I have always been a person of high energy. Thankfully so, because it has enabled me to accomplish much, and God willing, I hope to accomplish a lot more. Realtor associates have commented that if I could bottle that energy they would buy it. So here's the secrets I've learned for my "bottled energy" to market and make a better YOU. Drink Plenty of Water - it is better for your metabolism than diet or sugary drinks Medical Appointments - Your body is there to carry your head around. Fix it with dental and doctor visits. Sleep - I joke about not sleeping but do sleep regularly. Know how many hours you need each night. Vigorous Aerobic Exercise - after knowing from a doctor that it is ok, at least four times a week do vigorous exercise. You don't even start to burn fat until you get past ... 08/06/2008

I knew reading the backs of cereal boxes as a young boy would pay off. I've learned you can read someone's personality by their favorite mashmallow shapes in Lucky Charms. Your secret analysis weapon for clients or for kids. Pink Hearts - romantic, easily distracted, likes gifts Yellow Moons - doormat personality, doesn't want to hurt others feelings, always unsatisfied Orange Shooting Star - center of attention, wants everyone to talk about them Green Clovers - Happy go lucky type, takes nothing seriously, lots of friends, self-confident Blue Diamonds - Calculating and conniving, planning next step, always thinking what's in it for me Purple Horsehoes - Uninhibited, likes variety, changes mind a lot Cereal shapes only - leads boring life, cruises web picking fights, has unfulfilled nee... 08/05/2008

In our relationships they say opposites attract. I think that is true but also similarities endure. With family we are given those people. On the other hand friends are the FAMILY "we" get to choose, and the best of friends hold similarities to us. YOU PICK YOUR FRIENDS BY THEIR FEATHERS. While we are all different and enjoy the differences between ourselves, the similarities are what keeps us coming back for more of the friend. Think of the things you may have in common: your level of laughter, your not liking the same kind of obnoxious people, your wanting to be understood in the world, your caring or kind ways, a hobby or interest you both share, your ability to relate to each other from similar past experiences, your values with regard to how you lead your life, your core views of w... 08/05/2008

One of my heroes or role models in life has always been Forrest Gump. The man was so full of unconditional love. He was a friend to all, especially girlfriend Jenny, who would never seem to give him the time of day almost to the end of her life, which did in the end have a happy ending. The question in the movie of life being random or destiny, or a little of both, was also something that always intrigued me. Sometimes I really do think it is a little of both. I also always wanted to be a Shrimp Boat Captain and even though I play a mean game of ping pong, Forrest took it to a new level with his focus. If I had his skills in that game I'd be ready for this week's Beijing, China Olympics. But in real estate, life, and relationships some things just happen, and as Mama always told Forrest... 08/04/2008

In life and in our work we can get beaten down with the problems of the day. Whether they be working with clients, the hot summer weather, the unexpected auto or home repairs, the problems that inevitably crop up in our relationships within our families, or even our health. Face it problems will always be there. You just have to navigate around them throughout your day and month for that matter. But remind yourself of this            LIFE IS GOOD, PASS IT ON. I am always reminded of that childhood game sitting around the campfire, and you whisper something into the ear of the person next to you and see how distorted it gets as you pass the message around the circle of twenty people. It always made me laugh. But be aware with your problems that overall life is good. Everything passes soo... 08/04/2008

In many areas of business and life and even athletics I have always been impressed with an observation about people that I have seen them pull off time after time much to their success. Many people are so unaware of it that I thought I would bring it up for a greater level of visibility. It is          THE ART OF THE HEAD FAKE. I will divide it into four broad categories so when you see it you will recognize it. The Athletic Head Fake - You might see this one in a basketball game, where the player looks one way and then moves another direction. In football they call it a play action fake where the whole team and the eyes of the quarterback go one way but the play runs the other way. It is complete misdirection and fools the opponent most often. In our business competitive world it might... 08/03/2008

Much has been written of persistence during tougher times in the current real estate market. I sometimes think we can pound the drumbeat on positive attitude till we are sick of the smiley faces. But there is something to a good attitude, and no quit in this dog, and keeping on keeping on. They say it is always darkest before the dawn. A new day is just around the corner. Being positive is not about delusion from reality. It is about a mindset that is the best to have in all circumstances. In Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning his positive attitude during captivity in a WWII concentration camp led him to believe there was meaning no matter the circumstances, and willed him to continue to live. He had essentially a     Pocket Full of Sunshine. We all need that in our lives. It is a... 08/02/2008

In the Real Estate world we as serving professionals need to "rely" on others around us to get the job done. The word "reliance" needs to stick foremost in your mind. Also, with our friends that we count on think "reliance" as well. So have you stepped back recently and evaluated              WHO'S ON YOUR A-TEAM??? I know I have, and can go right down the list at work and in the friends department. You know in tennis or golf they sometimes say bring your A game. That means you are top flight. Today you are going to compete and just try to let anyone stop you. You need an A-Team around you to bring your A game. Think Tiger Woods doesn't need his caddy and multiple golf coaches for his A game? Think again! Tips for identifying and putting together your A-Team: These people get you excite... 08/02/2008

If someone came up to you and asked if your were "committed" is that a good thing? If you're headed to the asylum, maybe not so. In Real Estate work, other endeavors, in our family, with our friends, with our goals, commitment is actually a VERY good thing. With the asylum, your new home might just be a padded cell.       With commitment I harken back to an old story about the bacon and eggs you may have on your breakfast plate on Sunday morning after church. Now think of those two tasty foods. One comes from a chicken (the eggs) the other from a pig (the bacon). You might say as far as commitment level the chicken showed interest. Now the pig. The pig is the special one. There was commitment!! So if anyone ever calls you a pig in your life keep that story in the back of your mind and s... 08/01/2008

Some things in life are easier for me. I don't know why, but they just are. Take like having fun. Fun is very easy for me. Trust me, I have monumental problems under the surface that I deal with on a daily and yearly basis but I find a way to have fun each day despite this. With the real estate market in the doldrums, I will share my simple STEP BY STEP TO BEING A HAPPY CAMPER GUIDE. Do this and you will achieve more happiness in your life. Step 1: Write down on a list what is fun for you to do in your life. Step 2: Do a lot more of what is on the list in Step 1. There. Your rocket scientist guru friend has given you the magic formula. I will tell you this. As simple as this is, people don't follow this advice. Check out the last week. How many fun things did you do? Well look at your s... 08/01/2008

Do you know THE THREE WOW FACTORS OF LIFE? The first Wow involves places. It may be a place you visit on vacation, your local area, a sunset, something you see or fragrant beauty from a flower. You say Wow. You see it with buyers when they find that special place to call home. It's a Wow house or maybe even a five Wow house. You step back and say,      " WOW "     The second Wow in your life is the people you find that you cherish. It might be that special someone you've been looking for. A kind friend who blows you hugs and kisses. A child or grandchild who has a special place in your heart. A husband or wife or significant other that touches your soul. For some this category could even be a pet with their unconditional love. But these are the living breathing souls in your life that m... 07/30/2008

If you are around the many individuals in the Real Estate industry as professionals that we are there is no denying that it is a "People" business. Clients, Associates, affiliated professions, all intermingle with us not to mention the sphere of influence we work. But to the degree of the depth you get to know another human being we need to be aware as the armchair psychologists that we turn into that people are very complex in many ways and                  A CLOWN HAS MANY MASKS. Think in the behavior between a person and their buddies at a bar yucking it up, or conversing with a minister, or talking to a total stranger, or approaching a power figure that has celebrity status. Our "mask" changes in each case. This is to protect from judgment, gain position, or feel safe. Think in the ... 07/30/2008

Yes, It's true! The River Walk at Central Park is planned as the Town of Flower Mound's 21st Century downtown, integrating commercial and residential uses within the development. The River Walk at Central Park is intended to capture the vitality, flexibility, convenience and charm carried through by traditional towns that were once common throughout America. Commercial uses in the development will include medical, office, retail and dining. Many of the buildings will accommodate street-fronting shops and restaurants with offices and residences located on upper floors. Residential uses in the development will include a variety of living choices, including townhouse, apartment, condominium, lofts over retail and office, assisted living and senior living. The River Walk Park will be a foca... 07/29/2008

Have you ever been hanging around people and looked around and wondered if any of these people were like "heroes" in your life? THERE ARE HEROES IN YOUR LIFE. No they don't have to wear capes and leap tall buildings at a single bound. Heroes are more subtle than that. It's probably where we get that term unsung from. I have noticed that for me at least, my heroes are never drawing attention to themselves. My heroes make me laugh, make me cry, make me think, make me wonder where have they been my whole life?   My standard for being a hero is not like getting a Purple Heart or dying in combat. I tend to think my heroes as little helpers, beautiful angels sent into my life.                 Other helpers are just good people. The thing I find out about these people is they are just so good ... 07/29/2008

In discussing the parameters of what a buyer wants in a home it reminded me of all the other choices we make in life. The decisions we make really do impact us long term, so we should give careful consideration in areas like whom we marry, what home we buy, what job we take, what school district we live in, what food we eat. But the hard cold reality is that life is all about choices. Think about women that work in home based offices. They are taking care of their kids and not sacrificing with day care. How about men that are breadwinners but work "too" much and maybe travel on the road and miss kid's birthdays and special events? Choices affect others. It is obvious but not always easy that we need to fully assess the consequences of our choices. Time passes so quickly and is insensiti... 07/29/2008

In writing up descriptions of houses for sale many adjectives are used like stunning, awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, etc. Words are very powerful and coupled with this I am continually aware in life how time is so short for us. These powerful words NEED to be spoken to each other too. Positive words daily. Uplifiting messages. Words and phrases that make us laugh and smile.       PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW YOU CARE. Do not assume they know. Even if you know they know, remind them CONSTANTLY. There is nothing better to tell the people in your life that you love THAT, drum roll please,                 YOU LOVE THEM!!!!! I cannot emphasize this point any better than that, other than you need to get out there and practice this over and over till you get it right and no one has any doubt how you fee... 07/28/2008

Realtors come in many shapes, sizes, personalities, temperaments, experience levels, training and life experience. Picking up a phone book and selecting one may help you select a jewel of a professional to hire, but wouldn't cutting the glamour shots out of the home magazines and pasting them to the dart board and throwing a dart work better? Sage advice is what you want in buying or selling your home. You want a Yoda type. A real Yoda. Someone like ME for example who cares about you. But know the reality: Some Yodas May Just Be Green With Big Ears. Ask some qualification questions for your potential Realtor. How will they market your house? What techniques currently are working in the market? How is the market doing? How are you different than the other 1.3 million Realtors out there? ... 07/28/2008

I want you to keep the images from this post fresh in your mind because they apply to many you may work with in industry, customers, or Realtors. Just think basically that the response to YOU asking for a reason for something, or any level of accountability, the answer comes back to you like this:           THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK. Do these people actually think we are that stupid? I am talking about excuses here people for things not getting done that are promised. People hiding from you and not returning your phone calls or emails. People canceling appointments on you. People deciding to do something "else" instead of taking the time they promised for you because you are not as important in their eyes. It doesn't fly with me. They are using the oldest grade school excuse of why the ho... 07/28/2008

There are currently 429 single family homes for sale in Flower Mound. Asking Price Range: $40,000 - $2,999,000 Average Asking Price: $483,860 Pending Sales: 113 Asking Price Range: $117,900 - $1,395,000 Average Asking Price $341,462 Sold Single Family Homes in Flower Mound from April 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008: 309 Average Days on Market: 54 days (0-331 days) Average Sold Price: $295,709 Average Ask Price to List Price Ratio: Home sellers got an average of 97.7% of asking price for their Flower Mound Single Family Home. Posted by Leigh Bates 07/27/2008

There are only a few more concerts left this summer at the gazebo in Flower Mound's Parker Square.  So don't let the opportunity pass you by!  If your visiting here in Texas, it's a fun and relaxing but if you get anxious while waiting for the music to start...there's always shopping!  Don't forget the lawn chair or blanket to sit on, the water bottle but most importantly...the battery powered, misting fan!  Whoo it's hot.  But if you do, you can order take out from one of the many restaurants.   Enjoy! Here is the schedule and all concerts begin at 7:30 PM.  Flower Mound Community Orchestra and Voices of Flower MoundFriday, June 20 FM BandFriday, July 11 Maddy Rose & Soul MixFriday, July 25  06/20/2008