Many of my faithful blog followers know that in addition to my career in real estate, I am a professional opera singer.  This has led me to meet some really colorful characters in my day.  Everyone has a story, but there is none more amazing, devastating, encouraging, hopeful, touching and worth sharing, than the story of my dear friend, Jason Hardy.

I met Jason in 1998 when we began our graduate work together at the Peabody Conservatory, we were immediately "thick as thieves."  Jason spent much of his time pining away for his then girlfriend, Bevelyn...who also had quite a story.  Bevelyn had lost her husband to brain cancer, just a few days before their son was born.  She met Jason when her boy, Luke, was an infant.  They became fast friends, and finally, husband and wife (I still beat myself up that I was unable to make their wedding.)

Jason's career was on the fast track, when they found out that Bevelyn had breast cancer.  They, of course, were shocked and terrified.  A few days later, they received even more news that they'd have to digest, Bevelyn was pregnant!  They found doctors that were willing to treat her cancer "around" the pregnancy...and soon, their miracle baby, Sabrina was born.  Bevelyn continued her treatment, and was ultimately given a clean bill of health.

I will never forget where I was when I received the call from Jason that Bevelyn's cancer had returned.  She fought with dignity and grace that defy description, and we just knew that she was going to beat this.  Treatment after treatment, set-back after set-back, Bevelyn remained an inspiration to everyone who knew her.  In 2007, Jason (and the rest of us) lost Bevelyn.

As devastating as this was, it was also an incredible experience to see how those in our lives just circled around Jason, and how Jason (without any time to grieve) kicked it into high gear to become the model single parent.  Jason soldiered on, being the same example of dignity, grace and love that Bevelyn was to us all.

Fast forward a couple of years...because this story has a happy ending, and you can help make it even happier.  Like his wife Bevelyn, Jason too was able to find love after devastating loss.  In 2007, he met a wonderful woman named Carrie.  When he brought Carrie over to our home for the first time, he was filled with the same excitement that a teenager has, bringing his girlfriend home to meet the parents for the first time.  Needless to say, she passed our test (as if it mattered!) with flying colors!  Many people search their whole life to find a soul-mate...Jason found two, and those that know him are eternally grateful that he has found Carrie.

Jason proposed to Carrie after opening night of a production of Le Nozze di Figaro...and she said YES.  Some charming video of the proposal can be found here:

So, what does this have to do with you?  Jason and Carrie have been entered into a contest through Crate & Barrel to get their dream wedding.  I can think of no more deserving people.  I know that AR has a lot of sway...you all have Twitter accounts, Facebook, Youtube channels...can you help me do something really important?  Can you help me get them 2000 votes this weekend?  Post their story, forward to friends, and VOTE.  It will take five minutes...and it'll make you feel good.  If nothing else, we can test the Active Rain Community, and see what kind of pull we have on the inter-webs.  You can also sign up to follow progress on Twitter @JasonHardyATL

Please click here to vote for Jason and Carrie:

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/40565?sort=popularity

As my faithful followers know, in addition to my career in real estate, I have long enjoyed a career in opera, both as a singer and a general director.  Recently, a friend of mine suggested that I submit a proposal to an organization called IGNITE BALTIMORE.  At the time, I knew nothing about them, but was very intrigued by their format.  Sixteen speakers each got FIVE minutes, and TWENTY powerpoint slides that auto-advance every 15 Seconds.  I was truly blown away by this event, and the fact that 450+ people showed up, just to hear people talk about their ideas and passions.  IGNITE BALTIMORE #5 was held last Thursday at the Walters Art Gallery in Mt. Vernon...if you get a chance to attend #6, order your tickets early, and prepare to be blown away.

So, two things have sparked me to blog about my experience here, rather than on my opera-blog:

First, a presentation by Peter Davis that immediately followed mine was called "Business is Theater" which made a compelling argument that we need to treat all business like theater.  I spend a good deal of time trying to keep those two worlds apart in my life, and here was someone making a compelling argument embrace the ideals of each, for the other.

Second, I realized that the way I prepared for this event could translate very easily into the way that I prepare for business endeavors.  I wrote a blog post on my opera-blog, regarding the preparation...what worked, what didn't, and what I would do next time.  That can be found here, if you ever find yourself needing to give a presentation, feel free to learn from my mistakes!  I need to remember that I KNOW how to rehearse and prepare a three hour long opera in a foreign language...I should know how to rehearse and prepare a ten minute listing presentation!

Finally, for those of you that can take five minutes, and hear about "Saving Opera, One Voice at a Time." Please watch the video below.  Feel free to share wherever you see fit...we need all the help we can get, or this beloved art-form could die on our watch.  As dire as the real estate market is in many areas, the arts are in even tougher shape, please do what you can to support your local arts scenes, as we all know...they in turn support your property value, and quality of life!

Many of my blog followers know that my first career was in the field of opera.  Time on the road and away from the family, made switching my JOB (opera) and HOBBY (real estate) a couple of years ago, pretty easy!  Now, I still do sing on occasion, and I also run a small opera company here in Baltimore.  It never ceases to amaze me, how similar the two worlds are, but that is another story!

We hear all of the time in real estate about "overcoming objections."  I thought that I would try my hand at overcoming some "operatic objections."  People have preconceived notions of large ladies in horned helmets...and many people never give this great artform a fair shake.

Forward this video around to your friends that might be "on the fence."  Give this great music a chance!  Who knows, you might like it!

I was meeting with a business development group this past week (yes, I know, hard to believe that networking still takes place off of the net!) and wanted to share an interesting story.

A colleague of mine is a loan officer with a bank that was recently acquired by another company.  In all of the frenzy that surrounded name changes, e-mail/phone changes, he sent out an automated e-mail through a program that he'd been using...wishing everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.  On January 10th!

THANKSGIVING IN JANUARY?  What's wrong with you MAN?

Now, we all had a big belly laugh at my colleague's expense, but it brought out a really important point.  He mentioned that no less than 40 people called him, wondering if he was ill, or had been drinking too much.  It might have been a big mistake, but nobody was hurt...and 40 of his contacts called HIM to check on HIM.  Way to turn the tables around!  At the very least, it proved that some people are reading these auto-generated e-mails that he sends around, and that they are probably worthwhile as a way to stay in touch, at least to a part of his contact list.

Now, as as an ACTIVE-RAINER, I of course have been working on him pretty hard to start a blog, and develop an on-line presence beyond the cookie-cutter programs that some companies offer.  He's open to it, and we're meeting next week.  In the meantime, if you want to test those auto-generated programs, might I suggest HAPPY THANKSGIVING in the middle of January, or CHRISTMAS in JULY?  When you client calls to check on you, assure them that you are fine...but would be even better if they'd refer some business to you!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Brendan

A little over a year ago, we ran this video on our website, showing how easy it is to commute from Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood to DC.

I was sifting through old files on the computer, and thought I'd run it again...as the weather is warm in this video, perhaps it will cheer everyone up!

In all seriousness, Mt. Vernon to DC is a very easy commute.  Mount Vernon has an incredible housing stock, with plenty to look at right now, from studio condos to 5000+ sq/ft mansions.  It's a great time to move into Baltimore's cultural district, which is home to:

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

The Lyric Opera House

Peabody Conservatory

The Walters Art Museum

and of course, tons of fine dining!

Come on up, DC folks...I'll buy the coffee.

OK, so I know that I have been blogging more than my fair share about Google voice, and the implications that it has for a real estate agent.  I mentioned in a previous post that I am relying on this service heavily when it comes to "filtering leads."  This really does fit in nicely to my series "More hours and less waste in 2009."

Here's how:

It's actually hard to quantify exactly how much time GOOGLE voice saves me during a day, but last Friday, I kept pretty close track, and guess that on average, it is saving me 30 minutes a day on the telephone.  The ability to prioritize phone calls as we prioritize e-mail is HUGE.  I started the day at work in my office, catching up on some computer work.  A call came and I did not recognize the number.  GREAT, must be an internet lead.  Anyway, I continued to finish up what I was working on, and sure enough...in about 45 seconds, there was a transcript of a voicemail sent to my e-mail.  This was a pretty warm lead...one worth following up on quickly.  This lead followed my instructions in the voicemail, and left me the property address that they were calling about, so I took about 30 seconds to pull up the listing before calling the lead back.  Within two minutes of her initial call, I was on the phone with her, armed with the information that she wanted.  She shared with me her surprise that I was able to get to her so quickly (I am becoming less worried that this system is off-putting to leads)  

We had a very nice chat about the particular neighborhood that she was interested in, and about this particular house.  While we were chatting, another call...from an unrecognized number.  Sure enough, another lead that followed my instructions, and left a property address.  I was able to print out that listing, while talking to lead #1, and scheduling time to go view properties.  I wrapped up with lead #1, and called lead #2 back, in under three minutes from his initial call.  He also thanked me for getting back to him so quickly.  We spoke for about ten minutes, and during that time...two more calls...unfortunately, neither of which were leads.

While talking with lead #2, I missed a call from my business partner, who was updating me on her activities for the day, and a call from a lender, updating me on a loan that is in process.  I was able to mark both of these messages to return later, as neither were time sensitive.  Lead #2 and I were able to arrange a time to meet, and I was able to share with him a list of lenders that he might want to speak to (which was great, because when returning the lender's call later, I could ask him to be on the lookout for this person's call!)

The day continued much the same way.  If I was not in the middle of something, I was still inclined to pick up the phone, should it ring.  If I was in the middle of something, I didn't feel pressured to drop what I was doing in order to answer the phone.  I received several personal calls that I was able to return during a break, and I received a number of calls that did not require a returned call at all (a painter letting me know that he had finished work in our listing, and...a solicitor...who immediately got flagged in my address book to go into a voicemail message made especially for his kind!) It takes me less than ten seconds to see that there is a voicemail that doesn't need my attention...probably three to four times that to get a telemarketer off the phone!)

 So, the best I can figure is that this system is saving me around 30 minutes a day. That's 14 hours a month, and 168 more hours a year with my son.  I can think of no better endorsement than that!

A very nice side effect seems to be that people are not put off by going into this voicemail, when I am able to call them back relatively quickly WITH information.  It makes me look on top of my game, impresses them, and seems to make them interested in becoming MY client.

I'll continue to give progress reports on this system...if anyone thinks of other ways that I can use GOOGLE VOICE, or other things that I can do to create more hours in 2010, I'd love to hear about it!

Here's a recap of the current list:

A recap of the list:

Twenty five things in 2010 to create more hours in the day:

1.  
   1. Google Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings    Saves approximately 20 minutes a day! (Three times a week.)
   2. Coffee Maker with built-in grind function and auto shut-off  Saves 3 minutes a day! 
   3. Using Google voice to filter leads, and manage calls   Saves 20-30 minutes a day!

Twenty five things in 2010 that can reduce impact on the environment:

1.  
   1. Goole Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings
   2. Coffee Maker with built-in grind function and auto shut-off
   
   

Thanks to those of you who commented on my earlier post regarding my goals to have more time, and less waste in 2010.

I am hardly what I would call a "techie" but I am realizing that there is so much technology out there, that if harnessed properly, can really help me achieve my goals of :

1) Finding more hours in the day

and 

2) Having less of an impact on the planet.

I have already discussed a FREE service through GOOGLE that has saved me countless hours in the car, and therefore saved countless gallons of gas (and a nice side effect, a good bit of $$$).  Something tells me that GOOGLE's productivity tools are going to make regular appearances in my list of 25 things I can do to save time, and 25 things I can do to save the planet!

The second item on my list may seem like a bit of a stretch, but I want to encourage creative thinking amongst my readers.  Remember, when I run out of ideas, I might need your help....so here it is:

Coffee has become part of my morning ritual.  I never touched the stuff, until my wife and I honeymooned to Costa Rica...now I can't seem to get enough.  I just (like many folks, I'm sure) do not function in the morning without my cup o' Joe.  I'm amazed at how quickly I have become a snob about my coffee, and I really prefer freshly ground beans.  In my normal bleary eyed state in the morning, this can be a chore.  

This year for Christmas, my wife and I (for the second year in a row!) surprised each other with the same present...so I guess we both see the value in it!

Cuisinart makes several models of coffee makers that grind beans for each fresh pot!

Now, this may seem silly, and not worth my list that is going to make 2010 a better year, but follow my logic.  If every morning, I spend 3-5 minutes grinding beans and cleaning out the grinder, that is 21-35 minutes a week that I am wasting on my habit and snobbery.  That is up to 140 minutes a month...spent grinding coffee!  That is 28 hours that I wasted in 2009, that I could have spent with my family, or at work.  Get the picture?  The little things add up, in a hurry.  Make small changes, and you'll be floored at the consequences.

This is the second item that ends up on BOTH of my lists as well.  How is this coffee maker helping me be green, you ask?  When it brews into the Thermal carafe, the power to the unit shuts off.  In 2009, I wasted over 700 hours of electricity, just to keep my coffee warm.

A recap of the list:

Twenty five things in 2010 to create more hours in the day:

1.  
   1. Google Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings
   2. Coffee Maker with built-in grind function and auto shut-off

Twenty five things in 2010 that can reduce impact on the environment:

1.  
   1. Goole Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings
   2. Coffee Maker with built-in grind function and auto shut-off
   
   

Now, I am not so much of a "resolution" person, because I'm usually no good at keeping them.  I do, however relish the New Year, as it is a time to reflect on the previous year, assess your victories and failures and plan for what lies ahead in the new year.

I have realized that if I take a few days to really focus on how I do business and how I live my life, there are bound to be really simple changes that I can make that will accomplish two things that are becoming more and more important to me.

First, is to create more hours in the day.  I waste so much time "reinventing the wheel" that I lose out on the really important things like quality time with my family.  Lack of planning makes for a stressful day, which makes it even harder to unwind and focus on the important things.

 Time has a real way of getting away from you when you don't have a clear plan.

Second, is to have less of an impact on the environment.  As I am rushing about without a plan, I continue to make the quick and easy choice, often without thought of the consequences.  Slowing down, thinking, and making responsible choices toward the environment is easier said than done...but I am going to give it a try.

 Being a responsible resident on this planet can be difficult without a clear plan.

So starts a new year, and a new focus for this blog, or at least part of it.  I will begin a new series of posts that are dedicated to things that I can do to simplify my life thus creating more time to plan, and more time to enjoy.  Throughout 2010, I will make it a goal to post 25 things that you (and I) can do to maximize your time, and 25 things that you (and I) can do to have less of an impact on the environment.  

I have an inkling that we are all going to be a little surprised at how much overlap there is going to be on both lists.  I think that there are going to be many things that we can do to save time, that will also have a pretty profound impact on the world around us.  In fact, this whole idea was inspired by a previous blog post regarding the use of Google Maps and my Verizon Droid, to save time and mileage while showing houses.  If I can shave 20 minutes of drive time out of my day, that's more time with the family, and less time burning gas...oh, it saves me money too...but that's another list!

So....without further ado:

Twenty five things in 2010 to create more hours in the day:

1.  
   1. Google Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings

Twenty five things in 2010 that can reduce impact on the environment:

1.  
   1. Goole Maps and Verizon Droid to navigate showings

Following up on my previous blog post about the powerful combination of GOOGLE MAPS, and the Verizon DROID phone, I thought I would also share some thoughts about another free service offered by Google, called Google Voice.  This tool is almost singlehandedly changing the way I do business.

How often do you work away in your office all day long without a single phone call, only to have the cell phone ring in the middle of dinner, when you are not at your computer? 

How often have you thought that it would be nice for your current clients to have a different voicemail greeting when they call you, than when an unqualified lead calls you, or when family or friends call?

How often have you been with a client when your phone rings, and you try to decide whether or not the call is important enough to pick up...wondering how your client will feel about you answering calls on their time?

Google voice allows you to manage your voicemail and phone calls much like we manage e-mail messages, and I must say, I am thrilled.  You can direct different numbers to different outgoing messages, you can have text transcriptions of your voicemails sent to your e-mail or SMS, you can give out your GOOGLE voice number, rather than your private cell phone number, and take control over your calls once and for all.

As an added bonus, Google Voice has an application for the DROID, which allows you to make calls directly on your cell phone, via your google voice number...the implications here are huge for my business!

If someone is not in my contact list, they can go directly to a voicemail (assuming I am with a client and cannot be disturbed) that is geared specifically to them.  Once they leave me the pertinent information and they are added to my address list, the next time they call, they will get a different personal message.

My wife no longer needs to sit through my business VM, while waiting to leave me a message.

Should someone always seem to call you at the most inappropriate time, set up a voicemail message specifically for them!

Oh, and how cool would it be to set your google number to ring in different places for different people or at different times?  Google voice lets you have your phone number ring in any combination of different locations.  For example, for that client that is approaching settlement...when they call your number, it will ring at the office, on your cell, and home.  When the loan officer who wants to woo your business by taking you out to lunch calls...it rings at the office...etc.

How else can you think of using such a great service?

For many years, I stuck with an antiquated GPS system, because it had a great "route optimization" function.  I found that I could enter in all of my showings for the day, hit a button, and the most sensible route would be generated in order to include all of my destinations.  It was really a great feature, and it allowed me to fit in three to five more showings into an afternoon...I'd optimize the route, and then make my appointments accordingly.  Unfortunately, this was a clumsy old piece of equipment that was a pain to operate, and took for ever to "power up" whenever we got back in the car.

A new solution for the 2010's is my new combination of GOOGLE MAPS, and the Verizon DROID phone.

 The navigation included with this phone is amazing, and free.  The truly incredible thing is that it is integrated with Google Maps, giving you access to real time traffic, and tons of other useful information.  Now, with a couple of minutes of tinkering on the computer, I can do the following:

1- Enter all of the property addresses into Google Maps.

2- Adjust to create the most optimal route

3- Make my appointments

4- Make adjustments to accommodate showing restrictions (yes, in my market, there are still folks that like us to show based on their schedules)

3- E-mail a link directly to my clients, so that they know the plan for the day.

4- Access the map directly on my phone

5- Use the navigation on the phone to keep us on track during appointments.

A couple of other fantastic side effects of this scenario:

1- I can file away all my maps in one place, keeping track of where I've been, making tax time a breeze.

2- It is incredibly easy to add points on the route, so, if on the way home...you need to run your errands...no problem (of course, that mileage is not deductible!)

3- For those of you that are in the habit or printing out MAPQUEST routes, think of the paper that you will save!

Take a look at a recent map that I've created.  I have left this one "public" for the purpose of this blog, but you can set the security so that only you and your clients can access.

The advantages here are obvious.  You can save lots of time in the car, cut out many costly miles, always know where you are headed!

This is just one of the many ways that I plan on embracing technology this decade.  There are so many great tools out there, and our industry can benefit from them greatly.  Have a happy, healthy, prosperous new year!