Kaizen means continuous improvement. In fact, the actual definition of Kaizen is Japanese for continuous and incremental improvement, a business philosophy about working practices and efficiency. 
I'm working hard to be a different kind of real estate agent. One that people will remember. One that my clients, both Buyers and Sellers will be able to say, "He gave us his all, and it paid off." So, I am constantly looking for ways to run my business better. Ways to "sharpen my axe" and add more tools to my toolbox. Are you? And I don't mean just other real estate professionals. I mean in whatever you do.
You can practice kaizen in your relationships! Sure, you can always improve your listening skills with your spouse or significant other. You can improve your communication with them too. I have the word kaizen right above my desk. And so, I am continually working to improve myself.
I'm working to get gym time back in my schedule. To improve my physical looks and try and find that boyish figure again....(you can stop laughing anytime thank you!) But I do recall the days of how I felt when I worked out on a regular basis and the energy levels I had. And each trip to the gym is an improvement. Kaizen!
I'm working to improve my sales skills in real estate. New tips and techniques for my blog and website are helping to make my phone ring. People ARE finding me on the Internet! Kaizen!
Last week, Darryl Davis spoke at our local Board. I've attended several of Darryl's programs at the NAR conventions. And I've always learned something from him. Continuous improvement in the form of a new idea I can use. This time, he offered us a great opportunity on several of his training programs, along with a monthly coaching program. I said, Kaizen means continuous improvement! I'm looking forward to the coaching sessions as well as making time in my own schedule for the other programs we have to listen to!
In 3 weeks, I'll be off to my first ever REBar Camp in Raleigh, NC. This will be a new experience for me and the opportunity to see my friends I've met through Active Rain, and hopefully make some new ones! Maybe I'll listen to a few of the training cd's on my way there? I had hoped to make San Diego and the NAR convention, but that just was not in the cards this year. Next year, New Orleans is a short flight or drive away, and I'll be there in full force. Kaizen!
Times are changing, just in case you didn't notice. Younger people are coming into the world with all this technology in front of them. I wonder what their lives will be like 30 years from now? I can remember buying a fax machine for my house when I owned a travel agency and paying some $800 for it! How times and technology change! Kaizen!
Are YOU changing? Where is YOUR Kaizen?
Kaizen Means Continuous Improvement. Make sure you are improving yourself and adding a tool to your toolbox. Make sure YOU will stand out from the rest!
A personal experience on Sunday evening prompted me to do this post. And procrastination could of cost me my home. Don't let it happen to you. Fire Safety In Your Home is something you should make a top priority!
Laundry is a household task we all face. And so I worked on mine on Sunday afternoon. My dryer has not been operating well for a few weeks, in fact it takes 3 cycles to dry a load of clothes. And, even when you ran it for one cycle, the dryer got very hot on the outside. So I have always made sure I was close by while running the dryer. A call was needed to my warranty company to have them make a repair, but just did not get around to it.
Sunday afternoon, I was laying on the bed watching TV when I heard this loud sound, a bit like an explosion. I ran down the hall to the laundry room....and there it was....flames coming from the back of my dryer! Lucky for me, I had a fire extinguisher sitting near my fireplace. It's been in my house for years, and yes, it worked. Seeing flames in your house (outside of a gas stove or fireplace) is pretty unnerving.
Do you have a fire safety plan for your home and family? How will you get out in case of fire? Do you have fire extinguishers? Smoke Alarms? A safe meeting place outside your home where everyone is to gather? All of these sound simple, but how many of us really think about it? Until it's to late?
I really don't remember when I bought my fire extinguisher, but had I not had one, I would of either caused some serious water damage, or the fire might have been MUCH worse. So far, it appears to have been contained to the dryer only, and no damage to the walls! Now, cleaning up the "stuff" that comes out of an extinguisher...that's another story! And also, try not to breath in what comes out of one...it's tough on the throat!
My smoke detector is connected to my security system, altho the system is no longer being monitored. The detector still went off, altho we already had the fire out by the time it went off. I actually had to cut the wires to get it to stop, so will be getting a new one, or seeing how to make this operational again.
My story ends well. I just have to get a new dryer and do some house cleaning. But it could of been much worse. Don't ignore Fire Safety In Your Home. Do You Have a Plan?
If not, sit down with your family and make your plan today. Check to make sure smoke detectors work, and that you have them in the necessary places in your home. Plan escape routes in case of a fire. If you live in a condo building, take a wet towel with you if you have to use the fire stairs. If you run into smoke, it will help you avoid breathing it in.
You'll be glad you have a plan if you ever need it. But I hope you don't.
There's alot of stuff going on in people's lives these days! Whether it's those of us in real estate working twice as hard to make deals close, or the neighbor across the street who has been unemployed for months, lots of people are having a tough time in these tough times.
Do you really know what your neighbors are going through? Your best friend who really does not want to tell you or burden you with their problems? Stuff, stuff and more stuff!
I can tell you, I've got my share of stuff, too. Nope, not going to tell you about it (you know how many people read this blog!!) But, I can tell you, that when it's put out of my mind, or I'm in a different place, I feel much better. It might be for a moment, or it might be for hours.
So, let me share with you....and let your "stuff" fade away..if only for a moment!
I'm always "with camera" for you never know when that photo opportunity for Speechless Sunday will be right in front of you. I thought this meeting looked like it had lots of energy in it!
If you would like your next Midtown Atlanta Real Estate purchase or sale to have the same kind of energy, give us a call!
Atlanta Real Estate Relocation Services! Intown Neighborhood Specialists! |
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Midtown Atlanta Real Estate "Real Estate For The Urban Lifestyle"....means Midtown Atlanta Real Estate! We LIVE, WORK and KNOW Midtown Atlanta! A dynamic, ever-changing part of Atlanta! Welcome Home!
"Midtown Atlanta...Manhattan of The South"
Once an area filled with boarded up buildings, vagrants and empty streets, Midtown Atlanta is now the Premiere location in Atlanta! The Midtown Alliance is guiding The Midtown BluePrint...and now Peachtree Street (also know as the Midtown Mile) is lined with luxury condominiums, office towers and retail shops. New construction continues, and in the next few years, Midtown will offer almost 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL SPACE....the size of Phipps Plaza in Buckhead! Cultural activities abound, from the Fox Theatre, High Museum, Alliance Theatre, and the Center for Puppetry Arts are just a few! New restaurants offer you dining options galore...and more open almost monthly! See the brick building on the left of the picture...that's OUR office....right in the Heart of the Mile!
Like to travel? The Midtown MARTA station is just across the street from Plaza Midtown...making those weekend getaways easy!
Midtown Atlanta...Manhattan of The South!!
The "A" on the Map is our office! Right in the Heart of Midtown Atlanta!
There is a very strong neighborhood association, Midtown Neighbors' Association, which works to improve the community through various community services, land use planning, review of liquor licenses for local businesses and safety. MNA also hosts two signature events each year, the Midtown Tour of Homes, and the Midtown Atlanta Shop And Dine Week! Both are ones you don't want to miss! And maybe, even become involved with!
Midtown Atlanta........Where YOU want to Be!
Want to see the FUTURE of Midtown Atlanta?
Just Click on the Picture Below for a Special Tour!
I've been a Resident of Atlanta for 16 years (the second longest place I've lived since growing up in Montana!) and to say it's changing...well! But, it's all exciting! Of course, we have growing pains, just like any big city does, but it's a great place.....Come on down....I'll give you a personal tour in my special real estate touring car....
In my time in real estate, I've learned "you cannot be everything to everyone." That being said, if I have a Buyer or Seller who want to buy a home, or list a home in an area of Atlanta I'm not familiar with, I won't do it. Call me crazy...think I am turning away business....NOT! I feel I will do a client/customer a BETTER service be referring them to an agent who knows the area they want to look in. On the flipside of that, I see agents work in my marketplace who have no idea what building is coming up next, or what's going on in the neighborhood.
I specialize in Midtown Atlanta! While most of this area is condominiums, I do keep abreast of single-family home neighborhoods close to Midtown, so that if my clients want to move from a condo to a home, I know of areas that would fit their needs. Again, I stay Inside The Perimeter (ITP) so I can focus on areas and know more about them.
Midtown is a dynamic, ever-changing neighborhood. Knowing my market, knowing my product, and knowing the area, are what I consider key factors that any home Buyer or Seller should be looking for when they select a REALTOR.
I bring my extensive Marketing and Sales background full circle from the hospitality industry to Real Estate. I previously held Sales positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation, Nikko Hotels North America, and most recently as President and CEO of Benott Hospitality Group, a consulting firm specializing in small hotels and motels. My marketing experience helps clients market and stage their homes for maximum exposure and maximum dollars!
While helping my clients market their homes, I also enjoy helping buyers find the "PERFECT" home. By listening and understanding what they are looking for, I use the latest technology to help them find their new home. My experience in Customer Focused Service training in the Hospitality industry for 20 plus years gives me a unique advantage when working with both Buyers and Sellers. I determine the needs of my Buyers, find the homes that have those features and benefits they are looking for, and then help them every step of the way, from contract to closing, and all the details in between. For Sellers, I identify the features and benefits of their home so we can market it more effectively.
Thom,
Kimberly and I wanted to thank you and Ray for all your help in our recent Atlanta real estate ventures.
We were impressed from day one with your excellent organization and professionalism. The booklet you prepared for us with the property photos and summaries was especially helpful when viewing multiple properties, more so since we were out of town and would not have the opportunity to visit frequently.
Kimberly and I were also very happy with your assistance beyond closing. It is obvious that your commitment did not end there, and we are grateful for the follow up you provided with our property even after we closed.
We would highly recommend you and Ray to any of our friends who would be interested in Atlanta real estate.
Thanks again,
Brad
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Bradley G. Goldberg, M.D.
www.coffeewomenscenter.com
Thom and Ray:
Thank you both so much for all you did to help me with the purchase of my condo at Spire Midtown. I cannot adequately express how much I appreciate your patience, expertise and counsel throughout the entire process.
Everything you did, from educating me on the basics of home buying to referring me to a superb mortgage broker, worked toward making me feel more comfortable and more confident about the pending purchase. I never felt like I was "just another client", since you were guiding me every step of the way.
And the result? I am the proud owner of an amazing condo in the heart of Midtown Atlanta! I have an incredible place to call home and entertain guests. Thank you again, and rest assured that I will refer you to friends and associates. I look forward to working with you again in the future.
Winston W. Chapman
My husband, Don Jones, and I are extremely happy to say that we sold our townhouse at The Dakota in Midtown Atlanta in 92 days in one of the most depressed real estate and stock markets in more than six years! Not only did it sell amazingly fast, it sold for 94% of our Listing Price!
One of the major contributing factors to our recent sales success was The Thom And Ray Team. They have an amazing combination of skill sets: Professionalism, Sales, Marketing, Market Savvy and Negotiating. We strongly recommend using The Thom And Ray Team adn would welcome an opportunity to answer any questions you may have.
Thom and Ray also handled the purchase of our new home at Viewpoint Midtown which was complicated by our purchaseof two units to be combined into one. At each step of the process, we received consisitent and professional advice and ended up purchasing at a very favorable price.
Peggy Denby, Executive Director, Keep Atlanta Beautiful
Note: Peggy (in Pink) and Don (white shirt) cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening Party for Viewpoint!
When my fiancée and I decided to move to California, we began to shop around for agents to help sell our condo. We were referred to Thom Abbott by a friend of my fiancées family and decided to use him as our agent after a brief meeting. Thom is extremely knowledgeable about the Midtown Atlanta market and impressed us with his ideas about how to market our condo. Thom held open houses and also created a flyer that was displayed for potential buyers to take home with them. 
My fiancée and I were selling our condo in a tough market when many homes were being foreclosed upon; however we had a steady flow of showings on a weekly basis. Thom was able to get feedback for us from other agents about what potential buyers liked/disliked about our unit and we were able to sell our unit in a just few short months. Whenever we had a question or concern, Thom was always easily reachable or got back to back to us in a very timely manner. I would highly recommend Thom as an agent and will definitely refer him as an agent to friends and family.
Peter and Kira Morris
To Whom It May Concern:
Thom and Ray were very proactive in helping me sell my condo in Midtown. I previously had my place on the market for a year and I never got a single offer.
The second time around, I hired Thom to list my place because he seemed very knowledgeable of the in-town market. He and Ray pulled out all the stops to get my place exposed to as many people as possible. They sent out promotional flyers, posted the listing on all the major websites, and held numerous open houses.
I was out of town during this time so they kept me informed of progress through email and phone calls. I was surprised, given the staggering slack in home sales, how many people they actually got to come through the doors.
After a few months we had a buyer. Thom negotiated the price and took care of all the contracts and paperwork, making the closing a hassle-free process. I was a first time home owner trying to unload a one bedroom condo in a troubled market; Thom and Ray were great partners to have on my side--I'd recommend these guys to anybody.
Kevin Manley Cornerstone Village Condominiums
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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Midtown Atlanta. Feel the vibe as you step out the door of your luxury high-rise condominium. Feel the neighborhood as you walk tree-lined streets of historic homes. Feel nature as you stroll through Piedmont Park. Midtown Atlanta.
Where YOU want to Live!
