Are You A Renter? Insure Your Stuff!

By John Voket

I need a bunch of you – specifically you renters – to take a moment and consider an important piece of advice about your stuff. If you love it, then make an extra effort to protect it.

Did you know the majority of homeowners buy insurance, but just one in three college-aged renters insures their belongings? Even more shocking: at least half of all renters fail to buy any insurance protection for their possessions.

Way too many consumers are under the mistaken impression that their landlord’s policy will cover their losses, according to the Connecticut Better Business Bureau. BBB says renter’s insurance generally covers property damage or loss caused by theft, fire, vandalism or storms. In addition, most policies include liability coverage, which protects a tenant if someone gets hurt when visiting their home or apartment.

The cost of renter’s insurance is usually lower than homeowner’s insurance because it covers only personal property and liability, not the structure. The amount of the deductible can also affect the cost of premiums.

Two types of renter’s insurance coverage are available:

• Actual cash value insurance pays to replace items up to the policy’s limits, minus a deduction for depreciation.
• Replacement cost insurance pays the actual cost of replacing your possessions, regardless of depreciation, up to the limits on the policy.

Consider the value of possessions versus the cost of insurance - even a college student can have property worth several thousand dollars, such as computers, televisions, furniture, jewelry or small appliances.

When seeking a renter’s insurance quote:

• Determine if you have specific items of high value, you also may need a rider to cover those items.
• Ask what deductibles apply to the policy.
• Find out whether the policy will cover living costs if you are unable to occupy your current apartment or home.
• Inquire about exclusions, such as types of property that would not be covered.
• Ask the insurer if they give discounts for burglar alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems or deadbolts on exterior doors.
• If you are switching insurers, be sure that the new policy is in effect before dropping the old one.
• As with any insurance product, BBB advises consumers to get estimates from several companies before buying a policy.

Source: www.bbb.org.

Builder Confidence Continues Improving in December

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose for an eighth consecutive month in December to a level of 47 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This marked a two-point gain from a slightly revised November reading, and the highest level the index has attained since April of 2006.

“Builders across the country are reporting some of the best sales conditions they’ve seen in more than five years, with more serious buyers coming forward and a shrinking number of vacant and foreclosed properties on the market,” observed NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “However, one thing that is still holding back potential home sales is the difficulty that many families are encountering in getting qualified for a mortgage due to today’s overly stringent lending standards.”

“While there is still much room for improvement, the consistent upward trend in builder confidence over the past year is indicative of the gradual recovery that has been taking place in housing markets nationwide and that we expect to continue in 2013,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB has been conducting for the past 25 years, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores from each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.

Two of the HMI’s three component indexes are now above the critical midpoint of 50. The component gauging current sales expectations rose two points to 51 in December, while the component gauging sales expectations in the next six months slipped one point, to 51. The component measuring traffic of prospective buyers increased one point, to 36.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/hmi.

Seniors: Have a Safe and Healthy Winter Season

By Dr. Judith S. Black

Helping older family members stay safe, secure and independent begins with preparation in the home.
Learn how to help seniors stay safe and healthy by following these tips:

• Since snow and ice and other adverse weather conditions raise the risk of falls during the winter season, it is important to wear appropriate footwear – comfortable shoes with anti-slip soles. This will help secure footing on icy or snowy walks, stairs or driveways.
• Check where you regularly walk and be aware of any surfaces that may present a slip or fall risk. Be sure rugs are flat and secure, especially since footwear in the winter tends to be a bit heavier and bulkier than in the warmer weather months.
• Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. If you haven't done so already, it is not too late to call your friends and family members to remind them to get a flu shot. Getting a flu shot can help prevent complications in older adults and anyone with asthma, diabetes, anemia and other heart and lung problems. Call your doctor today to discuss and schedule your flu shot.
• I also recommend getting a pneumococcal (pneumonia) shot. Unlike the flu shot, which is different each year and is given before the start of the influenza season, the pneumococcal shot can be given at any time of the year. However, for convenience, the pneumococcal shot can be given at the same time as the flu shot.
• At this time of the year, it is also important for senior citizens to be protected from the cold temperatures. Every year, many elderly people die from hypothermia and exposure since our bodies are less able to protect us from dangerously cold weather if they have to be outdoors.
• Finally, diet and exercise should not be neglected during the winter months. While you may not want to venture outside for a walk, it is important to stay active with light exercises indoors.

Dr. Judith S. Black has been the medical director for senior markets at Highmark Inc.

Road Trip! Four Top Tips for Safer, Holiday Travel

By Barbara Pronin

Whether you’re headed to Grandma’s house for an old-fashioned Christmas or to a place in the sun for some holiday relaxation, getting there can be cheaper and often more fun if you drive. But road trips can carry their own brand of mishaps if you don’t plan ahead, say the trip-meisters at the Automobile Club of America.

AAA suggests six ways to help make your family’s road trip enjoyable and worry-free:

Don’t advertise – Do not post your plans to leave town on your Facebook page or other public venues. An empty house can lure robbers, so keep your travel plans relatively quiet – although it’s wise to leave a copy of your route and itinerary with a trusted friend or relative.
Travel safe – Have your car checked out before you leave to minimize roadside emergencies. Stock it with flares, water, protein bars, blankets, your cell phone charger and kitty litter for tire traction if you will be traveling in icy regions. Also, put any maps or other evidence that you are traveling into the trunk or glove compartment when you stop for meals or a rest stop. You don’t want to alert thieves that there may be valuables in your car.
Make it comfy – If you’re traveling with kids, it’s best to keep them well-fed and entertained. Pack portable DVD players, handheld game systems, or travel versions of favorite board games. Check online for some popular road games, like license plate alphabet or G-H-O-S-T, and take along some on-the-go snacks like string cheese, granola bars or fruit.
Keep it relaxed – If there are two drivers in the car, switch off every few hours. Do not distract the driver with frequent requests to, “Look at that!” On the other hand, be alert to points of interests along the way that may be worth an unscheduled stop – or plan a stop or two in advance. If you can spare the time, such stops are a good way to keep everyone relaxed and happy.

Polish Your Organization Skills for 2013

Most of us have a tradition of setting a new years resolution, and hopefully at least some of us don’t let our goals fizzle out by mid February. If organization isn’t your strong point, perhaps you should center your 2013 resolution around making that a top priority.

"Organization is a process and a commitment that requires time and dedication," says Angela F. Wallace, CPO®, President of National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). "Productivity specialists and professional organizers are able to empower and guide clients with the tools and systems necessary for maintaining an organized lifestyle with less stress and greater productivity."
"Becoming more organized can reduce stress, save money, increase productivity and enhance the quality of your life," adds Wallace. For businesses wishing to implement a more organized and structured system, NAPO offers these tips:

• Create a list of priorities for your business and determine what needs immediate action. A professional organizer or productivity specialist can review your priorities and recommend a plan for getting started, without interrupting your daily business workflow.
• Practice better time management!
• Evaluate your space. Does it feel productive and calm? Physically setting up better-functioning spaces can help employees reduce stress and feel motivated.

Employees report feeling more satisfied as a result of a supportive employer providing the tools to improve productivity and reduce stress.

Organizing does not end in the workplace. Families are busier than ever before, and being organized can help reduce stress which helps lead to better health and an overall feeling of wellbeing.
NAPO offers these tips for organizing yourself, your routine, and your family calendar:

• Decide that you deserve it! Understand that you deserve to have more control over your time, your surroundings, and less stress due to feeling overwhelmed. Commit to adding structure and stability to your life.
• Create one calendar for scheduling the activities of everyone in your household, and daily/weekly/monthly checklists for each member of your family. Display the lists and calendar in a central location of your home, like the refrigerator or mudroom.
• Prioritize your organization wants and needs. What room or space needs immediate attention?
• Set realistic goals for organizing. You can achieve your organizing and productivity goals by creating a plan and sticking with it over time.

Source: www.napo.net

Fannie Mae: Fiscal Cliff Remains Key Risk Factor to Near-Term Growth

By Pete Bakel

The accelerated pace of economic activity seen in the third quarter has ebbed, revealing a continued sluggish recovery in the fourth quarter, according to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group. Full data regarding the disruptions from Hurricane Sandy and the effect on consumer and business confidence due to fiscal cliff uncertainties are not yet available, but both are likely to restrain growth in the current quarter and near term. Other factors including the Euro zone recession, sovereign debt crisis, and tensions in the Middle East also continue to pose potential risks to future growth. However, despite an expected 1.2 percentage point drag due to fiscal tightening, modest economic growth of sub-2 percent remains forecasted through early 2013 with a pickup in activity beginning in the second half of the year.

"With data pointing to soft economic conditions and the fiscal policy debate hanging in the balance, we expect growth in the current quarter to moderate from the pace seen last quarter," says Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. "On the bright side, the housing market has stayed resilient and continues to show signs of a strong, sustained recovery. Mortgage rates remain close to historic lows and home sales and home prices are trending positively. For the first time since 2005, residential investment is poised to contribute to annual economic growth this year, albeit on a small scale."

“Despite unsteady macroeconomic conditions, we anticipate housing and mortgage activity to gain momentum in 2013,” continues Duncan. “As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee’s action last week shifts monetary policy into cruise control, as long as the unemployment rate remains elevated and inflation stays under control. We expect mortgage rates to remain low next year, continuing to support the housing market. Total home sales should increase by approximately 8 percent in 2013, following an estimated 10 percent rise in 2012. Although home prices have dipped during the seasonally weak fall and winter seasons, year-over-year gains have strengthened significantly above 2011 levels, and we expect that trend to continue in coming years.”

For an audio synopsis of the December 2012 Economic Outlook, listen to the podcast on the Economic & Strategic Research site at www.fanniemae.com.

For more information, visit www.fanniemae.com.

Power Questions to Utilize at Your Office Holiday Party

It’s that very special time of the year when many Americans are receiving invitations to their annual office holiday party. If you’re one of them, you’ll probably look forward to the event with great excitement—until you start to recall the blunders of years past. Like the time you ran out of things to say to your CEO and awkwardly asked if his divorce was finalized.

Yes, while office holiday parties can be hit or miss, many people find their past experiences fall more often in the “miss” category. Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way, says Andrew Sobel, coauthor along with Jerold Panas of Power Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others. He explains that with the right approach, your office holiday party can provide a great opportunity to build relationships and strengthen your position at your company.

“At the office holiday party, new relationships can be formed but they can also be ruined before they even have a chance to blossom,” says Sobel. “Old relationships can be nourished and celebrated, or they can be compromised and endangered. You can leave feeling great.

“The first is not drinking too much. Alcohol makes your inhibitions and common sense come tumbling down, and it vastly increases the chance that you will say or do something that’s at best silly or at worst truly regrettable. Second, don’t worry about being smart or clever—go prepared to ask thoughtful questions. Lots of them. The way to endear yourself to colleagues—and to get noticed by senior management—isn’t to talk more about yourself and your plans; it’s to ask engaging and inspiring questions.”

Sobel shows in his book, the most underutilized strategy for building relationships, getting to know others more deeply, and exercising influence is asking what he calls power questions. These are questions that get to the heart of the issue. They help you engage with others more deeply. They uncover people’s passions. They give people new perspectives on their challenges. Power questions, at the most basic level, enable you to get to know others more deeply and ensure that you’re talking about meaningful issues.

“When you use power questions, you can really make your office holiday party—or any party you attend over the holiday season—count,” says Sobel. “You don’t have to dread the event and then head straight for the bar for some liquid courage when you arrive. If you think about power questions beforehand, you can go in feeling confident and prepared. And you’ll come away having really used that time to your advantage. You will have engaged your leaders and coworkers, and I think you’ll find that you’ve strengthened valuable relationships.”

If you want to connect more effectively with colleagues, deepen your existing relationships, and stick to the straight-and-narrow to stay out of trouble at your upcoming office holiday party, read on for a few power questions to help you out:

Questions about work. Don’t spend your time gossiping about coworkers and what’s been happening at the office. Instead, ask thought-provoking questions about how your colleagues feel about and experience their work. A few options:

1. What was your best day and worst day at work during this past year?

2. What was the most fulfilling experience you had this year?

3. What do you think is the best part of working here? The worst part?

4. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

5. How did you get your start? (This is an especially good question to ask your boss or a senior leader in your organization. It’s a simple but powerful way to draw someone out).

Questions about goals and challenges. If the foundation of relationships is trust, the engine that moves them forward is helping others reach their goals and confront their most challenging issues. You can do this, however, only if you understand what the other person’s needs are. So ask questions like:

6. So what’s on your agenda in your work for next year? Any particular projects or initiatives you’re focused on?

7. If you suddenly had a couple of extra hours per week outside of work, how would you spend them?
Questions about others’ passions. We have many activities going on in our lives, but usually we each harbor just a few true passions. If you can discover someone else’s passions, you’ll be able to connect much more effectively. Here’s how to do it:

8. Tell me about your favorites. What’s your favorite movie of all time? Favorite restaurant? Favorite book you’ve read in the last couple of years? Favorite way to relax?

9. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but have never been able to get around to it? A sport, a hobby, an event, a challenge, a trip, whatever?

10. As you think about next year, what are you most excited about—at work or at home?

11. What’s been the most gratifying experience you’ve had this year?

Questions to learn more about them as people. Ask people about themselves. The more you learn about them, the more you may find in common, and the more you’ll understand what makes them tick.

12. So, when you’re not shaking things up at the office, how do you like to spend your time?

13. When you were younger, how did your family spend the holidays? What are your plans this year?

14. If you hadn’t gone into (business, law, banking, medicine, teaching, etc.), what do you think you might have done?

15. Where did you grow up? What was that like?

“Of course,” notes Sobel, “there are also questions you shouldn’t ask and things you shouldn’t say. And it can never hurt to go over what not to say before heading out for your party.”

Here’s a sampler of the most important ones:

Appearances. “Unless you know the other person very well, do not make remarks or give compliments to a member of the opposite sex about their appearance or dress,” cautions Sobel. “It’s not appropriate and it could be either misleading or at some level offensive. Compliment them instead on their abilities and accomplishments. Period.”

Intimate Details. “Don’t ask someone who isn’t a pretty close friend about intimate personal details,” says Sobel. “A general question like ‘Do you have a family?’ is okay, but not questions about girlfriends or boyfriends, divorce, dating, romance, and so on. You get the idea. Everyone has slightly different tolerances and comfort around going into subjects like this, and you need to err on the side of caution.”

Tipsy Revelations. “Don’t have a few drinks and then confront someone abruptly with your pent-up emotions,” advises Sobel. “For example, don’t say, ‘You know, I just feel like you don’t like me very much!’ or, ‘I want to be your friend.’ At best it might be cute, but most likely it’ll be embarrassing for both of you.”

Light of Day. “Always apply the ‘light of day’ test to your behavior,” says Sobel. “If someone reported your conversation and behavior the next day to your boss, your family, or a client, would you be embarrassed in any way? How would they feel about pictures or videos of those moments if they were posted on Facebook?”

“For many people, the holiday office party can bring with it more anxiety and dread than good cheer,” says Sobel. “And there is really just no need for that. When you arrive with a few power questions ready to go, you can make the event not only enjoyable but you can turn it into a valuable relationship-building night that could benefit you for a long time to come.”

Andrew Sobel is a widely published author on client loyalty and the capabilities required to build trusted business relationships.

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Honors 3rd Quarter Circle of Excellence Winners

Coldwell Banker Platinum proudly announces its Circle of Excellence Winners who not only represents our sales leaders, but associates who truly support their company and fellow agents. 

The Circle of Excellence is a Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners internal awards program established to recognize well-rounded agents. In order to be inducted into the Circle of Excellence an agent must either be one of the top three in the company or meet the minimum point requirements in the following categories – production, participation and company support. Points are earned based on activities within each category.

A very special congratulations to: Jane Beare, Michael Cherry, Steffany Farmer and Jeff Shaufelberger (2011 Charter Members), Charles Gilyard, Jenny Hearn, Dana Hill, Marie Houben and Lyn McCuen.

10 Hot Trends in Kitchen Countertops

10 Hot Trends in Kitchen Countertops
By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist

While granite and marble remain the most popular choices for kitchen countertops, young homemakers are opting for a surprising number of chic, new countertop choices.

“These trendy alternatives offer a clean, sleek, sometimes industrial look that suggests heavy duty cooking is going on here,” say designers at architectural firm Freshome.

The hottest countertop materials available today include:

Poured concrete – Stain resistant when sealed, they are relatively inexpensive and can be tinted to any color. Appearance improves with age, but while the concrete is heat-resistant, the sealer is not. It requires trivets under hot pots and cutting boards for chopping.

Butcher block - Elegant yet casual and environmentally friendly, butcher block requires monthly sealing and oiling to prevent drying or cracking. Its soft surfaces require cutting boards, but cleanup demands only mild dish detergent and a light cloth or sponge.

Reclaimed wood – Salvaged from older homes, reclaimed wood is attractive, sturdier than newer wood, and saves trees. It requires the same maintenance as butcher block.

Cork – Dense, sturdy and lightweight, cork is a sustainable option with sound-cutting properties. It is resistant to water and heat and has antibacterial properties.

Stainless steel – Elegant, sleek and classy looking, these counters are water, heat and germ resistant. Susceptible to dings and scratches, they show every fingerprint, but maintenance requires only washing and polishing.

Soapstone - A natural stone quarried like granite, soapstone is a softer surface that is sturdy but not impervious to dents and scratches, which may be sanded or oiled away. The color is naturally gray and darkens with age, offering a smooth, matte feel.

Recycled glass – Like reclaimed wood, this is a ‘greener’ choice, available in many beautiful colors and patterns. With a life expectancy of 50 years, it is easy to clean and care for. This option is a bit cheaper than granite.

Pewter – Offers a less clinical look than stainless steel, but is softer and susceptible to nicks and dents, although a hammered, antique look can mask damage. This muted, dark silvery color looks good in any kitchen.

Slate – A natural, fine-grained rock, slate is softer than granite but harder than marble. Resists bacteria and cleans with soap and water, but is not entirely heat-proof.

Quartz – An extremely scratch-resistant mineral, easy to care for and clean. Needs no sealing and has a long lifetime and more unique look than granite.

4 Tips for Easy Kitchen Remodeling

4 Tips for Easy Kitchen Remodeling

Move aside, bathrooms! Step back, master bedrooms. For the first time since 2008, kitchens have become the No. 1 remodeling project for homeowners, according to the "Fall 2012 U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report" from RemodelorMove.com. A renovated kitchen not only enhances your living experience, but it adds value to your house, and is one of the top amenities buyers search for when house hunting.

However, before you call your contractor, be sure to do the following:

Consider if remodeling is right for you. You should consider a multitude of variables, such as: Can we comfortably pay for this remodel? Is my family emotionally ready to deal with the disruption? Would it be easier or less expensive to move instead?

Get a cost estimate. You can get remodel estimates online, or call a contractor. It's important to get an estimate early in the planning phase to give you plenty of time to arrange your finances, compare prices on everything from appliances to countertops to cabinetry, and make sure your kitchen remodel is as budget friendly as possible.

Make organization a top priority. You'll be dealing with a thousand tiny details, ranging from paint colors to cabinets to floor plans. Letting any one of these details fall through the cracks could mean extra expense and delays.

Bring in the experts for answers. You may find that talking with a real estate agent, interior designer, architect, mortgage banker, or remodeling contractor can help you understand the true costs and benefits of remodeling.
Source: www.remodelormove.com.

Three Morning Tips to Ease Stress

Three Morning Tips to Ease Stress
By Zoe Eisenberg

Between work, bills, pets, kids and a social schedule, some of us find our stress levels soaring higher than Anna Chicherova’s Olympic High Jump. If you find yourself dragging your feet in the morning or waking up in a funk, make a little time for yourself to boost your spirits. Here are a few morning tips to help you take on the day with less stress and more smiles.

Make time to stretch. Stretching reduces anxiety and tension and slows down your heart rate. It can also improve your energy, and clear your head. And don’t forget that your body will feel better—there’s no harm in that! A few simple yoga poses first thing in the morning can also reduce stress. In a study published in the journal of Complementary Therapies in Medicine, participants who did a few simple yoga stretches every morning reported less stress and an overall improved quality of life than those who didn’t.

Create a sacred ritual. Creating a little ritual you do each morning “just for you” carves out some quality you-time first thing. Giving yourself attention first will allow you to look forward to waking up, and help you take on the day with a positive outlook. This ritual can be something as simple as reading a book for half an hour, or something more complex like working on a novel or learning a new language. Whatever it is you choose, it should be as essential to your well-being as your daily shower. My ritual? I spend 20 minutes savoring a cup of coffee and getting some quality snuggle time with my cat—both of us are better for it.

Create a secret smile stash. Come up with a few go-to smile-inducers to fall back on if you wake up in a down mood. I call these “happy-makers.” Stash a collection of photos from vacation with friends and family, love letters from your sweetie, or music that always lifts your spirits.

Zoe Eisenberg is an Associate Editor for RISMedia.

Q: Does the Government offer Assistance with Home Improvements?

Q: Does the Government offer Assistance with Home Improvements?

A: Yes. Two very popular programs offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) include the Title 1 Home Improvement Loan and the Section 203(k) Program. In the first program, HUD insures the loan up to $25,000 for a single-family house to cover alterations, repairs, and site improvements.

The latter program, which also insures mortgage loans, is HUD’s primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single-family homes. Loans are also available from the Department of Veteran Affairs to buy, build, or improve a home, as well as refinance an existing loan at interest rates that are usually lower than that on conventional loans. The Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loan program, funded by the Agriculture Department, offers low-rate loans to low-income rural residents who own and occupy a home in need of repairs.

Funds are also available to improve or modernize a home or to remove health and safety hazards. The federal government isn’t alone in its efforts to provide assistance. Local and state governments offer special home improvement programs. Contact your governor or mayor’s office for more details.  

Selling to the Four Temperament Styles

Selling to the Four Temperament Styles
By John Boe

Have you ever wondered why you seem to hit it off right away with some people, while with others it's more like oil and water? A person's temperament style not only determines his or her energy level, behavioral traits, body language patterns, and buying style, but it also influences compatibility with other people. Yin Yang, the ancient Chinese symbol for balance, depicts the strong attraction and complementary nature of opposites. Just as oil and water repel, while magnet and metal attract, we too are attracted or repelled by other people instinctively. For example, each of us have met someone for whom we felt an immediate affinity or, for some unknown reason, an instant dislike. In reality, we are intuitively responding to the natural chemistry, or lack thereof, between temperament styles.

Today we have access to revolutionary tools such as the Internet, cell phones, and video conferencing all to support us in communicating effectively. Even with all of these high-tech tools at our disposal, the alarming number of lost sales, disgruntled employees, dissatisfied customers and failed relationships are evidence that none of us are as effective at understanding people as we might like to believe. For example, what about that sale you thought you had closed, but for some unknown reason your prospect changed his or her mind and didn't buy... or at least they didn't buy from you.

Chances are you lost that sale, not because of a lack of effort or product knowledge, but because of your inability to recognize and adjust to your prospect's temperament style. A temperament style mismatch is often referred to as a "personality conflict." Sadly, commission-based sales reps who don't know how to make adjustments to their sales presentation to match their prospects' temperament style or "buying style" end up with skinny kids!

Research indicates that there are four primary temperament styles; Aggressive, Expressive, Passive, and Analytical. Each of these four temperament styles requires a unique marketing approach and sales presentation strategy. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is credited with originating the basic theory of the four temperament styles twenty-four hundred years ago. Since the days of ancient Greece, there have been many temperament theories and a wide variety of evaluation instruments, but essentially they utilize the four temperament styles that Hippocrates identified. Hippocrates observed that these four temperament styles have a direct influence on our character traits, personal preferences, and general outlook on life. A person's temperament style is determined genetically and has nothing to do with his or her gender, skin color, astrology sign, birth order, or childhood experiences. Environmental factors don't create a person's temperament style, they merely reveal it. For example, if you are born into the analytical temperament style, you will be shy and reserved for your entire life. This is why you can have children with different temperament styles raised by the same parents.

If you're making a sales presentation to a prospect with the aggressive temperament style, go with a "big picture" bottom line solution approach. Under pressure, this temperament style can quickly become aggressive, explosive, and ill-tempered. Can you say Mike Tyson? It's definitely a good idea to give an aggressive temperament style prospect many options so you don’t threaten their need for control. In addition, be very careful not to waste their time with a long warm up or too much chitchat... get to the point quickly and stick to business. While at the other extreme, the analytical temperament style prospect has a need for detail and therefore requires a great deal of information and a much slower-paced sales presentation. If you make the mistake of going "big picture" with an analytical style prospect, they will feel that you are not giving them enough information to make a decision. The analytical temperament style is often referred to as having an engineer's mentality. It's not that they want to be right; it's that they can't stand to be wrong. They would rather research information than make a premature buying decision. Their cautious, "numbers-driven" analytical nature makes them extremely susceptible to "paralyses through analysis" and buyer’s remorse. It pays to give the analytical temperament style prospect tons of facts, guarantees, testimonials, and continuous reassurance that they're making a good decision.

Tips for Selling to the Aggressive Temperament Style

• They tend to tell not ask
• Their major weakness is "anger management"... hothead
• Oriented on getting Quick Results
• They ask “what” questions. Keywords: Results, Bottom Line, Speed, Save Time, and Control
• Warm up quickly and use a bottom line, just the facts approach
• They may intimidate you with outbursts of anger
• Give them options so they can be in control
• Stay big picture and avoid details - use a colorful pie chart rather than a spreadsheet
• Expect a quick decision

Tips for Selling to the Expressive Temperament Style

• They tend to tell not ask
• Their major weakness is "emotional management"... crybaby
• Oriented on Entertainment and People
• They ask “who” questions. Keywords: Exciting, Fun, Trendy, Improved, and Enthusiastic
• Warm up quickly and use an entertaining, fast-paced approach
• They may become emotional or talk too much
• Give them compliments and ask for their opinion
• Stay big picture and avoid details – use a colorful pie chart rather than a spreadsheet
• Expect a quick decision

Tips for Selling to the Passive Temperament Style

• They tend to ask not tell
• Their major weakness is "self-esteem management"... doormat
• Oriented on Service and Family
• They ask “how” questions. Keywords: Family, Service, Support, Peaceful, and Caring
• Warm up slowly and use a low-key, harmonious approach
• They may withdraw if they feel “sales pressure”
• Give them respect and show interest in family members
• Use a step-by-step, detailed presentation – use numbers and or a spreadsheet
• Expect them to procrastinate because they dislike change

Tips for Selling to the Analytical Temperament Style

• They tend to ask not tell
• Their major weakness is "stress management"... worrywart
• Oriented on Quality and Accuracy
• They ask “why” questions. Keywords: Logical, Safety, Precise, Craftsmanship, Economical, and Quality
• Warm up slowly and use an analytical, detailed approach
• They may become aloof or sarcastic
• Give them accurate and detailed information
• Use a step-by-step, detailed presentation – use numbers and or a spreadsheet
• Expect them to want to “think it over” because they are frugal and would rather research than make a mistake and appear incompetent

While there are certainly many factors that influence the selling process, by far the most important factor is to identify your prospect's temperament style. Once you learn how to quickly and accurately determine your prospect's temperament style, you'll be able to close more sales in less time!

John Boe presents a wide variety of motivational and sales-oriented keynotes and seminar programs for sales meetings and conventions. John is a nationally recognized sales trainer and business motivational speaker with an impeccable track record in the meeting industry.

For more information, visit www.johnboe.com.

Fire Prevention Focus: Keeping "Fire Safe" Year Round

Fire Prevention Focus: Keeping "Fire Safe" Year Round
By John Voket, RISMedia Consumer Confidant

In the next installment of our October focus on fire prevention, I have tapped the National Fire Protection Association for some potentially life-saving fire safety tips.

In a previous segment, the NFPA reported that cooking fires caused an estimated average of 2,590 civilian deaths and $7.2 billion in direct property damage yearly. And based on research by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), cooking was also the number one cause of home structure fires that went unreported.

We also learned that Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths followed by heating equipment and then cooking equipment. So consider following these words of advice from the NFPA:

• Smoke outside - Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach - Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Inspect electrical cords - Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
• Be careful when using candles - Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Install smoke alarms - Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month and replace conventional batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low.
• Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
• Install sprinklers - If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Homeowners can get more detailed information about each of the above prevention tips by visiting the NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org.

Boost Curb Appeal with Exterior Renovations

If you were to take a look at a typical neighborhood today, you would see patterns of familiar home designs such as split-level, ranch or colonial. Most of these American styles were built between 1955 and 1985, when there was a need for mass-produced housing. Due to this suburban sprawl, many homes lost the originality and architectural appeal of classic styles built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

If you, like so many others, currently live in one of these houses, its lack of personality and curb appeal may have you thinking about making a change to the exterior. Yet the overwhelming amount of home design choices may have you wondering how to get started.

“Many times, homeowners are afraid to do more than replace existing windows or siding with new versions of the same product, simply because they can't visualize the possibilities for their home exterior,” says John Stephenson, senior vice president of marketing for Ply Gem, an exterior building products company.

To help picture what's possible in exterior home design and simplify product and color selection, homeowners now have the option to turn to digital home remodeling tools. Online visualizer tools, such as The Designed Exterior Studio by Ply Gem, allow consumers to find inspiration and experiment with renovation ideas, even before meeting with a contractor. Users can virtually update a home exterior with new colors and style options for siding, stone veneer, windows and more. Homeowners can save their designs, and easily share with a remodeling contractor.

“When meeting with a contractor about a remodel, doing research and having a visual of a preferred exterior style and color palette is a great way to get the conversation started,” says Stephenson. “The existing American housing stock has so much potential for beautiful design and architectural styling; new online visualization tools are designed to help both homeowners and their contractors realize the potential for these older homes.”

Before getting started on an exterior remodel, it's also important to understand the level of changes you want to make. Read through the following tips on making the most of an exterior renovation and provides some insight on how to prepare and get started.

• If your home has great bones, but lacks curb appeal and originality, a simple refresh with new siding, windows and accents in different colors and textures can make a big difference.
• New windows are also a noticeable architectural feature with the added benefit of increased energy efficiency in the home. Some key elements to consider for beautiful window design include style, grille pattern and color.
• For an even more personalized home exterior upgrade, consider cosmetic, nonstructural architectural changes, in addition to the replacement of windows and siding.

“Adding elements to the roof such as window dormers or gables, or changing the entryway with a porch, can give your home personality and create a look that is reminiscent of classic architectural styles,” says Deryl Patterson, principal, BSB Design architecture firm. “These additions also provide visual interest to the exterior, giving it balance and elevation. In combination with appropriate material textures and colors, you can transform your home into an architecturally authentic style.”

Source: www.plygem.com

Lessons in Leftovers: Make Sure They're Safe

Saving leftovers to eat later is a great way to practice portion control and save money, but it's important to make sure leftovers are safe to eat according to Home Food Safety, a collaborative program of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods.

"Oftentimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. Instead of overeating at home or a restaurant, save part of your meal to eat later," says registered dietitian and Academy Spokesperson Melissa Joy Dobbins. "Just make sure you're storing and reheating leftovers properly to keep them from making you sick."

Keep these food safety tips in mind when reheating leftovers:

1. Refrigerate leftovers to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below within two hours of them being served to you. (In hotter weather over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, refrigerate after one hour.)
2. Seal leftovers in an airtight, clean container, and label it with the expiration date
3. Reheat leftovers to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and use a food thermometer to make sure all types of food reach the safe minimum internal temperature throughout before you eat.
4. Check on the shelf life of leftovers and discard when it's past the expiration date. When in doubt, throw it out!

"Unfortunately, you can't rely on sight and scent alone to tell if food is spoiled or contaminated with foodborne pathogens," Dobbins says. "That's why it's important to follow these simple steps, but a majority of Americans do not always do so, putting them at risk for food poisoning."

According to a 2011 survey conducted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, only 23 percent of Americans always use a food thermometer to check the doneness of their foods, and only 28 percent regularly check the refrigerator thermometer.

"It's important to properly store and reheat leftovers, whether at home or the office," she says. "Encourage your work place to regularly clean the office refrigerator and ensure it remains under 40 degrees Fahrenheit."

Source: www.homefoodsafety.org.

Connie Farmer Ray Leads Real Estate Panel at NYC RIS MEDIA CEO Exchange

Grabbing the opportunity to discuss heavy-hitting subject matter and share strategic business development ideas for the future of the real estate industry, top brokers and real estate executives from across the nation quickly signed on to attend RISMedia’s Real Estate CEO Exchange, a groundbreaking think tank of industry luminaries.

Billy Ray, Connie Ray and John Featherston
at the RiS Media CEO Exchange, NYC

During the September 5 & 6 CEO Exchange, which was held at the prestigious Yale Club in New York City,  some of the strongest players in real estate to came together and brainstormed ways to commandeer this slowly recovering market. The two-day event included multiple panels and discussions, covering everything from modernizing technology plans to exploring the Dodd-Frank act.

According to RISMedia President & CEO, John Featherston, “Many of the industry’s leading brokers who attended to the CEO Exchange came to discuss what is—and equally as important—what isn’t working within their firms and markets. This is a high-level real estate meeting for leading brokers interested in profitably building their business, today and into the future. Our industry and its brokerage owners are confronted with many pressing issues, from the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act to the possibility of fee capping to new competitive business models. We have assembled some of the best real estate operators in the business to address the critical challenges facing today’s brokers.”

One particular session, titled, “Increasing Market share: Recruiting, Roll-Ins, REOs and Other Ways to Expand Your Business,” featured a panel of Power Brokers who discussed ways to grow business in today’s market.  Our own, Connie Farmer Ray, of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, was invited as one of the prestigious CEOs asked to speak at the event.  Connie shares, “It was an honor to be a panel leader, for this event.  My topic was to discuss was how Brokers have changed their business and operations model to survive and thrive in real estate’s “new normal.” I discussed how at our Company we have undertaken dramatic advancements like: replacing bricks and mortar with virtual and regional locations; innovative solutions for top producers;  creative financing solutions; increasing our technologies and techie knowledge with new tools and education on how to use them; overhauls to our own website and mobile site and apps we present; providing branded and unmatched personal web sites (web & mobile-friendly) to each of our agents at NO additional cost to them; we have also embraced social media.  It was an honor to share how we continue to think outside of the traditional brokerage to operate more effectively in the recovering marketplace.”   

“Thanks to the involvement of several industry icons, the CEO Exchange hosted a great cross section of leading brokers interested in openly discussing how they successfully operate and tackle problems within their respective markets,” Featherston explains. “This event provides brokers with the opportunity to get to know their counterparts from around the country. The brokers who attended have told us they want to make their companies and their agents more successful. What better way to learn than from a diverse group of successful colleagues?”

Benjamin R Smith Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Savannah

Benjamin Smith joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Sales Associate for the Company's office located at 6349 Abercorn Street.  Benjamin specializes in Downtown & East Savannah, Tybee and the Islands as well as Baldwin and Ardsley Park areas.  He joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “…CBPP is the best in Savannah and I want to be the best REALTOR® I can be!” 

Benjamin’s ultimate goal is to, “… provide my clients with a positive experience that will have them recommending me to anyone who needs a great REALTOR®.”  Benjamin attended Armstrong Atlantic State University and earned a BA in Economics.  He previously worked as a Barista at Starbucks and in the sales industry.  Currently, he is a member of SABOR and a member of Solomon’s Lodge #1 F. & A.M.     Benjamin Smith may be reached at (912) 667.0575 or emailed at benjamin.smith@coldwellbanker.com.