So, the key to success in most sales careers has to do with keeping your name or brand in front of everyone. I prefer to think it has more to do with service, but passing the word that service and communication are key returns to the idea of names and faces in front of everyone. After 10 years in real estate, I can't call everyone so I send out post cards of listings and the occasional promotional item.
I think it all came home to me that this is important when I went to an SU game recently. I ran into a friend who introduced me as "This is the woman who is on my refrigerator." Her friend instantly lit up with recognition.
I have received promotional items myself along the way. Carol Alger, a loan officer who is now with Homestead Financial (http://www.homesteadfinancial.net/) has been with me from the start, probably one of the very few professionals who has been. She gives great service, communicates with me quickly and easily via e-mail, and I can reach her when I need her. The feedback from clients is also positive - if it weren't, I would not recommend her. But she also gives out promotional items. When she switched from MetLife I asked her if they would continue to come, because they are fun.
So I still have the old ones. The MetLife apron is red, so it works over the winter months for both Christmas and Valentine's Day. I have on the refirgerator a Snoopy embellished list of emotions, with a marker to show how I am feeling each day. I got stuck on ecstatic when Liam was born last July and can't seem to pull myself off of that. Which is fine!
This morning I finished sending out calendars, a bit late, but I do want to connect and be on more refrigerators. Next week I will send out the new Parcell Woods lots post cards. I think these are the most important, and not necessarily to promote me, but to keep my clients (and friends) informed about new properties.
There is something else that goes along with mailings, whether they are multi-steps like the calendars, or single moments of attaching address labels. Sitting at the kitchen table today I think about each and every person as I put on the mailing label. This is an old method / teaching strategy from my days in Spring Hill School in Saratoga (http://waldorfsaratoga.org/). Teachers were encouraged to bring to mind their students, one at a time, as they fell asleep. This helped to focus on the individuality of each child and solve or prevent problems. As I sat at the table today, I thought of that exercise. It applies to real estate too.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Time and Again
We spent the weekend in Manhattan, visiting Alex, Rachel and Liam. It was a truly lovely - if brief - time away. We made it down there in four hours and twenty minutes, and that included two stops. I never would have believed it possible until I started making the trek through Scranton. As long as there is no George Washington Bridge or FDR tie-up we can do it. We also found a parking spot just a few doors from their building.
I have come to really love the City. I love the energy, the way it really doesn't seem to sleep, the safety of it. I can walk and walk, we are close to parks on either side, there are dogs and kids galore to watch. We ventured out with Liam, now six months old, to a sit-down restaurant, stroller and all. Candlelight, great Vietnamese food, good wine and beer, close to their building....and there were two other little kids at the next table. It was all fine and the wait staff accommodated everyone.
I looked at the City slightly differently this time. I've been reading Time and Again, by Jack Finney, for the second time. I read it years earlier when I was in Seattle, and remembered it fondly. When it was reissued this past year I bought it and also gave a copy of it to Alex and Rachel. Not to give too much away, it is a story that features the NYC of 1882, at the end of January that year.
The details are simply delicious, things I had not known or thought about. There's a scene in which it has snowed a great deal, and everyone has taken the opportunity to bring out their horse-drawn sleighs. Finney evokes this beautifully - the sounds and sights of all those horses and bells in the night air. The protagonist stays at The Dakota, famous in part now due to John Lennon, but when this was published in 1970 it was a star among the Manhattan buildings in its own right. Across the street in Central Park, in 1882, were farms! (For a great photo of it, and a description, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dakota)
There was no snow this weekend, and I didn't make it down to The Dakota as I will some day. The wind blew off the East River and froze us, but the parks were filled with kids on a Saturday afternoon in the sun. So different from Finney's descriptions - but still the same fascinating city.
I have come to really love the City. I love the energy, the way it really doesn't seem to sleep, the safety of it. I can walk and walk, we are close to parks on either side, there are dogs and kids galore to watch. We ventured out with Liam, now six months old, to a sit-down restaurant, stroller and all. Candlelight, great Vietnamese food, good wine and beer, close to their building....and there were two other little kids at the next table. It was all fine and the wait staff accommodated everyone.
I looked at the City slightly differently this time. I've been reading Time and Again, by Jack Finney, for the second time. I read it years earlier when I was in Seattle, and remembered it fondly. When it was reissued this past year I bought it and also gave a copy of it to Alex and Rachel. Not to give too much away, it is a story that features the NYC of 1882, at the end of January that year.
The details are simply delicious, things I had not known or thought about. There's a scene in which it has snowed a great deal, and everyone has taken the opportunity to bring out their horse-drawn sleighs. Finney evokes this beautifully - the sounds and sights of all those horses and bells in the night air. The protagonist stays at The Dakota, famous in part now due to John Lennon, but when this was published in 1970 it was a star among the Manhattan buildings in its own right. Across the street in Central Park, in 1882, were farms! (For a great photo of it, and a description, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dakota)
There was no snow this weekend, and I didn't make it down to The Dakota as I will some day. The wind blew off the East River and froze us, but the parks were filled with kids on a Saturday afternoon in the sun. So different from Finney's descriptions - but still the same fascinating city.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Last 10 in 2011
So here they are, the last 10 homes that closed in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service in 2011. This brings the total to 70 homes. It WILL get better in 2012 - I know it!
In no particular order:
181 Hemlock Hollow - $159,750
3859 Highland Avenue - $245,000
9 Wicklow Drive - $309,000
2989 East Lake Road - $1,375,000
1698 Amerman Road - $225,000
2424 West Lake Road - $215,000
48 West Genesee Street - $350,000
14 State Street - $300,000
61 State Street Road - $285,000
25 Leitch Avenue - $530,000
On to a better year!
In no particular order:
181 Hemlock Hollow - $159,750
3859 Highland Avenue - $245,000
9 Wicklow Drive - $309,000
2989 East Lake Road - $1,375,000
1698 Amerman Road - $225,000
2424 West Lake Road - $215,000
48 West Genesee Street - $350,000
14 State Street - $300,000
61 State Street Road - $285,000
25 Leitch Avenue - $530,000
On to a better year!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
I am learning to navigate through the new year with all my resolutions mostly in place. I still find that I am drawn to doing more than needs to be done and feeling rushed, at least real estate-wise. I rearrange my own schedule - walks, blogging time, friend-time - to accommodate people because I never want to feel the guilt about someone missing out. But then other things don't get done, things that need to be done and things I enjoy, like this blog, and I feel guilty anyway! I know it is all part of living, and subject to "monitor and adjust." Recognizing the issue is the first step towards solution.
Currently there are ONLY (and I do mean ONLY!) 91 active homes in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 29 are in the Village, and 22 are waterfront. I say ONLY because we have been as high as 150 as recently as the past six months. And the new ones that have come on - four in the last week - are all re-lists of homes that have been on the market before. Three of these have been reduced - one has been increased in price. There are no new listings except these.
There are new contingent properties, bringing the total to 5. One is waterfront and the other is Village - great! There is nothing new in the Under contract or Pending categories, which add up to 11 homes.
We added another sold property, a gorgeous home in the Skaneateles School District and listed as Skaneateles, although really in the Town of Sennett. That brings to four the number of closings for 2011 - already! And I know another one that will show up closed within the week.
So go out there and see these few homes. It's almost down to the good old days of showing five homes and saying "Pick one - it may not be here tomorrow!"
Currently there are ONLY (and I do mean ONLY!) 91 active homes in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 29 are in the Village, and 22 are waterfront. I say ONLY because we have been as high as 150 as recently as the past six months. And the new ones that have come on - four in the last week - are all re-lists of homes that have been on the market before. Three of these have been reduced - one has been increased in price. There are no new listings except these.
There are new contingent properties, bringing the total to 5. One is waterfront and the other is Village - great! There is nothing new in the Under contract or Pending categories, which add up to 11 homes.
We added another sold property, a gorgeous home in the Skaneateles School District and listed as Skaneateles, although really in the Town of Sennett. That brings to four the number of closings for 2011 - already! And I know another one that will show up closed within the week.
So go out there and see these few homes. It's almost down to the good old days of showing five homes and saying "Pick one - it may not be here tomorrow!"
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
I feel so comfortable at this desk. I will probably go back into the office this evening, but I want to get the update done here, with a cup of tea and a dog at my feet. I showed a house this afternoon that froze me totally. Gorgeous house (falling in love with the potential) but colder than the outside temperature of 20 degrees, I swear! I needed to warm up!
Currently there are only 96 single family homes listed as active in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 31 are in the Village and 22 are considered to be waterfront. Three properties came back on the market this week, two in the village and (brrrrr) a lovely waterfront home. The median list price of all these homes is $325,000. The lowest is $89,900 (and the only one under $100,000) and the highest is $3,095,000.
There are only three homes marked contingent, but one of them is new - a fine home in the town which I showed repeatedly to no avail. Alack and alas! Someone is getting a very pretty home! In the under contract, do not show - may I just refer to it as "U" please? - category there are seven homes listed. In the pending column are five. I can assure you the pended homes would like to become "SOLD!" As would their buyers, sellers, attorneys and agents....probably also the loan officers who get tired of hearing from the buyers, sellers...etc.
We still have only three homes sold this year - see the previous paragraph please!
Currently there are only 96 single family homes listed as active in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 31 are in the Village and 22 are considered to be waterfront. Three properties came back on the market this week, two in the village and (brrrrr) a lovely waterfront home. The median list price of all these homes is $325,000. The lowest is $89,900 (and the only one under $100,000) and the highest is $3,095,000.
There are only three homes marked contingent, but one of them is new - a fine home in the town which I showed repeatedly to no avail. Alack and alas! Someone is getting a very pretty home! In the under contract, do not show - may I just refer to it as "U" please? - category there are seven homes listed. In the pending column are five. I can assure you the pended homes would like to become "SOLD!" As would their buyers, sellers, attorneys and agents....probably also the loan officers who get tired of hearing from the buyers, sellers...etc.
We still have only three homes sold this year - see the previous paragraph please!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Year that Was
I got so involved in the statistics that my tea got cold and the sun went down! Fascinating.
This is only a first part of other blogs (or blog) about the area and what happened in 2011 real estate-wise. I just need to feed the dog, figure out dinner, and get some other work done. If I stay with the multiple listing service none of this will happen.
So! In Skaneateles in 2011 we sold and closed 70 homes. Of these, 20 were in the village and 15 were waterfront. This compares with previous years:
2010 75 closed 13 village 17 waterfront
2009 81 n/a 18
2008 66 n/a 20
("Village" as a category was only begun in 2010)
Then I got into the fun stuff. Thanks to JT, I decided to look at median prices, because I know that despite the numbers there was at least the sense of a turn-around.
Going the other way....(for dramatic effect...) Median list price is of homes that closed...
2008 $415,000 median list price $400,000 median sale price
2009 $335,000 median list price $335,000 median sale price
2010 $250,000 median list price $230,000 median sale price
2011 $299,000 median list price $290,000 median sale price
So we are moving up, at least as far as the sale prices go which is a very welcome sign! And if you look at the 2008 figure, that was the year with the most waterfront homes having closed amid the fewest overall closings - a certain influence on the median.
This is only a first part of other blogs (or blog) about the area and what happened in 2011 real estate-wise. I just need to feed the dog, figure out dinner, and get some other work done. If I stay with the multiple listing service none of this will happen.
So! In Skaneateles in 2011 we sold and closed 70 homes. Of these, 20 were in the village and 15 were waterfront. This compares with previous years:
2010 75 closed 13 village 17 waterfront
2009 81 n/a 18
2008 66 n/a 20
("Village" as a category was only begun in 2010)
Then I got into the fun stuff. Thanks to JT, I decided to look at median prices, because I know that despite the numbers there was at least the sense of a turn-around.
Going the other way....(for dramatic effect...) Median list price is of homes that closed...
2008 $415,000 median list price $400,000 median sale price
2009 $335,000 median list price $335,000 median sale price
2010 $250,000 median list price $230,000 median sale price
2011 $299,000 median list price $290,000 median sale price
So we are moving up, at least as far as the sale prices go which is a very welcome sign! And if you look at the 2008 figure, that was the year with the most waterfront homes having closed amid the fewest overall closings - a certain influence on the median.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Triskadekaphobic I am Not!
However, after a few hours this morning I was beginning to wonder....
I had made plans with an old friend to meet for lunch at the Hotel Clarence (http://www.hotelclarence.com/) in Seneca Falls, about halfway between her home in East Bloomfield and the Skaneateles RE/MAX office. The purpose was to re-connect, but also to celebrate her birthday. Of course the snow changed everything, and we decided to postpone our lunch.
But I grew up in snow, so to me playing in it was welcome. Bob has a flu thing going for the third day, so I trudged out with Boo for the early morning...well, trudge. Not cold enough for skis, and I wasn't ready for snowshoes. This was just exploratory.
We went up to the fields behind our property and the wind almost took us both away. Boo loved it, running circles while I slid on the mud and wet leaves under the snow coming down the trail. We got to an area we call The Arboretum where we've planted a few trees over the years, a cleared out section in the middle of our acreage. Bob has planted and cleared, I should say. I am the official admirer. This is also where Boo waits to get his treat and a lead put on so he doesn't invade the neighbor's yard on the way back home.
While Boo waited, I noticed that one of the cages surrounding a sapling had fallen over. The sapling (probably less than that) was one of his prized pawpaws. (If you don't know pawpaws, you are not alone...unless you lived in southeastern Ohio or know the kids' jingle..."Picking up pawpaws, Put them in your pocket, Save them for a rainy day..." you may never have heard of pawpaws.) So I picked up the cage - very carefully - and the top two-thirds snapped. I felt so badly!
I 'fessed up when we got to the house. Bob thought and thought, told me it was okay, then dressed in his snowsuit and with Boo went out to investigate. He bound the poor little thing up with red wire, covered the cage with an old t-shirt, and came back home. To find out that I had turned the pellet stove down and it had gone out. Such an awful start to Friday the 13th!
It got better from there. Not that the three properties I am waiting to close got a scheduled closing date, or anything. But we settled in to a quiet day of "Words with Friends" (me) and updating his iPod (Bob). The next Friday the 13th I won't take as lightly! Or make plans!
Enjoy the snow! And if you want more information check out the Pawpaw Festival near one of my alma maters, Ohio University in Athens: http://www.ohiopawpawfest.com/ or www.fred.net/kathy/pawpaws.html for more general information.
I had made plans with an old friend to meet for lunch at the Hotel Clarence (http://www.hotelclarence.com/) in Seneca Falls, about halfway between her home in East Bloomfield and the Skaneateles RE/MAX office. The purpose was to re-connect, but also to celebrate her birthday. Of course the snow changed everything, and we decided to postpone our lunch.
But I grew up in snow, so to me playing in it was welcome. Bob has a flu thing going for the third day, so I trudged out with Boo for the early morning...well, trudge. Not cold enough for skis, and I wasn't ready for snowshoes. This was just exploratory.
We went up to the fields behind our property and the wind almost took us both away. Boo loved it, running circles while I slid on the mud and wet leaves under the snow coming down the trail. We got to an area we call The Arboretum where we've planted a few trees over the years, a cleared out section in the middle of our acreage. Bob has planted and cleared, I should say. I am the official admirer. This is also where Boo waits to get his treat and a lead put on so he doesn't invade the neighbor's yard on the way back home.
While Boo waited, I noticed that one of the cages surrounding a sapling had fallen over. The sapling (probably less than that) was one of his prized pawpaws. (If you don't know pawpaws, you are not alone...unless you lived in southeastern Ohio or know the kids' jingle..."Picking up pawpaws, Put them in your pocket, Save them for a rainy day..." you may never have heard of pawpaws.) So I picked up the cage - very carefully - and the top two-thirds snapped. I felt so badly!
I 'fessed up when we got to the house. Bob thought and thought, told me it was okay, then dressed in his snowsuit and with Boo went out to investigate. He bound the poor little thing up with red wire, covered the cage with an old t-shirt, and came back home. To find out that I had turned the pellet stove down and it had gone out. Such an awful start to Friday the 13th!
It got better from there. Not that the three properties I am waiting to close got a scheduled closing date, or anything. But we settled in to a quiet day of "Words with Friends" (me) and updating his iPod (Bob). The next Friday the 13th I won't take as lightly! Or make plans!
Enjoy the snow! And if you want more information check out the Pawpaw Festival near one of my alma maters, Ohio University in Athens: http://www.ohiopawpawfest.com/ or www.fred.net/kathy/pawpaws.html for more general information.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
It feels good to be writing more. This weekly blog becomes one of the things I do, rather than a "to do" to be remembered. As I sit here sipping my tea, waiting for the game to start, I can just roll this off the keyboard. Delightful! And this way I stay in touch with the all-important statistics.
There are currently 99 single family homes actively listed in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 30 are in the village and 21 are waterfront.
Two new listings came on this past week - one is a re-list in the village with a change of price and a change of agent and brokerage. The second is another village listing in the low $200,000.
There are only three properties marked contingent now, none of which are new. Eight are listed under contingent but do not show - the one new one is new construction (hmmm...that could be worded better). Three are pended (and one of mine will be once I finish this.)
The great news is that we have three homes listed as having sold and closed in the new year! One has lake rights and closed in the high $200,000 range. Another is right on the water (this is January, remember!) and almost sold for $500,000. The third is new construction in the town - mid-$400,000.
Nothing more has appeared from last year, so some time soon I will wrap up the year with the final closings and an analysis. But now it's time for Syracuse basketball - Go Orange!
There are currently 99 single family homes actively listed in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 30 are in the village and 21 are waterfront.
Two new listings came on this past week - one is a re-list in the village with a change of price and a change of agent and brokerage. The second is another village listing in the low $200,000.
There are only three properties marked contingent now, none of which are new. Eight are listed under contingent but do not show - the one new one is new construction (hmmm...that could be worded better). Three are pended (and one of mine will be once I finish this.)
The great news is that we have three homes listed as having sold and closed in the new year! One has lake rights and closed in the high $200,000 range. Another is right on the water (this is January, remember!) and almost sold for $500,000. The third is new construction in the town - mid-$400,000.
Nothing more has appeared from last year, so some time soon I will wrap up the year with the final closings and an analysis. But now it's time for Syracuse basketball - Go Orange!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
De-cluttering 101
Last Thursday evening I attended a workshop, I think you could call it, on de-cluttering held at the Onondaga Free Library on Onondaga Hill. There was a confusion about time - the paper said one time and the presenter had another - so I missed a little bit at the beginning. But I found it very interesting, and just when you think you can't learn more there I was scribbling notes to myself.
The presenter and owner of the company, Lisa DeVeau, seemed to hold everyone's attention for the full 90 minutes. There were probably 35 people in attendance, of which four were men. Most likely everyone had homes that needed cleaning out, or their parents did. One person asked about a definition of clutter vs. hoarding. Good question - like any addiction it seems to be if it interferes with your life, then it is hoarding. More my definition....I have to admit my mind rambled to a client I have whose parents are definitely hoarders.
Back to de-cluttering. There were a lot of questions she asked the group: "Do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you?" "Does the stuff give you energy or take it away?" "Would an item be difficult to replace or get again?" I own my stuff, I know that, but I also know that it depletes me.
For example. One of Lisa's methods for clearing out is to walk in a room and starting on the left, make a sweep. Make piles - DUMP, Give away, Store, NOT SURE, Not at this time....etc. Start left and work right, never leaving the room until your time is up for that day. Fine, I thought, I'll start in the sitting room of the in-law apartment and begin my sweep. Not a big deal, a way to break it all down.... I walked in, turned on the lights, looked left - and there was the buffet I had used as a desk for a few years, stuffed with so much that I had to stop using it. I turned off the lights and left the room. Maybe another day.
(She also is doing a workshop entitled "Overcoming Procrastination" on Wednesday, January 18th at 6:00 PM in North Syracuse. She knows her clientele!)
The company is called "Completely Organized" and their website is http://www.completelyorganized.com/. They are local - Manlius - and work in three main areas: Business, Residential, and also Senior Services. Under the latter they list managing moves, from planning to setting up new homes. I can see where that might be a godsend for a family. When my mother moved out of her home after 58 years she worked weekly with a friend to make the move. They worked for six months - and the closets were still full. Now our basement is, but that's another story.
Just as many of my clients get help with packing when they move and are assisted by relocation, I can see how this service would work well for people with houses to de-clutter and a mandatory timeframe in which to do it.
The presenter and owner of the company, Lisa DeVeau, seemed to hold everyone's attention for the full 90 minutes. There were probably 35 people in attendance, of which four were men. Most likely everyone had homes that needed cleaning out, or their parents did. One person asked about a definition of clutter vs. hoarding. Good question - like any addiction it seems to be if it interferes with your life, then it is hoarding. More my definition....I have to admit my mind rambled to a client I have whose parents are definitely hoarders.
Back to de-cluttering. There were a lot of questions she asked the group: "Do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you?" "Does the stuff give you energy or take it away?" "Would an item be difficult to replace or get again?" I own my stuff, I know that, but I also know that it depletes me.
For example. One of Lisa's methods for clearing out is to walk in a room and starting on the left, make a sweep. Make piles - DUMP, Give away, Store, NOT SURE, Not at this time....etc. Start left and work right, never leaving the room until your time is up for that day. Fine, I thought, I'll start in the sitting room of the in-law apartment and begin my sweep. Not a big deal, a way to break it all down.... I walked in, turned on the lights, looked left - and there was the buffet I had used as a desk for a few years, stuffed with so much that I had to stop using it. I turned off the lights and left the room. Maybe another day.
(She also is doing a workshop entitled "Overcoming Procrastination" on Wednesday, January 18th at 6:00 PM in North Syracuse. She knows her clientele!)
The company is called "Completely Organized" and their website is http://www.completelyorganized.com/. They are local - Manlius - and work in three main areas: Business, Residential, and also Senior Services. Under the latter they list managing moves, from planning to setting up new homes. I can see where that might be a godsend for a family. When my mother moved out of her home after 58 years she worked weekly with a friend to make the move. They worked for six months - and the closets were still full. Now our basement is, but that's another story.
Just as many of my clients get help with packing when they move and are assisted by relocation, I can see how this service would work well for people with houses to de-clutter and a mandatory timeframe in which to do it.
Freaky Stuff
Topic #1 Okay, so I am finally having difficulty with the lack of snow. It is simply not right! I hear last night on the news that even if we come in with one of the lowest snow totals of all-time, we still will have at least three to five feet of snow before this "winter" is over. That's a lot of snow, especially if you cram it into the next two months - because March 15th is about it for major snow. For those of us who were here - there was the mid-March snowstorm of 1993 that dumped several feet on the area - then melted away within two weeks. As I write, it is sort of raining snow.....Sigh.
Topic #2 We must have been watching too many Twilight Zones from the New Year's marathon. I went out to get the paper before 7:00 AM yesterday and there in the northwestern sky was a bright light, hidden by clouds. My first thought was that it was the sun - but wait! That rises in the east, and I see it every day! Slowly the moon revealed itself and I breathed easier. Gorgeous moon, by the way!
Topic #3 Saturday night we went to see The Amazing Kreskin (his real name, changed officially some years back) at the Auburn Public Theater. He has had a career as a mentalist, and frankly I have no idea how he does it and yes, we were amazed. I have to believe it is some sort of skill-set that he was born with, like the autistic people who can play by ear or remember dates. But he is the total package - at 76 he alluded to having jogged an hour that day between shows. His performance went on for two and a half hours without intermission to a filled auditorium. I honestly believe he has the ability to read minds!
Okay - back to work....but writing is refreshing!
One other thing, in case I forget.....Joe Messina, an unemployed truck driver from Auburn, is competing on The Biggest Loser which airs Tuesdays at 8:00 (like tonight) on NBC. He weights 360 pounds and wants to lose half his size, plus has the goal of getting on rides at Darien Lake. (See http://www.syracuse.com/ for more information) Go Joe!
Topic #2 We must have been watching too many Twilight Zones from the New Year's marathon. I went out to get the paper before 7:00 AM yesterday and there in the northwestern sky was a bright light, hidden by clouds. My first thought was that it was the sun - but wait! That rises in the east, and I see it every day! Slowly the moon revealed itself and I breathed easier. Gorgeous moon, by the way!
Topic #3 Saturday night we went to see The Amazing Kreskin (his real name, changed officially some years back) at the Auburn Public Theater. He has had a career as a mentalist, and frankly I have no idea how he does it and yes, we were amazed. I have to believe it is some sort of skill-set that he was born with, like the autistic people who can play by ear or remember dates. But he is the total package - at 76 he alluded to having jogged an hour that day between shows. His performance went on for two and a half hours without intermission to a filled auditorium. I honestly believe he has the ability to read minds!
Okay - back to work....but writing is refreshing!
One other thing, in case I forget.....Joe Messina, an unemployed truck driver from Auburn, is competing on The Biggest Loser which airs Tuesdays at 8:00 (like tonight) on NBC. He weights 360 pounds and wants to lose half his size, plus has the goal of getting on rides at Darien Lake. (See http://www.syracuse.com/ for more information) Go Joe!
Friday, January 6, 2012
An All-Around Fine Day!
This is the first time I have started a blog this year without a subject in mind. I didn't write yesterday because I went to a de-cluttering class at Onondaga Free Library in the evening. More on that another day....very interesting and helpful! But it deserves a well-thought out blog of its own.
Today was simply a good real estate day. I showed houses in the morning and did something I have negver done before. We went to the house and as I was trying to get in my buyer said "Oh look, they have a dog!" Sure enough, a dog had come to the front hall door to greet us. Hmmmm. I called the agent who called the owner who assured the agent that the dog was very friendly. I said I wasn't going in, especially with children. We compromised with me going in alone and taking the dog outside and chaining her up, while we went through the house. I only did this because I knew the owner and....that still doesn't mean I knew the dog, I realize now. But all was well - the house showed beautifully, the dog behaved herself, and a showing was saved.
The second house I had shown before and my buyers had not liked it. This time everything was in its place - their dog was even in a crate! It looked great and we all went away happy.
I had lunch at Creekside - the loaded potato soup. Excellent! I made phone calls, texted, looked up the map to get to my afternoon showing on my iPhone (so handy!) Then off into the spring-like sunshine to see two radically different houses, both of which I like very much. But not for me to decide!
I got back to the office in time to accept an offer on a house from an agent who dropped it off. Lisa had the door cracked open - it was 49 degrees out - and after a while I couldn't stay inside. I ran off home, grabbed Boo (who was thrilled) and we walked the hills and fields for about 45 minutes until the sun went down. I made tea and toast (Panera whole grain) and completed phone calls.
This is our Boo:
A very pleasant day!
Today was simply a good real estate day. I showed houses in the morning and did something I have negver done before. We went to the house and as I was trying to get in my buyer said "Oh look, they have a dog!" Sure enough, a dog had come to the front hall door to greet us. Hmmmm. I called the agent who called the owner who assured the agent that the dog was very friendly. I said I wasn't going in, especially with children. We compromised with me going in alone and taking the dog outside and chaining her up, while we went through the house. I only did this because I knew the owner and....that still doesn't mean I knew the dog, I realize now. But all was well - the house showed beautifully, the dog behaved herself, and a showing was saved.
The second house I had shown before and my buyers had not liked it. This time everything was in its place - their dog was even in a crate! It looked great and we all went away happy.
I had lunch at Creekside - the loaded potato soup. Excellent! I made phone calls, texted, looked up the map to get to my afternoon showing on my iPhone (so handy!) Then off into the spring-like sunshine to see two radically different houses, both of which I like very much. But not for me to decide!
I got back to the office in time to accept an offer on a house from an agent who dropped it off. Lisa had the door cracked open - it was 49 degrees out - and after a while I couldn't stay inside. I ran off home, grabbed Boo (who was thrilled) and we walked the hills and fields for about 45 minutes until the sun went down. I made tea and toast (Panera whole grain) and completed phone calls.
This is our Boo:
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
I am enjoying these blogs. I am enjoying the peace that makes them possible, too. That doesn't mean work has stopped. I am waiting for two appraisals, three closings, I put in a new listing today (ML#S264895), and I will show houses on Friday. Just there's a peacefulness about this week.
The update - not much here, but I will see what I can do. The big story is that the active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multipe listing service have dropped under the 100 mark for the first time in (possibly) two years. At least! We have 98 active, of which 27 are in the Village and 21 are waterfront. I know a lot expired at the new year, and I am sure several have ended because waterfront is not easy to sell in 10 degree temperatures. Two re-lists came back on as part of the 98. There are still 5 contingent, 7 under contract, and 5 pending properties - all the same as last week.
We did add one new closing to bring the 2011 total to 69. This was actually waterfront, closing in the low $200,000 after being on the market for a while. I still want to wait a bit before pronouncing the year officially closed.
So to round out this blog I thought I would introduce three properties that may catch your eye and certainly might not have. The first two are on Craigslist, so feel free to find them there.
1 - Hong Kong Apartment Swap - people in Hong Kong would like to swap their place for a home in Skaneateles for three or four weeks this summer, mid-July to mid-August. Ideally they want to be within walking distance of the Village. (Thanks to Karen, our first PAFD in the Skaneateles office of RE/MAX for sharing this in mid-December.)
2 - Manhattan Windowed Office Space - 180sf for $2,000, month-to-month, near Bryant Park (Midtown West); utiliities included plus shared use of conference space. If you are interested, please contact Alex through http://www.ramapoforchildren.org/.
3 - 158 Shire Way, Camillus - now $219,000 and open Sunday, 12:00 to 2:00. This 3-bedroom, 2-full bath ranch in Westshire has been on the market before, but never at this price. Come see it before it is snapped up - or swapped!
The update - not much here, but I will see what I can do. The big story is that the active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multipe listing service have dropped under the 100 mark for the first time in (possibly) two years. At least! We have 98 active, of which 27 are in the Village and 21 are waterfront. I know a lot expired at the new year, and I am sure several have ended because waterfront is not easy to sell in 10 degree temperatures. Two re-lists came back on as part of the 98. There are still 5 contingent, 7 under contract, and 5 pending properties - all the same as last week.
We did add one new closing to bring the 2011 total to 69. This was actually waterfront, closing in the low $200,000 after being on the market for a while. I still want to wait a bit before pronouncing the year officially closed.
So to round out this blog I thought I would introduce three properties that may catch your eye and certainly might not have. The first two are on Craigslist, so feel free to find them there.
1 - Hong Kong Apartment Swap - people in Hong Kong would like to swap their place for a home in Skaneateles for three or four weeks this summer, mid-July to mid-August. Ideally they want to be within walking distance of the Village. (Thanks to Karen, our first PAFD in the Skaneateles office of RE/MAX for sharing this in mid-December.)
2 - Manhattan Windowed Office Space - 180sf for $2,000, month-to-month, near Bryant Park (Midtown West); utiliities included plus shared use of conference space. If you are interested, please contact Alex through http://www.ramapoforchildren.org/.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Stress - The Final Frontier
Maybe not final, but it sounded good as a title to this blog. I am still working out New Year's resolutions in an attempt to improve the professional me. I took care of rushing last year by arriving early on a regular basis. That was part of the stress, but only a part. Closings I may actually have an idea - a creative idea - to make them easier on everyone, so I can put that away for a bit.
I realized today, as of course I have known for years, that there is a physical component to stress. I felt it three times today that I can delineate. I always make a list in the morning of tasks that need to be accomplished - actually it is just a reminder list of who needs a call or e-mail, or a text. I write in every day things like "office" and "hotsheet" just because I can then check them off or not let them get lost in the swirl of the day. There are long-term projects that take time, but I need to keep them in the forefront or they never get done. Today's (as it has been for weeks) was "database." And it got done - three hours of typing and looking up addresses, but it got done!
But when the list was written I noticed that I gravitated towards certain things and away from others. I did not want to call the client with the property for sale that hasn't sold. That is never a comfortable conversation, ever. I like all my clients, sellers and buyers, and that is rarely a problem. Certain properties at certain prices just do not sell in this market, and I am the bearer of that news.
Another time I felt my heart rate go up was dealing with technology. My e-mail got stuck - the ringer on my phone was turned off by mistake - the attachment I thought I had sent wasn't the right one. These things happen - they do - and then....
In the afternoon I had to go out to send a card that needed to get in the mail today. It was 14 degrees at the time, the car was covered with snow, and I had been sitting for hours working on the computer by the fire. I did not want to go out, but I did. As I pushed the snow I had so longed for off the Scion I told Boo who came along for the ride that we might miss our first day of walking in the new year. "Too cold!"
But I couldn't miss it. Once back I already had my vest on, I could easily trade out my jeans for heavy leggings, I found my ear-warmers, and way in the back of the closet I dragged out Alex's very old coat. We had gotten that probably 20 years ago when his friend Alexander came to visit from Saratoga! I felt warmed by it, and today I needed to feel the comfort of memories of the boys.
So we walked, Boo and I. He flushed four deer before we hit the back trail, the wind died enough to make it possible to walk into the open cornfield, and the only things cold were my feet. (Bob got me electric socks last year that I must dig out.) We came back jauntily, and while Boo pulled at the iceballs on his feet in front of the fire I filled the woodbox and made tea.
They say music eases stress. I think in my case it's exertion, pushing myself physically. A good day, the beginning of a new year with warm remembrances. And a starting place for the final frontier.
I realized today, as of course I have known for years, that there is a physical component to stress. I felt it three times today that I can delineate. I always make a list in the morning of tasks that need to be accomplished - actually it is just a reminder list of who needs a call or e-mail, or a text. I write in every day things like "office" and "hotsheet" just because I can then check them off or not let them get lost in the swirl of the day. There are long-term projects that take time, but I need to keep them in the forefront or they never get done. Today's (as it has been for weeks) was "database." And it got done - three hours of typing and looking up addresses, but it got done!
But when the list was written I noticed that I gravitated towards certain things and away from others. I did not want to call the client with the property for sale that hasn't sold. That is never a comfortable conversation, ever. I like all my clients, sellers and buyers, and that is rarely a problem. Certain properties at certain prices just do not sell in this market, and I am the bearer of that news.
Another time I felt my heart rate go up was dealing with technology. My e-mail got stuck - the ringer on my phone was turned off by mistake - the attachment I thought I had sent wasn't the right one. These things happen - they do - and then....
In the afternoon I had to go out to send a card that needed to get in the mail today. It was 14 degrees at the time, the car was covered with snow, and I had been sitting for hours working on the computer by the fire. I did not want to go out, but I did. As I pushed the snow I had so longed for off the Scion I told Boo who came along for the ride that we might miss our first day of walking in the new year. "Too cold!"
But I couldn't miss it. Once back I already had my vest on, I could easily trade out my jeans for heavy leggings, I found my ear-warmers, and way in the back of the closet I dragged out Alex's very old coat. We had gotten that probably 20 years ago when his friend Alexander came to visit from Saratoga! I felt warmed by it, and today I needed to feel the comfort of memories of the boys.
So we walked, Boo and I. He flushed four deer before we hit the back trail, the wind died enough to make it possible to walk into the open cornfield, and the only things cold were my feet. (Bob got me electric socks last year that I must dig out.) We came back jauntily, and while Boo pulled at the iceballs on his feet in front of the fire I filled the woodbox and made tea.
They say music eases stress. I think in my case it's exertion, pushing myself physically. A good day, the beginning of a new year with warm remembrances. And a starting place for the final frontier.
Monday, January 2, 2012
To Rent or Not to Rent
Before Bob took off for his job in Caz today he read me an article in the morning paper (http://www.syracuse.com/) about a company in St. Cloud that manages property. They were having so much trouble with dogs pooping and owners not scooping, that they began requiring DNA samples of all their tenants' dogs! In this way they could prove which dog and owner had left a deposit. Of course their resolve was tested - they have so far sent out 20 samples to the labs - but once caught the pets and owners have not re-offended.
I imagined the management company workers sitting around a hot cup of coffee (Minnesota) and dreaming this up. How can we get creative with this problem, they must have thought. They could have prohibited dogs from their complexes, but instead they came up with this solution. Bravo!
So what does the lowly home-owner do, Bob asked. He then regaled me with the vision of one of my owners directing me to scoop the poop and get it tested. Above and beyond the call of duty as a Realtor, I would think.
The issue this brings up is not the dog problem, but the renting aspect of real estate. Over the past few years as homes haven't sold, owners have decided to rent them out to pay at least some of the mortgage and/or taxes. My investors inform me they are doing a great business with their multi-families - houses are bought cheaply and rents are high, due to demand. They can pick and choose. This is not true for homeowners who have buildings in need of repair or in need of rents to cover higher mortgages or taxes. People who are willing to pay these amounts are generally moving on from one home to another with a bit of a breather in-between. Their expectations are high - as are the owners's expectations of their tenants. Complicating everything is the fact that both are primarily homeowners, not landlords and tenants.
I think the only reasonable answer to the Hamlet-esque question for both sides is to be certain of your goals and know that the road can be bumpy. Very bumpy at times. I rented a summer cottage (think no insulation) for seven school years in Saratoga. I called in my landlord when the pipes froze and one winter when we had so much snow the plow couldn't plow it. I was grateful to have 13 acres, a pool and a pond, privacy and great neighbors plus rent-free summers when we'd go home to the lake. They were thrilled to have us - we always paid our rent on time and left them alone. My goal was to raise Alex in a lovely safe setting; their goal was to rent the cottage on their estate over the winter months until the summer season. It worked well and we both remember those years fondly.
I wish all rentals could be that way!
I imagined the management company workers sitting around a hot cup of coffee (Minnesota) and dreaming this up. How can we get creative with this problem, they must have thought. They could have prohibited dogs from their complexes, but instead they came up with this solution. Bravo!
So what does the lowly home-owner do, Bob asked. He then regaled me with the vision of one of my owners directing me to scoop the poop and get it tested. Above and beyond the call of duty as a Realtor, I would think.
The issue this brings up is not the dog problem, but the renting aspect of real estate. Over the past few years as homes haven't sold, owners have decided to rent them out to pay at least some of the mortgage and/or taxes. My investors inform me they are doing a great business with their multi-families - houses are bought cheaply and rents are high, due to demand. They can pick and choose. This is not true for homeowners who have buildings in need of repair or in need of rents to cover higher mortgages or taxes. People who are willing to pay these amounts are generally moving on from one home to another with a bit of a breather in-between. Their expectations are high - as are the owners's expectations of their tenants. Complicating everything is the fact that both are primarily homeowners, not landlords and tenants.
I think the only reasonable answer to the Hamlet-esque question for both sides is to be certain of your goals and know that the road can be bumpy. Very bumpy at times. I rented a summer cottage (think no insulation) for seven school years in Saratoga. I called in my landlord when the pipes froze and one winter when we had so much snow the plow couldn't plow it. I was grateful to have 13 acres, a pool and a pond, privacy and great neighbors plus rent-free summers when we'd go home to the lake. They were thrilled to have us - we always paid our rent on time and left them alone. My goal was to raise Alex in a lovely safe setting; their goal was to rent the cottage on their estate over the winter months until the summer season. It worked well and we both remember those years fondly.
I wish all rentals could be that way!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Good News!
I like starting off the new year with good news. After a lovely evening celebrating Bob's sister's birthday as well as the change in year, we got up late and had a simple breakfast. The sun streamed in - and yes, still no snow! - while we read the Post-Standard. In the business section Bob read an article to me that I want to share. If you would like to read the whole thing, please go to http://www.syracuse.com/.
There's a town in Western New York, Cattaraugus, that has the smallest bank in the entire state. It officially showed a profit of $5,000 last year and never has exceeded $50,000 in its 130-year history, according to Alan Feuer of the New York Times News Service who wrote this article. It exists to serve the people of this tiny village, and it serves them well.
One of the loans it made was to a farmer who needed $85,000 and who had no credit and annual earnings of under $3,000. But he was Amish, well-known to the community, and had sons who would help pay the loan. Another person lost his house to taxes so the bank president bought the house and leased it to him to repay the loan. People count here, not the bottom line.
This is the kind of bank of George Bailey fame in "It's a Wonderful Life", the bank that knows and cares about its customers. As we lose faith in banks and lending institutions - I know Bank of America has definitely earned my wrath in the past week - it is good to know there are places that continue to operate for people. As we start the new year, maybe we can bring some of that small town interdependency to all transactions. Start with faith that people will do the right thing, that they are not out just for themselves or to make life hard for others, but are contributing to the health and wealth of the community as a whole.
Good news is always welcome - and many thanks to the Bank of Cattaraugus for quietly leading the way.
There's a town in Western New York, Cattaraugus, that has the smallest bank in the entire state. It officially showed a profit of $5,000 last year and never has exceeded $50,000 in its 130-year history, according to Alan Feuer of the New York Times News Service who wrote this article. It exists to serve the people of this tiny village, and it serves them well.
One of the loans it made was to a farmer who needed $85,000 and who had no credit and annual earnings of under $3,000. But he was Amish, well-known to the community, and had sons who would help pay the loan. Another person lost his house to taxes so the bank president bought the house and leased it to him to repay the loan. People count here, not the bottom line.
This is the kind of bank of George Bailey fame in "It's a Wonderful Life", the bank that knows and cares about its customers. As we lose faith in banks and lending institutions - I know Bank of America has definitely earned my wrath in the past week - it is good to know there are places that continue to operate for people. As we start the new year, maybe we can bring some of that small town interdependency to all transactions. Start with faith that people will do the right thing, that they are not out just for themselves or to make life hard for others, but are contributing to the health and wealth of the community as a whole.
Good news is always welcome - and many thanks to the Bank of Cattaraugus for quietly leading the way.
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