Barry Owen's inspirational playpen

How REALTORS can save the US Economy . . .

2008-12-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

I’ve been Thinking . . .

And WRITING . . .

A LOT . . .

And the more I think and write about Real Estate and the economy . . . and the more people I talk with who are each facing a collage of personal issues related to the National Drama and accompanying media “dark side” . . . I can’t help but think that we can each make a positive impact within the community simply by being VERY good at what we do as REALTORS.

If I have piqued your curiosity in the least, I invite you to explore the following to links . . . and then to consider joining us @ our on-line community of REALTORS where we can all share ideas and discuss solutions.

This first link is a Squidoo Lens I created this morning – around the premise that if we can get more first time home buyers in the market . . . it could very well positively impact the national economy . . . I may be crazy, but I’m a believer, and this lens is my first attempt to communicate the theory.

http://www.squidoo.com/Real-Estate-Market-CPR

The second link is the “seed” of that lens . . . a blog post I wrote this morning @

http://activerain.com/blogsview/840316/Nitrous-Oxide-The-fuel-for-speed

Let’s fuel this market for exponential results in 2009 and each do our part in saving the economy J

Finally . . . The Real Estate Town Center is a private and safe on-line community for REALTORS and Lenders who are interested in sharing ideas and finding solutions for the issues and opportunities we are each facing in today’s business environment.

If you are interested in joining this community, send me a short blurb about yourself, and I’ll usher you “IN”

I wish you a holiday filled with warmth and love . . . and can’t wait to get back to work in 2009 and turn this market around in a powerful way.

Best,
b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville, TN - Green Hills
615-568-2123
The Owen Group - http://www.theowengroup.net/
http://www.squidoo.com/Real-Estate-Market-CPR
http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization
http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter

Bloghttp://www.activerain.com/barryo
Bloghttp://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
Video - Live Streaminghttp://www.stickam.com/barryowen

Also on Twitter, Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin, Skype

We need to Talk!

2008-12-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

These might be the 4 most feared words in the English language (when they are in this order with "!" at the end).

Upon hearing these words from a spouse, close friend, client, boss . . . the brain instantly fires off a couple million electrical impulses throughout the body to trigger a couple million synapses - The heart beat increases significantly in an effort to keep the blood flowing, the lungs start gasping for more air . . . and panic sets in.

What could it be?

What did I do (or forget to do) to warrant such a grave conversation?

Did I drop some balls?

Should I run and hide?

Maybe if I can avoid the speaker of those words, the issue will evaporate over time.

NOPE!

Best thing to do is to "Stand in the fire"

Don't delay!

Have the conversation . . . It's not going to go away til you do it.

So, Let's talk!

Now (more than EVER) we all need to keep talking ... no hiding allowed.

Wednesday, I wrote an Open Letter to my sphere of influence here in Middle Tennessee. I also posted it here and emailed it to everyone I know. This letter was a response to particularly bad news in our market . . . a dramatic decrease in real estate activity in November which precipitated a flurry of media stories.

Most everyone in our area was certain the sky was, in fact, FALLING!

My letter offered a more constructive tone.

We are leaders in our communities. Leaders don't freak out and run for the hills when the news isn't what people want to hear . . .

Leaders TALK amongst each other and respond in a way that instills a measure of confidence in the community.

I discovered a whole passle of leaders in my community when I published that open letter on
Wednesday . . . My telephone and email in-box were "on fire" ALL day yesterday with folks saying to me:

"We need to talk!"

I had many conversations . . . ALL of which began with a "Thank You!" for the constructive tone of the letter . . . followed by many heart-felt and deeply personal conversations. Many people took that opportunity to "air the laundry" by being transparent about how this has affected them personally.and then we shifted to the simple truth that we all need to keep talking . . .

Here's where I'm going with this . . .

INVITE anyone and EVERYONE to join you in conversations as these issues have no boundaries - Regular MASTERMINDS where folks can openly share their experiences and collectively build solutions for moving forward. Not only is this therapeutic for those who attend, it will go a long way with respect to community building and solution oriented thinking.

Panic does NOT solve problems.

In my office, we host masterminds every Friday @ 1:00.

In your personal business, I believe that now is the MOST important time to be calling your sphere of influence and tell each person "We need to talk!"

Your goal is to schedule 2 appointments every day to meet face-to-face with people. In these appointments, the goal of these appointments is multi-faceted.

- Secure leads for your business

- Build your relationships for more future business

- Communicate confidence

- Let them know that you are meeting regularly with other local professionals to organize a joint effort to navigate the issues and opportunities the community is facing.

KEEP PEOPLE TALKING . . . and as the LEADER, make it your personal mission to keep the tone CONSTRUCTIVE . . . No whining and finger pointing allowed.

If all you do for your business is secure 2 meetings every day and participate in one mastermind with other local professionals weekly, my guess is that you will survive and even thrive in this market . . .and even better, you will positively influence others in your market . . . You will emerge as a true LEADER in your community.

Lead on!

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville, TN - Green Hills
615-568-2123
The Owen Group - http://www.theowengroup.net/
http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization
http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter
Blog http://www.activerain.com/barryo
Blog http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
Video - Live Streaming http://www.stickam.com/barryowen
Also on Facebook, Plaxo, Linkedin, Skype
Quintessentially connected to the real estate industry to offer the ultimate experience for Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee . . . Inquire within!

The Real Estate Market in November 08

2008-12-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Middle Tennesse Associations of REALTORS sent their news releases about November’s market, and the news media has taken their best shots at doom and gloom. . . .

I am passionately defending the viability of our market and feel a responsibility to keep chins UP and do whatever we REALTORS can do to push through all of this and keep things floating.

With that in mind . . . I offer the following 2 things:

Thing 1:

www.realestatetowncenter.ning.com is an on-line "safe" community for REALTORS to connect to network and share issues and opportunities - and is founded on the premise that we REALTORS hold the keys to unlocking a stable future for our communities. To join this growing community, simply email me a blurb about yourself.For more about the theory behind this network, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter

Thing 2:

An open letter from me to whoever . . . Feel free to share with anyone you feel might appreciate it. . . . Here goes . . . In November, Middle Tennessee felt the impact of the Real Estate Market shift more significantly than any other month to date. The number of sales dropped nearly 50% in most every category while values seemed to continue to hold relatively stable as compared to 2007. This news was released yesterday and seems to have provided the local media sources a fresh opportunity to sing “Doom and Gloom” . . . I believe the word used was “TANKED”.

My opinion is a bit more constructive . . .

We see some positive signs, yet we know the reality is that there will be (potentially) several more months of “less than stellar” housing activity. The truth is that this is a much over-due “market correction” and has been an inevitability for the past 3 years . . . We saw it coming as it pummeled other parts of the country, and we are grateful that we were spared significant impact until now.

We also know that this data shows us our inventory of available houses is gradually decreasing and values are holding relatively strong. As the inventory falls and affordability improves, our market will, once again, thrive.

Middle Tennessee values did not “hyper-inflate” as dramatically as they did in other markets (California and Florida) and therefore, we likely will not fall as “hard” . . . and our recovery will come more gracefully and quickly.

Sales ARE happening! Our Keller Williams Realty Green Hills Market Center continues to close deals. We are doing what it takes to educate ourselves daily so as to be able to advise our clients appropriately to navigate the environment. Much of this guidance comes from our Visionary Leadership at Keller Williams International. Gary Keller published a book entitle “Shift”. This book effectively arms our associates with the knowledge and strategies to continue to transact business regardless of the circumstances. We are committed to doing our part to help our community prevail through these uncertain times . . . and we believe that we Local Real Estate Agents are infinitely poised as leaders in our community to positively influence the sustainability of the community.

This is a SUPERB time to be in the market to BUY a house – Especially for 1st time Home Buyers who can benefit from the 2008 Federal Government’s $7500 tax benefit . . . and can be an equally superb time to sell a house.

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty
The Owen Group website - http://www.theowengroup.net http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization http://www.squidoo.com/realestatetowncenter
Blog http://www.activerain.com/barryo
Blog http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com

Dear Uncle Sam

2008-11-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

You're a big man with a big heart, and we all love you.

We know it absolutely breaks that big heart of yours to see all of this economic turmoil . . .
and that you are doing everything you can do to fix the mess we're in.

First, it was the banks - Then Wall Street - and the Real Estate Industry "down-turn" . . .
and now the auto industry.

I guess hindsight is 20/20, eh?

Everyone got too big . . . too fast!
and we all reached an unsustainable threshold . . .
and the brutal truths that "what goes up must come down" and "the bigger they are , the harder they'll fall" showed up and killed the party.

Boy, you jumped into action - That "Caretaker" within you scrambled to find a way to take the pressure off the banks because you saw that the money was frozen. You knew that for ANYTHING (good) to happen the money had to start to flowing again.

So you came up with what the media called a "Bail-out" for the Mortgage Backed Securities - Called it a fancy name that didn't stick "The Economic Stabilization Act" . . . The numbers were astonishing to all the "Joe the Plumbers" amongst us . . . unfathomable . . . but we trust you (sorta) and have been glad to see things move a bit.

As always is the case, there were an unsrupulous few who "gamed the system" and got caught in the spotlight putting a bad taste in everyone's mouth. It's those few jerks out there who took advantage of your big heart who have damaged your credibility in the eyes of many Americans.

Now we see your eye on the Auto industry which really is in deep tapioca. The leaders in that industry have seen the writing on the wall for a LONG time - Have witnessed your generosity with the Banks - and are now asking for a bit of a bail-out themselves.

They've got a pretty strong case. LOTS of jobs are at stake when we consider the manufacturing plants PLUS the myriad (smaller) part manufacturing companies PLUS the failing dealerships PLUS the auto service folks . . .

WOW!

They've painted a pretty gloomy picture if you don't step in . . . and QUICKLY!

You've got a lot to think about, and we are all hoping that you'll make choices that will lead us out of this morass. There are those among us who believe that your best choice with these Auto giants is to "Facilitate" a speedy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Most us of us don't really know what that means, but we kinda like the idea that it will not be "Throwing money at the problem" and it looks more like "Disciplining" the leaders of those companies into restructuring their businesses to bail themselves out . . . even though it seems like a cop-out to many people who see it as abandonment of their obligations to their creditors . . . Who knows?

Will you take a look at Seth Godin's Blog post: "What about Detroit"

Anyhow - I'd like to get to the reason for this letter.

I'm a REALTOR . . .

Our industry has been affected in ways that only REALTORS really know or undersatnd.

We are all independent contractors. We are not part of a large, benevolent corporation. We make money when we close deals . . . PERIOD!

No salaries . . . No pension funds . . . No company sponsored IRAs . . . We are in an environment of "Catch it - Kill it - Drag it home!"

Yes, we chose to be in this business . . . We knew the hazards . . . and our industry got nice and fat just like the others. We were participants in the frenzy that led up to today's debacle (just as were the banks and mega-businesses).

A HUGE number of us are "dying on the vine" and having to seek other employment at a time when the job market is flooded with professionals who have lost their corporate jobs due to downsizing.

Many of our individual businesses are whithering - Our local firms are shrinking and nearing extinction - and all of our "suppliers" such as Lenders, Title Companies, Termite Companies, Fix-it companies, Insurance Companies, Appraisers etc are REALLY hurting . . .

So . . .

Uncle Sam! Can we have a confidential chat over a beer on the patio?

What can you do for US?

BAIL-OUT for REALTORS?

I know I know . . . This would be a hard sell to the American public, but we promise to use the money wisely. Yes, I know everyone thinks we're rich because lots of us drive big, fancy cars and have been hanging out with the rich and famous locals a lot . . . But we need your help . . . and how are WE any less worthy than the big banks and Auto-manufacturers?

What would this bail-out look like?

Where would the money come from?

How do we decide who gets the money - and how much?

Oh, I don't know . . . That's for you to figure out. We can't concern ourselves with the details, we just want the money.

Oh Uncle - We love you dearly and thank you for taking such good care of us in the past. You have let us play for YEARS and allowed us to do things our Parents would NEVER have allowed us to do.

You're the GREATEST!

Where can I get my check?

Love,

me
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK OK . . . The above is a bit "spoofy" . . . Here's my REAL point for EVERYONE out there.

We got ourselves into this mess, and we need to figure out how toget OURSELVES out of this mess. We're all smart folks, and I KNOW that we will all be OK.

Let's begin at home.

Roof over your head and food on the table and clothes on your body?

Great . . . Now, how 'bout your neighbor? Work associates? Community? Burb? Town? City?
Uncle Sam's a really busy guy . . . It's time for all of us to take a step back and re-evaluate our spending/living habits and trim the excesses . . . tighten the belts . . . whatever you want to call it. The problems we all face are very real . . . and they are also temporary . . .

Listen to me . . . Stop Struggling . . . Quit fighting . . . Play well together and share your toys . . . Treat each other with kindness and respect . . . and most importantly . . .

Be thankful for all you have - Spiritual, Social, Emotional, Mental, Physical - HEALTH, Family, Friends . . . and celebrate with gratitude.

And while you're at it . . . LEAD GENERATE YOUR BUTT OFF!

because THAT's the only "REALTOR BAIL-OUT Plan"that I believe will really happen. It's up to us individually to ressurrect our markets . . . and it will only happen with patient effort and consistent education of the "general public" as to the benefits of homeownership. In these times of uncertainty many very smart economists agree that owning REAL PROPERTY (Houses and land) makes good sense.

Hmmmm . . . Sorry . . . I had an idea to write Uncle Sam a letter and I think it turned into a book.

Happy Thanksgiving to YOU!
b

Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.theowengroup.net - We're stimulating the economy in Middle Tennessee by connecting LOTS of home Buyers and Sellers

www.creatingspace.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization - Barry's "alternative website"

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Putting yourself "Out there" . . .

2008-11-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm working through my database looking for missing threads of information . . .

and I am discovering quite a cacophony of contact information.

Hmmmm . . . I'm starting to feel the need for a reliable SINGLE place for my database.

Between http://www.linkedin.com/ and http://www.plaxo.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/ and http://www.skype.com/ and my own personal address book in Outlook and my http://www.gmail.com/ contact folder etc etc etc.

There's gotta be a better way. I've found that it appears no 2 address books share information equally, so if one pulls in data from another, it'll arbitrarily NOT bring in the email address . . . or telephone numbers . . . or will "forget" the group/category . . .

HARUMPH!

Many folks would just tell me not to be a member of so many sites . . . but I know that there are people I am uniquely connected to on each of those portals.

The problem is that I'm nearing a volume of data which is going to power my system (My brain capacity) down.

Why?

Because I am really working hard to put myself out there. My goal is to make contact with as many people as possible - to reconnect with people from my past who might have synchronistic paths.

My recent discovery of http://www.squidoo.com/ has provided lots of recent excitement and distraction for me as I build what I consider to be 'The Mother Ship" of my thoughts these days

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

What a great place to assemble everything . . .

Without question - Squidoo offers a good collection and focusing point . . .

now if I could only straighten out the database . . .

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Real Estate Broker
http://www.theowengroup.net/ - Real Estate Web-site
www.activerain.com/barryo - Other Blog

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization - "Solving all the world's problems in this one simple site"

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Leaders and Followers

2008-11-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

I posted this blog (below) yesterday on an off-line Network and have been giving it a lot of thought since. This morning I awakened to 2 comments on that post . . .
Adding a level of clarity that I "Needed"

An interesting thing happened this morning . . .

I read a comment yesterday . . . about followers . . . and it made me realize that in all of the years I have considered myself to be a "Leader" I had never given thought that those people I was leading were "followers".

What did I think they were/are?

I'm not certain . . . but not "Followers" . . .

My first thought is that "I am not worthy to be a leader of followers"

I've always thought of the whole bunch of us being on a level playing field and that we each "take the lead" at different points along the trail. One of My responsibilities as a leader is to honor and acknowledge the leadership abilities of others . . . and to hold true to my own passions and responsibilities.

I'm internally conflicted on this and certainly would love to hear some feed-back.

When I was in the military, I was an officer. My "job" was to lead.

but . . .Guess what?

All of the folks I led (Enlisted and Officers Junior to me), were as much my leaders as I was theirs. Many of them were crusty old veterans (Some were twice my age - or more) who KNEW the ins and outs of the workings of the Platoon or company or Battalion. The difference was that my responsibility was "concept of the operation" or "VISION" . . . The only "Follower" requirement was that all of those folks were believers in my ability to Lead effectively . . . Their lives depended on my good judgement, and my life depended on their skills and ability to lead each other to Mission Accomplishment.

So . . . My reasoning brings me to the notion that "THE" Leader (perhaps) defines the mission/vision . . . the "followers" execute . . .

In this way, I find no shame in followership . . . It's plenty honorable as these followers lead each other :-)

and therein lies one important component (I believe) of defining and assembling a tribe . . .

Humbly claiming the "Leader" role around a particular passion . . . and simply DOING whatever it takes to invite the right people along for the experiment.

I'm attempting to do this with the Lens I just posted . . . I am full aware that I will need to add some definition/clarity of vision . . . but I am also a firm believer in the premise that the right people will show and co-create this adventure with me. Check out this lens here:

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

Here's the distinction - Leaders operate from "mindset" and are willing to step into their fears (of making "bad" decisions - or "failing") while the followers operate from "Skillset" and do, in fact, execute the Leader's plan.

Leaders are the ones who assume the risk and "take the lead" thereby moving things forward.

Guess what?

I don't think there are ANY other requirements to being a great leader, then having the willingness to take the personal responsibility to take the lead . . . and this is easier to do when you have great PASSION driving you.

Every moment of every day, we ALL have amazing opportunities to lead.

As Seth Godin says: "We need YOU to lead us!"

Best,
b
My other blog www.activerain.com/barryo
http://www.theowengroup.net/

Coming from Contribution

2008-11-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

This is more than simple lip service.

It is TOTALLY true that when you come from contribution great things start happening.

The right people begin showing up in your life . . .

It really DOES ring true that what you put IN, you get back exponentially.

I cannot think of one single reason NOT to test this theory, can you?

Would you rather stumble through life being miserable or dance through life with joy?

I know - I know . . . Life ain't just a big ole bowl of maraschino cherries, and I'm singing an existence of bliss and harmony that (perhaps) denies "reality" . . . or does it?

Sure, we've all got our "unfair share" of issues in our lives.

Sometimes life just SUCKS!

I "get" that . . . Same for me sometimes . . .

but just think . . . If you had a place to go any time life sucks for you . . . a place where you could something new and up-lifting and refreshing every time you went there . . . would that help?

Today, I picked up on the "Lens" - Link below (Thanks to Seth Godin's "Lens of the day") . . .

This is a place of beauty . . . a place that I am fairly confident will ALWAYS give me a good reason to smile regardless of what kind of "noise" I am dealing with. I recommend you visit this place and bookmark it for those times you really need it.

http://www.squidoo.com/say-something-nice

And then . . . PRACTICE it!

Can you go through every day with this level of positiveness?

Just imagine the possibilities . . .

Speaking of possibilities . . . I launched a new lens of my own today - It's here:

http://www.squidoo.com/transformation-self-organization

I'm not sure where I am going with this one, but I know for sure that I am very passionate about making a solid difference in this world while I am here . . . and I know that I have a lot left to do . . . and I am feeling some internal pressure to move this thing forward . . . whatever "this thing" is.

I also know that publishing on the web will give me the kick in the seat that I need to get moving . . . I am certain this will lead to other Lenses . . . and for sure, I intend to continue to build on this lens over time.

My hope is that you will join me on this journey and contribute as you wish :-)

and please please please have a great day and make it your personal mission for the day to "MAKE" the day for 10 people today and every day.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/ - Real estate website
www.activerain.com/barryo - Barry's other blog
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

No news is not good news - It's just stupid!

2008-11-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

OK!

Time to hit the pet peeve on the head.

When you're dealing with an "expert" and the issue at hand is very personal and sensitive . . .

or even if it's NOT very personal and sensitive . . .

This person has the unique "positional power" to potentially gain COMPLETE control of your life albeit for a short time (if you let them).

It could be the doctor who ran a whole battery of tests to diagnose the source of your discomfort . . . and doesn't call you for 3 weeks to report the findings . . .

or

The waiter in the restaurant who takes your order and then dodges your table for 30 minutes without letting you know that there was a kitchen fire and that your food will be delayed for just a few more minutes.

This is nothing short of STUPID!

In the business of real estate sales, lack of communication is the number ONE reason for client dissatisfaction . . . yet it continues in epidemic proportions.

There is NOTHING worse than "no news" . . .

in ANY industry . . . It's inexcusable!

At least honor your customer/client's worth by communicating candidly and frequently . . .

and REALLY crank it up when things are not going as planned.

The problem will not go away if you don't talk about it . . . but the customer WILL . . .

and the customer will simply become a proud member of the silent tribe of folks who will walk out the door and never report their unrest . . .

Instead, they will casually tell everyone they know about your ineptitude when it comes to meeting their expectations.

We're ALL in the "service" business . . .

and we ALL "need" to leave a trail satisfied customers in our wake in order to stay in business . . .

and I believe it begins with solid communication whether the news is good or bad.

b
Barry Owen
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Hindsight and Tunnel Vision

2008-11-16T08:54:00.000-08:00

My brain is moving at warp speed these days.

Part of the reason is (putting it mildly) due to the mind-numbing experience I am having on Seth Godin's Triiibes community site . . . Fabulous stuff!

Is hind-sight "all that"?

Some say that it's 20/20 - Perfect vision - and therefore has little real value becuase it's too late.

It doesn't do a lot for one's psyche/ego to look back on things and say: "AW SH_T! I coulda . . . or if only I had . . . "

Yet, we all know (as I learned early in career as a "leader" in the Army) that there are lessons to be learned through an intentional look back in the form of an AAR - After Action Review . . . so that we can move forward with confidence and know what to do in the future.

Yes - and folks say that "History repeats itself" and that we can study historical trends and be able to be more RESPONSIVE and less reactionary going forward.

I believe that there are those folks out there who get hung up on the hindsight thing . . . Don't hash and rehash ad nausium . . . Do as we did in the Army . . . Review - Assess - Adjust - Move FORWARD!

IN my days in the army, we talked in terms of "range walking". . . This is a VERY focused and Intentional way of walking with 100% FOCUS on everything within perception . . . moving with quickness while adjusting for terrain obstacles and maintaining an almost hyper-focus on the surroundings so as to be able to respond to lurking issues. Once I 'Got" this technique, I could literally range walk faster than I could run for long distances.

In steps "Tunnel-vision" . . .

Do you ever find yourself cruising along "doing" . . . perhaps in a "flow moment" . . . and next thing you know, the day is over and you forgot to eat, sleep etc . . . and others around you comment that you had pure tunnel vision as if nothing else existed?

Is this a good thing?

With that level of focus, do we miss opportunities?

I coach a lot of people into FOCUS because I know that focus on a goal/vision yields results . . . and most of the folks I coach have very random and unfocused habits when they come to me.

I'm wondering if I might better serve these "coachees" by teaching them to "range walk" . . .and stop at appropriate "way-points" to review and refresh and realign before moving forward.

Seth Godin Blogged a post a couple of weeks ago in his amazingly pithy way . . . The message was clear:

- Those who REACT have great difficulty moving forward
- The RESPONDERS do better

and many gurus talk a lot about Responding and not reacting

- Those who INITIATE constantly are the ones moving forward ALWAYS

In the terms in this blog post, the initiators are range walking :-)

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Squidoo site coming soon . . . Til then, it's the Real Estate Web-Site:

www.theowengroup.net

Simply and BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Never Underestimate the power of a newbie . . .

2008-11-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

While the crusty old curmudgeons hang out at the coffee pot and grumble about the weather . . . and the boss's last memo . . .
and: "who's getting canned next?"
And: "What're we going to do if things (economy) doesn't improve?
They fail to notice the FNG (Freakin' New Girl Sally) moving into her desk on the other side of Cubicle City.

She knows where the coffee pot is because she saw it (and the group of "seasoned Veterans) as she did her orientation tour of the office yesterday . . . but Sally knew then and now that the coffee pot would be off-limits for her because she was on a MISSION!

That's right!

A MISSION!

Sally was fresh out of school and had selected her job carefully - Studied the veritable smorgasbord of possibilities - took note of the subtle truth that she would need to WOW the recruiters to even have a shot at a job in ANY of these companies because most were exploring "down-sizing strategies" . . .

and so she developed a "Plan of Attack" . . .

She would actually enter every interview with a tough set of questions SHE would ask . . .
and at the conclusion of each interview, Sally would ask permission to interview 5 current members of the unit she would potentially be joining.

After 8 interviews, she had whittled her pile of choices down to 3. She then called each of those 3 for one additional interview . . . with the boss of her prospective boss-to-be.

Sally is potentially the best friend or worst enemy of those coffee pot lurkers. She already has the attention of the leadership of the organization because when they gathered to discuss the applicants they all agreed that they had felt as if she had interviewed THEM not the other way around . . .

AND Sally seemed to KNOW their company. She had obviously done her homework.

And when they had asked her what her goal is, she had very confidently stated that she intended to build a cohesive TEAM within the office . . . and TEAM which would consistently out-perform any team in this international Firm.

Yet Sally was coming into this firm literally on the first rung of the ladder . . . 1/2 a step "above" the janitorial staff.

Sally is a 24 year "Tribal Elder" with a mission. Her focus is clear and purposeful . . .
and there are many "Sallys" out there emerging from college infiltrating very structured organizations with staid customs and ways of doing business and lots of "tenured" employees.

These newbies are INTENTIONAL . . .

Ready to take ACTION!

FEARLESS!

Technologically formidable . . .

VERY smart . . .

TOTALLY in tune with "social Networking" as a way of doing business.

Completely uninterested in having a job to "pay the bills"

Already thinking about "Balance of Life"

and the curmudgeons think of them as "selfish up-starts"

OK . . . One final thought . . . The newbies do not necessarily have to be youngsters . . . I saw in the rule book that even old curmudgeons can discover their "newbie within" and make great things happen.

I believe this is possible only when a person is following what has heart and meaning (passion) and is taking responsibility for that passion by taking action . . . and for me, the taking action part includes assembling a cohesive tribe of compatriots.

Oh yeah . . . and keeping things SIMPLE -

Knowing that following passion will attract the right people - understanding the importance of patience, that things (creativity and Spirit) will start when the time is right - Getting the truth that personal agendas do not dictate outcomes, whatever happens is the only that could - and acknowledging when it is over . . . and moving on to other useful pursuits.

You, too, can be a "Sally" . . . and you won't even have to quit your job (unless it is not in alignment with your passion) . . . simply BE!

Best,
b

Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo other blog

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!
Living in Open Space is my ticket to Tribal development :-)

2008-11-13T08:09:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, we had Mastermind in our office @ Keller Williams Realty Green Hills . . .

The topic was simply: “Thriving in this shifted market – Exploring issues and opportunities we are facing”

The discussion was so rich and useful for everyone who attended that we have decided to do these masterminds EVERY Friday @ 1:00 CST . . .

and we have invited the whole world to join us for future ones . . . we'll stream the session on -line @ www.stickam.com/barryowen We feel that the more perspectives in the room - the better . . .

I don't usually re-blog stuff . . . but this one is worthy enough (and the author gives clear permission) . . . . This comes from My favorite Seth Godin and rings especially true for LOTS of people in today's business environment.
I have some comments of my own (of course) at the end, so I hope you will read the whole thang!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Too good to be true (the overnight millionaire scam)
You probably don't need to read this, but I bet you know people who do. Please feel free to repost or forward:
Times are tough, and many say they are going to be tougher. That makes some people more focused, it turns others desperate.
You may be tempted at some point to try to make a million dollars. To do it without a lot of effort or skill or risk. Using a system, some shortcut perhaps, or mortgaging something you already own.
There are countless infomercials and programs and systems that promise to help you do this. There are financial instruments and investments and documents you can sign that promise similar relief from financial stress.
Resist.
There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk.
(Five if you count inheritance, and six if you count starting with two million dollars).
Conspicuously missing from this list are effortless 1-2-3 systems that involve buying an expensive book or series of tapes. Also missing are complicated tax shelters or other 'proven' systems. The harder someone tries to sell you this solution, the more certain you should be that it is a scam. If no skill or effort is required, then why doesn't the promoter just hire a bunch of people at minimum wage and keep the profits?
There are literally a million ways to make a good living online, ten million ways to start and thrive with your own business offline. But all of these require effort, and none of them are likely to make you a million dollars.
Short version of my opinion: If someone offers to sell you the secret system, don't buy it. If you need to invest in a system before you use it, walk away. If you are promised big returns with no risk and little effort, you know the person is lying to you. Every time.
end of post
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK!
"There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk."
Let's think about this with relevance to our business and the environment we are all in.
"LUCK" is NOT a good strategy . . . so that one's out . . .
"RISK" - Isn't there already enough built-in risk with the uncertainties we face daily? You'd be crazy to do anything risky unless your pockets are DEEP and FULL.
That leaves:
Patient Effort - Continue to Lead Generate PATIENTLY and diligently, and you'll make it through this morass!
and
Skill - Work on your scripts . . . Track your efforts . . . determine your strengths and weaknesses . . . FOCUS on honing your skills EVERY day . . . It'll pay off in a large way eventually.
and don't lose faith . . . The next 4 months will be frightening for many REALTORS . . . Those who are able to remain standing will emerge stronger than ever before . . . so . . . unless you're uniquely qualified and motivated to do something else to bring home the bacon . . .
I think the wisdom here is to head on down the path of "Patient Effort" and "Skill" improvement.
Best,
b
Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!
www.theowengroup.net

www.activerain.com/barryo - Blog
www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com - Barry's other blog-site
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Accidental Leadership

2008-11-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

Who's in charge?

YOU?

If not YOU, WHO?

WHY?

WHO put HER in charge?

SHE did?

What gave HER the right to decide who's in charge?

This could be a dialogue that happens when children are left on their own to complete a project

or

when adults are left on their own to complete a project.

Is it necessary to "appoint" a leader?

I would venture to say that if a leader does not emerge from any given gaggle of people the idea for the gathering might not be such a great idea . . . or these might not be the right people . . . or it IS a great idea with the right people at the "wrong time" . . .

Given an "appropriately safe" environment with a reasonably "charged" issue at hand I know that the leaders in the room WILL emerge - accidentally.

Even the most timid and apparently lazy, irresponsible, untalented, and boring people have as good a chance at become the leader in a group when they have true passion flowing.

They accidentally take charge . . . Next thing you know, they've forgotten their innate ineptness :-) and dived in with reckless abandon.

It's a wonderful thing to witness.

How do we nurture this phenomenon?

Create a safe space, and it happens all by itself.

Creating safe space is easier than you might think.

It begins with the theme . . .

Is there a REAL issue at hand?

Something folks have passion for?

Diversity of People?

Potential (or presence of) conflict?

a REAL Need for resolution . . . YESTERDAY?

If you Invite EVERYONE who might have a stake in the decision, the leaders will "accidentally" show up.

Be careful not to make this gathering compulsory . . . doing that will spoil the brew . . . because leader wannabees will show up.

Offer some people a forum, and they'll take control . . . and the "Real leaders" will leave the room

Life for everyone gets infinitely easier when true leadership has the space and permission to emerge ... accidentally!

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

It ain't easy for some folks . . .

2008-11-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

You know: "When it rains, it pours!"

It seems that I have been running into more and more people

who are experiencing increasingly difficult circumstances.

It all seems to begin with financial woes - Loss of job - over

extension from dreams that never materialized - Dissipation

of net worth through uncontrollable, unforeseeable events

such as the volatile stock market and inflationary surprises

like gas/energy prices . . . We've got plenty of reasons to worry!

It's just HARD for some folks these days.

What makes matters worse is when the stress and fatigue

of the drama seizes control of a person's very being and sucks

the very life energy dry . . . Then what?

I've been there - Several times - and it ain't easy - or fun!

But I know what it ALWAYS took to "get to the other side"

You gotta get out of the funk enough to be able to take care

of your SELF FIRST.

Get your mind and body moving and take the time you need

to find yourself.

Never lose FAITH that it'll be OK in the end (because it will).

Decide to conquer the demons that you have allowed to control you.

And move towards the people in your life you know will support you unconditionally.

Don't hold on to relationships with people who take more than they give.

Quit "hearing" negativity - It'll cloud your thinking and put you to sleep.

Don't worry about people (other than your children) for whom you feel responsible . . .

they can survive without you while you pick yourself back up.

For God's sake, don't count on someone else swooping in to save the day.

As my father told in one of my darkest times: "You got yourself into this mess . . . Only YOU can get yourself out of it!"

I was angry when I heard that. I knew that he more than had the resources to bail me out.

What I know now is that he did that because he believed in me. He KNEW that I could do it. His lack of support turned being the most loving and respectful form of support imaginable because I DID make it through WITHOUT the help of a knight in shining armor.

and when I did get to the "I'm OK" realization, my whole self was intact . . . I MADE it through MYSELF!

This was quite a victory!

I have concerns for the emotional stability of lots of folks these days. All these pressures combine with the tension surrounding the looming and promised CHANGE that is sure to emerge as President Elect Obama makes his way towards the Oval office.

For some folks, these changes will be cause for great celebration . . .

For others, they will be painful and will elicit strong emotional reactions.

My hope is that we as a nation can weather this storm (time of change) gracefully . . .

My fear is that the reality will be less than graceful as evidenced by the apparent building of tension not more than 60 hours past the conclusion of the election.

Folks . . . Let's not forget that we are all AMERICANS! We are stewards of our ancestors legacies . . . and we have just this one chance to create a legacy for our children and their children etc etc . . . a legacy for which we can all be proud.

I know that only a handful of people will read this blog post . . . My hope is that by the sheer nature of the fact that I have sent it out to the Universe in a clear form . . . That it'll have some positive influence.

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Career Development Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryowen my other blogsite

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Do you color inside the lines?

2008-11-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

Winding down this day with many thoughts and not much time to write . . .

There's been quite a buzz in my world - fall-out from the election results.

Some folks are ecstatic about the results . . . to the point of gloating.

Others are very passionately vehement, downright disgusted and angry . . .

and then there's the "normal" silent majority . . .

The news this morning was filled with interesting stories of finger-pointing

and blame-gaming on the Republican side of things.

All the Democrats are smiling and busily forming the next administration.

Yesterday, I wrote about Seth Godin's blog post about Marketing Lessons from the Election

Check it out @ http://www.sethgodin.com/ (Click on his head)

I've now had a couple of days to digest that post and have affirmed my position that it's a brilliant piece . . .

Plain and Simple . . .

The Obama campaign simply out-performed the McCain Campaign . . . from a marketing perspective

I honestly believe that this demonstrated the "Perfect Storm" in terms of marketing.

It's obvious to me that the Republicans were more compliant and less creative . . .

and they didn't have to be . . . They "Played by the rules" . . . and lost the election.

So that gives me pause . . . Does this mean it's OK not to play by the rules?

Wait a minute . . .

Whose rules ARE these?

Who made these "Rules"?

Are they "official" - "Written" - "Universally accepted"?

I guess not because the Obama campaign cruised along swimmingly through the whining and complaining and proceeded to victory.

One particularly frustrated Republican asked me today what we (The Republican Party) can do to regain status (control) . . .

My answer was simple . . . Follow Seth Godin's advice and Barack Obama's example and . . .

"Create a Tribe"

And quit being so up tight about the rules . . .

Best,

b

PS - I have a family member who is facing a complicated illness - Please send us an extra dose of energy in the coming weeks.

Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Career Development Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo - Real Estate Blogsite
www.stickam.com/barryowen - Streaming live training daily

Simply & BOLDLY Living the fourFold Way in Open Space!

We have identified a President for the USA

2008-11-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

I am very thankful to have this opportunity to be able to say that the election is OVER!

For God's sake, I was just a few "talking points" away from insanity. It seems the past week was a month and a half. Those 2 candidates sliced and diced each other every way possible . . . and the media was like a matador . . . Prodding and disturbing the peace as much as possible.

Honestly, I was not a big fan of either candidate. I did vote because I am very passionate about the truth that voting is a responsibility that I should not shun. Besides without having voted, I will not have any ground to stand on if I want to complain about the politicians in the future.

I was especially pleased at what did not happen last. The Republican Party and John McCain conceded very gracefully and there was not the day-ending bloodshed and car burnings that sometimes happen in particularly contentious elections.

Today, virtually everyone I have talked with is ecstatic that we can all get back to business and put that whole thing behind us. I know that all eyes will be on Barack Obama in the coming months and years to see if his promises are real or rhetoric . . . That's not a personal comment . . . it's a subtle truth that most everyone in the world has become somewhat suspicious of political promises . . . It seems they are easily broken and 'splained away . . .

So here's something I need to say. For the past 8 years, I have heard people speak horrendously about our current President George Bush. It is true that he has faults (we ALL do) . . . and that not all of his choices were necessarily the best (hindsight is 20/20) . . . and that his somewhat arrogant nature often stirred the pot as much as his choices . . .

BUT . . .

When I was in the army, I "got" the fact that the President of the United States is our Commander in Chief and deserves the ultimate respect of all Americans whether you like or agree with his decisions. John McCain alluded to this in his concession speech last night - He said that he and Barack Obama still have differences of opinion but that he John McCain will honor Barack Obama as his Commander in Chief.

This is right and proper . . . What is NOT right and proper is the way many Americans have spoken about George Bush - their Commander in Chief for the past 8 years. Honestly, who among those naysayers could handle the level of pressure and complexity of issues that man faced during that incredibly difficult hand of cards he was dealt? Did folks think that George Bush was sitting around thinking of new and different ways to intentionally screw up the nation?

How do you think that man feels being called virtually every name in the book for 8 years straight? . . . The American public has treated him like a dog - I think that is misbehavior to the nth degree . . . My children know better. Do some people "feel good" when they belittle and criticize others? Is that what this is all about?

What person in their right mind would even WANT that job?

I'm not defending George Bush . . . I'm defending EVERY great leader who attains the position of Commander in Chief. I expect Barack Obama to have due respect as long as he is the President (which is really for the rest of his life - Once "Mr President" ALWAYS Mr. President) . . . He deserves this because he has been bestowed that position by the American people.

anyhow . . . my hope and belief is that Barack Obama will do his best to surround himself with the right people to do what he says he's here to do . . . To take our great nation in a new direction. Some folks are afraid that the Democrats will pick up the ball and RUN with it like a steam-roller . . . My hope is that this will not happen because it will not reach the destination of going in a new direction of stability.

My hope is that the next 4 years will be chock full of respect and dignity . . . and while change can sometimes be very untasty, my hope is that it will be tastefully enacted.

Please visit my other blog post today http://activerain.com/blogsview/774963/Moving-forward

I believe that now that the election is behind us, we can all get back to business . . . and that all can begin by reinvigorating the local real estate markets. My commitment is to do my part by positioning myself best to have appropriate knowledge to effectively advise Home Buyers and Sellers and Real Estate Agents to successfully navigate these murky waters.

Treat each other with kindness and respect :-)

any comment or feed-back are always welcome

best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Real Estate Broker
Career Development Coach
Keller Williams Realty
Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in open Space!

Middle Tennessee Horse Property for sale

2008-10-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

190 ZIEGLERS FORT RD
Gallatin, TN 37066

This property is a virtual SHOWCASE of a property when it comes to comfort and convenience for your horses. It is Fabulous horse property or mini-farm located on 10.32 acres of rolling hills with pastures, trees and a seasonal pond.

The property is completely and newly fenced and crossed fenced and includes a working four stall horse barn with room for at least two more stalls. The stalls are 10’ x 20’ with rubber mat flooring. There is ample storage, tack room, electricity and water.

The house is nestled between pasture land to the front and lightly wooded land to the rear. There are porches on every side of this home offering many different views and opportunities for entertaining.

Just off the kitchen there is a mud room with shower and bathroom. The kitchen is large with loads of cabinet space, marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances (refrigerator is negotiable).

The great room features Carolina pine cathedral ceilings with skylights and a wood burning fireplace.

The Master Suite offers a bath with new tile floors, marble counter tops separate shower and garden tub.

The Florida room (16 x 9) is currently being used as an art studio and has access to the back deck.

The current owners have attended to every detail to be sure their horses feel pampered.

New roof 2006, new water heater 2007, granite countertops 2008, brand new carpet Aug. 2008, new tile in master bath and Florida room 2008, fenced and cross fenced new in 2006-07.

Just @ 35-45 minute drive from Nashville and the airport, this is absolutely the nicest horse property we have ever had the privilege of offering for sale.

Contact Debbie Owen @ 615-485-883 or dguthery@comcast.net

The Owen Group www.theowengroup.net

Barry Owen - BLOG - www.activerain.com/barryo

Keller Williams Realty

Nashville, TN

Green Hills

Tribes and Open Space Technology

2008-10-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

Seth Godin has put out another fabulous book:

"Tribes - We Need YOU to Lead US"

I’m reading through “Tribes” now . . .

Great stuff!

Already have had several AHA’s . . .

The most interesting aha thus far is
The connection between this book and
The life work of my Father Harrison Owen

He “Discovered” Open Space Technology
In the mid 80’s . . .
and it’s making a difference In the world

I believe Open Space creates the Leaders
Seth Godin describes.

None of this is new thought . . .
Yet it is certainly break-through stuff.

I invite you to meet my Father and his work:

Personal Website:
http://ho-image.com/index.htm

Open Space Technology site – and Brief History
(Wordy but worth the read)
http://openspaceworld.com/brief_history.htm

I work and live in Open Space, and I feel in
Alignment with the Leader Seth Godin describes.

Simply remarkable,

Best,

b

Helping Leaders discover their unique, personal Career Path, and coaching them towards Success and Balance!
Coaching Blog www.activerain.com/barryo
Other BLOG @ http://creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
Website www.theowengroup.net
Barry Owen

Principal Broker / Career Development CoachKeller Williams Realty - Green Hills Market Center30 Burton Hills Blvd Ste 175Nashville, TN 37215Direct - 615.425.3622Toll Free 866.375.0965Fax - 615.690.9643
Skype - barryo06

Keller Williams Realty is a learning-based Training & Consulting Company supporting our Real Estate Professionals by offering business models, systems, tools, & support to Build Careers Worth Having, Businesses Worth Owning, and Lives worth living . . . We are THE fastest growing, most innovative real estate company in America.

Nashville - Brentwood - Remarkable Renovation for sale!

2008-10-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

8016 Cloverland Drive - Nashville TN 37211

Truthfully, It's been quite a while since we have had an opportunity to offer for sale a house which has been renovated with this level of meticulous attention to detail. The current owner initially bought this house with full intentions to renovate it and move in for a long stay . . . and (as is often the case) just as the house was nearing completion, plans changed necessitating a move nearer family.

The location is at the extreme Southern edge of Davidson County - Literally a matter of yards from the Williamson County Line . . . Darn near in the heart of Brentwood and around the corner from Nippers Corner. Access to Interstate 65 is a breeze down Old Hickory Blvd . . . and @ equidistant from the phenomenal Cool Springs Galleria, The Mall at Green Hills, and Downtown Nashville - Oh yeah . . . and the airport's not a bad trip either :-)

So, I invite you to take a close look at the pictures here and note the following details:

Over 1 acre of land on a large hill with a sweeping view
3850 sq feet of living space with 4 bedrooms (Master Down) and 3.5 baths -
2 car garage with electric door opening - Covered carport next to side entrance
Fresh Landscaping, aggregate Driveway, & Walkway w/concrete pavers in a herringbone design
Crawl space – lined with Clean Space Liner and 25mm thick fiberglass insulation
Insulation – Spray foam on all wall & roof decks & fiberglass insulation to current Nashville building codes
Attic – subflooring in attic space for additional storage
Wood burning fireplace – TN crab orchard stone
Chimney – new cap and flue liner inspected by Ash Busters
Windows – new double pain windows
Roof – new roof on second story over porch
Electrical – all new to Nashville building codes
Plumbing – all new to Nashville building codes copper-pecks piping
Roof line – gabled roof
HVAC – 2 new Trane Package units with clean air effects (99.9% cleans pollution/pollen filter in crawl space) on bedroom side of house (runs 2 zones); three programmable thermostats (1 upstairs, 1 in master, 1 in living) Gas heat/electric cool
Water heater – new with recirculation 80 gallon pump (closed system hot water recirculates all the time)
Hardwood floors – on first floor 3 inch wide plank oak floors
Kitchen cabinets – all new 42 in, pullouts, soft close cabinets with under mount lighting
Appliances – new electric Jenn-aire double oven with top convection and new energy saver dishwasher
Island downdraft and cook-top
Tile (subway) new in all three bathrooms
Closets – 9 total 2 are walk in
Lighting – recessed in all rooms with fan boxes in all bedrooms, living room and kitchen
Floating Staircase
Vaulted ceilings in living room and kitchen

Email us with any questions . . . or call:

Debbie Guthery Owen

Keller Williams Realty - 615-425-3600

dguthery@comcast.net

615-485-8833

Barry Owen

barryo@comcast.net

615-568-2123

The Center of the Universe

2008-10-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

The center of the Universe

As I watched those 2 fellas talk about the state of the country and the world last night (The Debate between Senators Obama and McCain), I first made note of the subtle truth that neither one of those guys had any intention of answering the question that was asked. I think if I wandered along in life in this way for very long in life, I would probably not thrive . . . but then again, maybe they are on to something . . . after all, they both DID make it to the election.

I will vote in this election even as I look as these 2 candidates and wonder if perhaps they each made it to the top because they were the only 2 guys who were still standing at the end of the primaries. Perhaps the other candidates saw the writing on the wall and gracefully opted out so they could fade into the "peanut gallery" until things cool off a bit. I'm sure we'll see a lot of those folks re-surface as Presidential Candidates next go-around, and I know that come hell or high or water we are, as a nation, masterful survivors . . .

So maybe these ARE the 2 best candidates simply because they ARE the 2 who have stayed the course even in the face of extreme adversity. It takes a LOT of intestinal fortitude to tackle the Local, National, and Global issues of the day.

PERSISTENCE!

The more I listen to the news, the more I realize that our industry (Real Estate) IS currently "The Center of the Universe" . . . Clearly, the economists and politicians are focusing on what's happening in the mortgage and home sales markets more than anything. Sure there are plenty of other issues, but this all seems to boil down to the personal safety and security of families . . . and the reality that real estate is the only investment out there that physically puts a ROOF over your head while it appreciates over time.

Most everything we do as people, communities, Nations and participants in this Planet Earth experience we are all sharing begins within our most fundamental "Social Network". . . our FAMILY . . . our HOME!

The sermon I heard in church this past Sunday was more like an expose of the economic happenings in the world than a Spiritual message. The priest was talking of the "Macro-Economic Forces" that are driving our current day human experience - and the notion that we really have little actual control over the large picture . . . and we cannot really put our finger on the cause . . . the reasons . . . the blame . . . for our condition. What we CAN do is focus on what MATTERS NOW.

If you learn nothing else from all of this, I hope you'll "get" the simple truth (My Opnion) that the REAL answers to "fixing" this abominable swill that we call the socio-political-economic-climate begin in our HOMES . . . and spread to our extended families . . . and communities . . . We take baby steps and learn how to communicate effectively with each other . . . and we CARE and persist through any adversity we encounter.

I challenge you to look around you today and consider who it that is important in your life and reach out and embrace that person.

Random thoughts on a rainy Wednesday morning in Nashville, TN . . .

b

Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP!
www.theowengroup.net - Our family serves other home Buying and Selling families in Middle Tennessee
www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way In Open Space!

Riding Waves

2008-09-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

As unimaginative as it may seem, I am re-posting 2 messages here - The first is from me in response to something from my Father Harrison Owen . . . a letter which accompanies the release of a new book. "Wave Rider - Leadership for High Performance in a Self Organizing World" . . . Dad Just NAILED it with this book and the accompanying letter . . . So I feel compelled to share.

Here goes . . . First my response:

Of course - No bias here . . .

Over the years, I have collected every book Dad (Harrison) has written begining with Spirit (Which sat on the shelf for @ 5 years before I actually read it to understand). I agree with anyone who charges "Same thing - Different book" but every book is better than all the ones before. The message was pure from the start - and has just gotten simpler and more "practical" through the iterations.

After all, the difficulty for mose people is the concept that Open Space is more descriptive than prescriptive . . . It's not something that the "Practitioner" DOES to an organization . . . It's a simple way to "remember" who we are and that we are all subject to the fundamental "Law of self Organization".

I just finished reading "Wave Rider" (I got a "boot-leg" version) . . . and WOW!

This book brings a level of understanding that is (I believe) as complete as it could be - This is a summation of the "evolution of the understanding of Open Space" and actually captures the true essence of what many of us theorized (years ago) of the potential for Open Space. We all knew of the power - and could see the validity of "Living in Open Space" . . . We could imagine what it would look like for an organization to operate IN Open Space all the time . . . and we could dream of the "High Play - High Achievement" environment this could create.

and we all are "out here" practicing Open Space in a variety of ways and applications - and I speak for myself when I say that Open Space changed my life in a VERY powerful way when I finally released my need to be in control and began noticing the power of organic self-organization.

I think I'm writing mare than necessary . . . Suffice it to say that this book is nothing short of wonderful . . . and that I will be buying a case of'm and distributing them to every "person of influence" in my world including executives and educators . . . along with a note that says: "MUST READ"

I know that each book that Dad Writes is his "Final Book" . . . I hope he keeps on writing because the books are only getting better . . . and I can see his truly final book . . . It's a very simple paperback book - Perhaps entitled something along the lines of "The True Essence of Open Space" . . . with @ 175 BLANK pages.

Dad, I am SO proud of you!

Love,

b

Then from Dad:

From: Harrison Owen <hhowen@verizon.net>
On September 12, 2008, Berrett-Koehler will publish my new book, Wave Rider: Leadership for High Performance in a Self Organizing World. As I explained to my publisher, Steve Piersanti, this is the book I have been waiting to write because it represents my final report on my participation in a grand natural experiment.

The experiment, of course, is that ridiculously simple way to elegant gatherings, Open Space Technology. As you may know, the creation of OST was not a labor intensive activity. In fact it appeared in my mind on the strength of two martinis in the time it took to drink them. That was 23 years ago, and in the intervening period millions of people from 134 countries have discovered that if you will sit in a circle, create a bulletin board, open a market place, and go to work -- some fairly incredible things are likely to happen. Massively complex issues can be dealt with in amazingly short periods of time. Intense conflict can find useful paths of resolution. And it seems to happen all by itself. There are even recorded cases where the sole facilitator took a nap!

I have no way of knowing what all these people thought about their experience, but I found it profoundly mystifying. How could something so simple do so much? Considered against the dominant theory and practice of organization and meetings, such things not only could not happen, they should not happen. But it did and it does.

Over time it occurred to me that the magic was not Open Space Technology, but something infinitely more powerful and profound: the elemental force of Self Organization. For whatever reason, I have had a lifetime fascination with the great cosmic dance of chaos and order. My 1965 thesis could have born the title, “Chaos, Order, and the Creative Process,” for that was the central theme. As the evolving science of chaos and complexity matured I found myself mesmerized by the elegant insights of the physicists, chemists and biologists who were pushing that frontier – particularly when they identified the phenomenon of self organization as a critical player. It all seemed so counterintuitive -- and disturbingly compelling when it occurred to me that something of the same sort could be happening every time we sat in a circle and created a bulletin board. But they were doing High Science, a! nd we j ust convening meetings. And that is where that funny thing called OST became a natural experiment for me.

The question was: If the primal force of self organization lay at the heart of the Open Space experience could we learn to leverage it for our benefit and align our endeavors with its massive power? I think the answer is yes, not just as a theoretical possibility but in very practical ways which might enhance our performance and expand our possibilities in this turbulent, confusing and wonderful world. In a word, we might learn to surf the waves of primal power to become Wave Riders.

The book comes in two parts. The first states the case, and Part II makes the application. If your predilection is theoretical start at the beginning and read forward. On the other hand, if your preference is practical, skip Part I and head straight for Part II: The Wave Rider’s Guide. I make no pretence that this is the “final word” -- indeed I hope it is but a beginning. But it will get you started, and the rest is up to you.

For a preview, go to http://openspaceworld.com/waveriders.htm; you will find the Introduction to the book giving you an outline of direction and content.

If you want the book, Amazon.com is ready. Go to --
http://www.amazon.com/Wave-Rider-Leadership-Performance-Self-Organizing/dp/1576756173/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220216204&sr=1-3

If you really want to dive in, we will be doing a series of programs around the world. The fun is just beginning! I have done my “Final Report” but the really good part is up to you. Where do we go from here? And only you can say. You will find an outline of the program at http://openspaceworld.com/wave%20rider%20program.htm. This program will be offered in Europe, Asia and the North American Continent. Dates and places will be listed athttp://openspaceworld.com/dates%20and%20places.htm

Harrison

Website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com

I think you should drop everything and buy a copy of this book - It might just alter your perception of the world you're in :-)

Best,

b
Barry Owen
The Owen Group
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Nashville, TN

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold in Open Space!

College Bound

2008-08-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

I just have to pause for a moment and share my experience of the day.

Our son Tyler has flown from the nest and landed at www.mtsu.edu where he will find himself and learn much . . . and perhaps discover what he's going to do when he grows up. This is Middle Tennessee State University. Having grown up in Nashville, you would think that I would know ALL about MTSU, but the truth is . . . somehow I missed out on the fact that such a great school was only a few miles down the road.

My high school - Montgomery Bell Academy - didn't seem to have MTSU on its radar whatsoever . . . perhaps MTSU was not "Ivey League" enough.

We (Deb & I) knew that Tyler was considering MTSU a while back. We had no reason to discourage this and the more we learned about the school, the more enthusiastic we became. Suddenly, we found MANY highly successful folks in our sphere who had graduated from MTSU . . . and then we learned that it is one of the largest schools in the SouthEast.

Size can be intimidating . . .

So today as we drove to Murfreesboro to Check Tyler into his dorm, my expectation was complete mayhem. Imagine 25,000 students with parents in tow descending upon the campus in the period of 48 hours.

Our experience was phenomenal.

As we drove on to campus, we turned into the wrong set of dorms . . . There was a nice man at the entrance who promptly gave us a map of the campus and very specific directions to Tyler's dorm.

So off we went . . .

As we approached the dorm, we saw the road divided by orange cones - another "host" directed us to pull to the curb in front of our dorm - there would be people there to help us unload the car - and there WERE . . . and these nice folks then directed us EXACTLY where to park.

We parked and Tyler registered at the dorm and got his key . . . and a veritable army of volunteers gathered ALL of Tyler's belingings and carried it to his room for us . . . and then told us there was free lunch just across the courtyard.

WOW!

Now, THESE folks have a SYSTEM - A FLAWLESS system . . . and ALL of those folks were VOLUNTEERS. I can honestly say that this was a completely different experience than the one I had when I checked into my first college which was MUCH smaller.

Driving away, we felt very good about leaving our son at this university.

The population in our house has (sadly) now decreased to 4 . . . although Tyler knows that our door is always open, and we are hopeful he will find his way home often.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The weather in Nashville is beautiful - Wish you were here . . .

2008-08-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

By some strange stroke of luck when we returned from our week in steamy Pensacola, FL the humidity in Nashville seemed to have vacated the premises . . . The nights feel a lot cooler, and it is TOTALLY perfect weather for being outdoors. Today, we decided to go for a swim at the YMCA . . . The water was COLD . . . and the air was cool and breezy even though the ambient temperature was reading @ 94 Degrees.

This clearly is my favorite weather. We know that this could very well be (most certainly is) an "Indian Fall" meaning that the heat and humidity will likely return with a vengeance soon . . . so we know to squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of it.

I'll never forget hearing Gary Keller (a year ago) the visionary leader of Keller Williams Realty talking about the "Market shift" that was happening with ferocity in many parts of the nation. He was emphatic about the importance of guarding your mindset and continuing to do the right things . . . Take action and continue doing the fundamental business practices that lead to business success . . . His wisdom was that the market conditions are simply like the weather. It'll hit some areas and miss others . . . and when it's stormin' you've gotta take cover and continue on.

For Buyers and Sellers of homes, these have been confusing times at best. The media has very intently and consistently been singing the mantra that the sky IS, in fact, falling. This is pure doom and gloom media hype.

Here in Nashville, the weather hasn't been so bad. In Our office in Green Hills, our associates have really buckled down and studied the market conditions carefully. We have been coaching and consulting and training every single person every single day . . . We are following Gary Keller's direction . . . There is NO way this "bad weather" is going spoil OUR party or the party of our clients.

And guess what?

Our numbers are showing . . . PROFIT EVERY MONTH for the office . . . and we are NOT going to relax until the storm passes.

SO . . . If you are not . . . we DO wish you were here. We're seeing Buyers getting great deals and many Sellers walking away from closings with smiles on their faces. Our values have not declined significantly and most folks can gain on their purchase any percieved loss they had on their sale . . . This is actually creating a scenario in which many people can "move up" when in "better" (appreciating) markets they could not see a way.

If you're considering a move in and around Nashville, give us a shout. We're friendly folks and darn good at what we do . . . and without question, we have the BEST team assembled to be the ultimate resource for you . . . Our relocation expertise and connections are WOWING everyone who moves with us. The Owen Group and Keller Williams Realty Green Hills ROCK!

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The "Dehumanizing" of this age of Technology

2008-08-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

I read Seth Godin's blog this morning - Old Marketing with New Tools and it really got me thinking (as his blogs often do) . . . and I was thinking along the lines of what I am teaching and preaching as I coach and consult with Real Estate Agents to help them achieve higher and higher levels of success.

Seth talks about using the new technology to PERSONALIZE your contacts more rather than following the traditional/conventional avenues that most folks are doing as in generating MASS mailings, using auto-responders etc . . . all things which have in large part been instrumental in dehumanizing our interactive human experiences.

I'm good with leveraging technology in more friendly and personal ways. that's innovation . . . but it's not what I'm preachin'

I say we need to focus on getting back to good old fashioned "slap on the back, belly-to-belly, fun lovin' shuckin' and jivin'" . . . Let's build communities by practicing our interpersonal skills instead hiding of behind our technological cloaks.

So . . .

I'm advising REALTORS (and ALL Sales people) to get back to personal calls, drop-by visits, door knocking, and HAND-WRITTEN NOTES of gratitude . . . Let's communicate in the most effective ways imaginable with our "public"

Now . . .

I'm not suggesting that you abandon your technological prowess - It still has a useful purpose - Continue leveraging that power to maintain sustained contact with your sphere of influence and identify your "inner Circle" of people (Seth Godin seems to be shifting to call this your Tribe). Whatever you call it, this inner circle contains the most valuable people in your world - Your WEALTH DETERMINERS . . . and these people deserve ALL the personal touch you have time to spread.

And then when it comes to making contact with prospects you've never met . . . email and telephone are all the rage - Let's say you have your house listed for sale and the listing expires off the system - BAM - 6 phone calls from REALTORS before 10 AM trying to get you to meet with them so THEY can convince you that they have the magic pill that'll sell your house . . .

and

One REALTOR stops by and knocks on the door - You answer - She very appropriately introduces herself and states that she is aware that your house has expired from the active. She just wants to meet you and give you the opportunity to learn the techniques SHE uses to sell houses - She offers immediate and/or gives you the opportunity to meet with her later. She hands you a professional folder with some useful information about selling a house in this market and then respectfully leaves.

Who's got your attention? The 6 early phone calls or the PREPARED door knocker?

Hey, this is where the rubber hits the road. The technology is cool and all that but let's keep it in perspective and not abandon our REAL relationship building skills.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/ - The Owen Group is a very talented group of REALTORS who stand poised and READY to serve the needs of Home Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee.

www.activerain.com/barryo - Barry's other blogsite

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Getting your home SOLD in 60 days . . .

2008-08-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

Here we all are - Many of us are in the same pickle . . . Gotta sell our current home before we can move on . . . or before those wicked Mortgage people call their notes . . . and it seems that within a few days of our decision to sell the house, 42 of our neighbors come to the same decision . . . The real estate market in your neighborhood has now shifted from "Less than Desirable" to what we called in the military " "A fugly CF" (CF = Charlie Foxtrot = Cluster F__!)

What to do?

Here's what NOT to do!

Do NOT dive into this thing with the goal being to "save a buck or 2" by seeking out real estate professionals who are quick to work for reduced commissions. Sure, you might get lucky and find a REALTOR who will accept 1/2 the commission and still get the job done . . . but I have a question . . . Who's bearing ALL the risk?

YOU ARE!

What if this low budget alternative comes without a plan? What if that agent does not have a solid network of other REALTORS who will go out of their way to sell his/her listings?

The result is that your house may sit on the market for a undue period of time thwarting your ability to see your way to your goal (a new house or salvation from your monstrous debt).

From past "Shifted Markets" we know that REALTOR commissions actually tend to RISE. That is, the real estate professionals who are REALLY on their game CAN actually get homes sold in 60-90 days even in an inventory glutted marketplace . . . and these folks who overcome the obstacles and deliver the prize (a closing) have more "worth" to the Home Selling public than the agents who (for whatever reason) cannot seem to be able to get showings.

In most cases, you DO pay for what you get . . . so my advice to a motivated Home Seller in today's market is to quit worrying about the"nickles and dimes" as much and pay particular attention to the RESULTS orientation of the REALTORS they are interviewing.

While I'm on a rant . . . another thought . . .

Statistically, 67% of all home Sellers only interview ONE REALTOR before making a choice . . . and 75% only interview TWO REALTORS. Heck, most people spend more time deciding which TV to buy for their Living Room than they spend interviewing and selecting the "RIGHT" REALTOR to handle the sale of their largest single investment (their home) . . . and THEN . . . to add insult to injury . . . They dicker on the commission structures which in my book is akin to biting the hand that's feeding you.

I say (With chest puffed out and standing tall) - INTERVIEW AS MANY REALTORS AS IT TAKES to find one who will tell you the truth, stand his/her ground on the worth of their services, AND deliver on their promise to sell your home quickly.

The commission percentage becomes a pretty moot point if your house does (or does not) sell.

We, the Owen Group, are poised and ready to "GET'R DONE" for any and all Sellers in Middle Tennessee who are willing to "pay the price" . . . We have an elite club of clients who have already sat at the closing table this year. We have "openings" for new clients who are MOTIVATED and READY to MOVE!

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville,TN - Green Hills
www.theowengroup.net

Barry's other blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Oh - You're selling your house?

2008-08-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would end the week with a little dose of reality.

When you sell your house, do you know where Buyers will most likely be EXPOSED to information about your house? Many Sellers believe that the good ole Newspaper Ads and Real Estate Magazines will do the trick . . . This is CLEARLY not so.

Based on a recent study, more than 36% of all Buyers find their homes by working with a REALTOR. REALTORS have finally become comfortable enough with the internet revolution that they are learning how to optimize that medium to sell homes . . . Realtors have also learned in the recent Market Shift that NETWORKING with other REALTORS might even be a more powerful marketing tool than ANYTHING.

Over 20% of Buyers find their homes on the internet (Most of those ultimately use a REALTOR to transact the deal) . . . and guess how the properties got on the internet in the first place? A REALTOR lists the house and proliferates the internet with information about that listing. In my group, we post our listings to the internet search engine @ every 2 days for optimal exposure. The "hard cost" of this medium is relatively low (A newspaper ad typically costs @ $100) . . . But this mode of advertising IS somewhat time intensive . . . The internet savvy REALTOR generally has to hire a support person to manage this marketing effort on the internet.

20% of Buyers find their homes from the Real Estate SIGNS in the yards. They know the neighborhoods of interest and are cruising the streets . . . and they call from the signs. If you are selling your home, you MUST put a sign in the yard - Do NOT be incognito.

If you're doing the math, you know that 76% of the Buyers find their homes by DIRECT REALTOR actions (Networking, the internet, and Signage) . . . the remaining 24% find their homes through ALL of the other marketing combined.

Clearly, print advertising is passe . . . Open Houses are random (though they DO provide a good source for Buyer leads for REALTORS) . . . a Small percentage of houses sell because of referrals and neighbors who bring the Buyer into the neighborhood.

My point? In the 15+ years I have worked as a Real Estate Professional, there has NEVER been a time when the role of the REALTOR has been more critical than now. It used to be that the REALTOR could run a bunch of ads and sell the house . . . Today's market demands a whole different (more professional) approach which ostensibly does not "cost" as much but CLEARLY requires more skill - Social skills and time management . . . Networking to sell houses takes MUCH more effort than running flashy ads in the newspaper.

Don't push your REALTOR to run ads and host Open Houses . . .If you want to push Your REALTOR, ask him/her how you can help them attract people to view your house . . . Offer to host a party for prospects and other REALTORS . . . Do some networking yourself and drive any leads you capture to your REALTOR.

We're all in this thing together. If you want to get the highest price with the best terms, team up with your REALTOR and trust the process :-)

We, the Owen Group, have this whole thing boiled down to a science and hope you will contact us when you have a real estate need.

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Home Owner - Real Estate Investor

2008-07-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

Are you a Real Estate Investor?

If you own a home, I would argue that you are, in fact, a bonafide Real Estate investor and you should consider yourself as such.

So . . .

Let's peel back a few more layers and put this in perspective.

Let's say you had $50,000 in the bank and were ready to invest that money. That's a lot of money in my book. My suspicion is that you would do some pretty heavy homework to investigate your options. When you hear of opportunities, you would research those opportunities and evaluate the potential future gain on each of the investment options.

You would want to know how secure/safe the investments are . . . knowing that more risky investments have the potential for larger returns . . . and larger losses.

You would consider how long you would want to "take the money out of circulation" . . . Are you investing for the long term, or are you looking for a quick return?

You would probably consult with friends and family and other people you know have had some level of experience in investing . . . in hopes that you would pick up some tips to save you from making a mistake.

When you buy a house . . . If you can shift your mental gears . . . Think about it as much as an INVESTMENT as a place to live. Sure, you want the house to meet the needs of your family - All the right rooms in the right places . . . an appropriate yard and setting . . . a location that is convenient to the things you like to do . . . These are all important factors.

Listen carefully though . . .

PLEASE don't buy a house with any expectation of significant return on your investment in a short period of time. Even in great markets in the Nashville area, 2-3 years in a home has historically yielded a decent return on the initial investment. Obvious exceptions to this would be cases in which you are able to purchase the property significantly below Market Value or in dilapidated condition with a sensible rehab.

Take your time and consider the comparable sales and the sales history of the neighborhood and area of town . . . Broaden your view and look at what's going on in the nearby community. Are there any burning issues that might affect property values either positively or negatively in the foreseeable future? Any commercial development happening (New Grocery Stores or shopping centers - Schools etc)???? How 'bout new residential developments? If so, how will they compare in value and amenities with yours?

Are you PERSONALLY in a position in which you will have "emergency funds" for emergent maintenance issues (Like water heaters that might explode in your closet or air conditioners that go kaput on the hottest day of the year)? Don't spend ALL of your available cash on the home purchase . . . but be sure to invest some . . . This 100% financing is not a good choice.

and finally - TAKE CARE OF YOUR INVESTMENT! Fix things when they break . . . not with duct tape . . . HIRE PROFESSIONALS to take care of your home. You will pay a bit more for their services, and you will reap the reward when it comes time for you to sell.

Home ownership is an exciting thing . . . I wish for EVERY PERSON who is in a good position to buy a home to have that opportunity . . . I also know that it is NOT a good choice for EVERY person . . . Don't even THINK about buying a home unless you are financially equipped to understand and realize the INVESTMENT POTENTIAL.

Whether you like it or not . . . You ARE a Real Estate Investor if you own a home.

Make contact with us if you would like to explore the investment potential of home ownership.

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Driving Conditions in Nashville

2008-07-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

I just got home from a rather busy day and am REALLY working on holding myself to consistent blogging in this space . . . at least as consistently as I blog in my other space @ http://www.activerain.com/barryo where I focus on real estate related coaching matters. It is in THIS space where I "get" to talk to the "Non- REALTOR" community . . . so I talk about things that Buyers and Sellers of homes might find useful.

My goal is to always come from contribution - To reward anyone who takes the time to read these postings with information that has VALUE . . . and to invite anyone who cares to - To contact me directly for any personal real estate needs. We have developed a highly skilled team known as The Owen Group. The core of this group is my wife Debbie Guthery Owen who really IS a MASTER when it comes to helping people with their moves whether it be in and around. Middle Tennessee or from other cities TO Nashville.

We believe that NO-ONE knows Nashville better than we do . . . and are very passionate about our commitment to our SERVICE.

The team has more depth . . . An Administrative Team that handles ALL of the details of every transaction with seemingly effortless grace . . . and a collage of Licensed REALTORS to work with each individual client.

The bottom line is that if you are moving into or within Middle Tennessee, we would love to have the opportunity to be your real estate RESOURCE - Simply make contact with us for you initial consultation . . .

OK - I diverged . . . The traffic thing . . . Nashville is a pretty big city . . . LOTS of people and LOTS of traffic . . . But I am always amazed when I get home and think about all of the travel I accomplish in a day's time with VERY little "Traffic JAM" . . . I tell lots of folks that I can get virtually ANYWHERE in Middle TN in 30 minutes or less. It just seems that the road system has somehow kept pace with the growth of the city in a way that does not create a succession of bottlenecks as I see in many other cities.

Sure, we see lots of road construction through the years, yet it never really seems to overly impeded the flow of the daily traffic.

Today, I left my office in the heart of West Nashville @ 1:10 - delivered a contract in Green Hills @ 1:15 - Picked up our girls at my Mother's house in "the Hillsboro Village" @ 1:20 - Drove to our house @ White Bridge Road to grab some real estate signs - Hopped on the interstate and cruised down to DEEP Brentwood (20 miles) where I planted the signs and previewed a listing @ 2:00 . . . On the return ride, the heavens literally opened up with a CRAZY thunderstorm - a 20 minute deluge of rain and high winds and lots of thunder and lightning . . . Yet traffic was largely unaffected (slower but still flowing) . . . Got back to the office @ 2:45 . . . and back home by 3:30.

We touched 3 of the 4 corners of middle Tennessee in less than 2.5 hours and never ONCE stopped in traffic (other than the occasional stop light) EVEN IN A TORRENTIAL THUNDERSTORM.

I'm just sayin' . . . If you're in one of those "Traffic Nightmare cities" (LA, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, NYC) . . . and you're lookin' for some relief . . . C'MON DOWN here to Tennessee. We're nice folks and our real estate market is GREAT ... The weather is a bit hot right now, but wait a few weeks and it'll be PERFECT.

All done for now . . . I think I got carried away . . .

Don't forget to contact us if we can help you with any real estate needs,

Best,
b

Barry Owen
The Owen Group - http://www.theowengroup.net
REALTOR blog - http://www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Nashville's Urban Development is alive and well . . .

2008-07-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

There's this intersection in Belle Meade @ 1.5 miles from the front door of our house by car and @ 0.5 miles as the crow flies . . . As I was driving through the intersection yesterday afternoon, I was stuck at the light for a full cycle and had a rare opportunity to take a good look around.

Bear in mind, this intersection is a mere 6 miles from the heart of downtown Nashville, 5 miles to the Mall at Green Hills, 6 miles from Percy Warner Park (a FABULOUS park) and so on and so on . . . From my vantage point I could see THREE Grocery stores - Kroger (Above) and Harris Teeter and Publix both of which are being built along with a whole slew of new retail spaces and a conglomeration of new Condominium possibilities . . . Also in view was the recently re-habbed pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks to the NEW GREENWAY surrounding the McCabe Golf Course.

WOW!

Tell me Nashville's "in trouble" . . . I didn't want to just write about it, so I borrowed Deb's camera and drove over there and parked the car . . . In less than 5 minutes ON FOOT, I captured the full story in pictures. You'll see a construction crane in almost ALL of these pictures. It is "working" on the Condo Development behind the Harris Teeter store. Did I forget St Thomas Hospital right across the Street from Harris Teeter.

These are two shots of the Greenway Pedestrian Bridge linking the Lions Head Shopping Center and all of the new development at the intersection of Harding Place and Woodmont BLVD/White Bridge Road in Nashville, TN. The cool looking building is an office building on the corner.

ALL of this is happening in a SINGLE Intersection. It's very exciting and it's very real.
Don't let anyone tell you Nashville, TN is n't a great city :-)

If you've ever had an inking to move into Middle Tennessee, This is a very small sampling of some of the great things we are doing to prepare our fine city for your arrival.

The Owen Group with Keller Williams Realty is poised and equipped to help you with EVERY facet of your transition if you are moving in our around Middle Tennessee.

Just give us a call!

b
Barry Owen
Career & Organizational Development Coach/Consultant
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

The Owen Group @ www.theowengroup.net

Barry's REALTOR BlogSITE @ www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Buyers will HAVE to have some skin in the game

2008-07-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Here in Nashville, TN houses are selling. I've written a few times in my other blogsite a bit about why I believe Nashville & Middle Tennessee have been fortunate enough to be somewhat insulated from the "mortgage Crisis" debacle that has gripped most of the country. By all rights, we should also be swimming in some pretty deep tapioca.

Yet there are people MOVING TO middle Tennessee from all over the country because here you can find a good quality of life, a vast diversity of industries, a completely tolerable climate virtually year-round, and friendly people.

Our real estate market did not "hyper-inflate" its values in the past several years. We journeyed along enjoying steady and methodical appreciation in the 0-10% per year (depending on area of the city). So when things got dicey in other areas of the country, our listing inventory built up quickly, and we had a measure of impact including the financial destruction of several local builders and developers . . . but our values did not fall dramatically because they did not have as far to fall.

Generally speaking - If a family has been in their home for longer than 3 years and has not financed more than 100% of the value of their home, they can sell their house in this market without taking a financial bath.

Our rental market is ON FIRE - Many people are moving here and not able to purchase until their houses sell in another city, so they rent until they are released from that burden. They are excited because they are seeing good value in the homes here. This might be for the better anyhow. It has sort put a "pressure relief valve" on the relocating in folks - They feel less pressure knowing that that they can live comfortably in a rental and get to know the city a bit before committing to a purchase.

This also gives Local Sellers an opportunity that virtually did not exist just a few months ago. Anyone not able to sell their home in this market can almost certainly RENT it for a reasonable monthly income.

Another significant (and positive IMHO) impact of this market shift is the fact that 100% financing alternatives have all but disappeared . . . Meaning that Buyers MUST have some skin in the game now. The "Blended products" 80/20 went invisible @ 8 months ago, but a Buyer could still do an FHA loan with a "Down payment assistance Program" to buy with no money down . . . FHA loan limits increased to over $400,000 and before we knew it, more than 2/3 of ALL loans are now FHA.

This also means that 2/3 of the sales must also pass the more stringent FHA appraisal process which includes some aspect of property condition.

Just Yesterday, I learned that the NO MONEY DOWN OPTION IS ON ITS DEATH BED - This is from the Washington post:

Congress Is Set to Limit Down-Payment Assistance
Washington Post (07/22/08) P. D1; ElBoghdady, Dina
Congress is expected to pass a broad housing package this week that includes language banning seller-funded downpayment-assistance programs. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, says the his chamber will cede to the Senate's effort to end this type of aid--which the Bush administration has wanted to do for years. The Federal Housing Administration says borrowers who obtain down-payment assistance from sellers go into foreclosure at nearly three times the rate of borrowers who pay out of their own pockets. Over the past decade, more than 500,000 people bought homes using a government-insured loan and a seller-funded down payment, including about 79,000 in 2007.

WOW!

The bottom line is that if you want to buy a house, you've GOTTA have some skin in the game .. . The days of free money are over.

My opinion is that this is nothing short of wonderful. The lending institutions have faced the music and have had to clean up their acts . . . and FHA has responded appropriately to the debacle.

and here in Middle Tennessee, we are simply out there transacting business . . . If you wanna come play in our sand box with us, just give us a shout . . . We're friendly folks and we love Nashville , Brentwood, Franklin and ALL of Middle Tennessee.

We are poised and READY to WELCOME Y'ALL!

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Career & Organizational Development Coach/Consultant
Real Estate Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills- a Learning based "home" for real estate professionals ALWAYS seeking new real estate professionals to join our family
www.theowengroup.net - The Owen Group is here to serve ALL of your real estate needs as well as the needs of folks you might refer.
My REALTOR BLOGSITE www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Houses ARE selling in Nashville, TN

2008-07-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with the thought that there are many folks out there hoping to sell their houses soon . . . and the simple truth that the real estate market in Nashville and surrounding areas is still quite healthy and lucrative for those Buyers and Sellers who are "paying attention" and have the wherewithal to develop a LONGER TERM strategy.

I believe the purchase and/or sale of a home is LONG TERM PURSUIT in the sense that (assuming your purchase is for the purpose of securing an appropriate place for you and your family to LIVE) the "strategic plan" would be to find a house that would fulfill your needs for a minimum of 3 years . . . Otherwise, I'm not sure it merits the risk you face by "putting your house out there for sale" or committing to the purchase of a home you don't LOVE. The obvious exception would be the "life Changing events" such as job relocation or family crisis.

Following is a short list of tips along with an invitation from me:

If you own a house now and are considering a move:

- Call you REALTOR IMMEDIATELY for an initial consultation
- Create a VISION of what you want to accomplish with this move
- Where do you want to move?
- Describe the ultimate scenario . . .
- Why is it important for you to move now?
- What will it mean to you and your family when you move into the "right house"?
- WHEN?
- Consider the MONEY and be REALISTIC about this. Know that you will need to price your home very competitively to sell in this market . . . On the flip side, you will probably be able leverage any short-falls of equity when you buy a house.

Of CRUCIAL importance is CRYSTAL CLARITY as to your goals and intentions relating to what you want your life to look like after the closing of your new home. As soon as you have this clarity and KNOW why you are doing this, then you can move forward with a singleness of purpose that WILL produce results . . . the sale of your current home will become FAR less of a challenge from this perspective (a speed bump along the way).

Now that you know where you are going, we can develop strategy to get you there :-)

- FOCUS your attention on assessing the marketability of your current home.
- Go ahead and fix what you know is broken.
- Hire a Home Inspector to examine your home to give you a "punch list" of things to do
- Use what leverage you can to help you get your punch list accomplished - Don't even think about doing all of the work yourself.
- We - The Owen Group - have a referral for just about ANY need you might have (Handy man, Lawn Service etc)
- Hire a lawn service to start working on your house's curb appeal.
- Go ahead and paint any rooms that are crazy colors - Freshen up any dinged up paint
- Hire a bi-weekly cleaning service for your home

BOTTOM LINE:

BEFORE your house goes on the market . . . ASSESS THE CONDITION AND MARKETABILITY OF YOUR HOUSE

Then PREPARE yourself and your house for the "event" . . . Take care of yourself by taking advantage of any leverage you have (Your REALTOR and/or any other vendors who can take some of the work load off you). The actual putting of your house on the market is the GRANDE FINALE ... When your house hits the market, we are looking for as close to PERFECTION as possible.

Now . . .

Even after having done all of the above - It is now CRITICAL to price your home COMPETITIVELY . . . What this means, is that your house should appear in the Lower 1/3 of all comparable houses in the market. Prospective Buyers need to be WOWED by the CONDITION and the PRICE of your house . . .

They will BUY QUICKLY when they see VALUE!

My invitation . . . The Owen Group stands poised and ready to meet with you to discuss your personal strategy. Our approach is consultative and thorough - We have a very "dialed-in" business model and systems to support the process . . . In short:

WE HAVE A PLAN!

Contact us for your initial consultation either through our website - email - or telephone.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker
Career and Organizational Development Coach/consultant
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
615-425-3600
www.theowengroup.net
REALTOR blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

tomtom took us to lunch

2008-06-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

Recently, we took a short family vacation which happened to coincide with Deb's birthday. We departed Nashville on the morning of her birthday, and excitement was high as the children had schemed to have her open her gifts as we drove down the interstate. This proved to be an interesting (albeit potentially unsafe) way, but it worked.

Turns out, one of the gifts was a tomtom . . . a GPS for the car. We had never before owned a GPS, didn't know the first thing about using one, and had MANY experiences of being lost in strange cities (We travel a LOT by car - AND often get disoriented as we work with Real Estate Clients). All of that "baggage" meant that the tomtom stayed in its package that day. Deb wasn't ready to tackle a new piece of technology which might be more angst than benefit.

One day 2, we decided to uncrate the little beast. I plugged it in and was AMAZED at the ease of use. It found me immediately, and gave very simple instructions to lead me through the process of selecting a destination . . . We then had a BALL (as a family) deciding which voice was best . . . In the end "Jane" our British guide directed every turn I made for the duration of the trip. The kids loved it when Jane told me to drive onto the "Motorway" . . . and when I rebelled (or goofed), she would tell to "Turn around as soon as possible" . . . Just what I needed . . . another "person" telling what to do :-)

Anyhow, the tomtom performed as promised . . . Always got us where we wanted to go . . . That's what we expected. What we didn't expect was a pleasant bonus.

We're fed up with "Large Restaurant Chains" . . . We just don't like'm any more - BORING! So we had decided we would only go to "Mom & Pops" during this trip. Lo and behold, tomtom has a feature that will direct us to local fare along the route. WOW!

Jane led us to a fabulous little Italian Restaurant in Abington, VA - Four tables in the place, and the food was MAGNIFIC! And an equally fantastic Mexican restaurant in Pulaski, VA. By the end of our journey, we had been fed well and learned a new way to travel. Less rushed - Got to meet more local folks. Ate more healthy and interesting food. Supported the LOCAL economies.

WIN WIN WIN all around.

Special note . . . Before tomtom came out of the box, a nice lady in the VA Welcome Center directed us to "Ellie's" in Buchanon, VA. This was a very cool restaurant in a former Drug store with shakes and a very diverse and tasty menu. It had only been open for @ 3 weeks. The food and atmosphere were great, and Buchanon is a very cute little town that we would have simply buzzed past had it not been for our newfound approach to travel.

Deb also found a HUGE slice of home made coconut cream pie at Ellie's - YUMMY!

Anyhow - KUDOS for tomtom - Jane made our trip easy and fun (We also visited The Natural Bridge and Caverns . . . and Claytor Lake . . . and Burke's Garden . . . and Radford, VA). If you travel by car a lot, I HIGHLY recommend tomtom - Reasonably priced and WELL worth every cent.

Eat FRESH and LOCAL - You simply cannot go wrong.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo - Real Estate Blog

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space

A blast from my past

2008-06-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

WOW!

I was digging around the internet yesterday and uncovered an artifact that I had completely forgotten about. In my wanderings of the late 1980s and into the 1990s, I had a fascination with the internet. There was a period during which my brain was extremely fertile with new and complicated thoughts and ideas about ways I could tap into this great world-wide web experience.

I was a pioneer just like everyone else who was playing in that same sand box. None of us really knew what we were all co-creating . . . and I really believe that the construction of the internet as we know it today is a product of perhaps the most complex dynamic adaptive system (Other than the natural world) in existence . . . and it was all organized by people who had passion and took responsibility and DOVE in with reckless abandon.

During this time, I was very involved in the growth of the presence of Open Space Technology and had a great vision that OST would have a good, solid internet presence. I created a free website on Geocities.com . . . and for a short time, this site was the "official" internet presence for OST. For sure, I was relatively clueless @ Website construction. I spent countless hours building that site.

Here is that artifact http://www.geocities.com/barryo.geo/

Since then, The Open Space Institute has created a MUCH more functional website @

http://www.openspaceworld.org/

Nowadays, I am into Open Space Consulting, Real estate Consulting and sales, office Brokerage and a bit less into website development other than to "manage" my web presence. This has resulted in my own little web village which includes 2 blogsites, presence in several web communities (MySpace, Linkedin, Facebook, Plaxo, Activerain) . . . For sure, web presence seems to be the buzz and keeps me in touch with people all over the world.

So . . .

When I unearthed that relic @ www.geocities.com/barryo/geo I remembered that right about the time I forgot about that site I had thought that it would make a good "Portal" to all of my sites . . . An easy place to go to find everything else . . . and so it now IS that.

Anyhow, I imagine my worldwide web experience has only just begun . . .

I invite you to explore this portal and get a taste of Internet ancient history :-)

Best,

b

Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

A sea of possibilities - Brentwood's Brookfield Subdivision SHINES

2008-05-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

A sea of possibilities - Brentwood's Brookfield Subdivision SHINES

As we journey along in this sea/jungle that we know as our local Real Estate environment, we are more aware every day of the sheer volume of houses currently offered for sale. Some of these houses are available for "dire financial situations" (Foreclosure - Short Sale - Bankruptcy) and are not models for our "success formula" for getting houses sold.

When things get weird in the market, the ONLY thing for sellers to do is to spend the time, energy and money (if necessary) to de-clutter and stage their homes as perfectly as humanly possible. Any "deferred maintenance" should be dealt with before ANY prospective Buyers have the opportunity to see the house.

This is a market in which Buyers and Sellers can BOTH enjoy their moving experience. Buyers are more savvy than ever before. They know what they want, and they will not tolerate a sloppy house. What I mean by "not tolerate" is that they will not pay "fair market value" for a house that needs some love.

So if you want to sell your house, you can still do so at a fair price and relatively quickly if you'll just take the time to do it RIGHT.

Scattered about this post are pictures of an absolutely wonderful home that is a shining example of a well prepared home. This one is in a neighborhood called Brookfield Subdivision which is in a very convenient Brentwood, TN location - Less than 15 miles from the heart of Downtown Nashville. The neighborhood itself is a joy. Price point is the Low $500,000s to the mid $700,000s . . . 3500-5000 Square feet of living space . . . 1/2 acre lots . . . Great school zone . . . 2 community swimming pools . . . and adjacent to The Governor's Club (A High End Golf Course Community).

When we met with the Seller of this house, they were completely realistic about pricing and completely open to our ideas as to how to properly prepare the home for the market. As it happened, there was little (to no) deferred maintenance, but there was no hesitation taking care of the few issues present. 3 weeks later, the house was perfect - ready for the market. We priced it in the lower 1/3 of available listings (32 available in the neighborhood of @ 400 houses) and launched the listing last week.

This is where the "Sea of possibilities" comes in. OK! A virtually PERFECT house that we KNOW outshines most all of the competition in a neighborhood that is a true gem in the market . . . How do we get noticed by Buyers who have SO many possibilities to consider?

The Sellers have done their part. It is now OUR (The Listing REALTOR's) turn to perform. We must turn on a marketing machine like never before - and we have . . .

Just listed postcards to the entire neighborhood, REALTOR luncheon to get other agents inside, REALTOR Tours for our office and other surrounding offices, presence on MULTIPLE websites and ALL of the search engines we can find . . . Smooth accessibility for agents and Buyers to view the property . . . and absolute attention to every detail as we cue ourselves up for a SALE. We do NOT want ANY Buyer out there to miss out on this Fabulous opportunity to consider this house just because they couldn't find it in the sea of possibilities.

EVERY DAY, we do another marketing piece . . . and EVERY day we talk to at least 10 REALTORS about this house (AND about our other listings). This is a market in which TARGETED MARKETING and DIRECT CONTACT with PEOPLE is an absolute necessity. Throwing a $100 ad in a newspaper or magazine isn't doing much these days (other than to show our Sellers that we are "doing something") . . . What is selling houses (other than staging and pricing well) is our relationships with our colleagues.

I hope you'll study these pictures and learn something. We believe this home is masterfully staged and we know that it SHINES in the sea of possibilities.

Price: $589,900

4000 Square Feet

4 Bedrooms (Master Down)

3.5 Baths - EVERY Bedroom has direct access to a bath

LOTS of walk-in storage space

300 Square foot attic expansion space

Awesome rec/media room

Private library/study

Open floor plan with large Living and Dining room . . .

HUGE kitchen which opens to a great room

Private back yard facing a veritable wall of trees (Most other houses in this neighborhood backup to other houses)

Simply PERFECT!

Barry Owen

Principal Broker & Productivity Coach

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

http://www.theowengroup.net/

www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Inglewood - East Nashville's Frontier

2008-04-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of Nashville is East Nashville. It's an eclectic hodgepodge of historic structures and is full of interesting people and culture. You can find great food on many corners, an abundance of coffee shops and interesting bars and clubs, a wide diversity of people, greenways and parks and THE CUMBERLAND RIVER along with some pretty incredible views of downtown Nashville.

Websites to Some of the great areas of East Nashville - These are close to the river - Very urban/city living - Walkable . . . Lp Field is the stadium for the Tennessee Titans . . . Shelby Park is a fantastic Park at the River.

Historic Edgefield

LP Field

Historic East Nashville Merchants Association

Historic East End

Inglewood Neighborhood Association

Shelby Park Map

East Nashville has a lot of history. The story is that the original downtown started on the East side of the river . . . and later migrated to the West side (where it is now). I just did a quick google search for the East Nashville fire in 1916 and found THIS SITE where you will find an AMAZING collage of historic pictures of Nashville, TN.

All of this is a short 15 minute (12 minute if I really get on it) drive from my office in Green Hills. Ultra-conveniently located to both I-24 and I-65.

There is a house in the North of East Nashville (1505 Golf Street) that I have just GOT to talk about - Listed by Debbie Guthery Owen. This one is a cute little cottage North of the Historic district in a town called Inglewood. I call this the frontier because it is just far enough from the buzz of the "East End" to make for a nice, peaceful setting. Most folks I know who have lived in Inglewood want to stay in Inglewood.

From a commute standpoint, Inglewood is right at a few major highways - Ellington Parkway, Briley Parkway, I-65 . . . You can hop over to West Nashville in a matter of minutes with minimal traffic and have the luxury of popping down to the historic district without having to drive across town.

The house is @ 1850 Square Feet and priced @ $214,900. It includes a large yard with a babbling creek behind and awesome privacy. 3 or 4 bedrooms and a basement level finished space with a full bedroom suite and a comfortable linving area, LARGE utility room, and a large storage room. The kitchen is nicely renovated and equipped. This house is a tremendous value for the money in the neighborhood.

Interesting details are that the current owner is a renovator/contractor with an cool eye for simple contemporary decor. He has masterfully created a VERY cool downstairs bath with some interesting glass and ceramic tile . . . and a classic kitchen with granite tile . . . The icing on the cake is the variety of lighting fixtures.

Some lucky family will buy this house and enjoy it for years

In the past 6+ years, I have spent a LOT of time in East Nashville working with Buying and Selling clients as they have created this wonderful community by improving the houses and streets one block at a time. the Area has literally transformed before our very eyes.

I feel very privileged to have been a small part of this re-creation.

When it's time for you move to the area, you've simply GOTTA contact The Owen Group to handle your real estate needs. If you do not have a REALTOR to offer advice and guidance, give us a call. It is never too early to strike up this relationship.

Best,

b

Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Professional Blog: www.activerain.com/barryo
615-425-3600

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Smack in the middle of West Nashville . . .

2008-04-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

The West Nashville Real Estate market is alive and well. This "close-in area" has many neighborhoods which blend into a wonderful quality of life. This is a very "walkable" and lush green -BEAUTIFUL area of Nashville with lots of great parks (Percy & Edwin Warner are the largest) and playgrounds. Familiar neighborhood names - Green Hills, Belle Meade (Home of the Belle Meade Plantation), West Meade, Hillwood, Brookside, Sylvan Park, Richland, West End . . . and my favorite (Because I grew up in this area) Woodmont - I am posting these blog posts to show off the different neighborhoods in Nashville - Sort of a "Blogging tour" of the city . . . and what better way to do this than to show you typical homes in each area.

The pictures scattered about in this blog post are of a house The Owen Group recently listed for sale smack dab in the CENTER of close in West Nashville - The values in this area have held strong through the market down-turn and are typically $500,000 and up to $6,000,000 (or more) . . . This particular house is an "attached single family" with the feel of a Detached house. The yard is wonderful because it backs up to some great lots - making for wonderful privacy. @ 2300 Square feet and beautifully up-dated throughout $475,000 - New kitchen and bath - lots of hardwood floors - 3 Bedrooms - 2.5 baths - 2 car garage and a location that simply cannot be beat - a block from Woodmont park (with a cool playground) and 2 blocks from Harris Teater - new Publix under construction - Belle Meade Plaza - and the brand new Richland Creek Greenway which wraps around the McCabe Public golf Course

The top picture is the warm and inviting central hall. The house has a traditional floor plan with a cool contemporary feel - The current owners were very meticulous with their improvements and left no detail out of the plan. The Owner's retreat is on the main level and nicely separated from the common living areas, and the other Bedrooms are upstairs. Check out the pictures of the back yard. This is April 6, and Spring is just now Springing here in Nashville. In just a few weeks, EVERYTHING will be lush and green,and the flowers will be in full bloom - Recent heavy rains have guaranteed this :-)

Just imagine The entertaining you could do here . . . The hut tub stays . . . and the convenience of the location. I grew up on a street @ 5 blocks from the house and as kids, we walked up this street on hot summer days to the neighborhood store for slurpies. That was over 35 years ago, and the feel of the neighborhood has not changed since. My whole world was within 3 miles of our house - Shopping, interstate access, playgrounds, schools (I attended MBA Montgomery Bell Academy )

Needless to say, we are excited to be able to offer this house - It's right in the heart of our "stompin' grounds" . . . and it gives me the opportunity to show off my "hood" . . . If you're interested in more information about this house or anything about Middle Tennesse, Debbie Guthery Owen and The Owen group stand ready to serve you impeccably.

I hope you are enjoying this tour of Nashville. I will post at least 3 more neighborhoods in the coming days. Don't hesitate contacting me if you have a particular area in which you have an interest. I'm all about sharing information, and I certainly know this city.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN Green hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
REALTOR Blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Brentwood Tennessee - Southern Woods is a hidden Treasure

2008-04-04T03:35:00.000-07:00

We have some wonderful friends with whom we have had the pleasure of working for the past several years with thier real estate needs. I first came to know George & Lisa when they moved to Nashville with a job relocation. They were actually referred to me me by 3 different people simultaneously - so there was little question in their minds that we would be able to work well together. We quickly decided that it would make more sense for them to find a year rental, so they would be able to get to know the city before settling into a neaighborhood.

When it became time to purchase, there was no question that Brentwood Tennessee was the place for them to be. They wanted to be away from the big city but not so far away that they could not pop into town easily. They wanted a COMMUNITY they could "plug into" - good Neighbors - quiet setting - great schools (for the children they knew they would have soon). They wanted to be near shopping and restaurants and athletic facilities (HOCKEY arena) . . . Just so happens Cool Springs Galleria is a mecca for shopping and and entertainment
and is just a few short miles from Brentwood.

We found the PERFECT neighborhood and a wonderful in their price range. Southern Woods. 5 years later, the family was growing and it was time for a move. George and Lisa knew they did not want to change anything but the house. THEY LOVE SOUTHERN WOODS - It's a fabulous neighborhood reasonably priced - great schools - and very convenient to everything this family likes to do. The pictures on this blog are of the House they purchased . . . Their 2nd home in Brentwood and Southern Woods - 2 blocks from their 1st home.

This home has EVERYTHING they wanted in a home. VERY reasonably priced for the area which has houses inthe million dollar range . . . BIG rooms - GREAT condition - Basement level in-law suite (they have lots of visiting Grandparents) - Formal Living and Dining rooms - Comfortable Den Open to large kitchen with LOADS of cabinets and a cool butler's pantry with a HUGE pantry - big 2 car garage - 4 bedrooms - 3.5 baths - private yard - and THREE Fireplaces (Basement @ in-law suite, Formal Living, and Master Bedroom).

Now - 5 years later - George and Lisa's needs in a home have changed again, and so they have decided to sell this wonderful house - But they will not be leaving Brentwood and will not wander far from Southern Woods. The prices in the area have climbed through the years, but Southern Woods continues to be a great buy - This 3800 Square foot house is priced at an enticing $439,500 - and UNBELIEVABLE VALUE in this market. The average price point in the area FAR exceeds the $500,000 point. This house and this neighborhood are a hidden treasure - a smidgeon off the beaten path, but good access to Nashville and everything you'd ever want to do.

The Nashville, TN Real Estate market is still very vibrant in spite of all of the "doom and gloom" media reports. Our fair city has weathered this storm very gracefully. The one price point for houses that has "held its own" in this market is "the $400s in Brentwood" . . . It seems to be a "no lose" scenario.

If you're in the area or thinking about a move to Middle Tennessee, Brentwood is a wonderful place to consider . . . and no-one knows Middle Tennessee better than Debbie and me (The Owen Group).

We found the right house for George and Lisa (and family) for the past 10 years, and we have all grown our families together.

Now THAT's COMMUNITY!

Please contact us if we can assist you in any way with your real estate needs,

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Other blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo
615-425-3600
Simply & BOLDLY livingthe FourFold Way in Open Space!

Gratification

2008-03-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

This morning I awakened, my first thought was a short affirmation that I would be feeling GREAT . . . I've had the most horrible Sinus/Bronchial/Fevery disease imaginable for the past 2 days and was hopeful that things would be better after nearly 24 hours of sleep. As I slid into consciousness, I was inventorying my body . . . Throat still sore, Head pounding, skin crawling, all emphasized by a sudden need to cough. The cough hurt enough that I knew that I would need to find a doctor.

Deb suggested the "Minute Clinic" at the local CVS Pharmacy. I would never have previously entertained such a thing - Thinking that it was akin to a "Doctor in a box" . . . How could THAT be a good scenario? I already need to be feeling VERY bad to consider going to the Doctor's office . . . Visions of long waits and long needles generally overcome my need to go.

So "minute Clinic" led me to believe that I would not have to worry about a long wait . . . and it was my ONLY option (Other than the ER of the local hospital) for 10 AM on a Saturday Morning.

When I walked in the door, things didn't look promising for a great experience. There appeared to be @ 6 people in front of me with 1 already seeing the doctor. I signed in found a spot to roost. Amazingly, not more than 15 minutes later, the doctor emerged and called MY name.

I told him my symptoms, and he did the usual vital signs checks. The diagnosis was Sinus Infection and Severe Bronchial infection, but clear lungs etc. He had much to type and decided to talk with me a bit. When he discovered that I am the Principal Broker of the Green Hills Keller Williams Realty office, his eyes lit up. He asked me if I knew Lisa - "Lisa is my REALTOR and I LOVE her. She works SO hard and is SO caring. Keller Williams must be a great company to have people like Lisa working there. . . . And since you know Lisa, I must give you the BEST service." I was very glad I made the choice to go to the CVS Minute Clinic this morning.

This is not the first time this has happened. Each time I hear someone raving about one of our associates, I stand a bit taller. There is no question that what we are doing to develop our office and the individual businesses of our associates is paying off in a LARGE way for the people they serve.

This "Goodness" continues to accumulate every day, and as it happens we continue to gather the best of the best in Middle Tennessee when it comes to Real Estate Professionals.

Best,
b
Barry Owen
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Desire Paths

2008-03-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

I caught an interesting email link to DESIRE PATHS This appeared on the Open Space Listserve and reminded me of a conversation I had with Dad some time ago. We were talking about how people will tend to do as they do regardless of any boundaries or obztacles we might impose. Self organization is the default, not the exception.

His vivid example was that of a college campus. If you've ever done much hanging out on a college campus, you'll notice 2 very distinct networks of trails . . . One is very carefully laid out and manicured (Blacktop Asphalt) and the other is an assemblage of dirt trails beaten into the ground due to HIGH traffic.

The Asphalt trails are undoubtedly painstakingly designed and laid out for the most aesthetically pleasing environment soon to be blighted by the "REAL" paths beaten into form by the feet of the students.

A better way might be to build all of the buildings and be sure that there is a good stand of grass in all of the common areas before the students . . . 6 weeks into the school year, the students will have defined their paths . . . Now, Pave THOSE paths.

I like the nomer "Desire Paths" - Let people create their own way.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
www.theowengroup.net
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply & BOLDLY Living The FourFold Way in Open Space!

Simply & BOLDLY Living the Fourfold Way in Open Space!

2008-02-23T03:54:00.000-08:00

The title of this post is the "tag" I put at the bottom (or top) of every thing I do. It shows up on my 411 (my goal setting and planning tool that I use daily). It's in EVERY post I blog. It's emblazoned on my "notehead". It's EVERYWHERE!

This phrase is my personal mantra . . .

Why?

Because this phrase holds within it the essence of who I am and how I am choosing to live my life . . . It defines my world and helps me shift and shape my experience as I travel along. I intentionally surround myself with this phrase as a reminder and affirmation.

How did I come up with this particular assemblage of words?

It took some time and some deep thought and much time. It all started as I began to focus on building my professional career and found myself to be continually challenged to find balance of life. This was not an easy process, and each bit of it has meaning for me. It began with a LOOOONG paragraph of goals and dreams and self-reflection. My intent was to boil all of that down to the true essence in a form that could be short enough to be a "personal slogan".

In business, we talk a lot about developing a UVP (Unique Value Proposition) or USP (Unique Selling Proposition) . . . A short slogan that effectively communicates to our prospects and clients why it makes sense for them to do business with US and not our competition. How can we encapsulate in a short "elevator speech" our unique advantage and the essence of our MVVBP mission, vision, values, beliefs, and perspective.

So - Best I can - I'll break mine down . . .

"Simply" - I believe in living a simple life. Yes, I enjoy "things" as much as anyone. I appreciate nice things and have the same propensity as most people to "want" this or that - things that I don't really NEED. This word goes much deeper for me. Every time I think of it I remember simple things like my AHA when I was considering my diet - The less processing my food has from the field to the table the better . . . Consuming FRESH foods is a more healthy way. Electronic gadgetry is neat stuff, but it does not always facilitate simplicity - Especially when we become dependent upon it and the batteries die when we need it the most. For me, the simpler I live means the less dependent I am personally on "outside entities". Simple means less clutter and less noise and a better environment for FOCUS.

"BOLDLY" - I added this word recently. This is my personal challenge to myself to "step up" EVERY time opportunity knocks . . . ANSWER THE DOOR and see what's on the other side. This also (every time I see this tag) affirms my passion and responsibility to LIVE LIFE because life IS to be LIVED. This word reminds me keep my eye "on my 20%" . . . Be with the people who MATTER in my life . . . Focus my attention and energy towards the things that MATTER in my life . . . Stay true to myself even when outside forces attempt to coerce me from my personal authenticity . . . no apologies necessary :-)

"Living" - See above . . . LIFE IS TO BE LIVED. Don't let it pass you by without sucking EVERY drop of juice out of every minute. As Gary Keller said . . . "Unless you have a deal with God, you cannot know when you will die." Take care of your body because if it dies, where will you live? I believe each and every one of owes to ourselves and to others in our world to optimize this human experience (experiment) we are all in.

"The FourFold Way" I could write a book on this one, but my luck is with me. The book has been written by Angeles Arien. Everything in this book resonates with me and who I strive to be. There are four principles:
- Show up & Be Present - Many people show up but aren't present - Minds wandering to all the clutter in their worlds. this principle lays the responsibility on me to FIRST show up physically and mentally - Do as I say I will do - Honor my commitments . . . AND be present - Pay attention and be purposeful in my thoughts and actions
- Follow what has heart and meaning - This one is ALL about Personal authenticity. Being true to myself and my own very personal goals and aspirations. Again . . . being purposeful . . . always know why I am doing what I am doing and feeling good about the fact that it is in alignment with my life purpose.
- Tell the truth - Means more than anything to not fool myself . . . to catch myself in non-authentic moments and to "right the ship" . . . This also means to be honest with other people. A person is only as good as his/her word.
- Let go - Don't obsess about about what woulda, coulda, or shoulda happened . . . Move FORWARD and be easy on myself. Be careful about expectations. If things don't happens as I expect them to happen, finger pointing and blame won't improve the outcomes . . . simply move on and move forward.

"in Open Space" - This represents Open Space Technology . . . and again, the book(s) have been written by my Father Harrison Owen. This is mentioned at the end because this one defines my "way". Again, there are 4 principles:

- Whoever comes is the right people. Every person who crosses my path in life has a purpose. I do not believe in "non-useful" experiences. We are all travelling together on this planet learning from each other and collectively shaping our human experience. Who you hang out with MATTERS. Pay attention to the people in your world ALWAYS. Are they the "right people?"

- Whenever it starts is the right time - Creativity and Spirit don't watch the clock. This reminds me to PAUSE and to let things happen as they should . . . not to PUSH AND PUSH when just giving a little air and space might do the trick. This is a continual reminder to have patience in a world that seems to be very earnestly in search of immediate gratification always.

- Whatever Happens is the only thing that could have - We're back to expectations. If you travel through life expecting YOUR agenda to be alignment with everyone else's agendas always, you're cruising for a bruising. Yes, it is good to have a well defined goal/purpose as long as your mind remains open as your environment shifts and shapes. Be adaptable and open to new ideas and ways.

- When it is over, it is over . . . This one is the great liberator. Another invitation to let go . . . but it takes things one step further. It gives me the ultimate permission to move on when my work is done. I'll always remember the line in the movie "Nanny McPhee" "As long as you NEED me, I'll be here. When you no longer need me but WANT me, I must go away." (paraphrased)

"!" The exclamation point at the end is intentional. NO EXCUSES! This statement is a statement of my personal "WAY" and the fact that I write it on everything, everywhere is my accountability for myself. Occasionally, someone will notice it and ask . . . I simply say: "This is my mantra for living."

Best,
b

For Real Estate Needs visit www.theowengroup.net
other blog site is www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply & BOLDLY living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Eight Principles of FUN

2008-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

I generally do not "cross publish" my posts, but I wrote this one on my other blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo and feel that it deserves some air here also :-)

My good friend and colleague Dortch Oldham sends me a steady flow of great email links and jokes. He and his wife Carol are successful REALTORS here in Nashville, and anyone who knows them knows that they are on this planet to have FUN. It is clear that they both love each other very much, and they are both very much enjoying life. They are fun to be around.

I don't know how Dortch has the time to find such great stuff, but I am glad that he does. Once in a while, he will send something along that fits in the "Priceless" category . . . The link below deserves that ranking.

http://www.eightprinciples.com/

This is created by a guy in Ontario - His "Outside the lines" approach is nothing short of wonderful. Here's his USP from his website: "I'm Michael Bungay Stanier - an award-winning author, Rhodes Scholar and the 2006 Canadian Coach of the Year. I've created a wide range of highly effective, practical and accessible products to help you create a life of fun, inspiration and action. Have fun, be bold - and see what's possible."

Without question, this stuff works nicely with the principles of the MREA Energy plan. These Eight irresistable principles mesh SO well with the training we do for Setting Goals and Time Blocking and "staying in your 20%" that I have committed to plug the video into my monthly class.

There's not much more justice I can do for this other than to encourage you to visit the link and watch the video - the WHOLE video and absorb what it says . . . Then launch yourself into the world with a new level of commitment to THINK BIG, ACT BOLD, and HAVE FUN!

Best,
b

Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
http://www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com/
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Fiscal Responsibility

2008-01-28T12:04:00.001-08:00

I am reading Alan Greenspan's book "The Age of Turbulence - Adventures in a New World" and have REALLY been intrigued by the introduction. There's enough meat in this introduction to chew on for DAYS. I am certain the other 500+ pages of the book will a thorough "fleshing out" of the principles he presents in this intro along with anecdotes from his 14 years at the US Federal Reserve.

This book was released 9/11/07 . . . and was given to me by my wife's parents at Christmas '08. They both know that I am an avid reader and am very interested in the World and US political environment. Bill and I have had many lively discussions about politics and see eye-to-eye on most issues. Between the 2 of us, we have solved virtually every political issue there has been in the last 10 years . . . If only the politicians would just LISTEN to us :-) I deeply respect Bill's ideas and am very interested to see what Alan Greenspan has to offer that caught Bill's attention.

At the same time, I have noticed some interesting and particularly passionate attacks through the press and recently published books pointing the finger at Alan Greenspan for being the cause of many of the financial and social issues of the current day throughout the world. Today, I am neutral. I have not read Greenspan's book, nor have I read the opposition's material . . . I see this as a wonderful research project for myself in the coming months.

On the surface, my sense is that I cannot imagine that ANY single human in the world regardless of political stature has the power to screw things up for everyone. IN this global community, it seems to me that the issues present are far more complex and diverse than any one person could effectively "manage." I believe we are all equally responsible for where we are.

With all of that said, I would like to post a few quotes from the intro that caught my attention and make a few comments.

Page 13: "Developing countries typically have much higher savings rates than do industrialized nations - in part because developing nations' social safety nets are weaker, so households naturally set aside more money for times of need and retirement. (Other factors also play a part. In the absence of well-established consumer cultures, for example, households have less inclination to spend.)"

I see here that "Big Government" creates complacency. If our government is always saving our populous from their own poor habits, we are enabling their vulnerabilities. Our people get "softer" and less resilient every day. When the S_it hits the fan, our people are looking to the government FIRST to bail them out rather than doing what our country was founded on - confronting the "enemy" with a united effort - Remember the phrase "United we stand - Divided we fall" . . . Nothing's changed in the 200+ years since those words were published.

Whatever happened to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace? There are many people just now beginning to "get" the importance of personal fiscal responsibility and beginning to save reserve (emergency) accounts and using less credit and buying less STUFF. That's great! Now . . . Do the large organizations and governmental agencies understand the importance of this simple premise at their high level?

Dave Ramsey - Can you talk to THOSE guys and effect larger change?

I picked up a copy of Fortune magazine yesterday while waiting for my haircut . . . Read 3 stories about HUGE FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION buying HIGH and selling LOW and losing TONS of money. These are companies that literally millions of people are trusting to manage their family's fortunes . . . and here they are fumbling their own magnanimous fortunes, WOW

Page 14 "Inflation in a fiat money world is difficult to suppress"

When money is so easy to get that the perceived value drops to nothing, people are far less concerned about inflation - "SPEND ALL YOU WANT - WE'LL MAKE MORE!"

Page 14 "The market value of assets worldwide between 1985 and 2006 as a consequence rose at a pace faster than that of the world GDP . . . This created a major increase in WORLD LIQUIDITY . . . Homeowners in many DEVELOPED NATIONS were able to dip into their growing home equity to finance purchases beyond what their incomes could finance. Increased household spending, especially in the United States, absorbed much of the surge of exports from the rapidly expanding developing world."

Appreciation and income gaps grew so large that there was a run-away train of spending. Gary Keller has a brilliant dialogue about this very thing as being the primary reason for the mortgage melt-down of 2007. This hits the REAL issue smack in the nose.

Page 14 " . . . elevated many hundreds of millions of the world population from poverty" . . . "it is the rediscovery of the power of MARKET CAPITALISM."

Page 15 "As a consequence, the control of governments over the daily lives of their citizens has lessened; the forces of the marketplace have gradually displaced some significant powers of the state. Much regulation promulgating limits to commercial life has been dismantled."

This is pure unregulation . . . and the global scope has added momentum for the train.

Page 16 "theoretical elegance of competitive markets . . . led me to an even deeper appreciation of competitive free markets as a force of good."

"nonetheless, there is a persistent widespread questioning of the justice of how unfettered competition distributes the rewards"

The rich get richer while the poor get poorer and the middle class shrinks into obscurity.

"Competition is stressful because competitive markets create winners and losers"

Some people believe that a role of government is to regulate capitalistic enterprises and protect the "losers" and create a more equitable distribution of the rewards . . . This leans more towards socialism and away from "free economy" in a time when many of the socialistic governments have joined the global capitalistic environment (China).

Greenspan then dives into some open thinking about root humanity "What are we? What is fixed in our nature and not subject to change - and how much free will do we have to act and learn?"

His theory: "All people appear motivated by an inbred striving for self-esteem that is in large part fostered by the approval of others."

"People have an inbred need to interact with other people. It is essential if we are to receive their approval, which we all seek. The true hermit is a rare aberration."

"The need for VALUES is inbred. tHEIR CONTENT IS NOT"

Laws must "hold people responsible for their actions"

Needless to say, the introduction of this book got my attention . . . I'm sure I'll post more thoughts as I get further into the book.

Best,

b

Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space

Celebrating the life of . . .

2008-01-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

Regardless of the events leading up to the death of a loved one, I am not certain that we can ever really prepare ourselves for the moment of the final passing. How can we reconcile the passing? Whether it was a sudden/surprise ending due to catastrophic circumstance or a known and slower death by disease, friends and family find themselves in quandary. We feel great grief, yet we want to honor the life of the loved one appropriately. All of us probably have lingering (unresolved) issues and/or regrets about past happenings in our relationships with our departing friend.

This seems to be a lesson that my family is being challenged to learn in the past several months. We have had more "opportunities" to learn how to deal with the grief of the death of a friend or family member in the past 18 months than I have experienced in all of my 45 years on this earth. It's not any easier for me, but I think i am beginning to get it.

If we are not CELEBRATING life - Savoring every moment - Literally sucking the juice out of EVERY experience with our friends and family - and enjoying each other fully, we are cheating ourselves of the "optimal human experience." This is a waste of our existence. I believe we owe it to ourselves and to others to learn the fine art of living PURPOSEFULLY in the present. There's simply no benefit to lamenting the past or allowing anxiety about the future to taint the quality of our NOW.

All we REALLY have is NOW!

As my family faces another difficult time, I have reached out to a good friend and confident - a Priest who lives on the other side of planet from us. I simply asked him for comfort and "Pearls of Wisdom" to help us help each other through this time. Excerpts from his response:

"I don’t know that I have any “pearls of wisdom” to share with you, really. I’m not that good in such times.
I was with some people this afternoon whose Mum died on Friday night last, and we are working through the actual funeral service for next Thursday.
There are mechanicals to be put in place, of course, but I was thrilled as they said they felt it a sad time, but wanted to make sure that the Service will be a “celebration of Mum’s life”.
I sense we so often get swamped by the sadness whereas we need to work at celebrating the love and care and loveliness and loving that a person . . . has been and has lived.
Like the family I was with today, of course there is sadness. It would be dreadful if that were not so, of course.
But there is also gladness at the achievement, the loving, and the giving that have always been there in a person’s life. Our task, people who are still here, is to celebrate the wonderful and beautiful and touching things and events we can remember as part of the living we have shared in.
It always seems important IMHO to get people at a funeral service to think about and smile about the nice and funny and lovable and touching things that we can remember from a person’s life. And I will often do this knowing that only if there is laughter and smiling can there be true grieving and tears which also matter.
Our God is not just a “Loving: God”, He is also “love itself” – whatever we can understand of that.
It’s a hard and harsh time for you all, of course. But to forget to celebrate the life of someone you love would seem to be omitting something very precious and wonderful – IMHO.
Cheers and blessings"

This response took my breath - made me pause and reflect.

His message is SO right about the need for humor and the celebration. A friend of mine died a few months ago. There was a part of the funeral during which I felt I was at a “celebrity roast” . . . A Catholic Mass – His Brother followed the homily with a ten minute “story telling” – It was hilarious and there was much laughter and joy.

I think it IS important that (Especially BEFORE the loved one dies) that we figure out how to throttle down the sadness and anxiety and remember to laugh and celebrate and enjoy the time remaining.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Saturday morning musings

2008-01-19T03:25:00.000-08:00

Life sure comes at ya fast sometimes . . . and passes by even more quickly when things get BUSY. My last post in this space was Christmas Eve - WOW! It feels like a year or so since that post. Since then, we HAVE birthed a new year (2008), so I guess technically it HAS been a year since I last wrote here :-)

Ah well . . .

It's not that I have been lazy - I have been diligently posting business related stuff at my other blogsite www.activerain.com/barryo - That site is very interesting because it is a community of REALTORS - LOTS of REALTORS . . . and I generally get nearly instantaneous feed-back from my thoughts - good, bad, or indifferent. I am a believer that feed-back is the breakfast of champions. That's what keeps me going back there.

Another benefit of posting frequently is that it grows a longer tail on the internet. Here on this Blogger.com site, I have talked about virtually everything imaginable. It began with a focus on my 2 passions - Open Space Technology consulting and the Real Estate industry . . . For sure, there was plenty to talk about.

Then I heard about ActiveRain and decided to begin posting ONLY Real estate and/or business related philosophical musings there. It just seems to make sense to put that stuff in a place that would reach a more targeted and appropriate group of people. That leaves this site for me to talk to everyone else :-)

I track the hits here and see no recognizable pattern whatsoever - People access the site from virtually ALL over the world and get to it simply by googling words and phrases I have written. That's the long tail I was talking about. You'd be amazed to know how many people come here simply because the word "playpen" is in the title. Of course, they don't all find what they were looking for and move on quickly (I'm not selling Children's playpens here - perhaps if i were to start selling playpens, I could make a ton of money) . . . but some of those playpen googlers stay a while and get something they come for . . . My hope is that when anyone leaves this site, he/she has found some satisfying tid-bit - morsel of information or warm thought that helps them roll through their life journey.

I can always tell when an author I have written about hits the news or releases a new book or launches a speaking tour because suddenly this site gets inundated with visits from folks googling for more information on the author. I once had a "Big Time" author contact me and thank me for writing about him - His webmaster had called him and reported that there had been a large volume of visitors linking through from my site . . . and it had resulted in MANY sales of his book.

One of my office associates, Jan, has a daughter who is writing a paper all about blogging. Jan has mentioned to me several times that she will be visiting my sites and that I know a lot about this stuff. Truth is, I do not know so much - RSS feeds and advanced technological ways to "Optimize" the exposure of the site elude me . . . I only know that writing is very therapeutic for me - I enjoy writing, and my brain is always churning new thoughts and ideas.

Blogging is akin to mental exercise (Brain push-ups and sit ups and weight lifting).

As I become more aware of the visibility of the stuff I write, I feel a higher level of responsibility to continue to contribute. I believe 2 factors come into - a heightened sense of ACCOUNTABILITY to those who visit frequently and a certain sense of responsibility to publish quality material. The more feed-back I get - the better.

Our business has literally EXPLODED this year. Deb and I have "been blessed" by an unusually high amount of new business as folks begin to get past the doom and gloom media reports that created fear home buyers and sellers . . . and at the same time, we are facing the reality of a very sad happening.

Deb's Mom (Betty) is very ill with cancer (Lymphoma). We learned about this several months (not years) ago and have experienced all of the phases of denial and grief you could imagine. Deb and her Mom are not only Mother & daughter . . . they are BEST friends. The doctors tried the traditional treatments - Chemotherapy - with minimal effect . . . It was not effective enough to continue those treatments. We brought our children to Grandma's house for Christmas and literally savored EVERY moment we had with grandma. We know that her passing will come soon.

Throughout this experience, I have learned that there is a fine distinction between optimism and denial. We were on a several month push-me-pull-you of not wanting to believe the doctors' prognosis - feeling that what was needed most was POSITIVE surge of energy. We believed that if we could keep our optimistic energy flowing, we could increase the will to live and prolong the inevitable a bit more. I still believe that is true. I believe Betty has lived longer and been able to spend more quality time with her daughters and son because of this. As long as there was hope, there was a reason to continue.

At some point, REALITY sets in. We must shelve the denial and ultimately face the music that is REALLY playing. Deb has reached that reality and done the right thing as have her 2 siblings. They are now by their mother's bed-side and will remain there until her passing. In my mind, this is SUCH a "right and honorable" way for passage . . . a time for sharing love and commitment and tell stories and laugh and hug and cry together as a family. And when it is over, Betty will depart knowing that she is loved . . . and knowing that her children and husband will be OK.

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space

The Highway White Crosses

2007-12-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

It's now Christmas Eve. Deb and I and the kids ran the weather gauntlet from Nashville to Denver - Left Nashville EARLY on Friday and had a completely uneventful drive to Kansas City where we stayed in a wonderful down-town hotel. We got there early enough to have time for some relaxed mall shopping followed by a nice swim in the pool. Saturday morning, we learned of a storm making its way across Kansas. The initial reports were "1-4 inches" . . . Having driven in LOTS of snow on the interstate, we felt prepared.

The weather reports forgot to mention the HIGH WINDS that literally buffeted our car around like a puppet on a string - Also tended to create "white-out" conditions in several spots. We were lucky enough to be able to make it through with no problems . . . I was interested to learn that my gas mileage was FIVE miles per gallon less than the day before . . . and I was FAR more fatigued by the time we reached Denver.

Along the way, we saw many cars in ditches but no apparent major accidents - LUCKY! We did see, though, SEVERAL white crosses planted in the ground in the medians and side ditches . . . Knowing that each of those crosses represents a death - likely from an horrific accident, we found ourselves being quite a bit more careful and respectful of the conditions . . . Deb and I did not talk about this until we passed one spot where there were FIVE crosses planted together - We knew that was likely an entire family.

A few miles after passing that cluster of crosses, Deb and I broke the silence. Until that point, we had not talked about these crosses. Even when we were ready to talk about it, neither of us could seem to find appropriate words. These crosses are certainly grim reminders of prior happenings . . . AND proved to be very useful for us . . . I'll never know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if seeing those crosses could have saved our family from demise during this journey . . . I was EVER so much more alert and cognizant of the highway environment EVERY mile of the way. I found myself REALLY paying attention and watching my speed and being cautious when seeing possible icy patches.

It could very well be that the marking of the deaths of these unfortunate souls has saved tragedy for my family . . . Imagine how many other folks have seen these crosses and had the same sobering realization? Whoever is responsible for the VERY visible placement of these reminders has ensured that these folks did not die in vain.

This morning we saw the news of the death of a man, his wife and daughter after a tragic accident on an icy Wyoming highway - The man had run into a patch of ice and lost control - came to a complete stop safely - Then was struck by 2 cars, a pick-up truck, and finally a Semi . . . Only his 2nd daughter survived and is in severely critical condition. If they plant these white crosses on the highways in Wyoming, there will be 3 at that mile marker.

There is no amount of inspiration I can write in this space that could possibly convey the importance of the message . . . PLEASE HONOR THE WHITE CROSSES and pay attention to each and every one of them . . . and temper your driving . . . Don't take unnecessary chances on the highway - chances that could endanger the lives of those in your vehicle OR the lives of people sharing the road with you.

For sure, they got MY attention.

If you are traveling for the holidays, my wish is for your safe passage from one home to another.

Barry Owen

Productivity Coach and Principal Broker

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills

www.activerain.com/barryo

www.theowengroup.net

Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Getting the most out of the holiday season

2007-12-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Deb and I heard a sermon at church that seemed to hit the nail on the head COMPLETELY. It was all about the rigors of the holiday season and how they affect our emotional states. Everything from:

- Road rage as people vie for scarce parking spaces . . . to
- Recurring Family issues that always seem to surface at family gatherings . . . to
- Financial stresses - Seems ALL of the bills are due at the end of December as well the HUGE amount of social pressure to buy LOTS of gifts for EVERYONE we know.
- An array of holiday parties (Especially stressful for those with young children and tight finances . . . Sitters get expensive)
- "GOTTA HAVE IT" gifts . . . Deb and I got caught in this game for the first time EVER . . . We really wanted to buy this cool Leapfrog learning computer for our youngest daughter and found it on-line @ $60 with the caveat that it would be 4-6 weeks for delivery . . . or $117 for delivery NOW . . . WOW! Those scoundrels are DOUBLING the price for remaining inventory on HOT items.
- Memories of lost loved ones - How things would be if they were still with us.
- Grieving for loved ones who are ill
- Sadness that comes with thinking of those not able to be with us - Perhaps in the military

The holiday season just seems to magnify all of these emotionally charged ups and downs.

His sage advice was that is the perfect time to practice tolerance - To remember to BREATHE - To be PATIENT beyond measure . . . To remember the reason for the season (whatever that means for you).

This is a time for CELEBRATION . . . and if all of these issues stress you, find a way NOT to do them . . . Don't buy the fancy new gizmo if it causes undue stress . . . Take the heat off yourself . . . Do not measure yourself against the expectations OTHERS have of you.

We can only take responsibility for our OWN contributions in all of these scenarios

All of this to say, I wish for you a wonderfully calm celebration . . . ENJOY your friends and family . . . and find some humor in other's need to blow the little things out of proportion :-)

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

How much STUFF is too much?

2007-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

VERY COOL!

Just what I've been looking for . . . I had this video on the Story of Stuff Website appear on a listserve yesterday and could NOT resist passing it along.

The more I look around me, and the more Deb & I think about shopping for Christmas for our young ones and each other . . . The more bothered I have become with the amount of STUFF there (in the Mall - We went to the HUGE Opry Mills Mall in Nashville last night - The MECCA for "Stuff Worshippers")

My mind has been churning and unsettled by the amount of stuff in our stores manufactured in China - At first, I found myself thinking "Anti-Chinese Manufactured" . . . and was extremely frustrated last night because 95% of the stuff I picked up was "Made in China" . . . The remaining 5% was "Made in Mexico" . . . What to do? Where do I find stuff made in the locally? Is anything still made here?

This video brought some great clarity for me. It's not China's or Mexico's "fault" . . . It's simply the path that humanity has traveled down . . . and it IS linear in a finite world - No point in passing any judgment whatsoever . . . It's just time to give this some REAL air, and I believe this video clip is a darn good start.

The video is benign enough that it doesn't do the "slam it down your throat"
activist approach (which usually causes me to "turn off" and evade) . . . I have not spent any time validating the statistics and/or information, but I have no reason to believe it is not accurate. For sure, it is eye opening.

I have already started using the Eco-Light bulbs and am paying close attention to my consumption habits - At least it's a start. I have a long way to go - I know that I can use fewer "single-use containers" (Plastic Cups) and insulate my house better and get a tankless water heating system when my current water heater dies and drive less and buy less STUFF I don't really need . . . etc etc etc

I will promote this video/effort within my personal sphere of influence which is FULL of "professional grade shoppers/consumers" . . . My hope is that even a small percentage of these folks will "Get it" and pass it on . . . and we'll move full circle to appropriate behavioral change. I believe that we (Consumers) can effect change powerfully simply by being more cognizant of our shopping habits/choices. If we don't buy the stuff that is a product of this earth destroying mechanism that humanity has been building for the past 50+ years and begin paying more attention to "Home-grown" LOCAL products, we ALL win :-)

Best,

b
Coaching REALTORS to SUCCESS and BALANCE!
Website http://www.theowengroup.net/

Blog for REALTORS
http://www.blogger.com/www.activerain.com/barryo
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Green Hills - Nashville, TN
Skype - barryo06
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

When children get excited

2007-11-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, a young boy friend of our daughter (8 years old) had the great fortune of being invited to a Vandy football game with his friend. He was SO excited. This is a boy who is what I call a real "connector." He is the kind of boy that EVERYONE loves. Smart, witty, fun to be around . . . most everyone in his school knows him and loves him . . . Tragedy struck on the way to the game. Max and his friend were arriving at the game a tad late, so the parents decided that the Father would drop them off at the stadium with the Mother and then find parking. As he brought the car to a stop, Max jumped out of the car with a burst of enthusiasm and ran into the street . . . He was immediately struck by an on-coming cab and died very soon after from severe head injuries.

Recounting this story just sends chills through my whole body. This happening affects me to my very core. What I know is that this was not anyone's fault. Max did what he did, and it is not likely that there was anything anyone could have done differently to avoid the accident . . . Who could have known? With that said, I also know that there are many people who feel the need to place blame . . . and others who will feel compelled to take responsibility . . . It is a tragic happening.

Since the birth of our first child, My wife Deb has been virtually fanatical about "controlling" our children when they are near a street or parking lot . . . anywhere there are moving vehicles. At times, I have marveled at this level of concern wondering how necessary it is . . . I now know that ONE mis-step has the potential for tragedy of proportions we can only imagine. For years, we have had our children hold hands together as we cross parking lots or streets . . . I am so very thankful for Deb's uncompromising vigilance.

Other tragedies have struck the community of our Elementary school this year. A Father committed suicide leaving behind 4 beautiful young girls and his wife . . . another Father died of a massive heart attack a few weeks ago leaving behind his wife and 2 children . . . ALL of these events have affected ALL of the children in this school . . . and now Max . . . How can they cope with this level of trauma? How can they possibly comprehend?

I believe Max's death has created a new reality for those who knew him . . . Especially his friends (including our daughter) . . . This is a level of "growing up" that we parents don't want our children to have to do at such an early age . . . It's a shattering of their innocence in some twisted way.

If nothing else, we know that Max impacted the life of every person who ever met him. I also know that his death sends a very clear message about the importance of protecting our children from their own enthusiam. I have no doubt that Max's exuberance created a surplus of adrenaline in his body, and when he opened that car door, he likely moved with super-human speed.

I am reading Andy Andrew's book "The Traveler's Gift" . . . In This book is a parable about a man who learns 7 Decisions that contribute to success . . . and the final lesson is that we are ALL important . . . We ALL contribute in some significant to the future of our planet . . .

I truly look forward to learning (years from now) of the great significance of the life of Max - I am certain that his death has trigered a series of events that will impact this world on a large way.

Meanwhile, Deb and I will continue to herd our children from the car to our destinations . . . Probably until they're in their mid twenties.

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The First Decision

2007-11-20T04:25:00.000-08:00

This morning, I begin really digesting Andy Andrews' Seven Decisions. I'm going to be a good boy and do the homework just as it is assigned - 21 days with each decision. This morning, I charted on my calendar, so I'll get a little reminder when it's time to move to the next decision.

I begin here with a quick summary of the first decision and the random underlining I did prior - I will make a copy of the decision and simply carry it with me on my clip board for the following 20 days. All of the Quotes below come from Andy Andrew's "The Traveler's Gift"

"And even if you're dreaming, that's not a problem. For centuries, dreams have been used to communicate instruction and direction to people of purpose - Great men and women."

"He believes in you."

"Occasionally, someone is chosen to travel the ages, gathering wisdom for future generations."

Barry: I believe we are ALL here gathering wisdom for future generations. Each and every being on this planet is here for a purpose.

"No one, (can see you) that is, except the person you came to visit."

Barry: This is a reminder for me to be present - IN the present - in all interactions.

"The ultimate outcome of any one's life is a matter of personal choice."

"David, we are all in situations of our own choosing. Our thinking creates a pathway to success or failure. By disclaiming responsibility for our present, we crush the prospect of an incredible future that might have been ours."

"You are where you are because of your thinking. Your thinking dictates your decisions. Decisions are choices."

"Until a person takes responsibility for where he is, there is no basis for moving on."

"The First Decision for Success - The buck stops here."

"From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. . . . Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss, or other employees for my present situation. . . . If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught in a web of the past. I will look forward. I will not let my history control my destiny. The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. . . . My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive . . . When faced with the opportunity to make a decision, I will make one. . . My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement . . . Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn. . . . Adversity is preparation for greatness,. I will accept this preparation."

That's it for now . . . Tough talk there, but the message is CLEAR. We each actually DO have control of our own destiny. We've only got to take personal responsibility and live passionately in the present without judgement . . . Sometimes this is much easier said than done.

I will stay with this message for today and the 20 days following . . .

I wish you a SUPER Thanksgiving - We all have much to be grateful for . . . When we "come from gratitude" our return on investment is HUGE.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach & Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Traveler's Gift - Surprise Home work Assignment

2007-11-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

As I was reading "The Traveler's gift" by Andy Andrews, things were going well. What a great story he has told - and wonderful pearls of wisdom. So much of what he says "re-packages" many of the concepts I hold near and dear to my heart - Things like Taking personal responsibility - Following PASSION - Living with GRATITUDE - being NON-JUDGEMENTAL - and persisting through The dips of life - Pushing through the tough times when the vision is clear.

Anyhow, I was happily reading along savoring every morsel and feeling good about my choice to read the book. This was an easy and entertaining read. I found myself nearing completion of the book in a mere 2 days. I began to think that maybe this month would be one of those months in which I would read more than one book. I generally do not begin another book until the current book is "fully digested." The light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter.

Mid-way through reading the 7th Decision - page 163 - my plot to move on to another book quickly was thwarted by the following dastardly and TOTALLY unexpected HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT. Yes, Andy Andrews had slipped this discreet paragraph in the midst of one of the final chapters. I guess an unaware reader might miss the assignment and thereby potentially not get the full benefit of the book. For me, it was a clear message to take whatever time is necessary for me to fully "GET" the 7 Decisions. Here's what he said - My words in ( ):

"You are the last Traveler. (Laying on a HUGE burden of responsibility - No one can do this but YOU) There will not be another. You have been given a gift that has the power to change your civilization. Everything from this moment on will key upon you." (Your personal sphere and influence can be as powerful as you allow it to be - It's up to YOU to give it breath)

"You will study one decision at a time, each for twenty-one days. You will read it aloud twice daily during that time. First upon awakening, and again, as the last thing you do before sleep. You must not miss a day. Each decision will become a part of your being, buried in your heart, captured in your soul."

"You will share the gift of the decisions with others. Those who absorb and apply this wisdom will rise to greatness and inspire others to the same heights."

WOW!

Such responsibility . . . I'm game :-)

So in the next several days, I'll do my homework and will summarize each of the decisions here as I progress. This seems to be a great "training ground" for establishing a ritual of saying affirmations daily.

Thank you Andy Andrews,

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

It's all the same . . .

2007-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

I don't often post other people's posts - Seems that I tend to simply spew my stream of consciousness thinking here and send it out to the stratosphere that is the worldwide web. My Father Harrison Owen posted something to the Open Space Technology ListServe a few days ago that resonated deeply with me . . . I can't get it out of my mind. One of my favorite sayings has ALWAYS been: "We're all in this together!" We might as well enjoy ourselves, right?

So - Below is Dad's post:

"Doubtless I have led a blessed and charmed life, at least some might think so and I know so. But the truth of the matter is that funding for my work has never been something I worried about, at least not much. In one way or another things just got taken care of, although not always in the time frame or amount that I hoped for or expected. Starting in the late '70's when I left my last honest job (where I actually got a pay check) I simply followed my nose. If there was a plan I don't have a clue what it was, although in retrospect everything seems to make a certain amount of sense. And my nose took me to lots of interesting nooks and crannies, most of which looked nothing like a job or a paycheck. My fascination with organizational culture, myth (story) and ritual was viewed as odd to say the least, and when I ventured into the strange new world of transformation in organizations the common judgement, I think, was that I was just weird. As for Open Space Technology that, as you all know, was a matter of two martinis. Talk about the cost of doing business:-) Regardless, I just kept following my nose. And to date, I have never missed a meal. On occasion friends and colleagues would ask what it was that I thought I was doing -- and truthfully I couldn't really say. The closest I ever came to getting "it" into words went something like this. It was my hope to somehow contribute to the business of making human life human.
Is there a lesson here? Maybe. One thing that pops out is that I never made any effort to define "community" -- or maybe more accurately my definition was about as broad as it could get -- human life, or all of humanity. Everything was connected even if I couldn't see it at the time. I have worked in Barrios and Board rooms and as far as I could see it was all the same. People being people trying to get on in the world. Some did well, some not so well, but doing well never seemed to have much to do with their station in life. Corporate presidents could appear as paupers, and beggars as kings. What I learned in one place always had application in another, and when I connected deeply with some individual that connection always led to deeper connections with others. Does this make any sense? I don't know, but it has been fun.
Harrison
Harrison Owen"

WOW!

This distilled SO much into SO few words. With this gift of wise brevity, it's no small wonder that Dad has lived a charmed life :-)

I have already incorporated some of this into my coaching. The one thing I believe many just don't get is their own, personal, unique power and influence in the world. Who cares if we're "remembered" or historically significant . . . The important is the here and NOW . . . the PRESENT! Authentic living impacts everyone in your path/wake.

Judgement and proselytizing does not have an iota's more influence on the world than a person's self-awareness and genuine contact with the world. KNOW WHO YOU ARE and BE that person, and you will positively shape your world.

My favorite quotes from above?

"It was my hope to somehow contribute to the business of making human life human."

Everything was connected even if I couldn't see it at the time.

People being people trying to get on in the world."

In the past 2 years, more people I know than ever in my sphere have died in a variety of ways . . . Tragic accidents - Disease - Sudden heart attacks - Crime victims - and (most tragic IMHO) suicide. I have been exposed to more death than ever in my life. Perhaps this has to do with my age (45) - I don't buy that one because many of these folks who have died were in the 18-45 age group. Each funeral has been a time of "Celebration of the life of . . . " . . . and each one has significantly impacted me PERSONALLY. It is VERY clear to me that we are each here for a purpose, and we are all connected, and we ALL "make a difference" . . . We are all here "trying to get on in the world."

Live your life in celebration of NOW. I least understand those folks I knew who chose to take their own lives. Those are the ones who cheated themselves out of the rest of their lives . . . out of seeing their children grow and prosper . . . and have cheated their families out of benefiting from their gifts. There is no amount of angst I can conjure up in my mind that would lead to such a draconian resolve.

I went a direction here that I didn't begin writing to go - I guess I needed to vent.

I'm here for the duration :-)

Remember - We're all in this together!

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach & Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Dip

2007-10-31T03:57:00.000-07:00

Seems I forgot to post my current Book Club book. Affirmations of Wealth has kept me quit busy in conjunction with lots of recent changes/developments in our local real estate environment . . . And so . . . We thought it would be most appropriate to read The Dip by Seth Godin.

Next week, we'll annouce the book or books for December.

I'll be back in a short while to write a bit about those aforementioned "Changes/Developments"

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply living the Fourfold way in Open Space

Now here . . .

2007-10-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

My recent musings seem to keep bringing me back to the same place (in my mind) . . . Where are we NOW? What is the current reality? This reality is a very personal thing because every person creates his/his OWN realty based on several "filters." What happens around you (your environment) certainly has the "opportunity" to affect your reality . . . Does it HAVE to? Is this a given? Are we products of our environment? Can we insulate ourselves from these "outside" forces and maintain our personal integrous reality without becoming social outcasts/recluses?

How much of what you do in your day-to-day wanderings is core to your purpose? How much of it is a reaction or response to some external influence? Are you "doing to please others" with little regard for your own personal needs. Are you giving "control" to "past experiences"? Freud was right only to the extent that we allow him to be :-) How much of what you do every day is based on your own expectations? How much of what you do is based on your perception of what other people expect of you?

Have you acknowledged your REAL goals to the extent that you have decided to let nothing stand in the way of ultimately achieving them? Have you made the time investment in yourself to actually formulate a "Plan of attack" with some time parameters? What's your track record for staying on task with such plans/goals?

Without question, we could ALL use a bit of repetitive remedial training on all of the above. Many people hire coaches to help them through these issues and opportunities. These folks have great wisdom. These coaches can be "Life Coaches" who help find Social, emotional, Mental and physical health/wellness/balance . . . Then there are Physical Coaches for exercise and diet . . . and business coaches for your professional pursuits. I heard recently that Tiger Woods has SIX coaches. THAT is a man who is committed to living ON PURPOSE.

The secret ingredient begins with the soul searching that results in self-discovery. Follow that with some REAL, FOCUSED work on living in the present - Appreciate all of your NOW experiences for what and who they are . . . Know that EVERYONE and EVERYTHING in front of you NOW is here for a reason. Know that you DO have choices. When you are living on purpose, those choices become more clear for you. You become an "Attractor/Attractress" for people whose purpose aligns with yours. This does not happen if your clarity is absent.

Life is self-selective. We all have the capacity to live on purpose. None of this has anything to do with intelligence, wisdom, or common sense. This has EVERYTHING to do with learning to "unfilter" your experiences . . . Be aware of self-imposed limitations - Imposed because of fears and/or "negative self-talk" that you have learned from past experiences. Find a level of commitment to yourself that is 100% - not 99% or 98% . . . 100%. Do whatever you can do to break through these self-imposed limitations - whether it be hiring a coach, a counselor, a Mentor. You owe it to yourself to discover your real purpose and to pursue that purpose with 100% commitment

As I write this, I understand that the reader is likely saying to him/herself: "Yeah! This is easy for you to say, BUT . . . " I say you're right. This will not come easily or quickly. If you choose to embark on this journey, it will take some time and LOTS of effort. This is the work of life. Create your own reality. Create yourself. Be who you ARE not who you think you "should be" based on your past experiences and/or your perceptions other people's expectations of you.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The Home Inspection

2007-10-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

I have been delinquent posting in this space this week . . . Sorry! I was in Broomfield, CO (Near Boulder) last week for a 3 day intensive Coaching Skills Camp led by the fearless Dianna Kokoszka who is in charge of and developed the MAPS Coaching program for Keller Williams Realty International. This was a FABULOUS session. As usual, I returned to Nashville with more "to-dos" than I could shake a stick at - Bless my little heart. I bounced into my office full of new and fresh ideas for improvement and attacked the place with reckless abandon. In the past 5 days, I have made a dent - not a very big one - just a dent . . . I can see very clearly now that we will have the best training program for REALTORS at ALL levels of production . . . and the coaching program I offer will actually change some lives . . . I am SUPER-CHARGED :-)

In the midst of all of this, i discovered an article that merits attention in this space. This BLOG page is one that I intentionally fill with material that is useful for prospective buyers and Sellers of Real Estate. My hope is that it will be a catalyst for generating leads for our sales force here in Middle Tennessee and for our colleagues in other parts of the country. I'm not sure I have ever "asked for the business" on this page . . . Mostly, it has served as "good therapy" for me . . . The reality is that we all must have some income to pay the bills, and I have assumed a new role as Productivity Coach for our office and am not selling . . . Our TEAM - The OWEN GROUP - continues to serve clients each and every day and would LOVE to have the opportunity to serve you, your friends and family and/or work associates with you real estate needs here in Middle TN or ANYWHERE - Just contact us. Debbie (my wife) is our "Lead Agent" and is the absolute quintessential client advocate in any real estate transaction . . . Heart as big as they come :-)

I diverged . . .

The article is at this link: HERE - It is a very well written article about Home Inspections and keeping them in proper perspective. This is an increasingly frustrating component of real estate transactions. I have been in this business for @ 15 years and have NEVER before seen this level of complex contractual issues . . . and most of them center around the handling of the inspection report resolution. I have ALWAYS believed that the ONLY way to fly with these issues is to go into the process with minimal expectations and fully aware that there WILL be issues. We do inspections to get a read on the condition of the house ON THAT DAY. Just as you would go to the Doctor for a physical.

The author of the article above is giving good advice to real estate practitioners as to how to handle inspection reports . . . I think this is great information for a consumer to read . . . The more you know, the more realistic your expectations become.

We love working with well informed people, and we hope you'll give us a call when the time is right for you to consider a move :-)

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach and Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
REALTOR blog: www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Do you have a coach?

2007-10-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

I know that may seem like a strange question, but . . . No matter what your profession, odds are REAL good that you can improve your efficiency and effectiveness substantially if you are accountable to someone who is a TRAINED PROFESSIONAL COACH.

EVERY industry has coaches. These are folks who you speak with on a regular basis whose jobs are to lead you down the path of self-discovery to pin down your motivation - Your REAL life goals and purpose for living. A very good coach finds out what motivates you to succeed. Is it family? Fortune? Travel? Expensive things? What is it?

Once your motivation is clear, the discovery process can shift towards how much money you will need to make to get there. Follow that with some focused work on proper mindset, and you emerge with a PLAN that includes "way points" and time lines for "mini-successes" which ultimately yield the main goal.

The coach's job is to stretch you beyond your comfort zone . . . Keep you just uncomfortable enough that your momentum continues forward.

When can you be done with your coach? When you decide to stop playing the game. The need for a coach is a lifelong need . . . Even the MOST successful people on the planet pay coaches to keep them on track and focused. You could conceivably have the same coach for 20 years.

The point is - EVERYONE needs a coach if they have goals and motivation to succeed. I guess you could probably fumble your way up the later without a coach, but you're likely going to find a "Fundamental Ceiling of Achievement" along the way thereby ceasing your forward motion - indubitably, this will lead to stagnation and despair - It becomes easy to settle into a mundane life when you're not continually learning and stretching.

Be ALL that you can be . . . Hire a coach and LEARN TO BE COACHABLE and you'll find successes that are beyond your current imagination.

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living theFourFold Way in Open Space!

Open, Pocket, or Exclusive?

2007-10-08T03:42:00.000-07:00

This Summer, I had a "first" (after 15 years of consulting with home Buyers and sellers in Nashville Middle Tennessee) I had (in July) a Seller call me and invite me to come take a look at his condominium. I immediately swung into action and pulled together our listing presentation, researched the property, did a market analysis and drove over for the appointment. Going into this "Listing appointment", I was very aware of the fact this particular condominium development had a LOT of units currently for sale and that very few had sold . . . Likewise, the condominium sales throughout the city were in a slump and the inventory was continuing to rise. Clearly, it would be paramount for this Seller to price his unit aggressively to get ANY Buyer attention.

When I arrived at the unit, the Seller was a very pleasant man who showed me around the place and clarified his intentions. He really was not in a hurry to list the place. He simply wanted me to see it and know that if I had a Buyer for it, he would be willing to sell. He did not yet have a place to move. I offered to help him find another place. His response was that his SON is a REALTOR and would be helping him with his purchase and is NOT interested in listing his unit. I thought that was a bit odd, but I did not push the issue. I thanked him for inviting me and assured him that I would give him a call if I encountered a Buyer Prospect. I also encouraged him to call me if/when he found another place and was ready to get his unit sold.

Time passed - The Seller and I spoke periodically on the telephone - probably on a weekly basis. I would call him or he would call me. We were building a strong relationship. During that time, I learned 2 things: He has 2 close friends who are REALTORS, and he was confused about the process - He had not sold a house in over 30 years, and the process had changed a bit. I did my best to educate him over the phone, but the going was slow.

One Sunday morning, Deb and I were getting ready for our day, and the phone rang. It was my condo friend. He said that he wanted us to have his unit Open That day because he noticed that another listing we had listed in the development was scheduled to be open as well as several others. He said he wanted to price his unit $40,000 BELOW the market price only on THAT Sunday. He was not going to list the property - just wanted to see if he could sell it that day and "just be done with it." We scrambled into action and found an associate in our office to be there for the Open House. There was no sale that day.

Next day, the Seller called me and said he thought he had found a place to move and wanted to meet with us and would be happy to come to our office. I thought this would result in a full blown listing at a competitive price. I was optimistic that we would soon have a very competitively priced and marketable listing. It took us a week to finally get together. Bear in mind, this is @ 10 weeks after we first met.

His ideas were different from my expectations . . .

Straight out of the chute, he told me he thought he was ready to get this ball rolling and that he had put a lot of thought into it and wanted to go at it in a way that would get the most REALTORS working the hardest on selling his property. I was optimistically thinking that this would mean that he had finally understood the importance of listing his property with a SINGLE REALTOR with an EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL listing . . . and even better - had decided that The Owen Group would be his Exclusive agent.

NOPE

His idea was that he would call every REALTOR he could find in the area and have them over for a meeting and offer each one a commission of 6% if they could bring him a Buyer. He would not sign an exclusive agreement with any of them. His rationale was that they would each work harder for him on the possibility of "getting the full commission and not having to share it with another agent." He was certain that this would be the most powerful approach to getting his condo sold.

WHEW!

I backed up and re-grouped and explained to him the power of having ONE REALTOR working on his behalf to attract the attention of ALL OTHER REALTORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC and that very few of the REALTORS he was approaching would likely put much effort into marketing his property without having some assurance of being paid. I explained the importance of having a Marketing agreement with a REALTOR and the power of then being able to post the listing on the Multiple Listing System and all over the internet etc etc. I believe he understands, but he was not quite ready to commit.

How 'bout a "POCKET LISTING"? Would he sign an agreement to let me market the property without posting it to the MLS? In this way, I would at least have a written commission agreement and could assure other cooperating REALTORS that they would be paid.

NOPE!

OK - So we ended the meeting - At a minimum, I believe I have educated this man on how the process works to get the optimal results (SELL a house or Condo) through Exclusive Representation of a REALTOR. I know he has since contacted 6 other REALTORS who (he tells me) ALL told him the same things I had told him, and ALL said they "would keep his property in mind." I asked him if he really believed that any of these REALTORS would put a lot of effort into finding a Buyer (WE can't even legally market the condo without a written agreement)?

He said he would give it some time and see . . . We still talk every week. At a minimum, I have found a good friend :-)

If you're thinking of selling your home, the best BANG for your commission buck spent is ABSOLUTELY EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION of a competent and professional REALTOR.

off the soap box - for now . . .

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN Homes - Green Hills
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space
http://www.theowengroup.net/
REALTOR BLOG www.activerain.com/barryo

We met for about an hour.

Residential Real Estate is a LOCAL product!

2007-10-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

This morning, I wondered what I would write here. I try to do my blogging first thing in the morning, creativity and Spirit don't always arrive "on time." . . . I don't always wake up and jump out of bed with blogs lined up in my head waiting to be written . . . sometimes I have to "call my muse" by nursing a cup of coffee or taking some time to read or (like today) not writing until later when a hot topic hits me in the face.

I found that hot topic just a few minutes ago as I was checking email. Each week, Keller Williams International sends out a blast email "THIS WEEK @ KW". These emails always have great information and usually begin with a timely and newsworthy issue. Most of these are issues that seem to speak mostly to REALTORS - ways to enhance our business and deal with shifting markets etc . . . Today's has a different flavor. This one seems to speak DIRECTLY to the "consumer" and addresses the on-going "bad PR" that our industry seems to face day in and day out. Not a day goes by that we don't see some blast of negativity (The Sky is Falling) showing up in Newspapers, Magazines, TV, or Radio . . . and the majority of it is factually flawed and just plain untrue.

Please see Gary Keller's response (Below) to the latest :-)

"TOP STORY: Gary Keller: The only market that matters is yours!

Last week on the Today Show, during a segment on the national real estate market, CNBC’s Jim Kramer uncompromisingly stated, “now is the absolute worst time to buy!”

Concerned that remarks such as these from so-called experts might be pushing potential buyers to the sidelines?

Here’s what Gary Keller, co-founder and chairman of Keller Williams Realty has to say about waiting out the current market:

First, residential real estate is not a national market product — it is a local one. To say from a national position that this is either a good time or a bad time to buy real estate is like saying the national forecast for the U.S. today is 92 degrees — it is a useless and irrelevant perspective. What is happening in your local market is all that matters.

Second, trying to predict when it is a good time to buy, or not, means you’re trying to time the market. Staying on the sidelines is the surest way for most people to never time anything correctly.

Last, and maybe most important — there are always two markets in every market. There is the market of properties that are good buys and there is the market of properties that are not a good buys. Interestingly enough, this is true in either buyer or seller markets. To categorically say that this is the time to buy or not is absolutely ignoring the fact that every market really has two markets inside it."

If you are contemplating a move ANY TIME, call your LOCAL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL and explore your options based on what's happening in your LOCAL market . . . that is - YOUR neighborhood . . . You can ALWAYS do well in Real Estate investments with proper mindset and perspective, and no one knows your local market better than your neighborhood REALTOR.

Thank you Gary Keller!

b
Barry Owen
REALTOR blog www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Old and interesting discoveries

2007-09-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today, I decided to Google myself and see what I could find out there. I have been posting to the internet for several years in many different places and have realized that some of that stuff is still out there even though it may have been YEARS since my last up-date. One interesting find is a website I built on Geocities.com - I put a LOT of effort into this site. It was one of the first efforts to put Open Space Technology on the internet. Since then, Open Space has accumulated quite a web presence. I'm working on trying to figure out how to edit/up-date that site a bit to bring it more current. My ultimate goal is to get a grip on all of the pieces out there and assemble a single page that can be a "portal" for all of them.

An Open Space Friend of mine - Michael Herman - made the suggestion a few days ago to go to http://www.flickr.com/ and enter "OpenSpacetech" . . . and to create a slideshow of Open Space pictures to scroll through on the wall during a presentation. I did it yesterday - Click here to see the results. This INternet thingie is some kinda powerful. It was very cool to be opening space for @ 40 folks and glancing up at the wall occasionally to see a photo of a group of folks sitting in a circle somewhere on the other side of the world doing the same. This added a powerful enhancement to the whole thing . . . a deeper energy of sorts.

Then this morning, I woke up with a blog post inside my head literally SCREAMING to be released, so I dashed to the computer and typed as fast as I could. I'm not sure I captured it all but I made a good effort . . . HERE IT IS . . . It is all about the fact that it takes a Village.

All these pieces fit together. If we approach our global environment as a Village - That is - if we accept the fact that we are ALL in this thing (the planet) together, and that we are all equally/mutually responsible for the nurturing of each other and our environment, then we all suddenly discover that we are individually important. We can each choose to be significant in the lives of everyone we touch. We can BE Warriors, Teachers, Visionaries, and Healers, and there are MANY avenues for us to participate in the caring of our own personal village. If we choose not to "PLUG-IN" then we are choosing to deprive ourselves of living life to its fullest and we are depriving others in the world of the internal wisdom and beauty and compassion we have to share.

No one created rules for the posting of the Open Space pictures on Flickr, yet nearly 3000 images are there for the viewing . . . posted by many different people. There were no planning committees and sub-committees . . . The internet provided the space, and those folks with that passion stepped up.

The village concept is such that - Imagine a small village of 200 natives. Odds are good that all 200 of these inhabitants know each other intimately. Odds are also good that each of these people serves as a "support system" for others. They are all interdependent, and as each one finds success, so do the others . . . All boats rise with the tide. As the village grows and technology improves, the importance of this "village nurturing environment" does not decrease . . . in fact, it increases. We have FAR fewer racial and ethnic conflicts if we would all simply accept this notion that we are ALL in this together. Mutual respect and honor regardless of personal beliefs. Respect and honor includes NOT imposing our beliefs and culture on others . . . AND (I believe) not diluting our OWN beliefs and cultures to accommodate those people who choose to relocate into our environment. We are who we are, and we should be who we are wherever we are! SIMPLE!

When you live in a village, life is just simpler and kinder!

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply living the fourfold way in Open Space!

Persistence and determination . . .

2007-09-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Each morning, I receive (Thanks to Lowes) an article from RIS Media . . . and every so often, the message folds perfectly into my current stream of thought. THIS POST hit home today. It begins with one of my favorite quotes:

"former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

The remainder of the article has some great food for thought for ANYONE ANYWHERE! This is the stuff that keeps people moving forward through thick and thin. Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing and spend a few minutes contemplating.

How this relates to this blog space (a place where I focus on real estate related issues for CONSUMERS from the perspective of a Broker), I find myself always examining MOTIVATION and LOYALTY . . . especially in a "tough market" . . . If you are contemplating a move (and/or are suddenly faced with a "mandatory move"), the best advice I can give you is to take the points in this article and use them as a filter when selecting a REALTOR to represent you in your purchase or sale. This industry has found a level of complexity and uncertainty that makes it paramount for you to find a REALTOR who has what it takes persevere in the face of whatever happens.

Once you have found this REALTOR, STAY WITH THIS PERSON FOR THE LONG HAUL! You do NOT do yourself ANY favors by asking for a short listing period and/or "firing" your REALTOR if your property is not sold in the first month. You will get further than you can possibly imagine by building a MUTUALLY LOYAL RELATIONSHIP with your REALTOR so you both feel SAFE and comfortable. Your goal should be to find a "partner" in the purchase/sale of your home . . . rather than seeing this as an Employer/Employee relationship.

With this approach, you will most likely find a flow that will result in higher rewards and less stress than if you were to randomly select a REALTOR.

Another very pleasant aftertaste is that you and your REALTOR will have solidified a relationship that can actually survive for YEARS.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
REALTOR Blog www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Rates have IMPROVED!

2007-09-20T04:01:00.000-07:00

The Fed CUT THE RATES!
The FED CUT THE RATES!
THE FED CUT THE RATES!

. . . by a HALF Point!

What does this mean to you?

If you're a consumer cued up to buy something significant, this might be GREAT news. What this change does IMMEDIATELY is increase the "liquidity" of the companies in the business of lending money. Liquidity is what dried up in the mortgage company debacle of the past few months. Lack of liquidity was the cause of many of the mortgage company failures. Lack of liquidity was the foundational reason for the lender's sudden change in the loan products they were willing to offer.

This Fed rate change will not have the result of "everything is all better now" - instead, it will loosen things up just enough to allow the market to breathe. This is a breath of life into a market that seemed convinced to suffocate itself. There are certainly not going to be any instantaneous and miraculous results. Most people are still cautious about purchasing/borrowing because of the sheer volume of negativity blasted out by the press in the past few months. What it will do is stimulate the activity of the smart, well positioned folks who recognize this opportunity (and have the financial strength and acuity) to seize the day and make some lemonade out of these lemons. Clearly, this is a market in which Buyers can purchase more house for less money (in most areas) . . . and now those savvy Buyers can finance at better rates.

If you're well positioned to buy real estate, everything seems to be coming up roses. I say "Get while the gettin's good."

ABC news reported a story - HERE"S THE LINK - that put this whole thing in a nice and easy to understand perspective - Entitled "What the Fed Decision Means for You - How the Fed's Rate Decision Impacts Credit Cards, Mortgages and Student Loans" - I don't often laud mainstream media articles, but Deb sent this one to me - and I like it :-)

I also wrote a bit more on this on my other blog - HERE'S The LINK - I wrote that piece from a REALTOR's perspective for other REALTORS.

I think this market still has a LOOOONG way to go before full recovery - In fact, things will likely decline more before they improve . . . but every little morsel of good news is quite tasty.

Thank you FED!

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville Tennessee - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

The State of the Tennessee Real Estate Market

2007-09-18T03:52:00.000-07:00

If you are curious about what is REALLY going on in the real estate industry, we invite you to a seminar we are hosting in our Green Hills office on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20 6:30 PM. On tap, we will have commentary from John Stephenson with Commerce Union Mortgage (Countrywide) followed by a statistical market overview and analysis including "in the trenches" observations about trends by Barry Owen (Principal Broker) and Debbie Guthery-Owen (Principal for The Owen Group). The commentary will be followed by a period of Q & A - The session will end when it is over - IE when the questions cease. We hope you will attend. Please call 615-425-3617 to let us know if you'll be there :-)

This past week-end, we celebrated our youngest daughter Allison's 6th birthday. As usual, we made it a multi-day event beginning Saturday with a trip to the Sommet Center (The Nashville Arena) to see one of the girl's FAVORITE shows on ice - High School Musical. The show was great, and we all learned some things. This is a good, clean show. The lesson for the kids really is along the lines of personal authenticity. The lead characters are a group of high school classmates - 2 of them are boyfriend/girlfriend (Jock and super-brain) - an unlikely pair to be on stage performing in the talent show. They face a series of challenges to their authenticity. In the 1st show, their friends initially make many efforts to pull them away from the performance and towards their "public talent" (basketball and intelligence contests) . . . In the end, they both "convert" their friends to support them and beat the odds stacked against them to beat the nemesis brother and sister duo that ALWAYS wins the show.

In the 2nd 1/2, the nemesis sister has decided to lure the "jock" with a slick job at the country club and the possibility of using her connections and social status to help him get into the college of his choice. At the beginning, he holds fast to his principles and requires that his friends also be hired, and as the show progresses, she presents him with a variety of perks to pull him away from his friends . . . In the end, he does the right thing . . . and the nemesis seems to learn the lesson and she too does the right thing.

That's a very brief and loose recap of the show - My point is:

What a SUPER thing to be teaching our young ones (and those older ones who haven't gotten the lesson yet). If we operate from personal authenticity and principle centered action, we live a life of purpose - The Universe and the people around us seem to magically conspire to help us reach our goals and aspirations - Our ambition leads to great things. It is when we waiver from this authenticity that we find rocky roads and trouble. Living with integrity - That is - Thinking about our actions and doing the right thing ALWAYS overcomes all obstacles. This (Integrity) is the "I" in Keller Williams Realty's WI4C2TS.

I appreciate Disney's message. This is refreshing in a world of mixed and confusing messages that our young people see every day.

Just BE AUTHENTIC - BE YOURSELF! One of the quotes in the script was along the lines of: "If you change who you appear to be just to get something you want, you might actually become that person and not be able to find your way back to you own REAL self" This is the "Starstruck Syndrome" . . . or as friends would say: "You're head is too big" "You've forgotten the people who brung ya here" "Get your head in the REAL game" "Get your feet back on the ground"

etc etc

Hoping you have a great and authentic day!

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Other blog www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Gaining Financial control . . .

2007-09-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago, we had the TV on as we worked through our evening routine. It served mostly as "background noise" for most of the family (including me) until the Larry King Live show came on . . . and I heard the words "real estate". This pinged my reticular activator, and I tuned in for a few minutes. The guest was Suzi Orman (Click here for her website). I had heard of Suzi Orman in years past but had not paid much attention to her. After all, we have our own local Personal Financial Guru here in Nashville - Dave Ramsey with his Financial Peace University.

Suzi had some good advice that is relevant to anyone considering a home purchase. None of it blindingly brilliant - mostly common sense - ALL of very practical and useful. Following are just a few bits . . . I did not see the entire segment but got enough to know that what she was saying merits a look . . . so if you're in the mood for a move, I recommend that you visit the ideas of Suzi Orman and Dave Ramsey and any other financial advisor who can help you position yourself well in the market.

When you pay off a credit card, DO NOT CLOSE IT . . . Open, unused credit helps your score.
NEVER buy real estate with less than 10% of the purchase price down-payment.
NO PIGGY BACK LOANS . . . 80% 1st mortgage + 20% 2nd . . . The 2nd mortgages are usually HELOC open lines of credit that show as a credit hit because it is maxed out on the day it is established.
If you-re going to pay extra payments on your mortgage, do it by sending in additional "principal only payments" to the mortgage company. DO NOT participate in programs that encourage you to pay bi-weekly instead of monthly. Those programs do pay the mortgage down faster, but they are not free. The banks charge processing and enrollment fees.

Those are just a few of the ideas I picked up. I have had a wonderful experience with a client who bought a house from me 5 years ago. They are considering a move. I spoke with them about the financial side of things, and they told me with great pride that they had just (last month) mailed out their FINAL house payment - There is NO mortgage. WOW! I asked how this could be? Hmmm . . . more common sense . . . They lived frugally for 5 years and paid additional money EVERY month towards their mortgage. Their reward is that they now have the ability to sustain the same payment ritual and can literally DOUBLE their price range without having any change in their life-style . . . and the house they will buy will likely ALSO be paid off in less than 10 years.

THAT'S what I call "Playing the financial game the way it should be played". I hope you'll pause and consider your financial scenario and be "real" with it. What can you do to improve? Do you have "right" practices that provide stability and consistency? If not, I recommend that you find a financial mentor/guru who can help you get there. Some banks offer these services just for banking with them - Banks such as Pinnacle Financial Partners . . . OR you can watch for seminars/classes/programs like dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Program.

Get yourself right financially, and life just seems to cruise along a bit easier.

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space

As promised - The kids

2007-09-13T03:47:00.000-07:00

I had to take a little hiatus from the blog writing for a few days - Had to do some catch up, and the calendar was more full than I expected. At Keller Williams Realty Nashville Green Hills, we had SUPERB day of training yesterday. It all began with a presentation from an Insurance Company for a "roll-out" of a new Health Insurance Plan that Keller Williams Realty International has put together. This is nothing short of wonderful because Health Insurance is not an easy find for independent contractors like REALTORS, and generally it is MUCH more expensive because no one has seemed to be able to figure out how to put together a "group policy" for a gaggle of Independent Contractors . . . until NOW!

We then launched into a series of 3 very well attended "LAB" sessions led by 3 of our top associates. Aaron Armstrong began with "Working with For Sale By Owners" - Jane McCracken followed with "Expired Listings" - and Steve Myers ended the day with "Making, receiving, and negotiating offers." These classes were our first "run" of a new strategy for training in our market center. This strategy is more participative than simple "classroom instruction". The whole focus is on tapping into the collective wisdom of our membership. The leader of the session uses the appropriate Power Session from Keller Williams Realty's 4:4:3 - 4 Listings and 4 sales in the 3 months - program (an 18 session LAUNCH program designed for all agents new and old . . . This is a "back to the basics Marvel") The leader opens the session with an over view of the power session . . . then speaks from personal perspective . . . then opens the floor for discussion. All of this compliments the other on-going training, masterminds, and coaching we offer throughout each month consistently to sharpen the skills of our associates, so they can continue to transact business in this weird market . . . and it is WORKING . . . Our volume of sales is as strong as ever, and our profitability grows daily.

Here at Keller Williams Realty Green Hills, we ARE walking the talk of being a learning based organization.

OK - Back to my promise to those selling their homes. I advised you what to do with your pets . . . now for the children. The first and most important component is to have a family meeting during which the family as a whole comes to a complete understanding as to the importance of keeping the house as clean and tidy as possible at ALL times. This begins with a clear understanding of the benefit derived - "We get to move to a different house!" Do not exclude your children from your plan-making. The more you integrate them into the process as a whole, the more they will understand and support the effort. Leave them out of the loop, and they will likely rebel and look for avenues to sabotage. Bring EVERYONE in the family into the loop.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE! As you prepare the house for sale, consider EVERYTHING that is "out" on table-tops, in cabinets, closets, attic, basement, on the floors . . . and clear away ANYTHING that you do not expect to need for the next 6 months. Seize this opportunity to purge (throw away) any stuff that you can deem not worthy of moving to you next house. Ask your children to do as you are doing. Have them sort their OWN belongings and make conscious choices as to which things they want to keep out. Assure them that the toys they stow away will not be thrown away . . . only stored and can come back into regular use after the house sells.

Gently encourage the young people in your house to do at home as they do in school: "When you are finished with an activity, put everything in its place and clean the area before starting a new project." MODEL this behavior for them by being aware of any random piles (mail and papers) you might randomly leave about the house.

FOOD - The new rule is that food and drink NEVER leave the defined eating areas of the house.

One useful tip is to make a run to get several of those big, plastic, stackable storage containers . . . some for you and some for the kids . . . and a huge garbage can . . . and sort things as trash or keepers . . . then store the stackables in the attic, crawl space, or perhaps a rented storage unit or POD. The more STUFF you get out of the house, the easier it will be to keep things clean.

This strategy works for children of all ages. Even your very young children will participate if they understand the importance . . . your teen-agers might be a different story. You may have to resort to beating them. (Just kidding). Infants? Well,they may not reach understanding so it'll be up to you to get a handle on all of that. The best way to do this is to get all of the baby stuff into one, well-defined area of the house . . . and keep it there. The more spread out it is, the more impossible the task.

When you get notice that a REALTOR wants to show your house, your tension should be much lower knowing that all you will need to do is load the kids in the car and head to the park or go shopping for a while.

I hope these tips help. All of this is totally necessary in this market in which EVERY showing is GOLDEN . . . This is a "zero-tolerance" policy . . . Make your house as perfect as it can be for EVERY prospect that walks through.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Other blog: www.activerain.com/barryo

Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

What to do with Fido & Felix when you're selling your home . . .

2007-09-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I had what I call affectionately my "Rottweiler week". This week started when I received an order to do a BPO (Broker Price Opinion) of a house in Franklin. The house was beautiful with a large pond in the front yard. I parked on the street and walked into the property and around the pond, so i could get pictures of the sides and rear of the house. While I was focusing my camera for the final side shot, I saw in the lens of the camera the largest dog I had ever seen . . . walking towards me on his fists . . . apparently just awakened from a nap in the garage. A quick assessment of my position was not good news - I had to either swim across or run around the pond to reach safety (my car), and I was certain this beast could easily eat me before I got too far . . . so I decided to take my chances at being able to make a friend. Today, I am still alive and kicking, so apparently I did well. He ended up playing fetch with me for a few minutes. WHEW!

2 Days later, I was showing property in the village (Nashville). Things were going well. I was working with a 1st time home-buyer, and we were getting along swimmingly. We drove up to the cutest little house . . . Lots of "OOOHS" and "AAAAHS" . . . I opened the key-box and slid the key in the front door - The door opened smoothly (without having to fight with the lock) . . . and THEN - Totally silently and VERY suddenly, a VERY large animal head appeared out of nowhere and attempted to lunge through the door at me with a ferocious roar. If I had not been in good physical condition, I probably would have died of a heart attack right then and there. I had the presence of mind to pull the door closed as much as possible . . . 1/2 the Rottweiler was out and 1/2 in . . . Thank God, the owner was not far behind and saved the day.

Next day . . . Different client . . . I'm a bit more wary now . . . Showing another house - No signs of pets - I let my guard down - Client wants to see the wonderful, fenced back yard. We step off the deck and walk to the back, turn around to look at the rear of the house when we see sitting at attention - under the deck - a ROTTWEILER watching us. A quick survey of the situation was not good - 8 foot privacy fence all around, and the dog was between us and the deck. I closer look revealed a CHAIN . . . YES - He was chained to the deck and could not get to us - WHEW!

2 days later - I'm showing yet another client. We see a note on the front door that reads: "FOUR cats inside - DO NOT LET ANY OUTSIDE OR IN THE BASEMENT!" ALL 4 cats meet us at the front door. The house was beautiful, but we never got to see it because we were herding and entertaining the cats the whole time we were there . . . and the place SMELLED LIKE CAT!

Skip to present day . . . I was showing a house a few weeks ago . . . Things were going well. It was clear that my client was very interested. This a couple with a 6 month old daughter. The house is PERFECT for them. We head down to the finished basement and see a note on a closed door (that leads to @ 2/3 of the basement). The note says: "VERY FRIENDLY GERMAN SHEPHERD - BARKS BUT WILL NOT BITE!" The instant I opened that door, that dog lunged from his slumber and raced towards us with the hair bristled in a taught line on his back - barking very seriously.I put myself between the dog and my clients (mostly to protect the baby) and attempted to make friends. The dog did not bite but DID walk around us the whole time we were there - BARKING! This did not make for a peaceful showing.

The point of all these stories? If you are selling your house and REALLY want to sell it, you MUST find a way to remove your menagerie when showing the house . . . or at the very least, quarantine the animals into a cage or pen and give the REALTORS ADVANCE NOTICE. When people come to see your house, the LAST thing the REALTOR of client wants to do is to have to babysit the family pets during the showing. This is a complete distraction and is not the path to a fast sale. Additionally, I recommend that ALL pets be removed COMPLETELY from the house until it is sold. I love pets (especially dogs), but they do NOT enhance your odds of selling your house if there are scratch marks on the doors and walls . . . food/water bowls to accidentally step in . . . complex instructions as to how to handle the pets during showings . . . and animal smells that offend discerning noses. I have had many clients actually say: "I love the house but don't want the hassle of deodorizing (de-petting) the place."

Where can the pets go? How 'bout a friend's house? ANYWHERE but under the feet of the prospects and REALTORS there to see your house. These are offensive words for those REAL pet lovers out there. I understand that your pet is likely a "child" to you . . . another member of the family . . . The question is, though: "At what cost?" Are you OK with your house selling for less money than it could otherwise in a longer period of time? Perhaps the way to look at it is that you are sending your pet (child) off to camp for a little while.

Now that I've opened the next Pandora's Box . . . Perhaps the next post will be about your human children . . . Don't worry . . . I'm not going to recommend that you send them away while you sell your house, but I do have some tips.

G'day!

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Coaching Blog: www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Understanding your contract . . .

2007-09-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

Contracts are NOT to be taken lightly. In the past @ 10 years, real estate sales have been strong in most areas of the country - Certainly here in Middle Tennessee each year has been better than the year before. Brisk sales often lead to sloppy paperwork. The general mood becomes one of simply getting the paper done because that's what the law requires and for all these years, it hasn't been disastrous if pesky details were inadvertently omitted . . . misunderstandings cleared up quickly because the Buyers were more motivated to stay in the deal . . . There wasn't much else on the market to consider. Times have changed.

In today's market, the Sellers are less inclined to let a Buyer out of a deal without a good fight. This is because there is an overabundance of inventory and a shortage of Buyers . . . If you've got one on the line, you don't want to lose them. I am seeing cases where, even when the contract termination is justifiable (Terminating the deal based on the home inspection), the Sellers are grasping for any little missed detail in the contract that can give them a toe-hold to keep the Buyer's earnest money and/or force the Buyer to close. This is a STRONG reason for ALL parties to a contract to literally comb through EVERY detail of the contract to be SURE that EVERY box they want to be checked is checked and that they have FULL understanding of their obligations. There is very little room for error even when the negotiation seems friendly enough. If your REALTOR is not explaining things, STOP the process until you understand fully.

Unfortunately, I am seeing many cases of unreasonableness (Is that a word?). I have heard many agents say: "These Sellers need to get REAL!" I understand the mindset and frustration of a Seller in this market. It is NOT fun to be a market where you have little to no control especially when you've had full range of motion for 10+ years. This is not comfortable, but it is what it is. The "getting real" part for me is that Sellers can make much better use of their time than to fight to keep a Buyer in a deal that the Buyer does not want to be in. I'm not talking about Buyers who are attempting to default - Those ones should have their feet held to the fire. I'm talking about the Buyers who have justifiable reasons for terminating. The truth is - Ultimately, the Buyer will find a way out if he/she wants out . . . and if the Seller wants to hold them in the deal, they can still refuse to close on the appointed date . . . enforcement is a laborious, expensive process and isn't generally worth the effort.

Why can't we just agree to disagree and move on?

All of this to say: "When you sign an agreement to purchase real estate (Or ANY contract), be CERTAIN that it says what you want it to say . . . and that every i is dotted and t crossed . . . There is NO room for error.

A Zero tolerance market is what we have here :-)

And most of all - have fun with the process - Celebrate all offers and contracts - Develop a positive mindset and KEEP IT - With a little less fighting and tension (struggling), my suspicion is this market will turn around. Positive energy always seems to beget positive results.

:-)

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Other blog: www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

If you're a Seller, are you "Participating?"

2007-09-05T03:53:00.000-07:00

This is no market for unmotivated Sellers. An unmotivated Seller is a person who nonchalantly lists the family home on the market with no defined strategy and/or goal in mind other than to "cash out and move on." Generally, these homes are the ones sitting on the market for long periods of time - initially over-priced, perhaps never reduced (or not reduced enough to sell) . . . and usually there is a REALTOR working diligently to sell this unsellable property. The sign is up. The information is in the Multiple Listing System and ALL over the internet. REALTOR and public Open Houses happen regularly. REALTOR showings are happening frequently . . . but no offers.

When looking at the comparable sales in the immediate area (Which should be done at least every 2 weeks), the REALTOR sees that there are very few recent sales - and several new listings . . . The competition for the Buyer's attention is fierce. This is a market in which there is a vast difference between "good" and GREAT! The Buyers are spinning through the good listings (thus all the showings) to get a read on what a GREAT listing looks like. These Buyers are not in a hurry. They have time. They are watching and know when prices reduce. The typical Buyer will meander through the marketplace indifferently until they happen upon a GREAT listing, and then they will POUNCE with a very fair offer. Along the way, they may make offers on several different properties. These offers may be very low (below listing price), but the Buyer is not particularly attached to having THAT house but might buy it if they could get it for a bargain. This creates a roller coaster ride for many Sellers who entertain offers and see them come and go - Often reaching agreement only to have the deal killed by the Buyer based on the inspection a few days later - This is what happens when unmotivated Buyers meet unmotivated Sellers.

So what's the difference between good and GREAT? The GREAT listings are priced perfectly in line with the competition - no delusions of grandeur. These Sellers have done EVERYTHING they could do to have this house sparkling and ready for the new owners. They have attended to ALL of the "deferred maintenance" (those "Honey-do" things that have been on "the list" for months). Their mindset is TOTALLY and AUTHENTICALLY TUNED IN to the process. They are BOTH (If a couple) fully committed to their move. They know (and agree) WHY and WHERE they intend to move. They are entering this process in a purposeful way. These folks find a great REALTOR and ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS. These are people who make themselves infinitely available for the REALTOR. Yes, they are busy with their careers, but this home sale is IMPORTANT to them and is worthy of their time and attention when their REALTOR calls. These folks develop a healthy dialogue with the REALTOR throughout - always asking what THEY (The Sellers) can do to help with the selling of their house.

When a listing is great, it's almost as if there is a halo around it. There is a buzz of positive karmic energy that tends to attract the RIGHT, MOTIVATED Buyers. The mindset of everyone in the ensuing transaction is a mindset of WIN-WIN!

Does this sound Utopian and too good to be true? Well, it's NOT. It takes more than just a GREAT REALTOR to sell your home. Your participation and commitment leverage your REALTOR's talent and training. Your authentic motivation tends to smooth any rough waters that arise. EVERYONE on the "Selling Team" (Client and REALTOR) has a critical function in the process, and the surest way to a win-win conclusion is a great mindset and well-defined purpose

My opinion is that there is ONE barrier to the sale - The SELLER'S MOTIVATION TO SELL! If your house is on the market, and it is not selling, do NOT call your REALTOR and whine. COMMUNICATE with your REALTOR and ask why? LISTEN to the answer. UNDERSTAND your competition and be willing to do your part - WHATEVER IT TAKES. If your REALTOR will not be candid with you and tell you the truth ("You're price is too high") then find a REALTOR who WILL.

OK- Off my soap box . . . This rampage comes from the perspective of a Principal Broker in a market chock full of houses for sale . . . seeing more and more deals "fall out" resulting in bloody earnest money disputes . . . This process does NOT have to be this difficult. Simply enter the market with proper motivation, and your ride will be a smooth one :-)

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills Market Center
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

How does the Mortgage Industry Shake-up affect YOU!

2007-09-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

This morning, we had our monthly "team Meeting" at Keller Williams Realty Green Hills Market Center. These meetings generally cover a variety of topics from new training opportunities offered throughout the month . . . to market up-dates . . . to new opportunities such as our new opportunities for health insurance for our associates (always a difficult thing for independent contractors (such as REALTORS) to find). This meeting was chock full of great information and was very well attended.

One of my favorite parts of the meeting is the "Mortgage Up-date" from our in-house lending option. John Stephenson with Commerce Union Mortgage, a Joint Venture with Keller Williams Realty in Middle Tennessee . John didn't (initially) have a lot to say . . . until one very wise and inquisitive associate in the back of the room asked the "Pandora's box question:" "How has all of this mortgage industry mess affected our clients? What kind of loans can they get now?"

Well, this question got John going. His answer was very direct. John was absolutely prepared for this question. I'm not certain whether it was intentional or accidental, but it was a great and informative answer. I am going to paraphrase and "dumb down" his response a bit because he kinda got into some lender jargon. The deeper he got, the more esoteric he got. The bottom lines were:

Countrywide Mortgage (the parent of Commerce Union Mortgage) is alive and well and fully prepared to do home loans.

FHA and VA financing have been virtually unaffected - Va is a great way (probably one of the very few ONLY ways) to get 100% financing . . . FHA financing gets almost (97.25%) 100% financing . . . and both programs are alive and kicking.

Straight 100% conventional financing is all but gone - but he quoted a few interesting possibilities - a client with great credit could get 90% 1st Mortgage + 10% 2nd Mortgage + 10% Buyer's own money down payment would get a rate @ 6.5% for a 30 year fixed for a mortgage not exceeding $417,000 . . . Over $417,000 loan amount makes it a "jumbo loan" and the rate jumps 2 (TWO) points to 8.5% . . . The banks do NOT want to make jumbo loans - Too risky - but they will at this higher rate with good borrower credit scores. The best scenario for someone in the over $417,000 price range is to have cash enough to bring the balance in cash down payment ($600,000 purchase price - Bring $184,000 - Borrow $416,000 - Get the better 6.5% rate).

"No documentation" loans are pretty scarce but apparently possible. John did not talk about appraisals . . . I wish I had asked that question - I will ask that one and post his answer in a different post. I have heard plenty of nightmares about appraisals. Apparently when appraisers started being dragged to jail by the FBI for collusion in lending fraud schemes, suddenly they started doing "blind appraisals" (Doing the appraisal without having seen the purchase price) . . . this often results in them not meeting the purchase price which indubitably leads to a skirmish between the Seller and the Buyer. A worse scenario is when the appraiser meets the purchase price, and the underwriter (2 days before the closing date) runs an "AVR" (Automated Valuation Report) and determines (based on this broad stroke appraisal method that has NO clue about local values) that the property is worth significantly less than the purchase price and irrevocably kills the financing . . . This scenario invariably leads to a whole sequence of unnecessary domino effect bad days for many people. Thankfully, I have not seen a lot of this . . . but it IS happening.

The bottom line is that if you have great credit (over 700 scores) and a steady flow of income, you can still be financed (under $417,000) with a good rate . . . but you gotta have some cash to put into the deal. This isn't so bad though, is it? Like my friend Don Birdwell says: "You gotta have some skin in the game!" If you don't have any skin in the game, you're far more likely to take irresponsible risk.

Just think . . . if more people had skin in the game in the past 5 years, the mortgage industry probably wouldn't BE in this pickle . . . and perhaps the market would not have accelerated so quickly . . . and the greed factor would not have set in so firmly . . . and there would be far fewer foreclosures . . . and we would all be saving the tax dollars it takes to prosecute and house the folks who have landed on the wrong side of the law because of their greed.

If you're in a good, strong position to buy real estate, I cannot think of a better time to DO IT! This is a GREAT market for a strong Buyer . . . If your credit lacks . . . and/or your available cash is limited, this might not be your day . . . you might want to consider a pause til the waters calm a bit . . . and the experts say this calm is still a while from now - We still have to weather the storm of the 5 year ARMs hitting their "floats." . . . and that one might very well be the "perfect storm."

We REALTORS are in this game for the duration. Now's a great time to contact us and get the ball rolling with a real estate agent and lender you trust . . . You CAN do VERY well in this market.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Pulling it all together . . .

2007-09-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

The past several weeks have been all about change/transition. We have learned the inevitable truth that shifts happen very quickly on the local level and generally much slower on the national and international level. As this relates to real estate, we REALTORS are in a seemingly incessant push-me-pull-you with the impact of the media stories on the local real estate market.

Here in Nashville, sales continue to be strong -Houses and Condominiums ARE STILL SELLING at a very healthy pace in spite of the doom and gloom mortgage industry news. The consumers don't seem to care as much about it all as the professionals . . . and simply go out and purchase when ready and sell when ready . . . The only real change is that the Buyers and Seller who are taking action have MOTIVATION. Previously, we were never quite sure that the clients actually wanted to move . . . Through the "Good Years," the numbers of "tire kickers" were high - Money was easy to get - Motivation for seeing this whole thing as a PROCESS instead of an EVENT in which a person could (on a whim) finish breakfast and haphazardly decide to buy a house . . . Call a REALTOR, see the house - call a lender and secure financing (seemingly regardless of credit and income and close within 3 weeks). Those days are over.

Buying or selling a house is a PROCESS that should not be handled lightly. Many REALTORS will not survive this down-turn in the market because they do not see it this way and expect to continue to bounce from buying event to buying event. It is more important than EVER now for Buyers and Sellers to find and work with well-informed, learning based, SERIOUS, PROFESSIONAL REALTORS . . . and to pay them well. This type of professional undoubtedly will have in place a very well orchestrated SYSTEM for navigating this PROCESS . . . and the client will experience a series of "events" and feel very well informed throughout the process . . . There will be few surprises along the way . . . and the closing will happen as it should - SMOOTHLY!

I have been a Principal Broker for almost 4 years - and have been a high producing, practicing, full time REALTOR for @ 14 years . . . In all that time, I have never witnessed such a tangled mess of angry people (clients and agents) who have gotten themselves into deals they do not understand. Invariably, these messes happen because of the lack of a well defined process . . . ill (or un)-informed clients get very angry when things begin to go South unexpectedly . . . and suddenly, folks begin to develop a severe case of amnesia and an inability to read the contract they agreed to honor . . . all leading to a completely unnecessary flurry of calls and meetings and legal threats and Broker involvement etc.

When people are wary of the market, they become distrusting of the people who serve them (REALTORS) . . . The only way to gain this trust is to HAVE A PLAN and to communicate effectively throughout the process. Without sufficient systems and communication, seller may get to the end of a negotiating feeling like they "LOST" and might have been able to do better (Get more money) and at the same time, the Buyer also feels he/she might have been able to do better (Lost) . . . and so we have a "LOSE-LOSE" scenario - not good . . . This scenario often leads to horrendous inspection periods, dead deals, earnest money disputes, slicing and dicing of the contract . . . and ultimately the involvement of attorneys and courts.

How do we avoid this unpleasant by-product of a shifting market?

We do it with MINDSET. The Mantra of EVERYONE in the transaction MUST be: "I will invest my full, authentic self into this process and will strive for a WIN-WIN solution to any negotiation." THIS CAN BE DONE - EVERY TIME!" This process is NOT "Rocket Science," but it IS a process that requires your FULL attention AND the advice of a whole slew of "able" guides (REALTOR & LENDER) who can navigate through and around the pitfalls. As the client, you MUST engage yourself in the process and understand what's happening . . . If you don't understand, STOP THE PROCESS and ask your questions . . .Do NOT let things fester.

So, what are we (Real Estate Brokers) doing about all of this?

I can only speak for myself and for my firm - Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills. We have COMPLETELY revamped ALL of our training. Some of this new training comes from Keller Williams University (Our international offices) . . . and the remainder from our own wealth of experienced associates within the office. ALL of this training is directed 100% at dealing with ALL of the issues above. Successful REALTORS MUST begin with establishing business rituals (Routines) that support this way of doing business - We must as a company support these agents by providing an environment that is supportive of this pursuit.

I personally have agreed to step away from working directly with Buyers and Sellers and am now implementing a COACHING PROGRAM for ONE-ON-ONE coaching with EVERY agent who wants to improve their business. We have re-formatted ALL of our training to take our associates OUT of the training center and into the field to lead them to success in their construction of their own unique Buyer and Seller processes based on the fundamental models and systems we prescribe. We are REQUIRING this Coaching for newly licensed agents, so thay can begin their real estate career with a WIn-WIN mindset . . .

Our focus is on:

- Honing the Lead Generation skills of our associates so that they can build each build a sphere of influence that will feed them appropriate business . . . and establish the ritual that they never run out of good and motivated leads . . . This keeps them sharp and motivated . . . Sharp and Motivated Professionals serve their clients impeccably.
- We train our models and systems . . . We teach them HOW to fish and serve their clients instead of throwing them leads from mass advertising
-We instill a strong CULTURE in them - our MVVBP - Mission, Vision, Values, Beliefs - WI4C2TS, and Perspective
- We provide the support systems they must have to be successful.

Armed with the right tools - Our associates are more prepared for the issues and opportunities the present market (Their business Environment) offers them . . . and even more important, they are better equipped to find win-win solutions to most every scenario.

I will occasionally blog here with more information about our coaching program (We believe EVERYONE should have a coach) . . . but will focus more on the "consumer side" so that folks thinking about Buying or selling real estate will have a resource for good tips on swimming smoothly through the process.

I think this post is rambling - but I think it says what I meant to say :-)

Not bad for an impromptu Saturday evening post.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain/barryo.com
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!

Affirmations of Wealth - V. John Alexandrov

2007-08-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

I And @ 550+ other folks had a great opportunity yesterday. The MAPS Coaching group with Keller Williams International offered a great coaching call interview with V John Alexandrov led by Dianna Kokoszka VP MAPS Coaching. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my expectations were high given the fact that I have never seen Keller Williams Realty International do anything "on the cheap." At 8:50, my calendar reminder dinged me to let me know that I had this call at 9. My first thought was to blow it off . . . I was sitting at a desk COMPLETELY covered with paper in a variety of tangled piles, the phone had already begun ringing incessantly (several on-going Broker issues), and I was frantically trying to get the Training Calendar for September completed . . . This was NOT a good time for an hour long break - or WAS it? I took my chances, dialed the number and tuned in.

John Alexandrov's information and approach was very familiar to me. He presents in a very knowledgeable and matter of fact way. As I listened, I heard many recurring themes from much of the thought of the great thinkers of all time. I believe his "concerns" are the same concerns that great thinkers (Wise people) have pondered for as long as we humans have had the capacity to think. Given that Alexandrov was tackling a topic with such a long tail of documented thought by virtually every philosopher, I was interested in hearing his approach . . . How could he improve/enhance this message? Clearly, the work of a great writer oftens means tackling a great challenge such as this and writing in a way (language) that makes it more easily understood by the reader. Deepak Chopra figured this out with his writings about mind body medicine and sensible Western Interpretations of often difficult to grasp Eastern thought.

The program kicked off with: "Money Conciousness - You ARE what you think - We are taught throughout our lives our own money DNA/Genetics. We have Money Memories created by our parents' beliefs about money and other people in our environment . . . Things such as - money is the root of all evil - money does not grow on trees etc . . . i'm betting you've heard a few of these?

When we are BEING who we are intended to BE, we gain control of our lives - Following our passion and adding adding value to ourself and to to others is where to begin - The HAVING (of affluence/wealth/money) will take care of itself. BE first - Then HAVE! BE the change you wish to see in the world. When you are being your authentic self, everything flows more easily.

This course of thought brought to mind the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho which was life-changing book for me several years ago. His premise was that most people drudge along in less-than-satisfying careers for years and years all the while saying to themselves: "I am working so that one day I can REALLY do what I want to do with my life" . . . and they work through all of the best years of their lives and never get around to fulfilling their passion. It's SO easy to fall into this abyss - and the years pass by unnoticed - INVEST YOUR LIFE WISELY - You OWE this to YOURSELF and those in the world you will influence as you let your true light shine.

Back to Alexandrov . . . Ghandi said (paraphased) If you BE - Your reality will soon reflect
So how do we discover who we really are? - what we want from our lives? Our authentic self? THIS takes COURAGE . . . Requires you to LOVE YOURSELF and have a deep respect for yourself . . . Without these things, you have no basis to start. Ask yourself: "Am I willing to commit to who I am?

When you have an idea as to who you are, you then consider your environment and relationships . . . Ask Yourself: What around me is not supporting my authentic self? What/who are the obstacles I am allowing into my life that are keeping me from finding myself? We MUST let these obstacles GO - LET GO! and move towards what/who IS supporting us. This doesn't mean that you flush all of your relationships down the toilet, but it does mean that you consider how you invest your time with them. If the time you invest with a person is fun but not supportive of your self, then you want to do it for the fun of it . . . Just know what you are doing - live INTENTIONALLY (these are all my ad-lib to Alexandrov's message) - MOVE AWAY from those "victim energy suckers" who try at every meeting to convince you that you cannot have your dreams . . . and/or that you must HAVE before you can BE.

Time is an investment - invest it wisely and purposefully - Remember the Law of 2 Feet in Open Space Technology - If at any time you are in a place where you are neither contributing or receiving anything of value, then have the RESPONSIBILITY of using your 2 feet to take yourself to a place that IS useful.

With all of this in mind when it comes to building a business, Alexandrov affirms that every business should really be a community all about profitability, support, sharing . . . In my recent caoching sessions, I have often referred to the original Keller Williams Realty model developed by Gary Keller and Joe Woods as being a "VILLAGE" with it's leadership of "Elders" (The Associate Leadership Counsel)

Retain POWER OVER MONEY as a RESOURCE or TOOL . . . DO NOT LET THE MONEY MAKE YOUR DECISIONS FOR YOU . . . If you know something is in your best interest and will support you then do NOT let Money keep you from doing it . . . It's OK to bust the budget once in a while (within reason) . . . You MUST invest in yourSELF

Erase the word "need" from your vocabulary - It communicates whiny needyness - Choose your words carefully - speak intentionally with empowering words to communicate confidence and self worth . . . words like "Intend, expect . . . " What we profess is what we create - You have to determine what you REALLY want in life and then stake your claim . . . Then TAKE ACTION about it . . . True faith is ALWAYS demonstrated physically through ACTION.

Erase any guilt you have about money

Your OBLIGATION is to be profitable. There is NO lack of money . . . the only "Lack" is your belief that you deserve it to enhance your life, use as a tool . . . don't be ashamed of it when you have it.

COACHING IS CRITICAL!

If you REALLY want stretch yourself and find yourself, you MUST hire a coach (Life coach or business coach or both)

Your affirmations MUST be alignment with your SELF . . . You can't know if they are in alignment unless you DO know your Self.

And finally . . . If you're not in control of your own mind thensomeone else IS.

Thank you V John Alexandrov for continuing this human conversation such a smooth way. I highly recommend his book Affirmations of Wealth and will be doing this book for our book club in September.

G'day!

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Simply living the FourFold way in Open Space!

In "The Village" - 37212 ROCKS!

2007-08-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Nashville is famous for music . . . Initially country music, but the real Truth is that there is music of every kind throughout the city . . . and it seems like everywhere you go you tend to run into people in the music industry . . . Ask anyone "not from around here" how they ended up in Nashville, and they'll usually say: "Music brought me here." Much of the hub of the music scene centers around MUSIC ROW which is just on the edge of downtown Nashville. That's where many of the studios and record labels have their offices . . . and it was recently "enhanced" by the installation of a ROUNDABOUT with a somewhat controversial statue MUSICA by local artist Alan LeQuire - and close to the Schermerhorm Symphony Center home of the fabulous Nashville Symphony and the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gulch . . . Hmmm . . . What else? ENDLESS great restaurants - Easy access to all interstates - Wander to the other side of Music Row and you end up in the area affectionately known as "The Village" Hillsboro Village where the infamous PANCAKE PANTRY (so famous, I don't think they have a website) - where EVERYONE in Nashville has been for breakfast (including the stars) . . . and then there's VANDERBILT MEDICAL CENTER and Vanderbilt University . . . I could sit here ALL DAY posting links to other things close by - Like Centennial Park - The point is: THIS AREA IS HOT . . . and within walking distance of ALL of this (or a short bicycle ride) brings us to The Enclave at Hillsboro Village where my wife Debbie has WONDERFUL condominium listed for sale. This unit is priced at $549,900 and is on the top floor on the back side of the development. It is 2 Bedroom and 2 bath with a study - the 'Panorama" floor plan and is ready for immediately occupancy. This would be an IDEAL second home for someone needing dual residency in Nashville and somewhere else (a corporate suite) or for a Vanderbilt University or Hospital. The development has secure access and is chock full of amenities including exercise facilities, a great clubhouse . . . Very cool center garden . . . and is a good community of folks of all types - from young professionals to world travelling executives to retired folks with dual residences to company executive "quarters" for visiting professionals. This is the quintessential location and a great place to live . . . oh yes - I forgot to mention the CONCIERGE service. All of the pictures in this post come from the EnClave -
More information? 615-425-3617

and finally - MORE GREAT PICTURES OF NASHVILLE

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/

More Mortgage stuff

2007-08-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I co-hosted a session with a Mortgage Lender to educate and inform other local REALTORS in more depth the scope and meaning of the mortgage company issues we are all facing. The presenter Daniel Ramer with Pinnacle Financial Partners had put together a great presentation with powerpoint - "Evolution of the Mortgage Market".The one fundamental bit of information I gleaned from the session that I figure most people do not know is that the mortgage issues we are facing - That is, the large mortgage companies closing their doors resulting in the media reports of 1000s of people losing their jobs, are in trouble because:

There are currently nearly "$7 TRILLION dollars out there in sub-prime loans - a good number of which were done (imo):

a. Fraudulently
b. Not in the best interest of the consumer
c. Extremely risky

Many of these loans were structured as adjustable rate loans and are now in their adjustment periods meaning that the payments are increasing dramatically and the borrowers are not able to pay the higher amounts . . . Most of the loans were high LTV (Loan to value) - often 100% or more meaning the borrowers have NO EQUITY . . . and home prices have edged down slightly so the troubled home owners are stuck with mortgage payments they cannot afford on a house they cannot sell because it is worth less than they owe . . . thus leading to a high rate of defaults and subesquent loss of the "confidence" of the large investors that bankroll the mortgage industry. The bad news was that this has not fully played out yet . . . There are MANY more loans out there that have yet to reach their "Adjustment Periods" . . . We've just hit the tip of the iceburg with respect to this folly.

Contributing factors were that there was LOTS of money available to lend out. These high risk loans were very profitable for investors because the rates were higher . . . so investors were very generous . . . and when times get REALLY good, greed comes into play . . . Mortgage lenders/Brokers began to get more creative in the fierce competition for the customer. MANY new people entered the industry - Seemed that just about anyone could hang a "Mortgage Broker" shingle and make decent money - The industry was moving away from "Service and advice and this made way for the abuse of GLAMOUR PRODUCTS"

Who pulled the plug?

Liquidity . . . The investors that "supplied the money" for all these good years saw the writing and hit the brakes . . . Now, there is less money out there to lend . . . and risky loans are no longer the game . . . This is resulting a "shrinkage" of the industry. The "Fly by night" mortgage companies cannot survive in this new environment - These are the guys going out of business.

What the media LOVES to report is the flurry of criminal Investigations . . . Every day, it seems there is another story about mortgage fraud . . . This is affecting the entire real estate industry, because often when mortgage fraud occurs several people in the process hace contributed (Real estate agent, appraiser, loan originator etc) . . . These investigations will continue.

The end result is the same as it is with ANY industry facing a down-turn or challenge . . . This debacle will result in a redistribution of the market share. The fair and honest professionals in the mortgage industry will capture more market share and those who have misbehaved will be sussed out . . . As Gary Keller Said "Real Estate will RAT YOU OUT!"

THE GOOD NEWS!

We're being FORCED by this to get back to the basics of good business - Treat people fairly - build a solid business founded on honesty and service. The lenders and REALTORS who are "on the up and up" are busier than ever in these "Hard times."

Now, I know that when someone buys a house, I can be assured that they actually CAN afford the payment :-)

Thank you to Daniel Ramer for much of the content in this post.

b
Barry Owen
http://www.theowengroup.net/

Mindset over media!

2007-08-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

We had a negotiation under way the past few days. Things were going well. The initial offer from the Buyer was @ $60,000 below list price which you would think might not lead to anything exciting, but we all worked on it diligently and found ourselves a mere $10,000 from agreement. Our Sellers had decided that they would be happy to "meet in the middle" and that we could then move on to a smooth closing. The Sellers made what we thought would be the final counter-offer on Sunday night.

Monday morning - I missed the news story - but there was another "doom and gloom" story on one of the national mainstream morning talk shows. The Buyer happened to be watching and was converted into a believer that the real estate is, in fact, doomed to die - The sky is definitely falling. So the Buyer FROZE in their tracks with respect to our negotiation and reversed course - dug in their heels and refused to budge on the price. This morning, we're still $10,000 apart. What was a very constructive and friendly win-win negotiation has now become a process of great frustration for everyone involved. The Buyer is scared and refusing to budge . . . The Seller is angry because they have given and given and given and the rug now seems to be pulled out from under them . . . and so here we are . . .

The Nashville, TN real estate market is an anomaly with respect to the national news. We are having the 2nd best selling year of the HISTORY of real estate sales in Nashville. There are frustrations - There are ALWAYS some frustrations in ANY market - We're doing OK! Those who carry a positive mindset through this barrage of negativity fed by the media are simply going out there and transacting business and not allowing these negative undertones become self-fulfilling prophesies.

In the conference I recently attended for Keller Williams Realty, I heard several times that it is times like these when the value of a REALTOR INCREASES for the client. NOW, more than ever, is when the Buyers and Sellers must disable their national news feeds and LISTEN to the LOCAL EXPERTS who have learned and studied the LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS . . . These LOCAL conditions are the environment in which we are transacting business.

I am not delusional and living in denial. There ARE issues in the marketplace. Virtually unregulated lending practices by renegade mortgage companies have led to a debacle that has caused much angst in recent times. So the market shifts . . . it does NOT die . . . People STILL have the need/desire to buy and sell real estate. The only affect this mortgage debacle has on today's market is that it has resulted in the tightening of lending practices, SO:

Now when a Buyer is approved, we know they REALLY have the money and means
Appraisals are no longer being inflated to justify inflated (for qualification purposes)
We know that those folks in the market are MOTIVATED

A shifting market in any industry results in an organic redistribution of market share. Certainly, many REALTORS will leave the industry . . . Those who remain will be the ones with a positive mindset that carries them through.

The smart and sharp REALTORS are educating themselves locally . . . This means that networking with other industry professionals increases. We talk directly to the LOCAL mortgage folks to get their perspective. We talk with the statisticians among us. We adjust our way of doing business so that EVERYTHING we do is INTENTIONAL (on purpose). We keep reminding ourselves that this negative undercurrent of the media is a consistent distractive force, and we consistently educate ourselves so we can appropriately advise our clients.

If you're in the market to Buy or Sell a house, TURN OFF THE TV and through your own network discover a knowledgeable guide to navigate you through YOUR LOCAL real estate environment. Find a great, knowledgeable REALTOR and a reliable Lender . . . Surround yourself with the RIGHT people who have the RIGHT positive attitude, and you'll find success in ANY market . . . regardless of what the morning show reports.

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker and Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo

Market commentary

2007-08-27T03:32:00.000-07:00

We have a listing in an area that is often affectionately known as "BRentioch." This is a unique area that is very convenient to interstates 65 and 24 - Not far from the Nashville Zoo - Just a hop to Brentwood (actually the same zip code 37027 but the house is in Davidson County while Brentwood is in Williamson County ) and SHOPPING GALORE at Cool Springs Galleria . The neighborhood is Called Sterling Oaks. The price is $327,900, and the home is nearly 3000 square feet of sheer perfection. These Sellers did virtually EVERYTHING we asked them to do prior to listing. Fresh paint - Clean as a whistle - AND features a FULL basement (unusual to have a basement in Middle Tennessee). Not only that, but 1/2 the basement is @ 3/4 finished and has a full bath. Just a little paint and drywall work, and you add @ 650 square feet . . . and there's STILL another 600 SF of storage space.

Below are some pictures. First I wanted to comment on the state of our market as it relates to this particular listing. Given the superb condition, great location, and reasonable pricing any rational human would expect this home to sell quickly with an aggressive marketing program. We certainly have been marketing aggressively for 50 days - have had several showings, great feed-back, one offer that did not pan out . . . so why has THIS house not sold?

More comments after the pictures of 5717 Sterling Oaks Drive

The answer seems to lie in the undeniable TRUTH (Reality) of the marketplace. Our weather is unbearably HOT (100 Degrees for nearly 4 weeks now), so folks are less inclined to look for real estate. The mortgage debacle that is currently unfolding has many people leaving the field of play and standing on the sidelines either because they have no other choice (financing is no longer possible for them) OR they simply want to let things settle down before purchasing. The REAL truth lies in a quick review of the market activity in the past 2 months (since we listed this house for sale).

There are currently 69 houses (12 new construction) available in the $300,000 - $350,000 Price range in the area. This is the DIRECT competition vieing for Prospective Buyer's attention.

28 houses (20 New Construction) are pending - under contract - not yet closed

26 houses (10 New Construction) have closed in that 2 month period

See? Houses are STILL selling - The New construction homes are capturing far more buyers than the resale market. Many of these new construction Pending and Closed would have gotten under contract several months ago and are now reaching completion (Early Spring Buyers).

So, the good news is that Buyers are still Buying. The bad news is there is a lot of competition out there for the Sellers - The message is: "Only competitive pricing, great condition, and aggressive marketing will capture the attention of the Buyers."

The profound thought for the day is that a GREAT market tends to make us REALTORS look sharp a smart . . . In a TOUGH market, REALTORS must BE sharp and smart and innovative. I am a true believer that there is no such thing as a bad real estate market - ESPECIALLY here in Tennessee. Let's ride this wave together - Great things almost always emerge from times of stress.

Hope you have a great day!

Best,

Barry Owen

Principal Broker and Productivity Coach

Leading our Associates to success and Balance!

Keller Williams Realty - Nashville - Green Hills

http://www.theowengroup.net/

Minset over media

2007-08-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

The past week, I spent 3 days in Austin, TX attending the Mega-Agent Camp for Keller Williams Realty. Probably 50% of the information had to do with mindset and the remaining 50% about Lead Generation. In ANY business - Without Leads, there are no clients - Without clients, no sales - Without sales, no possibility of PROFIT which isn't the ONLY reason to be in business, but ranks up there in the top 2 or 3 reasons for most people.

The underlying message is that the market is what the market is. We cannot individually control it. We are riding the wave by balancing on our boards. Certainly, we will experience times of relative effortlessness and times of excruciating pain a hard work . . . It is only our personal resolve to succeed that keeps us going . . . and if we can keep our mindset positive, we be effectively choosing not to participate in good OR bad markets . . . We are simply committed to our foundational reasons for being in business in the first place and we NEVER cease the activity of Lead Generation.

Lead Generation is simple making meaningful contact (building relationships) with people who may be future clients or may be sources of future clients. The computer age has us all moving so quickly that many folks are resorting to email and/or direct "snail mail" to drive their lead generation efforts - When in fact, it is DIRECT belly-to-belly, face-to-face interaction that prevails. There is NEVER a time to stop this activity . . . "The seeds of failure are planted during times of success." Don't rest on your laurels.

Maintain a positive mindset and establish a long term (forever) ritual of "right" lead generation activities and your business will thrive - in ANY type of market . . . regardless of your industry.

I wish you great success,

b
http://www.theowengroup.net/
other blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/barryo/

Nashville - Sylvan Park - REAL Community!

2007-08-24T06:28:00.000-07:00

As we gain new and exciting homes for sale (listings), we'll share some information here about the houses and the neighborhoods. This just seems to be the "right" thing to do . . . especially when the house as much character as this one. Sylvan Park is a very trendy, close-in, old & established neighborhood. I remember when I first got into this business that Syvan Park was one of the first Historic Neighborhoods to catch the Renovation/Rehab virus . . . and that was before it was "COOL" to renovate. This was in the mid-1990's. We watched in amazement as values sky-rocketed.

This is a relatively small neighborhood with immediate access to the inner highway loop (440), bounded by a Public Golf Course - Mcabe Golf Course and very "Walkable" with a classic fruit and vegetable stand and a variety of interesting restaurants and coffee shops . . . This is REAL COMMUNITY.

Debbie Guthery Owen (my wife) is the listing agent on this property at 205 53rd Avenue. This is a VERY cool expansion, renovation . . . It started as a small cottage home and grew a 2nd

floor . . . The floor plan is WIDE OPEN and VERY livable. Rooms sizes are great. Cool back yard . . . and just 1 block from the recently (mostly) completed GREENWAY One block the other direction takes you to Bobbie's Dairy Dip

ALL WALKABLE from this house. The price is a reasonable $259,900. Maybe

we went a little crazy with the pictures, BUT words just couldn't do it justice :-) There's more information on this property at THE OWENGROUP WEBSITE Stop in and check it out . . . We also have the capability on that site for you to browse other available properties. Contact Debbie for more information. When it comes to knowing real estate in Nashville, Debbie is the BEST!

Signing off for now . . . Hope you have a great day!

Selling your home in Tennessee? - Pricing tips

2007-08-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

This week, I attended the annual "Mega-Agent Camp" and the Mega-Technology Camp in Austin Texas (The home of Keller Williams Realty). This consisted of three jam packed days of information and strategies for navigating this somewhat tricky real estate market - and LOTS of time with Gary Keller, one of the greatest real estate minds on the planet. There were over 3000 Associates present from all over the country. Many of these REALTORS are working in real estate markets that make ours look GOLDEN.

One quote that caught my mind was that all real estate markets are really "A Tale of 2 Markets." The first (and the one getting all the media coverage) is the 80% of the listed homes that are priced higher and/or are not in the condition that the market will bear. These homes tend to sit on the market for long periods of time and are contributing significantly to the HIGH inventory of homes for sale. These Sellers may have priced it high with the rationale that they can always reduce later . . . and then when the house fails to sell, they into an exercise that was coined "chasing the market" . . . meaning that they go into a cycle of reducing the price over and over again until it finally sells. Unfortunately, these folks often end up netting less on their sale than they would have had they priced at or slightly below market value from the start.

The "other" market is the 20% of home listed for sale that are priced perfectly and in great condition. "Priced perfectly" means that when considering the listing price, they studied the CURRENT ACTIVE LISTING INVENTORY (Their competition in the marketplace) rather than the sold comparables (The traditional approach) . . . and initially price slightly BELOW their competition. This "Other market" doesn't get much media attention because THESE are the folks selling their houses - often QUICKLY - and sometimes with multiple offers resulting in a final selling price higher than the listing price. The media does not report this because it is GOOD NEWS and doesn't fit the doom and gloom mold that seems to pervade with respect to reporting the real estate market.

One final thought . . . If your home is in good but not GREAT condition and you do not have the means to improve it prior to listing it for sale, these Buyers are NOT forgiving. They are very discerning and will not hesitate making what they believe to be "fair" offers. These offers are often well below the listing price. Pricing has become CRITICAL for success in selling a home in Middle Tennessee - as well as most other markets in the country. Don't get yourself caught in this "chasing the market" vortex - It'll cost you lots of time, energy and frustration and will likely net you less money at the closing.

Price your home RIGHT and SELL it with your first listing.

Best,
b
Barry Owen
Principal Broker & Productivity Coach
Keller Williams Realty
http://www.theowengroup.net/

Keller Williams Train the Trainer

2007-08-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

This past week, I had the privilege of being able to attend a 2 day session led by Kay Evans (one of the 2 owners of the SoutEast Region of Keller Williams Realty). She was nothing short of masterful in her presentation. The class was held in the Clarksville, TN market center - This meant that I had a 45 minute drive each morning and evening. While driving, I thought of all of the people in the world who make such a commute every day of their working lives . . . and how I take for granted the smooth 6 mile hop from my home to my office.

The associates in the Clarksville market center were very gracious and welcoming. The class was very up-beat - LOTS of participant interaction. Kay Evans kept things interesting with an amazing collage of stories and practical exercises. The class culminated in an opportunity for each participant to prepare a 15 minute presentation to be video recorded in front of a small group of associates. Even though I have educated folks for years, my nerves were on edge as I approached this task. I prepared well and had my presentation dialed in to take exactly the 15 minutes . . . but as I was doing it, the 2 minute warning came sooner than I expected - I shifted my presentation, dropped a couple of non-essential points and concluded exactly at 15 minute mark . . . at which time, the group determined that they had mis-read the clock and had actually given me only 13 minutes . . . I said: "Keep the camera rolling and let me pick up the pieces I had dropped." I finished and felt very good about the presentation. I did see the video later and learned a lot about myself. I certainly could use a little more "animation" and tended to leave out bits of information along the way . . . Always room for improvement.

Upon my return, we celebrated Tyler's 18th birthday - He is NOW a MAN! Deb and I had a lot of fun finding a variety of "man-appropriate" gifts and saluted his man-hood all day. Today, we put together a party for him at a friend of his house (with a swimming pool). We grilled hamburgers and hot-dogs and we adults stayed out of the way while the "kids" played. There is no question in my mind: Tyler's 18th Birthday will be memorable for him. Deb has REALLY done a wonderful job of raising Tyler. He is a fine young man.

Tomorrow, I journey to Austin, TX for another training program - This time the Mega-agent and Mega-Technology. These are annual events, and this will be the first time I will have attended. Good timing for me as I have several agents coming to me for coaching who have aspirations of achieving mega-agent status. I certainly need to be fully equipped to help them.

My "job" continues to evolve nicely. It was nice to see my first "real" paycheck this week - It kinda made it all much more real. The general response to my coaching interviews continues to be better than I expected. I truly believe that we will do great things with this Productivity Coaching Program.

Looks like I'll be doing another Open Space event for another local Keller Williams Realty Market Center. I accidentally discovered this when I bumped into the Team Leader during the Clarksville training. I am hopeful he will give me the real dates soon so i can reserve the date :-)

I will try to blog a few times while in Austin.

Til then,

b
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Simply Living The FourFold Way in Open Space!

Perfect timing

2007-08-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

28 meetings into this new adventure, and I am beginning to see some patterns emerging. Thus far, the folks that I am talking with were the first to call for appointments - I booked @ 35 appointments without having to "market," which was a good sign for the validity and timeliness of the coaching program. As it happens, I am discovering that most of these early meetings are folks who have great interest in real estate and are having a variety of difficulties finding their niches ALTHOUGH . . . 20 minutes into the conversation, I seem to be able to uncover the true intention. ALL of these folks already KNOW what they want to do. They're simply uncertain as to how to get there.

I can honestly say that I witnessed a few personal transformations and self-realizations right before my very eyes. I am also seeing a large proportion of these folks having great interest in plugging into the coaching program with little regard for the cost and full cognizance of the derived benefit. The general tone is one of refreshing excitement as each of these folks understands the new commitment of our community to their individual and collective success.

My days have been very full and exhausting. I am not accustomed to having a full schedule of 4 (or more) hour-long consultations each day . . . sometimes losing track of time and forgetting to eat the mid-day meal . . . In between meetings, there is plenty to do - Several "models" to develop . . . just maintaining the calendar is proving to be somewhat of a challenge. One thing is certain - my list of things to do is growing longer each minute. I have 2 remote trainings in the next 2 weeks and can return from those to a more "normal" schedule of a mix of interviews and coaching meetings.

The real estate market continues to be excruciatingly fluid. Even the "Experts" have thrown their hands up in the air and said that they have no clue what to expect. The only thing I know for sure is that we REALTORS MUST be at the TOP of our game like never before. This is "survival of the fittest" time, and the rules change daily. I do not believe that seniority means a hill of beans . . . It is going to be those who keep themselves educated and current with the news who will prevail.

The prefect timing of this is that those folks who wish to survive this anomaly in the economic environment need coaching more than ever before. These times call for PURPOSEFUL action and serious accountability for DOING RIGHT ACTION. I'm not only saying this about REALTORS . . . this applies to EVERY person out there working to pay the bills (darn near everyone). This is not a time to be reactive or sluggish or assumptive (Taking for granted that things will stay as they are in your safe little bubble) - ANYONE'S career could turn on a dime with no warning whatsoever.

It is now time to re-evaluate personal passion and God-Given talent and to pursue purposeful action along a path that supports your unique abilities. No longer does it make sense to flounder along in a "quasi" career . . . Dig deep within, find that passion, find a coach/accountability partner who will be committed to helping you get there . . . and proceed with reckless abandon.

I am reading the book "OUTRAGE" . . . Just started reading it - suggested by my Father-in-law who said it would piss me off . . . 20 pages into it . . . He's right . . . It HAS! But the timing for it couldn't be better - This country and political world is and has been SO misdirected and mischievous for so many years that I believe the populous has lost virtually all faith in the ability of the governing bodies to perform. Generally speaking, they (politicians, CEOs, and influential people) should ALL be dethroned to make way for a leadership that is tuned in to the fundamental beliefs of community - Lose the corruption and scandalous manipulation of policy and authority to the benefit of the rich and privileged . . . and find a way that actually delivers the promise of the constitution.

Folks, it's time for us to get off our butts and do something about getting things right. The first thing we MUST do is get our own personal affairs in order. Simplify our lives, identify and follow what has heart and meaning for us personally, Show up and be present in our communities, pursue truth and authenticity with everything we do, and MOVE-ON . . . QUIT LAMENTING THE PAST - No more inquisitions - Let's put all of that seemingly incessant finger pointing and get on with this thing called preservation of our community so our children and grandchildren will have something worthwhile when we're gone. Part of this "worthwhile" is being sure that these children and grandchildren see and learn good manners, ethics, moral standards, authenticity, accountability for actions, love, family, community . . .

I think I'm rambling . . . Perhaps I can assimilate these thoughts more clearly in a later post :-)

Over 100 degrees AGAIN in Nashville . . . Time to get back to the painting project - Kids head off to the 1st day of school tomorrow - Deb's got'm out shopping for new shoes to fit the newly required UNIFORMS for all public school students.

Hope you have had a great week-end,

Best,

b
http://www.theowengroup.net/
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!