Erica McClenny

Dear Agent, Here's my THANK YOU AND VIRTUAL HIGH FIVE for not taking social media serious. I'm not saying face to face marketing is dead, but it's certainly dying. Since you didn't heed my warnings in those office meetings, I'm taking over the net while you sit and wait for the phone to ring. My new listing campaign (it's all web based) will reach thousands of people who are relocating to my area while the tiny ad, that cost you hundreds, will sit unread each week in the classifieds or real estate section of the paper. To all the folks who I follow or "chat" with on Twitter, thanks. You're support is viral and I'm happy to be "sick" with that! The first time home buyers and internet savvy techies are looking for someone who'll text, or FB or Tweet updates to them. Imagine if a home buyer or seller could login and see everything you're working on without picking up the phone for an update? How much time would that save you and how HUGE would that be as a customer service tool?! No more paper on listings either, I'm going green to help save a few trees and TEXT my MLS information sheets to drive by home buyers. They can pass it to friends too. I have single property websites that I encourage my sellers to text, FB and tweet to all their friends too. If they drum up a buyer for their home, I give them a discount off the commission. Why not, they did some marketing and it plastered my name and info all over their networks! It might be a hard decision for some folks to leave traditional practices behind, but I'm ready to ride the new wave of real estate. Enjoy the revolution and I'll see you at the top!

I'm super excited to check this out with my 3 year old. Mr and Mrs Potato head are some of our favorite toys to enjoy together. Yes, I'm still a goofy kid at heart.

http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/

If you haven't checked out Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? It's great fun for little ones and parents. I'm giving you a heads up though, laughter and smiles are abundant. If you're in a grouchy mood, this place will change that.

It's great fun and this national tour sponsored by Northwestern Mutual foundation won't stick around for too long.

Take the "spuds" down for a great time!

http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/potatohead

AlI've commented in previous blogs about safety tips for women in this business. However, the Jaycee Dugard story has been blowing my mind lately. In case you missed this...Jaycee Dugard was found after being kidnapped in 1991! I'm sure the joy in that reunion was palpable!

The idea that someone could be taken and "hidden away" for years scares me. What type of person could actually hold another hostage?! I pray I never find out. made me reconsider how I teach my daughter safety techniques, how I live in my home and how I conduct my business.

Please keep your children and loved ones close and also take the time to teach them some basic safety. Don't make the assumption that where you live is safe or "it won't ever happen to a person like you..." Raleigh, NC is a wonderful area to live but it's also a hustle and bustle city that continues to grow. Raleigh is also the halfway point between the North East and Florida. We do have a ton of traffic coming though the Triangle area.

Please, be smart and keep the following tips in mind...

• Teach yourself and your loved ones to yell, kick, scream FIRE and make as large of a scene if they are ever attacked or in danger.

• Don't jump into the car to show a home if that buyer isn't willing to jump through a few hoops for you...ask for name, contact information and ask them to call your lender for a quick pre-qualfication. If they are serious about buying, they'll invest some time.

• Keep a safe word with a buddy or your office front desk. If you need to call someone, they will know you're in trouble without you being panicked

• Let a client walk into the home first and into each room first. Don't let someone corner you or catch you off guard.

• Finally, if your gut tells you something is fishy...it usually means it STINKS! Go with your instinicts. It will save you time, effort and possibly your life.

Keep your home safe too. Check windows, doors and any easy entry points. If you have large shrubs near your doors, you may want to cut them back. I know I'm often coming home in the dark. I am ALWAYS aware that someone could be waiting for me when I'm not expecting it.

I'm off my soapbox for the day. Be safe, love each other and have a great day!

http://www.zillow.com/local-info/NC-Raleigh-people/r_54047/

The link above is a quick snapshot of the make up of all the poeple living in the Raleigh area. I stumbled upon this new tool that http://www.Zillow.com has added to their site.

You can break it down by neighborhood, area or school zones.

This is going to be a huge help for people relocating to Raleigh or anywhere in the Triangle area. I think this could also be a big tool for first time buyer who want to see "who" surrounds them. Many buyers ask questions that Realtors cannot answer. There is so much great information online you can "preview" an area before you ever fall in love with a home.

Props to Zillow for adding this neat feature!

I work with many investors and home buyers who want a great property plus instant equity. It's possible to find, but not usually in a niche market like equestrian property or horse farms.

I stumbled on this listing during my daily foreclosure search of homes in the Raleigh, Durham, NC area. Distressed properties are plentiful but a set up horse farm, barn, pastures, a pool, on site apartment for grounds keeper or trainer?! WOW...what a great deal!

If you know someone looking, feel free to pass this along. I'm happy to get them some more details and I'm sure this won't last long.

http://trianglemls.mlxtempo.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1663233009&s=TRA&t=TRA

Happy House Hunting!