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Live On Real Estate’s 100th Episode!

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It was a big week here at Hall Financial. Our in-house podcast, “Live On Real Estate” recorded the 100th episode on Wednesday! Hosts Patrick Ali and Chris Puzzuoli sat down with David Hall our owner, CEO, cheerleader, mentor and occasional host from time to time.

Top 3 Quotes from DHALL himself:

  1. Life is short… and I want to WIN!
  2. “If you aren’t embarrassed by your first launch, you launched too late”
  3. Being impatient for results… makes for a great CEO

Here at Hall Financial, we came from humble beginnings. David worked hard in his career. He came to a point where he wanted to take everything, he liked about the companies he has worked for and created a platform (company) for those who wanted to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment. He didn’t want to do what others were doing.

This year one of our major goals is to reach 1000 5-Star reviews by the end of 2019, and eventually reach 10,000! Why? Because we breathe MORE PERSONAL ATTENTION. It is our mission to make sure our clients are well educated and feel comfortable with huge financial transactions. Currently, we are at just over 700 5-star reviews, which puts us well on our way to this year’s goal!

You are in for a treat with this episode, you will hear David be more candid and transparent than you ever have before! Click the radio below to listen to the 100th episode!

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Stand Up to You. [DH Sweet 16 #16]

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It’s sad we often define a goal as “too big”, leading us to settle for what’s easy because it’s safe. Goals that are considered “too big to achieve” are lies coming from our own worst enemy: our mind.

Have you ever stopped and thought, “What if I decided to think bigger?”

Too often people don’t realize their potential. It’s one of the many faults we have as humans. We stop ourselves short of greatness by settling for what’s easy and not looking outside of our comfort zone.

How many times have you stopped yourself from pursuing a life-long dream because it feels unattainable? How many times have you settled for mediocrity because you feel it’s easiest? That small-minded thinking will never get you farther than where you are right now. You want to be a doctor? Aim to be the chief of staff at a hospital. You want to be a writer? Aim to be an international bestseller. Want to be a good golfer? Aim to win the state championship by age 45. Want to be an amazing dad? Aim to be the Dad all the kids look up to and want to have around.

We set goals to drive our success, a source for our ambition. Make them great.

It’s like when you run 5 miles and you push like hell through the last leg, thinking that cramp in your side is too much to bear and the dehydration is almost overwhelming, but then you do it. You finish. What was the motivating factor? What pushed you to run through the agony? The answer: you thought bigger. You decided for a moment that your goal was bigger than your pain. In these tough moments where you think you can’t go on but you decide to push yourself beyond your limits, that is where the growth happens. These are the moments—when you think big—anything can happen.

It takes strength to think and push yourself to be bigger than what you’re likely capable of but nobody ever went anywhere without having grand thoughts and taking big leaps. That’s the key to success.

You have to think anyway, why not think big? Our brains are not static, we have thoughts that take up space all day. Manipulate those thoughts.

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Image via Pinterest

And that’s the epitome of David’s last Sweet 16: Think

Big. “There is always room in your life for thinking bigger, pushing limits, and imagining the impossible.” But there’s only one thing that will ever stand in your way: you. You have to be the one to choose daily that you are going to think bigger thoughts than you’ve ever thought before. You have to be the one to decide your dreams are bigger than your fears. You.

Only you.

What are you going to do today to push yourself to think bigger?

Want to be great? Aim to be the individual everyone looks up to and admires. Ready to think bigger and accomplish some even bigger goals? Send us your resume and aim to do more than you’ve ever done.

Take Care of Yourself

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Take Care of Yourself

Source: Pinterest

I want to say this loud, and clear: self-care is not selfish.

Do not let anyone tell you that it is. Even at the most basic level, taking care of ourselves lets us be able to take care of others.
Think about the directions they give you on an airplane “In case of an emergency, please put your mask on before assisting others”.

If you have nothing left to give, how can you give your best effort? You can’t. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so you must fill your cup again. How? By taking care of yourself.

So many times we burn ourselves out because we don’t know how to say no. In our culture everything moves 100 miles per minute.
And that’s okay. It’s okay to go fast. But every so often you must stop, and take time to truly evaluate your needs.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean a day at the spa, or a vacation. Sometimes it simply means saying no to that after work get together so you can fit in some extra sleep. It can mean making sure what you put in your body gives you proper nutrition and energy. It can mean taking time to spend with your family, unattached to your cell phone. The list is endless, but you can only start checking items off if you give yourself the time.

Self-care needs to be a priority, and one you should never feel guilty for focusing on.

 

 

Big contributor, over-deliverer.

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Big contributor, over-deliverer.

Both are descriptions of someone who is successful. But you wouldn’t waste these descriptions on the mundane, and that’s the whole point isn’t it?

To be a big contributor and an over-deliverer you can’t rest on your laurels. You must always be striving to do more, to BE more. Personally, I think to be either of these you must also be the other. You become a big contributor by consistently over-delivering. By continuously going the extra mile and thinking ahead.

over deliver

Start to ask yourself: was my work today satisfactory, or did I put forth my best effort and use every bit of my talent? Am I meeting deadlines, or am I BEATING deadlines? If this is what you strive to be, you can no longer accept on time. You must be early. That’s being a big contributor. Solving problems before they arise. Triple checking your to do list. Making sure it’s never empty. That’s over-delivering.

Think of the most successful people in your life. I bet they fit these descriptions. They aren’t striving to be typical or mediocre.  They have an uncommon desire to do more, be better and always find new ways to improve. Over-achieving doesn’t happen by accident.

I don’t strive to be ordinary. Ordinary gets forgotten and over looked. I strive to be EXTRAORDINARY day in and day out.

REJECTION: Dealing with it in Business

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Picture source: Steve Johnson

Rejection is difficult no matter who you or where you are in life. It is tough to deal with at times, but it is inevitable. Rejection is something you will have to deal with in your career, rather you are working for someone else or yourself. Learning how to deal with rejection is a skill everyone should develop, so you won’t feel defeated when it comes knocking at your door.

Tips on dealing with rejection:

Ask for feedback

Ask the “why”. There is no harm in asking for feedback as to why you were rejected. This way, you can have a better understanding and you’ll be able to focus on how you can be better for the future.

Think big picture

A no today is not a no in a couple of years. Wherever you are today, is not where you will end up. Remember to not take a “no” personal. It may not be a direct negative reflection of what your selling or what you can offer, it may simply just be that what you have to offer does not meet a need RIGHT NOW.  Each no is one step closer to yes.

You must acknowledge and share your accomplishments

Don’t let your rejection result in defeat. Let the person or company that has rejected you know you are still hungry, successful and going to thrive. This can be done simply by continuing to push forward, move on and be proud of your work no matter what. Be relentless, continue you to grow and prosper.

 

Appreciate Your Team Members

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Source: Perry Grone

We’ve all heard the saying, “Teamwork makes the dream work”, while that may sound cliche, it’s true! Think about the times you were in a team and produced something amazing that you wouldn’t have been able to do all by yourself. Or a time when you were drained and didn’t think you had more to give your team, but they pushed you and helped you to the finish line.

In life, we will always be part of a team in some way. Rather its work, school, sports, and even family. Learning to navigate in a team setting will benefit you and set you up to maximize your ability on a team and overall be a good teammate. One thing to remember when being on a team is, everyone is not the same. Everyone has their own thoughts, ideas, communication styles, and abilities. It can be very easy to find faults with people on your team and very difficult to find their strengths. But ultimately, they are there to help you and move you along. Having great teammates is an important aspect of your OWN success. They help push you to be the best version of yourself.

Here are some benefits of being part of a great team:

  • They help you see things from a different perspective
  • They always have your back
  • They help you hone your skills
  • You have an army of cheerleaders rooting for you
  • They offer constructive criticism
  • They provide you with unconditional support
  • They keep you accountable to do your best

So, let it start with you. Be a good teammate and create an environment of success so you and your teammates can thrive. Appreciate your teammates and help them in any way that you can.

Marathon Mentality

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Marathon Mentality pic

Source: Unknown via Pinterest 

We’ve all heard the saying… “Good things come to those who wait” but what exactly does that mean? So many times, in life, we are told to be patient and to put in the work and the results will follow. While that may seem tedious and frustrating…it’s all pretty accurate, and that’s what is called having a Marathon Mentality.

Just like a marathon runner, it’s paramount for you to have the finish line in sight but understand the purpose and importance of the journey itself. In terms of careers and life goals, you need to have the same mindset. We all have that big goal or set a point in mind that we want to reach but we need to give ourselves the allotted time to get there. Approaching your goals with the long-term in mind is key to not getting weary when things feel like they are taking longer than they should. Develop and use your emotional intelligence to be patient through the process of getting where you want to go.

What will your stride look like throughout the race? Giving 101% at all times is a must, so keep this idea in mind as you navigate your goals. You will have to work hard, you will get tired but you will get that second wind if you stay focused. Nothing with continual greatness comes to the faint of heart. You must acknowledge your challenges and defeat your ego. Sometimes you will give a lot and it will seem like you are only getting a little in return. However, you can’t measure your effort and worth against your exchange…it will pay off.

You can’t focus on the person in the next lane AND give all your efforts to YOUR goals at the same time. Theodore Roosevelt said it best, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Someone else’s success is not your failure. Stop measuring your success based on someone else’s. Stay in your lane and keep pushing without letting up, no matter what the next person is doing. Let’s be honest, if you’re embracing this “Marathon Mentality” you will out work them anyways. The only person you are truly in competition with is yourself.

 

So what will you do today to make sure your stride is strong?

Housing Balance.

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Pending Home Sales fell 2.6 percent in October, a disappointing read and a miss. The National Association of Realtors is attributing this decline to the rise in mortgage rates, which really began in October, reducing the pool of eligible homebuyers. Last week we saw a dip in mortgage rates and compared to 18 years ago, rates are still favorable. Back in October 2000, mortgage rates averaged almost 8 percent for a 30-year fixed. What does all this mean? Short-term, experts are having difficulty finding consensus on the housing outlook. Mortgage rates are expected to rise modestly but they don’t know what that translates to for borrowers and homebuyers as it seems many hesitate. Long-term, there’s confidence homebuyers will accept the new norm for mortgage interest rates and continue to buy based on lifestyle and need. The benefit to sales cooling: the inventory of homes for sale is recovering.

Is 2019 the year for balance? That’s what Zillow is predicting as home values begin to slow down and are expected to continue the trend through next year, with mortgage rates expected to keep rising. 2019 should bring a more balanced market among buyers, sellers, and renters. Housing competition will remain strong in the most desirable areas.

The Federal Reserve Minutes from their meeting earlier this month were released yesterday afternoon, showing most Fed members still believe we need 3 more rate hikes, with a December quarter-point rate hike still on deck and expectations for the next one to not be until at least March 2019. While rate hikes are a sign of a healthy economy there is also risk of hiking too early, making December’s possibility of one still debatable.

Earlier this week, we mentioned home renovations are becoming more popular. Here’s some top common-sense tips we have found since:

  • “My dad told me, ‘You can do anything yourself, except foundation, electrical, or plumbing.'” —Kirsten Selvage, homeowner in Ontario, Canada.
  • “It’s cheaper to do it right than it is to do it over.” —Jim Molinelli, architect in Columbia, MD.
  • Renovate with the next buyer in mind but do so long before you sell in order to enjoy the improvements yourself.
  • Over schedule to not feel stressed by lack of time in case any mishaps come up.

Initial Jobless Claims for last week were reported at 234K. While compared to recent months and weeks this is higher than normal, it remains far below that 300K mark highlighting a good, healthy labor market. The ADP and BLS Job Reports are both scheduled for release next week and expectations are 190K and 170K job creations, respectively.

Generation Zs Determined to Own a Home.

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11.02.2018

Photo Source: Unknown via Instagram.

Four-in-five Generation Zs (those aged 18 to 24) want to own a home and are actively saving for a downpayment “like no generation before them.” Twenty percent of this young generation wants to own their home before they’re 25. Their overwhelming desire and adamancy to save, coupled with the timing of them “graduating into one of the best labor markets in generations”, could give them a leg up.

Renters face more financial uncertainty than homeowners, with over 25 percent of the nation’s renters not confident they could cover a $400 emergency and over 30 percent feeling insecure about food.

Independent females are on the rise. One-in-five homebuyers are single females, outnumbering single male homebuyers two to one.

Zillow has officially entered the mortgage industry, acquiring Mortgage Lenders of America with plans to rebrand the company in 2019. They hope to streamline, shorten, and simplify the homebuyer process. Can’t say we disagree. Good philosophy to have—we find it not only necessary but essential.

Initial Jobless Claims for last week were reported at 214K. It might not be new news but it’s always good news for the economy—and housing—when employers are keeping their employees. More importantly, the BLS Jobs report showed 250K jobs created in October, greatly beating the almost 190K expected. Unemployment remained flat at 3.7 percent—the lowest level in nearly 50 years—and the average Weekly Earnings remained stable at a 3.4 percent annual increase, an 11-year high.

Home Investment, Dream Home, & More.

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09.25.2018Rent is not friendly on the wallet. With rent overall rising 3 percent year over year, it was the lower end market value (equivalent to $100K – $300K homes) that rose nearly 4 percent. Right now is a good time to make a move and see if buying is right for you before rent prices continue to rise. Why pay a landlord when you can invest in a home?

The average homeowner gained over $16K in home equity from Q2 of July 2017 to Q2 of July 2018. Last week, CoreLogic released their Equity report, highlighting homeowners with a mortgage (which CoreLogic estimates about 63 percent of homes have a mortgage) have seen their equity increase by 12.3 percent since last year. Less than 3 percent of all homes are under water; housing remains healthy.

Home appreciation is still going strong but thankfully, at a slower rate. The Case-Shiller Home Price Index showed a 6 percent annual gain in July. The media might dramatize this cool off but it’s healthy and let’s be honest, we want it. We want homes to appreciate but to remain affordable for buyers. Las Vegas, Seattle, and San Francisco still saw double-digit annual gains.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency also released their House Price Index for July today, also showing a deceleration in home price appreciation on single-family homes with conforming loan amounts. Home prices rose 0.2 percent in July, missing expectations of a 0.3 percent rise, but are still up 6.4 percent from a year prior.

Loan officer employment from 2016 to 2026 is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations and is ranked No. 57 on the 100 Best Jobs in 2018. (Yes, we are hiring.)

The American dream home defined: over 10 acres of land, almost 5,000 square feet, swimming pool, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, waterfront (or at least with a view to a cost, city, or hills), suburban area, ranch- or farmhouse-style made of brick, covered front porch, wood flooring (except for bedrooms and kitchen), central air conditioning, fireplace, finished basement, skylights, vaulted ceilings, and granite countertops in the kitchen. Oh yes, the recent survey results from Porch.com got that specific and Europeans have something completely different in mind for their ideal home: 1,589 square feet and less than an acre of land—now that’s more realistic. When we factor in maintenance, we wonder how many Americans would actually choose to live in their dream home or if it’s just a fantasy.