Do the Right Thing.

It’s hard to leave the past behind and not drag it behind you like some comfortable old blanket. I guess it’s just human nature. We talk about the past, re hash it, we blog about it and hopefully we learn from it.

It’s hard for most sellers to sell a house with out thinking about the past. What happened in specific rooms. Why they are going to miss things about the four walls that surround them. Who is going to appreciate the home they put some much of themselves into.

A friend called me tonight to tell me she and her husband of many years are divorcing. She was surprisingly calm about the whole thing. On some level she knew it was coming. We discussed the possible sale of their home. It was just a straight forward conversation about a business transaction, a divorce, a sale of a house.

I heard a story on a PBS program one time by one of those motivational speakers. He told the story of Cortez traveling to Mexico to conquer and find the golden city. What Cortez said to the people he brought with him to motivate them was something like " Burn the boats, go for the gold". Leave the past, look toward the future.

I share this story because some of us in the real estate industry are wishing there was a way to turn the clock back to the good old days. But I think a more valuable way to spend our time is to remember the past but look forward to the future. And that’s what I told my friend tonight.

Burn the boats, go for the gold!

For Brokers: Companies to Watch

PuebCO Properties has been written up in Realtor Magazine. I encourage you all to read it for completely selfish reasons. This project has been a long in coming. We are very proud of not only the house, the builder, ourselves, but for what we are trying to accomplish. By making potential clients aware of the environment we hope to make the world a better place.

http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.nsf/pages/forbrokersCTWoct06

Lisa Dunns blog about the Generation Gap got me thinking. So I Googled "Generation Eco Boom." The definition was what I expected. And Lisa’s list borrowed from Beloit College gave me a giggle and made me feel instantly old. But looking up Eco Boomer on Google, it was interesting to me to see how many ‘generations’ have names going back to the 1700's.

My Grandmothers’ generation is called the ‘G.I. Generation’. And if you ever want an eye opening conversation talk to someone who is now in their 90's. In her opinion WWII was far worse than anything we see on the news today. She moved from Nebraska to Arizona by covered wagon. The family couldn’t afford a train and an automobile was for the rich. To this day she has two outfits: one for every day and one for church. And nothing goes to waste, ever!

While we try to learn to market to the Eco Boomers it’s probably worth remembering those who thought owning a home of their own was everything and burning the mortgage was worth having a party. I wonder if we will ever see those days again?

Only a Realtor would...

Drive to the car wash on a cold, wet drippy day because she has clients tomorrow

Stop and give her card to a couple looking at a subdivision map on the way to the car wash.

Give her card to a bride and groom, still dressed from the wedding in veil and tux, entering a car wash

What did you do in the last 1/2 hour?

This might be an idiotic question to ask fellow bloggers, but I’m going to ask any way. Has anyone had any success on any level on Craigslist? Have you tried to sell a house? Have you attracted buyers? Have you had a response of any kind? Somebody here on Active Rain said Craigslist made the phone ring but that was all. Anyone have a different experience?

The direct economic savings achieved by daylighting must be balanced against any potential heat loss associated with any window or skylight. For maximum cost effectiveness, only the most efficient windows and skylights should be considered.

Actual savings will depend upon how much you rely on artificial lighting, your local climatic conditions, etc. It is a good idea to check with local builders and energy offices to better calculate energy savings. However, it is unlikely that any consultant will be able to quantify the true value of access to daylight as measured by satisfaction with the building, increased productivity, and improved health.

Issues:Daylighting technologies are relatively easy to incorporate in new construction. Opportunities in existing buildings may require a little creativity or the advice of an architect or builder.

coloradoecobroker

Do the Right Thing.... Gemstar Passive Solar Homes.






My passion for real estate brought me to where I am today. I love this business and most everything involved with it. Remember when someone told you to find your passion and then find a way to get paid for it? Well, I know I have found my niche in life. Not only is real estate my job but it is also my passion. It constantly challenges me. I love talking to new people, overcoming problems, tracking thru properties and having fun doing what I was meant to do.

I believe that I am a balance of all my experiences, good and bad, happy and sad. Who I am and what I do has an effect on everything around me. Much like the butterfly theory, we all have an impact not only on each other but the world around us. I strive to make my impact a positive one. This is one reason I became an Eco-Broker, this is a designation I have studied and tested to earn. I am constantly expanding my education about passive and active solar, xeriscaping, water conservation and many other aspects of the Eco-friendly market.

My focus is on energy efficiency, sustainability, and the environment. My goal as a Realtor is to balance the needs of the home buyer with the home that is right for them and their lifestyle. The human aspects of a real estate transaction are as important to me as any other aspect. This is the balance I seek to take when working with both buyers and sellers in all housing markets.