Changing Wallpaper….

Anyone who’s cut, pasted, draped and then skimmed out the air bubbles before stepping back to admire the finished job knows what an effort it can be to accent with either strips or a mural.  Equally demanding is the removing of wallpaper when either styles, furnishings or personal tastes change! Many who have endured and succeeded will attest to it.

Computer-wrought documents can be flavoured with wallpaper backgrounds for creating impact and personal flair. Cell phone users also have choices of wallpapers which come into view when the screen is activated. My first animated wallpaper choice was called Beach…crystal clear water and stretches of sand, gentle animated waves rolling in, shells, starfish and a red bucket and yellow sand scoop!

Yesterday I decided to change the theme, and selected one where blades of grass wave gently under a daytime or night sky. The technology is amazing; but this one came with an unexpected wrench. Wanting to show my husband last evening, I was astonished to see the sun setting noticeably in the background of this “Grass” scenery.

It didn’t feel pretty or restful to me, just sad. My comments though, were enthusiastic. When bedtime came and I turned off my phone, the setting had become deep night, with twinkling stars and ghostly blades of grass.

Feeling certain that I am of sound mind, and coincidentally possessing an abundance of common sense, didn’t alleviate the niggling apprehension that family illness will transcend to become a twinkling star too soon.

I immediately reverted to the beach theme and sunnier thoughts when I decisively changed the wallpaper.

Long Sleeves or Short…..

One of the television channels I enjoy watching from time to time is PBS, especially the truly Special performances that are broadcast when it’s fund-raising time. The talent showcased is always breathtaking, and many of today’s most famous performers were featured for the first time on PBS.

Early in the Christmas Season, there was a concert scheduled by The (Canadian) Tenors. Debuting a selection of the pieces on the latest CD release, it was a wonderful program.  In reply to an out-of-town enquiry – “What would Dad like for Christmas?” – my reply was prompt. The CD titled “Lead With Your Heart”.

The lyrics and music sent tingles up my arms, and it’s played regularly. On this Sunday morning in early Spring, newspaper reports from the needy side of living are troubling. Recent accounts, and there are more than anyone will ever know, of mothers who – at their wits end – have prostituted themselves, and in some countries their girl children,  to put food on the table. There are many circumstances worldwide where the numbers of “haves” significantly outnumber the “have-nots”. And the disparity is growing.

It’s true that wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve can be energizing, debilitating and/or too idealistic. While we cannot save the world, and generosity can begin in our own community, a change in one’s lifestyle can be altered with a single gust of unfortunate wind.  A “have” can become a have-not” in the blink of an eye!

I believe that we should each do our best for others, as I do in my profession as a REALTOR®.  Performing random acts of kindness also is a feel-good treat!  The alternatives are profound.

“Lead with your heart” whether you wear long sleeves or short!

“In Spring a Young Man’s Fancy turns to….(oops)”

The lure of “I want….” often leads us to perusing advertising features for homes, furnishings, boats, RV’s and cars. If our trusty vehicle doesn’t shine as brilliantly as others when parked next to a fleet of newer models, or if there are features we think are too desirable to ignore, consumers may be seen on Sundays driving around the dealership lots!

Then comes the test drive – if you’re enticed that far; and subsequently the calculations to run numbers. As a REALTOR®, the process of selling or buying is similar – and it’s important to do more than a drive by!

Most crucial is the decision to upgrade your status from a suspect to a prospect!

The process of making any lifestyle change is the same for all major investments.

I believe that added-value to the client is when the salesperson you are working with actually comments that “this may not be the best choice at this time” – keeping their focus on the benefit to the client rather than the transaction.

Keeping a clear head and making your decisions objective rather than subjective is essential. The “I wants” should be justified with common sense;  which some folks have more of than others!

For myself, my Honda Pilot runs like a top and perfectly suits my profession! It may not have a double-digit number after the 20_ _  , and not all of the bells and whistles either. The vehicle, like me, is trustworthy and reliable!

If what you have works and you don’t actually need what you’re yearning for, take the time to consider the options with careful consideration. In Spring, don’t let your fancy lead you to “oops!”.

Reshuffling The Deck...

Last week, feeling stymied and somewhat stale in my creative thinking, I sought the inspiration of a colleague whose expertise and counsel extends far beyond the realms of the real estate profession.

The everyday lives and lifestyle people have, see and feel all around them – whether desirable or not, are undeniably thought provoking. There are readily available analogies illustrating the significance of prioritizing tasks, making time for oneself to purely enjoy, and study concepts to improve mental imagery and visualize our goals.

Sometimes it’s a “one step forward, two steps back” feeling that we saddle ourselves with, the “how-to” is a repetitive series of trying, recognizing the required improvements, trying again -  and continuing to refine the process till all the bugs are out.  Sometimes others see us differently than we see ourselves, so for me another viewpoint was long overdue.

The man is a commendable listener, not only hearing the words but truly understanding the quandaries. My three usual choices of “yes”, “no”, and “maybe” were relegated to the floor - and replaced with “what if”, “could it be”, and “omigosh!” as my brain lit up. We’re all familiar with the expression “if you don’t ask, you won’t get” – so when you’re down and troubled ask for the gift of time from someone you respect and admire. It’s a big deal when you reshuffle the deck!

Asleep At The Switch...

Some REALTORS® who have been in business for a significant length of time may still have the eagerness and enthusiasm to proceed with a spring in their step and sparkle in their eye! A longstanding reputation of excellence and expertise is an asset that every salesperson should aspire to if they’re in for the long haul.

Continuing education requirements are mandatory to keep everyone in step with changes in industry practices and legislation. Some REALTORS® attend courses out of necessity, often sitting as close to the back of the room as possible, fidgeting with hand-held devices or playing online games! It is only out of obligation that they are there while others regularly appear with a zest for learning and to amass both know-how and awareness. They willingly participate in discussion and share experiences for the benefit of their colleagues.

The “old way” is not always the best way – consumers are entitled to professional service that leaves them more than satisfied. Bringing a buyer and seller together and facilitating the completion of a transaction requires both ability and agility – including Buyer or Seller representation to the Client and diligent attention to detail.

When you search for a REALTOR® to act on your behalf, employ your observation skills as well as recognizing that gut feeling. A well-organized, cheerful and proactive professional who’s tuned in to you will probably outperform someone asleep at the switch.

Earning a Trophy...

In-house advocates, peer recognition and public recognition each seem to have significant influence on the results which are presented publicly to recipients. Winners brandish their awards with fervor - Oscars, Emmy’s, Grammies, Golden Globe and Others…..

And so it goes that a variety of opinions is integral to weigh performances, accomplishments and recognizing merit of other service provider representatives.

Sometimes an actor or actress will eventually bemoan the fact that the roles they play may be too similar, and that they become known for that character rather than being able to branch out with other skill sets.

In the profession of real estate, many skills, an abundance of knowledge and are required to earn accolades. Practitioners usually toil quietly yet relentlessly to qualify for that yearned-for audition. When the big break comes they are bristling with excitement and try their hardest to perform well. Like an actor or actress, a REALTOR® may also find they regularly attract the same kind of listing again and again, without moving up or out of that “box”.

If you are a high-end Seller or a high-end Buyer and have heard of someone in the area who is regarded with merit, but may be a smaller fish in the big pond of salespeople, might it be an assumption to presume that the biggest fish is better qualified or will “do better”? Smaller fry, as on the stage, can often times play a bigger role with skill and alacrity. An aspiring performer may be close at hand without having yet attained an opportunity to walk down the red carpet.

Oscars, Emmys, Grammies, Golden Globe and Recommendations are all meritorious trophies!

Diss isn’t It!

In preparation for a skills test many years ago, I attended an evening-studies course for several weeks to hone my familiarity with terminology specific to work as a medical transcriptionist.

Many words used in today’s everyday life are Latin derivatives, sometimes as a prefix or a suffix. A newly-coined expression that is bandied about is the word “diss”… The online “Wiktionary” clarifies the interpretation as being disrespectful – which is clearly the latin prefix dis….(meaning “away from”).

The correlation to me as a REALTOR® is exciting – and enlightening! From a consumer’s point of view, they may have formed a generalized opinion of organized real estate and licensed salespeople based on a previous unhappy experience. The transition from liking their REALTOR® may have become dis-like; trust/distrust; enchanted/disenchanted – and the possibilities continue.

At present there are 5 recognized generations of Canadian consumers, each characterized by the life events that help shaped adult behaviours. These are the Veterans age – born between 1922 and 1945; the Baby Boomers (1946-1965); Generation X (1966-1978); Millenials/Generation Y (1979-1995);  and Newcomers to Canada.

I personally feel that the REALTOR® you contract with to work on your behalf with should be selected based on similarities of thought and action.  Cross-generational relationships can be difficult if there’s not much in common. Being on the same wavelength infuses enthusiasm and eagerness – and everyone should like the person they are doing business with.

A REALTOR’S® reputation depends on your recommendations and referrals –  to diss isn’t It!