Breakin’ mainstream myths isn’t hard to do when you’re an entertainer and you’ve got the momentum of public opinion on your side. Pop star Jessica Simpson recently lassoed her way to country star fame and keeps her trendy clothes and shoes flying off sales racks at upscale department store Nordstrom.

Country music is breaking twang myth barriers and pop sensations ride in style, side-saddle, up the charts. Is the same true for real estate or is it all cowboys and ranches? In speaking with a Fort Worth Texas real estate agent team, I quickly learned Dallas-Fort Worth real estate and Simpson are not your average country bumpkins. (more…)

There is a difference between being honest and being blunt.

Some people get this right away, and others “insert foot in mouth” before they realize and learn. Still others never get it and their honest personality is to speak what’s on their mind and be darned of any consequences.

So why am I bringing this up and what’s it got to do with selling real estate? Oh, my friends, a ton.

There have been too many times when I have been involved in past transactions and words have flown out of people’s mouths like:

• If she had been more _____, then it would’ve been done.
• Well, he’s a top producer, so you know, he doesn’t have time.
• Those people _______________________. Or my favorite, “you people” (I heard this quite often when I sold a real estate Internet product).
• If you had only listened to me, ________________.
• It’s not my fault.
• I don’t know.

Now let’s think about how such statements can make an impact to the person on the receiving end. AND, what kind of impact is it? Will it reflect positively on the speaker?

Continue reading: Shooting from the hip? Sometimes it’s better to think before you speak

Does this sound familiar?

• Home buyers are waiting. Where are the bargain basement deals?
• Homeowners are frustrated. House values have shrunk their nest eggs.
• Real estate agents are aggravated. Too many sellers, not enough buyers.

Just reading the news or watching TV, you’d think the inflated real estate market of years past was the industry norm. Owning and losing a house is a lot like owning and losing your driver’s license. Too many over-the-limit warnings lead to the risk of suspension or revocation.

Owning a house is a privilege, not a right. (more…)

Are you waiting for rent control measures to take effect in your area? Tired of paying a cool $1,500-plus to live in a studio apartment? Need a backup plan while President Bush waits for an acceptable housing plan that has "less politics"?

You might want to consider less conventional housing methods.

Cal State-Fullerton student Andy Bussell chooses to live in his car and save $1,600 in rent per month.

(more…)

Every time I connect with a customer service department:

I am bracing for the worst and hoping for the best; 

After I punch in my account number and answer questions that are predetermined;

I am bracing for the worst and hoping for the best.

When I go to Wal-Mart on a Sunday afternoon at 2 pm:

And see that the back lot may be my only option;

I am bracing for the worst and hoping for the best.

When I have to squeeze a million things into the day:

And the nurse’s office at school calls to tell me my child does not feel well;

I am bracing for the worst and hoping for the best.

(more…)