Sunday, September 30, 2012

Good News Report # 23

Good morning,

I started reading a great book a few days ago. It is called The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. This book was published in 2008 and they even made a movie based on the book. This book is written for both a husband and wife to grow their love for one another. I can also see this book having great applications with your children and even your co-workers. In theory this Dare / Challenge is designed to take place in 40 days. That is if the person accepting the challenge can actually meet the criteria of the daily challenges. Chapter 1 is fairly simple. The first dare is to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. Once you can go an entire day without saying anything negative you can check it off in the book and then proceed to day 2. Day 2 takes a little different twist. In addition to saying nothing negative, you are to do at least one unexpected gesture as an act on kindness. Now we arrive at day 3. Along with restraining from negative comments, you are to buy your spouse something that says, “I was thinking of you today.” These things appear easy when I am reading them. However, I am noticing that those little negative comments seem to find their way into my mind and onto my tongue almost every day. These comments are not necessarily about anything or anyone in particular, they just seem to be there. And the challenge says no negative comments at all. This means I am to refrain from saying any type of negative comment at all about anything or anyone to my spouse. I am only a few days into the challenge and I definitely have my work cut out for me.

Proverbs 23:7 says it the best. “ As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” The Bible means exactly what it says-a man is what he thinks. When garbage or negative is coming out of my mouth, this means that garbage or negative must be residing somewhere in my mind to begin with. The challenge this week is to take a serious look at what we are allowing to filter into our minds and take refuge there.

This week in real estate has been quite interesting. Quantum Easing 3 (QE3) took place.
The policy, known as quantitative easing and often abbreviated as QE3, entails buying $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities each month. The end date remains up in the air, as the Fed will re-evaluate the strength of the economy in coming months. What does this mean for sellers and buyers?? This is going to keep interest rates low. This will allow buyers to get the loans they need to purchase the homes they are placing offers on. This is good news for both buyers and sellers. Feel free to give me a call if you have any real estate questions or needs. I can be reached directly at 408-482-0992. Have a great day.

James E. ( JIM ) Mauldwin
“Real Estate Sales By Referral “
Intero Real Estate Services
12900 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
408-863-3020 – office
408-482-0992 – cell
jmauldwin@interorealestate.com
http://www.jimmauldwin.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Martial arts anyone??????

Both of the kids are enjoying martial arts at Kings Martial Arts Studio in San Jose these days. Master King is a great instructor.....

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Good News Report # 20

Good Afternoon,



I was reading through some of my past journals from the past 20 years and found a great quote on time by an unknown author. I am passing it along to.



                                                      “Time”



“ IF YOU HAD A BANK THAT CREDITED YOUR account each morning with $86,400.00 that carried over no balance from day to day, allowed you to keep no cash in your account, and every evening cancelled whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day, what would you do? Draw out every cent, of course! Well you have such a bank, and its name is “Time”. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdrafts. Each day it opens a new account with you. Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the

“ Tomorrow”. You must live in the present – on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!!”



Be encouraged today and be the one to invest in someone with some of those 86,400 precious seconds you have been given today. Go out and be the difference!!!!



I wanted to say thank you again to Vivian Papagiannis for referring me to her friend Lisa. I was able to successfully help Lisa purchase and close escrow a wonderful home in Willow Glen just a couple of weeks ago. Referrals are greatly appreciated and I always make sure that every person referred to me gets the highest level of service possible. Please do not hesitate to give me a call at 408-482-0992 if you know of anyone thinking of buying, selling, relocating or if someone just has a real estate related question or need. Have a great week.


Jim Mauldwin
Intero Real Estate Services
DRE # 01125380
408-863-3020 direct
408-482-0992 cell
www.jimmauldwin.com
jmauldwin@interorealestate.com




Thursday, August 30, 2012

Good News Report # 19

Happy Thursday Morning,

This week I have a personal story to share. I was driving with my 5 year old son James a few days ago when he asked me a question. He asked me if he would own a wave runner when he was an adult.( basically a motorized jet ski ) I told him ( as a matter of fact ) that he would own a wave runner when he was an adult. He then asked me how I was so sure that he would. I told James that he can get everything in life that he wants if he helps enough people get what they want. He looked at me and shook his head in agreement and said “ok”. That was one of life’s great moments to me. Life can be as simple as that. I will quote the late great Napoleon Hill once again. “What ever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve”. As we get older sometimes we forget that things can be that simple. They may not be easy, but they are simple. Be encouraged and go help someone get what they want out of life! Be the difference.


Earlier this week I was reading an article on the California Association of Realtors Website and I wanted to pass it along to you. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone else who may benefit from it.



Here are the top 10 legal mistakes home sellers make:

1) Accepting the highest offer without regards to other contractual terms.

2) Not properly handling multiple offers situations with multiple buyers.

3) Not properly handling back-up offers.

4) Entering into an agreement with no earnest money deposit from the buyer, or a very small amount.

5) Entering into an agreement before verifying the buyer’s financial ability to close escrow.

6) Not disclosing known material fact affecting the value or desirability of the property.

7) Not providing the buyer with legally required disclosures.

8) Not obtaining the buyer’s written acknowledgement of disclosures.

9) No considering whether to require the buyer to remove contingencies.

10) Not excluding items from the sale that the seller wants to keep.



Please feel free to contact me with any real estate related questions or need. I can be reached at 408-482-0992.



James E. (Jim) Mauldwin

"Real Estate Sales By Referral"

Intero Real Estate Services

12900 Saratoga Avenue.

Saratoga, CA 95070

DRE# 01125380 since 1991.

408-863-3020 - direct

1-408-549-9973 - efax



Saturday, August 11, 2012

Good News Report # 17

Hello,




Last night I was watching the classic movie The Titanic. It seems one of the main reasons that the ship smashed into the ice burg was that the rudder was too small for the size of the ship. There was too much speed and too little rudder size to make a difference. A collision was going to happen no matter how much they tried to avoid it. Just before bed last night I continued to read another chapter or See you at the top by Zig Zigler. On page 148 Zig talks about “ A man or woman without a goal is like a ship without a rudder”. Each will drift and not drive. Each will end up on the beach of despair, defeat or despondency.” In the case of the Titanic they ended up on the side of an Ice Burg. Many of us in life confuse activity with accomplishment. In many cases our rudder only guides us slightly in the right direction and as a result we reap only a small fraction of the harvest life has to offer. We must have a bigger rudder in our life, or in other words…

“ Goals, dreams and aspirations!” I want to encourage you to increase the size of your goals this week and share this with someone close to you.



The real estate market is still moving ahead strong. There are many buyers out there who are motivated and looking for the perfect home. There needs to be a good fit between the seller and the buyer. Sellers need to be realistic in their thinking. Price the home right. Get all of your inspections done prior to going on the market and offer out a fair and realistic commission to both the listing and buyers agent. Buyers need to be prepared to offer market value and in many cases a bit higher. I have been part of multiple offers in the past few weeks ( I was one of 5 offers on 1 home ). You’ll need to be completely loan approved, you’ll need your good faith deposit in the bank ( 3% at least ) and a good down payment ( 10-20% ) and be prepared to do some work on the home if needed. There are always exceptions out there, but if you want to win, be in it to win it.



Feel free to contact me if any real estate related questions or needs arise. I can be reached at 408-482-0992.



James E. (Jim) Mauldwin

"Real Estate Sales By Referral"

Intero Real Estate Services

12900 Saratoga Avenue.

Saratoga, CA 95070

DRE# 01125380 since 1991.

408-863-3020 – direct

408-482-0992 - cell

408-549-9973 - efax

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Good News Report # 9


Happy Thursday and good evening!

I am reading another great book called Lighten Up by Mr. Charley (C.W.) Metcalf and Roma Felible. The first time I read this book was back on the 22nd of August in 2003. As I look through the book, I see all of the areas that I scribbled notes in the margins from 9 years ago. At the time, I had an infant baby girl, a different home and was concerned about things that seem fairly unimportant today. This book talks a lot about taking yourself lightly and taking your work or problems seriously. They also talk about how misery and pain are free, but joy has a price. One of the greatest parts of the book is the creation of a Joy List. A joy list may consist of anything that nourishes your own sense of being alive. These types of lists often seem unnecessary or childish, but this could not be farther from the truth. Starting this list will be one of the most helpful exercises that you could do for yourself. Here are the first 5 things I added to my list 9 years ago.



1) Spending one on one time with my wife Michelle.

2) Holding, cuddling, kissing and laughing with my baby Madeline.

3) Listening to my wife Michelle laugh out loud to an I Love Lucy episode.

4) Listening to Madeline Laugh and Koo out loud.

5) Spending time with a couple at church with their 4 daughters. ( 1 daughter is now married and graduated college, 1 is graduated college and teaching school and two are still is school living at home.)

Interesting enough, my entire list of joyful things in my life had to do with people.

I would life to encourage you to make a joy list for your life today.

“If you wish a glimpse inside a human soul and get to know a man…just watch him laugh. If he laughs well, he’s a good man…”
Dostoevski

Please feel free to give me a call if you or anyone you know has any real estate questions, needs or concerns. I can be reached directly at 408-482-0992.

James E. (Jim) Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Intero Real Estate Services
12900 Saratoga Avenue.
Saratoga, CA 95070
DRE# 01125380 Since 1991.
408-863-3020 - direct
1-408-549-9973 - efax





Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Good News Report # 7


Today I wanted to talk about how our attitude toward a certain situation will dictate how we feel. No one else is responsible for our feelings. They may have an influence, but you and I are ultimately responsible for how we act and or react. We must stop blaming others for the way that we feel. If we change the way we see a situation or our mindset, our feelings will also change.


“No one can hurt your feelings without your cooperation and willingness.”
Napoleon Hill

Jim Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Intero Real Estate Services
408-863-3020
http://www.jimmaudlwin.com/
jmrealestate@wwdb.org

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Good News Report #5

Happy Thursday,

Glad to say that I started walking with my daughter Madeline at 6:30 a.m. every morning. An hour of walking in the morning really gets the day started right. No better way to tell my body that it is important to me. A few days ago I was listening to a pastor who was talking about how people either carry fire wood, fire extinguishers or are just wet blankets. Many people will add firewood to a fire or bad situation and then stoke the fire. These people make bad or tense situations even worse and are generally very difficult to be around. There are also people who try to put fires out with a fire extinguisher. Those carrying fire extinguishers have hopes for making bad situations better. These are the people who make it easy to be around them. There are also “wet blankets” out there. The people who are wet blankets are always just a bit negative but try to come across as positive. The wet blankets do not really do anyone any good. The good news is that we all have a choice. We can either be people who carry fire wood, fire extinguishers or people who are wet blankets. I want to encourage you to be a person who makes it a conscious decision to carry a fire extinguisher with you every day. Not only will this help you to have a better attitude, you may just save someone’s life!

Napoleon Hill said it best: “A positive mental attitude can take away all obstacles between you and your major purpose in life.”

Please feel free to give me a call if you or anyone you know has any real estate questions, needs or concerns.

I can be reached directly at 408-482-0992.

Have a great day.

Jim Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
DRE # 01125380 Since 1991
Direct Line: 408-482-0992

Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter egg hunt.....

This past weekend the kids had multiple Easter Egg hunts. They had a great time all weekend. Here they are....

Thursday, April 5, 2012

I must be the difference ( Good News Report # 3 )

Hello everyone,

I hope you are having a nice evening. The sun is still shinning, wind is howling and the leaves on the trees are blowing just outside my window. I look forward to taking a walk in a few minutes. A couple of days ago I was reviewing my 2012 goals. The first quarter of 2012 is over and we need to make sure we are on track for the rest of the year. One of the areas I was reviewing was relationships in my life. Here are a few questions I asked myself and answered in writing.

1) What are my recurring thoughts about each relationship?
2) If I could have anything at all...I should describe it to myself.
3) What obstacles have I experienced in the past and what is standing in my way i.e. roadblocks that I may face in the future?
4) What failures have I had and experienced?
5) What are my hopes for the future and my fears?
6) How would I picture my ideal future?
7) How long do I think it will take to achieve the picture I just imagined?

One overwhelming thought that came over me was this. If I want better relationships, I must be the one to take the first step!! Even if that step is in my own mind. I made a commitment to say only nice things for the next two weeks. It has been two days and I never realized how much I had to think about what I was saying. I guess I am not as completely positive as I thoughts I was. This is a great challenge especially for those of us with a wife, husband, children, co-worker, secretary, assistant or boss. Go out there and be the difference.


In closing, I am always available to help you or anyone you may know. Buying a home, selling a home, relocation to or from the Bay area...Feel free to give me a call.

Have a great evening.
James E. ( JIM ) Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Intero Real Estate Services
12900 Saratoga Avenue.
Saratoga, CA 95070
DRE# 01125380
408-863-3020 - direct
1-408-549-9973 - efax

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Good News Report # 2

Happy Thursday. I hope you are doing well.

Is failing an option for you? Not to say that we do not fail. I have failed more times than I can say. The real question is...Is failing an option that you give to yourself? I notice that my kids just keep on doing what ever they put their minds to. Failure or quitting never seems to come up in their vocabulary. Why is it that as adults, failure becomes a regular option for so many? I want to encourage you to replace this ugly option with a better one. Change failure to opportunity. Go out there today and do something with the faith of a child and not the logic of an adult.

Thomas Edison once observed that the reason most folks don’t recognize opportunity when it comes knocking is that it is often dressed in coveralls and looks like work. Edison knew that anything worthwhile never comes easily; if it were easy, anyone could do it. Because he persisted far beyond the point the average person would consider reasonable and rational, he produced inventions that even the most learned people of the day considered impossible.

Be encouraged and have a nice day!

James E. ( JIM ) Mauldwin
"Real Estate Sales By Referral"
Intero Real Estate Services
12900 Saratoga Avenue.
Saratoga, CA 95070
DRE# 01125380
408-863-3020 - direct
1-408-549-9973 - efax

Thursday, March 22, 2012

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.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

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

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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

Friday, February 17, 2012

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

Monday, February 13, 2012

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.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

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