The Power of Belief, Expectation, and Positive Thinking

While you may not always get what you want, you will always get what you expect! Surprisingly, the power of belief and expectation work just as effectively on your feelings of self-doubt and limitation as they do on your thoughts of success and achievement.

Think thoughts of defeat or failure and you are bound to be discouraged. Belief is an incredibly powerful state of mind. Your belief system not only defines and shapes who you are, but it also determines your potential.

Henry Ford was correct when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.”

Your belief system, like your computer, doesn’t judge what you input; it simply accepts it as the truth.

Earl Nightingale concluded that life’s strangest secret is that you become what you think about all day long. If you want to know where your predominant thoughts lie and what you believe, look at what you are experiencing in your life. Your thoughts are creative by nature and express themselves through your emotions, which in turn, drive your actions.

Everything you say, both positive and negative, is literally an affirmation. Consider this well-known quotation:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
- Anonymous

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results.

A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful

outcome of every situation and action.

Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results.

We hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people don't take these words seriously, as they don't know what they really mean, or don't consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and our voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.

All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight. Think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

When you feel inner resistance to replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, don't give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

You are what you think! So...

Whatever
THE MIND OF MAN
Can
CONCEIVE
And
BELIEVE
it can
ACHIEVE

 

Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill.

How To Do a Short Sale

Why Would a Lender Accept a Short Sale?

A short sale in real estate is not always a pleasant transaction.

There are many ways to lose a home but signing away ownership in a manner that destroys credit, embarrasses the family and strips an owner of dignity is one of the hardest. For owners who can no longer afford to keep mortgage payments current, there are alternatives to bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings. One of those options is called a "short sale."

When lenders agree to do a short sale in real estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due. Not all lenders will accept short sales or discounted payoffs, especially if it would make more financial sense to foreclose; moreover, not all sellers nor all properties qualify for short sales.

If you are considering buying a short sale, there could be drawbacks. For your protection, I suggest that all borrowers:

·         Obtain legal advice from a competent real estate lawyer

·         Call an accountant to discuss short sale tax ramifications

As a real estate agent, I am not licensed as a lawyer nor a CPA and cannot advise on those consequences. Except for certain conditions pursuant to the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, be aware the I.R.S. could consider debt forgiveness as income, and there is no guarantee that a lender who accepts a short sale will not legally pursue a borrower for the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid. In some states, this amount is known as a deficiency. A lawyer can determine whether your loan qualifies for a deficiency judgment or claim.

Although all lenders have varying requirements and may demand that a borrower submit a wide array of documentation, the following steps will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

·         Call the Lender
You may need to make a half dozen phone calls before you find the person responsible for handling short sales. You do not want to talk to the "real estate short sale" or "work out" department, you want the supervisor's name, the name of the individual capable of making a decision.

·         Submit Letter of Authorization
Lenders typically do not want to disclose any of your personal information without written authorization to do so. If you are working with a real estate agent, closing agent, title company or lawyer, you will receive better cooperation if you write a letter to the lender giving the lender permission to talk with those specific interested parties about your loan. The letter should include the following:

·         Property Address

·         Loan Reference Number

·         Your Name

·         The Date

·         Your Agent's Name & Contact Information

·         Preliminary Net Sheet
This is an estimated closing statement that shows the sales price you expect to receive and all the costs of sale, unpaid loan balances, outstanding payments due and late fees, including real estate commissions, if any. Your closing agent or lawyer should be able to prepare this for you, if you do not know how to calculate any of these fees. If the bottom line shows cash to the seller, you will probably not need a short sale.

·         Hardship Letter
The sadder, the better. This statement of facts describes how you got into this financial bind and makes a plea to the lender to accept less than full payment. Lenders are not inhumane and can understand if you lost your job, were hospitalized or a truck ran over your entire family, but lenders are not particularly empathetic to situations involving dishonesty or criminal behavior.

·         Proof of Income and Assets
It is best to be truthful and honest about your financial situation and disclose assets. Lenders will want to know if you have savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks or bonds, negotiable instruments, cash or other real estate or anything of tangible value. Lenders are not in the charity business and often require assurance that the debtor cannot pay back any of the debt that it is forgiving.

·         Copies of Bank Statements
If your bank statements reflect unaccountable deposits, large cash withdrawals or an unusual number of checks, it's probably a good idea to explain each of those line items to the lender. In addition, the lender might want you to account for each and every deposit so it can determine whether deposits will continue.

·         Comparative Market Analysis
Sometimes markets decline and property values fall. If this is part of the reason that you cannot sell your home for enough to pay off the lender, this fact should be substantiated for the lender through a comparative market analysis (CMA). Your real estate agent can prepare a CMA for you, which will show prices of similar homes:

·         Active on the market

·         Pending sales

·         Solds from the past six months.

·         Purchase Agreement & Listing Agreement
When you reach an agreement to sell with a prospective purchaser, the lender will want a copy of the offer, along with a copy of your listing agreement. Be prepared for the lender to renegotiate commissions and to refuse to pay for certain items such as home protection plans or termite inspections.

Now, if everything goes well, the lender will approve your short sale. As part of the negotiation, you might ask that the lender not to report adverse credit to the credit reporting agencies, but realize that the lender is under no obligation to accommodate this request.

The Short Sale Process

The short sale process can vary, but it will generally work as follows:

1) The lender is contacted to discuss the possibility of a short sale and to determine the lender’s process for completing the sale.

2) The seller issues a letter authorizing the release of personal information about the loan and the property to the buyer or escrow agency.

3) The lender will review a settlement statement, which will indicate the proposed selling price, remaining loan balances and itemize all expenses, including real estate commissions and other fees and expenses associated with the closing.

4) The seller will complete a "hardship letter," which will detail and explain all financial difficulties. Lenders will usually want to validate the seller’s financial situation by looking at bank statements, investment accounts, along with examining paystubs and other financial records.

5) The lender will then look to the broker to provide a price opinion by examining the condition of the house and the market value of comparable properties.

6) The lender will then want to scrutinize the purchase agreement to determine if all amounts are reasonable and the real estate commission is acceptable.

Because of the documentation required, the short sale process can be lengthy. But if done correctly, it can work well for all parties involved. The lender avoids the uncertainty of the foreclosure process, the seller avoids a foreclosure on his or her credit report (along with potential bankruptcy), and the buyer hopefully got a good deal on a property.

Considering the complexity of the short sale process, you must be educated. If you are considering a short sale, make sure that you discuss your situation with a competent lawyer and accountant. The more educated you are on the process, the easier the transaction will be, and the better the impression you will make on the lender.

Landscaping Your Home

I love trees, shrubs, flowers, color, nature, rocks, benches, bird baths...yes, and even grass! I've always loved color but I don't know when the gardening thing hit me. The homes I've owned have all had a blank canvas for me to design. They have been sold with a much improved landscape, but the home I'm in now is probably the one I'm most proud of. I say that now because I am still hard at work designing it.

My daughter teases me..."Mom, did you draw this one out too?" Yes I did! I sit out on my patio drawing, dreaming, designing, visioning, and reading about different plants and flowers. I have binders I refer to when I'm wanting to know what to plant, how to take care of bugs or diseases, and when to transplant.

There are three times I can think of that my creative mind is at work:

1. I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. That, my friends, is this morning. Not about landscaping originally...but about a Top 10 list. If I could write in the dark I wouldn't forget these things when I get up!
2. I think of things to do, people to see or talk to, emails to send, things I need, you name it...when I'm driving. Unfortunately, I can't write as fast as I can type, and I shouldn't be writing then, but I do it and hope I can read it and it makes sense. It's called a legal pad with scribbles. I'm wondering if I should invest in a micro-recorder!
3. The last, but not least, is when I'm out watering my flowerbeds. As soon as I put down the sprayer, the thought is gone. But trust me...I've taken paper out with me knowing the moment may strike.

So where are you in landscaping your home? By definition, home landscaping, means arranging or modifying the features of the grounds around a home to improve the property from the standpoint of aesthetic ideas and/or practical usage.

If your property is about to be listed, you need to think in terms of "curb appeal". You are essentially landscaping for other people's tastes -- namely, the tastes of potential home buyers.

A spiffy home landscaping design increases real estate value. The average figure yielded by studies over the years is a range of from 7% to 15%. Let's just use the 15% number as an example, even though that figure is on the high end. Putting that percentage increase into perspective: for real estate valued in the $200,000 - $225,000 range (before considering its home landscaping), an effective home landscaping design could add $30,000 to its value. How often do you get to make a $30,000 decision?

Below are just a few tips for home landscaping ideas:

• Observe what other people are doing with their home landscaping designs. I get tons of ideas when I'm showing or listing property. I have always loved real estate and looking at homes. You can still find me driving neighborhoods just for the fun of it. 
• Magazines, books, television and the Web all provide an abundance of information on what kinds of home landscaping designs are currently "selling." Knowledge is power. That knowledge could lead to more return on your investment!
• Consult with a professional in the landscape design field.
• If you don't want to pay for a landscape designer's advice, at least try to minic some ideas from your local nursery. Ask people, we all love sharing what we have done or what we know!
• Real estate agents see the reactions of potential buyers to home landscaping day in and day out; consult with them on trends or how to improve what you have.

Homebuyers are seeking low maintenance landscapes, the most striking design with a focal point, or accent, and year-round visual interest. If you have that, you will see your home sell quicker than those homes that have little or no landscaping. I've seen it time and again. The home with landscaping will more than likely sell quicker than the home right next door with nothing, but priced closed to the same.

I'd love to hear about your landscape designs, what's worked, what's not, how it improved your property!

Real Estate and Divorce

While it isn't a fun topic, it does come up, it does happen, there are questions, and no one seems to want to ask. Unless you've been through it, most people don't understand it and it does or can be complicated.

Real estate a couple owns can be a real stumbling block to divorce. Property problems won't keep people together, and they might even drive people apart who have in­compatible investment philosophies.

Splitting up the equity can be particularly difficult when there isn't cash available to one marital partner or the other. There are options. Let's start with the simplest and common case of the couple that only owns their home.

1. "Sell the house" is the first advice that friends and attorneys usually give. A sale has the advantage of helping the couple make a clean break. When the transaction closes there are only cash proceeds to divide. A 50-50 split is common.

2. "Keep the house." The husband or wife may prefer to continue to live there, at least until after the divorce is final. When one party wants to stay and there is an outstanding balance on the loan, the best solution is for the home to be refinanced in their name to be the responsible party. Oklahoma is a 50-50 state, meaning equity would be split equally.

In these cases the first step is to determine the equity in the home. What would be the proceeds of an outright sale, after all costs and the mortgage balance are paid off?

The mortgage lender can quote a payoff and real estate companies can state their marketing fees. Title companies can quote figures for title insurance and other closing costs. The only other usual seller costs are the appraisal and survey.

What's less clear are the costs that might have to be incurred to get the property to qualify for a buyer's financing. The type of financing the buyer chooses affects the standards that appraisers and lenders will apply.

Estimating the equity that a couple could split if one keeps the house is also something to consider. 

Hire an appraiser (about $400) to help establish value and note the items that lenders look for. Hire a home inspection service (about $250) to look for repair items that buyers might say must be fixed or they won't go through with the transaction. Finally, hire an engineer approved by the Municipality to test the well and septic system (about $500, plus pumping and Municipal fees).

If any of these reports show a need for corrective action, get contractor bids. These figures can be deducted from the equity that the couple plans to split. The work doesn't have to be done: the one who winds up with the house can assume the respon­sibility for taking care of these items later, having been "paid" by the divorced spouse by a division of a smaller equity.

From the time of the divorce forward, the spouse with the house assumes all the risks and responsibilities of home ownership. At least the risk of surprises is minimized.

After agreeing on the equity, what if the spouse who is keeping the house doesn't have the money to buy out the spouse who leaves? This is a common problem.

It may be possible to balance the books through the rest of the property settle­ment. Considering cars and other personal property it may be possible for the spouse who leaves to end up with enough of these items to balance what the "house spouse" keeps as equity.

The other answer may be for the "house spouse" to give the departing spouse a note secured by a deed of trust recorded against the house. The payments can be negoti­ated to fit both parties needs and capabilities. The items to consider are the term of the note, whether the remaining balance is due at any particular future date, the term, inter­est rate and payment. Simple financial calculators can provide these answers for spouses who are doing their own dissolution.

There are so many other things that can be considered as trade offs, but this is the short version of what to consider if you should find yourself in this situation.

Adult Truths: Something to make you go...hmmmm.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing is more awful than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. Seriously, how in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood!

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. Stop trying to sell me something. If I really wanted it, I would have called you!

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay. Sorry, the commercial is cute, but it's probably true.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.