Forbearance – Important Information – What IS it?There’s a LOT of misinformation about forbearance circulating through the internet, media, word of mouth, and even lenders who either are ignorant or uncaring. If you are in a position of needing forbearance – You’re unable to pay your mortgage or other debt payments – Do this INTENTIONALLY. Do the work of talking directly with the company which services your loan and FULLY understand the terms of the agreement. The most frightening thing about this is that there are many people are already “in forbearance” and don’t know. They haven’t a clue of the terms of the agreement. Yep! It’s possible that even YOU have clicked a link and inadvertently requested for your loan to go into forbearance without knowing ANY of the terms for repayment (Ca... 05/21/2020

We are all at a fork in our path! As Yogi Bera so astutely said: “When you come to a fork in the road – Take it!“ This is the first choice . . . the choice to continue FORWARD. Of course, there are 2 other options: STOP right HERE and freeze with analysis paralysis (FEAR), or go back from whence you came. Considering our current circumstances, going back to what was before is an impossibility. Come to think of it, staying where we are now isn’t possible either because our resources will soon be exhausted. WELL? Like it or not, forward it shall be . . . and you cannot take both paths. Robert Frost has something to say about this: The Road Not Taken  Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldT... 05/20/2020

Joining the flock seems to be safe in unusual environs. There’s a tendency to relegate individuality to blending into the midst of the mass of sheeple . . . hoping not to be noticed and singled out. Dare you to be different than the others? What if you’re WRONG? What will other people think? What will “they” SAY? Does it matter? My observation is that people who take the stance that “It’s none of my business what other people think of me” get talked about more than others. These folks who PROUDLY STAND OUT from the flock endure insufferable name calling – “traitors” – “Renegades” – “Rebels” – “Outliers” These are the intrepid explorers who strike out on their own to find the GOLD in the vast wild wild West. As the economy begins to spool up after this massive COVID-19 disruption, we are... 05/19/2020

Every day, the world opens a tad bigger for all of us . . . as we venture beyond the confines of our abodes. It seems that every conversation reveals more freedom, and there’s more “pep in the steps” for those who’ve just had their first post-quarantine restaurant dine in experience (I had mine last Thursday). The “experts” continue to be very skeptical about the rate at which “re-opening of the economy” and are cautioning all of us to be less eager. The fear is that we will get sloppy with our social distancing, and there’ll be a resultant flare-up of new cases of COVID-19 infections. The New York Times published an article this morning reminding us to remember the timeline of the “average” case of COVID-19. If there is to be a spike in affected people, it will not show up in the stati... 05/18/2020

Putting a Band-aid on a Compound FractureThe lead story in The New York Times “Friday Briefing” REALLY got my attention this morning. There is NOTHING partisan about this . . . It seems North American Leadership has failed us. Both political parties have mis-executed egregiously when it comes to taking care of our Labor Force. . . . and it seems that “more of the same” is in the works . . . as we all witness our politicians doing the same things expecting different results . . . Insanity personified! The next email in my queue this morning was the daily post of The National Real Estate Post National Real Estate PostOUCH! The words coming from the National Association of Realtors are many . . . All hat . . . no cattle! Obfuscation run amok as Frank and Brian so eloquently point out that ... 05/15/2020

I tuned in to the “Blaze” presentation yesterday . . . and was very impressed by a young lady (Emily Peckham) who graduated from college in 2018 – Got her real estate license – joined Keller Williams – Then proceeded to close 32 transactions in 2019 and is on track to close 62 in 2020 . . . I think she will exceed her goal. Her focus was on FSBO’s . . . 30 0f those 32 deals were FSBO. You might ask: “What kind of voodoo is she doing to take off as she has?” The answer is simple – She trusted the process that KW was teaching. She mastered the scripts and dialogues and called every prospect 3 times every day for 10 days – or until she made contact and scheduled an appointment – whichever came first). When she listed a property, she would then “Circle Prospect” by calling EVERYONE in the n... 05/14/2020

The secret sauce for maintaining esprit de corps . . . boils down to “Art of War Fundamentals” Consider the following tenets I learned in US Army Engineer Officer training. Mass – A synchronized, coordinated effort brings to bear a formidable force that enables smaller forces to overwhelm seemingly insurmountable odds of success Objective – directing every mission toward a clearly defined, decisive and attainable end provides focused Purpose relative to who we are and why we are here doing what we do. Security – is about KNOWLEDGE of our competitors and market conditions and trends – Local – Regional – National – Global. If we fail to be vigilant we risk being vulnerable as the market shifts over time. Everything is always moving. Surprise – is THE most efficient and effective “weapon”.... 05/13/2020

Homes for Sale in Lenox Village Nashville TN       Why Do People Live here?Lenox Village is a beautiful neighborhood of single family homes and condos that is conveniently located just 15 miles south of downtown Nashville. With a close proximity to Brentwood and Cool Springs, Lenox Village is an easy commute without having to take the interstate. Lenox Village is convenient to the Target in Brentwood on Old Hickory Blvd and there is a Walmart just up the street on Nolensville Road. There are multiple restaurants and shops within a few minutes drive to Lenox Village. There are also several shops and restaurants within the Lenox Village community for your convenience as well.  Lenox Village is popular with all age groups with large single homes for families and condos and townhomes for y... 05/12/2020

Your List of Unfinished ProjectsHow many projects have you started . . . and not (yet) finished? Why haven’t you taken the time to complete them? When will you get around to finishing them? Were they important to you when you started them? Are they less important now because they’re less exciting than they were upon conception? How do you feel every time you notice you have not finished these things? Do you kick yourself and think: “I really SHOULD finish that . . . one day”? Everything on this list is CLUTTER in your life. It’s distracting and detrimental to your productivity. This list is a terrorist in your mind holding a share of your mind hostage with the ransom of paying attention and committing to take the time to FINISH! You’re shoulding on yourself, and that’s not OK! If the un... 05/11/2020

Confidence in your power withinThe best coaches are those who have mastered the art of “Tough Love” They “teach” us how to fish instead of giving us a fish. It’s kinda like an “Intel Inside” thing . . . Humming along inside while being always present and invisible above the surface. I have the word “Strategist” in my email signature block for a reason. I believe that all people have within them everything they need to do whatever needs to be done. It’s already baked in at birth. As a Coach/Mentor/Principal, the most egregious thing I could possibly do TO anyone asking my advice is to “should on them.” When I consult with Home Buyers and Sellers and offer perspective and possible paths to moving things forward, I am VERY careful not to usurp my clients’ individual power by daring to ente... 05/08/2020

Nashville’s GuardiansI have a LOT of respect for Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Nashville’s Finest serve and protect us Nashvillians ’round the clock and accept the possibility of personal harm and even the “ultimate Sacrifice” of death in the line of duty. On all of their vehicles, you’ll find “Nashville’s Guardians” subtly emblazoned on the fender. These fine Men and Women care deeply about maintaining law and order and the SAFETY of all of our citizens from the myriad ways we can be harmed by criminals aplenty. I believe Realtors are also “Guardians” of the rights of Home Owners, Buyers, Sellers, Landlords, Tenants, Investors and these Licensed Real Estate Sales Professionals are indefatigable when it comes to “policing our own” as we self-enforce our Realtor code of Ethic... 05/06/2020

Ain’t Nothin’ but a Thang!Storms happen! Nashville got walloped yesterday afternoon and early this morning!WHEW! STRONG storms with crazy wind gusts that toppled trees and hurled pretty much everything that wasn’t anchored to the ground. This is a different kind of event than the tornadoes we experienced not long ago. A storm like this one affects MORE people because the damage is more widespread. Power outages throughout the city add yet another challenge during these already tumultuous times . . . and we did what we do . . . We called, texted, emailed, facebooked all of those folks close to us – Friends and Family to make sure everyone is OK. I slept through the 2 AM performance and woke up to a flurry of text messages checking on Owen Hollow – No trees down, and I didn’t lose power. ... 05/04/2020

Every day this week . . . I have witnessed amazing good will and generosity emanating from SO many people helping people through these “scary and uncertain times.” Each day, as the members of Pareto Realty selflessly serve their friends, family, clients and each other. This is a steady flow Herculean feats to pull off “the Impossible” in an environment that is morphing by the hour. NOTHING is as it was last year, month, week, day . . . and yet these consummate Real Estate Sales Professionals are like mice in a maze not to get the cheese for themselves but to get it for all the people in their lives who they SERVE. I felt compelled to validate their contributions to humanity with the following “Closing of the Week” message. I hope that you, too, will observe others around you doing good ... 05/01/2020

Yesterday, Denise emailed this comment to all of the agents of Pareto Realty.  “Congrats everyone! A lot of Paretozoans are doing business.  I haven’t heard from other companies doing as much!”   She’s right on! I’ve been talking with a LOT of Principal Brokers EVERY day. I do this because I don’t want some aberrant  trend to shift and miss out on an opportunity for us.Our Pareto Realty Culture is one “DOING” whatever it takes to serve as many home Buyers and Sellers throughout Middle Tennessee even when it’d be easier (and safer) to stay on the couch. THIS is what differentiates us from most others. We are better than 80/20 My suspicion is that less than @ 5% of the Realtors in Middle Tennessee are intentionally doing business every day. Not that you need it, but this is one of the rea... 04/28/2020

YOU are Invited! Every MONDAY @11 AM CDT - join our Realtor Pandemic conversation Realtors conspiring to create an AMAZING Post-Covid19 Real Estate Market https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrdOytqzwoH9dySo4PfjroMfCtPA7lnw1e It seems that, for many of people in my current Circle, there’s much wonderment about what’s to come. There’s a theme I’m sensing rising to the surface in most conversations. It’s a movement away from the long-time discipline of the mandated, highly structured, time-blocked, busyness that we’ve practiced for generations often known as “A good day’s work at the office!” There’s a rebellion brewing. Ordinarily “responsible” workers have been forced to LEAVE their office environments and work from HOME, and while this arrangement was difficult to grasp initiall... 04/27/2020

As the expiration of the statewide “Stay at home order” will expire April 30 here in Tennessee, I sense some excitement from lots of folks with expectations that things will now shift significantly upon the dawning of May 1. I know this is not reality, and I believe there are many people who will remain in panic because they are in “Survival Mode” and are too proud to ask for help to put food on their tables and keep roofs over their heads. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. There’s already talk of a new (2nd) wave of covid that’ll be more robust than this one . . . arriving within 3ish months . . . just enough time for many people to right their ships only to face another horrendous storm. Of course, none of this may happen – no one knows . . . but we’ve learned (I hope) that preparedness fo... 04/22/2020

The bootstrapper creates value Seth Godin‘s timing for this message is SPOT ON! “One of the most powerful things you can do is build a useful business. An enterprise of value, doing work of substance, filling a need and finding independence.” And to do it without raising money from a bank or waiting in line for a venture capitalist to smile at you is where freedom can be found.“ When the Federal Government started giving free money, I noticed many of my fellow entrepreneurs, Independent Contractors, and Small Business Owners suddenly develop amnesia regarding how they built their businesses from scratch for all these years. Blood – Sweat – Tears – Sleepless Nights – Making high stakes decisions with grit and determination – Like a mouse in a maze in search of that CHEESE. No obstacle wa... 04/21/2020

Call me crazy . . . but I think NOW is the PERFECT time to begin the oh-so-important of imagining how we Realtors can exemplify the “Phoenix Rising” of our Real Estate Market post-covid. I believe that we can manifest just about anything we can imagine and that WE hold the cards . . . We have fantastic opportunities ahead, AND it will be OUR responsibility to SEIZE and EXPLOIT every avenue available to create a market that’s better than before. You are invited to participate in a weekly think-tank Zoom meeting.This will be a conversation (not a webinar) – Your voice WILL be heard Dare journey with us on this dangerous expedition as we intrepid Realtors conspire to create an AMAZING Post-Covid19 Middle TN Real Estate Market Will you join our collective brain-trust?  We will be the “Skunk... 04/16/2020

Let’s keep our priorities top of mind! For most people, consistency of checking in with close friends and Family is a natural happening. Why? We do this because we LOVE them, and we genuinely care about their well-being. Just as with everything (Houses and Automobiles), we need “regularly scheduled maintenance” of all of the systems that comprise our HOS (Human Operating System) else they naturally fall into disrepair. When disturbances such as Natural disasters and dastardly Viri, throw us “off our game” resulting in obliteration of any semblance of “routine”, we tend to “circle our wagons” and shut DOWN. We retreat within . . . It’s time like these when we serve ourselves best by directing direct focus on the things that matter most for our personal well-being Spiritual – Mental – Phy... 04/10/2020

Does anyone know when the quarantine will be lifted? Is Anybody Out there? What will we do between now and that moment of hearing the savory news that we are “ALL CLEAR” to leave our confines? Is it possible to make yourself useful? Well . . . We can get ready to get ready to re-launch our businesses! We can spend this gift of time to improve our processes. We can build our “book of business” by reaching out to all the folks in in the world who might be contemplating taking advantage of our professional services . . . Perhaps we lean towards optimism and pick a date in the future to begin scheduling appointments? Of course, the date we pick may be too soon or not soon enough, but we’ll have some new knowledge of new business on the horizon. My suspicion is that the mass of folks are liv... 04/08/2020