So I lost a short sale to auction last week. It was my second one in recent months, so I guess, statistically speaking, it’s not all that bad. The problem is, this isn’t statistics. These are real people, with real problems that I’ve signed on to tackle. The first one I lost only had nine days before the bank planned to auction it off, so I guess it wasn’t rocket science that we didn’t get in under the wire, but by God, I gave it my best shot.

The recent one was more heart-breaking because this couple did everything right: tried for a loan mod, explained to the lender that they lost a job, hired me as an agent. I got them a 10k above appraisal price offer….um, CASH, and I did everything I was supposed to, however, the “investor” decided to reject it. Even the lender was disappointed.

But this post is not about real estate (I know, hard to swallow).

After seeing me so down and out for this couple who tried to avoid foreclosure (with my help) but now had only days to relocate, someone close to me asked, “Why do you work so hard on the ones that don’t make you any money?” I was busy looking up Carmichael apartments for this couple on Craig’s List so it took a minute for the question to sink in.

Then it hit me.

I know with all my heart that we’re all here with some particular talent or service, and mine just happens to be real estate. Real estate is how I help people. I counsel them, inspire them, educate them, and try to use my skills to help them prevail in the best way possible. I find that when I focus on the service and the client (as opposed to the money that may or may not be involved), I am my most productive. In fact, I have often learned the most when I’ve earned the least…and there’s gotta be a nugget of something good in that.

The bottom line is this: if we all work to do something nice for someone else—pay it forward in one way or another, just for the sake of service–it comes back to us. To date, I’ve been blessed with untold referrals,  favors and friendships that I wouldn’t even have thought were possible. It’s like that old saying, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” Pay it forward, with no expectations, and just see what happens. And I’d love to hear about your experience!
Thank you for reading this

Catch my radio show…always positive and productive: www.inlovewithsacto.com, Weds at 10 AM or catch the podcasts anytime.

Tamara

Post from: In Love With Sacto .tv

Do you ever notice how just when you get all caught up in the busyness of life, sure that there is nothing more important than faxing that contract, making that concert or uploading your latest photo on facebook when something reaches out and grabs you by the throat?

I call them reality checks and I’ve had two this past week.

First, one of my clients was diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer. It’s a cancer that is usually untreatable and has a high fatality rate. This is a young person in his 40’s with his whole life ahead of him, excited to sell his home and move his family out of state. He went to the doctor for what he thought was acid reflux, and now he might die.

Next, our very long-time and dear friend, Richard, has been battling his latest lung transplant since this time last year. I say “latest” because several years ago he had one and it went very well. That “borrowed” lung allowed him so much freedom and fun. Over the years we’ve enjoyed too many good times to name, from wine tasting outings, to fine dining, to bar-b-ques by the pool, parties…the list goes on. Unfortunately, the second transplant didn’t go as well as the first, and Richard has been struggling for the past year. Sadly, he left us this past week, before I had a chance to even say goodbye.

I remember maybe seven or eight years ago when I had some health issues going on, and not used to being down and out, I got to feeling pretty sorry for myself. Well, Richard, who had already had his first transplant, wouldn’t have any of that. Being anal (he was an engineer, after all), he came over and presented me with a schedule of how I was to conduct my healing program. He put what time I would take my vitamins, what time I would nap and what time I would exercise….how cute is that?  This, from a guy who had to constantly take a myriad of medicine (including immune suppressants), wear gloves so he didn’t risk infection and carry a pillow when we all went out to eat because his behind was so skinny that the seats hurt him, this guy was trying making ME feel better. That’s just how he was. A very special human being who cared deeply for his family and friends, and especially his high-school sweetheart wife.

As one more summer comes to a close and quietly slips into fall, I am reminded of how cyclical life really is. One friend dies and another gives birth, we mourn the loss of our loved ones and celebrate the new lives that come our way. Yet losing someone never really quite make sense, especially when they’re young.

I guess what’s most important is that we remember our visit on this planet is but temporary, and with that said, we have only a few true obligations. One of them has got to be to love well. We clearly won’t be lying on that proverbial death bed wondering how many “toys” we collected or how many folks we impressed or how many followers we have on twitter, but instead, how many lives we touched, how well we cared for our kids, and how selfless our service was to others. Perhaps most important, we should follow those famous words, if for nothing else but to gain and maintain perspective: Don’t sweat the small stuff, and really, in the end, most of it is very small indeed.

Rest in peace, Richard–you will be missed.

IF YOU are interested in possibly saving or enhancing the gift of life through being an organ donor, please visit this site.

Post from: In Love With Sacto .tv

Post from: In Love With Sacto .tv

Post from: In Love With Sacto .tv

Post from: In Love With Sacto .tv