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Hey! I can see the surface is a wood-grain! Who knew?!

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

I'm a "pile-maker".  I wouldn't call myself messy (although I'm sure my wife would), but I create piles. Stacks and stacks of paper, and my desk is no exception.  In fact, my desk is probably the shrine to "piles".  And yet, I know where everything is within those piles.  If you ask me for a specific document, I can reach directly into pile #4, and just like the Amazing Kreskin, can pull that rabbit out of that hat.

So, here it is, it's year-end... (Can you believe it... 2009 is basically over!) time to try to tame those piles, box up some files, and take them offsite (that really means take them home, into my basement, but don't tell my wife).

And, surprise of all surprises, as I clear away junk, and paperwork from my desk... I come upon a woodgrained pattern, that appears to be my desk!  Lo and behold, my desk is made of wood.  Who knew?

This is a good time of year, btw... to gather up this year's HUD-1's, and mail them off to your clients who had a transaction this year.  Send them off after the first of the year...they're going to need them for their taxes, and they often don't have a clue where they've put them.... and it's another chance to reach out and touch them.

 

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(13)

Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Alan.  Great call on the HUDs...

I have been doing it and my clients are always appreciative.

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Dec 15, 2009 04:59 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Allen. Me, too....I'm surrounded by piles and I only have 16 days to deal with them because I WILL start 2010 with a clean slate, so to speak.

What a good idea to send a copy of the HUD to your 2009 clients. Jennifer Allen would approve!

Dec 15, 2009 05:00 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Yep. I make the stacks when I open mail or come in from a tour or settlement.  Then the stacks get moved to the chair across the room.  Then to a box to take to the file room downstairs.  Then to wait for me to file away. 

It's that last step that . . . .  well, you know.

 

Dec 15, 2009 05:25 AM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Alan, I had a closing today, and told the buyer and seller to hold on to the HUD...there accountant will find mortgage interest and transfer tax  and property tax prorations items to be useful in their 2009 income tax filings. P.S. About the desk...I think mine is made of wood also...but I couldn't wear to it.

Dec 15, 2009 05:43 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Ken - I learned that at one of the many workshop/seminars I've attended over the years... really couldn't tell you which one.

Leslie - well, then I'll have to check out Jennifer.

Lenn - yes, the piles do migrate seasonally.

Steve - I couldn't have sworn it either.

Dec 15, 2009 06:47 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Recycling and scanning to PDF are two of my favorite activities this time of year. It will be great to go into 2010 with a clean office.

Dec 15, 2009 06:52 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

I can't think about my piles until after Christmas.  Right now I am getting ready for 2 closings and negotiating a home inspection and working with 3 sets of buyers.  And being Santa!

Dec 15, 2009 07:55 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Alan - Sending HUD-1's to clients is a very good idea to help them when they file their taxes and also help us keep our names in front of them.  Personally, I don't have piles.  I'm metrosexual like that;)

Dec 15, 2009 08:12 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

John - scanning to PDF is my next project.

Susan - you are awesome!

Jason - I wondered who would make that reference regarding "piles".  I didn't have to wonder for long, did I?

Dec 15, 2009 08:46 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I create a PDF of each HUD 1 as it comes in so that they are all ready for sending out in January - but the rest of the stacks of paper - oh well - that is another story.

Dec 15, 2009 11:57 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Alan - I too have to box up my files from this year, but I have to put them in my attic.  P.S. Sending out a copy of the HUD1 is a great suggestion.

Dec 15, 2009 02:11 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Alan:

I can't stand clutter but it is becoming a full-time job just to try to keep the desk cleaned at this time of the year.

I can't even find my can of "Pledge" furniture polish. I know it's somewhere in my office...

 

Dec 15, 2009 11:25 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Lise - I'm attempting to change over (maybe I'll manage it in 2010) to scan everything...

Michelle - oohh... attic is a bad place for papers... (it gets hot up there... it's a fire hazard)

Claudette - furniture needs polishing??

Dec 15, 2009 11:44 PM