In my day, it was called a “Kodak moment.” These days, it’s more like a “digital nanosecond.” The technology of how we capture the images that tell the stories of our lives has changed dramatically. Darkrooms and film are artifacts, replaced by laptops and pixels. And just about everyone is walking around with a gadget in their pocket that not only is a camera, but a phone and a mobile computer. This is good news in many ways. Besides convenience, it gives us almost infinite opportunities to create art, visually record history and tangibly catalog our memories. The latter pursuit leads us to today’s topic. Did you know that more photographs are taken at Christmas than any other time of the year? That is not surprising when you consider that for most Americans, Christmas is the holiday brings loved ones — and magic — into our homes. Whether it is … Continue reading
Success is tied directly to one’s ability to communicate effectively. Think about it: On every level, in both our personal and professional lives, our most satisfying and fulfilling achievements begin and end with clear communication. I have found that correlation especially true in the real estate business. Plain-spoken communication is the foundation upon which we build relationships with our customers. Once we understand each other — our goals, our roles and how we can target our resources and talents — we are on our way to a successful real estate transaction. Contrary to what some people may think, the most essential skill to be an effective communicator is not to be a good talker; it is to be a good listener. That’s why I listen very closely to our customers. I ask a lot of questions because hearing the answers helps me interpret the motivations and expectations of home sellers, … Continue reading
Imagine this scenario: You’ve listed your home for sale and as your REALTOR® is showing it, you mention, with a tone of disappointment, how long it has been on the market. In the course of casual conversation you also share that your spouse has accepted a job in another state and, even though you’re looking forward to the move, you’re a little worried about the timing. After your REALTOR® pulls you into another room and puts duct tape on your mouth, you realize it probably wasn’t a good idea to let your prospective buyer know you are so anxious to make a sale because now, in all likelihood, they will factor that perceived desperation into a too-low offer. Most folks probably would not offer that much insight into their personal circumstances in a face-to-face conversation. Yet, some sellers — and buyers, too — are carelessly posting information on social media … Continue reading