Mike Browning

Tag: Representation Matters

  • Thanks For Nothing, John McCain

    Thanks For Nothing, John McCain

    When you represent others, it’s not about you.

    After Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, he directed the relevant agencies to start preparing for the dismantling of Obamacare. At the time, it was treated as a done deal.

    It wasn’t dismantled. You know that because your insurance premiums just went up. By a lot.

    The reason it wasn’t ended came down to one vote.

    John McCain.

    McCain was upset about how Trump talked about him and voted no out of spite. In the process, he helped lock in a system that costs families thousands more per year than it ever should have.

    That part tends to get skipped.

    This is the same guy who was supposed to be “honorable.”

    The same guy elected to represent voters, not his own feelings.

    The same guy the media fawned over because he was a “maverick,” which mostly meant he occasionally sided with the left and got praised for it.

    McCain got a permanent pass.
    From the right because he was a veteran.
    From the left because he was useful when they needed him.

    That combination meant he was never held accountable for the consequences of his decisions. Not then. Not later. To this day, it’s hard to find someone who speaks ill of him.

    But you found me.

    I think he’s about as low a figure as there’s been in American politics. And I say that as someone who tends to the right.

    Maybe that sentiment is more common than people let on. They just don’t want to be accused of being “against veterans.”

    Just like a lot of people don’t admit to liking Trump because they don’t want to hear someone who knows less than they do tell them they “support fascists.”

    But this really isn’t about McCain. Or Trump. Or politics, really.

    It’s about how often people who are supposed to act in your interest let ego, resentment, or the desire to be liked override the job they were elected to do.

    And when that happens, the cost doesn’t show up in speeches or headlines.
    It shows up in your monthly expenses. For years.

    That’s something I don’t do as an agent.

    I don’t need to like everyone involved.
    I don’t need their approval.
    I don’t need to signal virtue.

    I just need to get the outcome right for you.

    There are plenty of people I might not prefer to work with.

    But I can work with people I’d just as soon push off a bridge if that’s what it takes to protect your position.

    And if that matters to you, call me.

    More straight talk like this

    PS— You’re probably not ready to buy or sell land today. And that’s fine. But the time to start preparing for anything is long before it’s actually time.

    I offer a free, no-obligation analysis on any non-residential property. It includes actual comps, with real prices near your tract, along with things like planned development, utility info, and market trends.

    Even if you’re not ready to sell, or plan to never sell, can it hurt to have current market info?

    Especially if it comes from someone who understands who he represents?

    Once you’ve recovered from paying your January premium, click below:

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  • Professionalism Is a Competitive Advantage

    Professionalism Is a Competitive Advantage

    Working with real pros makes everything better. You should try it.

    I closed a transaction yesterday where I represented the buyer.

    But I also know the sellers well. And I’ve worked with the brokers on the other side of the table. So it was a friendly transaction.

    Friendly doesn’t mean easy.

    There’s always something that comes up on a deal — even when both sides are conscientious, experienced, and pay close attention to the details. And that was the case here. Both sides were “detail guys.” Nobody was asleep at the wheel. Everybody knew what they were doing.

    And still, something unexpected popped up.

    The good news is it was handled it in a way that won’t be an issue for my clients when it’s their turn to sell. And the seller even told me he appreciated how my clients approached it — and that he’ll know to look out for this kind of thing in the future.

    The only bad news is that it added some time. But the main thing is we got across the finish line.

    Unforeseen issues always surprise people who don’t deal with real estate transactions regularly. They assume that if everyone is smart and honest and knows what they’re doing, the deal should unfold like a clean set of instructions.

    In reality, land and real estate deals are more like surgery. Everyone can be careful and competent, and it can still get complicated. There are simply too many moving parts — title history, surveys, legal descriptions, lenders, insurance, funding timelines, utilities, escrow instructions, contract language, etc.

    You don’t avoid problems. You handle them.

    And that’s where this deal was a blessing.

    Not just because my client is sharp. Not just because the sellers are good people. And not just because the brokers involved are the kind who actually return calls and don’t invent drama.

    It’s a blessing because when the issue came up, everyone stayed professional.

    No accusations.
    No panic.
    No ego contests.

    Just: “Okay. Here’s the obstacle. How do we solve it so everyone gets what they agreed to?”

    That sounds simple, but it’s not common.

    So two points:

    First: It’s a gift when the people you’re working with are solid. When both sides want a fair outcome, respect each other, and don’t feel the need to posture, you can work through a lot — even if it takes longer than expected.

    Second: If this is what happens when experienced professionals are on both sides… what does that say about the importance of competent representation when that’s not the case?

    Deals rarely blow up because of the big, obvious things. They blow up because of the small things — deadlines, survey quirks, contract timing, miscommunication.

    Most of the time, the difference between a deal that closes and one that falls apart is whether the people involved can stay level-headed through the surprises.

    Professionalism is a competitive advantage.

    And not just in negotiation — in everything that comes after.

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    PS — You’re probably not looking to sell today. But the more you prepare ahead of time (when it’s not urgent), the less chance you have a big issue later (when it is urgent).

    I offer a free, no obligation value report on any land/lot properties, including recent sold comps, market trends, and notes on any issues that might need to be addressed.

    All it takes is one click below and I’ll do the rest.

    Is it ever a bad time to start working toward a smooth finish?

    Click below:

    Got a lot you might want to sell?
    Get a FREE, no obligation report on what it could sell for today.
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    Own land instead?
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