So I attended Green Drinks this past week. Very cool. I can honestly say that this is totally my kind of networking group. No one seemed to couple off like other groups I have attended. Everyone was pretty friendly and I actually met a bunch of local folks. Here's the best part about it. Some people worked for very environmentally friendly companies (Georgia Conservancy, City of Savannah Recycling, etc...), but a large majority were people who were just into certain parts of the green movement. They work in their jobs and try to keep in line with the latest opportunities and trends out there by hanging out with the folks who know this stuff for a living. 

There was no sweeping agenda, just a toast. They made some announcements about what was going on around town and who you could contact to become more involved. That's it. It was simple, fun, cool, exciting and something I will be sure to make a priority. So Savannah, try to attend the next GreenDrinks session. The best thing I learned was that there are many people in Savannah looking to work together to make Savannah better than it has been. And I, for one, can back that...Cheers!

I am very excited to announce that after forever of not being able to fit it into my schedule, I am finally going to be able to attend GreenDrinks. I invite all of our Savannah Blog readers to attend and promise to report back on my findings.

Well, I just wanted to take a moment to commemorate my Thursday. Despite the market and all the rumors in the press, I had 2 closings in one day. And no, I didn't sell a couple's home and move them into another. I am talking about 2 real closings. 2 buyers. 2 sellers. 2 listing agents. 2 selling agents. 2 lenders. Guess what was common about all of these parties? We were all smart, attentive, worked together and got the job done. We stayed positive. No one dragged their feet. It was AWESOME!

 For those of you pushing properties through this trying time, you know where I am coming from. We need to celebrate every rewarded effort because you can't be sure when your next opportunity will come across your path.

For agents having trouble getting things moving (and you are not alone!!) be encouraged. Be positive. Be energetic. Be resourceful. You can get through this market if you put your mind to it. Let me know what you think.

How do you stay positive? How do you keep your optimism despite what your new source is feeding you?

Which is more eco-friendly? A cell phone or a landline? Does anyone have any insight to this? I am guessing a cell phone simply because of lack of wires, but I am sure there are a million facors. Can anyone shed some light on my question?

Just curious....

I love it! I just got back from the store where I pulled my usual "No bags for me please" followed by the usual "You don't want bags?" which I follow with the "No bags please because even if you recycle, it takes more energy to make the recycling take place, so I am making moves to reduce my waste". Here's the kicker. My cashier looks at me and says "You recycle? I don't. I'm too busy to recycle." I asked her if she didn't have a recycling bin (because in Savannah, only people who live within city limits have curbside recycling). Here's the kicker: She did! It really drove me nuts. I just had to walk away. I can't abide ignorance. Luckily the other cashier mentioned that once you look at the bin to see what you can recycle, you can just switch the bin you are throwing it into. No sorting, nothing to soak up your valuable time and you can even save the earth. Fortunately everyone else in line agreed with me and the recycling cashier. Maybe someday people will understand.

This blog is dedicated to all the people in Savannah who pushed to get curbside recycling initiated. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

So I was so relieved by the peaceful transfer of power yesterday (to use an over-coined term). Did anyone else notice that the news had to dig REALLY deep to pull out negative stories? ABC went so far as to find some family that had the last name McCain to get their take on the Inauguration. The angle? They were descendants of slaves owned by John McCain's plantation farming ancestors. Here is a newsflash! Slavery ended a long time ago, which is why we can all celebrate the diversity that the Obama family brings to Pennsylvania Avenue. The really sad part of the McCain family story was that they had to watch Obama's oath from a D.C. hotel room  because they couldn't get onto the Mall. Shouldn't ABC have been able to pull some strings there? ANYWAY...

Why does the media focus on the things that divided us in the past when thousands of people endured the cold and the crowds to cheer change, unity and progress?

I am not a political person. In November, I actually had to go to a website that made me describe my opinion on the pressing campaign issues and told me which candidate was the closest match. I figured either way it went, I had a reason to celebrate. Palin as VP? Inspiring from a girl-power perspective. Obama as President? Inspiring from a cultural perspective. 

So, I was watching all of the Inaugural Balls and the speech and the crowd commentary last night before bed, relieved at how positive everyone's attitude was and the great spirit that swept across our country. But then the media blew it! They reverted back to the economy, which has been my main hot-spot of irritation.

Does anyone else take offense to comparisons drawn between The Great Depression and our current economic situation? GAR just put out statistics on 2008. Foreclosures hovered at 3%. Guess what they were during The Great Depression? 40!!!!! Look at the house next to you, Americans! Is half of your neighborhood empty? Nope! There are pockets of unbelievable foreclosure, and people are losing their jobs, and sad things happening with our economy, but The Greatest Generation sure didn't get from the 1930s to the 1940s by looking feeling sorry for themselves and focusing on what they had lost. We seem to think that "Depression Mentality" means that you throw your hands in the air and cry in your beer and the media wants you to buy in because it sells. In my family "depression mentality" is the term we used to describe my grandma's generation's inclination to save everything because you never know if you'll need it if you throw it away. You see, that generation did what it took to get back on their feet. I am very proud of my grandparents' generation and am quite offended that the Associated Press feels justified drawing comparisons between our standard of living and theirs. We have needed to re-define "need" for quite some time throughout this country. We also need to reach out to our neighbors. Apparently, of that 3% of homes foreclosed on, hardly any of them asked for help. Many just "let the house go" or handed the keys back to their lender after months of a silent fight. What happened to community? Why are we finding out about foreclosures when the signs go up in the yard? Agents, I encourage you to contact that database of closed clients. MAKE SURE THEY ARE MAKING THEIR PAYMENTS and if they aren't, ask how you can help. Every day, we place people on the path to the American Dream of Home Ownership. Let's make sure we keep that dream alive!

Okay so I am really curious.....

What thrifty things did your grandparents do with their "depression mentality"? My grandma saved POUNDS of used tin foil in drawers and she always took her leftovers home from a restaurant -even if it was just 5 french fries!

What is your perspective of the spin the media is putting on the economy?

What is happening in your area of the country? Is the rate lower or higher than the national average? I live in a neighborhood with several hundred houses and I think there are 3-4 foreclosures on the market, which would be about accurate. How about you?

So with all of my research and learning in the past 6 months, a hovering cloud of irritation has settled over my office for 6 months. Let's face it. There are things we can change and things we can't change and then there are phone contracts. So I have been living out the last 6 months of a ridiculous phone contract just waiting to dump my carrier. So I shopped phone services. Same bad service, same "we don't really care who you get a commercial account through" attitude coupled with the outrageous markups for business lines (as opposed to residential).

Then I found wireless. No quotes from the cable company arguing about who will pay for them to lay the cable (why wasn't this done 3 years ago at construction-before the parking lot would have to be ripped up and re-laid). But alas, I wasn't aware of wireless options. We no longer need wires (or computers anymore) to access the internet. So I am embracing the signs of the times. I am taking a moment in this positioning market to get myself ready for attack. I am implementing !Daley 2.0 . Here's the thing. I need internet and phone, but I know that I can get a deal if I shop around and I am not prepared to give my money to anyone who doesn't want to look out for me.

Do you see where this is going?  Bear with me

Let's change it up and you can see my parable.

Over the past 6 months, buyer have been researching and learning about our industry, real estate. Buyers know there are market forces they can't change, but there are habits that can change (consumer credit card debt, going for convenience instead of economy, not monitoring credit scores).

There's another way!

Most renters know that renewing lease after lease is not a great idea, but they have ideals set for what "they deserve" and they have convinced themselves that outrageous markups are justified because that's the way it is. They would rather over-pay rent than settle for a well priced starter home without the bells and whistles that come with apartment communities. Are you paying for fitness centers, pools, landscaping and parks that you don't use? Think about how those are built into your monthly payment. Why not invest in a starter home? Can't give up the amenities? Why do you think condos and townhomes were invented? Best of both worlds!

Many agents pay extrordinary fees for brokerage services they were sold on years ago, but haven't ever used (online resources, mailout services, training, etc...). In markets like this, owners owe it to their agents to re-structure their business to make it as cost-effective and efficient as possible. It isn't always convenient, and takes quite a bit of time and number crunching, but I know my agents appreciate the extra boost on their commissions that trickle down as a result. So, give yourself an economic stimulous package and shop yourself around. Odds are you won't be giving up as much as you get in return.

Why not switch to a company that cares for you and treats you like your business matters and is important and valued. This company will work at your side for as long as it takes to educate you about your market and options, to make sure you are getting the best deal on the market that works for your lifestyle.  Renters: You would be amazed at how far your money will go when you pay your own mortgage instead of your landlord's! This is a buyer's market. Get an agent that will work to get you the most bang for your buck! Agents: You will be amazed at how much you still love our industry when you have a company that works with you, especially in markets like this!

Visit DaleyRealtor.com for more contact info or call/email/text me directly. Check us out! We are turning Real Estate on its ear in Savannah! We are happy to share personal references!

Well, for my regular subscribers, I must apologize that I have fallen off the blog wagon. An interesting business opportunity was thrown my direction and I caught it.

On June 30, 2008, I purchased my brokerage, which makes me the agent/owner/manager of !Daley Real Estate in Savannah Georgia. My brokers, Paul and Nancy Daley embarked on a long-dreamed retirement adventure of RVing across the country to visit every national park. So, along with a head-spinning summer of closings, I have finalized everything involved with the transfer and closing, so that I can focus on real estate and blogging and all the fun agent things I used to do. Has anyone else had a crazy summer?

I would love to hear about it (celebrate, commiserate, whatever!)

It's great to be back! I have a back-log of things I have been wanting to add to my blog!

Well, I am looking to help my office go "greener". I need things that are cost effective and simple for people (i.e. anyone in my office) to implement. What would be your suggestions? How do I get the most bang for the buck?

I will let you know how it goes.......

Until next time,

Kelly

question mark from www.designcrack.com

Okay, so I am on vacation this week and between the snacks and convenience of relaxing, I have gone through so much more trash than what is normalor my life. It seems that everything I am consuming is an "individual" pack or that we are using disposables to reduce our work while we are on vacation ENJOYING NATURE in the Smoky Mountains and their National Park. What a hypocrite! I feel like I need to change even more! Always something isn't it?  What is your dark secret of falling off the eco-wagon?

Well, since I am on vacation, I am going to log off my blog...

Until I return....