Horse Farm Partners's (horsefarmpartners) Blog

Grande Pines, Foxfire, Horse Farm for Sale

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:54:38 -0700

1700 Grande Pine Vista MLS# 132083 / $920,000 Incredible 4600+ SF English Tudor by M. Davidson Builders. Barn and fencing to be constructed per buyers specifications. Located at Grande Pines Equestrians subdivision on 9+ acres of established Coastal Bermuda fields. Miles of groomed trails in this up and comming gated community near the new famed Rita Carlton golf course development. All of the features today's discerning buyers desire! Check out the website at www.1700GrandePines.com

Volunteers help the world go round!

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:14:37 -0800

Last week the Moore County Hounds, our local hunt, held its annual Hunter Pace. The Hunter Pace is basically just a fun filled day of cross country riding--about 10 miles--and there are three classes--Fast--which ivolves jumping all jumps and is timed, Medium--a slower pace and you can choose to go over jumps or not--and short--a course of about 6 miles more for novice riders. The day was beautiful--about 54 degrees and sunny. I could not help but notice how may volunteers it takes to put on something like this. We had over 300 horses entered from across the Carolinas. By my estimate it took over 40 people volunteering thier time to pull this off. First, the courses need to be laid out and flagged. Then the registrations have to be processed, starting times assinged, caterers for the lunch hired and paid, the starting gate timers and finishline timers set up and ready, servers for the lunch have to be ready, and trophys bought and presented. It is quite an undertaking, all done by umpaid volunteers for the good of the whole. The money that is raised is used to care for our pack of hounds and improve the fencing etc. in our hunt territory. Without community spirit and caring people this would ot be possible, and my hats are off to all who so graciously contribute thier time and effort to all community events.

Horse Farm Land for sale Pinehurst Southern Pines NC Area

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:31:26 -0700

Nearly 22 acres of beautiful, high rolling hills, with a stream on the property. Convenient to Foxfire and Pinehurst golf courses. Foxfire water and underground utilites. Please click on the picture below for more information, or go to www.HorseFarmPartners.com to see more great listings! MLS 125682, $264,000. Contact Us: Mike Hardinger and Tammy Lyne FrontGate Pinnock Properties 206 Commerce Ave Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.692.5553 info@Horsefarmpartners.com

Too much of a good thing?

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:59:41 -0700

We've all heard the saying about too much of a good thing is a bad thing. I personally don't always buy into it. Too much laughter? Bad? Too much fresh air? Bad? Too many smiles? Bad? Too much kindness? Bad? Too much Active Rain? Bad? There is a wealth of information on Active Rain, at our fingertips, 24-7! It can only benefit us, our business, and our clients. The networking is great, and the information is useful and plentiful. When you put two heads together, it's better than one, when you put thousands of heads together... well you get the point. Alas, I am preaching to the choir.... rain on, rainers. Take care from Horse Farm Partners

Texting leads to big listing!

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:03:33 -0700

In a recent team meeting, a new agent shared with the group that she had texted a friend that she was "back in the business" and she just wanted to let her know. The long and short of it- she got a GREAT listing as a result. She hadn't really known for certain that her friend was getting ready to list, and her friend would have never known she was selling homes again, had it not been for that text message. Technology makes things easier for us these days, if we utilize it. Sometimes we get caught up in all the 'big' things we have to do, we forget about the quick, easy or simple things we can be doing. Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Looking for Horse Farm Real Estate for Sale in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, North Carolina, NC?

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:40:04 -0700

Horse Farm Partners can help you find your dream horse farm in Moore County, NC! We are on the only local team dedicated exclusively to the sale of Horse Farm Properties, and we have over 29 years of combined experience. We dedicate our time to helping you sell or buy Horse Farm Real Estate in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Seven Lakes, Foxfire, and surrounding areas. There are so many great farms in this area, and we would love to have an oppurtunity to show you what all there is to offer. We encourage you to check out our website for more information at www.horsefarmpartners.com as there is a wealth of information for those in the real estate market and horse lovers alike. Please feel free to contact us at anytime. Email: Info@HorseFarmPartners.com Office Phone: Cell Phone: Alt. Phone: Fax Number: Address:

(910) 692-5553

(910) 603-5300

(910) 315-4100

(910) 692-5557

206 Commerce Ave Southern Pines, NC, 28387

Take Care from all at Horse Farm Partners

Share and Share alike---Listing Presentations

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:19:18 -0700

Today our team got together for a marketing meeting to discuss our listing presentations. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses, but why not help get stronger, while diminishing our weaknesses? We shared our listing presentations with each other, and came up with great ideas, and learned things that we may have not otherwise seen. When you get together, and you start brainstorming, you can come up with new versions, and up date and revamp what you already have. Here were a few ideas I came away with that I thought I could share with you. Use technology- PowerPoint/virtual tours/laptops to show websites/data/send CDs to clients ahead of time/print out PowerPoint Leave behind personalized packet for clients to keep with bio/company info etc... Binder with wealth of information/testimonials/local and national data/ personal Bio/Home Seller's address and pics if possible/neighborhood info Know your audiance Personalize/Localize Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Horse Farm Property For Sale Southern Pines/ Pinehurst North Carolina, NC

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:55:24 -0700

All the amenities for ALL disciplines to enjoy! Located behind Hassinger Equine Veternary services. Block construction w/ real stucco; Nine (12x12) stalls, Plus tack stall, heated/cooled office, tack & laundry room, two lavatories. Rubber-lined stalls. Wood plank floors in seven stalls, and clay floors in two stalls. 170 ft of 12 ft wide aisle ideal for indoor training/expansion. Ventilation fan, five separate paddocks w/ four brd. creosote. You will be inspired by the view from the adjacent home site. * Can add a small apt. to barn. *Additional acreage available. MLS 121845 www.HorseFarmPartners.com Mike Hardinger and Tammy LyneHorse Farm Partners FrontGate PropertiesDirect Number: 910-603-5300Cell Number: 910-315-4100 or 910-603-5300 Office Number: 910-692-5553Office Number: 910-603-5300Fax Number: 910-692-5557Email: marketvalue@pinehurst.net

Turn up the Heat!

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:07:59 -0700

This morning it was pretty chilly for North Carolina this time of year. The thermostat read 34 degrees when I walked into the kitchen to make coffee. There was a hard frost outside and the air sure smelled like winter to me. I didn't want to turn on the heat though (even though the temperature inside the house was barely 65 degrees), because to me it would mean admitting that cold weather was upon us, and winter just around the corner. I am not ready yet to give up the warm weather, and pull out the bulky sweaters and gloves, but then I realized that not turning on the heat will not do anything to stop the seasons from changing. Ever find yourself doing that? If you don't turn on the heat, then it's not winter. If you keep wearing your shorts it's still summer. Pretend like gas prices are still .99 a gallon, then they still are. If you say it isn't so, then it isn't... well sadly enough, it just doesn't work that way. You just can't stop change, just like you can't stop seasons. So, we don't always like change. The great thing about seasons- spring and summer will come again, you just have to drink some hot chocolate and wait for them. Life tends to work in cycles and roller coasters too, and I've found that most times, the change that we are dreading turns out for the best. Try and find something, at least one thing you might like about that change and focus on that. Until, you realize how great that change really is. Before you know it, you'll be more excited for what's just around the corner. I don't like the cold weather, but you know what I love more than warm weather? Christmas and Holidays. I love that time of the year, more than almost anything it seems. I love giving gifts, and spending time with my family and friends, decorating, and all the wonderful food. It really is an amazing time of year when you get down to the heart of it. Just talking about it is getting me so excited about Christmas I can't wait to start decorating, cooking, and shopping for it! There you go, turn up the heat, and get me to the nearest Christmas tree! Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners...

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, NC Horse Farms for Sale

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:36:25 -0700

There are amazing Horse Farms for sale throughout Moore County, NC. Horse Farm Partners would love for you to check them out at our website www.horsefarmpartners.com, but we wanted to share with you Hurry Back Farm below... it also has it's own website at www.Hurrybackfarm.com "Your Partner in Horse Farm Real Estate!

Winners Circle

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:30:24 -0700

Disney World and a lesson in perceptions

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:21:52 -0700

On a recent trip to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World I approached the grand entrance and walked upon two young brothers. The older brother was assuring the younger brother who was uneasily looking up at the sign at the entrance gate that read "Where Dreams Really Do Come True". He told him, "I've told you already, not to worry, dreams CAN'T come true!", in the sweetest, most honest, convincing, certain, and endearing voice I'd ever heard. At first you might think, what a pessimistic little boy. Don't kill yours and your young brother's dreams, you must dream, even in this dark economy....No, No, he was speaking literally, like most children his age....about dreams, that you dream at night, that they can not come true. Assuring his little brother that the scary nightmares that he has will not become a reality. What a sweet older brother. I am sure most of us had older brothers that would have told us the opposite only to keep us up at night. This got me to thinking about perceptions. Dreams meant to us (and to the great Walt Disney) goals, aspirations, and plans. To those brothers, they meant the thoughts we have while we sleep. To our clients the house we are showing them is a home, and it is the place they might have their first child or maybe retire and grow old with their soul mate, or create an ultimate bachelor pad, or a breed and raise quarter horses on several acres. Perhaps great customer service to us is returning phone calls promptly, maybe to somebody else it is the tone of voice, choice of words, accommodations made, or fflexibility in scheduling. Any number of things can be perceived in any number of ways, just remember, a person's perception is their reality. The sad reality is that some of it is out of our control. We can't control what people think, we can only control what we do. We can control the tone in our voice, our attitude, our body language, our speech, and how we treat one another. We can not be everything to everybody, all of the time; we can only be the best we can be. A good and positive attitude will get you far though. It's a good thing that the dreams that those brothers were talking about can't come true, but its a dang good thing that the dreams that Walt was talking about can! Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, NC Horse Farm Real Estate for Sale!

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:24:35 -0700

Southern Pines Horse County at its finest!!! James Creek Farm is one great Farm, with two great options. Truly an amazing farm!!! Please read below and check out www.horsefarmpartners.com or www.jamescreekfarm.com for more information. Features: 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths 15+/- Acres 16 Stall Barn 5,000 Sq. Ft. Main Residence 2BR/1BA Grooms Quarters 3BR/2BA Guest Cottage

Features:

Remarks: James Creek Farm is truly one of the most magnificent Estates in the area. The natural beauty of the property and landscape must be seen to be fully appreciated. 15+/- acres of established pastures, woodlands, and mature native plantings. (up to 40 acres available can be subdivided to suit buyer) 3 miles of private trails on the property, contiguous to Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve for even more great riding with easy access to the Walthour-Moss Foundation. The main residence is a sprawling 1920's terra-cotta brick ranch with approximately 5,000 square foot of living area. The home was designed as a retreat and was once a winter home of the R.J. Reynolds family. The floor plan affords privacy for all, formal and informal living areas as well as a great room that is truly great for entertaining large gatherings. The 16 stall English-courtyard style barn has all the expected amenities including a 5,000+ SF hay loft and is built to a standard of quality rarely seen today. Located between the barn and main residence is a newly renovated 3BR/2BA guest cottage and a 2BR/1BA groom's quarter. Additional amenities include: enormous riding ring that has been used by all disciplines of riding for over 50 years, large equipment/trailer storage, full size tennis court, and flag stone pool. The location of this property is very desirable for future development. Please contact us for a private showing or more information on this incredible property.

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:35:00 -0700

The October Newsletter is uploaded and ready to go!! Please check it out!! It's on our website www.horsefarmpartners.com, more specifically at http://www.horsefarmpartners.com/octobernewsletter.html. This month we had a couple of wonderful local guest journalists. We had a local vet write an article about preparing your horse for the Moore County Fox hunt, and a couple that owns a trailer company and who are authors wrote a great piece about trailering horses. Local writers really add value and originality. It also helps if you writing all of the material yourself. This was our second newsletter and as you can imagine went out much more smoothly. Keeping our sanity just seemed like a bonus.... Please enjoy and feel free to leave feedback. Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

I'll help you, you help me

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:13:46 -0700

This morning, a fellow associate came in my office and offered to help with some new forms I was working on, unsuccessfully I might add. She said, hey, I can help you with these, and then you can help me with that website stuff that you offered to help me on. Just that simple. You want to sit down, we'll do your stuff, then we can do mine? Sure, you bet ya! It was great, that's how we get things done! How simple, how productive. Then I went to the grocery store to pick some things up during my lunch, and the check out person was texting away on her cell phone not helping out anybody but herself, while the woman in front of me struggled with the debit card machine and the line got longer, and people got grumperier, only to take it out on the check out person. That check out person wasn't getting much of anything done, except maybe planning her next movie night. Helping people out, helps yourself too, I wish she could have been in my office this morning... Take Care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Super-Sized Community

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:17:24 -0700

The Pinehurst, Southern Pines area is a pretty small, close-knit community. Everybody really will know your name if you live here long enough. Small often translates to boring, to most people. I would really disagree though and I think the 82, 300 other Moore County-lites would too. Between the 43 golf courses, numerous restaurants, pubs, shops, parks, recreational facilities museums, and theaters; there is usually something you can find to do if you don't enjoy hiking, biking, tennis, bowling, canoeing, or horseback riding. What I have found most appealing about Moore County are the amount of events and festivals that you can find to attend or take part in every weekend. There is always some musical or theatrical performance being held, a local artist displaying their work, a winery, park, business, school or church having a festival, or a charitable organization holding a function. The local calendar here really is packed with fun and interesting things to do, for all ages and interests. If you are ever in the neighborhood, I encourage you to check them out. We have an equine calendar of events on our website at www.horsefarmpartners.com and www.homeofgolf.comhas an event calendar by month also. Many of the Moore County businesses have calendars specific to interest. The arts council also has a great list of things to do at http://www.artscouncil-moore.org/tidings.html. I find things daily that I never knew were out there. I encourage you, if you live in a large community, or a small one, to keep looking for those little gems of things to do- act like a tourist, that's the best way to find something to do where you live. Take Care from all at Horse Farm Partners

Fall is here?

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:16:17 -0700

I love the fall, the football, the cool air, and the leaves changing, but I also love summer. I might love summer more. So it's bitter-sweet for me when seasons change. This morning, it was the first day where I felt really chilly and really felt that fall was here to stay. Just the other day I took some really great Pinehurst, Southern Pines pictures right when the sun decided to peak out from behind the rain clouds. I thought you might all enjoy a little bit of the Carolina blue. There is something really to be said about how the weather can effect your attitude and mood. We really need to get outside more. As a matter of fact, I am going to open my blinds right now! I might not be able to take my work outside all the time, but I can try and bring a little of the outside in, right? When I can't, I can always look at pictures like this (typically I keep pictures of the ocean in a frame or on my computer background too). Hope you all enjoy these as much as I did. Moore County really is a beautiful place to live Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Horsin' around in Horse Country

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:39:55 -0700

Break up the monotony! Have some fun! Pump up your team! Don't you get more accomplished, more efficiently, and have a better time doing it, when you are feeling positive and upbeat? Don't you get energized and motivated, when you are excited, or happy, maybe even smiling and laughing? Well, today I was reminded of that. There are weekly sales meetings in our office and following those meetings everybody goes on a caravan to the new listings that agents have acquired in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Seven Lakes, Aberdeen area. This is of course is a great way for homes, agents, and clients to get better acquainted. There is always plenty of information at these meetings, but always plenty of laughs, it is a great way to break up the day and week. The meetings are less than an hour, and we have guest speakers come, and usually some bagels or treats, and usually contests, either related to our office, or the market, or completed unrelated, for instance related to sports, but let me tell you, it really makes a difference. We had a great contest related to guessing of a listing price today, and we typically have small, fun contests, and it got me to thinking of how positively everybody reacts to these contests. It doesn't matter what a prize is. People love winning. It really does create excitement, even when the prize isn't that lucrative, even when the contest isn't that difficult. Here are a few ideas I came up with-the winner would normally be decided by leaving the items anonymous, and everybody votes, and the person who receives the most votes wins : Play a "guess this listing price" before visiting a newly listed home-closest wins The person who can come up with the most creative, pre-listing packet or ideas for pre-listing presentation Best flyer/marketing material/brochure for an item The person who comes up with the most creative promo item to put your logo and name on- like a hair scrunchy, car sunglasses holder, water bottle Different local events your company can sponsor/hold/or begin People can really benefit from these ideas, and it will force them to think about them, and really make it fun. You can really use a contest as a training tool to find out where people are also. The contests can be unrelated to the market, and can be based on a sporting championship, or who might win a reality show. You don't have to break any gambling laws- bragging rights, are just as enticingas money in most cases. Another great prize, might be sponsoring the winner to attend a conference or luncheon to hear a professional speaker that is scheduled in the near future (or waiving a fee). Contests, or fun events like this can get your whole group involved, or you can get another office involved- another real estate office, or the business next door- you can compete---- Bob's Carpet VS Awesome Realty in a golf game and the proceeds go to charity....the possiblities are endless, and so are the outcomes. You can boost moral, you can get great marketing ideas, great ideas for your clients and their homes, you can even raise money for charity for incentives instead of personal prizes. Contests and games have a wealth of benefits and can take as little or much time as you have. There are small ones that take 30 seconds to do, and big ones that take substantially more- my suggestion, do a few that stretch over a period of time, and throw in little ones frequently to keep people smiling. Good things that can come out of contests High Moral Marketing Tips Help For Clients Teamwork FUN! Philanthropy Public Relations Education/Training Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!!!

Rain, Rain, Rain

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:13:57 -0700

Who loves to show a property when it's raining? Hmm... the mud, the nice shoes, and if the home or lawn hasn't been quite finished yet, it's even better. Men should just be thankful that they don't have to wear heels! For those of you who haven't been on a Horse Farm, let me paint you a picture for your feet. Dirt, grass, hay,clay, dust, and let me put this gently, horse manure. Now let's add water, lots of rain water in the past few days in the Pinehurst area, which is normally so sunny and temperate (those of you who golf know what I mean). Rain+Dirt+Manure+Shoes=Disaster When I was a kid, the rainy days could be really fun, and even now, when I am in my barn clothes, there isn't much that beats the feeling of coming in and cleaning off the layers of the day on the farm, but when you are out with a client, it's a little different. When you are trying to remind the buyer of the great Southern Pines location, or the amazing large barn with room for all their horses and tack, and lush pastures, and enormous riding ring; the mud, and mess can be a bit distracting. Let's just say, slipping and falling into a huge puddle of mud isn't what I would consider a successful morning, and it would undoubtedly happen at the first horse farm for sale on the list of properties to show. But, it would be a free mud facial, right? My complexion would never look better! Rain does put a damper on showing properties, but trust me, horse farm properties, are a whole other story. But, you do what you have to, and sometimes you just have to laugh, at the situation, and at yourself. Who knows, if you fall face down in some mud, maybe it will work out to your advantage, but I definitely wouldn't say that you won't show somebody a property that they want to see because it's raining....and hey-you could get a free facial out of the deal! Take Care from all at Horse Farm Partners

No power in a snow storm

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:10:44 -0700

It could be worse, it could be worse, it could be worse. I tell myself that. It makes me feel better. Not everybody would agree with me, but it works for me. I think this is the greatest country in the world-a lot of you would agree...and for most, these recent times have been some of the worst you can remember, things are still exceedingly far better than what people in many other parts of the world would consider average or normal. Most of us can get reasonable medicine at a reasonable cost, and food at any time we need it (unless we live in a small town and its late at night). We do not only have heat, we have AC. We might complain about gas prices, when some have never owned a car, and never will. It could be worse. It might get worse, and even then it will still not be the worst it could get---but I digress. My point is not a sad one. My point is this--- please, please, please stick together. Don't turn on each other. The only thing that you will have if the money runs out or the pump runs dry is each other, is your neighbor. We only have each other. Take care of each other. Always take care of those less fortunate. Not just because you might need somebody to help you out the next time, but because it the right thing to do. The right thing. It sounds easy, and so simple, but it seems that people have forgotten that. "its not our policy" or " I can't do that" or so many other things we hear or even say, when what should be the focus is. What's right. We try and teach this to our children, when did we forget it? Today, what's right is taking care of each other, sticking together, banning together, and doing what it takes to get through whatever economical, environmental, ppolitical, or military thing that we are getting pummeled with. I remember when I was a kid and the power went out during a snow storm and we didn't have lights, heat, or anything to do, we just had each other. Everybody nearby would come to the house that had the most to offer or was centrally located, and we would bunker down for hours or days until the power would come back on, and you know what? I have some of the best memories from those times, and had a lot of fun, and we all survived, and we all survived together. The time even passed by faster when we went through it together...You really can do anything if you have a support system. So bunker down and take care from all at Horse Farm Partners.

To Do Lists

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:58:32 -0700

TO DO: Stage New Listings Meet with Buyers Mail Newsletter Update Website Feed the Dog Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize. We all have a lot on our plate, professionally, personally, and then some. How do we keep track of it all, and how do we get it all done with only 25 hours in the day, wait, there are only 24? Shoot! I lost one! :) Like many out there, I am a big, big fan of the to-do list. Some of us prefer to list our daily tasks on the computer, in Microsoft Outlook, some in our day planners, some on our phones or PDAs, some on post-its... whatever works for you. *If you have trouble these typical to-do list formats, try recording them- on your answering machine, voicemail, or on a voice recorder (can be purchased for under $50.00) Personally, I use a combination of all of the above. I use Outlook (calendar and To-Do), I have post-its stuck all over the place (sometimes to my person), and I make lists in my day planner and on my phone. I cross items off as they are completed, and if I can't get something by the end of the day, it is moved to the top of the list for the next day. Have you ever had items that just kept getting moved forward? Glorious procrastination, the virus of all to-do lists- my advice (if you ever has this problem) is to move that item to your outlook calendar, give it a time of completion (the earlier in the day the better- but be realistic), and when that 15 minute warning pops up, just buckle-down and do it. I often enjoy writing a tangible list. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing off each task, and it's a nice change from the computer screen. I also find that writing seems to access another portion of my brain, and I have some of my best ideas in those moments... perhaps the same is true for you. Get out there- those to-dos, aren't going to-do themselves!!! Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

Signage

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:34:31 -0700

We recently purchased new signs for our listed horse farms. We are very pleased with their crisp, classic look. They are pictured below, please feel free to comment. We think the white is a great compliment lush, green pastures that characterize our properties. I would be reluctant to use it for those of you who live in areas that get a lot of snow, if the white frame blends in to the ground during winter months. I suppose you could use green for winter, and white for summer if the white blended into the snow too much. Another way around that would be to shovel around the signs. This could prove to be very timely, especially with the many listings you have. After ordering the signs, we also decided that we needed to have both agent's name and cell phone numbers listed on the sign. We are currently in the process of ordering riders with our names and numbers. Potential clients will now be able to contact us anytime, and know who we are. By attaching riders, we will not clutter the sign by adding more content. Signage is so important because it might be the only contact you have with a potential client, and it could be their first impression of you and your company. With signs, you also have little to no time to convey your message. So many important things to take into account, and yet, sometimes signs get the least of our attention. Key ideas to remember... Visibility Boldness Readability Design Branding/Image Location Questions to ask yourself... Does the sign catch the attention of those who are passing by? Is the message or image clear? Is your image/message consistent with your brand? Can onlookers see the sign from all angles? Is the sign appealing, unique, and engaging? There are many elements in our marketing strategies that make our business successful, and effective communication encompasses a great deal; signage being just a piece of that. Remember though, to your clients, signage might be the first piece they see, maybe the only they remember. What's worse, it might be what they can't remember. If they can't remember your communication with them, they can't remember you. I don't need to tell you what happens if clients don't remember you, or your company. So, get out there, be unforgettable! Take care out there, from all at Horse Farm Partners

Addicted to Active Rain

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:44:41 -0700

I must admit, I am addicted to Active Rain. I am relatively new to the network, and find myself really enjoying the website in my spare time. I also have found that I need to be very careful when I have other things still on my to-do list, because it's so easy to lose track of time, and get behind. I know I am not the only one who is addicted; I see the number of blogs, and the active profiles; I know I am not alone. There might even be support groups out there,and maybe there is even some sort of active-rain "patch", if things get too out of control. Right now, I am just soaking in all the information, learning the features, and enjoying all the great people on the network, and maybe in a little bit of denial if one or two things get pushed to the side while I get lost in the blogs. Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners!

We survived our first newsletter!

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:06:41 -0700

We hear it all the time, manage your contacts, keep in touch, communicate, put yourself out there. So, we did; we took that great advice and published our first ever, newsletter!! It wasn't hard at all, right? Gather the relevant horse farm, and equine information, a few fun facts, a local calendar, some local market statistics, a funny story, and voila! Unfortunately, it wasn't the content, the research, or the hours it took to write relevant, interesting, informational, stories that was the tricky part. It was the emailing of the newsletter, the compliance with the post office, and the address labels, that would prove to be not as easily mastered as we once thought. If you copy and paste a four-page newsletter into the body of an email, the glorious Internet, that enriches our lives so much, can jumble the whole thing at it's whim. After sending the email several times back and forth between associates, to what seemed to finally be a perfect format, with no more scrambling of text and pictures, the email was ready to be sent to all our contacts. Unfortunately, the email was too large for some email servers to accept, and those who did receive it, had difficulty piecing it together, as somehow in transmission, everything was moved up, down, or too the left, with no rhyme or reason. At this point, we decided, because we had so much content, and an attachment might not be able to be opened depending on the receiver's programs, we would upload the newsletter to our website and send out an email with a brief description and list of stories, linking the email to our newsletter. Now that we had defeated one issue, it was on to the next, actually mailing to other contacts in our database. Printing those address labels can be interesting to say the least. After you import your contact's emails into a label printing program (which can be time consuming if you haven't done it before), your computer screen might look like the addresses fit perfectly on the labels, but the printer might decide to print someting totally different. I had to adjust the size of the labels, and play with my font, and hit print again. If that didn't work, I tried another size, and re-printed again, that fidgeting took some time. Finally, I found the magic sizes, and I printed readable, one address per label, labels. Staples are forbidden in the USPS system. We bought the circle stickers, folded the newsletters perfectly, stickered the open edges, and brought all of them in a box to be mailed. Our post office is small, and doesn't have the machine that automatically stamps mail, so you have to peel-and-stick every stamp. I stood at a closed window for longer than I like to admit, sticking stamps. Good news- the newsletter was just light enough to only require one stamp! We might have gotten a little frustrated along the way, but it was all worth it. The newsletter was a success, and we learned lessons from all those unforeseen snafus, so next month, hopefully, it will be smooth sailing. If it isn't, we will learn something knew, and know better for the following month. Don't be scared of that glitches, good things don't always come easy! Take care from all at Horse Farm Partners

When the ride gets crazy...

Horse Farm Partners (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:16:30 -0700

Every day it seems to be something new. Somebody, somewhere is telling us that things are bad, as if we needed to hear it again. This somebody is bringing us down. Things are not perfect; things might have been better last week, last month, or even last year. The truth is, that life, just like the real estate market and stockmarket, is a roller coaster. There are ups, downs, highs, lows; and I can guarantee there will be days when you think you've hit rock bottom, and maybe you have. There will also be days where you are number one, and so many that are just in between. What can you do though? Since you have no control over any market, the obvious answer is nothing. You can't fix an entire country's economy, much less the world's. You can't go back in time and stop any bubble from bursting. Worrying, stressing, and being angry, isn't going to change anything either, no matter how hard you try. If you internalize the outside negatives, they'll pull you down, and you'll only become counterproductive. What good are you to yourself, your family, and your clients if you are wallowing in negativity and anger? The stress and worry will overwhelm and consume you, and you will not be able to meet your needs, or that of your clients. So, since you can't fix the market, even by thinking, worrying, and dwelling on it; what can you do? You can do the right thing by your clients, by your profession, and for yourself. You can stay positive, you can be ethical, and honest, you can maintain your relationships, uphold your commitments, continue to learn about your local market, support your fellow agents, make your phone calls, update your websites, and attend your open houses. If all else fails, you can take a deep breath, and realize you got through today, and you'll get through tomorrow. Just like with horses, when the ride gets crazy, screw yourself to the saddle, and keep your head... Take care from all of us at Horse Farm Partners!