Skeptics may wonder, but I started using St. Joseph statues on my listings about 15 years ago. It has become common practice for my husband, Bob, when he is putting up my signs to bury the statue. We can't tell you for sure that if we'd forgotten the statue the house wouldn't sell, but it certainly seems like the positive thoughts and intention don't hurt.
When I first started buying them, they were hard to locate. Now there are three or four sources. Since I have become a green advocate, I can't tell you how excited I am to put in my order for EcoJoe!
What is EcoJoe? The original (and only) eco-friendly home selling kit!
About six months (or more) ago I had dinner with Cindy Lin of Staged4More.com. While talking about work and other things, she shared her newest project with me. EcoJoe. I had to keep quiet about it all this time. Any guesses how easy that was?!
Cindy’s Mission: -Change the way real estate industry uses plastic -Reduce plastic usage -Reduce amount of plastic being buried into landfills or your backyard! -Promote green practices
Cindy’s Description: The practice of burying a St. Joseph statue dates back thousands of years, when he was first called upon to help sell real estate. Today, home sellers and real estate agents continue the tradition to enlist the saint’s assistance in finding a buyer. Sadly, most of the home selling kits on the market are made of plastic and other content that are harmful to the environment. As an eco-conscious real estate home staging professional, I saw this as an opportunity to create a greener alternative. Our sourcing, production, packaging, materials and distribution support green initiatives and social responsibility.
Aren’t we all on a budget? My daughter forwarded me an email about Summer Movie Clubhouse and I thought it was good information to pass on!
Starting this week, local cinemas offer kid’s movies at 10am for only $1. If you purchase all 10 in advance, it’s only $5 total! Movies are shown every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am. They may be movies you’ve already seen, but it’s still fun to get the “going out” experience on any budget.
In our area, there are two participating theaters. Check the link above for more areas.
Walnut Creek Cinemark at 1201 Locust Street June 23 & 24 - Fantastic Four 2, rated PG June 30 & July 1 - The Tale of Despereaux, rated G July 7 & 8 - Nanny McPhee, rated PG July 14 & 15 - Madagascar 2, rated PG July 21 & 22 - Horton Hears a Who, rated G July 28 & 29 - Shrek The Third, rated PG Aug. 4 & 5 - Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, rated G Aug. 11 & 12 - Spongebob Squarepants, rated PG Aug. 18 & 19 - Robots, rated PG
Pleasant Hill Century 16 at 125 Crescent Drive June 23 & 24 - Spongebob Squarepants, rated PG June 30 & July 1 - Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, rated G July 7 & 8 - Curious George, rated G July 14 & 15 - Nanny McPhee, rated PG July 21 & 22 - The Tale of Despereraux, rated G July 28 & 29 - Madagacar 2, rated PG Aug. 4 & 5 - Space Chimps, rated G Aug. 11 & 12 - Fantastic Four 2, rated PG Aug. 18 & 19 - Horton Hears a Who, rated G
Sold Condos: Kirkwood Drive, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 696 square feet, closed 3/24/09 for $125,000 Kirkwood Drive, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1247 square feet, sold 4/29/09 for $313,000
Pending Single Family Homes: Kirkwood Drive, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1547 square feet, listed for $369,00
Sold Single Family Homes: Las Ramblas, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1420 square feet, sold 5/8/09 for $384,000 Langford Court, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2052 square feet, sold 5/22/09 for $504,000
While shopping at Costco last night, I came across these indoor/outdoor area rugs (6' x 9' for about $22). Last year the rug I used was less than clean after the wet feet from the pool and sprinklers. I decided to purchase 2 that seem better for the outdoors (mold resistant).
These rugs were made by ozite using eco-fi(TM), which is high-quality polyester fiber from 100% post-consumer recycled bottles. According to the packaging, each rug saves 50+ bottles from landfills.
These are not the fanciest looking rugs, however they are perfect for under my sitting areas in the back yard. They are mold, mildew and stain resistant and stand up to heavy use. To clean, you can either vacuum or shake out.
Just thought I'd share an eco-friendly product I picked up for myself. Take care!
Recycling phones would savae enough energy to power more than 194,000 homes a year
(*Source, Environmental Protection Agency)
Join us on June 14, 2009 in Heather Farms Park for the Contra Costa County Association of Realtors' First Annual GreenFest. We have a free recycling center where you can recycle your phones, cords, ewaste, shred and dispose of paper waste, etc. The phone recycling can benefit either Phones for Soldiers or Phones for Breast Cancer.
10am - 4pm
This FREE event will feature food, music and green vendor sponsors who will provide rebates, incentives, money-saving products and free green products! Art Thomas Locker Room will conduct an auction of Raiders memorabillia, with a share of the proceeds going to the CCAR Scholarship Fund. Learn the benefits of going green, including how to make homes healthy and green.
Vendor sponsors receive a 10' x 10' booth and event directory listing.
We will be accepting donations for the Contra Costa County Food Bank!
Join the Contra Costa Association of Realtors on June 14, 2009 at Heather Farms Park. We will be walking to benefit the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund and celebrating Green Fest to promote energy efficiency!
Click here for a GreenWalk Registration Form. Click here for a GreenFest Sponsorhsip Form.
Expect fun, camaraderie, sunshine, a lovely setting, and exercise at the CCAR GreenWalk5K! Participation fee is $20. Registration is at 8am, with snacks, water, a t-shirt and group photos provided for the walk, which begins promptly at 9am.
Organize a team for your organization, prizes will be awarded!
The CCAR GreenWalk5K benefits the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund.
Location: Heather Farms, 301 N. San Carlos Drive in Walnut Creek, California.
After the GreenWalk5K, attend the first ever CCAR GreenFest from 10am-4pm. This FREE event will feature food, music and green vendor sponsors who will provide rebates, incentives, money-saving products and free green products! Art Thomas Locker Room will conduct an auction of Raiders memorabillia, with a share of the proceeds going to the CCAR Scholarship Fund. Learn the benefits of going green, including how to make homes healthy and green.
Vendor sponsors receive a 10' x 10' booth and event directory listing.
We will be accepting donations for the Contra Costa County Food Bank!
Don't forget the Clayton, California Saturday Farmers Market opens this Saturday, 5/9/09 at 9am and stays open until 1pm.
This is a great place to visit friends and neighbors and buy local produce. In these economic times, it's good to support our community farmers as much as possible.
Out of pocket were just some of the words and phrases that are overused and when overused loose their impact. I totally agree.
The interesting thing about overusing a phrase is that it becomes cliche' to the point of losing it's effectiveness with the client. The death of the presentation is when they glaze over and have heard the phrase so many times that they just don't believe any of you can perform on what it says.
For example, the elevator speech you give which could include..."We stage homes to they sell faster for more money" or some version of that. Who hasn't heard that over and over...to the point that the client doesn't really listen.
Instead "We transform your home utilizing home staging, color and techniques that draw in your target buyer. Our work produces an optomized sale and more equity. Would you like to see how we accomplish that?".
Another overused word in staging is declutter. Not that it isn't important to the process, but because we say it so much describing what we do, the client thinks they know what it means and they can do it themselves. If that's the major part of our description of what we do, they figure anyone can do it. It's packing a box, putting things into the garage right? WRONG, they need a competent home stager.
Well, just a my thoughts on the subject. Nothing profound, just encouraging you not to use the overworked and overused phrases that everyone is using. Be creative in your descriptions of what you offer and what you do. Add value and they'll value you.
Real Estate and Staging and how it can enhance a seller's Return on Investment. I can advise on what makes a difference to your bottom line. Buyers like my analysis of seller's strategies to assist them in buying smart. www.terrylynn-n-team.com
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
What is EcoJoe? The original (and only) eco-friendly home selling kit!
This home is a short sale and subject to lender approval. One loan through Washington Mutual. Lender says bring offer and submit.
While shopping at Costco last night, I came across these indoor/outdoor area rugs (6' x 9' for about $22). Last year the rug I used was less than clean after the wet feet from the pool and sprinklers. I decided to purchase 2 that seem better for the outdoors (mold resistant). 
Join us on June 14, 2009 in Heather Farms Park for the Contra Costa County Association of Realtors' First Annual GreenFest. We have a free recycling center where you can recycle your phones, cords, ewaste, shred and dispose of paper waste, etc. The phone recycling can benefit either 
Join the Contra Costa Association of Realtors on June 14, 2009 at Heather Farms Park. We will be walking to benefit the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund and celebrating Green Fest to promote energy efficiency!
Expect fun, camaraderie, sunshine, a lovely setting, and exercise at the CCAR GreenWalk5K! Participation fee is $20. Registration is at 8am, with snacks, water, a t-shirt and group photos provided for the walk, which begins promptly at 9am.
Don't forget the Clayton, California Saturday Farmers Market opens this Saturday, 5/9/09 at 9am and stays open until 1pm.
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