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homes for sale: Everybody deserves a home. - 02/02/11 09:35 AM
Whether it's a simple, one bedroom flat... 

or a luxury, multilevel mansion...           

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...there's a place for everybody.  Once you decide what you want and what you can afford, call a REALTOR.  We can make it happen.
 
 
… (9 comments)

homes for sale: 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)

homes for sale: 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)

homes for sale: Clean up your act! - 10/18/10 12:38 PM
Clean up your act!... And your pantry, your closets and even under the sinks. 
This is my sink - Before. You know that curb appeal is critical in getting people to come in and consider buying your house.  But once they're inside, everything matters.  They will pull back the rugs to make sure the floor looks good underneath.  They'll look inside your closets, your pantry, and under the sinks.  They need to be able to imagine themselves and their "things" in your house. It is my firm belief that everyone should move every three years.  That would help my business … (14 comments)

homes for sale: That's not my job! - 10/14/10 09:40 AM
 
 
That's not my job!  

 
In my life I've had many different jobs.  During the years when I was a single mom and full-time college student, I taught gymnastics, video taped weddings and served as a church secretary. Those were my regular jobs. I also delivered newspapers, designed; made and sold teddy bears, occasionally baby-sat for pay and did anything else that came along that paid an honest dollar.  We got through those years.  WHEW!
(Roger Mucci's blog about ABE and staging his apartment inspired this blog.)
I'll never forget the pastor of my church, my boss, mentor … (33 comments)

homes for sale: A letter to my family and friends about real estate referrals - 10/08/10 07:44 AM
A letter to my family and friends about real estate referrals
 
 
 
 
 
Last night I was at a cocktail party when a church friend sat down next to me and said; "Marian, we just listed our house with another agent and I wanted to tell you why.  We think you're great and we know you're a good REALTOR but our house is in (fill in the blank) and we felt we needed an agent in that community." YEAH!  First, I applaud my friend for having the courage and the caring to let me know and second it … (128 comments)

homes for sale: A Different Kind of "Senior Moment"! - 10/04/10 11:00 AM
A Different Kind of "Senior Moment"! Now that I'm sixty, I'm experiencing "senior moments" more often.  For those of you in my age group, you know what I mean:
I walk all the way down three flights of stairs to my storage room and then wonder what I came down for. I bump into a dear friend, whom I've known for years and can't remember her name. I arrive at my listing to do a photo shoot and realize the camera is back at the office on my desk.  OK, enough of those, I'm making myself crazy just thinking about … (30 comments)

homes for sale: I sell houses, not furniture! - 09/30/10 10:44 AM
I sell houses, not furniture!
Yesterday I took a couple to look at one of my listings.  It is a fabulous home, just across from the beach, priced well and in impeccable condition.  It fit all their criteria.  I was pumped!  This would be the one they'd buy! We walked in... Mrs. Potential Buyer gasped.  "Oh, my gosh.  What gorgeous furniture!  Will he let the furniture go with the house?"
"Well, Mrs. PB, the furniture is not part of the offering.  However, if you make a great offer and ask for him to include the furniture, perhaps, he might consider … (15 comments)

homes for sale: An Adult Fairy Tale. - 09/28/10 06:51 PM
An Adult Fairy Tale.

In the beginning there were no people and no frogs; no animals, no plants, houses or factories... nothing but God and the earth.  But over time, God made people and frogs; animals and plants and all sorts of things.  And the world turned and people came and lived and died and everything changed.
And there came to be a Princess.  She was a wonderful Princess, full of fun and adventure and life. She had made some stupid mistakes in her life and had suffered some great tragedies but she knew that all those things had … (14 comments)

homes for sale: SECRET SHIFTERS. - 09/26/10 08:40 AM
SECRET SHIFTERS. (Things that can change a bad mood into a good mood.) Everybody has a bad day from time to time, but we don't have to stay in a bad mood.  I have a list of "Secret Shifters" that I actually look at when I need to get myself in a better frame of mind.  Just pick one and think about it. Here's mine.  Make a list for yourself.  It works.
A hug from my husband.
My grandsons
My dog, Katie
Rainbows
Sunsets
Walking on the beach
Paris
Laughing
My husband on crutches at our wedding
Good music
Inspirational … (24 comments)

homes for sale: "How unprofessional can you BE!" - 09/25/10 08:35 AM
"How unprofessional can you BE!
 
 
 
After showing my prospective buyer 12 units in two days, I suggested that we go ahead and look at one unit in the complex next door to see if perhaps we might go ahead and eliminate that group.  She agreed, so with no notice at all I called the listing agent.
"No problem. That owner is a relative and very motivated.  I know he's at work, so go ahead and take the key from the lock box and show it.  In fact, bring me an offer!"
Don't I wish! "Wow, look at … (14 comments)

homes for sale: Top Ten Reasons to live on the island of Bogue Banks, North Carolina - 09/16/10 05:24 AM
             Top Ten Reasons to live on the island of Bogue Banks, North Carolina

 
The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach The beach  
And then there are so many other things.  
The people.  The local people of Bogue Banks don't know how to be anything other than friendly and relaxed.  I don't know how that happened but it's true.  You can never "become" a local.  You are only a local if you were born here.  More of the residents, like me, are from "off" and we … (8 comments)

homes for sale: Wordless Wednesday (Not quite) on the Crystal Coast - 09/15/10 07:31 AM
 
                 Introducing my special friend, Katie
 

 
This is my dog Katie.  (shhhh....My husband, Ted, thinks she's his dog.)  She is a Jack Russell Terrier about 15 years old.   We're not totally sure of her age because she's a rescue dog.  When she found us, we already had a little boy Jack Russell Terrier named Casey and an old yellow mutt, also a rescue dog, named Corey. We thought our family was complete.
But Katie needed a home and she didn't think three dogs was too many.   She earned a place in our hearts right away.  Both her … (7 comments)

homes for sale: It's time to fish or cut bait! - 09/13/10 12:32 AM
Living on an island off the coast of North Carolina, fishing and fishing phrases are a way of life.  I've heard "fish or cut bait" my entire life.  I know instinctively what it means to me but wondered where the phrase comes from and exactly what it meant originally.  Research found many different explanations.  One thing became clear to me.  Nobody really knows the answers to this one.
 
So..."Fish or cut bait"; according to Marian:  Get to work and do it well or get out of the way.  Simple enough?  It means the same thing to me as "p--- or … (12 comments)

homes for sale: 911, What is your emergency? - 09/11/10 07:31 AM
Until 9/11/2001 when we heard "9-1-1" that's what we thought of.  On that day, nine years ago, that changed forever.Where were you?  What were you doing and what was the first thing you did when you heard the news that day?  Did you sit at first in shock and horror?  Did you close up your office as I did and go home to sit in front of the TV watching in shock?   I'll bet first you called the people you love most, just as I did, to make sure they were safe and to say "I love you."
 
Did you … (4 comments)

homes for sale: Happy Labor Day! - 09/06/10 08:24 AM

Labor day was first celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. Now, of course, we celebrate on the first Monday in September every year. 

This year I can't help but think about all the American workers who want to work but can't find a job.  If you have a job, celebrate that!  That is a blessing. 

Perhaps you have a job but it's not the job you want.  It's just a way to pay the bills?  Celebrate that!  But more than that, do a fantastic job with this position that is NOT the … (23 comments)

homes for sale: WHO AM I?! - 09/05/10 07:57 AM
This is the 6th day of my 30 blogs in 30 days commitment, and I'm working on some dynamite drafts to post each day.  But today's post will also put me over the 200,000 point mark and I want it to be really special.  What to write?  What picture should I post?  How can I make this blog the very best ever?I think I'll finally write that one I've been thinking of and putting off forever.  WHO AM I?  I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend.
 


When asked to describe myself the first thing that … (12 comments)

homes for sale: Wordless (not) Wednesday on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina - 08/18/10 12:32 PM
This is a picture of my three grandsons, Jackson and his brother Tyler, and cousin Tanner on Jackson's seventh birthday.  Who would ever have imagined three little boys mesmerized by a game (WII) in the house instead of outside on a beautiful sunny day, throwing or kicking a ball around? 
This is the new technological world.  Grandpa says he's worried that they'll all become pale and "bug-eyed" before long.  Be careful, parents, to balance that tech time with plenty of reading, interacting and outdoor fun.

… (13 comments)

homes for sale: Wordless (NOT) Wednesday on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina - 08/11/10 09:26 AM
Walking the Dog.
A summer day, three little boys, an adoring grandpa and a special dog.  What could be better?  This is the stuff of which memories are made. 

 
Living on an island, we have so many things to do, and so many ways to spend money.  this walk was just minutes from the pool, ocean, sound, tennis courts and even the bumper boats and miniature golf.  Those are fun things to do, but this walk down the hill (free and priceless) in front of my house is one of my favorite things. 
It's fabulous on the … (13 comments)

homes for sale: Give me a break!! - 08/08/10 07:12 AM
Dear Church friend, Weight Watcher Buddy, Golf Partner, Grocery Store Cashier...
I'm really glad you think of me when you think real estate.  I love when you call me or stop by the office to ask about real estate or tell me your friend is thinking of making a move.  I'm truly grateful that everywhere I go, I see customers and clients that trust and respect me.
BUT... Please, help me enjoy my time away from work.  Respect that today is my day of family and worship, my chance to relax on the links or my time to recommit to keeping … (10 comments)