After over 24 years of raising 3 children, this is our first day as ‘Empty Nester’s’. Our eldest, Courtney, has moved up to Northern Alberta with her boyfriend to pursue job prospects there. Both or our son’s live in British Columbia and have made lives for themselves there. Our eldest son, Adam, was with us Christmas week and yesterday we drove him to the airport for his return home.

Well, there you have it. What do we do now? Personally, I have been looking forward to this “freedom” for a few years now and I am excited about spending more time with my wife and not having to include children in decisions. My wife on the other hand, is having a hard time letting go of the fact she has no kids at home. I am trying to understand her side and to be supportive. It will be  change in our life that I know in time we will both embrace. the kids need to make their own lives and futures with their parents cheering them on from the sidelines. I guess we can look forward to Grand Children now.

A week from today we are off to Mexico for our Vacation! I am really looking forward to getting away from winter and to work on a new business development plan. (more on that in a later blog). You want a hint? O.k, it has to do with marketing online using video. Here is a link to a web cam at the Akumal Mexico beach which is just north of our Resort, The Gran Bahia Principe Akumal. 

http://www.locogringo.com/Upload/akumal-beach-cam.html

I will be developing a daily blog from Mexico and will post the link on this blog starting next week as well.

Happy rest of your Holidays,

Larry J Clark

I kept getting calls on my cell phone from an Ontario area code, and when I went to answer it, they hang up. I thought this was some solicitation thing so I called the number to get them to stop.

Turns out it was American Express Canada and they had a problem with my account. Problem…?, I always pay my bill. Their so called “problem” was they were uncomfortable with my spending limits and froze my account (I had no idea) and wanted to let me know that my ‘unlimited’ Amex card was in fact now limited. What? ...when did this happen? Well according to their phone rep, now. I had purchased our Trip to Mexico on the card , which they approved, and now they are uncomfortable with me carrying the balance on my card.

Let me tell you what challenges I have been having with Amex for the past 6 months. First, I have had 2 American Express cards for over 6 years. Never had a problem. About 6 months ago or so, I started to see the card get declined for simple purchases like gas at Costco. I called them and they tell me I have a payment due. Wrong, payment was not due… their mistake. Payment was made they had not entered it. OOPS! Sorry. We book our trip..Travel Agency says the card needs verification and cannot go through? WHAT? I call Amex…they tell me I am carrying a $1200.00 balance and they would PREFER I pay that out so I can add the Vacation package. OK, I did that. They raised the limit and all is well. NOPE. Today they are uncomfortable with me carrying the balance which they gave me and yes, my card is frozen again.

Solution, I paid out my balance and canceled both the cards. Sorry to be a ‘uncomfortable’ client American Express. I hope you find better clients than me to deal with.

Good thing MasterCard and Visa are comfortable with me…

Larry J Clark

Officially Grey Cup Sunday here in Calgary and we are experiencing a “Chinook” from the West bringing some nice warm air to town. Currently 8 degrees Celsius so should be a pleasant day for Football. Now personally, I really don’t care who wins as I am a BC Lions fan. Most of Calgary seems to be siding with the Riders to keep the cup in the West. Should be a great game.

On the home front, I heard from my youngest Son the other day, Joshua, who informed us that we are going to be grandparents! Can you believe it?! Yes, our Josh and his wife Rebecca have confirmed she is pregnant and this will be our first Grandchild. Excited for both of them and of course Robin is beside herself with excitement. I will keep you posted on a due date.

Just finished booking our Winter Holiday on Friday. Going to Mexico for the first time and have chosen the Mayan Riviera and the Resort “Gran Bahia Principe Akumal”. Reviews seem good and we leave the first week of January for 7 days. Looking forward to some sun/beach time and just relaxing. Told Robin we would book a holiday once the business sold so the pressure was one. I bought a waterproof housing for my ‘FLIP’ camera so I can take some video and pictures while snorkeling…should be fun.  Plan on seeing some Mayan ruins down there but not much touristy stuff. Just sunning, eating and reading. Keep an eye oon this blog in January for videos and pictures while we are down there.

Above is the picture of the  Resort and beach from the website. Looks nice to me!

To your weekend and next holiday,

Larry

I am currently in Las Vegas for a short, 4 day “Get away”. My wife, Robin, and I have not had an opportunity in a while to get away especially after the big move.

I booked under the WestJet Vacations Site and the fee    was really reasonable. To the left is a picture of me in front of the fountains at the Mirage Resort Casino. I didn’t stay there but we were out walking the strip yesterday and took some pic’s.

We actually stayed at the MGM Grand in Vegas and it was fabulous. The room was modern and well equipped and the bed was very comfy. Had dinner at Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill last night and the food was spectacular!! I highly recommend it as it was casual and not too expensive.

We are taking in the Cirque Du Soleil Show tonight called “KA” and I am looking forward to it.

The weather has been very cool so no pool time but we kept busy today shopping at the Premium Outlets. This is therapy for my wife and I hang out at Starbucks and people watch. Heading back tomorrow but it was worth the time.

Vegas really isn’t the place for a quite get away but still a good destination for getting away from home and work and having some fun.

To your next Vacation,

Larry J Clark

Anybody can sell on price. That’s easy. I can train any intelligent person to take orders on home sales just on price point. The real test of experience is selling homes on it’s value.

So where does value come from? Really, it comes from individuals and what they perceive the value of the home to be to them. I could stand here all day extolling the features and the value the Builder believes the home has, but ultimately it is the home buyer who either agrees or disagrees with my assessment. There are other ‘market’ indicators that assist a home buyer like a CMA. (Current market analysis) These are usually done by Realtors who research what has sold recently in the area and for what cost. Then they compare a home to one that is similar in size, etc. and come up with what the ‘market’ value of that home is.

So where does value come in? When I walk in a new home, if it too big, not laid out to my liking or some other challenge, my value for that home may not be the same as someone who the home suits perfectly. So now you have two completely different values of the same home. Of course you can break the house cost down to sticks of wood and concrete and try and figure out what it actually cost to build, and valuate that way as well. The problem with this is that the “emotional” value is not there. Say this new home is one block from a school, then a young family would value it’s location more than a empty nester couple. What about the lot? Some people value corner lots more than others and land can be the same size for area, but one could have a view and the other not.

I am not saying I have the answers when it comes to selling homes or value, but I think there is something to be said for finding out what potential clients value as important to them, other than just cost.

Let me know what you think.

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

I just developed and uploaded a new blog yesterday called “Sunset Ridge View“. It is based on the Community I sell new homes in Cochrane Alberta.

I want to blog about the Community and hopefully will get input from the residents of events and interesting facts that I can add. Maps and pictures will also be included along with information about the great Town of Cochrane.

Have a great weekend!

Larry

Well now that I am here in Calgary we were looking to rent a home vs. buying  until we sold our home in BC. I put an ad on Kijiji and advertised that I was looking to take over a mortgage or a low down payment on a house to see if I could avoid putting allot of money down on a house before I got the money from the equity from the existing home.

Anyway, we had a rental lined up and I received a call from a family that wanted someone to take over their mortgage. I went and looked at the home and it is a beautiful 5 year old home in Kincora on a cul-de-sac. It has a huge lot, hot tub, hardwood, air conditioning amongst other things. Well, we have now bought it and take possession the 1st of July. Now I am the proud owner of 2 homes so I really need to sell the old one. I have attached some pictures for you.

The good news is this will force us to settle into our new life here. Next post will be my one week report on my new job.

Kind Regards,

Larry

I was thinking today about how I have added extra income to our stream in good and bad times and wanted to share with you what has worked for me.

The best way to source extra income is to use your influence. What does this mean? Use the contacts and relationships you have established to refer them to complimentary services that they can use. Here is a recent example that was proposed to me:

A Mortgage Brokerage Company asked me to refer anyone that I knew that was looking to refinance or for a new mortgage. They said they would pay me at least $250.00 just for sending someone to them and they write a mortgage. I think everyone knows someone who needs a mortgage or is refinancing, so why not contact a Mortgage Broker and see if they will sign a referral agreement with you. Yes, please have a written agreement not a verbal one!

A Realtor friend also knows I know allot of people and will give me a “gift” for a client that uses him. This can be cash or I suggest a gift card to your favorite store or restaurant. Gift cards are not taxable as income here in Canada (no gifts are usually) and this is a way that you can go for dinner or buy something without using your own money.

Here’s a big one for you. I have heard this past week, no kidding, two Companies I had dealings with that have merged and partnered with competitors to share costs and the market. Even a couple of years ago this would be unheard of. Why not contact Companies you know and see who their competitors are and see if you can broker a partnership between the two for a fee? How about just introducing them for referral fee and let them work something out? This will take some work but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained and could be quite a nice pay day for you.

I understand you are not all in business but I am confident that we all have imagination and contacts that can lead to a generation of income even in this economy.

To your future,

Larry J Clark

I apologize for not having written for awhile. It has been a time of reflection and taking some extra time off to deal with the ‘issues of the day’. Now though, it is time to get back in the game and move forward.

I feel this is a new season for me as well as for our business’. Times, they are a changing! The housing market for export has really gone down in the last year. Amongst our best efforts and exploring overseas markets, the market is resistant. I have been selling and marketing prefab homes and cabins for well over 15 years now and I have decided to delegate my responsibilities to trusted partners, and see what God has for me next. I believe I have taken it as far as I can personally.

Over the years I have been blessed to learn a great many things regarding marketing and sales. I have also had the pleasure of working with some great people and partners. Recently, I have been asked to do some “Coaching” and mentoring for other business professionals and truly enjoy sharing my expertise with others. I believe it is time for me to expand my horizons and take on new challenges without controlling the day to day duties of the Company. It will rise or fall on it’s own merits without my further involvement. I know there are other Companies and people who would benefit from my experience and I am strongly leaning toward putting out ‘feelers’ out there.

It will not be easy, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained. I am not a bit swayed by this market or the future, as I am always the optimist and know there is something out there for me.

My faith will always see me through.

To your future as well,

Larry J Clark

I was listening to a Lance Wallnau video session and he made a great point, he said “God shows us the end from the beginning but not the process of getting there”.

If you think about it, if we knew the process of life we are to get to, we may try and change it in our own strength because we do not like how it looks. We also may try and run ahead of where we should be or worse yet, freeze where we are and never move into the Destiny we are called in. It is in the process of life that we learn the end from the beginning and the lessons to move forward to where we need to be. If there is no peace in the process of life, then there is a shift you need to make to get onto the path that God has intended for you. Ask Him and he will tell you and guide you.

I hear allot about the ‘doom and gloom’ news we are bombarded with and don’t get me wrong, there are definate problems we are all dealing with. Our Companies sales have dropped off substantially but in all of this, this is the most peaceful I have been in business in 18 years. I believe this is because I am stepping back, identifying who is the provider of all things, and not trying to strive for what is ahead but get in tune with what God has for me in the future and move in that way.

Who knows what that will look like as I don’t know the process, I only know I win in the end!

Blessings,

Larry