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Stop The Car!!!

By Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

May 16, 2013 02:25 AM

Recently, while visiting my family in Southern California, we decided to take a drive to Malibu and spend the day at the beach. As we were rolling down the street in my daughter's neighborhood, my 4-yr old grand-daughter suddenly yells out loud... 'Stop The Car... I'm Not Strapped In!' LOL... out of the mouth of babes!

This funny (yet serious) moment reminded me of how our best laid plans can easily get derailed when we miss an important step. Recently, I switched MLS providers. Several months after making the change, I received a nasty email from a consumer who was perusing my website. He was peeved because every time he clicked on my 'Search' MLS button at www.BuyInOregon.com, the link was broken and he wasn't able to access the MLS.

The guy automatically assumed that I was purposely making it impossible for him to access the MLS, thereby forcing him to contact me personally for information. Truth is... I simply forgot to change the link when I changed MLS providers. While I didn't appreciate the 'tone' of his email, I was glad that he contacted me to let me know the link wasn't working.

Sometimes it takes a 'Stop The Car' moment to get our attention. Perhaps it's a perfect time to take a fresh look at our websites to make sure everything is hunky-dory and ready for the HOT selling season that's upon us. Do you need to 'Stop The Car' and get strapped in?

Stop The Car!!! - Melinda Peterson

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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Mel, Your 4-year old granddaughter is well trained! Thankfully she let you know she was not strapped in. I always appreciate it when people let me know things are not working.

May 16, 2013 05:39 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Mel,

What a cutie your grandaughter is...Sometimes you do have to stop it all! A

May 16, 2013 05:43 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

With a Stop The Car Moment of a broken link I do not know why they immediately blame you. We are not perfect. They should explain the situation and ask what's wrong. Too many people have short fuses. BTW the kids can get stuck on the rules especially when they are good rules.

May 16, 2013 06:09 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Funny, I did the very same thing when we changed providers a couple of years ago. BTW your grand daughter is such a cutie and SMART too.

May 16, 2013 07:42 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Especially something as important as being strapped in a car seat... Steven ;-) OMG... you're a G'pa!

Yes she is... Kathleen! I'm starting to write down all the funny things she says... she's so smart!

Thanks Alexandra! I got such a kick out of her saying.. Stop the car!

I suppose this guy is pretty tired of having to 'register' on certain sites to view properties. I don't require registration, so it was a huge assumption on his part. I'm just glad he told me about the link not working... Gary!

Having been the MLS President... you'd think I would've caught that one... Tammy!

May 16, 2013 10:30 AM

Lou Ludwig

Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL

Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Mel

A stop the moment can be very interesting.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

May 16, 2013 12:08 PM

Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage

Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL

Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

We feel your pain on MLS. our Regional MLS is discontinuing in June and will now be individual boards. We will have to update all of our links also.

May 16, 2013 02:25 PM

Andrea Bedard

Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD

Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

I have to admit Mel that I've forgotten to strap in my little one a few times. She insists on climbing in herself now ("I'm a big girl")... but will remind me just in time: "Mommy, you forgot something very important"! Yes, indeed, I did!! Sometimes I definitely have to stop the car, take a deep breath and ground myself.

May 16, 2013 02:30 PM

Scott Nowling

Prudential Starck - Saint Charles, IL

Prudential Starck

Great tip! It's funny how early kids learn that lesson. When I was young (my kids love when I start with that) no seatbelts, just Mom's arm from stopping us from being a projectile. Different time now! malibu sounds great, hope you enjoyed the visit.

May 16, 2013 10:02 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

My first thought is that is one smart little girl! Broken links can be a pain. Our MLS system is undergoing some changes in a few months and I wonder how it will impact my links.

May 16, 2013 10:09 PM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hahaha. Sounds like a little girl I know and love. They are so darn smart and remind us to follow the rules. :)

As for the broken link - argh. I just lost a strong prospect because my website IDX wasn't working propertly - kept producing old listings that were pending or sold. MY website host - Dynamic Page Solutions fixed it and gave me a two month credit. Big deal - I can't get back that sale.

May 17, 2013 01:45 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Yes indeed... Lou! And they can come in the most unusual forms ;-)

We're seeing more and more consolidation and merging of MLS's across the country... Kevin! I hope your upcoming change goes off without a hitch ;-)

I think most of us have done it on occasion... Andrea! Thank goodness our little ones are sooooo smart and remind us in their cute and gentle way ;-)

Aren't they brilliant... Scott?! I remember that I didn't start wearing a seatbelt until I had kids. I got a speeding ticket and went to traffic school, where they scared the heebie jeebies out of me by watching gory traffic accidents. I changed my ways immediately... before it was the law or even fashionable ;-)

Ditto Gary! She says so many things that just astonishes me. As for the links... it's probably a good idea to check them on a regular basis ;-)

Out of the mouth of babes... right Debb! I hear ya on the IDX thing... mine wasn't working for over 4 months... I wonder how many leads I lost =( In this case, it was totally my fault... the link went nowhere because I was no longer a subscriber of that MLS. Ugh! Live and learn I guess. I'm confident you'll score another strong prospect... cuz you're pretty damn fabulous GF!

May 17, 2013 02:01 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Mel-at least he let you know about the broken link. Love the story. Have a great weekend.

May 17, 2013 08:01 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Mel, sometimes links break and while I do try to go back and double check them I also appreciate it when someone...anyone...lets me know when one breaks.

May 17, 2013 09:47 AM

Curtis Van Carter

Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA

Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Mel

This is exactly why I said, take a minute and stop by and say HI to a few of those here you haven't done so in awhile. HI and cheers cvc

May 18, 2013 12:18 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

I'm totally grateful for that... Adrian! There's always a silver-lining to every dark cloud ;-)

Me too... Nick! Especially when we're approaching the hottest selling season of record in the past 7 years!

Hi ya Curtis... nice to see you too! Ditto on the cheers ;-)

May 18, 2013 05:17 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

She is a cute-pie Mel! Checking our processes to be sure they are working is so important, thanks for the reminder. Recently, all public courses in my area changes their domain names and I accidentally came across this...had to go in and changes them for future posts!

May 18, 2013 10:29 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

That is so sweet! That is something my grandsons would have done too. I love how you tied it in to real estate!

May 18, 2013 09:41 PM

Rene Fabre

ARFCO Media - Renton, WA

Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Mel... Indeed it does take a 'Stop the Car' moment... I've learned a lot over the past couple of years about connecting everything together. Back in late 2009 I had a change in work and me, the guy that's all over the net, had a nightmare running around reconnecting things. It took me literally months and I was still forgetting a few. Point is, I had a few people do the same and I felt like a goober. Oh well, welcome to the frontier! Beautiful grand daughter!

May 19, 2013 08:49 AM

Charles Stallions

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL

850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

I just love your post and good for your granddaughter to know what to do. I wish you the best this week and make it a great one

May 22, 2013 08:26 AM