My New Year's Eve Story: Almost The Biggest Goof Of My Life - 12/31/11 04:21 PM
A number of years ago I found myself in a fairly new relationship this time of year.
Holidays are a tough time for any established relationship, but there is a LOT that happens during the holidays which could either shore up the beginning roots of a relationship...or cause dreams to blow away, like spent confetti.
We had been seeing each other for about 5 or 6 weeks, after we knew of each other for a few months. We were in the giddy wow, this is great, stars-in-the-eyes phase of the relationship. Christmas was delightful, and now it was New … (12 comments)
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Word Of The Week: MANAGE - 12/31/11 01:39 PM
Welcome back to Word Of The Week: where I explain why a certain word has caught my attention this week. Today the word is MANAGE.
When I first started my work life, I thought being a manager was a good aspiration...it seemed easy enough, you just tell people what you want them to do...did I mention I started work when I was very young??
ANYWAY
There are two types of takes on the word manage. One is an idiom for coping, or getting by...'whatever happens, I'll manage'...pretty passive.
The other is an all-encompassing Snugglie of a job description (not exactly … (3 comments)
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Give Yourself A Gift for 2012: What's YOUR Dream? - 12/29/11 02:03 PM
Welcome back to my post-holiday series Give Yourself A Gift For 2012: where good ideas and smart people can help you have your best year ever.
At a recent WCBS Business Breakfast, Barbara Corcoran famed NYC Real Estate agent was the featured speaker. I did not attend, but caught an insight I found fascinating. She spoke about how she saw two types of people in the current market, in pretty much a 50-50 split: those sitting tight, and those making big moves.
Historically, recessions have proven to be fertile times for many business of all sizes and types to start, make … (7 comments)
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Aesop Revisited: Will You Be The Sun, Or The North Wind in 2012? - 12/28/11 02:49 PM
This is a funny week in my business. Across the board, a lot of people-homeowners, buyers, sellers and agents are out of pocket; but emails continue, hopes and predictions for the New Year abound.
For what it's worth, it's also been a crazy few weeks of weather in our area-sunny and unseasonably mild much of the month, but right now, as I sit in my office, winds are howling, dark grey clouds are racing across the sky, breaking apart oddly to show impossibly blue patches of sky and brilliant sun. All these factors converge, and unexpectedly, bring Aesop, one … (3 comments)
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Give Yourself A Gift For 2012: Get Your Stuff 'Under Control' - 12/27/11 03:06 PM
Welcome back to my latest series, Give Yourself A Gift For 2012: good ideas and smart people who can help you enter the new year purposefully, with a clear head and lighter heart.
When comedian George Carlin first debuted his routine on "Stuff" in 1981, he observed that sometimes we have so much stuff, that we pay to store some of our stuff...' IMAGINE< an entire industry based on keeping an eye on your stuff!! ' The audience was hysterical-what a concept!
Several years earlier, Business Week made some predictions about business in the future, one was the computer would render us … (15 comments)
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Give Yourself A Gift For 2012: Get Your E-Self Integrated - 12/26/11 03:04 PM
Give Yourself A GIft FOr 2012: Get Your E-Self Integrated
WHEW. Busy couple of weeks, and 2012 is looming large. Ideas for new beginnings and fresh starts abound this week, but what will be meaningful and feasible for you? Many not only share this thought, but in my experience, share the very same sticking points as well.
Really looking at the stuff that holds you back, takes up way too much space in your brain or keeps you up at night is hard, but resist the urge to pull a Scarlett O'Hara (I'll think about it tomorrow), or make grand vows … (5 comments)
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Word Of The Week: GRACE - 12/24/11 09:56 AM
I love the power of the right word. Every week I write about a particular word that has been resonating with me, this week it is GRACE.
Because of some projects and several conversations this week I actually had another word ready to go today, but it just didn't feel right for this Saturday, Christmas Eve.
"Grace" has several definitions, and all of them good. As a noun it's a physical condition of elegance. As a verb, it adorns and embellishes. I read that is is mentioned 170 times in the Bible, and that one definition is that it is unmerited favor.
I … (7 comments)
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GTK: SERIOUSLY-Save Major Baking Calories, Painlessly - 12/23/11 08:39 AM
If you're like most people, baking some goodies will be figuring into your holiday TO-DO list...also like many, actually EATING these same goods is on your TO-DON'T list.
Nothing new, or mysterious about this product, it just truly is so smart, and good for you, on all levels.
Using pureed fruit as a butter substitute is not new...recipes specifically using mashed bananas or applesauce have been around for a while, but it's just never been easy to find general substitution information easily, outside those recipes.
Then, a few years back, I found this, Sunsweet Lighter Bake. Made of dried plums … (5 comments)
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Word Of The Week: IRONY - 12/17/11 12:58 AM
Word Of The Week: Irony
A goal, but actions that contradict that goal.
Folks wanting results...going through the paces, but not making changes, or really working to make it happen. Seem like a familiar theme?
Sellers-the buyers are out there. If you're not getting any showings, there's a reason why. Talk to your agent, then talk to me. I'll show you what it takes to get your property sold.
… (8 comments)
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Do You Want To Know A Secret? (Do You Promise Not To Tell?) What Buyers Don't Want You To Know - 12/16/11 12:19 PM
I am an emotional economist...I watch, read and listen, but in the end believe my gut and go with what I pick up from real live people.
Since Labor Day-you know, when the housing market typically starts slowing down-I have believed this year, this cycle was different, and that positive change was bearing down upon us. Was hearing it in the phone calls, seeing it in my jobs, and watching as agents I do work with were getting properties SOLD.
Have shared it with people I know, wrote about it a few times, but not being a REALTOR, not exactly … (8 comments)
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2011 December Blogging Challenge - We Can Build & Buy American-YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS - 12/16/11 12:55 AM
Although this will be my 2nd re-blog this week, I actually only do this rarely, like every 5 or 6 weeks. Not that there isn't good content out there, but serial re-bloggers get under my skin, just don't want to be one of them.
Steve was a new commenter on one of my posts, and added me as an associate, so trotted over to visit him, and WOW, love this. Please pass it on.
Following the lead of other ARers I respect, am disabling comments...but do feel free to drop by Steve's blog, even subscribe-like I just did-if you are so inclined.
… (0 comments)
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The 12 Days of Christmas -- Gift #2 - 12/15/11 02:45 PM
Carla is one of the best AR pals I've never met (ONE OF THESE DAYS>>>). Her fun and sassy-fied self comes thru in all her posts. I love this series, and thought your might want to know about it too, in case you need a daily smile.
Please, Carla-can we have some more?
Following the lead of ARers I respect, comments are disabled here, but please shoot over and give Carla a proper thank-you, even subscribe, if you are so inclined.
Via Carla Muss-Jacobs - Exclusive Buyers Agent Portland | Portland Real Estate | (503-810-7192 | BuyersAgentPortland.com):
The 12 Days of Christmas … (0 comments)
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Silent Monks Sing Halleluia-FUNNY!! - 12/14/11 12:38 AM
Even if you have seen this before, chances are you will still marvel and enjoy as much as you did the first time! <> … (8 comments)
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Giving The Gift: Creativity - 12/13/11 11:25 PM
Welcome back to this years' chapter of Giving The Gift!
The sensory bombardment the American consumer is exposed to this time of year is enough to throw the most steadfast of us off our game. Giving the Gift is a series that highlights local, creative businesses and thoughtful, unique gift ideas that will surprise and delight most anyone on your list, please click here to see all the write-ups.
This is something I fell into quite unexpectedly-and truthfully, equally unexpectedly, loved it!
Earlier this fall, reuniting with high school friends was the plan. We finally picked the date, but now, what to … (7 comments)
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From "OLD" Listing to "SOLD" Listing! Stamford CT 06902 - 12/10/11 02:09 AM
Over the summer I got a call from someone who found me online from my blogging-cool in itself! Her empty condo had been languishing on the market, a year with little traffic and no offers, how would this thing called Staging work for her?
We spoke, and agreed to meet and see the space. Unusual space: old hotel, then office complex, converted into condos in recent years. New kitchen/baths, newish neutral carpet. Nice space, good light, but not a standard or expected floor plan. It had also been recently painted linen white, top to bottom.
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Paint a color, and bring … (8 comments)
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Word Of The Week: ENGAGE - 12/10/11 01:02 AM
Word Of The Week: ENGAGE
This is a very interesting word for me. Like the others, it has depth and is nuanced, and I think this might even be a theme for 2012.
First, it's an action word.(YAY for action!)
Second, it's an interactive action-you can't 'engage' by yourself, you need someone else to engage with.
Third, it implies mutual benefit and interest. Sure, one person has to start it, but it continues because it's a choice.
Fourth, it has a nice, light and balanced touch. Nothing hard-sell, or one-sided. It's about attraction, not persuasion.
All these things bode really well … (7 comments)
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Technology Petting Zoo: This Saturday 12/10 At Mt. Kisco Library - 12/09/11 12:02 AM
When I first heard about this I thought it had to be a typo, that it was about electronically-controlled animals, but looked into it, what a cool idea!
If there is an e-reader purchase in your future- get thyself to the Mt. Kisco Library this Saturday, December 10th, between the hours of 10:30am and 12:30pm.
E-readers and tablets are one of the hottest gifts this holiday season. In this free and interactive program library staff will demonstrate how to download free e-books for the Nook tablet, Kindle Touch, Kindle Fire tablet and the iPad2-as well answer questions and share … (2 comments)
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Yada, Yada, Yada: MORE Reasons To Get To Know A Professional Stager - 12/07/11 03:42 AM
Last week we all took the Scout oath.... swearing we understood that Staging a property DID NOT involve
Lingerie, fancy bath salts or a breakfast tray in the Master Suite Plug-in air fresheners or fake flowers Convoluted, budget-driven DIY projects Naked walls, or white/off-white walls
THEN we brought up some of the value a professional Stager could bring to your transaction, here are a few more.
Keep in mind, none of these are absolutes. No 30-day money-back guarantee-not even a set of Ginsu steak knives. Just sharing what I've seen, hoping it'll help someone else start the conversation … (5 comments)
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What Are YOU Waiting For?? - 12/05/11 09:03 PM
My pal Liz sent me this clip to me over the weekend. I am not a fan of the vote-for-your-favorite-talent-on-the-telley genre, but if you are, you may already know part of the story, but stay with me til the end.
<And even if you know all the story, IMO it's worth re-visiting. This was the only embedd-able version I could find, so don't mind the graphics. It's about 6 minutes long, watch it all the way thru and them continue reading.>
This really moved me, but it was the usually snarky Simon's question at the end that really … (5 comments)
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Word Of The Week: PURPOSEFUL - 12/03/11 10:39 PM
In her 2006 book, What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self, Ellyn Spragins coaxed forty-one notable women from all walks of life to write a letter to their younger self, and share with them wisdom and insights they know they could have used at the time.
Olympia Dukakis wrote to the woman she was in her 30's: an actor working at making a living, an actor working to organize/run a community theater, mother, and wife to a man who was seriously ill. Everything, every single moment about her life at that point was about work, and duty.
… (7 comments)
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Giving The Gift: ACTIVITY - 12/01/11 10:47 PM
Welcome back to this years' chapter of Giving The Gift, where the spotlight shines on thoughtful, meaningful gift ideas that smart, creative local business people or organizations offer.
Do you have a challenging person to shop for this season? Is your house already overrun with superhero action figures, DVDs, electronic debris, or gaming stuff?
Maybe you've run out of ideas for a spouse or significant other? A cranky teenager (hey, they don't read my blogs anyway, LOL) who likes nothing, or a boss who has everything?
Tell them to go climb a rock. Literally.
Passion about, and commitment to excellence of … (10 comments)
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De-clutter, De-personalize, Yada, Yada, Yada: Five OTHER Good Reasons to Bring In A Professional Stager - 12/01/11 07:23 PM
De-clutter, De-personalize, Yada, Yada, Yada: Five OTHER Good Reasons To Bring In A Professional Stager
We've seen B&A's, and videos of properties properly prepared for sale...but buying/selling/staging is a largely visual entity, media can't really touch on the intrinsic value, or intangible services that consulting with a professional Stager brings.
While it might not make for good TV, here are the first two of five other good reasons why it makes sense to bring a professional Stager into your house buying or selling experience:
1. Consults with a professional Stager can bring perspective to pricing
While the refreshed home never, ever weighs in, or offers input … (0 comments)
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