Annie Robinson

Hop on the green band wagon and find fantastic new ideas that benefit everyone!

The idea of going "green" has been around for a while. But, people are actually starting to get excited for GREEN! Green homes, green household products, green clothing... All great for the future of our earth and future generations. I would really like to see green be the basics for every household in the country, but as of now that is a BIG notion.

How does one start to go green within their home? Easy first step, change your cleaning products. Next time you run out of that window cleaner that smells like alcohol, replace it with a biodegradable environmentally friendly product. Super easy! Next step, paper waste. Oh boy, this is a big one in any ones office and home. Good old fashioned dish towels and wash rags! You probably are already stocked up. But, every now and then you need something a little tougher to get off the ick, try washable sponges (available at baregreen.com). One last easy idea, before you're overwhelmed. Replace those awful plastics... EASY to find replacements, grocery bags. Keep totes in your car, trunk, wherever you'll remember to grab them next time you run to the store. Even produce bags can be replaced with small mesh reusable bags (idea: those lingerie wash machine bags you rarely use).

A couple extra fun ideas. Myself and my four year old love the solar/windup flash light. No batteries to replace and includes a radio. We found ours at Cabellas, but they are all over. Great for in the car or emergency kits as well! Fun to entertain little ones while camping!

Office idea, propose going 100% recycled paper products. Everything from labels to envelopes are going green. Too timid, purchase 100% paper products for your own use, write it off, and perhaps the others will catch on. Advertise that you've gone green and while you're at it get your GREEN designation through the Reatlors Association. An great conversation piece!

There you have it. Some super easy first steps. Once those are established, introduce a new green method into your home monthly. Those who complain will have become used to the new ways of life and be ready to take on one more green change!

How does your office or household partake in going "green?"

Annie Robinson

Van Dorm Realty Inc. Olympia, WA

The Art of Sign Twirling

A new art form, marketing strategy or a major distraction to drivers? Statistics are difficult to find on the web, but I have made notice of the entertaining sign twirlers in our area (Olympia, WA). It is relatively new to us, however, it appears that this marketing dance has been going on for sometime beyond our borders. Google and you will find amateur video of the proud performers, even Elvis was twirling a sign. Check out this gentleman pouring his heart out on the street, perhaps is not quite doing the job of guiding traffic to a particular location, however, he can put a smile on your face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DC2xtGyk80

It seems as though there is a fine line between doing your job properly with just the right amount of enthusiasm and failuring to do the job at all. I probably wouldn't even glance twice at the guy half asleep (or actually sleeping with his sign against his forehead. Seen it!) and one can't even read the sign of the overtly energetic sign twirler. Thus, the job does not get done!

I am most interested in leading the public to Open Houses. As we know, some days have better turn out than others! What are your thoughts on the Open House sign twirler?

If you are going to give the Open House sign twirler a try, I would suggest researching your local laws. As well as, get to know the company you hire from!

Why not twirl your sign with a monkey suit on, I would love to see that!

Annie Robinson

Van Dorm Realty

Olympia, WA

Have you found Facebook yet? You will be astonished by the amount of fellow Realtors, friends and family already chatting on Facebook. Easy to set up, yes. Easy to use, very much so and it's free.

Join up and meet me at the "Real Estate in Washington" group . Post your upcoming events, advertise your own group, and share your two real estate cents. Let's become known as "the real estate gurus" in the Pacific Northwest. Providing residents with local real estate representatives, where anyone can ask questions, get honest answers and have fun sharing our real estate experiences!

Not just another place to be seen and heard, however, an extremely easy tool for your business.

See you there!

Annie Robinson

Van Dorm Realty

Olympia, WA

How to find a Group: From your Facebook home page, under Applications (right hand side) click Group link, enter "Real Estate in Washington" in the search box and click enter on the keyboard. Now for some reason this group is under regional, so click the SHOW RESULTS tab and highlight Olympia, WA. The group link will be the only option available.

The group is set as Global. So if anyone knows how to get rid of the Olympia, WA result, please fill me in!

How to Stage your home: A personal lesson

Once the decision was made to sell our home this spring and "upgrade" to larger square footage the staging began. I started following the advice and check off lists I share with my clients, as well as, a wall of yellow post its covered in to dos.
The packing began, as I tell clients the way you sell your home is different from the way you live in your home. I drove around the neighborhood and priced storage units, deciding upon using my third garage bay as a storage unit instead. Next came the elbow grease. I had over purchased paint the following year and had enough to give a good once over to all the walls! Once the inside structure looked fresh, I put on my yard gloves and headed outside. Weed bucks full, plants trimmed and 7 bags of bark later, I was stopped in my tracks. I needed more bark, grrrr... This project is not done, the rain began to fall and snow surprised us followed by rain! Slight delay in our time frame.
After days of going none stop manual labor, I needed a deep tissue massage. So, I got one! Fabulous! The list goes on and on of things to do. Move furniture, paint outside trim and decking, etc... It will get done, I learned this does not occur within the ideal time frame. Life happens, weather happens, work happens, and the little things at home get put aside.
I am going to need another massage just thinking of what lies ahead!

To my future clients: I promise to give you the time and help in getting your own home staged for the market place. Staging is ESSENTIAL!! (Great blog topic for the next session-entitled staging is essential)! Looking forward to it already!!

Enjoy the sun while it sneaks out!

Annie Robinson

I have had the joy of attending many productions presented by the Seattle Paramount Theatre and theatres around the Pacific Northwest throughout the years. However, attending the Lion King over Valentines Day weekend was truly breathtaking. I laughed, got a little teary eyes and gave a rousing standing ovation. In attendance as well, were by husband and 4 year old daughter. The Sunday matinee was full of children and Novalee was on her best behavior. She enjoyed the show and became enraptured by its magic. Even to the point of questioning "this is pretend right?" The seats were not made to comfortably fit a 6'2'' tall person and Bob took a leave during intermission. However, he was quite comfortable on the velvet couch watching the Lion King on the big screen and enjoying a microbrew.

Beyond the Paramount, Seattle and the surrounding areas offer a variety theatrical events. I am most looking forward to the production of Grease arriving in May and Wicked set to arrive in September!! Tickets sell out fast and I fully intend to be first in line!

In support of local theatre, as well, my family does attend several productions throughout the year at home in Olympia. They are also worthy of a standing ovation and the theatre is a bit smaller, thus I get a fantastic view from any angle!

My top five list includes: Show Boat, The Phantom of the Opera, of course the Lion King, the Pacific Northwest Ballet -The Nutcracker-, and in anticipation of what is yet to be seen I am positive that Wicked will be on my list. Follow your night up with dinner at the Space Needle or local hot spot of choice and you have my idea of a wonderful day together!!

I truly hope that my daughter will grow up to be my theatre buddy and enjoy the wonders of drama on stage with me!

Annie Robinson

Van Dorm Realty

P.S. Be sure to check out your local High Schools productions, they are wonderful as well and true talent emerges!