KISS AND TELL

 

I’m not the type of girl who will kiss and tell but I can say, my first kiss made quite an impression on me. I remember exactly where I was (Thatcher Woods), the date (September 3), how old I was (sweet 16), what time it was (10:10 a.m.), who I was with (friends from the neighborhood), what I was doing (on a picnic), and who kissed me (a boy that I really liked). As the sun rays cut through the narrow path of trees, I was in love.

What I remember the most was how he made me feel. What I felt was the breezes in the trees and butterflies in my tummy. Some first impressions make an indelible mark that stays with you for a lifetime, with undeniable clarity.

Life is good when somebody makes a good first impression on you and it’s a feeling that you never forget. My first home purchase was like that too. I remember exactly where I was at in Ingleside, Illinois, the date was May 30th, I was a young mother, it was close to noon, my friend Mary stopped by and asked me to go shopping – she thought I meant grocery shopping, I had another agenda. My husband was repairing a roof leak on our rental property and I had just about had it with making all those rental repairs and paying the landlord $120.00 a month (which was a lot of money at that time!)

When Mary asked me where I wanted to go, I navigated her through the streets, telling her precisely which streets to turn down. What Mary didn’t know, is that I was on a house hunt. I didn’t know where my house was going to be, but it had to be anywhere, except Ingleside where the row of cottages lined Squaw Creek, there were no street lights, roads and driveway were unpaved, the channel overflowed and flooded just about every Spring, and home repairs were in excess in that 1939 year old white cottage that the only person who was happy about it, was the Landlord!

 

ON A MISSION

I was on a mission and Mary was the vehicle I used to get my needs met. I honestly don’t know what kind of car she had, but there was only one thing I was certain of, I wasn’t going back to that rental fixer upper until I found my dream house. As luck would have it, we turned down a street, and as we rounded the bend, I saw a house with a For Sale by Owner sign in the front lawn. I yelled at Mary, “STOP THE CAR!”

Poor Mary still didn’t know what I was up to. I walked up the driveway, rang the bell, and told the lady who answered the door I wanted to see her house. As fate would have it, she let me in and she gave me the grand tour. Mary followed and realized, this was not a shopping spree for fruits and vegetables and other grocery items.

The house had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room with washer and dryer hook-up, a large kitchen, family room and plenty of closet space. I asked the owner, did the roof leak? She scratched her head and said, no, the house is four years old.

Out back was one acre of land  that butted up to the Forest Preserve. What I remember the most was how that land made me feel. What I felt was the breezes in the trees and butterflies in my tummy. Some first impressions make an indelible mark that stays with you for a lifetime, with undeniable clarity. As the sun rays cut through the narrow path of trees, I was in love.

We rushed back home, I got my hubby to come back with me to look at the house, as First Time Home Buyers we got all his VA papers in order, our loan was approved for 10.5% - at that time, it was an excellent rate just before the rates went up to 18 1/2 %, and we closed on the house and moved in shortly thereafter. Of course, I would never buy a home without a Realtor again;  however, that house and the land I owned gave me lots of good first impressions.

 

LIFE IS GOOD WITH GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS!

 

 

Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Certified Negotiations Expert

Patricia Feager Sells Flower Mound/DFW-TX
"The Little REALTOR That Could"
Keller Williams Realty
2611 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
www.patriciafeager.com
Direct: (469) 449-9858
FAX: (972) 350-8525

 

 

 
Posted by Patricia Feager on 05/30/2012 04:19 AM   Comments (26)   in the ActiveRain Channel   first time home buyers, life is good  
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26 Comments on LIFE IS GOOD WITH GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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MAY
30
354,302 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

VALERIE... isn't it great when you get that ah ha moment and you know something is right for you! You're right, nothing beats those feelings of knowing you found what you're looking for!

Thanks Valerie!

CLINT... thanks for taking the time to read my story. Yes! It does make me feel good and I hope it triggered good memories for you too!

Thanks Clint!

LARRY & SHIELA... some things can't be forgotten. Good memories should last a lifetime. And to think, those of us in this industry are a part of every story that has a happy ending whenever a house is sold! Doesn't that make you feel great just thinking about it?

Thanks!

ROB... everyone has a story and it's how you feel that makes the difference. Chapters in one's life should be filled with happy memories. Thanks for taking the time to read about my life journey.

Thanks Rob!

PETER... I hope I stirred up good memories for you too! Life is a journey and we should continue to make Life Good. Good impressions do make a difference in attitude!

Thank you Peter!
5:14am • #7
935,535 Points 51 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

The things we recall can be so humorous at times.  I remember my first kiss too.  I was 14.  And I was no more smitten with that boy that I was a brick.  

Time marched on for a couple more years.  I was not understanding what all the hype was about boys:-)  THEN, when I was 16 years, 8 months, and 11 days old, this new boy walked into my classroom, who had just moved into town.  I destinctly remember he had dark wavy hair and blue eyes.  He had a swagger about him.  I finally understood what other girls were so excited about!  However, he paid me no mind, and it was another year which passed, before I found a boy I really connected with!  That's the thing about love, in order for it to really work, it helps if 2 people feel it at the same time:-)
6:12am • #8
1,438,895 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks, Patricia, for sharing your story.  There are many real estate agents that need to work on the first impressions they provide.  

Try using iPiccy.com for editing your flower pictures.  You will like it.  And, it is free.
6:25am • #9
354,302 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Myrl...the things we remember can really be humorous - that's for sure! My first love wasn't a smash hit either and he's not the one I married. But it sure felt exciting when it began! I still remember the type of car the driver had who took us on that picnic and being squashed in the back seat (without seat belts) next to the guy who kissed me and my butterflies were flopping all over my insides! My feet couldn't even touch the floor and they were tingling! Oh to be young and so what you think is love - but first impressions do seem indelible, don't they!

That guy of yours with the dark wavy hair and blue eyes with that swagger about him sounds good! It's funny to think about those people that came into your life who made a BIG impression, especially to other people, and not just you. There has to be something truthful about charisma and good looks. At least you ended up with a connection! If we ever have an opportunity to get together at an AR or NAR function, you'll have to tell me all about it.

Your last line is so true too. It's that way when buying houses. If it's a couple, they both have to feel that connection or it doesn't work.

Love your story too Myrl!
6:28am • #10
682,095 Points 83 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Dear Patricia~

 

I am so enjoying your series...maybe this is my favorite. I canhardly wait until your book comes out =)
6:47am • #11
935,535 Points 51 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

The funny thing about that guy!  I ran into him about 10 years after highschool graduation.  He had lost all his hair, but I liked his personality a whole lot better.  He was far more approachable! 
6:47am • #12
469,025 Points 34 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Patricia - I know that my dad calls l it a "tingle." He said when you knew something "felt right," you'd get that wonderful feeling. I know I think about it when I see a buyer's face light up at finding the right "match." ( I don't remember my first kiss - couldn't have been very memorable.) Ha ha.

You really are a gifted writer - it's always a pleasure to stop by your blog. Enjoy the day...
6:52am • #13
354,302 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

janeAnne...isn't it great the James Dray started this Life Is Good series. It has really inspired me to find something to blog about and I love reading people's comments too!

I would love to write a book, but an AR blog may be as good as it gets and it makes me happy to know people like you enjoy what I have to say and write about. I think you're ALL very talented and I have a lot to learn.

Myrl...Isn't that something how our values seem to change and the things we get hung up on at one stage of our life, doesn't seem to really matter years later. It was like that for me when I was in grade school. There was another boy I was crazy about - talk about puppy love! How ooooo! I was really nuts about him, but never let my feeling known. Meanwhile there was this fat boy that wasn't very attractive and he would chase me to school every day, with arms stretched out, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Patsy, I love you!" I would run, run, run, as fast as I could. Thirteen years later, I went to my grade school reunion. I told my hubby he wasn't invited because he didn't graduate with me (I was bad). I could wait to see the guy I was nuts about. He was there with his wife and he was not attractive at all! But out of the silence of the room, came a sound from a man I didn't recognize (BOY WAS HE CUTE AND HANDSOME)... I didn't recognize him or know who he was, then he said, "Patsy, and the rest of the words were a blur with sounds I didn't understand because my heart was beating so loud inside my chest, and my head was dizzy. That little fat boy turned into quite a hunk! I missed my golden opportunity because I judged him!
7:21am • #14
354,302 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Debb... you were probably one of those intellectual girls who was focused on becoming a leader in your career as a REALTOR who has a passion for the eco-environment. That's probably why you didn't get those butterflies or tingles. Oh for me, they were so real. As a kid, all I ever wanted was to settle down with the guy I was crazy about and have a family. Being a business woman was never in the picture.

I'm glad to have all this devotional time now as a business woman who can help others find their homes and start a new life. Being a part of their happily ever after (I hope) when they close on a house still gives me tingles, but a different type of happiness.
7:31am • #15
584,513 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Patrica - I always enjoy your stories.  Now you have me thinking of many of my first.  Most of which I have no clue!  Maybe a guy thing?  LOL..... Have a great day my friend and thanks for starting the day off on a positive note.
7:50am • #16
923,573 Points 13 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Patricia,

What a great series you have embarked on.  We have always looked for the first impresion, the gut feeling, and everytime we have trusted that, we have had positive outcomes.  When it comes to buying a home, we stll rely on that, and we take the first impression from the land the home is on, and not so much the interior.  That is secondary--and affirms the first. A
9:23am • #17
354,302 Points 30 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Roy...I've tried iPiccy.com several times. Everytime I try it, I do well until I get to the save and then my computer stops working and it keeps searching for explorer.

John... I think you're right, it's a guy thing. The wiring must be different but I'm so glad you find my stories entertaining!

Alexandra... You always make me feel about 10 feet tall! Making a good first impression is just the first step. I like Myrl's story because she expounds on the fact that her perception changed years later, perhaps because she didn't see, or couldn't see the big picture. That guy with the swagger was more approchable later on in life, maybe it was because he lost his hair, or maybe it's because she came to appreciate him more for who he really was without the hair.

They say people buy homes on emotion and I think there's a lot of truth to that. In any case, I'm with you, I trust my gut feeling and it doesn't let me down. Do you think that's were the 6th sense is located?

 
11:00am • #18
588,587 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Patricia,

I loved your story and so glad you had a good experience buying your first home.

I sometimes have trouble with iPccy but I have usually worked through it. Sometimes it doesn't want to save, I go back and click the black camera icon to do more editing. Then I click save again and it sometimes takes 2 or 3 times and then it is in my saved photo file. But generally it works right every time. I have internet explorer and usually everything is compatible with that system.
3:14pm • #19
774,229 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patriciia, first of all I don't understand why this post hasn't been featured!  

As you know, I'm from the Chicago area so I'm well aware of the places you spoke to.  And Thatcher Woods...I know it well...was that you I met in the woods at 10:00 a.m. :)
4:18pm • #20
388,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Patricia, First impressions do matter, and when those connections are made, its important for all parties to feed the growth of that relationship. Same in Real Estate, The agent, and the buyers connect, continued feeding finds the perfect home.

How sweet of you to share your first, the time and place...I'm not tellin'! I plead the fifth!
7:24pm • #21
952,670 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia, you write so well, could almost smell the fresh air with the butterflies.   What a warm feeling story, and is TRUE, you know when you see your house, it gives you the warm & fuzzies!     Loved your story.
8:16pm • #22
MAY
31
666,451 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Patricia reading your post brings back memories of 1202 Pierre Street in Texarkana Texas.  Two bedrooms 1.5 baths and we were in heaven.  Sold it a few years later and made 500.00.  What a trip
2:14am • #23
584,889 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning, Patricia --- what a great story filled with so many details.  Very well told.
5:41am • #24
JUN
03
778,935 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You have such a way of describing with words like painting a picture!  I remember my first kiss and how it made me feel too.  What a feeling!
7:08pm • #25
JUN
18
1,438,895 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Have an outstanding week with your camera in hand.
7:11pm • #26

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