About Linn County, OR

I love my coffee. Straight up black at home and work, but when I'm out with friends, meeting clients, or just wanting a break, it's a grande Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks - with whip!

One of my favorite things to do is read the little "The Way I See It" quotes on the sides of the cup. A while back they "decided" they were going back to the original look and I thought the quotes were gone forever - tragedy! But no, at this point at least our local Starbucks on Pacific Blvd. at the Fred Meyer is back to having the cups with quotes. This of course was also after the Christmas red cups during the holidays!

Anyway, I was sitting in a real estate accountability group meeting on Tuesday, and a friend of mine came in with her venti cup. On the side of it was the following quote:

(This isn't my hand, but I managed to find a picture online)

What an inspiration! I strive to be the kind of real estate broker that aims for this type of transaction. Whether it's someone buying their first home, or a seller trying to get their home sold, I want to be that one agent that wins races & moves mountains. While I know that's a lofty ambition, isn't is said that "If you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll end up in the stars"?

Kristin Smith
Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette
kdsmith@kw.com ~ www.callkdsmith.com ~ 541-497-6510

Albany:

Average Days on Market 145

343 Currently Active Properties

Average Price per Sq Ft. $124

Average Sales Price $194,490

North Albany:

Average Days on Market 158

89 Currently Active Properties

Average Price per Sq Ft. $139

Average Sales Price $308,836

Corvallis:

Average Days on Market 114

278 Currently Active Properties

Average Price per Sq Ft. $164

Average Sales Price $301,363

I don't serve the Lebanon Oregon area, but that county does lie next to Marion county. I wanted to get the word out about well contamination that has been occurring in that area.

The chemicals tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylele (TCE) are in the groundwater in some parts of Lebanon. This is not an issue for people that use city water.

So...if you are looking to move into Lebanon Oregon and plan to purchase a home that has a well, you need to check the well for these chemical solvents.

Oregon law requires that wells be tested for nitrates and coliform during a real estate transaction, but it can test "clean" for these and still have the chemicals in it.

So...buyers if you have any questions about PCE or TCE, you can call the DEQ at 1-800-844-8467 X 7349 for more information.

So I was sitting here and thinking...in this struggling economy, why is it that I stay in Real Estate? Here are a few of the reasons I thought of:

1. I love the people. You simply cannot trade the feeling that you get when you help that young couple buy their first home, or that single make the most confident step of independence.

2. I love a challenge. Ok, so lately, I could do with a little LESS challenge, but there is a certain amount of a "high" you get from matching people up to homes.

3. I love my town. In Albany, OR, we have a population of between 40,000-45,000 people, so we can still be considered a small community. It's fun to go out & see the different neighborhoods and "discover" areas that I haven't seen before.

4. I love my brokerage. Truly, in all my years of business, I have never worked for a company so encouraging and supportive. It's amazing to see how everyone rallys around coworkers who have a car accident, or get stricken with cancer - and no one expects compensation. It's just what we do for each other.

5. I love paperwork. You guessed it, I was being facetious! :) For everyone who thinks our job is easy, they need to walk a mile in our shoes - make sure they're the high heeled ones that we gals have to wear to make ourselves look professional.

But the real reason I stick with it? I want to help people. It kinda goes back to Reason 1. The people I've met have become more than just customers or clients, they've become my friends. I'm so looking forward to all the new friends that I will be making in 2009. If you want to be one of them ;), give me a call, but above all, have a wonderful year!

So why do you do what you do?

Kristin Smith
Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette
kdsmith@kw.com ~ www.callkdsmith.com ~ 541-497-6510

This looks like it will be an incredible class at a very low cost! Click here for more information on the speaker.

Women's Council of Realtors

January Business Resource Meeting

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans

When: January 22, 2009 11:30a.m.-1p.m.

Where: Allied Waste Conference Room

1214 Montgomery St. SE Albany, OR *

Topic: The Three Keystones to Success featuring dynamic speaker Jennifer Powers

Jennifer offers a fresh perspective on the personal shifts entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals can make to grow their business and lead more satisfying lives. Audience members will learn how to apply her Three Keystones so they feel empowered to make permanent positive changes in both their personal and professional lives. Jennifer Powers is a dynamic speaker with an incredible ability to motivate, educate and inspire a variety of audiences. Her experience coaching business professionals gives her a unique vantage point. She knows what issues business teams, managers and other leaders are struggling with and has time-tested methods overcoming these common obstacles.

Cost: Members $8, Non Member $10

Includes Lunch and Continuing Education Credit

RSVP: To Heidi Wills at

hwills@valleybrokers.com

Cancellation deadline is Tuesday Jan. 20th by 12:00. RSVPs are accepted by email. Women's Council is contracted to pay for all meals ordered, if you RSVP and do not attend, you will be billed for your luncheon fee!

*Please note our new location. Parking is across from the Allied Waste on 13th Street in the gravel parking lot

at the corner of 13th & Industrial. Watch for signs.

Please do not park in the Allied Waste Customer Parking Lot.