Christina Lackey: Real Estate Agent in Syracuse, New York

Move With Me In Syracuse: What Next?

2007-09-13T07:22:16Z

Well, we found a house we wanted a few weeks ago. We loved it not because of what it was, but because of what it could have been. It just needed a lot of paint and carpet type stuff, but we saw the potential. The owner was there when we went to see it and she loved my daughters. She took my three year old by the hand and promised her the "purple room" would soon be hers.

Can you see what's coming here? We wrote up the offer... the only thing that needed to be tended to was the sale of our own home. The offer was above asking price, but there was the issue of our home. They sold the house to a buyer with no home to sell.

This is where Realtor Christina and buyer Christina split and make a disconnect. As a Realtor, I would have advised any seller client of mine to do the same thing. As a buyer and a mom, I was crushed. My little girl cried those bitter tears of a broken promise for the first time in her life, and there was nothing I could do about it.

So we did what many buyers would do. We took down the "For Sale" sign in the yard and we settled back into our cozy home for the winter. We decided to stay where we are, for now. I understand why buyers and sellers with children are so tentative. Showing a house with little kids is just one small step away from a nightmare. Add my two dogs to the mix, and you've got trouble. I decided it just wasn't worth it right now.

Plus, to quote one of my favorite childrens' books:

I love my house,

I love my nest.

In all the world,

My nest is best.

But once you've made that step to envisioning yourself in another house, you can't go back. We'd been bitten by "the bug."

Move With Me in Syracuse: I Love My House

2007-09-12T07:46:33Z

Okay, so I've been gone for a while. Well, no, I've been home... but I've been absent from my good friends here on AR. And I'm trying to be back now.

A while ago, I posted a couple times about getting ready to move, and now we are ready to take the plunge.

I want to invite you to move with me. If you've never purchased a home before, you will get a feel for the ups and downs of buying in the Central New York Market. If you have, you'll sympathize with our plight... and if you're an agent, you will get an interesting story to follow.

I have to catch you up first, but it's more than one post's worth of information, so here we go!

We live in a 924 square foot ranch in North Syracuse. It's a great little house and we refinished the basement over the winter, so we really love it now. But we are outgrowing it with our 3 and 1 year old daughters, so it's time to make a change. Here are some pictures:

Our living room, complete with our eccentric but oh-so- HGTV red couch.

Our kitchen- actually there is more space here than it looks like.

Our basement rec room, and my sanity saver when the kids need a place to play while I work!

So, that gives you a taste of what we are leaving... or trying to leave. I don't know how the story ends, but look for the next chapter soon.

MeMe... YouYou... Who's Counting?

2007-07-17T19:23:57Z

Allllll righty then! I've been meme'd again! I'm starting to fear that people will think I'm conceited. This is my fourth (and fifth) time having been hit with the good old "Tag!" This time's culprits are Susie Roscoe and Karen George. Thank you, ladies... for thinking I am interesting enough to wonder what about me you don't already know. Here are some inane and completely useless facts about me:

1. I like to think I have it together, but I don't. And here is proof. I don't remember what I wrote in the other MeMe's I've done, so I am going to go back and read them. You can, too, if you are so inclined. Here they are: And the MeMe Marches On..., then came ... And the MeMe Marches Back... and lastly, How Many Member MeMe's Can a MeMeing Member MeMe?. I also have files all over my car, my dining room, my kids playroom, and my bedroom. Actually, right now, there is a file on the edge of my couch too. I never lose anything, though.

2. I am a total reality TV addict. I will stop blogging and all other activity to watch Survivor, American Idol or Hell's Kitchen. I also love Grey's Anatomy, but that's just a drama type soap opera thing, not reality. I like them because, despite the debate about editing and things being set up, I still think you can learn a lot about human nature by watching what happens to these poor people. Plus, they make me feel so normal.

3. I have a red couch. I am the only person I know with a red couch, and I am proud of it. We painted our living room a nice beige color with bright white trim and window treatments, then we have a cool tan striped carpet and the red couch. It was very daring for me because I'm pretty conservative, but I am way proud of my HGTV living room. It looks awesome.

4. I love the New York State Fair. It rocks. I'm already looking forward to it at the end of the summer. It always runs the week before labor day. As a matter of fact, I was born the morning after my mom and dad spent the whole day there. My mom thinks it is because she spent the whole day walking around. We spend my birthday there every year. It is even more fun now that we have the little ones to show around! I am lucky to live here at the crossroads of the state, just a 15 minute drive from the Fairgrounds!

5. I think I was a redneck in my past life. It's one of those things that you eventually just have to stop denying and start owning. I love barbecue, dream of buying an RV and I actually own a long sleeved flannel shirt. Now, don't get too disgusted. I don't wear the shirt. But I have it just in case the mood should strike. I am also married to a real, authentic country boy from North Carolina. He brings out the redneck in me!

I don't want to pass the MeMe to anyone who doesn't want it... but should I anyway? No, not gonna do it... not gonna do it. But, if you want to meme and you haven't been asked, consider this your invitation. Just make sure to e-mail me so I can read yours!

Stylin' and Profilin'

2007-07-15T20:58:49Z

This one is going to be short. It's the kind of post I hate. I always roll my eyes at the posts where people are like, "Oh I just got this, like, totally cool new <fill in the gadget> and I just wanted all my AR buddies to know how great I am."

But we are going to pick up a different car tomorrow. I am making the leap from a 2001 minivan to a 2005. I don't believe in buying new cars, but to me this is a big deal. I'm a weirdo. It's just that we have been blessedly without a car payment for a while now, and so this makes me a little jumpy. I have been enjoying blowing that extra money on dinners out and useless junk for my kids.

But, here is the question. Is this going to help my business? It's a factor for me. I feel like maybe driving an older car is not good for my super-cool Realtor image. Because you know, when I pull up in this newer bad- boy van, respect will be IMMEDIATE. People will be knowing how cool I am even before I step foot out of my giant white egg on wheels.

Yeah, I'm totally convinced. I'm so going to sell more houses now. I'll be oozing confidence. Forget the cute little sportster or the Hummer. The minivan is the way to go. Or should I take a second look at the station wagons...? Those always inspire the envy of my peers.

What do you drive? What does it say about you? I dare you to share.

Once in a Lifetime...

2007-07-14T20:28:36Z

How often do you hear that? This is a "once in a lifetime" whatever- deal, chance, event, feeling, opportunity. And what do you always do when you hear that phrase? You agree. Because it's true. It really is, most likely, something that will only happen once.

Why was I thinking about this today? I don't know. I was cruising along in my minivan (yeah, yeah, I know....) alone, for once. I had the radio on and the windows down and a song came on that was talking vaguely about once in a lifetime chances. I was in a good mood. I'm still in a good mood.

And I thought about that idea... once in a lifetime. And I thought about how great it is that every day is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a chance for me to:

be a good mother to my children.
enjoy the relationship I have with my loving and supportive husband.
breathe fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, and smell the roses.
help someone buy the home of their dreams.
help someone sell a home so that they can buy the home of their dreams.
listen to a friend in need.

I have the opportunity to make every day my "once in a lifetime" day. How lucky can you get, right? Every day has the potential to be the day I will remember for the rest of my life. Of course, I will not remember each day I spend for the rest of my life. But I will remember a collection of them. I can remember that these months, or years, were happy and productive, even if the individual days fade into the background.

Besides, maybe tomorrow will be the day I remember for the rest of my life. When I wake up in the morning, I'm going to prepare for that. And if tomorrow isn't it, maybe the next day will be. I know one thing for sure: when my once in a lifetime day comes, I'm going to be ready for it. I'm going to be expecting it.

Besides, you get what you expect, right? So, are you going to be looking for your once in a lifetime day tomorrow? And if it comes, will you be ready for it?

And Now (and How), It Pours

2007-07-12T20:58:35Z

I can't believe this. Suddenly, I am swamped. I have new listings and new accepted offers to follow up on. I have a phone that is running out of battery from ringing so much. I have this smile on my face that won't go away.

And I have, like, zero new blog posts written. So I'm taking a minute here to back it up and get back to basics. I love this place, and I love writing my posts. It's the one time each day that I am always just Christina. I'm not Mommy, or wife, cook, house cleaner... I'm just me.

I take a lot of pride in being a professional Realtor, and I have always been writer too. It's just that not everything I write gets read. But, if you're reading this, there's something I want you to know. This is me. Totally. It's not filtered... much. It's not contrived or designed to trick anyone.

I love doing this because I feel like I am having a conversation with... well, myself. And whoever else wants to listen. And if you have read other things I've written and wondered how true it is, here's the answer. It is.

I have a huge amount of respect for anyone who can take the time and initiative to blog about anything. I know a lot of people who are blogging about real estate, because we have something in common. But I am also enjoying reading blogs about nothing. Like the Seinfeld show in print. That's cool... and long as people are consistent and real, they have me hooked.

But, okay, back to basics. I love where I live and I think people are missing out. So I am going to go back to what I was originally going to do. I'm going to write about this cool place and all the things that there are to do here. Have you planned you summer vacation yet? Let me help.

Do you live in Central New York? Let me show you around. Do you want to be a tourist in Syracuse? Let me give you some tips. That's why I'm here.

And, by the way... if you want to buy or sell a home in the Syracuse, New York area, give me a call. That's how I earn a living.

Syracuse Buyer's Guide: Home Owner's Associations: Good or Not?

2007-06-30T21:12:39Z

I get asked questions all the time about homeowner's associations. It's a tough one for me to answer because everyone feels differently about things like this, but there are definite pros and cons to living in a neighborhood regulated by an association. Whether or not you choose a home within one or not can and likely will have a big effect on the way you enjoy your home, so read on for some more information.

THE GOOD:

Associations can regulate things like paint colors, regular maintenance, and the amount and quality of vehicles on the properties. This is generally viewed as insurance that property values will remain stable and the neighborhood will always be pleasing to drive through.
Many associations offer some services. These services can include exterior maintenance of the homes and yards, snow removal and trash services.
Amenities. Associations collect dues and pool them to use for the good of the community. Sometimes this buying power can translate into community pools, playgrounds, trails, clubhouses, or other amenities that would be attractive to the members.
A sense of community. Homeowner's associations provide a small- scale opportunity to be involved in the community. There are offices to be held, events to help plan, and things to volunteer for. No matter what your comfort level, there is always something that you can do to be involved.
Events. Depending on the association, there may also be events available. Some examples are community garage sales, picnics, trips, and holiday festivities.
Friendships can bloom. Because you will tend to meet more neighbors, you increase your chances of forming close bonds with others within the neighborhood. This can be a great way to meet like- minded individuals who live nearby.

THE BAD:

Associations can regulate things like paint colors, regular maintenance, and the amount and quality of vehicles on the properties. If you are a "do- it- yourselfer," this may not be the place for you. Neighbors generally frown on cars being repaired in driveways or even a classic car that is not used every day. The restrictions on paint colors can be oppressive to some, and some associations also regulate landscaping and tree choices. If you don't like to be told what to do, think carefully about this aspect.
Nosy neighbors. I have heard and seen examples of people getting into skirmishes about the rules in areas with homeowner's associations. The sense of community can be the tie that binds or the tie that gags. Sometimes neighbors feel they have the right to watch each other very closely, and whistle- blowers can become a real nuisance when they begin to look for things to report.
Fees! Fees can range from very reasonable to... um... very not. If you are looking to get the most home for the buck, then adding the need to make HOA payments on top of everything else may change the house you can afford, so consider this carefully.
Politics. People who live in neighborhoods with an association naturally run into each other more because they have the added element of events and meetings to contend with. People often run to grouping together, so this is another thing to think about if the very recollection of high school cliques makes you squirm.

Whichever way you go, you will probably have great reasons for doing so. And you know what will make you happy and what will bug you beyond belief. Good luck... and happy home buying!

What is the First Step To Buying?

2007-06-27T20:39:13Z

Some fellow Realtors will not like this post. In parts, it is encouraging you to waste our time. But, it is what it is.

Once in a while someone will call or e-mail me with a very simple question. It goes something like, "I think I want to buy a house. What is the first step?" Yes, there are stock answers. But, there is no one way that must be followed. Some people need to follow the steps a little out of order, or they just want to take things slower or faster than others.

So, here are a few of the first things that you MAY want to tackle when you are beginning the process:

Talk to a mortgage professional of some kind. It can be your bank or credit union, or a broker. Please don't go on-line- you should talk to someone. This will give you an idea of how much you can and should afford to spend. Do you think this is putting the cart before the horse? Well, it is... kinda. Like when I was thinking about buying, I looked around a little first to see what number I would be looking for when I went for an approval. But starting with the bank can keep you from looking at things that are far too expensive. That usually leads to a broken heart.
Go on-line. Look around at your local sites to determine what it is you like and don't like. Establish a list of neighborhoods and other must haves or must not haves.
Go to some open houses. Even if you're not really thinking that this will be the house for you, it's a good idea to get educated on the market. That way, you will really know a good deal when you see one. There is no substitute for practice and experience. This is why you will eventually want a buyer's agent.
Call an agent. If you have trouble with any of the steps above and find yourself saying, "How do I do that? Where do I find it? Who do I call?" then you might want to start with an agent. We have lists of contacts and websites to help you get started.
Okay, this is the one. Go see some stuff. Don't spend days, but just pick a few houses and go see them with an agent. You will know by how you respond if the time is right for a move. You will know because you will be trying to make houses work rather than seeing everything wrong with them.

These things are all important when you are beginning to think about buying, but everyone needs to take different steps at different times to feel comfortable. You have to do what feels right to you. Because what feels right usually is right.

My Crystal Ball

2007-06-24T18:10:29Z

I love my crystal ball. It's what tells me that a new buyer client is great or is not, and what tells me if a listing will sell or languish on the market for months on end, and it's what tells me what groceries to buy each week.

Yeah, as if! I do not... I repeat DO NOT have a crystal ball, ESP or any other psychic powers. That's why when you ask me about certain things, all I can do is guess. I don't know for sure if the water in the basement will be a big problem or not, and I certainly don't know how long it's been there. I'm not sure if the roof is okay or not, but the water spots on the ceiling might know.

You and I can be a great team, but I can't tell you what to do. If you are a buyer, I'll:

open the doors to as many houses as you want to see before you take the plunge.
commiserate when the right one doesn't come along right away.
jump up and down with you when we find the one that makes you feel "that feeling."

If you are a seller, I'll:

be happy to help you rearrange your furniture.
advise you on paint colors and changes that need to or don't need to be made.
give you some little tips that will help get your house sold.
market your house in all the right ways.

But I don't know when the buyer will come, and I won't know how solid they are then they get here. And I also won't be able to figure out what the home inspector will say ahead of time.

I love this job and I really love all that I've learned and all that I now know about homes, prices, markets and neighborhoods. I am a more well- rounded person because of this. BUT, I really can't promise you certain things. I can use the clues in a home to tell me what MIGHT be going on, or the cues in a purchase offer to figure out something about the buyer's true intentions, but people are... well, people. There will always be sellers that conceal the truth and buyers that get such cold feet that they never buy a house. And there will always be homes that only get better with age and buyers who bend over backwards to make the sellers happy. I find, more often than not, that people are really good. They all want the same thing- happiness.

And to me, truly, happiness is a new home. I love painting, fixing, customizing. I love placing furniture and everything else. I even kind of love the little change of address forms at the post office! Why? Because they are all part of this great phenomenon of real estate, and of life. Change is good.

So, call me if you want a real person to work with to buy or sell your home. Call me if you're not sure yet, but you want some more information. Call me if you want a positive outlook and someone who will really try to get you where you want to be, when you want to be there. But don't call me if you're looking for a crystal ball.

Party for a Princess

2007-06-23T08:04:13Z

It's time for me to take a break from my commentary on market conditions and local places and events. It's time for me to write a completely personal blog, one that I will print and save for later. And here it is.

Yesterday my oldest daughter turned three. It marks, for me, three years of parenthood and two in real estate. For her, it was a day of pampering and love. And I hope we made her really happy. I think we did. So, you see... she's changed her name. The one we so carefully chose as one we hadn't heard too much in a while, but it was normal enough to not get made fun of in school was not the right one, apparently. Never mind that we fought about it, went through hundreds of others before settling on it, and really loved it. We made part of it individual and part of it from the family, so she will always have something of her own and something from her history with her.

Nope, none of that counts when a three year old decides that her name is Princess Cinderella. And this is not a casual name change, this is serious. It's been going on for months and shows no signs of letting up, so we did the princess thing yesterday. All day long, my little girl WAS Cinderella.

She started off with breakfast at a table strewn with rose petals (fake, of course) and ended her evening with a cruise in her brand new Princess Solstice in the back yard. In between, we had her pictures taken at a studio, lunch at McDonald's so she could play on the playground, balloons galore, friends gathering for cake, and presents!

It was a picture perfect day for this little princess, but it was so simple. We could all take a lesson from her in sheer joy. The things that made her the happiest were the things that didn't even register on our radar ahead of time. She was delighted with the attention from everyone. The greeter at Wal- Mart burst into song when we told him about it being her big day. She blushed, but loved every second. That was free. I let her wear her princess dress all day from last Halloween and she felt so special. That was free. We played what she wanted to play and sang the songs she wanted to sing, and she felt like royalty. That was free.

It was a wonderful day. I told her as she drifted off to sleep that she will always be our princess. And do you know what she said? She said, "I know."

Syracuse at its Best: Jamesville BalloonFest

2007-06-20T20:01:49Z

So, this one is late in being written, but I just couldn't let it go by the wayside altogether. We had so much fun when we attended the Jamesville BalloonFest! It is sponsored by a variety of local organizations, including the Onondaga County Parks and 93Q. Admission is a modest $5 each, and there is a ton to do in the park for that amount!

We were there in the middle of the day, so we didn't get to see any hot air balloons being launched, but we did learn a lot about them by reading the history on the signs and talking to some of the pilots that were at the festival. The balloons go up very early in the morning and then again later in the afternoon, weather permitting.

The weather was gorgeous when were there and hopes were very high for an evening launch. Rides can be arranged for $150 if you have the guts to go up there! A close friend of mine, who happens to be a photographer, did this a few years ago and she says it was really very interesting!

There are a variety of music acts to be heard at the park, along with lots of great food and some rides and games for the younger set.

The BalloonFest has all the trappings of a complete carnival, with the added excitement of the balloons to boot. The beach is also open during the festival, so it is really quite possible to go and spend a day at the park doing all sorts of different things.

You've missed it for this year, but keep your eye on the sky for the balloons when they roll (or fly!) back into town for next year's festival!

CE and Showings with a Side of Guilt

2007-06-18T07:58:31Z

Alright, I feel like a total.... slacker. Somehow I've been insanely busy doing nothing for the past week and the thing that had suffered was Active Rain. And my daughter's webkin, who hasn't been fed for a week. So where have I been? Everywhere and nowhere, working very hard and getting nothing done.

I need to renew my license in August, so it's finally time to get some formal continuing education in. I love to learn and I'm actually really enjoying myself, especially since I signed up for some on-line courses that I can do when the kids are asleep. It's quite handy, really. So that's one thing I've been doing.

And, as I wrote about before, we are looking for a house. We're finding some possibilities, but there is a lot of indecision for a lot of reasons. That is a whole other post... but we have been scouring the market looking for the home that will inspire us to move forward. I'm kind of hoping it will show up soon, but I'm not counting on it. It's very difficult to leave a home you have made into exactly what you want, with the exception of space. We're looking to buy another house we can fix and make money on... but I have to, like, LIVE there in the meantime, so it narrows the choices to that delicate balance between fixable, already too fixed, and not fixable enough. Plus I have to take my kids there, so if the carpet makes me suspicious... well, that's a major strike.

And the one thing that seems to have been shifted to the back burner is the one thing I should really keep my focus on. Since joining Active Rain about two months ago, I have had excellent success. I've actually gotten three viable leads from my on-line efforts, and I know I'm a lightweight in this department. I can only imagine what some of my counterparts with a major presence experience. So why on Earth would I flake out on doing my blog entries?

It makes no sense. It's one business generating activity I can do at any hour, enjoy doing, and do for free. Am I nuts for letting this go by the wayside? Yup. And I'm going to work much harder to stop it from happening this week. I have two or three Localism posts waiting to be written for my local reading folks, and a few others just for my Active Rain buddies.

I am guilty of blog neglect, but I'm back. I solemnly swear that I will post regularly this week, and that the posts will be of good quality, authentic material. I shall no longer utter the phrase "I should blog, but..." I will be here, telling you all about my daily adventures once again!

And to those of you who called me on my absence, thanks. Without knowing that someone noticed I was missing, I'm not sure if the guilt would have roped me back in. I may have drifted into obscurity like so many bloggers that have gone before me!

Wow... Buying a House is HARD

2007-06-13T07:18:15Z

Suddenly we've decided it might be time for us to pack it up and move. We've been in our 900 square foot starter ranch for six years and just about doubled our investment, so we are very happy with where we are. We don't have a ton of equity because we went through some rough times and used it to bail us out, but we are okay. So we are starting to look at possible places to go.

And, my goodness, is this hard! I am a Realtor... I have the keys and the listings at my fingertips. I know exactly what I will have to pay for, deal with, and go through to make this move. I know how to price my home and advertise it. I know how long this will all take and I know how to negotiate. This should be pretty great, right?

Nope. It's really hard! It's hard to think about letting go of the home we got engaged in, came home married to, brought home our babies to, and watched them both learn to walk in. In this home, I graduated college, got and lost my first great job, launched a career. We've been sick and healthy, happy and sad, optimistic and completely downtrodden, but we have always loved this home.

What should we pack away? How many toys can I realistically ask the children to live without? Do even I have to pack all of our family photos? Do I even really want to move? I have the opportunity to get myself a great deal and make more money (as I tell others thinking about "moving up," everything appreciates by percentages), and my family would be so much more comfortable with a little more room to spread out. Not to mention the pool at one of the houses we like...

But then there is the inevitable fact that our mortgage payment will be a little higher, taxes will be a little more, and we will have to paint, paint, fix and customize. We like the fixing part, though! This is a really hard decision because the logical and the emotional just can't meet. Or, rather, they can... but they keep changing my mind.

We see and we give a lot of advice to buyers and to sellers, but here are Christina's emotional homebuying tips of the day, use them as you will.

Are you ready? Be sure that you really have good reasons for leaving your old home. If you can list more reasons to go than to stay, you're ready. If you get panicky and teary at the mere mention of moving, you're not.
Can you REALLY afford it? It won't be fun to live in that big new home if you can't buy enough furniture to live there, and something you need to fix up is only as good as the fixing you can afford. Be realistic or maybe even a little negative when you consider this, and the answer may become clear.
How does the family feel? Many times, we have to move and that's that. But when it is optional and some of the family (especially kids) are dissenters, it might not be time. Sometimes they need to be overruled, but they should be considered.
Sleep on it. So, you are just beginning the process. Maybe you've already called me or some other qualified professional, and maybe you've just been looking at the paper. Either way, it is easy to get mired in all the lists, budgets and emotions. Take two aspirin and think about it in the morning.
Is it REALLY a good deal? There is a lot of activity in the press about prices falling and it being a buyer's market, but be sure to consult with someone who knows the market well to determine if that is true. Not all areas fall into this category, and others are at different stages in the swing. Be careful that if part of your decision is taking advantage of that phenomenon, that you're really getting that and not just hype. Also remember... if you are buying low now, you will be selling low now too!

So, that said... what am I going to do? I'm not sure yet. I think we, like so many other families, will take teetering steps towards expanding and see what comes. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Confessions of an (!) Addict

2007-06-08T07:11:26Z

It's time for me to step forward. I want to publicly declare that I have a problem. I suffer from an exclamation point addiction. At the end of many sentences, my finger automatically goes to the SHIFT key and begins the process of placing an exclamatory symbol after my latest thought. Why do I do it? I really don't know.

Maybe it's an effort to add the inflection I know you're missing by not hearing me speak these thoughts, maybe it's because I want to be sure you read what I said. I just don't know. But I am catching myself doing it all the time, so I want to come forward and ask for help.

And this does not stop at (!). It applies to several other overused punctuation marks and things. I also overuse the (...) and the (-). Now, as a former English major, I know it's wrong, but I just can't seem to help myself. I have had minor success eraditcing the :) from a lot of my work, but I have a long way to go.

I am going to consider this post my first. There is not one exclamation point in here... until now! I just had to sneak one in. Do you see what I mean? They're just infectious, they love to sneak in and sometimes where they don't belong. I fought hard to not put one on that last sentence.

I know there are other punctuation junkies out there, so take this post as your intervention. Stop the abuse of our readers and make sure we are not over-taxing them by saying everything with emphasis or undue pauses. Make your posts as easy to read as they are full of excellent content and thougtfulness. I've seen you, I know I'm not alone.

Good luck getting "clean."

Giving of the Dresses- Help for Girls

2007-06-07T20:19:35Z

I got this e-mail from my cousin today and I think it is a really sweet idea and a worthy cause, so I am going to donate a couple old bridesmaid's dresses next week. If you live in the Syracuse area, please consider taking something over. If you do not live in this area, contact me and I will see if the girl would be interested in accepting another form of donations, or I will give you an address to mail a dress to and I will be sure that it gets to the closet. Thanks for taking the time to read and please consider making yourself a part of this wonderful way to help the community.

And now, the e-mail:

My name is Melody Arnold, I live in Liverpool , and I have started a Charity Prom Dress Closet to service our area. If you missed it I was invited on Y94 Fm for an quick little interview, you can check out this link: http://www.y94fm.com/pages/KathyRowe.html?page=1 There was also an article in this Mondays Post Standard, you can view it if you google "melody arnold cny" Next Monday news channel 9 will be doing a story on a dress drive done at Bishop Grimes for our new local closet!! I am not sure when it will air, but be looking for that! Should be fun. You won't be able to miss me.. I will be the one in the Prom dress. I am going to wear a dress that has been donated to our closet. There is also going to be a "dress drop off" location here in Liverpool at the North Central Assembly of God. Which is located @ 7463 Buckley Road . The first date for that will be Friday June 15th @ 4-6, and then the next on Saturday June 30th @ 10-12. Please keep in mind that all referrals to the donation closet must be made through a school or a church. This is to provide safety for the young ladies, and to make sure that only the girls who need a dress will get one from our closet. Referrals can be made to the closet, to me, for any young lady who you feel would be unable to afford a dress, or would be unable to get a dress for other unfortunate circumstances. Nothing is required, no questions asked, if the girl is referred through her school or church. I feel that you know best who would have a true need, and will simply accept your referral. The ladies referred will be invited to a location where they will be able to try on the dresses, and choose one that they like best out of all the dresses that have been donated. The dresses will be given to them free. We will try our best to dress all of your referrals, through what there is available. If you might be interested in hosting one of these "giving of the dresses" events, I'd love to hear from you! Special Thanks to News Channel 9, The Post Standard, North Central Assembly of God, Y94Fm, and Bishop Grimes for helping me get the word out there! And it certainly goes with out saying Thank you to every one whose donating, with out you, there would be nothing to give! Melody Arnold

Syracuse at its Best: Natural Disorder Gourmet Foods

2007-06-04T19:32:13Z

I had the pleasurable experience of meeting the fine proprietors of Natural Disorder Gourmet Foods while I was visiting the Farmer's Marketas part of my Syracuse at its Best series. They are two delightful women who have a witty sense of humor and clearly enjoy their jobs!

Their offerings are spectacular (and yes, I have sampled some of them myself) and I recommend them to anyone! My favorites are the stuffed olives and the salsas, but they also have pesto, oils, vinegars, garlic, jam, mustard and hot sauce. Many of the products are made right here in New York, but they all have mass appeal.

If you are looking for a little something different, check them out! Some ideas for these products:

housewarming gifts
party fare
hostess gift
as part of a "Syracuse basket"
conversation starters
variety at home
to make your spouse cry over hot sauce!

Take a minute and pop on over to naturaldisorder.com and check out the temptingly tasty variety of uncommonly good uncommon foods. Order one- I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Syracuse at its Best: Regional Market Farmer's Market

2007-06-03T20:50:29Z

Who doesn't want a good deal? That's exactly what you'll find if you head down to the Regional Market on a Saturday morning anytime is the Spring, Summer or Fall. The Regional Market, located near Carousel Center just off route 81 on the northern edge of the city, is dedicated on Saturday mornings to be a farmer's market from 6 AM to 2 PM.

The market includes vendors or all kinds of wonderful goodies. There are three open air buildings and a middle section outdoors, and they are all jam- packed with all sorts of must have items! Flowers and plants are probably the most plentiful item, and they are excellent. Annuals, perennials, and vegetables line the aisles and fill the tables in some places as far as the eye can see. There are also some landscaping features available like small trees and bushes, or greenery and ground cover.

The next thing that comes to mind when we think of the Farmer's Market is the FOOD! Both prepared and fresh, the market offers plenty of food. There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables available straight from local farms. There are also stands with fresh fish, cheese, eggs and baked goods.

Buying here is great in so many ways: it supports the local economy by helping our local growers, less chemicals since the food doesn't have to travel, plenty of organic choices with no chemicals and all the benefits of organic goods, and negotiable prices. Prices at the market are usually excellent when compared with grocery stores, especially when the quality is considered. Visiting the stands right around closing time will also help get lower prices because the owners are trying to sell rather than pack it up and take it home!

Prepared food is also available at the market. There are stands for bagels, pizza, fried dough, kennel corn, fish and all sorts of other great choices. Even though we ate breakfast just before we went, we were still feeling hungry after we smelled all that great stuff!

Less plentiful, but still around, are lots of other offerings at the market. Things like handmade soaps, wines and maple syrup are available. There are also crafts and garden decorations and furniture, fudge, spices and other treats.

I really love going to the market, even when I have nothing to buy. The choices, colors, smells and people are always fun to be around and I never fail to meet someone new. Visit the market this season and go home with great deals!

Syracuse at its Best: Green Thumb Nursery

2007-06-01T06:51:11Z

Today I visited the Green Thumb Nursery in LaFayette. I love the promise of summer ahead and that great feeling of accomplishment I feel after making my little corner of the world just a little prettier with a few new flowers. This trip was to help my grandfather, who always seems to grow the best tasting tomatoes to be found.

He is getting older, and a little more fragile. But he will still tend those tomatoes, and coax them from the spindly little plants we bought today into fine, robust plants later in the summer. And, by the end of summer, they will burst forth with the most amazing tomatoes ever.

My husband grew up in the country in North Carolina, and a favorite thing of his was bisquits with tomatoes and mayonaisse. Man, is that good. I remember the day after my grandmother passed away, succumbing to her fight with Alzheimer's Diesase, about five years ago. My husband went out to that tomato garden and picked those beatiful reminders of life and made us that comfort food.

The tomatoes are bittersweet for that reason, but Green Thumb isn't! They offer an excellent selection of plants, both flowers and vegetables. They also have great deals on potting soil and mulch. We didn't sample the deserts offered, but it sure did look good!

Please enjoy my photos of some of the plants I saw there- they were all taken today. And, for whatever reason- go plant something. Make it for a memory, for a future, for some time to feel good. Plant them to look pretty, for curb appeal or for some time with someone you love. Plant them because they will make out world a little greener. Just plant them and watch something beautiful take root, all because of you!

Environment Alert: Planting Native Species

2007-05-31T20:30:56Z

I was raised by an arborist. For those of you who may not know what that is, it is a professional who has taken courses and been trained in all aspects of caring for trees. It's really a very interesting career, and I have learned a lot watching my dad. Now, he and my husband work together doing the tree business and lots of landscaping.

There is this one issue that it seems keeps coming up and needs some public awareness. It seems that a lot of the plants we typically use in our landscapes are not native to the area. This applies to many areas, but I am familiar with ours, of course. Please check with your local nurseryman if you have any questions pertaining to your home area.

In any case, the use of these invasive species (not native to the area) is having a profound effect on our local ecosystems. The introduction of these plants can often overrun a more delicate local variety, and they are disappearing quickly. They may, and often do, also introduce foreign parasites. This is the reason for the decline of many once mighty types of trees in the area, as well as some other plants.

For example, did you know that the monarch butterfly lays its eggs and the caterpillars feast exclusively on milkweed plants? These plants are being edged out by other marshy plants that are invasive, thus also reducing the numbers of monarchs in the area. This is just one example of a little thing that is making a big difference.

If we can each take a look at what we are planting and encouraging, we could really make a difference. If the public refuses to buy the unsound invasive species and instead demands that nurseries stock good, native plants, we could see a rebound in native populations. It took us a long time to get here and we may never be able to get rid of those species that have already spread beyond control and those pests that have made their way into our ecosystems, but we can prevent any further damage.

Gardening with native plants can be just as fulfilling as gardening in a more traditional sense. The people that I know that take the time to build native gardens are very happy and proud of their accomplishment, and you will be too. Be a trend setter! Go native!

...And the MeMe Marches Back

2007-05-31T07:18:20Z

Yikes! I've been "tagged" again, so I actually have to think of five MORE interesting things? Well, I hope I can come up with something. This time I've been MeMe'd by Mana Tulberg. I am a little intimidated even writing this because Mana's MeMe was wonderful! If you missed my first MeMe (and you care), check out And the MeMe Marches On... , my first attempt. Okay, enough intro, here they are:

I have written a little before about our boat. But there is a guilty little admission about the boat that I guess it's about time to make. You see, we named it after part of Ron White's old comedy routine. We considered "Tater Salad," but we settled instead on "Drunk In Public." We get a ton of attention and lots of people on the lake know the boat just because of the name. The really funny part is that we don't drink a lot, but the police follow us all the time because they assume we'll actually BE drunk in public. So, this tells you that I also follow the Blue Collar Comedy tour on the sly.
I bought my first car by selling beanie babies. Yeah, you read that right beanie babies. And not only was it beanie babies, it was three beanie babies. Yep, three. Tres, trois, THREE...3! My mom had been picking them up when they first came out because she thought they were cute and giving them to me, so when the craze hit I sold a few of them and bought myself a car. Now, it was an old Ford Cougar, but it was still a car!
The beanie babies are a nice segue to the next fact: I am currently swept up in the Webkinz craze. Now, this is something I am not proud of. I am just one of those people who has to know what all the fuss is about, so I picked a couple up when I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I gave one of them to my daughter (almost 3) and let her play with it. Then I took her on-line and we "adopted" her pet. And we're hooked. It really is a cute website with some learning opportunities, and it gives us dedicated time together every day.
I got married at a castle. We are fortunate enough to live not much more than an hour from Alexandria Bay, NY. This afforded us the opportunity to use Boldt Castle as the site for our wedding ceremony, followed by a reception on board a sunset cruise by Uncle Sam's Boat Tours. It was a perfect day and we will be celebrating our fifth anniversary this summer with a trip to the castle!
I love Crocs! I know they're nerdy and in some cases quite ugly, but I totally love them. If you've never tried a pair, go get some. Buy the ones that look half way decent and wear them for a day. They're comfortable and easy to slip on and off for showings. I actually just bought a pair of Crocs with heels, and they are really quite nice! I haven't been able to wear heels for years because it's just not worth being miserable... but these make it more palatable.

Okay, folks, there they are! Now, go out there and share your own MeMe! And who will I put in my list to MeMe next? Hmmm... let's try Jim & Maria Hart, Christy Avila, and Jeannette Neerpat. Best of luck to the future MeMe-ers!

I Love my Neighborhood

2007-05-28T08:54:16Z

I live in a nice little neighborhood in North Syracuse, NY. Most people know of it, running along Chestnut Street between Allen Road and Route 11. It's a very friendly and affordable place to live. We've been here for about six years and even though we are quickly outgrowing our home, we are hesitant to leave.

Here is an example of why: our dog got out of the back yard this morning. He's a six year old German Shepherd and he is easily the best dog we have ever had. Tucker, good old Tucker. We went into full- on panic mode at about 7:30 when we discovered he'd flown the coop sometime between then and 6:30 this morning when my husband let him out.

We called from the front yard. No Tucker. Called in the back yard. No Tucker.

So, we started driving around the neighborhood calling to him. And we found that neighbors that had never met us before, living streets away, wanted to help us find our dog. They carefully took down his name and description and our address and promised to return him if they found him. We ended up finding him because a runner had seen him and pointed my husband in the right direction. Thank goodness! My two year old's eyes were just brimming with tears after a half hour or driving around with no luck.

But what a testimonial to a truly wonderful area to live in. If you haven't checked it out, please do. It is really a great place to be. Thank you, neighbors.

Memorial Day Moment

2007-05-28T08:42:11Z

I think it's important to take a moment today and truly pause from the hustle- bustle of daily life and really think about why today is a holiday. Contrary to popular opinion, it's not just because we haven't had a day off in a while or an excuse to hold a parade. Today is one of the more important holidays we have in America.

It is a chance for us to celebrate how we got here, and honor those men and women who sacrificed to get us here. And of course we think first of those who paid for our freedom with their lives, but there are many kinds of sacrifice. There are those who came home with lasting injuries. There are men who missed the births of the children. There are women who didn't get to kiss their little one goodbye as they got on the bus to go to kindergarten for the first time. There are men and women who lost their loves, their parents, their brothers or sisters. They, too, are heroes. Just take a moment to look around you.

Think about the opportunity, security and safety we enjoy here in America. And know that we are the lucky few. There are unspeakable conditions in so many parts of the world, and we have the audacity to complain that the market is slow and we can't afford what we once could. We are the lucky ones.

In this time of unrest, please take a moment to support our heroes. We don't all agree on the best path for this country to take in the coming weeks, months and even years. But we do all have an obligation to those people over there. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in constant danger just doing my job. I can imagine even less how it must feel to turn on the radio or TV and hear about the lack of support for what I was laying my life on the line for. Let's show them we support them.

Politics aside, they are people. Brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, parents and children. The list goes on, but they need out support. I have adopted a policy and I would like to humbly ask that each of you reading this adopt the same policy. Every time I see a man or woman in uniform, I stop them and thank them. They need to hear that we care. Most of them don't say much, and that's okay.

I spoke last week with a man who is leaving for Iraq next week. I told him that I do this and he said that it really means a lot to him when someone takes that time to thank him, and he remembers everyone who has done this. It doesn't happen often. Let's change that. Let's send them over there knowing we support them. Thanks for your help.

Syracuse at its Best: Day Trip to Sylvan Beach

2007-05-27T20:42:54Z

Ahh, summer is here! The air is sweet and fresh, the sun is shining, and we are headed out of Dodge for the day. We chose to reach today's destination by boat, taking a little under an hour via Oneida Lake. It is also quite easy to reach by car, and still about an hour away. There is ample parking for both boats (free) and cars (day charge depending on where you park).

Our trip of choice was to legendary Sylvan Beach! The area has been the summer get away for local families for decades, and has a great vintage feel to it. There is a lot to do. We used it as a day trip, but there are plenty of accommodations for those who wish to make their stay an overnighter. There are also weekly rental cabins as well.

One of the better known portions of Sylvan Beach is the amusement park. Pictured on this page are the Galaxy coaster and the kiddie area. Admission to the park is free, but each ride takes tickets that can be purchased at the park. The kiddie area has some very mild rides for the younger ones, and also some daredevil material for the more daring youngsters. The bigger rides also offer a great variety, some for the mild mannered and others for the less faint of heart.

The amusement park also has lots of games, from arcade style games to more fair- like sorts with excellent prizes to keep the kids happy! There is a duck pick for the little ones and a dart throw for the adults, and everything in between. There is always the classic "Fascination." It's a table game where you roll the ball down the table through holes to light up lights and get bingo. It's delightfully simple, and refreshingly cheap at just a quarter a game. It promises to keep adults and kids of all ages alike busy for hours. Laffland is a sit- on ride and still has that great vintage feel that makes Sylvan Beach so great.

Pfolh's Beachouse is also a well known landmark, sitting between the main street in Sylvan Beach and the beach itself. The beach in front of Pfohl's is always littered with happy sunbathers enjoying the music pumping from Pfohl's. The day we were there, the rumors in town said that local musician Benny Mardonez would be making a surprise appearance at Pfohl's. It is a known fact that you just never know who will show up there for an unannounced, free performance. Other acts that have been rumored caught at Pfohl's are ZZTop and the Marshall Tucker Band. The beach itself is very welcoming as well, and the shallow waters warm up nicely early in the summer, so bathers jumped right in!

Last but not least, I must also mention that Sylvan Beach also claims:

excellent dining at a variety of restaraunts
a large green area for play
a playground for the youngest visitors
lots of events through the summer

All in all, this is just an excellent place to be! Please take the time to visit next time you have the chance, as changes are scheduled to take place. The Post Standard recently reported that a new owner has taken possession of the park and plans to renew it to it's earlier glory. He reportedly plans to keep the vintage feel and main features of the park, but also to add more and hopefully make the park and make it an even bigger attraction than it is. I hope it goes well, and I will update this post when some of the changes have been finalized.

My Active Rain Tribute

2007-05-26T03:29:52Z

Yes, we all know what we are supposed to be doing to make it in this business. We should be calling people, sending out mailings, and handing out cards. Knocking on doors and passing out flyers. Having open houses and talking to our neighbors.

Now, before I get a bunch of comments based on the supposed effectiveness or lack thereof of those techniques, that's not what this post is about. This post is about me and what I can and can not do. I can not:

make cold calls.
be comfortable calling my COI just to ask for business.
plaster my face all over town.

It's been an issue for me since I started in the business. I know this is weird, but I have a really hard time calling my COI because I don't want them to think I am slimy or pushy. They are my friends and neighbors, so I need to be able to deal with them outside of this business.

So, what does this have to do with Active Rain? Well, I have been reading a lot on here and writing a little. Both things have changed me a lot, and it's only been a little over a month! I feel more confident about my job and who I am as a Realtor, because Active Rain gives me time to reflect on my business and what I stand for. It also:

lets me connect with others who feel like I do.
gets me in touch with people who are in similar situations, like the people in the Moms of Young Kids group I started.
exposes me to people who have a ton more experience and knowledge in this field than I do.
gives me a sense of belonging in what, let's face it, can be a pretty solitary career if you let it.
gets my creative side going, and stimulates me beyond just my day to day tasks.

Because of all this, I find myself telling more people proudly that I am a Realtor. I find myself handing cards out around the neighborhood while taking the kids for a walk. I show up when you Google "Best real estate agent in Syracuse." And, you know what else? I would never claim to actually be the best real estate agent in Syracuse, but I am beginning to feel more like one. I guess, above all else, Active Rain validates me as a career Realtor. And that means more to me than anything else. Thanks, Active Rain. And thanks to all of you reading and responding to my writing! Without you, I'd not be where or who I am right now. And where I am feels pretty good.

Get Moving, Mommy!

2007-05-24T19:45:10Z

This is something I have been laughing about for a while, so I wanted to share it. I hope it will tickle some of you like it did me. I needed a break from the heavy stuff, so here it is.

This last December, I made the top 20 list for producers in my company. It was a big deal for us, and we went and picked up several copies of the book we publish when it came out. It had my picture on the back along with the rest of the top 20. May daughter thought that was really cool that mommy was in the book!

So, I haven't managed to rank that high since. Last week we went to the office and picked up a few books for my clients. My daughter loves to look at them, so she took one with her to the back seat. A few minutes down the road, she says "Hey, Mommy, where are you?" I told her "Right here, I'm driving!"

Well, after some back and forth trying to figure out what in the world she was talking about, I figured out that she meant that I was supposed to be on the book, but I wasn't there! I told her it was because I hadn't sold enough houses. Well, she knew the answer to that- "Get moving, mommy!"

I still haven't made it back to the back cover, but I'm working on it...