Today I closed on a house I had listed. It sure feels good to help people….the Seller of the house was in a difficult situation when I met her. She had a good job but like many others she was in a house that  had seen its value decline drastically. She was angry and depressed when I met her. She didn’t like the fact she was behind on her mortgage and facing foreclosure.

At first it was difficult to get her to return calls, confirm appointments to show her house, you name it – life was miserable. Within a few months an acceptable offer came through. Next was a long process of waiting for the bank to approve what is called a Short Sale. The only thing short in this type of sale is the amount of money that the bank gets shorted! The process of a Short Sale is long!

As the day to close on the house moved closer, I helped the Seller find a pretty home to rent. That’s when a definite shift in her personality happened. She called me one day to thank me for helping her, she said she was EXCITED about moving on with her life and not looking back.

It’s a great feeling when you help someone- as I often tell people when one door closes another opens – and who knows what wonderful things are in store for us when we let go of the things that hold us back – and take that risk of faith to an optimistic future.

Life has no guarantees. Next time life tosses you a curve ball stay focused on the doors that open and new opportunities that come your way..because they will be there if you just open your eyes and look for them.  You have a bright future ahead.

1. Lighting. Be sure there is lots of lighting to illuminate the entrance. Add a few lights that light up the walk way and show off the pretty shrubs and plants.

2. Front Door. Is the door dingy? A fresh coat of paint in a color that POPS will excite the prospect and have them wondering whats inside.

3. Plants. The garden centers have winter hearty plants available. Select a few plants in nice containers to place at the front door and entrance. Plants make the home feel warm and inviting.

Just a few nice touches give your house that WOW impact to have those prospects saying yours is the house they want! So start now and add that curb appeal today.

www.GoZelda.com

You need to gain a competitive edge…especially if you are looking to rent  from a private home or condo owner. Be prepared! Make an impression! In addition to your application attach any letters of reference from previous landlords nd your employer. Most property management companies will run a credit report check but if you are not going through a real estate company or locator service bring a copy of your credit report. Most renters dread this part of the application process-it’s normal. Realistically, most people today do not have stellar credit. As long as you have paid your electric bills, and rent in the past many landlords will over look late payments on credit cards and medical debts.  Just be able to explain your particular circumstances.

You are able to order a FREE copy of your credit report annually. There are three credit-reporting agencies – contact them on-line.:     * Experian     *Equifax     *TransUnion

Understand that a lease is a legally binding contract. The lease is the foundation that govern the relationship between the landlord and the tenant.  Before you enter an agreement be certain that you understand all the terms of the lease. If you do not understand something –don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Most leases are for a year but sometimes things happen and you need to vacate earlier.  Unless your landlord releases you from the contract (in writing) you are obligated to complete the terms of your lease. This does not mean you can sublet the property to anyone else. The only people allowed to live in the home or apartment are those people that are on the lease..

Remember once the lease is signed it is enforceable, even if the renter never moves in. So read and know what you are signing.  The best way to do that is to request a copy of the lease to read over  before you sign.  You want no misunderstandings. If there are promises made  by the landlord be sure to get it in writing. Know your rights – and the best way is to know those is to understand the lease and the responsibilities of all parties.

I’m certain it is no surprise that heating and air conditioning a home is going to take the biggest chunk of an energy bill – not the water consumption. Some statistics state  heating a home takes a staggering 55% of your energy bill.

Let’s face it living in Florida we are spoiled. We love our AC almost year round and for those few weeks or months when it’s cold we Floridians turn up the heat. So what can one do to help lower that utility bill?

> Maintain appliances like the HAVAC System & the Water Heater. Put a timer on that Hot Water Heater and be sure to read the owners manual for maintenance instructions to keep it at optimum working condition.

> Look for small cracks or holes in the walls, around doors, windows, and even electrical outlets. These can cause leaks of heat and air conditioning.

> Reduce the need for so much lighting by installing light sensors, dimmer switches and timers.

Just doing a few simple tweaks can help lower your utility bill. You can even request a home audit for a small fee. The energy expert will help you determine if your home is energy efficient. They analyze and make recommendations that help lower that monthly bill. They come armed with infrared cameras and surface thermometers to find those tiny leaks that cause bills to soar. Then give you the recommendations to stop the leak.

Before you get that next utility bill in the mail give your home an energy check and keep more of your hard earned dollars in YOUR pocket!

Zelda Greenberg is a Property Manager, licensed Community Association Manager, Notary, and Published Author, “The Art of Bouncing Back” www.jacksonvilleHouseRentals.com

Over the past few months I’ve been concentrating on Property Management. Most people in Real Estate think Yuck..they don’t want to deal with this side of the real estate industry. Not me…I’m loving it! I am meeting people from all walks of life…hearing their real life stories. Some lost their homes of 20 years due to a job lay off. One had purchased a home while the sell of her 1st home was going through the sales process only to have the deal fall thru and getting stuck with 2 mortgages so now both houses are in foreclosure.  And another was in a rental home and discovered the owner wasn’t paying the mortgage. You read about the horror stories and I hear them.

It gives me tremendous pleasure to be able to help people find  their new home – either permanent or temporary. When I hand them the key and see the excitement on their face I know I’ve accomplished the goal.

IF you or someone you know will be relocating soon find an agent that really listens to you. Tell them what neighborhood you want – discuss the budget and your particular financial situation. Keep an open mind and try to be flexible…as some of the things on that wish list might not be possible in the area or price range you desire. Remember to ask yourself is it a “need” or a “want”. Be open to ideas and be open and honest with your real estate agent – it’s the best way to get the home you want.

If you lost a job,  or had to leave your family home remember whatever the situation might be things can change tomorrow. Don’t dwell on the past and the situations that put you in an uncomfortable position . Rather look toward the future as a new adventure with great things about to happen. It’s now a fresh start in a fresh new temporary or forever home.

A year ago I knew I needed to find a long term career path – one that would allow me to earn a good living, recoup the money I lost in the stock market, help my kids, and bounce back. I chose Real Estate. I know what you are thinking…sure the market is down but there are so many great deals out there for  the investor, those looking to make a move, and for people that have lost a home due to these economic times and are now looking to rent a house.

I started off studying for my CAM License. I began managing a portfolio of home owner associations. Being an Association Manager reminded me of my old days in the family wholesale food business….putting out fires/solving problems.  A CAM handles all those neighbor complaints.  I waited for new opportunities to come knocking. My sister suggested I take this new career a step further and get a Real Estate License. I studied hard to get my Real Estate License. I had not studied that hard since college.My thought process was, if my kids can study hard to get good grades in college then their mom could certainly do the same. My children were my inspiration to get me through this testing phase.  I studied night and day to be sure I would pass the exam on my first attempt…and I did.

Things just started snowballing. I started showing a few rental properties to those that had lost a home in foreclosure or families moving into the area. Then one day I showed a home to a couple moving to Florida in a month – they loved the home I showed them and were going to rent it for a year. Two weeks later they called with “good news and bad news”. First, the wife explained to me they were no longer going to rent the house. Okay, so what’s the good news? Instead, they had qualified to purchase a home and liked me so much that they wanted me to be their Realtor. How cool was that! Thus I started selling homes. And the referrals started coming.

Keep building that foundation as you follow your journeys path.

Zelda Greenberg

www.JacksonvilleHouseRentals.com

I’ve been up and I’ve been down. I’ve lost a husband, raised the kids, had money, lost money, had a business destroyed by a tornado, had competitors show the best and worst in human nature,  switched careers when most people are winding down their career. Whew…it’s tough to keep up, but through it all I keep a positive attitude and keep getting back up. It’s not always easy to pull yourself up but you can do it. There are people that are always going to be more fortunate and those that are less fortunate. Celebrate those great days and keep working through the tough ones. You will get past whatever crisis you are facing and probably be a better person because of your experience….I know I am.

If I can help you let you connect with me at: zelda@bouncebackguru.com Tell me what you think!

I saw a beautiful butterfly at my window today and remembered this quote.

You never know how things are going to turn out. So believe in yourself!  You have to work hard everyday so that when the right opportunity presents itself you are prepared! Invest in yourself this week! And ask yourself … Are you having FUN!  Your day to become a butterfly is around the corner…don’t quit trying.

1. It takes YEARS to become an over night success.

2. Plan to succeed – Use the power of thinking positive and when negative thoughts arise- suppress them!

3. Work it – You have a plan so work it diligently. Do a few things each day that will get you moving forward. You can out work every one else.

4. Trust your faith – Trust that you are exactly where you need to be right now in this moment to get you to where you are supposed to be  tomorrow.

5. Celebrate – Yes, celebrate all the small successes you have because each of the small successes get you to the big SUCCESS.

Let’s keep the list growing – Add your tip today. To learn more about The Bounce Back Guru visit www.BounceBackGuru.com

The phone rings, the Email “IN” box is full, there’s a knock on the door, and to top it off your next appointment is waiting in the lobby. You have a hectic life and it’s loaded with interruptions every day.  Yet, you bounce back and forth each day from one task to the next because after all you are great at Multi-tasking – or so you think.

Dangerously, we multi task even in our automobiles.  How easy is it to concentrate on that call from the boss and navigate the highway at the same time? Sure you can do it but at what cost. Remember life before mobile phones?  In the past if you had an important  phone call to make while driving you had to find a phone booth. Then you pulled over, stopped the car and only then did you make the call.  That phone call got all your attention.

Every time you switch from one task to the next you are jolting your brain to flip on and off like a light switch.  Your brain has to mentally shut down then reboot. How effective do you think you are?  Women are notorious at multi-tasking.   Women learn to talk on a phone while changing a diaper. We feed the baby and cook dinner, help with our child’s homework, all at the same time.

Quality work requires doing a job well, not five jobs completed mediocre.  There are times when multi-tasking is necessary but many times we are simply trying to accomplish too much at one time.  When does one stop all the juggling and determine which tasks should take precedence.  Here are some simple solutions that will help you stop doing so much at the same time.

Prioritize – In order to accomplish your tasks and complete them well you can first prioritize the tasks. What deadlines must be met?  What appointments or research must be met? Look at all the projects you are facing and determine what must happen first. Then determine all the tasks necessary to complete the project successfully. Work all the other tasks of the day around the most important one.

Plan - At the end of each day create a “To Do” list for the next day.  Here is where you write the tasks that are essential to complete a project on a deadline.  When planning out the day be sure to schedule a lunch break.  The lunch break allows you the essential time to step away from the project and give it some prospective.

Delegate- This can be very difficult for many people. Many people seem to think they need to do everything. In reality, there are others that can do some of the tasks quite well and you can then use your time more effectively.  Let someone else on staff handle some Emails, answer the phone, and sort the mail.  Is there someone in the office that is really good at website content?  You can even go to the local college to find Interns that are begging for work experience.

Outsource- Let’s face it if race car driving was simple we would all be race car drivers. The same is true in business. When you outsource a project you are bringing in someone else’s expertise and thus freeing up your time to do other tasks that you do best.  If you are in the Insurance industry then most likely web design is not your strongest skill.  Hire someone in the business of web design to actually design your website.  A salesperson might be an incredible closer but not so great at creating superior marketing material. That’s a job you outsource.  As a licensed community association manager homeowners hire me to manage their home owner’s associations.  Sure the home owners can self manage but it’s a lot more effective  to outsource this job to a licensed CAM that knows the state laws that will directly impact what they can and cannot legally require of the home owners. Outsourcing for a specific job makes perfect sense.

Social Media- Working on a company’s social media presence is time consuming.  Today there is an emerging industry of Virtual Assistants (VA).  These people can be hired to handle all your company internet needs. They will update your Blog, keep your LinkedIn and Facebook page fresh. They will make all the updates needed to keep your company name in front of those that are your target market.

No – Learn to say “no” to people that are interrupting your day.  You get to control the day’s activities and if someone is demanding your attention determine where that person fits into your priority plan.

Multi-tasking is over-rated.  Juggling so many different tasks means you don’t necessarily do the job to the best of your ability.  Sure you might complete the job but is it sloppy work?  Is it filled with mistakes requiring you to go back and review and rework the task?  Everyday people will call, email, and enter your day.  You must determine if you can and will make the time to connect with them or not. Remember you might be on their high priority list for the day but that does not mean they are on your priority list.

We all know that there are only so many hours to the day.  Take the time to figure out what is most important to help you achieve the goals you have for your career. Implement these six tips and you will be able to successfully stop juggling so much in a day. This will help you  stack the cards in your favor to completing your projects timely and effectively and thus make you shine.

What tasks do YOU delegate OR out souce? Post your comments!

Zelda, The Bounce Back Guru™  keynote speaker, radio personality, author of The Art of Bouncing Back and a licensed CAM. She speaks to associations, organizations, on seizing opportunities, reinventing yourself, positive attitude, and bouncing back in challenging times. To learn more visit Zelda at www.BouncebackGuru.com