Life Is Great On The Sunny (Leander's) Side Of The Street

Hello all,
This morning the weather report for Philadelphia is HOT! I have heard many people complaining about the heat. I have been prone to do it also (considering that the AC in one of my cars is on the fritz). But then I thought, why am i complaining? Somewhere in the world, someone is lying in an airconditioned hospital room, unable to get up. Yet hear i am standing and able to walk around freely. It truly is sunny on my side of the street.

We hear lot's of people complaining about the real estate market. It's horrible, it hasn't been this bad in many years, I am not making the money I used to, blah, blah, blah. As I was driving to the office, I passed a gentleman sleeping on the street. When I went to bed last night, my mattress was certainly more comfortable than the sidewalk that this gentleman ws sleeping on. It truly is sunny on my side of the street.

Gas prices. OMG, gas is at or about $4.00 a gallon. How can we ever afford to drive our luxury cars with the price of premium? Then I remember when I read the story about my brothers in Cuba. How some could only afford a small amount of gas and could only drive every once in awhile. Not everyday like I do. Hmmm , it is still looking sunny on Leander's side of the street.
Bottom line: You can look at the glass as half empty or half full. You still have the same amount. Why not enjoy what you have and stop complaining about what you don't have. I am very happy with all things in life. Is it perfect.......far from it. Yet, I will will continue to smile on my sunny side of the street.

Have a great day

Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant

The Little Hammer - A Story

Inspiration can be found in many places. Recently while browsing through a magazine, I came across this story. The story was told by Jose Orlando Padron. It was the story of how a small hammer changed his life. I thought I would pass it on. Enjoy.
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In 1962, I arrived in Miami, AN UNKNOWN CITY IN A FOREIGN LAND. I had to start from zero. At first, I received $60 monthly as a government aid given to Cuban refugees. I was thirty six years old, strong and in good health. Every time I cashed that check, I felt like a burden on the country that had taken me in. For many days, I looked for a job and did not find one. Every night, I went home and thought of the future. I was determined to do something so that I could support my family. One day, Raul Fernandez, a friend who worked in the Cuban Refugee Office asked if I had any carpentry skills. I said I did. He Gave me a gift - a small hammer - which he asked me to put to good use. The hammer made me feel I had the necessary tool to become self-sufficient and not to depend on a government hand-out. During the days, I worked as a gardener. At nights, I did carpentry with the hammer. My dream was to save enough money to open a factory to make great cigars, like the ones we used to smoke in Cuba. Through a lot of sacrifice and hard work, I managed to save $600 - money I made working with the hammer. With that, I mad my dream come true and opened Padron Cigars in 1964. I still have the hammer as a reminder of how it all started.
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Always remember, it's not how much is in that glass that's important. It's how you look at it. Have a wonderful day.

The Pool Is Now Open: 16 Windermere Dr., Lumberton, NJ 08048 - $439,000

The pool is now open and the water is fine. Stop by and view this lovely home. A better value you will not find in Bobby's run. This home has been updated with laminate flooring and ceramic tile. The yard has a huge paver patio with electricity and a heated in-ground pool. Over $50,000 was spent in the yard alone. Compare the features of this home to any other in Bobby's Run and you will see what I am talking about.
The home is a Manchester III model home in popular Bobby's Run. This home features a grand entrance showcasing a dual staircase that flows from the foyer thru the 2nd flr hall and down into the Den. The main level open floorplan includes a D/R, Formal L/R, Study, Laundry and the F/R with vaulted ceiling and a wood-burning fireplace. The Eat-In Kitchen has ceramic tile flooring, a center island and lots of cabinet and counter space. Upstairs features a Master Suite with lg secluded bath including a garden tub, shower, double vanities and a spacious walk-in closet. Downstairs in the basement is a Studio/Media room which has been framed and is ready for the new owner to finish. Step outside onto the enticing paver patio w/ gazebo overlooking the in-ground pool. The shed, vinyl fencing and quality landscaping complete the yard. Double zone heating, intercom system and more. Conveniently located near NJ Tpk, Rtes 295, 206, 73 70.
This homes is listed for sale by Crown Realty. The owner is a licensed NJ Realtor.
For further information, contact Leander McClain @ 609-505-6578 or lee@njsouthrealestate.com

Simpleology Blog Training

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

How To Please Everyone

We work in a customer service industry. It is very important to be able to please your clients. This little story will tell you can absolutely please everyone
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An old man, a boy & a donkey were going to town.
The boy rode on the donkey & the old man walked.
As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding.
The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.
Then, later, they passed some people who remarked, "What a shame, he makes that little boy walk."
So they then decided they'd both walk! Soon they passed some more people who thought
They were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.
So, they both rode the donkey.
Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey.
The boy and man figured they were probably right, so they decide to carry the donkey.
As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal, and he fell into the river and drowned.
The moral of the story?
If you try to please everyone,
You might as well..
Kiss your ass goodbye!
In other words, you can't please everyone. Do your best at all times and that is all that you can do.

Down Payment Assistance Is Still Alive

Nehemiah WINS Lawsuit against HUD!
Judge Lawrence K. Karlton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California upheld Nehemiah's motion for summary judgment and invalidated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule to ban private downpayment assistance as proposed in the Standards for Mortgagor's Investment in Mortgaged Property regulation published October 1, 2007.


To be clear, this rule cannot be enforced by HUD and is no longer a threat to private downpayment assistance programs.


We are thrilled with the Court's decision to support low-to-moderate income families across the country by ruling against HUD's attempt to ban private downpayment assistance, said Scott Syphax, President and CEO of Nehemiah Corporation of America. This is a major and conclusive judgment, leaving no uncertainty that downpayment assistance is a life line to the families that Nehemiah serves. It is heartening to see that the Court's arguments echo our sentiments and concerns. This decision preserves access and supports the use of sensible and reasonable approaches to homeownership for millions of working class families. It is a privilege to continue providing a helping hand to America's underserved families by building both safer communities and financial strength through homeownership. As we have said before, we look forward to working with HUD to support deserving families across the country.


To read more about Nehemiah's court victory, visit: http://www.getdownpayment.com/updates/insidetrack.asp

Welcome New Affiliates

NJSouthRealEstate.com would like to welcome two new affiliates. Lorraine Santirosa of Santirosa Realty Group in San Diego, California and Hanna Kurtu of B.F. Saul in Reston, Va.

Lorraine is a real estate consultant who has worked with countless military families in San Diego. Her dedicated and creative team is comprised of a director of first impressions, a transaction coordinator, escrow group, mortgage lender, and a title representative. Her team who brilliantly and unfailingly provides world class service to all.

Hanna is a mortgage consultant. For the past five years Hanna has been helping borrowers realize the benefits of home ownership. Her motivated team of professionals work out of offices in Reston, Virginia. Hanna and her team provide a focused approach which provides clients with world class service.

Lorraine, Hanna and myself work By Referral Only. 90% of our business comes from referrals from past clients, strategic alliances, friends, family members and people that we care about. With business driven by referrals, we have the time to dedicate 100% of our energy toward serving our clients and not seeking new business. Together we are building a military referral network to collective serve our clients. You can view our respective website here:
http://www.njsouthrealestate.com , htp://www. sandiegomilitaryrelocation.com and http:northernvirginiavaloans.blogspot.com