Category Archives: Uncategorized

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The Power of Positive Parables

Parables are stories that illustrate a moral or lesson. From the Greek parabolē, meaning “comparison, illustration, analogy,” parable was the name given by Greek rhetoricians to an illustration in the form of a brief fictional narrative.

Lagoon Blvd, Brigantine Beach NJ

Lagoon Blvd, Brigantine Beach NJ

Self-help books, the bible, and other texts are all filled with parables, and just reading one every now and then can do wonders for a person’s powers of positive thinking. Here’s one I came across that has stuck with me for a while, reminding me that simply deciding something one way or another in advance has enormous power over the outcome.

The 92-year-old, petite lady was poised and proud. Fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied even though she was nearly blind, was moving to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. The nurse walking with her provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.

“I love it,” stated the lady with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t even seen the room yet,” the nurse said.

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” the lady replied. “Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged … it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.”

Sincerely,

Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S. If you have a great parable you’d like to share with me, please contact me at SJHouses.com or call me at 609-338-3773.   To view my entire October Newsletter click here:  October Newsletter – Matt

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Slow Down With A Good Book

When was the last time you curled up to a good book? Not a business book. Or a self- improvement guide. Or a diet and exercise manual. But a truly interesting novel or gripping sci-fi story?

It seems like with the hectic pace of today’s world, the simplicity of slowing down and unwinding with a good book has been lost for many of us. We escape our harried lives by binge-watching our favorite shows on Netflix, scrolling through Facebook on our smartphones, or going to the movies.

Young girl turning page in a coffee shopWhat if you took up a good book and worked your way through it just once a month? Reading is a great way to add more “me” time to your day. And the best part is that this can happen any time of day. Set a relaxing tone by reading in the morning, or read before bed to help calm and relax your mind for a good night’s sleep. What book are you going to pick up?

Matt

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Defy the Odds

Did you know that bumblebees shouldn’t fly? We all know they do fly, but according to every law of physics, this should be an impossible feat. Their lack of wing span capacity and flapping speed should make it incapable of taking flight. Yet they do.

FB_BumbleBeeIt’s a phenomenon of nature that asks us to rethink what’s possible in the world. If the bumblebee is able to defy laws of aerodynamics, what more could we do if we brush aside “rules” that hold us back?
Would you choose another career or pursue an unthinkable dream if you had no obstacles in the way? Our biggest hurdle is often our own mind, stopping us with self-doubt, fear, or a belief in rules that just don’t apply.
Defying the odds begins with a dream and gets wings when we leave the doubts and fears behind. How will you defy the odds in your life?

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What Makes A Great Experience?

Awesome dinner from my favorite Mexican restaurant El Mariachi Loco in Hammonton, NJ

Awesome dinner from my favorite Mexican restaurant El Mariachi Loco in Hammonton, NJ

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

Many people have a favorite restaurant, a place to enthusiastically recommend their friends because of the great experience they have there. Part of the experience comes from great food. But it’s more than just that. The experience is about how they feel there, which is a process of friendly service, attention to detail, consistency, etc. This restaurant is always hopping, and probably doesn’t do much advertising. Most of its business comes from repeat customers and referrals.

So for a moment, can you imagine that I am just like your favorite restaurant?
Like your favorite restaurant, my purpose is for you to be so outrageously happy with both the product and process—the complete experience of buying or selling a home—that you enthusiastically introduce people you care about to me so that they can have the same kind of experience.

So for a moment, can you imagine that I am just like your favorite restaurant?

Like your favorite restaurant, my purpose is for you to be so outrageously happy with both the product and process—the complete experience of buying or selling a home—that you enthusiastically introduce people you care about to me so that they can have the same kind of experience.
The next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family, or neighbor, and they mention they’re thinking of moving, would you mind taking out your cell phone, looking up my number, and calling or texting me immediately? I’ll make sure they have an experience they’ll want to rave about

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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Fun Day Monday Quiz June, 2015

Enter to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card!

FunDayMonday-920

Today is Fun Day Monday!

Imagine winning a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com – what would you buy or who could you give it to as a gift?

Here’s how to enter the drawing:

Simply fill out the form below. If you choose the correct answer to the quiz question, your name will be entered into a drawing for a free $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com. It’s that easy…!

I will announce the winner later this week.

This Month’s Quiz Question:

This Month’s Quiz Question:

Summer solstice is defined as:

A. The longest day of the year

B. The last day of school

C. The hottest day of the year

D. The day when the sun appears lowest in the sky

Simply fill out the form below, along with the correct answer and your name will be entered into the drawing to win!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!

YES! I want to be entered into this month’s drawing…
If I win, send my gift card to:

First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Answer *

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE ODDS OF WINNING. Open to residents of the United States and Canada, age 18+. Subject to Official Rules available at official rules see for restrictions, odds, prizes and claim details. Void where prohibited.

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New Study: The Longer Your Commute, the Less Satisfied You Are with Your Life!

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

According to a new study from the University of Waterloo, any type of long commute – whether by subway or car – reduces people’s levels of happiness and impairs their overall mental health. Longer commutes also create more stress from being crunched for time and are linked to issues like hypertension, obesity, fatigue and a lowered immune system.

It’s no wonder so many people are looking to buy or sell homes in order to be closer to work. You’ve only got one life, so make the most out of every second of it! It’s all about quality of life!

So the next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family or neighbor, and they mention they’re looking to move closer to where they work, take out your cell phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately. I belong to a national network of realtors and lenders, and I can help them find that perfect home closer to where they work so they can spend less time exhausted from commuting and more time enjoying life!

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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Fun Day Monday Quiz May, 2015

This Month's Quiz Question Will Be Easy For Harry Potter Fans.

FunDayMonday-920April 2015

Today is Fun Day Monday!

Imagine winning a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com – what would you buy or who could you give it to as a gift?

Here’s how to enter the drawing:

Simply fill out the form below. If you choose the correct answer to the quiz question, your name will be entered into a drawing for a free $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com. It’s that easy…!  

I will announce the winner later this week.

This Month’s Quiz Question:

This Month’s Quiz Question:

In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories, what is the name of Harry’s pet owl?

A. Dobby

B. Scabbers

C. Hedwig

D. Hagrid

Simply fill out the form below, along with the correct answer and your name will be entered into the drawing to win!

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!

YES! I want to be entered into this month’s drawing…
If I win, send my gift card to:

First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Answer *

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE ODDS OF WINNING. Open to residents of the United States and Canada, age 18+. Subject to Official Rules available at official rules see for restrictions, odds, prizes and claim details. Void where prohibited.

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The Haviland Group Announces Foreclosure Help Center

I’m pleased to announce our new Foreclosure Help Center.  This is an online Foreclosure Help Center providing information, options and hope to home owners in our community that are facing foreclosure.

The Foreclosure Help Center is found at https://sjhouses.com/foreclosure-help

The key component to this new site is a 5 part Foreclosure Education Video Series featuring local short sale attorney James Schroeder.

I’m here to help so if you know of a home owner facing foreclosure please send them a link to this site or contact me so I can offer some help and education.

Best wishes,

Matt

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As You Read This Post, Who Comes To Mind First?

Here’s a quick post to let you know how I can help you, or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

Many of my friends, coworkers and family members have been telling me about their experience of being pushed and pulled in all directions. They call themselves the Sandwich Generation. Their homes have more

Need more space? I'm here to help!

Need more space? I’m here to help!

people than space. You may know someone in one of the following situations who needs my help:

  1. Someone caring for aging parents while supporting and caring for their own children.
  2. Someone in their 50’s or 60’s, sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and

    grandchildren.

  3. Someone in their 30’s or 40’s with young children, aging parents and, perhaps, even grandparents.
  4. Someone involved with elder care, special needs care, or sibling care.

The one thing the people of the Sandwich Generation have in common is that they need more space. As you think about people who may need my help, feel comfortable taking out your cell phone and call me. Let’s talk about helping your friends find the home that gives them the space they deserve.

Matthew Haviland

Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know being squeezed for space and could use some help now?

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Smithville Village Home Show This Saturday!

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This Saturday Smithville Village will host a home show featuring local vendors and merchants to help you with all your home needs.  These local vendors can help you with your repair, remodeling, inspection, landscaping, insurance, financing and home projects.  The event is free and hours are from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Free admission and free parking.

Smithville Village is located at Rt. 9 and Moss Mill Road in Smithville, NJ (Galloway township).

Proceeds benefit KW Cares.  KW Cares is a 501(c)(3) public charity created to support Keller Williams Realty associates and their families with hardship as a result of a sudden emergency.