I have talked for the last year or two about how odd it is to grow older and feel as if you are someone becoming "behind the times".  Why, it only seems like yesterday that I thought my parents were "behind the times" and I always prided myself on staying ahead of life in general but with marketing trends in particular.

 

Well, I don't know if I have been sleeping through the last several years or just fooling myself but with Twitter (isn't that something butterflies do, and who can really get their point across in 160 words or less anyway), Facebook (I swear I thought it was something like an on-line photo storage site) and the many other "social networking" opportunities abound I almost feel embarrassed.  But, they say if you just put everything on the table people will respect you more.

 

So, there is your first course from Bryan Garrity, J.D..  Social Networking?  I am an old school kind of guy albeit I have my youthful good looks still but when you spoke of networking you showed up.  You did the one on one thing.  It wasn't via text or a random blog but hey, times have changed. 

Okay, I admit, I was behind the times.  My commitment is to now change that and make social networking a priority.

 

We shall see.  Actually, that is the type of professional I am anyway (I will always give you the truth whether it be popular or not, otherwise you are doing everyone a disservice and that just isn't right). 

 

I have now been in the Real Estate industry for the past 8 years.  I made a career move decision to go from law to Real Estate because it seemed that  I would really be able to help people...that the day to day adversarial nature from law would be gone.  And, at first, it was!

 

Flash forward to 2007 and the market quickly began to deteriorate as the loan programs available to those who had a pulse quickly disappeared.

 

Now, all of those folks who bought at 100 percent financing that were promised they could refinance in six months to get rid of that second loan were now stuck.  Talk about shocking! 

 

 I am the first one to admit that we all knew a market correction was coming.  History tells us that.  You don't need to be a Real Estate expert to figure that out.  Just do some light reading (why you can even go on-line and find some graphs that chart the historical trends in Real Estate and see that what comes up must come down).

 

I must say that no one expected that coming down would be the equivalent of a crash landing which so many of us felt and have suffered and worked our way through.  These last few years have been scary times for many of us and that old adage "well if you have your health, you have everything" really does bring to light the truth in that statement.

 

I wonder, does Madonna or Conan (with his $32 million departing bonus think that way, hmmm?)

 

People can discount how important the power of money is.  I'm sorry.  I can't.  Money is what makes the world go round...literally.  We have all now seen what happens when the money becomes scarce and well it's downright scary.  Believe me, I am all about family.  I am all about my loving relationship and I am thankful that for the most part I am a pretty healthy guy although robust.

 

I still, however, want to be in a position to make a nice living.  I went to school for 20 years and I want some return on that investment (ROI as they call it).

 

 I want to be able to provide for my loved ones.  I want to be able to enjoy life.  I am not saying that I need millions but I do want to have a nice life and money is just part of that equation.  For those of you who can meditate and feel that money is the root of all evil should probably not read this blog.  This is a blog based in reality and money just happens to be a part of everyone's.

 

Those who say or think different puzzle me and it is hard for me to relate too.  It just feels unreal, not natural, almost like  a "put on".  I mean who chooses to not want to do well for themselves and their family.  Who chooses to not want to be able to have a home on the coast or wherever their dream is? 

It's unfortunate but true....money is just a basic fact of survival.  I am here to help make that goal a reality.  I want to help enhance that aspect of your life.  Sounds corny, but I want to give you your dream or at least satisfy that portion of your life or wealth portfolio that includes real estate. 

 

I have thought long and hard as to what will my blog be about?  Will I be inventive enough to keep people interested?  Will I be able to provide useful information?  I don't know.  What I do know is that I have a passion and that passion is Real Estate and MY CLIENTS.

 

So, it is tough right now.  Whose job isn't.  So many people in the business are afraid but fear isn't the answer.  You have to just jump in and be a survivor.  I want to be here for my clients for years to come.  I want to be a wealth builder.  A dream maker.  The professional who makes your family abode possible!

 

On that note, what better time to buy than now?  Yeah, yeah, yeah...you have heard it all before...but have you?  I am not your typical Realtor.  I will give of myself unlike most others.  Your happiness and success directly correlates to how I feel about myself and my success.  I mean this.  I will prove this to you as time passes.

 

I sat with my 21 year old nephew who just graduated college (he is in another state and so no I was not trying to get a sale off a family member, so you can remove that thought) and we talked life.  WOW, I thought I am old.  Older and WISER...what a concept.  I never thought I would get to that "category" in life.  I am not quite sure why but I always felt I had it "all figured out" and who needed to be old to be wise?  Absurdity at best!

 

Alas, my parents were right.  With age, does come wisdom and it is an ongoing cycle. Just think how boring life would be if it wasn't.  I think that Benjamin Buttons movie has a theme that is so right on, so spectacular.  Just imagine if we really did live our lives that way.  WOW.

 

In our conversation I convinced him to take advantage of the FHA program.  He had the down payment, a new solid job and he wants to build a path for success.  What better path for success than to take advantage of this market, get a great deal on a starter house that he can always hold while he builds and accumulates his wealth portfolio through life.  I wish I had been prudent that way.  Instead, I was always moving up even when staying put really should have been the answer.  (oh folks, I have so much I can share....things not to REPEAT....and it's all good.

 

So, he did it and I am glad to see it.

 

In the last two years I have done a lot of short sales for folks.   I have created a system that helps to ensure success as much as humanly possible of a Seller getting their short sale approved.  Talk about dedication.  And on so many levels.  I think the short sales are a new form of Chinese torture...or any country for that matter.  They are painful but I get them done and I bring a lot of people huge amounts of relief while getting other folks (the buyers) something that makes them very happy.

 

One aspect of this blog will serve to give you one professionals perspective about the short sale world, the banks, how they treat the people really working hard to do the right thing.  Basically, how the banks really don't' care.  Sorry, I said it but this is what I see.  Not only see but experience and at times it is horrifying.  I always say the minute you start to question the "logic" of a short sale lender and their rationale is the minute you have to shut off that part of your brain and just practice acceptance.

Don't get me wrong but there are exceptions....few and far between.  We  have so much to explore together!

 

There are so many stories....some really great and some shocking.  I am here to give you my perspective....the truth as I see it.  I realize that everyone can have a difference of opinion and that's healthy but it is important to note that this blog is written from my mind and my heart.

 

AND, NOT ALL BANKS ARE BAD!  IMAGINE THAT!  There are some that actually do care, that have employees who want to do the right thing.  We will explore them all as time passes.

 

I don't want this blog to be a bunch of links to articles and websites that give you statistics on how we are at a 5 year low in the inventory aspect of housing or some other data just released on the AP.  I want it to be a mix.  I want to provide you with useful and pertinent information as presented from my perspective and pepper that with news articles and links hat I think may make sense and help keep you informed and well verse.

 

Facts are an amazing thing and it is something I will strive to always provide in this blog whether it be the popular take or not.

 

I may not want to tell you what I had for breakfast but may tell you what I had for lunch and why is that waiters can also do Real Estate part time?   How does someone do that?  How does someone not fully commit to their chosen profession and work hard to make it happen.  Just my opinions, just my thoughts. 

 

I would not profess to be an expert in anything.  Someone who is an expert or holds themselves out to be technically has nothing left to learn.  How boring would that be?  I do profess to be someone who possesses a reasonable intellect, some wit and someone who is on your  side and gets the job done.  I am a pro consumer guy.  Always have been, always will be. 

This is going to be a real life blog.  I want you to get to know me.  I want you to laugh.  I want you to agree.  I want you to differ in opinions but most of all I want this to be dynamic.

 

I must admit, I'm a little nervous.  I am putting myself out in the blogosphere.  Will anyone read this?  Will anyone care that when I went to put on a pair of my favorite pants this morning I somehow managed to pop in to the next size?  How about the fact I can get top dollar for your house and maximize your equity?

 

If your distressed, how about I help you try and alleviate that situation?  More than anything, let's have some fun while we get some facts.

 

Welcome to my first day of true confessions.  So many yet to come.  I hope you will take this trip with me and tell your friends.

 

I wouldn't be a good Realtor if I didn't remind everyone that "referrals are the life blood of my business".  Really?  No kidding?  You know, all the seminars that want people to remind their "sphere of influence" these things and oh by the way your entrance fee of $795.00 was just for the introductory course, we have another $20,000.00 for you to spend in order to gain full advantage of our program.  Amazing.

 

I would prefer to earmark that money in helping you.  I want to be have the proper reserves to be the leader of the pack and when I list your house do everything possible to maximize its exposure. 

 

I tend to think that when you have done a really great job for someone they will advocate for you.  They will be your biggest fans....your business will thrive.  Here's the start of a new chapter in mine....join me!