pay it forward: Cards from the Car Wash--Pay It Forward - 09/16/11 12:32 PM
I usually take my car to the car wash on Thursday.  While waiting for my car to washed and dried, I shop for greeting cards--honestly, they have one of the best selections, and the thirty minute wait gives me plenty of time to select cards, write a note and sometimes tuck in a little monetary surprise.  Last week I sent a "thinking of you" card to an acquaintance with medical and financial issues with a crisp twenty dollar bill inside with instructions she do something special for herself. 
 
Random acts of kindness do not need to be grandiose to be … (8 comments)

pay it forward: The Neighbor's Trash Cans are Driving Her Crazy--Pay It Forward - 09/09/11 02:13 PM
The office secretary asked me to take an upcall today, and although I do not take "floor duty" I was the only agent available.  The secretary told me the caller was elderly and calling on a lease.  Of course I took the call.
 
I booted up my computer and pulled up the MLS to check the address the polite woman gave to me.  "Yes, it is still available," I replied and began to give her the basic price and size statistics.
 
"That's not why I'm calling," she interrupted.   "I already live in the neighborhood and their trash cans … (8 comments)

pay it forward: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters and Such--Pay It Forward - 08/27/11 10:26 AM
My grandchildren (and their parents) are in Oregon this weekend for a wedding.  In a few moments I'll be heading over to their house to care for their plethora of pets.  I should mention their pets are very fond of me, well, not actually me, but what I bring for them.
 
I'm a juicer.  Several times a week I fire up my Jack LaLanne juicing machine and push through pounds of carrots, apples and whatever else happens to be in my crisper drawer.  I drink the fresh juice and my grand-kids' pets eat the leftover fresh pulp.  If you think … (4 comments)

pay it forward: A Quiet Sunday Was Planned, But Client's Needs Supersede--Pay It Forward - 08/21/11 08:51 PM
I spent most of Saturday working and was really looking forward to a day off today.  Funny how the best laid plans are always the ones to change.   Several clients were in crisis mode by high noon.  There were questions about how to deal with a difficult tenant.  There were questions about a short sale offer and a stalled loan modification.  There was an offer to respond to and a lease to complete.  My clients had time to deal with these issues today, after all, it is a day away from work for them.  I could have waited until Monday morning … (8 comments)

pay it forward: Get Out of the Street! Don't You Know You Can Get Hit by a Car? Pay It Forward - 08/14/11 09:20 PM
"Get out of the street.  Don't you know you can get hit by a car?"  Years ago my then two-year-old son uttered those words to a homeless man pushing a shopping cart down the center of Beach Drive in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Last week I found myself shooing a dog from the center of Colt Road in Rancho Palos Verdes and saying the same words.  Some things never change--the middle of a busy street is not a safe place for man or dog and even a two-year-old understands the danger.
I was on my way to show a house, and as I rounded … (7 comments)

pay it forward: Shopping for Shoes and Paying It Forward - 08/01/11 04:29 PM
From a shoe lover's point of view this is a very cool Pay It Forward tale that embraces fashion and career advice for a newly minted manager.  I was focused on the task at hand (that would be shoe shopping) when a young woman approached me. 
 
"Excuse me, but would you mind giving me your opinion of these shoes?"  She raised her pant leg to mid-calf.  The shoes on her feet looked "sturdy" and the ones she was holding in her hands were well-worn Nikes.  She looked like she would be more comfortable on the beach playing volleyball with her … (6 comments)

pay it forward: How Much Is That Kitty in the Window? Pay It Forward - 06/14/11 10:51 AM
Yesterday as I sat at my desk busy with my Monday morning real estate stuff, I heard a thump against the large window in my office.  I looked up to see a black cat starring in at me.  Hmm, it was June 13 and now a black cat mysteriously appearing from nowhere made me wonder what was in store for the rest of the day.
 
The mournful cat began to meow in a very distressed manner.  I noticed it was wearing a collar with a tag and little bell.  After coaxing her from beneath the plants I discovered she had a … (3 comments)

pay it forward: Pay It Forward--Favorite Comment of the Week - 05/14/11 07:23 PM
This week I was busy with buyers and of course the week's experiences were blog fodder.  As a result of scheduling showings and then re-scheduling them I wrote Excuse Me, Your Agent Manners are Showing--A Little Courtesy and Cooperation, Please.
 
Connie Harvey left a comment that drove home my point that buyers (and agents) will only try so many times to see a property before they move on never to return, or better yet, they purchase another property without ever seeing the ones that are deemed difficult to show.  It takes two to tango and every seller needs a buyer … (14 comments)

pay it forward: Is Good Real Estate Advice Really That Hard to Find? Pay It Forward - 05/08/11 09:11 AM
Last week while showing aproperty I received an "urgent" voice mail from a caller I did not recognize.  She requested me to return her call as soon as possible.  She gave the name of the person that referred her to me and I did not recognize that name either. I could tell by the quiver and tone of her voice it was not a routine sales call.  I did as she requested, and returned the call as soon as I finished the showing. 
 
The conversation went something like this"
Me:  "Hello, this is Norma Toering with REMAX Palos Verdes returning your … (6 comments)

pay it forward: Driver Dawgs--New Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, CA--Now Open! Pay It Forward - 04/27/11 05:12 PM
Driver Dawgs opened its doors just in time to take advantage of the Santa Ana winds inspired heat wave that blew into Southern California.  Sporting a Southern California beach motif and a burgers, dogs and salad inspired menu the setting and decor are coastal casual.  Driver Dawgs, now open at 350 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach. 310-798-3333.
 
The "Driver" of Driver Dawgs is my client, Jennifer Driver.  After a successful modeling career Jennifer is now pursuing her passion for food.  Trained as a professional chef and after her modeling years in Europe, Driver Dawgs  will be an interesting blend of American fast food … (5 comments)

pay it forward: Blogging For Business--Pay It Forward to Active Rain - 03/31/11 04:44 PM
Blogging for business is why most of the Active Rain members are here, but the side benefits are perhaps even more powerful.  To be honest, I did not feel the need to begin blogging when my son suggested it four years ago.  I was too busy selling real estate to write stories about it on the Internet.  I had lots of questions such as who would find my posts and how on earth would that help my business? 
 
 I have a closet full of tapes and books purchased to ignite my real estate career, and I've paid thousands of dollars to attend seminars from Buffini to … (10 comments)

pay it forward: Consumers Will Respond When They Are Ready and Not a Minute Sooner--Pay It Forward - 03/26/11 02:45 PM
Working real estate leads in a slow market often requires the patience of Job.  Conversion can be a long slow process.  This year the time from acquisition of the lead to closing the sale range from nine months to eighteen months, not too bad considering last year Norma Toering & Team converted a lead acquired in 2005 to a closed sale in 2010!  Consumers will respond when they are ready and not a minute sooner.
 
So what's an agent to do?  The exceptional agent will continue to provide information of value week after week, month after month and even year after … (8 comments)

pay it forward: What's Wrong With This Picture? Pay It Forward - 03/20/11 10:33 AM
It is no secret I like to walk and hike along the Pacific Ocean bluffs on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  We are fortunate to have abundant open space with miles of hiking trails and unspoiled landscape to please the senses and soothe the soul.  You don't have to tell me, I'm fortunate, I realize how lucky I am to live where I can enjoy immense natural beauty on a daily basis.
 
I am not alone.  The trails, especially on weekends, are filled with a plethora of people out strolling on the hiking paths.  I'm a big advocate of physical activity, but … (22 comments)

pay it forward: Mentoring--Paying It Forward - 02/26/11 03:20 PM
I must admit back in the days before I became a real estate agent, I had mixed feelings about members of the profession.  The teaching profession, my previous career, is home to a dedicated, stable, and for the most part, responsible group intent on educating the next generation.  I was taken aback by the varying level of dedication and commitment I found in the real estate profession.  Definitely a less homogeneous group than teachers, or at least the ones I knew.
 
As a former corporate gypsy I bought and sold many homes.  I experienced firsthand, what not to do, and … (12 comments)

pay it forward: It Only Cost Me a Quarter, But It Saved Him a Bundle--Pay It Forward - 02/06/11 06:15 PM
Last week I was in Long Beach to view a downtown condo I will be listing later this month.  Parking is always at a premium and we felt ever so lucky to pull up directly in front of the building and glide into a vacant parking space.  Ahh, nice stroke of luck. 
 
 
While I was waiting for my business partner to open a lockbox (yes, we were there to see current comps too) I noticed the occupied parking meter in front of my car was expired.  I quickly dropped a quarter in the meter slot, and hurried inside.  … (12 comments)

pay it forward: Living with the Locals in Cartagena, Colombia - 01/23/11 11:15 PM
My middle son is spending a few months in Colombia, South America studying Spanish and volunteering (and having some fun along the way).  Sunday evening found me sitting at my computer wondering what to write about for my tenth post of the week.  A quick check of my email revealed the topic and the photos to accompany the post.
 
He is paying it forward early in life.  When he was in college he volunteered at a children's hospital.  So I'm not really surprised by his desire to give back.
 
 
He is taking a break from the corporate world and … (2 comments)

pay it forward: A Charity Far From Home but Close to My Heart--Pay It Forward - 01/21/11 06:10 PM
I began 2011 looking for a new charity to give some of my time, effort and a little money.  I believe we find what is meant to be found and lose what we no longer need.  I already give to The Children's Miracle Network each time I close a sale.  I've collected Toys for Tots for many years and served on the Board of Happy Hats, a local non-profit organization, that serves the needs of hospitalized children.
 
Okay, it is fairly evident I like children.  I am a former first grade teacher and mother of four.  My grandchildren are the … (4 comments)

pay it forward: Picking Up the Dropped Ball--Paying It Forward - 01/13/11 05:47 PM
Picking up dropped balls is a wonderful way to provide top-notch service to clients and pay it forward--never know when I will need someone to come to rescue me in my hour of need.  It certainly beats finger pointing and playing the blame game while the ball remains on the floor and the wheels of the transaction come to a grinding halt.
 



The dreaded call from the lender came on Monday.  The bank approved the buyer but not the building--yes, the condo's CC&Rs were not acceptable to US Bank.  The buyer quickly decided to move forward with … (10 comments)

pay it forward: A Game of Chess--Paying It Forward - 01/08/11 09:10 AM
A sharp and savvy senior client lives alone (except for his caretaker). His son is a past client and mentioned his father enjoys a good game of chess.  Norma Toering & Team recently listed a vacant lot for this active and amazing senior, and during our meeting at his residence the subject of chess came up.  He was delighted to discover my son and business partner enjoys an occasional game of chess. 
 
Our client's eyes danced at the mention of a match and he extended an immediate invitation.  The time and date were set.  Monday, after he took photos and installed a sign, … (13 comments)

pay it forward: A Ride in the Rain -- Paying It Forward - 12/21/10 10:55 AM
Noah's Ark may be needed in Los Angles if it continues to rain at the rate of the previous four days.  Yesterday, as we headed to a 10 AM inspection we picked up our 84 year old buyer since he longer drives, and walking to the bus stop and transferring buses would have been less than pleasant in the pouring rain.
 

Our client is staying with a relative while he waits for his senior condo purchase in Redondo Beach to close.  We made the 40 minutes drive to pick him up and proceeded to the inspection with windshield wipers keeping perfect time as … (8 comments)

 
Norma_ar_logo_1k_junker Ambassador_large

Norma Toering Palos Verdes Homes in Los Angeles Area

Broker-Associate

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

More about me…

REMAX Estate Properties Broker Associate Lic# 01147470

Address: 8 Miraleste Plaza, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 90275

Office Phone: (310) 493-8333

Cell Phone: (310) 493-8333

Email Me

Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain Blog - Thank You!

Search for Los Angeles Homes

Broker Associate with RE/MAX Estate Properties. Tune in for Best Buys in Palos Verdes; Market Updates; Buy & Sell Signals; Advice to Buyers & Sellers and other real estate related topics of interest. Updates will be posted on all four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, PV School District and other happenings on The Hill.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.




  • Google+

    • Follow Me on Pinterest

    Toering and Team on Facebook

    Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain Blog

    Search for Homes in Southern California

    Norma Toering on Twitter

    Norma Toering's profile on LinkedIn

    PalosVerdesLifestyle chosen as one of the best Los Angeles real estate blogs by Relocation.com

    MovingCosts Blog Award

    Palos Verdes Lifestyle wins 5 stars

    Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog
    Locations of visitors to this page

    Palos Verdes Market Reports
    Seller Tips from Norma
    Buyer's Tips from Norma
    Active Rain related blogs



    Listings

    Links

    Archives

    RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog