My Kindegarten Story-Being the First Child in the Family to Graduate From School - 08/31/11 10:49 PM
It was a special time.  I was the first child in our family to graduate from school.  Okay, I was the oldest so that makes sense. Okay, okay, it was kindegarten! 
My mother found this photo of me on Grandma and Grandpa Tierney's house in East Detroit.  I never realized it but it turns out I was quite the fashion plate - check out the puff sleeves, Peter Pan collar, bric-brac on the skirt and to complete the ensemble ruffled anklets with saddle oxfords. Judging from the flair of the skirt, I'm thinking there's petticoats under there!
 
I asked my … (13 comments)

Fisher Creek a Success - Pay It Forward Open House Recipe - 08/30/11 10:27 PM
Here's my chance to Pay it Forward with my easy and delicious "Perfect Open House Lasagna" recipe.
 
We work hard...and smart to get great turnouts at our Open Houses.  We issue genuine invitations to our fellow agents in the area.  We honestly want to see them and visit with them during the Open House.  My business partner, Leslie Rojohn, calls it the "personal touch".  We email the invitation, we follow it up with texts and phone calls.  There is no question on the part of the attendees that we truly appreciate the effort they've made to come to our Open House.
… (22 comments)

Home Inspectors - Choosing the Best of the Best - 08/30/11 07:26 AM
A real estate transaction will involve many professional participants before we get to the closing table and we only choose to work with the best of the best. Our list of preferred service providers, such as Home Inspectors, has been carefully cultivated over the years.  We've been through many real estate transactions with them and in order to stay on our list they must provide detailed, consistent and non-inflammatory Home Inspection reports.  We want our Buyers as completely informed as to the condition of the house as the purview of the Home Inspectors will allowed, but we don't want the Home Inspectors recommending repair … (4 comments)

Horsing Around in Greens Creek - 08/30/11 01:33 AM
It is so pleasant to travel between the two new listings we have in Greens Creek.  The area gives me another reason to "horse around".   
This is a beautiful Weeping Willow tree on Brooks Branch Road.  There is usually a horse out by the barn either frolicking or munching.  I find it really hard to just drive by without trying to catch the photo. 
Greens Creek is a community located 4 miles south of Dillsboro off of US441.  Its a lovely combination of mountains, valleys and pasture land. The area is named after Greens Creek, which is a rapidly flowing creek running … (7 comments)

Who Doesn't Love Wonder Woman? - 08/30/11 12:45 AM

Who doesn't love Wonder Woman?     Have you ever been humbled or awestruck by the depth of some people's talent?  We have recently listed a great cabin in the woods of Brooks Branch in the Green's Creek community.  The house is currently owned by an artist and her talented husband.  Every room and every inch of deck is evidence of either her artwork or his incredible handcrafted furniture.   I will be posting full photos of this remarkable house in the next few days...in the meantime, I wanted to share just a sample of Paulette Taiclet's awesome graphic artistry found … (11 comments)

The Invitations Are Sent - We Will Be Serving Lunch - 08/29/11 09:05 AM


 
The invitations are sent, the menu is planned - we will be serving lunch, the grass is cut and the house is clean.  Hosting an Open House isn't much different from hosting a party at your own house...
 
Tomorrow, Tuesday August 30th from 11:30 until 1:30pm, we will be hosting a Broker's Open House at 719 Fisher Creek Road in Sylva.  In addition to getting familiar with the listing, the Brokers and the general public are welcome to join us for lunch.  On the menu is vegetarian lasagna, garlic bread, sweet tea and sherbert.
 
The Fisher … (7 comments)

Forests and Trees - (Not So) Speechless Sundaes - 08/28/11 10:15 AM
Do you find that views of forests and trees interchangeable? Almost everyone is guilty of occasionally not seeing the forest for the trees.  Some are equally guilty of seeing the rot and missing the tree!
 
Today I chose to appreciate the forest within the tree.  This lichen forest is about 1 inch by two inches and resides in a poplar tree that would need three adults holding hands to encircle the trunk.  Just another example of opening my eyes right here at home in Balsam, NC.

 
Forests and trees?  I love them all.
 
… (13 comments)

Jackson County, NC School Board - ActiveRain "Back to School" Contest - 08/28/11 09:18 AM
The thing about ActiveRain contests? The points are secondary.  The real reward is the new insight and knowledge gained by preparing your entry post.  Take the Back to School Contest, for example.  My knowledge of what the School Board of Jackson County's responsibility to children, parents and Jackson County itself was minimal at best. I don't have children but I'm keenly motivated to make sure their rights to a good education is protected. Who in their right mind wouldn't want younger generations to have as good an education, if not better than the one we all received?
Last night we were … (4 comments)

Reblogging! - How to Discover Your Blog Purpose by Rebekah Radice - 08/27/11 04:05 PM
Not surprisingly, Rebekah Radice, is a woman of many layers...and her posts prove that.  The article that I am reblogging today is one that would be an ideal addition or required reading for all newbies.  Wish I'd read it back in March.
Purposeful blogging is not easy.  Purposeful blogging is rewarding though, on many levels. Surprisingly, not just the comments are rewarding.  Learning about the subjects you choose to blog about, new skills that become developed, the camaradarie with the AR members who choose to visit...and visit again...there is nothing like it.
If you don't learn anything new from reading Rebekah's post … (4 comments)

Reblogging - Cloud Gazing... Go ahead... I give you permission. - 08/27/11 08:01 AM
As soon as I read Lindsey's title I knew I'd like the post. And look at her photo, doesn't it remind you of summertimes gone by?
I look at clouds all the time, but it has been awhile since I just laid down on the grass and gazed up.  For me, her post and the photo of who I think might be her son reminded me of hanging with my friends as a teenager in Greynolds Park in Miami.  Lots of gentle peaceful teenage hippies just hanging out letting their imaginations be free.
This was a terrific post...succinct and yet profound.  … (4 comments)

Reblogging! - ActiveRain 101 - A Wealth of Tips for Newbies and Veterans Alike - 08/26/11 11:22 PM
Here's a 2008 post from Ambassador Jason Crouch that I found while stumbling around in the Rain looking for answers to questions about points.  Turns out Jason also references some of his previous posts which also have some dynamite and useful information for those of us still getting our feet wet.
This post was definitely bookmarkable and rebloggable.  I hope you find it as helpful as I did!
 
Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):
This may not be new ground for most veteran members, but if you are new to the site, you … (8 comments)

I Didn't Want to Walk Today... - 08/26/11 09:19 AM

 
 
I didn't want to walk today. I thought about everything that beckoned to be accomplished at the office. I just wanted to shut it all out and stay in the comfort zone of home...play with the dogs, read books, watch television, play on the computer, listen to music, eat bad choice food and put it all off until tomorrow.
  I didn't want to walk today, but I put on my socks and shoes.  I thought about my handsome father who used to travel, go fishing, play tennis, climb ladders and who probably would have given anything in … (12 comments)

Reblogging! - And just exactly who are you? (We Really Want to Know) - 08/26/11 12:30 AM
When I read Russel's title I was hoping I'd see something of the Who and as usual, Russel's post did not disappoint. 
This is sort of what he's talking about.  When we all cruise about the AR site looking for cool things to read, there are some days that its downright discouraging.  I think that maybe people aren't used to showing anyone the "real" them.  We all tend to hide behind cell phones, tweets (no tweets for me), facebook....or faceless book, anything to keep from being up close and personal.
We're in a personal business and AR is the ideal way to … (6 comments)

ActiveRain University - Will You Take Requests? - 08/25/11 11:54 PM

 
 
 
ActiveRain University, the webinars are great.  Are you guys like the jazz piano players in the smoky bars? Will you take requests?
 
 
 
Maybe everyone else in the Rain has this subject hammered tight - but not me.  I'd love to see a webinar concentrating on covering things like what to fill in the blanks of the following:
 
ActiveRain Channels Topics Tags (OMG do I need help with this!) Categories So far I've kinda sorta been just stumbling and bumbling around with these final points of posting the blogs, but I can't help but … (14 comments)

Reblogging! - Brush buddies by Mimi Foster - 08/25/11 11:19 PM
Mimi Foster is one of my favorite writers in ActiveRain. Her style is evocative and it is very easy to imagine being in her scene in the moment.  I can't understand why this particular article didn't end up as a feature.  It's a great article about a listing agent and a selling agent pulling together and bonding over very hard work in order to pull off a successful closing.
Even more important than the commission checks both of these agents were able to deposit was the investment in a mutually respective relationship between the two of them and very satisfied clients … (5 comments)

The Crowning Jewel of Main Street - The New Jackson County Public Library - 08/25/11 11:06 PM

The brand new Jackson County Public Library truly is the crowning jewel of Main Street in Sylva, NC.  Already dubbed the "most photographed courthouse in North Carolina", the melding of the old courthouse and the new library is an amazing feat of architecture and construction.  It is impossible to tell where the old construction stopped and the new addition began.   Perched atop of the hill at the end of Main Street, the porch of our new library provides a commanding view of downtown Sylva.  Outside verandas and comfortable seating areas offer front row mountain vistas to enjoy while sipping coffee and … (3 comments)

A Little Piece of Wooded Paradise in the Mountains of Western NC - 08/24/11 11:20 PM
A little piece of wooded paradise awaits some lucky buyer here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, whether they are looking for a great vacation getaway or full time residence. 
Many of our communities or neighborhoods in the mountains are centered around creeks. The names are great...Greens Creek, Brooks Branch, Caney Fork, Betty's Creek, Moses Creek, Dick's Creek, Buff Creek, Charley's Creek, Barkers Creek and the location of one of our newest and favorite listings...Herron Branch. 
Herron Branch is located in the township of Barkers Creek and the Town of Whittier.  Herron Branch Road forks off of Dicks Creek Road which … (11 comments)

Worlds Unlike Our Own - Wordless Wednesday - 08/24/11 08:23 AM
Have you ever wondered what distance would one have to travel in order to discover worlds completely unlike our own?  Is it even possible to grasp the "bigger picture" before embracing the smaller view?




 
 
Here's wishing you a day to allow your eyes to wander and explore worlds within the world.
 
… (13 comments)

Gnomeland Security in Webster, NC - 08/23/11 11:21 PM
The subject line read "Gnomeland Security" and was from our client Mark Jamison of Webster, NC. I knew I was in for an entertaining email. 
We've known of Mark a lot longer than we've actually known Mark.  He is a prolific writer of letters to the editor, postmaster of Webster, NC and until recently a member of the Webster Town Board.  We met through a mutual friend a couple of months ago.  She had told him good things about our real estate business and he asked us to list some property he owns on Pressley Creek for him. 
While getting familiar … (4 comments)

Three Point Litmus Test - Hire the Best People! - 08/23/11 08:56 AM
Have you ever made the frustrating mistake of expecting everyone you hire to perform at the same level of service that you personally provide?  A friend of us shared his Three Point Litmus Test for hiring only the best people.
  We had lunch with former clients now friends at City Lights Cafe in Sylva yesterday.  This very topic of conversation came up because we were discussing Leslie's post about how we could all contribute to the economic recovery of the nation. If we all take responsibility and pay forward by sharing our wealth (meager though it may be) and hiring people to … (14 comments)

Fisher Creek - Country-like Location with In-Town Amenities - 08/22/11 09:23 PM
The beauty of living in the Fisher Creek neighborhood of Sylva, NC is that it is a country-like location within minutes of in-town amenities.
 
The first thing someone notices about the Fisher Creek neighborhood is the creek itself.  Like many other communities in Jackson County, Fisher Creek Road is named after the creek that flows alongside of the street.  The next thing that's obvious is that while architectural styles vary, pride of home ownership is evident and consistent.
 
Fisher Creek lies outside the town limits, so residents avoid Town of Sylva taxes and only pay Jackson County taxes.  Within … (6 comments)

BIG IDEAS from THINKING SMALL - 08/22/11 08:27 AM

  A journey starts with a single step and to get Big Ideas to solve Big Problems you sometimes have to start by Thinking Small.     Leslie Rojohn wrote a really good "Members Only" blog, so that means I can't re-blog it...but I sure can link to it!  MoonDancer Realty exists because of her original small idea to solve a big problem.  In relationship to the big scale problems our country is having with the economy and unemployment, the origins of MoonDancer Realty aren't all that different.  She identified early on in our real estate careers that for us … (8 comments)

Duck into Dillsboro, NC - 08/21/11 03:28 PM

Dillsboro is on the way to many well known stops in the mountains of Western North Carolina, such as Sylva, Bryson City, Cherokee, Waynesville, Asheville and of course, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Folks traveling from Florida or Georgia will more than likely be on 441 heading north towards those destinations, when they get to the intersection of 107 and 441 its an easy matter to "Duck into Dillsboro".

 
One of my favorite things about Dillsboro is that it is at the intersection of two good bodies of moving water...Scotts Creek and the Tuckasegee River.  Not only … (12 comments)

Bittersweet Real Estate Experiences - 08/19/11 09:14 PM
This isn't a post about a new listing of ours, it's about the sometimes bittersweet experiences that real estate agents have.  We never had the opportunity to meet Byrna Rackett, yet we are getting ready to list her house.  All we know about her is that she obviously loved her house in the mountains, loved her two cats, she used to work for one of the Ma Bells, she was 61 years old, loved taking photographs and trusted her brother to settle her estate for her. 
He seems like a very nice man and we enjoyed meeting him.  He and his … (32 comments)

Someone Else's Cat - 08/19/11 08:06 AM
It really is easier to get good photos of someone else's cat!  I caught these poses while at one of those pre-pre-pre-listing appointments.  You know the kind, the homeowner kinda sorta has been thinking about selling but doesn't actually have any plans to move anywhere else yet? 
There really isn't any pressure on the agent, its a more casual meeting than an actual listing presentation and gives both parties an opportunity to check each other out. 
After looking at the house in LaPorte Acres just outside of Cullowhee, we went outside with the seller.  It was a friendly meeting, a nice house … (16 comments)

Standing Apart From the Crowds - 08/18/11 08:37 AM
Standing apart from the crowd is essential in real estate.  Do you pay attention to your personal branding?  Are you part of a company that encourages uniqueness among their agents or is conformity the name of the game?  What makes your professional personality stand out among your competition?
 
If you have a crystal clear concept of "Independent Contractor" vs "Employee" then you have the ability to be your own safety net when you are a real estate broker.  Those agents who seem to be successfully navigating the current market pay attention to their personal branding, making sure that their sphere of influence identifies with them … (8 comments)

Thinking About Tammy Lankford - 08/16/11 10:18 PM
 I have a number of favorite bloggers that I follow, but for some reason tonight I was thinking about Tammy Lankford of Lane Realty at Lake Sinclair, GA.
 

 
We've exchanged tons of comments and have had a really enjoyable telephone conversation that lasted about a half hour.  She taught me about southern fairy tales.  Instead of the story beginning with "Once Upon a Time", apparently fairy tales in the south begin with "Y'all ain't gonna believe this sh_t!"...lol. 
In spite of a personally tremendously trying year, Tammy always finds the time to reach out with words of encouragement, sympathy, humor and … (13 comments)

Sign Right Here! - 08/16/11 12:15 AM
Sign right here! Show me a sign that tickles my imagination and it's bound to get a photo taken of it. 
 
Don't Leave Home Without It!  This vintage American Express sign is on the wall of the Blue Ridge Inn on Main Street in downtown Sylva.  I'll bet I drove by this sign a million times before really noticing it.  How cool is it?
 
 
Downtown Sylva hangs these attractive banners fom the lamp posts all along Main Street.  They add a welcoming touch to the town.
 
 
This little hot dog dude was so retro that I … (8 comments)

One Cool Cullowhee Cat - 08/14/11 11:56 PM
Some cats are just too cool for words.  Therefore this post will be light on words!  While showing a farmhouse out in the Moses Creek community just outside of Cullowhee, NC I spotted this very handsome cat reclining on the roof of his human's vehicle.  Both he and my buyers were very tolerant to let me take advantage of the photo op.

 

 

 
 
 
Moses Creek is a farming community located within the Caney Fork community.  Hard to believe that a short 10 minute drive takes you to the main entrance of Western Carolina University in … (9 comments)

The Most Photographed Courthouse - 08/14/11 11:29 AM
Pulling off Hwy US74 at exit 83 will take you right into the heart of downtown Sylva, NC and the home of "the most photographed courthouse" via Grindstaff Cove Road.
 
Just after leaving the highway on your right is the attractive entrance to the Jackson County Administration Center.  Before the county made real estate documents available online, real estate agents, paralegals and attorneys spent a lot of time here.  It's still a favorite retreat for many who want to get some research done wih the county staff available to assist whenever you need them. 

 
We're very fortunate in Jackson County.  Whenever … (19 comments)

Reblogging! - Are Your Contracts Reflecting Your Professionalism? - 08/13/11 09:26 AM
Connie Goodrich from McKinney, Texas posted this terrific article about well presented offers.  I am as always honored to add these special articles to the Reblogging! sement.
Many agents do not realize that the best Offers aren't written on the fly.  As Connie points out there are a tremendous number of points to clarify before you even bring the contract software up.
Lenders are expecting and rightfully so to receive a professionally executed document.  Don't you think that is the least you can provide to make the whole process flow smoother?
Even though I am a long way from the agency … (9 comments)

Southern Exposure - 08/13/11 08:58 AM
 
Today I've been thinking about southern exposure and the splendor of the skies over Balsam.
 
It's hard to believe our luck sometimes when I consider how fortunate we are to live in paradise of the mountains in Western North Carolina.
 
 
While I was transferring photos from my camera to a flash drive, I was struck by the number of shots I've taken of the skies from our own front porch, deck and upper yard.  There were dozens of them, no two alike.  That's just it...give me a few clouds and I could sit with a camera, take one shot every two … (2 comments)

How Do Parents Do It? Completing the School Supply List - 08/12/11 11:53 PM
 
Must be back to school time, judging from all the great deals available to complete any school supply list.  Parents can simply visit either the Haywood or Jackson County School websites to find out what the schools are requiring to get the school supply list completed.     There's also this website from Great Schools showing a good basic list.     I'm glad to see many of the stores collecting donations of bookbags, pencils, paper, calculators, erasers and other bits of school supplies to help some families out.  Honestly, I am in awe of the parents who manage to … (5 comments)

The School Bus is back in Balsam, NC Again! - 08/12/11 08:27 AM

The school bus schedule coincides with my morning walk - the clearest indication of all that it is indeed Back to School time.       I live in Balsam, NC which straddles the county lines of Jackson and Haywood.  As a result, students living in Balsam can elect to go to either Jackson County Public Schools OR Haywood County Public Schools.  The bus that runs down my road between 6:55 and 7:02 everyday is a Jackson County bus.  Between the two counties there are probably close to 100 school buses and those who pay attention to bus schedules are … (2 comments)

"I Feel Like I'm Living in a Dream Come True" - 08/11/11 09:49 PM

 
 
 
"I feel like I'm living in a dream come true", said our buyer after she moved into her new home.
 
 
 
 
The deed recorded late in the afternoon on August 3rd. By nightfall, our clients had moved many of their belongings and their 4 children from the life they'd always known in Cherokee, NC to a wonderful house just outside of downtown Sylva. When I asked her if she was happy, she couldn't believe how incredibly lucky she felt. "My kids are downtown at the swimming pool and park, and its just 5 minutes … (13 comments)

Reblogging! - If You Cannot Afford a Home Inspection Don't Buy The House - 08/11/11 05:36 PM
I love finding articles for my little REBLOGGING! theme and this one about "If You Can't Afford the Home Inspection Don't Buy The House" appeals to my penny wise pound foolish thinking.
Doug Rogers from Pineville, Louisiana authored a really good post about why the money a homebuyer will spend on a home inspection is a critical investment.
Personally, we have nightmares when buyers decide against a professional home inspector and opt to go with their Dad's buddy who works construction, or their friend who happens to be real handy, or...you get it.
I clicked on SUGGEST when I was at … (6 comments)

Wordless Wednesdays - The Magic Ingredient is Intimacy - 08/10/11 08:04 AM
I feel the magic of this area every day.
 
 
 
 
Is it any wonder that people for generations have flocked here to absorb the grandeur of the scenery?  It is so easy to imagine myself leaning over this balcony during the 1920s and feeling the same rush of emotion as I do now whenever I happen upon any vistas during my daily routine.
 
The secret magic ingredient is intimacy.  These most ancient of ranges in Western North Carolina invite you to be part of the mountains...not merely a spectator.
… (13 comments)

Eat LOCAL Veggies - Improve Your Health AND Your Community! - 08/09/11 10:22 PM
The moral of the story is Eat Local Veggies - Improve Your Health AND Your Community!
 
Pam is one of those buyers who started out as a client and became a friend.  She invited us to her new home so we could see how she'd personalized it, to meet her dog "Fluffy" and to have dinner.  Her involvement with a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) nets her a weekly "vegetable box".  I'd had a vague notion of how sharing the bounty worked, but as Pam explained it - the operative word is share.  People purchase a "share" from local farmers and … (7 comments)

The Proximity of the Blue Ridge Parkway - 08/09/11 12:03 AM

One of the best parts about living in Balsam, Sylva or Waynesville, North Carolina is the proximity of the great Blue Ridge Parkway.  Miles and miles of awe inspiring scenery, hundreds of hiking trails and opportunity galore for close up nature photography.   Travelers flock to Western North Carolina for the chance to ride on one of the most famous roadways in the country.  I feel as fortunate to live here today as I did 25 years ago when we moved here. Funny thing is, now that I work in real estate a lot of the names of the overlooks … (5 comments)

Reblogging! - Do You Have Time to Meet with Me? - 08/08/11 08:14 PM
By now, many of you know why I occasionally like reblogging! especially interesting posts like Jeff's DO YOU HAVE TIME TO MEET WITH ME? It's an honor to share good writing with other people. Jeff Dowler introduces a good topic about pre-qualifying potential clients.  Not so much about financially pre-qualifying but more about a litmus test for determining the prospects' authentic motivation to enter the real estate purchasing process.
Jeff's article proves the point that many of us had to learn the hard way - those callers who want an agent to immediately meet them at a property are most often … (6 comments)

Reblogging! - Feeling Financial and Credit Stress? Return to Good Health Following These Suggestions ... - 08/08/11 08:29 AM
For many people these are indeed tough and scary financial times.   Gene Mundt offered this well ordered post to give people in those situations some guidelines to slay the dragon.
When we tell our clients to get with a lender BEFORE looking for a new home, it is so they can find out what shape their financial house is in.  We always hope they will get a clean bill of health immediately, but if not then the really good loan agents can also act as financial doctors guiding people towards fixing their credit.  Even if someone doesn't qualify right away for … (2 comments)

Sorry to Hound You - 08/07/11 09:35 AM
You know I'm just kidding, right?  I'm really not sorry to "hound" you. 
When I got back from my daily walk, I let the dogs out...woof..woof..woof..woof..woof.  These hounds are all Jackson County, North Carolina natives.
 
The three on the right (Wiggles, GiGi and Rambler) are noble yet doofy, goofy, sloppy, noisy and wildly loveable.  There's just something about hounds, sweet beyond measure and not a nasty bone in their incredibly huge food consuming bodies.  For the last eleven years it's been like have a canine comedy act on the the property.  They do not bark constantly, but when they catch … (5 comments)

Are We Really Seeing the Closing Table Again? - 08/06/11 02:50 PM
Thanks to the AR community and one member in particular, we are one step closer to seeing the closing table.  Ray Waisler...again...you are the lender dude!  I'm blogging so much about him, I sort of feel like a stalker or a groupie!
 
Got an email from the lender on this FHA deal and they are waiving the road maintenance agreement condition based on advice given to us by Ray.  Hooray...or better yet...HooRay!
 
In just the five months that I've been actively raining, I have seen incredible acts of community kindness, generosity, support and advice. I will never forget the … (6 comments)

ActiveRain Person to Person - 08/05/11 10:50 PM
"Hello Mona, it's Ray", said the friendly voice at the other end of my cell phone. I do know a couple of Rays, but the phone number wasn't matching up to the acquaintances I was familiar with.  Little did I know that I was about to meet an ActiveRain member person to person.
  Turns out it was Ray Waisler from Atlanta, an ActiveRain member who had just posted a really informative blog about what underwriters are looking for.  Before I reblogged his article, I'd left a question about FHA guidelines with regards to road maintenance agreements.   Can you believe … (5 comments)

Reblogging! - Founder of For Sale By Owner Company Turns to Broker for Help - 08/05/11 09:00 AM
This post deserves to be read and re-read.  If there was a way to submit as a press release to the Sylva Herald or Asheville Citizen, I would do so. If I knew how to spell the raspberry sound, I'd do that...guess I'll resort to a cosmic na na na na na na!
If you haven't already read and commented on Tim and Susan Fennel's site, please do so...this was very worthy of the Featured Post.
Via Tim and Susan Fennell (The Legends of Real Estate, REALTORS®):
Founder of For Sale By Owner Company Turns to Licensed Real Estate Broker for Help
by TIM on AUGUST … (5 comments)

Growing Horses in the Savannah Community - 08/05/11 08:27 AM
As I reread my title, I realize it sounds like a crop of horses, but it's my title and I'm sticking with it! Horses are growing up in the Savannah community.  This is such a great place to live, you'd think you'd have to drive way off the beaten path to enjoy spectacles like this. Nope, this is 30 seconds from US441. Scenes just like this are little treasures to be enjoyed all over Western North Carolina.
 
Back on May 27 I posted a photo of a brand new baby horse that I spotted on my way to show a … (9 comments)

Reblogging! - What a Realtor should anticipate from underwriters - 08/05/11 07:54 AM
I couldn't hit reblog fast enough when I read Ray's article.  I ranted yesterday over my frustration of not knowing which hoop would be presented to jump through next on recent deals.
Okay, I get it now...there's a bunch!  We can all deal with that if we know ahead of time.  The information also screams CAVEAT if your buyer needs USDA or FHA and the house they just LOOOOVE does not have a written shared well or shared road maintenance agreement.  We'll either need to make that a contingency of the contract or gently nudge buyers to fall in love with … (2 comments)

Jumping Through Hoops to Appease Lenders - 08/04/11 09:41 AM
My blogs usually aren't concerned with ranting or blowing off steam BUT this morning is a little different. Yes, loans are getting approved and closed everyday, yes there are still 100% and 90% programs available for qualified applicants. BUT...does the general public have any idea how many hoops REALTORS and loan originators are having to jump through in order to get the buyer into their new home????
 
The good thing is many of us are so professional and take it in stride, making the deal work no matter how many extra hours and high blood pressure moments it takes...neither the buyer … (9 comments)

Whimsical Wanderings in Waynesville, NC - 08/03/11 10:52 PM
Waynesville, North Carolina (located in Haywood County) is a perfect location for festivals of all kinds.  I think of Waynesville as a town of whimsy.  Not only is there a vibrant community of artisans, but due to an admirable cooperative effort between merchants and landlords, Main Street is an interesting and captivating walking district.
 
Last week, Waynesville played host to the Folkmoot USA festival which they've done for 28 years.  Dancers and musicians travel to this mountain town and perform in venues all over Western North Carolina.  We visited Waynesville on the last day of the week-long event.  Even though the … (3 comments)

Reblogging! It makes me a little CRAZY !!!! - 08/03/11 04:26 PM
Reblogging!  Unbeknownst to me, Donna had blogged about the same non-identification issue that I blogged about this morning.  She reblogged me and I'm returning the favor.  My blog wondered what you think about the issue and Donna actually tells you how to fix it! 
Via Donna Malone Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia (Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals):
I would really appreciate it, if my fellow activerainers would enter their name on their Profile Page, so that it is visible when they leave comments on my blog. I like to address people by name, when I respond to the comments they leave me. I … (6 comments)

A Member of the Public's Observation of ActiveRain - 08/02/11 08:35 PM
My mother made an interesting observation from a non ActiveRain member's viewpoint.
 
She's been enjoying the commentary to the blogs almost as much as the blogs themselves.  All the online conversations and discussions really flesh out the real estate profession for her and probably other public readers.
 
Her observation?  You know the area beneath each person's photo that allows for whatever identifying information we choose to put there?  Well, she finds it frustrating when there is only a company name.  I admit, I agree with her.
 
One of the most interesting things to me (and Mom) and other readers … (19 comments)

Small Town vs Large Cities Business Advantages - 08/02/11 08:17 AM
Do small towns have business advantages over larger cities? 
We're in a little town among little towns with only a handful of closing attorneys.  The quantity or quality of attorneys isn't the issue, the fact that most of them don't keep office hours past noon on Friday is.  Oh, but if nothing else, we real estate agents are resilient and adaptive.  Very few of us EVER calendar closings for Friday, but when it happens - it's often dramatic. 
There are also no office supply/service stores in most of our towns.  No big usually during the week, banks, attorneys, insurance agencies are pretty … (11 comments)

What Quantity of Photos Work for Listings? - 08/01/11 08:07 AM
Quality of listing photos certainly has been discussed on ActiveRain - but this morning I'm wondering about quantity of photos for listings.   Of course, let's be clear if your quality of photos is terrible, by all means do you sellers a favor and limit quantity - and then get yourself to the local community college for a few lessons!   Unless you are in a part of the country where demand is exceeding supply, buyers and agents are paying attention first to the houses that are well described and well documented by photos.
 
Granted sometimes the interior of the house doesn't … (32 comments)

 
Mona%20800%20squared Ambassador_large

Mona Gersky, GRI,ABR~MoonDancer Realty~ Western NC Mountains

Sylva, NC

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Buyer & Seller Representation

Address: Sylva,Bryson City,Cullowhee,Balsam, Webster,Whittier,Waynesville, Dillsboro, NC, 28725

Office Phone: (828) 631-0077

Cell Phone: (828) 508-1107

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What job could possibly be better than bringing people together by sharing our common interests and learning new ones? Here's my opportunity to introduce conversations and photos of the area I feel so passionate about...the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This is one way to give you some background about me and our MoonDancer Realty company to help you make an informed decision about hiring us as your next REALTOR. I hope you enjoy the content as much I enjoy sharing it. I'm looking forward to reading your comments and hope to meet you soon.


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