Hi Folks, I read an article from a Realtor(R) about the struggles she is having and how she has reached a crossroads and has to decide whether or not to stay in the business (I'd link to it but it's a private post).
Her article got me thinking about my own situation a few years back. The market in my area crashed in mid 2006. My income dropped over 80% in 2008. In the middle of it all my wife had major medical issues.
Giving up real estate never even entered my mind. I'm way too independent to work for anybody else. Plus I was 50 years old at the time and only have a high school education (barely). With the entire economy in the pits my options were limited.
So, I had to make my real estate business work. I had to make some drastic changes. The first thing I did was eliminate as much debt and as many monthly bills as I could. I took it down to the bare minimum in a very short period of time. This required selling all of our real estate including doing short sales on 2 of our properties.
We became tenants for almost 2 years while I hunkered down and revamped my entire way of doing business. I focused on growing and expanding my business online, learned how to list and negotiate short sales and started focusing on attracting investor buyers with cash.
I worked on my health. I changed the way I ate and started working out.
I also started meditating every morning for an hour and thinking about where I needed to be as if I were already there.
Success is a mindset. Without the right mindset there is nothing you can do that will change your situation.
Success also requires taking action. We can't hope, wish or pray for business. We MUST go get it. Especially in this market. The days of business coming to us are over and may never be back.
It's now been almost 4 years since we really hit bottom. We have a new home (albeit much smaller) in a great community. I have 2 agents that work for me. I've lost 45 lbs in weight and almost $800,000 in debt. My income needed per month has dropped from about $12,000 to roughly $3,500. I co-own the most active short sale network in the world. My wife is healthy. And life is very good.
It turned out almost exactly how I had envisioned it during my morning meditations. Funny how that works.
I'm sure many of you have some difficult decisions to make. You are at the crossroads. Pick a road then travel it with your head held high. And don't forget to make a plan. Then work it as hard as you can. I hope this helps.
***By the way, I means WE. As in TLW and BB :)
Are you facing foreclosure in Florida?
Do NOT be foreclosed on! Avoid foreclosure. Short Sales DO close.
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Copyright © 2011 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved
Do NOT be foreclosed on! Avoid foreclosure. Short Sales DO close.
Want to find out more? www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com
***I am NOT an Attorney nor do I play one on TV. Click the button below for my Bio.
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc handles Florida real estate sales, Florida short sales, Florida strategic short sales, Florida pre-foreclosure sales, Florida foreclosures in Kissimmee Florida Short Sales, Davenport Florida Short Sales, Haines City Florida Short Sales, Poinciana Florida Short Sales, Solivita Florida Short Sales, Orlando Florida Short Sales, Celebration Florida Short Sales, Winderemere Florida Short Sales. Serving all of Polk, Osceola and Orange Counties Florida. Florida Short Sale Broker. Short Sale Florida.
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Great blog with some really good info. The way I look at it. Is the more agents that quit the more business for me. Good luck to all.
BB, these are inspiring words for this morning. If anyone knows adversity and overcoming it, it is you and your wife TLW! Both of you are an inspiration and I will take your lessons to heart :)! Thank you!
Good morning, Broker Bryant.....and congratulations for your stepping up to the plate and fighting adversity.....but the greatest applause is for the good health of The Lovely Wife.....God was watching over the Tutas family....
BB you and TLW are an inspiration to us all. You've been through more a lot in the last few years but show with the right attitude and adjustments we can make it through.
Bravo Bryant. I need some of your dedication and will. Great job!
BB...
I always jump right to your posts because I know that I am going to find something worth reading.
Today you surpassed even my wildest expectations. This is a wonderful and inspiring message that should be read by everyone that is facing adversity.
Very, very nice.
BB - I love that photo of you and TLW. You both look fantastic! Thank you for an inspiring message, as you know, I've been through tough times with my husband's pancreatic cancer and the new market realities. You've done well - both of you! You've not only survived, but thrived!
Hi Bryant,
This is a wonderful story of survival and how to focus your efforts to succeed. Everyone appreciates your honestly and willingness to share your personal struggles through this difficult market.
Lisa
Bryant - this is one of the most, if not the most inspirational, honest posts I have ever read. By telling your story, you have and will inspire so many people who feel like they've hit bottom. I have so much respect for all that you've done to pull yourself up by your boot-strings and overcome any and all the obstacles put in your path. You are a survivor and that's a choice. Thanks for making my day brighter and I am now one of your biggest fans! We all need stories like this to believe that where there is a will, there is a way and you have demonstrated that in word and deed - you have such a courageous heart! I'm bookmarking for future inspiration when I need it, and giving you a big******************SUGGEST!
BB: And here I thought you had lost weight due to all that jack-rabbit running from home sales, short sale website and good old AR. Even better that it was part of your plan and goals. You have always spoken about vision, direction and hard work. Thank you for sharing your story and the best to the both of you.
Broker B - A lot of lessons in this post for us all. And those of us who have been around for some time have sen the way you (and TLW) meet challenges - head on. An inspiration for all of us. Tell TLW hello!
I liked reading this post, and can see that you have really dropped a lot of weight. Not to mention TLW's biceps (gotta work on my own). I think that what I have learned from all this is that it is important to keep moving forward and now wallow in sorrows. ALso, it is important to be flexible and be able to change directions in business as needed and all of the time!
I couldn't wish more success in life, business and health more than you two and how you both have inspired me in the last 5 years. For that, I thank you both! It was nice talking to you and keep it up!
Lol Baby...
At least you finally came to terms with that whole "We" as in "Me" as In "We" :)
TLW...ROAR!
I think I know what I will do with that extra hour the time switch will give me this weekend--based on your testimonial I think an hour of meditation is in order.
BB- great post and great strategy.... TLW- with you he ALWAYS knew what WE meant...
Thanks guys!! I was reading through the articles I posted in 2008 when TLW was in the hospital. She spent almost 2.5 months in the hospital from 9-08 to 3-09!! No wonder I was so stressed out.
BB, what a great testimonial to making hard choices and working hard to make things happen! I've so admired how you and Billie have allowed us to journey with you these past few years.
What a great story, Bryant. You must tell us more about your daily meditation. I keep wanting to do it, but I always think of stuff I have to do, so give up!
BB - You're truly inspirational and deserve every ounce of success.
I sense that this post was a long time coming in your head, BB. It was surely a long time in the making. Just reading about all that you and TLW have accomplished over the past four years is exhausting. You've made incredible progress, and you do have the best informational short sale site in the world.
Not that you can script what is going to happen in our lives it's great to know that you and TLW are well. Your post brought a visual that I usually only experience in Billie's videos and that is when everything is complete and correct she always ends it with the word "scene", that is an appropriate gesture here too. I congratulate both of you for demonstrating such strength.
Bryant--Oh my goodness. Of course I knew some of this but not all. The past four years have not been easy for many of us...some of us share our struggles publicly while others just disappear and focus on their businesses (or lack there of). I applaude you and TLW for your success in revamping and revitalizing your business and life! You are both very inspiring. I am so glad you have rebuilt a strong, successful and fun-filled business AND life! Believe and Achieve should be your new slogan. Take care my friend...you are blessed!
Bryant,
We all celebrate your family success and good health. Your winning attitude is a great example.
Best,
Steve
Doing what you do takes more than courage. It takes humility too. I'm proud to call you mentor. Loving you and TLW always. The most importantly, I'm so glad she's glowing blissfully. That in itself is great.
Hi, BB:
You and TLW are always an inspiration to us on AR. Thanks for sharing, and as always, best of luck!
Cheers,
Robin
Why this post isn't featured yet is beyond me, but I hit the Suggest button too. I've been following TLW on FB for quite a while now, and her strength and determination are as robust as ever LOL. This picture of the two of you is beautiful, BB. In the best marriages, we get through life, and enjoy life, as a team. Congratulations on all you've been through, all you've achieved, and the fun you guys continue to have in your lives.
Now, meditation....how the heck do you do that? Any ideas? I need some "centering" in my life but don't have the first clue about how to start.
There are two kinds: the ones you can count on, and the ones you cant. I really appreciate your understanding of what matters Bryant: and i can answer Tahya's questions: this is too real to get featured.
A similar, related post:
http://uplog.org/2011/06/22/when-the-water-is-low-the-stumps-will-show/
BTW, good call Tanya, and it because that they are mostly like you , Bryant, that i stay in this tough market, putting Realtors on top, feeding them..I love the independent ones with stories like you:
http://youtu.be/ihxSbd70slk
Keeping expenses low and your head held high during this difficult market shift is key. You can do more than thrive as soon as you embrace the new market and stop running from it. When things get tough I ask myself "Can you do this?" and then I ask "Do you want to?" I know some agents that just can't and others that just won't. There is plenty of 2011 business out there -- stop looking for 2005 business!
I love hearing about you and your wife's come back.
Real estate does spoil us independent minded folks -- it's hard to think about working for anyone else again ever. Kind of makes real estate challenges a breeze in comparison.
Love your short sale network by the way!
I agree that you must be able to visualize your success in order for that success to become a reality. You must have read "Think and Grow Rich" by Naploean Hill. That seems to be the basic concept that he writes about. Glad to hear things are working out for you.
Thanks, BB for the inspiration today as well as the excellent advice you always offer and relevant information you share. I'm glad God has blessed you and TLW!
P.S. With your Short Sale teachings...I DID take, and successfully close, my first short sale. :)
Thanks again!
Barbara Murphy, Broker, GRI, e-PRO
Tartan Properties - Pensacola ~ Pace ~ Milton ~ Gulf Breeze ~ Navarre ~ FL
Hi BB and TLW!
You both look great!!! AND ...You inspire great-ness...Here's a Big HUG ((())) from your pal in Asheville...who hopes you'll be up this way one of these days..
Thanks for the great inspirational post.
Thanks for this very inspiring post. Proof positive that overcoming adversity is rooted in the choices that we make and the actions that we take.
Bryant: You know what? I have been using the concept of visualizing the way I want my life to look for almost 25 years now---I was much more into meditation in the past and now, with your fabulous post, I am going to start it again---the universe does not know how to unfold for you unless you let it know how you want it to look!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the gift of what I call "appropriate order"; everything has a time and a season and this idea is falling into place for me, again! Everything does have an appropriate order and it is no accident that I am here on AR, reading a blog that has put me back on the right path again!!! Bless you!
I've watched and learned from both of you over the past 5 years. You've gone through a lot and came out ahead. Think I need to start meditating. Years ago, I went through a hard time and started writing down everything I needed to accomplish that year. Had it taped to the bathroom mirror so I couldn't miss it in the morning. Carried a folder of things I wanted and needed. At the end of that year, I had accomplished everything but one thing........that was paying for my daughter's college education, but I did that in a 4 year period. You have me sitting down tonight and working on next year's goals and what we need to do to make our team stronger and better.
Broker Bryant, I'm so glad to see things have turned around for you, and because you took the bull by the horns and got it done. Awesome job! Very inspirational. -Kasey
Hi Bryant, thanks for sahring. So many of us have had similar experiences and yet we must perservere.
Thanks guys. For those that asked meditating is really nothng more than trying quite your mind. And it's very difficult!!! My mind is constantly running. I'm sure I'm not alone with that.
I'm a Christian so I mediate by praying. But not asking for stuff just listening. Then I write in my journal and focus on writing down my thoughts and dreams.
If you have never mediatated before start by finding a quiet spot and then just really focus on shutting down. There are many techniques to use. Just google and find one that works for use. Trust me when I say it will change your like. You'll become much more focused and relaxed.
I think this morning, there are two blogs I have read the summed up where I am and where I need to go. Someone trying to tell me something???
Thank you for such an inspirational post!
BB- I remember the difficulties you had, and also applaud your tenacity and determination to rebuild your business, health and overall well being.
Bryant ~ Inspiring! Thanks for sharing this, it really struck a cord for me. : )