Small victories

In our day-to-day business life, it's really easy to get overwhelmed. Let's face it: It's tough out there. Owning a small business can make you question your sanity at times. I know it does to me. As the owner of Coastal Carolina Home Watch, I deal with so many different things on a daily basis that it's easy to get a little crazy at times. If I have a bad day or two, I can deal. Sometimes I have a bad week; I can deal a little less. I have been through a pretty rough time these past few months (some might say years), and so to get a little negative is pretty easy. I have never been negative before. Hell, I've been accused of whistling past the graveyard on more than one occasion. But I have always believed in myself--and this Association. And I have never lost faith in the potential of Coastal Carolina Home Watch. So putting my life back together after losing my wife has been a day at a time, one step at a time. The amazing thing is that now that I am seeing clearly again, and my brain is actually processing thoughts and ideas, I am starting to see the importance of "small victories" again. While I was overwhelmed and stressed out, it was always all or nothing. Things were either good or bad: no in-between, no middle ground. And from my point of view, most of the time it was bad. And everything was BIG.

Having been forced to slow down, I have been able to re-evaluate things. I am now breaking things down a little more, and looking to make each day and stretch of time devoted to something count even more. I don't try to win the game with one swing. I've stopped trying to kill the ball with my driver. If I keep my head down, take an easy back swing, drive through the ball and finish with a good follow through, I know that I'll hit the ball well. As long as I stay in play, and get to the green in regulation, I'll give myself a realistic shot at par. If I get a little lucky (from good fundamentals), I should leave myself a chance at a few birdies too.

I guess I am trying to tell you to stay the course, lose the negativity, and get back to good fundamentals. Take the small victory every time. Those small ones pay the bills. Those small ones make our foundations solid. Those small victories keep us thinking and feeling positive, so that we feel good and confident when that really big victory is there to be won. Think about it.


Much success,


Jack

Delaware is in the house!

If you happen to own a second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, then you are in luck. DJ Hill and the staff of Homewatch Concierge are the newest accredited members of the National Home Watch Association. DJ's extensive experience in the hospitality industry was a driving force in the creation of this unique service. He has tailored his Concierge services to cater to homeowners and vacationers who are looking to be pampered and  carefree during their time spent in Rehoboth. Homewatch Concierge will ease the minds of part-time residents by providing periodic checks of their properties, while keeping them informed of any issues. He also offers services that apply to REO properties, sellers' and buyers' agents, rental agencies and property management. DJ was a gubernatorial appointee to the Delmarva Advisory Council as well as the past Sussex County Chairman of the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association. He is also very involved with various civic groups in Rehoboth Beach. His management team is well educated, well rounded and well chosen. Please visit his website at www.homewatch-concierge.com to learn all about Homewatch Concierge. The NHWA wishes the best of luck to DJ, Jenny, Connie and John.

On a personal note: I am currently in Puerto Rico recharging my batteries. But, I know myself, and I am sure I'll be looking for Home Watch while there. If I do talk to somebody about the NHWA...it's a BUSINESS TRIP!

Much success,

Jack

Home Watch Service Plus of Amelia Island

Dave Carter and Rick Mowery

Dave Carter is a genius. A successful veteran of the business world, Dave approached me with his vision for Home Watch Service PLUS last year. He purchased a start-up guide from the NHWA and used the information from it (along with many spit-balling sessions with me on the phone) and combined it with his plan. What he has created is a well-laid-out, franchise-able Home Watch business. The first Home Watch Service PLUS is located on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, FL. Offering 100-plus services for homeowners, property managers and mortgage lenders, the Amelia Island location is managed by Rick Mowery. Rick is a maintenance expert with over 15 years experience. HWSP of Amelia Island serves Nassau County, Florida and Camden County, Georgia. Its property preservation program serves Nassau and Duval Counties in Florida, and all of Southeast Georgia. Please visit www.hwsplus.com/Amelia for more information. The NHWA would like to congratulate Dave and Rick on their accreditation and acceptance in our Association.

We are ready to announce new members in Delaware, Tennessee, Florida and Massachusetts in upcoming blogs. Until then, I wish you


Much success,


Jack

My inspiration....

You may have noticed a recent lack of blogging, or that our new website is not yet live, and might be wondering why. The answer is that I have been taking care of Chris, my wife and partner of 30 years. Chris lost her 15 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis on April the 16th. Chris endured a long, painful and terrible existence that took away her movement and physical abilities, but not her sense of humor, spirit or will to live. Her strength and courage has inspired me to persevere in so many situations that I thought were hopeless or too much trouble. She never gave up: no matter the pain or indignities she suffered daily. And so, I am recommitting and rededicating my energy, spirit and time to the National Home Watch Association. Chris was very proud of the NHWA and what it stands for. She was proud of me for creating it, and the strides being taken to better our industry. I know that if I put forth even half the effort that she gave everyday in order to survive, the NHWA will become what she and I envisioned it to be. Her memory will always inspire me to succeed. As always, I wish you 

Much success,

Jack

NHWA Interviewed by Real Estate Today Radio and Welcomes Heartland Home Watch of Gatlinburg, TN

Greetings and salutations.

While at the 2012 National Association of Realtors® Resort and Second-Home Symposium last month, I had the opportunity to talk Home Watch with some very high-powered people in the Real Estate industry. Meeting Moe Viessi, the national President, and other leaders from many states gave me the opportunity to educate them about the value of Home Watch and how the NHWA can be a productive partner with the NAR.  Real Estate Today, a national radio program broadcast to 3.2 million Realtors® nationwide, gave the NHWA center stage during one of their interviews with me. Yesterday I was interviewed by Gil Gross for a follow up. I will let you know when it will be aired a soon as I know. What was really a treat was speaking with Realtors® from Las Vegas, Colorado, Arizona, Cape Cod, Florida, and some of the other areas the attendees were from and giving them contact information for our Accredited Members in their areas. I have since been contacted by some of them who wanted to learn more about the Home Watch industry, and I intend to keep these conversations going. 

I have the pleasure of welcoming another mentored business into our growing membership. Pete Zimmer, owner of Heartland Home Watch, has become the first Accredited Member of the NHWA in Tennessee. A full-time resident of Gatlinburg, Pete brings a wealth of knowledge and know-how to his new service. His 30 years of experience in construction management, plumbing, and home inspection make Heartland Home Watch the obvious choice for anyone in Gatlinburg and surrounding towns in Eastern Tennessee who leave their home for extended periods of time. Knowing Pete has their back will make their absence less stressful. Heartland Home Watch can be found on the web at www.heartlandhomewatch.com. Pete Zimmer can be reached at (865) 415-3667. I expect great things from him. To Pete and all of you, I wish you

Much success,


Jack

Greetings from Kiawah Island, SC - 2012 NAR Resort and Second-Home Symposium

Greetings and salutations!

I attended the National Association of Realtors® Resort and Second-Home Symposium at the ridiculously beautiful Kiawah Island Golf Resort, on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The National Home Watch Association was a proud sponsor of this very informative and timely event. Realtors® from all over the U.S. who specialize in second-home sales have now officially been exposed to the NHWA and its goals and standards. I had the opportunity to educate these professionals as to not only the existence of Home Watch, but what it does as well. Accredited Members from many different markets across the U.S. will be hearing from these Realtors®. I have asked many attendees to reach out to Home Watch businesses who do not belong to the NHWA and ask why they are not Members. Do they not believe in our Code of Ethics? Are they not properly licensed? Are they not properly insured?

I am pleased to tell you that I was able to meet with the 2012 NAR National President, Maurice "Moe" Viessi (see photo, below). I will share our the jist of conversation in an upcoming blog. I was also interviewed by Real Estate Today, a national radio show based in Washington, DC. In addition, I met with Russell Ridge, the NAR official for Government Affairs, to discuss insurance implications with regard to this market. I was able to share with him my ideas as to how the NHWA might play a role in solving the problem. Listening to Dr. Lawrence Yuen, who is considered to be one of the top ten economists in the U.S., was a treat. He talked about the role of the Real Estate industry in today's economic climate.  I will get into his observations in a future blog.

On another note, I would like to thank all of you who sent positive thoughts and prayers for my wife. She is still fighting to recover. I cannot tell you how much your support means to us.

Oh, and one last thing: We will be introducing six new members in three new states within the next few days.

As always, I wish you

Much success,

Jack

State of the Association Address

My fellow Home Watchers,

It is my pleasure to tell you this evening that the State of the NHWA is strong! As we look forward to a productive 2012, I am encouraged by the spirit, enthusiasm and interest shown by people in growing our Association. I am proud of the Members and Mentees who have joined and are currently building their new businesses using the guidance and ethics of the National Home Watch Association. This past week alone, the NHWA has added 7 new Mentees. Our phone call volume and web traffic is very encouraging. Like anything else, it takes time to get momentum going. But potential new members in Delaware, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Alaska, Southern California, and Hawaii should be coming on board very soon. Florida has a brand new member whom I'll be blogging about in the next few days. Even British Columbia is dipping its toe in the water. All of these signs point towards a very strong 2012 for the NHWA. For those Home Watch fence-sitters who are still wavering about applying for accreditation, I say to you...join already.  I know how many of you keep looking at our website. Google Analytics tells me all about who is looking again, and again and again. We need your membership to build our numbers, which will provide the impact we need  in order to raise the standards in our industry. The NHWA needs your participation in gathering knowledge and statistics, so we can be heard by the insurance industry and the proper agencies so we can get our own designated classification.

Yes, the State of the Association is growing stronger every day, but we need you to make it even stronger. Make the commitment to become a member. Call me to discuss it at (843) 357-6660.  I am waiting for your call.

Patriotically yours,

Jack