Sheila Reeves

I was very blessed to have had my mother in my life until January 2001. She was a very strong lady and one who never met a stranger. She raised six children under much more difficult circumstances than I had raising my two sons and and I've often wondered how she did it. We were a real challenge for her, I'm sure, however, the rules were different then. We never dreamed of "crossing my mom" as we knew it would not be allowed. The only time she and I ever had words I was a teenager, and I went into one room and cried and she did the same in another. Our little tiff was short-lived as we got along really well. Things were a lot more black and white and the rules were the rules. We had chores to do but lots of free time for play as well.

We had so much fun growing up that children now never get to experience. We made our own fun; we didn't wait for someone to provide it for us. We were creative and innovative, if not a little bit daring with some of the things we did that were down right dangerous. We climbed on rafters in the large barns where tobacco was cured and slid down the huge poles that had not yet been put in place as rafters in the barn. We scoured a neighbors dark forest near a small stream, hunting for arrow heads from when native Indians camped there. We could almost see their campfires and tee-pees and found much evidence that this was true. Besides, even if it wasn't, it sure was a lot of fun re-creating that Indian Village. We swung on grape-vine swings, literally taking or life into our hands doing that. We climbed one tree to get to the first branch of the bigger tree (where my sisters had to hold onto me to make sure I did not fall out of the tree. My brother would go out in the pasture, wave his arms at the horses and get then to chase him. He would then scamper up the two trees like a monkey to get away from them. However, we all reached adulthood without having a broken bone or a trip to the hospital, other than the time my older brother tried to push the lawn mower from a stuck place with his foot. . . . hurts to remember it as I saw his foot go under the mower. He was bruised and short one toe-nail with another toe cut, but was very fortunate it was no worse.

There was a horse in a neighbor's pasture named "Ole Nell". I doubt she was old, she was a Rome Red but that was the name that stuck. When we went into that pasture to pick blackberries, she would chase us out. When we walked to school, she would pace along the fence whickering & neighing to us and absolutely scaring me to death. We all were deathly afraid of her when all she may have wanted was someone to play with her. None of us ever got up enough nerve to do that.

Another time, I remember a hurried trip to the "storm cellar" when a storm was so severe we thought it would blow out house away. We picked fresh blackberries and strawberries, peaches and apples, grew our own garden and ate far better then than people do now. Our foods did not have preservatives and we also had fresh eggs, chicken, pork and beef. No antibiotics, no steroids or human growth hormones, just really good fresh foods. My mother's biscuts were legend and none of us could ever duplicate them. I've often thought that was why my parents had a long and healthy life; they ate pure uncontaminated foods.

My Mom lived to almost 83 and my Dad died 6 months after turning 90. When Mom died, we all felt Dad might not last long as they had been together about 65 years. Sure it was hard for him, but as we checked on him often, cooked his meals in advance and doing other things for him, he began to feel he needed to be there for us after Mom died and I do believe that kept him going longer than he might have otherwise.

Remember your mother and father this year and if you still have them, go visit them and do something meaningful with them. Your fond memories of doing so may make you want to write about those times also.

As of May 1st, we officially moved into our new building at 800 Regent Park Court, Greenville, SC 29607. Our Keller Williams Realty-Greenville Central Partners name reflected the expected move to the Greenville address and a more central location to better serve our clients. It doesn't hurt that the office is several miles closer to where I live either. :)

It just proves where there is a strong desire to succeed and grow, it will happen regardless of the market conditions. This office has been profitable from it's first month and continues to be so. There are many new agents (either new to the business, or as in the majority, agents moving to our office from other offices/agencies).

There is a brokerage for every agent, regardless of their preferences in management styles, costs of doing business or the net amount to the agent after the split with the broker. There are many models out there which proves anyone who wants to become a Realtor, has the desire to do a good job and be good at what they do, can do so. Whether they can continue after the first year or two in business remains to be seen. Some flourish and thrive on the adrenalin needed to do this business, while others just burn out. For some it is just too stressful. It is not an easy job, if done right. The "doing right" means different things to different people. To me, it means being the absolute best I can be in what I am doing and to make a lasting impression upon the buyers and sellers with the work I do for them. After all, we only get one "go around" while in this world and when (if) we finish working at some future point, we need to look back and have fond memories of our time and the really great people we've had to work with in this business. I believe I will be able to do that.

I've only worked for two companies in my 13+ years in residential real estate and still think very highly of the broker and agents with whom I was affiliated at that office. They are also a great group of people and friends. In fact, there are many agents with other companies for whom I have admiration and respect. Most of those that come to mind, probably also have great respect and admiration for other agents and how they do business. That is what makes them professionals, regardless of their brand name.

The fairly recent upswing in market conditions is a good indicator of things to come and we all hope that is sustained.

Have a great weekend and if you still are fortunate enough to have your mother, tell her how much you love her.

Recently, after hearing too much negative news about real estate and the economy, I began thinking about the best course of action and the words that came to my mind were "move on". Those two little words can galvanize you into action and prevent you from dwelling on anything negative. Taking action leads to forward thinking, forward steps and success in your business and personal life.

Having Moved on several times in my life from some sort of adversity, I know it is critical for people to take action instead of dwelling on the negative. It is amazing how those two little words gets you going forward. from having done that before, I know that no matter what I may have in front of me in life, I can and will deal with it and in most cases, overcome it.

There was an article in the Reader's Digest Magazine this month entitled "The Bounce Back Chronicles" about the importance of taking action to overcome a job or personal loss, to more quickly regain a positive attitude and to have the "can do" attitude. The stories were all very similar in that these people who took action were able to go on to much bigger and better things. Timing for that article is very good as many people have lost jobs all over the US and are struggling. The article also contains information on studies of people who have learned from their mistakes and how and where in the brain this actually happens. There is a page devoted to starting a new business, selling an idea, going back to school, etc.

If you know of someone who has lost a job or suffered other losses, you might want to get them a copy of that publication. It has some very good and practical advice. And remember . . . to Move-On in your life as well.

For several years after I first began my career in Real Estate, I kept hearing that the state of SC provided buyers with a 13 year home warranty on structural issues. Thinking this was just too good to be true and not ever having seen a copy of such a warranty, I did some research.

A phone call to our South Carolina Association of Realtors Attorney revealed it is not true, but that is it a "statute of Repose" or a right to sue. It has since been reduced to 8 years. My reason for writing about this on AR is to inform the public that there is NOT A BUILDER WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE STATE OF SC. There is no such animal. It simply allows buyers the right to sue the builder for serious structural issues on a new home they have purchased, assuming the builder is still in business.

I actually showed a home that had this written on the MLS Listing this past week with the following terminology on it. "The builder provides a one year home warranty (true) and the State 8 year home warranty picks up after that"(false). I called the agent and told her that I had researched it and asked her to also call them if she doubted what I was saying. Apparently, the builder she was representing had told her there was an 8 year State home warranty. She has since removed the terminology from the listing sheet. My buyers made an offer and have a contract to purchase the home. However, I informed them immediately that this statement on the MLS sheet was not true. Her intentions were not bad, she appears to be a good agent who was misinformed and who believed her builder who told her that. Trust is good, but verification is our duty.

Our local Association periodically sends out this message also, but it would appear that not every agent hears that. Urban Legends abound on the internet, but have no place in Real Estate. Let's all take time to search out any issue that we do not have solid proof of. Anything we tell our buyer or seller clients should be true.

Normally, after I eat breakfast and go into my office to work, the TV goes off and stays off all day. Today was an exception as I wanted to watch the Inaugration of our New President. He had some good things to say and presents himself extremely well. I liked what he had to say to the world in particular, and to the American people.

Tonight, I have been reviewing some of my posts on Active Rain, deleting some I did not like and smiling a lot at some of the comments on many of my posts. You guys are a hoot and lots of fun to blog with. I realized how much I had enjoyed posting/commenting on AR and that I need to do this consistently in the future. You've heard that Stella got her grove back . . . well Sheila has her blog back! :) (Susie, the MeMe is coming soon).

It sounds lame, but I have been so busy, even in the slower season, as I sold my house and was not ready for that to happen so fast. I almost feel guilty telling everyone how easy it was, that it happened in a week to the only couple who looked at it, and for full asking price with me paying closing costs before it was even on the market. I had a conversation with a Realtor friend who sold one near me (same builder, similar size home) and when I heard how much she got for that one, I said it might be the right time to sell mine. Little did I think it would happen that quickly. I moved 12/15 and closed 12/17 so it was a little hectic through the holidays. Follow this link (copy and paste) to see how cute my little 3 bedroom 2 bath cottage home was. I miss the hardwood floors more than anything! This makes me want to start building homes like this, staging and selling them. http://greenville.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=8cd55d86-dfb0-4e36-a249-393cac9a4cf9&Report=Yes

A Realtor in our office had taken the buyer to the other home and had another young couple looking to buy in that general area. The agent told her I might want to sell mine, she called me and the rest is history. I took a week to get it show ready, staged it a little more than is everyday and it did look really good, even if it was my house. It is hard to believe I know, but my appreciation from when I had it built in 1995 to sale date was 101% or an average 7.7% per year!! It is in a subdivision near downtown where many people want to be, and is one of the few places that is still affordable in that area. Supply there is very slim right now as most people still believe it is not a good time to sell. So, any "demand" in the old supply/demand analogy would be appreciative of the limited supply.

I moved 13 years of stuff, even after giving away lots of outside stuff to my son and his family (nearly new gas grill, a really nice bakers rack, leaf blower, outside lawn care stuff, etc) and did not know how much more I would have to get rid of to fit into my temporary apartment. I've given about 14 boxes of stuff to Goodwill, a car load of clothes (including the Eggplant-colored purple sweater/skirt I had not worn in about 5 years). Well guess what, after looking for it tonight I realized it went in the carload to Goodwill. Oh, well, it may have been one size too small now anyway. That always happens . . . I have something I don't wear for years, give it away, then try to find it to wear again. :) I also had 17 small file boxes of really old real estate and tax records shredded. I'm thinking about a town home instead of a house, but am not sure yet which way I will go.

Bottom line, I've missed all you people and look forward to posting and commenting again this year. I don't know about you guys, but I plan on finding a Great Year out there somewhere this year.