One Under The Belt

You can't have you're 100th closed sale without it.  You can't become a mega-agent if you've never achieved it.  You can't retire wealthy from this business if you've never done this.  So, what is this seemingly huge amazing accomplishment to which I am referring?  If you haven't guessed it by the title, think harder. What I'm obviously talking about is A FIRST SALE!!  And now, yours truly, has reached that goal!

My first real estate transaction was recorded and closed on January 6th, 2011!  It was an incredible learning experience.  You can take all the classes and seminars you want, but in order to learn how to successfully navigate the sale of a home, there is nothing that compares with "learning by doing."  After one completes their first sale, I think there are two different mental outcomes:

1.  Oh my gosh!  There was soo much work!  I felt so overwhelmed the entire time! I'm not sure I'm cut out for this and I don't know if this is worth it!  or...
2.  Wow, this is possible for me to do this!  I'm so excited, bring on the next, and the next and the next!

For me, the clear response is the 2nd option.  I believe this IS something I can do, and something I can do well!  I was lucky enough that the listing agent in this transaction was an incredibly laid back, patient and cool guy.  And I have to give many thanks to the great support staff and team at the Keller Williams Temecula office.  One huge thing I learned in this process is, I LOVE TRANSACTION COORDINATORS!!  However the biggest thanks goes to my God.  I know he provided this, and will continue to provide many more opportunities.  THANK YOU GOD!!

So now that I have this first sale under my belt, I can look forward to those accomplishments that were in the opening paragraph.  I can believe that I can not only support my family, but provide amazing opportunities for them.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for our 2011!!

Hi, my name is....

Today we're starting a new segment, called "Tales From The Streets."

The most important part of a real estate business, is finding business.  There are multiple ways someone can try to drum up some business, but for myself, I've taken to DOOR KNOCKING!  DUN Dun dun...

The reactions I get before I ever even knock one door can probably be scary enough to discourage most people from venturing out into the neighborhood.  Other agents in the office, or even friends or family will ask, "what are you doing today?"  When I respond with door knocking, the most common reaction sounds something like this:

"(Quick inhale with painful grimace)Really?!?  Oh man, that's scary! I couldn't do that, how do you do that?!?  Well, good for you, I guess.  Good Luck, I'm sure you'll need it..."

At first, it was these initial reactions from people "experienced" in the area that slightly discouraged me.  But, I went for it anyway.  My plan was to find someone who door knocks regularly and to shadow them to see how it works.  When the waiting was taking too much time, I took it upon myself, and just went out.... probably not the best idea, being unprepared as I was.  But it was still an experience.  And get this, NOBODY attacked me, or yelled at me, or sent their dogs after me... or listed their house with me.  But none of those scenarios are to be expected, even the listing the house part. 

Since that first escapade, I have gotten significantly more comfortable.  I'm better prepared; what I usually bring is a basic Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for the area I'm in, usually Wolf Creek, in South Temecula.  Most knocks go unanswered (even if I hear people inside), and I leave the CMA on a door hanger with my card, and usually a little note that I write on the CMA while I'm waiting at the door; something personal, unique about my short experience at their doorstep.  The knocks that do bring an owner to the door are usually pretty casual and short.  The range of response is quite broad, and I'll now share a couple of my favorites...

"Sleepy Time"

This one just happened yesterday.  After knocking on the door, I waited quite a while.  While I was writing a "sorry I missed you" note on the CMA, the door opened and a man was standing there, more than half asleep (the time was 4:00 pm), with his eyes barely open; actually they may have been closed, I couldn't tell.  My first reaction was "oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"  He responded with gurgly, "Mmm".  So, I told him what I was doing, and handed him the CMA while telling him what it was.  In almost one breath, he took the CMA, and without even looking at it he said in a low monotone voice, "Cool... here you go," and handed it right back.  Luckily, I was able to hold my laughter in until I was down the driveway, and he was probably back crashed out in his bed.

"Come On In!"

Usually when door knocking, you're happy to have a couple of minutes to speak with the homeowner, and develop a bit of rapport.  So I was pleased enough when speaking to the homeowner of this particular house for a few minutes.  We had discussed his other properties he owned, the vacant house across the street and the similarities between his house and the vacant house.  When he was having trouble describing the different options that were in his house, he invited me in to show me around.  I think he just wanted to show off...  The home, nearly 4,000 sf, was totally "duded" out on the first floor. One open den had a full sized Las Vegas blackjack table, and a legitimate Las Vegas Slot Machine.  On the other side of the wall from that den was the wet bar area, complete with the "booze closet."  The living room had the obligatory big screen TV mounted on the wall.  The backyard had an awesome pool. And the piece that he was most proud of was his RV parking space, "The ONLY one in Wolf Creek."  After about 15 minutes touring his house, including his 4 car garage with one corvette parked diagonally, I went ahead and invited myself to his next party.

That's all for today.  Make sure you check in for our next installment of:
"TALES FROM THE STREETS!"

How did I get here... The Finale

The Commute...
Not one for ever being what someone would call a "morning person," waking up in the dark and setting off for work did not sit well in the beginning.  However, after getting used to it, and having the opportunity to listen to some great books on CD, I hit my stride. The drive wasn't so bad; in fact there were even times when I was excited to get in the car and head south (depending on what book I was currently listening to).  But as time wore on, and the new son, Joshua, came along, sleep was more difficult to come by, and even harder to catch was time with the kids coupled with energy to engage with them.  It became increasingly difficult to wake up in the morning darkness and silence, prepare for my day, and slip out of the house without saying a word to anyone of the three people that I love the most.  In fact, even as I write this and put myself back in that place, a lump in my throat grows and my eyes water.

As the days wore on, my uneasiness about our future continued to escalate. I would hesitate to think forward, because I was scared of what I saw:  a job that did not pay enough to sustain us; and worse, potentially a father/husband who could become distant from his family due to weekdays that consisted of more time in the car than with said family.  After a much needed, and much welcome break from regular life, with 2 weeks in Maui with the whole Dalton side of the family, my head was cleared and I was able to think without panic.  One of the things that most stuck out to me, was the flexibility in my father's current occupation... A REALTOR!  The fact that he was able to spend time with his wife- who is my mother, and time with his friends and us visiting, but still be able to work effectively, struck a chord with me. 

After we returned home, the wheels in my head really started spinning.  Within days, I began the discussion with my wife, about a career change.  Being the cautious, loving and steady woman she is, she gently and compassionately gave me her reaction:  "WHAT?!? ARE YOU CRAZY?!?"  However, after discussions and the realization that my current job will not sustain us for too much longer, and being the wonderful wife she is, she put her trust in me... no pressure, right?  I began taking my Real Estate courses online, and started flying through 'em.  About midway through my courses, my employer at the time, obliged me with more time with my family with a lay off; how nice of them, but that's a different story. 

I was able to pass all of my courses and scheduled my state exam.  I have never been one to shy away from a test, so I was not nervous... until the day came.  I wasn't "shakin' in my boots," but there was definitely a weary feeling in me, being aware that this isn't "just a test." My family is depending on me in order to provide them food, clothing and a place to live.  Well, the exam wasn't as bad as some had made it out to be, and I passed pretty easily.  After the exam, it came time to choose my brokerage.  I had been leaning towards Keller Williams, and one other office.  I met with a wonderful couple that works with Keller and attends the same church as we do; and I had pretty much made up my mind.  After a meeting with the team leader at Keller Williams, it was official:  SIGN ME UP!

So here I am.  Already, I feel infinitely more fulfilled and energized than when I was stuck in an office.  I get to meet people everyday.  I get to be outside.  I have flexibility to do things with my family.  I get to sleep in... until 7:00 am, when the sun is up!! I've even got my own WEBSITE!

I am so excited about what God has in store for me and my family.  I am so thankful that He gave me, AND my wife, the courage to make this change at this time.

THE END!.... actually, it's closer to...
THE BEGINNING!!

How did I get here... Pt 2

After the water meter reading, I began working for a telecommunications company.  My wife happened to be working for the same company, and we enjoyed working together.   We had our first child in January 2008, and were renting in San Diego.  She also grew up in San Diego, and had all of her family there.  When the time came, in early 2009, for us to expand our family and add 1 more, we decided it was also time to look at buying our first home...YIKES!

We looked and looked in San Diego.  Some places we liked, but were either in "unsavory" neighborhoods or way out of our price range (as is the case for a lot of people trying to buy in San Diego).  Some places in better neighborhoods, but were nothing too much to be desired, living wise.  It was a very difficult and frustrating search.

A close friend of our family happens to live in La Cresta, which is a very beautiful community in Murrieta, just north of Temecula, that sits in the hills west of the I-15 with INCREDIBLE views.  She had recommended that we look in Temecula, or Murrieta for a home.  We appreciated the sentiment, but didn't give it any real thought until a few months later.  It didn't take long, however, once we made the choice to "just look, and see," for me to remember the thought that I had years before while reading water meters:
"I will live here someday."

Apparently it didn't take long for my wife to share that thought.  While looking at, and looking for, properties, we both fell in love with the area.  We ended up buying a condo (using my good friend David Kurniadi with the Kurniadi Group from San Diego... plug plug plug) in Central Temecula.  Temecula was now home.

I was still working with the same telecommunications company in Del Mar, so, 2 days after moving in... the commute began...

...To Be Continued

How did I get here??

I've lived most of my life in San Diego, CA and always heard of a friendly little place just north called, Temecula. Beginning around the year 2000, I began to have some experiences with Temecula, driving north from San Diego to play in Golf Tournaments at different venues such as the Temecula Creek Inn, Redhawk Golf Club, as well others.  The surrounding ares always struck me as a very nice, and friendly community.

In 2003, I moved to Las Vegas to further pursue a career in golf.  For a long time, the only experiences I had of Temecula, was driving through, between San Diego and Las Vegas.  There were still times I would stop in and check out some of the local establishments and enjoy a round of golf or two.  I even got to meet one of Riverside County's finest.... as he pulled me over for speeding on I-15 around 11:30 pm en route to San Diego.  I had the privilege of spending my 20th birthday in a local courtroom explaining to the judge, that my speedometer must have been broken; he didn't seem to buy it.  Thankfully, that was my first, and last (to this point) ticket.

It wasn't until 2007, when I had some experience in the neighborhoods of Temecula.   At the time I was reading water meters for a job, and it sent me again north to Temecula and also Murrieta.  After walking through the neighborhoods, seeing all of the families, I had a moment of clarity and said to myself, "I will live here someday..."

...To Be Continued