Good News Report

Today is issue one of my " Good News Report "!


So often we all think that we have to be talking. Filling the silence with whatever is on our mind. When in fact sometimes we have nothing to contribute but just empty words or our unsolicited opinions. The good news is that if you try to actively listen to the other person, you may indeed have something to talk about. And you may even be able to make a difference and contribute some real advice or help as needed. So today the good word is....Listen.....

I can remember a listing appointment I was on a few months ago. I was sitting there asking questions and taking notes. I clearly remember asking a question and waiting for a response. It seemed like forever but in reality it was about 3-4 minutes before the wife responded. That was a long 4 minutes. However, that 4 minutes produced a well priced listing with an added bonus for the buyer's agent. Needless to say the home sold with 4 offers for $5,000 above the asking price. What a difference 4 silent minutes can make.

Be prepared to listen to your boss, co-workers, clients, kids. You never know what they really want to say. Just be prepared to gently close your mouth and your world may just change for the better.

Be encouraged and have a nice day!!!

Jim Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
408-863-3020
jmauldwin@interorealestate.comwww
.jimmauldwin.com

Looking forward to my first "Good News Report"

Later today I will be posting my first of many - good news reports. With all the bad news out there, this will be just what the doctor ordered. Stay tuned.

Question to ponder today?????

Question to ponder for today. At what point do we cut off a relationship with someone we know, work with etc.? Over the past many years I have come to realize that some relationships we have in our lives are for only a season. Not everyone we know if supposed to be in our lives for ever. If a man and woman are married than it shall be til death do us part. ( we should do all we can to make the marriage relationship work ) If it is a friend, work associate, business partner... it may be today that is the day to part. Some relationships start out with the best intentions and everyone is happy. However, many times one side of the relationship is giving much more than the other. Hence this relationship is not balanced. Many people are afraid to make the split because of what people may think. Do not be afraid...Do what is the best thing for you and your life.

Enjoy your day.

Jim

Do manners really matter?

I am reading a book called Manners Matter. I am realizing that both I and almost 95% of people I know have never been properly taught the art of manners. Today let's start with personal hygiene. The art of washing your hands. Most people wash their hands if they pick up a large chunk of mud. Seems obvious. However, many adults have nasty fingernail dirt and feel comfortable with that. Not good.
Too often adults will use both a public or private bathroom and leave without washing their hands. This is outright disgusting and unsanitary and makes me want to throw up. Not good. Having two children I see the importance of continually reinforcing the behavior of washing your hands. Not only for sanitary purposes, but for the art if first impressions. If I met someone ( say a vendor, restaurant owner, business owner etc.) in a bathroom and noticed they did not wash their hands, I can confidently say they I would leave the restaurant never to go back. I would never want to shake their hand or be near that person again. Sad but this is the truth.
Start by always washing your hands every time you go to the bathroom. You do not have to soil your hands for it to be necessary to wash them. If you have kids teach them to do the same. How many customers, deals, friends and cash have your lost ( literally slipped out if those nasty/dirty hands of yours) because of your total disregard for keeping yourself clean? I will tell you how many. Too many. Being aware of this will thrust you into a better place in life because now you will start paying more attention to details that otherwise were not in your view.

Details matter.

Until next time....Have a great day.

Jim Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Since 1991

Should it be hard or easy.....to business with you?????

Yesterday I was out previewing homes in Willow Glen ( a nice neighborhood ) in San Jose. Many of the homes I was previewing were priced at well above the 1 million dollar range. One in particular stands out in my mind. It was a brand new home and vacant and listed just below $1,700,000.00. I planned to walk through the home and jot down some notes. Only one problem. No lock box. I noticed that the mls comments stated to call the agent at a particular number. However, it did not state that I needed to schedule a time with the agent to see the home. Needless to say I did not get to see the home on the inside. After ariving at the home and looking for 10 minutes, I concluded that there was no way to access a key to get in. For some reason either the owner or agent or both are not making it easy to see this home. This is bad business in my eyes. Our job as business owners or employees is to make it easy for anyone to do business with us. Make it a pleaseure to do business and work with you!!! If we can do that, people will go out of there way to be part of " OUR " experience. If you sell houses, clothing, perfume, roofs, rent videos or offer hamburgers, make it your business to make it easy to do business with you.


Have a nice day.

Jim

Should you be a person who goes out on a limb for others....or not?

So many people will not take a stand for anyone. Especially if it is inconvenient. If the need is right there with little to no inconvenience, maybe. If it will steer them off track for 5 minutes or even longer, most people will say forget it. Unless there is a definite financial or other gain involved. Very curious..... How about we just go out on a limb for someone because it is the right thing to do. If there is a need, fill it.

As always......

Have a nice day.

Jim

By the way, love your family.

I was out previewing some homes in Willow Glen ( San Jose ) earlier today. One of the homes ( now a bank owned / REO ) is a nice 2 bedroom 1 bath home with a 1 car garage in a great neighborhood. The surprising thing about this house was not so much about the house. The interesting thing about this home was what the previous owner did to the house. All of the exterior light fixtures were removed from the home. 98% of the interior light fixtures were removed. The heating vents and thermostat were removed. The stove, hood, oven and the kitchen sink were also removed. All of the doors to the cabinets were removed. The water heater and home central air heating unit were also removed. The bathroom faucet fixtures and toilet were removed. Lastly, two sets of double doors were removed leading from the bedrooms to the back yard. This does not surprise me in the least. It does say a lot about the entitlement attitude so widely spread these days. If a home had these items when someone moved in, they should have these items when you leave. Weather you sell or give the home away. Seems right to me.

Jim Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Intero Real Estate Services
408-482-0992