Ramona, CA

I get asked all of the time "How's real estate going for you?" How do I answer that? I've been licensed for precisely one year now and have yet to have a transaction get to closing. Oh, I have buyers that I'm working with, but they're going FHA and, well, that's a whole other bag of worms.

I simply smile, and remain thankful that I actually pull a small paycheck as the office manager. I am also sure to thank the person who inquired about my business since they may become a client in the future.
I consider most of my contacts to be referral generators for me. Not that I would love for them to be clients, they are simply in the same boat as me and my husband. We LOVE where we live, and have no plans on moving any time soon.

I am thankful that my colleague had the foresight to get us both registered for certification as Real Estate Collaborative Specialists - Divorce. We are well on our way to making wonderful business associations, and we are looking forward to helping couples with what is in most cases the largest asset in a divorce.

I am also thankful that my colleague, the owner of our company is so generous with her support. I am thankful that I don't have to deal with some of the issues a large brokerage comes with.

What else can I be thankful for? I am thankful for everyone here on ActiveRain! You are a great source of education, insight, and most of all MOTIVATION to keep at it. I know the tide will turn, and I will be thankful that I continued on this road to a great career.

I am thankful that my husband has a good career. I am thankful that my son is healthy and although he is only 6, he is growing into a nice young man. I am thankful for my mother who moved to Ramona to be closer to me - even if it's really to be closer to her grandson. ;)

I am thankful for my wonderful community of Ramona. I have so many wonderful friends and neighbors that I can count on in a moment's notice. I am thankful that I am able to juggle my calendar to enable myself to give back.

I could go on and on, but I wanted to leave this thought that is especially appropriate this time of year:

No matter your income, position, education, or lifestyle; THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE WHO HAS LESS, AND SOMEONE WHO HAS MORE THAN YOU. Be thankful for your life. Be thankful for what you have. Strive to be your personal best, but do not envy others. Remember those who have less than you, and give selflessly with no expectation of a reward.

A wish for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all!

Custom Map for Joe Pryor

Custom Map for Deer Crossing Bed & Breakfast

And now, introducing a new feature to Beautiful Custom Maps, Video! Click on the deer crossing icon on the map. http://beautifulcustommaps.com/deercrossing. You should see a guy fishing in place of where the photo goes. Hit refresh if you dont see it. It's the main button on the map for Deer Crossing where you see on the left, towards the bottom of the map.

Cherie Young
Online Marketing Strategies
www.CherieYoung.com
www.BeautifulCustomMaps.com
www.twitter.com/cherieyoung
www.facebook.com/realestatewebdesigns

As my life continues to progress, I find myself adding more and more commitments of my time, talent, and treasure. Well, one of the three at least. Am I spreading myself too thin?

Last night was my son's pack meeting for Cub Scouts. He's just starting out as a Tiger Cub, and the parents acting as their Akelas, or adult guides, run the den as a group. We're all learning as we go, and we are working on sharing the responsibility evenly between families.

However, and this is where I begin my dilemma, the den does need to have a Tiger Cub Den Leader. Since the parent who we were encouraging to step up as Den Leader was absent from the pack meeting due to illness, I was conned convinced into taking the wheel. I don't mind really, I just want to make sure I don't short-change the little guys.

I will have 6, possibly 8, first-graders looking to me to engage them every 2 weeks with discussions about what it means to be a Scout, organize an activity, and arrange for fun outings to earn merit patches. We will continue to rotate the den meeting duties between families, but I know they will be looking to me for ideas.

So... This is a time commitment from me for at least 5 to 6 hours of meetings per month, not including planning, organizing, and special outings.

That time commitment is on top of my participation in our local Kiwanis Club (I'm co-chair of our largest fundraiser of the year - the Bow Wow Pow Wow), Family Faith Formation through our church, Lector for mass at least once or twice a month, and PTA involvement. Somewhere in there my husband would like for me to join him for some golf at least twice a month. Thank God soccer is finished for the season.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm a working mom? On top of my family commitments, I have been working diligently to get my business as a REALTOR going. That means several meetings a month, showing properties to buyers, and now participating in Divorce Planning Seminars.

Do I sound like I'm whining? I don't mean to. I love what I do, and I know I'm making a difference in my own small way. I simply need to add the word "No" into my vocabulary. So please don't ask me to volunteer for anything. My calendar is full, and if I get spread any thinner, I'm afraid I'll disappear.

Don't be afraid or break out in sweats, over yet another thing to add to your agenda! You have to see how C O O L this free Google mapping application is.

Create your own, I'm going to, well I better if I'm asking you to :) Be the expert in your area for all your favorite places, add your own video even. And talking about video, why not try the free video product from www.Animoto.com? You don't have to be a camera buff to work the software, it's really easy.

Link your latest listing, put a virtual tour on it! Market trends in a particular neighborhood. Breaking news!

The link for Google Maps will walk you step-by-step on how to do this. Have fun!

Cherie Young
Online Marketing Strategies
www.CherieYoung.com
www.BeautifulCustomMaps.com
760.782.0103

We are booked until next Spring for our beautiful custom maps. We have a few openings available, and then we will never offer the current price again.

www.BeautifulCustomMaps.com

Take a look at our growing portfolio ~ we have many new designs in development. Don't miss out on a custom map that can add value to your real estate website and bring back visitors, friends and family for reasons other than real estate.

Cherie Young
Online Marketing Strategies
www.BeautifulCustomMaps.com
www.CherieYoung.com
760.782.0103