Corporate Values: Always, Always, Always, do the right thing every time – no exceptions, no excuses
Recently, a commercial broker colleague of mine called me for advice regarding a lease she was negotiating. The broker on the other side was from her office. Her client desired a 3-year lease, and she wanted to meet her client’s expectations. She was worried about losing the lease space because her fellow broker was very aggressive in pushing a 5-year lease because he wanted a higher commission. He tried to sell my friend that the higher commission was better for the both of them and that the client would be OK at the end of the day.
I told her absolutely not. My advice was to never compromise the client by making decisions based on commission. If the deal falls apart, so be it – the client’s needs always come first. In the end, after a job well done, just compensation will surely follow.
Unfortunately, this situation is not too uncommon. As with all industries, there are some people whose main purpose is to make the most money they can, regardless of how it may adversely affect others. Every time I hear a story like this, it reaffirms my gratitude that Dutra Cerro Graden has continued to have success and grow by staying true to our mission and values that include, “Doing the ‘right thing,’ all the time, without qualification, without condition”.
I told her absolutely not. My advice was to never compromise the client by making decisions based on commission. If the deal falls apart, so be it – the client’s needs always come first. In the end, after a job well done, just compensation will surely follow.
Unfortunately, this situation is not too uncommon. As with all industries, there are some people whose main purpose is to make the most money they can, regardless of how it may adversely affect others. Every time I hear a story like this, it reaffirms my gratitude that Dutra Cerro Graden has continued to have success and grow by staying true to our mission and values that include, “Doing the ‘right thing,’ all the time, without qualification, without condition”.
Enjoying Summer
In May, DCG made a $1000 charitable donation to EMQ FamiliesFirst - a statewide organization headquartered in the Bay Area whose mission is to “do whatever it takes to help children, strengthen families, build community, and advocate for system change to ensure that families thrive.” The donation we made was to help provide summer activities for the children in EMQ FamiliesFirst's 24/7 care - activities many of us take for granted. They could be as simple as swimming outings, access to sports enrichment programs, or music lessons. It could also be field trips to places such as AT&T Park or the California Academy of Sciences.
The goal of EMQ FamiliesFirst's Experiential Therapy program is to provide healthy, positive, and structured programming for children and youth in their 24/7 care. According to Felice Meyers, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, "In addition to being therapeutic, these activities provide opportunities for normalcy where children and youth who have suffered extreme abuse, neglect and trauma can have access to normal summertime activities. This may in fact be the most therapeutic element of all."
We are excited that these children are enjoying these summer activities as we speak. As we are always working towards our company mission of Creating Communities of ValueTM, we look forward to continuing to help EMQ FamiliesFirst and other organizations like them. We hope you do too.
The goal of EMQ FamiliesFirst's Experiential Therapy program is to provide healthy, positive, and structured programming for children and youth in their 24/7 care. According to Felice Meyers, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, "In addition to being therapeutic, these activities provide opportunities for normalcy where children and youth who have suffered extreme abuse, neglect and trauma can have access to normal summertime activities. This may in fact be the most therapeutic element of all."
We are excited that these children are enjoying these summer activities as we speak. As we are always working towards our company mission of Creating Communities of ValueTM, we look forward to continuing to help EMQ FamiliesFirst and other organizations like them. We hope you do too.
Reducing Stress with Time Management
It seems that the more technology advances, the quicker we are able to get things done. But when we get more done in a shorter amount of time, the amount of work we take on tends to increase. More projects usually leads to more stress and often feeling overwhelmed.
At DCG, our Statement of Values includes our committed support for everyone to "reach our full potential spiritually, relationally, academically, professionally, and physically." Part of reaching our full potential means finding ways to relieve the stress that often comes with the commitment to doing our best work all the time. I recently read an article on the Mayo Clinic website that offers time management tips for reducing stress and improving productivity. I think it provides great insight into how we can still achieve our goals while maintaining our quality of life.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time-management/WL00048
At DCG, our Statement of Values includes our committed support for everyone to "reach our full potential spiritually, relationally, academically, professionally, and physically." Part of reaching our full potential means finding ways to relieve the stress that often comes with the commitment to doing our best work all the time. I recently read an article on the Mayo Clinic website that offers time management tips for reducing stress and improving productivity. I think it provides great insight into how we can still achieve our goals while maintaining our quality of life.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time-management/WL00048
Getting Results
Most people I know always talk about what they would do if they were in charge, having what is commonly known as “Monday morning quarterback syndrome.” What they often fail to realize is that they are in charge. They are in command of their workday and habits they follow while executing their work.
However, in many people I rarely see where their words and deeds match when it comes to delivering on the bottom line. In other words, top performers get results day in and day out. In my opinion, the largest attribute that allows for this consistent high-level performance is good, strong success habits.
The good news is that these habits can be learned and mastered by those willing and able to take their performance to a higher level. Here are 5 quick tips to getting better results:
1. Have a written plan
It is not enough to have a good idea or goals in one’s mind. It is important that these goals, plans, and ideas are documented so they can be reviewed daily. Make a sketch of the destination (goal) and define the necessary tasks to get there. Then, on a daily basis, come to work prepared and focused on those tasks and check them off as they are completed. This is how momentum is established and built upon daily until the goal is reached.
2. Have an executable plan
Make sure the goal and/or destination is realistic and executable. Don’t try to follow pie in the sky dreams, but instead focus on the possible. This doesn’t mean don’t dream big; it just means if you want to sail the world, you can’t do so in a canoe. You will need a sea worthy vessel capable of surviving the worst the open seas have to offer.
3. Push through obstacles and challenges
As I’m sure most people realize shortly after they drop their New Year’s resolutions, it is difficult to start and keep new habits. Go forward knowing that there will be tough days and moments ahead. Life will happen. Frustration, fatigue, anxiety, discouragement and many other things will surely be contended with on your path to success. Anticipate these challenges in advance of them occurring and visualize yourself pushing through. Do not succumb to them and be caught off guard or taken aback by them. Embrace them and welcome them as part of the journey. On days when you feel like you cannot go another step, turn your collar up, face into the wind, and keep walking. You will get to your goal if you don’t stop when the wind blows, because it will be there waiting for you.
4. Do the things you don’t want to do
Not everything we must do is glamorous, fun or exciting. Even for those that appear to be at the top of their game, not every part is sweet. Take the bitter with the sweet and recognize that no task or job is beneath us. As long as it is a necessary part of the overall big picture, just grunt and bear it. Do what you have to do to get through it, but get it done even if you almost die trying.
5. Build a capable team around you
Lastly, and most importantly, we cannot accomplish worthy goals alone. Be smart and build a capable team around you and rely on this team to collectively pull the load towards the finish line. Anything worth doing is often larger than us and our capabilities. Just make sure the people you work with have the requisite competencies and integrity to boot.
However, in many people I rarely see where their words and deeds match when it comes to delivering on the bottom line. In other words, top performers get results day in and day out. In my opinion, the largest attribute that allows for this consistent high-level performance is good, strong success habits.
The good news is that these habits can be learned and mastered by those willing and able to take their performance to a higher level. Here are 5 quick tips to getting better results:
1. Have a written plan
It is not enough to have a good idea or goals in one’s mind. It is important that these goals, plans, and ideas are documented so they can be reviewed daily. Make a sketch of the destination (goal) and define the necessary tasks to get there. Then, on a daily basis, come to work prepared and focused on those tasks and check them off as they are completed. This is how momentum is established and built upon daily until the goal is reached.
2. Have an executable plan
Make sure the goal and/or destination is realistic and executable. Don’t try to follow pie in the sky dreams, but instead focus on the possible. This doesn’t mean don’t dream big; it just means if you want to sail the world, you can’t do so in a canoe. You will need a sea worthy vessel capable of surviving the worst the open seas have to offer.
3. Push through obstacles and challenges
As I’m sure most people realize shortly after they drop their New Year’s resolutions, it is difficult to start and keep new habits. Go forward knowing that there will be tough days and moments ahead. Life will happen. Frustration, fatigue, anxiety, discouragement and many other things will surely be contended with on your path to success. Anticipate these challenges in advance of them occurring and visualize yourself pushing through. Do not succumb to them and be caught off guard or taken aback by them. Embrace them and welcome them as part of the journey. On days when you feel like you cannot go another step, turn your collar up, face into the wind, and keep walking. You will get to your goal if you don’t stop when the wind blows, because it will be there waiting for you.
4. Do the things you don’t want to do
Not everything we must do is glamorous, fun or exciting. Even for those that appear to be at the top of their game, not every part is sweet. Take the bitter with the sweet and recognize that no task or job is beneath us. As long as it is a necessary part of the overall big picture, just grunt and bear it. Do what you have to do to get through it, but get it done even if you almost die trying.
5. Build a capable team around you
Lastly, and most importantly, we cannot accomplish worthy goals alone. Be smart and build a capable team around you and rely on this team to collectively pull the load towards the finish line. Anything worth doing is often larger than us and our capabilities. Just make sure the people you work with have the requisite competencies and integrity to boot.
Dutra-Cerro-Graden and Northern California Community Development team to provide affordable housing
PITTSBURG, Calif. (May 19, 2010) – Northern California Community Development (NCCD), a non-profit headed by Bishop Jerry Macklin of Glad Tidings Church in Hayward, CA and focused on providing affordable housing alternatives for struggling communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, has successfully closed its first transaction under its new affordable homes initiative. Partnering with Chase Bank, NCCD rolled out a full-service program where qualified low-income home buyers can purchase affordable homes throughout the Bay Area.
Read the entire press release
Read the entire press release
Dutra-Cerro-Graden introduces church lending division
HAYWARD, Calif. (May 6, 2010) – Dutra-Cerro-Graden, Inc. (DCG), the Bay Area's leading Church Real Estate Development & Broker, has expanded its services by introducing a church lending division. DCG principals Dominic Dutra, Alan Cerro and Landis Graden recognized that churches need more than just brokerage and development expertise. The new division, Church Loans, is led by seasoned loan specialists and offers churches, religious institutions, non-profits, schools and other mission-based organizations full service financing options and support.
Read the entire press release.
Read the entire press release.
The “Brave New World” of Commercial Lending
Today, investors large and small are looking to purchase real estate at discounted rates (especially compared to the last decade). As people and businesses continue to struggle while defaulting and leaving their properties, investors are presented with buying opportunities that will be looked back upon with either regret or as a stroke of genius.Because banks have an increased ownership of real property (also known as Real Estate Owned, or REO), due to foreclosures, their lending guidelines have become somewhat subjective and lack uniformity. In today’s uncertain environment, investors seeking financing for income producing properties can expect to pay at least 20% of the purchase price towards a down payment. Banks are often requiring down payments of 30% to 40%. Typically, banks will require a larger down payment when the borrower has unfavorable credit scores, unverifiable sources of income or high debt. Increasing the down payment requirement is advantageous for banks because it hedges their loan from market fluctuations and reduces the likelihood of foreclosing in the future.
Engaging in the lending process early is a smart strategy for investors seeking financing. Investors can gain a clearer understanding of their purchasing power after meeting with a lender. Investors that know their price point are better equipped when searching for properties because they know how much building they can buy, how much cash they need to have for a down payment, and provides their real estate broker with realistic search parameters.
Despite banks changing guidelines and increased REO inventory, investors are still able to obtain favorable financing for income properties. Whether you are a seasoned investor or new to the arena,working with knowledgable lending and brokerage professionals will provide you with reliable information upon which you can base your investment decisions.
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