My Blog

(Posted 12/03/2020)

I just got your text.  There is a home you want to see that just came on the market. Your question is, can I meet you at the property and see it tonight at 7. My natural response is YES!  I sure can!  I'm a helpful, accommodating person.  Unfortunately, a quick YES isn't best for either of us.  I am rerouting my approach.  Sure I know you but we haven't even had an initial conversation about the fact that you are even considering a move.  We need to connect.  That means we need to have either a meaningful phone conversation or even better, a face to face. GASP!!  I may need 30 minutes of your time before I aid  you in spending hundreds of thousands of your dollars.  I need you to paint a descriptive picture of your plan and goals. Do you have a plan?  That's where our connection time comes in.  I don't want to just be in contact via texts and emails. Sure, there is a time and place for that along our home buying/selling journey. Let's face it, we are all busy and ain't nobody got time for voicemail.

Here is what you can expect as a buyer with our connection time.  Let's meet at your home, my office or a coffee shop. Nestle in with your coffee and I'll have a chai.  I'll have a notebook and maybe you could come with some ideas already written out. You may even have questions about me like my successes, my credentials, how I communicate.  First I want to know your timeline and the motivation for your move.  Are you simply ready for a change or is the reason more emergent.  Do we need to sell your home to purchase another home?  If so, when will you be ready to list your home?  Let's have an uncomfortable talk about how getting your home on the market BEFORE we start shopping for a new home is key in many markets.  Next, let's discuss your financing.  Have you spoken to a lender?  If not, I will give you a couple people to reach out to right after our meeting.  This is a hard line for me.  I need you to spend 10 minutes of your valuable time getting pre-approved before I spend hours of my time looking for homes with/for you.  Let's both get invested in this process.  Let's talk a little about your current living situation.  What do you love about your current home?  What would you change about your current home?  Let's write out all the wants, needs and absolute deal breakers.  I will ask, "if I find a home that checks all these boxes are you prepared to make an offer?"  If you stall or say no then I will ask, "then what are we doing here?"  See where I am going?  I want to gauge your level of commitment to this process.  I am also measuring if you are being realistic in your desired search.  Often times it will take many home visits to find one that checks all the boxes.  I just want to know that if we find that golden egg you are planning to purchase it.

Here are a few other questions I may ask along the way:

How long have you been looking online or in person?

Did you see anything you liked?

What kept you from buying it?

Have you worked with any other agents in this process and did you sign anything with them? (honestly I will probably ask that question before we even sit to connect)

One thing I know about people is that when you sit face to face people will offer up much more information than they will via text, email and even over the phone.  Trust and a level of comfort are created more easily face to face.  I will even ask how you prefer to be contacted going forward.  Do you prefer for me to text you with questions or email home leads?  Once we make that first connection, formulate a plan and set expectations for one another then we can scale back the face to face and hit the ground running.

My goal is to be your agent for all eternity.  I want to be the name you are eager to share with your friends.  We are about to spend many hours together, likely with your whole family so let's both make sure we want to take one another on.  I can already tell we will make a great team.  You took the time to read this blog so you're ready for our first connection.

(Posted 12/03/2020)

I just got your text.  There is a home you want to see that just came on the market. Your question is, can I meet you at the property and see it tonight at 7. My natural response is YES!  I sure can!  I'm a helpful, accommodating person.  Unfortunately, a quick YES isn't best for either of us.  I am rerouting my approach.  Sure I know you but we haven't even had an initial conversation about the fact that you are even considering a move.  We need to connect.  That means we need to have either a meaningful phone conversation or even better, a face to face. GASP!!  I may need 30 minutes of your time before I aid  you in spending hundreds of thousands of your dollars.  I need you to paint a descriptive picture of your plan and goals. Do you have a plan?  That's where our connection time comes in.  I don't want to just be in contact via texts and emails. Sure, there is a time and place for that along our home buying/selling journey. Let's face it, we are all busy and ain't nobody got time for voicemail.

Here is what you can expect as a buyer with our connection time.  Let's meet at your home, my office or a coffee shop. Nestle in with your coffee and I'll have a chai.  I'll have a notebook and maybe you could come with some ideas already written out. You may even have questions about me like my successes, my credentials, how I communicate.  First I want to know your timeline and the motivation for your move.  Are you simply ready for a change or is the reason more emergent.  Do we need to sell your home to purchase another home?  If so, when will you be ready to list your home?  Let's have an uncomfortable talk about how getting your home on the market BEFORE we start shopping for a new home is key in many markets.  Next, let's discuss your financing.  Have you spoken to a lender?  If not, I will give you a couple people to reach out to right after our meeting.  This is a hard line for me.  I need you to spend 10 minutes of your valuable time getting pre-approved before I spend hours of my time looking for homes with/for you.  Let's both get invested in this process.  Let's talk a little about your current living situation.  What do you love about your current home?  What would you change about your current home?  Let's write out all the wants, needs and absolute deal breakers.  I will ask, "if I find a home that checks all these boxes are you prepared to make an offer?"  If you stall or say no then I will ask, "then what are we doing here?"  See where I am going?  I want to gauge your level of commitment to this process.  I am also measuring if you are being realistic in your desired search.  Often times it will take many home visits to find one that checks all the boxes.  I just want to know that if we find that golden egg you are planning to purchase it.

Here are a few other questions I may ask along the way:

How long have you been looking online or in person?

Did you see anything you liked?

What kept you from buying it?

Have you worked with any other agents in this process and did you sign anything with them? (honestly I will probably ask that question before we even sit to connect)

One thing I know about people is that when you sit face to face people will offer up much more information than they will via text, email and even over the phone.  Trust and a level of comfort are created more easily face to face.  I will even ask how you prefer to be contacted going forward.  Do you prefer for me to text you with questions or email home leads?  Once we make that first connection, formulate a plan and set expectations for one another then we can scale back the face to face and hit the ground running.

My goal is to be your agent for all eternity.  I want to be the name you are eager to share with your friends.  We are about to spend many hours together, likely with your whole family so let's both make sure we want to take one another on.  I can already tell we will make a great team.  You took the time to read this blog so you're ready for our first connection.

(Posted 12/03/2020)

I just got your text.  There is a home you want to see that just came on the market. Your question is, can I meet you at the property and see it tonight at 7. My natural response is YES!  I sure can!  I'm a helpful, accommodating person.  Unfortunately, a quick YES isn't best for either of us.  I am rerouting my approach.  Sure I know you but we haven't even had an initial conversation about the fact that you are even considering a move.  We need to connect.  That means we need to have either a meaningful phone conversation or even better, a face to face. GASP!!  I may need 30 minutes of your time before I aid  you in spending hundreds of thousands of your dollars.  I need you to paint a descriptive picture of your plan and goals. Do you have a plan?  That's where our connection time comes in.  I don't want to just be in contact via texts and emails. Sure, there is a time and place for that along our home buying/selling journey. Let's face it, we are all busy and ain't nobody got time for voicemail.

Here is what you can expect as a buyer with our connection time.  Let's meet at your home, my office or a coffee shop. Nestle in with your coffee and I'll have a chai.  I'll have a notebook and maybe you could come with some ideas already written out. You may even have questions about me like my successes, my credentials, how I communicate.  First I want to know your timeline and the motivation for your move.  Are you simply ready for a change or is the reason more emergent.  Do we need to sell your home to purchase another home?  If so, when will you be ready to list your home?  Let's have an uncomfortable talk about how getting your home on the market BEFORE we start shopping for a new home is key in many markets.  Next, let's discuss your financing.  Have you spoken to a lender?  If not, I will give you a couple people to reach out to right after our meeting.  This is a hard line for me.  I need you to spend 10 minutes of your valuable time getting pre-approved before I spend hours of my time looking for homes with/for you.  Let's both get invested in this process.  Let's talk a little about your current living situation.  What do you love about your current home?  What would you change about your current home?  Let's write out all the wants, needs and absolute deal breakers.  I will ask, "if I find a home that checks all these boxes are you prepared to make an offer?"  If you stall or say no then I will ask, "then what are we doing here?"  See where I am going?  I want to gauge your level of commitment to this process.  I am also measuring if you are being realistic in your desired search.  Often times it will take many home visits to find one that checks all the boxes.  I just want to know that if we find that golden egg you are planning to purchase it.

Here are a few other questions I may ask along the way:

How long have you been looking online or in person?

Did you see anything you liked?

What kept you from buying it?

Have you worked with any other agents in this process and did you sign anything with them? (honestly I will probably ask that question before we even sit to connect)

One thing I know about people is that when you sit face to face people will offer up much more information than they will via text, email and even over the phone.  Trust and a level of comfort are created more easily face to face.  I will even ask how you prefer to be contacted going forward.  Do you prefer for me to text you with questions or email home leads?  Once we make that first connection, formulate a plan and set expectations for one another then we can scale back the face to face and hit the ground running.

My goal is to be your agent for all eternity.  I want to be the name you are eager to share with your friends.  We are about to spend many hours together, likely with your whole family so let's both make sure we want to take one another on.  I can already tell we will make a great team.  You took the time to read this blog so you're ready for our first connection.

(Posted 12/01/2020)

There are a few words in Real Estate that seem to automatically cause panic in both buyers and sellers.  Foundation issues, mold and duh duh duuuuuhhhh RADON.  Today I want to focus on Radon.  For some reason this naturally occurring phenomenon elicits deal breaking fear.  People will put a hard NO on a deal if speak of this element comes up during home inspection.  The problem often isn't the Radon.  The issue is lack of education.

The inspection has come in.  The Radon level measured over 4 pCi/L (picocuries per litre- you will never use that form of measurement again ever in your life)  So what do you do?  As the seller, you now have to disclose to any potential buyer that your home has an escalated Radon level.  That can be scary!  The goal is to sell your home and radon is not an attractive feature.  You will also, as the seller, likely need to begin some type of remediation process to make your home more marketable or to keep your current contract on track.

As the buyer you also have options.  Yes, you may* still be able to back out of your contract if this scary word makes you want to run for the hills OR you can get educated and make a plan.  Since we know that the radon levels are over 4 that means you, the buyer, went to the extra expense at inspection time to pay for a radon test.  Good for you!  So what is radon?  It's on the periodic chart of elements.  See, I circled it in the chart above! Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste it. Radon occurs naturally throughout the earth's crust. It is a by-product of the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.  It's everywhere. You probably breathe it to some extent everyday. The problem lies when it gets trapped in your home.  Short term, probably not going to be an issue for you.  Long term, the issues can be significant to your health. This risk is elevated if you are a smoker.  See, another reason to quit smoking!

If the pCi/L level hovers around 4 then you would be best served to perform a more extensive test.  Short tests generally take around 48 hours. Extensive testing can be longer than 90 days.  This timeline could seriously hinder the purchase of a home.  As radon gas moves up through the soil, it can be drawn into your home through air pressure differences. It sneaks into cracks in your slab, floor-wall joints, loose fitting pipes, into your water supply. Leave an opening and it can get in.   Any home can have a radon problem - new or old, well sealed or drafty, with or without basements.  If it is determined that the Radon level is a problem then venting the home may be the next step for the buyer or seller.  The graphic to the right shows what a typical vent system may look like. Warning, you will find a million DIY videos on how to vent your home to mitigate Radon.  Please hire a professional!!  If you get this wrong you could potentially create a larger issue.

Bottom line is if your home has an elevated Radon level, you as the seller must disclose this information to all potential buyers.  As the buyer, you need to decide if going to the extra expense of radon testing  (budget $175- $200 if done at time of inspection) will give you peace of mind.  Installing a comprehensive mitigation system could run you $1,500- $2,500.

*Please review your contract and speak to your Realtor for specific guidelines.

(Posted 11/27/2020)

Reality.  Some of us dwell in this realm and others of us wander to other places at times.  I have crossed paths with many a unicorn buyer.  What is this you may ask.  This is the buyer that wants a deal.  Not a deal.... but a DEAL. This DEAL must include the following:  a well below market price, recent updates to include stone in kitchens and bath, updated systems, hardwoods throughout, great schools, privacy, open concept living space, a secondary living space for the kids, minimum 2 car garage, large yard for entertaining and a place to build that outdoor kitchen.  Let's don't forget a work space for husband.  All of these asks are totally reasonable!  I want all these things for myself.  This could all be yours when you dial your time machine back to 2009-2011.  If you were financially able back then you could have created an empire of unicorn homes. If you could have held onto them until 2016-2017 you would be killing it at life right now! But... that wasn't the case for all of us when the economy took a nosedive.  Many of us could barely hold onto the home we lived in much less invest in unicorns.

So lets get real.  I am in the business of REAL Estate.  Not imaginary estate.  As your agent I always have my eyes and ears open for great opportunities like the one listed above.  I want nothing more than to pair my hungry buyers with a home to purchase.  I want my buyers to leave a transaction feeling like they got a deal and made an investment that will become profitable at a later date.  Your goal is my goal!!  With that said, finding those unicorns is not the norm these days.  Did you know the national foreclosure rate has decreased by 62% since 2013!*  The market has taken a turn.  That is good news!!! People are selling high and people are buying high.  The economy is smiling.

Allow me to brainstorm a few ways to help you accept the reality of 2017. Bottom line, if you want to find this mythical house you are most likely going to be looking at a fixer upper.  Short of a nasty divorce or possibly a death, people aren't giving homes away anymore.  Prior to viewing homes we need to determine the extent of work you are willing to put into making this fixer upper shine.  Do you have the ability to do the work yourself?  Does the list price give you enough margin to contract out repairs/renovations?  Is it realistic or necessary for you to live in this property during renovations? I'm confident we can find a great home in your desired area.... if you come with vision and enough budget post purchase.

Secondly, you cannot complain about aesthetics.  Going into a fixer upper with a chip on your shoulder over wall paper or an off paint color is not having vision.  Those are details that can be easily altered.  We can laugh about all the brass and glass fixtures and the layers and layers of linoleum but they can't be deal breakers.  Deal breakers may be foundation/structural issues, liens, or interstates in the back yard etc...  These items could stretch your dollar far enough to make it snap or could simply hinder your ability to resell down the road.  We need to find good bones and then dress it up to our liking.  

Lastly, let's nail down what you are actually searching for so we don't veer too far off course.  You and I will create a list of wants and needs.  You want a farm house sink.  You want a 3rd garage.  You need 3 bedrooms or you need a dedicated office.  You will discover that the more homes you look at your list of wants and needs evolve.  It's called the comparison trap. Say we walk into a home with shiplap and you faint from the beauty.  Now all you want is a house with shiplap.  Henceforth you will only see houses with shiplap!  Well friend, that wasn't on our list of needs OR wants.  Lets get back to the list and see how we can recenter your focus.  You didn't need it until you saw it.  That's why I am here.  My job is to keep you on track.  I am the one void of emotion in this emotional purchase.  Besides, I know a guy that can install shiplap in the house that is actually in line with your goals.

With all that said, if you are a customer looking for that DEAL either as a primary residence or an investment property give me a call.  Upgrade your status from customer to being my client and I will be sure to contact you with any opportunity that becomes available.  It's always good to have a girl like me in your back pocket.

(Posted 5/01/2020)

You have arrived!  Closing on your new home was over a month ago.  It's the one that checked all the boxes, including the spacious backyard. The possibilities are endless.  You can install a new play set, fire pit, trampoline and maybe even an outdoor room. The first year of new home ownership is an exciting time, especially out of doors.  You find yourself outside mowing and exploring your new estate. Each season you'll discover all the treasures previous owners have left you.  Bulbs pop up in random spots, a clematis has taken residence on your mailbox, whatever that pink flowering tree is looks awesome out front! (psst, it's probably a red bud or a cherry tree).  Back to the possibilities... have you ever considered incorporating a vegetable garden in this new and amazing yard of yours?  Aside from the actual deliciousness of the crop, vegetable gardens are a phenomenal way to teach your children about responsibility, work ethic, patience and reward.

We were lucky enough to buy a home that had an existing plot of land set up for a vegetable garden.  It was literally a 8'x 12' fenced area.  We quickly realized that wasn't nearly enough room for the production we wanted.  Over the years our garden has expanded to approximately 500 sqft.  I would call our garden experimental at best.  Each year I come up with a new way of training vegetables, new techniques to protect against pests and new combinations of vegetables.  We are 15 years into this hobby now and my encouragement to you is to be willing to fail, but also be willing to give it a try.

I wanted to give you a little advice for starting your first vegetable garden.  First and foremost, you need help.  Before you call the family outside to start digging sit down and make a list of what vegetables interest everyone and plan if you want to be a row planter or a raised box planter.  Determine the best placement for your garden (lots of sun). Study up on the space each crop requires. Run to Home Depot and grab a soil test kit to determine if you are lacking vital nutrients.  While you are there grab some seeds!  For year 1 maybe start with 3-4 vegetables. Start small, determine what works and build from there.  Second, absolutely call the family outside to start digging! They will all be enjoying the goods so everyone should take part in the work.  Will kids in the garden create more work for you?  No doubt it will but it also creates opportunity for you to teach them about healthy eating.  Oddly enough kids are more inclined to eat a sugar snap pea that they planted and harvested than they are if you pull it out of a 'steam in bag' from the freezer section.

I am a frugal gardener.  Who am I kidding, I am a frugal person in general.  I plant from seed.  My only motivation is because I can plant 300 seeds for the price of 4 actual plants.  Not everyone has the patience to plant from seed so do whatever suits you.  A side perk is that if I plant by seed and we get one last frost, generally my seeds haven't sprouted yet and my little underground plant babies don't die.  My frugal tendencies have bled into soil amendments, pest control and weed block.

For soil amendments we began composting.  Not only is it fantastic fertilizer for our garden, it's free and it shrinks the carbon footprint of our home.  You will be amazed at the decrease in your curbside trash once you start a compost bin.  I have found that the easiest method is to have a dedicated compost bowl in my kitchen for clean egg shells, fruit and vegetable refuse.  Remember, no meats, fats, oils etc... This bowl gets emptied a few times a week by one of my kids into the larger compost bin in our garden.  This compost bin was also free!  We constructed it out of pallets, chicken wire, a few hinges and screws.  To the kitchen waste we add leaf matter, grass clippings and coffee grounds.  This year I may try putting some of my fruit and vegetable waste into the food processor and putting that directly onto my beds. 

For pest control I rely on dog hair to keep rabbits away from my lettuce and hanging tin pans near my blue berry bushes to keep the birds away.  In the future I will be incorporating fabric tents over crops like cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

My greatest discovery for our garden is degradable weed block.  We wrestled with various sprays, soap solutions, vinegar, and the black weed block fabric.  I hated spraying chemicals in the garden because I want it to be as organic as possible and I despise paying for that black fabric block.  We currently and for all eternity will use newspaper.  Again, free and effective.  After the garden is planted we lay newspaper throughout the entire space, careful not to cover where the seeds will pop through and then simply lay pine straw over the newspaper.  Let me give you this piece of advice so you don't lose your mind.  Tag team this process.  One of you lay a few sheets of paper, the other person wets the paper with the hose and then immediately cover that section with pine straw or mulch.  If you don't, a swift wind comes through and you will cuss.

Over the years these have been our top producers: Tomato, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, sugar snap peas, potatoes, lettuce, carrots.

These have been our challenges: Corn, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, pumpkins.

I haven't given up on the challenges.  I just need to put more time into studying the needs of these plants.  Over the years the soil gets depleted, the trees grow and block that much needed sun light and pests win over my organic gardening methods.  At this point I can't imagine a summer at my home without a vegetable garden.  My boys eat straight from the garden.  Blue berries and black berries rarely make it into my house!  Make it fun.  Give them dedicated harvesting baskets.  Teach them the importance of picking at just the right time.  You don't want your zucchini looking like this!

I would love to hear your tips and tricks for a successful summer garden.  There is no shortage of websites and Pinterest sites dedicated to help you along the way as well.  Happy Gardening!

(Posted 12/06/2019)

With the holiday season upon us, you might be questioning if this is a good time to put your home on the market or wait until after the holidays.

The holidays are a time when most sellers are focused on entertaining and traveling so, they take their home off the market. What does this mean for you? This means that you have less competition and your house becomes the highlight property on the market. It is a misconception that buyers are not looking to move during this time of year, with the New Year around the corner, many companies are hiring and relocating executives for new jobs. Why not be available for their needs when they are looking to make a move.

An additional benefit to selling your home November through January is showing how well the house entertains during this festive time of year.  We have pulled together some ideas and tips on how to get your house “Sell Ready” for the Holidays and sled through the selling process!

TIPS TO WELCOME ALL GUESTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

• It’s ok to Deck the Halls and Trim the Tree, however, you want to keep the house uncluttered and not distracting to potential buyers.
• It is also important to make the house feel warm and inviting but is suggested to keep the religious adornments down to a minimum.
• While on the topic of warmth, ensure the thermostat is set appropriately so that buyers feel comfortable as soon as they enter.
• You want buyers to see the entertainment potential but not the morning after evidence. Clear away glasses and party favors.

There are many tips to listing and selling your home during the holidays but the main one is hiring the right real estate agent backed by a resourceful brokerage like Harry Norman, REALTORS^®

We are currently experiencing a high demand for homes in the Atlanta area while inventory is relatively low – today would be a great time to talk to us about selling your home.

(Posted 12/06/2019)

You've been tossing around the idea of moving for a few months now.  It's either downsizing, the desperate need for more room or just a general itch for a new project.  Whatever the reason, you want to begin looking.  So where do you start?  Well, the very first step is to call me!  Let's establish a rapport and nail down the broad details.  What's your timeline?  What are your needs?  What's your motivation for moving?  What are your wants?  Likely you have already been looking at real estate sites online and you have found a couple you want to see.  Before we hit the ground running let's start with this step.

Have a conversation with a lender.  This step is important to both you and me.  For you, the buyer, having a pre-approval letter from a trusted lender sets a realistic expectation on what you can actually afford.  What is someone potentially willing to lend you to purchase a home?  Let's remember, this pre-approval is not a guarantee.  You will eventually have to go through an underwriting process in order to get final approval. A pre-approval could mean discovering a larger budget than you thought or possibly regrouping to look at homes at a lower price point.  Having this letter also strengthens your offer when you do find a home.  Put yourself in the seller's shoes.  If you receive multiple offers on your home (assume most of the terms are similar) but only one has already been pre-approved, whose offer wins?  Give sellers confidence in your offer by showing that you have taken the time to ensure purchasing their home is a financial possibility.

For your real estate professional, having a pre-approval in hand shows that you are invested in this process.  One of our greatest commodities is our time.  Agents like to work with buyers in all phases of the home selling and purchase process (we understand this process can often take many months) but taking this important first step can help us more efficiently direct you.  If you provide me with a pre-approval letter for $300,000 but you want to see homes listed at $600,000 we will need to have a conversation prior to scheduling showings on how and if you can realistically purchase that home.  Remember, in many cases, we are asking families to speed clean and vacate their home for a couple of hours.  We need to do that knowing that this is viable and not just to satisfy your curiosity.  Virtual tours are great for curiosity!  I also don't want to take you to a home that is financially out of reach, watch you fall in love with it and then take you to an additional 20 homes that will never compare.  I want you to be excited about your home purchase and not feel like you are settling.

Let me be your resource.  I can recommend a few reputable lenders to help get you well on your way.  Give your lender a solid 5 days to deliver a letter to you.  See, that's 5 days you'll be ahead of potential competition!

(Posted 2/08/2017)

I've been tossing around ideas for this next post and nothing was really sticking.  That is until I was given the honor of the Mrs. Emmie award yesterday at our office annual awards ceremony.  This award is special because it is the only award voted on by peers.  It isn't volume or commission based.   It's character based.  I don't care what your profession, receiving a character award is a high honor.  The award, and I quote directly from the certificate "is given annually to one associate from each branch office in memory of Mrs. Emmie Norman.  The award recognizes loyalty, professionalism, ethical conduct, team spirit and involvement in the residential real estate industry."  That means that out of over 1000 agents, 18 are selected to receive this honor.  Yes sir.  It's a big deal!

I would love for you to take 5 minutes to watch and listen to this segment on the history of Emmaline Norman (click here). However, I know people and I know not many of you have 5 whole minutes!  So allow me to break it down.  Mrs. Emmie Norman & Associates was the first exclusively residential brokerage in the Atlanta area.  She was also Atlanta's first female broker!  Her first real estate associates were know as "Miss Emmie's Girls."  Though it may feel like a step back for women to be called someones "girls" I think it is adorable and henceforth you can consider me one of Miss Emmie's Girls.  What does all this history mean?  It mean's this spunky gal created a legacy.  This legacy has stretched 85 years and it continues to grow each year.  Harry Norman, Realtors has set roots in Atlanta and I am fortunate to be a part of this rich heritage.

So what does this have to do with you and me in 2017?  Have you ever thought about the legacy you will leave behind?  You get to be the author of this legacy.  Do you move around from home to home, and state to state or do you set roots?  Do you leave an impact all over the U.S. touching many lives in your nomadic tendencies or do you impact a few living on the same street for 30 years?  Either scenario can be a win.  It's all about what you leave behind.  Do you approach your job as your passion?  Do you put in the time to stay current in your industry so you can bring value to your clients?  Do you spend time outside in your neighborhood with the goal of connecting with neighbors?  So many questions!  If there is one thing I have learned in this industry of Residential Real Estate is that it is 90% people and 10% paper. (Though some days the paperwork seems daunting).  The 90% people isn't just mailers and postcards and the occasional wave in the carpool line.  It's thoughtful gestures, being helpful when sometimes helpful isn't convenient and just simply being available.  The human factor in this business is by far the most important part of my day.

Leaving a legacy is moot if you don't have people to leave it to.  Think through your day and ask yourself if you have been helpful to someone or initiated a connection in some way.  I think you would be amazed at how honored people are that you thought about them.  As I continue to grow my business I have this award framed sitting in front of me on my desk complete with Mrs. Emmie's picture.  It will serve as a reminder of the legacy that she left that I get to help carry on.