From DRAB to SHAB!

Anyone that knows me on a personal level knows that in my free time I like to "unwind" by redoing furniture! I love the feeling of seeing an old piece of furniture come back to life again with just a little TLC. 

Below you will see some of my most recent furniture redos. I wish I had before photos of all of them to share with you but I am forever forgetting to get that "before" photo shot :)

There is no quicker way to update a room than a little paint! If you have some furniture that is looking a little outdated.. throw some paint or stain on it.. and VOILA! You will have an updated piece that will help make any room look newer and fresh.

If you are considering putting your house on the market go through your home and see what pieces of furniture you currently own that could be updated to help make your home FEEL newer. When a buyer walks into a room, having a well staged layout is only going to increase the likelihood that THEY could see THEMSELVES living in your house.

As always... Pinterest is a GREAT way to get inspired :) 

A SHOUT OUT & EXCITING Announcement!

How many of you have seen the new mural on Main St? 

I love how the Graphics Program at McDowell Technical Community College updates this mural seasonally.... and they do SUCH a great job! 

Here are a few photos of their most recent paintings. Also, you will see the yearly calendar of Special Events in McDowell County.

Great job to everyone that contributed to the MURAL!

Now to switch gears....

My "EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT" is that I have recently joined with the North Carolina Mountains  MLS! This particular MLS covers Asheville and other surrounding counties!

 I am obviously still a primary member with the McDowell MLS however I felt like it was time to EXTEND my business. I now have the ability to offer my sellers EVEN MORE INTERNET EXPOSURE than EVER BEFORE! 

Going on the McDowell MLS is important for anyone trying to sell their house in McDowell County HOWEVER, with me being able to put ALL my listings on the NC Mountain MLS too it is only going to increase the odds of my sellers selling... and faster! 

Every..single...listing that I receive will now be on TWO MLS sites... McDowell & NC Mountain!

(This doesn't include the other benefits of listing with an ERA Agent either!!!)

Now... to begin the process of uploading all my current listings :) 

Have a great week everyone!

The POWER of a REFERRAL

How many times have we heard the Golden Rule?

I found this photo off Pinterest and am linking back to original webpage.. See below!

Link to Original Photo

This year I am embarking on my FIFTH year in Real Estate! I have to say that it has been quite a roller coaster :) When I first got in the business in 2009 we were beginning to see a huge decrease in the amount of properties that were selling & also an increase in the amount of people getting out of the real estate business!

Because of this... I feel as though I had to work VERY hard to close what little I was able to sell that first year! Nothing came easy... in fact my very first sale came because I knocked on a FSBO's door! 

Anyway, with that being said I have always been told by those that have been in the business for YEARS and YEARS that it takes at least 3 years to really establish yourself as a Real Estate Professional. I can most definitely attest to this being true... as last year was my most productive year yet. 

2013 I saw a HUGE increase in the amount of properties selling in our wonderful county! Seeing as how I got in the business in more of a "down" market...it gives me such great satisfaction seeing an increase in our local marketplace..It has been very interesting to watch & very refreshing to see :) 

I have been so excited  for the past few months or so as  I have noticed that I am starting to get REPEAT & REFERRAL clients! I can not even begin to express my gratitude for those of you who have referred me to your family and friends and for those of you who have picked up the phone to call me again to assist you in the purchase of a new home or the sale of your current one. 

This is truly the BIGGEST compliment that I can ever receive as a a Real Estate Professional!

......The POWER of a REFERRAL......

I hear all the time that once someone bought their house they never heard from their Realtor again.... I don't believe that I can be in this business and NEVER reach out to the people that have CHOSEN to work with me.. and continue to be successful. 

I am where I am because of my clients and their willingness to use me as their chosen Real Estate Professional! 

I share this with you not to "toot my own horn" but to remind you that it is important to treat people with respect and truly value them whatever profession you are in!  

Every time I receive a phone call from someone saying that a past client or another REALTOR from another area gave them my number... I am reminded... and I will continue to be reminded of..

THE POWER OF A REFERRAL!

There is no greater form of advertising that WORD of MOUTH! 

Continue to live by the Golden Rule.... You can NEVER fail by doing so!

Happy Monday to you ALL!

3 Different Learning Styles

I recently sat in on an online webinar through my TEAM ERA site. The ERA Franchise is constantly hosting online classes for us as ERA Agents to take and while I don't seem to get online to attend as much as I would like... I still try to take the time here and there!
As we all know.. being in the business of real estate means that I will NEVER stop learning :)

I was listening in on a class hosted by Zan Monroe on "Improving Your Presentation Skills-How to Be a Better Communicator" Zan is definitely one of my most favorite motivational speakers! I had him for a few classes a couple years back when I was in class to obtain my GRI Designation and instantly liked him and his presentation style. When I noticed online that Zan was the guest speaker for one of ERA's online webinars I knew that I had to attend!

One of the topics that Zan discussed in his webinar was  how there are 3 learning styles. I thought I would share this info with you because I think that it can be applied to really any situation... not just my line of work!

1. Visual Learning... This style of learning trumps all other senses that we have and account for approximately 60% of how our society learns. A person learns things through seeing and hands on experiences.

2. Kinesthetic Learning... This accounts for approx 25% of society and how they learn. In order to LEARN they must be able to MOVE. For example... kinesthetic learners are constantly fiddling with something.. like a pen.

3. Auditory Learning...This accounts for approx 15% of society. These type of learners have to HEAR something in order to be able to fully understand it.

So what kind of learner are you? I think that I would definitely fall under the Visual Learner category. Yes it helps to hear something be explained to me... but if I can SEE something with what I am trying to learn... then that is how I am able to fully COMPREHEND what I am trying to learn.

Anyway, I just thought that this was some pretty neat information to share!

As a business owner... it makes me think how I should be reaching out to people in the way in which THEY learn. I am sure that for some clients.. simply telling them something will do.. but then for the vast majority of the population having something they can hold in their hands and visually see would be helpful!
For example: having a buyer booklet for my buyers that explains the buying process...page by page... Having a listing presentation visual for when I go meet with a seller to discuss listing their home.
These are ways that I can be appealing to all 3 learning styles!

Have I got you thinking? I surely hope so :)

Until Later.....!!!!