The Woodlands TX Kathi Frank

I was inspired by a documentary on TV last night that showcased the life of Harlan Ellison, the writer of the original Star Trek series. His openness is profound - expressed both in anger and wisdom - so I started a little research. I found this quote:

"Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment."

This provoking quote (on Memorial Day, no less) began an expanding thought process about memories and how we impact those around us.

As I continued to find more quotes about memories, I found a great deal of wisdom Here are some of the ones that I like:

Dr Suess: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Winnie the Pooh: "Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave."

I love finding quotes written in children's books. Some of the best lessons are taught in them. Unfortunately, we grow up and forget what someone once told us in an entertaining story. That is one great reason to be a parent or grandparent - it gives us a second chance to learn those lessons.

Eleanor Roosevelt: "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"

William Shakespeare: "A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow."

My goal for today is to continue to recall those who have made an impact on my life and to hold them up in memory of the things we have shared. Some of those people are the real estate buyers and sellers in and around The Woodlands. Others are family and close personal friends. Still others are those who have crossed my path in the past and left particles of stardust in my heart...eventhough we are unlikely to be face-to-face again.

I hope that everyone that reads this post will take just a moment to remember those people that touched your life in some special way. If you get the chance, let them know. If they are an inactive client (aka: "past" buyer or seller of real estate), simply find the time to talk to them. After all, as Harlan Ellison reminds us, time will carry this day away like the wind...make it count.

When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless. John Gardner

Today, we honor those that gave the ultimate service to others. Not only do we take time to recognize their sacrifice and offer encouragement to those families that live on without those that we love...but we also can take what they have offered us and apply it to our every day approach to daily life.

Countless famous people have told us of the virtues of service. Albert Swchweitzer said, "I don't know what your destiny will be but one thing I do know, the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

We are in a profession that is often characterized by self-serving, greedy, pushy and inconsiderate people. But we know that the truth is something quite different. Although we can easily name those among us that fit the TV profile of selfishly rude, we can name a much larger number of real estate agents that work tirelessly for others...not only for the commission...but also to meet the needs of our clients...the real estate buyers and sellers.

An agent that used to work here in The Woodlands and she told me that often our work feels more like "mission work" because we often see people at their worst. Let's face it, making a move is often extremely stressful. If we can remain the "servant" to real estate sellers and buyers - while keeping our own boundaries and self-respect - our client lists will grow and multiply.

Thanks go to those that made the ultimate sacrifice. To their loved ones we offer our support and acknowledgement. And we thank you for your example that can be brought into our profession every single day.

One of the habits that I inherited from my father is the wisdom of keeping a garden.

Although my garden is tiny compared to average and super-teeny-weeny compared to the one kept by my parents, it still provides something for me that is hard to describe.

Sure, it is wonderful to taste the "fruit of my labor" with fresh tomatoes, basil and other culinary delights. But there is more to the experience than can be tasted in the mouth when it is eaten. (BTW: The pic on the right is actually the first little grape tomatoes formed in my garden on 4/18/09) The weather around The Woodlands TX is warm really early in the year.

I actually can hear my father's voice when I am in the garden. I hear all the lessons he taught about responsibility and his favorite saying, "a job worth doing is worth doing right." I have taken some liberties in my life in defining what is "right" and it comes quite short of perfection. Rest assured, I am confident that he understands this new definition of right and delights in my decision to be less than perfect.

According to many people, my standards are waaaay too tough. But they did not know my father. Compared to him, I am very loose with my ability to accept things with their faults. My real estate clients know my commitment to doing things right. Sometimes they actually tell me to relax and do less - or to give myself a little grace to be good enough. Although they really want me to be available each time they need me, they always respect my commitment to self-renewal with days off and the time I take off simply to play.

Today, as I wait to hear the papers are drawn for my out-of-state buyers who are building a new home, I knew that I had time to spend in my garden. I did not go to church. Instead I had my own spiritual experience in my garden and feel greatly blessed by that time.

5th Annual Wine and Food Week 2009
The Woodlands, Texas
Tuesday May 26th - Sunday, May 31st

With more than 40 events scheduled throughout the week, there is truly "something for everyone". This blog does not have enough space to cover all the events, so you are encouraged to visit www.WineandFoodWeek.com to learn more.

From seminars led by Wine Wizard, Lettie Teague to a Kidz R Cooking event in The Woodlands Mall on Saturday - you need to get your tickets ahead of time to assure the available of the particular fun event that is perfect for you and your friends/family.

The best place to learn about all that is happening is on the website. However, if you need to contact someone, the number is (713) 557-5732.

If you spend any time looking at the MLS, you know that many agents can't spell - much less craft a complete sentence or an accurate description of property they have listed.

Sellers have every right to demand that a prospective agent submit writing samples. After all, the listing agent is applying for the position of "Marketing Manager" for the seller. Any marketing manager understands the importance of writing clear descriptions that call potential buyers to sit up and notice.

Since 87% of today's real estate buyers cruise the internet prior to contacting an agent (according to NAR's statistics), we can assume that the words we use have the power to attract those buyers to purchase. The Mulitiple Listing Service is no longer a place for agents to describe their listings to their colleagues. It is a much more powerful force in the dynamics of selling real estate.

In fact, as I think of the future buyers of property around The Woodlands area and the Greater Houston area - I visualize the pleasure they are getting while looking at property descriptions and actually creating a fantasy about how it would be to live in those homes they are viewing.

Since NAR also says that today's buyer looks on the net for 6 months before they are ready to purchase, I would suspect that they have been living in a fantasy written by creative writers for most of that time. If your description of a sellers listing is "ho-hum", these "would-be buyers" are not spending any time looking at your listing. By the time they are ready to call an agent, they have trained their eyes to only consider houses that are accurately and colorfully described.

It takes some pretty good description to entice today's buyer. If sellers really want to maximize their equity, they will demand writing samples from any agent they consider to represent them.