QUIT GETTING COMFORTABLE ( By Lee Cohan, Ph. D.)

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Comfort certainly has its advantages—our comfy chair in the living room, a  comfortable routine at work, a comfortable relationship. With all the advantages of comfort, here are some things you should know about the comfort zone before you explore the edge.

The comfort zone is where most of life is played. It is certainly where most of sports is played. Consider a football field: 90 percent of the game is played between the 20-yard lines. That’s why they call anything outside that area the “red zone”—it’s where  the difference in the game is made. It’s okay to feel good and play well inside the comfort zone before you explore the edge and go for the score.

But staying in the comfort zone too long can get boring. We get soft and unfocused; we don’t have to be as sharp. If we make our comfort zone as big as our life, we not only lose our edge, we can even lose sight of the edge. We must ignite our own sense of adventure if we want to see what the world has to offer us and what we have to  offer the world.

It’s pretty safe in the comfort zone. We know the boundaries, the landscape, and the other comfortable players in the comfort zone. There is little or no risk; a misstep   here or there is not very costly. But like the football team that’s trapped between the 20-yard lines, we cannot win in the comfort zone.

Because the risk is small, so is the reward. Learning and growth occur when we are uncomfortable. Think of the defining moments of learning and growth in your life. Were you hanging out in your comfort zone? No, you were hanging over the edge.

So, in case you’re hesitating to explore the edge, here are four comforting questions to help you move forward.

1. Who else has done it? You may think you’re in unexplored territory, but it’s  unlikely that you’re trying something no one else has ever tried. Look around to find others  who have explored the same edge that you might be anxious about.

Whether your comfort zone ends at the edge of learning a new skill, speaking in   public, making a financial investment, expressing your feelings, or quitting a bad habit, someone else has been at that very same edge. That person can help support you, prepare you, and encourage you to win.

2.  Can I dip my toe in first? No one says you have to hurl yourself headlong into every new endeavor. Try it out first. Start small. When you reflect on the first time you tried anything new (leading, speaking, rock climbing, painting, playing a musical instrument), you probably remember how uncomfortable you felt. But you stepped out and did it, and you soon discovered that it wasn’t as hard as you had expected, right? After awhile, what was once the edge became your comfort zone as you built your competence—and competence builds confidence.

3.  How bad can it be? Often, the fear in your mind paints a darker picture of things outside your comfort zone than is really the case. Remember, the victory is in the exploration itself more than the success of your attempt. Thomas Edison said,  “Genius “? Nothing! Sticking to it is the genius. I’ve failed my way to success.

4.  How great can it be? Your dreams are usually bigger than your comfort zone. You must be so passionate about your dream that, instead of feeling that you have to leave your comfort zone, you are magnetically drawn to the edge.

So, quit getting comfortable and explore the edge!

Four Reasons Why Hire an Expert Advisor For Your Home Search Is a MUST

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Navigating through the home buying process may seem easy enough if you’re relying on the Internet for information, seeking homes from a distance and getting your feet wet in the real estate marketplace. But once things start getting serious, it dawns on many buyers that they need help from an expert.

The key word here is expert.

Expertise comes from working on many, many transactions and seeing countless situations as well as their outcomes. That experience translates directly to you in that when something doesn’t feel right – we’re right there to point it out, especially when you may not recognize it. So here are the four reasons to always, always seek the assistance of a full-time professional real estate agent with a lot of transactions under his or her belt.

Recognizing Market Pitfalls

This is an important factor that a lot of homebuyers neglect to realize. What may seem like a fairly solid home and an equally solid transaction could easily have hidden problems with it that only a professional might notice before it’s too late. Whether it’s overpaying for a property, or complex deed and title issues – an experienced advisor will know and advise.

Accessibility to Hidden Inventory

There are a lot of homes that are available that might not be properly marketed. What that means to you as a buyer is that you may not be getting access to what very well might be your dream home. Your expert advisor will be able to connect you with hidden inventory such as foreclosures that have not hit the market yet, For Sale By Owners that are not being advertised openly, off-market properties, builder closeouts and more.

More Experience = No Mistakes in the Process

During the last several years as our nation endured what had been one of the most difficult times in the housing industry, many agents turned to other careers. As a result, this industry has many Realtors® that devote only part of their time to the profession. And we all know that less practice would mean more mistakes. A full-time, career devoted Realtor® and expert advisor will benefit you with a smooth transaction and no room for errors.

Professional Services Don’t Cost Buyers Anything

Finally, so many buyers do not realize that the cost of having a real estate agent is nothing for them. The seller is responsible for all commissions. This makes it even more critical that you properly interview prospective agents before hiring one. Your goal, like theirs, should be to get the best home at the best price, with the best terms and as hassle-free as possible.
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We are confident that we have all these characteristics and more. We invite you to meet with us to learn what we offer and just how much experience we have to support our claim of being your real estate expert advisor! Call us today!

Making the Decision To Sell For a Better Price Vs. a Faster Sale

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PRICE YOUR HOME REALISTICALLY. 
The single biggest mistake sellers make during a soft market is to price their home too high.  Working with me we will investigate market trends in the immediate vicinity of your home.  In this link you will find information regarding a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). As always I am happy to supply you with a personal CMA to gain an in-depth look at what other sellers are selling like kind homes for in your area, average Days-On-Market statistics, housing values and more.  

SHOW OFF THE HOUSE.  
Very surprisingly, a significant number of sellers have no idea that they should prepare the house for sale by highlighting its attributes.  Beginning with curb appeal, then the entrance of the home and finally throughout the rest of the space – any and all noteworthy features should be highlighted.  The home should be attractive; everything in working order and it should be set up in a way that potential buyers can imagine themselves living in the home.

RESOLVE ANY ISSUES.  
Taking care of any outstanding concerns with the home, whether functionally or aesthetically, is a sure-fire way to get a better price.  Start with the major issues and then work your way down.  Unless you are willing to accommodate the price of repairs on a major problem such as a leaky roof, ineffective plumbing or an old furnace – resolve these issues. Remove all clutter that is in plain sight and “depersonalize” the space so that buyers can imagine their own things in the home.  A fresh coat of paint and replaced carpeting in neutral colors can go a long way as an effective selling tool.  Remember, the less a seller has to do once they move in, the better price you will achieve.

Selling Your Home Faster 

MARKET YOUR HOME EFFECTIVELY.  
Anyone can put a house up for sale – but not everyone can get the word out and market it as effectively as needed to sell it fast.  One of the traits of a successful Realtor is going above and beyond the traditional methods of marketing real estate and actually selling the home.  Working outside the box will have a huge impact on your success – and it goes without saying that the more people know about your listing, the more likely it is to sell.  

BE WILLING TO GET CREATIVE.  
One of the best advantages you can have over other sellers is to realize that it is a buyers market at the moment.  If there are issues that you cannot resolve, be prepared to offer a rebate for the amount of repairs. Be wiling to contribute to closing costs – a feature of FHA loans – financing that many homebuyers are tapping into these days, home warranties are also helpful.  If you have anassumable loan, communicate it to the prospective buyer as this is an excellent tool to help sell quickly.  Provide as many amenities as possible so that the home is move-in ready; leave appliances that are already hooked up and include as many appliances in the deal as possible.  Some sellers even offer to pay the first year’s homeowners’ insurance.

REMAIN FLEXIBLE IN YOUR EXPECTATIONS. 
If your primary goal is to sell your home as fast as possible, one possibility is auctions.  Though not the best way to yield the best financial return on the sale, auctions definitely provide the peace of mind that your home is sold almost instantly.  There are some disadvantages to auctioning a home – and other than price they are mostly restrictive to the potential buyer.  You must be very clear on your contract that the sale is “as is” since there will likely be no time for inspections.  Maintaining buyers’ expectations can be difficult in an auction but on the other hand you can present your home and expect an answer almost immediately.
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Not sure which approach you want to take?  Now that you have some tools and techniques – making the decision based on your needs should be an easier one.  Keep in mind you can also try to accomplish both, of course.  Regardless of the choice you make, it is essential to have a solid team backing you and one such pivotal member of your team will be your Realtor.  Be sure to choose a Realtor with whom you can feel comfortable, trust to take on the approach you feel is best for you – and one that will not be afraid to be honest with you in all ways to ensure the most success.