Jim Fischetti

It may seem sacrilegious to make this point,but hand written notes are better than blogging, better than e-mail, better than texting, better than "sent from blackberry", even better than "IMing".

I may be considered old fashioned, even out of touch, but I think I am "WRITE" (pun intended) about this. People really appreciate a hand written note. Especially since it has become a lost art.

Consider this, some newly married couples send an e-mail "thank-you" as opposed to a hand written tank you note. Where is Miss Manners when you need her. Yikes, can you believe that, or do you care? I think you do care, most of us do. And most of us would be slightly put off by not getting a hand written thank you note.

Yet we live in a society where people write each other less and less. Are there even "pen pals" out there? If you've ever sponsored a child from one of those charity organizations, you will get a hand written letter from the child (or translator) and guess what you are more likely to build a bond with that child because of it, and more likely to keep giving. There is something personal about letters, or notes. And in this hectic 24/7 world the "slowness" of snail mail harkens us back, back to fond memories.

Here's my challenge to you:

Write 5 hand written notes this week to the following:

1. A loved one

2. A co-worker

3. A client

4. A mentor (or former teacher, anyone who helped you along the way)

5. Someone you want business from

If you do this you'll have a more passionate personal life and a more profitable professional life.

Let others know if you will accept the challenge and how it worked out.

Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Wow!!! The start of 2008 has been tremendous for Porto Fino in Wake Forest. Already this year there have been over 10 sales. And the sales look like they are heating up not cooling down. The price point is $400,000's to $600,0000s with the bulk in the $400s.

Hats off to Ryan, Sales Executive for The Fischetti Group, he has done an amazing job while he's been there but he has been on fire since November of 2007. Great job!

Kudos to the builders, their product is so desirable they are sometimes getting multiple offers. They also understand that price is critical in today's market and they have a realistic expectation accordingly.

The good news is there are still some outstanding opportunities along with beautiful wooded homesites for pre-sales.

If you're in the market for an executive home you'll want to check out Porto Fino. If you're an agent, you really want to come by and see what all the fuss is about. And, builders, why don't you stop by say hello to Ryan, see why we are so successful out there, or feel free to contact Jim Fischetti directly at 919.554.9802 or www.jimfischetti.com.

In spite of the media, in spite of the nay-sayers, in spite of the "ill informed" Porto Fino is off to a record breaking year!

Great job guys!

Good News, Jimmy Buffett is coming to Raleigh, he is bringing his "summer job" back to the town he had his first paid gig.

If that wasn't good enough news, he'll be outside! The last two times he came to Raleigh he was indoors at the RBC Center, but we can now enjoy the tropical sounds under the stars.

Jimmy Buffett and his band will put on a great show that's for sure. If you've never seen him he is an amazing entertainer, you will enjoy the music and his showmanship even more. Besides Jimmy the fun is also seeing "Parrotheads". They can be as entertaining as Jimmy himself. You may never see as many grass skirts, coconut bras and Hawaiian shirts in one place as you will in a Jimmy concert.

Okay, grab your "fins" and get ready for a summer evening that will thrill you.

"If we didn't laugh we'd all go insane" Jimmy Buffett.

Oh, on a not so good note, I think he's probably already sold out. Tickets went on sale at 10 am. Usually you've got 15 minutes to get your tickest, but, it would still be worth getting them, at nearly any price.

Thanks to Jimmy and my fellow "parrotheads".

Unfortunately, politicians think "impact fees" only cost builders. But the truth is; the cost gets passed on to the actual buyer. When Jack Kemp was Sect. of HUD , he commissioned a study to look out governmental regulation, taxes and fees and the impact on the cost of housing. What the research showed was staggering. Nearly 40% of the cost was due to taxes, regulations, and or fees. With a price of $300,000 that is a whopping $120,000. Question, haven't consumers paid enough already?

The reason impact fees are so popular among elected officials is that they are "hidden'" taxes. Few consumers (voters) actually see the tax (and an impact fee is a TAX).

Another reason politicians love impact fees is that they argue, well its the people moving here who actually pay the cost. But, more than 3 out of 4 home-buyers are moving locally. So it is us who is actually paying them not our future neighbors. Besides, if what the tax is funding is so important, shouldn't we all be paying for the cost.

isn't it time we quit letting politicians hide behind hidden taxes/

Isn't it time we, the voters, the ones their are suppose to be serving, hold them accountable?

Don't let politicians erode our quality of life, erode our industries, erode our economy just so they can get re-elected.

Thanks and remember to vote.

In case you were wondering what all the fuss was about in town, it is the fact that Keller Williams Realty has a new home in Durham. The office just moved to its beautiful new space at the corner of University and Shannon {The Wachovia Building at SouthCourt}.

The new office is wonderful. The entire company is thrilled with the move and are looking forward to continue to provide incredible real estate services to the community.

If you're in the real estate community:

a) lender

b) real estate agent

c) real estate vendor

d) attorney

e) builder

f) developer

Please feel free to pop by and say hello and get a tour.

The Durham office is going from good to GREAT in 2008.

We'd love to take you to greatness as well.

www.jimfischetti.com