Earl's Blog

Yeah, we did it.  I just hit 100,000 pts, for the second.  I am so excited.  I was devestated when I lost over 30,000 pts, when I deleted some older blogs.  I am sorry that if by my deleting blog, I cost any of you points.  I was just trying to clean up, but it was the wrong thing to do.  But, now we are back in the saddle.  I thank you all for all of your support.  Let's make this the strongest real estate site ever.  Thank you, again

This is Steve Reno, from 1968.  He came into my store today.  He has quite the story.  I just had to share who I got to meet today.

He made the statement to me that, "when people thought I had died, I was more sought after and missed, than when I was alive and winning competitions."  He was :

He talked some about competeting with Arnold, Frank and others.  He came down with Bell's Palsy in 68 and had to stop competeting.  He was starting to come up.  What a wonderful story.  He is going to get me a couple of pics and a letter that Arnold recently sent him. 

I just thought I would share.

Steve Reno, 1968

Community Pool

(subject to change)

2235 40th Street West

256-3250/256-2073

Hours of Operation

Just wanting to thank Active Rain for the lead I got for two new land listings I just got.  They are both in Lake Los Angeles.  They are located at the corner of 170th St E and Palmdale Blvd.  One is actually on Palmdale and 171st St E, and the other is on 170th and Q6.  You can see my listing at http://www.gavar.org/

Listing #256728

#256735

I also, just got another off of here in Rosamond.  I will be inputting it tomorrow.  The APN # is 375-160-21001.  It is 2.5 acres at 40th and Gaskell.  It is listed at 50000. 

Thank you for all the support. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. 

Now is a perfect time to buy. 
Don't keep me as your best kept secret.  Share me with your friends and family.
Let Earl "The Pearl" Sorrells help you discover your jewel.
Coldwell Banker Hartwig
661-400-9485
efsorrells@aol.com www.activerain/efsorrells
MDA Lock Up Drive -check out my page and please support. Thank you

Even in a down market, someone like me can get a client, show them a few houses, have them fall in love with one, get them qualified in an hour, and now prepare to put in an offer.  There is still life in the marketplace!

I have a friend from school, who she and her fiancee, want to buy.  She emailed me about helping them move to my area.  We were able to hook up yesterday, and the rest is history. 

I am so excited!!!  I just had to share and tell others that if it can happen for me, it will happen for you.  Just keep on keeping on.  Don't give up.  We had 33 houses close yesterday, and 45 went pending.  There is allot of activity starting again.  I believe!!!

1. I do not know how to rocognize others.  The truth is, you have to start somewhere.  Even if you mess up giving it, who cares, you tried.

2.  I am too busy.  We are all busy, but we seem to find time to do what is important to us.  Maybe we need to adjust our priorities and move recognition up on our list.  And, let's be honest, how long does it take to make a little note, or even just to say, "Thank you." or "I really appreciate you doing that?"

3.  No one cares about recognition anymore, they just want to make money.  We know this is a lie.  Think about how we feel when others recognize our efforts and hard work.  People like having their egos stroked and being made to feel important. 

4.  Only boses are to give rocognition.  WRONG!  It is up to each of us.  Don't we feel good when we work in an environment of supportive co workers?  If we want that environment, it is up to each of us to help create that. 

5.  Why should I reward someone for doing what they are paid to do?  Remember we are not talking rewarding someone, we are talking about showing respect, recognition, and acknowleging a job well done.  When we do this we are reinforcing that they are doing the right things, and that we appreciate them being there and doing their job the right way.  Let them know that they are helping make your job easier.  People like knowing that they are a part of the team.  Besides what does it hurt to buy them a sandwich from time to time to show that we care about them.

6.  If I do it all the time, then it doesn't mean much.  This may be true sometimes, but do you know how many "Thank you's" or "Good job's" that would take?  Besides, if we are being sincere when we say it, that will come through loud and clear, just like if we are just saying words, but not being sincere.  People love being where they are truly wanted and appreciated.

7.  What can I do?  I am a nobody at work.  I have seen people who were the lowest employees in a company, telling the high ups how much they appreciated them and the job they were doing.  When someone, no matter who it is, tells you they appreciate you and what you do, you feel good, and want to share that feeling with others.  It reminds me of a commercial I have seen, where one person holds a door open for someone.  That someone, in turn, does something nice for someone else, and so on, and so on.  It all can start from a kind word or smile or nod.  We have no idea how much we can impact someone else by our great attitude.  The same is true with our lousey attitude.  It is our decision, "How am I going to affect someone elses world today?"

8.  But I feel awkward and I am not comfortable doing it.  So what.  Everything thing we do in life, for the first time was difficult, awkward and uncomfortable, but we moved through it.  The more we did it the easier it has become.  If recognizing others isn't comfortable, we need to practice it more and more.  Again, people like being around people who appreciate them. 

9.  I don't want other to think that they have made it and stop working.  This is ridiculious.  Do we slow down when we have others appreciate us and make us feel like a viable member of the team?  Some people may slow down, but most will work harder than before.  I have seen this in my own life.  We have more affect on the job others do, than we realize.  We really can set the tone for our workplace.

10.  No one is giving me any recognition, so why should I give it to anyone else?  No one cares what I do, so why should I?  Get your eyes off of yourself for a minute, and look at others.  This reminds me of a sceene from "What Women Want."  It is a sceene where there is a girl who is a nobody in the office.  She works hard, but is basically invisible.  People just walk on by her.  She is thinking about suicide and that noone would even miss her when she is gone.  She drops some books, and Mel Gibson helps her pick them up.  She is overwhelmed that someone, especially him, would help her.  (It did help that Mel could hear her thoughts).  We may not be able to hear others thoughts, but we all feel basically the same way.  Maybe we are a strong person who doesn't need to be recognized by others, but most aren't.  Think about how we could change someone day or life.  Besides, we all know how it feels when we are taken advantage of or for granted.  Just because we have been wronged, don't let us rationialize why we can do it to others.

It is time for us to be standup people and start showing others that we care about them and the job they do.  Smile at someone today.  Say good morning or Hi to others.  Go the extra mile.  You will be glad you did.

Earl "The Pearl" Sorrells

 The following are some  amazing pictures.  If this isn't the spirit of America, than I don't know what is. I love the Human Statute of Liberty.  I am proud that our fathers were willing to give there all for us to have the freedoms that we do.  I am, also, proud of our men and women who are, as we speak, doing the same, by putting themselves in harms way, for us all.  May God be with them all and bring them home safe. 

America

I find it amazing that this photo, taken so many years ago, actually still exists!

And now someone has put it online for all of us to see.
This INCREDIBLE picture was taken in?1918.?

It is?18,000 men?preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa . EIGHTEEN THOUSAND MEN!!!!!

What a priceless gift from our grandfathers...

In today's market, homes are taking longer to sell.  There is a large inventory in all price ranges.  Buyers have a much larger selection of homes, from new and resale, to pick from.  This is expected to continue through 2008 and into 2009. Also, you have allot of foreclosures and bank owned homes to compete with. If this is the case, what options do sellers have, if their homes aren't selling quickly?

One of the main reasons that homes aren't moving fast is that the home is priced too high for today's market.  Our median sales price was down 8.2 % from a year ago, nationally.  In some areas of the country, it was even higher.

If your home isn't selling, look at the price you are asking.  Have your real estate agent do a market analaisis, called CMA, and see what is selling, what is pending, what is just sitting, what other prices are, and what has expired- meaning what didn't sell.  Your home may be nicer than some, and your Realtor will help determine that.  If it comes to a price thing, adjust it before it is too late, and you have to take even less to sell.

If you aren't able to accept an offer of a reasonable price, in today's market, and can afford to hold onto your home, than take it off the market and wait for the market to come back up.  A home just sitting on the market doesn't do anyone any good.  The longer a home is on the market, the less desirable your home can look to potential buyers.  They may wonder what is wrong with it, and try to offer less. 

With some homes, price isn't the only issue.  Some may need some minor facelifts or cosmetic things done, to make it more salable.  If this is the case, maybe you showed take it off the market, get the changes done, and than put it back on.  This can bring new interest to the property.  And maybe a new price would be good to do at this time.

Maybe you may need to rent out your home, temporiarly.  Make sure you talk to your tax person, before you do this.  Personal resdences and rental property have different tax laws and could affect tax benefits and whether or not you have to pay taxes when you sell. Also,  selling a property with a tenant, can have it's own problems.  And you will now have to be a landlord, with all that comes with it.   Way your options carefully, before you make any moves in this direction. 

In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital.
--  Warren G. Bennis

Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconcious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character.                                                               Stephen Covey

Golden Rule principles are just as necessary for operating a business profitably as are trucks,
typewriters, or twine.
--  James Cash (J.C.) Penney

It takes all sorts to make a world.
--  English Proverb

Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.         Abraham Joshua Heschel

Remember that who you're being is just as important as what you're doing. Focus on the attitude behind your behavior.
--  Barbara "BJ" Hateley

If a person goes to his job with a firm determination to give of himself the best of which he is capable, that job-no matter what it is-takes on dignity and importance.                                                    Hortense Odlum

I don't think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it. I think if you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done.                                                                                    Mike Ditka

Inches make the champion.
--  Vince Lombardi

He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.                                                                   Leonardo da Vinci

An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.                                    Bill Bernbach

Success is more attitude than aptitude.
--  Unknown

When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.                                                                                         Napoleon Hill

Criticize the act, not the person.
--  Mary Kay Ash

Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict.                         Saul Alinsky

Be nice to people on your way up. You might need them on the way down.
-- Jimmy Durante

The price of greatness is responsibility.
-- Winston Churchill

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.
-- Peter Drucker

Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made.                                                               Wayne Dyer

The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.                                                                                                       Baron de Coubertin

Commitment, by its nature, frees us from ourselves and, while it stands us in opposition to some, it joins us with others similarly committed. Commitment moves us from the mirror trap of the self absorbed with the self to the freedom of a community of shared values.                                                              Michael Lewis

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude...and in actions.
-- Harold S. Geneen