Has anyone come across this rluipa? It's unbelievable. There's a guy who just decided to turn his house into a church across from my mom. She's in a residential subdivision and there's suddenly a big sign on the neighbor's lawn advertising church service times. She called the mayor and asked why he was given a permit. Apparently this law was put out in 2000 and it's a way to get around zoning laws. So she's worried about her property values because it looks like she lives in a mixed use area. She was shocked after she complained to the mayor and he sent her a copy of the federal law that they guy showed them. So I don't know what's stopping people from getting a  minister's certificate online and turning their homes into a church and avoiding taxes at the same time. What is the point of zoning laws/ This is a regular bi-level home with about 1800 sq feet. Where are they going to park the cars? Who will direct traffic? What's next, a steeple?

Below is a link to an organization that supports this law

http://www.rluipa.com/

 

Well it's certainly been awhile since I posted. I used to be a magazine editor and last year I got an offer I couldn't refuse. So I went back to work full time for a dot com as an editor. I do miss the real estate and help my mom out when I can. I'm still trying to decide if I should continue with my license. I have to go back and do my hours or it's up again next year. but that means giving up vacation time. The good thing is I get to work from hom 3 days a week, which is what I was hoping for.

I do miss real estate. I find I use my knowledge of the business all the time. It's hard to see houses that I've shown, and someone eventually bought, two years later with a foreclosure notice on the front door. I must have passed 5 of them this week. I had a buyer who bought a house I had listed, call sobbing because they were being foreclosed on and her marriage was ending. I hope this market turns around soon. It's so criminal to see beautiful homes sitting there empty without anyone to love them.

Anyway, good luck to all of you that stick it out. You are champions.

So the real estate market is pretty flat in Orange county. And I will admit Prudential is getting the bulk of the listings because of the Yahoo deal they struck. But even so, the listings they land tend to sit. I thought about getting out of the business but decided to stick it out. Instead, in the downtime I am launching a new online store site. I've found some great products and am continuing to grow the inventory more. My first cool find was a manufacturer that handmakes handbags, duffles, brief cases, shower curtains--you name it--out of yacht sails.

They look amazing and they are tough and waterproof. She started the business because she was into yachting and she made a bag for herself. But people kept buying them off of her so she realized she had something there. They are all made in the USA and everyone is a little different. Since they are made from authentic recycled sails, you never know what insignia you are going to get. So I'm going to be looking for other products that have the same level of "it" quality as these bags. In the meantime if you want to check out my store it's at www.livingthedreamcollections.com.

I'll let you all know how the store goes. It's hard work but nothing tougher than real estate.

So I am working part time with the local library to help them get a vote passed to expand the library. The current library is extremely small and cramped and the new project will really bring the town up a few knotches. I'm shocked at how many people are opposed to it in the town. Of course, everyone is strapped by taxes, but the average increase will be about $90 per household for the year. That's three books in Barnes and Noble. You would think we were putting a strip club in the way some people are acting. It's sad because the staff that works there really do dream about what good they could do in the new space. People can't understand what an asset a brand new library can be in the town. What is the sentiment in your area? Do you think something like this would get passed in your area and why?

So it was in the local paper that Foxtons fired about 28 employees, made them turn in their laptops, cell phones and little cars and arranged for a ride home for them. Didn't even inform their clients by the time they article came out. They said they would continue to service their current listings but didn't say how. The article went on to blame the local realtors for not showing their listings> But I can vouch that I showed plenty of foxtons listings that my clients wanted to see. And when I did I got the wrong info and did not get responded to. When I did go into the listings I had a few sellers practically jump me and tell me about their bad service. So, I'm tired of them claiming we all get that big number and trashing Realtors in general. Won't be missing them.  

Hi, I'm writing an article for a military magazine about the pros and cons of condo boards. So I am looking for realtors who sell condos near some active military, naval preferred bases in the mid price range. And I would like to have you comment on the pros and cons of the boards in your area. Also, if you have any clients that would like to be interviewed (we can always change the names) let me know. Thanks, Chris.

I am a realtor but I am not going to just write about real estate, the market. etc. That's just boring. I am a real person who happens to be a real estate agent so I will just go from there.  For starters I am a working mom. The ironic thing is in my past life I was the Managing Editor of Working Mother magazine. Perfect magazine to work for when you are a working mom right? Well, it was pretty demanding and the commute was long. So after I went on maternity leave I had some medical problems and they couldn't keep my job open so they had to let me go. But that's OK. It worked out fine. I went into business with my mom who has been a broker in Orange county for 20 years. All those years of growing up listening to her talk about real estate, never did I think I'd be working with her or in the business. It was pretty scary giving up my big title and job in NYC to become a realtor, but I have to say I love it. Like many working moms I had to make changes in my life and career in order to give my child some quality of life. But I still had to help bring money in, so this is a great fit.

The best thing about not commuting anymore and living and working in Orange county, is you get to really know the people you live near and the places around you. I spent 10 years of my life waiting to get out of here, and the next ten commuting away from it, and I felt like a visitor in my own town. Now I really feel like I belong somewhere. And I have to day, it really is a nice place after all. When I was growing up there was nothing to do around here but now it's been built up so much. But not too much like Long Island or Westchester. There's still a lot of country here. And now we have Target's and Lowe's and Barnes and Noble. Welcome to the 21st century. We even have a few New York City quality restaurants here believe it or not. So it's not 5th ave, but if you get the itch for some high end culture, the train runs straight into Penn.

The best part about living here is it really is Family Friendly. I have found a side of myself I never thought existed now that I have a two year old. And I know I am not the only one. The old me that worked on Madison Ave with high powered women who would go to press conferences at some of the hottest spots in NYC, seems a million miles away. And sometimes I miss her but then I think about how nice it is to be able to park in a parking lot behind the building where you are going, bring the baby to the park or just spend the day working on the garden in the backyard. I feel human. It's a life that you can feel human in if you understand that. It's still busy, and crazy and you still have to deal with people. But there' something about working with people and being around people that are standing in their home town. There's a bond there and when something happens people feel it together.

Now, like every new mother I am finding my way. I had my life set up just the way I thought i wanted it. But now I find myself going to playdates and living at the pediatrician's office. I've made it a hobby to be in the know about all the best playgrounds. And I am always scoping out places to go as a family. I joined a really great group on the web through meetup.com and it's all new moms. So we have a bulletin board where we talk about all the stuff that you talk about as a new mom. And it's funny, there's a whole subculture there of working moms. Some moms are REALLY into their kids. I mean they are on top of all the best kids books, which is better, Mommy and Me or Gymboree, where the best deals on clothes are, the best music programs. I mean they are hardcore. Others kind of roll with it and seem to get through by the seat of their pants a little more. Like me they are clueless and pick it up as they go. I learned a few things that I didn't know at Working Mother. Ironically, now I have so much more to contribute than I ever did when I worked there. Such as you bring your kid to a playdate with the sniffles and you are a parriah. A runny nose is as bad as the bubonic plague. If your kid takes a toy, hits a kid or pushes someone else's kid, you have exactly .25 seconds to respond in the correct manner. Let it go, pretend to ignore it or don't act suffienctly horrified, and you are one of "those" mothers. And biters, oh woe are those who are parents of children that bite. If your child bites another child in daycare and the mother finds out it was your kid. She will shoot you a look that says "Are you sure you are his mom? I would have sworn he was born to a jackal."

My kid was bitten in daycare recently. It was a 17 month old and he was biting everyone. Now granted, I didn't pay $500 a month for two days a week so the child I dragged in my belly and staved off alcohol for 9 months, not counting those breastfeeding months, could be some other kids' chewtoy. When I went to pick her up I had to fill out a form that said "Yes they told me my child was bitten" and basically nothing else. And I had to look at the tiny little teethmarks. And I wanted to know which kid was the culprit. They wouldn't tell me and I was incredulous. But it's probably a good thing, cause I know in my heart of hearts what I would say to that little 17 month old who couldn't keep his teeth to himself if I got him alone. But I had to remember, that's someone elses' baby. Someone else carried him for 9 months and staved off alcohol even longer for him. And she and I have a bond, we are both new mothers. I should cut her a break. And so I did. I was mature about it and as long as the director promised me it was being dealt with, I let it go. But some other kids/chewtoy moms must have not felt that way and I heard there was a big broo ha ha. Regardless, I've taken her out of there for the time being for several reasons. My point is, it is amazing how someone can go from hard nose business woman to being completely perplexed at what to do over something as seemingly silly as biting. It's a lesson in just how the simple things in life can throw you. 

I am learning every day in my new human form. I am wresting with the challenges and trying hard to get back to that person who had everything sorted out. But I am glad I am doing my fumbling and learning and growing in an area as beautiful as Orange county, Ny. For all it's quirks and farmlands, and over the top politicians, it's a great place to grow up and build character, and rediscover yourself. I know I did.