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!

On the Rack...

February can be so uninspiring …all manner of winter weather brings with it a yearning for something new and different! The routine of grocery-shopping can feel ho-hum as well…then comes the standing in line. For some reason unknown to me, our eyes seem drawn to glossy magazine covers where promises of Spring colours and delectable menus entice.

Home reno ideas are entertaining, with all of the “what ifs…” – even when temperatures plummet the daydreams are hot with anticipation. Online opportunities to upload your own pictures and see what a new palette looks like can be a fun pastime.

Some retailers make donations of light fixtures, tiles and flooring or paint and window hardware to such places as the local ReStore, Goodwill or Value Village outlets. Weekend newspapers feature decorating how-to tips and pull-out sections of ideas. The February 16^th issue of the Toronto Star Life Section included their article entitled The Italian job - in Edinburgh…stating “The Hotel Missoni fully explores the use of colour that the fashion house is famous for”…

Hop on down to your local paint store and tickle your senses with possibilities. When choosing colours, buy large size samples – the tiny free colour chips are too small to give you the right impression. I’m getting painters’ itch too – kitchen beware!

Whether your inspiration comes from the newsstand or the fashion perks, your jumpstart on Spring might coincidentally come from what’s on the rack.

String Games...

Most of us remember childhood string games such as Cat’s Cradle, corking, finger knitting, simple macramé, etc.. Learning to tie knots was always intriguing – and memorable….Everyone can probably bring to mind both a reef knot vs. a “granny” knot, not easily undone.

It has struck me today that one string game that is never-ending, sometimes frustrating, and isn’t actually a game at all; let’s call it “heart strings”. Valentine’s Day has passed, resulting sometimes in tears on the pillow, wilting flowers (or none at all), and may include plenty of reality checks and soul-searching!

Nearly every day in city newspapers, television newscasts and social media sites  appear tidbits about “who the new squeeze is” for celebrities…and closer to home, whispers of innuendo about others who we may know personally surface. Maybe the only hint is a wistful look in someone’s eye and glimpsing a dreamy half-smile. In the bleak mid-Winter, some people think the grass is greener on the other side of marriage.

Trying to rekindle a flame that’s become low requires mutual intention, attention and patience. Being thorough in one’s analysis of the whole picture takes courage and fair-minded consideration. Unless there has been an incident or repeats thereof simply too catastrophic to overlook, maybe just a little puff of air from the bellows will coax some tendrils of smoke.

Distant stares to far-away mountain peaks aren’t the same as actually scaling the heights – every move requires preparation, resolution and following through. Even if the grass does appear greener, yearning adults should not balance on the middle rung of the ladder – either move up or move down.

Realities tangled and stomachs tied tight?  Consider all the what-ifs, get some counselling, step back and re-think plunging into the unknown. Hopefully, when at the precipice, the rope will not unravel or break.  If you’ve “tied the knot” and are still legally bound it’s essential to appreciate that some string games are not trivial.

Snow on the roof, fire in the hearth….

Local newspapers are galore this week with red and white splashy ads featuring Valentine’s Day menu specials. A delectable assortment of dinner choices fit for a king/queen, prince or princess! Florists’ coolers are crammed with baby’s breath, asparagus fern and all manner of flowers – cello-wrapped with red and white ribbons for eyelash-fluttering soon-to-swoon recipients.

My husband’s young grandson has visited the jeweller with a ring in mind for his lucky lady – it will be all shiny and sparkly like their excitement! Hopeful hearts are all a-twitter; lingerie stores stayed open late for last-minute shoppers with a gleam in their eye; and plenty of manicures and pedicures buffed to perfection.

For the “not-so-frantic” whose relationships are still sweet but not gaga, there’s still lots to celebrate. Fishnet hosiery doesn’t wear well with arctic-performance boots and snow pants when we’re walking the dog; nor do miniskirts when the temperatures are plenty-minus and there’s a lake-effect snowstorm aimed straight at Muskoka!

Tonight, after a gala supper at A&W with a decadent order of onion rings on the side,

Hubby and I are celebrating on our screened in porch, in our snowmobile suits and boots, with a bottle of bubbly and a candle! It’s always fun to be innovative and change routines up even just a little bit. Then down to the recroom to share the annual viewing of a now-grainy VHS movie of our wedding. Predictable yes, but part of the celebration.

  

I just read all the mushy stuff in the Toronto Star's lovey-dovey section; the main takeaway today is that if we've got love cherish what we have. If loving memories are held close instead, savor them again. For long-time wearers, the rose coloured glasses may have blurred– but on a wintery night the flame still glows.

Snow on the roof, fire in the hearth.

Techno-challenges and the Canadian Penny..

Several months ago I replaced a small television in the living room with a large, flat screen. Next step was to replace the cable box with a High Definition one!

Then purchase component cables for the DVD, to say nothing of separate audio cables which were not included. I’m still not sure if they are essential.

Being in the baby-boomer age group, I have quite a collection of VCR tapes which are still enjoyed. Especially my wedding video – and with Valentines coming up I decided to double check and make sure everything works. You guessed it – remotes, instructions, menu choices, selecting video vs DVD…No picture. I went online to the manufacturer and printed out a diagram of the connections how-to.

Still no go.

Presuming that perhaps the VCR machine was not working period, I bought a new combo DVD/VCR. Same results. However, I did learn that the red, blue and green component cables are for DVD only – a clue!!! So now, if I’ve got it figured right – when using the VCR, unplug the DVD component cables, plug in the old-fashioned red, white and yellow cables, select Video and the results should be rewarding. Except I haven’t tried it yet.

Like the way of the proverbial dodo bird and other phased-out items no longer useful, maybe I’ll have to source out more help.

Tonight may not be a celebration at all, conversely, a commemoration of both my apparent inept grasp of techno-challenges and the last day of the Canadian penny.