"Just Because You're Knocked Down Doesn't Mean You're Knocked Out" - Sugar Ray Leonard

I'm catching up on my monthly Realtor Magazine and came across the preview for a Real Estate Conference coming up. I'm not attending and typically just breeze past those pages, but I decided to look and see what some of the previews of the presenters had to say.

The first one I read was by Tara Hunt - Boost Your Whuffie Factor: Online success comes from being part of the community, not by pushing your services. I knew most of what she said. I try to do a good mix of personal & professional things on all of the online social networking sites I use. I personally hate seeing professionals that are always "tooting" their own horn or talking business....I like to see a little fun thrown in there, so I try to do the same.

The second preview I read was by Sugar Ray Leonard - Don't Give Up Easily: Envision your success to emerge from a rut and reach your professional goals. It starts off by saying that Boxing & Real Estate have a lot more in common than you might think. (I can see that). The key to success in either arena is to focus on a positive outcome, even after you've been knocked to the ground. "Just because you're knocked down doesn't mean you're knocked out," says Leonard, who is now a television broadcaster and motivational speaker. He offers the following tips for Real Estate Professionals who are looking for direction in tough times. (I think these can also be used for many other professions and life in general!!)

1. Don't give in to doubt. It's important to keep those dreams, dream even bigger, and not listen to others when they tell you it can't be done.

2. Focus on a positive outcome. Everyone has this ability, but not everyone activates it.

3. Build a support network. Surround yourself with family and colleagues who'll support your goals, encourage you to achieve them, and keep you well-grounded. (I have this...and some great friends who help as well!)

4. Maintain composure. In today's market, buyers and sellers are looking to you for guidance and stability, so use your knowledge and skills to confidently lead them in the right direction.

5. Prepare to do better next time. After you've fallen down, analyze what went wrong and how you can do things differently next time. Draw out a blueprint for success.

6. Stay fit, mentally and physically. Physical activity will keep your mind sharp and focused.

$8000 Tax Credit Ending Soon!

For those of you who know me, I'm NOT a good writer!! BUT, I still want to blog sometimes and make sure I get out information to my friends, family & more importantly my clients!!! In thinking about doing a blog about the $8000 First-time home buyer tax credit ending soon, I decided to use my favorite tool - Google - and see what I could find. I found this GREAT blog that could not have stated it better.

The Mortgage Experts said it best:

There is much news these days about an extension to the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. There is also talk that it might be expanded to include second homes and investment properties. PLEASE don't believe it. The tax credit is set to expire on November 30, 2009. Under the current IRS rules, if the closing is after that date, then the buyer does not get the credit.

Congress might extend the credit, but they might not. They might expand it to include second homes and investment properties, but they might not. If there is one piece of advice that we can pass on to anyone, it is this: It is extremely foolish to assume that something will happen in the housing or mortgage industries just because we all want it to happen. Remember stated income loans? 100% financing? Houses that went up in value? Everyone in America loved all of those things and they still went away.

At the moment, it is best to assume that the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers will end on November 30, 2009. If it doesn't, that's great, but assuming that it will be extended could very easily shatter the trust you have built with your clients, or cost you $8,000.

CALL ME and we can start looking so you too can take advantage of this tax credit!!!