The Realtor's Night Before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the state
Not a buyer was stirring, not one not this late.
The houses were listed for sale with much care.
In hopes that their prices would seem more than fair.
The agents were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of home sales danced in their heads.
But those who want action in order to cap
Would not be settling for that long winters nap.
They'll rise to the occasion and cause such a clatter
They'll call all they know, call all those who matter.
The lenders they know will open their stash
And help those who ask with that much needed cash.
The rates at the banks are dropping so low
Surely the buyers will say "Yes, let's go!"
They bought up the houses so fast and so quick
It was just what we needed-it sure did the trick.
When the closings were finished and the agents were done
They were heard telling everyone as they drove out of sight
"Happy selling to all and to all a good night!"

Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year!

The Blame Game!

Taking responsibility. We tell our children to do it, we want our employees to do it, we want the people we do business with to do it and we say we will do it. But do we? We are so quick to blame things on other people, circumstances out of our control, even higher beings. Face it we don't like taking responsibility. It means we have to be accountable. Usually this means being accountable to someone else which is easier because then we have someone to blame don't we? What I have found being in business for myself is that there is only one person I have to be accountable to and that is me. It can be hard but if you want to be successful you are the only person that is going to make that happen. And when you think about it no one else really and truly cares more than you. Other people can offer encouragement but think about it they aren't with you 24/7 to keep the offers coming. You have to ultimately be your own cheerleader. That also means you have to take responsibility when things don't go well. You also have to be able to move forward when there is a setback.
I have noticed that the truly successful people are those who look at every situation as a challenge, they stay positive and they surround themselves with other successful and positive people. Is it really easier to just blame our failures on everything but ourselves? Actually I think it's harder. Isn't it more draining to be negative all of the time. Thinking positively gives us enthusiasm and energy. We know if we want something we need to find a way to get it. We can't wait for others to do it for us-it just won't happen. Stop making excuses, blaming everything in sight and look inward for the strength. Don't you prefer to be around positive people? Well our clients do too. So ask yourself this-"Are you taking responsibility or are you playing the Blame Game?"

Making the best of long voting lines.

They warned us and they were right. The lines at the voting locations were long. We wait in lines all of the time-to see a movie, check out at the grocery store, at theme parks and yes the dreaded DMV. But why does this have to be a bad thing? Some people were reading books, some just complained but what I noticed were people visiting. If you look at it as a necessary evil then why not take advantage of it as a chance to meet someone new, catch up with a neighbor you haven't seen or as I did use it as a way to do a little networking. Now I didn't run up and down the line giving out my cards. Maybe I should have, but I'm a little more subtle than that. Plus my 18 year old son was with me and I just couldn't run the risk of embarrassing him. But I did meet someone new from my neighborhood and who knows. Getting in front of people and letting them know what you do is the name of the game in our business. I am starting to look at everyday activities a little differently now. Everyday we have the opportunity to look at things and complain or accept them and see what positive things we can get out of them. It was great to see the turnout for this years election and whatever the outcome we need to do our best to look at every day and every opportunity as positively as we can. I am now looking forward to the next chance I get to stand in a line and maybe make a new friend or two. Maybe it will be you!

Avoid Scary Fall Staging

It's that time of year again time to decorate for the fall holidays. However if your house is on the market you need to be careful. While bringing out all of your favorite collections to show off is a yearly tradition this year you may have to stop and rethink your usual strategy. Lets start with Halloween. Is your house the one that transforms into the ghoulish haunted mansion the kids love to make their first stop? Well you may need to stop and maybe pass the torch to a neighbor. Going all out may be fun but remember while you are trying to sell you need to keep your decorating simple. There is nothing wrong with tastefully adding some seasonal flair to your home. It will probably help in presenting your home to prospective buyers. But remember just as with everyday staging you want people to see what your home has to offer such as square footage, architectural details and upgrades. A bountiful fall arrangement on the dining table, some pumpkins on the steps and of course a festive wreath on the front door will welcome buyers. A creepy ghost or skeleton will only scare away those buyers. Oh and please don't forget the cobwebs, fake or real they are not welcome this holiday season.

A journey from Silver Lake, NH to Greenville, SC

As the year winds down and we head into winter the reality of why my family and I moved to Greenville SC reveals itself once more. We relocated here from a very small town in NH in January 2005. When we left it was about 25 degrees out and there was maybe 14 inches of snow on the ground. When we arrived in Greenville two days later it was warm, really warm (even for SC standards) about 70 degrees. We thought, ok this could work. I remember calling friends up north to brag about going out to supper in January in sandals. Then I started to think about how freeing it was. Winter up north means shoveling sometimes two times a day from October till April, driving in everything from snow, ice and slush and dressing in so many layers you can hardly move. You can't plan anything because the weather will surely cause you to cancel. Now don't get me wrong we were tough and it could be beautiful at times. They don't call in winter wonderland for nothing. But each winter we are here I am thankful we don't have to deal with the snow and the cold. When friends and family are winterizing their homes and bodies and hoping they can pay their heating bills this year, I will once again be realizing why we took that journey from Silver Lake, NH to Greenville, SC. We fell in love with the climate, but got so much more. I am truly happy to call Greenville home and look forward to helping others realize all the warmth this area has to offer.