a front end loader and a whole lot of open space. I really don't know why but my breath was taken away for a moment. I suddenly realized that another piece of my history was gone. Now I'll be honest, a lot of what went on there is stuck in a fog in the back of my mind because I only went there for kindergarten and 1st grade, but I have memories. Memories of my kindergarten teacher whose name was Mrs. Post and we called her post toasties. Memories of eating my first fizzie on the playground. If you don't know what a fizzie was ask your parents. Memories like having to stay late for discipline in 1st grade and having a student walk in and ask the teacher, Miss Cunningham, if she had heard that the President had been shot.
I don't know why the school was tore down but I imagine it was due to obsolescence. I don't think it had been used for some time so it was basically only serving as a link to my, and thousands of others, past. The ball fields in back are where I grew up playing little league baseball. I wonder if they survived.
This event has made me realize that nothing is permanent. Everything either evolves or gets shoveled under. I am learning lessons from the things that happen around me more and more lately. I myself have had to evolve many times but still feel like I'm being shoveled under at times. All of us have had to adapt to many situations I'm sure.
I wonder what I thought my future would be like as I played on the playground or put crayons on the old radiators to watch them melt. Did I see myself as an astronaut, a fireman, a major league baseball player, or a college graduate? I'm not any of these. I'm sure I never dreamed I would be a realtor. But I am. And like that, as with any career, I can either evolve and adapt or I can be shoveled under.
How's your old elementary building doing?

Is Anyone Listening?

As I write this I'm struggling with the concept of blogging. I've been taught that if I want to succeed (and I do), I need to keep up with what is going on with modern "gadgets", like blogging. After doing this for many weeks I'm kind of disenchanted with the results of my efforts. As far as I know not a single person has read anything I have written. If that is as true as I believe it to be I have to then look at things and ask why. Is it because my blogging is not inspiring enough to be read, is it because I'm not as popular as I think I am, or is it because people think I don't know what I'm talking about.
Lets take them in order. I gotta believe that nobody is interested in what I'm writing because they're not looking to buy or sell a home. I understand this but, quite a few if not all of us know someone who is going to be buying or selling soon. Although most of my sphere of friends know how long I've been in real estate there are a couple of other factors to consider. First, I used to work for a company that taught real estate agents how to make money. Second, my advisors and mentors are on pace to sell over 100 homes this year. I AM A PART OF THAT TEAM. Third, by suggesting me as their agent you will be helping them as well as me.
Am I not that popular? This is a hard one to gauge. If I say the wrong thing people will think I'm full of myself. If I say the wrong thing people will think I have no self confidence. I'm going to risk being thought of as vain and say I"M POPULAR. People like me.
Do I know what I'm talking about? According to my mentor and trainer I already know more than 80% of the other real estate agents in the field. This is because of the mentoring and training I have received not because of me. The people training me "talk the talk and walk the walk". They are succeeding in a market that is making a lot of real estate agents look for other jobs.
If you are reading my blogs let me know once in a while. If you're not, well I'll never know. Just let me say, I am capable and able to do the job. Give me a chance.

There Is A Difference

I seen an interesting story in a Real Estate trade paper the other day. A realtor was asked why they should be selected over any other realtor because we all work with the same statistics and numbers. The agent replied, "Sure we all have the same data to work from but it's how we interpret that data that makes us better". Wow, what a great statement. So often people decide they want to go into real estate because they think it's an easy job. You just wait for the phone to ring, put your sign in the yard, maybe hold an open house or two and the hard part is done. It's no wonder that 6 years ago there were over 4000 realtors in our market. Last year this number was down to 1800. Of those 1800 over half only sold 2 properties.
What makes us different?
First, we make sure, thru extensive analysis, that your home is priced properly. Buyers have there pick right now. I just recently met with a woman whose house has been on the market for almost 2 years and has yet have anyone look at it. Our analysis says that it's over priced by at least $10,000. Buyers simply won't look at your home if a similar house down the street is selling for a lot less. She stayed with her current realtor and lowered her price by $5000. No one has still looked at her property.
Second, communication. When we are commissioned to sell a property we vow to let you know weekly what is happening as far as marketing your home. There is a perception that realtors once they stick a sign in your yard are secret agents. You never see them until it's time to renew your listing contract or the house sells. We're here to dispell that stereotype. You will always know as much as we do about the marketing of your home.
Third, experience. Our team has over 40 years of experience. Remember when I said that more than half of the realtors only sold 2 properties last year? Our team sold over 125! Quite a feat in a down market.
Fourth, Dedication. We are dedicated to provide our customers with the best possible professionalism and trust. You don't become a great company by bad press. You become the best by acting like the best. We WILL sell your home while looking out for your best interests at all times.
This is a great time to buy or sell a home. Things aren't all doom and gloom as everyone would have you believe. But please, for your sake, remember that either buying or selling a home is a huge investment of time, energy, and resources. Don't you deserve to use a real professional?
I look forward to talking to you soon.

Who Am I?

If you, by any weird chance, are one of my friends on facebook you might remember that I had made a comment last week about why do I try to be something I'm not. By some strange coincidence I had that affirmed to me at a seminar I attended on social networking. The speaker, Jeff Turner, said that people who share your real values, not the ones you would like to have, will create a social contact with you. He challenged us to figure out our values that are hard wired into us. I guess I need to confess "my sins". Here are the things I value:

1. Money. I can't escape this. It's what I want. I like fine living. I like toys. I
like the idea of not worrying about financial things. I have always wanted
people to think I had more than I actually had.
2. Fame. I don't know why but I want to be a celebrity. I want to stand out in a
crowd. I want to be important. I want to be relevant. I want to be somebody.
3. Integrity. I want people to obey the rules like I do. Lazy, inept drivers really
iritate me. People who can't put their shopping cart in the cart corral
drive me nuts. People who are too lazy to put groceries back on the shelf
where they got them from instead of throwing them anywhere ought to be
publically flogged.
4. Honesty. This is a hard one. I want people to be honest but I'ts hard sometimes
to be totally honest. Just try your best.
5. Loyalty. Be loyal to your family, your job, your church, your friends, and too
your self.
Quite a list don't you think? I'll be the first to admit I'm not perfect but I'm true to myself and ready to admit it.
Well, time to get the shameless pitch over with. Look at #1, #3, and #4. These values ensure that no one is going to work harder at selling or finding your home. Do you want a Realtor with your best interests at heart or one that doesn't honestly share their values with you?
Great homes are for sale in Kent and Ottawa County. Call me.

Treasure Your Memories

I had a couple of things happen this week that caused me to stop and remember past events. The first was the death of Ernie Harwell. As a young boy we spent many summer evenings at my grandparents house in Jenison, Michigan. My grandpa had this big, old tube radio in his garage. You might remember the kind. It stood about 4 feet tall and took forever to warm up. Anyways, grandpa had hooked up some speakers outside attached to the eaves in the back of the house. Now this isn't too uncommon of an occurrence these days but we're talking mid 1960's here. Well grandpa was an ardent Detroit Tigers Fan. In fact we made sure that there was Tiger memorabilia laid to rest with him. But I digress. Many a summer night was filled with my dad, grandpa and me sitting in the backyard listening to Tiger games. I can still tell you the line up from back then. The thing I remember the most is the distinct voice and characteristics of Ernie Harwell. His voice always made me think of my grandpa's back yard and the times we shared.
The other event was the passing of a long time friend, Phil Thompson. Phil was a little older than me but he made many impressions on me. I can remember when he ran for President of the Student Council in 6th grade. He incorporated John Kennedy's PT 109 into his campaign. PT of course standing for Phil Thompson. Phil also seemed to be an creative genius. He once hooked up a doorbell for his bedroom he shared with his brother Tim. He also was creative with woodworking as well. Phil succumbed to ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, this week. The last few years Phil and I had a falling out but I am still grieved at his passing. I will forget our differences and instead remember him for the creative and unique person he was.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that create, remember, and cherish your memories. Life changes daily. You can't relive the past, but don't forget it. Live your life to it's fullest with no regrets.