Irene Tron

Yesterday, I took some time to look through some of the groups on Active Rain. I focused on technology, SEO, etc. What a revelation! I didn't know what I didn't know!

Let me explain.

After reading some of the posts, I found myself staring at the computer screen blankly -- overwhelmed. I realized I had no clue what they were talking about. Some of the information was so far over my head that I could smell the smoke coming from my brain.

After a few seconds of feeling utterly stupid, I stopped ...

thought...

and told myself:

"Self, just think about where you were two months ago. Did you even know what SEOs, hyperlinks, tags, mega-tags, etc. were?

The answer to that would be absolutely not! I have to admit I still don't quite understand all those terms yet, but at least it's not as much of a foreign language anymore. Just think. I know that the computer will NOT blow up if I press the wrong key! Maybe there's hope for me and my aging brain yet. I'll just keep reading and learning from all of you knowledgeable people out there. Three months from now I may write a blog that might actually help someone!

Have a great day everyone. Go out...learn something...and then post your experience.

Irene Tron

www.irenetronrealtor.com

Valparaiso, Porter County Real Estate

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Our company's server crashed yesterday! We were without email capability or our websites for hours. Talk about feeling lost! I didn't realize how lost I could feel without being able to read or respond to my emails.

I'm grateful that everything was up and running again late this morning. The only problem is that all my information and links on my website is gone. But, guess what the good side of this is! I get to redo my website with all the knowledge I have gathered on AR. It'll be even better than before. It needed improvement anyway. Since I had no knowledge of even HTML before working on my website, it could definitely be better. I can't wait to get started!

For those of us in real estate, we use computers and technology on a daily basis. Where would we be without access to the MLS, emails, etc. In our office there has been a huge push to increase our visibility on the internet.

As a result of that, I recently joined Facebook and it has made my day! Last night I found on Facebook the one person that influenced me more than even my parents when I was growing up. So much of the person I've become and what I think is due to his influence on me. I've thought of him often over the last 2 decades (yes, I know, I'm aging myself). I would not be the person I am today if not for him being part of my life growing up.

Even though I've moved across the United States since that time, I can now thank him. How often do we get that chance? So even if we cannot get together in one place, we can catch up through the internet. I can see his pictures with his wife, kids, and grandkids and he can see my husband and daughter. The most meaningful thing for me is being able to thank him for being a mentor when I needed it the most.

So take a lesson from this and don't forget to thank those who have helped you along your way. It'll make your day and theirs that much brighter!

Irene
www.irenetronrealtor.com

Here's a situation I could use some advice on. My friends, let's call them Sally and Joe, bought their home 9 years ago. Since it needed quite a lot of work, the home had been on the market for some time. Joe has the knowledge and experience to do most of the work himself so they bought this home at a fair price. Over the years, they have invested time, money, and lots of elbow grease and they now have a beautiful home. Roof and siding have been replaced within the last three years. Updated kitchen, fresh paint, added on a large family room, and on and on. Since most of the work they did themselves, it was less costly than hiring a contractor. Truly, the home looks like something out of Homes and Garden magazine. For the last 2 years, they have considered selling and moving to another city. They hesitated because the market was on the way down and the realtor they talked to did not feel they could get the price they wanted. (I think she was right.) They decided to wait until the market improved.

Now, Joe has lost his job and there is no income at all. They have 2 children in elementary school. Sally called me and, of course, she is in a panic. With no money to pay a mortgage, all she sees is foreclosure in the future. Now, remember, the house is beautiful and immaculate. It'd be ready to be listed TODAY! After doing a CMA, I believe if their home went on the market today at the low end it would have a good chance of selling before foreclosure. Since they bought it for such a low price to start with and did most of the work themselves, a lower priced sell would still cover what they owe on their mortgage. Sally is having a difficult time facing the fact that they may not make much money off the home they have put their heart into. She's given up and would rather just sit and face foreclosure at this point.

It doesn't matter to me one bit whether she lists it with me or someone else, I just want them to be hurt the least amount possible by all this. i pray that she pulls out of her despair and starts making the most of a difficult situation.

Does anyone have some advice on how to help them? I am very concerned about them and especially the children.

Irene
www.irenetronrealtor.com

One of the best investments I've made in my real estate business is buying a Smart Phone. Since my old phone was on the verge of death, I decided to look into one that would also work as my key card. A call to the Greater Northwest Indiana board office gave me the information I needed on the different choices I had.

With my smart phone, I can do so much more than I expected. Since I don't leave home without my charged cell phone, I always have my key card also. It updates itself every night without me having to do a thing. I have unlimited access to the internet which means I can look up listings on the MLS at anytime and from anyplace. This has proven itself useful more than once when I have been showing property to clients and they want to see something else in the area. It is also useful at open houses if I cannot get any wireless service for my computer. Since I have my company emails coming to my phone, I can respond quickly if needed without being at a computer. When I am waiting on a signature on a contract, having it emailed to me has been instead of faxed has also freed up some of my time. I can be confident that I can be out and about with my family or clients and still receive those emails without waiting by the fax machine or computer.

So, if you are considering replacing your cell phone, I highly recommend considering a smart phone.

Irene
www.irenetronrealtor.com