Just what does it take to be successful?  Of course, the idea of success is relative and varies from person to person.  It’s also multi-faceted and, unfortunately, doesn’t just happen with one magical or unique method.

It’s impossible to pinpoint exactly what it takes to have a successful life.  However, I think it would be safe to suggest that all successful people share two common traits:

 1. Persistence

Persistence is the firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.  Simply put, to be persistent means to never give up on what you wish to achieve.  This is important to success for obvious reasons; you’ll never get anything done if you don’t have the willpower to do so.

2. Happiness

This one doesn’t need a definition.  We all know what it means to be happy, yet sometimes on the road to success, we forget its importance.  You could be the most productive, rich, well-liked person on the planet, but if you’re not satisfied with what you’re doing, you are not successful.

So, at its most basic level, success is doing the things you want and that make you happy.  Keep this in mind for each decision you make.  Ask yourself:  Am I dedicated to doing this?  Does it make me happy?  If both answers are yes, then you’re on the right track!  As long as you’re happy with what you accomplish, you’re successful, in my book.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Trying to succeed in life is difficult.  There’s no sugar coating it.  And as if it isn’t hard enough, it always seems as if the whole world tries to convince you that you’re incapable. 

The human mind, as powerful of a machine as it is, is susceptible to negativity.  When you hear it enough, you’ll start to believe it yourself.  Though negative comments and lack of support from others may slow you down, no one will hold you back more than your own insecurities.

As the human mind is easily affected by negativity, it is also affected by positivity.  That’s why self-confidence is so important.  Believing in yourself will keep you going strong despite the negativity in your life.  Believe you can and you’re halfway there!

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Can you believe it’s that time again already?  In just one more week, we’ll be waking up our kids (or at least trying to) and getting them ready for their first day of school.  After serving them an obligatory back-to-school breakfast and making sure they’ve got all their supplies in their backpacks, we’ll position them in front of the fireplace or on the front lawn for the traditional first day photo shoot, much to their dislike.  As we drop them off at school or watch as the school bus door closes behind them, we may even shed a tear as we collectively whisper a resounding, “at last!”

Enjoy the last week of summer by spending quality time with your kids.  Go on a camping trip, have a family barbecue, take them to a museum, or take on some small creative projects in which every member of the family can partake.  Whatever you choose to do, have fun, and cherish these moments, for it’s only a matter of time before NEXT school year comes around!

Close out your week of family fun with a shopping spree.  This year’s annual Sales Tax Holiday is this weekend: Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8.  If you haven’t gotten the chance to buy all your kids’ school supplies for the year, this weekend is the perfect time to get it done!

If you still need to purchase school supplies, click here to visit the Lafayette Parish School Board website, where school supply lists for all Lafayette Parish schools are posted.

Click here to download the 2015-2016 academic calendar for Lafayette Parish to be informed of grading periods, holidays, testing days, in-services, and parent-teacher conference days.

Myself and the members of Elite Team hope you have a wonderful school year!

Home not selling? That could happen for a number of
reasons you can’t control, like a unique home layout or having one of the few homes in the neighborhood without a garage. There is one factor you can control: your home price.

These six signs may be telling you it’s time to lower your price.

 

1. You’re drawing few lookers.

You get the most interest in your home right after you put it on the market because buyers want to catch a great new home before anybody else takes it. If your real estate agent reports there have been fewer buyers calling about and asking to tour your home than there have been for other homes in your area, that may be a sign buyers think it’s overpriced and are waiting for the price to fall before viewing it.

2. You’re drawing lots of lookers but have no offers.

If you’ve had 30 sets of potential buyers come through your home and not a single one has made an offer, something is off. What are other agents telling your agent about your home? An overly high price may be discouraging buyers from making an offer.

3. Your home’s been on the market longer than similar homes.

Ask your real estate agent about the average number of days it takes to sell a home in your market. If the answer is 30 and you’re pushing 45, your price may be affecting buyer interest. When a home sits on the market, buyers can begin to wonder if there’s something wrong with it, which can delay a sale even further. At least consider lowering your asking price.

4. You have a deadline.

If you’ve got to sell soon because of a job transfer or you’ve already purchased another home, it may be necessary to generate buyer interest by dropping your price so your home is a little lower priced than comparable homes in your area. Remember: It’s not how much money you need that determines the sale price of your home, it’s how much money a buyer is willing to spend.

5. You can’t make upgrades.

Maybe you’re plum out of cash and don’t have the funds to put fresh paint on the walls, clean the carpets, and add curb appeal. But the feedback your agent is reporting from buyers is that your home isn’t as well-appointed as similarly priced homes. When your home has been on the market longer than comparable homes in better condition, it’s time to accept that buyers expect to pay less for a home that doesn’t show as well as others.

6. The competition has changed.

If weeks go by with no offers, continue to check out the competition. What have comparable homes sold for and what’s still on the market? What new listings have been added since you listed your home for sale? If comparable home sales or new listings show your price is too steep, consider a price reduction.

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Originally posted at: REALTOR® Content Resource

Visit our blog: Lafayette Real Estate News

Greatness is defined as the quality of being considerably above the normal or average.  The very definition of greatness tells us that, in order to achieve it, we must do great things—we must go above and beyond.  Great things never came from comfort zones.

Comfort zones are, well, comfortable to us.  They are familiar, safe, and reliant.  Stepping out of your comfort zone may be one of your most difficult feats, but once you get over the initial fear or discomfort, you’ll thank yourself, for it is known that one great thing always leads to another.

We all want to achieve greatness.  We all want to be remembered for doing great things for a great cause.  However, greatness requires positivity, dedication, and, most importantly, courage—the courage to break out of your comfort zone.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News