Katharine K. Whiting, CRS,'s Blog

How to ride the Real Estate Roller Coaster

2008-03-29T02:06:09Z

WOW - The past week came and went without my being able to participate on Active Rain because I was just too sick. But this morning I participated in a great teleclass given by Kim Ades, President of Opening Doors and Frame of Mind Coaching. In a sentence this class was about the power of the written word and it's ability to change your life.

I went on line to find out more about her and came across her free white paper, "Top Performers Do Seven Things to Succeed and Attract More Real Estate Sales Sooner. I will list the seven secrets to success and then encourage you to go to her website: www.openingdoors.tv and read a definitive explanation of each secret. She does a good job of explaining how Realtors can use deliberate thought to stop short and re-direct on a fall and move up to the next peak.

The seven secrets to success are: 1. Heightened Awareness 2. Continuous Practice 3. Focused Actions 4. Dedicated Daily Writing 5. Community of Like Minded People 6. Solid Infrastructure 7. Commitment to Living from the heart.

I hope you find the information helpful in internalizing habits to make you a better Realtor. Smiles.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Luck of the Irish to All!!

2008-03-17T11:55:13Z

I am 1/4 Irish so I enjoy wishing Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone on March 17. I googled St. Patrick's Day a few minutes ago and there is much to learn there about the holiday!! Last year in Dublin it bcame a 5 day Festival with over 500,000 in attendence for the parade which might seem like alot of people until you find out that 2 million go to the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City! I love how we can have such exact information so quickly now with just a click on the computer. May you all have a Happy, Lucky Day!! Smiles.

Phoenix Hosts Bloodhound Blog Unchained

2008-03-14T23:14:21Z

I am so excited!! I just mentioned in one of my responses to someone how great it would be if there was a convention for real estate bloggers and I came across the Bloodhound Blog and found out that Greg Swann is helping to organize Bloodhound Blog Unchained - Social Media Marketing Conference on May 18,19, 20, 2008 at the Heard Museum (Indian Art) in Phoenix, Arizona. I am so there!!! I signed up yesterday - just in time for the first increase in tuition, now $199.00 but still a great savings from the $350.00 value. My first week of blogging and I can already plan to attend an amazing Blogging Conference in my own back yard - I live about a half hour from the Heard Museum!!

I would encourage as many of you as the room can hold to come. Phoenix/Scottsdale is a premiere place to vacation so while the rest of your family plays in the pool, shops or goes to one of our many attractions you can learn from the best. I have never met, spoken or had a cross sale with Greg but have read some of his blogs and blogs of others who go to his site and they all seem like individuals who can add alot to our knowledge and ability to be the best blogger we can be. I believe this will be a wonderful investment! Hope to meet many of you there!! Smiles.

Thank you Central Insurance Companies!!

2008-03-12T19:38:08Z

I have much gratitude in my heart towards Central Insurance Companies and want to highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good insurance company for their home. The Senior Property Claims Specialist just left my home after flying out to discuss the final things needed to complete my claim. (he was also visting other homes on this trip).

5 years ago I had water damage in a back storage area where my sump pump is. (I have a waterfront house and half of my home is below street level.) The first adjuster that came out misevaluated the situation and I wasn't aware there was still a problem until several years later I was noticing black on the storage walls and dampness on the floor. (I hardly ever go into that room.) When I contacted my insurance broker they said Central was an excellent insurance company and had me re-contact them. Sure enough, they came back out and agreed the damage was from the original claim and did some serious mold remediation - took my house to stud in some areas and replaced walls, all the shelving in the sump pump storage room, kitchen cabinets, one of my bathrooms.

Having just gotten out of the hospital, almost dying from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, I was feeling like I was given a second chance at life and now a second chance with my home as they began work 4 months after my coming home from Barrows Neurological Rehab. (end of June 2006). It has taken awhile but I told them I was in no rush, just do it right. And right they did. I am most pleased and feel like singing their praises.

I love being alive! I love my life! I love being a Realtor, and I love the new condition of my home! I did alot of upgrading through a second on my home and have a beautiful remodeled home which wouldn't have occurred if the initial tearout hadn't been required.

They no longer cover that kind of water damage, but my policy from back then did and they honored it. When somebody gives good honorable service they should be recognized and thanked. THANK YOU CENTRAL INSURANCE COMPANIES!!

Thankful for the Invitation to join!

2008-03-11T09:22:08Z

How exciting!! I was invited to join Active Rain by Mark Organek (Monopolyman) with Amerifirst in Tempe/Mesa Arizona. What a wonderful forum!!

I spent 4 hours last night reading through multible blogs and commenting on several of them. It was fun to find out during the course of the evening that my first blog comment was to the former reigning (raining) bloger, Sharon Simms who I found out later in the evening had been displaced by Lenn Harley. Their point acquistion is amazing! But equally amazing is the wealth of information in Active Rain and the quality of sharing.

I responded first to Sharon Simms because I recognised her from CRS Sell-A-Bration, having just recently personnally visited with her at the 20th annual Sell-A-Bration in Honolulu, Hawaii. She shares as well in person. While speaking of sharing at this point in time the best thing I can share is the value added to you as a Realtor to become a CRS Designee. The education is phenomenal and the contacts nationwide the best. I will admit my bias to wanting to refer to CRS agents because of the level of competence and professionalism I know they demonstrate but I will also admit my being impressed with several agents on Active Rain who are not yet CRS but have no doubt they would elevate their knowledge and ability to better serve their clients if they took CRS classes and made it a goal to receive the designation. (off soapbox).

I look forward to getting to associate with many of you and learning through this Active Rain site. Thankyou in advance for what I will receive!