About Tompkins County, NY

But I'm finding it sometimes frequently difficult to find the words and create a post...unless you are interested in hearing about the squirrel that I'm watching run acoss the roof of the building next door to us...

I digress.

Maybe it's because I'm not 'out there' selling and taking buyers around. I miss out on those fun stories and encounters. But I do get to hear some stories, second hand from, as I lovingly call them, "my realtors" (the bunch that I manage). I keep telling some of them that they could write books full of short stories.

I digress.

It's a quiet Tuesday afternoon here in rainy, cloudy upstate New York.

I am a veteran of the customer service industry. It all started back when I was a teenager working in the restaurant business and continued throughout college and even after graduation. I was a waitress; THE MOST customer service oriented business, in my humble opinion. So, of course, I'm naturally inclined to be tuned in on customer service. I'm wondering though, if you can really teach customer service or is it something you just have a talent for? Kind of like the 'comedy gene' --- some people are just naturally talented and funny, some aren't. I'm wondering if customer service is like that?

I've been into many retail shops and restaurants where the customer services is either non-existent or the wait staff is horribly rude or unfriendly and I just think to myself "why?". Don't they realize that I'm going to tell everyone about my horrible experience and/or recommend to all of my friends that they never go into that shop/restaurant? I just wonder if it's laziness or do they really not know that customer service makes or breaks a business? I also think it [customer service] goes beyond being attentive - it's also about the attitude you present and genuineness. It's about exceeding a consumer's expectations in a big way.

I am thinking about customer service this morning because real estate is a customer service oriented business. And I'm always thinking about business and how to grow it and make it better. I've always been a big proponent of customer service and I think it's the most important part of any business, especially real estate. Of course you need to be educated and licensed, but that's the easy part. Dealing with people and their emotions when it comes to buying or selling their home--- that's where real talent comes in.

So it brings me to my point about real estate, customer service and the purpose of the business... The true purpose of a business is to serve. Money is a byproduct. All it tells you is how well you are serving and strengthening others.

...and it was very interesting what Mr. Yun had to say. He reviewed the national market trends in real estate, mainly in the residential sales pricing area. Also highlighted NYS statistics. Many economists predict that the housing market hasn't hit the bottom yet, but will do so sometime between now and the end of 2009 and in fact, many predict an upward swing in the market in early 2009. So buyers who are out there trying to 'time the market?" NOW is the time to make your offer...if you wait until Spring 2009, you may be too late! Want to know more? Just email me...

I am just back from the state REALTOR meetings in Saratoga NY. What a lovely week - sunny, pleasant. I had the most delicious caramel gelato there...even tho it was $4.85 for a small cone! Lots of real estate tips and insights from these meetings. While they are really business meeting of the NYS Association of REALTORS, there is much to be learned from peer discussions. I am proud to say that I have been voted in as Regional Vice President for the Southern Tier Region for 2009-2010!!! This covers the Ithaca, Cortland, Binghamton, Elmira-Corning and Otsego-Delaware boards of REALTORS. I am looking forward to meeting with my colleagues from other neighboring boards to learn about their issues and priorities for 2009 and beyond! In the meantime, I am back in Ithaca helping buyers and sellers with their moves.

It's that time of year when things start to "slow" down for some agents. I am happy to report that things are not slowing down for us in Ithaca NY. It seems the spring market came a little later this year and we are happy to be busy into the fall season.

It's also that time of year when it's easy to get into a rut when it comes to business - the last of the summer weather is upon us and that makes it a little more difficult to want to work or want to be inside the office. So I wanted to share some testimonials to inspire and rejuvinate that entreprenurial spirit that may start to lay in hibernation this time of year....

"Our experience with buying and selling a house was definitely interesting to say the least but all worked out in the long run. Thanks for your patience...I would recommend you to anyone. People are still amazed that we got our house for just about asking price and "stole" the new house. That left us with enough money to buy this garage. Thank you and I'll be calling you in about 8 years to sell this house." - Mike D.

"...thanks for all your work with the house. I have definately realized that REALTORS do not have an easy job...it is a very up and down process..." -Emily W.

"...I think we got exactly what the property was worth and I am very happy with the way the whole process went...!" - Corey M

"...I truly appreciate all you did for us. Craig said we really didn't need a REALTOR for our house sale but he was wrong..." - Maureen B. "Thanks for all your patience, time, and help. we appreciated all you have done for us in helping to find our new home. You made it easy. " - Gerri D.