A Little Humor…

 Posted by at 7:52 am
Apr 122012
 

This story has been floating around the internet for a while…

An agent wanted to congratulate his clients on their recent closing. He decided a nice arrangement of flowers would fit the bill.

Later that week, his client called him, perplexed: “Why did you send me a bouquet of flowers that said ‘Rest in Peace’?”

Furious, the agent called the florist about the mix-up. After tearing into the florist for five minutes on the phone, the florist cleared his throat and said: “Sir, I’m terribly sorry for the mistake. But imagine this: Somewhere last week there was a funeral with a bouquet that said: ‘Congratulations on your new home!’”

And if you think these sort of things never happen, some years ago a friend of mine went to visit his wife in the hospital… she greeted him with “Who is Bill?” It took a while for them to sort out what had happened… he’d hurried by the closed florist shop and stuck a scribbled note in the door with the instruction to send flowers to his wife from him and the kids “and bill” (meaning send him a bill)…The flowers arrived “With love from him, the kids, and Bill.”

 

 Just for Fun  No Responses »

“Fire” Your Real Estate Agent?

 Posted by at 9:58 am
Jan 282012
 

Since tragedy and comedy are not always far apart… perhaps this can be seen as humorous. (Thanks to Steven Cook’s Real Estate Economy Watch for the information.)

It seems that Britain is not without their share of real estate market issues… many of which parallel the U.S. According to Cook’s newsletter, a relatively new British Company called “In-Deed” has researched the issue and found that,  ”Difficulties securing mortgage finance is a key factor, seriously aggravated by declining service standards among property professionals, according to the firm’s research…”

So In-Deed has launched an on-line game called Angry Buyers. According to the opening page, buyers can relieve stress by launching a mortgage broker, property lawyer or estate agent out of a canon and into a building! I’m not much of an online gamer, but it appears the objective here is to “break as many windows as you can” while relieving your frustration. Doing so means you accumulate points and ultimately might win the prize of having your mortgage or rent paid for six months.  (I didn’t look for rules, but would imagine residents of other countries are not eligible.)

Of course there’s really no market for a U.S. version…

Right?

 Buying Real Estate, Just for Fun  No Responses »

Merry Christmas!

 Posted by at 7:06 am
Dec 222011
 

Greetings of the Season!

While it has become traditional, it is not habitual! The holidays are a great time to say “thank you” and to recap the past year.

About this time last year I announced that I was “moving to Mallett” and I’m pleased to say that decision has proven even wiser and better than I thought. The move has allowed me to focus my brokerage business and become more localized while working with some great folks. I certainly do not miss the commutes to Newport!

This no doubt contributed to the fact that I’m having a fairly busy year in spite of the market situation. But I still believe that my fundamental focus drives my success. Diagnosing problems and understanding clients’ needs has always been important; given the increasing complexity surrounding the buying and selling of real estate, now it is vital. More than ever you need a partner who knows how to learn and who knows how to teach.

And speaking of teaching, I am now teaching at least six real estate pre-licensing courses every year. Those of you who know me well know that teaching is my first love. This year also saw growth in enrollments in the courses I’ve offered through the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative. Next year will include a “solopreneur” series for folks who want to start a business on a very individual and fundamental basis. A collaboration between the Cooperative and Piscataquis County Extension will create a “You Can” series of classes for folks interested in traditional skills (agricultural, homesteading, domestic). I’m working on a course called “Cash as a Crop” that will look at ways to raise and save money in this difficult economy. (It probably won’t include investing in real estate!)

Because of this increased emphasis on training and education, I’ve redesigned a second website that includes “brain leaks and musings” as well as information about courses I’m teaching. You can even sign up for email announcements of future courses.

My “work” with the kids continues… every so often someone will decide that being around the kids is keeping me young. I’m not so sure about that, but I do know that being with them is rewarding and I learn a lot from them. And they are definitely good for an occasional laugh. I enjoy their problem solving abilities and their view of the world.

I still believe that the real estate market shouldn’t control us; we should look ahead and consider what we need and want to accomplish. If you follow this blog you know that I firmly believe the statistics do not control us; we create the statistics by the actions we take and the skills we apply. That is also true of life. These are times when it’s easy to feel discouraged and uncertain. But just a slight shift of focus and we can look ahead and find opportunities all around us.

Thanks for your confidence and the opportunity to work with you. Do let me hear from you… and have a meaningful holiday and a new year filled with health, happiness and prosperity. The video below just might help with some Christmas Spirit.



 About the site, Just for Fun, Market Information  No Responses »

Staycationing in Maine

 Posted by at 8:26 am
Jul 152011
 

During the week of July17-22 I will be doing some “staycationing” and will be out of reach  as I make occasional  day trips to some areas with limited cell phone coverage… I will be checking messages and email, but some patience will bein order if you are trying to reach me. If you need immediate assistance, call Neil or Patsy at the office (207 564-8073).

I’ll be consulting “50 Great New England Family Fishing Vacations,” written by friend and colleague Sheila Grant. Sheila’s book is obviously about where to fish, but it is also about great places to camp, family-friendly cabins, resorts and hotels, where to hike, bike, watch wildlife, go whale watching, go horseback riding, visit a zoo or museum or historic landmark, play golf, have a kid-friendly and affordable meal, find unique shopping, and more. If you’re staycationing or visiting the area you might want to take a look too! Check it out on Facebook.

 Just for Fun  No Responses »

Living in the Northeast

 Posted by at 6:31 am
Feb 262011
 

Thanks to one of my favorite magazines and websites I went on a mental journey this morning. Parts of it went back over fifty years to the memory of gathering sap with my Dad. Our tools then were bit and brace, an old truck with a home-made tank on the back, some shiny new buckets we picked up at the railroad station. My journey began when I read the ongoing blog “Dispatch from the Sugar Woods” by David Mance III.

I made another turn at an article regarding The Secret Life of Snow. This article is part of a weekly column called “The Outside Story” – a weekly column on forestry subjects, natural history, and ecology syndicated in dozens of newspapers.

I could have travelled a lot longer and further. I might even have bought a diameter tape and 10-factor prism or looked at some resources available to teachers. Instead, I decided to rush here and tell you about The Northland Woodlands magazine and Center for Education. The mission of the center is “to advance a culture of forest stewardship in the Northeast and to increase understanding of and appreciation for the natural wonders, economic productivity and ecological integrity of the region’s forests.”

If you live in the Northeast—or want to—these are folks you want to know and this is a site you’ll want to visit. One thing that may surprise you is that this is a “non-profit” organization that actually sticks to its mission. In fact, I’d been reading the magazine for a long time before I realized the non-profit nature. They produce a quality content-rich publication. The writing is superb and the information is both interesting and informative.

Journey on over to Northern Woodlands.  Then see where your mouse and your mind take you. I’ll bet you have fun and learn something too!

 Buying Real Estate, Community Info, Just for Fun  No Responses »

Sim-ul-tan-e-ous-ly

 Posted by at 10:02 am
Jan 162011
 

Two posts in a row that aren’t about real estate? This article was in  the last issue of my MoosePrint Newsletter… I got such great feedback on it I decided to add it here!

One day last year I was working with a second grader listening to her read. Dakota is a young scholar you quickly learn to admire. She works hard at learning. She was reading along and suddenly stopped dead. “I’ll never get that word,” she said.

 “Oh yes you will,” I countered. We both worked pretty hard, a syllable at a time. Simultaneously is a pretty big word for a second grader, but she finally got it. Of course then we had to work on the meaning, so I patted her on the arm with both hands “at the same time.” For some reason, the word and her accomplishment became big. When I would see her in passing I would look at her. Her brow would furrow as she concentrated and said “Sim-ul-tan-e-ous-ly.” Sometimes we would share the word with another teacher. “Dakota knows a big word!”

This fall Dakota came to visit the Grange Hall as part of the “Words for Thirds” program. The Grange I belong to gives every third grader in three school districts their own personal dictionary. One of my greater pleasures in life is getting to do those presentations. We talk about the grange, some history, and how to use a dictionary. Towards the end I ask the kids to share one thing they’ve learned. After a few kids gave the usual answers I called on Dakota who had been sitting patiently with her hand held high. She stood up, puffed out her chest and said, “Least year I learned the word sim-ul-tan-e-ous-ly. It means at the same time.”

This is one of those stories that no matter where you end it, it’s a great story. But the story isn’t over yet. Last week I was at school and walked by Dakota’s classroom while the kids were getting ready for lunch. She spotted me, ran out into the hall and grabbed me. “Mr. Boomsma, come in here. I want to show you something.”

I pretended to let her drag me into the room and waited patiently for her to return with her “show and tell.” She returned with one of her classmates in tow and pushed her friend in front of me. “Ok,” Dakota said. “Tell him.”

Her classmate looked quite serious and a bit hesitant, but after a moment of obvious concentration she said, “Sim-ul-tan-eous-ly!” I looked at Dakota to see her ear to ear grin. “I taught her that!”

 While I was confirming that Dakota’s friend knew what the word meant she was off to find another classmate. When she returned she informed me that she was teaching everyone in the class “her” word.

It is a pretty big word, even for a third-grader. As I’ve told the story, at least one person saw a parallel to the story of Johnny Appleseed. It’s also a great Christmas story. Heck—it’s just a good story. Hard-earned accomplishments are the best. And sharing makes them even better.

 Education, Just for Fun  No Responses »

Shall We Do Some Classing?

 Posted by at 9:08 am
Jan 092011
 

Okay… This really isn’t going to have much to do with real estate.  Maybe.

I’m not particularly given to making New Year’s Resolutions, but if I were one for this year would have been “to write more.” I’ve been tempted to think that means I should be issuing a warning:

Warning! I’m a writer. Anything you do or say may be used in a future article.

My colleagues and clients do offer an abundance of topics and stories, but this morning I feel the need to rant and rave over a comment published by an alleged educational expert. He announced that he’d recently experienced some “learnings.”  This led me to spend some time wondering, “What the heck is a learning?”

I’ve begrudgingly accepted that some of my instructor colleagues are doing “trainings.” I suspect they mean they are conducting classes.

I’ve yet to hear any students announce they are going to a training to get a learning. (It gives me some comfort that my grammar checker wants me to change a lot of what I’ve written.)

I might start classing and seminaring.  I do, after all, understand the need and opportunity for growth and change. And it might actually be pretty cool to be the first instructor to offer seminaring.

I also understand the need for accuracy in communication.  That’s one reason I decided to do a writing.

No, I am not this intense about it.

Wait! I can make this have something to do with real estate. Let’s say you are in the market to buy a house… and let’s say we find one you like. When we head back to the office, we are not going there to write a contract. We are going to write an offer to purchase. In fact, it’s important to understand when and how that offer might become a contract. (The answer might surprise you.) This is just one of the learnings you’ll get if you come to one of my trainings!

 Buying Real Estate, Education, Just for Fun  No Responses »

Season’s Greetings!

 Posted by at 6:26 am
Dec 232010
 

Greetings of the Season!

While it has become traditional, it is not habitual! The holidays are a great time to say “thank you!” I’ve enjoyed your confidence and friendship this past year and it is satisfying to know that a lot of people—buyers, sellers, colleagues, affiliates and students—are achieving success as a result of our work together. It’s a great time to look back and a great time to look ahead—and this year there’s plenty to talk about! 

As I think about this year’s news I’m reminded of the truism that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Before we talk about change, let’s review what has and will remain the same. My focus hasn’t changed, but it continues to increase. Attention to detail has always been important; it’s now critical. Diagnosing problems and understanding clients’ needs has always been important; given the increasing complexity surrounding the buying and selling of real estate, now it is vital. Working with clients as partners and providing information and options is a major component of good real estate brokerage. Now more than ever you need a partner who knows how to learn and who knows how to teach.

We could write a book about how much the real estate market (and business) has changed. My crystal ball is no clearer than anyone else’s Will the market improve? Yes. When? Darned if I know, but I do think it’s going to be a long time coming.

I also believe that the market shouldn’t control us; we should look ahead and consider what we need and want to accomplish. If you are going to be involved in a real estate transaction, I want to be in that transaction with you!

Thanks for your confidence and the opportunity to work with you. Do let me hear from you… have a meaningful holiday and a new year filled with health, happiness and prosperity.

 Buying Real Estate, Just for Fun, Selling Real Estate  No Responses »

Really Rotten Realty

 Posted by at 9:44 am
Aug 162010
 

What a great way to start the week… with lots of laughter. Of course some may not fully appreciate the humor, but Mark Twain said, “Humor is tragedy plus time.” How about this: look for yourself. Take a look at this site with the understanding that it’s mean to be a parody:

Really Rotten Realty

The only thing that upsets me is that I didn’t think of this! (I did recently make a business card for a hypothetical agent who promised to “serve you in ways you never dreamed of…” But that’s another story.)

Speaking for stories… I’ve joked that I only do real estate brokerage so I have stories to tell in class. And when I tell those stories I point out that there’s “no way I could make this stuff up.” I offer this site as proof of that!

 Just for Fun, Real Estate Business  No Responses »

Can We Discuss This?

 Posted by at 8:49 am
Jul 232010
 

Okay… so I was a little excited when I learned that I’d been quoted in the Broker Agent News Magazine. Well, this month I got quoted twice! (I think I should start writing for it, maybe?) In one case, I was “commiserating” with the author who was surprised at things he’s said that he wished he could “take back.” I commented

It wasn’t to a client… it was to a fellow REALTOR and instructor who was encouraging me to attend an event so we call ‘get the same information’ and ‘discuss things intelligently afterward.’ I said, ‘I’m capable of an intelligent discussion without knowing anything.’ Actually it was pretty funny and I have no desire to take it back… there can be great truths in humor.’

My serious side meant that there are discussion skills which are independent of the discussion content. Many times we talk about (discuss) things without considering HOW we’re going to talk–and listen. Here’s a practical example: if you are going to start searching for a home can we discuss that intelligently without (before) I know anything about you, your situation, and you needs?

I think the answer is yes!

By the way… real estate colleagues and students would definitely benefit from a look at the Broker Agent News website and magazine. I would have said that before they started quoting me! And for those whose interest is buying or selling real estate, you might also find a look at the site interesting and educational as you discover how agents think!

 Buying Real Estate, Education, Just for Fun, Real Estate Business, Selling Real Estate  No Responses »
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