Lisa Quaschnick

I am deeply touched by someone I met who works at It's A Grind coffee shop located on the corner of Folsom Blvd.& Blue Ravine in Folsom. Not only do they serve a great mocha w/ soy (my favorite!!), but they also seem to have such warm, friendly owners & employees.

On my way to the office, earlier this week, I decided to make a quick stop & fill up my coffee mug. I started a polite conversation with one of the sweet young ladies while she was busy steaming the milk. She happened to mention that this year her family will be making each other gifts for Christmas. I thought to myself, "what a cute, sweet idea". But then she went on to say that the money they will each save by not purchasing gifts, will instead be used to purchase gifts for girls that have been rescued from an underground sex-slave organization in Cambodia. Wow... WOW!!!

I am grateful for her family's giving spirit.

Santa Claus is coming to town!! Bring your family, your camera, and an unwrapped toy to the Stonehouse (1455 Willow Bend Road, Folsom, CA) in The Parkway. On Thursday, December 18th from 4 - 7pm, we will enjoy yummy treats, hot chocolate or hot cider while visiting with Santa, and sharing in the Christmas Spirit!!

I look forward to seeing you there!!

What is the maximum number of photos your MLS will allow? The MLS system we use in Sacramento, El Dorado, and Placer Counties allows up to twelve photographs. That paves the way for my next question; then why do so many agents post only two, three, or four photographs?

I began my climb onto my soapbox today after searching through the MLS. There was a property that peaked my interest, for an investor client. At first glance, only one photo is visible, which is typically the outside of the property. It looked like a clean home with a well manicured lawn. Then I clicked on "additional photos" of which there was one. Yes, one. Please allow me to paint the picture; imagine a black photograph, where the only light that is offered is that of a window. Oh yes, and a white line outlining the silhouette of a door. The end.

My favor: Please understand we owe it to our Sellers to maximize the number of allowable photographs with high-quality pictures highlighting the features of their property because we are paid to professionally market the home, attract potential Buyers, in order for a quick sale at the highest market value. I mean selling quickly at a high price puts more money in the pocket quickly, right? Then why are there still agents that only submit three or four photographs? What is the saying; there are some questions best left unanswered?

In real estate, we understand that most things we do are on a 90-day cycle. So, to have a little fun with this, our office is having a New Year's Eve celebration on September 30^th. Before you get too excited, the focus of this Event will be goal setting exercises, business planning, and scheduling activities that will improve our agent's productivity for 2009.

At the end of every year, I usually reflect back on the last 12 months of my life, remembering my previous New Year Resolutions. Which goals did I meet? Which goals do I push over to the new year? Well, this year, I will be doing it a few months early.

We will also be having a little fun with it, too! It will be a potluck (Thanks, Judy for your Cinnamon-Apple Coffee Cake recipe you just posted), we will have noisemakers, the sparkling cider will be poured, and we will count-down to October 1^st!!!! We are gonna have a ROCKIN" January!! Will you join us?