Whenever a new report is announced on the radio or television on how bad the real estate market is I switch the radio or T.V. station immediately. Let's face it, we are influenced dramatically by the media and if we listen to them enough we become what they keep telling us we should be.
The media wants our youth to buy everything they want and desire. They us men to have that 4-wheel truck that only REAL MEN drive. They want you women to have the clothes, cars, jewelry, and social life of your dreams. They want you and I to believe just how bad the real estate market is.
I refuse to participate and I am carving my own path!
1. If you are in negative environment at your office then get out! Yes, there may be a lot of things you like about the office but if the environment is negative then get out and get to an environment that breads a positive attitude.
2. In the early nineties I read a book called "Walk Like A Giant, Sell Like A Madman" by Ralph Roberts and I have read that book or parts of it every year since. I just read it again this year. It is one of the simplest and most inspiring books I have ever read. Get a book that inspires you and read it!
3. Get CD's or tapes that has either music or training that works for you. Everyone is different and different things motivate us. Find music and or training CD's that you love and motivate you and listen to this instead of the negative news.
3. Start walking, jogging or any sort of physical excersize. It is amazing what just 15-20 minutes of just simple walking each day can do for our attitude. Regardless of your age, get off your easy chair and go outside and walk or dust off the treadmill and change your appearance and your attitude.
4. Stop advertising "Price Reduced" on all your listings and start running positive ads for buyers that say "Over 200 homes in the $100-$150,000 price range to choose from" and advertise the low interest rates that are available for them. Create "A Desire" and a sense of "Urgency" in the buyer's minds and give them a reason to call you. In 1987 right after mortgage rates peaked and had lowered to 12 ½% from the highs of 17 1/2% I ran buyer ads that advertised how many homes were available and started advertising "Payments" instead of interest rates and at one time made 5 sales in 3 weeks off of these ads while Realtors were dropping out of the business like flies.
5. When consumers ask you how the market is tell them "It's an awesome time to buy a home" and leave it at that. If they say, "What about my home that is going down in value?" simply say "Hang on if you can for this market too will change. If you cannot hang on, this is reality and this is the market we have".
6. If people want to put you down just smile at them and thank them for thier opinion. If someone in your family or office wants to get you into a negative conversation "Walk Away and go back to a Happy Place" just like "Happy Gilmore"
Negativity breeds negativity and negative people want no more than to pull you down their self-imposed path of destruction. Instead of focusing on what is bad in your real estate world start focusing on the opportunities that exist. in this market people are still getting married, still getting divorced, still getting promotions, demotions, and relocating, which all causes them to need to buy or sell a home. People don't stop living because real estate markets change and they want to work with a positive Realtor that will take care of their needs. You can be 95% of the whiners or 5% of the movers and shakers.
We are what we believe we are and we can continue to be part of the problem or we can "Think outside the box and find new ways to create business". No one is going to do this for you. It has to come from you and only you can change your world.
Matthew - Thank you and "Go get em tiger!"
Tracy - Thank you and I am happy your are in the 5%!
Terrific Post!If you hang with positive and successful people their attitude will rub off on you!
Please don't get me started on the media......they just plain stink!
It is vital that you don't participate in the "negativity game", but it takes constant vigilance not to be entrapped. I have the ability to "tune out" what I don't want to listen to - it helps.
Karen
Hi George! Hope you're having a wonderful day! I did what you suggested...got out of a negative office. :) I officially moved to another company today and I couldn't be more excited. :)
I stopped watching tv (except Lost and Heroes) last year...to much negativity. And I agree....we shouldn't support a media who likes to wallow in a chicken little mentality. The sky is falling!!! Pff...it is not. Great post!!
Very well said George!!! I love that you tell it like it is. After all it is what it is!
Great post George,
Being positive is always the best way to go. Thanks for the up lift
BLR Guy - Thanks for stopping by
Sue - "Go Kill the Bear!"
Michelle - Wear that tread mill out!
Michael - You are very welcome my friend
Karen - Tune it out and make your own mark!
Pamela - Good for you...You go girl!
Dianne - Thank you my good friend. It is what it is but you can change your mindset!
Missy - Thank you and right on!
Maria - Being positive is the only way to go if one wants to survive!
George,
I won't lie to you..I probably used that saying in my ads..but rarely...I even saw oner that said really reduced and will be reduced again:)I hate that price reduced...sometimes I refuse to put it in. I go to the gym at least 3 times in the morning to do something to relieve the stress...it makes me feel much better later.
Neal - Keep up the great work I know you are doing my friend.
Patsy - "You go girl!"
You are SO right! It's called "protecting your attitude." All while my son was growing up, I reminded him: "Remember, only you are in charge of your attitude. If you protect it, you will ultimately be in charge of your life. Usually other people's negative attitude gives rise to their negative position in life. And their negative position gives rise to an ever more negative attitude."
Your suggestions for keeping upbeat are excellent.
Good job, George!
Terry - You are very welcome and keep up the great attitude!
Tressa - I appreciate your words of support!
Keith & Robin - "Keep focused and positive" my friends
Adam- Thanks my friend and I hope you love the book as much as I do!
George,
A very important post - that everyone in this business should read! I agree whole heartedly with all your points. I have never, and will never advertise a listing with a "Price Reduced' or "New Price" sign rider, in the MLS or in a print or internet ad. WHY do people do this? I see it everywhere. This practice just screams out - my seller is desperate - I am asking or begging for ANY kind of an offer. It's something you can simply just do without.
Awesome post!!! I have bookmarked it for future review! Thank you for sharing this uplifting post with all of us here on AR!
Best,
Scott
Debboie - Thanks so much....You rock!
Rolando - Good for you!
Scott - Thanks for the bookmark and I hope it helps!
Paula - You are a move and shaker my friend
Amber - Right on and good move by the owner of the mortgage company!
Thank you Kaye
George: if not a book how about touring as a motivational speaker? Your posts are always inspirational and very motivating. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
Great Post....we are so held captive by the MEDIA.....I do the same thing....I don't take a newspaper....I don't watch the Major News at night.....or the local news (although better).....I occasionally pick up a Neweek just for fun......flip through and put it down without reading any articles).....I am sick of the MEDIA and the only tool we have is to talk about to our clients and to not participate.
If I have a need.....I use my computer to see the headlines and read what is worth.....GREAT POST!
Jeanean Gendron
George- Long time no read! Hope you are doing well. Another great post.
I haven't read all the comments yet. Just wanted to say thanks for the book recomendation. I will have to go find a copy. I too tell people it is a great time to buy a house. And I always have CD's in my Jeep to listen to.
George, That is a great book for sure and Ralph Roberts is the real deal. What I love about Ralph is that he was doing big numbers (over 400 transactions a year) and he built a team before big numbers and teams were the norm. Back in 1991 I spent a day with him in his market working with him and learning his systems and operations...the guy shared everything he could with me and following that single day we spent together we have become friends. I have since shadowed him 2 more times in my career and each time I learn more and more. Ralph is the ultimate positive person and he has been through more challenges in his life than anyone I know...and he rebounds and becomes even more empowered. If I was to select a real estate hero and mentor...it would be Ralph Roberts.
Frank - Thanks for stopping by and keep up the great work.
George, Thanks for your kind comments but actually the honor was all mine. Your blog got me to pause and revisit memory lane. I would not be at the level of business I am today if it was not for that single day spent with Ralph...it was THAT life changing for me.
Sam - You are a gentleman and are the class guy Howard said you are. You give credit where credit is due and your humility is refreshing. I hope you continue to be blessed and you have a wonderful weekend.