Not Making Changes Just for the Sake of Change

We have one of the best MLS systems in the country, Part of being the best is being on the forefront of innovation which means continual change . . . forever. This post goes a long way towards explaining the WHY of steady stream of updates we are noticing.

Have you ever observed RealTracs make a change to something small, and you were left scratching your head? Did you ask “why,” or “how does this affect me?” If so, you shutterstock_599090141were probably not alone, and it is certainly worth further explanation.

As you can imagine, there is an enormous amount of data, which brokers authorize RealTracs to send on their behalf, to hundreds of website providers, back-office tool providers, showing services, statistical companies, advertisers, and more. Not only do all these vendors receive data from RealTracs, but they also get listing information from other MLSs, literally from coast-to-coast.

That’s a lot of data.

Not only that, but it has to be understood by everyone to make it worth sending. This is where the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Data Dictionary comes in. The RESO data dictionary is the “Rosetta Stone” for listing information. It ensures that technologists, MLSs, and…

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MIGRATION to new site!

Just in case you haven’t noticed . . . The blogging stopped here last week.

I’m still alive and well . . . and am still blogging along.

It’s just that I have MOVED to some new digs 🙂

Please join me here:

http://www.paretorealtyllc.com/blog/

this new home is the new main domain for Pareto Realty, LLC

http://paretorealtyllc.com

 

See you there!

Best,

b

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Simplicity

I like simple things.

Don’t you?

This is not to say that complicated thoughts don’t swirl in our heads non-stop in this time of raplexity.

If we’re not careful, this raplexity can sneak up and consume our consciousness at which point we begin practicing the fine art of “being overwhelmed with it all” which leads to worry and ultimately settles into a full-fledged case of DRAMA.

What a waste of human energy.

The pharmaceutical companies LOVE it as they make millions of dollars churning out anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants.

Let’s run these drug companies out of the business of chemically “fixing” every ailment or symptom that surfaces.

Practice Simplicity!

How?

It’s NOT a complex idea 🙂

In everything you do – ALWAYS – intentionally do one LESS thing to accomplish the task.

While you’re at it . . . every time you think of something to do . . . PAUSE for a moment and consider whether that thing really needs to be done NOW (or ever).

Just sayin’

Best,

b

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Monday Morning Coffee – Professional Tools

Good Morning!

When we think of “Professionals”, we think of folks who have the right tools, know how to use them, surround themselves with the right people (Who can help when the “problem” wanders out of their area of expertise), and have a commitment to learning [sponge].

Just because a person has the tools doesn’t make an expert (professional).

Experts play on the edge and question EVERYTHING – even the stuff that’s working . . . always on a quest to improve efficiency and/or find solutions to cure issues relating to their field affecting the people they serve.

Surgeons, Auto Mechanics, Chefs, Dentists, Attorneys, Painters, musicians, consultants . . . No one is exempt.

Each profession has it’s own “bag of tools” and success comes from having the right tools AND lots of practice mastering the trade.

We’re all fortunate that we live in a world in which professionals in virtually every field understand the above. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear of someone who had a rough experience working with a “professional” . . . resulting in that person finding the urge to do it better . . . thereby giving rise to career changes and new businesses in the community.

We’re in a land of opportunity and continuous improvement.

When something needs to be done around the house (Honey-Do), before committing to do it, consider FIRST: “What are the tools I will need to do this right? Do I have these tools, AND do I know how to use them?”

If the answer is “No!” to either of the above, the next question is: “Should I acquire these tools and commit myself to learning how to use them for this project? What will this cost? Will I ever need to use these tools or the specialized knowledge again?”

Will I ENJOY doing this?

If there’s even a glimmer of doubt, the best solution most likely includes consultation with a professional before doing anything.

I write this after having spent the day yesterday Washing windows in our house . . . and cleaning cars . . . For both projects, I first considered all of the above . . . very intentionally decided on what “Right Tools” to buy (squeegee, window soap, Ladder – Car soap, bucket, sponge, drying towel, leather conditioner) . . . and decided that doing these myself would be “good therapy” . . . and so I did it, and it WAS great therapy 🙂

When I need surgery . . . or an addition added to my house, rest assured, I’ll be hiring a professional.

On our Montgomery Bell Academy Linkedin group, there was a recent “Discussion Question” . . .

Do this and email it back to me @ barryo@comcast.net

In 60 seconds using no more than 10 words, what do you do for a living?

Mine is “Help people buy/sell houses and develop Pareto Realty

What’s yours?

Every day, I am on a concentrated hunt for new tools and processes to do what I do better and more efficiently so as to be able to serve my House Buying and Selling clients BETTER . . . and to provide the “best in the industry” tools and support for the Real Estate Sales Professionals associated with Pareto Realty.

We are “at the fringes” in both regards as we explore new and interesting (POWERFUL) tools to leverage our time and effort and deliver effective marketing.

How are we doing this?

Commitment to Learning!

What does that look like?

I literally spend an average of @ 6 hours every week in this “learning mode” – 2 hours coaching other people – 2 hours attending sessions (Continuing education & Seminars) – and 2 hours (every Friday) hosting Masterminds around Hot LOCAL Industry issues and opportunities.

As Zac Brown says: “Make each day better than the one before!

Just sayin’

Hope you have a great week!

Best,

b

PS – I and the agents of Pareto Realty are poised and ready to quintessentially serve house Buyers and Sellers in Middle Tennessee – Contact me to learn more 🙂

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HEY! Clean up your cloud or no allowance for you!

Do you hear your Mother’s voice? (CLEAN UP YOUR ROOM or ELSE!)

Sorry to elicit unpleasant memories, but I DO have a point.

How neat and tidy is your life?

Seriously! Is there any semblance of order and focus as you work your daily magic?

Have you heard of “Cloud Computing?

If you have heard of it, you probably just cringed because of the twinge of misunderstanding about the myriad web-based “apps” that seem to be multiplying like rabbits creating a fog in your reality . . .

How can you POSSIBLY keep up with all of this new stuff . . .

Weed the useful from the useless . . .

and still be a productive professional?

The idea of cloud computing is all about bringing all the web tools you need into a “cloud” such that they work seamlessly together to delivery exactly WHAT you need, WHEN you need it, WHEREVER you are . . . all the while making interaction with the right people simple as pie.

It occurred to me that this is potentially a very simple solution to a very raplex (Rapid and complex) problem.

With so much (of EVERYTHING) coming at ALL of us at a high rate of speed and change, how can we “get a grip” and continue to function in our personal and professional lives with any degree of “Direction” and “control” (I quote these words because they are by definition somewhat variable and enigmatic).

All technology aside, consider this “Cloud Theory” as it might relate to your life.

I believe that on the day you were born God gave you your own cloud within which you will operate for the rest of your life. God also gave you a very special POWER . . . The power of CHOICE!

Very generally speaking, your life mission is all about doing the best you can with your cloud and your choices along the way.

Stay with me . . .

I’m not asking you to do anything you haven’t been doing your entire life. I’m simply suggesting that commit yourself to being a better caretaker of your cloud by being more intentional about:

  • WHO are the people you allow on your cloud with you? Are they the right people? What’s THEIR cloud look like? Is it a mess or nice and orderly? Don’t forget that “birds of a feather tend to flock together” . . . Only allow people on your cloud who bring VALUE to your life . . .
  • Mission and Vision – Is your cloud moving? What direction? Without clear vision, your cloud will sit still and become an island – Isolated and stagnant – A fun to visit but . . .
  • How BIG is your cloud? Does it matter? Isn’t it OK to have a little cloud or a big cloud? Isn’t that a CHOICE you can make? You decide . . .
  • How CLEAN is your cloud? Real clouds in the sky form from condensation of pure water . . . What do you allow in your cloud?
  • Identity – How is your cloud unique and different from other people’s clouds. What value do you offer that makes them want to invite you into their clouds?
  • Think PROJECTS – How do you organize your time such that you get it all done? With so much coming at you through life, you’ve gotta keep things in the perspective that you can only do so much at a time (if you want to finish anything). So . . . Instead of lists and lists and multitasking (without much finishing) decide NOW to move forward with ONE project at a time and don’t give any project more than a month to implement. If you haven’t finished it in a month’s time, reconsider . . . is it still valid? Is it adding value to your cloud, or distracting you from other stuff that matters more?
  • Devices – What electronic gizmos do you allow on your cloud? Do you have them because it’s cool to have them, or do you have them because they are useful? Do you need all that capability, or is there a simpler gizmo that would have less of a learning curve? Simplify your gizmos and make sure they play well with each other.
  • Web tools – Social media, facebook, branchout, google, myspace, linkedin, realtracs, transaction desk, listhub, point2, realtor.com, trulia, zillow, contact manager (CRM), website, blogsite, twitter, skype . . . etc . . . WTH? Are these useful? Which ones give you leverage? Which do nothing for you? Which should you allow on your cloud?
  • Back office – Drop-box, Quick-books, CRM, efax . . . are they seemless? Can you “work from anywhere”? Do you want to be able to work from anywhere? (It’s OK if the answer is “NO!”)
  • Training – What are you doing INTENTIONALLY every month to improve your cloud? Classes, masterminds, tutorials, breakfast club, conferences, reading good books, on-line videos . . . If you don’t see anything available that is useful for you . . . organize it yourself and invite others . . . Improve your cloud by always being open to new ideas.

These are the tough questions we tackled in our Friday morning mastermind this morning.

So . . .

How’s YOUR cloud lookin’ these days?

Just sayin’

Best,

b

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Why Nashville?

Forbes “Gets” it . . . Nashville, TN is HOT!

America’s Best Housing Markets for Investors– Nashville #4

America’s Most Affordable Cities – Nashville #5

The Next Biggest Boom Towns in the US – Nashville #3

We are swimming along just doing what we do. We are creating a great quality of life in a location central to SO much of the country that one could almost consider Nashville to be the PERFECT place for a HUB for virtually any business large or small.

Nashvillians are friendly and accommodating . . .

Smart and laid back . . .

Play well with others . . .

Conservative enough to have avoided the draconian bubble burst that many other cities have experienced . . .

Forward thinking as we work on improving schools, developing Mass Transit to connect the region, creating a world class parks and greenway system . . .

We’re a city with a wide diversity of Industry and Business and People . . . This ain’t no One industry town.

We’re a city that embraces businesses of all shapes and sizes. We understand the value of many small and medium size businesses and are not laser focused on attracting only the HUGE corporations.

Our housing prices remain fair and stable.

Sound like a sales pitch?

Well!

I AM a REALTOR and a small business owner who recently founded a new real estate firm Pareto Realty. A Native Nashvillian . . . Our philosophy embraces all that is Nashville, and we know that MANY businesses and families around the country have noticed Nashville, TN and may be considering a move to our area.

So . . . If you are one of those people . . . or you know of someone who is . . . We would love to make genuine contact.

Below are 4 prime examples of fabulous Living Options in Nashville.

201 Woodmont Circle West Nashville

3000 Square Feet – Zero Lot – $519,800

Listing Agent:

Debbie Owen @ Pareto Realty 615.485.8833

664 Magnolia Lane – South Nashville

$221,250 – @ 1,900 SF Mint condition

Barry Owen 615.568.2123

 

 

681 Brick Church Lane – Whites Creek – 10 minutes North of Nashville

$300,000 – 3000 SF on over 5 acres

Fran Patton 615-513-0003

 

2600 Hillsboro #147 – The Enclave @ Hillsboro Village – In-town Condo

$412,000 1,880 SF

Debbie Owen 615.485.8833

There’s a sampling!

So . . . When you run into someone thinking about a move to Nashville (and you WILL), please keep in mind that Pareto Realty KNOWS and LOVES Nashville . . . Send’m to us . . . We’ll leave the porch light on 🙂

Just sayin’

Best,

b

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Connections . . . What good are they?

Are you “Well Connected?”

How many “Friends do you have?”

Do these “Relationships” fulfill you (personally and/or professionally)?

How many of these “Friends” do you REALLY know?

Of those you really DO know, with whom do you interact with frequency at anything other than a shallow contact?

Where are they?

Facebook?

Twitter?

Skype?

Linkedin?

Branchout?

Listserve?

MySpace?

or any other of the myriad web options out there?

If you were challenged to place a real life VALUE on each of these connections, what would it be?

I’d venture to say there are many very lonely people out there with thousands of social media connections.

Here’s my litmus test . . . Assuming you are connected to lots of people in a variety of on-line places . . . pay attention to what happens on your next birthday.

How many birthday wishes do you receive from people you barely know at all?

How many of the people you really know well are posting “Happy Birthday” on your wall and moving on without further ado?

Whatever happened to a phone call?

“Hey! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What are you doing for lunch today? Let’s get a group together and go find some great sushi . . . My treat :-)”

Wanna get a grip on building momentum in your life through these uncertain times?

Consider working on the QUALITY (not the quantity) of your relationships all around you. Sure! Feel free to use social media outlets as a way of communicating and sharing, but only as one of MANY (better) ways . . . (Good) Voice to Voice . . . (Better) Video Calls . . . (Best) Face to face.

I believe we are all building our own personal interpersonal cloud which utilizes all forms of interaction and connection . . . Much of our happiness and success lies in our ability (agility) to create a FLOW of communication that Opens Space for GENUINE CONTACT.

I’m reading “REWORK” by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson with 37Signals  (Given me by my wife on Father’s Day) . . . This book is right up my alley.

Seth Godin says: “Ignore this book at your own peril.”

On the surface, it’s a business book . . . The real truth is that it’s about EXACTLY what I am talking about above.

Most folks are so infatuated with VOLUME and QUANTITY and SIZE and POWER and MAKING IT BIG and GETTING RICH QUICKLY that they are doing all the wrong things . . . when all we’ve really gotta do is intentionally stay relatively light on our feet and make DECISIONS about our lives . . . One Decision at a time.

Simple as pie.

I’m only 1/3 of the way through the book . . . When I finish it, I’ll start reading again . . . and so on and so on . . . It’s already validated my approach to building my new real estate firm Pareto Realty and is gradually refining my perspective about life and business.

Give yourself a gift and grab a copy – Enjoy the read . . . no chapter longer than a couple pages 🙂

Just sayin’

Best,

b

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Reasons why you should carry a camera. . .

Reasons  why you should carry a camera. . .

This came to me by email . . . I do not know the source, but . . .

I simply could not resist sharing . . . ENJOY!

and have a great day!

b































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Monday Morning Coffee – A Dose of Home Sales Statistics Truth Serum

If you don’t like the statistics you’re hearing, change the channel . . . You’ll find wildly different stats and analysis while you surf.

Before polluting your mind with statistics that aren’t necessarily relevant to YOUR house and/or decision to sell a house, consider the following.

Most folks are hearing the “National Media Experts” talking about National, Regional, State, City level statistics. While it’s useful to have some education on the macro side of things, your decisions serve you better when based on LOCAL expert opinions. These National experts slice and dice the numbers from a Historical perspective . . . comparing today’s market activity to prior years.

Zillow.com is the leader in on-line “House valuation” . . . It’s all the rage. Plug in your address and hit the button and their algorithms study data from multiple sources and spit out a value for ya. If you don’t like the value it gives you, you can tweak it by fiddling with the amenities and features of the home. There are other on-line sources for valuation. All are based in large part on Historical Data (Again).

The Associations of REALTORS (National, State, & Local) almost ALL issue statistical analysis end of each month. These sales figures have a much higher credibility than most other “Macro” sources because they come from organizations who UNDERSTAND better when it comes to interpretation of the data. 2 caveats . . . The Associations are always going to “Positive Spin” the data as much as possible so as to avert consumer panic. They are very interested in more people buying MORE houses . . . and Every one of these I’ve seen compare today’s market to last year’s market (Prior Historical Data).

All of the above sources are “Macro” sources meaning they are aggregating sales statistic for HUGE areas. the national, regional, and state level statistics can be wildly skewed by just a few “bad eggs” – a couple of cities in particularly poor markets. The Local REALTOR Associations are more reliable but still have a fairly broad stroke and can be skewed by hard-hit neighborhoods or depressed areas of the market they serve . . . while other neighborhoods may be flourishing.

So . . . What’s the truth serum?

Call your NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR!

Call the person who works in YOUR area and KNOWS the houses (Having personally walked through many of them). What you’ll hear from your local REALTOR will be “NOW” interpretation based on REAL, LIVE, RECENT HOME SALES.

The good news in Middle Tennessee is that the past 6 months have been very steady and active resulting in some REAL sales comparables (something we have not really had in the prior 6 months). This market is ALIVE AND WELL.

I am just now putting the finishing touches on the Pareto Realty Newsletter in which I am providing market activity data from both Greater Nashville and Williamson County Associations of REALTORS as well as my own analysis by zip code of many of the specific neighborhoods. Let me know if you wanna copy?

Of course . . . a zip code analysis is still fairly broad, so if you’re really wanting to know what’s going on on your street or in your specific neighborhood, contact us.

The same goes for any neighborhood in the country. When you’re SERIOUS about the REAL truth about house values, turn off the computer and TV and contact your LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD REALTOR.

Just sayin’

Best,

b

(Coffee cup is empty)

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Pulling the trigger of Change

The wistful comment: “I just wish everything could stay the same” is commonly the first response when reality begins setting in that change is in order (coming soon).

The tragic news is that “Everything is Moving” (ALWAYS) and that this world is and always has been in a state of transformation. We cannot seal ourselves from “external spanners” . . . Regardless of our efforts to seal our lives in a vacuum, the truth remains: Stuff happens!

We can train ourselves to deal with change in 2 ways:

  • Intentionally live life embracing change with enthusiasm . . . a proactive way of living . . . Understanding that the best defense is a good offense . . . Rolling with the river (the tide) and respond to the issues and opportunities that come.
OR
  • Join the “Haters of Change” movement. Deny change . . . Live your life in struggle resisting the inevitable til death. This is a “Best offense is a great Defense” with the goal of keeping the other team (change) from scoring . . . all the while failing to score yourself . . . the end result is a very low scoring game that is excruciatingly difficult.
Haters of change tend to build up a measure of personal resentment. They then concentrate on finding allies (other Haters of change) who will co-conspire with them to organize a movement to keep things as they are . . . This is very engaging for them as the commiseration leads to camaraderie . . . and next thing ya know, they’ve invested their whole life energy in this war against change.
The uncomfortable by-product of this is that the rest of the world continues forward and these Haters of Change alienate themselves from everyone else. They may abandon the things and people who REALLY matter in their lives as they become more and more obsessed  with saving their world from change.
Friends disappear . . . and non-haters of Change begin avoiding these folks.
Where I am going with this . . .
I believe the magical mystery of all of this centers around an individual person’s grasp on what really MATTERS in his life. What’s more important . . .
Fighting Change?
or
Fighting to create change?
Zac Brown says in a song: “If you can’t change it, you’ve gotta let it go!”
That’s the magic pill . . . Knowing when “it’s over” and acknowledging that “It’s OVER” is the simple ingredient in life that’s so easy (yet so difficult).
Sure! Stand up for what you believe intentionally.
Just measure everything you’re doing against the scale of: “Am I fighting an inevitable change which is distracting me from what/who matters in my life?”
If so . . . Pull the trigger and LET IT GO!
Let change happen because even if you don’t, it’s going to . . .
So . . . If you’re in a place where change is in order, go on the offense and make something POSITIVE happen.
Just saying!
Best,
b
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