The Money Mindset: Spend vs. Invest

Happy Monday Real-Estate Rockstars! Graduation caps are flying this week. If you’ve got a senior in the family, congrats on surviving the college‑visit circuit.

Speaking of milestones, we’re nearly halfway through Q2, which makes now the perfect moment to ask: Are you spending or investing?

In this edition we’ll separate wallet‑draining expenses from profit‑boosting investments, breathe fresh life into your open‑house strategy, and sharpen focus on high‑impact tasks. Covey’s 7 Habits sticks with us, guiding decisions toward what truly matters rather than what merely screams for attention.

Brew that second cup, silence the notifications, and let’s turn ordinary Monday dollars—and minutes—into long‑term gains.

— Steve

ACCOUNTANT ANGLE

 Investment vs. Expense

Picture two buckets. Bucket A: printing new business cards because the font looks dated. Bucket B: hiring a transaction coordinator who frees five hours a week for prospecting.

Only one bucket pays dividends. To decide which, ask three questions:

1. Will it create new revenue?

2. Will it save measurable time?

3. Will it reduce future risk?

If none apply, it’s likely an expense masquerading as an investment. Quick example: a $50 monthly subscription that automates social‑media posting and nets two additional leads is worth far more than a glossy $500 magazine ad that wins crickets.

Start tracking each outflow on a simple spreadsheet with columns labeled “Grow,” “Save,” or “Glow.” At month‑end, total dollars in each column. If “Glow”—things that look nice but deliver little—exceeds 15 percent of spend, redirect funds to the “Grow” pile, and watch profit fatten without earning another commission.

BUSINESS BOOSTER

Boosting Your Open‑House Strategy

Gone are the days of cookies on the counter and a lonely sign‑in sheet. Today’s buyers want an experience.

Start outside: set up a quick QR code on a yard sign that links to a mobile‑friendly brochure with 3‑D tour, neighborhood stats, and your scheduling link.

Inside, create an “interest station” featuring swatches of possible paint colors or virtual staging on a tablet—invite visitors to vote for their favorite look via poll, capturing emails in the process.

Need a conversation starter? Position a local coffee roaster’s pop‑up cart on the driveway; you foot the modest bill, they handle caffeine and buzz.

Finally, go live on Instagram for two minutes during the peak window, tagging the lender you pre‑vetted for the property. Cross‑promotion plus real‑time FOMO can turn a casual passerby into a must‑see appointment before the open house even ends.

COACHES CORNER

Prioritize High‑Impact Tasks

If your to‑do list looks like a CVS receipt, steal this trick: write every task on a sticky note, spread them on your desk, and sort into three piles—Move Income, Maintain, Misc. 

Income movers might be prospect calls or price‑adjustment meetings. Maintenance covers admin, MLS updates, mileage logs. Misc? Everything else (yes, oddly satisfying but low‑return color‑coding counts).

Commit to tackling at least one Income‑Mover before 10 a.m. every day. Then schedule Maintenance in focused blocks—batch, don’t sprinkle. Leave Misc for late afternoon or delegate if possible.

This physical sorting exposes the illusion of “busy but broke” and aligns perfectly with Covey’s Habit 3—Put First Things First.

Repeat weekly, and you’ll find days feel shorter yet far more profitable, like magic minus the rabbits.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey

Two weeks with Covey and the habits are hitting home.

This round, zoom out to the big picture—Habit 4: Think Win‑Win and Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. In practice, that means presenting an offer not as a battle but a collaboration: “Here’s how both sides walk away thrilled.” Before countering, spend five minutes clarifying the other party’s real concern—price, timing, or maybe just certainty—and mirror it back.

On the personal front, Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw nudges you to schedule a literal lunch break or a weekend hike. A well‑rested agent negotiates better, markets smarter, and—let’s be honest—smiles more in listing photos.

Keep these principles visible on a sticky note near your workstation; the daily reminder turns lofty ideals into reflexive routines.

☝️ Go ahead and click the image to order the book from Amazon ☝️ 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

“America's Housing Affordability Gap Persists: Households Earning $75,000 Annually Can Afford Less Than a Quarter of For-Sale Home Listings” — National Association of Realtors

Why You Should Read: Sets realistic expectations for mid‑income buyers and arms you with creative financing solutions.

“How will Moody’s downgrade of US debt affect mortgage rates?” — HousingWire

Why You Should Read: Macro moves can ripple into rate sheets—prep clients for possible volatility.

“Buyer agreements don't lead to lower commissions, Fed finds” — Real Estate News

Why You Should Read: Macro moves can ripple into rate sheets—prep clients for possible volatility.

TO-DO LIST

Your Next Move — Turn Insights into Action

✅ Audit May Expenses – Tag each outflow Grow, Save, or Glow; trim Glow 5 %.

✅ Plan Interactive Open House – Order QR yard sign and coffee cart by Wednesday.

✅ Sticky‑Note Sort – Separate Income Movers from busywork; schedule first call by 9 a.m.

✅ Practice Win‑Win Pitch – Draft language that highlights mutual benefit for next negotiation.

✅ Share Market Headlines – Post one article above with your quick insight on LinkedIn.