Happy New Year to all..Some tips for 2014

I saw on a posting that my friend did on Facebook...

"Friends, I notice a lot of you posting "Ah! 2014 will be a good year!". Sorry to break the news but ALL years are the same: they all have 12 months, 52 year and 365 days (366 if it's a leap year). The one that needs to do and be good is YOU..."---Aaron Alarcon Bowen...

It made me think hard last night..that 2014 will be the same 365 days that every other year has but It is how we use the time to our benefit that matters..What are you going to do that will make 2014 a great year? I am a student of personal development and soak in the knowledge that I read and listen to...So here are some tips for making 2014 a great year...

1. What intake are you commit to in 2014? ...what books, what audio programs, what are you going to learn in 2014?

2. What associations with people are you going to try to make or deepen? You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with (Jim Rohn Quote)...you have to ask the question...are these people building me up or tearing me down? 

3. What is going to be your self talk for 2014? Do you see yourself as a winner or do you tear yourself down...

4. Do you have Handwritten Goals and a action plan in place? Do you make a conscious effort to do at least 5 things each day to help reach those goals...

5. Do you have a Crystal Clear Vision of what you want 2014 to look like? When your feet hit the floor in the morning...do you see the Vision?


There are many other tips for a Successful and Happy New Year...but these are mine that I am going to follow to help me have the Best New Year!

Happy New Year to all!

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters

What I Learned in 2013...Lessons from the whirlwind...

Well, since is my last blog post of 2013...I thought I Blog about what I learned this year...

1. Be Specific... I learned what when asking for something in regards to a Goal...BE SPECIFIC...You can't just say, I want to make more money, or I want to save more money, or I want to lose weight ... You have to be as Specific as possible down the smallest detail....or ...you the vision of what your want will be diluted.

2. Always focus on the positive...Period...No matter what is going on in your life...there is always something to be grateful for. Focus on it..like a Laser Beam..Do not get stuck on the P.L.O.M...The poof little old me attitude...Get stuck on How Wonderful Life is...Have a Clear Positive Vision for the day...

3. Trust your Gut! If your Gut is saying no...Follow it....Have a deep belief in yourself and trust what your inner voice is saying...

4. The First Person you should impact is yourself...make sure that when you are trying to impact others lives, make sure you do not trample yourself.....Make sure that you always listen to what your needs and wants are..be able to express what you want...

5. A Goal without an Action Plan is a recipe to a disaster...You should when you set a Written Goal..Map out an action plan to getting to the Goal...Things you can do on a Daily Basis and put into your daily plans...

6.  Everyone is Worthy of Success...God did not build a Staircase of Success leading to nowhere...all of us deserve Success and I do not care if you are 5 years old or 100, Success is always there for each person to pursue...I heard it said...that "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal" Earl Nightingale...We define success then pursue it... 

7. One last thing I learned is that when you get to the end of your rope, it is alright to ask for help..I know it is natural to want to isolate and try to solve all the problems yourself. Most people Isolate and Build a moat around themselves and smile and say they are fine. It does not make you weak to ask for help, it only helps you to make you to be stronger...I know I am a giver by nature, but when you don't ask for help, you deny other givers to help you...

Well this is all that I learned ...in 2013...What lessons and Successes will I have in 2014? Stay Tuned....

Tell me what you learned this year...

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters

Failure is an Event...Not a Person...

"Winners dwell on and hold the self-image of that person they would most like to become. They get a vivid, clear, emotional, sensory picture of themselves as if they had already achieved their new role in life." ---Anonymous

This Holiday weekend, I have had some time to think and to do some reading...I just finished "Over the Top" by Zig Ziglar, which I highly recommend people read. Now he says in the book, that Failure is an Event, not a person, and yesterday truly did end last night. I think we have to be extremely careful about this, due to the fact their are going to be times, that people will judge us and tell us we are a failure or we are going to fail. I had this happen this year and I listened.  I started to think, in my mind, that I was a failure. But then I remembered, that a wise man named Brian Buffini said that winners and losers are only defined at the end of life and I have not left this earth yet.

Now, I know all us us have fallen and failed at something in life, but you only fail if you stay down and do not get up. I am getting set to set some 2014 goals in all my circles. I will have a crystal clear vision of what I want to accomplish in 2014. Have you started to think of what you want to achieve? Have you written down your goals? One thing, I want to impress on you, is that you must have a crystal clear vision of what you want to accomplish in 2014. You must see it as it already happened. If you fall, just get up and start down the path to you goals again..... One thing...I will say...be very careful on who you allow to tell you that you can't do something or that you are a failure. Surround yourself with people who say you can and will help you up when you fall...

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters

The Holidays are upon us...

As I write this, I know that Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and my thoughts are on the year that is almost over. I know that Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years will coming rushing upon us before we have time to think. But my thoughts, are to the past and the future. My business is focused on a Community of Relationships that I have built over the past 12 years and my life is also built on trying to impact lives for the better. I stay in contact with these people and families through visits, calls, personal notes, and many other ways. The people in my community have become part of my family.

But, in the past year, I have know people who have died through Cancer, Strokes, Heart Attacks, Suicides, and a myriad of other ways. I have, to my best prayed and been there for the families. But as the Holidays are upon us, I think, of the people that are not with us. My wish is this Holiday Season, is everyone to be just a little bit more grateful, hold hugs longer, smile frequently, and do not let words that should be said to be held inside...and, always when you leave, make sure you say one positive or uplifting thing to anyone you love.  You never know when it is someone's time to leave this Earth. This is my Holiday Wish! Always plan life you are going to live forever but act like this is your last day on earth....

Always be grateful and thankful for those who you love and those who love you...

Happy Holidays!

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters

Christmas Cards.....

I was thinking, as I was writing a personal note to someone in my business community, that each year that passes, I receive less and less handwritten Christmas cards. I know that handwritten personal notes is a good way to develop and strengthen relationships. I learned this from Brian Buffini at a Turning Point for business. It takes time and effort to send one out and I also know that it is exciting to me when I receive one in the mailbox.

Every year, I would take the cards that I received, and place them on top of the entertainment center. I would see them until after the ball dropped on New Years, and pack up the one's that meant something in storage. I would find them again on the following year, when I unpacked the Christmas decorations to put up. I used to receive so many that at times, that it was a struggle to put them all up. 

But in the past few years, I receive text messages and Facebook greetings saying Happy Holidays...call me old fashioned, but I love the Christmas Card with a personal little note inside. This year, I hope, you send out to the people that you are grateful for in your life, a handwritten personal Christmas card....

Jeffrey R. Carlson

RE/MAX Masters

561-284-6946 

Damaged people are dangerous......

“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.”

- Josephine Hart, Damage

I have been thinking about this quote lately. When I feel like giving up, or going through a hard patch, I think about all the struggles I have gone through in the past, and came through it, to a better place. I know we are all damaged in some way, and we have all come through it. This gives me strength. When going through adversity and your perseverance muscles are running weak. Just know, you can do it if you do not give up in spirit. Life is good but it is not great all the time. 

This is one of the tricks, to go through adversity...remember a time when you have gone through a rough patch, and you did not give up! You came through it! You succeeded and crossed the finish line. Just remember that and it will give you the strength to get you through your current struggles...

This last year, has been full of adversity and it would have been easy to give up...But I know I have survived in the past and I know I will do so in the future... Success is not easy, but it is so worth the effort....I welcome you input on how you overcome adversity!

Jeffrey R. Carlson

RE/MAX Masters

When Two People Buy a Property....

Tonight, I watched Million Dollar Listing and I saw a couple who were having a disagreement over buying a home. This struck a nerve with me. After, being in Real Estate for 12 years, and helping couples buy homes, and being in that situation myself , I thought how do people get exactly what they want when purchasing a home without it becoming World War III in a relationship?

When I meet buyers, I ask them, lets picture it is 90 days after the closing, where do you picture yourself? Describe to the smallest detail, what you see? The home, the neighborhood, everything that they are looking for. Then I inform them that they might get form 90 to 95 percent of what they are looking for. I ask them where are they bendable...One of the toughest situations is where, I ask that question and both people tell me something different. I know at that time, they have not talked or communicated their needs to each other.

I recommend that couples should sit down with a pad and an adult beverage ( I love a glass of wine) and write down what is the perfect home and then your partner see what you wrote. Ask open ended questions of each other, find out what is truly important for each one of you, when it come to the features of the home. Truly Listen! This way when you start seeing homes, you know what each other wants. One of the things, is that when a couple agrees and compromises, on what type and style of home, both people feel that they are heard and more excited about the process.  I love it when both people feel at the closing that they bought a home TOGETHER!

I welcome your thoughts on this.....

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters

Some steps to take to help win in a multiple offer situation...

With inventories low lately and I believe this is going to be the standard for a while, I wanted to give some tips to help you present the best offer in a multiple offer situation.

I have tried all of these in the past and some of them help my buyers to get the home in this situation.

1. Have the your Realtor ask if it is possible to directly present the offer to the sellers with the listing agent being there. Another option, the Buyer's Agent can arrange to meet the listing agent and give them the offer directly.  In an age of scanning and sending the offer right to the Listing Agent, this helps humanize the offer. The buyer's agent can tell your story and why you love the home.

2. Type up a letter presenting why you love the home. This also connects the buyer to the seller.

3. The less contingencies, the better! Price is only one aspect of an offer...shorten the inspections, ask what closing date the seller is looking for...Ask your Realtor...what is the best offer we can present?

4. If you are getting financing, make sure that your lender has all the documents, and ask them how fast can we close the loan? What are the contingencies you have to satisfy to get the loan approved and can I do this prior to an executed contract? Also, make sure that the loan person knows that an offer is going out and the name and number for the listing agent so they can talk to them in a timely manner...

These are just some tips that can help you in a multiple offer situation...

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me...

The season of giving is coming....

I have been thinking of last Thanksgiving and what happened that day to me...

That morning I got up and went across Broadway Street in West Palm Beach to the store to get a cup of coffee. I put on some sweat pants and a baseball cap since I just got up and wanted my coffee! I had not even shaved or taken a shower. When I was coming across the street from the store, a young lady stopped me and said that she was volunteering for the Union Mission Baptist Church and they were serving Thanksgiving Dinner to all the homeless in the area. She insisted that I go over and gets some food. I told here that I was NOT Homeless and had plans for Thanksgiving Dinner with friends. She said I was in denial and took me by the arm where they were serving dinner. I met some Homeless People and the Volunteers that were serving. I felt so Guilty for being there. But it gave me a unique perspective of the people who needed help the most. I saw children with parents who needed help...I saw families..I saw the face of the homeless here in West Palm Beach.

I have passed by this church almost every day and I see the Church give free meals all the time but really did not give it a second glance till that Thanksgiving. I have been thinking lately with the Holidays coming up. I know that as we pass Halloween, we focus of family and friends, but I think, we also need to focus on giving to those who are less fortunate than we are. There are food drives, there are Toys for Tots, there are loads of charities, that you can volunteer your time and money. I believe this year there are alot of people who need our help and also know there is Hope out there. 

Are you going to give this year? Are you going to provide hope to those who need it the most? Are you truly thankful enough to give to those who need it? I know if you do a Google search for your town, you can loads of places that you can donate food, time and money to help those who are less fortunate than you...All I ask is one act of kindness to those who need it the msot...

Jeffrey R. Carlson

  

Getting a Home Ready for Sale!

Now, after being in Real Estate for 12 years...I know most sellers, think for a couple months prior to listing their home, about getting their home ready for sale.

Well, the first thing you should do before putting your home up for sale is, of course to call me, so I can come over and see what work has to be done to the home.

But, if you want to get a head start, these are the tips that I recommend...

1. Declutter the home...All the stuff that you have around the home needs to go. Whether you hold a garage sale, or pack it up and store it...it all needs to go. The kitchen counters need to be as clear as possible. I tell sellers, unless you use it on a daily basis, store it away and have a uncluttered kitchen.

2. Depersonalize the home..Take down all family pictures, take down all stuff off the refrigerator. Buyers want to come into a home and picture it as their home. If you have pictures and other stuff that is about you, then they focus on that.

3. Repaint, Fix, and Clean...Repaint walls that need it a Neutral Color, Clean Carpets, fix things that are broken or need fixing..I have seen buyers get turned off due to wall colors or start deducting from the sales price what they have to do to the home.

4. Focus on Curb Appeal..A buyers first impression is when they drive up to the home. We live in South Florida, so spruce up the front with some new flowers, make sure the lawn is taken care of and if the home, needs a fresh coat of paint...take care of it.

5. And last, I want you to act as if you are the buyer! That means walk through your home, like if you were the buyer.  What turns you off to the home? Does the rooms seem like they have nice flow to it? Does furniture need to be rearranged? Does some rooms have too much furniture and some pieces need to be removed? Does each room show its best?

Now, I will be happy to come over and help you with this process to get your home ready for sale, so that you can get top dollar for the home and that it will sell in a reasonable time period!

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters
561-284-6946

Crossing the Finish Line....

“Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle, and a victory.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

I have been thinking this morning as I sit here and work through all the little tasks that I have to do in a day...

2013 has been a year with loads of obstacles, falling down, and finding out what is truly important to me...It would be easy this year to blame others and the circumstances that has occurred to me when it comes to not reaching the finish line... But.... 

One thing, I think we all love in movies, like Rocky, Rudy, and many other movies, is that when we see others go through adversity, and come out the other side winning, is that we truly want that for ourselves. I heard this in a seminar from Brian Buffini and this is so true!

We want the Victory! We Crave the Victory!

But, it is the path that we take that truly defines who we are and when we struggle, fall down, hit obstacles...how we deal with that is truly how we define ourselves. It is easy to blame others, circumstances, and events, when we fall and hit the obstacles, but in the end, it is up to us to cross the finish line. I truly believe in my heart, that if we have a clear vision, A REALLY CLEAR VISION, we can achieve anything! It might take a little bit of time. But we can do it! One last thing, do not expect nor desire a pat of your back or someone else to say Good Job! That needs to come from within and I believe you need to find a way to celebrate in your own way when you do cross the finish line. 

Jeffrey R. Carlson

Be careful who you allow in your life!

As I sit in my home, with the windows open and the ocean breeze is coming through, I am thinking about the people I allow into my life. I have read the book, called the Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon that says that you should only allow people on your bus, that you think are going in the direction you want in life. You are not careful, you will allow Energy Vampires on the bus. I have not been careful over the past two years of who I allow to come on the ride. I have allowed Drama Queens and people with bad attitudes, like they sucked a lemon, onto my bus. I have a vision and a direction that I am going in. I want Goal Oriented, Positive, Focus Driven people in my life, to help me to achieve my goals and for me to help them with theirs.

Now, I have heard it said, that you become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Are you picking wisely? Are you picking people who cause drama, or those who inspire you? Are you picking people who build you up or tear you down? It is time for me to pick wisely....

If you are looking for a great book to read...The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon is a great read and I highly recommend it....

Crystal Clear Vision....

As I sit here having my Morning Coffee and dusting the cobwebs from the mind after a good night sleep, I am thinking about the story of Florence Chadwick. Who is Florence Chadwick? She is swimmer just like Diana Nyad, who swam the English Channel in both directions, that in 1952 stepped off Catalina Island with the intentions of swimming all the way to California. The day that she stepped into the water, there was a heavy fog, and with just 1/2 mile to the shore she begged to be taken into the boat. After the swim, she said that if she had seen the shore, she would have pushed through and made it to shore. 

Now, what does that mean to everyday life you might ask? Think about it...How many of us have a clear path or a crystal clear goal that we are trying to reach? If she had seen the shore she would have truly made it to her goal but because she could not see it, she did not. I think every morning, we need to take 5 minutes to see in our mind, what the goal is that we are trying to reach. When times get tough, we need to reach back and visualize what we are trying to achieve. We all face adversity when trying to reach a goal but with a crystal clear vision, we can achieve it. 

 

Be specific in what you want...

In the past two months I have been thinking...I have set goals and achieved those goals....
I have heard it said that Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T.

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time Based

That you need to sit down and write out each goal and an action plan with what you want. One thing though, you need to be as specific as possible in what you want. You can't set a goal of saying I want to be thinner, or richer, or I want to spend more time with friends, or I want an assistant. You need to sit down and think...and be as specific as possible. Like, saying I want to weight 155 pounds with a 32 inch waist, etc...I want to save 5,000 dollars in the bank by Dec 31st 2013 and be investing it in..., I want spend on night a week without technology on a date night with my love...this list can go on and on...But, the more specific you are with a goal and you set an action plan for getting there, the more likely it is to happen!

Life does give you want you want if you as specific as possible and set an action plan to it...One little tip...on Being specific...close your eyes...when setting a goal and imagine in your mind, what exactly you want. Use your imagination! Then write it down and set an action plan!

Jeffrey R. Carlson

Are you a Wrecker or a Builder?

I saw this Poem Today and I thought...

Are you a builder or a Wrecker?

I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town…
With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a side-wall fell!
I asked the foreman: “Are these men skilled...?
...the men you would hire if you had to build?”
And he, with a laugh, said, “NO INDEED!”
“Just Common Labor is All I Need!”
“I can easily wreck in a day or two…
what builders have taken years to do.”
And I thought to myself as I went away,
“Which of these roles have I tried to play?”
“Am I a builder who works with care
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan…
Patiently doing the best I can?
(OR) Am I a wrecker who walks the town…
Content with the labor of “Tearing Down?”

Author Unknown

Now, Do you Build Up or Tear Down? 

What does this poem say to you?

Listening is an attitude of the heart...

I have been thinking lately alot about communication...I am a Realtor and I have to listen and see between the lines of what a Buyer or a Seller is saying. I have set a verbal goal for a buyer by asking the question, lets imagine it is 90 days past the closing and you are sitting in your new home, please describe in much detail where you are living and what is your new home like. With a Seller, I ask the question, what is the biggest fear or concern when it comes to selling your home. I ask Open Ended questions to help them help me with their needs and mirror back to them what I heard...

One thing I have noticed lately, is a drift, of our society not to ask Open Ended questions. The type of questions, to see what is going on under the surface. Questions such as:

1. Tell me something about you I don't know...?
2. Tell something this week or this day that happened that you want to talk about?
3. How have I been as a friend, a family member, or lover?

I think this all has to do with the technology we are growing used to. We want things to be said quickly and shortly. We want straight to the point. We want our communication to be like text messages or twitter statuses. Now, with friendships, family, relationships, and anything that matters, we need to slow down and truly the questions that provoke a thoughtful insightful response..Truly listen...This helps to help both people to be heard and for the relationship to grow.  Also, when you do spend time with people that matter and you are communicating in a way to build a relationship, a friendship, or a family member...TURN OFF the PHONE! It can wait...If you cared enough for the person you are talking to, show them a little consideration to turn off the phone or at least turn it on silent..If it dings, ignore it till the other person says it ok to go respond to the phone. My biggest pet peeve over the last year, is that when I am communicating, and I am expressing myself, hearing the ding, and the other person going to check the Facebook status, text message, or anything else on the Smart Phone. yes, I have been guilty of this...but no more!

Garbage in...Garbage out...Put the good stuff in...Get the good stuff out...

Been thinking today...

I have been listening to Zig Ziglar today and thinking to his home spun wisdom with a southern drawl and I heard something...Garbage in ...Garbage out...put the good stuff in...and of course, you get the good stuff out. He says that Intake is extremely important in life.

I have heard this from many different speakers and authors...that what steps are you taking by reading, listening, and watching T.V. or movies for means of improving your life? What books are you reading to help you with your goals? What audio books are you listening to in the car or on your audio devise...What movies or TV watching are you doing? 

Now, I have been extremely guilty...I watch some of stuff that puts the bad stuff in...and wonder at times, where some of the stuff that comes out of mouth, or my actions come from...It's because of some of the stuff I watch or listen to. I will admit, through an trauma in 1992, I have a hard time with reading but I am going to commit to reading at least a half hour a day to reading...Did you understand that...Daily...I am going to put the good stuff in...

These are the books I am going to read before the end of the year...

1. Over the Top---Zig Ziglar
2. What to say when you talk to yourself--Shad Helmstetter
3. Smart Talk for achieving your potential--Lou Tice
4. The Richest Man in Babylon---George Clason
5. Think and grow rich---Napoleon Hill
6. The greatest salesman in the world---Og Mandino
7. Success Principals---Jack Canfield

A great quote that I know by Jim Rohn...

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune." 

I believe success leaves a road map and that map can be found through reading...

What books do you recommend to read? What books will you commit to read by the end of the year to help you with your goals..? and would anyone like to be my accountability partner and check in with me at the end of the year to make sure I read these books :)

Jeffrey R. Carlson

 

National Suicide Day is This Tuesday...

In most cases, suicide is a solitary event and yet it has often far-reaching repercussions for many others. It is rather like throwing a stone into a pond; the ripples spread and spread.

ALISON WERTHEIMER

One thing that I have learned, is that sometimes our biggest scars, is where we can draw our biggest strength and help others by what we have gone through. I have it called the Wounded Warrior. Where our wounds, can help us to impact the lives of those who are going through what you have gone through.

Now, why am I talking about suicide? Tuesday is National Suicide Awareness Day across the world.  I have seen the affects in my family, my life and what it does to others. My Cousin, Charles Hundley went down into the basement in Chicago back in 1999, and shot himself in the head. I saw my best friend, lose his brother, by the same method back in 2012. I have seen the ripples across the pond by the people they left behind. Now, in the past, I have tried to kill myself...I have tried suicide..I did a overdose...I tried to slit my wrists, and for some reason I am still here. I have known 7 people who have left here by there own means.

For some reason, I am still here...I do not know why God has spared me when I see others die. Last month, I almost got to the point of doing it again. There has been 4 points in my life where I have either got to the point or tried it. Why am I opening up about this...?? Because Suicide is something that I feel is not a topic that is discussed. I know that we all get depressed and get to the end of rope, but for some it goes why beyond that...I feel that we as a society, we need to listen. I heard it said that "Listening is a Attitude of the Heart" We need to listen more and look for the warning signs. Suicide is not where a person says at this current moment, I want to die..it is like a slow car crash...

I saw this on Web MD as the warning signs...

Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:

Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:

• Always talking or thinking about death
• Clinical depression -- deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating -- that gets worse
• Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights
• Losing interest in things one used to care about
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
• Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out"
• Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
• Talking about suicide or killing one's self
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Please, if you see any of these warning signs, sit down and listen, ask open ended questions...get help for them...Suicide is preventable...I do not want to see another death due to this.

On Tueday, wear yellow or write Love across you wrists for those who are going through this or those who have lost there lives... Visit http://www.iasp.info/wspd/ for more information reagrding Tuesday and Suicide prevention. 

Thank you for reading this.

Jeffrey Carlson

Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.

Oprah Winfrey

In the past few weeks, I have had to either follow my instincts or counter intuitively manage my instincts, which has caused me at times to doubt myself. In business, people ask me all the time, whether I think it is a good idea to buy or sell a home. I use the data that I can find to help them make an intelligent decision, but at the end of the day, I use my instincts to help a buyer or seller. Through 12 years of Real Estate experience, this helps me to follow my instincts.

But in matters of the heart, home, family and the other circles, it is much harder because, It is me that can be affected. Right now, I have to counter intuitively manage my life goal of trying to impact the lives of others, because I have to realize that at times I come first. Trusting your gut and instincts can be hard at times and I have heard it said that following your instincts should be done rapidly but changing that decision should be done slowly. 

I am at a crossroads...Do I follow my gut or do I do I see where the road takes me? 

Jeffrey R. Carlson

   

It's always too early to quit.

Norman Vincent Peale

I was thinking the other day, when driving down Southern Blvd, about when I got into the Business of Real Estate. My old office was at the corner of Southern and State Road 7 and it brought back alot of memories. At that time period, you could stick a sign in the ground and get offers in a couple of days. That was back in 2001, and through 2006, it was that way. But in 2006 thru now, I learned what a short sale was, a bank owned property, and everything that came with the market downturn. I saw my business, go through an adjust just like the rest of industry. But during that time period, after 2006, alot of people asked me how I could go on in the environment, where the Real Estate market was in a free fall. I said, my number one purpose is to impact the lives of others.  It was that way in 2001 and still is today.

I heard it said that "Real Estate is something that you don't try out, Real Estate tries you out."- Joe Niego.

In the good times, and the not so good times, my resolve is to impact people's lives for the better. There is no Plan B for me. I have plans and goals for the future that include helping people with their Real Estate needs. In the good times, and the not so good time, people need a trusted advisor when it comes to Real Estate. So, I am here for the long haul. It is good at times, to look back to see how far you have come, but my sights are set on the future and I am never giving up on my dreams or yours...

So if you run across someone who wants to buy or sell a home, feel free to call or email me and I will be happy to help them with their Real Estate needs...


Jeffrey Carlson
RE/MAX Masters
561-284-6946

Climb The Mountain

I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt out of breath and had to turn back.

I tried to climb the mountain today. But, It was so hot outside, I thought I had better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's attempt.

I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.

I was ready to climb the mountain today. But I had so may other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain I took care of the much more important tasks; I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will have to wait.

I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in all it's majestic beauty, I knew I had no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even begin trying.

I had forgotten about climbing the mountain today, until an old friend came by and asked what I was up to lately. I told him about all my plans to climb that mountain someday. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish the task.

He stopped me and said, "I just got back from climbing that mountain. for the longest time I told myself I was going to try to climb it but never made any progress."

"I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an attempt at this dream all my dreams would eventually die."

" The next morning, I started my climb. It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed, stop! I focused on my goal, never letting it out of sight. I kept moving forward. I could not quit because I knew I had come too far to stop now. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled mightily to make it to the top, but I CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN." "I have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way what are you going to do tomorrow?"

I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, "I HAVE A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB."

Author unknown

Are you going to try to climb the mountain today? 

Show me someones actions and I will show you their priorities...

I have heard it said that if you want to see someone's priorities, show me their day-timer and checking account. I heard this from Dr. Alex Lackey from a Brian Buffini CD..he says that most conflict with priorities, is actual priorities vs. desired priorities...

At times, I have seen people who say that they want success in any circle in life, but their actions say another story. Have you sat down and really thought what is important to you? Which priority is the most important, Family, Spiritual, Business, Personal and Finance? Have you ranked them, and then have you looked on how you spend your time in a day? I know my priorities...and I am working hard towards my priorities and goals...are you? I think this quote below says it best when it comes to priorities..

“Action expresses priorities.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

I invite you to sit and rank what priority is the most important...rank them..then sit down and set a goal for each priority and set an action plan to achieve each goal. I will admit, it is hard and takes some time to think what matters most to you. I have had conflict with myself and others because of my priorities, but my path is set and my actions will lead me to success on the path in life.

Jeffrey R. Carlson

Real friends stab you in the front......

True friends stab you in the front.
Oscar Wilde

One thing lately that has been bothering me is people who will take great pains to stab you in the back but don't have the same courage to say it right to your face. I welcome constructive criticism, because it helps me to grow as a person and as a business person. If someone thinks, that I need to work on something, then tell me. Don't go and tell everyone else and forget to tell me. Also, one other thing, if someone is stabbing someone in the back to you, what do you think they are doing when you turn your back. Give me one friend, who will not sugar coat things and tell me the truth. I value that. I welcome that. That is how I grow. 

I have seen over the past couple of months, People stab my friends in the back and then go and do it to me. I am tired of it and I do not have time for it. when you allow this in your life, you allow negativity to enter your life. Have true friends, that will stab you in the front, treasure them like fine gold...I love a person who knows you are slightly weird, but loves you just the same...
  

Looking to Buy or Sell a Home!

Why it is important to contact me if you are considering buying or selling a home.

"Before becoming active in the market, the typical consumer thinks about the possibility of buying or selling a home for 6 to 12 months"...I read that today from the the Buffini Real Estate report that I received the other day.

If you have been thinking about buying or selling a home for a year, don't you think it would be a good idea to reach out to an experienced Realtor to help you?  As a 12 year veteran of the Palm Beach County Real Estate market I can help you get the best possible price for your home.  My job is to advise you on the best routes to go with any work that may need to be done, what the value of your home is and what the market is doing and where it headed.  My only goal is to help you to get your home in the best possible shape for a quick sale.

On the other hand, if you are thinking of buying a home, I have a wonderful mortgage person who can pull your credit, help you clean it up, make sure there no errors, and make sure you get the best interest rate. Also, I would be happy to send and show you homes for as long as it takes to find you the perfect place to call home.

I am a proactive Realtor that wants to make sure your real estate experience is the best possible one. I am there before, during and after each sale and want to become your Trusted Real Estate Adviser for life. When you work with me, you become part of my community and my family.

Jeffrey R. Carlson
RE/MAX Masters
Jeffreycarlson001@gmail.com