JULY 2017 CALIFORNIA

EXECUTIVEAGENT MAGAZINE

Executive Agent of the Month

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES Dee Dee Bandak Johan Cisneros Heather Jones

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Executive Agent of the Month

Valerie Ives The Val Ives Team

24 19 Professional Profiles

14 Dee Dee Bandak

Monarch Realty Group 4

10 Johan Cisneros

Pacific Properties Realty Group ExecutiveAgent Magazine

6 Heather Jones

@Vantage Real Estate

July, 2017 - California Edition

Editorials 16

Keep It Simple -Awareness Institute

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The Power Of Choice -John Boe

E XECUTIVE AGENT

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Fred Arrias Executive Publisher PO Box 73384 San Clemente, CA 92673 Ph: (949) 366-3349 Fax: (949) 266-8757 FArrias45@gmail.com www.EACal.com

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Benchmark Mortgage...................................2 & 18

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Quality Deals -Steve Cook

City of Hope........................................................39 Finance of America Mortgage...........................29 iPhotography Studio...............................................25

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Kinecta Federal Credit Union...............................40

A Good Life Contains These 6 Essentials -Jim Rohn

PWAOR...................................................................28 SBAOR....................................................................35 The Termite Guy......................................................3

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Ticor Title Company....................................................34

The Complete Guide To True Wealth -Mohammad Shafi’e

Photography: iPhotography Studio, Ian Wiant, Rob Paino Graphic Designer: Garon T. Arrias Editorial Manager: Trudy Van Writers: Haley Freeman, Shannon Hartsoe Editorial Writers: Tony Alessandra, Linda Brakeall, Bill Brooks, Tamara Dorris, T Scott Gross, Wendy Weiss, Chris Widener, Dirk Zeller, Zig Ziglar

Why Do They Do It...

-DirkZeller

© Copyright 2017 Executive Agent Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Executive Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

It’s Healthy To Be Happy -Zig Ziglar

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Heather Jones Treating You Like Family Written by Haley Freeman

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eather Jones and her husband, Chris, were born and raised in Orange County. They remember when their home communities of Tustin and Anaheim were surrounded by acres of fragrant orange groves. When

they married, Heather worked for an accounting firm until it was time to start a family. Her job as a wife and mother was her number one priority, and she focused on home and family until her two sons were teens.

Heather was inspired to a career in real estate by the Realtors® who sold her and her husband their first home.

“They were so good to us,” she remembers.

“They made us feel like we were their only clients. We never felt like they didn’t have time for us. As a husband and wife team, they made us feel as if they were helping their own children buy a home.

The way we were taken care of left such an impression on me. When we sold that home, they were the ones we called. My husband and I both felt, at some point, this was a career I would be good at.”

When Heather was ready to focus on a career outside the home, the real estate market was distressed, making it a difficult time for a new agent to enter the industry.

To make matters more challenging, this former stay-at-home mom didn’t have a ready network for building her business.

She tenaciously stuck with it and joined a team that provided the training and experience upon which she could build a successful foundation. Today, Heather is enjoying her role as a respected agent at @VANTAGE Real Estate, a cloud-based, full-service real estate company where clients and agents are treated like family.

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“I didn’t want to be lost in a sea of agents, but I didn’t want to be confined to a team, either. @VANTAGE Real estate offers the best of both worlds. I worked with the owner, Martha Karelius, when she was the manager at another company, so I knew her experience and solutionsdriven management style. When I heard she was starting her own company, I was sure it would be a great fit. I feel my contribution is valued here, and we have the tight-knit support that helps me to take care of my clients no matter what comes up in a transaction. Here, I have instant access to answers.”

Heather understands that buying or selling a home is an emotional process for most people. She considers herself a compassionate counselor as she guides her clients through one of life’s great milestones. “I especially enjoy working with first-time homebuyers because it is such an immense responsibility helping them with the largest purchase they will make. On the other hand, I’m representing a seller right now who has lived in their home for 30 years and raised their family there. It’s emotional for them to leave a place where so many memories were made. By nature, I like being a support for people. I’m a good listener and sounding board, and I can offer practical solutions and advice.”

through the entire process. A very smooth and pleasant experience with her help in an otherwise daunting mission to find a home.”

Looking back on her relationship with her own Realtors®, what stands out most to Heather is the feeling that they were looking out for her family’s future well-being and comfort. That is exactly the kind of agent she tries to be.

She is someone who honors her clients’ budgets and goals, while guiding them through the real estate process with the utmost care and professionalism. She cultivates authentic and lasting relationships with the people she serves, as well as with the colleagues with whom she works.

“It’s not just about the sale,” Heather says. “It’s about building relationships and making sure people get into the right place.”

Her clients agree. One said: “Heather is an excellent Realtor®! Knowledgeable, professional, caring, who really listens to her clients. She honors budgets and gives realistic feedback. She communicates well and is an amazing advocate to have on your side. I highly recommend Heather!

She is wonderful!”

Another described her as “one of the best agents and professional I have ever come across. Helpful and patient

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Heather Jones @VANTAGE Real Estate 4 Promontory Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92679 Tel: 949-374-0836 Email: Heathergjones@cox.net Web: www.vantagerealestate.net CalBRE: 01896637

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Quality Deals ’ve been meaning to write this article for quite some time on real estate investing advice, and those who have heard me speak in the last couple of years have already gotten an earful of this. This topic isn’t about a neat investing technique or new idea, but about a mindset.

It’s my mindset and one that I believe will make many other people successful.

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What are quality deals? They’re real estate deals that contribute to the advancement of your goals. They get you moving in the direction that you want to go. Many investors start buying homes with no idea of what they really want to accomplish with investing. As a result, they buy anything that looks like a deal and, all too often, get pulled in directions they never intended to go.

Back in 1998 when I took my first step into real estate investing, I was given strong real estate investing advice by others around me who believed you had to be a dominant force in your market to make real money. They stressed doing as many deals as possible and beating out the competition. The world around me was saying that the person who does the most wins. More real estate deals lead to more profits which ultimately leads to greater success – all going hand-in-hand.

Your goals should drive your decision making. For example, a person who needs money today and buys a property to keep it as a rental is contradicting or not fulfilling the original goal. Rental properties will not reap quick, fast cash today. Let’s say your goal is to free up your time so that you can do other things important to you. If you only want to work 20 hours a week and are taking on deals that require 40 hours a week, you’re not doing quality deals. You’re focused on quantity.

As a newbie, I took the advice to heart and did over 100 deals in my first two years. I was proud of my real estate investing accomplishments and knew many around me were impressed with my successes. However, when I stopped to look at the big picture, I was doing a lot of deals and making more money than ever before, but I had little control elsewhere. My time wasn’t my own and the deals truly controlled me. In short, I wasn’t living a life that felt fulfilling.

We need to make sacrifices to achieve the success that we desire, but need to be careful not to sacrifice the important things in life. If you are pursuing investing to achieve a better quality of life, focus on quality deals and not quantity.

I’ve talked with many investors across the country and always ask what draws them to real estate investing. The answers vary, but typically can be summed up in one sentence, “I want a better quality of life.” Over my years of investing, I have come to realize that QUANTITY does not lead to QUALITY. My advice, if you want real estate investing to provide you with a good quality of life, you need to pursue good quality deals, not a good quantity of deals.

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Since 1998 Steve Cook has flipped many hundreds of houses as an active Baltimore-area real estate investor.

Steve’s unique specialty is the “flipping homes 1-2 punch”, a proven system of real estate investing that powerfully combines wholesaling and rehabbing houses.

Also the founder of www.FlippingHomes.com, Steve is dedicated to helping others in this thriving online community succeed through understanding and aggressively applying his time-tested, step-by-step approach to flipping real estate. Get FREE weekly tips from Steve Cook and other house flipping experts at www.flippinghomes. com.

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Written By Steve Cook

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Written by Haley Freeman

JOHAN CISNEROS

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orn in Nicaragua and raised in Inglewood, California, Johan Cisneros is the broker-owner of Pacific Properties Realty Group, a real estate boutique located in the South Bay community of Hawthorne.

A past collegiate track & field athlete and 5k California

State Championship qualifier, Johan is known to many as “The Running Realtor®.” He draws on the extraordinary self-discipline and commitment to hard work he developed as an athlete to bring energy and a competitive edge to his real estate practice.

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OUTPERFORMING THE COMPETITION Johan learned the real estate business from his father who, after he was laid off from his manufacturing job, tenaciously pursued a career in real estate and succeeded.

One of the first in his family to graduate from college, Johan simultaneously earned his degree in business from Cal State Dominguez while also studying real estate. He spent the first several years of his career in retail banking and went on to acquire experience in multiple aspects of the real estate industry, from appraisal, to mortgage lending, to home inspection. Several years ago, he turned his attention to real estate full time, and in 2016, he opened Pacific Properties Realty Group.

Enthusiastic about this opportunity to form his own brand, Johan set about building a company dedicated to providing clients with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. “The best word to describe me is passion,” Johan says. “There is a lot of passion in what I do, and as the owner here and leader for my agents, it starts with me.

I show it so they can do the same.”

Johan leverages strategic business systems and the latest technology to outpace the competition. He believes that strong negotiation skills are vital to giving both buyers and sellers a decided edge in a real estate transaction, and the goal in every circumstance is to help clients optimize the value of their real estate investments. “At the end of the day, it’s about honesty and doing what’s in the client’s best interests. That’s how we build referrals and create longterm relationships.”

For sellers, asserting that competitive edge requires a strong marketing presence. “Anyone can show a house or put up a sign to say the house is for sale,” Johan explains.

“But the way we prepare a listing is different from many agents and something I’m proud of. We create a detailed marketing plan with the goal of getting our clients the maximum return on their investment. It’s all about using technology to have the best internet presence and get the most exposure. I have a designer who helps the homeowner declutter and depersonalize their home, so that when we have professional photos taken, the home looks more spacious and appealing to potential buyers.”

buyers. “In my videos, I also want to show the neighborhood around the house and give people reasons why it’s a desirable place to live.”

In a recent video, Johan included video footage of himself as “The Running Realtor®.”

“The client was also a former runner, so we were both running in the video. We created a story where he got to the front door of his house and thought he had beat me there, but then I came to the door in my suit and said, ‘What took you so long?’ I want to be the company that provides a great customer experience by bringing creativity to the business and making it fun. Our marketing stands out from the crowd.”

He also describes himself as “a big celebration guy.

Every time we close an escrow, we celebrate with our clients. We invite friends and family, bring champagne and food, do a ribbon cutting, and take pictures. Buying a home is a big step in life, and we love being part of the process.”

Johan is a member of the North Hawthorne Community Association, where he works to improve area schools and partner with police to raise the quality of life in the region.

“Making this a safe, clean community with good schools not only creates a better experience for neighbors here, but also increases the value of homes. We want to make sure we’re doing our part.”

When it comes to raising the bar on the competition and providing an extraordinary buying or selling experience, The Running Realtor® goes the distance.

Johan Cisneros Pacific Properties Realty Group 13658 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 306B Hawthorne, CA 90250 Tel: 323-547-8094 Email: Johan@johanrunningrealtor.com Web: www.PacificPropertiesRealtyGroup.com CalBRE # 01039940

Johan further outstrips the competition with his creative marketing videos that inform and entertain potential ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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The Power of Choice

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n aviation, the word “attitude” is a term that refers to the angle that the plane meets the wind, if the wings are level with the horizon and whether the aircraft is climbing or descending. The pilot who fails to take responsibility for the attitude of his or her aircraft is in serious trouble. And likewise, any leader who fails to control their thoughts and take responsibility for their attitude runs a similar risk with their organization.

As a sales manager, you not only set the pace for your sales team, but you’re responsible for setting the tone as well. For better or worse, the leader’s attitude is contagious and permeates throughout their organization.

Positive, upbeat companies are always led by positive, upbeat managers. While we’re not always able to control our circumstances, we can and must control how we respond to life’s difficulties, setbacks and challenges. We have a choice about how our day is going to be.

How often do you talk to yourself and what do you say? Research in the field of psychology indicates that the average person maintains an ongoing mental dialog, or “self-talk,” of between 150 to 300 words per minute.

Unfortunately, not all of these thoughts are positive.

In fact, it has been estimated that of the thousands of thoughts we have each day, approximately 40 percent of them tend to be negative and self-critical in nature. Most of us are generally unaware of this negative background chatter, let alone its sabotaging effect on our emotional state, performance and well-being.

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for

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they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.

-- Anonymous Earl Nightingale, cofounder of the Nightingale-Conant Corp., concluded that life’s “strangest secret” is that you become what you think about all day long. If you want to know where your predominant thoughts lie and what you believe, look at what you are experiencing in your life.

Your thoughts are creative by nature and express themselves through your emotions, which in turn, drive your actions. Everything you say both positive and negative is in fact an affirmation and reflects your belief. Whatever you think, feel or say about your life today is the scaffolding that builds the events you will experience in the future.

Affirmation And Positive Self-Talk William Shakespeare said, “Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” The first step in the process of changing your belief system is to monitor your thoughts and the next step is to control them through the power of choice. Once you become conscious of the critical aspects of your internal dialogue, you can choose to reframe your negative thoughts by substituting affirmative statements.

World-class athletes understand the value of affirmation and recognize the impact of their mental preparation on their physical performance. They use the power of positive affirmation to reduce anxiety and increase their expectation of achievement. To be of maximum benefit an affirmation must be simple, encouraging and stated in the present tense. By repeating an affirmation over and over again it becomes embedded in the subconscious mind.

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Do affirmations really work and can they propel a person to greatness? As a teenager beginning his boxing career in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay would frequently affirm, “I am the greatest of all time!” While many considered him boastful and few took this eightynine pound, twelve year old seriously, Mohammad Ali used the power of affirmation to become the greatest boxer of all time and arguably the most recognizable sports figure in the world.

Henry Ford was right when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t - you’re right.” Your belief system, like your computer, doesn’t judge what you input; it simply accepts it as the truth. The key to cultivating and maintaining a positive mental attitude is to use your power of choice and take control of your thinking. It’s a challenging task to develop a calm, focused mind, but well worth the effort.

Action Plan: Here are some suggestions to help you have a good day every day.

1. Establish the habit of getting up early.

• You’ll See It When You Believe It, by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer • The Power Of Positive Thinking, by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale • Think and Grow Rich, by Dr. Napoleon Hill • Psycho-Cybernetics, by Dr. Maxwell Maltz 3. Take a few moments to consider the upcoming activities of your day. Visualize events flowing. See people accept your ideas and your day unfolding in a harmonious and productive way. This is a good time to verbalize your affirmations.

4. Take time for some physical exercise.

5. At noon, take a 10-minute mental break to relax and replenish your energy.

John Boe presents a variety of training and motivational programs for meetings and conventions. John brings over twenty years of experience as an award-winning sales trainer to the platform. Copyright© 2005, John Boe. All rights reserved. For addition information, contact the Frog Pond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@frogpond.com; http://www.frogpond.com.

2. Upon rising, read or listen to something positive and inspirational. Clinical studies indicate that our mind is most receptive to suggestion during the first 15-minutes upon awakening. Here are some books that will help you start your day off on the right foot.

• How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling, by Frank Bettger • The Magic Of Believing, by Claude M. Bristol

Written By John Boe ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Written by Haley Freeman

Dee Dee Bandak

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s a full time real estate agent, Dee Dee is focused on providing exceptional customer service and unmatched marketing expertise with the highest level of integrity. “I have the courage to advise clients about their best course of action, even if it means that we

may not always agree! My client’s interests are always ahead of my own, and having a strong code of ethics is part of telling them the truth. I’m dedicated to the success of others and helping them to achieve their goals.”

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Offering Possibilities Dee Dee describes herself as a solutions-oriented, informed agent, who goes the extra mile to answer the questions of the sellers and buyers who choose her to represent them in a transaction. “I pride myself in knowing the market and being a market expert, not an area specialist.

When I meet with my clients, I make it my priority to ask questions, to understand their motivation, deadlines and ultimate needs, so I can help them achieve their goals.”

An upbeat, solutions-oriented agent, Dee Dee has relationships with financial institutions who are also in the business of offering possibilities, with an array of mortgage products to help hard-to-qualify homebuyers. “I’ve had clients move into a home with less than $2,000.00 who didn’t think it was possible for them to become homeowners. My job is to provide solutions and get someone to their goal.”

Dee Dee had a career in sales prior to becoming a Realtor®. It turned out that real estate was a perfect match for her extraordinary sales and customer service skills, as well as her proficiency in both Spanish and English. More than a decade later, her natural ability to listen and connect with people remains at the core of her success. “In the initial conversation, I ask questions to understand not only what they would like in a home, but what really fits their budget and circumstances. Then I can begin offering possibilities.”

Recently, Dee Dee met a buyer who was seeking a home in an extraordinarily competitive market. “Within five weeks to the day, I gave them the keys to their new home.

If I had not been out that day, I wouldn’t have met them.

They are now referring other clients. Real estate is about being out engaging in business and connecting with people.”

Dee Dee’s can-do spirit coupled with her deep knowledge of real estate help her guide clients to the best home choices available. “I thrive on educating clients in the process of buying or selling a home and protecting their interests. I try to eliminate surprises by being forthcoming about what they can expect. Before they ever start looking at homes, I want them to be qualified so they don’t get disappointed or discouraged. Instead of looking at it from the perspective of whether they qualify for a particular house, I want them to consider what kind of home is in the best interests of their family.”

When Dee Dee joined Monarch Realty Group, she says she was looking for a place to connect and raise her real estate practice to the next level. At Monarch, she has found a positively charged culture of education, service and accountability. She is energized by consistent training and accountability to colleagues that challenges her to rise to her greatest potential. “There is a momentum in our office that is projected from the top and the standards they expect, and the caliber of people they hire,” she explains.

“If you have a problem or a hurdle, everybody here shares and is willing to give ideas. I’m a solo agent, but there are always agents to partner with on a difficult transaction.

Our management experience, exceptional skills, training and strong follow-through are unparalleled. These are the biggest reasons I joined Monarch Realty Group.”

Dee Dee’s connection to community also manifests in the time she spends volunteering for children’s programs at her church. “When you make the commitment, it’s a school year program that happens once a week. I really enjoy participating in something that helps kids build character in the longterm.” Dee Dee also supports special events hosted by the Orange County Association of Realtors®.

Dee Dee is an affirmative person who sees possibilities everywhere. Her professional knowledge and confidence move her to action, inspiring her clients’ trust as she helps them fulfill their American Dream. “Homeowners and buyers entrust us with their biggest asset, and it is my obligation to assist them through what can be a complex process. I make it an easy and seamless one by helping them overcome obstacles, giving them advice and negotiating the transaction from beginning to the close of escrow. Being a seasoned agent and having confidence in my skills to represent buyers and sellers is one of my greatest joys. My clients end up referring me to their friends and family, and many of them have become good friends.”

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Dee Dee Bandak Monarch Realty Group 23276 South Pointe Dr., #115 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Tel: 949-633-9983 Email: DBandak3@gmail.com Web: www.DeeDeeHomes4U.com CalBRE # 01434476

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Keeping it Simple O

ver the past few months, the concepts of stripping back the superfluous, simplifying and pulling apart the true meaning of integrity have been strong personal themes. For many people, there’s a drive to again inspect old patterns that continue to run happily in the background despite years of self-examination.

Perhaps under the direction of a new global energy, there’s a sense of being able to lovingly let go of those things that have served us all well on one level, yet have offered excuses to stay small on another.

I came across Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements the other day and it strongly resonated with this desire to pare back; to simplify; to become more real as a participant in this world and begin operating in a more authentic way.

With these 4 simple tenets, we could literally change the way we as humans operate in this world. How do they resonate with you? Please feel free to share your thoughts, we’d love to hear from you.

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity.

Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak

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against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.

Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. ~ Don Miguel Ruiz The Awareness Institute in Australia empowers people to transform their world. For more information go to: www.awarenessinstitute.com.au.

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xecutiveAgent gent Magazine Magazine Executive

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Cover Story

Executive Agent of the Month

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Written by Haley Freeman - Photography by Ian Wiant

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alerie (Val) Ives’ real estate representation is nothing short of phenomenal. Her list of industry awards for production and customer service are too numerous to mention, and more than 100 of her past clients have given her a five-star review for her outstanding professional care.

One person said: “Val sold our house in two days - not because of a hot market, but by proactively pursuing the buyer. Every aspect of the escrow was handled promptly and professionally. We closed early thanks to her all-star team. Communication was the absolute best. Perhaps most surprising is how personable and down to earth Val is. For a wildly successful agent, she never rushed us, pushed back or failed to answer calls or texts in a reasonable timeframe.

In short, you cannot find a better agent than Val.” A long-distance client for whom Val sold a local home provided a vivid picture of her representation: “At the first appointment with Val Ives, she had a comprehensive marketing strategy in selling the property. She had many samples of the different ways she advertises. She had a plan for open house days, and she had a great market analysis for the price that was spot on.”

“Val and her staff were always willing to help by checking the house which was vacant. If there was a valid or not valid concern my Dad had, they would check the property and get back to me so I could tell him what they did to put him at ease.”

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“What was outstanding about their service is every time the house was shown I received an email! Daily I saw what kind of activity the home was generating then once a week I received a report. Selling a home long distance is not easy, however with Val’s system it seemed like I was involved each step of the way. There are not enough words to express how thankful I am with Val and her team. They were consistently professional, helpful and diligent in taking care of everything.”

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada by entrepreneurial parents, Val grew up working in the family business with her five siblings. She carried her family’s strong work ethic and care for people into her successful first career as a surgical nurse. In time, Val and her husband, Wes, were blessed with twins, Cody and Cailey. Seeking greater opportunities for their children, they immigrated to the United States with $500, two babies and a dream in their hearts.

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Living the Dream They eventually settled in Temecula, and both Val and Wes began working in real estate. With no established ties in the community, Val went back to her family’s guiding values and began volunteering at her children’s school and creating bonds with her neighbors. Her giving spirit opened the way for her to become the award-winning Realtor® she is today. Wes now supports her successful real estate practice as the manager of the Century 21 office where she and her team are established.

Val was a solo agent until two years ago, when her high volume business finally demanded that she acquire help.

She now has four buyer’s agents working with her, while Val focuses primarily on the team’s listings. However, all transactions are overseen by Val personally, ensuring that every client receives her signature service excellence.

“I’ve worked hard to find professionals who have the same values and work the same way I do. Having a team makes me more available to my clients so I can give them better

service, but I still review everything my team does and make sure they’re doing exactly what I would do.”

While referrals sometimes take her outside her core market, Val focuses her real estate practice on the community within a three-mile radius of her own home. As a result, she knows every home, every floor plan and every nuance of life in the neighborhood. She sends a monthly newsletter to the 30,000 people in the area, keeping them upto-date on happenings in the community and changes in the real estate market. She is a true local expert, with the lowdown on schools, taxes, home values and investment opportunities.

Val is also known as a champion for her community who sponsors everything from food drives to blood drives. She says, “I believe you have to give back to the people who give to you.”

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Residents eagerly anticipate her annual community garage sale, which has been a local tradition for more than a decade. She begins by advertising weeks ahead, and on the day of the event, she is up at 4:30 a.m. putting out signs. By 7:00, she is visiting neighbors with juice, coffee and donuts. “All people have to do is put their stuff out.

It’s not about real estate for me; it’s an opportunity to give back and get to know people.”

During her nursing career, Val learned another important lesson that she has carried with her into real estate -the importance of self-care. “I tell my team, ‘You’ve gotta take time for yourself. Put some time on your calendar every week for yourself and your family.’ My husband and I have a place in La Quinta. Sometimes we go out just for a night, but I come back refreshed. If you’re burnt out, it’s not good for clients, and it shows.”

Whether she is helping someone sell their starter condo or buy the luxury home of their dreams, Val provides the same caring service with integrity. Her nursing skills translate well to her career in real estate, where her calm demeanor keeps people grounded during stressful transactions, and her conscientious care prompts thorough and responsive communication. “Communication is one of the biggest things people need during a home transaction.

Some agents put a sign in the yard, and the client is forgotten until there is an offer on the property. People want to know what’s going on and want feedback about how their purchase or sale is progressing.”

Val says her big motivation in real estate isn’t to build masses of business; it is simply to do the right thing for the friends and neighbors who rely upon her for real estate advice. “You hear about the American Dream,” she says, “but we never could have imagined the life we actually have here in Southern California. I feel so fortunate to be here and working in a profession that allows me to help other people live their dream.”

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VALERIE IVES The Val Ives Team 30610 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591 Tel: 951-757-6065 - 951-338-9209 - Email: val@valerieives.com Web: https://www.valives.com - CalBRE # 01370557 ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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A Good Life Contains These 6 Essentials

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he values that make up the foundation of a life well lived—and, no surprise, money isn’t one of them.

The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck. The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes. The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home. The ultimate expression of life is living a good life.

Here’s what we must ask constantly, What, for me, would be a good life? And you have to keep going over and over the list—a list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation.

So, what would constitute a good life? Here is a short list: 1. Productivity You won’t be happy if you don’t produce. The game of life is not rest. Yes, we must rest, but only long enough to gather strength to get back to productivity.

What’s the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life? It’s to see what you can do with it—to try your hand to see what you can do.

2. Good Friends Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world, so don’t deny yourself the time to develop it.

Nothing can match it. It’s extraordinary in its benefit.

Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you. I lost one of my dearest friends when he was 53—heart attack. As one of my very special friends, 26

I used to say that if I was stuck in a foreign jail somewhere accused unduly, and, if they would allow me one phone call, I would call David. Why? He would come and get me. That’s a real friend—somebody who would come and get you.

And we’ve all got casual friends, friends who, if you called them, they would say, “Hey, if you get back, call me and we’ll have a party.”

You’ve got to have both real friends and casual friends.

3. Your Culture Language, music, ceremonies, traditions, dress. All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive.

The uniqueness of all of us, when blended together, brings vitality, energy, power, influence, and rightness to the world.

4. Spirituality It helps to form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach— don’t be careless about the spiritual part of your nature because it’s what makes us who we are, different from dogs, cats, birds and mice.

5. Don’t Miss Anything My parents taught me not to miss anything, not the game, the performance, the movie, the dance. Just before my father died at 93, if you were to call him at 10:30 or 11 at night, he wouldn’t be home. He was at the rodeo, he was watching the kids play softball, he was listening to the concert, he was at church—he was somewhere every night.

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Written By Jim Rohn Go to everything you possibly can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can. Go see everything and experience all you possibly can.

Live a vital life. If you live well, you will earn well. If you live well, it will show in your face; it will show in the texture of your voice. There will be something unique and magical about you if you live well. It will infuse not only your personal life but also your business life. And it will give you a vitality nothing else can give.

6. Your Family and the Inner Circle Invest in them, and they’ll invest in you. Inspire them, and they’ll inspire you. Take care of the details with your inner circle.

When my father was still alive, I used to call him when I traveled. He’d have breakfast most every morning with the farmers at a little place called The Decoy Inn out in the country where we lived in Southwest Idaho.

When I was in Israel, I’d have to get up in the middle of the night, but I’d call Papa. I’d say, “Papa, I’m in Israel.”

He’d say, “Israel! Son, how are things in Israel?” He’d talk real loud so everybody could hear. I’d say, “Papa, last night they gave me a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean.” He’d say, “Son, a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean?” Now everybody knew the story. And giving my father that special day only took five or 10 minutes.

a husband walks out of the house and he can still feel the imprint of his wife’s arms around his body, he’s invincible all day. It’s the special stuff with your inner circle that makes you strong and powerful and influential. So don’t miss that opportunity.

The prophet said, “There are many virtues and values, but here’s the greatest: one person caring for another.”

There is no greater value than love.

So make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do. May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire.

Jim Rohn knows the secrets of success - in business and in life. He has devoted his life to a study of the fundamentals of human behavior and personal motivation that affect professional performance. He can awaken the unlimited power of achievement within you! Reproduced with permission from the Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine. © 2008 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com; http://www.FrogPond. com.

If a father walks out of the house and he can still feel his daughter’s kiss on his face all day, he’s a powerful man. If ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Why Do They Do It....

T

here are many things that agents do regularly that puzzle me. In this article, we are going to look at two practices, standard for many agents, that don’t make sense. My hope is that if you recognize yourself, you can change your practices now and improve your business in the process.

Why do agents take listings for less time than six months?

We see agents regularly taking 30, 60 and 90 day listings. They take these listings when the average time on the market in their area is, for example, 107 days. Do these agents truly believe that they can beat the market? Beating the real estate market is like beating the “house” in Las Vegas. What are the odds of beating the house in Vegas?

There is a reason why the casinos are so big and opulent -- the casinos regularly win. Taking a listing for less time than your market average is like going to Las Vegas and thinking that you are going to win big. The odds of even a highly skilled agent regularly beating the market are very low. Don’t let your desire to take the listing interfere with your desire to turn a profit.

Set a standard, based on your market, for length of listings, and stick to it. Tell the seller that a shorter time frame won’t work for you. Walk away from the listing if necessary. It’s better to do it now than 90 days from now, when the listing expires. In 90 days you will have invested time, money and emotion for 90 days. Cut your losses now, at the listing appointment.

Your other option is to have the seller give you a 90-day price. A 90-day price, to me, is a price that would guarantee a sale within 45 days even if swarms of locusts took over your town, or if the region were hit with an earthquake, flood, fire, famine or other Biblical disaster. In other words, the chance is 100% that the home would sell fast, no matter what. My philosophy was always 90-day listing/90-day price. Give the seller the option to choose one. Don’t allow them to have the 6-month price with the 60-day listing.

Why do we spend two hours on a listing presentation?

Think about it: what are we saying in all that time? Do you think the client is really interested in spending two hours listening to us? Shouldn’t we be more prepared and get to the point going in? My belief was always the less said, the better. The longer my presentation went, the weaker it became. I think that most people would rather be spending time with their families than talking with a realtor®.

Here are the four things to focus on in a presentation. Share them; ask for the order; and get out.

Find out the client’s desires and expectations.

Convey the value of the home.

Show the client the value and benefit of working with you.

Ask for the order.

There is truly no reason to be there the amount of time that we are. If we spent even 15 minutes on each section

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which is too long we would be out in an hour. I can’t tell you how often I was thanked by the seller for being in and out in 30 minutes or less. I had people who listed with me because of my respect for their time. A week rarely went by in which I did not hear “The last guy was here for two hours. I appreciate your respect for our time.” Most sellers are not interested in the fluff and hype. Leave that for the other, less skilled agents. Find out their desired and motivation. Tell them the truth on the price of their homes. Tell them what you are going to do. Ask for the business.

It truly is that simple. Condense your presentation, and stay on track.

These are just two practices that have puzzled me for a while. If you see yourself, I urge you to change. For the sake of your clients and your time, commit to changing today. You will get more listings sold if you have a longer listing period. You can take more listings if you spend less time making the presentation for each one.

Dirk Zeller is an Agent, an Investor, and the President & CEO of Real Estate Champions. His company trains more than 350,000 Agents worldwide each year through live events, online training, self-study programs, and newsletters. He’s the widely published author of Your First Year in Real Estate, Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies®, The Champion Real Estate Agent, Telephone Sales for Dummies®, and over 300 articles in print. You can get more information by visiting www.RealEstateChampions.com. © 2008, Dirk Zeller. All rights reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com; http:// www.FrogPond.com.

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EA

It’s Healthy To Be Happy

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he dictionary says that happiness is the “agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good.

That state of being in which desires are gratified by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain.” Happiness is “positive pleasure or an excitement of agreeable sensations.”

Mark Twain said that most of us are “about as happy as we make up our minds to be.”

Psychologists and physicians have long known that happy, cheerful people enjoy better health. It goes back several thousand years to Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, who observed that “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” There’s no question but that a cheerful spirit does wonders for your health.

The question is, what’s the best way to be happy?

For a long time it’s been my conviction that others can give you pleasure, but the only way you’re going to be happy is to do things for other people. Forest Tennant, M.D., says that serotonin, which is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, normally hits the system full force at about ten o’clock in the morning. However, we can “jump-start” the flow of serotonin by doing something really nice for someone else.

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It doesn’t have to be “earth-shattering.” A simple, sincere phone call to someone you know will do wonders for you and them. Just let them know you were thinking of them and wanted them to know how much you appreciate who they are and what they do. Tell them how much their friendship means to you, how you admire them and that you just want them to know how you feel.

It’s amazing how good you will feel about yourself when you pay a sincere compliment to encourage someone else.

Think about it and pick up that telephone to encourage someone else with no thought of benefit to yourself and I will SEE YOU AT THE TOP. Zig Ziglar is a beloved author and America’s motivator. He is the author of 25 books and offers training and consulting to organizations all across the globe. To learn more about Zig and his business visit his website at www.ziglar.com.

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Written By Zig Ziglar

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The Complete Guide To True Wealth hen you hear the word wealth, you’ll probably associate it with having lots of money. But what is money and how does it actually fit into the big picture of wealth?

W

In the simplest explanation, money is actually something you use as a form of payment – be it in paper, coins, plastic cards, cheques, bank transfers, et cetera – in exchange for a product or service you require.

It is an updated version of the barter trade that was used ages ago. The major difference is that barter trade involves the exchange of goods, which are perceived to be of similar value without the use of any form of payment.

Money is actually a simple tool but has been complicated by today’s economics. Its value varies in different countries according to the amount, currency and assets it is weighed against.

To be wealthy in monetary terms goes beyond just having lots of money. It means being completely financially stable and not having to work vigorously for a decent meal or paycheck to survive. It also means being in complete control of your money and not allowing your money to control you.

However, wealth is not just about having lots of money. Wealth encompasses many great dimensions such as knowledge, creativity, relationships, love, wisdom, courage, success and all the good intangible values. The worth of a person, although human beings are intrinsically beyond valuation, should not only be defined by one’s material wealth, monetary value, possessions or other physical factors.

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The original draft of the American Declaration of Independence has the phrase, “… and the pursuit of Property” stated as one of those inalienable rights of Man. I am in agreement with the change to its current version, “… and the pursuit of Happiness”, whatever its reason.

A person’s wealth should be defined by one’s intangible, intellectual or aesthetic achievements, one’s use of the freely and abundantly available resources to fashion something better, one’s discoveries of new conceptual or real vistas, one’s selfless service rendered to a fellow human or to life or to a good ideal.

But the greatest wealth any human being can possess is the wealth of freedom. Not just any kind of freedom but the kind where any child, woman and man are freed in the truest sense of the word ‘free’ from every unnecessary or undesirable chain, prison or shackle imaginable. The truly free shall never have to work on something they hate just to put food on the table, but are free to pursue whatever gives them the healthiest , fullest pleasure and passion.

Only when you are able to grasp this fundamental essence of wealth will you be able to command it.

Shafi’e is the Webmaster of StraTeachgic Success, where you can discover secret life-long learning techniques and 2 amazing FREE reports that reveal how you can wipe out all your limiting beliefs, radically alter your life, boost your intelligence, expand your creativity, improve your personal effectiveness, achieve all your goals and your inherent unlimited potential for wealth & happiness fast! Get your free reports NOW at StraTeachgic Success.

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Written By Mohammad Shafi’e ExecutiveAgent Magazine

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Our bone marrow transplant reunion is now standing room only.

Each year, City of Hope invites bone marrow transplant recipients and their families to attend the “Celebration of Life” event. It’s a joyous time during which survivors of blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma embrace their health, their life and each other. It began more than 35 years ago when City of Hope created what is now one of the largest and most successful bone marrow transplant programs in the world. In fact, we’ve completed over 11,000 transplants and, according to national reports, our outcomes are among the best in the nation. The goal of curing cancer isn’t just something we work at. It’s what we live for.

If you have cancer, make us your first call. Or ask your doctor for a referral. We accept most insurance.

800-826-HOPE

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WE LIVE TO CURE CANCER. Science saving lives. cityofhope.org/bmt

11/25/13 6:02 PM

Getting just a mortgage is so last year.

That’s why we’re gifting your clients a fabulous perk when they finance their home purchase with Kinecta.

We’ve partnered with Househappy to offer traxplus.

Traxplus is a convenient web app that puts your clients’ home information at their fingertips and makes maintenance easy:

Includes an in-person initial data collection by a home data collection specialist Automated service reminders A dedicated home services concierge & more!

Free traxplus1 for your clients! $99 value

Once they’ve funded their Kinecta mortgage we’ll gift them the traxplus1 service.

Let’s elevate your clients’ home buying experience.

Jason Redmond, NMLS# 1234810 Manager Mortgage Loan Sales cell: 310.871.1673 | tel: 310.643.4667 Jason.Redmond@kinecta.org www.kinecta.org/jredmond Visit www.kinecta.org/househappy to learn more.

All loans are subject to credit approval. NMLS #407870. Intended for mortgage professionals only and not for consumer use.

Househappytrax and Househappytraxplus home services are made available through a partnership with Househappy. Househappy is not affiliated with Kinecta or its affiliates. All costs and fees associated with the services offered through Househappy are the responsibility of the user. Kinecta reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time.

1 Kinecta will cover the cost of the traxplus service (valued at $99.00) for Kinecta members who finance their home purchase with a Kinecta mortgage in the state of California. Eligible mortgage applications must be submitted on or after 1/1/2017. If eligible and upon consent, qualified borrowers will be enrolled in traxplus upon completion of a home purchase transaction. Additional costs and fees, such as renewal fees, are the responsibility of the user.

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