Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say 2011 cannot be done soon enough.

What I thought was going to be my "turnaround year," actually ended up being days and months trickling with doubt, anxiety, and fear. I look back and wonder how I got through it knowing full well the hardships aren't over yet. I woke up this morning feeling like someone was sitting on my chest -- when will the worrying end? I've asked myself before and ask again if it is time to give up this career and take a 9-5 job I may not really enjoy but that provides a steady paycheck and health insurance.

Fast forward a couple of hours, and I'm standing in front of the frozen hash brown potato case at the grocery store. As I try to manipulate my cart so another shopper can get by me, I turn to see a past customer looking back at me. I think she was as surprised to see me as I her, and after exchanging our "hellos," she asked if my ears had been ringing. She planned to call me next week. She and her husband are getting divorced. She wants to talk about her options.

I don't know a word to describe fully the shock I felt at hearing her news. I loved working with this family -- they were kind, fun, thoughtful -- I envied the life they had. How could this be??

And I realized again as I have before, that I tend to get emotionally involved -- perhaps more than I should --  with my buyers and sellers. I can't help it. I just do. My job is more than just unlocking doors and pointing out this and that about a house. It's more than filling out contracts and a multitude of other paperwork. It's about helping people move on to the next chapter in their lives. And in order to do that, we get to know about the marriages, the divorces, the new baby, the new job, the job loss, the illnesses, and the deaths. More often than not friendships form.

Running into my past customer this morning reminded me that every one of us, as they say, is carrying some sort of burden. It also seemed to be a sign that, at least for now, I am to continue on this path of selling houses. 

Life happens, and it's really, really hard sometimes. But if part of my work involves helping ease that journey for others, I'd say I have a pretty good job.

I'm not sure what to say about this video clip, except Enjoy. For a few minutes, forget about the stress, the bills, the economy -- and just smile.

I woke up this morning having a hard time getting out of bed. It's a cloudy, overcast day and the temps are a bit chilly. I really didn't have to be anywhere until this afternoon so there wasn't much motivation to get moving.

The past few days were dotted with failed deals, more bills added to the already high pile, and the realization that we are nearing the end of yet another year, and many of the goals I had set for myself had yet to be met. What am I going to do?

I am disappointed in where I am personally and professionally in my life, and despite trying to adopt a new outlook, attitude, and determination to get through these uncertain times, I'm feeling like my failures far outweigh my successes this year. Is it time to move on to a different career? If it is, what career am I supposed to move on to? Is it time to just move? If it is, where am I supposed to move to? Where am I supposed to be??

As I got in my car and drove to my first destination of the day, these and many other questions flew through my mind. And then out of nowhere, someone asked me if I sell condos and if I would sell his. I'm going to choose to take that as a sign that it's not time to give up on this crazy career in real estate.

And I'll take it as a sign that I'll receive the direction I need to make some other tough choices. We'll all get through the days ahead. Somehow, some way we will get through.

Persistence pays off. How many times have we heard that?

How many times have I decided I was going to go after something I wanted and then get frustrated enough to "just forget it?" Too many to count, unfortunately.

But over the past few days I watched in awe as some buyers I was working with kept "going after" the house they wanted by using every bit of creativity and brainstorming they could muster up to find "the way" to make this deal work.

I told myself over and over to keep that picture of them purchasing the house in my mind and to trust that there would be a way for it to happen, even though I could not see how. There were moments of doubt and frustration, but I kept telling myself to hold on to that picture -- that end result.

Just have faith.

So over two or three days the phone calls and the emails were exchanged, possible solutions were pondered, questions were asked, answers were found, and persistence ultimately paid off. An accepted offer came through yesterday afternoon.

I have heard a lot over the past several months of the importance of trusting that things will work out even if the "how" is no where to be seen. It's call faith -- believing in what we cannot see. I finally got that -- really got that.

Watching my buyers' persistence over the past few days was a great lesson and reminder for me to go after what I want. Just do it. No matter what it is, go after it. Stay focused on that end result and know that "how" it will come to you will work itself out.

Just BELIEVE.

You've heard the expression, haven't you? "I just had an ah-ha moment." These are those moments when the "lightbulb goes off" in your head, and you start to see things more clearly.

And I'm sure you've also heard the expression, "Everything happens for a reason." That one has been tough to comprehend over the past years, but I think I'm finally getting it.

I had often heard people say if you listen very closely, you'll hear God talk to you and provide guidance or answers to your prayers. I have to admit, I never understood what that meant. Did these people really hear a voice?? I thought hearing voices wasn't a good thing...

But then I started reading The Secret. And I started to see things more clearly and "hear" those answers I'd been looking for. Finally! It isn't necessarily a voice that is heard, but other events that happen around you through which you will hear God's whisper.

If you're not familiar with this book, it explains the law of attraction and how we all create the lives we have through our thoughts and our feelings. What you think about, you bring about. Some may buy into that idea; some may not. I do.

The book goes on to say ask for what you want, believe you have it already, and then open yourself up to receive it. Really get clear in your mind what you want and just ask.

"Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)

I think for all of us life can sometimes get a bit overwhelming and we might start to see that we're not real thrilled with where our life is at or where it's headed. So it's time to make a change. But what kind of change?

For me, it was adopting a whole new way of thinking and having a new attitude, which started to happen after being knocked off my feet by some circumstances in my personal and professional lives.

Ask for what I want, believe it's already here, and receive it.

Expect the best, rather than the worst.

Be aware of what I say and think.

Stay focused on the end result.

Visualize it.

Have faith.

This journey has not been an easy one, as sometimes it's felt like taking one step forward and two steps back. But I've certainly started to "hear" guidance from up above. And it's pretty amazing when that starts to happen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God." Exactly.

I learned to pay attention to the people who cross my path at the most needed moments -- former customers and acquaintances whose enthusiasm for life bubbles over into yours through simple yet inspirational posts on Facebook; or a college friend who sends an email out of the blue telling you about the recent adoption of their little girl followed by a phone call during which she tells you that she always believed and knew they would have a child one day. Yes, there were moments of doubt, but she never, ever lost complete sight of the end result -- a complete family.

I recently heard a sermon by my priest reminding us to pay attention to what is going on around us because among all that activity is the push or inspiration we need.

And I've heard a particular song on the radio that I'm sure is speaking directly to me and my current situation.

Several days ago I had that "a-ha" moment. I finally got why "being knocked off my feet" was necessary.

I really think it was God's way of saying, "OK...this is going to hurt, and I'm sorry to put you through this, but it's the only way to get you to start making the changes you need to make."

When you take the time to slow down and think about what has been happening around you, it is clear how all of these events are working together to get you to where you want to be. A-ha!

So slow down, even for just a few minutes, and pay attention. I'm not so sure things are as complicated as we sometimes make them out to be. All we have to do is listen. The answers are always there for us.

I just received this video in an email message and had to pass it on. It's one I've never seen before, but it certainly got me to relax for a few minutes and enjoy. We really are blessed, aren't we?  Enjoy...

 God's Colors

A couple of months ago I reactivated my Facebook account. I had deactivated it after getting a little frustrated with some activity I saw happening.

But then I started hearing more and more about the benefits of having a Facebook page and how great it can be for business. And so I'm back.

I've "friended" several people since then -- some from high school who I haven't seen in many, many years, some family members who I see maybe a couple times a year, some past co-workers and acquaintainces.

For anyone who has followed my blog over the past several months, it's no secret that the latter part of 2008 and the earlier part of this year were filled with some very difficult personal and professional challenges. With the support of the best friends one could ask for and after taking some much needed time to "figure things out," my life is, for the most part, back on track.

Like anyone else, though, there are those days when discouragement, fear, and doubt creep into my thoughts.

A few days ago, I "reconnected" with a past customer on Facebook. I've done a total of four transactions with her family -- grandmother, cousin, brother -- and every one of them was simply a pleasure to work with.

About a week ago Jennie wrote on her wall, "If you're Happy and you know it Clap your hands!!! If you're Happy and you know it your Face should surely show it!!!"

I couldn't help but laugh to myself when I read that.

Then the next day, she posted, "WOW!!! Life is amazing!!! My next car is a white Mercedes!!!"

And the next day... "What a BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, EXCEPTIONAL, day!!!! It is a great day to be alive!!!!"

Yesterday's message was, "I'm happy, are you??? Get Happy!!!"

And today... "I love that I hold the whole entire rest of my life in my own hands... I choose to have a great one!!!"

I finally commented back to Jennie today how I love her posts. Always upbeat and always providing the little "push" I need to keep going, to let go of the discouragement, fear, and doubt and to remember that I can have a great life. Who would have thought I'd find that from a past customer on Facebook?

Everyone should have a Jennie in their life.

Yesterday I received a call from one of my buyers. He didn't want to go through with the accepted offer he had on a house. Simply put...he was experiencing buyer's remorse. I'm sure many of us have experienced this, either as the buyer or as the real estate agent.

The reason may have nothing to do with the inspection or financing or any other contingency in the offer to purchase. The reason may just be "it doesn't feel right."

You never know the response or reaction you're going to get from the listing agent when you make that call to let them know your buyer "wants out." But yesterday, I was the recipient of perhaps the most gracious reaction I've ever received. The seller's agent, while frustrated, showed a degree of compassion and admitted that she, too, had experienced "buyer's remorse" with her first house. She said to go ahead and forward the Cancellation and Mutual Release Agreement.

I think sometimes, especially in these times, emotions can get the best of us. But I was reminded yesterday of the importance of understanding, grace, and professionalism. I will never forget this agent's kindness and certainly hope to have the opportunity to work with her in the future. She's what we need more of in this world of real estate -- and in this world in general.

How often do we judge something or someone based on outside appearances only? I'm guilty of it. Hate to admit that, but it's true.

There's a video that's making its way around the internet these days, and I thought I'd share it with all of you. It's of Susan Boyle, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent. I think this video speaks for itself. Enjoy.

Susan Boyle - Britain's Got Talent

Every once in awhile I receive an email that I think is pretty worthy of passing on. This video is one of the best I have ever seen. You can find out more information about it by going to YouTube. Enjoy!