Gene Mundt - Let's Talk Mortgages & Real Estate!

 

Ever notice how a business or business office can have a tangible personality or "mood" within it?  I've found that to be true ... and that it's fairly easy to pick-up on that mood and/or personality soon after entering it too.  Some places just seem to have an upbeat atmosphere or vibe to themselves ... while others definitely do not.         

I visited some of my referral-partner offices the other day.  When I entered one office, I could read the "mood" instantly, and it wasn't real good.  There was definitely tension in the air.  Seemed I had stepped into a rather heated "water cooler" talk taking place.  Given this was a real estate agency, not surprisingly, this animated discussion revolved around the economy and the current health of the real estate market.        

There was a deep divide in opinion amongst the participants in this conversation.  Half were expressing an upbeat report on the market and its prognosis for the near future.  They were seeing some positives.  For them, the real estate market is beginning to show definite signs of life and improvement.  Although still nowhere near perfect, they are seeing encouraging signs and are hopeful for their future.           

The other half had a dramatically opposing view and expressed little hope that their circumstances would change in the near future.  Some were even saying the word never.        

Now, my wife has a friend Lisa, who's always repeating the mantra ... "thoughts  are things" ... "thoughts  are  things".   Lisa simply refuses to think negative thoughts or repeat downbeat messages.  Her view is ... that if you think things suck ... they will.          

The opposite also holds true.  Think optimistically and positively ... and you draw and experience positive actions and energy.  Think George in "Seinfeld".  George's thinking in this clip is muddled and over the top, no doubt ... but it's definitely positive and strong.                          

George's opinion?   "It's not a lie, if you believe it".       

Jerry, just remember. It's not a lie... if you believe it...

George Constanza, Seinfeld "It's Not a Lie" clip

Basically the message is ... If you believe something ... for YOU it becomes reality.  I'm not recommending George's take on this, but you get the drift.        

Our friend, Lisa had been preaching her message of "karma" and thinking to my wife, Marilyn, again this last week.  (Now if anyone has a reason to be negative or down, it would be Lisa.  She works for a homebuilder.  You know how that storyline is going, right?)  But there she was, spouting positive thoughts during their conversation.         

Well, I got thinking about Lisa's mindset/message after leaving that water cooler the other day.  And before someone says it, I'm not trying to stick my head in the sand or deny the obvious of the market or reality.  Nor am I saying this is an observation limited only to agents.  You could fill in the "blank" with any real estate industry profession.  Heck it could be loan officers ... anyone.  My observations and message here would remain the same.       

And for the record, the real estate agency I was visiting that particular day is one where I have come to know the agents very well over a long extended period of working together.  I'm very aware of the production and work habits within the office.  As I see it, here is how that water cooler discussion was breaking down ...       

The naysayers ... those that see only doom and gloom?  They are approaching their current business as though it is dead.  Their view is that of "victims".  There is nothing that they can change ... nothing they can do ... nothing that they can shake-up in their routines or methods of business to make circumstances any better for themselves.  They conduct their days and marketing as they always have ... or are doing less.  They think that approach is "cost and time efficient" right now.        

And guess what?  Most of them have not done one deal or iota of business for a long time.  They sit at their desks hour after hour, waiting for a new buyer or seller to miraculously appear, walk through the door, and beg them to assist them.        

In contrast, the agents taking the proverbial bull by the horns ... they're shaking up the way they conduct business AND THE APPROACH TO THEIR MARKETING ... they've taken a firm positive hold on their mindset and are overwhelmingly positive in their approach to their business ... they're aggressively promoting themselves and their business in new and inventive ways (think social media, blogging, etc.) ... and they're actually DOING business.  In fact, a few are relating that they are busier and more successfully productive than ever before!       

Maybe it's the time of year, (or the fact that they're already promoting Holiday movies on TV, but the movie  "Miracle on 34th Street"  popped into my mind too while mulling the water cooler conversation over.  If you've seen this classic, you'll remember that little Susie wants desperately to convince herself that Kris Kringle does in fact truly exist ... and that he'll bestow on her the one thing she wants most ... a home.   

(Rather appropriate and timely, don't you think??)    

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) TV Spot

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) TV Spot"At the Macy's Department Store Thanksgiving Day parade, the actor playing Santa is discovered to be drunk by a whiskered old man. Doris Walker, the no nonsens...

But as you can see above, Susie isn't quite convinced at this point in the movie ... in fact, she's downright sure that Kris Kringle doesn't exist and even pulls on the old man's beard to check him out.  Pretty tough little cookie, isn't she?        

Hmmmmmm ...       

I suppose if you want to go out on a limb, all sorts of parallels could be drawn throughout this movie's entire storyline (and outcome), our present day real estate industry, and how we in the industry approach it.  Perhaps it's my imagination ... but I just couldn't help but make that connection between this Hollywood movie and what I was hearing and seeing in that agency.         

As Susie repeatedly states later in this movie  ...  "I Believe" ... "I Believe" ... "I Believe" ...      

I can't help but think that the positive thinking, positive acting, positive "karma" real estate agents ... (and yes, anyone approaching their business or profession positively) ... will reap the same rewards and success that Susie does at the end of "Miracle on 34th Street" ... or that my wife's positive-thinking friend, Lisa, has of late.  Calls and emails are going to pick-up.  Website rankings will improve.  Word of mouth will spread ... and much more.   Besides, what is your alternative?  I mean, really ...      

People want to work with positive, successful people ... it's that simple and it's been proven over and over again.  Think about it on a personal level.  Who do YOU want to work with???  If you're positive, successful, and pleasant to be with and work with ... clients/public interest will be there in measure and return.  Your successes and positives will act like a magnet and will breed even more interest, more success, and business for your future.        

Hollywood has offered us many video classes and opportunities for education on  "How to Believe 101".  The classes and education are not limited to just these two examples.  It has shown us the rewards possible if we are willing to make the effort, shake things up, remain positive, and believe in ourselves.       

Have you paid attention in these classes?  Have you learned your lessons?  Will you say for yourself and your business ...        

"I Believe" ... "I Believe" ... "I Believe"?          

 

*If you "Believe" in and want positive,  exceptional,  and experienced  mortgage lending service ... please contact me by Calling/Texting:  708.921.6331, Email:  gene@chicagobancorp.com,  or  http://www.genemundt.com/Contact-Me.html.