More Than Just Networking - 02/28/07 09:55 AM
Have you met my friend Maggie?  I only know Maggie through Active Rain.  I enjoy her posts.  She leaves a trail of uplifting comments behind her and I am sure I am not her only fan on Active Rain.
As is my morning ritual, I was at the computer almost immediately after I rolled out of bed.  This morning I was surprised to see an e-mail from Maggie Dokic waiting in my in-box!  Wow, I love hearing personally from the people I know online. 
Maggie was asking me to stop by the Codgers this morning and wish them a Good Morning.  She and the … (25 comments)

Rural West Virginia Tour - 02/28/07 05:01 AM
Yesterday Dad/my business partner and I went out to take some photos and measure a new listing.  He had a few extra errands to run out on that side of the county, and I just enjoyed the ride.  Suddenly it occurred to me that I really like the Codgers' windshield photos and that many of you may not have seen much of rural West Virginia.  I whipped out my camera and now have this to share with you.
To the right is a little of Jerry's Run Road in Putnam County.  (It's in the town of Fraizier's Bottom, don't you love that?)  The view … (1 comments)

My First NEGATIVE Post - 02/26/07 09:33 AM
I'm angry this morning.  Usually I'm a pretty happy person, spreading the joy.  I smile at strangers.  Not today.  Let me start from the beginning.
I have a client moving here from out of state.  She's a lovely, spirited woman with a great laugh and a generous heart.  She has taken in a little series of tiny dogs that were unadoptable for whatever reason.  She's gained a reputation as a loving person who will not turn away a little dog in need.  In the course of trying to meet her housing needs, I spoke to the other agents in my office.  One of … (75 comments)

Day Trippin' to Cass Scenic Railroad - 02/25/07 09:03 AM
This is another in my series of West Virginia Day Trips.  In most cases, you can get from any one point in WV to any other with one tank of gas, and we've got plenty of great things here to see!
The Cass Railroad line was built in 1901 to haul lumber.  West Virginia's mountains created challenges for train engines, and the Shay Locomotives were the answer.  These engines are designed for hauling heavy loads up and down our steep grades and sharp turns.  At one time, West Virginia had over 3,000 miles of lumber railway tracks.  Now only 11 miles remain, … (5 comments)

When West Meets East - 02/23/07 12:41 PM
Thanks to efforts by Jay Rockefeller, Joe Manchin, Robert C. Byrd and others, West Virginia has been blessed with great new job opportunities, many of which are in the form of jobs created by Japanese companies. West Virginia offers a great source of dedicated employees and a climate much like Japan.  We appreciate the great jobs and the generosity of the companies like Toyota and Diamond Electric right here in Putnam County, which make contributions to local schools and communities. 
If you've read some of my other blog entries, you know how I love West Virginia and that I have a soft spot for animals.  I also … (1 comments)

Day Trippin' to Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia - 02/21/07 11:16 AM
Today we're taking a Virtual Day Trip to Tamarack at Beckley, West Virginia. 
Tamarack is the first and only statewide collection of crafts, art, food, live performances, craft demonstrations and more.  The building's unique design is based on a circular quilt pattern, some say it resembles a crown.     
Everything sold at Tamarack has been voted in by a jury panel.  Over 2,000 artists have their handicrafts displayed and offered for sale here.  Tamarack is a unique opportunity for artists to display and sell their work in a way that honors both their creative abilities and the spirit of West Virginia.  You … (5 comments)

Watch This Space. - 02/20/07 03:29 PM
So, this guy Mark had a really cool idea for a blog contest and I signed right up before I let myself have any second thoughts.  Then I worried, what in the world would I write about ... !?  Turns out my problem wasn't a LACK of ideas, it was TOO MANY IDEAS.  I realized, THIS is just what I need to be blogging about -- my "Idea Vault".  Welcome to my Ideas for Future Posts, and I hope they give you ideas of your own.  (Just don't steal mine!)
I'm from West Virginia and so far the local agents on Active Rain have been a little on the quiet side.  This is a … (15 comments)

Day Trippin' in WV: Lost World Caverns - 02/19/07 06:47 AM
Looking for someplace interesting to visit without straying too far from home?  One tank of gas will get you from nearly any part of West Virginia to any other.  Let me suggest visiting Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg. 
Originally, the cave was used by a farmer to discard his trash.  He never really thought about how deep the hole was, only that it held anything that he threw in and that "cows took a long time to hit the bottom."  Ugh.  (I'm not surprised though, I've seen smaller airports!)  Spelunkers (cave explorers) heard rumors about it and asked to be allowed to … (5 comments)

Love 'Em or Hate 'Em: Homeowner's Associations - 02/18/07 09:46 AM
If you're thinking of buying a home in a neighborhood with a Homeowner's Association (HOA), you will need to be aware of the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R). 
By moving into the neighborhood, you will automatically become a member of the HOA and the CC&Rs are LEGALLY BINDING.  The deed restrictions are meant to keep the neighborhood attractive and inviting.  Having control over the look of homes and properties protects the property values of all who live there. You have assurance through your HOA that your neighbor will not have junked cars littering their lawn or that the house across the street will … (4 comments)

Helping Your New Home and Your Pet to Get Along - 02/16/07 07:03 AM
If you've read many of my posts, you already know I'm an animal lover. 
Many home buyers are also animal lovers, but hate to think of what their sweet kitty might do to their new home's carpets, or to the new furnishings so lovingly selected for their new house.  While some will decide to declaw kitty, others may hesitate, it's drastic and painful.  I have the solution. 
It's called Softpaws.  Softpaws are soft little vinyl caps that cover your cat's claws.  They're applied with a strong adhesive and stay on until the cat naturally sheds that nail.  (About four to six … (32 comments)

Where To Go In Putnam County: Ferguson Tea Room - 02/15/07 10:29 AM
     
There's a little gem hidden in plain sight on Main Street in Hurricane, WV.  It's the Ferguson Tea Room & Root Cellar Herbs, owned by Sarah White-Cresap. 
The tea room is decorated beautifully and features the painting skills of Sarah's daughter Anna.  (Be sure to look up, the ceiling will amaze you!)  Each table is graced with candles and flowers.  Place settings are varied so that each person has a unique dining experience.  Part of the fun is comparing your china patterns to those of your dining partner. 
The food is not only delicious but is prepared with healthy ingredients.  … (2 comments)

How Important Are Listing Photos? - 02/14/07 10:29 AM
It's true that buyers often fall in love with a house as pointed out by Jeff Turner.  The listing photos of your house are the "first impression" your house will give the nearly 80% of buyers who shop online.  Buyers often decide from these photos alone whether or not your house is worth viewing. 
For instance, take a look at this photograph of a kitchen.  (I shudder to think what Craig Schiller would think of this much ceiling.)
When I was shopping for my own home years ago, before I was a Realtor myself, I did not want to look at this house … (37 comments)

OH, HAPPY DAY! - 02/13/07 12:14 PM
   
There will be a meeting tonight at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club at 5:30 about the  NEW PUTNAM ANIMAL RELIEF CENTER.  Yes, after over 20 years, we are finally going to get a shelter large enough to meet the needs of Putnam County.  Oh, Happy Day!
The new shelter will be at the Eleanor side of the Winfield/Eleanor bridge, on land donated by the State of West Virginia.  A larger, more modern facility is planned.  New features will include a full veterinary clinic, visitors' area and education center. 
First Lady Gayle Manchin will speak at tonight's fund raising meeting. 
The campaign … (3 comments)

Give a Valentine to a Stranger This Year - 02/12/07 09:38 AM
Valentine's Day is almost upon us.  So often we buy chocolates and flowers for those we love, it's routine and we hardly give it a thought.  Many of us live in nice homes, have all of our needs met and even quite a lot of our wants.  We aren't so far away from those New Year's Resolutions we really DID mean to keep -- maybe it's time for another resolution.
Maybe this year, instead of a box of chocolates, your family might enjoy giving a valentine to someone they don't even know.  There are many ways to help out in our … (3 comments)

Putnam Neighborhood Tour: North Woods - 02/09/07 05:47 PM
   
North Woods is (in my humble opinion) one of the most unique and beautiful neighborhoods in Putnam County.  The entire neighborhood is built on the top of a ridge.  All homes have sloping back yards and fabulous views.  There is not a bad view to be found.  Depending on the home site, houses may overlook an untouched forest or the town of Winfield, including the Kanawha River, county courthouse and schools.  Seeing the town activity down below may make you feel like you're on top of the world!  Many homes have lots of an acre or more. 
The homes are built by … (2 comments)

So what IS a Blog, Anyway? - 02/09/07 02:31 PM
This one goes out to my Dad, who is also my business partner.  When I first told Dad I was going to real estate school, he said he'd go too and we could be partners.  My sphere of influence (Realtor talk for "who you know") is tiny, Dad knows EVERYONE.  So now I not only have a partner, but I get to talk to my Dad several times a day.  We have a new connection I don't think we would have formed any other way.
Dad is "old school", he's been a salesman my whole life and even after retirement just never … (30 comments)

Bad Listing Photos - 02/07/07 04:16 PM
Earlier today I enjoyed Lanette Branch's series of posts on bad listing photos.  I was pretty sure I could find a few of them myself, and YEP, I sure did! 
First, two versions of Lanette's "Where's the House":
    
     Is this house blindfolded?                                       Behind the car, the garage and the tree, I see a house.
    
The carpet must be AWFUL to show this much ceiling.                  We aren't selling the kids, are we?
    
                   Seriously, unretouched.                                    "Slip Sliding Away, Slip Sliding Awaaaaaay!"
    
  How hard would this be to turn?                                  Embracing the Twilight ... and getting it wrong. 
Additional pet peeves: only one pictures … (9 comments)

Shh! Don't Tell Barbara Corcoran I'm Blogging About Her - 02/07/07 11:04 AM
Let me tell you up front, I am new to blogging.  It's a little intimidating to take on.  I am still trying to think of what to talk about, and to wonder if anyone out there might actually want to read it.  In order to help myself come up with content on a consistent basis, I have tried to give myself a helping hand by using recurring themes such as "Neighborhood Tours" and "What You Get for the Money" that I can add to indefinitely and may be of use to my local area.  (After all, as much as I like you people on Active Rain, … (3 comments)

WHY Is It SO HARD to Succeed In Real Estate??? - 02/04/07 11:22 AM
Lately I've heard from several people that they think they'd like to become a real estate agent.  After I talk to them about it for a few minutes, I hear about the two week licensing class and flexible schedule, plus looking at the pretty houses -- it's a simplified version of the job and probably a view I had myself!  
The truth is that there is a roughly 80% failure rate for new agents.  Licensing classes don't tell you about fees and start up costs, which will be surprising if no one has warned you.  In fact your licensing class won't teach how to do … (60 comments)

What You Get for the Money in Hurricane, WV: $200,000 - 02/04/07 10:04 AM
  
If you have $200,000 to spend in Hurricane, WV -- what can you expect to find?  This house is not currently for sale, but will be used as an example of what $200,000 will buy in this area.  This home is approximately 2800 square feet, has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and a two car garage.  The main floor contains the living room, dining room, kitchen and family room, along with a large utility room and half bath.  The dining room and kitchen are open to one another and have hardwood floors.  A breakfast bar gives additional seating.  A … (2 comments)

Why Staging is Like a First Date - 02/03/07 10:55 AM
Why would you want to stage your house?  The obvious reason is that you want to sell your house quickly and for the most money.  But how does staging do that?
When buyers are looking at houses, they see many that are cluttered or old fashioned, with styles that clash horribly with their own decorating.  It makes it hard to see yourself in a home that is personalized to someone else's taste.  A home that contains a massive doll collection is going to have a hard time impressing the sports fanatic, a house with deer trophies on the wall will never feel like … (0 comments)

Keeping Clients Informed: The Lockbox - 02/02/07 11:54 AM
Before I was in real estate, I never really thought much about lock-boxes.  If I wanted to sell my house, my Realtor would stick one on my door with a spare key inside and that was pretty much that.  But as a Realtor myself, I'm impressed with just how much these little key holders can actually do for us.
First things first, when your Realtor places a lock-box on your door, ask for a door protector.  There is a slim foam pad that can go over your doorknob before adding the lock-box.  This will keep your door from being scratched or chipped by the … (4 comments)

What You Get for the Money in Hurricane, WV: $100,000 (Plus a Challenge!) - 02/01/07 08:04 AM

If you have $100,000 to spend in Hurricane, WV -- what can you expect to find?  This house is not currently for sale, but will be used here as an example of what approximately $100,000 will buy in this area.  This home is just over 1300 square feet, has three bedrooms and one bath.  It's on just over a quarter acre lot, which is fenced and flat.  The home was built in the 1960's but has had a major renovation that gutted the inside, rearranged the floorplan and put in all new electric, plumbing, windows, roof, heating and cooling.  The great room … (6 comments)

 

Sarah Cooper

Hurricane, WV

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