Steve Hoffacker's Sales Quips

Brewer Shows Us What A Leader Looks Like

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:12:07 -0400

Once again, Jan Brewer is showing what a modern day leader looks like, and she backs up her words with actions. She has appealed yesterday's ruling by Susan Bolton which enjoined enforcement of many provisions of Arizona's new SB 1070.

She said in part, "If the federal government wants to be in charge of illegal immigration and they want no help from states, it then needs to do its job. Arizona would not be faced with this problem if the federal government honored its responsibilities." Hear, hear.

She is correct. Obama and Holder want no part of enforcing these laws - dangerous and impeachable offenses if you ask me. They wanted the offices they now hold, and enforceing all the laws is a part of their duties.

Arizona did what they felt they had to do because the feds refused. Many other States now want to follow Arizona's lead and enact similar legislation.

Remember we are a collection of States, and not a nation subdivided into States.

This is a time for leadership, and Jan Brewer and the Arizona legislature are leading the way. The feds, including Obama, Holder, and Bolton, are getting in the way.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com, or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

That Was Quick

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:20:26 -0400

Just as soon as I reported that my email notifications were back, they stopped. I got three between midnight and 2:18 this morning - and no more.

Somehow, my account is not getting along with the AR computers I guess.

I appreciate hearing from others with the same issues - most of you have been experiencing a continuous outage rather than the on-again-off-again status that I have.

If nothing else, it gives me something else to blog about - but I'm sure I could find other topics to discuss if this actually resolved itself and didn't come back - like the proxy errors seem to have done.

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It's Back - The Email Notifications

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:42:52 -0400

On Monday. I wrote "It's Back - The Non-notification" about my Active Rain email notification of comments on my posts disapearing again. Both times it happened at midnight. The first time was for 7 days. This time, 4 days.

On Monday morning my notifications disappeared, and it just now returned.

I know several others have been dealing with this annoying inconvenience although it does not appear to be too wide spread.

Interesting how it happend just as the day cycles, and interesting that it returns as magically as it leaves.

May the rest of you who have been experiencing such outages regain the email notifications soon.

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Wordless Wednesday - American Flag on a Barn

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:16:40 -0400

Patriotism takes on many forms. Here's one for you to enjoy.

Via Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino California):

I was driving out to Brentwood California to teach a social media class, and saw this as I was driving... So I grabbed my camera and snapped a quick picture.

Love it! (I tried to post yesteray, but user-error) LOL!

The Barn is located in Vasco Road (between Livermore and Brentwood). When you are headed to Brentwood, it is on the left hand side. It seems that flags are taken town everwhere on state roads, so this is on private property, so we get to see it!

Great job, to whomever is teh owner and painted it!

:)

Chris Alston

CEO- Team Leader

Keller Williams Realty, Cupertino

20230 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite E

Cupertino, CA 95014

408-850-6955

408-850-6956 fax

calston@kw.com

www.kw.com

Find me on:

Thankful Thursdays - "Heavenly Shapes"

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:24:08 -0400

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Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are as taken and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

More Commercial Space Unexpectedly Available

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:09:36 -0400

We already had the national closings of CompUSA, Circuit City, and Linens & Things and various local closings across the country of Walmart and Target as they went to "Super" stores or new locations.

That has created a massive amount of available big box retail space across the country. It may never be totally absorbed.

Now, in South Florida, we are adding some 1.5 million square feet of big box inventory to the market and decimating small strip shopping centers.

Winn-Dixie has announced the closing of 30 stores in South Florida. You can't fault the company for doing what it needs to remain profitable, but the trickle down effect is remarkable.

Adding so much available space to a market that is already oversupplied with big box space. Additional unemployment. Loss of anchor stores in the strip centers which could cause a rippling of other business failures, lease cancellations, or non-renewals. Without the traffic in these centers produced by the anchors (that's why they're called anchors), it may be very difficult for the marginal businesses to remain.

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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

Less Than 100 Days To Go

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:10:10 -0400

We're now out of the triple digits. Just 98 days from today - and counting - is November 2nd. This is the date of the mid-term elections and the time for Americans to put the brakes on reckless spending and regulation.

Any Member of Congress who wants to retain their job had better do a very good job of persuading us between now and then. Otherwise, it's "vote them all out."

We need a Congress that will stand up to the President and not continue to be essentially irrelevant.

We need a Coingress that not only knows how to read but will actually do it - the Constitution and every piece of legislation they consider.

We need single-issue bills. No more coattails. No more earmarks.

This is a very crucial election for stopping and beginning to reverse a very chaotic period of government.

Let's keep that tea kettle on the burner.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com, or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. Listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

Judge Creates Catch 22

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:17:51 -0400

The federal judge in Arizona blocked certain portions of the Arizona law because they impose an addtional burden on the federal government that it is unwilling to assume, or it duplicates a federal provision that the government is unwilling to enforce, or it inconveniences the illegals themselves.

Bottom line, Eric Holder and the President win by continuing their "hands-off, do-nothing" policy toward illegals, and the citizens of Arizona through their rightful legislative process lose. In fact, all of America loses except the Administration.

When there is a federal law, impacting the security and economy of this country, that no one is willing to enforce because it's inconvenient, where do we turn? Congress? DOJ? President? The people?

Looks like it falls to us. Arizona did what needed to be done, and we need to support their actions. This judge found for the feds, but he is a federal judge with that perspective. Bet the results would have been different with a State judge.

Interestingly, no Constitutional issues were cited, just existing laws and preferences.

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Wordless Wednesday - "Hot Color For A Hot Day"

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:50:14 -0400

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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are as taken and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

Primary Season Is In Full Swing

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:49:15 -0400

Several primary elections are scheduled over the next few weeks. This will continue to narrow the field for what shapes up to be a crucial Congressional election on November 2nd.

Here is what is in store for the next few weeks (hope I didn't miss any):

Michigan and Missouri, next week, Tuesday, August 3rd

Tennessee, next week, Thursday, August 5th

Arkansas and Connecticut, in two weeks, Tuesday, August 10th

California and Washington, in three weeks, Tuesday, August 17th

Alaska, Florida, and Vermont, in four weeks, Tuesday, August 24th

Then in September are Delaware and Maryland, Tuesday, September 14th, and Hawaii, Saturday, September 18th.

If you live in these states, remember to vote!

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Jay's Tuesday Free Enterprise Quote

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:04:48 -0400

Go back 160 yeras and you will read an uncanny prescription for wheree we are today.

Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

"If everyone enjoyed the unrestricted use of his faculties and the free disposition of the fruits of his labor, social progress would be ceaseless, uninterrupted, and unfailing." Frederic Bastiat

If you have never heard of Bastiat you should! He was a terrific classical liberal economist (the equivalent of a conservative now...) living from 1801-1850. His most famous book was The Law. His thesis in The Law is "each of us has a natural right — from God — to defend his person, his liberty, and his property".

Prescient, he says among other things, that ill-intended governments perform two types of plunder, "stupid greed and false philanthropy."

He defines stupid greed as "protective tariffs, subsidies, guaranteed profits". Does the government guarantee profits? Yes, and most particularly for itself.

The kicker is his definition of false philanthropy -- and this is his prescience coming to fore -- "guaranteed jobs, relief and welfare schemes, public education, progressive taxation, free credit, and public works".

So there you go! Gee, who is he warning us Americans about?

According to Bastiat, what is socialism? He calls socialism "legalized plunder." He says that while it may be "legal" (the government can institute anything and call it legal) he emphasizes that it is NOT legitimate.

Oh, Karl Marx came out with his little thesis The Communist Manifesto in 1848, just two years before The Law was published.

I have read The Law and I have read everything Marx ever wrote, which is a whole mess of pottage. Bastiat was certainly an economist. Marx was certainly NOT...

"I Don't Want To Hear From The Home Inspector"

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:22:47 -0400

Consumers are more in control of the buying process than ever before. Here's an example of where a builder mised the customer satisfaction mark.

Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):

My clients were on vacation when their new construction was ready for a final inspection. They told me that I was scheduled for anytime I wanted on that day. So I showed up real early.

The inspection revealed the usual stuff - loose dishwasher leaking onto the kitchen floor, leaky faucet in a bathroom, grounding electrode hanging loose under the electric meter with no sign of a grounding rod beside the house - you know, the usual stuff. There was more than that!

But this is the view on the end of the front porch. From this view it doesn't look like a far drop.

It is. The drop on the left side is 38" and the right corner and in front on the end 34".

This family has small children and elderly parents. Thinking about someone falling off that porch would be a considerable and continuing stress. Not to mention the code... but we needn't go there. The supervisor told my clients that he didn't want to hear from the home inspector! He might condescend to hearing from the buyers, but I am told it takes more than one mention for him to consider anything they say. Hmmmm...

They have a little boy who will be doing swan dives off that porch! I know I would have done hand springs off the end. "Look at what I can do Mom!" But not everyone can do that and this porch is hazardous.

My recommendation: The clients thought that drop was a bit far. It is. They thought it should have a rail and they are right. Just because it is a new house and something doesn't look right, don't assume that it must be right because there just wouldn't be any builder oversights! Well, you know what happens when we assume.

Motivational Monday - "Standing Out"

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:10:28 -0400

When everything is basically the same color, and all tend to run together, how do we make ourselves stand out from the crowd? How do we differentiate ourselves? How do we appear different?

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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are as taken and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

It's Back - The Non-notification

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:41:07 -0400

A couple of weeks ago, I went for an entire week (Saturday to Saturday) with no email notifications of new comments on my posts. I try to respond to most comments in a very timely way. Without the email notification, I have to search the recent posts for new comments, and I'm sure I have missed a couple along the way. Apologizing for that.

I know that others have had similar difficulties, but from the responses to my last post, this is a relatively small (by AR standards) occurrence, yet quite annoying. They do not have any idea how to fix it either.

Well, at midnight, the new week started with the same issue all over again. I thought I'd check a post I did right before midnight since I had not seen any email notifications. Wow, there were 10 comments.

I hope this magically returns to normal again - as it did last time.

If anyone know why this might be happening, let AR know. It has nothing to do with my settings. It has been working fine, then suddenly stopped, then resumed after a week, and then out again today.

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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are as taken and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.

Boom Is A Boon

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:57:18 -0400

As a result of the Gulf oil spill - now approaching day 100 - two Seattle area industries have done very well in response to the event. Boom and skimmers are being produced in the area. Part of it goes back to the Valdez response and having the capability to respond again, even though Washington (state) it is a considerable distance from Louisiana.

Nevertheless, in a major tragedy such as this, when so many lives and livelihoods have been disrupted, it is good to know that free enterprise is alive and well. This often is the case - that Americans rise to the occasion and produce what it necessary to accomodate and renew.

One of the business owners in Washington that is producing the boom was heard to say that he was sorry that he was making money off of someone else tragedy. That is an appropriate response, but we also are fortunate that we have the ingenuity and enterprise to produce solutions. That is the American capitalist spirit. Not that we are taking advantage of an unfortunate situation, but that we have the resources to address the recovery.

Same thing for the Tennessee floods, Oklahoma tornadoes and hail storms, and other occurrences.

Never underestimate the power of free enterprise to find a need and meet it, and let's do all we can to protect it through encouraging our elected representatives to go real easy on regulation and taxation.

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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.

Photography displayed is original composition and artistic expression of Steve Hoffacker, and as such is copyrighted. Photos are as taken and have not been cropped, edited, or enhanced in anyway.