Amy S Zender - Bellingham, WA Realtor®

I just watched watched Pinocchio with my children, while we were all sick with the flu. On a recent trip to Cancun, we took this photo. It got me wondering about conscience. Good ol' Jiminy Cricket was Pinocchio's Conscience. I printed off the picture, and posted it near my desk. No, not to cause distress for anyone looking at it (it is scary, and very large indeed), but rather a gentle reminder to always do the right thing.

One might argue that you do not need a talisman to do good. I agree. This is a small token to remind me to think good, feel good. Do you have any charms you look to for daily reminders?

By the way, this cricket is part of the largest species of crickets in the world! Thank you for reading!

Bellingham Realty Girl | Amy S Zender | Realtor®

www.bellinghamrealtygirl.com | amyzender@connectrealty.com

Connect Realty.com | 112 Ohio Street, Ste. 101, Bellingham, WA 98225 | Office: 360.920.4886

Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Bellingham Real Estate market in Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team of professionals can do for you at #360.920.4886!

Spring is among us now. And in keeping with the theme, the market is sprouting a little too.

Here in Bellingham, WA, we have seen market improvement in the past two months. No doubt, lower interest rates, first-time home buyer tax credits, and lower home prices are to blame.

While we were in a market slump, many agents left the industry or reduced their availability to part-time. I was lucky enough to maintain a full-time status. Were you one of the lucky ones?

Frequently I am asked about the market, as I am sure most of you are. I have worked tirelessly to stay ahead academically of the market. Mailing cards, making phone calls, sending e-newsletters, and educating my clients - all have been my highest priority. Even if I have not had as many transactions on the table as usual, I have kept my clients informed religiously about market conditions. My phone has been busy nonetheless, even if it has been me making the lion's share of the calls. I have been unafraid to tell the truth, to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have, as it were, kept it real.

With Spring on the horizon, the sun shining more, and flowers beginning to bloom, so too is our housing market. Fortunately, I am prepared because I have been present each and every day with my clients. And as many agents became fair-weather, I remain steadfast and current.

I spent the last few months stepping up and not cowering away from our sour market. I have not chosen to follow the market lead, and play catch-up with clients.

In Winter, plants and trees can sometimes lay dormant. They are rather unexpressive, and can look lonely and unhealthy. We have been experiencing a Winter in the housing market, and I chose not to remain inactive. Instead, I was more like an evergreen - although not growing, still present, full, and thriving.

With Spring upon us, and flowers in bloom, are you? Or are you recoiled in the corner waiting for the market to fully recover before igniting your clients? Are you a thriving vine or a shrinking violet?

Only time will tell. But have you created a faithful following? Or have you lost clients like trees lose leaves in the wintertime?

Sit in the sun, drink some water, contact a client. Breathe life into your business. It is not too late. Thank you for reading.

Bellingham Realty Girl | Amy S Zender | Realtor®

www.bellinghamrealtygirl.com | amyzender@connectrealty.com

Connect Realty.com | 112 Ohio Street, Ste. 101, Bellingham, WA 98225 | Office: 360.920.4886

Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Bellingham Real Estate market in Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team of professionals can do for you at #360.920.4886!

The phone rang this morning very early. I knew it could not be the pilot, so I thought "Self, who could be calling so early?" Not wanting to be the person who answers the phone like they just finished smoking a pack of cigarettes chased by a fifth of whiskey, I faked a "Good Morning! This is Amy..."

"Mrs. Led?" (husband's Call Sign is Led, as in Zeppelin, as in guitar-playing pilot who once had long hair prior to joining the military). I answered perkily, "Yes, wow, I haven't heard that name in a while."

Turns out, a fighter pilot from Led's past is accepting orders to NAS (Naval Air Station) Whidbey Island, WA, to be a flight instructor. Although there are wonderful Connect Realty agents in the Oak Harbor and Anacortes areas of WA, he would rather have the Bellingham Realty Girl assist his family with a Military PCS, as I specialize in VA Loan transactions and taking care of Military Spouses.

Just because of the history of the relationship, I will become this pilot's buyer's agent. The level of intimacy shared in the military through strength and bonding is immeasurable. He and Led deployed together overseas to Iraq on an aircraft carrier. Have you ever seen two pilots get together and have a conversation? Their hands are all over the place in what I like to call the "there I was" stance.

It is rare indeed to find a profession which lends itself to creating lifelong relationships. Where military relationships are concerned, time stands still.

This one call became a true "wake-up" call for me. It occurred to me that I had not had real conversations with many of our military friends around the country for quite some time. Email and Christmas cards seem to be commonplace and have replaced the telephone. I spent the better part of the day calling old friends, catching up, leaving messages even. Initially I had lead generation on my mind. The cosmos had another plan.

I discovered a number of friends are currently deployed to Iraq and Afganistan. I gathered their deployment addresses so Led and I can assemble some care packages (I am awfully good at those). Cultivation. That is what it is all about. Sure, my business came up in conversations, but there was something much bigger at play. It is not about me.

As Easter approaches tomorrow, it occurs to me that a few years ago, I spent Easter alone without Led, and children were not quite on the horizon yet. The photos included were taken during that deployment. It seems as though no matter how much time has passed, how much distance has grown, and how much families have expanded, the closeness of the military relationship remains intact, familiar, and strong.

More than an email, a letter, or a card, a phone call to those far away is the handshake or hug so often shared in friendship. I encourage you to explore your past relationships, and pick up the phone.

And as we celebrate Easter, remember those servicememmbers who are not here a part of the collective, but rather abroad ensuring our safety and freedom. To those who have served, and who continue to serve, I say thank you. To Led, I say thank you, and I love you. May all those abroad return safely.

Have you polished and massaged your relationships lately? Thank you for reading. And yes, I am a very proud spouse - I hope it shows!

Bellingham Realty Girl | Amy S Zender | Realtor®

www.bellinghamrealtygirl.com | amyzender@connectrealty.com

Connect Realty.com | 112 Ohio Street, Ste. 101, Bellingham, WA 98225 | Office: 360-920-4886

Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Real Estate market in Bellingham, Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team can do for you at #360.920.4886!

Bellingham Realty Girl | Amy S Zender | Realtor®

www.bellinghamrealtygirl.com | amyzender@connectrealty.com

Connect Realty.com | 112 Ohio Street, Ste. 101, Bellingham, WA 98225 | Office: 360-920-4886

Amy Zender is dedicated to supporting the hottest Real Estate market in Bellingham, Washington! Amy's goal is to empower you with accurate, innovative, and honest information. Be mindful of the many choices you have as buyers and sellers, as we find ourselves in a market where there is plenty of room to be creative! Give Amy, your savvy Bellingham Real Estate Agent, a call to learn what she and her snap-crack team can do for you at #360.920.4886!

I have clients who insist on pricing their home too high. They will not listen to reason. "But we bought it at this price, why isn't it worth twice that now? We wanted this property, so will someone else. The market isn't affecting these more expensive homes..." and on and on. You get the picture.

Some short time ago, we visited DisneyLand in California. We surprised the children with the news on the morning we drove the airport. Instead of celebrating and running around the house screaming like my 4 yr. old did (she knew she would dine with the coveted Disney Princesses), my son sat on the counch rather pensively. Clearly we could tell he had something significant on his mind. We joined him on the couch. And here is what the little man said to us:

...Well, I'm sort of excited. But my friend Cody went to DisneyLand and he had to fight Darth Vadar (keep in mind, my son is obsessed with all things Star Wars. He has four light sabres so the whole family can spar. He has every action figure including Princess Leia. And has a Darth Vadar, Clone Trooper, and Jedi costume). And Darth Vadar is sort of scary. He's mean and people don't like him...

To our wise yet vulnerable young son, we explained about the concept of pretend (while nervously looking at our watch. I mean, we had to get moving! Mickey Mouse does not hold planes, even for cute little fellows) Our brave son gets up off the couch, and argues:

...Let's go. I'm ready. Darth Vadar is a bad guy. I will fight him. Can I bring my Jedi costume and Star Wars suitcase and a couple Star Wars guys? (yes he really has one)...

After some explanation that we had already packed his Star Wars suitcase for him, and, no, he would not be allowed to bring a light sabre on board the plane (the husband-pilot assured us that TSA would not be okay with this). You see, Disney offers a fantastic show where children are selected from the audience, "trained" in the jedi arts, and then have an opportunity to "fight" Darth Vadar. Who even knew if our son would be chosen?

Who am I kidding? He is adorable, full-hearted, and looks great in the Jedi costume. Voila! He was selected. But not before contemplating the situation and carefully calculating his moves with Darth Vadar! He "graduated" Jedi training, and fought Darth Vadar - and won. He won! Words cannot describe the pride and love we had for Jedi Leland at the moment in time. Darth Vadar said: You have been taught well, young Jedi. My son faced his greatest nemesis, in the passion of saving his world.

Why can't we all face our challenges publicly, without fears of repercussions? My son was 6, and fought Darth Vadar. You men out there can identify with the importance and significance with that, can't you? Star Wars is for men what Titanic is for women.

The punch line is this: if my boy can face the meanest guy he knows in his little universe, then I can certainly stand up to my stubborn clients, and not walk away. I can and will say, "Pricing is everything. Location is important, but if the price is not accurate, then it will not sell. I repeat, it will not sell."

...And furthermore, I will not tolerate idle threats. Go ahead and call those other agents who continue to call you. If they want a listing merely to generate leads off of the sign, then go ahead. You will not make me feel little. I know the market. I know the challenges of the market. I know that this price to which you have married yourself will not stand the test of the market. It will fail, and it will sit and sit and sit without a reasonable, qualified offer. And then who will you blame?...

Oh, the force is strong... I drew strength from my young Jedi that day, and it has served we well ever since. Go with the Force Jedi agents. And stand up to your Real Estate fears. Great, kid, now don't get cocky. That too is important, my friends.

Thank you for reading.