"Can you believe this schedule?" my son incredulously asked at last week's U of A orientation. "My first class starts at 8:00am . . . who goes to college to get up that early in the morning!?!" he moaned. No worries, by the afternoon gathering, Case has successfully transferred out of every early computer-generated classes and replaced them with others more in line with his educational goals (a later starting time). Since his assigned dorm is a few block off campus, he'll need those extra minutes to make it to most of the big lecture halls. Ah grasshopper, so much to learn and so little time!
Not surprisingly, this was a conversation being repeated by nearly every incoming Freshman and their accompanying parent in last week's session. It seems that early morning hours aren't favored by these young college bound kids. Get real; as the "low man" on the totem pole, they were quickly learning that Freshman have very limited choices. It seems that every student wants a schedule that runs between 10:00am and 2:00pm - preferably on Tuesday and Thursdays only! Hmmm . . . as these naive students were being reminded, that's what's better known as "being a Senior." Until they've earned their dues, these kids may have to settle for less than perfect. So too, do many first-time buyers. With limited budgets, they often find out that they cannot afford to get everything their hearts desire. Guess what? Even those with relatively BIG expense accounts, rarely get every amenity they require either. (In life, we all make choices.) You can afford a coveted location, but must settle for a smaller home than you currently own. You may purchase that recently renovated Queen Anne you truly adore, but forfeit a guest bedroom. You may acquire a spectacular panoramic Bay view, but have virtually no usable garden space on what's sure to be a downsloping lot. (Get the picture?) Regardless of how much money buyers can afford to spend, it is likely they will need to concentrate on those items that are most essential to them and prioritize their "wish list" accordingly. Community? Check. Schools? Check. Transportation? Check. New appliances? Not so much. Whatever your needs, you will very often have to pick and choose. The truth is, I have yet to help a buyer purchase the "perfect" home at any price point, although that's always my intention going in. ( Perfection only exists in airbrushed photos on the cover of men's magazines.) In a strange twist of irony, it is often the "fixer" buyer that demands the least from a home. Why? Because they typically are the only buyers with ZERO expectations! Head's up! ALL homes, whether new or old, big or small, traditional or modern, typically have their share of unique challenges - every single one. (For the record, It's worth noting that these small imperfections often turn into the most interesting aspects of a home over time.) Some challenges will be apparent going in and others will be discovered only after taking title, but let me prepare you from the start - your new home won't be perfect (and neither will your kids - college bound or not). Some imperfections will be "inherent," as in stairs to the front door and others will be "fixable," such as outdated kitchens and bathrooms. Regardless of a property's attributes or detriments, every home requires some adjustments along the way and to be perfectly frank, a bit of a "reality check" from the start. Remember, homes have histories and depending on those histories, they often have stories that carry forward - to you . . . The important thing is to discover what you can (or cannot) live with (or without) and adapt your search to these clearer guidelines. Investigate, assess, refine and keep an open mind (you may need to expand your "box" in some cases) and you will be ahead of the game. With clear expectations and real perspective, you should find that most of the perceived flaws with respect to your homes, are truly "gold-plated problems." (They are.) Moreover, once you actually take possession of your new home, you are more likely to meet any unforeseen surprises with grace; as part and parcel of home ownership, instead of second-guessing your decision. (For me it was a massive redwood tree that required removal within two weeks of moving in and an overdue remodel that has yet to be tackled.) Here's the good news - you are happily ensconced in a home! (Yeah - you're one of the lucky ones.) It may not be perfect, but it's progress (kind of like my son's new schedule.) While you may not get everything you want in this first, second or even third home, you are very likely, getting everything you really need. (Got that son?) Congratulations - Go Wildcats!
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Ingrid Singer taught me to whistle the summer before eighth grade; a talent which has proven infinitely more useful than when I learned how to blow smoke rings the summer before. (Thankfully, smoking never appealed to me the way whistling did.) Sitting on my parents front steps, on a warm June evening, Ingrid showed me exactly how she placed her thumb and ring finger together under her tongue to produce a loud enviable sound. Not some sweet, melodic, Broadway tune, but an ear-piercing, dog-calling, cab-stopping shrill; the kind of whistle that commands attention and makes others take notice.
Last week, a mother turned to me at my son's baseball game after a less than lady-like display and enviously said, "I've always wanted to do that. How do you whistle so well?" Whistling didn't come easy at first. Sitting there with Ingird in our faded cut-offs and tank tops, bubble gum lip gloss at the ready, my first attempts were pathetic little wheezes compared to Ingrid's deep magnificent trumpet. Dang! She made it seem so easy and here I was, producing little more than spit. I spent most of that summer dizzy from lack of oxygen, but kept at it until by fall, I could whistle at the football games with the best of them (and still can). Like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I often whistle while I work. However, nowadays my whistling is more metaphorical. Today whistling is about creating an inviting and welcoming environment and getting agents and buyers alike to stand up and take notice! With a good amount of inventory from which to choose, buyers are pickier than ever. If I am not making them take notice of YOUR home, I am simply not doing my job well enough. Making sure a sellers' home is memorable is both my goal and my responsibility as your REALTOR. Pricing your home to meet the current market value is YOUR part of the bargain. If we harmonize . . . together, we'll "whistle a happy tune - fa,la,la,la,la." Remember, no one ever learned to whistle by watching others do it. It takes patience, practice and a certain amount of determination. (So does buying or selling a home.) It also takes skill. Not only can I command attention at this point in my career, I've also learned the nuance of the softer tune. Still, it's the BIG whistle that continues to attract the most attention and one I'm not afraid to use as needed - especially when hailing a cab in New York City! (Thank you Ingrid.) It's spring time (in spite of the rain) and love is in the air. Do you recall the first time you ever held hands with someone you liked, those stolen glances, and the first sweet kiss? I do (what girl doesn't?).
Strange as it seems, I get some of those same feelings when I work with new buyers and sellers. While it isn't exactly love at first sight, there is often a lovely infatuation period that ensues while we get to know one another and a familial affection that grows as we proceed together through the journey - and well beyond. Realtors work so intimately with their clients that we quickly become close friends, trusted allies and confidantes. We often develop very meaningful short-term and hopefully, long-term relationships with you. Like all new relationships, adjusting to one another and refining the partnership is a part of the process as we each come to understand one another's work habits and perspectives. When everything goes according to plan and the goals are met or better yet, surpassed, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, every once in awhile (very rarely) the collaboration can be less productive. When that happens, it may be time to start anew. Should a relationship fall short of a seller or buyer's expectations, a decision to work with another agent may become a consideration. As difficult as this is (breaking up is hard to do - especially if we've been working together for many months as opposed to just a few weeks) sometimes working with someone else may be the best course of action. Where personalities and emotions are involved, not every relationship is bound to be the perfect match and that's okay. However, sometimes it has less to do with the agent and more to do with a buyer or seller's unrealistic expectations of the market in which case, it matters not with whom you choose to work. Let me break it to you gently: if you are writing too sharply, listing too high, expecting more than the market will bear, making difficult demands, or trailing the market by months or even years (as many buyers and sellers do) the problem may not be with your Realtor. On the other hand, let's give good old-fashioned chemistry its due and say that even when everything is going right, sometimes the relationship has soured for reasons beyond our understanding. If trust has left the building, then it is definitely time to change your representation. In which case, let me refer you to a colleague that's a better fit and let us part professionally and on good terms. (We'd both prefer to use the time more effectively.) Switching agents is appropriate as well when geography comes into play. While a licensed CAR agent (California Association of Relators) may represent property anywhere in the state of California, that scenario rarely benefits you - the consumer. If you are buying or selling in San Francisco, work with a San Francisco agent. Likewise, if your goal is to buy or sell in the East Bay, it doesn't make sense to work with an agent from The City, or one from Marin - does it? (No, it doesn't.) I am currently working with one motivated buyer who has a Marin agent, a LaMorinda agent and a Piedmont agent because she is unclear where she'll eventually dock and she wants all her available oars in the water. That makes perfect sense to me (and I appreciate knowing that I am not the only rower in the boat). If it's all out in the open, everyone understands their role and proceeds in good faith. On the other hand, working with three agents who all cover the same territory is more likely to prove ineffective than beneficial. Why? Without some sense of loyalty to one another, you are very likely to be passed over for clients that are more firmly committed and engaged. With time at a premium, housing stock in short supply and incredibly strong buyer demand, the responsive player is bound to get attention before the client who is pitting one agent against the other. So if you are working with an agent with whom you have great faith and trust. Stay true! If not, then it's probably time to break up - even when it's hard to do! How can I help you? "Eleven, 11, 11 . . . (Bueler, Bueler . . .) 12, 13 . . . " I sat at the Berkeley Planning Department last week waiting patiently for number 17 to be called. Jumping the line, a busy young couple hurriedly rushed in and ran to an open window. Without missing a beat - the desk clerk said. "Excuse me, there are people waiting ahead of you." "But WE just need this one thing!" they insistently implored. Scanning the room (her patience slightly tested) she pointed to the rest of us and deadpanned, "So do they. Now take a number."
Thank you! I wanted to applaud her (and that's not how I typically feel about city employees). Experience has taught her that everybody has needs waiting to be met and they are equally important in turn. Ain't that the truth? Whether working with buyers or sellers, each has an agenda that they feel should receive immediate satisfaction. Of course, your needs should take priority. (Of course they should!) These are important decisions. I know you come first, but remember that the other side might have needs that are important to them as well. To put it ever so gently - not - "Take a number!" Everyone has a goal; a truly pressing and often time-sensitive objective they seek. That's the nature of the beast. Figuring out what that is and how to get there without polarizing the other party is the art of negotiation. The best agents know how to keep their clients focused on the end result instead of getting mired in the sometimes challenging, here and now. And admittedly, negotiations can turn tough on occasion. While both parties want to transfer ownership, understandably the seller and the buyer don't always agree on just how to get there gracefully (and sometimes, their agents don't either). Here's the good and bad news. The current marketplace neither favors nor rewards Buyers more than Sellers (or Sellers more than Buyers) which means that both parties are in a position to negotiate for what they want - and do! Furthermore, they should. Despite the fact that this is your home, this is a business transaction first and foremost. "It's not personal - it's business." This bears repeating: "it's not personal, it's business" and as such, you should expect some lively negotiations along the way. Just keep in mind that although you may ask, there are no guarantees that you will receive ALL, part or any of your requests. (Sounds a little like my marriage come to think of it.) Sometimes you will come to a meeting of the minds quickly and sometimes slowly; requiring protracted discourse, lengthy give and take, and painful tit for tat (no giggling please). In other words, roll with the punches. It is very likely you will be asked for some concessions along the way (and that you will in turn, do the asking). Above all, don't personalize it. Even when we believe we have all the pertinent facts and have asked the right questions prior to making an offer, to quote the late great Paul Harvey, we rarely know or fully understand "the rest of the story." Has there been a death in the family? An impending divorce? A loss of income? Is this move being met with excitement or deep regret? If we avoid making assumptions, the negotiations stay more easily on track and one's feelings tend to get hurt a whole lot less. (While unavoidably human, 'feelings' don't contribute constructively to the process - unless they are emphatically positive.) Now here's the really tough part. Even when the other side is making demands that feel "unfair," I'm going to ask you to take the high road and be "nice." Why? Because I believe in being nice. It may not sound like the shrewdest business advice I have ever given, but trust me, civility is, in fact, the smartest course of action - especially in business! Or as my wise mother put it, "You get more flies with honey." If we all go into a transaction with good intentions, real WILLINGNESS, integrity, a lack of assumptions and a just little bit of well-placed kindness and compassion - the resulting outcome is bound to be much more satisfying for everybody involved. "Fifteen, 16, 17." (FINALLY!) "Here I am!" I said. "Have you got your number? Great. How can I help you?" While I was frantically typing away last week (polishing up The Perspective - what else?) a very gracious and supportive colleague stopped by my desk and said, "You really should give up real estate and write The Great American Novel." (I'm flattered - were it only so easy.) Ha! "Forget the Great American Novel," I replied, "How about a good compelling 'beach read' instead? I'd be more interested in appealing to the masses, than in creating a great work of literary art!" (Really? The perfect sidestep for someone writing a weekly blog.)
Not that I didn't truly adore The Great Gatsby or that I don't aspire to the profound experience attributed to reading The Grapes of Wrath, it's just that when I find time to read for pure pleasure (what's that?) I am much more inclined to pick up Jodi Piccoult or Kelly Corrigan than F. Scott Fitzgerald or John Steinbeck. Literary masterpieces aside, I'm really most content with a good compelling beach read. (And I'm not ashamed to admit it. For me, it's all about an interesting story line . . .) This same philosophy holds true for each of my listings as well. When prepping a home for sale, my intention is to appeal to the masses - not the few. As much as you love the photographs of your sun-kissed vacations, your unique Renaissance mask collection or the kid's colorful art school projects, your home really should be less a reflection of your lifestyle and more an invitation for current cultural dreams, desires and expectations. (You wouldn't wear blue jeans to a fancy dress ball - would you?) Dress balls aside, keep in mind that your home is competing against other "staged' properties and it will be measured against them. Will it lead or follow the pack? Let me gently encourage you to pack away those stuffed animals, gymnastic trophies, avant-garde sculpture and your beloved collection of Mickey Mouse memorabilia. Perhaps you will need to change your daughter's lavender and lime green walls, take down the floral wallpaper in the bathroom, remove the swag curtains and dismantle the science projects in your son's room. (sorry kids). Quite often, I may encourage you to paint, garden and fully stage your home so that it's barely recognizable to you or to anyone in your family (even the family dog). Let's face it - the entire home sale process is incredibly invasive and inconvenient at best. Take heart. It's only temporary! Once a ratified contract is in place and ALL of the contingencies have been removed, you can put your children's pen-and-ink drawings back on the walls, return the La-Z-Boy to it rightful location in the den and pull out the X-Box once again. In short, you can resume life as you know it - after the sale is complete. While your home has a great story to tell - it probably needs some good editing (even Hemingway had an editor). Take my word that the outcome will be much more advantageous toYOU when the story I portray relates to the open-and-airy floor plan, the lush inviting garden, the impromptu dinner parties, the close-knit community, the easy commute, the access to fine dining, the nearby running trails, and the craftsmanship and quality of your home - as opposed to your personal memoirs and the attachments you have developed to them. When the stager and I create an inviting backdrop (the compelling beach read!) prospective buyers can begin to envision their life in your home - and that's the goal. Once they mentally move in their furniture, you are well on your way to a sale. Conversely, when buyers can't place the flat screen TV, the Queen-sized bed or the French armoire in a room, you have probably lost them. With all due respect to your history and how you have occupied the home, this mental move is more easily accomplished without your grandmother's portrait or your collection of early Americana proving to be more interesting than the house itself. While you undoubtedly have lived the Great American Novel, the final outcome and result is typically far better when we create a compelling, page-turning story instead; the kind a buyer can't wait to finish - or put down! Who's ready for the beach now? I miss Mr. Rogers (I do). Even though I preferred the quicker pace of Sesame Street to the slower programming of this gentle man, there was something reassuring about the song of community he sang as he tied up his laces and put on his cardigan sweater. "Could you be mine? Would you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?"
This tune has been going through my head quite a bit the last few weekends at the Sunday Opens on Winsor Avenue here in Piedmont www.1109Winsor.com (Take it from me, once in, it's tough to get out.) Situated on a very visible corner, where five streets come together, this well-known "camel house" has enjoyed record-breaking numbers of guests. And no surprise, a fair number of these visitors have been "neighbors!" (Hey, the more, the merrier as far as I'm concerned. I'm a captive audience and time moves v e r y s l o w l y when no one bothers to visit.) Like Mr. Rogers, I love neighbors! In fact, neighbors are more than welcome at any and every open house I host. Actually, I make a point of inviting as many of you as possible to your own private "preview" with each new listing I undertake. I even hand deliver nicely-printed invitations and bake cookies! (I really do!) Neighborhood previews serve several important functions you probably haven't consider as you apologize to me when you come in. "I'm just a neighbor," you sheepishly say, "I was just curious." Great! That's truly music to my ears. Why? The first obvious reason is that neighbors love to pick their neighbors! You quite often are the first to spread the word to family, friends and coworkers. "I know you've been wanting to move. There's a great new house on my street and the 'Coming Soon' sign just went up - you should come and see it . . ." 'Buzz' like this is priceless. Neighbors are walking, talking billboards - and better yet - you're free! Second, when neighbors have an opportunity to view a nearby home and answer questions about it prior to the public open, it allows me to concentrate on the 'real' buyers come 2 pm. With the neighbor's curiosity in check, my attention can be appropriately diverted to the soon-to-arrive out-of-area buyers, as it should be! Third, it gives me a private forum to meet potential new clients and customers. If you are impressed with the home and the marketing I have created (The GRUBB Co. does a beautiful job, doesn't it?) I am counting on you to remember me should you (or a friend) need an experienced Realtor in the near future. (Thank you for the referral. I'm so happy to help!) Finally, Sunday Opens create a great deal of inconvenience on any neighborhood. "Warning" the neighbors that parking might prove problematic and that you might consider scheduling a movie or doing a little shopping during the Brokers and Sunday Opens is a matter of simple courtesy in my mind. Delivering a few invitations with the open schedule clearly defined, is an easy way to keep neighbors informed and to thank you for your much appreciated patience during this short-term invasion of your previously, idyllic neighborhood. So stop apologizing and know that you are more than welcome. You are, in fact, an important and integral part of the process for which I am truly grateful. I look forward to meeting you! "Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?" I do hope so! There's no end to the wisdom my readers impart week after week. In fact, you all are so insightful, I've been forced to create a very scientific method just to catch these "pearls" before I forget them. It involves liberal use of Post It Notes and my desk top computer. To the untrained eye, the border of scrawled handwritten notations might look chaotic, but each yellow scrap is a "Perspective" just waiting to be born!
Last week a new client shared his life's motto: "Eat Dessert First!" which is pretty clever and lots of fun but more importantly, I knew I had found my literary soul mate. Dessert before dinner is a concept that more than resonated, it often defines me! My husband will tell you that I'm a gal who always scans the dessert menu first before ordering from the main course. Just as the hot dog is merely the means to sauerkraut, mustard and relish, for me, dinner is just the necessary segue into dessert. If there's a lava fudge cake with vanilla bean ice cream or a vanilla creme brulee on the page, I am totally rethinking the first course and saving the calories for later in the meal. In fact, if I wasn't quite sure that my sweet tooth and utter lack of discipline would only embarrass my dining companions, I might just forgo dinner altogether and move straight into dessert! "You're making me hungry but how's this relate to Real Estate?' you ask. Here goes: Buyers who venture forth on Sunday afternoons, without benefit of a REALTOR are in essence, doing the very same thing - they're eating dessert first! Not that I have anything against dessert before dinner mind you (clearly, I don't). It's just that even the sugar fixated, 5-year old in me knows that it's probably not the best or healthiest course of action. "Eat those vegetables - they're good for you - and have a little protein while you're at it." Words every mother has spoken since time began and with good reason. Those moms knew what they were talking about! For buyers who choose to go it alone, you run the very great risk of stumbling on to your "dream home" but then being too ill-prepared to quickly compete for it. OR you miss the "off-market," "in-house," "pocket" listing. OR you naively find yourself in the world of "duel agency" with an unknown listing agent whose fiduciary responsibility contractually lies with the seller - not you! OR you may as yet be unfamiliar with the marketplace and the current market demand. OR you inadvertently buy in the wrong school district (it happens). OR you miss the opportunity to thoroughly investigate and negotiate, as is your right. OR, OR, OR - get the Picture? This Lone Ranger routine isn't such a sweet deal after all, is it? With the infinite amount of information now available to the general public on any subject, is it any wonder many of us fall prey to the idea that we are instant experts - regardless of our lack of training or experience? This is especially true for Real Estate, where information is more than plentiful - it's often downright misleading - and therein lies the problem. (Think Zestimates.) Hey, I make a pretty decent chocolate-chip cookie but that doesn't make me a four-star pastry chef, does it? But in the world of Real Estate, a little information can be a dangerous thing. Buying or selling a home is a much more complicated transaction than one imagines. It involves patience, timing, determination, knowledge, marketing expertise, skilled negotiation and above all else, EXPERIENCE! The kind of experience that comes over time, through hard lessons, in battles won, and with a rather steep learning curve. (Real Estate ain't for sissies!) While I may never master the souffle, I've gotten pretty good at mastering the art of the deal - so put me to work. (It never hurts to work with an area specialist.) In return, I will develop your Real Estate IQ and market health. I will send you an Ad Review each week, go over the available listings, analyze the marketplace, investigate the comparable sales, refer you to the appropriate lenders, create a winning strategy, write a seamless offer, accompany you on inspections, manage the escrow and title process, and work diligently to achieve your goals. Can you do that all by yourself? No, you can't - nor should you have to. (That's what I'm here for.) So while it's quite tempting to eat dessert before dinner, it isn't very healthy or very good for you. We both know you will be better off with a full three-course dinner, but save room for dessert. You've definitely earned it. Now that's sweet! I regularly meet a colleague (and a very good friend) a couple of times a month for breakfast and an exchange of information beyond The GRUBB Co. and the MLS inventory (Multiple Listing Service). Often, we swap stories about our buyers and what they are searching for. "I need an all-level living situation on the Piedmont Side of Montclair," she might say and I'll respond with "I need four bedrooms and two baths here in Piedmont under $1.2 million." "What do you know?" we say to each other almost in unison, as we professionally "beat the bushes" for what might be coming down the road.
Last week, over eggs and oatmeal, we talked about how Buyers often aren't clear about what they truly desire until they happen upon it - which can come as a complete surprise to everyone involved in the hunt - especially the Buyers! I shared a story about a very selective client who had wanted "a sophisticated contemporary with a view" and instead, purchased a "fixer" in the woods. Maureen countered with a tale about recent clients who were committed to buying in the Oakland Hills but unexpectedly fell in love with an Eichler in Walnut Creek just a few weeks ago. (Discovered at a Sunday Open, they are now happily in contract!) Sometimes what attracts us most, is a complete and utter surprise! I have always LOVED to dance and swore I'd never marry a man who didn't love it too, so when I started dating my clever future husband and asked him if he liked to dance, he proudly replied "My dancing's often been compared to Michael Jackson's." "Really?" I said, a big grin spreading across my face. At which point he quickly responded,"Well . . . not favorably!" I married a man with humor instead! Twenty years later, we're still laughing. As for dancing, I now take salsa lessons on my own and he plays tennis with his friends. It works. He doesn't have to suffer - and neither do I! (Cliff's beat suits humor better than it does dance! And one and two and three and four . . .) As it turns out, we have laughed through both good and bad times these last 20 years and humor is an attribute I have learned to value much more. My point is that when we stay open to the unexpected gifts, life often delivers us a greater reward! So with respect to real estate (and husbands or wives) keep your options open and you too, might be pleasantly surprised! Happy Valentine's Day! (I hope you dance AND laugh in equal measure.) One of my favorite childhood books was Alice in Wonderland which I happily read over and over (and still do). I love this imaginative tale of a fearless young girl who chased a talking rabbit through a hole and fell down, down, down before finding herself in unfamiliar territory. Risk or opportunity? I suppose it all depends on your "Perspective. " Whether she was standing up to the Queen of Hearts or debating the Mad Hatter, Alice was a girl after my own heart - always willing to take a chance.
Real estate often mimics Alice's topsy-turvy adventures. One week, there is nothing to show our anxious clients and the next week, several good opportunities emerge that demand an immediate response. In some extreme cases, I am literally urging my clients to "make an offer" almost as soon as they've stepped through the front door (or the looking glass)! "Come, come - off with your head!" . . . You might more easily play croquet with a Flamingo than make sense out of buying or selling a home in the Bay Area. Anxiety? Stress? Pressure? You betcha - or as Alice might exclaim, "Stuff and nonsense!" No wonder you're spinning. "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" a confused Alice asks the mysterious Cheshire Cat who keeps appearing and than disappearing, leaving a disconcerting and fading smile in his wake. (Sounds like some fly by night mortgage brokers I've met a time or two.) "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," the Cheshire Cat responds. And so it does . . . If you are feeling dazed and confused, welcome to the world of real estate. Just last week I recommended "patience" and this week, I'm encouraging you to "make an offer." No wonder it gets confusing. It's like falling down the rabbit hole and finding yourself in unfamiliar territory. Even for those of us used to the fast-paced antics of "Wonderland," it can be a dizzy ride. (And no, I don't suggest you chew on the mushroom as Alice found herself doing time and again and no, I haven't been chewing on it either.) What do I recommend? What's the moral of the story? Well, like most good real estate stories, it ends with a renewed appreciation for home, for a sense of one's place in the world, for what's comforting and a need for family and security; with an enlightened Alice discovering pleasure in the simple joys of life. Of course, the best way to ensure a "happily ever after" outcome, is to begin with a professional you trust (stay away from those fast-talkers and overly pushy characters - they're the ones "painting the roses red" - and align yourself with someone who truly places your best interest first. I find that integrity, intentions and actions (and a bit of humor) often make for the most successful results - in real estate as in life. Surround yourself with smart, capable and experienced professionals, from agents, to mortgage lenders, to escrow officers and you will find that you can navigate "Wonderland" with confidence and assurance. And should you fall, I'll be there to catch you! Spying a friend on the street in her cozy pajama bottoms and slippers, coffee mug in hand, as she protectively hustled her kids onto the big yellow Piedmont school bus before the winter break, I couldn't help but smile. "Cute polka dot pj's." I hollered, as I rolled my window down and poked fun (and indeed they were - cute!) "Whatever it takes," she cheerfully responded as she lifted her mug in a toast, "You do the best that you can ."
Little did she know how deeply her friendly response would resonate with me - "You do the best that you can." (That says it all - doesn't it?) Attempting one's best is as important to me in life as it is in business. The fact is that whether you are a stay-at-home mom (or a stay-at-home dad) a lawyer, a doctor OR your friendly neighborhood REALTOR for that matter (moi !) doing "the best that one can" is a prerequisite for ANY job - at any level. I speak from experience, having worked from the bottom UP (truly). My father was a Real Estate Broker/Investor in Sacramento and from the time I was young, I learned how to clean, paint, wallpaper, garden and rent out vacant homes on the weekends - along with my four older sisters. While others took on paper routes, my sisters and I received "rental routes" along with our drivers' licenses. Yipee! (and yes, we grumbled). Everyone was expected to pitch in (and did) with the family business and I take pride in having developed a work ethic that serves me well to this day. Even so, I can appreciate just how difficult "doing the best that you can" is to achieve day in and day out. It's one thing to believe in good intentions and quite another to put it into one's daily practice - especially when our time seems so limited and our demands are so great. Still, I believe that "doing one's best" is a very noble endeavor as we progress, evolve and grow (even when our efforts fall well short of perfect ). So how to translate that simple but profound message as I look ahead to 2010? To do so, I started by drawing up a list of my goals for the coming year - both personally and professionally. Happily this list gets shorter and shorter as I grow to recognize that everything I truly need, I already have: healthy kids, good friends, a happy marriage, a stimulating career, engaging clients, a supportive work environment and a caring community all top my list of what I already have. Serving my Buyers and Sellers to the best of my abilities, seeing my older son off to college, turning 50 with flair, finding more time to volunteer, more time for friends, and balancing family, community and work more selflessly are goals I would like to achieve in the coming year. In short, focusing more attention in the service of others is my vision for what lies ahead in 2010. With your continued support, 2009 was my best professional year to date. In an economy where many struggled to hang on and many more moved on to other professions, I am truly grateful for your friendship, you trust, your faith, your referrals and your business and I hope to achieve even greater success in 2010 by supporting your success in return (there's truly enough to go around). That's one narrow definition of "doing the best that I can." (I'd love to hear yours as well). Happy New Year! A toast to you and yours (coffee mug or champagne flute alike) and here's to an outstanding new decade. |
AuthorJulie Gardner, has been writing The Perspective for 18 years and has published more than 750 humorous but always informative, essays on life and real estate. Categories
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