The Three Marketeers

The land was ripe with business and the field was ablaze with providers.

Among the slickest was Ivan. He portrayed himself as an amiable service provider. A network of friends and acquaintances sang his praises. However, his delivery was a far cry from his perceived reputation. Ivan was great at selling you Ivan, but he was not great at selling your home. The papers were signed, the signs were installed and Ivan disappeared. Ivan was terrible to deal with, not only with his clients but also with his real estate peers.

Pauline on the other hand was new to the business - not a bad thing necessarily. Oh, and part time! If you didn't know her, you had heard of her. You know the type - on several committees at school, active at church, blocking the aisles at the supermarket with gossip. . . . . . . . . . . . a leader if there ever was one. Pauline thought real estate was a great occupation. She could make her own time schedule, and make big money. The business of real estate, however, took back burner to everything else in her life. Listing with Pauline was perilous.

Then, there was Bea. Bea was everywhere. There was not a publication you could scan that didn't have her smiling face beckoning your business. She was queen of the region, and employeed a hive of workers to keep up with a vast number of clients swarming about, hoping for the promised results someone so popular was sure to produce. Great at some things, but dispite a beavy of workers (all with attitude), wide gaps existed in the service provided.

Art Banyon, on the other hand, also worked hard. He worked hard at providing service. He knew his stuff . . . . . . . . . . followed the market trends, knew the rules of real estate, communicated with his clients, was skilled at negotiation, and well respected within the real estate community. Service and satisfied clients were his goals. When he spoke, it was fact - when he promised, he delivered. Over the years, as his referral business grew, he employed assistants with the same work ethics. It was undeniable that Art was a gem of an agent.

It is so easy to look to someone you may like, know or admire and assume that they will be able to provide the services that are needed and necessary for buying or selling a property.

Don't be fooled by the three marketeers, because finding a gem of an agent is more of an ART.

Memorial Day Remembrance

While many think of this weekend as the beginning of summer and barbeques in the yard, Memorial Day has a much more solemn meaning.

Sparked by an idea of Henry C. Welles, a druggest in the Village of Waterloo, and the support of General John B. Murray, a very patriotic Civil War verteran, what began as a community event to honor Civil War dead is now dedicated to the remembrance of all veterans.

However, Waterloo was not the only town honoring Civil War dead. About 25 towns, both North and South, laid claim to originating the practice. Among them were: Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; Richmond; Virginia, Boalsburg; Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illionois.

It was originally called Decoration Day because graves of Civil War dead were decorated with flags, black banners, and evergreen garland. Today it is known as Memorial Day and observed annually on May 30th. The date choosen as one when flowers would be available throughout the nation.

The Village of Waterloo was officially named the "Birthplace of Memorial Day" in 1966. Those interested in the history of that time (1866) can visit the 22-room brick home at 33 East Main Street, Waterloo, New York. On view are mementos of the Village of Waterloo, the Civil War, and Decoration Day.

The first official observance of Memorial Day was staged at the Arlington National Cemetery and the Arlington Mansion, home of General Robert E. Lee, and attended by 5,000 people. After World War I all Americans who gave their lives for our country were honored and it was officially declared a national holiday in 1971.

Penned in June, 1868, by General John A. Logan the General Order Number 11 of the Grand Army of the Republic requested national observance. http://www.memorialdayorgin.info/order11.html

The National Moment of Remembrance was passed by Congress in December, 2000, and signed into law by the President. It requests that we exercise a minute of silence on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time to honor our veterans.

This weekend we remember that our freedoms were not granted without cost. We owe much to our veterans . . . . . . . . . . remembrance is such a small price to pay as we continue to enjoy the "choicest flowers of Springtime."

Like to learn more, please visit:
http://www.usmemorialday.com/
http://www.waterloony.com
http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday.history.asp

Real Estate Myths

Call the agent who listed the property to get a better deal.

Some believe that the seller's agent (the agent who listed the property) will cut the commission to make the deal. In this instance, the seller's agent is a dual agent because the agent is also representing the buyer. So this perception usually falls short of reality.
The agent is representing a seller and a buyer - coordinating Certificate of Occupancy issues, contingency dates, etc for the seller; as well as home inspection issues, mortgage commitment deadline, etc. for the buyer. Paving the way for both parties to come to an agreeable transaction conclusion.
Would you expect a discount from your dentist if two teeth were capped at the same time; a rebate from your doctor for the examination of two of your children at once? Try it - let me know how that turns out!

Call all different agencies, that way everybody is working to find you properties.

While this may seem like a splendid idea, it's not.
"Agent Hoppers" need to be informed that properties are researched through a "multiple listing service" and accessed by real estate agents who belong to that particular service. The same information is available to all member agents.
More experienced agents mine out such callers during their first conversation. While they may gather information to service the client, such efforts are at the bottom of things to do. Agents are more inclined to use their time and effort for people who are willing and able to come to the office and meet with them.
There are many agents. Find one you like. Ask those who know - recent sellers, recent buyers - who they used, and would they recommend them. Meet that agent, speak with them, decide if you can work with them. One is sure to meet your style, needs and expectations.
Follow this agenda and you can be sure you will be working with a dedicated professional, an agent eager to work toward your housing goals.

Real Estate Market Forecast

Here's a short list of what's hot and what's cooling across the nation in real estate, as seen by predictors of such things

Continued Appreciation

• Idaho
• Albuqueque, New Mexico
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Atlanta, Georgia

Appreciation will flatten

• Fort Myers, Florida
• Tuscon, Arizona
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Denver, Colorado

Deflating prices

• Phoenix, Arizona
• Naples, Florida
• Nassau/Suffolk Counties, New York
• Boston, Massachusetts
  

How Does Your Garden Grow?

My last tulips are about to drop their petals and my landscaping is green and lush. Each year I watch with joy the awakening of flora from winter napping. Homeowners who realize the appeal of a well-done and well-groomed garden are steps ahead of those who do not.

My clients and I recently visited a home that was a great example of "pride of ownership" and as we exited through the rear gardens they commented that it was like walking through a park. The owners were happily gardening, and the remark made them glow.

Pierre Samuel duPont was also someone who took pride in his garden . . . . . . . on a grand scale.

In 1700 William Penn sold his land to a Quaker settler, George Peirce who farmed the land. His grandsons Joshua and Samuel Peirce (brothers) operated an arboretum, which was fairly well known, in 1800. Later, under the guidance of Joshua's son, George Washington Peirce, it became Peirce's Park, where the public enjoyed croquet and rowboats.

When George died in 1880 the park was neglected and forgotten and by the turn of the century the trees were being harvested by a sawmill operator.

Pierre Samuel duPont (Chairman of the duPont Company and General Motors Corp.) came along in 1906. It was here that he had his summer country estate. Influenced by his many visits (from 1913-1925) to the villas, chateaux and gardens of Italy and France, the wealthy industrialist developed the land throughout his life.

Before his death in 1954, duPont made sure that this beautiful family legacy would continue to be enjoyed by establishing a foundation for its care. His endowment enables Longwood Gardens, Inc., a not-for-profit organization with no government funding, to operate with the help of merchandise sales and public support through admission fees, courses and programs. Approximately 900,000 visit each year.

Longwood Gardens encompasses 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. There are 40 indoor gardens, 40 outdoor gardens, a 4 acre heated conservatory, 11,000 plants, fountains, and much, much more. They offer garden demonstrations, children's courses, and gardening courses, as well as flower shows, concerts, performing arts events, and fireworks. The educational programs include horticultural training and internships.

Longwood Gardens is truly a treasure and this year marks its Centennial. Mr. duPont had a right to be proud, and I'm sure if you visit Kennett Square, Pennsylvania you will agree.
www.LongwoodGardens.org