Marketing A Home - Accentuate the Positive!: 5 Keys

Many homeowners, seem to falsely believe, all they need, to sell their home, is to, either have it listed by a real estate agent, or do so, themselves, as a so - called, FSBO! However, after over a decade as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have discovered, one of the most necessary, essential components, of this process, is to professional, market it, in order to achieve the most desirable results, which for most sellers, is to get the highest possible, available price, in the shortest period of time, with the least amount of hassle, and/ or, additional stress! Quality real estate agents consider, how to best do so, by accentuating the positive features, and reducing distractions, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to review 5 keys, to doing so.

1. Curb appeal: If you can't get potential, qualified buyers, to come in, to view the house, you won't get it sold! Why would anyone be attracted to see more, unless/ until, he sees pictures, online, which inspire and motivate him, to take it, to the next step? This must begin, with paying, keen attention, to curb appeal, which means, what someone sees first, when they approach the house. Reduce potential negatives, including exterior painting, unattractive doors and/ or windows, concrete and paved areas, lawns and shrubs! Consider, whether your listing price, attracts, or hurts!

2. Eliminate any negative distractions: When/ if, anything distracts, rather than attracts, or at least, is neutral, it hurts the possibilities! Any distractions, including poor exterior maintenance, unkempt painting (interior or exterior), cracks in concrete or paved areas, clutter, distracting odors (unpleasant/ undesirable), should be addressed, as soon as possible!

3. De - clutter: Clutter is the enemy of effectively, showing, and marketing a house. Discuss this, objectively, with the agent, you hire, and if, there are major issues, understand the advantages, in certain cases, of using a home stager!

4. Paint, and touch - ups: When a house looks fresher, it attracts more individuals, to envision themselves, living there. Paint in a neutral color, to make the house, seem larger, cleaner, and better cared for. Touch - up, areas, inside and outside, which might benefit from a little attention!

5. Accentuate rooms which make the biggest difference: Kitchens and bathrooms, are generally, the two areas, most buyers, consider, most closely! However, balance the costs, with the benefits, and proceed, accordingly! The entry hallway should be clean, and neat, because you only get one chance, to make a first impression!

We often think of marketing, solely, as advertising, and promotion, but, unless/ until, one focuses on paying keen attention, to these 5 keys, it won't get the most desirable results! Homeowners should hire someone, who articulates a quality, meaningful, marketing plan, and strategy!

7 Steps To Effective Negotiations

So much of leadership, requires the ability to negotiate, effectively, and wisely, yet, so few individuals, who, either ascend to, are elected, and/ or selected, to these positions, appear prepared to do so, in the most professional manner. Only when a leader realizes, how important, it is, to proceed, consistently, with the ability to pursue the finest, professionally - developed, negotiations, will he make the greatest impact, for the better, for the organization, he represents, and the stakeholders, he serves. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly identify, consider, review and discuss, 7 steps towards effective negotiations, including how important, the preparation of a relevant, Request for Proposal, or RFP, is, to making a difference, for the better.

1. Know the purpose: Don't jump into any negotiation, unless/ until, you first fully understand and appreciate the purpose, you wish to achieve, and consider your priorities, and focus! One must be able, to thoroughly explain the needs, to the other side, if he hopes to achieve his objectives, but, that means, first understanding them, himself! Once this is understood, it should become the preliminary focus, of the RFP, which you submit, as the first - step, in a professional negotiating process!

2. Clarify position/ needs: Effectively negotiating, never should include, distorting, and/ or lying about what you organization offers, to the other negotiator, because, unless you earn the trust, you'll never achieve, in the long - run, the proper objectives! The clearer, you explain, what you need, and the better you identify the difference between needs, and wishes, the better your results! Seek a win - win scenario, if you hope to achieve what you seek!

3. Useful budgeting: Rather than creating a budget, after - the - fact, hoping to squeeze, a square - peg, into  round - hole, one should create a realistic, useful budget, which requires, under - estimating revenues, and over - stating expenditures. Include every foreseeable expense, from marketing, and attracting attendees, to venue expenses, including Food and Beverage, etc, to transportation, etc, costs, and negotiate, based on a realistic understanding, of what you can afford, and clearly, explain that, to the other negotiator. This should be the preliminary basis of your RFP.

4. Open and honest; empathetic: Study what the other side needs, and seeks, and seek to create a meeting - of - the - minds, where both sides, work together, to share savings, and proceed, effectively! The combination of genuine empathy, as well as integrity, are essential components, in this process!

5. Priorities vs Wish - list: Identify, understand, and differentiate between the priorities, and your wish - list. While there are some items, which might be sacrificed, in a specific negotiation, these must not be any of the priorities!

6. Effective negotiating: Think - outside - the - box! Discuss approaches, which will benefit both sides, so everyone considers this a win! That is the key to effective negotiating!

7. Close the deal: Move the process, along, towards a successful conclusion. This means, showing how this make sense, to both sides, and after, meaningfully, negotiating, for over 4 decades, it means closing, the deal.I like to use, something like this expression, In light of how this benefits both of us, and makes sense, for us to proceed, doesn't it make sense, to come to a meeting - of - the - minds, as soon as possible, and proceed forward? Doesn't it?

Whether you are negotiating for an event, office space, or anything else, a real leader must do so, as professionally, as possible! Will you have the patience, understanding, and persistence, to do so?

The Need For FLUID Leadership

One of the greatest obstacles to leading, effectively, is the individual's inability, and/ or, unwillingness to proceed, consistently, with a high degree of objective introspection, and fully consider all viable options and alternatives, rather than restricting himself, by remaining within the confines of his personal comfort zone! Great leaders must be ready, willing, and able, to proceed, in a flexible way, so they might adapt, if, and when, it's needed, and necessary! In my over 4 decades of involvement in nearly every area of leadership, and leadership planning, from identifying, qualifying, training, and consulting, to thousands of actual, and pseudo - leaders, to serving, in a variety of positions, as a leader, in different size, and type organizations, I have come to believe strongly, in the necessity, for FLUID leadership. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, consider, and review, using the mnemonic approach, why this is, so necessary, to leading in a manner, which makes a difference, for the better.

1. Face facts; furnish; fruition: One must make a concerted effort, to face the facts, rather than trying to bury his head, in the sand! Only them, does it become possible, to do what's needed and necessary, to furnish genuine, meaningful, effective leadership, and bring his ideas, to fruition. You can't be rigid, and merely pursue, the same - old, same - old, and achieve the best objectives.

2. Listen; learn: Too many individuals proceed, with the, My way or the highway, know - it - all, attitude, and approach. The best leaders, however, always listen effectively, and learn, from every conversation, and experience!

3. Useful; usable; unique: What might have been useful, in the past, may become, less - so, now, and in the future, because, every group, evolves, if it is to remain relevant and sustainable! A quality leader introduces usable ideas, and paths of action, and places, his unique stamp, on the organization, and the way, he directs it, by being willing, to adapt, and make necessary changes, in order to produce meaningful results, for the better!

4. Imagination; integrity; ideas: Never limit or restrict your imagination, if you hope to be a successful leader! Proceed with absolute integrity, even when it might be easier to take a short - cut! True leadership means perceiving and conceiving of, creating, and introducing, quality ideas, and strategic and action plans!

5. Delve deeply; discover; deliver; deviate: Effectiveness begins with a willingness to delve deeply, in order to discover, the most relevant, sustainable course of action, for your organization! However, if you hope to achieve your objectives, it's necessary to always, under - promise, and over - deliver, and know, when you must deviate from your so - called, Plan A, and pursue the finest contingency plans!

Are you up to the task of being a FLUID leader? How will you proceed?

The ABCDEF Of Effective Homeowner Representation

Since, for most people, the value of their house, represents, their single - biggest, financial asset, wouldn't it make sense, if a homeowner, who is considering selling his home, seek, and hire, the best real estate agent, who is ready, willing and able to offer effective homeowner representation? After, more than a decade, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York (for more information, on all things - real estate, look at my website: http://PortWashingtonLongIslandHouses.com and LIKE the Facebook page for real estate: http://facebook.com/PortWashRE ), I have developed, what I've come to refer to, as the ABCDEF of effective real estate representation. 

1. Attitude; attention; articulate: Interview several real estate agents, and closely examine, and consider, their attitude, seeking only individuals, with positive, can - do, ones! Will the individual focus his attention on your needs, and priorities, and customize his service, to meet these? Consider whether someone, effectively articulates his ideas, and justifies his value, because if you aren't impressed, chances are, he won't attract others, efficiently, and effectively!

2. Benefits; best effort: Listen closely, and ask lots of questions! Does the individual speak about features, he offers, or how, his service and representation, will benefit you, and what those benefits, are? Will he accept, good - enough, or consistently demand his best effort?

3. Cooperative; clever; CMA; character: Agents should seek a cooperative, team approach, in a clever, outside - the - box, way! You need someone with the quality, of character, which benefits his clients! Listen to how he recognizes his Competitive Market Analysis, or CMA, and whether, his suggestions, are, both logical, and compelling!

4. Delve deeply; deliver: Avoid being represented by anyone, who offers, simplistic solutions, rather than delving deeply, and delivering, the finest service, and representation, on a regular, consistent basis!

5. Empathy; emphasis; excellence: When you interview potential agents, observe whether they are willing to listen, far more than they speak, so they become ready, and capable of understanding, your goals, needs, and priorities, and, will, therefore, exhibit the utmost degree of genuine empathy, you should be seeking, and deserve! How one empathizes, generally, directs their emphasis, and unless, it is on serving your needs, how will he, be able to provide the utmost excellence, you deserve?

6. Face facts; fruition; faithful: It is essential, for your representative, to be absolutely faithful, to his clients! To do so, he must possess genuine, absolute integrity, a willingness to face the facts, and the persistence, to bring, the best possible, solution, to fruition!

Pay attention to this ABCDEF of quality, effective, homeowner representation! Don't you owe that, to yourself? 

Examine Elected Officials ACTIONS - Not Promises/ Rhetoric

All too often, voters have elected politicians, based on their promises, and rhetoric, and other, rather meaningless (in the bigger - picture) issues, rather than focusing on whether, they demonstrate a willingness, to create a well - considered, action plan, and strategy, to get things done, which might make a relevant, sustainable difference, for the better! It's not about what someone says, which should make a difference, but, rather, what he seeks to achieve, his motivations (is it about the politician's personal/ political agenda, and/ or self - interest), and whether he has the experience, knowledge, judgment, and other necessities, to lead effectively. We must look at the overall quality and relevance of one's ACTIONS, rather than promises, and rhetoric! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, consider, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of the elements and necessities of leading, for all the people.

1. Attention; attitude; aptitude; articulate: Shouldn't a public official's focus, and attention, be on serving all the people? In November, 2016, the United States elected Donald Trump, to become the 45th President of this nation. Does his attitude, which seems to be focused, on his core supporters, and excluding many others, seem to be, in the best interests of the people? Unlike his predecessors, Mr. Trump, had no previous public service, and, many of his backers, seemed to pay little attention, on whether he had the aptitude, judgment, experience, and expertise, to proceed, wisely, and in a relevant, sustainable way. This President, certainly articulates his message (although, often in a conflicting way), but is that message, focused on the common good?

2. Creative; cooperative; character: Rather than seeking to Make America Great Again, wouldn't we all, be better served, if there was creative leadership, focused on the best way to make America, maintain its focus and emphasis, into the future? We need leaders, who focus on the cooperative approach, rather than a polarizing one! We should expect elected officials, to exhibit the quality character, to focus on what's best, for those he serves, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

3. Timely: Rather than fixating on the past, because everything looks better, in black - and - white, we should elect individuals, willing to fully consider options and alternatives, and, consistently, produce timely action!

4. Intentions; imagination; integrity; ideas; ideology: When voting, consider a candidate's intentions, and whether he possesses, both a well - developed, relevant imagination, as well as absolute integrity, based on the ideology, framed by our Constitution, of this nation!

5. Open - minded; options; opportunities: Avoid electing people, with the, My way or the highway, mindsets, and are ready, willing and able, to proceed, with an open - mind, and a willingness to consider the options and alternatives, and be prepared to take advantage of the finest opportunities!

6. Needs: Whose needs, does the particular leader, prioritize - his own, or those he serves and represents? Opt for someone, who puts the needs of the nation, ahead of any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

7. Service; system; sustainable solutions: The priority of anyone elected, should be, quality service, to both, his constituents (all of them), as well as his nation! He must perceive and conceive of, create, develop, and implement, the best system, to achieve, relevant, sustainable solutions! 

Wake up. America, and assume your personal responsibility, for voting, and doing so, wisely! Don't blame others, but proceed, with judgment, rather than apathy!

What Should Be A Leader's QUEST?

The Man of La Mancha, famously, included the song, which included, the lyrics, This is my quest! Few of us, however, consider how essential, the focus of one's QUEST, is, on the eventual quality and effectiveness, of one's leadership! How an individual believes, and what he seeks to achieve, including his dedication, and reasons, for wanting to lead, are significant, to the end - result! A true leader, nearly always, possesses a vibrant, vital vision, which inspires and motivates, not only others, but himself, so he persists, regardless of the obstacles, perceiving these to be challenges, rather than problems! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, and review, using the mnemonic approach, some of these necessities, and why it matters.

1. Quality; question; qualm fears: The true leader does not accept, merely doing something, but, rather, seeks to proceed, with the utmost commitment, to quality! He questions, the way things are, but focuses, on how they should be, and the best path, to get there! When others believe in a leader, he becomes, more capable, of proceeding, in a way, where he is able to qualm fears, and doubts, and inspires and motivates, others, by demonstrating, why his strategy, makes sense, to constituents, and the overall organization!

2. Useful; usable: Why become a leader, if your focus, and emphasis, and personal goals, are not useful, to making the group, more relevant and sustainable? Every idea, and strategy, should aim to be, usable, so they make a difference, for the better!

3. Empathy; emphasis; excellence; energize; endurance: It's important to recognize, one does not lead, in a vacuum, and therefore, it's important to listen effectively, and learn, the priorities, needs, and desires, of constituents, in order to proceed with the utmost degree of genuine empathy! This must direct where to place one's emphasis, in order to produce quality and excellence, which will energize, the stakeholders, to make the organization, become the best, it can be! Because there are always obstacles, a true leader must possess endurance, to persist, when the rest - of - the - pack, stops trying!

4. Service; system; sustainable solutions: How will you develop a quality system, to achieve the objective, of providing the best service, to others? Your aim must be, to proceed forward, and do so, in both, a relevant way, and to introduce, develop, and implement, the finest, sustainable solutions!

5. Timely; trendsetter: To make a difference, which counts, a leader must make well - considered, timely decisions, and create a meaningful action plan! Rather than remaining within the self - imposed limitations, of one's comfort zone, one's quest must include, the willingness, to be a true trendsetter!

Why do you believe, you should be a leader? What is your QUEST? 

Why, It's Better, When Leaders Emphasize BENEFITS!

One of the essential, dramatic realities, of effective leadership, is, a true leader talks about BENEFITS, while the rest - of - the - pack, merely articulate programs, etc! The key difference is, until/ unless one focuses on what one's ideas, will do for constituents, and the group, and makes a compelling, motivating, inspiring case, which drives others to buy - into, one's action plan, and strategies, by explaining how it will benefit, both the individual constituent, as well as the organization, as a whole, the possibilities, are limited! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, why it's, nearly always, far better, when leaders emphasize benefits, rather than merely features.

1. Best; beliefs; bring it: Shouldn't constituents expect leaders, to deliver their best possible focus and strategies, and never accept, merely accepting the same - old, same - old? One of the primary reasons, we have been witnessing, such an increase in the dearth of genuine leadership, as well as so many groups. both, weakening and losing their relevance, and sustainability, is leaders are not effectively articulating their message, and explaining how their beliefs, might benefit the overall experiences of constituents, and effectiveness, and value, of the organization. Therefore, it is incumbent upon a real leader, to bring it, with an inspiring, motivational emphasis, on benefits, on a consistent basis!

2. Empathy; emphasis: It's important to effectively listen, and learn from every conversation and experience, in order to lead, with genuine empathy, and, thus place one's emphasis, where it will serve the best purpose, and overall impact!

3.Needs: A true leader realizes, he must focus on, and emphasize, needs, goals, and perceptions of those he serves, and make a difference, for the better!

4. Excellence; endurance: Rather than settling for good - enough, one must strive to lead, with genuine, relevant, excellence, and clearly inspire others, by his example! Because there are always obstacles to leading, the leader must exhibit true endurance, and persistence!

5. Face facts; future; fruition: Too many individuals, in leadership positions, attempt to proceed, with rose - colored glasses, rather than face the facts, and focus, not merely on present challenges, but on creating a sustainable future. The difference between effectively leading, and rhetoric, is whether one continues, and adapts, in order to bring his ideas, to fruition!

6. Ideas; imagination; integrity; ideology: Measure whether there will be benefits, by the quality and significance of the ideas. Does the leader possess the imagination, to think, outside - the - box, and align the group's core ideology, with reality, and the best way, to proceed? However, unless someone possesses absolute integrity, others will begin to stop listening to his rhetoric!

7. Timely: Procrastination is the carcinogen of effective leadership! Therefore, the path, one takes, must be, well - considered, and timely!

8. Service; system; sustainable solutions: Unless the emphasis is on service, how can anyone's ideas, be beneficial to those he represents? A true leader considers, perceives and conceives of, creates, and develops, a system, to produce the benefits, others seek! These must bring about sustainable solutions, rather than merely, temporary, band - aids!

Are you willing to focus on, and emphasize BENEFITS, to the satisfaction of others? Are you ready to become a beneficial leader?