marian goetzinger: Think outside the box. - 05/15/12 12:25 PM
Think outside the box.
I recently visited my brother and sister-in-law in Alabama. They live in an inherited, old restored farmhouse. The first three rooms you see upon entering their home are like a museum. There’s the fabulous “parlor” that you enter first, furnished with family antiques and beautiful to look at but I’m not sure what purpose it serves.
Here's the cozy exterior. Looks small, but opens up inside to almost 3000 square feet including two dormer rooms upstairs.
To the right of the parlor is a similar formal dining room. Again, antiques, beautiful, presumably expensive … (1 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? - 03/31/12 02:19 AM
Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
Sometimes things happen that you just can’t tolerate.
A program that means a lot to me and that impacts some of the most important people in my life was recently discontinued. The people managing it all resigned at once. I ranted. I raved. I blamed. Finally, in a moment of sanity, I realized that this was a door opening that I was destined to walk through.
“But I’m too busy. I will have to give up some other important things. I’m not good at this. … (42 comments)
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marian goetzinger: I’ll take a mulligan on that. - 03/08/12 09:17 AM
I’ll take a mulligan on that.
It was a fabulous house about midway down the eighteenth fairway. My buyer clients loved it and to make it even more perfect, Mack (the husband) was an avid golfer.
“I don’t know though,” he said, “I’m a little worried about golf balls hitting the windows.”
I quickly reassured him. “Nah, I play this course often and you’ll never have to worry about that. Errant shots will wind up in the marsh or over on the tennis courts, not near your new house. The dog-leg configuration of this hole was actually … (4 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Don’t let a fixture kill your deal. - 02/15/12 04:17 PM
Don’t let a fixture kill your deal.
So the chandelier over your dining room table was a gift from your parents. You want to sell the house but not the chandelier. What should you do?
TAKE IT DOWN WHEN YOU LIST THE HOUSE! Don’t wait for a buyer to make an offer. Yes, you will tell your REALTOR® when you list the house that you plan to take that chandelier, but that will not prevent the buyer from saying, “That chandelier is perfect there. I want it.” However, if you remove it, store it and replace it with something else, … (7 comments)
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marian goetzinger: So the cheese moved, now what? - 12/21/11 12:35 PM
So the cheese moved, now what?
I just returned to my office after hearing bad news from my doctor.
I am a runner. Make that WAS a runner. At 61 years old I won about 10 gold medals for 5Ks in my age group this year. I came in number two in the 8K. I’ve consistently logged approximately 100 miles each month. Every morning I jump out of bed at about 5:30 a.m. and prepare for my morning run. I’ve solved many business problems, come up with more wonderful ideas than any other time and place, and forgiven … (55 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Do you speak “Realtorese?” - 12/20/11 04:56 PM
Do you speak “Realtorese?” Maybe your buyers and sellers, neighbors and friends don’t. Here’s a few important translations:
NAR National association of REALTORS®
NCAR North Carolina Association of REALTORS®
HOA Home Owner’s Association
PUD Planned Unit Development
HVAC Heating, venting and Air conditioning system
Closing Settlement Day
FISBO For Sale By Owner
Frog Finished Room over Garage
Agent Unavailable Playing golf
ABR Accredited Buyer’s Agent
GRI Graduate of the Real Estate Institute
CRS Certified Residential Specialist
PMI Private Mortgage Insurance
CMA Comparable Market Analysis
LTV Loan to Value
REALTORS®…Go … (4 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Go ahead…cry my hand full. - 12/12/11 04:03 PM
Go ahead…cry my hand full.
My daddy used to hold his hand cupped under my chin when I cried and he’d say, “Go ahead, cry my hand full.” It would make me so mad! Then I’d start to giggle and the tears would all dry up.
Don’t let petty people or unimportant problems make you cry and complain. Find a memory that makes you giggle and next time you want to cry for some silly reason, remember. I see you holding a cupped hand under your chin while you giggle, I’ll know why.
… (4 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Small Town USA - 12/03/11 07:40 AM
Small Town USA
I don't just live in a small town. I live in a small town (about 1600 residents) in the middle of a small island. I love to visit big cities. My favorites are New York and Paris. But I can't imagine living anywhere other than Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina.
This picture is of me and the three youngest grandchildren (These three live right across the sound from us.), Tanner, Tyler and Jackson, last year in the Christmas parade.
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Merry Christmas Everyone!
… (5 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Take the first step. - 11/30/11 08:43 AM
Take the first step.
You are about to take a step. It will be one of millions you will take in your lifetime. Some sites say you’ll take as many as 10,000 each day. WOW!
How many of those steps will take you where you want to be and how many will be wasted, useless steps? Will some of them take you into trouble or danger? Will some take you to fun and adventure? Surely some will take you to your goals.
Make a plan and take the first step. It’s really that simple.
Now…GO!!
… (5 comments)
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marian goetzinger: What is DUE DILIGENCE? - 11/22/11 03:16 PM
What is DUE DILIGENCE?
For almost a year now, since 1/1/11, North Carolina residential real estate contracts have included a due diligence clause. As with any change, there are challenges, problems, confusion and resistance. Buyers, sellers and real estate professionals have all resisted leaving their comfort level. So, even though the contract has been around for almost a year, it’s too soon to say if it is here to stay.
Due diligence is always recommended when anyone is making a financial decision. The primary meaning of the term is simply to use caution. In real estate transactions … (4 comments)
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marian goetzinger: She’s a little too old to find a “Sugar Daddy” by swinging her hips and batting her eyes. - 11/21/11 04:23 PM
She’s a little too old to find a “Sugar Daddy” by swinging her hips and batting her eyes.
You may know her, (or him). Instead of doing the work, studying, training and research, she’s always looking for an easier way. She can really tell a story and make everybody laugh and make you feel like the most important person in the world right now.
But does she know about the covenants in the area where you are looking? Does she understand all the disclosures and addendums needed for a legal document? Did she do a comparative market … (32 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Do you have a Qualified Home? - 11/08/11 12:48 PM
Do you have a Qualified Home?
Sellers often ask, “Are they qualified buyers?” Buyers may soon start asking a similar question. “Is this a qualified home?”
Should you have a home inspection before putting your house on the market?
The new (as of 1/1/2011) exclusive right to sell listing agreement in North Carolina advises owners to have a home inspection at the time they place their home on the market. Often sellers are reluctant to spend that money saying that the buyer will have one anyway once they go to contract and why should they, the sellers, spend … (2 comments)
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marian goetzinger: THE SCOOP ON POOP - 10/19/11 04:34 PM
THE SCOOP ON POOP or THE CARE AND FEEDING OF THE SEPTIC TANK
Often when people buy second homes or relocate to the island, they discover private septic tanks for the very first time. If you came here from an inland municipality, which most of us did, you never had to deal with septic tank maintenance and had no clue how to begin.
I frequently stand beside an open septic tank with a buyer who has never seen one before and now is hearing that his soon to be new home has septic tank issues. The septic inspection has … (2 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Kindergarten ain't just for kids - And you're never too old to play. - 08/19/11 10:37 AM
Kindergarten ain't just for kids.
Growing up in the very rural hills of Tennessee in the 1950’s I didn’t have the opportunity to go to kindergarten. That didn’t matter to me. I didn’t need kindergarten. I had three big sisters and my hero, my big brother, Junior. By the time I started first grade I could read and write and do simple arithmetic because my older siblings loved sharing with me everything they learned at school.
We’d sit at night and read their books together and they’d share their tablets with me, helping me make letters and do figures. They not … (6 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Why I chose real estate. - 08/03/11 01:49 PM
Why I chose Real Estate.
I grew up in the hills of Middle Tennessee with nine siblings. Yep, I was number five of ten. We were definitely NOT affluent and my parents never owned their own home. We moved often because "the grass was always greener..." Maybe that's part of why home ownership and helping others find that "American Dream" means so much to me.
Yes, this is me at about age 4.
Getting married at 45 after thirteen years of being a single mom was huge! After my … (6 comments)
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marian goetzinger: 365 Cool Things to do at the Crystal Coast #2 - 05/20/11 08:41 AM
Well, let’s face it, how can you go to the beach and not … go to the beach. With 22 miles of ocean front with acres and acres of sand, that’s enough.
Put on your bathing suit. (You won’t have to go in the water but you will certainly want to leave that option open.) Cover yourself with sun block; the rays can be fierce. Grab your towel, your flip-flops and your shades and head on over. Be sure to bring some water and any food you might want. Bring a bag for trash and please take it … (7 comments)
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marian goetzinger: 365 Cool things to do at the Crystal Coast #1 - 05/19/11 03:35 PM
#1: SET A SPELL
if you've followed my blogs for very long you already know that I am a huge proponent of taking care of yourself first. If you work all the time and eat poorly, never exercise and don't get enough rest, you will not be able to do the things you need to do for others. Savor every day and take time to enjoy all the things around you, starting with your family.
Lucky me! I have the great privilege of living my life on an island. Bogue Banks Island is just off the coast of North Carolina. We call … (4 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Keep on keeping on if you want to succeed. - 05/18/11 10:24 AM
..."It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently..." Tony Robbins
Consider the turtle. Slowly, he crawls. Bit by bit. He may not be the one to get there first but he'll get there... one slow step at a time.
I'm a Weight Watcher. I've learned the hard way that losing seven pounds in one week can be done. I did it once! But I couldn't sustain that nor did I keep those seven pounds off. Finally, I learned that losing weight successfully means one slow ounce at a time. One … (8 comments)
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marian goetzinger: Attitude is EVERYTHING!!! - 04/06/11 09:50 AM
I live on the little island of Bogue Banks off the coast of North Carolina. I've lived here since 1992 and I can no longer imagine living anywhere else. Not only is it a beautiful place, the climate is mild, the people are laid back and friendly and I feel like I'm on vacation every day.
I had a 7:30 a.m. dentist appointment this morning on the mainland, so at 8:30 a.m. I was topping the bridge that takes me back to my island home. From that vantage point, I can see the sliver of land that is the island and then … (9 comments)
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marian goetzinger: I want it NOW! - 03/22/11 08:39 AM
This morning after my three mile run, I showered and then stepped on the scales. I've really worked hard to exercise smart and eat healthy. I have my goal weight firmly in mind. I've been really good.
WHAT! The scales haven't moved since yesterday. What's with that? I need ten pounds off before May 1. This won't do.
I know. It takes time. It takes persistence and determination. But I want it now.
This whole weight loss thing is just like my "flabby arm" problem. I met with a personal trainer. I've been doing those silly little reps with hand weights … (12 comments)
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