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“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ―Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas is known mostly as a religious celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. Although the actual birth date of Christ is unknown, the Catholic Church proclaimed December 25^th as the official date in 336.

Today, Christmas is still celebrated by many as a religious event and simply as a holiday with time for gatherings and gifts. Regardless, it is a festive time of great celebration.

One might wonder how Christmas evolved into the giving of gifts? Some believe it began with the gift of Jesus to the world, some think it as an example of the Three Wise Men, and others believe it was from earlier years of the pagan celebration for the winter solstice.

Our present tradition may be traced back to Saint Nicholas and his anonymous giving of gold to a poor man and his daughters. As stories go with time, different versions emerged until in 1823 when Dr. Clement Clarke Moore wrote “T’was the Night before Christmas” for his children, followed by Charles Dickens “Christmas Carol” in 1843, and in 1849 with the song ”Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.”

And so we have it; St Nicholas delivers gifts to the kids with the help of Ghosts and Reindeers. The story and celebrations evolve as we expand into an even larger season of giving.

Today, there are many forms of celebration, but nearly all of them circle around the idea of giving someone a gift to show they care. This is usually in a form of song, food, toys, or just a gathering of friends and family.

Whatever the gift, it always brings energy and laughter. And when there are no gifts, there are many others who look for those without, and share what they can. It warms the hearts of those who give as much as those who receive. It brings hope that for one day we can forget all the ugliness, and be filled with joy and gratitude.

May you have the best the holiday season and a Merry Christmas with abundance and fond memories of family and friends.

And from my world, I wish you a joyous celebration for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

Accomplishment is delivered in direct proportion to clarity; which is discovered with a full examination of our core values, establishing the most important ones. This is what drives us, gives us the motivation to move forward consistently and completely on our goals.

Everyone is exactly in life where they want to be. If you are not happy where you are, then you don’t have enough clarity of purpose to take you where you want to go. It’s simply a matter of understanding the payoff for your action. Some people refer to this as their ‘why.’

Usually, when we think of what we want, we think of a feature…such as a new house. But two questions remain; the first is, ‘what is the benefit for the new house?’ And, third, ‘how does that ultimately tap into your core value system?’ Depth of understanding is required.

The answer may be simply ‘we need more space for the family', and space provides more comfort? If so, then family and comfort are the core values. The final question for you, is to determine how important your family comfort is to you? This will determine your level of motivation. The depth of the payoff will equal your effort, and visa-versa.

The next step is to analyze the four elements for performance; which is about you (Self). They are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. We must have clear knowledge of what we need to do, the answers written down, always remembering to attach them to your driving core value.  This is your path, and once acted upon, the result should come easy and natural.

Once again, what does a ‘win’ look like to you? Will the path you’ve chosen and actions established take you to your destination? It is absolutely vital to have clarity of those things that are most important to you. And, then it’s simply doing whatever is necessary to stay on track, always reminding yourself of the ultimate payoff. In this case, it’s your family’s comfort!

This process can be applied to all of your goals. Remember it’s the core value that drives you. Some find it difficult to understand their value system; the answer comes from paying attention to how you feel. Look for things that give you energy, this is a good sign you are excited about the payoff of a value. Continue to explore as desires will shift, although core values will not.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

“Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside.  No matter what is going on outside of us, there is always something we could be grateful for.” Barry Neil Kaufman

This past summer, I was fortunate to travel in the Mediterranean. The history of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain was extraordinary as we visited famous sites from 2500 BC to castles of the sixteen century, and coastal cities alive with world travelers. It was interesting to see how the Old World lives today.

We spoke to many people who said their dream was to live in America. When asked why, they spoke mostly about the good life, freedom and abundance. It was easy to see why, as many of the cities are showing signs of distress with their infrastructure and economic conditions.

Upon returning to the USA, a keen awareness for what we have here was at hand, and a renewed sense of gratitude prevailed. It wasn’t just about how we live, but more appreciation for those who came before us and their contribution to today’s world of order and opportunity.

When we think of the pioneers who came to America, how did they survive the cold and heat, death and hardship? Armed only with a few possessions, big dreams, and ambition they forged ahead with mostly survival on their minds. Yet, many made it through it all to a world of abundance using their creativity, determination, and a positive belief they could make something better.

There are three virtues which have proven foundational in every successful society; humility, gratitude, and contribution. It’s hard to tell which one comes first, but one must, at some time, apply all three for the happiest of times.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid ugly rhetoric that resonates throughout our country. We know nothing is perfect, so, why do we waste time on that which has much to do about nothing, when we can put forth the same energy into improving things that need work and are important? Success does not arrive in a darkroom of negativity.

Lessons can be learned from those who came before us, and they deserve the greatest of praise and appreciation. Hopefully, today is a good time to complain less, embrace our goodness more, and give thanks to all who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and comfort. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

"Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside.  No matter what is going on outside of us, there is always something we could be grateful for."  Barry Neil Kaufman

This past summer, I was fortunate to travel in the Mediterranean. The history of Greece, Italy, France, and Spain was extraordinary as we visited famous sites from 2500 BC to castles of the sixteen century, and coastal cities alive with world travelers. It was interesting to see how the Old World lives today.

We spoke to many people who said their dream was to live in America. When asked why, they spoke mostly about the good life, freedom and abundance. It was easy to see why, as many of the cities are showing signs of distress with their infrastructure and economic conditions.

Upon returning to the USA, a keen awareness for what we have here was at hand, and a renewed sense of gratitude prevailed. It wasn’t just about how we live, but more appreciation for those who came before us and their contribution to today’s world of order and opportunity.

When we think of the pioneers who came to America, how did they survive the cold and heat, death and hardship? Armed only with a few possessions, big dreams, and ambition they forged ahead with mostly survival on their minds. Yet, many made it through it all to a world of abundance using their creativity, determination, and a positive belief they could make something better.

There are three virtues which have proven foundational in every successful society; humility, gratitude, and contribution. It’s hard to tell which one comes first, but one must, at some time, apply all three for the happiest of times.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid ugly rhetoric that resonates throughout our country. We know nothing is perfect, so, why do we waste time on that which has much to do about nothing, when we can put forth the same energy into improving things that need work and are important? Success does not arrive in a darkroom of negativity.

Lessons can be learned from those who came before us, and they deserve the greatest of praise and appreciation. Hopefully, today is a good time to complain less, embrace our goodness more, and give thanks to all who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and comfort. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

The front page headline for Argus Leader on Tuesday September 23rd was “Tax growth beats expectations.” The article gave a rousing economic report for the City of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. According to the Sioux Falls Finance Department, sales tax revenue for August this year increased 11.7% over the previous year; a 25% increase over expectation for the 12 month rolling average.  The four county area added 2,000 jobs in June and July, and the unemployment rate is 2.1%; one of the lowest in history.

This level of employment creates greater demand for employees; consequently, wages are rising and household income is increasing. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the national rate is 4% for wage increase over the last year. People are earning more, saving more, spending more, and feeling better about their lives.

In April of this year, the total number of homes sold in The Empire for the year was down 20% from last year; although, sales have rebounded and there is a good chance we’ll end up with as many sales in 2019 as in 2018.

Mortgage rates remain low and are just under 4% for a 30 loan and around 3.5% for 15 years; and, it appears there is little chance of them rising in the near future.

This economy is equal, if not better than, the 1980’s market; which sent us on a 20 year bull market. Talk of a recession is pure nonsense. An economy driven by labor will always thrive. When people work and earn money everyone wins!

That means sales will continue at a solid pace, prices should stay flat or increase slightly, and real estate ownership will still be a good investment as well as a place to call home. A caveat to all of this may be the world of political rhetoric. Some people, hoping things to be different, may convince enough people things aren’t as good as they appear, which can develop into a high level of uncertainty and therefore affecting consumer confidence and their willingness to spend money.

The Ratchford Group continues to be optimistic, and believes a good plan for buying and selling is essential for the best outcome. We have developed a process that will help you maximize your dollars, save you valuable time, and give you peace of mind knowing you are doing the right thing at the right time.

All my best,
Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  Alexander Graham Bell

The front page headline for Argus Leader on Tuesday September 23rd was “Tax growth beats expectations.” The article gave a rousing economic report for the City of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. According to the Sioux Falls Finance Department, sales tax revenue for August this year increased 11.7% over the previous year; a 25% increase over expectation for the 12 month rolling average.  The four county area added 2,000 jobs in June and July, and the unemployment rate is 2.1%; one of the lowest in history.

This level of employment creates greater demand for employees; consequently, wages are rising and household income is increasing. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the national rate is 4% for wage increase over the last year. People are earning more, saving more, spending more, and feeling better about their lives.   

In April of this year, the total number of homes sold in The Empire for the year was down 20% from last year; although, sales have rebounded and there is a good chance we’ll end up with as many sales in 2019 as in 2018.

Mortgage rates remain low and are just under 4% for a 30 loan and around 3.5% for 15 years; and, it appears there is little chance of them rising in the near future.

This economy is equal, if not better than, the 1980’s market; which sent us on a 20 year bull market. Talk of a recession is pure nonsense. An economy driven by labor will always thrive. When people work and earn money everyone wins!

That means sales will continue at a solid pace, prices should stay flat or increase slightly, and real estate ownership will still be a good investment as well as a place to call home. A caveat to all of this may be the world of political rhetoric. Some people, hoping things to be different, may convince enough people things aren’t as good as they appear, which can develop into a high level of uncertainty and therefore affecting consumer confidence and their willingness to spend money.

The Ratchford Group continues to be optimistic, and believes a good plan for buying and selling is essential for the best outcome. We have developed a process that will help you maximize your dollars, save you valuable time, and give you peace of mind knowing you are doing the right thing at the right time.

All my best,
Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  Alexander Graham Bell

Andy Stanley wrote a book titled The Principle of the Path. It’s about how to get from where you are to where you want to be. Robert Schuller and Norman Vincent Peale preached many years about Positive Thinking.

I was visiting with someone the other day; things weren’t going too well for him and he asked how he might get back on track? It didn’t take long to discover his performance of bad habits was impeding progress. We spoke about destination and dreams of the future, yet his actions didn’t match what was necessary for him to reach the goal. The path was headed in the wrong direction.

This is an issue with many people, including myself. It’s seems too easy to get off track, or make a mistake of getting on the wrong path from the start. Mostly, we don’t give enough thought to what one needs to do to get where one wants to go.

Fifteen years ago I developed a Process to help clients discover greater clarity about what’s important to them about moving, plus develop a plan for them to follow. Surprisingly, it also works when something isn’t working, and there is a need for adjustment.

Coupling this Process with Andy Stanley’s simple plan of making sure one is on the right path, can offer remarkable results. Having a great attitude can help too!

Interestingly, there are many who disbelieve in this theory. Their reference points don’t allow them to accept the premise. They argue for their limitations and look for why it won’t work. Negative thought can be destructive.

There is plenty of evidence of how Positive Thinking and Belief can actually affect an outcome. Why someone would intentionally sabotage their opportunities or destroy their environment around them is anyones guess, yet they do it too often. Perhaps it’s just a matter of choice.

Winning, where everyone benefits, ought to be the goal. We begin by expecting a great outcome. The next step is to develop a list of proper habits, adjusting one’s behavior, and having exceptional clarity about the path you need to be on. Finally, monitor your direction, and you’ll ultimately reach the desired destination.

You may be wondering how this applies to real estate? There are several ways. First we need a good economy for people to have enough confidence and money to act; which means, we need our leaders to perform their duties with positive action that is helpful. Secondly, we know the Dream Home Process, along with good habits and positive attitude, will help you maximize your outcome.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member

What does a real estate agent actually do anymore? Before 1996 real estate agents controlled most of the market data. This meant that when someone wanted to buy or sell a home, they needed to work with an agent to get the most out of their transaction. Information regarding sold homes, homes for sale, and other components were protected. Consumers had few opportunities to do their own research.

Things have changed since then. The Internet has made information more available than ever before. Buyers have access to homes for sale and are doing most of their own research; sellers can determine a range of value for their home with only an hour of research. The Internet continues to have a profound impact on the home buying and selling process as it shifts control of information out of an agent’s hand and into the consumer’s hand.

So, what is the value of an agent? Simply stated, information doesn’t always relate to wisdom.

While some agents still operate as if things haven’t changed, savvy agents are finding new ways to create value for their clients. They have become more like consultants, rather than just clerks. They know providing a list of homes for sale, or homes sold, is not enough. These agents understand the importance of helping their client discover the depth of the process, working with them to find the right answer,  giving guidance, developing a path for their dream, and watching them make wise decisions.

A great agent is someone who takes the time to fully understand their client’s current situation and comprehends the reason for their move. They are no longer just facilitating a transaction.

When selecting an agent, find someone who cares more about you than themselves. This agent’s primary concern should be to gain a full understanding of your goals and values. They ought to know how to ask the right questions without being pushy, and then listen to your answers. They are able to comprehend why you want to do what you want to do. Helping you find greater clarity is the goal.

The ability to listen and communicate effectively is directly related to an agent’s empathy for you and your situation. Their ability to relate to who you are enables them to better understand what’s best for you in the short and long term. Looking out for your best interest at all times.

During your decision-making process, take the time to examine an agent’s skill, knowledge, and access to tools needed to help deliver a better outcome.

It’s also important to know what makes a great client. The best results begin by developing a team mentality, to be knowledgeable of the data, and to be proactive with communication; working together with a focus of maximizing dollars, saving valuable time, and creating a happier experience.

Tony Ratchford, Broker for KW Realty Sioux Falls, CRS, ABR, SRES, Luxury Homes Institute Member