Tips and Thoughts on Life and Living

Live Local, Buy Local

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:16:57 -0800

Live local, buy local - That's a thought I had late in the evening while watching the news before calling it a day. The news had story after story about the economic challenges we face as a nation and as a world. Spending is down, debt is up, companies are downsizing, and the forecasts are for more of the same. The big story lately is that consumers are spending less. That in turn exacerbates the situation.

As a nation, we've been through this before. Our parents, and grandparents, and our great-grandparents went through periods of economic challenge. It's easy to say that this a more difficult time and that they didn't have the same problems, but I'm not sure that is true. I remember my grandmother telling me about the cabin she lived in after she lost her husband in the early 1930's. No heat, no water, outdoor plumbing, a wood stove, and the only money for food was from the panning Great-grandpa did in the stream.

Truth is, that makes my little place seem downright comfy! The point I am trying to make is that it really doesn't make sense to compare our world with the past. It is what it is and it ain't no more. We can deal with it or not. It is our decision to make. For grandma, it was enough that they could eat and that they had a roof over their heads. Me, well, I really do prefer my plumbing indoors.

So, here's the plan. We know that our friends and neighbors are having trouble. Heck, lots of us have challenges. Companies are cutting workers because they are not selling products or because the number of clients they serve is dwindling. We know everyone is trying to save money on their purchases. Now for some, that means heading down to a big box store where 99% of the products are from overseas. What I propose is that each of us take some of the money we would normally pay out for foreign products and spend it close to home. Go down to the local lumber yard for that can of paint, the local bakery for your morning roll, or the local pharmacy for the ant-acids you need to get though the next closing.

That's Phase One. Phase two is to buy products manufactured in the United States. I'll have more on that after I do some homework....

Stay tuned!

Touching Old Friends

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:16:31 -0800

Touching old friends is something that is easy to do, but not so easy to do on a regular basis.

The other day I had an appointment at an office in Detroit. The office is an hour from my home and not somewhere I visit on a regular basis. As I walked into the office, I heard someone's name from the front of the room. The name was familiar to me and unique enough that for an instant, I thought the person was my old college roommate, someone I haven't seen since my wedding 16 years ago. I dismessed the thought that it could be him because the idea was too far-fetched to be possible. Then he turned around and, sure enough, it was my old roommate behind the wrinkles and under the grey hair.

We stepped out of the office for a few minutes to chat. It was a great experience. For a few minutes, we had time to catch up and it was a great talk. For a few minutes, we took time away from the world.

I think we sometimes foget people who are, or were, important in our lives as we struggle with the day-to-day experience of living and making a living. I used to call all my friends each year and talk to them for a bit. It wasn't a sales call or for marketing, it was just a chance to catch up.

I missed last year and may have missed the year before as well. Meeting up with my old roommate reminded me of a lesson I learned long ago....something I forgot on the way through the challenging years of late - Good friends are hard to find and harder to keep. It takes work, it takes time, and the rewards are beyond measure.

So, the moral of the story is simple - touch an old friend today. It may be the best thing you do for yourself all week!

Helping others this holiday

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:10:50 -0800

Helping others this holiday is important, especially with the economic forcast. In my last entry, I wrote about the need to support the local economy by shopping in your home town. After I posted that entry, I realized that I neglected to mention the local food banks and non-profit organizations that face the overwhelming task of assisting those who face challenges this year. The fact is that there are more people in need this year than ever and our local support organizations face a daunting task.

I can remember last year, when things were starting to look a grim. One of our townspeople went in to drop off food at our local food bank, Faith in Action. she asked the volunteer on duty how the organization was managing as she dropped off her bag of food and was told the situation was dire. The pantry shelves were almost bare and what came in went out almost immediately. Thankfully, this woman was someone who decided to do something about the situation. She went home and sent an e-mail out to all her local friends. They in turn did likewise, and they made a point of dropping off food to the food bank. Nearly everyone in town heard about the situation within 24 hours and within 48 hours, the shelves were fully stocked once again.

Now this was last year. I can only imagine what will happen this year. It doesn't take much to make a difference. Buy an extra pound of spagetti, one more can of soup, maybe even a can of stew, and drop it off on your way home. If you hunt, find out if they accept frozen meat and share some of what you have. You don't have to do much, just a little here and there. That, with the little bit everyone else does, can make all the difference in the world to a family in need. It may make all the difference in the world to someone this holiday season.

Supporting your local economy

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:48:40 -0800

Supporting your local economy is both good business and good for the soul. I live in a smaller Midwestern city. Our modest town is a good 15-20 minutes from the nearest box store and 20-30 from the nearest mall. Back when gas was over $4.00 a gallon, there was a good reason to shop local. The fact is, there is a good reason even when gas is under $2.00 a gallon. Buying local supports friends and families in my town and gives me face-time with potential clients or people who know potential clients.

Yes, goods and services at small-town shops and stores can be a bit more than at the box stores. Then again, you don't have the traffic, or the drive time, to deal with on your trip. If you put a value on your time, it doesn't take much to make up the difference in prices and realize how much you save by shopping local.

In my town, Chelsea, Michigan, we have stores that sell almost everything you need. Our local paper, the Chelsea Standard, recently published an article detailing everything that you can find in town. I bet your local paper has the same information.

I used to own a small bookstore in another small town and understand the challenges that small-town shopkeepers face, especially in a slow economy. If they don't survive, the downtown starts to see boarded windows and the town starts to die. It is a sad thing to watch and an easy thing to prevent. So, for this holiday season, give the gift of patronage to a local shop keeper. You may make a friend and help save a town!

Cheap Storm Window Trick

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:11:25 -0800

Cheap storm windows - is that an oxymoron? Those of us in the Northern regions struggle with new ways to stay warm in the winter. I've been adding storm windows to my double hung windows to add one more layer between me and the bitter winter winds now blowing across the region. As I was speaking to one of my vendors about this activity, he pointed out a trick he used until he was able to put actual storm windows in place.

Key note here, this tip may not appeal to you aesthetically, but it works and it is quick and easy.

This vendor bought one of those window shrink-wrap kits and a roll of all-weather, rubber tape. Rather than put the plastic film across the window, he simply wrapped the window screen. Once he shrank the plastic in place, he installed the screen and used the tape to line the inside of the screen frame. He said each window took about 15-20 minutes to complete. By the time he was finished, he had a relatively tight seal and an extra layer between himself and the winter weather.

I tried this myself just to see how it work and was surprised to see the plastic on the screen fog up before I had a chance to seal the edges! The plastic is clear and really cuts the wind. So, regular storm windows can run up to $90 each. This fix added up to about $4 per window. It may not be the optimal solution, but for the short term, it certainly is something that can help.

Winter Driving Tips - Have Any?

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:52:08 -0800

Winter driving tips - we all hear them and sometimes we even follow them! Here are a few I find useful, living in Michigan as I do.

*Carry the basics - When driving on the back roads of Michigan, I find it helpful to have a shovel, a wool blanket, and a bucket of SSA (Sand, Salt, and Ash) in the event I find myself stuck in the snow. It doesn't happen often, but now and again the dirt roads around here freeze and are more like ice rinks than roads and the SSA helps with the traction. The blanket I keep just in case I have to wait a while before help arrives. I use wool because it is inexpensive (army-surplus blankets can be had for under $20 off the web), fire-resistant (occasionally useful when on a campout), and will keep you warm even if wet. They are also handy as a ground cloth when changing a tire or for a picnic (come summer). The shovel is for snow - or something else if someone is handing me a load of bull....

*Light up! - Carry a good, reliable flashlight or rechargable light. Come December, it gets mighty dark here might fast. A good light makes all the difference in the world when checking out homes at night, especially when it is a distressed home in which the electricity was turned off.

*Carry an emergency kit - I also have a collection of items in the car. These include a couple of hot packs, a candle, some wool socks, mittens, a couple of energy bars, and a wool knit hat. I also carry a water bottle with me, but that doesn't stay in the car (for obvious reasons!). Finally, a reasonably well-stocked first aid kit (being somewhat accident-prone) is a necessity.

*Carry a basic Car Kit - I can't tell you how often I have to use my jumper cables every winter for someone who doesn't have them in their car. Cables, tire-changing equipment, a couple of flares (handy for starting a campfire if you are really out there...), some work gloves, a snow brush and ice scrapper, and a small compressor for reinflating tires, and a can of tire foam fill out my car kit - all packed in a nice package purchase at the local box store for a reasonable sum. Oh, don't forget a jug of window-washing liquid!

*Dress well! - Thick warm socks, a long coat, scarf, hat, and gloves will make it much easier to show those empty homes. Likewise, a pair of silk long underwear makes life, and winter, so much more bearable!

Anyone else have a recommendation? Please, pass them on!

A Great American Day

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:43:52 -0800

A great American Day - that's what we have today. I'm reading about my fellow citizens across this land standing in line for minutes and hours, waiting to cast their votes. There are no riots, no police, no violence, and only a few disruptions. Instead, we have comradarie, people working together, people sharing, and people joining together to continue the great experiment that is our nation.

We are an interesting breed, we Americans. After all the bickering, all the accusations of being wrong-minded, narrow-minded, left, right, liberal, and conservative, we can still take our place in line and cast our votes and respect the person next to us for doing the same. It gives me goose-bumps. It makes me proud. It makes me glad I am an American.

At the end of the day, we will have a President-elect. We may immediately return to the bickering, the accusations, and the name-calling that is the mainstay of the American Political experience. Still, we have this day. We have this one day of unity in which we gather together to reaffirm that "We the People of the United States, in Order to to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

It is a great, amazing, American Day

Paying forward - Good For The Soul

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:47:03 -0800

Paying forward is a movie idea, but one that is good for the soul. There are benefits to acting on this idea and I'd like to share one with you today.

For those of you who are not familiar with the movie, the plot has to do with a teacher challenging his students to come up with an idea that will change the world. One young lad has the idea that he will give of himself to help three people in a significant way. Rather than ask for anything himself, he charges each person to "pay it forward" and do the same for three other people. The ensuing changes prove his idea works and creates a feel-good aftermath to the death of that young man.

Forty years ago, I joined Scouting and worked my way through the ranks wtih considerable help from my parents and other adult volunteers. After turning 18, I began to pay forward all the help I received and began working as a volunteer in the program myself. Today I am a Scoutmaster and am working with about 36 young men as they learn and grow.

There are benefits to giving back. I have personally contributed to the success of nearly a dozen Scouts who went on to earn the rank of Eagle. I just recently had the privilege of signing the Eagle Scout application for another Scout. There is no greater feeling than knowing you helped shape the life of someone else for the better. There is no reward as satisfying as seeing someone you helped succeed. One of my most precious memories centers around twin boys who were in my Troop years ago. The both earned the rank of Eagle Scout and joined different branches of the military after being accepted in their respective Academies. Before starting their first tours, they came back to town to visit. After chatting with me for a while, they turned to leave. As they started to walk away, they turned back to me and said "Thanks Mr. Dailey" When I asked them what that was in reference to, they simply said "Everything."

There are may ways to affect the lives of others in a positive way. There are many, many organizations that afford us the opportunity to do so both visibly or behind the scenes. If you are involved some how, some way, good for you! Keep up the good work! If you are not, perhaps you should try it. I can tell you from personal experience that there is nothing quite as satisfying as lending a helping hand.

Helping those in need.

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:04:54 -0700

Helping those in need is one of the most important things we do as members of the real estate profession. Be they sellers who need to sell a home, buyers who need to purchase a home, or members of the community who are hitting hard times, we need to do what we can. We make our living off our communities and giving back is good business and good for the soul. It's been said that people only care what you know when they know you care, so it is time to show we care.

In our town, we have an organization called "Faith in Action". According to their web-site, they are "a community-funded, faith-based assistance and resource center for those who need an helping hand in the Chelsea and Dexter school districts." They help families and individuals in need by providing food, counseling, backpacks for school, shoes, and other assistance.

Everyone in our town supports this organization, regardless of their faith or their economic status. Our Boy, Girl, and Venture Scouts help with the annual food drive to support their emergency food pantry. Members of the community adopt families for Christmas or provide food baskets for Thanksgiving. The point is, we are all part of the community and we have to take care of our own.

Times are tougher than last year for many people, and even tougher this year. We need to be visible, and caring, helping where we can. Every town has, or should have, such an organization. It doesn't have to be faith-based, it just has to exist. I encourage everyone to find one of these organizations and give back to the community. If you are having a tough year, give time. Volunteer to help. If you are having a good year, consider financial support. The point is to do something.

A note on the recent tragedy in Iowa

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:38:11 -0700

I am a Scoutmaster for a local troop and it was with a heavy heart that I learned of the news from Iowa. I am sure many of you felt the same way. I would like to take a moment and reflect on this tragedy and identify a few lessons we can learn from it.

As the story of the tragedy unfold, we learned that these Scouts handled themselves remarkably well. They followed the correct procedures, they kept their heads in a crisis, and as soon as danger passed, they took control of the situation and began to take care of one another. Had these young men allowed themselves to fall apart, had they neglected their training, the loss of life could well have been much higher. It is a lesson to us all to take the Scout motto "Be Prepared" seriously for ourselves, our families, and our co-workers. The discipline they showed, the soundness of their training, and their bravery exemplify all we expect from Scouts and should inspire us to achieve the same level of preparedness in our daily lives.

As families, we can see how precious each day is and we can live with the understanding that today matters as much as, if not more than, tomorrow. While we plan for the future, it is important to live today and create those treasured memories that will see us through difficult times. Sometimes, our sense of urgency to pay a bill, to close a deal, to enhance our business supercedes time with our family, our friends, and our faith. Today is a day we can live only once and we need to pay attention to what matters. At the end of our lives, very few of us will wish we had spent more time at the office.

As adults and community leaders, we see the potential for our children and our peers in crisis situations and gain an even greater sense of the responsibilities we have to ensure the safety of those for whom we are responsible. While we cannot control every situation, we can make sure we are as prepared as possible.

Finally, as a community, we can see the value and amazing results of an organization that has worked for nearly 100 years to train and develop boys into men ready to selflessly take on leadership roles in our communities, our nation, and in the world. We also see their spirit of selfless service to others and hold their example as one we can follow in our own lives.

Please keep the families and Scouts directly affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. The loss of these fine young men is devastating to us all, but all the more so to their families, their peers, and their leaders.

Safety First - Working with Rural Properties

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:05:41 -0700

In my last blog entry, I mentioned that I don't hold open houses for properties in rural areas. One member raised an important issue when she responded by saying that if "no one can hear me scream", she won't hold the house open. The issue of safety is always in the forefront for members of the real estate profession and is especially relevant for those who work in rural areas.

There are a few basic rules to follow to protect yourself:

First, try to have a second person in the house with you.

Two, ABSOLUTELY have your cell phone on, charged, and readily available. This is important even if you have someone else in the home.

Three, make sure someone in your office or at home knows where you are and check in with that person regularly.

Four, follow office protocol in the event that a situation arises. In our office, we are supposed to call in as as the receptionist for the RED file for the house we are holding open. The receptionist is then to contact the police and send help from the office.

Five, be aware of unusual reports from other real estate professionals with regard to people showing up regularly at open houses. You should also report any unusual occurrences to your managers and to your local board so that everyone can be informed of any potential problems.

In the end, we have to take care of ourselves. If you have other recommendations, please let me know!

Rural Open Houses - To Do or Not To Do

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:19:03 -0700

About half of the territory I work is rural in nature. For you city folks, that means that the homes can be a mile apart and are located on a dirt road. A lot of the homes I list are at least 30-40 minutes from a city and require a map and compass to reach.

So the question is: Is it a viable business proposition to hold an open house for a home in a rural setting? My tendency is to say no, but there is a caveat to that response. The truth is, with gas prices near $4.00 a gallon, selling in a rural area is a challenge. Getting buyers to come to an open house is as well, since it can mean a significant investment for them in time and gas. The most successful open houses I've held in rural areas are in country developments in which there are a several homes for sale and all of the agents hold an open house on the same day. That can take a bit of coordination and, heaven forbid, require that we talk to other agents (said with a smile), but the results can be rewarding, especially if everyone offers some kind of food (if you feed them, they may come).

What about solo open houses in a country setting? If it is a spectacular property and you have ample time to advertise, it might be worth trying. Otherwise, your time and money might be better spend marketing the property using virtual tours and Web-based advertising. Nothing, and I mean nothing, works better in a rural area than Web-based marketing. This is especially true for higher-priced homes

A case in point is a home I had listed in a small town northwest of Ann Arbor. This home was a beauty, but was in a price range in which there was a seven-year inventory of homes available. Yes, SEVEN! Only one or two homes sell over $300K in this town each year and there are about seven on the market right now in that price range. I had a full-blown virtual tour created, complete with lots of stills for the home and posted everything on www.realtor.com as well as the local MLS. The folks who purchased the home were living in Egypt at the time and found the home via the Web. They viewed all the photos, all the tours, and asked for a few others as well. Ultimately, they purchased the home having only walked through it one hour before the closing.

Now, it would not have been possible for them to view the home at a open house and the same is true for many of our buyers now. Time, money, and complicated lives prevent many of our buyers from wandering the country around on a Sunday afternoon. Most rural buyers are only viewing homes after previewing and prequalifying them on the Web. The same can be said for all buyers, but it is especially true for those in rural areas. The upshot of this diatribe is simple - I believe it is better to market rural properties well on the Web than via open houses. Any thoughts from other rural agents?

The BIG decision - buying that first home

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:59:53 -0800

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the pleasure to sit down with several first-time homebuyers. As a real estate professional, I believe part of my job is to help these folks with their decision by providing them the information they need to make the right decisions for themselves. Sometimes, that decision is to wait. Other times, it is about how much to spend. The important thing for me to remember is that it is all about them, not about me.

There seems to be a big difference between the first-timers of today and those we saw on the market 2-3 years ago. The buyers I talked to are very aware of the market, the pitfalls of buying beyond their ability to pay, and they are willing to buy what they need now and for the foreseeable future, rather than go for the whole package at once. They are also more cautious and they ask a LOT of questions.

To be honest, I like these new homebuyers. As a group, they are knowledgeable, sensible, and, most important to me, they are willing to listen to a real estate professional and ask for information when they don't understand something.

For those who are working with new-home buyers, patience is a virtue. So is looking at the long-term plans for your clients. Don't be afraid to ask the personal question about potential life changes such as whether they will start a family, whether one of them will stay home when that happens, and how long they anticipate being in the area. Too, it is worth talking to them a little about building a safety net for themselves so that they have money in the bank on which to fall back should their employment situations change or emergencies arise. I try hard to make sure my first-time homebuyers are my clients for life, and they appreciate my willingness to go the extra mile to help them through a very challenging and life-changing decision. It is worth every extra minute to help them realize their dreams and I know they appreciate the service I provide.

Hey! Let's be careful out there!

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:45:28 -0800

As I headed out on the road this morning, those words from Sgt. Esterhouse on Hill Street Blues floated through my mind. It wasn't long before I realized how important they were, especially here in Michigan. On a 20 mile stretch of highway, I saw at least 6 accidents and another 6-8 cars in the ditch or median. It wasn't until later in the day that I heard the news that an emergency responder was killed while helping someone else at an accident site located right where I exited the highway.

That tragedy should make us all stop and think about our driving habits and our personal safety. There was plenty of black ice and slippery conditions all along that route this morning. Despite that, and despite the fact that there were so many cars off the road and damaged along the way, other drivers insisted on driving above the speed limit or faster than the conditions justified. Was it bravado? Insanity? Or perhaps a feeling of invincibility? I don't know. I do know that there are some basic safe driving rules we should all follow when the weather is marginal or dangerous.

Slow down! - This is the golden rule of driving in bad weather. Slower speeds gives you more reaction time and reduces the damage you and your vehicle will sustain in a crash.

Give yourself plenty of room in front and in back! - On any given day, I will see people following another car with less than a car length of space between their front bumper and there other vehicle's rear bumper. In normal driving conditions, you should keep a 2-second space between vehicles. In foul weather, you need to have a 4-second space. Are you too close? Pick a marker by the side of the road. When the rear bumper of the car ahead of you passes that point, start counting by thousands -- 1000 -- 2000. If you pass the point before you count to 2000, you are too close!

Drive defensively! Drive like everyone else is out to get you! If you expect the other drivers to be careless, you are more likely to anticipate their actions and be able to respond quickly to any situation that develops. And just remember, just because you are paranoid - it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you! (And if they are out to get you, it isn't paranoia at all!)

So, I hope these tips are helpful. Drive safe - especially through the rest of this winter and Hey...Hey!...Let's be careful out there!

Safe Travels in Winter Weather

Michael Dailey (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:11:43 -0800

I spend a lot of time on the road each day and am often wandering the back roads of the area around Chelsea. With winter upon us, I find that there are a few things I have to keep in the car for emergencies. You may find some of these items helpful to have on hand as well.

For warmth: Have a blanket or two on hand, preferably wool. Old army blankets may be scratchy, but they keep you warm even when wet, are naturally water-resistant, and fire-resistant. It might also be a good idea to keep a couple of candles and a glass in which to light them in the trunk, just in case you are stuck for more than an hour or so in a cold spot. Glass conducts heat as well as metal and lets the light out as well! Just remember to crack the windows if you have to use them. You should also have a pair of wool socks, mittens, and a hat on hand just in case.

For light: Keep a flashlight in the car for use outside if you have to change a tire or flag down a passing vehicle. While a candle might work well in the vehicle, they can often blow out on a windy day. You should also have a couple of road flares in the event you are blocking traffic.

Odds and ends: A collapsable snow shovel is always handy as is a bucket of salt, sand and wood ash. The combination of materials works exceptionally well when you find yourself stuck in the snow! I also have couple bottles of water with me at all times and a couple energy or granola bars just in case.

Being prepared for emergencies and difficult traveling conditions can give you a leg up in such a situation. If you have other items that you keep in your car, please share the knowledge!