Club Chaos Agents - All Things Hollish, Wacked, and Jacked

I think I've mentioned here a few times just how much I like to read.  In fact, if you were to visit our home and look around, you might be struck by the sheer number of books that we have here.  My wife is also a reader, as are our kids.  I have no idea how many books we have, but it's definitely thousands.

The only reason I give you this bit of background info is to illustrate why I was so stoked to get my latest gadget for Christmas - the Kindle DX by Amazon.  If you haven't heard of this latest iteration of the popular e-reader, it comes with a 9.7" screen, and it can hold up to 3,500 books!  Additionally, it has a basic web browser (not sure if I'll actually use it or not), and you can subscribe to newspapers and magazines as well, although the magazine selection is relatively slim right now.  You can also pay a small fee to subscribe to some popular blogs (99 cents to $2.99 per month), but I would have a tough time justifying the extra expense for something I know I could find for free online, unless I were going for extended periods without computer access.

It's only 1/3" thick and it weighs a mere 18 ounces, but for the relatively steep price tag ($489), it seems like it should have come with some type of case or cover.  Since it didn't, I have to be very careful not to leave it where our smaller kids can reach it, at least until I get this rectified soon.

I researched the other options on the market, but the ultimate deciding factor for me was the screen itself.  It uses a technology called "electronic ink", which makes the screen very easy on the eyes, and more like an actual book page.  Frankly, I have no idea how it really works, but it seems like magic.  It actually appears as though the text is printed on the inside of the display.  I guess it's a little tough to describe without seeing it first-hand.  The screen is essentially glare-free, which was another big factor for me.

The menu and navigation are super-easy and intuitive, and books are downloaded within 60 seconds.  The pricing for books is $9.99 or under, from what I've seen so far.  Obviously, this is terrific for any "first run" books, but I will probably continue to use eBay and/or Half-Price Books for stuff that's older.  The buttons are simple to understand and they are perfectly placed.  It also offers a "text to speech" function, which makes it possible to convert any book to audio, but without emotion, since you must choose from the male or female robot voice that is the default.

Here's a video I found that gives a nice overview, although it was posted in May 2009, before the available catalog expanded dramatically:

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/05/06/kindle-dx-video-demo/

Overall, I would highly recommend this device for anyone who reads...a lot.  If you're a more casual reader, this one is probably overkill for you.  Just my opinion.

Thanks for reading this review!

Ah, real estate predictions. See, the thing that is different for me about ending 2009 and preparing for 2010 is I've never in my 30-plus years in real estate started off a new year with so much business already in the works. Generally, the year ends a bit quietly and then explodes about the 5th or 6th of January. It's been that way for the past 7 or 8 years for me. However, in 2010, I will hit the ground already running.

Every year I put together my real estate predictions for the upcoming year, before the existing year ends. My 2010 real estate predictions are based on trends, facts, market movement, personal experiences and a bit of instinct.

I also realize that not every real estate market in the country mirrors that of Sacramento, and my focus is often more centered on the core area of Sacramento such as homes in Land Park, Midtown, East Sacramento, which gives me a somewhat narrow, very local view. But as a Sacramento short sale agent, I also sell short sales from Lincoln to Elk Grove, and that activity broadens my horizon.

This year has been phenomenal. I've closed more than $11 million in sales. In a down real estate market. Yet, I have still managed to find time to work on my About.com homebuying site, post a blog every day, give interviews to media, write a book and take a vacation to Viet Nam. I blame it on my Type A personality, passion for real estate and my saint of a husband. I'd like to add the luck of the Irish, but I'm not Irish.

I predict that the year of 2010 will be even stronger for me, personally. For example, come Monday, January 4, 2010, I will have at least 28 listings in inventory. Of those, 22 are already in contract. The remaining six listings break down as follows: One is likely to go into contract today. Another is going into MLS as a new listing on January 4. A third will be withdrawn and rented. That leaves me with 3 listings to sell. Very manageable.

But 28 listings on the first of a new year is a lot of inventory as compared to the number of listings that many Sacramento agents handle on their own as a single agent. Thank goodness I have systems in place and am organized. My goal is for clients to feel as though they are my only client by providing superior service to each.

However, all of this activity does not take into account the number of buyers, especially buyers for homes in Land Park and East Sacramento, whom I will represent. See, I like to think of myself as a listing agent but that belief is somewhat delusional because every year my production ends up the same. I represent about 50% buyers and 50% sellers. This could very well mean that I'll be writing a boatload of purchase offers next year. Paraphrasing Bette Davis, agents better fasten their seat belts because 2010 is going to be a wild ride.

In case you missed it, our guest today on Social Media Edge was Jeff Turner, president of Real Estate Shows, serial entrepreneur, and Renaissance man.  Jeff also reigns in my mind as the most active listener I have met in person to date.

Much of our talk today revolved around effective ways to build community around a company or brand.  Obviously, if you are marketing yourself, YOU are the brand, so this has value for everyone.

I have a lot of respect for Jeff, and I was again struck by how sharp he really is.  To give you some idea of how well-respected he has become, Chris Brogan called him a "superhero" during our recent interview with him in November.  Yes, truly.

At any rate, I just wanted to encourage you to listen if you have a chance, as there are some terrific lessons therein, and it was a somewhat high-level discussion of social media and its potential.  You can also learn about Jeff's "missing ingredient" when people speak of building community.  If you have no idea what any of this stuff means, maybe you should be listening more often.  :-)

One of my favorite statements today was when Jeff spoke of how our behavior determines our values.  This is solid truth, in my humble opinion.

Give it a listen sometime:

http://blogtalk.vo.llnwd.net/o23/shows/show_801141.mp3

Thanks for reading - and listening!

 As I stand up from the closing table at the end of each transaction, I always have two very distinct feelings.

1- I am always happy for a job well done and a successful transaction. There are few things that you can do in this business that feel better than helping everyone get to where they need to be.

2- I always feel as if there was more that I could have done for my clients. I spend a lot of time educating them, preparing them, and protecting them from themselves and outside forces. But when I reach the end of the road, I always feel as if I could have done more. I could have sold the house faster, I could have found the right new home sooner, or I could have taught them a few more tricks of the trade.

 Maybe you think this shows a lack of self confidence, I can assure that's not the case. I am confident in my ability to provide my clients with competent service, but I am a perfectionist of sorts. If everything goes right except one little thing, that one little thing will be my immediate focus and I will try my best to be sure that it never happens again. Most of them are completely out of the control of myself or my clients, but I still want to cure the cause.

 Maybe I should just shake the feeling and learn to relax, but then how would I get better? It's just part of my process to improve my ability to represent my clients and after all, the devil is in the details so you better pay attention. I like to think that this feeling will never go away, because the second you stop attempting to improve your service, you never will again. And my clients deserve better.

~

... ah yes, the New Year is a mere couple of days away, but I just got to download some pics from my camera, and thought I'd share a couple of shots of my little duo and their encounter with the big Red-Suit-Guy !

Spencer even got on the microphone as he rattled off a 'long' list of items he was expecting to receive from Santa ...

... and of course he got every darn thing on his list and then some !!!

.... Oh and we cant forget Santa's pal "Frosty" who stopped by too !

It was a fun gathering with the whole family  !!

And now we say Buh-bye to Santey for another year !

...but not without thanking him for a very generous bounty of goodies that he bestowed upon us !!!!

... especially an iPod Nano 16 gig with video player for Daddy !!!!!

Cheers All !

I was at a holiday gathering over the weekend with lots of friends and family spanning the generations. And although each age group has their own entertainment agenda, there is one special binding force that hasn't changed over the years.

Music!

Since our circle is blessed with talented musicians ready and willing to provide competent accompaniment, it isn't long before the singing commences.

The seniors, middle-aged, youth and children all chime in, and as the volume escalates from to restrained to boisterous, the general level of gaiety and merriment rises proportionately.

And for those few hours, everyone was united in rapture by song.

And it was great!

Let me tell you about a secret weapon you should have at your side if you are ready to start the search for a new home.  It is the most important thing for you to find as you begin your search. You may know exactly what you want, exactly where you want it, and exactly how much you want to pay for it or you may not have the first clue. Whatever your situation the first thing to look for is a great Home Buyer Representative.  But just how would you do that?????

First find someone who is willing to take the time to talk with you about buying a home in general....Not one who wants to rush you out for a showing on whatever house you called on.  Whether it is your first home or your tenth, buying a house is not something you do every day.  You need someone willing to talk you through the process step by step.

Then find someone you can connect with... Not one who talks down to you or has a personal style that does not mesh with yours.  This is different for everyone.  Some like all business and some need warm and fuzzy.  Since your agent will be spending a lot of time with you during the search and through the purchase, this person should be someone you enjoy.

Knowledge of the local area is important.  Someone who knows what is happening around the town can help you to avoid spending your money on that beautiful place you can get for a steal that ends up having a sewage treatment plant being built down the block.  Sometimes there is a reason for the bargain that you might now know.

Experience working with homebuyers is absolutely vital.  Not every Real Estate Agent has the knowledge and expertise to give Home Buyers the best service.  Many Real Estate Agent's primary focus is listing homes and they look for buyers to supplement their main income source.  Make sure the Agent wants to work just as hard for you as they do for their listings or find an Exclusive Buyer's Rep.

Now that you know the Secret don't settle for just any Agent to show you a house.  Find a good Buyer's Representative who can protect your interests. If you are looking to buy a home in the Greater Hudson Valley or Lower Catskill Region of New York State I would love to be your Secret Weapon.  If you are looking elsewhere I can find you someone who will have your back.  Give me a call, send a text, or email me today.  

Good Luck In Your Search For That Perfect Place!

Frustrating Is...

(1) Waking up 6AM to post and not being able to because your browser wont let you upload pictures...

(2) Reinstalling four browsers because you think you have a virus because you can't upload pictures...

(3) Having Norton 360 tell you you don't have a virus and not being able to upload pictures...

(4) Wondering why your browsers keep freezing when diagnostics say there is nothing wrong with your laptop...

(5) Being told that there are no new updates for your computer because your computer is up to date...

(6) Still not being able to share your amazing day yesterday because you can't upload any of the 101 photographs you froze your bahookies off in Manhattan to capture just before sundown...

(7) Sitting at someone else's computer because you have to post your amazing day but are now too frustrated to talk about it (LOL). ;-)

I am going jogging. It's 25 degrees but I am going anyway... I need to clear my head. Maybe when I get back I'll tell you about my brief visit to TBN to request doing an interview in January to show you the Trinity Broadcast Theater off of Union Square. We are talking serious eye candy folks. That building was designed and built in 1869. It's a major landmark.

Oooooooo... look. It uploaded a picture. Maybe I wont go jogging after all (LOL). I'm going to go out to collect more eye candy and shall return to do another post to introduce you guys to TBN later. I have to get rid of my frustrations so I can write a proper post about Union Square and the gorgeous buildings surrounding the park there. I have lots of eye candy (LOL). I want to make sure TBN makes it into my Year In Review photo-montage. ;-)

The day after Christmas,  I receive the following call

Buyer: Hello, could you please show me your listing at 123 Main St?

Me: I can arrange to have an agent show you this property, but are you currently working with an agent?

Buyer: I do not want to use an agent.  I want you to write the contract for me.  I will tell you the terms.  Agents aren't worth the commissions they receive.

Me: I'm sorry, but I do not do dual agency.  You will need to find an agent to write the offer up.

Buyer: I will dictate the terms.  I just need you to write it up.  The seller does not need to know that you wrote it.

Me: That is fraud and I cannot do that.  If you're worried about the commission, why don't you find a discount agent to write it up.

Buyer: I'll go to Redfin!

Me: That is fine.  I do not care who writes up the offer.  I just told you I cannot do it myself.  Redfin, by the way, charges one and a half percent and has a minimum amount they need to make.

Buyer: I know that... You just don't want to leave nice cozy Bellevue.

Me: No.  I cannot write contracts for buyers for my own properties.  It is in your own best interest to find someone to represent you.

Buyer: It's not worth it to pay any commission for just filling in the blanks on a piece of paper for what I tell you!

At this point I proceeded to lecture him on all the work it takes to actually close a property these days.  Unfortunately it was wasted breath as he did not hear a word I said.  I honestly do not care who writes up the contract for him.  I do not do dual agency and even if I wanted to this particular seller forbids me from doing so. 

From his perspective, this is one example where you can argue that ignorance is bliss.

Ah ! ... just squeaked it in before the ball drops !!

My final closing for the year just wrapped up, and one more happy client has a new home.

Last Happy Client for 2009 !

It was the cherry on top of a great year for me, and the amount of increased knowledge I gained over this year from ActiveRain was incredible.

• I have adjusted my listing presentation
  
  
• Changed the way I explain certain parts of a contract
  
  
• Got out there in the community more (thanks to an enticing contest or two from Bob Stewart)
  
  
• Upgraded my marketing material
  
  
• Reduced 'wasted' marketing expense based on reviews from fellow members
  
  
• Received $$ from referring agents, and received referrals from fellow AR members
  
  
• ...and finally, drastically increased my internet FINDABILITY due to my blog here on ActiveRain !

So yes, 2009 was a terrific year for your British Pal - and a good percentage of the success can be attributed directly to this place.

... think I'm gonna be increasing my time and dedication to activeRain in 2010 ???

... you betcha !!!

Good luck wrapping up the year everyone !!!!!!

...see you in the comments !!!