Katie Evans

Remember when you got married and ate the stale wedding cake? Made you reflect on the first year and how quick it goes by.........

I just noticed that I have been on Active Rain for a year. Thank GOD this is not a marriage......I might be in trouble. But I would like to reflect a little on my year. Ironically, this is also my 100th post!

• You are there when I need you. A post about a bad transaction or a heart pouring session about the way I feel. Usually, there is someone there to listen.

• Did you actually save my personal marriage? Don't get me wrong. I guess I have apretty good marriage. My husband is a builder so our lives our intertwined. But does he really want a blow by blow of my bad transaction? NO! So I rant about it here. Then go and give him a big kiss. No more arguments about how he doesn't listen.

• You have taught me alot about myself. I enjoy reading so many peoples blogs. I feel like I think a little differently than I did a year ago. I have learned not to be afraid to write..the truth will set us free! This is an awesome way for sellers and buyers to get to know you as a person. Not the agent!

• You have become a raging fan. I can count two listings that you have given me!

• You never ask for more than I can give.........when I am fall off the wagon, no big deal. However, I have found that when I a little more committed to our relationship, I am a happier person.

• You are my best ally. Got a burning question? What a better place to ask. It is a little hard to ask the top agents in your market how to be successful!

Thank you Active Rain for a productive year. Hopefully, the best is yet to come!

Back in March, my middle child Rachel Iris has renal failure. A week in a hospital will make you figure out what you want out of life. Appointments and biopsies make you realize how precious life is. We had taken her to the doctor a few times, they kept saying that it was normal childhood sickness. Two days after her fourth birthday, I had enough.....

But first..listing appointment, finalize offer, Why cant we just walk away from this business?

So at 4:00 I took her to her appointment. Obviously the doctors suggestion of alternating Tylenol and Motrin was not helping. I urged them to do blood work. I hear them out in the hall.....white blood cells, infectious disease, emergency room.

I had been so busy trying to survive in this market. I felt like I had failed the only thing that made me get up and work everyday. My beautiful children: Caroline, Rachel Iris, and Howard.

So back to my reason of my post....

My kids are OBSESSED with High School Musical. Rachel Iris walks around the house all day singing on of the songs: "You are the music in me."

For those of you that are not familiar with the movies, GET OUT OF THE DARK AGES! These kids are everywhere!

This is how the song starts: "You know the words When you dream there is a chance you will find a little laughter or happy ever after.

SO what is the music in you? At the beginning of the year, it was Hi Ho its off to work we go! Some days it would have been They are trying to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no!

I had just hired a client care coordinator two weeks before my fiasco. She also happens to be my best friend. (Hence her ring tone people let me tell you about my best friend.) What a way to start a job! Not only was she dealing with a new team, she was introduced to my sellers in the worst way. How she got work done I do not know. Bombarded with my business and all the phone calls to check on Rachel Iris. She bought George Strait CD, and the first song made her cry. I saw God today.

Today I think I am more Slow Ride....Take it easy. Mixed with a little I Love Beach Music. Mixed with a little Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. I Will Get By. When I am on the phone with the lender, Tell Me Something Good. Dual Agent..Stuck in the middle with you!

Like June Carter and Johnny Cash said...TIMES A WASTING! Don't be like Kenny Chesney and Live in Fast Forward. Tuesday is Gone and I can see clearly now.

Its Summertime and the Living is Easy. You Cant Always Get what you want. Get Jiggy with it! ITS ONE SWEET WORLD. Do not forget to enjoy it!

Unfortunately, life is not like the teach us in the Disney movies. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it just plain sucks! But please stop and enjoy it. It is way too short!

By the way, Rachel Iris is back to "normal." She is a little more demanding but hey, I will take it. We go back to Duke monthly for more test and blood work She was allergic to Motrin which caused her kidneys to shut down. She is still taking medicine for increased blood pressure. We still have a bladder infection she is fighting.

Funny how things like this change you. We are spending a month in the mountains. We immediately booked a trip to Disney. My marriage, which was shaky at best, is better than ever. So for right now, it is Paradise City.

We need to sing a happy song, and no matter what....I hope you dance!

Here are my angels in Disney.

Of 239 bridges in Pitt County, 51 are either deficient or obsolete, according to federal transportation officials.

I was reading a real estate magazine today and a statistic caught my eye.

The National Association on Builders 2007 industry forecast states that Americans will spend $232 billion on home remodeling this year alone. $228 billion was sent last year. They are estimating a 1.9 percent increase from 2006.

By dollar volume, remodeling counts for more than 40% of the home construction industry.

However, next time you decide to start that remodel project, please call your Realtor. If you are in the Greenville Pitt County area, I would love to assist you. How much will your improvement project help your home?

Will it provide you with better equity? How much will it increase the sales price of your home? Worse, could it detract buyers?

Do not expect to receive dollar for dollar compensation for the work. Sometimes the improvement will increase the value of your home as little as 1%.

Are your remodeling your porch for you or to sell the the buyer? All this needs to be considered when remodeling. A Realtor can assist you to determine how a project can effect your home......your biggest asset. Every year, Realtor.com produces the cost versus value for various regions.

I know that any Realtor would love to share the knowlesge of their market and assist you with your castle!