New Active Rain Group on Feng Shui - 10/31/08 10:08 AM
Within Active Rain there are so many groups with which to read from the "experts" on various topics. A new Group I was made aware of by Carole Provenzale, Long Island and NY Feng Shui consultant is the
ActiveRain Group: Feng Shui for RealEstate.
Feng Shui is the study of energy, light, space, and organization when it comes to interior and exterior design. As you learn more about this it is very fascinating. A cluttered or dark environment can grow in energy with a few changes.
Click on the Group link above if this is an area you would like to … (27 comments)
|
The Pen Is Always There - 10/31/08 03:00 AM
I see it in the eyes of buyers as they reconfigure their life with a new location and a new home with its fresh amenities. Life is all about change. The reality for all of us not to forget with our own lives is that
THE PEN IS ALWAYS THERE.
Treat each day, each month, each year as a clean sheet of paper. This year you were a teacher, next year perhaps a Stager or Realtor. Our identity and our lives are being designed by ourselves. Granted you can paint yourself in quite a corner with family and financial responsibilities at … (46 comments)
|
The Two Sides to Elephant Memory - 10/30/08 03:22 PM
In working with clients in real estate or people in general you come in contact with you need to be aware of
The Two Sides to Elephant Memory.
Now elephants as creatures are well known for their long memory in nature. They remember where long lost watering holes are, they remember where they were born, they remember their baby elephants and their spouses.
In life having elephant memory is "good" if you are the one dishing out compliments, hugs, random acts of kindness, love, smiles, etc. EVERYONE will remember YOU.
However, provide emotional pain to someone, ignore them, hurt them, disrespect them, … (21 comments)
|
Let No One Spoil Your Happy Day - 10/29/08 06:09 PM
The more I see some frowny faces in my travels each day based on depressing economic news, the more I am convinced that people need to take on the attitude that they will
LET NO ONE SPOIL YOUR HAPPY DAY.
So much of happiness is about perception. About perspective even. How about choice? You really do choose to be happy you know. Sure things happen to you. People hurt you. You get disappointed.
Imagine yourself metaphorically at least as a young child. What about that tree you were going to climb today? Why were you going to climb it? Because … (47 comments)
|
Putting People Back Together One Piece At A Time - 10/28/08 08:29 PM
Whether we are Realtors, Stagers, Loan Officers, Inspectors, Title Company Escrow Officers or others working in the housing industry I sometimes think that the work is mainly a vehicle just to interact with people in life. You could be shining shoes and it would be the same thing.
Namely we are in many instances Putting People Back Together One Piece At A Time.
What I mean by that is that under the surface many people have broken lives of one sort or another. We may be this way ourselves. Pain, grief, divorce, stress, significant problems of health, finance or relationship. We … (33 comments)
|
You Really Can Get Better Over Time - 10/28/08 08:33 AM
I find in the world, especially in today's tough real estate market, hard times financial market, and uncertain political times people just need a little "hope." It's all it really takes. I try to be Mr. Reminder man out there to them and tell them
You Really Can Get Better Over Time.
Think of all the improvements you may want to make in your life. Maybe something as simple as cleaning your desk. How about starting that exercise program? Spending more time with family. You come up with one, two or three things you've put off that need attention. It … (20 comments)
|
The Gift That Keeps On Giving - 10/27/08 07:16 PM
In quotation parlance, there is a phrase that says, "the gift that keeps on giving." I tried to search its origin and came up with things like the phonograph device where a recorded voice or music could keep playing over and over again, to venereal diseases, to the gift of a life saving blood donation, to just some bad situation in life that festers and goes on and on and won't go away like an incurable disease.
But thinking about the phrase itself
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
I think I figured out my own personal favorite version of … (25 comments)
|
Plant a Blogging Garden - 10/25/08 09:56 PM
Awhile back in tribute to many in the Real Estate industry and outside readers as well to my blogs I observed that I thought I had the smartest readers out there. Mainly I just learned so much from reading what everyone else was telling me. I often forgot myself what the subject was I wrote about initially because I became so engrossed in the lovely, humorous, detailed, and new perspective that the comments provided me.
If nothing else, I am the great observer of life. Outside in the world. Inside in the home. You. Me. Us. Them.
Lately, particularly on what I … (31 comments)
|
Carnac Reveals How Buyers Found Real Estate Agent - 10/25/08 09:25 PM
Carnac has an answer to pose to you today.
That would be the "Great Carnac" to you Ed McMahon.
Friend, neighbor, former agent, relative, and referral?
Envelope please Ed.
That would be the question:
Where do most buyers find their agents?Point is, don't put all your eggs in that Internet basket. Sure, home search is big on "everyone's" web site. But face it - Real Estate is a "contact" sport. Look at the old chart which varies very little from year to year.
Does it surprise you? SEO is overrated maybe.
… (20 comments)
|
A Message In A Bottle for Hardworking Professionals - 10/25/08 06:10 AM
With many in the housing sector working harder and harder each day for seemingly less results than years back, it does seem someone has to give them permission every once in a while to cut back a little and take a break.
You know why?
We All Deserve A Lazy Day !!
That being said, I am the official permission grantor if you needed one. Think of it like a message washed up in a bottle on the shore and lo and behold, what is that paper inside? Well lookey here. It is a note with YOUR name on it … (66 comments)
|
Real McCoys Bring Character To All Corners Of Life - 10/24/08 09:42 AM
I always thought it was fascinating as the Internet developed that the spammers came out of the woodwork and developers had to devise anti-Spam checkers of who a user was for blogs and also form entry.
It seems in life we all want people's character to be what it appears to be. How many times in life do we find people that break their promises? You know, professionals you work with or even clients say one thing and do something else. They are often inconsistent or terribly unpredictable. It can be very eye opening to you at times. Maybe they should … (12 comments)
|
You Don't Need No Stinkin' Rearview Mirrors - 10/22/08 09:05 PM
Listening to ongoing grumbling about how things are bad from many Realtors and also buyers and sellers of homes I am reminded of what I have always thought
Rearview Mirrors Are NOT Your Friend!!
What I mean by that is you can't ably drive your car of life forward while always looking in the rear view mirror. The rearview mirror of course representing any regrets, your baggage from some past life or past lives you may have had, and nowadays reminiscing about "the good old days." How do you know your best "good old days" are not just around the corner … (38 comments)
|
In Search of the Missing Piece - 10/22/08 09:39 AM
In working with real estate clients, particularly the buyer side category you always see in their eyes that they are
IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING PIECE.
That last component to make the selected house a perfect match.
This role of matchmaking and finding what "fits" applies to all areas of our lives. Finding the perfect love relationship, a job that matches what you want to do, finding treatment for overall good health, finding what is missing in your life spiritually, finding where you want to live for this particular phase in your life.
Assembling the "complete" jigsaw puzzle in your life … (23 comments)
|
Map Your Way To Somewhere - 10/21/08 10:56 AM
In the area of Global Positioning Systems I consider myself a late adopter. I still prefer my printed out Google maps. I guess when the next phone I purchase includes this I'll move into this realm.
That being said, plans and maps of where you want to go are important in life. Even if you are not 100% sure of your destination, a map or a plan is very worthwhile in launching you on your journey. Don't you just wish life's plans were as easy to create and use as a GPS map tool? Plan for detours and side roads to explore. … (34 comments)
|
Are You Just Burning Daylight? - 10/20/08 06:55 PM
I thought while driving with the setting sun today how the sun gets lower and lower in the sky as we approach the shortest daylight of the year at around Dec. 21st. Then when most of us switch to standard time weekend after this weekend the evening daylight hours will have melted away (AGAIN).
It was a stark metaphor for me for the idea if the daylight hours are your time to get things done, what truly are you getting done? Or,
ARE YOU JUST BURNING DAYLIGHT???
The preciousness of time comes to us when we are robbed of it … (57 comments)
|
All Blogged Out and Nowhere to Go - 10/19/08 08:21 PM
As I enjoyed my last bowl of cereal for the day and conked out for my mid afternoon nap in my high chair I got to thinking about Real Estate blogging and Social networking in general. I have been at it myself in addition to my work for awhile so I know quite a lot about it.
I also am a heavy reader of many blogs with topics ranging from core real estate to the day's weather. Some of the topics get pretty far off real estate industry related sometimes but that's ok, as there are only so many days and … (47 comments)
|
Close Encounters of the Friendly Kind - 10/19/08 09:27 AM
I am constantly amazed in Real Estate by all categories of professionals in dealing with clients or their peers, how so many need to vastly improve on effective communication. Some of us out there are INCREDIBLY BAD at it. They need a lesson in
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FRIENDLY KIND.
No nothing risque' going on between professional and client here, although that might make for juicier blog material. Just clear and concise effective communication.
An effective communicator leads the discussion, asking the appropriate questions and putting the deal together. Sure things can go sideways at times … (50 comments)
|
The Best Make It Look Easy - 10/18/08 04:16 PM
One thing about a skill set - YOU individually know when you are good at your craft. With all professionals they say perfect practice yields perfect play on the field. There is no more gratifying experience than to know you are one of the best in your field. You know you have reached this point in your work because
THE BEST MAKE IT LOOK EASY.
They just flat out get the job done. No hemming and hawing. No maybe it will work. Just pure execution.
I would say in Real Estate or whatever profession you find … (27 comments)
|
Turn Wishes into Dreams to Make Them Reality - 10/18/08 10:50 AM
When you wish upon a star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Seriously, you see this with buyers of homes all the time. They talk about wishes. The focus needs to be more about dreams.
Wishes are very light and fluffy. They are a good beginning point, but the real problem with wishes is they lack vision. Start with a wish but make it into a dream.
… (22 comments)
|
Transformation Begins With Harnessing Resources - 10/16/08 07:28 PM
With so much "change" going on that I see day in and day out, I wonder if people first off cut themselves some slack and say whatever change they are going through it's ok. And secondly do they realize they can't do everything in life? Not that you can't do "one" or "several" things following your dreams but you can't do "everything." Just a practical point. Wherever you go, whatever you decide to do with your housing, your career, your family life, your individual self think that
Transformation Begins With Harnessing Resources.
I can think of at least five resources you … (31 comments)
|
Play Armchair Psychologist To Uncover Buyers and Sellers Motivations - 10/15/08 08:10 PM
In working with buyers and sellers of real estate it is important to discover the underlying motivation for the transaction. Realtors need to play the role of armchair psychologist at times.
What is the "real" reason these folks are selling?
Why is this buyer taking so long to make a decision?
This investor seems to be able to afford whatever he wants yet he is so picky. What is up with that?
A key motivator at times can be fear.
Another HUGE motivator in life is pleasure in pleasing oneself or pleasing others.
What about … (59 comments)
|
Know Who and Where your Stratotankers in Life Are - 10/13/08 11:36 PM
It seems lately with watching the oncoming Presidential election campaigning hitting a fever pitch, the daily roller coaster ride we are all taking with the financial markets and for those of us here writing and reading about a still tough housing market, that we need glimpses of hope. Solutions. Being positive. Knowing that we are still on track despite difficulties.
I am BIG into images to represent things. One of our strongest coping skills is the ability to tie into our support system of great friends, acquaintances and family. Like the giant KC-135 Stratotanker, the flying gas station for military planes … (29 comments)
|
Another Gem in the Rain Returns ~ Julie Neerings - 10/12/08 05:08 PM
I may not know everything about Active Rain, having written and read blogs here for about a year now, but I do know people. Another gem in our midst who has a heart of gold who stepped away in April 2008 for business and family reasons is Realtor Julie Neerings out of the Salt Lake City Area. Julie, who I have stayed in contact with by email, is returning to blogging. She has one of the warmest hearts you'll ever find in life. I encourage anyone that reads my blogs to welcome Julie back and subscribe to her as well. She is … (24 comments)
|
Do You Keep Your Tank Always Half Full? - 10/12/08 04:34 PM
In today's stress filled daily lives with financial and housing problems instead of offering some additional positive spin, today I thought I would add some practical thoughts.
DO YOU KEEP YOUR TANK ALWAYS HALF FULL?
This is really a bit of common sense but I wanted to raise the awareness in this area lest you overlooked it. It has to do with the topic of reserves. Examples, when going to the grocery store buy MORE than you need, to stop wasterful trips back and forth. With your personal energy, allocate personal time for rejuvenation, meditation, and sleep. It will give you … (22 comments)
|
Something for your Bucket List ~ The Great State Fair of Texas - 10/12/08 04:01 PM
In the movie Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, who are both dying with terminal illnesses they list all the things they want to do in their life before they "kick the bucket." As a writer, Realtor, and a person, if you've read me over time, you know I stand out like a sore thumb in doing my own thing. I almost never write Localism posts, because, well because they are not my thing. I tried to hide that I had a birthday Saturday, but darn if I didn't have many friends here that found out anyway. No big Jason Crouch … (21 comments)
|
Are You Mule Headed? - 10/10/08 10:00 PM
One thing to be aware of if you are represented as a buyer or seller in real estate by an agent is to find one that will go to bat for you. One who works hard in the negotiation phase of the transaction. And as an agent one must ask themselves,
Are You Mule Headed?
Every deal is a little different. Stubborness is the opposite of being open minded and creative.
Coming up with new ideas, looking at a problem from a new angle, bouncing the situation off others for additional input all mean you are a flexible negotiator. Remind … (34 comments)
|
When It Comes to Happiness Think People - 10/09/08 09:12 PM
Our financial markets continue to get pummeled of late. I hate to keep sounding pollyannaish but life is more than about money. Sure money is important for stability in our lives. But so are people. I just see the world so different than most. Some starving kid in Africa who might have a smile on his face today has no care in the world or even knows what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is. So just pause for a little while with housing woes, with financial market troubles, etc.
Think about people. Those in your family. Those around you. Those in the … (43 comments)
|
We Don't Need no more Stinkin' Problems !!! - 10/08/08 07:38 PM
In the news media related to housing and the financial markets some have told me to NOT watch the evening news. Usually I'm too busy with MANY other things to watch much TV but I sampled it for the first ten minutes the other night and concluded
WE DON'T NEED NO MORE STINKIN' PROBLEMS !!!
If you recall the Etch a Sketch from many years ago, problems may be thought of as horizontal and vertical lines all over the screen. This toy from 1960 was the first laptop if you will. So simple. But for my highly intellectual little kid … (54 comments)
|
Telescopes and Microscopes and Focus, Oh My... - 10/07/08 10:32 PM
We're off to see the Wizard...
Telescopes and Microscopes and Focus, Oh My...
In the deluge of never ending bad news in the business marketplace, how is a buyer or a seller, a Realtor or a Stager, a Loan Officer or Title Company Officer, supposed to make heads or tails of business OR life for that matter?
As they say in the game of football when your team has started off the season 0-6 and you still have dreams for the Super Bowl, the brilliant coach will come out with something like, "We've got to get back to the fundamentals. We've … (24 comments)
|
You Make Your Way Through Life not with Google but with Goggles - 10/06/08 10:20 PM
The world has been tough lately in business and on Wall Street and in government. You could search for answers or try to optimize your website but
You Make Your Way Through Life not with Google but with Goggles.
It takes courage. Michael Phelps, eight time Olympic gold medal winner dove into the water on one of his races. His goggles slipped off his eyes. He couldn't see where he was going to turn. This is about courage when things go bad.
This was the Olympics for God sakes. Michael knew EXACTLY how many strokes were for each lap at his highly … (42 comments)
|
Unleash Your Inner Greatness to the World - 10/04/08 02:45 PM
With the recent days of turmoil in the financial markets, viewing the levels of greed on Wall Street, and trying to figure out what this all means to our fragile economy and the housing market, it is easy to get disillusioned by the actions of others. Many are not leaders. Many do not set good examples. Many have selfish tendencies.
But the inherent nature of man is to be good. We do need to find leaders not managers that lead us in positive directions, caring for others, and the welfare of society. The examples seen of late do not show our … (24 comments)
|
Karate Bears Kill 'Em With Kindness - 10/03/08 06:58 PM
I don't know how many times in recent days with the bank and lending institution bailout or rescue plan, whatever you wanted to call it, how often the masses in the public said whatever we do, we can't reward the "fat cats" or give them huge executive parting gifts in terms of bonuses for ruining companies and lives.
While that may be entirely true the vindictiveness of the thought reminded me that there are many people out there who are so money bound they just turn plain "mean" over time. We don't need more fat cats or mean people for sure. … (31 comments)
|
Do Not Fear Life's Weather Reports - 10/02/08 10:56 AM
I have always had the strength of seeing the big picture in things and also just love visual images to illustrate a point.
Many buying homes and cars nowadays are facing the credit tightness which until we work our way through the impasse will be a difficulty. But do you remember those symbols in the newspaper on the front page for the weather? Or the annoying guy on the nightly news before you go to bed with the TV weather report with the five or 14 day weather outlook? Sunny days, rainy days, cloudy or mostly cloudy days.
The point is … (40 comments)
|
Do You Know This Woman?? - 10/01/08 11:57 PM
Do you know this woman? She has been missing from our lives for two months now.
Good Morning Active Rain
Veterans on Active Rain KNOW Arina Hanciulescu out of Las Vegas. After a brief respite away from the Rain she is BACK!! For newbies, I encourage you to read her current blog and IMMEDIATELY subscribe to her posts. If you want to read smart material from real estate to technology to family ties to opinions about the world stay in touch with this kind woman. She will tip toe back into the rain, but please make her welcome by … (43 comments)
|
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
;)
;)
;)
