activerain contests: Why Exceptional Doesn't Work for Me
- 07/28/23 10:54 AM
Why Exceptional Doesn't Work for Me
The Challenge this month on ActiveRain is to write a post on why we are exceptional. I find it a bit put offing to want to define myself as exceptional in anything I may do. That's not to say I lack confidence, I just don't want to be so self-assured that it affects my performance.
Would I want to be considered as highly qualified and maybe at times even better than that? Of course, but to start off a day thinking I am already captain of my universe gives me nothing to strive to improve, and that … (46 comments)
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activerain contests: War Stories in Real Estate a September Challenge
- 09/22/22 07:22 AM
War Stories in Real Estate a September Challenge
The September contest is first a challenge to try and remember things we have tried to forget and offer them up as a testament to our longevity and character.
The Challenge is hosted by Eileen Burns and Kathy Streib and it is somewhat ironic as we would expect horror stories to be presented in October for Halloween.
I would like to believe that I have had a fun time in my real estate career, ironically my anniversary of licensing will be 19 years in October and I had to really think hard to try and come … (12 comments)
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activerain contests: My Story: My Derailed Career as a Professional Golfer
- 02/10/22 05:49 PM
My Story: My Derailed Career as a Professional Golfer
The Challenge for February is to write our story or at least a few chapters as a sneak preview. In a previous chapter of my life, I described the formation of my character and how it influenced me as I grew older. But then that's why they call them the formative years.
I was always active with sports, but as I so enjoyed baseball, I never had the swiftness of speed to be truly successful. I was a catcher and had a decent arm so very few ever succeeded in stealing. I was too … (30 comments)
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activerain contests: My Story: I Remember Papa
- 02/02/22 03:08 PM
My Story: I Remember Papa
The Challenge for February is to write our story or at least a few chapters as a sneak preview. For me it was the shaping of a person and a personality as done by my parents. The bigger influence on my life was by my father as he was an energetic person and I tried to learn from him that which would help me in life and improve on some of the flaws he had.
In The Beginning
Both of my parents were born in the US, but during the depression and both of their families moved back to … (34 comments)
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activerain contests: Things I Am Thankful For: Our Home
- 11/19/21 05:41 AM
Things I Am Thankful For: Our Home
Everyone has a place of comfort, where they go to escape the trails of the day and seek solace and just relax. Our quest was to find a one level home that would take us as far as we could possibly go before having to sell nd get into something more manageable.
As I have offered previously, my wife and I are a recycled couple and both of us had homes with multiple stairs. As we sought to find 'our' home we needed to find something that was a reasonable commute to both of our jobs, … (15 comments)
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activerain contests: You Never Forget Your First Love Is In The Air
- 02/24/19 06:26 AM
You Never Forget Your First Love Is In The Air
If Not Exceptional, At Least Memorable
With barely the ink dry on my new real estate license, I was asked by a family member to sell a condo that they held as an investment property. While not a large property it was like using the training wheels on your first bike.
With guidance from my broker, I took all the necessary steps to get the condo listed, properly marketed and then waited for a qualifying offer to materialize.
With modest activity, my broker suggested I try an open house as a way of getting people … (4 comments)
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activerain contests: The Strengths and Weaknesses of My Character
- 05/31/17 04:33 PM
The Strengths and Weaknesses of My Character
One of the Challenges this month is to offer up insight into what we believe to be our personal strengths and also our weaknesses. Doing a personal evaluation is not easy especially for those of us that tend to be overly critical of ourselves. At least that was my feeling.
My Strengths: I am a very analytic person and most meticulous in what I attempt to do. This comes from my education as an engineer as well as many years of practical field work in assessing problems to come to a solution. Being so logical also … (5 comments)
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activerain contests: Ringing and Singing in the Rain with Sharon Tara
- 01/17/17 02:06 PM
Ringing and Singing in the Rain with Sharon Tara
Many of us follow and comment regularly on the blog posts of members whose style appeals to us. On occasions we also take up the phone and reach out to put a voice to the writings.
I caught Sharon at a weak moment, as she was just saying goodbye to her 4 grandchildren after having spent the day chasing after them around the house. Quality bonding time with the grand babies with the reward that they go home to their parents.
Even after identifying myself, she still mistook me for a telemarketer but had the … (16 comments)
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activerain contests: Staying in Touch with Former Clients
- 12/31/16 02:47 PM
Staying in Touch with Former Clients
Fellow ActiveRainer, Larry Johnson is sponsoring a contest this month whose focus is on Keeping in Touch with Former Clients. There have been many unique posts offering insights into the manner other members reach out to their former client with the intent to be there when the light shines when someone discusses buying or selling a home.
My efforts are not along the lines of the meet and refresh acquaintances. For the past few years, I have lost a majority of my selling clients to relocations out of state. Some for business, retirement evacuations and for the short … (9 comments)
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activerain contests: My Business Do Over Learn and Grow From Your Mistakes
- 12/26/16 05:59 AM
This month, Grant Schneider is hosting a Challenge of Who Says There are No Do Overs. It has generated some interesting and very open posts from ActiveRain members comfortable enough with themselves and the membership to reveal the life events that bring them to the eve of a New Year. If ever there was a case for how this site feels about each other, these frank family discussions tell a story.
I too have had marital and health issues over the years that have altered my life path. In retrospect all for a reason and I could honestly say that I am at peace and genuinely content with the road … (19 comments)
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activerain contests: Perception Vs Reality When It Comes to Real Estate
- 11/28/16 08:10 AM
Perception Vs Reality When It Comes to Real Estate
There is the perception with many people that real estate agents seldom earn their money and are often overpaid when it comes to selling homes. This perception of agents is drawn from the perceived reality that all we do is drive around in our too large, and too clean cars and open a few doors so that clients can see a house and place offers on them.
Part of this perception may be true. We do drive around in our cars and often times they are clean, but the reality is that we need … (39 comments)
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activerain contests: Prospect CT A Great Little Town to Call Home
- 09/22/16 12:07 AM
Set in the hills above Waterbury CT, Prospect CT has carried the distinction of being one of the Best Little Small Towns in Connecticut. With a population of less than 10,000 it has a small town feel yet offers a great deal to it's residents in the way of recreation and services.
A good education system is important to parents to ensure that their children are well taught and get a good start to their lives. The School system in Prospect CT is a Regional district shared with Beacon Falls, our neighbor to the south. The system offers not only quality teaching but state of the … (9 comments)
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activerain contests: That Olympic Moment In Pursuit of Excellence
- 08/20/16 12:47 PM
That Olympic Moment In Pursuit of Excellence
For 2 weeks every 4 years, the finest athletes gather under the Olympic banner with the Olympic flame to demonstrate their particular skills seeking the recognition as the best at the time and even the best in the world. The competition is fierce at the games and the road to get there is hardly one of ease as the athletes must train and practice and even compete in organized events along the way ever seeking to hone their skills.
The path we take in our daily business is very similar in many ways. We seek the … (3 comments)
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activerain contests: Trying to Eliminate Time Sappers
- 05/31/16 12:18 PM
We don't have 30 hours in a day to do our jobs even though at times clients think we have at least that many. There is always the temptation to jump on the call and get into a response. We are after all people that need to close to get paid. That mentality can put us into situations where we are sapped for time and then have to scramble for the work that was list.
Number 1: Time Sapper Clients We all have them. The buyer that is looking for the best deal ever and wants to run out with every new … (19 comments)
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activerain contests: A Look at The First 100 Business Days of 2016
- 04/19/16 11:52 AM
A Look at The First 100 Business Days of 2016
While most areas of the country are enjoying a boom in business and real estate out little corner of paradise has not taken off as yet. The issue are predominately economic as relates to businesses and our state budget issues. Our CT Association of Realtors, CAR, posted its figures for 2015 and the volumes for the northwest corner of New Haven county is off in units sold as well as average sales price. It means work hard and hope something falls into place.
In spite of this, I have been fortunate to have … (19 comments)
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activerain contests: In a Season of Thankfulness We Should Reflect
- 11/23/15 09:46 AM
We are all people that have chosen a career in real estate or it's related services and are often misunderstood for the motivation that drives us. Of course there is always the financial result we receive, but it is based upon completion and if we don't get to finalize the deal our efforts bear no reward.
The business is about helping people and using the knowledge we possess to achieve their results. There are a lot of sacrifices made by many.
For myself, I am thankful for my wife, Cauna, who shares life with me and was in complete agreement with me when I started in this real estate adventure 14 … (36 comments)
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activerain contests: You Might Be From Connecticut If ________
- 04/30/15 11:26 AM
You Might Be From Connecticut If ________
Connecticut is the 3rd smallest state in the Union, and unfortunately has the distinction of being one of the top 5 states for taxes.
The state has a long history of grand accomplishments as well.
The state is known as the submarine capitol of the world as it is home to General Dynamics in Groton CT where submarines are made, as well as the US Navy sub base.
When Connecticut natives think of eagles, we not only think of those beautiful flying birds, but also the sailing ship USS Eagle, which is docked in New London CT and … (15 comments)
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activerain contests: My 100 Day Check-up The Patient Needs a Transfusion
- 04/27/15 01:44 AM
My 100 Day Check-up The Patient Needs a Transfusion
As part of the April Challenge for SEO, Bob Crane is requesting we put an analysis of our 100 day business situation. I did not need the challenge to know this year is not going as well as last year.
I had a very strong year last year with closings scheduled in the first quarter of the new year and sellers actively working on their homes to get them into the system. This year had no roll over contracts and the harsh winter put many sellers into delays to get their homes … (21 comments)
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activerain contests: Ringy Dingy, It's Not Avon Calling It's a CloudBurst Challenge
- 04/18/15 09:17 AM
Ringy Dingy, It's Not Avon Calling It's A CloudBurst Challenge
The March CloudBurst Challenge is about to close. It was a lot like this past winter, hung around and didn't want to leave. On reality, it was a late starter but is ending with a flourish.
In addition to all else that was required a call to a fellow Rainer was to be included. Being somewhat dyslexic my call was to Grant Schneider, who for purposes of this post is now Sgrant Schneider. Grant is the owner of Performance Development Strategies, LLC.
Sgrant is a Professional Business coach and was brought into ActiveRain by … (5 comments)
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activerain contests: While Some Crave an Oscar, Others are Hoping for a Mucci
- 02/21/15 09:48 AM
While Some Crave an Oscar, Others are Hoping for a Mucci
We are in the final stretch of a grand awards ceremony. Work has been going on diligently by the participants, putting final touches on their works or art, or for those that are finished, hoping it is well received.
No, not the Oscars, that's tonight, and that is fine if that's your thing. There is less than a week to submit the entries for the chance to win a Mucci. The 'Be the Star of Your Own Movie' challenge ends at Midnight on 2/28.
Many fine … (17 comments)
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Why Exceptional Doesn't Work for Me
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