How many Frogs do I have to Kiss? - 11/30/10 08:26 AM
How many Frogs do I have to kiss?
There was a wonderful time in our business when I could go out showing property with a prospect and soon have a contract.  Ten couples would usually result in about seven closings.  Now sometimes I find it hard to get excited when a caller says, "I'd like to look at some homes." I may take ten couples out and spend hours with each couple, provide everything they ask for and show them exactly what they said they were looking for, priced well within their stated comfort level... and then... they return to where … (13 comments)

I was wrong! - 11/29/10 11:50 AM
I was wrong! Just last week I posted a blog that basically said "you can't take it back."I was wrong!  Sometimes you can.  On Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving, I participated in a fund-raiser sponsored by my church to raise money for our local Boys and Girls Club.  It was a great success and those of us who were involved had a great time and a great sense of accomplishment.  But....
During the event, a walk-a-thon in my neighborhood, a community staff member (I'll call her Mary.) found that she couldn't park her car right next to the door to her … (13 comments)

Do you feel guilty when you "do nothing?" - 11/27/10 08:58 PM
 
 
 
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Soundview Home for sale in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, 28512 - 11/25/10 12:00 PM
Check out this beautiful home with an awesome view of the golf course and Bogue Banks Sound.  Amy Hahn posted this first but I know this house and it's just waiting for a family.  Whether you still have children at home or they come for family gatherings, this house will be perfect for you.  Come see.
Via Amy Hahn, REALTOR, Crystal Coast, NC (Pine Knoll Shores Realty):
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores RealtyMobile: 252-723-7972 * Office: 252-727-5000 * Toll Free: 800-605-8598Email: info@pineknollshoresrealty.comWebsite: www.pineknollshoresrealty.com
 
              

                         
 Amy … (1 comments)

I take it back! I didn’t mean it! - 11/24/10 12:29 PM
 
I take it back!  I didn’t mean it!
 
I am blessed, (or cursed,) with nine siblings.  Oddly enough, I fall right in the middle at number 5.  I have no memories of ever being alone as a child.  I never ate alone, walked alone, slept alone, played alone, nothing. 
 
Today I cherish my quiet time while often missing the noise, laughter and teasing of siblings all around.  Perhaps that’s one more reason I love to collect my three little grandsons and fill the house with their noise and laughter.
 
Recently one of the boys (I won’t … (7 comments)

What's on your list? - 11/23/10 12:57 PM
What's on your list?Amy Hahn's featured post about being thankful for Active Rain inspired me to finally put down some thoughts I've been having often lately about being grateful.Do you have a gratitude list?  I highly recommend it.  I have a journal in my bedside drawer where I try to write a few words every morning.  It's a great idea to start each day with a few minutes of thinking about what one has to be thankful for, not just at this Thanksgiving time but every day.  It changes my life. 
Shortly after I jot down my notes and get … (3 comments)

Speechless Sunday, Seashore Style... - 11/22/10 12:14 PM
Nobody presents the Crystal Coast of North Carolina better than Amy Hahn.  She shares my gratitude for the privilege of living in paradise.  Thousands visit here every year and we're pleased to share our wonderful little island home with them and grateful that we get to enjoy it year round.  Come see.
Via Amy Hahn, REALTOR, Crystal Coast, NC (Pine Knoll Shores Realty):
Speechless Sunday, Seashore Style....

Today was an absolutely GORGEOUS day on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina...67° , Sunny and Clear!  My boys and I decided to go for a hike through the Sand Dunes at Fort Macon State … (4 comments)

ALMOST WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ON THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA - 11/17/10 04:47 PM
ALMOST WORDLESS WEDNESDAY ON THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS I love what I do.  I'm a REALTOR.  But real estate is NOT my life.  Real estate is my profession, my job, work I love, but NOT the most important thing in my life. 

… (10 comments)

Start every day with a smile, and get it over with... - 11/17/10 08:30 AM
What a wonderfu way to start the day!  A happy blog by Amy Hahn. 
"If you see someone without a smile today...give him one of yours."
"Laugh and the whole world laughs with you...cry and you cry alone."
 
Via Amy Hahn, REALTOR, Crystal Coast, NC (Pine Knoll Shores Realty):
"Always remember to be happy because you never know who's falling in love with your smile".  ~Author Unknown
"Smiling is infectious, You can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, And I started smiling too." ~Author Unknown
"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be … (4 comments)

Good bye dear friend. - 11/15/10 05:02 PM
Good bye dear friend. When I was just a rookie agent, somebody convinced me to attend a meeting of the Crystal Coast Chapter of the Women's Council of REALTORS.  I found a group of women (and a few brave men.) who were supportive, professional and nurturing.  This was a place where I felt safe and secure and where I could learn, grown and also share my talents with others. I quickly got involved, and in 2008 served as president of our local chapter.  What a great growing experience I have had with this group!  I've traveled and served and attended some … (7 comments)

Never forget the ones who didn't come home. - 11/11/10 06:21 AM

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When will the Real Estate market turn around? - 11/10/10 12:33 PM
 
When will the Real Estate market turn around?
 
I have a crystal ball.  My good friend Martha bought it for me at a gift shop in Boston because she got tired of hearing me say, “I wish I had a crystal ball.” in response to the constant question, “When will the market turn around?”
 
 
My beautiful crystal ball doesn’t work.  It makes a beautiful paperweight, but it tells me nothing about the future of real estate.  It just sits there catching the rays from our beautiful Crystal Coast sunshine and making me smile every time I think … (8 comments)

Maybe this stalled market is YOUR fault. - 11/05/10 10:51 AM
 
Maybe this stalled market is YOUR fault.

Dear REALTOR friends,
I don't know about your particular market, but here where I work, many, (if not most) of the properties listed in our MLS system are so overpriced as to be ridiculous.  Sellers are holding on to the numbers they remember from the "bubble" and too many REALTORS are willing to take those listings.  At least once a week I see a new listing in our MLS that is priced as much as 100% more than the number I suggested to those owners.  I used to feel like I'd "lost" … (10 comments)

Did you ever have one of "those" days? - 11/04/10 12:18 PM
Did you ever have one of "those" days?
You know what I mean. 

One of those days where everybody should take the long way around you.
One of those days when it seemed like everything that could go wrong did - and everybody that could possibly p--- you off did - and innocent comments from your friends, family and co-workers sounded like attacks. 
One of those days when you should have stayed at home and rested so that the next day would be the wonderful, safe, happy, productive day you know you can create?  

One … (8 comments)

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a Match! Bringing Homesellers and Homebuyers together is what I do best! - 11/04/10 11:19 AM
Tish Lloyd of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina writes perfectly about the art of being a Matchmaker.  I've always known that selling real estate was really not about selling at all but rather helping people "match" up with the home they wanted or needed.  Proud to post this great blog by Tish.
Via Tish Lloyd Real Estate Agent Wrightsville Beach, NC (Prudential Laney Real Estate 910.547.1446):
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a Match! 
I love that song, and Fiddler on the Roof is one of my all time favorite musicals.  We were listening to it the other day and CA started changing the … (1 comments)

Wordless Wednesday (not quite) on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina - 11/03/10 10:36 AM
Wordless Wednesday (not quite) on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina
… (13 comments)