People need people.  One part of being a business owner is providing great customer service.  Sometimes customer service can take on a different look other than selling services or products.   It’s connecting to people.  Sometimes a potential customer just needs to feel recognized and seen.  A hello or quick conversation can go a long way; however, the end result may not be immediate.

Businesses are built on relationships and interpersonal skills.  The more we connect the stronger the business relationship will be and the greater the opportunity for expansion through referrals.
 
-Natasha Hughes Smith

The year 2020 has seen families, businesses, schools and health care professionals face unbelievable challenges and fears.  Yet through it all, mankind is showing resilience and determination.   Yet, there are still more challenges facing us as we wrap up the year that was 2020. 

Our nation has seen strife that has not been experienced here in nearly 60 years.  Some Americans feel hopeless about the economy, the health crisis and the election.  We as a nation must remember that when we unit, great things are possible.  We must also remember that as long as we yet have breath in our lungs, there is hope.
​
I encourage all to be that hope and change that they want to see in others.  Know that every voice and every action make a difference in our immediate world and that in turn affects the vast world we all call home.  So, let us get out there and allow our voices to be heard.  Vote!
 
-Natasha Hughes Smith

In today’s market we often hear of “off market properties”.  But what does that really mean?  Is it good for the industry?  Is it good for the consumer?  I will try to discuss the pro’s and con’s of this industry trend, but I have to be transparent and say that I am totally against off market real estate.
 
The Pro’s
-Privacy
                Some home owners do not want their neighbors to know that they are moving.  So, realtors won’t place a sign in their yard, but more importantly they will not list their home on the MLS, Multiple Listing Service, which is accessed by licensed realtors.
 
-Unknown length of time on the market
                Potential buyers will not assume that there are issues with the home due to the length of time on the market.  Additionally, a potential buyer won’t offer less knowing that the property has been on the market for a while.
 
-Real Estate Brokers keep the sell “in house”
                The properties are not listed on the MLS and only listed internally; the broker has a higher chance of double dipping which is listing and selling the same property. 
 
The Con’s
-Selective showings
                When properties are not listed on the MLS, the listing realtor controls who sees the property.  This can lead to discriminatory practices where the realtor only shows the property to select groups based on numerous factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation.
-Inaccurate Industry sales data
                There is no concrete or reported data on the number of days the house was on the market before selling.  Additionally, often the agent/buyer/investor has a self-serving purpose for not conducting a market analysis to assist in setting the listing price.   A self-serving realtor may set the price low to get a quick sell for his/her profit inconsiderate of the seller.  The goal of a realtor should be to get the best possible price for the seller.  Additionally, investors that offer homeowners a purchase price, often offer far less than the market value to individuals in need of cash.  Unfortunately, this occurs in urban areas and especially to the elderly where income levels are lower and owners might have a great need for cash.
 
                Well, those are my thoughts.  Although this type of real estate is popular right now with so many people having access to social media such as Facebook and applications specializing in sale by owner, it is not necessarily good for the industry and the people who are protected by the proper protocols but in place by a regulated industry.  The more people try to work outside of those parameters, the more people can be cheated, discriminated against and blocked from financial reward.
-Natasha Hughes Smith

Part 4
​Research

Now that we have completed our task and can pinpoint our strengths and areas requiring improvement, we are ready to take on the hefty task of re-inventing or fortifying ourselves to set and accomplish new career/life goals or blow the dusk off some old ones that we once sat aside.

If you have changed gears and are focused on a new career venture, then research is required to make sure you set realistic goals and have clear and accurate plan to accomplish that objective.

Research, research and more research; that is the key regardless of our plans; we much research.  We have to make sure we educate ourselves on the available options and the market for our plan.

Implementation

Now that we are fortified with the knowledge of who we truly are and the talents, interest and skills we possess, we can now begin the life we always wanted to live.  Now is the time to surround ourselves with individuals who support us and provide constructive and helpful criticism; not those who tear us down and use jealousy as a foundation for their friendship.  But that is another article!

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

“I sustain myself with the love of family.  Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
                             -Maya Angelou

September 13, 2020 is Grandparents day.  Sometimes grandparents are often discounted or isolated by families.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced isolation for many seniors and grandparents who live alone or in assisted living homes.  And COVID-19 has revealed to children and families the value of elders and that they continue to have purpose.  People often miss what they cannot have. 

So, as the world continues to deal with the challenges caused by COVID-19, people have found creative ways to show that they care and to remain connected.  I encourage all of us to challenge ourselves to reach out to love ones, not just in this season but after the world conquers COVID-19, to spend more time with the elders, friends and extended family in the days, months and years to come.

Written by Natasha Hughes Smith

Part 3
​Self Evaluation
            
        Here comes the third step; the most valuable and difficult one: self-evaluation.  Pull out your self-examination list and grab some Band-Aids because you are about to be cut up!  That’s if you are honest with yourself.  Separate your list into three categories: interests, strengths and areas of required growth.
 
            Let’s look at the first category: interests.  Think of all of the things that interests you; things that you may do for amusement, good or bad.  For example: church, social clubs, dining out, partying, drinking, etc.  We’ll evaluate them later.  This category requires two subcategories: keep it and trash it.  If we are honest with ourselves, we do have some interests that lead to self-destructive behavior; be it over-eating, over-drinking or any other abusive habits.  Obviously, we need to trash those items without a doubt. 
 
            The next category is strengths; again, honesty is required here.  We all would love to believe that we are good at anything and everything that we do, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves.  It just isn’t so!  I have encountered so many people who are delusional in this regard.  Again, honesty is your best tool here.  At what are you good?  What skills do you possess?  What things have provided you some measure of success?  This list can encompass tangible skills- things you can create or do with your hands or soft-skills, those non-tangible people skills, for example: communication, customer service, listening, etc.  
 
            Finally, the third self-evaluation category: areas of growth; these areas are usually related to personality issues, psychological or physical deficiencies.  Often times as adults, we are still dealing with issues and pain from childhood.  We need to address those issues within ourselves.  And some cases with the aid of counselors and/or religious leaders. We need to release our childhood baggage that is holding us back from accomplishing our dreams and goals.  One, a thirty year old, should not have the same mentality that one did as a twenty year old.
 
Additionally, as we conduct this evaluation in light of our economic environment, we should also consider tangible and non-tangible skills related to employment.  For example: lack of computer skills or skills that would foster on-the-job growth.  More meditation and prayer just might be needed again at this point in the process.  

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

Continued...
Paint
Sometimes, all a house needs is a fresh coat of paint and a deep cleaning to bring it back to life.

Market Values
Market values are great right now; however, if potential buyers come to your home and see they have to invest more money into the property by making repairs and remodeling, they will not be willing to offer you top dollar. 
With these tips you have all the knowledge you need to implement and market your home for the best price possible.
​
Written by Natasha Hughes Smith

​Part 2
​Self Examination 
            When it comes to others, we can be extremely critical; we can pick them apart and scrutinize them like sorting trash for the weekly garbage pick-up. But ourselves, oh no!  We’re perfect, right?  Not!  Just ask your best friend, family, children, or spouse!  They can’t wait to dish the dirt and unroll a list a mile long of things they would change!  This is the very reason why we miss out on life and don’t accomplish what we could have or experience growth spiritually or psychologically.  We simply won’t do self-examinations from head to toe. 
 
Are you ready? I’m warning you, if you haven’t done this before it might be hard or even embarrassing, but the good news is that this is private.  No one has to see it.  Ok, now that I’ve prepared you, let’s do it!  Take inventory of yourself, just like you would take inventory for a homeowner’s insurance policy.  Write it all down.  Before you start, I would suggest meditation or prayer; the length of time is solely up to you, but it is necessary to clear your head and get in touch with yourself on a much deeper level than normal. 
 
Next, write everything down about yourself from your physical attributes to your psychological ones.  These attributes can be good or bad; don’t critique or judge these attributes at this time.  We’ll get to that later.

Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith

Despite the COVID-19 disruption of the real estate industry, the current market is a seller’s market with little inventory for potential buyers.  However, don’t assume you can automatically get top dollar for your home.  You have to put in the value; and the value will drive up interest and the number of offers.
Some of the ways to improve the appeal of your home are to increase your curb appeal, remodel outdated rooms, replace old windows, complete minor repairs and paint. 
Curb Appeal
Make sure that you have flowers or greenery to add color and interest to your lot as well as repairing
 
cracked driveways or walk-ways.  After all, the exterior makes the first impression; so, make it a good one!
Remodel
We all love our homes and get comfortable in them as we should. However, we can go blind to how outdated and bland our homes have become.  So, spruce up a key room such as the kitchen or bathroom or do a full-blown remodel if your market value support it.
Repairs
Take a look around to see what needs repairing; if you can spot it, it will be magnified to a potential buyer.  Make that small investment as it will pay out big at the closing! 
​
Continued next week
Written by Natasha Hughes Smith               

Part 1​ 
            Sometimes we can go through life without a true sense of self or gratification.  We look in the mirror and wonder what happened to us; we are not the women or men, we as children thought we would become.  How can we recapture that spark and that hope we once had for our futures and make it our present?  How can we dig our way out from under the burdens of an everyday dull existence?
 
            Now more than ever, we should ask ourselves these pertinent questions.  Our country, especially Michigan, has experienced a devastating increase in the unemployment rate; and it is hitting across all educational and career levels.  Hard-working individuals are finding themselves in a position, which most have never experienced, joblessness.  The economic recession has made it necessary for us to re-invent ourselves to obtain gainful employment, but without a map or guide we won’t be very productive.  So to begin this journey, we should start, not with what’s happening today or our current situation; but think back to a more simple time.
 
Remember Your Youth 
            Think back to those childhood fantasies and dreams; the ones in which you would lose yourself during class or while attempting to complete your homework.  Is there something … an interest that you once loved doing that you have set aside because of hectic schedules, career, marriage, or children; basically, adulthood got in the way?  Think about it.  Do you miss it?  If so, write it down.  We’ll revisit that later.
 
            Is there a talent at which you are/were good, a job or career you thought you had to have or you would just die?  You fantasized about it almost daily.  Maybe you just knew that would be your path, but someone discouraged you.  People said your head was in the clouds and then that goal or career started to seem too far out of reach.  If so, write it down and we’ll come back to that too!

​Part 2 continued next week
Authored by Natasha Hughes Smith