Pura's Blog

November 4 started out as the day where we, as a people, venture out to make a personal choice on whom we want voted into the White House.  Yesterday the citizenry made an overwhelming statement that America wants change; change in our economy; change in how we address other States; change from fear to hope.

With President elect Obama, the Nation spoke loud and clear.  However, it cannot escape us, as a Nation, that not too long ago a Black man or woman could not vote freely.  Today, the Leader of the Free World is a man of color.  It makes it self evident that our Nation is evolving and that in this Great Nation all is possible.

We face many uncertainties, but Americans have a great resolve.  We have navigated the brambles of a failing economy; fuel shortages; high unemployment; racial divide, but we find our way.  We grow stronger and we gain character. 

Exciting and invigorating times...and a time to believe that the current hardships we may face, whether personal, professional or financial, will pass.  Some of us will experience deeper scars than other, but we all shall emerge stronger for it. 

Simply incredible...what a Country, what a people.

The good ol' U.S. of A: the greatest Nation on this planet. Innovative, creative, freethinking are just a few adjectives when describing how our Nation is perceived by others.

We have come along way from the agrarian nation from which we were born.  The industrial period, which was a real nation-building era.  Now we find ourselves outsourcing production as we continue to evolve into a service nation.  However, I take issue with the "service" part.  

Although "service" defines the industries, it should equally include the people who are employed in those industries.  What has happened to service?  Why when I call customer service or physically go to a mercantile establishment, I am baffled that the personnel assisting me know little about the product or unable to work off script? 

If we are truly moving into a pure service nation, we need service.  In my personal/business dealings, the majority of the time I obtain a favorable outcome.  However, on many of those occasions, I had to ask for a supervisor...after an exhausting exchange with the person who answered my call in queue.

Service is defined as an act of help or assistance. It does not mean that an employee should simply know where or on what isle the product is located.  It does not mean reading the "policy" over the telephone.  It means listening; trying to understand the customer's need/s, and earnestly trying to find a solution.  When there is not a solution, so be it.  But please do not insult the  intelligence of the consumer. 

As a Realtor in an industry that is service oriented, I have unfortunately observed how the concept of service has been lost on some of my colleagues. What I know, and have always understood, is that my clients deserve A+ service.  

Remember -clients, customers, patients, stockholders or whatever heading a person may fall under - pay for our services.  If you are in a position that deals with the public: answer the call politely; serve humbly and ungrudgingly; respond with kindness and listen generously as if you were the person on the opposite side. Being of service goes along way.  Pay it forward.

The rush of the public to react to our current economic downturn has dumbfounded me.

I find the severe reaction and market selloff to be based on pure emotion stemming from fear...similarly as the rush to buy housing when everyone thought there was no precipice at the top of the mountain.

Is the market scary - yes.  BUT, it is not like we have not gone down this road before.  The quote, "know from whence you came," is a real truism.

As the real estate market has had historical turndowns, so has the financial sectors of the market. With that stated, we also understand that greed - not just on the part of Wall Street - created an untethered amount of profiteering [or the hope thereof] on all sides: Wall Street, Lenders, Flippers, speculators, builders, RE agents AND consumers. Did I leave anyone out? If so, please fill in the blank.

Anytime greed comes into play, there will be a fall.  Maybe, just maybe, we will learn from this turn around.  As in the story of the tortoise and the hare, we should learn to apply the lesson of slow, controlled and restrained business decisions/dealings.  Principled wealth building is not trying to get to the tape first. Personal financial goals can be reached with measured thought and application - not through emotional impulse.  Running with the pack is never a good idea.

History is not something to be forgotten or shelved, but intended to be used as lessons in navigating through the future more intelligently.  2005-200? is one REALLY big lesson.  I hope it is not lost on us or future generations.

I will leave you with two of my favorites quotes from Mr. Henry Ford:

If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.

Continued success to all.  There are many great opportunities out there. Do not allow fear be your driving force. Knowledge is the greatest investment...using it makes positive things happen. 

I take great pride in being a Realtor and absolutely love the profession. However, I don't enjoy people working in the profession when they are not qualified to do so. Therefore, I am compelled to write about the dark-side of the business.

It is unfortunate that in the midst of the market climate, there are those unscrupulous individuals that are performing real estate services that are not licensed to do so. 

I applaud capitalism. It is a fundamental element of an economic paradigm, which has allowed our country to reach its standing in the global community.  On the flip side, there is greed.  Greed benefits no one except the person involved in the greedy practice. It breaks down business ethics, the profession and blemishes those of us, who are licensed and work hard to champion the interest of our client/s.

Here are my tips:

Be diligent and ask questions.  

If you go to a mortgage broker, make sure the person originating your loan is a licensed real estate agent. There are those who state they are "assistants."  An assistant cannot take any information relating to your finances nor discuss loan products with you.  Only licensed agents can perform those functions.  Check out the person you are dealing with. The following link is meant for consumers to see if you are dealing with a licensed professional.  http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_home.html 

The only way an individual can work without being licensed in lending is if the company is operating under a CFL license - California Finance Lender license. See link below http://www.corp.ca.gov/about/broker.asp

As to real estate services, one must be licensed to perform real estate services - period! There are no exceptions.

Be aware of who you are dealing with.  There are still predatory practices occurring, which is not good  for the consumer or for the profession.

Please call me is you have questions.  Remember, the best con artists are the ones who are the most convincing...how else would they take advantage.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing"...that old adage still holds true.

Wow, I am really energized about how banks are changing their stripes when it comes to short sales.  With the financial sector of the market being savaged and investors bailing, lenders have awakened from their self-induced stupor and have come to the realization that they must 'play nice.'

The personnel in the loss mitigation and dispute resolution departments have become much more receptive to making deals happen.  There are now systems in place to make sense of the madness. This is absolutely good news.  Instead of adversarial posturing, there is a new wave of inviting, friendly and helpful dialogue occurring. 

If you have put an offer on a short sale or contemplating in doing so, sunny days could be ahead for you.  Obviously, lenders are not gifting houses.  But...put in a reasonable offer and you might be pleasantly surprised with an acceptance and faster turnaround.

I guess there is a silver lining to every black cloud.