Archive for November, 2008
A Note from Jerry …
November 16th, 2008 categories: Seller Financing
Do you even want to?
Or would you rather pull the blankets over your head and forget about facing that big bad world out there?
I used to vote for the second one.
I’ve been in the Real Estate business in various capacities for going on 20 years, and many of you who are involved in the industry in one way or another are feeling the chilliness of this market environment.
Baby, it’s cold out there … and I’m not talking about the weather!
I, for one, am thrilled that conditions are the way they are! Not because I’m making a fortune dealing in short-sales, REO’s, pre-foreclosures, or discounted paper … there are loads of people raking it in working these niches, but I’ve decided to opt out of the terrific opportunities of misfortune … to focus on what it is that does cause me to jump out of bed in the morning.
Years back when I was a Real Estate agent, I was making what most would consider to be a terrific living listing and selling homes … working for commissions only. My coach and mentor would constantly be telling me -
“Jerry, you’ve got to figure out what would cause you to jump out of bed in the morning … and DO more of that!”
Well, that set up quite a bit of conflict within me, as I loved the money I was making representing buyers and sellers, but I wasn’t thrilled with the actual process involved with getting to a paycheck.
I was also scared to death that it would all come to an end; that I’d be exposed as a phony and a fake. I sometimes felt like “Do I really deserve all this money?!.” I thought I just might starve to death; that the dust of my bones would blow away in the Santa Ana winds!
Yeah, I’ve been accused of being a little “dramatic” before. OK, maybe a lot. No, definitely a lot.
But what was I going to do? I had to eat! If you could see me now, you’d realize that I managed to do more than my share of that! But my point is that my fear of the “what if’s” kept me doing something that didn’t really “do” it for me, at the expense of whatever it was out there that could make my heart sing.
My coach’s words played through my little mind often, and I just knew that there was something missing from my life … something that I could discover, implement, and then go joyfully skipping down the blissful path to peace, harmony, and prosperity … all while having a ball!
And that something showed up … and I did jump out of bed … and it was (felt?) glorious!
But I’m not going to tell you about it right now, because I’ve got to work on the “other” thing that floats my boat … and that’s way too much fun to put off much longer.
So I’ll see you next time … OK? Give me a week to get back to this, but in the meantime, consider this:
“We know what we are, but not what we may be.” – Shakespeare
And that’s probably true … in bed, or out.
Jerry Hannan
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OMG . . . First Donation Received on Behalf of the ‘Help Dress the Note Queen Foundation’
November 14th, 2008 categories: Inspirational Notes
Not too long ago I posted a very serious and desperate call for help (When Right Side Up is Inside Out ), and I’m here to tell you that God really does answer prayers.
I just received $10 through Paypal from a very generous woman in Monrovia:
“I am fifty years old with rapidly failing close vision. I too recently put my shirt on inside out. God bless you. I feel far less alone now.” - Cristina
You know, it’s great to be able to laugh at ourselves, isn’t it? When we take the walls and pretenses down, we create opportunities to touch and be touched, and we get a profound sense that we’re all in this together.
Thanks Cristina . . . and I don’t think we’re dysfunctional . . . I think we’re trend setters. Right side out is boring.
P.S. The Pasadena escrow I was able to help rescue with seller financing is closing today!
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The Land Trust Worked Before, We’d Like to do It Again
November 13th, 2008 categories: Land Trusts
Dawn
My husband and I sold a home in 1994 using a land trust through a local Realtor. It was a smooth transaction that lasted 9 years. The buyer had a few credit dings and could not get financing approval because of alimony/child support issues. We took a chance and even extended the agreement 4 more years past the due date. Our buyer was never late on the the payments, not once. The transaction could not have been more perfect for either of us or the original buyer.
Currently, we live in Mission Viejo, CA and would like to try and sell our home again, using a land trust. However, we have been unable to locate a local Realtor who is familiar with equity/land trust financing. Can you suggest anyone we could contact?
Thanks for your help.
Kay
I’m glad that you have had a great experience with the equity holding land trust. The technique is definitely becoming highly relevant again.
It’s unfortunate that many real estate professionals do not embrace these creative exit strategies more aggressively. These days, you really need an agent that is well-versed in all types of seller financing. I’m sure I can help you locate someone in your area.
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