2007 Goals

If I don’t write them down, it’s almost like I don’t make them …

- Relish fear and failure. I have experienced failure several times recently. One of these was in competing for a listing, another agent won (it was for a 35% referral fee, so it wasn’t that great of a loss, but …). From both failures, I learned something, and there is the value in failing.

- Work to systematize my business.

- Dramatically change something about how I work. Maybe implement Daylite. Maybe change companies.

- Grow my business by 15%.

- Fix my Archives page.

- Start working in the $500k+ price range.

- Write every day. Learn something new every day. Establish new business relationships/friendships and maintain existing ones.

- Bring passion, dedication and desire to the table each and every day.

- Say “No” more often. Between the local, state and national committees and Boards on which I serve, time to actually sell real estate is often scarce.

- Spend as much time as possible with my family and work every day on my marriage.

Next up … my predictions for 2007.

Update: This post is part of the 2006 Real estate goals group writing project.

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December 29, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, General Real Estate, Technology | 6 Comments 

Difference between the self-employed and the rest

Realtors are self-employed. What we earn depends on our efforts, our dedication and the occasional spate of luck.

I ran into an old friend yesterday in the grocery store and part of the “haven’t seen you in a while” chit-chat was asking how our respective careers were going. His response was anathema to me; “It’s great - I’m there for 7 1/2 hours a day and then I’m done.”

Where’s the excitement? The growth? The challenge? The fear that is vital to success?

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October 4, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, General Real Estate | 2 Comments 

Reasons I will be able to enjoy the beach

1) The love and support of my family.
2) Wireless internet
3) Skype: jimduncancville/Cell phone
4) Support in the office (thanks, Mom)
5) The patience of my family dealing with my sometimes-workaholic-ness

August 15, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim | 4 Comments 

This is why

This is why I do what I do. A client from about four years ago just emailed me:

Always wanted to say that you are the agent I use to compare all others to.. it seems that as we talk to more folks about buying/selling, we find that your business integrity is a hard find.  Not too many folks out there are honest, intelligent, know the business well and have a sense of humor as you do.  I only wish I could pass along more business to you but the “you’re the best agent ever!” compliment will have to do for today!

PS: Thanks for keeping up with the newsletter - enjoy reading and always love the Calvin (& Hobbes) snippets!  Found your other web site today… looks great as well!

After having just gone through a very rough transaction (the second one in five years), I really needed this. Thank you. Words like this help to make what I do worthwhile.

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July 27, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, General Real Estate | 1 Comment 

Light blogging this week

I will be attending the third retreat of the VAR Leadership Academy. Juggling a family, a business and trying to grow and develop is no easy task! Next year, Sorensen?

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July 26, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim | Leave a Comment 

Sunday morning wake-up call

I am going to be on WNRN’s Sunday Morning wake-up call this Sunday, 21 May at 1100. Listen live or go to church or UVA’s graduation … and then listen to the podcast (or subscribe to their feed).

Listen for an honest dialogue on the local real estate market. Call with questions or comments.

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May 18, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, Marketing | Leave a Comment 

Back from Chicago

I traveled to Chicago Monday afternoon and returned late last evening. The meeting was informative and enlightening with regards to the future of the real estate industry as a whole. More on this later. For now, back to blogging.

May 10, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, Blogging | Leave a Comment 

A mini-revelation

One of the greatest challenges in real estate or any other business is maintaining the elusive balance between work and family. Getting to the following point has taken me quite a long time - formed in part by my parents coming to my soccer games when I was the kid while they were the Realtors (they still are).

I do not negotiate my attendance at my daughter’s soccer games. She is going to be eleven only once; - that I am the coach is secondary. When I have clients on Saturdays, I tell them that I have an existing appointment that I will not negotiate - and then I tell them that it is my daughter’s soccer game. To a person, every single one of my clients has understood and said things such as “we wouldn’t want it any other way,” “absolutely,” and so on.

What’s the mini-revelation? Those who do not understand my commitment to my family may not want to work with me; most importantly, I don’t necessarily want to work with them. This is a powerful revelation for me and for my family. Hopefully it will work out.

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April 12, 2006 | Filed Under About Jim, General Real Estate | Leave a Comment 

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