I’m suddenly excited by the prospect of a “Subway Series” here in NY as the Yankees continue their rocket launch into the post-season. The other NY team leads the National League. Woot! October, here we come…!
And, as George Will and so many others have learned, there is much wisdom to be gleaned from the game of baseball that we can use in our daily lives.
I came across two quotes today that I’m certain can be applied to the [tag]homebuying[/tag] experience and the [tag]mortgage[/tag] business.
The first, from a NYTimes.com article about A-Rod and Warren Buffett, features mighty words from the world’s second-richest man about investing:
“The most important thing in investing,” Buffett said, “is what (Red Sox hitting star, Ted) Williams said was the most important thing in hitting” — waiting for the right pitch.
“What’s nice about investing is you don’t have to swing at pitches,” Buffett said. “You can watch pitches come in one inch above or one inch below your navel, and you don’t have to swing. No umpire is going to call you out. You can wait for the pitch you want.”
Those folks familiar with my viewpoint on [tag]negotiating[/tag], including the ability to get up and walk away from the bargaining table, will see where I’m going with this.
The “[tag]dream house[/tag]” exists in your mind. You can make just about any house into that [tag]dream home[/tag]. Therefore, you should never “fall in love” with any given [tag]house[/tag]. The bottom line of negotiating the purchase of your home should be your comfort level with the [tag]monthly payment[/tag], and that’s based on the price you pay. If you can sit tight and wait for “the right pitch” then you will find not only that your negotiating skills have improved, but you will find the right house.
The second baseball bit is also from NYTimes.com today. Mariano Rivera, the famed closer for the Yankees, is still going strong after 13 years in the majors. And he’s still confounding hitters with his brilliant “cutter” pitch.
And ever year fans and journalists and other Major Leaguers speculate on whether or not “Mo” still has what it takes.
Here’s his response: ” “It happens every year, so I don’t get offended,” Rivera said. “People have the right to say what they want to say. That’s not what I feel, but I cannot tell people what to do or what to say about me. I always know who I am and what I’m capable of doing.”
I LOVE that! Confidence in your abilities is what brings any professional to the top of the field.
Often I have met resistance from folks on the ‘net for my opinions on things like recommending 30yr [tag]Fixed rate mortgage[/tag] loans instead of [tag]ARMS[/tag] and other “exotica.” I’ve stood my ground no matter the weight of popular opinion against me—especially from other mortgage professionals.
That’s difficult to do when the business world around you is moving fast and furious with crazy loan offerings like Neg-Am I/O 2/28 [tag]ARM loans[/tag] and potential clients focus on what they want to hear instead of advice that has their best interest at heart for the long term.
In the end, like Mo and his cutter, I managed to keep coming back and closing loans. Where are the other mortgage pro’s now?
Go Yankees…!
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