Six exercises for finding your personal brand voice

1. Make a list of the adjectives you want people to repeat after they meet you, talk to you, see or read about you. Are you: creative, relentless, indomitable, determined, insightful, scrupulous, thoughtful, or visionary? Then, narrow the list down to three.
2. Ask other people: “What’s my special sauce? If you had to be a reference for me, what would you say?” Take notes of the answers you get.
3. Make a list of at least five successful professionals that you follow and respect. Spend some time examining them. How are they alike? How are they different? What about their character intrigues you? Often what we admire is what we aspire to be. Pat Flynn, Rand Fishkin, Warren Buffet, Yves Béhar, Richard Branson, Seth Godin. I like these professionals because they think outside the box, and are intelligent, creative, irreverent, and honest connectors of ideas and people.
4. Ask yourself: “What makes me different?” What do you do or what will you do that sets you apart? You know the whole snowflake talk we got as kids. Well there’s some truth to that. Don’t blend in. Hone in on your uniqueness. It may be your actual job function like “social media scientist,” or it could be something broader like “connector of people.”
5. Answer the question: “Who is the most important audience that my brand needs to speak to?” All the content you create and everything you say in the public domain will be discoverable online. By identifying and communicating with your most important audience, you’ll avoid any chance of personal brand misalignment with your larger goals. In fact, you’ll make sure your personal brand represents the values you and your audience hold.
6. Ask yourself: “How does this make me feel?” When searching for your authentic voice, you have to continually check in with yourself to make sure you can emotionally live with your intellectual decisions. It’s so much easier to be motivated if we’re true to ourselves. You don’t have to pretend to be anyone that you’re not. In fact, I would adamantly advise against faking it at all. Everyone will find out eventually.

37.5 million Americans plan to move this year, are you going to be one of them?

According to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, more Americans intend to find a new place to call home in 2014 – with 16 percent planning to move compared to 10 percent in 2012.

Among those looking to pull up stakes, buying has become more popular than renting, with more than 17 million people planning to purchase a house, condominium or co-op, versus 16 million who expect to rent their new residence.

Homebuyers might have to pay more to get what they want, however. Seller optimism is on pace to reach a four-year high, according to the researchers. The Tracker finds that 65 percent of potential home sellers are confident they will get their asking price, a 25 percent increase since 2010.

“All of the costs associated with moving can really add up, but more consumers are feeling confident that they can afford to put down new roots,” says David Rabkin, senior vice president of Consumer Lending Products for American Express. “With more people looking to purchase a home this year instead of rent, and with seller confidence on the rise, it will create an interesting push and pull as buyers and sellers negotiate.”

There appears to still be room for concessions. Of prospective sellers, 71 percent say they’re more willing to sweeten the deal – an increase from 60 percent in 2010.

So if you're a prospective buyer and are planning to move this year please visit my website at www.TourOfLuxuryHomes.com or at (407)-433-9699. I would love to help you find your dream home! 

Setting Fitness Goals

Who else struggles with putting together action plans, setting goals, and not sticking to it? One of my struggles lately is allowing distractions to get in the way of my fitness goals! Yes, you can "Work Hard & Play Hard" as I teach in my book, but you also need to stay fit and live a healthy lifestyle in order to enjoy an active lifestyle! What I have learned lately is that the phone calls, text and email can wait until after your morning workout. I like to workout before I start my work day. If I let these distractions get in the way of my scheduled/planned workout then it ruins my entire day!

Here are a few of my tips that will help you get back on track...and stay on track!!

1. Add your workout to your daily calendar. I have my alarm set for 6:30 a.m. every day so I can start my work out by 7:00 a.m.
2. Turn off your phone if you need to if this is one of the distractions, like mine, that is interrupting your workouts.
3. The night before, place your work out clothes and shoes by your bed so you are prepared and ready to go.
4. Every week (I choose Sunday) write out a workout plan for each day, so you are not guessing when you wake up on which workout you are going to do. If you have a personal trainer you will not need to worry with this since they will have your workout planned.
5. Get moving! If you are not ready for weights, or not into workout videos or gyms, go for a walk, jog or bike ride!

So get started now...set your fitness goals (and STICK to it)! The New Year is only 3 months away! I highly recommend you to also plan and cook your weekly meals on Sunday as well to avoid eating junk & fast food. I will touch on this in my next post!

Your Friend in Real Estate...
Dana

Setting Goals~ Steps to Achieving!

Setting goals, in my opinion is a big part of being successful. I plan a day every year at the end of December to focus on my goals and business plan for the following year. This is also a day that I reflect on what goals I did not accomplish and determine how I need to accomplish that goal the next year. This habitual act allows me to visualize what strategies I need to use, and the steps I need to take in order to accomplish my goals for the following year! For example, I would like to plan a family trip to Hawaii this year. In order to accomplish this goal, I determine how many homes I need to sale in order to accomplish it! I also have a photo of the Hawaiian Islands on my goal board so I can visualize it!

1) My first step is to list everything that I want to accomplish in the new year. I then research through magazines or online sources for a visual representation of my goal. (I like visual things, it keeps the thought of what I want to reach stuck in my head). After this I begin a vision board by posting each picture on a big poster board. I place this board at my bed side and reflect on it every day when I wake up.

Example of my goal board! 

My Book! 

2) The second thing I do is create a business plan based on the goals I have listed. I figure out how many homes I will need to sell in order to reach the income goal I have set.  I figure out what marketing strategies work and which one’s don’t, and get rid of the marketing tools that are costing me money (with no return). I look at my business plan every quarter to see where I am at, and to see if I need to reevaluate any items I have listed.

With all this in mind, the power of positive thinking and putting action behind your thoughts, really does boost your motivation and increase your chances of reaching your goals. To learn more about setting goals, and to find out the third step in my goal setting, please consider purchasing my book…Works Hard, Plays Harder and you can too! Its available to purchase on Amazon, or you can contact me directly at (407)-433-9699 or at Dana@TourofLuxuryHomes.com to purchase a copy.

Fitness Friday~Healthy Eating

Eating healthy is not a easy task when your working in Real Estate. My job does not allow for me to sit down and have a lunch break everyday. I am constantly trying to run around to get things done along with trying to eat healthy. These few tips that I found really help me to eat right on the go! 

Tip: pack your lunch the night before. It’s so easy to put it off until morning, I know.But then you’re running late, you spill your coffee, the dog gets loose – something is bound to go wrong. It’s Murphy’s law. Of course, making a lunch is the first thing to go. Pack the night before and you can avoid this altogether.Stock up on snacks. If you have a work fridge, an office drawer, a locker, or a book bag – fill it up with easy to grab snacks. Ideas?

• raw nuts

• fruit (apples, bananas, oranges)

• bars (Larabars, Clif bars)

• whole wheat crackers

• dried fruit (no sugar added)

• cereal

Of course, if you have access to a refrigerator then the options are endless – string cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, and more.For other helpful tips check out http://www.the-new-healthy.com/2012/03/tips-ideas-for-healthy-eating-on-go.html. 

Pistol Whipped Designs!

My love of fashion has followed me through out my life and has inspired me to create my own Jewelry line called Pistol Whipped Designs. My designs are perfect for any occasion & have great southern touches to them! Each piece is custom made to order, and you can display your own unique information. The hand stamped pieces make great birthday, anniversary, Christmas and "just because" gifts.

For more information on Pistol Whipped Designs check out my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PistolWhippedDesigns where you can see more designs and purchase your very own customized Pistol Whipped leather cuff or vintage neckless.

GET PISTOL WHIPPED! 

Some of my leather cuffs!

Vintage Spoon Neckless! 

Tishomingo, Oklahoma~ The Pink Pistol

The Pink Pistol, located in Tishomingo, OK is not one to miss! Owned and operated by one of my favorite country music stars, Miranda Lambert, the Pink Pistol is definitely a Country women's paradise. Along with my best friend Cheri, I traveled to the Oklahoma Twister relief concert to support all of the people affected by the disaster. Along the way we stopped at Miranda's store and found ourselves in complete heaven! Miranda opened her other Pink Pistol store this past fall in Texas and believe me I will be making a trip to Texas sometime soon!

Concert time! 

Me & Miranda Lambert!! 

Me & Cheri on our way to Oklahoma!   

Great Ways to Market yourself and your Business

In this day in age, marketing yourself and your business is tricky. Finding out the right tactics that work can be somewhat of a guessing game. In my 17 Years of working in Real Estate I have found a few that seem to work pretty well! So here they are,


1. Social Media- Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other sites are a great way to connect with customers. I have really learned to love social media and find it to be a great way for people to get to know you. When you are working with a customer you usually don't share personal information about yourself since you are working in a formal business situation. Social media allows for that barrier to be broken down and for you to really build a relationship with your customer.

2. Vehicle Wrapping & Branding- In 2002 I wrapped my first vehicle and I cant believe how much of a success it turned out to be. I have gotten numerous calls, Emails and walk-in's simply from someone seeing my vehicle in a parking lot or seeing it on the road ways. In 2013 I wrapped my second vehicle my 4-Door jeep and it has turned out to be another great success! This marketing tactic allows for your business to venture out of the normal perimeter and to really circulate to other parts of your area allowing for a broader clientele.

My newly wrapped 4-Door Jeep!

3. Partnering with a Charity or Organization- This happens to be one of my favorite marketing strategies due to the pure fact that I get to help people as well as market my business. I currently am associated with Two local charities and have found great joy in putting on events with them. Not only do you get to help the Charity or organization thrive through your business but you also get to make life long connections and in turn build a client database through that charity.

4. Personal Websites- Yes, this is pretty much a given but people constantly over look this simple marketing tactic thinking that something else will work better. With my website TourofLuxuryHomes.com I have found it to be the key to my entire business, Generating Leads and giving out helpful information to buyers and sellers. It also, just like social media, allows for your customers to know a little more about you then what they meet in person and can provide answers to may questions that the customer might have. The trick to a successful website is quality information and pictures and templates that are attractive!

Snap-Shot of my website!

Hopefully these few tactics will help you accomplish your marketing goals!

What is a non-warrantable condo?

Non Warrantable Condos are not eligible to be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac because they DO NOT fit into one of the following three classes:

CLASS I

1. Developers control of the homeowners association has been turned over to the condo owners
2. Project is not subject to additional phasing or add-ons which have not yet been completed
3. All common elements and amenities must be fully installed, completed and in operation
4. 70% of all units in the entire development must have been sold and or legally obligated to close
5. 70% of all units in the entire development must have been sold to owner occupants

CLASS II

1. Recent or current condominium conversions (from apartments)
2. Homeowners association has been controlled by the unit owners (other than the developer) for less than two years
3. Project is not subject to phasing or add-ons which have not yet been completed
4. All common elements and amenities are fully installed, completed and in operation
5. 70% of the units in the entire development must have been sold and/or legally obligated to close
6. 70% of the units in the entire development must have been sold to owner occupants
7. No more than 15% of the current unit owners are more than one month delinquent in payment of homeowners dues or assessments

CLASS III

1. Homeowners Association has been controlled by unit owners (other than developer) for at least one year
2. Project is not subject to phasing or add-ons
3. All common amenities are fully installed, completed, and in operation
4. 90% of the units have been sold (owner-occupancy of at least 60%)

A CONDO QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE MANAGEMENT TO DETERMINE PROJECT ELIGIBILITY

Because FNMA would not purchase mortgages secured by non-warrantable condominiums, many banks consider these condos to be more risky, and thus increase the interest rate accordingly.

Depending on the loan program you select, be prepared to have a down payment on the home. Most lenders will only offer low Loan-to-Value financing on non-warrantable condos.

Why You Should Always Like Your Own Facebook Post!

Here is some great advice for Facebook business page users...

http://www.ricksdailytips.com/why-you-should-always-like-your-own-facebook-posts/