The Coyotes Are Out!

Although you are unable to see them, there are four coyotes out and about in this picture (sorry, old iphone camera).

What I've noticed in this year of running through the Cherry Creek State Park is that I mostly see the coyotes on the days when the weather is less than desirable for most species. The rest of the animal kingdom is hunkered down, trying to get through the tough time. But the coyote, whether wile or not, is on the prowl - doing what coyotes do.

The real estate industry has had some weather that is less than desirable as well. It's been rough on homeowners, sellers, some buyers and Realtors. Most are hunkering down, trying to get through the tough time. The coyote Realtors, however, are doing business, some are flourishing. Ask them how business is and they'll tell you it's fantastic!

The truth is that NOW is a great time to be in the real estate business and RIGHT NOW is an especially great time to have motivated Buyers. Even in more prosperous times, there seems to be a lull during December and January. Realtors are telling their Sellers to hang in during the winter months, things will pick up, just wait until spring. Put this annual scenario in place somewhere that has a real winter AND couple it with a Seller's already discouraged attitude (from watching the news or listening to the average Realtor) and you have a mindset ripe for my Buyer to grab a pretty darn good deal.

In mid November, part of my sphere marketing is notifying everyone that the best time to buy is just around the corner (a little late if you missed that piece of advice this year). I want them primed and ready. There is good hunting when the rest of the animals are hunkered down.

It's also a great time to "sharpen the saw" as Covey would say. Take some classes, get a designation, work on your presentation, your systems, your business plan. Increase your number of daily contacts, meet some people OUTside of the office. Broaden your efforts, focus on your targets.

There is a great temptation to take a step back, to relax during the fourth quarter awaiting the new year and new hopes. That's not what the coyotes are doing. They're out there when it's ugly (in fact, I think they prefer it that way). The question is are you a coyote?

Several quotes come to mind... "when the going gets tough, the tough get going;" "you have to zig when everyone else is zagging;" and Warren Buffett's "be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."

My favorite quote is from me, "be a coyote!"