Pearland Realtor must endure urological exam . . .

Oh boy!  Today is my first urology exam with a bonafide urologist.  This is about as exciting as a first visit with a proctologist.

Now why am I whining?  It's just a physical exam of my body -- we ALL have one and they're all virtually the same.  Perhaps I shouldn't have googled "what to expect."  There's an internet article entitled "the 7 things a man can expect at his first urological exam."  (OK, they squeeze the dread into number 4 . . . though there it is . . . right in front of me.)

Actually, there it is . . . right in front of him/her!  Genital exam.  Digital rectal exam to check that old man prostate.  Ugh.

I will use my own inner strength to overcome.  What do you do when faced with difficulty?  I put "mind over matter."  I summon my deep down ability to live with a positive outlook and control any negativity I encounter.

Things I've recently removed from my life include full body itch, a symptom of end-stage renal failure.  First, I went to the dermatologist and obtained lots of prescriptions for skin itch.  These cremes were expensive as were the derm visits.  In fact, my nephrologist warned me that some people have committed suicide because of the itch!  That's all I needed to hear to reach down into my soul, find the place to "bury" the itch, and it now rarely bothers me.  No cremes.  No further dermatology treatments.

Another of those is energy.  End-stage renal failure causes chronic, extreme fatigue.  In other words, you wake up feeling like you did when you went to bed.  Not any more.  I always say that my morning workouts are for weight control -- and to an extent they are -- but the real reason is to keep myself going with high energy.  (Of course, the bi-weekly shots I get for $745 each help!  I haven't stopped those!)

So, I can overcome the urology exam.  In fact, I think I'll wear lace panties.  Come on, doc . . . take a look-see!  (As my first mentor Tom Hopkins taught me, "do what you fear most and you control fear.")  Let my control-freak flag fly!

Charge the agents for leads? Hmmm . . . not me!

I read this morning that NRT, the brokerage wing of franchise giant Realogy (which owns Coldwell Banker, Sotheby's, ERA, Corcoran, and others) has launched a national real estate search portal called homesforsale.com in 42 markets.  Their attempt is to try to compete with Trulia and Zillow (or is it now called Zulia or Trillow after the merger/buyout....hmmm....).....as Realtor.com was unsuccessful in stopping the flow of listings to them (so far).

So this new website for these companies seems to follow their usual model . . . the company generates the leads and sells them to the agents for a referral fee.

While I do agree that lead generation should be a primary focus of a real estate brokerage company, it is different at RE/MAX Top Realty.  Here, we have a program called "SWEATHORSES:  21 days of effective lead generation" where we don't "feed" leads to the agents; rather, we teach them how to generate their OWN leads and build their OWN businesses!  This is a completely different philosophy and business model.

I know that many of my competitors have sunk to the "generate/sell leads" position; however, we just won't do it . . . at least not while I'm around!  lol  (still need a kidney.....www.MyKidneysSuck.com)

Even if some agents don't "get it" and leave for the codependent model of buying leads from their office, then so be it.  This is a business for entrepreneurs and requires diligent efforts to learn and grow.  Real estate is NOT a sales job . . . it is business building!  You build your own business within the business . . . and we teach, coach, mentor, model behavior, and embrace mastery of skills as you do.  Systems are duplicable . . . learn the best.

Are you a true entrepreneur?  Or, do you wish someone would just sell you customers?  We want business people, intent on building and living a life of abundance.  www.BecomeATopAgent.com

Build right.  Build your business.  Build a system.  Why fool around with anything but The Top?

Buy a Home in Pearland or Houston - it's worth the sacrifice!

There are many reasons people want a home with the most frequent responses being a place of their own, to raise their family, share with their friends and feel safe and secure.  These are all strong motivations fueling the American Dream of owning your own home.
The motivation is so dominant that buyers are willing to make sacrifices to have their dream come true.  According to the 2014 National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyers and Sellers Survey, 72% of first-time buyers cut spending on luxury or non-essential items.  They also cut spending on entertainment, clothes and even cancelled vacation plans.
The value of getting their own home is more important than the immediate gratification of things that are considered less important.  While qualifying guidelines were increased last year, there are still more buyers purchasing homes at near record-low mortgage rates.

I'm staying weird and staying different . . . are you?

Wow, Graham Moore's Oscar-acceptance speech last night seemed to touch the whole world.  I love to hear testimonials like this, because suicide amongst children who don't seem to "fit in" like the "cool kids," is a bigger problem than most realize.

I still don't "fit in."  I'm the square peg for the round hole.......no way, unless you whittle the edges. Growing up as "the fat kid," like Al Roker (who was teased unmercifully as "Fat Albert"), I developed a thick skin for the taunting I received.  But many kids aren't able to do that and take a different way.

For those kids, there is a national effort called the "It Gets Better" Project and has had the support of major league ball teams, actors/actresses, and even the president himself.  Check it out at www.ItGetsBetter.org . . . a project I've personally supported.

For us grown-ups, being "weird" or "different" is what makes us stand out and, like Graham Moore, can be the source of your own personal style or brand (as we Realtors like to say).  So, as Muttsy (my mother) used to say, "honey, use what you got!"

Turn it around!  Use your "gifts" to make a difference!  If you struggle to be like everyone else, you'll end up like everyone else -- the status quo.  To really be successful, you must learn to harness your differences into your strengths.  Create an enigma!  Be different!  Be YOU!

I make a living by studying and reading people and their intentions.  I was recently at a state convention, and I know that I am a walking puzzle -- others are unsure about me . . . and people like to be sure of others.  (Of course, this is in my own mind, though I consciously try not to fit in......staying true to the premise of this blog!  lol)

I also look at how my RE/MAX office differs from others.  I work very hard to build "Top Realty" as a separate and distinct advantage for agents who want to achieve in the real estate business by making our office "different."  We seek all kinds of people, and love to attract others to our "creative, collaborative culture."  Our dedicated staff is an attraction in an of itself, as they work to empower agents to be everything they want to be.

We know that the pathway to success is paved with hard work, but it helps to be different.  Be weird. I'll continue to do so.  I hope you do, too.  (Thank you, Graham Moore . . . great points.)

Are you interested in associating with a diverse, creative group of top performing Realtors?  Consider joining The Top!  Call Timothy at 713-558-2555.  -Sam Ferreri, Director of Vision, RE/MAX Top Realty

A house paid for and $50,000 cash in the bank . . .

Today I'm having lunch with a man who is my best (living) long-term friend for life!  In fact, three of us are meeting at one of our old favorite restaurants to hash old times, since he no longer lives in Houston.  (no hash involved . . . way too old for that . . . lol)  In fact, he stood as "best man" in my wedding in 1983 . . . ah, those good ol' days.

What's remarkable is that he and I used to sit on his porch for hours and hours, drinking beer, and dreaming of having "a house paid for" and "$50,000 cash in the bank."  "If we could just get that," we mused, "we'd be set for life!"

Well fast forward . . . he's got more rent houses than I do and I think most are paid for.  I know the cash is no longer the issue, but ironically, we both still "bust our butts" every day at the grind of hard labor!  What happened to the dream?  Is it deferred?  Did it dry up like a raisin in the sun?  (Thanks, Lorraine Hansberry.)

I know, I know . . . now you're asking, "who's Lorraine Hansberry?"  Well, you may remember a movie made from a Broadway play entitled "A Raisin in the Sun" starring Sidney Poitier which debuted in 1961.  Lorraine wrote the stage play.

However, a poem that inspired her was entitled "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes.  It inspired me and made me ask the questions so many years ago:

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Pardon me while I get a bit sentimental . . . perhaps at lunch today we'll answer the question . . . or do I already know?  

What happened to your dreams from yesteryear?  What are they for tomorrow?

Pearland Arts League Opens "Top Gallery" Today . . . are you coming?

Did you know that you're invited?  PARTY THIS EVENING!

You are!  To the opening show for the Pearland Arts League, a collection of local artists who've hung some of their beautiful artwork -- paintings and photography -- throughout the hallowed halls of RE/MAX Top Realty.

Why not stop by on your way home from work, 5:30-7:30, at The Top for FREE WINE and hors d'ouvres?  Or, if it's not on your way, it's a great opportunity to network with some amazing people.

Come join the fun!

Most of the paintings are for sale . . . and I've had my eye on a couple of pieces for days as the artists themselves have been hanging their work.

Participate in our "collaborative canvas" in the TopRealtyUniversity room in the back . . . artists will be standing by to help you with your "addition" to this original work of art.

Here's a link with more details, including a video.  It's FREE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pearland-arts-league-opens-top-gallery-at-remax-top-realty-tickets-15583122539

I hope to see you there!

Save on Homeowner's Insurance

Insurance is a way to hedge the risk of a possible loss on an asset that a person or entity cannot afford.  The cost of the coverage is determined by risk and exposure to the insurer and reflected in the premium.

Another way to say it is: don’t buy insurance when you can afford the loss.  If you have a mortgage on your home, you must have insurance.  It is probably prudent for most people to have property insurance but certain coverage might be avoided because you can afford the loss if you were to have an occurrence.

1. Call your current agent and review your insurance coverage.  Ask if there are any available discounts whether your property qualifies for now or after certain improvements are made.  Monitored alarm systems, dead bolts, smoke detectors, updated electrical, certain types and ages of roofs among other things may be eligible for individual discounts. 
2. Compare the newly revised coverage and premium with other reputable agencies and insurers.  Shopping can be time consuming but experts agree that the exercise can be valuable and should be considered every few years. 
3. Deductibles are an easy way to affect the premium based on the initial amount of loss that the insured wants to assume.  The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.  Determine the amount of risk you want to assume and select an appropriate deductible.
4. Consider bundling your home and auto policies for possible discounts and leverage for better service.
5. Don’t become a co-insurer.  Most policies stipulate that a building must be insured for at least a certain percentage, usually 80% of its insured value to be able to collect the full amount of a partial loss.  Insured value is not always the same as market value.  The land is not considered in the value but replacement cost of the dwelling is.

It isn’t possible to purchase insurance after a loss; it must be purchased before a loss is incurred.  Premiums are based on careful analysis of insurer’s loss and overhead expense plus a profit.  As a homeowner and an insured, it would be equally wise to analyze coverage, claim service, your risk tolerance and the premium you’ll pay for that coverage.