Stacey McCarthy @ SmartGirlsOwn.com

My son went on his class trip to Shady Brook Farm this spring and although we've been to the farm on several occassions, we didn't know how much Shady Brook had to offer besides really, really sweet corn.

I have taken my son there just about every week this summer to play on their "playground" and treat him to Uncle Dave's delicious home-made ice cream. We pick up some fresh, locally grown produce and sometimes grab a sandwich at the deli.

Comming soon is their Pumpkin Fest which is the best $10 you will spend this fall...

• Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch to pick-your-own pumpkins (pumpkins not included)
• Inflatable Amusements Saturday & Sunday
• LIVE Entertainment Saturday & Sunday
• Themed Play Areas
• Straw Maze
• Barnyard Animals
• Farm Learning Center
• Pig Races Saturday & Sunday
• Giant Corn Maze, and more!

Open Sept. 27 & 28
DAILY from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2
11 AM to 5 PM

www.ShadyBrookFarm.com

Gem mining, pony rides, sand art, face painting, paint ball, Monster truck rides and some other activities not included with admission.

Croydon's best kept secret is out. Everyone in Lower Bucks knows that Fritz's Famous Sticky Buns has the best sticky buns. One bite and their deliciousness will haunt you for years to come. The cream cheese icing ones are incredible - the sticky sweetness is oh so dreamy! I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't had one.

Of course, being from Northeast Phladelphia, I didn't always know about Fritz's, so it's kindof new to me. The novelty hasn't worn off yet, but I don't think it will. I try to have them on the menu at all my broker's open houses. They are now a staple in my Philadelphia Food roster. Count them in the line-up with water-ice and cheesesteaks, because there's nothing like them.

Is your mouth watering? Well you'll have to wait until tomorrow because Fritz's is closed on Mondays.

With the popularity of low-carb dining, stand-alone bakeries have become all but extinct in Philadelphia, with only the very best surviving. While everyone else is getting their baked good from the supermarket, we are happy to know about bakeries like Fritz's. For my sister's birthday yesterday, we ordered a strawberry shortcake from the Langhorne Fritz's. It was a hit! So light and creamy. I think for my next party, I will try a stickybun cake.

Fritz's has two locations:

360 N. Oxford Valley Road (across from Oxford Valley Mall, behind Boston Market)
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-949-7995

500 State Road
Croydon, PA 19021
215-785-5915

www.beststickybuns.com

MMMMmmmmmmm!

In February, my husband joined me in my real estate business and we formed the Joe and Stacey McCarthy Team. We are doing fantastic and on our way to becoming the dynamo team I know we can be. Here is the update:

Before Joe came, I was averaging a closing about every other month. Since March, we have had 3 closings, 3 pending, and 3 listings with another listing on the way. Pretty good work for a real estate rookie in a 3 month time frame in this "bad market."

If you are a Keller Williams agent reading this, Joe didn't finish Camp 4-4-3, where you learn to get 4 listings and 4 sales in 3 months. He was too busy to go to all the classes! But he did apply many of the prinicpals of the program. Maybe when he finishes, we will do even better.

Why is he doing so well?

1. He has a quality that I lack - the ability to cultivate personal relationships in a short time span. People like him and want to work with him. People like me too, he is just better at it.

2. What is very difficult for me and easy for him is to CALL, ASK FOR THE BUSINESS. We all know that prospecting is hard, but Joe loves it and will do it all day if you let him. He is good at it.

3. I am his support staff, so he is not bogged down with the business of paperwork. We all hate it, but at least I am doing his so he can focus on the stuff I don't like to do, like calling people.

4. He is willing to do the work that other agents don't want to do. As a result, we have had 3 referrals from other realtors.

5. The market really isn't that bad.

6. Really, the market isn't that bad.

We have set our goals and will be focusing on organizing and systematizing this month. Can't be letting those leads fall through the cracks. Oh by the way, did I tell you he has been doing this part-time? Yes, if we can get our business up to 33 transactions a year, then he can quit his other job.

The future looks bright.

Being a Realtor involves performing many tasks that are related to marketing ourselves and our listings. We try to find new and innovative ways to grow our business and expose our listings. Among the many hats we wear as Realtors is writer, editor, photographer, secretary, web designer, lead generator, etc.

I am now learning to shoot, direct and edit my own YouTube "info-mercials" about my business. As technology advances, is there no end to the many things we need to know as professionals? Please watch my second attempt at a 2-minute mini-movie. Thanks!

In most of our markets we are all having to adjust our prices down at this time to some degree or another. It is sometimes difficult to educate a seller about the current market when their neighbors home sold last year for more than homes are selling for now.

Here's an innovative approach that I am lucky to have available to me.

Each Tuesday the Realtors from my office spend two hours visiting each others listings to critique them. This has proven to be a very educational experience for the rookies and a great help to the Realtors whose listings we have visited. It gives the listings much needed exposure and a chance to gain a fresh perspective from the top agents in our office. We share ideas and help each other because we know that together we achieve more.

This is not your typical "Broker's Open." Usually there is nobody home and there is no food. In this video we got lucky with some wine and cheese, but it is usually a pretty dry experience. Watch this five minute YouTube video I edited myself. (It was my first time, so please be gentle!)