The Growing Cycle...This Business of Simply Being Human! - 05/30/07 11:06 PM
 
Grand Rapids, Mi  1996. 
You could sense the tension in the classroom.  We had been informed that we were going to be discussing It after the break.  An uncomfortable atmosphere hovered over the participants in the smallish classroom in which a group of real estate agents had gathered to continue their education. 
The mandatory 3 hours of Civil Rights Instruction was the elephant in the room.  Now, why did I feel that in an oddly peculiar way that this was about me? Being the only black participant in the class, I sensed that everyone was poised to be careful, ...very, very careful in how they responded to … (26 comments)

What to Do When Google Shows Up for The Interview Before You do! - 05/28/07 11:12 PM
 
"We Googled You."  This was the response to my question to out of state clients who unnerved me by how much they seemed to know about me prior to our first meeting with them six years ago. We were riding together to see homes in a mini-van.  At the  time, I didn't even know what Google was.  But my prospective clients had already scoped me out. 
"We Googled You" is also the title of a recent case study, by Diane Coutu, published in the Harvard Business Review about  a "fictional character"  Mimi Brewsterwho is being interviewed for a job with a major corporation in China.  As an exceptionally qualified … (78 comments)

"Beyond The Open Door" - 05/25/07 07:59 PM
 
"Beyond the Open Door"
An open door speaks of an invitation to enter, an opportunity to explore.
The expectancy of discovery always carries a risk that the adventure may entail more
than we bargained for.
A shut door on the other hand speaks of barred access, denied entry, and limited opportunity.
It may also provide a shield of safety against dangers yet unseen.
Often both options present a dilemma of sorts.
 Walking through the access and possible opportunity of the Open Door,
Or being denied welcome and access in the unyielding nature of the Closed Door
  May prove to be more than anticipated.
The journey over the threshold can … (0 comments)

Blogger's Choice Selections...New Group Highlights Member Favorites! - 05/24/07 12:21 AM

 Bloggers Choice Selections Group
Purpose: 
Blogger's Choice Selections has been formed to highlight Blog Posts that are NOT Featured but which You feel are Significant, Important, Interesting, Well Written & an Example of A Good Blog Post.
As the Active Rain Network experiences continued phenomenal growth, the task of evaluating all the posts is expanding.  We recognize & applaud the hard work of the Active Rain Moderators in reading hundreds of posts each day & having to determine which posts to select.  They do a phenomenal job!
However, the reality is that a number of Excellent Posts may not get the attention they deserve as the Network … (41 comments)

Why Real Estate is Like An Expensive Box Of Chocolates! - 05/21/07 09:24 PM
Serious chocolate lovers have a way of finding each other.  Until I met Kathy, I thought I was a serious chocolate lover, but as she began to describe a velvet, delectable, svelte quality of a brand of chocolates that I had no familiarity with, I knew that her love affair was in an entirely different league.  But I was fascinated. 
Fresh out of college, my idea of a splurge was a Snickers bar a day, a 40 cent habit which was the limit of what I could afford.  My desire was fueled by the tantalizing enticement of sampling the best!
Kathy was describing chocolate bars … (25 comments)

The Smartest $10.42 Investment I've Ever Made! - 05/20/07 06:39 PM
 
 I signed up for a subscription to  Real Estate Shows in March & posted my first video montage soon thereafter.  My first creative effort was a mailing to inform clients & friends about our new office location.  I thought that utilizing a promotional video  might make the e-card more interesting.  Since then, I've discovered a number of novel & interesting uses for Real Estate Shows. This Marketing Tool can take your promotional efforts to a whole new level, if you'll allow your imagination to develop wings!  These are some ideas that I've experimented with.
Marketing a Business!
When we moved, I wanted to let people know about our brand new office.  I … (24 comments)

Brokers Join Forces to Launch Innovative New Training Series...Grand Rapids, MI - 05/18/07 10:32 PM
  Many of you in Grand Rapids, MI & other areas of Michigan have been asking about when we are going to do Part 2 of the Blogging Seminar that was held on April 11th, 2007 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  (Click here to read & view video of the event)  Well, the good NEWS is the Sponsors are going to be getting together soon to discuss the next step.  We will be posting the New Offerings on our Blogs, so stay tuned. Another exciting development that has occurred as a Result of the Blogging Class is that we are going to … (4 comments)

AUCTION: 2728 SHIRE, SW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49534 JUNE 26, 2006 @ 6 PM - 05/18/07 08:31 PM
Going, Going, Going....GONE!   
AUCTION JUNE 26, 2007  2728 SHIRE SW,  GR, MI  49534
 
 
 
 
                      One of a Kind...Click Picture to View Real Estate Show
2728 Shire SW, Grand Rapids, Mi  49534
  Real Estate AUCTION HELD:  June 26, 2007 @ 6:00 p.m.
  PREVIEWS:  Sun. 6/3/ & 7/17 1-3 p.m.
  DOWNLOAD BIDDERS REGISTRATION FORM
Architectural renderings available upon request
Builder:  Klaas Kapteyne  Year Built:  1999
Lot Size:  1 Acre,  Grandville Schools
Main Level:  2327 sq. ft. - Main Level,  3657 sq. ft. - Total Finished Living Area
Bedrooms:  3 (1 utilized currently as office)  Baths:  2 Full,  3 Half Baths
3 Stall Garage
Natural Gas line to exterior patio
Underground Sprinkling
Garter Style pool with heater
Gazebo … (5 comments)

When Life Delivers Lemons...Squeeze Out the Lemonade! - 05/16/07 09:33 PM
Earlier this year, Grand Rapids, Mi was in the national spotlight.  A native son, the former President of the United States, Gerald Ford came home to rest.  The harsh cold wintry conditions were no deterrent for thousands who waited patiently in line for up to 8 hours to pay their respects.  The next morning, the crowds had thinned out & our real estate team headed downtown.  The line for the viewing extended out the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, across the bridge over the Grand River & snaked through the DeVos Hall several times before exiting at the door.  When we arrived at … (28 comments)

The Proper Care & Creatin' Of Memorable Experiences...Boy, Do I Miss My Travel Agent! - 05/14/07 11:42 PM
You know what, I really, really, really miss my former travel agent!   My favorite travel agency had to close down many years ago. My last visit to the shopping center where the travel office was located is now the setting for  a specialty food & party store. Barely anyone remembers that a travel agency occupied that space for many years.
But, I will never forget my first experience of Christmas away from home; a young 18 year old college student, separated by thousands of miles.  That winter in the early 80's was especially harsh...cold wet snow pelted me whenever I ventured outside.  I was desperately homesick. I … (4 comments)

SShhh....Are You Too Good at Keeping Secrets??? - 05/12/07 12:11 AM
In the age of knowledge workers, the cliche that information is power is truer than ever-which makes withholding information even more extreme & irritating"  Quote from "What Got you Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith. I've been reading this challenging & provocative book on the recommendation of my sister.  During her last visit, she kept on commenting that she thought she had bought the book to recommend as reading for her mangers...but found herself reading it more & more for herself. 
Well, I'm having the same interesting & sometimes painfully honest experience.  Goldsmith, who as a corporate trainer has … (10 comments)

RE-Imagined...What if the MLS Functioned Like TIVO, Amazon or E-BAy? (#1) - 05/10/07 02:45 AM
One of my favorite locations as a little girl, was a lumpy couch beneath the bookshelf . I loved this spot, set in an obscure portion of the living room for a couple of reasons.  I discovered that if one lay down on the couch ,which had no arm rest, and let one's head dangle over the edge,  for a period of time, while looking at the ceiling, you could actually begin to imagine yourself walking on the ceiling! 
It was an oddly invigorating  and imaginative pasttime especially when it staved off the hunger pangs while waiting for lunch prepartions to be completed.  The beauty … (3 comments)

RE-Imagined...How New Values Could Change the Bottom Line! (Part 2) - 05/10/07 02:45 AM
Part 2 of 3 parts...
I just finished watching an exciting episode of 24 on-line...a day late, but uninterrupted by commercials!  Now, that's TV worth watching.  The pleasure of watching the program with my specifications...no commercials had real value to me. This is part 2 of a Series in which we are exploring an industry RE-Imagined! 
What if the real estate industry's leaders Re-Imagined the role of MLS systems in light of some of the kinds of changes that TV networks & other media/Internet related industries initiated to respond to the Value deficit perceived by the viewing experience of the network's  audience? So let's continue Re-Imagining by … (0 comments)

RE-Imagined...What If Transparency Didn't Just Describe Cellophane? (Part 3) - 05/10/07 02:45 AM
Part 3 &  of the Series...
Click here to Read Part 1
Click here to Read part 2
What if Transparency Didn't just describe Cellophane?
What if it was possible to readily distinguish between "fluff " and substance. What if MLS systems allowed the people subscribed to them through the use of their members to indicate or grade their experience with a certain real estate agent or company? 
It makes little sense that real estate agents who do a fabulous job traditionally earn the same fee for a transaction as agents who do the job poorly.  In NO other profession is this the case.  Specialists, be they … (5 comments)

Dear Blog Creator...Do You Know Who I am? - 05/07/07 11:42 PM

 
 Dear Blog Creator
  
Do you know who I am?  I dance alongside; inside & outside your blog, dipping into your thoughts, skirting or delving into issues, hopefully minding my manners & welcoming your visitors. 
It's my job to create the secondary "first impression".  The one that people view to get a more in depth view of who is writing the text.  I show up in a variety of venues & search engines love to feed on my content.  I'm your second chance to convince someone that your thoughts merit attention...I am your parallel blog.
 *************
  Recognizing the fact that your blog … (34 comments)

"Waking Up Spring in West Michigan!" - 05/05/07 01:27 PM
Spring is in the Air in West Michigan.  Gardens are beginning to blossom into riotous color.  A variety of Parks & Gardens are beginning to Open.  Here's  a Selection of some of the luscious Beauty that is Blooming in Grand Rapids, MI & the Local West Michigan area. 
Starting May 5th  and continuing for one glorious week, Six Million Tulips will command center stage at the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan.  This is a wonderful time to get out with the family and enjoy this gorgeous array of flowers.  The Festival has become the Nation's Fifth Largest Annual  Festival & draws almost 750,000visitors yearly.  … (15 comments)

RendezVous in Black & White 9th Edition...Makes Rain Clouds & Turns 70! - 05/04/07 03:37 PM
A Rendezvous is A Gathering Place where people meet to Celebrate, Learn, Exchange Ideas, Share and Relax
                                                                            ************
That Being Said, Today we Celebrate A Coming of Age of Sorts....Fraiche Aire Turns 70!
This month,Fraiche Aire  Members topped the 70 Mark...that's the 70 member mark.  We celebrate with over 70 Members who have chosen to make a Positive Contribution to the Group & Active Rain as a whole.  Many of you have read, contributed & commented.  Here's to all whose efforts continue to enhance the atmosphere on Active Rain & make this engaging Network a wonderful place to visit, share & learn from!  This Blogs's for … (15 comments)

Limitations Are Simply A Matter of How You See Things! - 05/02/07 03:16 PM
 
It's interesting how disparate dots sometimes connect in real estate transactions.  Two of my most unusual transactions involved improbable situations.  Several years ago, Chris, a young man barely turned 18 approached me because he had heard I sold real estate.  No one wanted to take the kid seriously, and I could tell that he was bracing himself for the same brush off from me. When, I told him that I was willing to work with him, his face lit up with excitement!  A couple of months later, he bought his first home and a couple of years later sold it for $24,000 in … (13 comments)

 
Lola06 Rainmaker_large

Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate

Grand Rapids, MI

More about me…

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

Address: 3659 Alpine NW, Suite 102, Grand Rapids, MI, 49321

Office Phone: (616) 791-0511

Email Me

Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate information including houses for sale, rent and home buyer/seller tips. Also includes wisdom and insights from Lola Audu, CRS Associate Broker.

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