The McLaughlin Group Team

The McLaughlin Group Team
www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com

Saturday, April 30, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 72 Piece of Crap

Hi, this is Al, Laurie's husband, and I want to tell you all one of the down sides of having your wife work with The McLaughlin Group. First, I have to tell you a joke that we have shared for years, so you can understand it fully. Here goes: Two men are sitting on a park bench and a beautiful woman walks by. One guy whispers to himself, "Piece of crap!" The other guy looks at him peculiarly but says nothing. Soon another incredible woman walks by and again the man whispers, "Piece of crap!" When the third smoking hot woman passes by with the same comment, the other man says, "OK, I don't get it, 3 fantastic women walk by and each time you say, piece of crap, how can that be?" The man responds, "Piece of crap is what I have at home!" Now, my dilemma; when Laurie comes home from work, after dealing with The McLaughlin Group's many multi million dollar estates, I ask her how her day was and she looks at our home and whispers, "Piece of crap!"

This is Al, husband of Laurie, of The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, April 29, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 71 That's Sick

When traveling with the younger buyers and touring them through different neighborhoods, I have noticed a change in the definition of some key words. Words that I once thought had a negative tilt, now go completely opposite to the positive side. Here are 4 quick examples; Sick, fat, ridiculous and bomb. "That pool was sick", "The home theatre is ridiculous", "That place is a bomb", "That pad is fat". I have now stopped saying "Excuse me?" or "Come again?" and instead just shake my head in agreement, turn up the stereo, put the cap on backwards and say in response, "Lets go back to the office and write up a sick offer on that fat pad and see if we can move you into that bomb." "Ridiculous, right?"

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it phat in real estate!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 70 Recap

Many days in the office we will do a recap of the day's happenings. What one agent heard at the appointment is completely different than what the other agent heard. What was a highlight to me was a not so significant point to the others. This is the same thing we all do after a party recapping the highs and lows of the previous night's festivities. I think it is good to reflect, recap and try to hold on to those very memorable moments that happen throughout the day. And the not so memorable ones, try to laugh them off and look forward to the sun rising the next day.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 69 Are Buyers Liars?

What a classic line in real estate repeated time and time again by so many agents. There might be just a bit of truth to it but more than likely it was originally the agent who was not listening to the clients' needs or wants and the agent was stunned with the home they bought. I think instead of saying buyers are liars, as an industry we should change it to agents are poor listeners.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Monday, April 25, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 68 Birds of Prey

I have always loved this time of year out in the Conejo Valley. After the rains the hills are green, colors everywhere, and the birds are out in force. I especially enjoy watching the Hawks do battle with the Ravens. They are all out looking for an easy meal with all the young ones just taking flight. You can watch some incredible aerial combat between the species. As spring arrives in real estate,new listings start to hatch like baby birds and the agents are out doing battle to earn the business. Obtaining listings is a competitive endeavor but instead of aerial combat, sellers deal with verbal and evidential combat between the agents. Agents must be prepared to articulate their message and speak to the reasons why a seller should pick them. Birds of prey have incredible focus and vision and Ravens are very smart. I hope when you sit down with us, both birds show their feathers.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 67 Easter

Ahhhh...lots of good food, egg hunt (with candy and money), friends, family, a little sunshine....great concoction for a nice Easter. Hope yours was just as good!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 66 Frustration

I am confident we all have days where frustration wants to boil over. You have had the same conversation over and over and yet there is no understanding. What is it that they don't get or what drives us so crazy that we want to shake them until their senseless body says "okay, I get it." Maybe just a small bat to the rib cage would accomplish the same thing. But even though we feel that way, you can never ever show it and I'm sure all of you in your varying professions know what I am referring to. Much of it must come from the true possibility that the issues in our field or your field, we see so often that it's the routine and we forget that for the ones we are dealing with, the ideas may be completely foreign to them. Breathe, slow down and talk about frustrations with others on your team or in your profession, so that you never boil over.

Well, I'm off to the egg hunt to enjoy the little ones pursuing those plastic eggs hoping I don't get frustrated that Miley misses the big Chocolate one.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, April 22, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 65 Cell Phones

How did we do it? Can you imagine life without these gadgets? I do not want to speculate on how much business is conducted universally by cell phones, but I would guess the number to be over 50%. Cell phones are great tools but they can also be a huge annoyance. There is never a down moment unless you literally leave that gadget behind. Hopefully, with seven in the group, 2 or 3 of us can leave it behind for this weekend. We just have to decide who are the lucky few; and I won't be one of them.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 64 Did You Hear Me

Funny how selective hearing is developed over time. It starts when we are too young to even understand the phrase, but it can get you in trouble. Watching TV, can't hear mom yelling at me to clean the room. Watching a cute girl in class, but don't hear the teacher remind me about the test the next day. Listening to a great song, missed the comment from my wife to pick up cat litter. It becomes a major problem in the office with a team of 7 when we are all busy at our computers and someone alerts me of an important issue or meeting with a client and I don't hear it; she's standing right at my desk and I don't hear a word. Maybe if she would have yelled touchdown, I might have heard it.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 63 Today's My Birthday

Having a great day. Still at the office with my family and friends. Life is good.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Monday, April 18, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 62 All in a Day's Work

I woke up with the usual hunger to get the day going. Not that it was going to be an unusually busy day but so many little things to accomplish. Water heater strapping at a mobile home, scheduling the pest reports on two properties, showing some rentals, a listing appointment and a small team malfunction. The highlight, coming to terms on another property and opening up our 28th escrow this year. Staying busy, staying focused and loving what we do.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 61 Matchmaker

Two buyers, both on different paths and not knowing their story, we started the tour of this potential new neighborhood. Impossible to describe the expressions, emotions and energy that I felt from them as they looked through the homes and started to fall in love with the lifestyle this particular neighborhood could provide them. Older homes, filled with character and charm, waterfront, fantastic views and peaceful serenity. I start to feel the pressure of uncovering a potential gem that would meet their criteria and wonder with such a limited inventory, if I will be successful. I guess you could say, I become the matchmaker, much like a dating service. I begin to develop an understanding of what they are looking for and then I'm charged with the duty of hooking them up. Finding love is not always easy and neither is matching up a potential buyer with their dream home. As we parted, I felt satisfied that the seeds of love were planted and I have a chance now to hook them up......with their dream house of course.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN day 60 Formula

All of us use formulas in some fashion or another. There is a formula for success, a formula to figure out an area, a formula to create a chemical reaction but how about this next one? A formula for where the back-up in the septic line occurred based on the size of the pipe, amount of water, the amount of time the water ran and I'm not sure what else. My formula would have been to just grab a shovel and start digging but think of the sweat and labor vs. the formula that the client put together. See the difference between an Oregon State Degree and a Harvard/MIT degree?

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, April 15, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 59 Giving

I'm pitching; hope you don't mind. I volunteer with a fantastic cancer support group, The Wellness Community, in Westlake Village. It provides a home-like environment where people with cancer, their families, and friends can come to gather information, support, and learn tools that may be helpful in fighting cancer; all free of charge. Super cool; includes yoga classes, meditation, group therapy, and kids' classes to name a few. We are having an incredible fundraiser Friday, May 6th, at the 4 Seasons; great food, live auction, fantastic entertainment and a good cause. Please join us; go to www.twcvv.org/ and click on the Celebration of Life 20th Anniversary Gala. It's so nice to give back :)

This is Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 58 Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

Why is it that this word makes most people uncomfortable? Elton sang about it. I think I know the answer and would love to hear about your theory. When we say the word, we are admitting to some type of transgression or mistake so that makes most people uncomfortable. No one likes to admit they're wrong. On the receiving end it might be that we are so used to hearing sorry that we are skeptical. Is the person delivering it truly sorry or just providing lip service? Is the word overused by some and rarely used by others? Of course it is! However, I believe that in saying it or receiving it, there is a certain sense of relief offered to both sides. Similar to how Aloe relieves a sunburn, the word sorry also soothes. One of the toughest things in this business is to say you're sorry, move on and attempt to do it better the next time. For a peaceful nights rest, here is my advice: Accept apologies with grace and deliver apologies with humility.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 57 New Team Photo



New Group, new dynamic, fantastic setting.....can't complain.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 56 My Girls



Time flies! It's already Spring, the rain has stopped, it'll be 85 this weekend and we're already in the second decade of the millennium! Hold on! Time goes by so fast and sometimes I have to sit down and notice the beauty and fun that I have in my life. This picture represents both; all my fun and such beauty. Hi girls, thanks for being in my life; nothing better. Ahhhh, this is why I work 7 days a week.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Monday, April 11, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 55 Glee



This is the expression that The McLaughlin Group wants to see on all of our clients' faces the day we close escrow.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 54 Amateur vs. Pro

My sister Kelly comes running down the office hall and yells at me to come quick, there is a big Rattlesnake outside the office window. As I run out, I grab an open house flag so I would be able to corral the snake. It is a beauty, fat and nearly 4 feet and a dark greenish/brown color. I am outside the window where 10 or so agents (mostly ladies) are looking out in awe, as I attempt to lift the snake with the flag back up into the bushes. As I look up the hill I see this man bounding down the hill towards me and I immediately recognize him from watching Animal Planet with the kids. It is none other than South African Jules Sylvester, and as he approaches I can feel my insecurities rise. He calmly says "I'll take it from here" but what I heard was "Sonny boy, you are out of your league and would you get out of my way and let the pro handle this?" With one swift move Jules has the snake in his hand, liftes it up in front of the window and kisses the back of its head. Humiliated, I slither back to my office. I quickly soothe my ego and think to myself that I could probably throw a ball farther than Jules. Oh well, it really was fun watching the Pro.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 53 In Your Face Marketing

What a cool job I have. Part time work, awesome office with deck and views, desktop coffee machine, ample supply of Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered raisins and a sole objective to provide cutting edge, in your face marketing for The McLaughlin Group. In one year, Dave and his team of 6 have implemented a marketing plan that addresses today's market; the demand of the latest technology. Have you seen the funny looking codes for scanning that we have on all our signs and print ads? Scan them and go directly to the property website. How about our YouTube videos, Homes & Land ads, over sized mailers and social media efforts including this blog, facebook page and twitter page? Throw in the coupon offers on our blog with the hottest local restaurants and wineries and we have a perfect blend of innovation and exposure. I can't complain; it's fun, we're a success and I get my fill of caffeine and candy...yummy.

This is Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, April 8, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 52 Needs Vs. Wants

I think for any family or person the discussion of needs vs. wants always occurs. I think these discussions happen a lot between husbands and wives: "Honey, I need that new Range Rover." "Yes dear, and I need that golf membership." I bet many of you have had those exchanges and if you are by yourself, that mirror has a funny way of reasoning with you. "Mirror mirror on the wall, I need that new outfit." and the reasoning conscious says back, "No, you want it but you don't need it, better take a look to see what the Rack has on sale." So how are decisions reached when buying a house if there are most definitely needs but there are always lots of wants? I think the best advise is to try to get a little of both. If you can get most of your needs and some of your wants, then why extend too far? I always say, "If you get everything that is needed for $800,000 why spend a million and possibly stress yourself out down the road?" And by the way, I didn't get the golf membership and she got a Chevy.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 51 The Office

Where is our office? Many of you think my office is at the Old Place and I say that as well, and deep down sort of think that way, because 2 or 3 nights a week I stroll to my spot at the corner seat and meet and greet. You could not ask for a better location to meet new people. But I am also at Sip some evenings or The Landing during lunch. Another fine location that serves as my office is the car. In fact, more calls, issues and deals are made in that mobile office than in any other location. We have a really nice office with views and a deck, but in this business, the office is where we physically are at that current moment. You know how they say, "You can't take your work with you?"...Wrong, it travels right in the hip pocket wherever we go.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 50 Through the Eyes

One of the funniest cartoon sketches out there is the one that show a depiction of a home through the eyes of a number of different people:
Through the eyes of the seller, one sees a massive castle.
Through the eyes of the buyer, one sees a reasonable home.
Through the eyes of the bank/appraiser, one sees a dog house.
And that folks, pretty much sums up the market today.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Monday, April 4, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 49 Form SPQ

This blog will be of a more technical nature because sometimes we have to talk serious Turkey if this is going to be a real estate blog. SPQ: Seller Property Questionnaire. This is a critical document for a seller who is serious about disclosing and heading off any potential issues after the close of escrow. It consists of 4 pages and asks the seller very detailed questions about past or present defects, repairs, water intrusion, alterations and a host of other pertinent information. Disclosures are meant to uncover material facts that may impact a buyer's decision to purchase a potential property. Please, if you are selling a home, take this form seriously and answer all questions to the best of your ability. Very rarely will a buyer cancel an escrow over disclosures but if they close escrow and information is withheld, seller beware.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 48 2nd String

For any competitor, there is nothing worse than being 2nd string or a non-starter. Even though you are on the team, it feels like you're on the outside looking in. You sit on the side and watch as the game unfolds, helpless to impact it in any way. How about this scenario; 3 minutes left in the game and you're sent in to fall on the ball and run the clock out, humiliating. There is the occasion when the starter does not perform and the coach sends you in. Sometimes buyers must feel this pain as their dream home slips away into the arms of some other buyer. Yet, an escrow can cancel and the buyer gets a second chance. Life is filled with these scenarios; Employee A gets the job over Employee B, a listing goes to a different agent in your company,.. Bottom line..feel good about getting in the game and when it's your turn, take your bat and swing for the fence.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 47 April Fools

I am so glad that day is over. It started with Miley (the 4 yr old) running in and saying the cat did something naughty on my bed. Now who would think that at 4, a child is already capable of duping her dad. And, she hit a perfect target with the cat scare. The day ended with my group moving my car down 2 parking lots below with me not even considering it a possible April fools joke, but a stolen car. Can you imagine as a realtor, the possible material to use on that day? How about these fine examples: Hey your appraisal did not come in, or, your dog bit the little girl at the showing, or, the buyers changed their mind and don't want your house anymore..What holds us back from doing it is the sheer magnitude of the news that we hold in our hands on a daily basis and the untold calamity of emotions that would follow. So beware if you are buying next April, we'll get you!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, April 1, 2011

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 46 - Multiple Choice



OK, multiple choice exam on the picture, what is it?

A. A still shot from a plasma TV.

B. A lovely lake painting.

C. A view from the living room of our new listing :)

Answer:
Unbelievable view from 29170 S. Lakeshore Drive, Agoura, Malibou Lake. Check it out on our website, www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!