Tim McIntyre

I’m going away to Deep Creek to spend time with my motley family: my lovely wife, my stepson and his partner, and four dogs.

While I’m there I’m also going to look at 50 acres for sale. I would love to purchase this land, build a second home for myself and sell the remaining lots so others could do the same.

There are opportunities in vacation homes right now as prices for these properties have declined steeply in recent months.

If you know your goals, there are opportunities everywhere you look. The important thing is to actually be looking for them.

See you in Deep Creek!

I got a call yesterday from an elderly lady who is thinking about selling her house. She said that I had been recommended by a close friend of hers and a former client of mine. When I asked her where she lived, she gave me her address, 1234 Main Street, and I said, "Oh, I know that street pretty well", and I described to her what I thought her house looked like, but with one very important detail: her bright red rose bush out front.

I've noticed this because I'm familiar with the neighborhood, but also because it stands out. She was pleased that I had seen it and we went on to discuss her love of gardening. It was the first step in a great conversation about what is most important to her.

When we had finished the phone call, my potential new client was certain of a few important things about me:

• I know the neighborhoods I serve inside and out
• I pay attention to the details of people's properties, whether I represent them or not
• I am a good listener, and I now know that she enjoys gardening and working outside

All these things make a difference when you are going to represent someone because when you know what's most important to someone, you know how to best serve them.

When you call someone to provide service, do they ask what's most important to you?

People ask me all the time if it's stressful being a real estate agent, and if I work seven days a week. My answers are yes, and no. The job that I do can be stressful at times, but I've managed to create a system to support myself so that the stress doesn't get to me, and so that I'm not working around the clock.

Each night I take a moment to plan for the next day. I think of where I need to go, who I need to see and what I need to get done. For me, this eliminates the anxiety of having to figure out how to do everything as it comes at me, and I get a better night's sleep if I have a plan for the next day.

I make time to get vigorous exercise about 3 - 4 times a week. I try to go to the gym in the morning, or find time to go jogging, biking, or anything aerobic. It's a great way to burn off stress.

I also take time every day to meditate. For 20 minutes a day I sit in silence. If you're interested, send me an email and I can recommend some great books.

I make time for my hobbies. For me, it's learning to play the piano, or golfing, or biking. For you, it can be anything you do that is not work related or a "to do". Something you do just for fun, something you have a passion for. Think about what you love to do, and make time to do it.

I'm always interested in hearing your ideas of how you manage stress. Leave me a comment and let me know the things you do to keep stress in check.