Rose Robinson

of PAPERWORK? I have always seen myself as organized, focused and on-task. This week I realized that i was wrong! Not once but twice, I locked myself out of my car and home, I lost my reading glasses, spent hours searching for a case with important papers in it, and couldn't find a client contract! Now that's pretty important stuff! I knew I had to do something...

Turn the page...changes are in order here. I was advised to get organized. My initial response was, "I have so much to do! I don't have time to get organized!" Sound familiar? Of course you have time; you have the rest of your life. After getting organized, however, the other things "you have to do" will more directly support your life goals and priorities. The next thing that came up for me was "I've been meaning to..." followed by "I'm not really good at organizing." - Rule #1: STOP MAKING EXCUSES!

When you can give up the excuses, you open yourself up to worthwile achievements. Getting organized emerges as a regular and vital step to the things you want to accomplish. For a "bottom-line" type of person, as I am, this is wonderful!

Rule #2: BEGIN SLOWLY AND EASILY! I have a hard time with this one, because i want to do EVERYTHING at once, and YESTERDAY! My husband has an even more difficult time here because he would want to do everything, at once, yesterday and do it PERFECTLY! Back to the task: your desk is a disaster. Your piles are bigger than ever, you can't find the telephone, never mind a pen. You day-dream about taking your arm and sweeping the whole mess into the trash can!!!!

Why not allow yourself a simple start? A quick first step would be to round up all the pens and pencils and place them into a cup, can, holder/container. Next, grab all the note pads, Post-It notes, and shrags of paper and make a decision as to: (1) enter this info into your computer address book, (2) enter it into your hand-written daytimer, or if you can't take the time (3) lay down those scraps of paper and Post-its on the copier and take 9x11 copies, 3-hole punch them and put into a binder...at least they are all in one easy place.

Rule #3: CONTINUE LAYER BY LAYER. Now collect all those files that have accumulated on your desk and FILE THEM AWAY!!!! Unless you are working on a file RIGHT NOW, they should be in a file cabinet.

Business cards? I've found a fool proof way to save them but I'm sure there are computer-types that will scan them into their computer. I do it the old-fashioned way. Simply purchase a business card folder (mine holds 8 to page on both sides), as well as those little alphabet stickers. Place the alphabet stickers at the top of every other page, and start filing the business cards in alpha-order...I now have all my business cards at my fingertips and in alpha order...

BINDERS!!!!! I love binders! Skinny 1/2" to 1" binders are wonderful to organize projects, marketing ideas, etc...I have all my binders in differing colors lined up on a bookshelf. For example, I assign all my listings a separate binder. In there, I have contact sheet information, spec sheet, vital info regarding this property such as deed, tax info, and copies of advertising and marketing on this property. That way, when you communicate with your client everything is in one place!

Interested in increasing your income? More green is always attractive! Green homes are selling faster and commanding better prices than traditional properties in many markets today. Given the current oil crisis and other environmental concerns, people are naturally curious about "green" homes. Once they research the long-term savings of buying green they will be sold. Savy real estate practitioners are cashing in on this "green" phenomena.

What can you do to attract these green listings? In order to represent yourself as an eco-broker, you need to educate yourself on the advantages of going green and how to sell green!

First, consider becoming certified. There are a number of ways to do that. NAR now has a green designation. Their website promotes it like this: "This designation addresses the concerns of consumers that are seeking green expertise, not just lip service. You can be the one they come to for answers."

For more information, go to: www.greenresourcecouncil.org .

Secondly, begin "greening" your image; marketing yourself as a eco-friendly agent will reap huge rewards. Provide information that will drive customers to you: information on green construction, energy-saving tips, green products such as solar hot water panels, geothermal heating and so on. For more information on going green: www.ecologue.com

Finally, realize that you are not an island, and that it takes people to build momentum. Align yourself with like-minded professionals; it could be developers interested in green construction, or possibly a heating and cooling company that is focusing on green products. Look around! Once you decide to "go green" it will be like buying a new car; suddenly it's everywhere!

There are many ways to describe Jackson, New Hampshire: quaint, picturesque, stunning views! They are all accurate. Jackson sits just north of North Conway and Glen. The drive itself is beautiful! From the road-views of Mt. Washington to the topsy-turvy buildings of Storyland, you can bet that the town of Jackson will be a treat! It is. Complete with the obligatory white church steeples, the mountain vistas and the cutsey-antique-gift shops and of course, the famous falls, Jackson delivers what it promises! A spectacular small town emboldened with natural and expansive beauty!

Surprisingly, there are also farms...produce and animal farms! And lots and lots of bed and breakfast inns. Great restaurants and friendly folks!!!!

A few weeks ago, my office sponsored 4 towns in Localism; we have since inserted content and pictures into each of these 4 towns...and each day I check the towns to see if there is something, somewhere that says we are sponsoring them. So far nothing. What are we missing? Even the "feature neighbors" are people that don't even live here in the Valley!

If anyone knows what we are doing wrong, please email me. Thanks for your help!

I know that "elegant" and "country" are two divergent descriptors of homes. I believe we have achieved that in a new development on top of Davis Hill in Conway, New Hampshire. The views are breathtaking! The development is geared to elegance in country living, and the community that we are building up here promises to be very great!

Styles of homes run the gamut from single level sprawling homes to country capes complete with cathedral ceilings, and many fine amenities such as granite counters, and hip roof construction.

Of course, the views of Chocorua, the Moats and Conway Lake are the crowning glory! For a quick peek at this wonderful development take a look at this video!