La Quinta California Real Estate

The other day I was standing in line at the grocery store and caught the tale end of a conversation taking place in front of me.  The lady was discussing real estate, the local market and financing with the cashier and bag boy, so being a broker I was curious.  First, I was amazed at the negativity that this lady spewed.  She went on and on about how bad the market was, how there was only low end houses selling and that lenders were to strict.  I sat there listening and watching the cashiers reaction.  Come on people, we represent and portray the market.  No numbers don't lie, but if we are so down on the market how can we expect others to regain any confidence?

Ok, so If that was not bad enough, as the other Realtor left she smiled and put her card down on the counter.  Being curious as to who she was, I picked it up and the look on my face changed instantly.  Her picture was of this vibrant, youthful woman in her 40's.  She however  looked to be at least 60 and it took me a good few minutes to realize it was her, just her years ago.  So it got me to thinking, how often are we updating our image?  If we are selling ourselves, then is it not important to sell the truth?  We are who we are, not all of us look like a magazine cover and thats ok.....But who do these agents think they are fooling?  Isn't the point of a picture for face recognition?

This morning Iwas reading an article about Heinz Ketchup which has been a household name for at least the last 40 years.  The article was saying that for years people complained about the little packets you get at fast fiod places.  They are too small, too messy or to hard to open. Heinz kept doing business as usual and did not really change.

Now though that the nation is faced paced, fast lives and fast food even Heinz is making changes to something as simpole as a package of ketchup.  The major company realizes the market has changed and consumers are more on the go.  Things like chicken nuggets are big and it is to hard to dip fries in the packet.  So they are making a new little packet, more like a little tray which will be easier for consumers.  easier to open, easier to dip and less chance for on the go messes. 

So it got me thinking? Why do we avoid change as realtors?  Why do we fear the changing market?  Change, if looked at with a positive spin can mean bigger and better things to come.  I think Heinz is aware that nothing lasts forever and is doing what it needs to stay ahead of the ketchup world.

What are you doing to stay ahead of the Real Estate world?  Are you still stuck on using the old ketchup packets because thy are familiar, or are you ready to make the jump into something new?

A top agent on our team heard her cell phone as she was carrying sheets to her bed. As she grabbed the phone, she tripped and hit her face on the bed- swollen, bruised, and very sore. She got the call! The lady is working on a cash offer on a $1,300,000 listing. This is a double-ended deal. She has a $1,500,000 home to sell- paid for. She also has a $260,000 house to list and sell. So far the bruise and fall were worth our mantra and one of the keys to success in real estate for us- ANSWER THE PHONE!

I love where I live in La Quinta, California, but each year the holidays are challenging. People look at the holidays as time to relax and have fun. My children are grown and not living at home. Then people think I can relax even more. At this time there are gifts and cards for clients, employees, family and friends. There are parties and entertaining at my home. There is the decorating, then the ancillary people we acknowledge and thank especially at this time of year - the security people at the gates, the gardeners, the pool service people, the mailman, the housekeepers, the bankers, and on and on. My checkbook is already hurting. I love to give, but it is harder and harder each year to do it physically and also financially. People come here to relax and cannot understand that once I leave the party, I get up at 5 AM and start working while they are relaxing and regrouping for their next fun event. I am grateful for the friends, the business, the time
 of year, but I have committed to commit to less, do less, give less, and take better care of myself. It is my turn to do what I want to do, when I want to do, who I want to do it with.

In our company we are finding that most agents are leaning towards clients in their own age group. We have been role playing communication between the different age groups to increase comfort level with all age groups and clients. Clients also like to be near people like themselves.
 Matures have a defining idea of duty, are clear on right and wrong, are team players, look at work as an inevitable obligation, save money for a rain day,and are conformists.
 Boomers are individualists, recognize good and evil, are self-absorbed, look at education as a right, like to spend money, view the "now" as more important than the future, and want to be included in a group.
 The Gen xers like diversity, are entrpeneurs, look at education as a way to get there, hedge on managing money, looks at the future as unpredicatable, but manageable, and life needs to be interesting to them.
 The echoes like authenticity, are self - invented, don't like work, diversify on managing money, work for their break, and like multiple cultures.
 The world continues to grow and change. Life is so interesting and fun. What a challenge and game to relate to each of these groups on their level!

Lori Bowers- Broker License # 01293735
The Lori Bowers Group Desert Properties
78015 Main St. Suite 110
Old Town La Quinta
La Quinta, Ca. 92253
Ph:760-831-1595
Fax:760-771-5355
Email:lori@loribowers.com
website:www.loribowers.com