My public speaking engagements have presented many audiences of varying backgrounds and ages. The one subject that is on my mind when I speak to these groups is that of procrastination, avoidance, and in the end, falling into a crisis mode. We plan our lives in so many areas so that we avoid pitfalls and stress, but for some reason, when it comes to one of the most important aspects of our lives, where we live, we wait for signs to tell us where to go with our next step. Unfortunately, that sign can be an immediate health change or financial burden.

Who are the victims of this lack of planning? In many cases, the entire (more…)

I joined the Optimist Club about 10 years ago. Although I had many not so positive thoughts prior to joining, I thought it would give me direction and new perspective on my life. As an example of the true optimism of my club, we first met at a hospital every morning at 7:30. Demands for space pressured the hospital to give us notice to find a new location. We then began meeting at our new venue, the nursing home. We met for about a year and they too asked us to find a new location as their demands for space forced their decision. You can guess where we meet now… a funeral home! I’m not kidding. I dread to think where our next location will be. You know we are an optimistic bunch!

At our club we recite a creed about optimism which I thought I would share with you today. This creed has guided me over the years when events and daily trials and tribulations began to wear on me. The creed has healing powers if you truly try your best to understand and live by the 10 statements. Why don’t you read the creed, and see if life can be enjoyed more, and lived fuller if you make an effort to see life as half full.

Promise Yourself:

• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness and (more…)

Moving out of a home of many years is daunting and physically strenuous, especially when age creeps in to affect muscles and coordination. How many times have we made the determination that we could lift that last box and find ourselves in bed, or worse the hospital!

I find that many of my senior clients have always done it themselves. I’m talking about every aspect of their lives. Many folks who had suffered through the depression years had learned to survive by being self sufficient. Not only did that save money, but it gave dignity and self worth to many who were losing their money and homes during those difficult years. Unfortunately, this practice can become a health risk both mentally and physically as age overtakes the will do accomplish our goals.

I recently had a client who had saved and enormous amount (more…)

As in everything we do, it is important to be at the right place at the right time. In real estate, it is especially true because sales of homes ebb and flow with the changing seasons. Since we are all creatures of habit, we tend to buy and sell as a collective group, even though we feel we are separate from each other’s buying and selling decisions. In my 28 years in the real estate business, it always amazes me how the phones will stop ringing on one day, and ring furiously on another. It is as if there is a meeting of the minds in a huge stadium where we all agree to buy and sell together at the same time!

If one agrees that this phenomenon exists, then it is best to take advantage of these buying habits if possible. We want to sell if possible when there is the greatest number of buyers available, and we want to buy when there is the greatest number of homes for sale. These periods of ups and downs are called a ‘buyer’s market’ and a ’seller’s market’.

If you are planning to sell in 2009 as an example, I would suggest (more…)