Mow Your Way To Success…

Posted on December 25, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

lawnmowerFrom the time I was a Freshman in High School up until I was a Junior, I had always wanted to run for Student Council President. I thought about it all the time.

I remember I was mowing our next door neighbors yard on our family riding lawn mower. This was one of 6 yards that I mowed on a weekly basis starting at the age of 10.  As I was riding around on this riding mower, I would hear self talk about why I shouldn’t run for Student Council President. I would then make excuses for why I would never win. After about an hour of this negative self-talk I realized that there was no reason I shouldn’t go for it.

As the thought of doing this grew I began to get excited and I imagined myself in front the entire student body giving my first Speech as the New Student Council President.  It was right then that I made the decision that I was going to go for it because I didn’t want to wonder ” What If ”

How many times in our lives do we let self doubt and negative talk come in and we talk ourselves right out of dreams that we have because we are afraid of failing ?  How many times in your life have you said ” I wish I would had…..”

My decision to run for Student Council President was successful – I won against 3 other worthy candidates who could have easily done a good job. What transpired from this decision in 1979 ? After being elected as Student Council President, giving talks throughout the year, speaking to the National Student Council Association in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and going on to speaking to groups and organizations it has also opened doors by this ONE decision to allow me to help other people by having a Radio Show where people can discuss their past, how they have overcome their struggles and many other things that today has beyond belief.

Because of this decision, I was able to be a Facilitator for a Non-Profit organization where I was able to help hundreds of people over the course of a 5 year spam to overcome their past through some very intense and heart moving exercises and empower other people to use their past to help other people.

Who would have thought that simply mowing a yard would lead to many events in my life that I will never regret or forget.

What is it that you really want to do but your talking your own self out of it ?  Remember, the only way to fail is to quit….don’t quit – if there is something that you want….GO FOR IT ! Don’t wake up one day and think ” I wish I would had……”

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Overcoming Adversity – What is your purpose ?

Posted on December 24, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

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Who works for your company ?

Posted on December 23, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

Actions that are driven by the heart play a big part in our personal relationships. The question is: What role do they have in business?

While the business arena may seem like another world – one that relies on number crunching and tough decisions – it’s important to remember that the major force behind any successful business is the level of service it provides to its customers. What you are about to discover is that elevating your company’s service also means elevating the intention behind it.

Johnny the Bagger… A True Story
Johnny is a bagger at a grocery store. Not only is Johnny’s position considered entry level, he happens to be a person with Down syndrome. It would be easy to look at him and figure the most he can offer his company is the successful performance of his work duties. But, by acting from the heart, Johnny managed to put his personal stamp on his job and in turn, create wonderful memories for his customers.

After clocking out, Johnny would go home and look for an inspirational thought of the day. When he couldn’t find a thought that he liked, he made up one of his own. With his dad’s help, Johnny printed them on small pieces of paper and signed his name to the back. At work, when Johnny would bag the customers’ groceries, he’d include this inspirational thought and then wish them a nice day.

Johnny’s actions appear nowhere in his job description. The only place they can be found is in his heart. Through these thoughtful actions, Johnny built a fan base. Customers began lining up at his checkout stand, refusing to switch to a shorter line. They’d tell you they did so in order to read his inspirational message. But the truth is Johnny made a real connection with them. As the store’s patronage increased, co-workers caught on and began applying his example to their own job duties. The store became the talk of the town.

Actions from the Heart
We are all human beings and part of the human condition is to feel emotion. So, what role do actions from the heart play in business? They play a very big role.

Many businesses have the ability to put forth a good product along with excellent service. But how many companies do it by way of heartfelt action? The point is that competition in business can be intense. And while the practice of putting forth a top-notch product is important, there is much more to the story.

By connecting in a heartfelt way with your customers and clients, you are showing them that you care about their world as well. The result is great memories for all concerned. It’s easy to get caught up in the bottom line. But the simple truth is that by acting from the heart, we improve that bottom line, an inspirational thought of its own.

Just as it’s important for you to apply Johnny’s example, it is equally important to encourage your employees to do the same. You never know, there may be a Johnny already working in your company.

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Things that drive Realtors NUTS!!

Posted on December 21, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

The process of buying a home can be long and challenging. It can be stressful for both buyers and their real estate agents. Through it all, it’s helpful to understand that, though agents are there to support you, they can’t be all things to every buyer. From time to time, a buyer can unintentionally make the buying process more difficult, much to the agent’s frustration. Here are five ways buyers create stress and complications not only for their agents but for sellers and even themselves.

You request additional showings, bring an entourage, etc. — but never make an offer

It’s typical for a potential buyer to view a property during an open house, then ask for a private showing, even two or three times. That’s par for the course. However, it’s frustrating when a buyer arrives to a showing with a designer, architect, contractor or just some friends and spends an hour or two at the home and measuring each room. This is just counterproductive, particularly if you don’t make an offer.

Some buyers have been known to bring their psychic, who, after making a big splash with tarot cards and numerology charts, declares that the property has “negative energy” and isn’t a good fit, mainly based on the numbers in the property address. Did the psychic really need to see the property in person?

You should give yourself an opportunity to gauge your own reactions to a property before bringing in friends, family or hired consultants. Also, be aware that you’ll have multiple opportunities to thoroughly explore a property before you are fully committed. To go over a home inch-by-inch on the first or second visit is often a waste of everyone’s time — including yours.

You make unjustified lowball offers

The seller’s property is on the market for $400,000. And yet, a potential buyer offers $300,000. It’s not because the home is grossly overpriced or there’s something seriously wrong with it but simply because the buyer wants a bargain.

Unjustified lowball offers are often a waste of time for everyone involved. The seller isn’t going to swallow $100,000 for no reason, even if the property has been on the market a while. In fact, a lowball offer will likely just help the listing agent get a small price reduction, thus opening the window of opportunity to another buyer. It’s certainly OK to offer less than asking, but be realistic and respectful.

You plan to negotiate the price down during escrow but don’t tell your agent

Final home inspections sometimes uncover problems. In such situations, it makes sense to request a credit from the seller during escrow. However, there are times when a buyer writes an offer, which the seller is open to accepting, but secretly plans to ask for a reduction during escrow just because he thinks he can. Doing so adds stress and ill will among all parties involved, during what could already be a difficult transaction.

It’s better to be upfront about your intentions. If the deal is not meant to be, better to not go down the path.

You make big demands on the agent’s time but are a long way from being serious

Some people are just beginning to think about buying a home. That’s fine; buyers have to start somewhere. Unfortunately, sometimes buyers are a year or two away from becoming serious. And yet they make a lot of demands on the agent’s time. Asking an agent to research city building permits on a house just because you’re curious — and even though the property doesn’t fit your requirements — is not an appropriate request. Sure buyer’s agents are in the service business, but whom are they servicing?

Agents can’t be as effective if they’re spending lots of time researching tax records or city permits for clients who are years away from being serious. Buyers can do a lot of legwork on their own. If you’re seriously considering a property, you should be proactively invested in researching tax records, police crime maps, neighborhood data, home values and even the property’s building permit history.

You keep changing your mind about what you want

It’s OK to shift course based on what you learn during the process. This is a common part of the buyer evolution process. Many buyers set out for X but end up with Y after learning the market and seeing where their dollar goes. By the time you are ready to start making offers and move in the direction of acquiring a home, you should be focused. If you find yourself moving around and not certain about the object of your search, it’s possible you just aren’t ready to buy. That’s OK. Take your time and learn the market.

The home buying process is a journey, and a good local agent, brought in at the right time, can add so much value. Be mindful that agents work for free until a buyer or seller closes. Through the years agents have worked tirelessly with buyers who, after a year or more, ended up not buying for one reason or another. Agents should be leveraged as a huge resource, when the time comes.

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Man finds woman with same name as ex to join him on round-the-world trip

Posted on December 18, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

Jordan Axani offered free tickets that could only be used by someone called Elizabeth Gallagher after he split from girlfriend

A Toronto man who made headlines last month by offering a free round-the-world air ticket to a woman with the same name as his ex-girlfriend has found Ms Right.

Jordan Axani, 28, and his then girlfriend, named Elizabeth Gallagher, booked heavily-discounted round-the-world air tickets in May, but their relationship ended and he didn’t want her ticket to go to waste. The ticket had a strict no-transfer policy, but since passport information was not required when booking, it can be used by any Canadian named Elizabeth Gallagher.

Axani posted his offer last month on the popular Reddit social media website, and received thousands of emails, including 18 from actual Elizabeth Gallaghers with Canadian passports.

He’s now chosen his travel mate, Elizabeth Quinn Gallagher, a 23-year-old student and part-time office administrator from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

“It’s strictly a platonic trip. It’s going to be great,” Axani said.

At first the new Elizabeth Gallagher thought a trip with a stranger whose ex-girlfriend’s name is the same as hers was crazy but she hit it off with Axani after talking on the phone with him for hours.

Jordan Axani made headlines when he offered the free round-the-world air tickets last month.
“It definitely did seem a little bit creepy at the beginning but now that I talked to him it’s less creepy and more awesome,” she said.

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She already has a boyfriend though.

“This is totally sort of like as friends,” she said. “I have a pretty serious boyfriend. We’ve been together for a while. We’re planning on buying a house and we have a puppy, so yeah I’m not really looking for anything at all.”

She acknowledged her boyfriend isn’t thrilled.

“He understands that I’ve always wanted to travel so while he’s not happy I’m taking off for nearly a month at Christmas with a random guy he’s smiling through it,” she said.

Axani, who works for an international real estate development and advisory firm, said the tickets were purchased for a couple of thousand dollars, but their cash value today would be around Canadian $5,000-$7,000 (US$4,400-$6,200, £2,800-£3,965).

The trip is scheduled to start on 21 December in New York City and continue on to Milan, Prague, Paris, Bangkok and New Delhi before ending in Toronto on 12 January. Axani said that after the breakup he deferred all other planning for the trip, such as making hotel reservations.

But since the story became public, Marriott International offered to put him and the new Elizabeth Gallagher up, in separate rooms, during their trip.

Axani said the trip will be documented and shared online. He said that he was so moved by some of the emails including one from an eight-year-old boy who said he was going blind and wanted to see the world before that happens that he and his brother created an organization called A Ticket Forward to help people who want to see the world but lack the finances to do so.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/18/man-find-woman-same-name-ex-girlfriend-round-world-trip

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Can a Home Remodel Increase the Value of Your Home ?

Posted on December 16, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

There was a time when contractors building McMansion-style home additions or Michelin-worthy kitchens were a regular sight in many neighborhoods – until around 2006, when the Great Recession began to take hold.

Here’s the good news: home improvements are starting to add value in a rising housing market. Here’s the bad news: you have to be very careful about the renovation or remodeling projects you select to avoid over-stretching your budget.

In 2014, completing successful home improvements comes down to two critical questions:

• Will you get most of your money back when you sell your property? (The days of 100 percent-plus returns on renovations are over, at least for now.)

• How will project costs affect your overall financial plan?

Here are questions to fuel your planning:

• How long you plan to live in the home after the renovation. The Great Recession proved many homeowners didn’t recoup elaborate – or sometimes modest – improvement costs when selling their homes. Even in a recovering market, it’s good to be wary. For now, renovate for the long haul and your personal enjoyment, not overnight sale.

• Neighborhood style and standards. We’ve all seen it – the oversized addition that dwarfs the rest of the houses on the block, the $50,000 kitchen upgrade in a small home where a spruce-up for $10,000 or less would do. It’s important to know how your tastes align with what is salable in your market (see Cost vs. Value, below).

• Opportunistic buying and installation times for various projects. Take replacement windows, for example. Collect bids in mid-summer and recheck them in late fall — you’ll likely find significant savings on both windows and installation.

• Available renovation tax credits on federal, state and local levels. Are there credits or tax incentives on structural equipment or appliances that can offset the cost of whatever you’re planning?

• Potential effect on property taxes. Could an elaborate renovation actually turn off future buyers thanks to higher maintenance costs and property taxes?

• Intelligence on recent purchase prices and home features. Smart homeowners keep an eye on recent home sale prices in the neighborhood and the features – or lack of them – that made the transaction.

Now here’s where you can find some answers.

Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report (http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2014/) has become a leading consumer resource for pricing improvements and cost recovery nationwide, regionally and in major metro areas. The online format allows users to compare project cost and recovery at sale all the way back to 2002.

While the nation’s housing market is generally in recovery, some of the publication’s 2014 top-producing projects were surprisingly small. The top three 2014 home improvements in terms of cost return were:

• Entry door replacement (96.6 percent cost recovery)

• Wooden deck addition (87.4 percent)

• Attic bedroom addition/renovation (84.3 percent)

Remodeling reported that the value of remodeling projects began to slide nationally with home values in 2006 and only began to recover in 2013. As home resale values rise, so will cost recovery on incrementally bigger projects. As the publication notes, it’s a cautious environment.

For more detailed information, seek knowledge on a more local level:

• Get to know your neighbors. If your neighbors have done home improvements inside and out, politely ask if they’ll share their story.

• Befriend a broker. Real estate brokers and agents are happiest when they’re closing deals, but they like to build long-term relationships, too. The best brokers are happy to share neighborhood renovation value intelligence in exchange for a house tour. They can’t sell a house filled with overpriced improvements.

• Before major projects, consider a home inspector. A home inspector’s job is to determine if the structural and mechanical aspects of a property are up to code. If a home hasn’t had a structural or mechanical upgrade for many years, professional inspection may detect trouble spots and intermediate upgrades that could be far more valuable than cosmetic work.

• Talk to a tax professional. Federal and state tax credits and deductions may be available as part of any project you do. The IRS has a current summary (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Energy-Efficient-Home-Improvements-Can-Lower-Your-Taxes) of 2014 energy credits and related resources.

• Check your credit reports and scores. If you need to borrow to complete a project, it’s a good idea to check your credit reports and current credit score to determine whether you’ll qualify for a loan. You have the right to get all three of your credit reports – from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax – once a year for free. You can do so by ordering directly from AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Talk to a financial planner. Any home improvement project is potentially major when compared to what you earn or have in savings. A certified financial planner can help you evaluate potential projects against the competing financial goals in your life like saving for retirement and your children’s college tuition.

• Figure out what you can do yourself. Whether it’s painting, landscaping, carpentry or electrical work, helping with a few DIY finishing touches on a home improvement project can save money. Just make sure you have the time and skill to pitch in.

Bottom line: Approach a home renovation as you would any other major financial decision – do your homework and see how it fits into your overall financial plan.

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Selling Your Home, Don’t Make These Mistakes!

Posted on December 14, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

When Sellers Make Mistakes, the Agent is Making a Mistake if They Don’t Point it Out.

Some homes are easier to sell than others. And sometimes a great house, for whatever reason, has a hard time getting an offer. But if any of these top mistakes make it past the signing of a listing agreement without at least a discussion of the matter, then the real estate agent is not serving the best interest of his clients.

In fact, if overpricing a home is the number 1 seller mistake, number 1b might be that the seller chose the agent who said they can sell the home for the highest price. That agent might be figuring once they get the listing, they can lower the price later. Playing catch-up with pricing is usually a losing strategy since you have missed the psychological impact benefitting the seller during the first few weeks of a new listing. Gather the right data, make necessary comparison adjustments, figure out how quickly the seller wants to sell, and price it right.

Cluttered space can sometimes be an easier mistake to avoid but there are still emotions involved. Here in California, we use our garages for storage. So go ahead and start packing and get as much of your stuff out of the living area and put it in the garage. You’d be surprised how many buyers don’t even look in the garage, so if it is a disaster area, you just might be able to get away with it.

I don’t know if I would call it a home seller mistake, but as an agent working with buyers, pet smells can be one of the biggest obstacles and will prevent buyers from writing offers. And if the property is still occupied with pets, there may not be much which can be done until after the sale. A buyer will end up taking responsibility and as such has to have some idea of cost and a bit of faith that after spending money the smell can be eliminated. However, if a home being sold is vacant, the agent should do whatever they can to convince the seller to make some attempts to remove the smell of pets.

I might add one more seller mistake which agents should tal about and that is having all the blinds closed so a house is really dark. First impressions are important and even after an agent may go through the whole house to open up the blinds, it may be too late to erase the buyer’s first impression.

Robert J Russell can help you sell your home in ANY city, state or country – if you want WORLDWIDE exposure (not just throwing it up on MLS) then call 972.292.8967.

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1523 Meeting Street, Southlake TX 76092

Posted on December 9, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

1523 Meeting Street, Southlake TX 76092.

Stunning new construction in the heart of Southlake Town Square. Bright open floor plan with designer finishes, gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, expansive island and Ann Sacks tile. Large master bedroom with terrace, oversized Kohler bath and huge walk-in closet. All secondary bedrooms have en-suite baths. Main living area has 10 ft ceilings, wide plank hardwoods, fireplace and large outdoor living area with optional pool. – See more at: http://robertjrussell.com/newlisting/13062897/1523-Meeting-Street-Southlake-TX-76092#sthash.FebGZYkT.dpuf
Stunning new construction in the heart of Southlake Town Square. Bright open floor plan with designer finishes, gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, expansive island and Ann Sacks tile. Large master bedroom with terrace, oversized Kohler bath and huge walk-in closet. All secondary bedrooms have en-suite baths. Main living area has 10 ft ceilings, wide plank hardwoods, fireplace and large outdoor living area with optional pool. – See more at: http://robertjrussell.com/newlisting/13062897/1523-Meeting-Street-Southlake-TX-76092#sthash.FebGZYkT.dpuf
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Setting Goals for 2015

Posted on December 1, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

Most of us are working on our new goals for 2015.  What are the new initiative we want to begin?  What do want want to do more?  But how about asking this?  What should I stop doing in 2015?

You may wish to stop doing something that simply did not work and wasted too much of your time.  Or you may discover something that you are doing that is an obstacle to your Stop those harmful habits

successful achievement of goals. Removing the obstacle will clear the way for achievement of the new goal.

Now is the perfect time to review your activities to see if they are really productive. Look for things that you should not be doing. Maybe now is the time to make some changes and eliminate those things.

Attitudes, behaviors, and activities can account for our success or failure. We should be measuring the results of our activities to see if they are moving in the direction of our goals.

So start by looking at your activities that have produced little or nothing and may have kept you from doing more productive things. It may be, for instance, your networking activities. I, for one, have resolved to stop going to networking groups that are not my target audience. What activities will you eliminate?

Now how about eliminating harmful behaviors and attitudes? That is not so easy is it? You may enjoy those behaviors but, of course, you remember that someone once told you there is no gain without pain. But who can be in pain all the time? I suggest you use this approach to change your unproductive behaviors.

How about changing your bad habit by considering why you have that habit in the first place and what pleasure it gives you. Next substitute a new pleasure for breaking that habit. You really can’t change habits in a vacuum. You are going to be in a constant state of stress. You need a new pleasure or reward.

Let’s say you have a habit of coming into the office, getting coffee, chatting with others, reading emails and then you discover half the day is gone. You are used to that and it is comfortable. But now it is almost afternoon and you are fretting about your scheduled appointments. Now substitute the pleasure of spending time talking with the pleasure of knowing that I have a full dance card every day this week. The energy and excitement of that full schedule is satisfying but what is even more satisfying is the knowledge that you have enough activity to generate those additional sales. What will those additional sales do for your year and your lifestyle? Before long you have a new productive habit. You have also reduced your stress level because you have removed the anxiety of non-achievement.

Getting Started

Take action now. First, summarize the habits you think are harmful. Make note of the reason you have that habit. Now find a new pleasure or reward when you stop doing the thing that is not productive or harmful.

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Tips for Buying Real Estate

Posted on November 30, 2014 by robertjrussellcompanies

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A collection of tips on how to begin buying property, makes the perfect starting point for a beginner to begin buying property, somewhat easier. Below is just such a collection, which will, hopefully, assist the eager novice into eventually becoming a pro, when it comes to buying property. Use the tools that are on the internet to your advantage. Find a foreclosed home that is perfect for you and learn how to go about buying that home.

There is a great deal of information on the web that will help you to get a great deal on a new home for your family. When looking for a mortgage, make sure to check with more than one lender. Different lenders offer different incentives and closing cost amounts can vary too. Your ability to qualify for certain programs may also vary by lender. Shopping around can save you thousands over the life of your loan.

Be sure to ask your realtor for a copy of the information sheet for each home that you view. This will give you a record of homes that you have seen, and a good way to remind yourself of that particular house. When purchasing real estate, you should be realistic in thinking about your resale options. If you are not going to stay in the home for the duration of the mortgage, like many first time buyers tend not to do, then weigh the cost vs. resale of the property, so you have a clear idea of the life of the purchase.

If you need to purchase a home in a short amount of time, use the internet to jump-start your search. Going to open houses or driving around to find properties is one way to look for a home, but you will lose a lot of time seeing residences that don’t meet the criteria that you have. Searching online lets you look for properties based on the characteristics that you want in a home. This will help you find what you need in a shorter amount of time. Be sure that you get every part of the sale in writing. Sometimes during the bargaining stage it is easy to just take the word of mouth, but do not take it to heart until it is actually in writing and on the contract. This is because everything that is put into writing is legally binding.

When you are going to buy a home, make sure you have money for the bills that come along with it. Many people do not take bills into consideration when making an offer on a home and they end up broke each month. Make a list of how much each bill is expected to cost you. Even if you and the seller agree on a price, there could be an issue with the price once an appraisal is done. Depending on the market, short sales and foreclosures can drastically bring down the price of a property if no other comparable sales have taken place. A mortgage company will not loan you the money for an amount that is lower then the appraisal, so something will have to be done to make adjustments. Real estate investing can be lucrative, but also very tricky. To get the best handle on how to do it right, consider taking an educational course. Courses are often taught by real estate professionals, and they can provide you with valuable insider tips. Classes can often be taken in person or virtually, so they will fit everyone’s schedule.

Don’t go out of your way to be a hard-nosed negotiator. Everyone wants to do what is best for them, and to make the most money they can, but you’ll find that most people really are willing to be fair. Don’t miss a good opportunity because you think you can talk them down a few thousand–you could miss out on the house. Well, hopefully this collection of tips were enough to give you a great start on what to do and expect when it comes to buying property. This collection was carefully constructed to help you, so that you can begin to hone your buying skills into purchasing the property that you want.

 

Robert J Russell is a relocation expert and has extreme knowledge of investment properties. For more information visit: http://www.robertjrussellcompanies.com

 

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