About Atlanta's Midtown

I'm always quite careful about what I say, and how I say it in the "public" remarks of our listing service. I always tell my Sellers' that this is what will show up on many of the websites that people look at and find their listing. Of course, I enhance all of my listings via REALTOR.com, but this is also the first impression that other agents get about my listing. What is says, can make an agent decide whether to preview my listing or show it.

That said, I just have to laugh when I read the following description in our listing service yesterday:

"The Homeowners/Sellers Obligation to perform on this contract is subject to the approval of the Lien Holders. For Any Inspetion Buyers Cost. Buyer Must Turn on Utilities. This is a Short Sale."

Well doesn't that just make me want to run right over and show that listing?

It certainly sounds like something that came right out of some lender's legal department, but I mean really? Could we have not put that in the Private Remarks, and really described the home, a condo on the 15th floor of a great Midtown building and at a great price?

Needless to say, my Buyers won't be seeing this one!

Kaizen means continuous improvement. In fact, the actual definition of Kaizen is Japanese for continuous and incremental improvement, a business philosophy about working practices and efficiency.

I'm working hard to be a different kind of real estate agent. One that people will remember. One that my clients, both Buyers and Sellers will be able to say, "He gave us his all, and it paid off." So, I am constantly looking for ways to run my business better. Ways to "sharpen my axe" and add more tools to my toolbox. Are you? And I don't mean just other real estate professionals. I mean in whatever you do.

You can practice kaizen in your relationships! Sure, you can always improve your listening skills with your spouse or significant other. You can improve your communication with them too. I have the word kaizen right above my desk. And so, I am continually working to improve myself.

I'm working to get gym time back in my schedule. To improve my physical looks and try and find that boyish figure again....(you can stop laughing anytime thank you!) But I do recall the days of how I felt when I worked out on a regular basis and the energy levels I had. And each trip to the gym is an improvement. Kaizen!

I'm working to improve my sales skills in real estate. New tips and techniques for my blog and website are helping to make my phone ring. People ARE finding me on the Internet! Kaizen!

Last week, Darryl Davis spoke at our local Board. I've attended several of Darryl's programs at the NAR conventions. And I've always learned something from him. Continuous improvement in the form of a new idea I can use. This time, he offered us a great opportunity on several of his training programs, along with a monthly coaching program. I said, Kaizen means continuous improvement! I'm looking forward to the coaching sessions as well as making time in my own schedule for the other programs we have to listen to!

In 3 weeks, I'll be off to my first ever REBar Camp in Raleigh, NC. This will be a new experience for me and the opportunity to see my friends I've met through Active Rain, and hopefully make some new ones! Maybe I'll listen to a few of the training cd's on my way there? I had hoped to make San Diego and the NAR convention, but that just was not in the cards this year. Next year, New Orleans is a short flight or drive away, and I'll be there in full force. Kaizen!

Times are changing, just in case you didn't notice. Younger people are coming into the world with all this technology in front of them. I wonder what their lives will be like 30 years from now? I can remember buying a fax machine for my house when I owned a travel agency and paying some $800 for it! How times and technology change! Kaizen!

Are YOU changing? Where is YOUR Kaizen?

Kaizen Means Continuous Improvement. Make sure you are improving yourself and adding a tool to your toolbox. Make sure YOU will stand out from the rest!

A personal experience on Sunday evening prompted me to do this post. And procrastination could of cost me my home. Don't let it happen to you. Fire Safety In Your Home is something you should make a top priority!

Laundry is a household task we all face. And so I worked on mine on Sunday afternoon. My dryer has not been operating well for a few weeks, in fact it takes 3 cycles to dry a load of clothes. And, even when you ran it for one cycle, the dryer got very hot on the outside. So I have always made sure I was close by while running the dryer. A call was needed to my warranty company to have them make a repair, but just did not get around to it.

Sunday afternoon, I was laying on the bed watching TV when I heard this loud sound, a bit like an explosion. I ran down the hall to the laundry room....and there it was....flames coming from the back of my dryer! Lucky for me, I had a fire extinguisher sitting near my fireplace. It's been in my house for years, and yes, it worked. Seeing flames in your house (outside of a gas stove or fireplace) is pretty unnerving.

Do you have a fire safety plan for your home and family? How will you get out in case of fire? Do you have fire extinguishers? Smoke Alarms? A safe meeting place outside your home where everyone is to gather? All of these sound simple, but how many of us really think about it? Until it's to late?

I really don't remember when I bought my fire extinguisher, but had I not had one, I would of either caused some serious water damage, or the fire might have been MUCH worse. So far, it appears to have been contained to the dryer only, and no damage to the walls! Now, cleaning up the "stuff" that comes out of an extinguisher...that's another story! And also, try not to breath in what comes out of one...it's tough on the throat!

My smoke detector is connected to my security system, altho the system is no longer being monitored. The detector still went off, altho we already had the fire out by the time it went off. I actually had to cut the wires to get it to stop, so will be getting a new one, or seeing how to make this operational again.

My story ends well. I just have to get a new dryer and do some house cleaning. But it could of been much worse. Don't ignore Fire Safety In Your Home. Do You Have a Plan?

If not, sit down with your family and make your plan today. Check to make sure smoke detectors work, and that you have them in the necessary places in your home. Plan escape routes in case of a fire. If you live in a condo building, take a wet towel with you if you have to use the fire stairs. If you run into smoke, it will help you avoid breathing it in.

You'll be glad you have a plan if you ever need it. But I hope you don't.

There's alot of stuff going on in people's lives these days! Whether it's those of us in real estate working twice as hard to make deals close, or the neighbor across the street who has been unemployed for months, lots of people are having a tough time in these tough times.

Do you really know what your neighbors are going through? Your best friend who really does not want to tell you or burden you with their problems?  Stuff, stuff and more stuff!

I can tell you, I've got my share of stuff, too. Nope, not going to tell you about it (you know how many people read this blog!!) But, I can tell you, that when it's put out of my mind, or I'm in a different place, I feel much better. It might be for a moment, or it might be for hours.

So, let me share with you....and let your "stuff" fade away..if only for a moment!