Christian Real Estate Professionals : December 2009

It was the best of times...it was the worst of times...  

My two youngest daughters, Emily, nine years old, and Ashley, six years old, set out with my wife, Benita, on Tuesday, to get their ears pierced at the Mall.  

Hours later, and after much trepidation they arrived home with only one set of ears pierced...Ashley's, the youngest...!!!  

It seems that either Ashley reacted with reckless abandon and little consideration of what pain would be inflicted by this mildly barbaric act of ear piercing, or Emily overthought and was overwrought by the whole process...  

Nevertheless, a good portion of Tuesday evening was spent 'discussing' the entire event, while the boys doled out their share of ridicule and taunting about Emily's lack of courage...and her younger sisters 'toughness'...!!!  

I could see Emily rehashing the whole incident and ritual of ear piercing, and eventually ruing the fact that she was 'earring-less', all the while her younger sister, Ashley, flashing with great brilliance and personal pride her new sparkling gems, strode through the house with great bubbly and excitement...  

And so, just before bedtime, Emily announced to all that she had reconsidered and decided that now she would like to get HER ears pierced as well...  

Proud of the way she thought out the whole process rather than jumping into the act just because others do, I offered to accompany her to the local 'Piercing Pagoda' on Wednesday and help her pick out her favorite earrings...  

This should make for great Daddy/Daughter bonding...  

And perhaps fodder for my next post...!!!  

Have a Happy New Year...!!!

 

 

Charlotte NC Real Estate Market Report - December 2009

The Charlotte NC housing market continues to show a slow but, steady improvement.  December sales continue to be primarily in the $250K and under market, allowing our second-time home buyers to move up as well.

Charlotte's  local economy also appears to continue the recovery trend that began in Q2, 2009.  Mecklenburg County Charlotte NC expanded 11,500 jobs which was a 15% year-over-year increase from 2008.  This, during the worst recession in many years, is nothing short of commendable!  FORTUNE Small Business Magazine named Charlotte NC the 7th best place to launch a business due to our stabalizing local economy incuding improvement in jobless rate.   This is demonstrated by several companies in recent months making the decision to headquarter or expand their businesses in Charlotte NC including Electrolux, Premier Global Healthcare, Tolt Service Group, NACA, Zenta and Albert's Organics among others.

 

The  $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers has been extended, with an added incentive for current homeowners.  The increase in sales of the average-priced homes in Charlotte NC ,  is indicative of the surge in first-time home buyers, affording first- and second-time home sellers the ability to move up (as per the Charlotte NC MLS data here).  

 

Average Days from Contract to Close
Charlotte NC Home Sales

Should you be searching for or selling a home in the Charlotte NC area, we would love to assist you.  Our team has many years of experience in the area to share with you and would be happy to assist you with your Charlotte NC real estate needs.

Understanding the $8000 / $6500 Tax Credit

Credits Offered to both First Time Home Buyers and on Purchase of a New Primary Residence

There are key dates and conditions involved in this process if you expect to qualify for the $8000 or $6500 tax credit.

Some of the basics are:

· Homes valued at $800,000 or more do not qualify.

· A first-time buyer does not mean a person who has never purchased a home.  The IRS defines a first-time buyer as anyone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

· If you’re married, you and your spouse must pass the consecutive-year test. For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse would qualify for the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. However, you could be eligible for the repeat buyers’ $6,500 credit.

· Unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer, such as if a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter.

Key Dates:

· April 30, 2010: Purchase and sales agreements must be dated by all parties with a date on or before Friday, April 30, 2010.

· June 30, 2010: Purchases must close on or before Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

Here is the tax credit form:

 

First Time Homebuyer TAX CREDIT FORM

Twas two days after Christmas

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring

Except me and my optical mouse.

 

The hearth's been stocked for over three days,

Awaiting a match to set it ablaze.

Yes, Santa's been here and left a great stash,

As evidenced by clutter and the size of the trash.  

 

Reflecting upon things which came in such hurry,

And after hours of prep, expense, and great worry,

Still passed by so quickly as an early Autumn flurry,

Only thoughts and reflections remain of the Merry.  

Now, gather the fragments, and put out the trash

For Christmas' real meaning comes not in a flash,

But more in a whimper, and unlike a rash,

Will stay with us daily, not leave us so brash.  

So Spirit of Christmas Who's offered to all,

Please help us to see you, and know you, and call 

Whenever the season, at home or at mall,

And be with us always whene'er we fall.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...!!!

 

 

For the past few years, I have really meditated about one scripture for the whole year. I feel the Lord has asked me to do that and in early 2009, he asked me to pray about Matthew 5:14-16.

In the Message bible, it said, You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

For the most part of 2009 (until September), this passage - although explained to me, didn't mean much except I understood why I was having the unimaginable success and presence that I have.

It was in October when I prayed for a direction for 2010 that God nudged me again. This time, He spoke boldly through this beautiful lady, Kathy Eppley - whom I later hired as my coach to help me take my business to next level.

During one of our coaching sessions, Kathy shared with me this Marianne Williamson's quote - that will ultimately change the course of my life. Yes, it was that powerful that I would never be the same again.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are successful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

 

(I hope that I'm sharing this with you to tell my story and hopefully to instill an inspiration to you, and not to be big-headed.)

I have always had issues with HUMILITY and always trying to make me SMALL (almost invincible) in anything I do. Yet, my whole life - I've always been noticed. Somehow, I've always end up becoming a Leader somehow somewhere - without ever having any intentions of seeking that role. If you saw me at a Party, you would probably have to find me in the kitchen trying to help out - not because I was nice and kind to the host, I just find myself very comfortable where people don't notice. (I've always envied personalities such as Sheldon Neal who can sweep people off their feet, becoming the magnet of a conversation. It is truly a skill I do not have). As a matter of fact, I've never dreamed of becoming on the Top 50 Bloggers on Active Rain by points, or Top 20 Bloggers by subscription. (If you see me at Dallas RainCamp this year, I will try to come out of my shell).

My sister even questioned me, How could I possibly be an introvert in this Sales world???

My 2 posts about Asking for Clients' testimonials were definitely heading me in the right direction where I fought with myself for the longest time. So I never published them. When my coach, Kathy evaluated my website - she made a very clear remark saying that my website, although packed with awesome real estate information, there was little or no information about the person behind the website. She was right. You have to know where to look before you could find 2 tiny links (1) to About Me and (2) to Client Testimonials.

But deep inside, I knew God had shined His light on me. The scripture where He said He wouldn't never put a light only to hide it under a table but instead display it publicly, as public as being at the top of the hill. Now, I know that's me.

But I'm sharing this lesson with you not to be big-headed about the success I have (or have yet to receive). I'm sharing this story with you to tell you that no matter where you are in your life or business, YES - you can stand up and let your light shine. As Marianne Williamson said in my life-changing message, We are ALL meant to shine. It's not just in some of us - it's in EVERYONE. You and me included. I found out in this quote that it was not Failure that I tried to stay away from, it was SUCCESS that I fear. How ironic - because I thought I spent a lifetime trying to acquire success that I want.

 

For the longest time, I only yearn for success as I see lots of successful Realtors(R) here in the 'Rain. I could only dream to be more like them. But what I finally realized is what you see are works of several decades while I've only been in the industry for 6 1/2. I 've really been accustomed to the Microwave society - I wanted instant success without giving myself the time and effort to travel my journey. What I want for myself is their success but I haven't paid it with TIME and EXPERIENCE.

It's no point chasing the success others have. I may go on my whole life chasing what others have... But what I have to do is to celebrate my own successes, my own victories and my own celebrations. I may not have closed all the number of transactions or earn the income I like in 2009, but there's always 2010. I won't let me take my eyes of my goals but what I always learnt is that God always has a better plan than I could for myself.

In 2009, I learnt how to serve Short Sale clients. I put many first time home buyers in their homes that now I've become a part of their lives. Hearing each one of them say, "You are always welcome in my home ANYTIME" is all the smiles and successes I could ever have.

My biggest area of growth is in my personal life - to learn to be adaptable to changes. My 2-year old son taught me so much more about Unconditional Love - Loving something sometimes that's hard to love.

Did I planned all of these in 2009? Nope - not in a million chance. Not smart enough.

 

So now as we all get ready to make it a splendid year in 2010. I'd say, Go for it. But along the way, let your light shine in every transaction that you may touch.

Here's my prayer to all of us here on Active Rain: May the good Lord keep our motives and intentions truly dedicated for our clients' best interests. May the Lord bring us the right resources for our clients to succeed and May the Lord bring us peace that surpass all understanding in times when our transactions don't go our way. Will we each meet our 2010 goals? We might, we might not. But in every way, give us strength to make start and finish 2010 so that everyone will know it is YOU that we work and serve whole-heartedly for.

 

Articles Mentioned On this post:

• Your Ego is not Your Amigo - Views on Client Testimonials
• How to alloquently ask for Client Testimonials (Member's Only post)
• Finding your place in this big big world of Real Estate Blogging? Read Your Popularity as a Blogger has nothing to do with your Popularity as a real estate agent.
• Want to Build a Unique and Compelling Reason to select you as their choice agent? Read The Combination of your Blogs Creates a Unique and Compelling Value Proposition about Your Business.
• Be Authentically You!
• Your attitude about your business - Do You Play All 4 Quarters?
• Highly Effective Time Management skills for Highly Efficient Entreprenuers

 

This also concludes my Sunday God First post for 2009. There will be a change in the direction I will be heading for 2010. However, this series of Sunday God First post will remain.

If you will let me make a suggestion, ask God for a scripture for you to pray and grow in 2010. It will be a scripture that God will place in your heart. Pray about it night and day and see what He wants you to learn.

 

Love God with ALL of your heart, ALL of your soul and ALL of your strength. Put Him first no matter what you do and you can't go wrong. Be the BEST where you are currently at and don't ever take No for an answer.

 

Let's write our own stories in 2010!

 

If you are still in worship mode, finish out this post with this Youtube Video -

Let Your Light Shine by Bethany Dillon

 

I begin my week here on Active Rain with my God First posts, written every Sunday once a week. My promise to you is that the messages I share will be day-to-day related, often times related to real estate. If these topics are important to you also, I'd love for you to subscribe to my blog.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Frisco TX Realtor® / Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

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Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Let Your Light Shine Down

Myers Park High School Charlotte NC - At a Glance

The campus, located at 2400 Colony Road in the highly sought-after Myers Park neighborhood, is surrounded by statuesque old oak trees and boasts a college-campus-feel.  With two entrances into the school via Colony Road and one from Runnymede Avenue, the campus sprawl is similar to  a college campus of nearly 75 acres, preparing students for the rigors of hiking cross-campus from class to class!  'The Quad' is the central location on campus, surrounded by the Student Center, Math Building, Social Studies Building, Auditorium and Language Arts Building, all of which open to the large gathering area in the center of the campus.  Students gather here before school, during breaks and as they traverse the expansive campus scurrying from class to class.

Myers Park High School Charlotte NC has consistently maintained rank among Newsweek Magazine's top 100 schools since 2003.  With over 25 junior varsity and varsity sports for both males and females to participate, there's a sport for everyone!  There are also over 30 special interest clubs including Young Democrats, Young Republicans, DECA, Debate, and Key Clubs.  The band program is quite expansive as well, including marching band, who routinely rank high in local and state competitions and provide entertainment at all of the varsity home football games.  The JROTC (Army) program consistently wins the Honor Unit with Distinction Award and offers both a rifle team and a drill team.  The school newspaper, The Myers Park Hoofprint (the school mascot is the Mustang),is a nationally acclaimed student newspaper and repeat recipient of ASPA (American Scholastic Press Association) honors.

Myers Park High School Charlotte NC provides opportunities to become self-directed, self-motivated quality learners, collaborating with other like-minded students who become accustomed to contributing to the community before ever leaving the school.  Their highly challenging IB (International Baccalaureate) program attracts students from all across the city who vie for a coveted position within the program each year. Myers Park also offers AP (Advanced Placement) courses, general and remedial courses as well.  There's an instruction level for everyone at Myers Park High School Charlotte NC .

Search  for homes in the Myers Park School Zone -
$100,000 - $200,000
$200,001 - $300,000
$300,001 - $400,000
$400,001 - $500,000
$500,001 - $700,000
$700,001 - $1,000,000
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000
$2,000,001 +

 

We love because God first loved us. As ambassadors of God, it is through our love for others that we let our light shine. When you spread God's love in everything you do, God can do wonders through you.

Just remember, God's on the brink of doing something so awesome in people's lives if you (and I) just show  LOVE.

In God's words about LOVE in 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and love keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

So the greatest LOVE story ever told, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes shall not perish but have eternal life.

That's the reason why we celebrate Christ-mas.

Gifts and time off are great. But it's not the focus of the season.

If you dont know this man called Jesus, you should check Him out. He might just turn your world upside down and inside out.

 

One of the most beautiful lyrics that touched me this Christmas is Andy Williams' Mary Boy Child .... That man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day. How beautiful, how merciful is that. I'm teary-eyed just thinking about it.

 

Merry Christmas to you and yours...

 

 

PS: In case you ever wonder what does 3:16 in my company name means - Most people think of John 3:16 but it's not. It's based on 1 John 3:16 that said, Now we know what Christ has done for us, we must do for one another.

I have seen so many Christmas posts and Christmas emails this week that I figured I should throw my hat in the ring as well.  :)

But seriously, I wanted to take a minute to wish each of you a terrific and Merry Christmas.  I also hope you have a happy, safe, and healthy 2010. 

Over the past day or so, I have been praying for a friend of mine whose two small grandchildren (ages 4 and 14 months) were badly injured in a car accident on December 19th, and they're still in the hospital tonight, rather than enjoying Christmas Eve at home.  This is the kind of thing that puts my life (and any complaints I might have) in perspective very quickly.  It made me hug my wife and kids even tighter this week.  I didn't write this to bum you out, but rather to ask for your prayers, too, if you have some time to do this.  I guess I feel like part of the spirit of the season is helping others.

I am so thankful for the blessings I have in my life, and if you're reading this, YOU are among them. 

May God bless you and I hope the upcoming year brings you success both personally and professionally.  As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read my thoughts here. 

 

 

I would like to take this time to wish all my friends, whether collegues or clients, a Very Special Christmas and a Happy and Most Prosperous New Year!

 

 

 

 

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