Treehouse

Today's quote of the day comes from my younger daughter, Julia. I was telling her about how my clients often call me when something happens at their house to see how I can help, with advice, resources, and general support. One example I gave her was a client who had a tree limb fall through their roof during a storm. She said, "Was it just through the top of the roof or actually into the house?" I said in this particular case, the large branch had come through the ceiling inside the house so it required more repairs than just to the roof. Without missing a beat, she said, "Awesome! Make yourself a treehouse."

In this particular case, on the same day they had called, one of my contractors sent her roofer over for a consultation and quote and they received help quickly. I guess in hindsight, someone might find that humorous. Not as they can see daylight through their ceiling, however.

Bonnets

Quote of the day, actually quoted today (usually I'm a little behind, or it was a quote from decades ago). I was speaking to one of my buyer clients and when I told her I would follow up on a radon re-test, she said:

I know you are on it like a bonnet.

Yes, yes I am. And I actually chuckled to myself, because I am on it like a bonnet. And then I thought of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie.

And this is my new favorite phrase. Because I am good at following up on things, tracking them to completion.

Ongoing Communication

Many Reatlors have mixed feelings about HGTV: love it, hate it, it sets unrealistic expectations, and so forth. There is one show and designer I particularly like: Sarah Richardson from Canada. She has had a variety of house renovation series called "Sarah's House." From one of these programs comes my Quote of the Day.

Your relationship with your real estate agent shouldn't end on move-in day. Their market expertise can often guide you in renovation decisions.

Just yesterday, a client asked me for input on the potential future market value of her house post renovation, so I ran a Comparative Market Analysis for her. I welcome questions, requests for resources, and opportunity to provide input on renovation decisions from clients and friends. 

How can I help you?

QOTD: Process

This quote of the day is from my favorite Washington Nationals announcer, FP Santangelo. On August 26, 2014, top of the 7th inning playing at the Philadelphia Phillies, one out, bases loaded, up to bat was Kevin Frandsen of the Nats. FP was talking about how, as a young hitter, you might be focusing on the result, say a grand slam, and not the process. Instead, as a veteran, he stated you let the pitch dictate the at bat:
  
Results take care of themselves if you stick with the process.

Hold a beat, then Frandsen hits an RBI single!

As a real estate agent, I believe in my processes, both in managing a transaction, leading buyer clients through their home search and contract, helping a seller with their property's preparation, presentation and pricing, as well as my client prospecting activities. It is difficult sometimes to lose sight of the process, but the results do come. They come in the form of the perfect house for a newlywed couple, the ideal inspection contingency result for a single buyer client, and the ideal house prep and presentation to the market for a seller who needed a quick sale.

QOTD: Price

Another Quote of the Day from my daughter, Lucy, age 14.

Mom, I've decided that the most important price for a house is the first one.

Having a mother as a Realtor rubs off on a kid, I guess. We had been driving home from an open house; I bring one of my daughters along if I'm previewing properties or just staying on top of the market and I want some company. The house we had just seen had had a price reduction and she went on to say how, once the seller lowers the price, then buyers think they have even more chance to negotiate on price. She is a freshman in high school. She understands market conditions and negotiating position.

In a rising market with conditions more favorable to a seller (based on housing supply, interest rates, and other economic conditions), for the right property, "testing the waters" with a leading edge price might be a winning strategy. However, if minimum time on market, optimal contractual terms, and potential competition for your property are key success factors in the sale of your home, there are other "at market" or conservative pricing strategies to discuss with your real estate adviser and agent.

Let me help you match your goals with the right pricing, preparation, and promotion strategies for the sale of your house.

QOTD: Building a Business

Yes, real estate is my business. I do make money when clients, who have hired me as their agent, buy and sell houses. This requires a set of skills and experiences (not to mention jurisdictional licenses) and, most of all, relationships.

Some particularly rewarding relationships that I've built over the last 2 months or so is with a small set of McEnearney Associates DC office colleagues through a group our broker Ned Rich calls Success Builders. It is extremely rewarding to freely share strategies and support each other with weekly conversations. We cheer each other's victories both big and small. By building our individual businesses one at a time, we collectively build a stronger brokerage community. We believe in our brand and in each other.

My quote of the day comes from one Success Builders colleague Brett about our meetings. It summarizes the secret to our success.

It is a weekly feast of ideas that work. 

QOTD: Flooring

Today's Quote of the Day comes from my almost 14 year old daughter, Lucy. We were touring houses this past weekend to see comps for an upcoming listing I have in the works and she made a very interesting observation.

The floors really say a lot about a house.

She went on to explain that one house, which had beautifully refinished hardwood floors really shined and she thought better about the house overall because the sellers had taken such good care to present the floors well.  Another house had hardwood floors which were not only very dirty but uneven in places, paint-stained, and overall very scuffed.  She thought that house did not show well.

I've written before about some guidance for open house preparations which did highlight cleanliness.  I'm working now on a new seller checklist for Open House Prep (I have my own Open House Preparations Checklist, but this new one will be to give to my seller clients).  I'm happy to share with my seller clients in the future.

I just thought it was an interesting observation that Lucy had.  What stands out for you about houses and how do those things reflect on your overall impression of the home?
 

QOTD: From A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic holiday movie. From the toe-tapping soundtrack to the iconic imagery, there are many memorable moments.  My favorite quote this year:

Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.
Charlie Brown: What is it you want?
Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate.

QOTD: More RE Love

My Quote of the Day comes from my favorite fictional Realtor colleague, Phil Dunphy from Modern Family.

Today I get to talk about the love of my life, [dramatic pause to glance at his wife, Claire]... residential real estate.

I adore how enthusiastic Phil is about real estate and appreciate his sometimes loony ideas for promotions and sales.

QOTD: Opening Doors

I spotted today's Quote of the Day stenciled on a window of a restaurant along Wisconsin Avenue NW in DC.

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
--Milton Berle

What a great concept for real estate, in many ways. For example, if my buyers are having a difficult time getting a new home due to multiple offers with escalations and no contingencies by other bidders, we might need to be more creative with our search strategy: look for properties on the market for longer periods due to overpricing or property condition; actively communicate with other agents in my brokerage for upcoming listings so we can be first in when it hits the market; or even broaden our search to other areas where inventory might be higher.

Another way to ponder this quote is for people who might decide to stay in their current home and improve it rather than making a move. While it might seem contradictory for a Realtor to talk about a situation that does not result in a home sale, I believe in providing organized, creative, intelligent real estate solutions for clients whether they are buying, selling or staying.  Give me a call to discuss how I can help you find your best solution.

QOTD: Imagination

Quote of the Day: Something for home buyers to keep in mind when seeing houses.

You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
-Mark Twain
A couple observations:
1. I guess I like Mark Twain quotes; I have posted at least one other.
2. Many times, buyers tour through potential new homes and fixate on one (or more) negative aspect of the house, like the ugly tiles in the owner's suite bath or the unpleasant harvest gold color of the laundry room walls, rather than taking the broader view of the space, layout, unique features, and the home's value in total. Of course the space and usage of a home are crucial to a buyer, as is location (for commute distance and options, access to services and amenities like recreation). But the surfaces like carpeting and wall color can all be easily and relatively inexpensively changed.

You cannot move a property, but you can certainly paint your laundry room.

QOTD: Do More

Today's Quote of the Day reflects my business philosophy:

Do more than is required. What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following? The extra mile.
--Gary Ryan Blair


I'll go that extra mile for you, whether you are buying, selling, or staying, and for any referrals you send my way.

QOTD: Mark Twain on Homes, and Cats

Quote of the Day, taken from page 47 of my new copy of The Home Owner's Journal: What I Did and When I Did It, a Christmas gift from Mom to help us document updates, upgrades, and paint colors in our current home.

A home without a cat—and a well fed, well petted, and properly revered cat,—may be a home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?
-Mark Twain

Not sure why, but this amused me. 

Quote of the Day: Organize!

This Quote of the Day (heretofore QOTD if that's OK with everyone) is brought to you courtesy of my retired 2012 Franklin Covey planner, pocket-sized, spiral-bound.  This little guy was my failed attempt at having a full year of organization in my purse at all times.  This approach and format were short-lived, well, at least by my long-standing relationship with Franklin Covey planners.  I used this small size planner from approximately January 16 through October 22, 2012.

As background, I have been using the same time management system since... wait for it... 1991.  But, I need more space than two pages per week, page size 4" x 5.5" so I am back to the Compact two pages per day format that is comfortable like an old pair of jeans.

I digress... the quote is:

Don't agonize. Organize.
-Florynce Kennedy

In your daily life, or long term planning, or home search, or home sale preparation, just put pen to paper (or stylus to tablet, if you prefer) and make a list.  Then follow it to completion.  I can help if necessary. I was giving some time management advice to a colleague just the other day.  And I create customized home preparation checklists for my sellers as part of my standard listing services.  Let me know how I can help you make more effective use of your time, whether buying, selling, or even staying.

New Feature: Quote of the Day

In a new occasional feature, maybe to become a side bar on this blog or to stay as brief posts, I will share a Quote of the Day.  Sources will vary.  Additional commentary is optional.

The first QOTD was printed on the top of my Franklin Covey day planner for the week of July 30 to August 5, 2012.

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.
-Harriet Braiker

Ponder this in the context of a new home search.  There is no such thing as a perfect house.  Rather, one can strive and hope to find the most excellent home that meets the highest percentage of your needs and wants.