Happy New Year 2011

Hello Friends,

As I sit here and reflect on this past year, I can't help but to think about all that I've accomplished.  Most would naturally reflect upon the negatives and how they'd like to forget about 2010 and start the new year off on a better note.  Not me!  Well not exactly.......

I have to remember what my personal and professional goals were at the start of 2010 and realize where I ended up on that list today.  There are many things on my lists that I just didn't or couldn't tackle in 2010.  I've come to terms with the fact that life just gets in the way and as long as my time is always being utilized in a positive manner, I won't take as many steps into "quicksand" as I did in the past.

My mindset has completely changed to total optimistic forward thinking!  Life is too short to dwell on the can't do's rather than the can do's!

In 2010, I learned alot from my peers, my family, my friends, my colleagues but most importantly, myself!  I take the good with the bad and twist it into positive learning experiences knowing that everything happens for a reason.  People always have these new years resolutions that hardly ever stick and believe me I'm no different!  I think for 2011, I will just plainly hope that I exceed my new personal and professional goals knowing that at the end of 2011, I will feel just as good then as I do now.  If I do that every year, my human natured search for instant gratification will slowly diminish, realizing that hard work really does pay off.  Recharging your batteries once in a while feels better when time off becomes a true reward and not just a common weekend stress relief.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks 2010!  You were a good year and I'm happy to be where I am in life today.  I hope that 2011 is just as good or even better.

"Why settle for less when you deserve more?" -OSH

God Bless, Good Health, Be Prosperous!

Cheers!

Ozzie

If your good friend is a Realtor, are you obligated to use them as your agent?

Q & A ARTICLE I WROTE ON TRULIA IN RESPONSE TO A REAL LIFE SITUATION:

HERE IS THE QUESTION:

A close friend of mine wants to sell her house. She has a very close friend who happens to be a very good agent. The seller wants to get other opinions of value prior to listing. The very good agent, and friend, got upset when seller wanted second opinion. What is your take?

HERE IS MY ANSWER:

Great question John!  I'm sure this scenario comes up more often than not.  We have to remember as professionals, that we provide a service that is viewed by most prospective buyers and sellers as a commodity.  That said, although the "very good" agent is a close friend of the seller, can you blame that person for getting a second or even third opinion?  After all, friendship aside, real estate boils down to strictly business.  The seller needs to look out for their best interest.  If the "very good" agent (friend) is a full time Realtor in that area and is as good as they claim to be, then they shouldn't feel threatened by the seller's actions.  Actually, I would even encourage it since they should already have the upper hand with an established relationship.  Then again, there are lots of people who don't like to do business with friends on either side of the deal mostly because the seller may feel like they deserve extra special preferential treatment.  On the other hand, the agent may approach a listing of their good friend with a lackadaisical approach.  Both approaches are recipe for disaster and that's how friendships are lost!  The "very good" agent will get their friends listing if they are truly deserving!  If not, that "very good" agent shouldn't be upset with the seller, but may start thinking seriously about how "good" they really are in the eyes of their friends?

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