I love a good challenge, especially one that is meaningful fun. Thanks Ray and Margaret! Grab a beverage of choice and settle in, there are a lot of questions. It's going to be a long one.
August challenge: Truth in the Rain.
1. We all go on vacation to get away from it all and have a great time, but I want to know, what vacation day was your worst? Definitely the one we were stuck in Iceland. Out of all the places one can get stranded in, Iceland is top of my list, but a blizzard made exploring impossible and we missed the big surprise which had been months in the planning. We were going to fly in the day of my dad's 70th birthday celebration and head straight to the party from the airport. We had even brought a violin for one of my children to play Happy Birthday while walking into the room. Instead, we spent the night at a hotel in Reykjavik and arrived a day late. The best laid plans and all that.
2. What would be your bucket list vacation or, if you have already taken it, tell us about it? Pictures encouraged. I lived in Dublin for a year when I was 20 and would love to revisit for more than a day (which we did not too long ago, taking advantage of a 24 hrs. lay-over on our way back from Germany, this time voluntary!), rent a car, take a trip down memory lane and explore new places.
3. If your ActiveRain friends were to visit you, would you prepare dinner for them or would you take them to the best pizza joint in town? What would you make or where would you go? Neither. I would take them to a local gem instead, a place with history (the Elkridge Furnace Inn), or a reflection on my roots (Rathskeller), or the only Guinness brewery in the US. You pick!
4. We all know that Canadian bacon and pineapple are the best toppings for any pizza. If you can’t have those toppings on your pizza, what would you choose? Nope. Nope. Nope. Pineapple does not belong anywhere and most definitely not on pizza. I don't eat meat and keep the processed food to a minimum. So my choice is uniquely me: a cauliflower or sweet potatoe crust with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, cashew sauce and vegan cheese. It may sound odd to you but just typing it out loud is making my mouth water!
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I can't do dairy so my choices are limited but the best non-dairy icecream I've enjoyed comes from Taharka Brothers in Baltimore via the Parkridge Creamery in Ellicott City. My favorite has been Golden Milk. Yum!
6. What is your beverage of choice with dinner; beer, wine, iced tea, a cocktail, or …..? I prefer sparkly water and occasionally a glass of wine.
7. Do you prefer going to a concert, the theater, or a big sporting event? Who or what would you be watching? Concerts, definitely concerts. I surprised my children with tickets to Coldplay last Christmas. We counted down for 5+ months to one epic experience. They know how to put on a great show, and I love their focus on sustainability. Wristbands for the show are made from 100% compostable plant-based material, the audience generates electricity for the next show via jumping/dancing pads and bicycles, and a tree is planted for each ticket sold... and so much more. Coldplay's efforts are impressive and inspiring!
8. There are so many great festivals across the country. Is there a special one in your area? Pictures are encouraged. I don't think I've actually been to one? But I might just head to the Chocolate Festival in Annapolis this year!
9. What is your greatest sporting accomplishment, hitting a hole in one, bowling a perfect game, hitting the game winning shot, etc.? If you do not enjoy athletics, what is your greatest accomplishment? Growing up in East Germany I was in a marching band that competed on the regional, state and national level. Marching bands were serious business in East Germany, I was away at training camps during every school break. We earned second place during the last national championships in 1989. I was young, and don't remember much but do remember realizing that practice does make (almost) perfect. You put in the effort, you earn the reward. Also, national vice-champion has a nice ring to it!
10. Are you a pet person? If so, names and pictures are a must! I am a dog person and get to claim the best dog ever as our furry family member. Lennon, the Real Estate Dog is the best office buddy, chief barketing officer, and friend I could wish for.
11. What is your favorite thing to collect, or do you prefer to keep things simple and clutter free? Or what is your decorating style? When traveling with my children we always get a fridge magnet as a memory token and have several from Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Cayman Island, Disney World, and the Czech Republic. Hoping for many more! And then there are purses, but having different purses to match different outfits and occasions is a necessity, not a collection, wouldn't you agree?! ;-)
12. What job did you have just prior to making the switch to real estate and has it helped you in your real estate career? (Courtesy of Jeff Dowler, CRS) I started in Real Estate within a year of graduating university. This is my first and forever career. During college I worked in customer service and as a Spinning instructor. There are surprising similarities, one of the best ones, is cheering on and motivating.
13. When you are writing on ActiveRain, who is your audience and why did you choose them for your audience? (Courtesy of Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400). My blog has evolved into a collection of consumer focused posts with a lot of me in it. I want to attract people that can relate to me and vice versa. I write for the customer who doesn't yet know that I am the best choice for them. I write to educate, to share, to spread positivity, to connect, to grow, and to remember. The answer is really threefold, my audience are my clients, past, present and future, my Real Estate peeps and peers, and myself.
14. What makes you the real estate agent of choice in your area? I don't claim to be the Real Estate agent in a specific geographical area, but I am a great choice for international clients (I am a CIPS), for single parents (first hand experience of all the trials, tribulations, and rewards), for old house lovers (pro preservation with a soft spot for all things vintage)... I am passionate about this industry, retro homes, running, sustainability, yummy vegan food, decorating, traveling, success stories, and Happy Closing Days. Also, my middle name is perseverance.
15. What is the most outrageous action that a client has ever asked you to perform? I once received a drunk call from a seller in the middle of the night demanding I scrub the toilet and bathroom floor on my hands and knees. Showing agents had ignored his signs and my heads-up that the house was winterized and the water shut off. I don't blame him for being angry, but for directing it at me. Instead of arranging for a cleaning crew (which would have been my regular course of action), I cancelled our listing agreement.
16. We show a lot of homes in our profession. What is the most interesting home or, item in a home, that you have encountered? Carl's house and the shoe closet he built for his wife. This experience had a huge impact on me personally and on how I conduct business. Every house is filled with memories. Every seller, every buyer is writing a part of their life's story when they buy and sell. It's a privilege to help author these stories. Each one deserves my full attention, care, and respect. Nothing less will ever do.
17. What are your three favorite neighborhoods in your area and what makes them special? Are you lucky enough to live in one of those neighborhoods? If you've followed me for a bit, you know that I adore vintage and old houses. My favorite subdivisions are the historic districts and the communities with charming old homes. Historic Ellicott City, Savage, Saint Dennis, downtown Sykesville, Takoma Park... there are many.
18. We all love client testimonials, but is there one that really made you feel special? We would love to see it. Any testimonial makes me feel special! I've had clients write lengthy ones which made me tear up, so much time and effort went into penning these, it's incredible and humbling.
Just recently I got this text from a client after successfully navigating a few contract hurdles. Of course, I am not a loan officer, nor attorney, and didn't advise outside my expertise and qualifications. But experience does pay off. I discovered mistakes, solved a few issues, moved things along as they should have, researched until I had an answer... I also believe, where there's a will, there's a way.
19. What is your favorite volunteer work or charity? Any act of kindness is my favorite volunteer work! Volunteering to help out the neighbor, to cut their grass, carry in the groceries... this is where it starts. Among my favorite charities is Second Chance in Baltimore.
20. What does the flag represent to you? I am and will always be a European at heart, but the US has become home. The flag represents home to me, opportunities, choices, privileges, and sacrifices.
21. When we discuss life, my dad always says he is not sure what he would like to be when he grows up. He is 77! What do you want to be when you grow up or are you already in your perfect profession? I LOVE being a REALTOR. But when I grow up I want to dedicate my time and resources to restoring old houses, and have a vintage store in one and perhaps another business organizing vintage events.. because in a dream like this, time does not fly.
That's a wrap! If you've made it this far, I am humbled. Let's have coffee, or a beer at my favorite German place? Which day is best for you, text or call 240.593.2860!
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