Random Bits of Information

Listed yesterday, on the market today.  They called me to list their home and had read and learned about staging through their home search.  Perhaps looking at my newsletters and listed properties helped too...I'd like to think so.  SO, this is literally the FIRST and probably ONLY home I've ever listed that I didn't have to rearrange something, stage in some fashion.  It's just about perfect.

Martinez Bungalow (California)- double sized lot included for $324,000!!!  Great Price, Great Property.

This charming home is a 2 bedroom that has been updated to the maximum.  It boasts stainless steel appliances in the new kitchen.  Updated flooring, new windows, forced air heat, new plumbing and electrical, detached garage, inside laundry room and so much more.  This property is a true value with nothing left to do for you to move in.  www.1331Delacy.com See for yourself.  Website done by Chris Fisher, www.StagersLISTWebsites.com  email ChrisFisher@stagerslist.com and these property websites are so affordable, so professional looking and delivered in time for the weekend. 

 

I want you to try something. Do a Google search on "Jason O'Neill". Pick your jaw up off the floor - yes, he's thirteen. I visited with Jason and his mom this afternoon at Starbucks. He is one amazing kid.

I found Jason on twitter. You may know I was on the fence for quite some time about the value of twitter, but I'm a true believer now. I saw that Jason was from Temecula, which is right next door to Murrieta, where I live. I contacted him via twitter and asked if I could interview him. I then wound up arranging the interview through his manager, his M.O.M (Mother Of Me).

Jason told me he's been interested in making money since he was five years old. He sold lemonade and hot chocolate and got into recycling (which he still does). A little over three years ago, his mom and grandmother were doing a project for a crafts fair. Jason asked if he could help them and share the profits. Mom told him no. If he wanted to do a crafts project, it would have to be his own. It was then that Jason gave birth to Pencil Bugs. He made 24 of them and put them up for sale at the craft fair, thinking that would be the end of it. They sold out quickly. He started making more, and they now make them, at home, hundreds at a time.

It wasn't long before Jason started gaining attention. They put up the website and started getting orders from all over the world - Denmark, Africa, Egypt and Canada to name a few. He was a contestant in 2007 on NBC's short-lived 1 vs. 100  game show as was called "The Kid Mogul". Forbes.com named him one of the Top 10 Role Models Under 18. Forbes magazine will be doing an article about him. He received "Young Entrepreneur Of The Year" award in 2007 at age 11. It was a contest designed for those 16 and older. He speaks at various events and has hooked up with Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup For The Soul book series. Mark is including Jason in an upcoming book called The Richest Kids In America. Did I mention he's thirteen?

So many things impressed me about Jason. He's got his head screwed on straight. Mom Nancy says the priorities they have given him are "school, being a kid, and then business". As he told me "You're only a kid once". His school mates just don't get it. They think it's a little hobby he's doing. Make no mistake, it's a full fledged business. In addition to Pencil Bugs, Jason has bookmarks and greeting cards. His future plans include board games, video games, cards games, a cartoon and maybe even a movie. I wouldn't bet against him. He works now not because he has to (he's thirteen), but because he wants to. He wants to work as an adult because he wants to, not needs to. Jason also believes in giving to charity, as long as all the money goes to kids, not salaries or administrative costs. He has given to Hugs Foster Family in Temecula and to Rady Children's Hospital.

Jason hopes to encourage other kids to stretch, adding if you sit on your ideas, you don't know what you might miss. Jason set up his twitter account in December of last year, and now has more than 1500 followers. You can follow him @pencilbugs. I do. His tweets are worth reading.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador  (951) 907-9701

It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.

 

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I believe this is the message many of us want to deliver.  Sometimes we just grow weary of being the bearers of not such good news.  However, I believe our clients want and need to hear us say.

Dear trusted client, (and friends),

It is me, your Realtor.  I have often told you that I want to be your realtor for life...I have been in real estate 32 years and think I used that slogan long before it became everyone's slogan.  But it is still a good one for me.  What does that mean to you?  It means I'll be there in good times and in bad.  I'll be there for the counsel and questions.  It means I"LL BE THERE (or HERE in this market right now)!!!

So in today's market what does that mean?  It means that I want to be your first phone call if you have something to discuss about your real estate.  Don't be embarrassed and don't worry about judgment, it's me here, just as I've always been.  Everyone has something in life, if you have a situation that is not particularly easy to discuss, be assured I will be discreet and hold your information in confidence.  If you have a friend or coworker who needs advice on shortsale or foreclosure or just general questions I would be honored to be that resource.  Your referral is a compliment that means more than I can tell you.  It is why I still do what I do after 32 years.  It IS my reward.

My goal is as it's always been, to treat you fairly, with respect and honesty and assist you in whatever your real estate need.  Much like a marriage,  I'll be there for those tough conversations, and without judgment help you to explore the way through this market we find ourselves in.  The solution may not always be what you want to hear and certainly may not be the message I want to deliver but I promise to do so, so that you can move on.  I believe that is why you have called me.

You see, I am here in this profession I love for the duration.  Are these easy answers and easy times to be a Realtor? NO, certainly not.  But I will not abandon you just because times are tough.  I owe you that, I honor my profession by being here to help those who need good, honest real estate advice, perhaps to hold your hand, or cry with you.  But I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Blessings to you...we'll all get through these times with a little help from our friends.  Your Realtor