I just finished helping friends of the family go thru the process of receiving $5,000 in matching funds from NYSERDA, http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner.aspx so that they can make their home more energy efficient. This is from NYS and there are different income guidelines depending on the county of residence. You can get the matching funds by putting up your own $5,000 or borrow the money via a low interest loan. Just like any other loan you must qualify! Considering where the cost of heating and electric will be next fall this is a great time to find Free money. Stop by the link and see all the goodies that will spend that $10,000. Anywhere from Energy star appliances to furnaces to insulation! Check you state or local governement for these funds as well.

The first step is to find the lead contact. This can be the person either a contractor that can do the whole process or an individual that links individual contractors together. This person does a wind test so see how much like a sieve the house is as well as checking on the current furnace, hot water and other appliances. Updating recommendations are made from there. The Smiths opted for insulation and windows for the biggest return. They could have chosen other items, but the house has to show a significant change when the wind test is done after all the work is completed. In their case the numbers went way down. And they should recoup their money in less than 4 years. That was figured in early April so their recapture rate could be even faster.

I have contacts in construction that do Leeds certified building so I was able to put them in contact with some knowledge people. Spend some time on the internet researching materials and ask around for contractor referrals. A satisfied customer will gladly tell you how they used, and so will an unhappy one.

These people opted to have spray foam insulation in the attic and around the area of the basement that is above ground. To complete the insulation they had high density cellulose blown into the side walls. There was still a few dollars left so they were able to purchase 9 windows. There reason that they chose spray form was because it is much more efficient than the pink stuff and was a great buy. It couldn’t be put into the existing walls so they had to do the high density cellulose. The company that did that was incredible. I have seen some bad work with large wholes in the side of the house – of course the holes are plugged, but this job was done so you can barely tell.

As usual there are a lot of contractors out there so be careful. The person that connected me to the NYSERDA information ended up with a very disappointing contractor, but “The Smiths” used individual contractors and coordinated everything themselves. With only 3 contractors involved it was easy for them to do. I can’t wait to see the lower energy usage this winter.

This spring has not been real warm and they are already thrilled with the results.

Shown below you will see an email I received yesterday from a long time friend and realtor in Denver, Becky Lascano. I am not sure who originated the information, but thank you for writing it so it could be passed onto me. Also let me say I don't usually pass on "junk email" and neither does Becky. What I got out of this is not only helpful kitchen hint, but a life lesson reminder - If you look, the answer is usually right in front of you and the solution it is simpler than you think.

How many times have we had a problem, issue, client, job... that ate up time and left us frustrated? Maybe we just have to look outside the box and view it from another angle.

"Who Knew??? I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Who ever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box? What a fantastic idea. Now, if someone would just make plastic wrap that didn't stick to itself. I've been using aluminum foil for more years than I care to remember. Great stuff, but sometimes it can be a pain. You know, like when you are in the middle of doing something and you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time. Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, “Press here to lock end”. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can’t count the number of times the Saran warp roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up. I’m sharing this with my friends that did not know this. If you all ready know this, delete this message and don’t e-mail me and make me feel dumber than I already feel. If you didn’t know this, e-mail me and let me know so I won’t feel so dumb. I hope I’m not the only person that didn’t know about this."

Whether you are working or playing have a safe and great holiday weekend!

Here is the deal. Helping people buy and sell homes is probably only 20% of your duty. Much of your time is spent analyzing the market, updating your information on financing, keeping posted on current regulations, and being 'ready to serve' AND maintaining and feeding a database of prospective clients.

People with good work habits, who routinely put in 40, 50, even sixty hour weeks will have a head start in real estate. This means that you must be willing to show up and put in your time, especially in today's market.

Are you ready to challenge the mainstream? While most college graduates and career shifts seem to include trading a job for another job, real estate is about trading your job for your own business. With your own business there is no glass ceiling.  It is up to you to do it. Your effort and skills directly affect your income.

If you like homes, dealing with people, and the idea of operating your own business on your own schedule, then please talk to an agent that has attained the income you are looking for. Contact a variety of companies. Don't pick one just because your best friend is there or it is close to where you live. The are good reasons to start your search there, but make sure you find the support and training you need. AND make sure as a new agent you are earning the highest possible commission you can. Not all offices of the same company are created equal. Look around and see who shares your values and goals.

Feel free to call me for answers to your questions or if you are not sure of what to ask, call me for the questions!

The thing I love about Friday afternoons is organizing for Mondays! I review the week see what worked, what didn't and set up next week accordingly.  This week I had been able to take some time away from performance coaching and talking to agents about business strategies by actually participating in some events in our office. Our Regional Icon, Gail Leithner, had some great things planned for this week.  Tuesday night we had our 1st Vendor's night.  We had about 12 different vendors set up tables. 10% of their sales went to KW Cares.  We don't have a final count yet as sales are still coming in, but we did have a business we work with donate $100.00 anonymously because they were unable to come. We had a modest 50-50 split and had free refreshments that were brought in by the agents from our office. This was a great social event for a good cause and we are doing it again next year...we must have done OK, because the vendors wanted to come back!

Our office park had a blood drive to support UNYTS and as Team Leader I lead by example and donated for the 1st time ever. I will say that it was an interesting experience, not wanting to discourage anyone from donating blood. I would do it again, but I now know that I need more than 10 minutes of rest when I am done.  The phlebotomist said that maybe my normally low blood pressure just means i might have to keep laying down for 30 minutes after. I had felt fine til about a minute after I stood up.

Next week it is back to teaching and helping agents stay in focus.

marsha

Gail Leithner is very deserving of this regional honor. Gail continuously represents the core of KW culture. Her clients love her because she goes above and beyond for them. Recently she had an out of town client announce he was arriving in 2 days and please be ready to show more houses to him.  He is relocating his whole company to WNY, so there have been a few sales involved. Just like any realtor Gail rearranged her scheduled...this was the easy part.  Every time he came into town his elderly mom was there and she had to be carried into every house they looked at.  Gail was right there every step of the way, side by side with the client's mom, holding her as she walked up the steps. Her clients refer business to her all the time...

There isn't an agent in the office that hasn't had Gail help them with something or another. New agent or experienced she is willing to help them with the smallest detail or the most complicated project. Her attitude shows and is rewarded by great friendships and support from everyone here.

Gail extends this attitude to her managing of the KW Cares program in our office.  She is the one who is organizing all the fund raisers, making sure we all get involved. Her encouragement keeps us all going and the funds coming in.

Thank you Gail for coming to Keller Williams. I am so glad that you are here...I can't imagine how your other office feels without you, but I am most grateful to have you with us in WNY.  You are most deserving of this Regional Icon Award.  I now that when you meet all the other Regional Icons in Austin you will be the one at the top. 

I am so glad that the recognition that you get at KW also comes with more than just plaques, your contribution raises everyone else attitude and level of production, and you share in the cash profits and the psychic profits of such a great attitude.

Thank you Gail - from our Amherst, NY office and thank you Upper New York & Manhattan Region for seeing what we all have the pleasure of working with everyday.

Marsha

TL 

Keller Williams Realty New York in Amherst invites everyone... 

Tuesday, May 6th from 5-8 we will have a variety of vendors at our office. All the vendors have agreed to turn over a significant portion of their profits to KW Cares.

KW Cares raises money that can be used locally and nationally.

All KW Market centers can accept the KW Cares challenge to raise $30,000 annually for charitable giving, sending $3,000 to KW Cares for the KW Cares general fund. The remaining $27,000 is for charitable giving in the local community to help individuals in need or to be donated to a local charity(ies).

Current Vendors:

Auntie Rosie's Gourmet Cookies, Avon Consultant, Bachrachs Men Store Trunk Sale, Candlelite Consultant, Linen World Consultant,  Motives Custom Make-Up/consultation, Transitions low-glycemic lifestyle weight loss 

If you would like to be a vendor contact Gail Leithner at 743.7176