Matt Sundermier's Memos on Real Estate & on Life

I read an interesting article in the Sacramento Bee the other day about the health of Canada’s current banking and housing markets.  It was enlightening since most media has casted the recent economic collapse  as a global meltdown.  To the contrary, Canada avoided the housing depression that the United States is still wading through.  While more than 300 banks went belly up in the States in recent years, not a signle Canadian bank failed.  WOW!

Canadian banks were recently named the best in the World by the World Economic Forum. The U.S. should look north to learn from their achievements, and our mistakes.

I encourage you to read the artice (click here).  But, if you want the Cliff’s Notes, our neighbor’s economic stability in housing has been a result of their commitment to prudent, traditional underwriting.   A Canadian bank CEO was quoted saying “…we are in the business of making loans to people who will pay them back.”  How profound, right? 

Give it a read, and consider how we should always try to learn from our neighbors.  From fixing sprinklers to avoid economic crises, neighbors often face the same dilemmas with very different tactics.  When you don’t get it right, take notice and learn from the neighbor who did.

What do house cleaners and business coaches have in common?  For me, they both provide accountability, but in very different ways.  Let me share with you my thoughts on the matter, and how accountability will help you keep your goals in ‘11. 

Last night was our family’s ritual clean-up night.  We tidy up the house in preparation for our house cleaner’s bi-weekly Friday visits.  Seems crazy, right?  Clean up the house for the house cleaner?!?  Actually, it makes good sense.  While our house cleaner, Marcy, is a wonder and does more in hours than we can do in days, she can’t do it amongst clutter.  So, we get the house in order ahead of time so she can help keep our home cleaner than we ever could on our own.

In an indirect way, Marcy is a great accountability partner.  Before she comes, we clean the house so her time (and our money) is spent efficiently while she is there.  After she comes, the house is so sparkly that we want to keep it that way.  Marcy’s brief, hard work improves the cleanliness of our home even when she is not around because we want to stay accountable to her high-caliber work.

In a much more direct manner, I have an amazing business coach as a professional accountability partner.  Just like Marcy, I have an appointment with Brian every two weeks.  I know that in order to make the most of our time together I must have my “house in order” so we can spend time on the important tasks at hand.  For me, hiring help is not so much about having someone do it all for me, but rather help me achieve things at a greater level by keeping me accountable.

You don’t need to hire someone for accountability (although paying for help is a great accountability inducer).  A friend, co-worker, or spouse can be there for you, either directly calling you out (like my business coach) or indirectly inspiring you towards improvement (like a house cleaner).  Both approaches lead to effective accountability.

When you sit down to write (yes, write them down) your goals for 2011, think of who you can openly, honestly share them with and discuss them periodically through the year.  Anyone can make goals, but it takes accountability and inspiration to keep goals. 

Here’s to a happy rest of the holiday season and a wonderful New Year.  If you’d like to share your 2011 goals with me, I would love to receive them.  And don’t be surprised if I follow up with you every now and then and see how you’re coming along.  If you’re looking for that kind of accountability, then I look forward to hearing from you.

In the last month we have taken a couple of trips up to my family’s houseboat.  My fondest childhood memories are from Instiable, and it is so fun to now watch my children begin to make their own memories there.

This last trip we witnessed Maddison perform a daring feat…she jumped off the top of the houseboat!  It’s about an 8 feet drop from the roof to the water, so for a little 4 year old that’s quite a leap.  My paternal instincts said to not let her do it.  She’s too little; she could slap the water too hard; she could not jump out far enough and hit the boat!…as a parent you always think of the worst.  But, I tuned all of that out and guided her out onto the ledge.  While it’s scary to let your kid take chances, being overly fearful for them can be even worse.

Kids are little sponges.  They observe our actions, our words, and especially our emotions.  A fearful parent will breed a fearful child, and a fearful child often grows up to be a fearful adult.  Too many of us, unfortunately & admittedly, let “fear take the wheel and steer” (a great line from the song Drive by Incubus) in our life, and it inhibits our ability to live life to the fullest.  As parents, we should try to avoid instilling a fearful outlook in our children by means of our own fearful behavior.

There’s nothing wrong with being cautious.  Caution can keep us safe and alive!  But too much caution, even towards our children’s welfare, turns to fear that is detrimental to their well-being.

Becoming overly fearful doesn’t just apply to parenting; it applies to everything.  In my mortgage and real estate practice, I often see clients, business owners, and myself make foolish, fear-driven decisions.  I’m sure you witness (and experience!) the same thing in your life too!  There’s a fine line between caution & fear, and it’s a tricky balancing act to pull off.  Parenting, more than anything, has taught me that.

As for Maddison, I’ll continue to show her how to make life’s risky “leaps” correctly, knowing the day will come where she will hurt her body or someone will hurt her heart (even worse L).  These risks, however, must be taken to keep her confident, fearless attitude intact.  If only all of us can be as fearless as Maddison!  The world would be a better place!