Cherimie Crane, www.Marine1Realty.com

They have done it AGAIN. The dedicated Drill Instructors of 3rd Battalion, India Company are preparing for this Friday's graduation.

Their long hours and selfless dedication to MAKE MARINES has made our wonderful country even stronger.

Thank you and congratulations!

It has been a VERY difficult few months for me. I am not one to go in to details, and it is the details in which the difficulty has found a home. But...I am ok, my company is booming, my tomato plants are taking over the world, my tan is in place, and my coffee pot works just fine.

I have found friends in people I hadn't previously suspected to be kindred spirits.

But...there has been a mystery about my inability to sleep soundly at night. I believe in forgiveness, I try desperately to live my life being kind to all of God's creatures (even those that may be better stuffed), and yoga is my friend.

So why do I wake up so tired???

My friends, the answer is below. Have a Happy Friday, and may Your Sleep Be Sound!

After almost 300 posts, it is evident that holding my tongue isn't one of my stronger points. It should also be evident that I expect mountains from myself and those around me, especially in the real estate industry.

In the past two months I have made two referrals, which after thorough research, seemed to appropriately arrive in the laps of professional Realtors. WRONG!

**This is clearly one of those moments when I know I should most likely close my laptop, grab a fishing pole, and curse to the tides so that I don't regret my words later. BUT....life is short..right?? **

Just as most of you, I work hard, extremely hard for each and every client. When it comes a time to refer a client to another Realtor, normally, I don't have bouts of regret, depression, or verbal battery; however, my past two referrals have been nothing short of an embarrassment.

In both cases I began my search on Active Rain, just as I have so many times before with much success.

Maybe the stars were no longer aligned in my favor or possibly the humor of the gods needed tweeking, who knows!?

One ended with my clients calling me almost in TEARS after the agent not only showed up an hour an fifteen minutes late (keep in mind my clients made a five hour drive just to find a home) but according to my clients the Realtor seemed slightly intoxicated,. YEP. I said it.

(inhale Jesus, exhale Satan)

The other wasn't much better. Matter of fact, my clients in this particular situation decided against the area ALL together because of their experience with the Realtor. Seriously people???

I hand delivered TWO qualified, ready and able buyers only to have them treated so poorly.

My reputation IS my job. My clients trust me to direct them to professionals. I failed miserably. I don't like to fail..period.

Has it come to this? Do I need to do background checks before referring? Should I ask if they plan on drinking while touring properties?

How do you find Realtors you trust with your clients??

What happens when quality construction, by a reputable builder, meets style and affordability?? Homes sell, and they sell quickly. Today we are placing yet ANOTHER Carolina Village New Construction Home UNDER CONTRACT.

I couldn't be more excited about my joint efforts with NBM Builders. We met just months ago to devise a home that not only would meet the rising demand for affordable homes, but exceed expectations as well as the competition in the below 200K price range.

Buyers are constantly amazed by the interior detail and incentive package. At least twice a day someone asks me, "What is the catch?".

There is no catch.

For 195K, buyers receive a 1500 sqft home constructed of Hardi plank that boasts beautiful hard wood floors, ceramic tiled bathrooms, granite counter tops, 2 IPOD docking stations with speakers throughout including the 2.5 garage, and Renai tank-less water heaters!

Not to mention, $6,000 paid closing costs! Partner our incentives with the FIRST TIME HOME BUYER incentive and WOW!

Gorgeous Live Oaks drape the entire community. As a Realtor I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and thoroughly enjoy selling such a tremendous product.

For more information on Carolina Village Beaufort SC please call or email today.

It has always been my opinion that Public Open Houses, Sell Houses. Recently, this belief has grown to include Broker Open Houses. Over the past three months, I have had two sells directly from Broker Open Houses.

It involves more than a sign, a tasty lunch, and creative invitations. Offering time well spent, education, and valuable networking is crucial to creating an atmosphere conducive to activity.

Realtors must filter copious amounts of information on a daily basis. I try to offer pertinent information that will apply to their buyers in the price range and area of the property open for viewing.

It is my goal, to provide them with so much helpful information that they have NO choice but to think of my listing when speaking with prospective buyers.

Yesterday proved to be yet another success story. Not only did we have 3 prospective buyer clients walk- in, but at the end of the day, I received an offer from an agent who attended.

So next time you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off, wrangling a bundle of balloons, balancing ice and soda, wondering if it is all worth it... just breathe and know that it makes a difference.