Coopersville, MI

People often pay "lip service" to the new year. By now, January 4th, so many folks have decided to do something productive for the new year, and have already failed to live up to their own statements.

"Lip service" is what I call that. But you know, just because you have failed at an attempt, does not mean you quit trying that. Heck, real estate is a great teacher. So take a look at the lessons it has to teach. Reach for nothing and you get nothing. One of the new years resolutions I have made is to blog more. So, here I am. Blogging away about dumping unproductive habits.

This year, we should all take a closer look at the well intentioned agent that tries to "Help" their friends and neighbors. I have been caught up in that so many times.... it's awful, and predictable.

"Sure, I will help you try to sell your home for more than I think it's worth", I say, "but as long as you know that we are trying to sell it for more than the market will bear, and not expect it to really sell, don't get angry with me if it doesn't. I mean, "I know you "Jim" so sure, as long as you know the real score."

Then guess who gets upset, feelings of guilt befall me, and feelings of inadequacy from them begin to surface. Why do I do such a thing? I think I can sum it up. I care about them, and want them to be successful. This year, I will have to give them a little "tough love". I am going to "DUMP" that behavior.

One other thing that I might as well share here...

The attitude to move me forward in 2010, is that 2009 is over. What a banner year for some, and a tough year for others. There are people that are successful even in 2009. People having their best year ever! My year was "OK" But I refuse to maintain a level of mediocrity. I am in this business to be SUCCESSFUL, and if I have to use the new year 2010 as a crutch to make me have a better outlook I will. Self limiting attitudes of 2009... I am going to "DUMP" that behavior. Watch out 2010, here I come. This year, I have already planned my marketing plan for the entire year already. I am going to "embrace" that planning behavior a little more this year.

That brings me to the reason I am here today with this blog. "Networking" is now on my hit list for the year in my marketing plan. Now I know that this is marketing to agents... well, kind of. You see... these blogs make their way into google and they are read by others not in the real estate career. So when I write here, people that read it from other search engines will also read a little about me also. They get to know me better and therefore are more inclined to have me be their agent. So "Blogging" and "Social Networking" are big on my new list of things to do better in 2010. As well as the local chamber events.

So there you go. For those of you that know me, that's "my big plan", well, a good chunk of it anyway.

Happy New Year... 2010, now let's make it ours, let's OWN it. Let's hit the mountaintop.... together, or alone, you can find me there. Look around you, who else will you see there? Are those the same people you spend time with? Hmmmm....

"Tough love" - "Attitude of success" and "Networking" that's it. (well, ok a little more education too)

"See you at the top" as the saying goes. I am going to "Embrace" that behavior and attitude too.

Mark

ABC's 20/20 has been doing a series on the "New Normal."

In the feature this past Friday New Normal: Workers Learn New Skills ABC introduced to the nation two gentlemen who I have been fortunate enough to come to know during the past year and hold in high regard.

Mike Hess and John Holcomb.

A small part of what these two have accomplished over the past year is to bring affordable, self-generated power to the world. The Windspire is the newest appliance for your home.

The Radarrange by Amana received the

"Top 10 Gadgets That Changed the World" award.

Akin to Radarrange that was first introduced to households in 1967, I believe the Windspire will take it's spot in the top 10 Gadgets That Changed The World.

Photo Credit: Sang Nguyen

Latest statistics show that 25% of the world's population does not have power. This vertical axis wind turbine can have a huge affect on the lives in those areas of the world.

According to Global Issues 1.6 Billion people, one quarter of humanity, live without electricity. In Southeast Asia there are 706 million without electricity, 547 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, 224 million in East Asia, and 101 million in other areas of the world. The Windspire was designed and is being manufactured with these less fortunate in mind.

70% of the Windspire Wind Electric Appliances are planned for overseas installation, places where 2000 kilowatt hours per year will make a HUGE difference in a person's life.

This is the bigger part of what Mike Hess and John Holcomb are committed to.

Back in the U.S., Mike Hess and John Holcomb are committed to jobs and local economies.

In a conversation with John, you will learn that he has found a way to make the Windspire better and less expensively than it can be done overseas. This makes the appliance affordable to the average homeowner or business owner.

These gentlemen are committed to increasing jobs in the United States.

Throughout the country, Windspires will be installed by local contractors using local subs. This will keep the dollars local.

John Holcomb says he is doing this,

"for the veterans."

The veterans have fought for the United States, many have given their lives for our country.

Through John's eyes...the Windspire is for memory and honor to our Veterans.

Made by Americans.....For America

To hear more from Mike Hess and John Holcomb be sure to take 5 minutes to watch the ABC News 20/20 special:

New Normal: Workers Learn New Skills

**sidebar: the house in the 20/20 piece belongs to one of our happy homeowners, Gloria Noyce. Her windspire was installed by our own Devon O'Shea and his capable crew. Gloria and her sister Janie are both proud owners of our systems. Although they were taped for the 20/20 special, unfortunately, only Gloria's Windspire and house made the cut!

Here's a photo of the girls filming!

From left to right: sisters Linda, Gloria and Janie.

And of course...the film crew from ABC's 20/20!

It was a fun filled day!

Copyright 2009 Mary McGraw Bigelow. All rights reserved.

For more information visit: Windows Wind and Solar

I had an interesting conversation today with a local stock broker. During our discussion I mentioned fuel poverty. He stopped me mid-sentence....

"What is that?" he asked.

What is what? I said.

What is fuel poverty? What is your definition of Fuel Poverty?" he asked.

I thought everyone had heard it yet he told me he had not heard the term before....

but it struck him....

"How do you define it?" he asked.

Hmmm...my definition of fuel poverty is that one spends so much of their disposible income on fuel - whether for keeping warm, driving to appointments or heating water - that they don't have enough money to enjoy the things they want to enjoy, or feed their family, or pay their mortgage.

The "official" Wikipedia definition of Fuel Poverty is, "A fuel poor household is one which cannot afford to keep adequately warm at reasonable cost." As the wiki says, this is a popular term in the UK. I think it is a term we need to become familiar with in the U.S.

Whether in the north...where heating is important....

or in the south...where cooling is important.....

Fuel poverty is real....

this is why I am happy to see incentives for not only energy efficiency, but renewable energy, in the stimulus bill...

How do you define, "Fuel Poverty??"

*photo courtesy Gary Hammerlund, HERS Rater, Certified Energy Efficient

Hi,

I just wanted to take a minute and give you an update on the market. (Like you need one! )

Two remarkable stories in the Grand Rapids press this weekend really put into words what I have been telling people who ask, and it was great to see that same information validated by the GR Press.

I know it's been a rough year for sellers. It's been a rough year for almost everyone in this economy. We've all seen our home values plummet, and we've all wondered what the best thing to do is. Wait? Sell? fire-sale? short sale? foreclosure? Many buyers are in a dilemma because money lending practices are more stringent, and the plethora of home choices make it difficult to make a decision for many.

Now, more than ever, more and more homes selling are foreclosures. Just last month, nearly 70 percent of the homes sold in the entire GRAR real estate board were foreclosures. Unbelievably high! That's right 70%!

If you are one of the sellers in this market, and you think your agent is not doing a good job about representing you, take a closer look at their regular efforts, and their marketing materials. You may be more surprised to find out they are doing more than you know.

If you are a real estate agent and have a seller call you for an update, you may want to take a look at your personal contact plan. Buyers and sellers are just people who have questions, sometimes they think about what's going on, but do not ask, so it's up to you, the real estate professional to be pro-active and just give them a call once in a while.

You got answers, they got questions!

Mark Douglas

Jeff Foxworthy would have a field day with Coopersville, Michigan . . . especially this morning!

You've heard the stories young boys tell about how they got a bruise, a cut or any other wound. Why is it with boys, it has to be some spectacular thing that happened to them--even big boys! At Coopersville's East Elementary, 4th grader Drake is going to have a story to tell for a real long time on how he got a cut on his head! He got kicked in the head by a 6 point buck IN HIS 4TH GRADE CLASSROOM. He is completely fine, thank goodness, but this kid is going to have a story to tell until he is old. The best part is he has the proof to tell what happened. Toward the end of school yesterday, the deer crashed through a window as a 6 point buck but he left the classroom as a 3 point buck. Can you imagine how awesome it must be to this 10 year old who will have his memento for life. This is going to be a story he will be telling his grand children someday.

The kids in the classroom are all safe as the deer left almost as quickly as he came. There is plenty of glass to clean up, but the kids are going to have something to talk about for a long time. Even their teacher will have something to remember because it was her first year of teaching at Coopersville.

Ok, I have to tell you that Coopersville isn't THAT hick! This is a true story but we really do have all the regular ammenities. Things have grown so much since I was a kid. When I went to high school as a Bronco, we didn't have an Aribies, McDoanlds or Taco Bell and now we have them all plus a Burger King, Little Ceasers and several coffee cafe's. This little town has grown by leaps and bounds in the last twenty years. But it still has small town values and is an awesome community to grow up in! And . . . . it's a great place to hunt also . . .just don't do it in a fourth grade classroom!!!!

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com