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Flower Mound, TX Real Estate News

By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
With many REALTORS nowadays and I would venture to say some buyers too, there is griping about the future. Realtors may think, Why is my business not where it needs to be? Why am I not at the point in my development that I envisioned for myself? On the buyer side, I hear, I will never be able to qualify for that house. Maybe it just isn't the right time to buy for us. So much in life is sticking with a good attitude about the future no matter what is happening to you. Did you know in one of those Gold medal swimming races that Michael Phelps just won as he dove into the water his swim goggles filled up with water? He sucked it up, and just went with the adversity thrown his way. For those on a path to where they are going you just have to hang in there. You have to believe that    YOUR ...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
As summer winds down poolside I am reminded from watching others clown around (ok, I clown around too) that in reality YOU'RE AT YOUR BEST WHEN YOU ARE A SHOWOFF. Not the draw attention type. But as REALTORS, STAGERS, and other PROFESSIONALS, when our actions speak for us rather than just what we say, we are most valuable to those we serve. This extends to our families and friends too. So be a showoff.     Stop telling people that you love them, show them. Stop telling them that you are faithful, show them. Stop telling them that you believe you can make a difference, show them. Stop telling them how important they are to you, show them. It's becoming harder and harder to hear what you are telling them because your actions are making so much noise.
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In working with many buyers of property I think REALTORS get embedded too often with the hard numbers of number of bedrooms and baths, amenities, size of backyard, what kind of loan can they be qualified for, etc. But if you work with buyers long enough, especially the woman of the household who seems to inevitably sign off on what gets bought, you have to know            WHEN TOUCHY FEELY IS OK. This refers to the soft skills a REALTOR needs with dealing with a family's home requirements. This would be like how is the neighborhood? What kind of schools are there around here? What recreational activities are their for the kids? With the larger backyard can we put in a trampoline? Inside the home, does it have the "feel" that we can enjoy our time here and socialize with our friends? Thi...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In real estate often is heard the phrase that buying a home is securing for yourself a piece of the "American Dream." I suppose that is true, especially for first time home buyers. Later as you get a bigger house or smaller houses or condos to meet your needs I don't know if you are thinking of it as a dream anymore but more your housing needs. The home part to me is more of the dream with whom and what you build around you in your life - the people, the places, your interests. THERE IS A SECRET TO BEING A DREAM WEAVER. Many paths in life talk about dreams. At bars and after hour dinners many relish the idea that "some day" this or that will happen in their lives. Unfortunately many of those dreams stay as ideas, parked on the shelf. After knowing what your dreams are the secret to achi...
Comments 42
By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
Many REALTORS and Stagers alike in advising the preparation of a house for sale will emphasize the importance of curb appeal. There is just something about the outside of a house that indicates that it is well maintained. Suggestions include cleaning around the door and foyer, having fresh landscaping installed, cleaning grease off the sidewalk and driveway and if needed exterior painting. The curb appeal thought applies as a life lesson maxim as well to individuals in real estate you may be considering working with or other people you encounter in life and that rule is: WHAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE REFLECTS WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE. Just as you may expect nice furniture on the inside and a clean house from what you see on the outside, people are very similar. Let's look at four categories relat...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In watching in the Olympic games swimmer Michael Phelps win his seventh Gold Medal by a fingernail length compared to his opponent it reminded me that BEING CREAM OF THE CROP REQUIRES LONG FINGERNAILS. We all should know in all our hearts that we are cream of the crop. If we don't believe that about ourselves no one else will. So first off it is about confidence and BELIEF. Secondly and most importantly in life it is about the little things. The little differences that make you the best. A little extra effort. A little more caring than the other guy or gal. The little more education. The little more hard work. The little more paying attention. The bigger smile. A tad more of a generous heart. Staying in contact better than the rest. Loving much more. In the race they don't beat you by m...
Comments 38
By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
It highly frustrates me in life where people whether they be real estate clients, Associates, or just people I meet that think they have everything figured out. They know all the answers. One thing I observed about the very young AND the very old is they know how to live in the moment. This is a life lesson highly lost by those of us in between. The sad reality of life that eludes those of us in between is that TODAY is really all you have to work with. It is nothing short of a spirtual practice to learn to embrace living in the moment. YOU ARE FUMBLING YOUR WAY TO ECSTASY. You engage yourself completely with the future not existing and nothing in the past holding you back. You immerse yourself in your surroundings and become keenly aware of your breath, the texture of the world, the co...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In today's rush rush lifestyle of the real estate professional we can do more to optimize our lives, to        RUN ON ALL CYLINDERS. Not getting enough out of your day, or dropping too many balls? Try a few of these tips: 1) Systematize - put in place systems to automate the tasks you repeatedly do. 2) De-clutter and organize - in every area of your life. Even if you are not a neat nick or file folder kind of person, delegate this to someone who can. Less clutter equals more energy in your life. 3) Work with priorities - get out that to do list and make sure you are going down it with what you want to accomplish for the day. It is so easy to fritter time away with the stupid stuff. 4) Stay educated - make time for education a lot. It is like sharpening your axe while cutting trees. A tr...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
I cannot tell you how many first year Realtors or first year anybodys in many professions keep trying to be like someone else. It is such a HUGE mistake!! Our individuality is the key to our being the best we can be.      Your Strength is Found in YOU. Can we have mentors? Why not. But don't use them as a crutch. Don't copy someone else entirely. I've always found the best mentor for you is: YOU. They broke the mold when you came along. It is indeed true for all of us. CELEBRATE that you are different from everyone else. Remind yourself this is a good thing. Tell others that, well, "this is the way you are. This is how you were built." Remember that our collective diversity makes us all better. I give you a little of my strengths. You let me have the blessing of a little of your strengt...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In today's topsy turvy and up and down real estate market be on the look out for a special kind of REALTOR. These are the ones that the future looks so bright they've got to wear shades.     REAL REALTORS WEAR SHADES. They carry within themselves a positive attitude. They are of good spirit. This is not to say they do not have to deal with the realities of a market that has changed over the last several years. They realize they are in a cyclical business. They adapt. But above all they are confident in the future. This adaptation to their business model may include focusing on short sales more now, or picking up parallel income streams. But they won't be defeated. They love their work. They have passion for it. You can see it in their eyes (if they took their sunglasses off). They const...
Comments 39
By Robert J. Russell, IRES, ICREA, REBS, GMA, LAS, LUTCF
(Robert J Russell Companies)
It happens over and over again. The agent delivers an outstanding presentation to the prospect. She not only knew all the facts, but also about all of her competitors. Her vocal skills were impeccable, and she portrayed professionalism and confidence. Her close was strong and affirmative. But her prospect - a very prominent physician - said he would "consider" using her if it became "appropriate." He may as well have said, "No." So, what went wrong? While it is true that everyone is different and unique, it's also true that people tend to fall into four basic behavioral types when it comes to buying a service or product. The success (or failure) of the sales call is dependent upon the sales representative being able to distinguish the correct behavioral type of the prospect, the sales m...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In real estate, you hear a lot about people moving from one house to another in their journey. Often terms are bantered about like upsizing or downsizing their space in this stage of life or current financial situation. But in this situation like many others in life it is really about something NOT BEING A FIT ANYMORE.         Think of this as like shoes as you grow. The old ones don't fit. If full grown, also think of it like shoes. You don't like the old styles anymore. You want to MOVE ON to something new and fresh. Face reality. In many things in life you OUTGROW them. Situations, jobs, friends, relationships, interests, work. It is all very normal.   Embrace all the "new shoes" you choose for yourself in your life. You will know something that you have outgrown because you will be ...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
For all my loyal readers do not think from the Subject title on this one that I have shifted my format to a more R-rated version of the blog. No, I have just ventured off to my silly side of the brain from the usual inspirational side so bear with me a bit.  The evolution of this topic came actually at lunch with a real estate client, a woman by the way, between showings and finding a house for her and the family. At lunches usually you talk about the family, where they used to live but somehow this day the talk centered around the highest paying doctors. We "guessed" at how much various physicians were paid and the discussion finally ended with us both concluding that "plastic surgeons" surely were among the top earners. They did the tummy tucks, the liposuctions, and of course the pri...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
I love art in all its many forms and I got to thinking about Cirque du Soleil and high wire trapeze artists. So much of what is going on in real estate these days is about change. The artists that perform in these shows or in circus acts have had to grasp change completely. Think of the trapeze performer swinging out to reach the upcoming bar. She can let go and feel the fear as she goes to the next trapeze or stay with legs dangling on the current swinging bar. There is no net below. This is like life with a new job, a new relationship, anything new. What is it we feel? Butterflies for sure. We feel real fear in times of growth. What if the new person I would love to meet doesn't like me? What if this new task I am trying to perform overwhelms me and I fail? Sometimes you HAVE to let g...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
If you ever ride around with kids in showing houses that are in your backseat, before they buckle up, they are always peeking around to the front seat. Little eyes and all eyes are watching constantly.     BEWARE OF WATCHING EYES. What we do matters in life. Character is developed from our actions. Our truest character is what we do when NO ONE is watching. They used to have an anti-smoking ad where the little boy sitting up against the tree with his father grabbed his pack of cigarettes. Eyes were watching. There was a research assignment on the honor system in Northern England with two situations by the coffee pot where you were supposed to donate for the coffee. One had a picture of flowers above the pot, the other trial had a picture of "eyes" above the pot. They installed hidden ca...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
I've got to admit life is constantly surprising me. Particularly people along the way. Both on the good side and perhaps to a lesser extent on the unpleasant side with things they will do sometimes. But today I wanted to talk about the                      LITTLE FRIENDLY GREMLINS BUZZING AROUND YOU. Now gremlins are normally a term associated with troublemakers. But with the friendly gremlins they have a somewhat mischievous side, I would call it their "good natured spirit", and deep down to the core they are very good people. You might imagine them to be a cross between deviousness and goodness. You might envision them to look like this: I have seen them pop up most recently in * A lady buyer baking me a cake after a home sale where she poked fun at me showing her every closet along t...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
In understanding the difference between working with people to buy and sell houses compared to "homes" the difference is definitely the love that is present in a home. A building does not make a home. Loving people make a home. Sometimes adult children live miles away clear across the country yet their parents on the phone ask them when they will come for a visit "home." It is a subtle transition in the voice indicating that in reality, "Home is where the heart is." All the magic and mystery of love is on complete display between couples. It is said there are three forms of love: Eros - the strong attraction or hubba bubba phase. Philos - this is love in the form of friendship and is what is the glue when the Eros dies down. Agape - the most mature love. This is the sacrificial love, wh...
Comments 31
By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
With this year's summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China we all anticipate the competition and the drama of the events. While we can not imagine ourselves as the athletes in something as extraordinary of a venue as the Olympics the very motto of the games themselves is worthy of noticing. It offers words of encouragement for both our business and our personal lives.         Citius, Altius, Fortius. They are Latin words that mean        Faster, Higher, Stronger. What a noble set of words for all our lives, even us mere mortal non-Olympians. We always should be growing. We can always do better. We should strive to be the best MEs the world has ever seen. Never underestimate how valuable you are to the world and that your contribution to others matters. You are indeed a gold medal winner wh...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
It is very evident as you work with others in the real estate market like homeowners, Realtors, applicants for loans, Buyers, Stagers and such that in a down housing cycle there is much struggling go on. As in other struggles in life this too shall pass. But we need to see through        THE FIRE AND RAIN. Lots of things in life pop up as problems for us like health, financial, relationship problems and just day to day living that has its share of annoyances. Rather seeing what you don't have during these fire and rain days look at what you do have. In many instances I have seen the wider "community" of good friends and family come through for us. Know very solidly what you DO have to make your way through the harder times. It's a lot greater than you might first think. Count on those y...
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By Gary Woltal, Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
(Keller Williams Realty)
You will notice in life that some people are highly visible and others just seem to be        FLYING UNDER THE RADAR. If you are a real estate agent, there's nothing worse than being a "secret agent." We need to "not" fly under the radar and promote ourselves to all our contacts. In the TV game Survivor, often flying under the radar and lying low is a good strategy to survive the first three or four weeks and not draw attention to yourself. Other areas of life where flying under the radar are a good thing are in humility, and also random acts of kindness. Doing something nice and let the other person shine. There is probably too much puffery as is in the world nowadays anyways. Deflect the attention from you. They may not even notice the master that you have become at this art.
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