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Work continues-storm or no storm

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

Our rainstorm has caused a lot of havoc in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco has been hit especially hard, with 93,000 customers without power at one point. Urban flooding is widespread; many traffic lights along Van Ness and Lombard are still out and have been all day. Many (most?) business in the Financial District are closed, as are schools throughout the area.

Muddy waters, creek rising, Inverness Park, CAPower went out at our end of the city (northern neighborhoods--Marina, Cow Hollow, Pac Heights, Russian Hill, etc--this morning. At our condo it has been out since 7:30 AM -- it's now 3:20 PM and is still out.

Fortunately, I made the right choice, and am holed up for one more day and night in West Marin County where I went for a day's  business planning. Most of today has been spent working on my regular business, answering emails, pulling new listings, arranging property tours for the weekend, putting out fires (well, trying to) with a loan that hasn't yet funded (that's for another post), tidying up loose ends for an escrow set to close next week, and making phone calls. Maybe I'll get a chance to continue my business planning this evening.

One thing I did yesterday was review where my business came from in 2014, and in which counties my transactions occurred. The graphs aren't necessary, but fun and good practice. Knowing the results is important, however, and shows me what's working. I'll use this information in 2015, putting more time into areas that warrant time. One thing is clear: my newsletters, direct mailings, and staying in touch with my client and referral base is what works for me.

2014 business

 

 

 

 

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening Lottie Kendall. I saw some of the highlights on the news. Too bad the rain could not be spread out over a few days or weeks.

Dec 11, 2014 08:25 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

True, Michael Thornton - overall I think we'll be pleased to have had the rain.

Dec 11, 2014 08:27 AM
Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166
Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

Hoping that the coming storm does not cause too much damage to the home in your community.  

Dec 11, 2014 11:13 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

thanks for the good thoughts, Michele Cadogan So far, all I have heard about are major inconveniences; let's hope that stays the case.

Dec 11, 2014 12:24 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Lottie - fascinating to see how you charted your past year's work.    Well done!

Dec 11, 2014 08:38 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

The charts were just a fun idea, Dagny Eason, but the data behind them isn't. Knowing from where one's business derives, whether certain efforts resulted in bringing in buyers or sellers, etc. is important when making plans for the future.

When I saw the results of my newsletters and mailings, I thought of Barbara Todaro.

Dec 11, 2014 09:08 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

It was also nice to hear about the details of the storm's impact in San Francisco - thanks!

Dec 11, 2014 09:18 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Most of the shops along our area of Polk Street were closed yesterday--no power.

Dec 11, 2014 10:44 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Lottie - we now have that storm that you had . . . or maybe it is still raining there now! Anyway, what a great idea to chart where your business comes from. I put mine on excel, and glad to see a fair amount came from your newsletter and thank you for keeping me on your list, I enjoy reading it.

Dec 11, 2014 11:47 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Yes, Sharon Paxson - I've heard of mudslides and flooding now in southern California. The bulk of the storm has left our area I believe. I'm glad you enjoy the newsletter--many of my readers are Seniors--they seem to like the chatty format.

Dec 12, 2014 12:05 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Lottie, I like your in depth analysis and glad that you were able to stay an addition day in Marin. Here's to an awesome 2015!

Dec 12, 2014 01:46 AM
Judith Parker
ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC
CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Good evening Lottie ... glad to hear that you are settled in a safe place during this storm.  You definitely get a lot of referral business.  Great graphs and idea to know what is working and not working.

Dec 12, 2014 09:06 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Kathleen Daniels - getting away like I did really helps me focus. I did a lot of review, so I know my path for 2015 -- which is almost here.

Judith Parker - I missed a lot of storm chaos, just by happenstance.  My referral business--both incoming and outgoing--really blossomed this year. The Active Rain network accounted for a lot of it!

Dec 12, 2014 11:13 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Lottie Kendall I think end of year is so eye opening to breakdown the business and know where it came from and to plan for the next year.  Sounds like it was a good idea to get out of the city and get your work done!  

Dec 13, 2014 11:13 PM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Lottie - It's always interesting to see where your business really comes from, and what was really successful!

Dec 14, 2014 07:36 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Joan Cox my get-away was very productive and a much-needed break. Now it's back to the craziness of day-to-day real estate without a chance to do much of anything else. It's not slowing down a bit.

Hi Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale www.TahoeLauraLuxuryHomes.com - I find that type of assessing what transpired in the past year really helps me move forward to the next.

Dec 14, 2014 09:28 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

I did the same thing beginning of December...charting and checking where my business came from and why.  Nice to have a clear snapshot heading into the new year.  We are getting rain today as well!  Fourth time this month which is interesting for Tucsonans.  :)

Dec 18, 2014 01:26 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do love the rain, but I'm glad it is over:) It was too cold. We are back to 70+ in a few days~ nice!

I love your charts~ imgflip.com? I never heard of them but I'll check them out!

Thanks Lottie Kendall! Great post.

Dec 18, 2014 02:34 AM