I just watched watched Pinocchio with my children, while we were all sick with the flu. On a recent trip to Cancun, we took this photo. It got me wondering about conscience. Good ol' Jiminy Cricket was Pinocchio's Conscience. I printed off the picture, and posted it near my desk. No, not to cause distress for anyone looking at it (it is scary, and very large indeed), but rather a gentle reminder to always do the right thing.
One might argue that you do not need a talisman to do good. I agree. This is a small token to remind me to think good, feel good. Do you have any charms you look to for daily reminders?
By the way, this cricket is part of the largest species of crickets in the world! Thank you for reading!
Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Bellingham Real Estate market in Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team of professionals can do for you at #360.920.4886!
Spring is among us now. And in keeping with the theme, the market is sprouting a little too.
Here in Bellingham, WA, we have seen market improvement in the past two months. No doubt, lower interest rates, first-time home buyer tax credits, and lower home prices are to blame.
While we were in a market slump, many agents left the industry or reduced their availability to part-time. I was lucky enough to maintain a full-time status. Were you one of the lucky ones?
Frequently I am asked about the market, as I am sure most of you are. I have worked tirelessly to stay ahead academically of the market. Mailing cards, making phone calls, sending e-newsletters, and educating my clients - all have been my highest priority. Even if I have not had as many transactions on the table as usual, I have kept my clients informed religiously about market conditions. My phone has been busy nonetheless, even if it has been me making the lion's share of the calls. I have been unafraid to tell the truth, to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have, as it were, kept it real.
With Spring on the horizon, the sun shining more, and flowers beginning to bloom, so too is our housing market. Fortunately, I am prepared because I have been present each and every day with my clients. And as many agents became fair-weather, I remain steadfast and current.
I spent the last few months stepping up and not cowering away from our sour market. I have not chosen to follow the market lead, and play catch-up with clients.
In Winter, plants and trees can sometimes lay dormant. They are rather unexpressive, and can look lonely and unhealthy. We have been experiencing a Winter in the housing market, and I chose not to remain inactive. Instead, I was more like an evergreen - although not growing, still present, full, and thriving.
With Spring upon us, and flowers in bloom, are you? Or are you recoiled in the corner waiting for the market to fully recover before igniting your clients? Are you a thriving vine or a shrinking violet?
Only time will tell. But have you created a faithful following? Or have you lost clients like trees lose leaves in the wintertime?
Sit in the sun, drink some water, contact a client. Breathe life into your business. It is not too late. Thank you for reading.
Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Bellingham Real Estate market in Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team of professionals can do for you at #360.920.4886!
The phone rang this morning very early. I knew it could not be the pilot, so I thought "Self, who could be calling so early?" Not wanting to be the person who answers the phone like they just finished smoking a pack of cigarettes chased by a fifth of whiskey, I faked a "Good Morning! This is Amy..."
"Mrs. Led?" (husband's Call Sign is Led, as in Zeppelin, as in guitar-playing pilot who once had long hair prior to joining the military). I answered perkily, "Yes, wow, I haven't heard that name in a while."
Turns out, a fighter pilot from Led's past is accepting orders to NAS (Naval Air Station) Whidbey Island, WA, to be a flight instructor. Although there are wonderful Connect Realty agents in the Oak Harbor and Anacortes areas of WA, he would rather have the Bellingham Realty Girl assist his family with a Military PCS, as I specialize in VA Loan transactions and taking care of Military Spouses.
Just because of the history of the relationship, I will become this pilot's buyer's agent. The level of intimacy shared in the military through strength and bonding is immeasurable. He and Led deployed together overseas to Iraq on an aircraft carrier. Have you ever seen two pilots get together and have a conversation? Their hands are all over the place in what I like to call the "there I was" stance.
It is rare indeed to find a profession which lends itself to creating lifelong relationships. Where military relationships are concerned, time stands still.
This one call became a true "wake-up" call for me. It occurred to me that I had not had real conversations with many of our military friends around the country for quite some time. Email and Christmas cards seem to be commonplace and have replaced the telephone. I spent the better part of the day calling old friends, catching up, leaving messages even. Initially I had lead generation on my mind. The cosmos had another plan.
I discovered a number of friends are currently deployed to Iraq and Afganistan. I gathered their deployment addresses so Led and I can assemble some care packages (I am awfully good at those). Cultivation. That is what it is all about. Sure, my business came up in conversations, but there was something much bigger at play. It is not about me.
As Easter approaches tomorrow, it occurs to me that a few years ago, I spent Easter alone without Led, and children were not quite on the horizon yet. The photos included were taken during that deployment. It seems as though no matter how much time has passed, how much distance has grown, and how much families have expanded, the closeness of the military relationship remains intact, familiar, and strong.
More than an email, a letter, or a card, a phone call to those far away is the handshake or hug so often shared in friendship. I encourage you to explore your past relationships, and pick up the phone.
And as we celebrate Easter, remember those servicememmbers who are not here a part of the collective, but rather abroad ensuring our safety and freedom. To those who have served, and who continue to serve, I say thank you. To Led, I say thank you, and I love you. May all those abroad return safely.
Have you polished and massaged your relationships lately? Thank you for reading. And yes, I am a very proud spouse - I hope it shows!
Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Real Estate market in Bellingham, Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team can do for you at #360.920.4886!
Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Real Estate market in Bellingham, Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team can do for you at #360.920.4886!
I have clients who insist on pricing their home too high. They will not listen to reason. "But we bought it at this price, why isn't it worth twice that now? We wanted this property, so will someone else. The market isn't affecting these more expensive homes..." and on and on. You get the picture.
Some short time ago, we visited DisneyLand in California. We surprised the children with the news on the morning we drove the airport. Instead of celebrating and running around the house screaming like my 4 yr. old did (she knew she would dine with the coveted Disney Princesses), my son sat on the counch rather pensively. Clearly we could tell he had something significant on his mind. We joined him on the couch. And here is what the little man said to us:
...Well, I'm sort of excited. But my friend Cody went to DisneyLand and he had to fight Darth Vadar (keep in mind, my son is obsessed with all things Star Wars. He has four light sabres so the whole family can spar. He has every action figure including Princess Leia. And has a Darth Vadar, Clone Trooper, and Jedi costume). And Darth Vadar is sort of scary. He's mean and people don't like him...
To our wise yet vulnerable young son, we explained about the concept of pretend (while nervously looking at our watch. I mean, we had to get moving! Mickey Mouse does not hold planes, even for cute little fellows) Our brave son gets up off the couch, and argues:
...Let's go. I'm ready. Darth Vadar is a bad guy. I will fight him. Can I bring my Jedi costume and Star Wars suitcase and a couple Star Wars guys? (yes he really has one)...
After some explanation that we had already packed his Star Wars suitcase for him, and, no, he would not be allowed to bring a light sabre on board the plane (the husband-pilot assured us that TSA would not be okay with this). You see, Disney offers a fantastic show where children are selected from the audience, "trained" in the jedi arts, and then have an opportunity to "fight" Darth Vadar. Who even knew if our son would be chosen?
Who am I kidding? He is adorable, full-hearted, and looks great in the Jedi costume. Voila! He was selected. But not before contemplating the situation and carefully calculating his moves with Darth Vadar! He "graduated" Jedi training, and fought Darth Vadar - and won. He won! Words cannot describe the pride and love we had for Jedi Leland at the moment in time. Darth Vadar said: You have been taught well, young Jedi. My son faced his greatest nemesis, in the passion of saving his world.
Why can't we all face our challenges publicly, without fears of repercussions? My son was 6, and fought Darth Vadar. You men out there can identify with the importance and significance with that, can't you? Star Wars is for men what Titanic is for women.
The punch line is this: if my boy can face the meanest guy he knows in his little universe, then I can certainly stand up to my stubborn clients, and not walk away. I can and will say, "Pricing is everything. Location is important, but if the price is not accurate, then it will not sell. I repeat, it will not sell."
...And furthermore, I will not tolerate idle threats. Go ahead and call those other agents who continue to call you. If they want a listing merely to generate leads off of the sign, then go ahead. You will not make me feel little. I know the market. I know the challenges of the market. I know that this price to which you have married yourself will not stand the test of the market. It will fail, and it will sit and sit and sit without a reasonable, qualified offer. And then who will you blame?...
Oh, the force is strong... I drew strength from my young Jedi that day, and it has served we well ever since. Go with the Force Jedi agents. And stand up to your Real Estate fears. Great, kid, now don't get cocky. That too is important, my friends.
Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Real Estate market in Bellingham, Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team can do for you at 360.920.4886!
I was inspired by Clare C's The Importance of Reading the Instructions. I learned my greatest lesson almost too late, because I never read the instructions.Here's the Punch Line - on the back cover read the words: read page 3, Amy...
Upon my college graduation, my Uncle Bill gave me a book entitled "Pooh's Little Instruction Book", indpired by A. A. Milne. This was a cute gesture, charming even, but what could I ever learn from a silly old bear anyway? I thought, "Self, you do not know the true gift in this yet. Hold onto it." And that I did. I waited and waited.
I read the little book time and again. Nothing. Annually, I would clean out the bookshelves of unwanted books for garage sales and used book stores (I mean, how long did I really have to hold onto my History of Rock and Roll text book from college, or that Sylvia Plath poetry book I bought during my "dark" phase in high school?). But I never could quite rid myself of Pooh's little book.
The cover grew weary (college was a long time ago), and the pages dogeared from years of thumbing.Still nothing.
Then I passed my Real Estate license exam, and I ran to Pooh's book. Surely I would uncover some little gem of wisdom that would serve me well in my new career (thank goodness I was no longer handling military contracts, and negotiating with generals, that no, they could not just have an extra million dollars worth of studies performed at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command). Nada. Aught. "Self, the book needs to go."
Fast forward a few months. Real Estate was working for me, but not really working. I was going through the motions, but my relationships seemed empty and vapid. I was being paid but felt disconnected. Naturally loquacious in nature, how could this happen? I was analytical, aggressive, and academic. Just what a professional should be, right?
The phone rings, my Uncle Bill passed away. I was suddenly faced with the notion that I had missed something. Something that would change my life. I just could not unearth the missing link. My Uncle Bill had nothing more than an eighth grade education, but you would never know it. His entire community of Clifton Forge, VA, loved him. Truly loved him. He was a citizen's man. An honorable man. A wise man. The kind of man you wanted to know just because he was compassionate and authentic.
We decided to have an estate sale, so I packed the car with my newborn and a few boxes of things to sell myself (the fighter pilot was sadly deployed). On top of one of the boxes was Pooh's Little Instruction Book.
The sale was a success. Not much leftover (always a good sign). In a box of old 45s, rested Pooh's instruction book. It did not sell. I had a tender moment of sadness, and opened the book. It felt like the first time. I flipped through the entire book for the first time, all the way to the end.On the back cover read the words: read page 3, Amy. I flipped through to the very beginning. There are no page numbers, so I had to manually count, (what if I started counting on the wrong page?) Or better still, what if I had counted correctly, and my outlook on life changes? And that it did my friends.
On page 3 is a quote from Winnie the Pooh - It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"
Lunch. That sentence changed my life. I had been wheeling and dealing, but never relating. And that is what life is all about - relating to one another. I grabbed that little book, and held it close to my heart. It changed my life forever. Life became authentic in that one moment. I was brought to life. And I brought that life into my business. And now I am known for my strong relationships and for making each of my clients feel like family.
Relating is paramount to any business. Without it, you have nothing. Nada. Aught. How different my life might be had I not read the instructions - read page 3, Amy. I carried this story closely, not knowing when the time was right to share it. Clare unleashed my story. My sincere gratitude to Clare, and to Uncle Bill. Who knew one rotund bear with very little brain, could impart such enlightenment.
If someone ever gives you an instruction book, however cutesy, hold onto it. The time might not be now that you can learn from it, but there will be a time. That I can guarantee you. Thank you for reading.
Tonight, March 28, at 8:30pm local time, I turned off my lights. And for one hour, I voted for Earth. It was Earth Hour. Wherever you live on Planet Earth, Earth Hour is a time of contemplation, a time for reflection, a time to vote for our planet.
This was the first year a vote for the planet became global. The election transcended borders, ethnicities, and ages. Started in Sydney in 2007, over two million homes switched their lights to "off" to make a stand against global warming. By 2008, the message was more transcontinental with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Colosseum in Rome, and Sydney's famous Opera House all shrouded in illumination. Even in Times Square, bilboards rested in darkness.
But 2009, the globe set a different goal. A goal of one billion shutting off their lights for one hour. The idea being that this is a vote where your country of origin does not play a role, but rather your planet of origin - Planet Earth.
Instead of having lights on tonight, I sat in darkness, warmed by the soft glow of a dozen or so candles I lit for the occasion. I made sure to put one in each of the children's rooms (as they are still unsettled by the dark). I looked outside for a brief moment, and I realized that I sat alone in the dark. But that is okay. Perhaps the neighbors forgot, or were unaware.
Either way, I voted for Earth tonight in a global election of sorts, and it felt grand. I have been reading on which US cities participated. The Sears Tower, Empire State Building, and the Golden Gate bridge all dimmed their lights tonight. Not to be outdone, the famous strip in Las Vegas even went dark, including the world-famous Luxor Hotel & Casino, who's light can be seen from space.
Where else in the world were lights shut off in honor of Earth Hour? The Bird's Nest in Beijing, China; Giza Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt; the Acropolis in Greece; over 1700 buildings in Hong Kong; the business disctrict in Jakarta, Indonesia; the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Rome's Colosseum; the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden; the Eiffel Tower in Paris (only for five minutes); the Connaught Place in New Delhi, India.
Nearly four thousand cities joined forces in over 85 countries for the World Wildlife Fund-sponsored event to raise awareness for global warming.
I cannot wait to have my "Hi honey, I've landed safely" phone call from the pilot in a little while, who was flying across the country tonight, and ask him if he noticed anything unusual about the lights from cities. He is always commenting on city lights, and the sheer number of them.
Earth Hour. Mark your calenders for next year. Thank you for reading.
All around the nation, as home sales drop, and market fears have paralyzed the housing economy, homeowners are finding better coping mechanisms.
Refinancing is currently popular with the recent interest rate drop. But that is not for everyone (for example: A 2-point drop on a $50,000 balance would not be as good as a half-point dropon $500,000). Remodelling is becoming quite popular as of late as well. Since new construction is at a significant low, contractors are hungrier than ever, and making some historically expensive remodels very affordable for most. I mean, who couldn't use those new granite countertops in the kitchen, or that rainfall showerhead in the master bath with matching Jack and Jill sinks? (I do not know about you, but I am unsure how my marriage ever survived sharing a sink in the bathroom) Seriously.
But even a remodel can be pricey, and sometimes all you need is a new way to look at the space. Maybe you already have perfect corian counters in a stellar gourmet kitchen. And maybe you already know how sharing one master bath sink can challenge your marriage (how are those counseling sessions going? No doubt, many therapists should just offer up the idea of his and hers sinks, and voila! problem solved).
Enter Belllingham's solution to small spaces! Serving clients from North King County to the Canadian border, Custom Closets & Bedrooms can help put your house in order.
Owner Mike began the local company in 1990 with a goal of helping folks make the best use of the space available to them, back when home prices were on the rise. Currently, the business employs over 10 staff members, and has remained steadily successful, where copy-cats have failed.
If you have a closet, garage, pantry, office, or craft room that needs some serious organization, then rest assured, Custom Closets is your answer. I called their number, #1-360-738-9121, talked to an animated woman named Jana, who happens to be the owner's daughter. She arrived, and within two days, I had a brand new closet interior to house my some forty pairs of shoes (I know, I know, I'll blog about that another time).
My bedroom closet was a thorn in my side, and it was starting to affect my mental health, or rather I was losing my mind at how space was being wasted. Within two days, I not only received a closet facelift, but I made a new friend. Jana and her snap-crack team of professionals can have you organized in no time!
To date, Jana's team has helped three friends and my mother. Now, if she can please my mom, then Jana is a magical creature (as I long suspected). She managed to revamp my parents' walk-in closet, create a cookbook nook (what... You don't have a nook dedicated to your cookbook collection?), design an executive office that only the President would appreciate (and my dad), and a designer craft room, where the draft table moves up and down with the push of a button. Totally Jetsons, people.
And the best part of Custom Closets? They are local, keeping in line with Bellingham's charming yet popular Buy Local philosophy. Oh, and I cannot impress on you enough how affordable they are. Again, let me say (or write, rather) that you do not have to be one of the bail-out recipients to afford a new organized space. My whole closet, with racks for the fighter pilot's wardrobe and my forty-odd pairs of shoes, and racks for my hat, scarf, and purse collection, cost under $200. Exquisite. Simple. Quick.
Call Jana at #1-360-738-9121, and book a free consultation today to improve your cluttered space. No doubt, money is tight everywhere. Rather than pay for something that probably will not improve the value of your home should you try and sell it any time soon, try refurbishing your existing space, and give yourself more space without knocking down a wall!
If you are in the area, stop and visit the Custom Closets and Bedrooms showroom at 4073 Hannegan Road here in Bellingham, WA. If you are in Washington State, but not local, please call #1-800-394-4403, and ask for Jana.
If you are in the market to Relocate to Bellingham, and space is an issue, I give Jana and Custom Closets and Bedrooms my highest recommendation!
A fanciful blog about all things Real Estate, the economy, Bellingham localism, Amy's friendly, worldly advice, and of course, Amy's etiquette school experiences!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Spring is among us now. And in keeping with the theme, the market is sprouting a little too.
The phone rang this morning very early. I knew it could not be the pilot, so I thought "Self, who could be calling so early?" Not wanting to be the person who answers the phone like they just finished smoking a pack of 
cigarettes chased by a fifth of whiskey, I faked a "Good Morning! This is Amy..."
As Easter approaches tomorrow, it occurs to me that a few years ago, I spent Easter alone without Led, and children were not quite on the horizon yet. The photos included were taken during that deployment. It seems as though no matter how much time has 
passed, how much distance has grown, and how much families have expanded, the closeness of the military relationship remains intact, familiar, and strong. 
To our wise yet vulnerable young son, we explained about the concept of pretend (while nervously looking at our watch. I mean, we had to get moving! Mickey Mouse does not hold planes, even for cute little fellows) Our brave son gets up off the couch, and argues:
Why can't we all face our challenges publicly, without fears of repercussions? My son was 6, and fought Darth Vadar. You men out there can identify with the importance and significance with that, can't you? Star Wars is for men what Titanic is for women.
Posted by 
I learned my greatest lesson almost too late, because I never read the instructions. Here's the Punch Line - on the back cover read the words: read page 3, Amy...
Then I passed my Real Estate license exam, and I ran to Pooh's book. Surely I would uncover some little gem of wisdom that would serve me well in my new career (thank goodness I was no longer handling military contracts, and negotiating with generals, that no, they could not just have an extra million dollars worth of studies performed at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command). Nada. Aught. "Self, the book needs to go."
wheeling and dealing, but never relating. And that is what life is all about - relating to one another. I grabbed that little book, and held it close to my heart. It changed my life forever. Life became authentic in that one moment. I was brought to life. And I brought that life into my business. And now I am known for my strong relationships and for making each of my clients feel like family.
Tonight, March 28, at 8:30pm local time, I turned off my lights. And for one hour, I voted for Earth. It was Earth Hour. Wherever you live on Planet Earth, Earth Hour is a time of contemplation, a time for reflection, a time to vote for our planet.
Nearly four thousand cities joined forces in over 85 countries for the World Wildlife Fund-sponsored event to raise awareness for global warming.
(for example: A 2-point drop on a $50,000 balance would not be as good as a half-point dropon $500,000). Remodelling is becoming quite popular as of late as well. Since new construction is at a significant low, contractors are hungrier than ever, and making some historically expensive remodels very affordable for most. I mean, who couldn't use those new granite countertops in the kitchen, or that rainfall showerhead in the master bath with matching Jack and Jill sinks? (I do not know about you, but I am unsure how my marriage ever survived sharing a sink in the bathroom) Seriously. 
But even a remodel can be pricey, and sometimes all you need is a new way to look at the space. Maybe you already have perfect corian counters in a stellar gourmet kitchen. And maybe you already know how sharing one master bath sink can challenge your marriage (how are those counseling sessions going? No doubt, many therapists should just offer up the idea of his and hers sinks, and voila! problem solved).
;)
;)
